Blood Royal

by Kara Joy

  They all agreed and we all left to go our separate ways to our classes. I was glad to get away so I could daydream about Orion without them noticing. I walked into class and sat down.

  The class was uneventful, at least as much as I could tell. Of course, I did not hear a word that the teacher had said. I was looking out the window, remembering when Orion mentally talked to me as I sat here in class, my first week at school. I wondered if he could talk to me over long distances. As soon as the thought came to me, the bell rang, startling me. I ran out of the class and to the parking lot. I needed to get home soon so I could get ready for the dance. I did not want to go without Orion, but I already agreed to go.

  Chapter 13

  Rachael, Mercedes, and Lady arrived shortly after we pulled into the driveway. I opened the door to greet them. “So, what should we do first?”

  Rachael was the first to answer since she was our main beautician. “Nails, makeup, and then we do each other's hair.”

  The others all laughed at Rachael’s authority in her voice. We quickly bounded up the stairs, in a fit of giggles, to get started on our nails. It was a lot of fun hanging out with my friends. Once our nails were done, I went downstairs to escape for a minute. I wasn't used to all of the girly stuff. I had always been a tomboy, even earlier in my life. I never bothered with dresses and makeup. I preferred my jeans and hoodie.

  Arianna was there in the kitchen when I walked in. She took one look at me and asked, “Are you ok?” I just smiled at her which made her more alarmed. “You are not going to pass out again, are you?”

  I almost laughed but caught myself. “No, I’m fine. I am just not used to all of this girly stuff. I was thinking about grabbing the guys and play some soccer.”

  She smiled at my response. “You will get used to it soon enough.” I knew what she must be thinking. She always thought that I would love to be in a dress and showing off the figure I received when I became a Vampire.

  I smiled. “I guess that I am just complaining. I wish that Orion would be here to see me. I got the dress because he was supposed to take me.” His name brought tears to my eyes, but I refused to let myself cry. The others would notice the redness in my eyes if I let the tears come. In less than a second Arianna was at my side and embraced me in a hug.

  “I know that you miss him, but you have to get past that. You need to live this life. Have some fun. You have been dragging yourself around this house like he was dead. He is just in France. Once you are safe, then he will be back. I promise you.”

  Before I could say anything, Lady glided into the room. “Anna? Did you forget about us? We need to get started on makeup and hair if we are going to be ready for the guys in half an hour.”

  “Half an hour?!” I was in complete shock that the time had flown by so fast. I ran up the stairs, to hurry and get ready. I was finished in twenty minutes. As I came down the stairs, Arianna was there with a camera. I could barely believe it. We never used the camera. Taking pictures was dangerous. A picture would be proof that I was still alive. “Arianna? What are you doing? We don’t take pictures.”

  “It is so Orion can see you. You said you wished that he was here. I will take a picture so he can see just how beautiful you look tonight, my dear.” I sighed. I knew that she had a point. I tried to smile as much as I could but not the one I wanted him to see. After several pictures were taken with my brothers, my friends, and a group picture; we filed outside and got into the limo.

  The dance was like I thought it would be. Lame. The theme was Hollywood, of course. Everyone was snapping selfies and were over the top with their outfits. It was so clichéd. One look at our school and you would think that you were at a modeling school instead of a prep academy. The dancing was the best of the night. Zack twirled me onto the dance floor. Then Griffin came over and danced with me. It was my favorite part of the night because I had always loved dancing with my brothers. They were the ones that taught me to dance.

  The night finally ended. Zack had wanted to grab ice cream after the dance and I did not have the heart to say, "no." By the time I got home, I was beyond exhausted. I started to think about Orion, Zack, and all the things that had happened that evening. I walked up the stairs and into Griffin’s room. I had been doing that for the past month. I sat on his couch as my thoughts quieted.

  Griffin was already in the room playing on his game station. When I walked in he looked over, “you staying in here tonight?”

