“Letoya told me that she loved him more than life itself. She tried to kill herself once by not drinking blood. I believed her when she told me her hiking pack was stolen and she was knocked unconscious on Dead Man’s trail.”
“She has never lied to you. Why do you think she did then? Dead Man’s trail has gotten more dangerous over the years.”
“She lied. Maximus followed her recording her and when he saw that she deliberately wasn’t drinking blood he thought she was fasting until the days carried on. He is the reason she lived. He made her drink and brought her home.” He opened his safe and pulled out an old phone. Once he found the video, he handed it to me.
“Maximus isn’t the hero. If he hadn’t paid attention to Letoya maybe Derrick wouldn’t have raped her.”
“I asked Maximus to wait two years so that she could learn her powers before becoming a mate to a werewolf and he agreed. It was the worst mistake of my life. If I hadn’t asked him that, Derrick would not have had the chance to rape her.”
I looked at him but he pointed to the screen. One minute passed and then I saw Letoya, hiking on the trail. The camera lingered on her butt, so I’m assuming Maximus was recording the footage. He flipped the screen and showed his face. In his pocket he pulled out an engagement ring. The same ring I saw on my sister’s finger when he buried her body.
Blinking I wiped the tears from my cheek so that I could see my sister. Each night she poured the blood out over the mountain and went back inside. The sixth day, the video shows Maximus and a small party heading toward the cave where Letoya was asleep. Someone recorded Maximus openly weeping over Letoya’s body. He slit his wrist and poured his blood in her mouth. Letoya came to life-sucking on his wrist then she fell backwards and convulsed. After thirty minutes my sister became a werewolf and a bat. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I replayed the video again.
“Why does everyone think Maximus raped her?”
“He heard the rumor that Bethanny spread and spread one of his own. He said he raped her to get back at me and the vampires and werewolves were feuding.”
“I don’t understand why he would say that.”
“When everyone realized that Letoya sacrificed blood for her family’s honor she was vindicated, and nobody judged her.”
“Why did she kill herself if everyone stopped judging her?”
“Letoya couldn’t marry Maximus now that he said he had raped her, and she was doomed by the lie he spoke to save her reputation. She did not want to live if she couldn’t have Maximus.”
“So, she killed herself.”
“She tried. If she had been just a vampire she would have died, but Maximus’s blood runs through her veins, therefore on the seventh day she rose from the grave. Her casket is empty.”
“What are you saying? My sister’s been alive this whole time and you let me think she was dead.”
“Everyone thinks she is dead. She is safer that way. She is not the same person since the transformation, and now with so many things going on it’s safer for her.”
“There has to be another way. I can’t believe you turned your back on her.”
“Derrick wanted to take their child and raise it to be a super soldier for his father’s political gain. What do you think he would do to Letoya?”
“I went to Pratt Labs. Derrick was there with Walter Higgins. Derrick has made some tainted blood for vampires, and he intends to wipe us out.”
“Did you get a sample of the poison? Please tell me you did not come back here empty-handed.” Liam ran his hands through his hair.
“No sample. Derrick destroyed the sample that was at the lab but he said Claire Sands is the microbiologist over it, so I’ll get her.”
“No. I’ll have Maximus do that. She will be more willing if she meets him than you, and if she gives him some trouble, he will know what to do.”
“I can do it. You don’t have to have Maximus do that.” I pulled out my phone and showed him the picture.
Liam shook his head at me. “Women tend to lose their heads over Maximus. It won’t be any trouble for him to gain this woman’s trust and steal the poison from her.”
“Great I’ll put eyes on Mr. Higgins. Now let’s talk about Leonardo Romano.”
Oh no. What has Leo done now? “Leonardo?”
Liam walked over to his desk and poured himself a glass of blood from his private decanter that he kept locked up. “He has left the academy grounds and is not safe. I know you probably know where he is, so bring him back. Make it clear that leaving school grounds is not permitted.”
“Sure.” There were several places Leonardo could be right now. Normally my best friend didn’t get on my nerves with his sneaking off campus, but now wasn’t the time to be defiant.
