by Tara Brown
“Not making me feel better.”
Lucas laughed again, “Nothing you can do. Nothing she can do. Dude, Aimee isn’t going to let anything happen to her. Neither will Ari. We both know Dorian won’t.”
“Okay, stop trying to make me feel better. Jesus.”
Lucas pointed, “It’s this way. Want to flash us, maybe fifty miles at a time?”
He put his wrist out for Sam to take. Sam thought for a brief second about leaving him to walk, but placed his hand over his wrist in the last second.
xxxx
When Lucas had said his family lived in a small area in Maine, Sam had not expected what he found. Lucas’ uncles had a massive hunting retreat with expansive grounds where wolves walked freely. The lodges were mansions, only made to look like log homes. Western Canadian fir and cedar made up the huge houses and many decks. The lawns were less than what one would expect surrounding such homes, but it made sense. Werewolves wouldn’t care about how the grass looked when they were eating a carcass on it.
Regardless of the fact, he was able to leave instantly, he couldn’t help but feel nervous and out of place. He was the one that wasn’t like the others. A tall, stunning woman walked past him smiling seductively.
Lucas moaned, “Keep it in your pants, Sammy.”
Sam punched him in the arm.
“Lucas!” a voice called out from a crowd.
Sam watched Lucas bound up to a huge beast of a man. The man had dark-red hair and dark-amber eyes. He wrapped his huge arms around Lucas.
They hugged and talked briefly, but as others began to notice the commotion, a group of people converged upon Lucas. Hugs and laughter filled the circle surrounding him. Sam lost Lucas in the crowd. He felt like twiddling his thumbs, as he waited for the reunion to end. He pulled his phone from his pocket and sent a text to Hanna.
‘where r u?’
He put the phone back, not certain he wanted the answer.
“Luke, is that for me?”
Sam looked up at a sexy, young woman with silky, blonde hair pointing at him. She wore the shortest shorts he had ever seen, revealing long, tanned muscled legs. She wore flip-flops and a tiny, white tank top. The weather was nowhere near warm enough for her outfit. Sam gulped. She watched him like he was the fawn Lucas had just eaten.
Lucas reappeared from the crowd, “This is Sam. He’s different. He’s not a snack, Janine. He’s half siren.”
Sam felt ashamed as he watched the faces of the people around him change. Their eyes widened, their mouths tightened, and their stares became hardened. The Fae had long known sirens as trouble. They were like the Fae's naughty cousin that no one wanted around.
“He’s a Rose?” the blonde asked indignantly.
Sam lifted his hand, revealing the gleaming platinum ring.
She gasped, “That’s so wrong.”
Sam looked at Lucas who laughed, “He’s with another siren. He isn’t single. He’s met his mate—calm down.”
Sam frowned and whispered, “TMI dude. What the hell?”
Lucas laughed harder, “We have no secrets, man. The pack shares everything.” He raised an eyebrow at Sam.
“Keep my details to yourself. I’m not part of the pack.” He felt his anger rising.
Lucas shrugged, “You’re part of my pack.”
Sam’s anger was deflated. He lowered his gaze and nodded, “It’s nice to meet you all.” He muttered, knowing they would all be able to hear him.
Lucas turned back to the growing group of people, “I have terrible news.” Sam watched as Lucas’ lower lip trembled, “Ben was taken to the great mother.”
Sam’s heart hurt all over again, as everyone in the group began to react to the news and howling filled the air.
Chapter Five
Ophelia
“O, some dude has a package for you and he won’t give it to any of us. He’s British and snotty and mean. You have to sign it. Oh, and Jake is here for you.”
She groaned and rolled over. She felt her sister’s fingers on her arm, “O, Jake is here for you and an asinine British wanker.”
She opened her eyes, ready to scream but her sister’s smiling face filled her blurry vision.
“Wha…?”
She laughed, “You fell asleep after school. Are you feeling okay?” She ran a hand over her forehead.
She sat up, wiping away the drool, “Yeah. I’m fine. Just sleepy. Whose here?”
