“Things are getting crazy in the streets. I will put Orion Ali over the patrol. He’s an excellent tracker as well. I will take two days to see if I can find her. If I don’t find her, I’ll talk to him.”
“I’m here if you need me.”
“It’s not safe for you right now. It’s not safe for any of us, but it’s open season on you so stay put. I’ll get the answers you need.”
“How did you get here so quick?” My eyes narrowed on him. There was a sweet floral scent that clung to his leather jacket. His hair was still in place so maybe it wasn’t all that bad. Maximus wasn’t the man to leave around females. I still don’t trust him. Let’s see if he’s going to lie to me.
“I was talking to Arianna,” said Maximus. He pulled out his cell phone and fired off some text.
“Right now, it is more important than ever that you stay away from all of the angels.” Sweat dripped from my forehead. I stepped into his personal space leaning my face toward his. The angels need to protect their bloodline and don’t need to deal with you.
“You lost your girlfriend. Why are you worried about Arianna?” Maximus raised his eyebrows and slid his phone in his back pocket.
“That’s why I can’t stand you. You only think about yourself.” No one could compare to my Melody. I bit my tongue as a sharp pain sliced through my chest. My head felt like a bowling ball, heavy and stiff.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had feelings for someone. I’m not staying away from her. Deal with it.” Maximus’ nostrils flared as his hands balled up at his side. He stomped toward the retaining wall. “Cade mind your business, or you and I will have problems.” He hopped over the retaining wall and disappeared into the night.
It had been all day and I still hadn’t visited Leonardo. He was secluded in the west wing under heavy sedation. The thin boy in the hospital bed wasn’t the man I knew. Every day he was withering in pain and slowly slipping closer to dying. I’m trying to be strong but I’m as soft as jello on the inside.
His room was hidden. Stepping through the secret library you went through a maze before coming to Leonardo’s room. Opening the door, I couldn’t help but swallow hard as I approached his hospital bed.
My best friend looked like death sucking on a popsicle stick. His skin was as white as the sheets tucked under his body. He had two intravenous lines in each arm as he laid with his palms facing up.
A part of me was glad his eyes were closed. I hoped that he was asleep. The room had a rotten flesh smell. I don’t think I can watch my best friend wither away right before my eyes.
“How are you holding up,” asked Leonardo. He grunted and slid to a sitting position in the bed.
“I’m ok.” Plastering a smile on my face I forced myself to breathe even focusing on the conversation. Every muscle in my body lacked energy. The days seem to be getting longer and I’m getting more exhausted by the minute.
“We’ve been best friends longer than either of us can remember. I know you’re not fine,” said Leonardo. He scowled and shook his head mumbling under his breath.
I shrugged. “How are you feeling? Are you in a lot of pain?” I looked around the room. The trashcan was empty, but the room smelled like something had died in it.
“You can talk to me. Melody will live on inside you. If you never talk about her, she will be forgotten. Don’t you trust me? Besides, I don’t have much time, so who would I tell?” Leonardo lifted the white blanket and I saw a hole in his stomach. He settled back on his pillows and closed his eyes. “I want to picture what she looked like.”
“She had the softest skin I have ever touched. It was smooth and soft like the finest piece of silk. We’re getting close and we will be able to make a cure. Just hold on, and fight. Don’t lose hope.”
“I have a friend. He may be able to help me get rid of this virus. I never thought much about dying in battle, we all were raised on the stories of dying in battle, but not like this.” He held up both of his arms and flapped the intravenous line.
“You’re not going to die. Just rest and let us handle this.” The intercom chimed and the emergency lights flashed rapidly six times.
“You better go before Liam sends a search party out looking for you,” said Leonardo.
“I’ll see what he wants then I’ll be right back. Who is this friend and how can he help?”
“Seth Young. His father works at the capitol; he knows all about this virus. He will help me if I come to work for them.”
