“You had the password this whole time and you didn’t tell me?” he looked at Greg frowned then looked at the vault.
“Peter, I need you to lay off the cocaine. I don’t have the password, but we both have guns. We can shoot the lock, break in and take the stuff.” Greg let out an impatient snort.
“They will know we took it.” Peter took a closer step to the vault touched it with his fingers then backed away from it.
“We can blame it on the dead kids.”
“I like your thinking, Greg.” Peter’s gaze went from unfocused to focused and a big smile lit his face.
They walked out of the door with their guns drawn. If they somehow killed Trinity and Fred, but I doubt it, they would know that I was here. They may not know what’s in the vault, but they know it isn’t empty. I need to get out of here. I don’t need for them to see me or alert Trinity and Fred that I was here.
Rushing to the door, I heard them approaching the commissary. Sliding out of the door, I ran around the back of the building and transformed into a bat and flew to the tower. I saw Peter and Greg go inside the commissary. Gunshots rang out. Five minutes later, Trinity and Fred walked out. Fred no longer had horns and he looked like Peter. They jumped into the silver coup and sped out of the parking lot. Why had the guards driven their car and not a government car? These shape shifting demons were more of a problem than I could imagine. How do you fight an enemy that you can’t identify?
My phone vibrated. Taking it out of my pocket, I read the message for Liam.
Things are worse than I ever imagined. Don’t do anything that would draw attention to yourself. Lay low and come home tonight. If you are approached or apprehended and there’s no way out don’t resist. I’ll always find you. You must stay alive at all cost.
This message was more cryptic than the last. I wished I had the cliff notes version because it sounds messed up. I can’t stay here. I can’t stay here with two dead government officials. My phone vibrated in my hands. Melody texted me. That must be a good sign. Right? I tapped on her message and tried to breathe.
I’m looking forward to our lunch date. I’ve been thinking about you all day.
I was looking forward to our date as well, but I’m not going to make it. If I reschedule our date, she will know I’m not trying to brush her off or lead her on.
Melody. Something has come up. How about a rain check? I can’t believe I have to stand her up. The one place I’d rather be I can’t be. She probably thinks I’m a jerk and full of kiddy games these guys play. I’m willing to work to gain her trust and make it up to her. Melody is the girl for me, I’ll do what I must do. I’m not losing her.
Flying back toward Atlanta and I crashed in Trinity’s house. It was midday and there was no way to get to the academy without being caught. I’m exhausted and hungry. I need blood. Sliding under Trinity’s bed I close my eyes and ignore the body aches that result from lack of blood. I’ve got to rest and restore my energy just in case I need to use my powers to get home. Liam said something was going on.
Pulling out my phone I checked my battery life. Fifteen percent. I hope that’s enough battery life until I get home. Trinity looked like the type who didn’t use electronics. Everyone had a phone, at least most people. I hope she has a phone charger in here somewhere. This room had everything except a radio, television, or phone. I understand the government banned radios and television, but she doesn’t strike me as the type to care. She’s a rebel. If she had wanted a radio or television, she’d have one in here. Opening her third dresser drawer, I found a whole bunch of lace panties. I also found another phone. It looks like a prepaid phone. The government banned those years ago since they couldn’t track them. This one still worked and had a full battery. Slipping it into my back pocket, I lifted the black pair of panties. There was a pink flowered journal. Flipping through it I noticed it was filled out completely. Trinity started this journal three years ago. Interesting. This may help us learn more about who she is, so I slipped it in my pocket.
Sliding under her bed, I checked my phone again. Melody texted me back. Maybe she doesn’t think I’m the biggest jerk on the planet after all.
I overheard the girls talking, saying that they hadn’t seen you today. I’m assuming you are still out checking on your friend. No worries. How about you meet me in the enchanted garden at eleven tonight. I’ll bring juice and goodies. Don’t be late. Melody.
I’m in danger of losing my heart to this girl. She’s something special and I’m not talking about her being an angel. Valcrum must have made Melody from within his own heart. Nothing is keeping me away from meeting her tonight.
