The man manages a slight nod.
“Do you think of yourself as some kind of demon?”
The man laughs. That isn’t the answer I want. I twine my fingers around his left wrist and break it with a mere flick of my own wrist. He lets out a howl of pain, but it only lasts a few seconds. He stops when I press the knife against his throat, drawing blood.
“Do you think of yourself as a demon?” I ask, annoyed that I have to repeat my question.
“Yes,” he hisses.
I move my head closer to his and whisper in his ear, “Even with all your darkness, you’re nothing compared to a real demon. You don’t have nearly enough power.”
“Who are you?” he whispers as he quivers.
I move my mouth to his neck and lick the blood trickling down his skin from the knife. The taste of his blood burns like fire on my tongue, the taste of the life essence his blood carries. “A demon,” I tell him.
Dropping the knife, I sink my teeth into his neck and drink. The man gurgles and struggles against me, but it’s useless. A human can’t hope to overpower me with their physical strength alone. I drink his blood until he’s completely sucked dry of every ounce of his life. It’s easy to suck mortals dry. Damn, does it taste good. The feeling of added years coursing through my veins, making me stronger. Admittedly, the meager 20 years or so of life essence he had left in his body is a snack compared to what I could get from an immortal, but immortals are more difficult to drain. It’s easier to go for the heart in that case. But when you’re trapped in the mortal world, you don’t have the luxury of being picky. I shove the mere husk of a human away from me. The body hits the hard ground with a crunch and all the lifeless blood left inside of it seeps out onto the ground around the corpse.
“You made quick work of him,” Yuki comments. “Are we just going to leave his body here?”
“Why not?” I ask. I wipe the blood from my mouth with the back of my hand, and then I proceed to lick my hand clean. “What do I care?”
“I thought we were keeping a low profile,” she notes.
I point accusingly at the angel statue that stood witness to this entire scene. “We’re here because of this town’s angelic presence, but do you see any angels other than that statue? Angels even forsake towns like these that so obviously worship all that is holy?” I bare my teeth. “I know you’re out there, cowards! Bastards! You’re doing a terrible job of protecting this beloved town of yours!”
Dipping my hand in the blood pooling around the dead man’s body, I walk to the statue and see that it is aptly named the Guardian Angel. I move carefully, so I don’t end up going through the portal. I wouldn’t be welcomed back to the immortal world. That’s for sure. But that doesn’t mean I can’t leave the angels a message. I write my message in blood across the flowing robes draped over the angel statue’s chest: Hypocrites.
Then, for good measure, I snap off his stone wings, leaving them on the ground at his sides. If angels were like demons, desecration like this would ebb at their vanity, but seeing as angels tend not to fret over such things, I can’t be sure my message will be answered. But they’ll have to see it. This town is full of their sickening scent, like they favor this town. There’s no doubt that they were here, but it’s starting to look like they fled as soon as Yuki and I arrived.
I want to know why.
CHAPTER 4
Tasia
I GET TO SCHOOL early because I woke up a bundle of nerves. I barely even saw my parents. I ate breakfast and drank my daily cup of vervain tea alone, and then I was gone. I told my parents I was leaving early so I could get some studying done before class—but that didn’t happen. I don’t think I could get any studying done right now even if I wanted to. I’ve uncapped my emotions and now there’s no turning back until there’s some sort of resolution. I need to know how Rynne feels about me.
After sitting down on a bench in the commons, I pull out my cell phone and send Rynne a text, telling him to let me know when he gets here. My hands are shaking as I place my phone down next to me on the bench. I sent the message. That’s one step closer to telling him about how I feel—unless I chicken out at the last second and tell him I sent that text because I needed to ask him about our English homework assignment.
I shake my head and slap my face with my clammy hands. I need to get it together. I made my decision. Last night, I finally made a decision. I can’t back out now. I have to stop being such a coward one day. So why not today? It’s as good as any other, right? This is Rynne’s last year of high school. If I don’t tell him now, when will I?
Anxiously, I watch students trickle into the school. I nearly jump out of my skin when my phone vibrates next to me. I unlock my phone to see a new message from Rynne.
Probably won’t be there until class starts. Need something?
I sigh. Guess that means I won’t get to tell him before class. This really sucks. I wanted to get this over with as soon as possible so it wouldn’t sit in the back of my mind all day. Now it’s going to. I type a reply.
No. Don’t worry about it.
I continue sitting on the bench because there’s no point trying to get any studying done now that I’m even more wound up than before. As if things couldn’t get any worse, Wyatt comes into the school and walks in my direction. His backpack is slung over his shoulder casually and he has a big smile on his face as he greets the other students. Even though Wyatt likes to dress and look a little more eccentric, mostly with his immaculate pompadour, than most people in Reverie, he’s still the mayor’s son. That kind of automatically places him with the popular teens. He’s nice enough, but I liked it better when he spent all of his time with them instead of reaching out to me. I feel like he’s been going out of his way to talk to me way too much lately.
Right now, I’m especially not in the mood to deal with him, so I take a book out of my backpack and put it right in front of my face to try and hide from him. He either doesn’t see me, or he decides not to bother me. Either way, I’m grateful when he passes by me without saying a word.