“Myron Grands is a snake and you know that he can’t be trusted.” I pinched the bridge of my nose and counted to ten. Leonardo could be as stubborn as a mule. He had to be desperate to even consider dealing with Myron. He doesn’t have faith in us finding a cure.
The intercom beeped three times and then I heard it. “The flowers had been delivered.” This statement didn’t sound like a big deal, but that was Liam’s way of summoning me to his office as an emergency.
“Leonardo just don’t do anything until I get back. Give me five minutes.” I waited until he nodded before I rushed out of his room. I can’t imagine what Myron wants but I know it’s not to help Leonardo. Even if he helps him, at what cost?
Gritting my teeth, I walked through the school blending in with the students rushing through the hallways. I took a deep breath before entering Liam’s office.
“Trinity’s journal had some information we can use. I called Maximus and he will meet you outside the gates.”
“Nick has been restless send him with Maximus. Leonardo doesn’t think we’ll find a cure in time.” I need to find out who was in the hallways that night. Who did Melody see? I looked past Liam to look out of the window.
“It is highly unlikely. Leonardo shouldn’t have left the school grounds, and this would have never happened,” said Liam. He leaned back in his chair.
“You don’t care about anybody. You were young once. Since when does meeting a girl that you are in love with equate to a death sentence? People love and live and try to experience life rather than brood in their office for eternity.” Liam doesn’t care about any of us. Why do we have life if we can’t live it to the fullest? Nobody wants to live a life of solitude for all eternity.
“We all make choices in life and those choices have consequences. I don’t trust anyone but you. You need to focus right now.”
I didn’t have the energy to make small talk with Liam. He is ruthless and doesn’t care that time is running out on Leonardo. Staring at the wall behind Liam, my mind began to wander.
“You haven’t been eating or socializing. This mission will do you some good.” Liam pulled out the journal from the safe. He scribbled something on a piece of paper before placing the journal back in the safe.
“Just tell me what you want me to do. Everything can’t be about you, Liam.” Rolling my eyes, I tapped my foot. I’m tired.
“Grow up. You will lose more than just Melody if you do not focus and try to find out who is trying to kill us.”
“I’m not the one with tunnel vision. I am paying attention to everything.” His attitude and disregard for Leonardo was disheartening and I didn’t have anything else to say. Liam didn’t bother to investigate Melody’s death. He tossed her in ground and ate waffles, probably. People don’t treat people like that, but Liam doesn’t care. He has tunnel vision.
“I know you had a crush on Melody, but we need you now. Maybe more now than ever.”
“You robbed me of saying goodbye. I’ll never have the chance now.” I loved her. His refusal to acknowledge that I was in love, and not some fleeting crush, burns my britches. My feelings are my own and he has no right to downplay them.
“Life is not fair. We grow up and sometimes life gives us hard lessons. Deal with it. You do not have time to fall apart.” Liam handed me a piece of paper with a name and an address. He stood abruptly and walked over to his minibar and poured himself a shot.
“Who is Aidan Reynolds?” The name sounded like some dork slinking in the shadows
while everyone else lived in the light. Vampires and werewolves aren’t the only things hiding in the shadows here in Atlanta.
The quicker I get this over with, the quicker I can focus on Leonardo. It may be time to move on from the academy, and from Liam. When the dust settles, I’ll figure out my next moves. Something has got to give.
“Trinity is meeting him. Try to set up a meeting with her after you find out more about Aidan, and what they are up to.”
“Peachy.” Liam isn’t thinking clearly. Trinity wasn’t the type of girl you just walk up to and schedule a meeting. Liam poured himself another shot of tequila before tossing it back.
“Are you afraid of her? If you want to, you can take Nick and Maximus with you.”
“Nope.” I should be ok. I’m not certain that I have any concern for my wellbeing right now. If I was scared what was he going to do? Things must really be bad for him to take two shots. Liam is too much of a control freak to allow anything like drugs and alcohol to control him.
“Do not fear a challenging fight. You are made of stronger stuff than that. I raised you.”