You’re right. I’m not there. I ran into some problems. I wouldn’t miss our date, in my favorite place, for the world. See you soon. Cade.
I turned off my phone. As much as I wanted to talk to Melody, I can’t let my phone die. Closing my eyes, I pictured her face. Kissing her is going to become my new addiction and I don’t want help.
My eyes popped open. The light had faded from outside. Just as I was crawling toward the edge to get out a pair of tennis shoes appeared next to the bed. Whoever it was smelled like he had bathed in alcohol. It wasn’t Fred. Fred had a different smell. It was like a dead skunk but worse. Looking out from under the bed, I saw Frank. He had bandaged up his nose and was with four more guys.
Rolling back under the bed I waited. Someone knew that Ben chased me down this way. I hope they didn’t see me use my powers.
“I want the girl who killed Ben. Tear this place apart,” said Frank.
It was three hours later when Fred and his men left. None of them bothered to look under the bed, or I would have had to fight them. I was grateful at first until I realized that they made me stand up Melody. Dang. I can’t catch a break.
Chapter Thirteen
Arianna
I opened my eyes rubbing the huge knot on the back of my skull which caused shooting pains behind my eyes. The bed was firm and felt heavenly on my lower back, which made me scramble to my feet. My bed at home feels like wires are probing your spinal cord. I looked around. Where am I? There was a fireplace in the corner with logs in it.
I wasn’t on the street anymore and I was alive. How? Shutting my eyes again I remember Kyra shouting that the werewolves were almost upon us and then I tripped. Looking around the room, I didn’t see anything that I could use as a weapon. Creeping to the door, I opened it and walked out. The hallway was dark and empty, so I crept toward the staircase.
This was the prettiest house I had ever been inside. Too bad I didn’t know whose house this was, or I’d tell them. Taking the steps one at a time I reached the landing. On the coffee table I saw a crowbar, so I picked it up and walked toward the front door. A loud shouting match stopped me in my tracks. Through the pass through the door, I saw a male and female arguing but I didn’t know them.
Leaning on the wall I scooted closer to the kitchen wall. I needed to see who my captors were so that I could avoid them in the future. For a second they stopped arguing, and I held my breath ducking low, so they couldn’t see me. When the arguing started again, I waited a few minutes before standing up. After counting to three I peeped around the corner into the kitchen.
The man was tall and built like a truck. He had eight-pack abs and it was covered with hair. Guys don’t look like him. He was hairy all over but that didn’t detract from his beauty. Standing on the opposite side of the kitchen counter was a short female. Her long jet-black hair almost touched the floor. Ducking back behind the wall, I tiptoed to the front door. Flinging it open I ran outside.
Running down the street as fast as I could, I turned the corner and hid behind the gray trash cans. Their footsteps sounded like several people were after me. He ran past where I was hiding and I held my breath. A second later the girl ran past my hiding place. I smiled. Then she came back and pushed the trash cans aside.
Kicking at her feet, I tossed the trash can lid at her and ran down the street.
/> “You’re going to pay for that.” She screamed and took off after me.
Taking the stairs of a nearby building, I rushed up them to the roof. I could hear the stairs vibrate under someone’s weight, but I kept running until I came to the ledge. Looking down, it was at least eight stories and I didn’t think I’d survive a fall like that.
Looking behind me, I saw her black hair shining in the light. Backing up a bit, I took off running at full speed, and jumped over the ledge. Landing on my ankle I fell to my knees. Pain shot up my leg and I stumbled to my feet. I couldn’t put any weight on my ankle so running was out. Hobbling to the door I rushed inside the building and down the stairs. Reaching the third steps I hid underneath them.
Placing my hand over my mouth I prayed. I was alone, outnumbered and unarmed. The stairwell door slammed shut. I held my breath as several footsteps ran down the stairs. Through the crack, I saw an older man. He looked about thirty years old and was wearing a light tan jacket and a baseball cap. His eyes were a soft green and he didn’t look hardened by life. Most importantly he wasn’t with the crazy people who had me cooped up in that bedroom.