My hand was on the doorknob when his voice broke through my thoughts.
“I will find her if it’s the last thing I do. We will be a family again.”
Swallowing I walked out of his office. I thought I had all the answers when I walked in to see Liam and now, I’m just numb. I guess sometimes it’s true that ignorance is blissful, and the truth hurts like jagged knives in your spine.
“Hey. I didn’t expect to run into anyone this late,” said Melody. She smiled and pulled a strand of hair behind her ear. Her pink unicorn pajamas were adorable. The fluffy white slipper on her feet showed her hot pink toenails.
“I’m glad to see you too. How are you?”
“I can’t sleep sometimes so walking helps. I didn’t see you at lunch today,” said Melody. Her cheeks flushed.
“I overslept so I didn’t get a chance to grab something to eat.” It was times like this, that I wished I didn’t have so much responsibility. Every guy my age had a girlfriend and someone on the side and I didn’t even have a girlfriend. I’m hoping Melody can help me with that.
“I’m stretching my legs. If you don’t mind, I’d love to walk with you.” I fired off a quick text to Leonardo trying to find out where he was and make him come home. If I’m lucky Melody will give me her number and we can spend some time together.
“Sure. If you’re still hungry I have some brownies from earlier. I’ve already hurt myself eating way too much.” She hugged herself and leaned against the wall.
“Do you know that they say brownies are the way to a man’s heart?” Smiling I held my hand out to her.
Following her to her room my heart raced. This was the first time I had been anywhere near a girl’s room, especially a girl that I liked. Melody opened her door and walked inside. I wanted to go inside but I couldn’t allow anyone, even me, to give the appearance that Melody was a fast girl
“You can come in here. I have orange juice.”
“My leg is cramping. Can you bring it here?” I had a cramp all right and it wasn’t my leg.
“Sure. Do you want me to message it?” She handed me a red plastic cup and a napkin with a pecan brownie inside.
“Can we sit for a few minutes? The enchanted gardens are beautiful at night.” We walked toward the back door.
“I don’t ever go out there. I’m allergic to roses.”
“Do your eyes get all puffy and your nose itch?”
“Once when I was five, my mother took me to the park. We passed a rose bush, my airways closed and I woke up in a hospital.” She paused at the door and looked around.
“What are you looking at?” I looked past her but didn’t see anybody. I heard a door close. Hopefully, it was not another student trying to sneak off-campus. Pulling out my phone I read my text. Leonardo wasn’t coming. He was wooing some girl. He changed girls like he changed his underwear. I’m not judging him but that seemed exhausting.
“I saw a girl walking down the hall and though she was headed this way she turned the corner,” said Melody. Biting her lip, she stepped away from me and looked down the hall.
“We can stay near the door. Don’t worry all of the roses are toward the back of the gardens which is three miles from the front door.”
�
��Are you sure? I don’t have my EpiPen with me.” Her smile wavered as she looked at the door. She fiddled with the charm bracelet on her right wrist, pushing the pink hearts and elephant charms between her fingers.
“Yes. We can talk in the kitchens if it makes you more comfortable.”
“I trust you. This whole experience is getting me out of my comfort zone, so this will help.” Melody opened the door and stepped outside.
Tonight, was beautiful. The stars shined brightly in the sky and the breeze felt great on my skin. Sitting down next to her I gazed up at the stars. This was my favorite place in the world to be. Everyone has their place of solace and this was mine.
“It’s magical out here. Thanks for bringing me here.” She tipped her head back and opened her arms wide toward the sky. A shooting star raced across the sky, and she closed her eyes. Her smile was bright as she leaned her head against her right knee gazing into the night.
“I didn’t do much at all.” My throat squeezed past the lump that formed as I ducked on my head. I could feel my ears heat up at her praise. I could smell her cherry lip balm every time she spoke. Did she taste like homemade cherry pie? She was refreshing in her uncertainty and vulnerability.
“You did everything. I’m a creature of habit, so I wouldn’t have come out here.” Her hand fumbled on a nearby rock as her fingers found mine. She gazed into my eyes without blinking.