  “Yeah, if you do not mind. Do you?”

  He looked over at me and rolled his eyes, “You know I don’t care if you stay in here. It is easier to keep an eye out on you when you are in here. Plus, I love your company.” I stifled a yawn and he smiled. “Sleep, Anna. You are exhausted. I will be watching out for you tonight. No need to be scared at all.”

  I knew that he was saying that because he knew I was having nightmares almost every night. No one in my family was in the dark about that. I refused to tell them about it though. I was too scared to even think about it.

  I woke that morning in Griffin’s bed, instead of on the couch. There was no doubt in my mind that he had moved me. I heard a noise outside and then a knock on the door. I quickly got up, dressed, and went downstairs at lightning speed. Zack was in the living room, talking quietly to Augustine. When I walked into the room, they both turned to look at me.

  “Hey, Zack!” I was glad that he was there but I was also annoyed at myself. I should not have been happy that he was there. He was a friend, Orion was what I wanted and would always want. “What are you doing here?” I smiled as I sat on the couch.

  “I was wondering if you would like to go on a walk with me.” I looked at Augustine but before he could say anything Zack kept talking, “You have been cooped up inside too much. You only leave for school. Some fresh air will do you good.”

  I looked at Augustine. He nodded that it was ok. I gulped and said, “Ok, I guess.”

  Zack must have seen how uncomfortable I was. “Just as friends. I know you don't like me, like that. You are the only one that will hang out with me. Plus, you're nice to me.”

  That made me smile. I felt bad for thinking poorly of him. He was a good guy, and if I did not have Orion, maybe I would like him more than a friend. “I could use some fresh air.” Turning to Augustine, “I won’t be out late, I promise.” He kissed me on the cheek.

  "Have fun and be safe." Augustine smiled and shewed us out the door.

  Zack and I left the house, walking swiftly into the forest. The forest always made me feel comfortable. Something about the quietness and the rustling of leaves calmed and relaxed me.

  Chapter 14

  Orion called that afternoon to see if there was any news from home. Griffin grabbed the phone on the second ring.

  “Hey, Orion! It sure is boring here without you.” Griffin’s laughter made Orion laugh at the other end of the line.

  Skylar, Quincy, Arianna, and Augustine all walked towards the living room to join in the conversation.

  “Hey! Orion’s on the phone,” Griffin smiled at the other’s who had just walked in.

  Quincy laughed at Orion’s eagerness, “Put him on speakerphone so we can all hear him.”

  Augustine was professional and got right to the point. “Orion, have you learned anything? What is the situation there?”

  “I learned they are saying, ‘it is the Prophecy.’ Most of the people are spooked. At least it is beautiful here. The weather is even nice. It's not raining like it usually is. They still don’t know if the report of Annabella being alive is true. They are still at a loss of words. Speaking of Anna, where is she?”

  Silently, everyone looked back and forth at each other. No one wanted to answer Orion's question. They were afraid of how Orion would react to what was going on with her.

  “Hello? Are you all still there?” Worry was starting to reach his voice when no one was answering him.

  Before he could jump to conclusion’s Arianna finally answered, “We're still
here.”

  “What’s wrong? Just spit it out. It can not be as bad as I'm thinking.” This time not only worry, but fear was in his voice.

  “Now, do not get bent out of shape, dear. Anna’s been…well… she has not been the same since you left. Augustine had to hook her up to an I.V. because she is refusing to feed and she is no longer laughing and smiling like she uses to.” Arianna paused not sure if she should go on. Plus, she was thinking that she might have said too much already.

  “What? Why is she acting like that? What else are you hiding and how long has this been going on?” Anger and frustration were in his voice.

  This time it was not Arianna who answered Orion, but Skylar, “She's been like this for four months. Pretty much since the day that you left. There’s more…” Before Skylar could say anything else, Orion cut him off growling.