Liam wasn’t being reasonable. He acted like he didn’t care that Melody was killed. He should be investigating what happened to the security cameras. I’m not stupid our enemies had friends on the inside. Someone is helping them and I will find out who. Why can’t Liam see that?
I opened the door. My emotions are all over the place. I’m not the most patient person, no matter how I’ve tried to work on it over the years. Liam will have to find another second in command because when this is over, he and I are done. If I live through this.
I opened his door desperate to escape his indifference. Tonight, was the wrong night to be in the streets because I don’t care. What do I have to lose at this point? If I live, I might have to watch my best friend die and if I die, he still may die, but I am spared from watching it.
“I’m sorry Melody passed away.”
“Thanks.” Thanks for nothing. What good is protecting everyone if, while you are protecting everyone else, your loved one is killed? I tensed up. The vein at my temple throbbed and I became lightheaded. My blood pressure shot through the roof. Turning around I stared him in the eye. He needs to know the truth. A truth he should’ve discovered, not I.
“Melody was killed. She did not go willingly to the rose bush section to die. There is blood everywhere back there, and I intend to find out who killed her.”
“I will have someone look into that immediately.” Surprise lit Liam’s eyes before he masked his expression and sat down at his desk.
“Don’t bother. I will find out the truth one way or another.” He knew what Melody meant to me and he didn’t investigate her death. I wasn’t there when she needed me, but I’ll be there now. Nothing is going to stop me from finding out the truth. I closed his door and walked down the hall.
I wanted to finish talking to Leonardo. I’ll find the cure if it’s the last thing I do. Opening his door, I paused in the entryway. The wind blew the curtains and the window was slightly cracked. Pulling my sword, I searched the room. There was a beige piece of parchment on his sheets.
Cade,
I know you have everyone depending on you. Don’t worry about me. I’m going to my friends and he will help me with this problem. I can’t just sit here and waste away not doing anything. We need help. Don’t come for me. I will be in touch when I can. Leo
Leonardo has always been a fly by the seat of your pants kind of guy, but this was crazy. He isn’t thinking clearly. He knows that they don’t mean him any good. This was worse. The very thought of showing your enemy your weakness didn’t sit well with me.
Glancing at my watch, I was ten minutes late. All I need is for Maximus to leave me. Flying through the door I let the cold air hit me in the face before walking around to meet Maximus.
The man blended in the shadows. Whoever it was it wasn’t Maximus. This guy was several feet shorter than Maximus. He stepped into the moonlight.
“The infamous Cade Cohen. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He walked toward me and shook my hand.
“I’m Orion Ali. Maximus is busy tracking tonight. He said you would understand.”
“Did he have anything else to tell me?” A small kernel of hope fluttered in my lower stomach. Maximus was out getting answers and maybe his absence meant he had a lead. I could use some good news right now.
“He didn’t mention it.” Orion started walking down the street. He stopped once we exited the path and the side street leading into the city came into view. He looked at me and raised his eyebrows.
“This is where we’re going. Have you been there before?” I handed him the piece of paper. After a quick cursory glance, he handed it back to me.
Orion smiled. “The club is called Level Twenty-One. It is a club that is attached to a hotel. It is an underground sensation for those lucky enough to get in.”
“How are we going to sneak into this place. What are the exit points?” Orion was short. He wasn’t short in terms of werewolf size when he shifted, but he was shorter than the average height for a human male.
“I frequent this club often, so we don’t have to break inside. Just follow my lead and don’t start trouble once we’re inside.” He winked and I followed him around the corner where he entered a nearby building.
Looking around I wasn’t sure the roof wouldn’t collapse on us and end our lives. I’ve passed the building enough in my travels, but I don’t go inside. I’m doubting his logic on walking through the building now.
“This building doesn’t look like its structurally sound. We should be good to roam the streets for another four hours tops.”
“This building is fine, and the last of your worries should be on whether the ceiling will topple on your head.” His green eyes had turned to narrow slits and glowed an amber hue in the dark. “What can you tell me about the guy we’re going to meet?”