“You have a severe allergy, so it makes sense.” I brushed my fingers across her cheek. She purred and leaned into me.
Her strawberry blonde strands blew across my shoulders; I inhaled deep. The strands smelled like cake batter and shined like glass. Everything about her was unique and different. She wasn’t like other girls.
Glancing down at my watch. Dang, I wish I didn’t have to go. Will she think I don’t like her if I rush off now? All of me wanted to stay in the enchanted garden but reality set in and my best friend was still outside the school gates. His recklessness might be his downfall but not if I can prevent it.
“I’ve really enjoyed spending time with you. I need to check on my best friend, Leonardo. He has left the school grounds and that is forbidden.” I stood and pulled her to her feet.
“I didn’t mean to keep you long. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. If you’re not busy tomorrow I would like for us to eat lunch at eleven forty-five.” My pocket vibrated. Sliding my fingers across the volume button I turned the sound down. I leaned forward inhaling her soft spicy musk scent. I held my breath. Maybe I missed something, and she’s only being nice. What if she doesn’t like me?
“I would like that. I’d like that a lot.” She broke eye contact and looked at the ground. “I’m shocked you don’t have a girlfriend. This isn’t your first year, so I’m surprised no one has scooped you up.”
I smiled. Lifting her chin, I forced her to look at me. “Many girls have tried. I don’t like being treated like a piece of meat.” I felt her flinch and she stepped away from me.
“Bethanny Holland is very interested. She told me to stay away from you. Did you guys recently break up?”
“I have never dated her. She’s not a nice girl. There are twenty-five qualities that attracts me to a girl, and you have all twenty-five.” I closed the distance between us and leaned down and touched her lips with mine.
I intended a peck on the lips. My lips had an agenda of their own. She gasped, and I felt her hands curl around my neck; my tongue invaded her mouth to stake my claim. When I lifted my head, my phone had vibrated ten more times. I had to look away to keep from plundering her mouth again.
We walked back to her room in silence. I could still taste her sweetness on my tongue. The moments that I spent with her in my house were special. It was as though all the bad things from today faded and a rainbow came out of the sky. I smiled as she smiled and closed the door. I waited until I heard her lock the door before racing down the hall. Pulling out my phone, I checked my text messages, but Leonardo hadn’t sent another text message and he didn’t tell me where he was. Dang. It was going to be a long night.
Keeping my eyes peeled, I hopped over the wall ten miles south of the academy wall. Laying low in the poisonous flowers I texted him one last time. These flowers were traps to outsiders. The fragrance was alluring but within minutes, you would be dead, and so would I if I wasn’t a vampire who had developed an immunity to them. Liam was through with raising me. Glancing at my watch five minutes had passed and Leonardo hadn’t text back.
Leaping over the stone retaining wall I landed on my feet. Racing through the street I headed to Brittani’s Bar & Grill. This bar was Ashley Date’s favorite hangout spot. She was a flokan who had a habit of drinking her problems away. There was once a time when she had such promise but that seemed long gone. There weren’t many angels that were elementals, and she had mastered her power over all the elements. She loved to live the fast life and be self-destructive. When she fell in love with a mage name Ronald Cannon, his thirst for power was his demise. Unfortunately for Ashley, it was also her demise and she lost everything for a love that didn’t last past twelve months. Even her mind had gone on hiatus. Now, most of the time she longed to escape her reality.
For over ten thousand years Leonardo has had the biggest crush on Ashley. The more he peeled her layers back revealing her tortured, broken soul, the harder he fell in love with her. Rolling my eyes, I run down the back road of Ashburn Lane taking the shortcut to the bar. Running through the woods I hear wolves howling but I keep going. He hasn’t text me back and that isn’t like him. Could this be his lucky night? Will Ashley see that her knight in shining armor was before her eyes the entire time? Ashley was the type of girl that never caught a clue. She was stuck in the past reliving her memories instead of making new ones.