Her sister laughed, “Jake. British wanker.”
“It wasn’t just a nightmare. Great.”
“What?”
Ophelia shook her head, “Nothing. Tell him I’ll be down in, like two minutes.” She rubbed her eyes, feeling the room spin slightly.
Her sister got up and left the room, “You’re acting weird.”
“Yeah, I know. Uh Abbs, did Mom and Dad say anything about the principal?”
“Yeah, mom told him if no one saw you move, then it was pretty hard to prove you did it. Whatevs dude, let's go.”
She got up and glanced at her mirror, then turned away from it suddenly, before the faces came back. Quickly she changed into her bathing suit, throwing on a pale-yellow skirt and a white terry-towel hoodie over it. O grabbed a towel from the bathroom, slipped her flip-flops on, and walked down the stairs, feeling anxious and frightened.
“You are an incredible player, son. I just adore watching the games this year.” She knit her brow at her dad as she walked around the corner.
“O, package for you at the front door.” He pointed at the door and went back to bromancing Jake.
She turned and inhaled sharply when she saw the face of the man at the door. He sneered until he saw her. Then his black eyes lit up.
“Hello, love.”
She smiled and walked toward him, “Hi.” She wanted to touch him. She reached a hand out.
He laughed, “Easy, love. Ophelia, I need you to sign here for this package. It’s a special delivery.” She stepped outside on the porch where he waited.
She nodded and took the pen. It stabbed into her fingers as she grabbed it. She winced but his eyes were mesmerizing. He took the pen back. She wasn’t certain she had signed or not. She took the small box, but never took her eyes from his face.
He leaned in, “You’re in danger. I need you to come with me.”
She nodded, “I want to.”
He laughed, “Ophelia, I need you to hear me. They are coming for you.” His dark eyes were menacing. Ophelia felt uneasiness overwhelm her. She stepped back into the house. He took a step forward but didn’t enter the house after her.
She felt a shiver as the evening air blew over her arms, giving her a chill. She blinked at him, “Who are you?”
He grinned, “Better question is, what are you?”
She stepped back again, clutching the box, “Leave me alone.”
He shook his head, “Can’t, love. Things are going to get weirder than just some broken windows at school.”
She closed the door quickly and pressed her back against it. He was part of the Ouija board problem. He was probably a ghost. She ran up to her room before anyone in her family could see her. She tossed the box on the bed and dropped to her knees against the rough carpet. She tore open the box to see bubble wrap.
She swallowed as she peeled back the layers of bubble wrap. Her trembling fingers clutched something cold and hard. She lifted it from the box.
A snow globe.
She had officially lost her mind. Her birthday was in a couple weeks. Someone had obviously sent her the snow globe for her birthday, and she was acting like it was a bomb.
She raised an eyebrow at it. Inside there was a blonde woman in a long-sleeve red dress standing at a window inside of a stone room. The windows of the room revealed a snowy forest. She tilted it upside down and glitter filled the room, making the water sparkle.
Through the swirls of sparkly water, she saw the head of the woman turn toward her. Her bright-blue eyes sparkled. Her lips curled up into a smile. She re
ached her long slender fingers toward Ophelia.
‘Ophelia.’
A whisper floated in the air around her face. She dropped the snow globe back into the box and closed the lid. Her breath was ragged and her skin crawled with goose bumps.
She pushed herself up using her bed and backed away from the box. She walked backwards until her back hit her closed closet door. She shook her head and closed her eyes for a second.
O, let’s go.” her sister shouted up the stairs at her.
She turned and ran from the room.
She walked into the kitchen, wondering if anyone noticed the frightened look on her face.
“What was the package?”
She shrugged, “Some snow globe. Not sure.”
Her mom frowned, “That’s weird.”
She nodded and looked over at Jake. He looked amazing.
“You guys played amazingly last game. Jake, how many scholarship offers did you get?” Her dad sipped his coffee and leaned against the counter. Ophelia smiled. Her dad didn’t want them to leave.
Jake blushed, “I got four offers. I’m taking Notre Dame. I never imagined I would get it.”