  “More?! How can there be more?!” The growl in his voice would have scared any normal person. You could tell through the phone that he was trying to hold himself together as they were springing all of this on him at once.

  Skylar looked around, obviously worried about how to approach the subject. Then Augustine finally spoke up, “She has been sleeping in Griffin’s room. She is terrified of something, but she will not confide in us about her nightmares. Plus, she has been hanging out with Zack more.”

  “Zack! You are allowing that? His father is The Ghost and he is a young vampire. He is not in control of his actions. Remember Christmas Break, or do I need to remind you? She came home more scared than I have ever seen her!”

  “Orion, calm down.” Augustine commanded. “He is the only one that she is responding to. We are pretty desperate at this point. You do not understand how she has been since you left. Arianna and I have been discussing it, and we think she may be in love with you.”

  Both lines were silent for several long seconds before Orion spoke again. “Is she really that bad?” The pain was so obvious in his voice. For the first time since he had called, he was quietly taking in everything that was being said.

  “Yes, she has had us worried, but we were not sure if we should tell you.” Tears were in her eyes as the worry in her voice penetrated the phone.

  “Yes, you should have. I am glad you did. Look, there is nothing else here to find learn. So, I am going to come back. Don't tell her. See you all soon.” He suddenly hung up because he knew that he had to get back to the house as fast as he could. He had to see Anna. His family had been keeping too much from him. He should have known that there was trouble when he could not contact her through their bond. He had written it off to the distance. Now he knew that it was her weakened state that kept her from him.

  “Come on, Anna! You are slower than I could ever imagine. Aren’t you supposed to be the fastest?”

  I just scowled at him. “I have not been feeling well, lately. Why are you in such a hurry to get home, anyway?”

  “You still aren't feeling well?” He started to look me over, deciding if I was ok to even be out there. Once the inventory was complete I started to tell him why I was not feeling well.

  “No, I'm still a little dizzy. I'll be fine. Let’s go. Now, I will show you how real speed looks.” I laughed as a ran through the woods. I heard Zack breathing very close behind me as I sped up. The dizziness worsened the faster I ran. Suddenly, blackness and complete silence surrounded me. It was like I was trapped in a tunnel. I could hear and feel what was happening around me, but I couldn't move or focus.

  “Anna!” Zack was standing over me, shouting. He picked me up and ran full speed towards my house. Before Zack cleared the trees, my family was on the porch. They saw us and they started running toward us.

  Griffin was in his protective mode by the time that he reached us. “What did you do to her?” He turned to follow Zack as he kept running towards Augustine.

  Zack glared at Griffin, a little hurt, “Nothing. We were running and she passed out. She had been complaining about being dizzy before she started running.”

  By that time, we were inside and Zack was laying me on the bed. Augustine was immediately over me with gentle hands telling Quincy to grab his bag. Quincy ran out and ran back in with his bag with lightning speed.

  “Is she going to be ok?” I could hear the worry in Zack’s voice. “What happened?”

  Augustine finally spoke up, “she will be fine. I think that it is time that you left.”

  “I am not going anywhere.” Authority was behind his statement to Augustine.

  “I can not treat her with you here.” Augustine was standing his ground just as much as Zack was.

  “I can not leave her. It is my fault. I challenged her to run as fast as she could.” The sorrow in his voice got to Augustine.

  Augustine sighed because he knew he lost. “Fine, you can stay. It is not your fault, though. It’s all of ours. She’s not feeding.”

  As Augustine talked to Zack, he quickly put an I.V. in my arm. I could not see Zack’s face but I knew he was still in shock at Augustine’s statement.

  “That's dangerous, isn’t it?” Zack barely breathed the question. Almost like he was too scared to know the truth.

  “Yes.” The sorrow and the pain finally showed through Augustine’s solid facial features.

  “Why is she not feeding?” His voice was in amazement. "That's why she wasn't at school, isn't it?" He finally realized the truth of why I was not at school before the dance. "That's why she's been so weak." Zack shook his head, thinking that he should have known.