The first bell rings. I sit on the bench for a moment longer, playing with the heart-shaped black diamond hanging around my neck. I beg it to help me through the day before I force myself off the bench and to my first class: English.
I take my assigned seat in the back of the classroom. Rynne’s assigned seat is near the front. I’ll probably end up staring at the back of his head the entire class. He hasn’t entered the classroom yet, though. I train my eyes on the door, and then I see him. Rynne walks into the room with his perfect smile and all-around friendly aura. I’m about to jump out of my seat to greet him, but then I see him talking to a couple of cheerleaders in our class. I stay glued to my seat. I can’t stop myself from staring at him, though.
I can’t hear what they’re talking about, but the girls start giggling when they’re done talking and take their assigned seats. Rynne stays near the doorway. I melt when he looks right at me. The second bell still hasn’t rung, so he walks to the back of the classroom and right up to me. He places his hands on my desk, close to mine, and leans forward slightly.
“You sure you didn’t need anything?” he asks me.
I shake my head vigorously. I’m still going to tell him today. I will, but not right now. Not in here where everyone will hear me. I’ll become the center of attention, and I definitely don’t want that.
“N-no. It’s nothing,” I tell him as I wring my hands. Our hands are so close I’d hardly have to move to touch him. “We’re still meeting after school, right?”
“Always do,”
Now I can smile. That will be the perfect time to tell him.
Rynne shifts his right hand, and then he does exactly what I was fantasizing. He places his hand on top of mine.
“Relax,” he tells me. “What has you so anxious first thing in the morning?”
I’m saved by the bell.
“Take your seats,” our teacher announces.
“I’ll
see you at lunch,” Rynne says.
I feel so disappointed when his hand leaves mine. The world suddenly feels a bit colder as he walks away with his warmth. His light.
I can’t wait for school to end.
When the lunch bell rings, I follow my usual routine to meet up with my friends. I see the twins waiting for me outside of the cafeteria, but I don’t see Rynne with them.
“Where’s Rynne?” I ask.
“No hello?” Didi asks. “Just ‘where’s Rynne?’ Now I see who’s most important to you.” She puts her hand up to her forehead.
“No! Didi, I—”
“Just kidding.” She grins.
Connor taps my shoulder. “You always take everything so literally. He’ll probably show up in a few minutes.”
Just then, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I grab it and hastily answer after seeing Rynne’s name.
“Hey,” I say.
“Don’t wait up for me,” he says. “Art teacher needs me to help clean up the classroom. It’s a real mess. I’ll meet you after school. Tell Connor and Didi hi for me, okay?”
“Okay,” I reply quietly. I hope he can’t hear the disappointment in my voice.
Rynne hangs up, but I keep my phone pressed to my ear for a moment longer.
When I finally put my phone back into my pocket, I turn to the Johnson twins and say, “Rynne says hi, and that he can’t eat with us today. He’s helping the art teacher clean up.”
“He’s such a saint,” Connor remarks.
“Let’s eat,” Didi says as she grabs her brother’s arm in one hand and mine in the other.
Once we’re in the lunch line. Didi stares at me.
“What?” I ask when I can’t take it anymore.
“You sounded really disappointed when Rynne said he couldn’t come,” she says. “Are you finally going to tell him?”
“Tell him what?” Connor asks.
“This is girl talk. Turn off your ears.”
“Yeah, right. Because that’s so easy to do, and it’s not like I already know about Tasia’s big crush.” Connor rolls his eyes and starts talking with the guy in front of us.
“I’m going to tell him,” I say quietly as I feel my cheeks flush. “After school.”
Didi beams. “Yes! I’m rooting for you, Tasia. You can do this.”
She hugs me. She squeezes to the point where I can’t breathe or even hug her back. When she lets go, I suck in a breath of air, and she laughs.
“Thanks, Didi,” I tell her.
“For what?”
“For always supporting me. You’re a really good friend. Connor, too.”
“I know,” she replies. “You have to tell me everything.”
I laugh nervously. “You got it.”
I only hope she’s right about Rynne liking me—not that she’s ever been wrong before.
The rest of my classes go by slowly and painfully. I just keep watching the clock, waiting for school to end. I have to go to my part-time job after school today, but I should have plenty of time to meet with Rynne and tell him how I feel.
My science class ends up getting out 15 minutes early, but I head straight for the back-door entrance of the high school anyway. Not many people use this door. It makes it easy to meet up with Rynne after school. I usually only have to wait a few minutes for him. Well, I’ll probably have to wait longer today since I got out early, but at least I’ll have time to prepare.
I’m expecting the back of the school to be empty, but there’s two people close together, far away from the back door and hidden in the school’s shadow. Judging by how close they are to each other, they’re probably in the middle of something… private. I’m about to walk ahead when I recognize something about one of them. I don’t mean to, but I let my gaze linger. It’s Rynne.
I’m about to announce my presence when I see him lean down and kiss the girl with white-blond hair in front of him.