The man reached for the door and I heard it slam shut. I waited a few minutes then I scooted out from under the stairs. I ran up the stairs but strong arms, like a band of steel wrapped around my waist.
“Get off me.” I threw my head back and connected with a strong chest.
The man thrust me up against the wall. His hand wrapped around my throat lifting me off the floor as he cut off my airway. Clawing at his hands, I tried to get his fingers off my neck. My eyesight started to blur as the vein in my head pulsed strongly against my temples.
“You picked the wrong building and you’ll pay with your life.” He tilted my neck and his fangs dropped down from his gums.
“She is under our protection. You don’t want to violate the tender treaty we have with you,” she said. She held a samurai sword in her hand but smirked and dropped it to the ground.
The dark-haired girl who had chased me down the street wanted a piece of him. She must be crazy. How does she know him and why would she throw her weapon on the ground? His fangs are getting closer to my neck, and I can feel my legs shiver.
“You’re far from home and on my turf. I’m going to drain her dry then I’m going to kill you,” he said.
The stairwell door burst open. The buff guy with the killer abs walked past the girl with his arms folded over his chest. “Dennis, do you want war? You won’t live long enough to see the outcome.”
“Maximus, this is our turf. You have no right to be here.” His grip on my throat loosened. I kneed him in the groin, but he didn’t drop me. He merely grunted.
Maximus. Wow. He looks like a Maximus. I don’t know about Dennis the vampire but I’m guessing Maximus likes to fight. His body looks like it was forged in steel. Maybe I can escape once they start fighting. Wiggling my lower body, I inch toward the door.
“I see you found our friend. Hand her over and we’ll be out of your way,” said Maximus.
“My mouth salivates for her blood. I’m going to keep her,” said Dennis. His grip tightened on my neck and stars floated above my eyes.
Maximus took his sword and tossed it on the ground.
Dennis tossed me to the side. I flew across the room and hit the brick wall. Shaking my head, I tried to clear the dizziness and stumbled to my feet. Dennis held up his hands.
“Take her man. If I see her again, I won’t be responsible for my actions.” Dennis flew out the door. He moved faster than I could blink. The door was still flapping in the wind behind him when I moved toward it. A firm hand turned me around.
“My name is Maximus Ward and this is Aiko Hayashi.” He pointed to his chest then to the jet-black haired girl standing behind them.
“How did I wake up in your house?” I asked Aiko, but strong fingers turned my chin toward him. “You fainted in the street, so I brought you back to the house where you’d be safe,” said Maximus.
“Uhm, I appreciate that, but I have to go. Thanks for saving me, but I have somewhere to be.” I jerked out of his grip and stiffened when he smiled.
“It is pitch black outside and you almost became dinner a second ago. Do you have a death wish?” asked Aiko. She picked up her sword and slid it inside the case.
“My baby sister was with me. I appreciate your concern, but I have to go.” I walked to the door. The strong winds caused the door to shut in my face. Closing my eyes, I willed my heart to slow down before I have a heart attack.
“If that’s the case the vampires probably got her,” said Akio.
“I’m not worried about the vampires, but I am worried about the werewolves.”
“What makes you think werewolves exist,” asked Akio. She handed Maximus his sword and smiled.
“I saw them with my own eye. They tried to attack us.” The skeptical look on Maximus face as he glanced at Akio made me ball up my fist. I don’t have time for their crap.
“Look believe what you want I don’t care.” I looked at Aiko then stepped out the door. Glancing from left to right, I took another step before Maximus turned me around.
“I’d rather escort you safely to your destination rather than have you become Dennis’s dinner tonight.”
My phone vibrated in my back pocket. I dug inside my pocket, grabbing my phone. Kyra’s number flashed across the screen making tears pool in my eyes.
“Hello.” I held a finger up to Maximus and leaned against the wall.
