Shape Shifter’s Demons in the Mist: Angel Academy

by Thomas, Kiesha

  Arianna Deeds

  Today was my birthday, but that is not why today is special. My whole life was reduced to this day. My left eye is constantly twitching and my big toe aches. I feel like a lopsided washing machine that is overloaded. It’s not that something is wrong, everything is wrong. The sky looks like a black blanket and storm clouds are moving across the sky at a sloth’s pace. Great. All I need is for it to rain today. Glancing at Kyra was like looking in a mirror shattered into tiny pieces. No one could pay me to wear anything purple and glitter was positively criminal. Everything she wore was adorned with purple glitter. How can two identical twins be so different?

  “Are you worried about tonight?” asked Kyra. She sat on the bed rifling through two mounds of clothes.

  I love my sister. I do but I’ve been sharing a space with her since we were in mom’s cramped womb. I desperately need my space. Kyra is messy. I will never understand how she can pick up dirty clothes off the floor and put them on. Gross. Glancing out the window, the city looked like an abandoned wild forest. The city of Atlanta seemed to be flooding. Every day it rained.

  “It’s only natural to be worried on the most important day of our lives. You’re the only person I know, who doesn’t worry about anything ever.”

  “Why is your bed cluttered with clothes? Every piece of clothing you own is tossed on your bed.”

  “Stop turning up your face. My clothes don’t stink and I’m able to wear my jeans three times before I need to wash them. My butt doesn’t sweat like yours.”

  Rolling my eyes, I grab my purse off the bed. The day is wasting away, and I have things to do. I didn’t have much time to get to work. Unlike Kyra, I understand that money doesn’t grow on trees, and mom is struggling to keep a roof over our heads. We may not have the latest designer jeans or sharpest shoes in the city, but we had each other. Family is worth more to me than anything in the world. My job stinks but it helps keep the lights on.

  “Wait for me,” said Kyra. I heard her slam our bedroom door behind her.

  “Mom’s still going to find the mess you left in the room. For once, think of someone besides yourself. Mom works two jobs to keep everything afloat.”

  “You act like the job at Pratt laboratories is your future. Do you think you’re saving lives?” asked Kyra.

  Gritting my teeth, I turned the corner ignoring her. Sometimes I wish I could let my fist pound into her face like I used to do when we were younger.

  The city wasn’t safe anymore. If it wasn’t the rogue vampires mugging and snatching people off the streets, it was the opportunistic criminals. Nobody wants to be bullied, so they bully. In every situation there must be a victim. I’m not sure the vampires are the problem but I’m not trying to find out either.

  This was my least favorite part of the day. The city looked like a nuclear warhead had detonated twenty years ago, leaving what resembled an industrial headquarters for slaves. Atlanta no longer looked like a city. The only thing left were tall scraper buildings overlooking the next tall industrial compound. Humans created machines that built the industrial compounds that make up the city. It looked like a jail cell.

  There are very few trees left. We have breathing apparatuses that cover half our face, so we can venture beyond the compounds we now call home. When I envisioned my future, I never thought my home would become my prison.

  “I’m talking to you.” Kyra yanked me around to face her. She folded her arms across her chest.

  “Get your head out of your butt. Spit that gum out you know it’s illegal.” I peeked down at my watch before staring at her. She kept popping gum in my face, blowing large bubbles before sucking the sugary candy back into her mouth. The cherry flavor drifted to my nose intensifying the dull ache in my stomach.

  “The government has made everything illegal.” Kyra pulled out the small purple cracked mirror and applied several coats of lipstick to her lips.

  “Look around you. Things are not the way they used to be twenty years ago.” I pointed at the bullet holes in the cement wall next to me.

  “You always do what you’re told. For once in your life have an original thought. You look down on me, but I make my own decisions and do not follow the ones forced on me,” said Kyra.