She couldn’t believe how humble and sweet he seemed.
Abbey walked into the kitchen and smiled at Ophelia. Ophelia couldn’t help but notice how pretty she looked. Until she realized her golden hair and bright-blue eyes reminded her of the woman in the snow globe. She shivered, thinking about it.
Abbey frowned at her and nodded at the clock.
Ophelia cleared her throat, “Uhm Dad, we should be going.”
He laughed, “Oh right. I forgot you guys were going out. You kids have fun, and we’ll see you when you get home, girls.”
Her mom kissed her on the cheek, "We'll be at the movies when you get back. We're going to the late show."
She walked to the door, wishing she could crawl back under the rock where she had hidden for eighteen years. She didn’t know what changed to make Jake notice her or Maria be nice to her. She had a bad feeling the Ouija board wasn't to blame. There had to be something else. She was terrified they were going to torture her at the party. She looked at the sweet smile on Jake's face and the annoyed look on her sister's, and felt reassured. Abbey would never hurt her.
Jake stepped in front of her, to get the door for her and Abbey. She watched his huge hand take the handle. Images of his hands touching her filled her mind. From the shadows she’d watched him forever—whether it had been playing football or making out in tenth grade with Melanie Nolan.
Suddenly, as if she were Cinderella, she was living a dream. The dream she had wished for every day.
He put his hand on the small of her back and walked out of the house after her.
“You—uh, look, uhm pretty, Ophelia.”
She felt the heat from his hand on her back permeating to her face. Her whole body was blushing. She felt the sweat start to creep across her brow again. She couldn’t wait to get to Lance’s house and get into the pool.
He opened the truck door for her. She tried not to look at him as she climbed in.
“Oh you too.” she winced as she climbed into his huge truck. He closed the door for her.
She unrolled the old truck window and looked at her sister who was grinning, “I’m going to bring our car, O. I will meet you guys there.”
She waved and closed the window. She couldn’t talk. She was probably dying from a nervous breakdown inside.
Jake climbed in and sat on the seat, not starting the truck. He looked as if he was trying to build up the nerve for something. He took a breath, “I’ve liked you forever. You make me really nervous.”
She started to laugh. He turned to face her, looking heartbroken. She put a hand up, “No, I feel the same. I thought I was the only one. I feel like a moron around you. You make me nervous. Look my hands are sweating.”
His hurt face split into a huge grin, “Oh God, you scared me. I didn’t think a girl like you would ever like a guy like me.”
She shook her head, “Are you high? God. This is not really happening. Girl like what? I know they call me emo and say I cut myself. I don't, by the way.”
He started to laugh, "Who? The mean girls who have been with everyone? So what. No one listens to them anyway. They turn on each other regularly."
She swallowed hard and watched the way her right knee trembled.
He put a hand on her bare thigh, sending sparks across her, “Ophelia, I’ve liked you forever. I’m not even kidding. I mean, you're the kind of girl who is too cool to date a guy from high school. You just always seemed so distant, like you didn’t want me to see you.”
She shook her head. Her whispered words floated from her lips, “I'm not too cool. Too nervous, is more like it. I’ve felt like no one could see me.” She had never spoken truer words. She had always blended into the background with the twins.
He leaned into her, taking the air and replacing it with his warm breath, “I see you, Ophelia.” His soft lips brushed hers, as if he were holding back. She responded to his kiss and met him more than half way. She wanted more of his kiss, his breath. She wanted him to cover her, pin her against the truck door and run his hands up her bare legs. She saw an image of his hands roaming her bare thighs.
She pushed him away and took a breath. His eyes were wild with passion and life. Something she had never seen before.
He laughed a throaty chuckle, “We should go.”
“Yup.” She bit her lip before she told him to drive down a dirt road and take everything. She would give him everything he wanted. She knew what he wanted. She could feel it in the air. Touching him only made it worse. His emotions and feelings crept into her mind, with every touch of his fingers. It was like the whispers but good.