“We are actually after a girl named Trinity and she’s very dangerous.”
“Pretty boys like you have broken her heart? Don’t worry I won’t let her hurt you, too bad.” Orion smiled but paused and held his hand back signaling me to slide into the shadows. He placed his hands on his lips and walked forward standing in the middle of the building cracking his knuckles.
“Brandon Wells, I can smell your arrogance a mile away. Why hide in the shadows now, you were kicked out of the pact for betrayal. I never pictured you for a coward, but I guess I gave you too much credit.”
Sliding my sword slowly out the sheath I waited to spring on Brandon. I’ve been so focused. I hadn’t heard that Maximus had a traitor in his pact. It never dawned on me that someone would be stupid enough to violate the treaty. Everyone knows how ruthless Liam can be but, I guess sometimes people forget or don’t want to follow the laws. Liam will deal with anyone that violates the treaty, but Orion is egging on Brandon. Orion’s life affects whether I get into the club so if Brandon starts this fight Orion and I will finish it.
“What are you doing here? You need to scram before I must acknowledge that I’ve seen you and end your sorry life. You weren’t important when we allowed you into the pact and you aren’t important now,” said Orion.
“I no longer take orders from Maximus and I will never take orders from you. Your pack is weak to side with the vampires. Word on the street is that before long they will be dead and so will Maximus,” said Brandon.
Who would be crazy enough to try and kill Maximus besides me? I’m aware that by killing him I will have to die too but thinking that you can kill him and live is dangerous.
Orion stepped back. His roar echoed off the walls of the building, as his bones snapped and broke free from his skin as tons of hair covered his body. He rose over ten feet as his huge teeth elongated and his head reshaped into a wolf.
Wow. Orion was taller than Maximus when he shifted. If I was Brandon, I would shut up and run. Orion’s fingers elongated into cream five-inch-thick claws that he scraped across the bu
ilding walls as he headed toward Brandon.
“Too bad you won’t live to see it,” said Orion.
He smiled when Brandon lunged at him, shifting into a werewolf in midair. The fight didn’t last long, as he ripped Brandon’s head off his shoulders. Blood coated the floor and I turned my head away. This was the first time I’ve seen a werewolf killed and the aroma makes my stomach hurt. It reminds me of decaying rats found years later. My nose is very sensitive. Orion spat on Brandon’s dead body.
“Come Cade, we don’t have time for this.” He wiped his bloody hands on his dark red shirt and ripped it off himself.
“Who was Brandon working with? He must have been working with someone more powerful, that we don’t know about, to think that he could kill Maximus.”
“Brandon wasn’t as stupid as he looked. He had a way with slipping his tail and disappearing into thin air.” Orion ran his hands through his hair. Once we reached another door, he flung it open.
The air had turned a bit cooler than it was earlier, and the sky was much darker. We reached Cherry Blossom Road and turned right. I had never been to this part of the city and I’m not sure I wanted to visit again. There was trash and debris on every corner. This place looked dirty and I don’t want to die here.
It’s not like I’m on vacation. Tonight could go south quickly and I’m not certain Orion and I will make it out of here alive.
“Maximus is still in danger, so he should be careful. We can help draw out the enemy.” Whoever was behind the vampire virus might be the same person that is behind the strife with the werewolves. It is the oldest strategy at war. Divide and Conqueror.
“We know we can depend on you guys but you need us more than we need you right now. Let’s go.” Orion opened the strawberry red door that was hanging off its hinges and stepped inside. “Can you tell me what this chick looks like?”
“She has shoulder-length black hair that apparently is naturally curly, but she wears colorful wigs or hair extensions. She will be with her boyfriend who is as dangerous as she is.”
The closer we came to the door the more my heart pounded in my chest. I don’t know how I know but I feel this shack is where the underground club would be. How else do you have a club that is secret in this city?
Shape Shifter’s Demons in the Mist: Angel Academy Page 16