  Pushing her out of my way, I rush down the street. The rain has stopped but the dark clouds suggest it’s only a matter of time before the rain start again. Coming up to Hide Me park, I basked in the few tall oak trees that remained. I looked past the decaying leaves and partially split branches to linger in one of the remaining things humans still have.

  “Kyra something’s crawling on me.” Hopping around I tried to flick whatever was on me off.

  “Sounds like a personal problem, sis,” Kyra smirked at me and went to lean her feet on the tree while she watched me.

  “If it’s a tick and I get sick I’m going to make sure you get sick too.” Dropping my purse, I took off my long sleeve shirt and pulled down the undershirt. I saw him.

  “You can’t bring Joe. If you lose him, we will never find him.” I cupped the turquoise body close rubbing his orange spots. What made her think she should bring her Tokay Gecko with us? How long has she been sneaking him out the house?

  “Joe goes where I go. Daddy said I can take him everywhere with me.” Kyra flung her hair over her shoulder and held out her hands.

  Joe jumped out of my hand and landed in Kyra’s where she rained kisses on his face. I love Joe too, don’t get me wrong, but my lips are not going anywhere near his face. Once Joe had enough attention he crawled inside of her pocket.

  “Kyra, that was before the government banned everything. Do you really want to risk being sentenced to death for having Joe?” My voice was low with the force of restraint. Kyra was a spoiled brat that needed to grow up. I wish dad had lived long enough to set her straight. Lord knows she won’t listen to mom and me.

  I miss daddy more than words can say. When we lost him a part of me died that day, and a hole remains. The youngest always gets spoiled and I understand that but, I need dad too. I guess I didn’t need him as much as Kyra and now it’s too late. Shaking my head, I focus on her. Her fist balled up at her side and she looked like she could bite the head off a pit bull. I have fifteen minutes to be at work, but she had worked my last nerve.

  If she starts a fight, I’m going to finish it and wipe her face in the mud. I would be doing the world a favor because the world is not ready for Kyra Deeds. The government initiated one positive thing: banning sex and unsanctioned births. I can screw up my life, but the life of a child is precious and failure isn’t an option.

  “You want me to give Joe up because Daddy didn’t bring you anything from Hawaii. It’s not my fault I was his favorite. I won’t give him up ever.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You never listen. Do what you want Kyra.” I walked away. I’m waving the white flag.

  Trevor

  These twenty years felt like knives through my heart. It took a year for Lily’s soul to ascend to Xundar. Who would have thought that someone so young would take a full year in judgment with Valcrum? I thought she wouldn’t remember our meeting before her premature demise but I was wrong. Valcrum must be behind her keeping that memory. Why hasn’t he punished me for my behavior? He must have known that any punishment he can inflict would pale in comparison to what Lily has done to me.

  Floating through the fields I make my way to Waters of Serenity. I’ve never wanted to be caged inside my head or have the water nymph help with my memories. This place is like a plague on your medulla. My thoughts are my own and I guard them as such. The water is crystal clear luring you into its warm currents, and the nymphs love to discover your secrets.

  I’ve waited an eternity for Lily and her refusal to be in my life only fuels my obsession for her. I will never give up on us, and I will not allow her to either. Like she does every day, she is swimming with the sea nymphs. Her wavy hair is molded to her head cascading down her back. She wears her hair like armor, allowing
it to fall over her round firm bosoms toward the center of her essence. I can only ponder what they must be telling her about me. I am not a bad person. I’m just misunderstood.

  Passing the trees, I step on the embankment. My toes curl as the warm waters slides across my skin beckoning me deeper inside its depths. Once the water sloshes against my knees, I grabbed Lily from behind.

  “When are you going to forgive me, Lily?” I pressed my face in the crook of her neck inhaling the salty ocean scent clinging to her skin.

  “I’ve forgiven you. I think it’s best that you stay away from me. Why would you come to my planet and play with me so callously?” She pushed out of my arms and dipped under the water.

  “I have never played any games with you. My intentions are true.” Dang. Where is she? A flash of blue-green circles my leg. The hair had me gritting my teeth.

