“Joe goes where I go. Daddy said I can take him everywhere with me.” Kyra flung her hair over her shoulder and held out her hands.
Joe jumped out of my hand and landed in Kyra’s where she rained kisses on his face. I love Joe too, don’t get me wrong, but my lips are not going anywhere near his face. Once Joe had enough attention he crawled inside of her pocket.
“Kyra, that was before the government banned everything. Do you really want to risk being sentenced to death for having Joe?” My voice was low with the force of restraint. Kyra was a spoiled brat that needed to grow up. I wish dad had lived long enough to set her straight. Lord knows she won’t listen to mom and me.
I miss daddy more than words can say. When we lost him a part of me died that day, and a hole remains. The youngest always gets spoiled and I understand that but, I need dad too. I guess I didn’t need him as much as Kyra and now it’s too late. Shaking my head, I focus on her. Her fist balled up at her side and she looked like she could bite the head off a pit bull. I have fifteen minutes to be at work, but she had worked my last nerve.
If she starts a fight, I’m going to finish it and wipe her face in the mud. I would be doing the world a favor because the world is not ready for Kyra Deeds. The government initiated one positive thing: banning sex and unsanctioned births. I can screw up my life, but the life of a child is precious and failure isn’t an option.
“You want me to give Joe up because Daddy didn’t bring you anything from Hawaii. It’s not my fault I was his favorite. I won’t give him up ever.”
I rolled my eyes. “You never listen. Do what you want Kyra.” I walked away. I’m waving the white flag.
Chapter Three
Trevor
These twenty years felt like knives through my heart. It took a year for Lily’s soul to ascend to Xundar. Who would have thought that someone so young would take a full year in judgment with Valcrum? I thought she wouldn’t remember our meeting before her premature demise but I was wrong. Valcrum must be behind her keeping that memory. Why hasn’t he punished me for my behavior? He must have known that any punishment he can inflict would pale in comparison to what Lily has done to me.
Floating through the fields I make my way to Waters of Serenity. I’ve never wanted to be caged inside my head or have the water nymph help with my memories. This place is like a plague on your medulla. My thoughts are my own and I guard them as such. The water is crystal clear luring you into its warm currents, and the nymphs love to discover your secrets.
I’ve waited an eternity for Lily and her refusal to be in my life only fuels my obsession for her. I will never give up on us, and I will not allow her to either. Like she does every day, she is swimming with the sea nymphs. Her wavy hair is molded to her head cascading down her back. She wears her hair like armor, allowing it to fall over her round firm bosoms toward the center of her essence. I can only ponder what they must be telling her about me. I am not a bad person. I’m just misunderstood.
Passing the trees, I step on the embankment. My toes curl as the warm waters slides across my skin beckoning me deeper inside its depths. Once the water sloshes against my knees, I grabbed Lily from behind.
“When are you going to forgive me, Lily?” I pressed my face in the crook of her neck inhaling the salty ocean scent clinging to her skin.
“I’ve forgiven you. I think it’s best that you stay away from me. Why would you come to my planet and play with me so callously?” She pushed out of my arms and dipped under the water.
“I have never played any games with you. My intentions are true.” Dang. Where is she? A flash of blue-green circles my leg. The hair had me gritting my teeth.
“Trevor have you decided to stop being fearful of my powers and seek my face,” asked Victoria. She waded the water closer to me while her long scaly tail flaps stronger.
“I am not interested in you Victoria. You nymphs use your powers to seduce everyone and that is why I will never be seduced by you.”
Lily had surfaced. Her face was impassive but the set of her jaw showed she didn’t like me speaking with Victoria. It also probably had something to do with Victoria flaunting her perfect half-human body in my face. If I was a weaker spirit I would be slime in her hands, but I know who I want.
“It’s not smart to make me angry. I could kill you very easily,” said Victoria. Her beautiful green eyes had turned the color of blood.
I shrugged. “Let’s just fight to the death and call it a day. This conversation bores me.” Turning my back on her I headed toward Lily. There is nothing I can do about what happened on planet Earth, but I can do something about meddling Victoria. Why doesn’t Victoria go hide somewhere?
Victoria’s arm turned into a blue tentacle that wrapped around my neck forcing me underneath the water. Struggling to free myself my eyes blurred as she dragged me deeper underwater. When I could no longer see the top, I pulled her face closer to mine and my lips touched hers. She loosened her grip on my neck and closed her eyes deepening the kiss.
I channeled all my energy in my hands. The strong current flowed through me making me glow a hunter green. I touched her chest. Her body jerked as the current shot through her chest blasting her deeper in the water. My limbs ached as I was drained of most of my power. Once my head broke through the water, I spotted Lily swimming toward me.
“Get out of the water.” I looked behind me but I did not see anything. The temperature of the water was no longer cold. It was boiling. Summoning the last of my strength I reached for Lily. My arms wrapped around her waist and I held her close to me, blocking her body with mine.
“Are you alright? I saw her take you under the water,” said Lily. She looked in my eyes. Her fingers rubbed against my cheek and I leaned against her fingers.
“Why did you get back in the water? You love me admit it.” I turned around looking for Victoria, but I did not see her.