I bolt. I can’t leave soon enough. I don’t know who Rynne just kissed, and I don’t really care. I just want to get into my car. I waited too long to tell him. He’s in love with someone else.
When I get to the parking lot, I find my car as fast as I can. Just as I spot it and start running toward it, I hear a voice from behind me.
“Whoa, Tasia. Where’s the fire?” It’s Wyatt.
It’s taking everything I have to hold back my tears. “I have to go to work,” I say.
Then I keep moving, something I’d never do in my right mind. But I can’t handle being polite right now. I jog straight for my white Toyota Camry and get inside. I wish I didn’t have to go to work today. I can’t afford to cry. I roll down my window to let in the crisp autumn air in an attempt to distract myself from these explosive emotions.
“Please come to the Halloween party!” Wyatt yells at me.
I pinch the area in between my eyes and tell myself to hold it together. I can’t miss work. Not for something like this. I don’t even have the right to cry. I’m acting like I just found my boyfriend cheating on me. That’s what this is like, right? No. Rynne was never my boyfriend. So I don’t have the right to feel like this. I am in control. I am in control. I’m in control…
CHAPTER 5
Tasia
I SOMEHOW MAKE IT to work without crying. Before I get out of my car, I notice I have a missed call and a text message from Rynne. I look at the text message.
Must have missed you. Did work start earlier today?
He didn’t see me. Of course he didn’t. He was too preoccupied. A sour taste fills my mouth as I replay what I saw all over again. I didn’t get a good look at the girl he was kissing. I didn’t get a good look at the scene at all, but I saw what happened. I saw that he kissed her.
I don’t want to reply to his text, but I guess I shouldn’t make him worry. I type a quick message in response.
Yep. Sorry.
Now I need to push it out of my mind. As much as I can anyway. I have to hold it together for work. I can’t miss over something like this.
I get out of my car and look at the Blu Boutique. It’s a small shop, like most shops in Reverie are, but it carries a large variety of decorative items and the store’s owner, Gina, switches things up for the different seasons—well, for as long as she’s been here. Gina moved to Reverie and opened the Blu Boutique almost a year ago now. The shop opened up for the first time during Christmas last year. Right now, against the wishes of my parents and the elders in the town, the shop is dressed up for Halloween. The outside of the store is covered in fake cobwebs and spiders. There’s even an animatronic zombie butler welcoming people at the door. I should be used to it. It’s been there since the beginning of October, but it still freaks me out. I sneak past it in an attempt not to trip its sensor.
Just as soon as I enter the Blu Boutique, I’m greeted by Gina. She offers me a big smile and gives me a hug. Gina is what some people would call overly friendly, and she looks like someone who isn’t native to Reverie. Her clothes are just a bit too loud and colorful, and her black hair is styled in a spiky pixie cut. The slim and angled features of her face in combination with the hairstyle and clothing make her look like the pixies depicted in children’s books, though she’s much too tall.
“Tasia Wren! Just in time!” she tells me, enthusiasm oozing off her every word. “Halloween has really got people excited in this town. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
This is basically Reverie’s first time experiencing Halloween, so I’m not surprised she feels that way. Besides, the Blu Boutique is the only place in town that’s selling actual mainstream Halloween costumes and decorations. Gina has very selective hearing. She hasn’t heard what the more traditional members of Reverie have to say about what she’s selling. My parents have even voiced their opinion about me working here, surrounded by all the Halloween paraphernalia. They haven’t made me quit or anything, but they’ve made sure to let me know how much they disapprove of the whole thing. Gina pays me well, though, and I’d hate to quit my
job over a single season in the year. So, I’m pushing through, regardless of mine or my parents’ feelings on the whole Halloween thing.
I force a smile despite feeling miserable as Gina chatters on about everything she’s been selling and about the Halloween party the Conway family is putting together. They’ve been her biggest patrons this season, which makes sense, seeing as the whole town is invited to their party. They want Reverie’s first Halloween celebration to go over well. They want to open Reverie up to the world a little more, and the Blu Boutique has exactly what they need. It’s the only shop here that has exactly what they need.
“Is something wrong?” Gina asks abruptly, bringing me back to reality.
“N-no,” I say as I fight back the hot stinging sensation of tears gathering in my eyes.
She eyes me suspiciously. Then she places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “I can let you off early if you want.”
I bite my lower lip. “Thanks, but I’d really like to stay my whole shift… Unless you’re saying you don’t have work for me today and—”
Gina raises her hand for me to stop. “Nothing like that, dear. Go ahead and clock-in then.”
I do as she says and take my place at the cash register. The shop starts filling up rapidly, and I end up being busy with helping one customer after the other. We’ve been getting a regular influx of shoppers right when the high school gets out. The teens are probably the most excited about the Halloween party. The party has the entire high school buzzing, and everyone going wants to look their absolute best; I don’t think I know of a single person there, apart from maybe myself, who isn’t excited for it.
Maybe Rynne. He doesn’t seem excited about the party. He never talks about it. He acts like it’s not even something that’s happening.
Rynne.
Don’t think about him.
Demon Snare (These Immortal Vows Book 1) Page 4