  “Trevor have you decided to stop being fearful of my powers and seek my face,” asked Victoria. She waded the water closer to me while her long scaly tail flaps stronger.

  “I am not interested in you Victoria. You nymphs use your powers to seduce everyone and that is why I will never be seduced by you.”

  Lily had surfaced. Her face was impassive but the set of her jaw showed she didn’t like me speaking with Victoria. It also probably had something to do with Victoria flaunting her perfect half-human body in my face. If I was a weaker spirit I would be slime in her hands, but I know who I want.

  “It’s not smart to make me angry. I could kill you very easily,” said Victoria. Her beautiful green eyes had turned the color of blood.

  I shrugged. “Let’s just fight to the death and call it a day. This conversation bores me.” Turning my back on her I headed toward Lily. There is nothing I can do about what happened on planet Earth, but I can do something about meddling Victoria. Why doesn’t Victoria go hide somewhere?

  Victoria’s arm turned into a blue tentacle that wrapped around my neck forcing me underneath the water. Struggling to free myself my eyes blurred as she dragged me deeper underwater. When I could no longer see the top, I pulled her face closer to mine and my lips touched hers. She loosened her grip on my neck and closed her eyes deepening the kiss.

  I channeled all my energy in my hands. The strong current flowed through me making me glow a hunter green. I touched her chest. Her body jerked as the current shot through her chest blasting her deeper in the water. My limbs ached as I was drained of most of my power. Once my head broke through the water, I spotted Lily swimming toward me.

  “Get out of the water.” I looked behind me but I did not see anything. The temperature of the water was no longer cold. It was boiling. Summoning the last of my strength I reached for Lily. My arms wrapped around her waist and I held her close to me, blocking her body with mine.

  “Are you alright? I saw her take you under the water,” said Lily. She looked in my eyes. Her fingers rubbed against my cheek and I leaned against her fingers.

  “Why did you get back in the water? You love me admit it.” I turned around looking for Victoria, but I did not see her.

  She frowned and pushed against my shoulders. “What makes you think I love you?”

  “I can read minds.” I have not read her mind. Why should I? She risked herself for me and climbed back in this water because she was worried about me. She thought of my welfare and has endangered her own. If I was not sure this would be my last moment alive, I would weep with joy.

  “You read my mind. Get off me!” She wiggled in my arms.

  “I did not need to read your mind. You got back in the water despite already getting out. You love me. Just admit it.”

  “I can’t trust you.” She stopped pushing against my chest. She laid her head against my shoulder.

  “She’s coming. Do something.” Her body trembled against me.

  “You can trust me besides we are about to die. What do you have to lose?” I looked behind me. The biggest tidal wave was forming ahead. It would be a matter of minutes and…

  “I love you. I do not know how or why I have these feeling for you but I wish they would go away”

  “I love you too. I can die happy and fulfilled.” I took her lips.

  Her gasp did not stop my tongue from invading into her mouth. When she sighed and started kissing me back, I withdrew.

  “I don’t want us to die at all. I’m not dating you in the afterlife.” Her hands wrapped around my head as she rested her forehead against mine.

  “I have never loved as much as I love you.” Her lips brushed against mine. My eyes longed to close and savor the kiss she just bestowed on me, but the water’s current was moving us further from safety. The water covered our heads. I lifted her above me out of the water. Closing my eyes channeling the last of my strength I teleported Lily to the rose gardens.

  My limbs cramped as the last of my strength seeped from me. Opening my arms and closing my eyes I fell under the water. The tidal wave forced my body deeper into the water toward the bottom. My heart lights as my last thought was of Lily’s last words to me. A smile curved my lips as pain shot through my body and all my muscles jerked. Lightheadedness made my thoughts cloudy as peace surrounded me and everything went black.

  Victoria picked Trevor up and placed a kiss on his lips. She stopped the tidal waves crashing the area and carried him from the water. Her tail became human legs as she transformed into a young naked woman.