“Ari, where are you? Are you alright?” asked Kyra.
“I’m safe. Is Sylvia coming to get me?” I frowned and ran a hand through my hair. How was I going to get to the academy?
“I don’t think so. She disappeared after we got here. She thought you were dead, but I was sure you managed to escape. You always land on your feet,” said Kyra.
“This is perfect. The academy doesn’t know you’re alive so if you want to stay and help mom, you can. I’m here now and the headmaster will likely keep me if I’m his only option.”
“Kyra, he will know that I’m alive. He’s powerful for a reason. You can’t just fool him like a silly human. You can’t mean to leave me here on the streets to be slaughtered by vampires and werewolves.”
“It’s not my fault fate deemed you to be left behind. Go home and take care of mom and leave saving the world to me.”
“The headmaster will toss you out on your butt and I won’t be there for you.” Tears spilled down my cheek. How could my own sister leave me in danger like this? I’ve always sacrificed everything for her. If Kyra’s the last hope for humans, they’re already doomed.
Maximus handed me a tissue. I grabbed it and turned my back on him.
Click.
Chapter Fourteen
Cade
I hopped over the retaining wall and landed on the academy grounds. Today had been a day. It had sucked and I’m just glad to see home. Running through the enchanted gardens a small part of my stomach sank. There was no way Melody was waiting for me out here this late, but I kept hope alive. Who would wait out here this late when I didn’t tell her I would be late, and my phone was off? A woman stood up twice in a row back- to-back had a right to be mad.
Running through the hallway, I stopped in the kitchens. I was so thirsty even my saliva felt stale and inadequate. Grabbing an apple, I dashed to Liam’s office. Later, I would make it up to Melody, but I had to do this first. Busting into Liam’s office I skidded to a stop. Liam’s desk was neat but it smelled like death. Walking down into his study, I saw Leonardo on the silver hospital bed. The intravenous line was in his right arm and he was very pale.
“What happened to you?” I rushed to his side. He waved for me to stay far away from him.
“He’s been infected with the vampire virus,” said Liam. He pulled off the blue latex gloves and handed me the lab report.
“I don’t understand. There’s got to be a mistake. Is the virus transmitted through sex?”
&
nbsp; “It can be. If you have unprotected sex with an infected person and are exposed to their fluids you could get it. You and I have talked about the importance of using protection. Did you lose your virginity tonight?”
“You got lucky tonight. Good for you. Who was the lucky girl?” Leonardo smiled then put the breathing mask back over his face as he went into a coughing spell.
“I’m not a virgin.”
“You’re still a virgin. You shouldn’t be ashamed of waiting until you’re ready,” said Liam.
“How did Leonardo get the vampire virus?”
“He says he left the bar with a girl, and she was a creature that looked human whose arms turned to steel, and she almost killed him. She poured the vial of tainted blood down his throat. He barely escaped with his life.”
“This is all my fault.”
“What did you find out?” Liam walked over and sat down at his desk.
I pulled the black envelop out and handed it to him. “I took this out of the vault at the air force base in Macon.”
“This looks like several chemical formulas. The first is a genetic code sequence. What were you doing in Macon?”
“I followed a girl, named Trinity, she turned into a dragon and killed Ben.”
“There is something going on deeper than the vampire virus. I’m just not sure it’s all connected yet. Someone is creating genetically altered beings that look like humans.”
Liam held up the envelope. “You may have found half of the answer tonight. You did great.”
“Where is the girl now?”
“I’m not sure, but there’s more. Trinity’s boyfriend is a demon named Fred. Fred is running from forty other demons that are here in Atlanta.”
Liam got up and unlocked his safe. He handed me a bottle of blood. “Drink this. You look like you’re about to collapse. Why is a demon here?”
Ripping the top of the bottle I chugged the liquid down my throat. I forced my hand to remove the bottle from my mouth, so I could answer him. My stomach hurt so bad, and the blood had only made it worse. My weakness continued to plague my limbs.
Academy of Magic Collection Page 150
