by Cameo Renae
Sebastian took a bite of his salad. “You must have eaten something bad. There are no six-foot-tall, black-eyed, sharp-toothed human creature things roaming around Brindle Hollow. Besides, you do have a wild imagination, Eden. We all know if there were horrifying creatures lurking out there, Bob the Glob surely would be first to go.”
I took a bite of my food and chuckled. “You’re probably right. Besides, I was just thinking about Twilight and how Forks isn’t too far from here.”
Kimi laughed, and the fret lines on her brow relaxed. “Hell yeah. Now you’re speaking my language. I wouldn’t mind taking a trip to Forks. Maybe I can find my own gorgeous, sparkly vampire.”
“Honey, toss some glitter on me, and I’ll nibble your neck,” Sebastian said, leaning over to her.
“Never,” Kimi squealed, pushing him away.
Trissa walked in and waved as she grabbed a tray. She quickly plated a salad and made her way over.
“Where’s Alex?” It was the first thing out of her mouth as she looked at me.
I shrugged. “I’m not his keeper. But he did say he’d join us for lunch.” I shoved a forkful of noodles in my mouth and slurped them up. “So, what did your dad want?”
Trissa rolled her eyes. “He wants me to apply myself harder in math and English. I’m walking a fine line between a B and C.”
“No!” Sebastian gasped, placing a hand over his heart. “You’re such a disappointment, Trissa Moore.”
She huffed, opening her bottle of water. “Screw you, Bastian.”
“Oh, honey. If I were you, I would try. I am pretty damn hot.”
Trissa’s eyes nearly rolled back into her head. “Thankfully, I don’t have to consider that, because Trevor Steele just asked me to the senior ball.”
“Really?” Kimi’s eyes widened. “Trevor Steele asked you? I mean, he’s the one you wanted to go with.”
“I know, right? I’d almost given up hope. I thought I’d have to go stag with you losers.” She laughed, pushing lettuce around her plate with a fork.
“Kevin Tate asked me to the ball in first period,” Kimi added.
“KT?” Sebastian groaned. “What’d you say?”
“I said yes, of course. I like Kevin. Besides, I didn’t know if I’d be asked by anyone else. I wanted a date.”
“What about you, Sebastian?” I asked.
“I’m going stag. That way I can dance the night away with whomever I wish.”
“You’re just a gigolo.” Trissa laughed.
“And damn proud of it, honey.”
A sweet, familiar scent caught my attention, and I knew it was Alex before I turned. When our eyes met, he was walking to the buffet line. I watched as he grabbed an orange, and made his way over.
“We thought you’d never come,” Trissa said.
“Sorry. I was detained.”
“Take a seat,” Sebastian said, pulling an empty chair over from another table, and placing it right next to me. “We were just discussing the senior ball coming up on Saturday.”
“Oh yeah? Where is it?” He made a valiant attempt to seem interested.
“In the Grand Room,” Kimi replied. “It’s really magical, once it’s all decorated. The decorating team already started. Last year, they had a stargazing theme. The entire room was filled with white tulle and twinkle lights, and they had a smoke machine.”
“That sounds nice,” he replied, clearly trying to be polite. Twinkle lights and tulle didn’t excite most guys.
“Yes, it was beautiful.” Sebastian sighed sadly. “This year should top that with our epic-fantasy theme, but to our dismay, it appears Eden is without a date.”
I inhaled a sharp breath and narrowed my eyes at him.
He winked and grinned. At that moment, I contemplated thrusting my heel into his groin.
“I’m shocked.” A grin turned up on Alex’s full lips. He then turned to me, shoulders squaring off. “Eden, I know you’ve only known me for a day, but I would be honored if you’d accompany me to the senior ball. Would you like to go with me?”
Kimi, Trissa, and Sebastian gasped, eyes wide, mouths agape, looking back and forth between the two of us.
I was speechless. At no point was I expecting him to ask me to the ball. It was the second time he’d caught me off-guard today.
“Eden!” Sebastian scolded, kicking my foot under the table. “Answer the man.”
My cheeks heated as all eyes were on me.
“Um, sure,” I answered. “I’d love to go to the ball with you.”
My friends erupted with whoops and claps, making an absolute scene. I glanced back at Alex, hoping he didn’t think we were all mad, only to find him chuckling at the chaos. I liked him. I mean, hell…he asked me to the ball.
Alex leaned forward. “Thanks for not turning me down and making me look like an idiot in front of your friends.”
Before I could answer, Sebastian patted him on the shoulder.
“Thank you, Alex, for saving our girl from a night of loneliness. I was worried I’d have to dance with her all night.” He laid his hand on my shoulder. “And as much as I love you, Eden…white girl can’t dance.”
Kimi and Trissa laughed out loud. They could both dance. Trissa was the queen of the dance floor, and Sebastian was the king. They were born with rhythm in their bones, and it didn’t matter how they moved, they made it look sexy.
“He’s right,” I admitted. “I can’t dance.”
“YouTube, honey,” Sebastian blurted, pointing his finger at me. “There are a butt-load of tutorials. Watch them. You have a week to get your ass in shape so you won’t embarrass yourself in front of Alex.”