  “You don’t get to decide when you die Trevor. I’m not done with you yet. You think you’ve saved her, but she’ll suffer more than anyone has ever suffered before. I will be your love and you mine.” She pressed her hand against his chest, her eyes turning red as she breathed life into him.

  “Victoria, you know it’s forbidden to bring spirits back from the dead,” said Thalia. She moved out of the water and her black hair hung down her back. Once her body left the water her tail turned into legs, and she moved to stand by Victoria.

  “He belongs to me and I won’t allow anyone to take him from me not Valcrum, not even Trevor himself,” said Victoria. She walked back into the water. Her legs transformed into her tail and she dove deep under the water.

  Thalia glanced back at Trevor. His hand twitched and she ran back into the water diving deep under the surface.

  Cade

  Corey was bleeding over all the white carpet. There wasn’t a spot on him that wasn’t pouring blood, and even his bowels were lying at his feet on the floor. It smelled like death in here. Corey’s wheezing and occasional coughs of blood were the only things heard.

  “He’s not sick. He’s dying. He could’ve infected you by his presence.” Liam was a stubborn vampire, but this was crazy. I’d never seen anything like the mutilation that ailed Corey.

  “It doesn’t matter. This affects all of us. He said that he had some blood and a month later boils opened, and he began bleeding. The boils are on the inside and outside.” He covered Corey, with a sheet and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.

  “I told you there are darker forces at work. Someone is poisoning vampires.” He changed his gloves and donned a fresh pair of blue latex gloves before he injected the needle into Corey’s arm.

  Corey was mumbling but his speech was disoriented and incoherent. His eyes glazed over once the medicine took effect. It was probably morphine to dull his pain and ease his suffering. Corey wasn’t my favorite person because he was selfish and placed all his troubles on us. Nobody deserved this type of suffering. Not even Corey.

  “It must be the werewolves. Who else would poison us?” I paced back and forth.

  “There’s more in this world than vampires and werewolves.” He leaned over Corey. The sheet didn’t rise for a second.

  “It’s a nice thought that we aren’t alone, but we are. You’re being way too trusting. Someone touched one of us. We need to send a statement and let the streets overflow with their blood.” My fingers itched to grab the sword and hop out the window.

  The audacity that someone would touch vampires was insan
e. We’ve been around for thousands of centuries and if our ancestors hadn’t upset Valcrum we wouldn’t be cursed with living here on Earth as second-class citizens.

  “Your judgement is clouded. I need you to clear your mind. If something happens to me, you must stand and keep the academy open.”

  “It’s easy for you to say, but Maximus hasn’t paid penance for Letoya, yet I’ve kept my promise to you. Letoya was my sister.” I walk toward the steps. I can never disrespect Liam, he’s like a father to me, but I can’t ignore this.

  “I’m the closest thing to a father you’ll ever know. I’ve raised Letoya and you for over two thousand centuries, and you speak to me of Letoya.” His voice vibrated and echoed off the walls.

  “Let’s agree to disagree.” I walked up the steps needing to calm myself before I head back through the hallways of cheerful students.

  “Take one more step and I’ll force you to draw my sword. You will obey me or you will die. I won’t allow your death to be on my hands too.”

  Blinking rapidly, I peered at the ceiling trying to gain control. Corey was dead and we’re arguing about werewolves. Liam knows I’d never lay a finger on him, but Maximus Ward is another story. Liam swindled me out of my promise not to kill him, but once I prove he’s behind this I’ll be clear to finally kill him.

  “What is going on here? Liam are you alright?” said Maximus. He came with five men from his pack.

  “Corey Adams has been murdered. When I prove you did it, I’ll cut your head from your shoulders.” I pulled Letoya’s jeweled dagger from its sheath. Recognition flared in his eyes as he saw the dagger.

  All five of his men stepped forward, but he held them back. He shook his head and looked at Liam standing behind me.

  “If I kill anybody, it’ll be you,” said Maximus.