by Megan Linski
Roman’s face is complex, a puzzle. I hope my thoughts aren’t so plainly written across my face.
Truth of the matter is, I’m sick of hunting demons. All my life I’ve done nothing but train and learn how to kill the things that haunt people’s darkest nightmares.
But what about my nightmares? The nightmares of always being stuck here, of being trapped in this two-story house and this little backwater town forever, always under my father’s thumb and watchful eye?
What about my freedom? I don’t think I can do this any longer. Roman is a good father, and I love him… but I’m suffocating. I need to get out of here. Find out what real life is like.
The puppy dog eyes must be getting to him, because his arm relaxes, and he strokes my hair. “All right, Faline. One semester.”
“Yes!” I jump up and pound my fist into the air, leaning over to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Dad!”
I sprint up the stairs to finish packing before he can change his mind. It feels like I’m flying even, though my wings are currently tucked behind me, invisible to the naked eye.
College is going to be sweet. I’ll finally get to be a normal girl, and make some friends!
A broad smile stretches across my lips. This is the start of a new chapter for me. I’ll finally get away from demons and slaying and being controlled. Nothing is going to go wrong.
Not one. Darn. Thing.
This is sooooooo sweet.
Great Lakes State has the most beautiful campus I’ve ever seen. Even though it’s only late August, the trees are starting to change color, complimenting the brick buildings and modern architecture. A multi-color forest closes in on campus from all sides, except for the north. In the distance, at campus’ edge, lies a long sandy beach, and Lake Superior beyond. The lake disappears into the horizon, creating a scene that looks like something out of a perfect dream.
The four-hour drive from the tip of Wisconsin into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula seemed like it took a half hour. My eyes are everywhere as Dad helps me unpack the car.
We head inside the freshman dorm. Hell, it’s even nice in here. Like some sort of five-star hotel or something. Dad and I walk into the first dorm on the right, which the sheet says is mine. Dad made sure to pay extra so I’d have my own room.
I’m not sure if it was to be nice, or to try and keep me more isolated so the chances I’d come home would raise.
A gaggle of beautiful girls passes by. I turn my back so they don’t notice me. I’m suddenly conscious of the baggy overalls and the big t-shirt I decided to wear. Nephilim are blessed with incredibly good looks, but I sure don’t act like I have them. I don’t know how to dress like a girl. I barely know how to dress like a human being. There’s not a lot of pressure to wear anything but pajama pants when all who ever sees you is your dad. The most effort I ever made to get dressed is when we went to the grocery store—or when I put on my leathers to go slaying, because anything besides leather totally stains when it comes to demon blood.
I put makeup on this morning. But I think I used too much.
“All set?” Roman asks, and he puts his hands on his hips. He looks around at the room he helped me set up. Everything’s in order, from the teal (I love teal) bedspread to the little wooden desk in the corner and the fluffy rug underfoot. I did my best to pick out things that would make it look like a girl’s room. You know, to fit in.
“I guess so.” I bite my lip, then lunge forward and give him a big hug. “I’m gonna miss you, Dad.”
He smiles gruffly. “Don’t miss me too much. You’ll be visiting around Thanksgiving.”
He kisses my forehead, then steps out. “Have fun, Faline. If you need anything at all, text me right away and I’ll pick you up.”
A hollow feeling enters my gut when Dad vanishes from my sight. I suddenly realize I’m four hours away from home, in a place I don’t know. Alone.
I don’t want to feel melancholy about my dad leaving. I decide to go out and get involved in something before loneliness sinks in and makes me do something stupid.
I want to be here.
I look in the packet my dorm advisor gave me. There’s a freshman welcoming party down at the beach. I bet I’ll make some friends there.
I crumple up the packet and shove it in my pocket, then head down to the beach. Despite the chilly weather, a lot of people are in bathing suits. Most of the girls here are in bikinis that don’t leave anything to the imagination. Everyone’s laughing, playing volleyball and blasting rap music. It seems like they’re having a good time.