I glanced at my three friends. “You guys suck.”
“We know.” Trissa smiled. “But you love us.”
I sighed deeply. “Yeah, you’re lucky.”
“Alex, do you dance?” Trissa asked.
He paused, peeling his orange. “My mother put me in dance classes when I was younger.”
“What kind of dance?”
“Ballroom.”
“Oh, Eden. You have to get a Cinderella dress so Alex can whisk you around the dance floor.” Trissa looked at me dreamily.
“No,” I replied. “You know I’m not graceful.”
“It’s quite easy,” Alex said, his green eyes sparkling. “All you have to do is follow my lead.”
“Oh my God,” Kimi bellowed. She then leaned in to whisper-shout at all of us. “Friday. Let’s head to Seattle a few hours early and go dress shopping. It’ll be perfect timing.”
“Yes,” Trissa cheered, high-fiving her.
Sebastian raised his brow. “I guess I’m chauffeur and fashion critic. I need a new suit too. I heard there’s a new boutique.”
“Yes, yes!” Trissa chimed.
Kimi then turned to Alex. “You’re still coming, right?”
Alex glanced at me, and I shrugged. “If you can survive the shopping, Kimi’s parents make the best sushi and tempura in Seattle.”
“What colors are you guys wearing?” Trissa excitedly changed the topic. “Trevor is wearing an all-black suit, and I’m going for a blushy pink.”
“Kevin and I are shooting for black and red,” Kimi noted.
Sebastian waved his finger back and forth. “Y’all know I won’t be cracking any of my wardrobe secrets. That’s part of the surprise package.”
“Booo, bitch,” Trissa hissed.
Sebastian blew her a kiss.
“So, what about you two?” Kimi asked, looking between Alex and me.
I glanced at Alex, and he threw his hands in the air. “I’m leaving those details to Eden.”
I shrugged, not having a clue. I didn’t have a favorite color. “I’ll leave it to destiny.
Whatever dress chooses me, that will be the color.”
I caught another whiff of the amazing scent Alex was wearing. I seriously wanted to spray my entire room with it, including my pillow. It was that wonderful.
“What kind of cologne are you wearing?” I asked. I had to know.
Trissa leaned over and sniffed him. “Giorgio Armani, right?
He paused, his eyes narrowing like he was caught off guard, then he smiled. “Yes.”
“I knew it,” Trissa chimed. “It’s almost the same scent Trevor wears.”
“No, it can’t be,” I rebutted. “Trevor doesn’t smell like this.” I grabbed Alex’s wrist and pulled it to my face, taking in a deep breath. Oh my God. The smell was intoxicating and making me dizzy. Heat flickered in my core.
“Eden, honey, you’re being creepy.” Sebastian’s voice smacked me from my momentary trance.
When I looked up, Kimi and Trissa’s brows were furrowed, and Sebastian was slowly shaking his head. But Alex had a smile on his face and a glint in his eye like he was okay with me obsessively sniffing his wrist.
“I-I’m sorry,” I stuttered. “I really love that scent.”
“Yes, honey. We can tell.” Sebastian laughed, prying my fingers from Alex’s wrist. “We’re sorry, Alex. Eden doesn’t get out much, so she can come off as a borderline whack job. But she’s a good person. I swear. Normal, most of the time. And harmless.”
“It’s totally fine,” Alex answered, bringing my embarrassment down a few notches.
Sebastian turned to me. “At least I know what to get you for your birthday.”
Chapter 9
Alex
Dark clouds rolled in, and the sky was growing darker. If there was a time for an attack during the day, it would be now.
I left Eden after fifth period, knowing she had P.E. next, because I wanted to do a quick perimeter check of the surrounding woods.
Pulling my sword from my bag, I stepped a few yards into the forest when a figure appeared in front of me. I almost swung.
“Isaac! You need to let me know when you come out of hiding. I’m on guard. You could have lost a limb,” I exhaled.
He shrugged. “Midway agreed to put the barrier of protection around the school. It covers the backfield since she’ll have classes there. As long as the girl stays inside, she’ll be safe from Fallen.”
I exhaled in relief. “Thanks. Right now, she’s on the field out back. I’m going to do a quick perimeter check to make sure there are no Darkling.”
Isaac gave a single nod. “I’ll also keep an eye out.” He then slipped away.
“Okay,” I whispered to the air.
I started my sweep from the left side of the school, and it was free from any signs of Darkling. Staying in the shadows, I came around the bend and could see the girls lining up on the track. As the coach blew his whistle, they took off—one girl leading the pack.
Eden’s long legs carried her swiftly, while the other girls struggled behind her. Her long ponytail waved back and forth as she glided around the track. She was nearing her transformation, which meant she would be experiencing changes to her mortal body.
Stamina was one of the changes, and she must have been questioning why she was able to run without being tired. Who knows what else she was experiencing that she didn’t understand.