Her breath was still too big for her chest, as they parked in the driveway of Lance’s parents’ house. She didn’t know Lance anymore than she knew any of them. They were the popular kids. They tortured the nerds and dorks, and ignored the rest of the insignificant nobodies, like her.
She went to open the door to the truck, but Jake’s hand reached over and pulled her in to him again. His huge hands crushed her into his chest. He squeezed and pulled until she was in his lap. His greedy fingers rubbed her back, wanting more. More skin to touch, more than just a kiss.
She pushed hard against his chest.
He smiled, “Your eyes are really different colors up close.” He spoke breathlessly, “I have always liked that about you.”
She giggled nervously, “This is too fast for me.”
“Me too. I feel like we don’t know each other, even though I’ve seen you every day.”
“I think we should go in.”
“Okay.”
She leaned in for a soft kiss but his tongue met hers inside her mouth. She tried to pull back but his hands were too strong for her. She saw the image again, him straddling her, her back against the hard metal of the door and his hands roaming her skirt. They were lifting up her thighs. His hands felt molten against her.
“Stop.” she spoke unconvincingly, as his mouth found her neck. His lips burned a trail down her throat.
His hands slid around to her stomach. They started their progression to her breasts. He moved quickly, skillfully.
She pushed against him and shouted, “STOP!”
He froze. His lips looked ridiculous frozen in position they had been on her throat. His eyes were half closed, creepily. His hands formed cups just in front of her breasts. She backed against the steering wheel.
“Jake?” she whispered. He didn’t move, even to breathe. She didn’t know what to do. She felt a panicked scream rising in her throat.
She looked around the truck but no one was there. Her trembling fingers fought with his huge hands and arms to free herself from his embrace. She struggled to climb off of him. She kicked her legs and pushed against him violently to get away. As her body hit the seat, she slid until she felt the hard metal of the door against her back. She started to cry in
panic, “Jake! Jake, please stop it. I was just scared. It was going too fast. Jake! Please move again.” She put a foot out to kick at his body gently. He remained in the position, perfectly, like a model at the wax museum.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, as she reached a wobbly hand out to his arm. He was frozen completely and perfectly. She squeezed his rock-hard bicep and pulled her hand away quickly.
“Jake.” she whispered again into the silent cab of the truck. The sun had started to set.
‘RUN!’
She turned, looking for the faces as the whisper filled the truck.
“Who are you?” she asked, terrified to look around.
‘RUN, OPHELIA! RUN HOME! DON’T STOP RUNNING! YOU AREN’T SAFE!’
She opened the cab of the truck and leapt from it. Her flip-flops slapped against the hard pavement, as she fled from the huge house and the truck with the frozen boy.
Chapter Six
Sam
He felt her eyes on him; they hadn’t left since she’d met him.
“Can you just ask her to try not to stare?” he whispered into Lucas’ ear.
Lucas laughed, “On your own there, man. I don’t get involved.”
“Pretty sure Ari is going to feel the full strength of my siren gift, when I get home. I might just show you what unleashed really is.”
Lucas’ back straightened. He bit into the chicken thigh he was gnawing on. He crunched the chicken bone and licked his fingers. He glanced back at the woman, “Janine, can you do me a favor?”
“Sure Sugar, whatever you need.” Her eyes never left Sam.
Lucas frowned at Sam and then looked back at Janine, “Just stop, okay?”
She didn’t even bat an eyelash, “No.”
Lucas looked back at Sam, “I tried. You even think about messing with Ari, and I will kill you, cook you, and eat you.”
Sam grinned, “Try.” He flashed from the room.
The moonlit night was peaceful and cool in Maine. He couldn’t believe the size of the moon. He could feel the pull of the oceans as he stood under it. His siren appeal was always stronger under the full moon. The wolves knew that, no doubt. Fae knew a lot about the supernatural world. They stayed in groups and educated their offspring. Not like the rest of the supernatural world. Most were rogues who wandered the world alone. Except sirens, who all lived on the island in Greece. With no actual skills beyond their sex magic, they stayed where they were the strongest.