I feel so small. Like this was a lesson already went over in kindergarten that I never learned as an adult.
I don’t even know how to talk to people. I’ve never been around kids my age before.
To avoid looking like a jackass, I grab myself a pop. I sip it awkwardly and look around. Where do I go? What do I do…
“Hey there, sweet stuff.”
I look over my shoulder to see a drop-dead gorgeous guy towering over me, wearing a tank top and loose swim trunks. He’s got sparkling white teeth, and light blonde hair that’s been dyed brown at the tips. He’s got a beer in his hand.
“H… hi,” I stutter embarrassingly before pulling myself together and saying, “Are you a freshman, too?”
“Yeah. I’m Cody,” he says, holding out a hand.
“Faline,” I say. I shake it lightly, but his grip is firm. He holds on a bit too long, like he doesn’t want to let go.
When he finally drops my hand, I add, “Are you from around here?”
“Naw. California,” he notes. “You?”
“Wisconsin.”
“That’s not so far.”
“No, it’s not.”
I’m so worried that I’ll be boring that I flounder for something to talk about. “So, why’d you come here instead of staying out in Cali?”
“I got a full ride for football,” he says, puffing his chest up like he’s super proud. “I’m a running back.”
“Oh, football.” Which I know nothing about. “That’s nice.”
“Yeah. Want to see me play?” he offers.
“Sure.” Grateful I have something to do, I nod. Without asking, Cody takes my hand and leads me across the beach, to where a group of dudes are messing around.
“Eyes on me, babe,” Cody drawls as he saunters over to the group of guys I’ve affectionately dubbed the Douche Crew. Seriously, these guys didn’t get into GLS on academics, if you know what I mean. Cody starts playing football; I make my way over to a group of blondes who are watching their chosen male compete. All are giggling and talking about makeup.
Cody acts like an animal whenever he scores a touchdown, or goal, or whatever they call it. He keeps looking at me like I’m supposed to be impressed, so I smile and clap so I don’t look like an idiot. When the game is (mercifully) over (I was getting so bored) Cody takes my hand again and leads me to the DJ. I notice his hand is sweaty.
“Want to dance, babe?” Cody asks. He starts to move and I follow him, bouncing to the beat. My favorite song comes on, a happy pop tune, and I sway even faster. This is actually kind of fun. I’m loving college!
Cody starts getting too handsy. A rock song comes on, and he turns me around. He puts his hands on my hips and starts gyrating his pelvis against my ass.
At first, I’m okay with a little grinding, but when Cody’s hands start to wander upwards, I’m over it.
“Cody, cut it out,” I say, and I smack his hands away. “You’re making me uncomfortable.”
Cody frowns. “I’ll be right back.”
Cody maneuvers through the crowd. I’m left to dance by myself for the next couple of songs. I’m starting to get insecure, thinking he ditched me, before I notice him standing at the edge of the party with two drinks. He motions to me and I come over.
“Thought you’d be thirsty,” he says, handing me a Solo cup. He takes a long sip of his own beer. “So, I decided to be a gentleman.”
The seco
nd he hands me the cup I can tell something is off. The Nephilim in me can smell it. Cody totally put a roofie in my drink!
So much for being a gentleman.
Cody pushes the drink toward me again, but I pretend that it slips out of my hands. It spills all over the sand. “Oops! Sorry, I’m clumsy.”
Cody’s eyes are burning. He grabs me by the wrist and pulls me over to a dark corner of the beach, and pushes me up against a large boulder.
Cody closes in on me and starts placing hot kisses on my neck, against my collarbone.
I’m not ready for this. I’ve never even been on a date, let alone kissed a guy before! Is this normal?
“Cody, what are you doing?” I ask, gently trying to shove him away.
“Don’t play dumb, babe, you’ve been giving me looks all night,” Cody breathes against my neck. “I know you want me. Let’s go back to my dorm.”
“No, I don’t want to.”