As a purebred angel, our gifts were given at birth. But the Nephilim were different. They remain mortal until their eighteenth birthday, when the angel genes would awaken from dormancy, changing and giving them most of the benefits of immortality, and usually one gift. Watching Eden, I wondered what her gift would be.
Nephilim would still age with time, just at a much slower rate. That was another issue she would have to accept once she transformed, and it would be a hard pill to swallow. Most Nephilim didn’t know one of their birth parents; therefore, they never knew they were part of our angelic world.
Most purebloods considered them abominations. They would grow up never understanding who they were; and after they transformed, most wouldn’t know they had gifts, much less understand the changes. A few went mad, not being able to adjust or control their gifts, while others took their own lives.
Then, there were those who used their gifts to create havoc, becoming easy targets and taken out swiftly by the Fallen.
I wouldn’t let that happen to Eden. Now that I’d met her, I wanted to help her fully understand who she was. That, although she thought she was mortal for the past eighteen years of her life, she would metamorphosize into something completely different. Something strong and immortal. Something otherworldly.
Her life would never be the same, and depending on her upbringing and how she saw life, it could either be tremendous, or dreadful.
Eden came around the turn once again, and her head snapped to the woods.
“Shit.”
I ran, as fast I could toward the direction she was looking, then watched as she tripped and tumbled into the grass.
The wind shifted, and I caught the scent of Darkling. They were here.
I gripped my sword and charged forward.
As I came to the area, I was careful to stay downwind. My eyes spotted three creatures crouched in the shadows, their attention on Eden, who was now on the ground surrounded by classmates.
With the monster’s attention fully absorbed by her actions, I was able to sneak up on the first.
Raising my sword, I drove it down in one quick stroke. The thump of its decapitated head dropping to the ground and rolling across the fallen leaves instantly alerted the others—their dark eyes finding me.
The one closest growled and charged for me. Jumping, I spun in the air, my blade connecting with its target, quickly severing its head. I turned to search for the third, but it was gone. I had a sinking suspicion it was the one who’d run into her the other night. Dammit. Now it knew I was here and would likely report it to the Fallen.
Not wasting any time, I ran back through the woods, and around to the front of the school. Hiding my sword, I made my way inside. I had Darkling blood spattered on my shirt.
Passing by a couple holding hands, I hoped they wouldn’t catch the smell. They didn’t. They were too into themselves.
Slipping inside the building, I dashed up the stairs and didn’t stop until I was inside my room. I ripped off my shirt, then checked my body for any traces of the stinker’s blood. There were a few splatters on my arm, which I quickly scrubbed off. Heading to my dresser, I changed my shirt and headed out the door.
I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to check on Eden, or to be the support she needed.
Chapter 10
Eden
So far, I liked Alex West.
I still couldn’t get over his last name though. It was strange. Like fate had brought him to Brindle Hall, especially with two weeks left. I mean, who in their right mind would change schools with two weeks left before graduation? He must have had a reasonable explanation.
Time seemed to fly so much faster with Alex in my classes, and before I knew it, the bell ending fifth rang. I bid Alex farewell and headed off to P.E., where I would meet Kimi and Trissa. It was the only class we had together.
In the locker room, after changing into our uniforms of gray cotton shorts and black T-shirts, we headed out to the back of the school where the track and field was. My hair was up in a ponytail, while Trissa and Kimi had theirs braided down their backs. Today, the girls would be running two miles—eight times around the track, while the assistant coach took the boys into the gym for weightlifting. We would switch activities the next day.
Kimi and Trissa hated running. But I loved it. There was something freeing about letting go, moving without restraint, my feet pounding across the track.
Gray clouds filled the sky, and a cool breeze carried acro
ss the field. Perfect conditions for running.
The track and field were still new and well maintained. The grass surrounding it was the greenest green, especially in contrast to the red Tartan track. To the right was a basketball court, and gated tennis courts.
Surrounding the entire backfield, in a moon shape, were towering spruce trees mixed with alder and a few others I couldn’t name—a serene setting.
Coach Meeks, was a short, bald man with a mustache. They’d hired him because he was one of the best track coaches in the country. He was tough, but also kind and encouraging and knew how to rally the troops.
“All right,” Coach Meeks yelled, clapping his hands. “Everyone on the line.”
There were moans and sighs, as fifteen girls lined up at the starting line.
“I hate running,” Kimi grumbled.
“We have a couple weeks of school left, then you won’t ever have to run again,” I noted.
Coach Meeks stood in front of us, eyes narrowing, whistle in hand.
“You will be timed today, and it will count toward your final grade. So do your best. Don’t give up, even if you have to slow down and walk. To get a passing grade, you must run these two miles in under twenty minutes. The faster you go, the higher your grade.”
“Twenty minutes?” Kimi and half the other girls whined.
“Some of us have shorter strides,” another girl added in a low grumble.
“I took that into consideration,” Coach Meeks trumpeted. “The average high schooler can finish this in fourteen to eighteen minutes. I’ve padded that time.”
Although this task was almost too much for the rest of the girls to handle, I knew I had it in the bag. I’d run my last two miles in thirteen minutes and thirty-two seconds.
“Go!” The coach hollered.