She frowned and pushed against my shoulders. “What makes you think I love you?”
“I can read minds.” I have not read her mind. Why should I? She risked herself for me and climbed back in this water because she was worried about me. She thought of my welfare and has endangered her own. If I was not sure this would be my last moment alive, I would weep with joy.
“You read my mind. Get off me!” She wiggled in my arms.
“I did not need to read your mind. You got back in the water despite already getting out. You love me. Just admit it.”
“I can’t trust you.” She stopped pushing against my chest. She laid her head against my shoulder.
“She’s coming. Do something.” Her body trembled against me.
“You can trust me besides we are about to die. What do you have to lose?” I looked behind me. The biggest tidal wave was forming ahead. It would be a matter of minutes and…
“I love you. I do not know how or why I have these feeling for you but I wish they would go away”
“I love you too. I can die happy and fulfilled.” I took her lips.
Her gasp did not stop my tongue from invading into her mouth. When she sighed and started kissing me back, I withdrew.
“I don’t want us to die at all. I’m not dating you in the afterlife.” Her hands wrapped around my head as she rested her forehead against mine.
“I have never loved as much as I love you.” Her lips brushed against mine. My eyes longed to close and savor the kiss she just bestowed on me, but the water’s current was moving us further from safety. The water covered our heads. I lifted her above me out of the water. Closing my eyes channeling the last of my strength I teleported Lily to the rose gardens.
My limbs cramped as the last of my strength seeped from me. Opening my arms and closing my eyes I fell under the water. The tidal wave forced my body deeper into the water toward the bottom. My heart lights as my last thought was of Lily’s last words to me. A smile curved my lips as pain shot through my body and all my muscles jerked. Lightheadedness made my thoughts cloudy as peace surrounded me and every
thing went black.
Victoria picked Trevor up and placed a kiss on his lips. She stopped the tidal waves crashing the area and carried him from the water. Her tail became human legs as she transformed into a young naked woman.
“You don’t get to decide when you die Trevor. I’m not done with you yet. You think you’ve saved her, but she’ll suffer more than anyone has ever suffered before. I will be your love and you mine.” She pressed her hand against his chest, her eyes turning red as she breathed life into him.
“Victoria, you know it’s forbidden to bring spirits back from the dead,” said Thalia. She moved out of the water and her black hair hung down her back. Once her body left the water her tail turned into legs, and she moved to stand by Victoria.
“He belongs to me and I won’t allow anyone to take him from me not Valcrum, not even Trevor himself,” said Victoria. She walked back into the water. Her legs transformed into her tail and she dove deep under the water.
Thalia glanced back at Trevor. His hand twitched and she ran back into the water diving deep under the surface.
Chapter Four
Cade
Corey was bleeding over all the white carpet. There wasn’t a spot on him that wasn’t pouring blood, and even his bowels were lying at his feet on the floor. It smelled like death in here. Corey’s wheezing and occasional coughs of blood were the only things heard.
“He’s not sick. He’s dying. He could’ve infected you by his presence.” Liam was a stubborn vampire, but this was crazy. I’d never seen anything like the mutilation that ailed Corey.
“It doesn’t matter. This affects all of us. He said that he had some blood and a month later boils opened, and he began bleeding. The boils are on the inside and outside.” He covered Corey, with a sheet and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.
“I told you there are darker forces at work. Someone is poisoning vampires.” He changed his gloves and donned a fresh pair of blue latex gloves before he injected the needle into Corey’s arm.
Corey was mumbling but his speech was disoriented and incoherent. His eyes glazed over once the medicine took effect. It was probably morphine to dull his pain and ease his suffering. Corey wasn’t my favorite person because he was selfish and placed all his troubles on us. Nobody deserved this type of suffering. Not even Corey.
“It must be the werewolves. Who else would poison us?” I paced back and forth.
“There’s more in this world than vampires and werewolves.” He leaned over Corey. The sheet didn’t rise for a second.
“It’s a nice thought that we aren’t alone, but we are. You’re being way too trusting. Someone touched one of us. We need to send a statement and let the streets overflow with their blood.” My fingers itched to grab the sword and hop out the window.
The audacity that someone would touch vampires was insane. We’ve been around for thousands of centuries and if our ancestors hadn’t upset Valcrum we wouldn’t be cursed with living here on Earth as second-class citizens.
“Your judgement is clouded. I need you to clear your mind. If something happens to me, you must stand and keep the academy open.”
“It’s easy for you to say, but Maximus hasn’t paid penance for Letoya, yet I’ve kept my promise to you. Letoya was my sister.” I walk toward the steps. I can never disrespect Liam, he’s like a father to me, but I can’t ignore this.
“I’m the closest thing to a father you’ll ever know. I’ve raised Letoya and you for over two thousand centuries, and you speak to me of Letoya.” His voice vibrated and echoed off the walls.
“Let’s agree to disagree.” I walked up the steps needing to calm myself before I head back through the hallways of cheerful students.
“Take one more step and I’ll force you to draw my sword. You will obey me or you will die. I won’t allow your death to be on my hands too.”