“Come on…”
Cody’s fingers are creeping up the edges of my shirt. I’m starting to panic. I can totally take care of this guy myself— the lowest demon I’ve killed is ten times stronger than this guy—but I hesitate. What if I really hurt him? What if, God forbid, I hit too hard and end up killing him? I’ve never been around humans… I don’t know how much they can take, and I don’t feel like hiding a body on my first day at college is a great start to my Brand New Life. The Nephilim council doesn’t know I exist, but they’ll find out if I kill a human. They always do— then I’ll be the one who’ll be killed.
Should I just let him kiss me, then? Should I scream? I don’t know. I’m paralyzed by indecision. All I can do is wince as Cody presses inward, curling up his spit-covered lips to encase my mouth…
Before Cody can put his slobbery lips on me, he’s yanked off by someone twice the size he is. I stumble off the rock and look up— who would have the nerve to put their hands on a buff football player?
When my gaze meets his, I realize that the man who saved me has the nerve to put his hands on anybody.
The first thing I notice are his eyes. They’re brown, rich and dark… blazing with a passion and heat I cannot describe. His skin is tan, brunette hair ruffled and messy, with a jaw that could make any woman moan. His broad shoulders block out the people behind us. He’s huge… with a guy like him around, a girl would always feel protected.
And his clothes… his jeans and white t-shirt are covered with grease and oil, like he just got done working on a car or something. His leather jacket is worn and old. I wonder what it would feel like, what it would smell like, draped around my shoulders.
Sexy. The dude practically makes my mouth water.
This is the hottest guy I’ve ever seen, no question. This man makes Cody look like an ape. He’s so beautiful, it’s almost… a sin.
When he notices me he does a double take, as if he can’t believe his eyes. His expression changes from rage to disbelief before righting itself back to red-hot anger. Whatever he just showed me… it was a secret.
“Get the hell away from her,” the man says. His voice is smooth, like velvet… comforting. “Can’t you see she doesn’t want anything to do with you?”
“Hey, no upperclassmen allowed,” Cody snarls. “This is a freshman party.”
“More like a losers party,” the man snaps back. “Talk about lame.”
“I’m just trying to have a little fun.” Cody laughs.
“You obviously don’t know how to respect women,” the man seethes. “Looks like I’m going to have to teach you.”
Cody opens his mouth to respond, but the guy’s fist is pummeling across his cheek before he can say a word. The blow sends Cody back several feet, literally. His body sails through the air before it goes splashing into the ice-cold lake.
I suddenly realize the only sound that can be heard is the music. The party’s stopped in its tracks. Everyone’s stopped to watch what happened… which means they all saw me with Cody, and didn’t do a thing.
Nobody did anything except for the savior in front of me.
Captain Badass turns in my direction. “Hey, do you mind?” he asks, gesturing to me.
“Um… mind what?” I blink.
Mister Hot and Sexy doesn’t bother to ask again. He stoops down and tosses me over his shoulder, carrying me out of the party.
“Hey! Hey, put me down!” I exclaim, shocked. Harassed by one man and carried off by another! I’m not having a good night. I slap his back, but only end up feeling it instead. By God, he’s got some muscles… and they’re warm. His skin burns underneath me, like he’s running a fever. It’s weird.
“Just go with it,” he says back to me sharply. “What dorm you in? Ottawa?”
“Huron. Room Four.” I lie limply over his shoulder and allow him to carry me wherever he wants to go. I can’t tell if this is embarrassing or if I’m going to be the envy of all the girls (and half the guys) at school, because I’m being carried away by a model.
When we get back to my dorm the guy puts me down in the hallway before my door.
“Sorry about that,” he says. “But sometimes you’ve gotta make a scene. It’s the only way people will leave you alone.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, righting my overalls. They got messed up while I was on his shoulder.
“The guys on campus won’t touch you now,” he explains. “They know I’m looking out for you. Nobody messes with me.”
“And… you are?” I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow.
“Oh, sorry.” He lets out a chuckle; his bangs fall in front of his eyes. He brushes them back carelessly with his hand, which makes my heart skip a beat. “I’m Thames. Thames Deacon.”