My back was covered in sweat when I arrived at the back door of the bar. Knocking three times on the red door I waited. Ben opened the door and yanked me through it by the collar on my shirt. I closed my eyes as the cotton fabric tore in his hands. Great.
Arianna
Kyra wasn’t answering her cell phone. I called her back-to-back over forty times like a mentally disturbed lunatic. I’d left so many voicemails that my voice was dry and raw from screaming into the phone. I ran down the hallway to the laundry room where I grabbed the last of her clothes out the dryer. Stuffing her clothes in her bag, I zipped it up, and threw it on the floor.
My eyes felt like someone sanded my eyeballs with sandpaper. I usually don’t stay up all night, but I did tonight. Sylvia will be here in thirty minutes. Flopping on my bed I rested my head against the wall. Every bone in my body felt stiff and hard. Closing my eyes, I let my mind go blank.
“Ari, did she come yet?” asked Kyra.
She pushed me until my head fell forward jarring me from my deep sleep. Moving out of the way of her curved nails digging into my shoulders my eyes closed again. It was easy for me to ignore her irritating voice, after all, I had years of perfecting that technique.
“Ari get up. You’ve had all this time to sleep.” Kyra slapped me across the face.
“I should’ve slept rather than wash your funky clothes but I don’t want to be embarrassed by your lack of hygiene. No. She didn’t come.”
I rubbed the back of my neck to ease the cramp. I frowned. Kyra wasn’t wearing the same clothes she left in. The clothes that she had on were crammed into the side of her bag. Joe was in his cage on the dresser. Swaying to my feet I walked to his cage. Joe looked better than well. He looked like his little belly was fatter. Trevor had found Joe. I was glad he would be permanently out of Kyra’s life.
“Why weren’t you answering your phone?”
Kyra shrug. “Trevor and I talked after I made sure Joe was fine. He had gotten Joe some food and a little cage.”
“I’m glad that he found Joe. We are back to being one big happy family.” I picked up the broken pink brush and went over to Kyra. I don’t like Trevor but I do want my sister to be happy. This is her first crush and I
’m sure she’ll have many more.
“Trevor is a nice guy. I know you don’t like him but you haven’t given him a chance. He’s taking me out on Friday.”
“How are you going on a date when we’ll be at the academy? You don’t know if they will let us leave or come and go as we please.” I’m grateful that she doesn’t see me rolling my eyes. This is not the time to try to get in a relationship. Boys will come and go.
“They don’t have to know that I went to see Trevor. This is school but they don’t get to control my life.” Kyra tossed her hair over her shoulder.
Passing the brush through her tangled strands I smiled. When Kyra gets to the academy, she’ll forget all about Trevor when she sees all the hot guys there. “I have never seen you smile so much over a guy. What is it about Trevor that you like so much?”
“He really listens to me when I talk.” Kyra smiled and picked the pulled threads on the bedspread tearing a nickel-size hole in the fabric.
“I’m sure it has nothing to do with his blond hair and blue eyes. You’ve always been partial to pretty boys.” Kyra has loved blond hair ever since daddy bought her a Ken Barbie doll.
“He’s gorgeous and that is a plus but there’s something about him. He’s different from other guys that try to talk to me. I like him.”
“Did you tell him that you’ll be going to a different school and stuff?” If she doesn’t have the common sense to forget Trevor, maybe he’ll forget her. Why would she? Kyra’s hair was very curly and tangled. Her tea rose scented soap clung to her skin. She must have come home and showered. She wouldn’t be silly enough to have slept with Trevor.
“He knows all about the Angel Academy of Eastwick. He told me that its dangerous work for angels to fight demons.”
“You can’t go around telling people you’re an angel. You don’t know Trevor, and I’ll bet he isn’t in the academy.” He is probably getting his information from Kyra. She and her friends gossip all day long. My sister is very trusting. I worry about her trusting the wrong guy.
Kyra pushed me away. “So, what. I don’t have to date an angel. I can go to the academy and fight demons, but my love life is my business.”
Shape Shifter’s Demons in the Mist: Angel Academy Page 9