Blinking rapidly, I peered at the ceiling trying to gain control. Corey was dead and we’re arguing about werewolves. Liam knows I’d never lay a finger on him, but Maximus Ward is another story. Liam swindled me out of my promise not to kill him, but once I prove he’s behind this I’ll be clear to finally kill him.
“What is going on here? Liam are you alright?” said Maximus. He came with five men from his pack.
“Corey Adams has been murdered. When I prove you did it, I’ll cut your head from your shoulders.” I pulled Letoya’s jeweled dagger from its sheath. Recognition flared in his eyes as he saw the dagger.
All five of his men stepped forward, but he held them back. He shook his head and looked at Liam standing behind me.
“If I kill anybody, it’ll be you,” said Maximus.
I took a step toward him. I’m not known for my patience.
“Bring me my sword,” said Liam. He walked in between the middle of us.
Liam pointed to Maximus’s men. “Leave us. This concerns Maximus and Cade.”
They looked at Maximus for confirmation. Nobody bucks Liam Moretti. He runs the school by day and keeps the peace between everyone at night. He’s the protector for those that need protecting. The werewolves had made Valcrum mad just like the vampires, but the werewolves took things too far. Valcrum was going to let their species become extinct, which is crazy.
“You heard him. Go.” Maximus watched as his men left the office and shut the door behind them.
“Both of you listen because I’m only going to say this once. From this day forward, we have a treaty in place, which means for the safety of our races, we will not kill one another.”
“When we find out who the other species is that betrayed us, we have proof that voids the treaty right?” My heart slammed against my chest.
“No. I decide whether the treaty has been violated and I decide who will exact justice. I can tell you now it is not either of you,” said Liam.
“I volunteer now to take the responsibility to see justice is done.” My eyes never left Maximus. He needed to know that I intend to kill him.
“You want to kill me bad. I bet you fantasize about it. You actually think you’re better than me,” said Maximus. He chuckled.
“Request denied permanently. Do not ask me again, or I will see it as a challenge to my authority.”
I clenched my jaw tight. Challenging Liam’s authority was an automatic fight to the death, and over two thousand centuries no one had won that fight. I’m not sure why they wanted all the responsibility that he has, but I don’t. He’s robbed me of my vengeance.
How could he do this to me? This is the most I’ve ever spoken out and I’m ready to go. We need to display strength at a time like this and Liam has forged a pact with the mangy werewolves.
“Whoever breaks this pact will be killed immediately, without questions,” said Liam.
“I will gather everyone together to sign the treaty, and I’m willing to sign it now in good faith. Corey was a mess but I really liked him. A happy drunk never deserves to be murdered.”
“Someone is poisoning blood. Cade will leave tonight to try and find out who is doing this. For now, we keep our eyes open and don’t associate or make any new friends,” said Liam. He walked over to the desk and rolled out the gold and cream parchment. When he finished writing he pulled out his official seal and stamped it.
My teeth ached from grinding them. The walls seemed to be closing in on me. Sweat beaded on my forehead and dripped down the side of my face. Maximus stood there looking smug and bored. I’m hoping that he too is bristling inside that we can’t fight to the death. Why should I be the only one upset?
“Come sign the treaty.” Liam held the pen in his hand as he watched both of us walk over to his desk.
“Can I see your pen,” asked Maximus.
Liam shook his head. “Everyone who signs the treaty will sign with their blood.”
Maximus stared at his fingers until his claws extended from his skin. He then ranked his long-curved claw across his wrist, and his blood spilled on the paper.
When Maximus finished, I had my bloo
d ready. He nodded to Liam and left.
I watched it drip on the parchment feeling sick. I signed my name. It could be worse. I could be standing here looking into Maximus’s cocky face. Heading to the steps, I heard Liam clear his throat. For once in my life, I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.
“I know you’re upset but I have to keep everyone safe. One day, maybe soon, I will tell you about Letoya. We all have our secrets, Cade.”
Turning slowly, I grabbed the banister to steady myself. The water flooding my eyes overwhelmed me. Blinking rapidly, I held back the tears. I’m not crying in front of no man.
“Don’t bother.” I flew up the stairs and kicked the basement door shut. I’m way past the age to be kicking doors shut but I can’t look at Liam anymore. His betrayal sliced through my heart. Closing his office door, I stormed down the hall. This has been one of the worse days of my life.
“Cade. You’ll need this” said Liam. He prowled toward me with a tattered brown cardboard box. He dumped the box in my hands.
“It’s time.” Liam walked back toward his office.
“I don’t need this.” The box smelled old. Whatever was in here had been there for a very long time. Glancing down, I saw the address scribbled on the yellow sticky note. Yanking it off the box I crumpled it and placed it in my pocket. This is one address that I know too well. There isn’t a chance that I would ever forget it.
“You desperately seek the truth and I will not stop you from seeing it.”
He closed the door to his office. It was like Corey hadn’t died. No one would know just how messed up this day has been for Liam. For all of us. I try to have the same composure but I don’t. I had dreams of being half the man Liam is but I know I never will.
Closing my bedroom door, I placed the box down on the desk. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I swiftly turned around. Maximus stepped out from the shadows. He looked at the box.
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