“What’s your name?” Thames leans against the wall casually. The motion makes it hard for me to breathe.
“Fa—line,” I whoosh out.
“Huh?”
“Faline Delamore,” I say. “That’s what I mean, anyway.”
“Delamore?” his eyes widen; he nearly stumbles backwards in shock. Again, disbelief crosses his face. What’s that all about?
“Is my name funny or something?” I ask.
“No. Just…” He pauses. “Someone I used to know has that last name. She looks a lot like you, too.”
His dark eyes scan over me again. “Almost exactly.”
“That’s great. Why don’t you call her up? I’m sure we’re good friends,” I say sourly.
Thames stares. Then he laughs. He shakes his head before asking, “I’m sorry, can I get your first name again?”
“Fa-lean,” I pronounce. “My mom’s favorite Disney movie was Bambi. She named me after his girlfriend.”
“Cute.” He smiles, and moves closer. My heart jumps into my throat. “By the way, don’t let stupid guys like that take advantage of you. I know a jerk when I see one, and let me tell you, you picked the king of jerks.” He scowls.
“Thanks for your help, but I don’t need anyone to look out for me, or protect me. I can handle myself,” I say. “In fact, I was more than capable of handling Cody back there.”
“I believe it,” Thames says. “But at least you won’t have to deal with him anymore.”
He grins. “Plus, it’s a little less embarrassing for Cody to get knocked out by me instead of a girl.”
I laugh. “Trust me, Thames. If I had hit him, there would be no way he’d get back up.”
Thames pushes off the wall. “So, do you mind if I hang around for awhile? Fend off bad guys?” He chuckles casually, as if it’s some secret joke.
“You… you can stay for a bit,” I say. “I have nothing to do, anyway.” I don’t want to be alone.
I open the door to my dorm. I step inside, and Thames reels back. “Oh my God, teal!”
“Hey, I like teal,” I laugh.
“Obviously,” he mutters, hands in his pockets as he looks around. “Looks like teal threw up, had some nasty sex and made some babies in here.”
I giggle. I look in my (teal) mini-fridge to see
if there’s something to drink, but it’s empty… I forgot we didn’t go to the grocery store before we got here.
Thames notices. “I’ll go get you some water. Be right back,” he says.
“Make it a pop. Water’s nasty,” I say, wrinkling my nose. I don’t know how people manage to consume something that’s so tasteless.
When Thames is gone, at first, I feel numb. But as the minutes pass I realize he’s taking a long time. I wonder if he ditched me.
A horrible sense of dread comes over me. Loneliness… shock… hits me once again. This was a huge mistake. I should’ve never gone to college… I should’ve stayed home, and stayed with Dad.
Tears are starting to burn my eyelids. I turn my back to the door. Despite my best intentions, I start to cry.
I want to go home. I feel like a total idiot. This is what I wanted, isn’t it? But it’s nothing like I imagined. I can’t get along with people my age. I’ve only been here for a night, and already I made a fool of myself in front of everyone. I’ve been on my own too long. This isn’t going to work.
I reach for my phone and start texting frantically. Dad, I want to come home.
My finger hesitates on the send button. I don’t want to be here. I almost got roofied on my first night, for crying out loud. But do I really want to give up?
Kind of. No. Maybe. I don’t know.
Before I can send the text, Thames is back. “Hey, Lena,” he says. “Do you like Pepsi, or Coke?”
“Pepsi,” I respond, without even thinking about it. Then I realize something… he called me Lena.
Strange. No one’s ever given me a nickname before. I kind of like it. Thames hands me the Pepsi and takes the Coke for himself.
When I turn back around Thames notices the mascara running down my face. “Woah.” He puts the drinks down on my desk and walks over. “What happened here?”
“Nothing. I just— I miss home.” I sniff. “I’ve never been on my own before.”
I sit on my bed. Thames grabs a tissue and starts wiping the black trails off my face. “It’s okay. Most people cry on their first day. Those who don’t are too drunk or stoned to notice that they’re on their own for the first time.”