  “Yes. We have a few ideas about why she isn't feeding. There are several reasons why she would be hurting herself like this.”

  “How long will she be out?”

  “There is no telling. I do know that Orion is on his way home. Anna talks to him when she will not talk to anyone else.”

  “Her and Orion are close, aren’t they?” There were jealousy and anger in his voice. He just could not understand what I saw in Orion.

  “Yes, they have always been very close,” Augustine answered with admiration in his voice.

  When I finally woke up, it was dark outside. The weakness was still fierce as I could barely move. Quietly, I whispered, “Augustine?” All of a sudden seven dark figures were standing around my bed. I started to reach for the light but Augustine was faster. He switched the light on as I squinted my eyes until they were used to the sudden brightness. I looked intently at the faces hovering over me, as my focus cleared my eyes landed on the most exquisite face in the crowd. Orion was back. Shock, then relief, flooded into my face.

  “Orion?! You’re back!” I could not control the happiness that overtook me. Everyone started to laugh except for Zack.

  “Yes, Anna, I’m back. Sleep now; you need to rebuild your strength. You are in big trouble once you wake up.”

  I innocently smiled. “Why would I be in trouble? What did I do?” I looked into his dark brown eyes and he looked back with his serious look.

  He softly caressed the side of my face, “You know exactly what you did not do!” I cringed as I realized that he was talking about my feeding habit since he had left. I started to say something, as he put a finger to my lips. “Shhh. We will discuss it tomorrow. For now, you need to sleep.”

  “Ok, Orion.” I turned on my side and closed my eyes. He kissed my forehead, as he turned off the light.

  Chapter 15

  I woke later in the afternoon. I was completely convinced that I dreamt up the entire night. My angel, my protector, my love, could not be home. Orion was still in France. My subconscious made it a wonderful memory to have, but I knew that the pain from the dream would come soon. At least it would help me to get through the next few days.

  Finally, I decided that I could not lie in bed any longer. As I started to sit up, Orion was right there.

  “What do you think you are doing?” He gently grabbed my shoulders and made me lay back down on the bed.

  I was so confused at that point. I was not sure what was going on. “What do you mean? I a
m getting up. I need to go outside and get some fresh air. I am so stiff right now.” I rolled my eyes at him like it was a stupid question. Of course, I still thought that I was dreaming. I figured that I had lost my mind since I was answering my hallucination’s question.

  It wasn't until Zack spoke, that I noticed he was in the room. “You want to go outside after you passed out the last time?” The skepticism was in his voice as he questioned my sanity.

  “Yes!” I was starting to think that these two guys I.Q.’s were lower than I imagined for them to keep asking me stupid questions. “I love being outdoors.” Turning to Orion, I asked the question that was plaguing my mind. “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you still be in France?” Automatically I was filled with fear. He noticed the look on my face as he froze as still as I was.

  “Anna?” When I did not answer he became more concerned, “Annabella, sweetheart, what is wrong?”

  “If you are here, that means…” I was too scared to go on. I started to shake in fear.

  “Yes?” I could see the worry in his eyes, as he looked at me. "Anna, talk to me, please." He pleaded to me, as he waited for my answer.

  “That means they are on their way to finish the job. They are coming to kill me. To kill us.” A chill went down my spine as I shuttered.

  Understanding flooded through Orion. Zack stood frozen in the corner of the room. Orion moved closer to me, cradling me in his arms. “No one is ever going to hurt you, sweetheart. I would never allow it. The reason I came back is that you have everyone worried.”

  I hung my head in shame. I knew that they were worried, but I never thought that they would make Orion come back home. “Are you leaving soon?”

  “Why would I leave?” For the first time, confusion was as obvious in his voice as it was his emotions. I was glad that I was not the only one that was always confused.

  “I mean after you get to the bottom of things. I know they brought you back to find out what is going on.”