by Kunz, C. A.
“I don’t believe you!” Roland said, standing toe-to-toe with Tegan.
“I don’t care what you believe! Our children did not attack that boy!” Tegan shot back.
“It seems strange that after the incident at the dance, Matt has an accident. If we find out that anyone in your group caused this, things will change in this town, starting with you all leaving! It was a bad idea for Aldon to allow it in the first place! You better just keep an eye on your children and what they’re up to!”
“Are you threatening my kids? If so, you better watch your back!” Tegan growled, shoving Roland who in turn pushed back.
“Stop, Roland! Let’s not do this here. Somebody might see us. Please, honey, let’s go,” Anna pleaded.
“Yes, I agree, Anna. Tegan, look, here come the twins, let’s leave,” Meredith said, pulling Tegan toward the car.
“Meredith, we need to resolve this, otherwise it will only get worse,” Anna said while gently taking her arm.
“Anna, I know the boys can cause a little trouble, but they’d never hurt anyone. Please believe me,” Meredith replied.
“Don’t grovel to those animals, Meredith, let’s leave!” Tegan roared, his teeth elongating. Meredith sent another pleading look to Anna and turned to follow her husband.
Anna and Roland watched as the Stone family got into their car. “Roland, I think we need to have a meeting. If they’re telling the truth and it wasn’t them, we have a serious problem on our hands,” Anna said, clutching her husband’s arm tighter as they made their way back to the school to find Trish.
“What a game! I lost count how many times I held my breath. Those last seconds were so tense! I thought I was going to lose my mind! That final pass Taylor threw to Ryan was amazing. I can’t believe we won State! I can’t wait to see Taylor! I just wish I didn’t have to go home and change, darn soda. I’m glad you guys are giving me a ride though.” Trish finally took a breath and stopped talking, causing the three others in the car to burst out laughing.
“What are best friends for? Oh, and are you sure you don’t want someone to drive to the Colvins’ with you?” Beth asked, looking at Trish through her rearview mirror.
“No, that’s okay, you guys go ahead. I’ll meet you there. I think I might be a little while anyway. I don’t want this soda stain to become permanent. I’m just so excited!” Everyone laughed again as Beth pulled the car into Trish’s driveway. “Okay, I’ll see you guys soon. Way to go, Panthers!” she yelled as she shut the car door and made her way to the front porch while fumbling for her keys. Beth beeped the horn and backed out of the driveway.
Trish smiled as she heard, “We are the Panthers, the mighty, mighty Panthers,” coming from the open windows of the car.
The house was dark and quiet. Oh yeah, I forgot my parents went to the game with the Colvins, Trish thought. Hurrying up the stairs, Trish’s cell phone rang and she grinned as she heard Taylor’s ringtone.
“Hi Taylor!”
“Hey, sorry about the background noise. This locker room is insane! I can’t wait to see you. I love you! Sorry, I can’t hear if you are talking back, but I just wanted to let you know I can’t wait to see you. I know I just said that, but it’s true. So hurry, but be careful, and get your cute butt over to my house. I’ll meet you there. Love you!”
“Love you too, Taylor!” Trish yelled into the phone before he hung up. Trish beamed as she removed her stained jersey, an exact replica of Taylor’s, and pulled an identical one out of her closet. I’m so glad I’ve got this back up, she thought. While pulling the jersey over her head, she heard a strange noise coming from outside her window. Looking through her curtains, she saw nothing but snow-covered trees illuminated by the Victorian streetlamp outside. Retrieving her jacket from the floor, Trish started down the stairs, her keys jangling in her pocket. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, the doorbell rang. “Who is it?” Trish asked jokingly, thinking that it was her friends at the door. There was no answer. Opening the door, “Guys, I told you I-” Trish stopped as she noticed no one was on the front porch. “Guys?” she asked unsure. Shrugging, Trish closed the door behind her and locked it. She walked to her car with a bounce in her step, excited at the thought of seeing Taylor soon. What’s that smell? She thought turning her nose up to the air. Hearing a low growl, Trish turned on her heel coming came face to face with long teeth and jet black eyes.
The Colvin residence was jam-packed full of people. Cat sat with her friends in her dad’s study trying to avoid the chaos that was currently her house. “It’s amazing what breaking your arm will do for your popularity, huh, Matt?” Cat commented jokingly, looking at all of the signatures on his cast.
“I know, it’s awesome! My year is definitely looking up! I made the football team, and received many a girl’s sympathy,” he replied with a goofy smile.
“You horn dog!” Amanda stated. “What about Hannah? How does she feel about all the attention you’re getting?”
“Hey, I can’t help that girls want to sign the cast. Besides, Hannah doesn’t seem to mind.”
Oh Matt, you’re so oblivious to how Hannah feels. I don’t think that girl knew what she was getting herself into when she signed up for you, Cat thought.
“Hey Cat, where’s Ryan? The rest of the team is here,” Brandon asked, his arm around Elle.
“I don’t know-”
“Cat, honey, could you help me for a minute in the kitchen?” Rachel called through the study door, interrupting her.
“Be right there, Mom,” she replied. “I’ll be back,” she told everyone in an irritated tone. Cat made her way through the mass of bodies toward the kitchen. Reaching the kitchen door, Cat felt two arms wrap around her waist, pulling her backward.
“I finally found you,” Ryan whispered in her ear.
“I didn’t know I was lost,” Cat whispered back as she turned to look into his shockingly blue eyes. “You’re lucky I didn’t use one of my training moves on you just now.” Ryan laughed. “So, where have you been?”
“I had something to do real quick. Do you want to continue this conversation upstairs?” he asked and gently kissed her mouth.
“Maybe,” she answered, slightly pushing away from him. “But first I’ve got to go see what help my mom needs. Why don’t you go to my room and I’ll be up soon.”
“Okay, but be quick. I’ve barely seen you all day,” he replied, looking at her forlornly.
“Oh don’t pull that poor puppy dog look on me, Mr. Beckford. I saw all those cheerleaders hugging you after the game. I couldn’t even get close,” she replied flippantly.
“Yeah, but all I could think about was the beautiful redhead I spend most of my time with.”
“Well this redhead needs to go. So let me finish what I’ve got to do, and I’ll see you in a bit,” she said as she pushed away from him and giggled, and then made her way into the kitchen.
Several minutes later, on her way upstairs, Cat was brought up short by Julie. “Hey Cat, where are you going?” Julie asked from the foyer. “The gang’s waiting for you to watch Darkness Awakes on DVD in the study.”
“Oh, I’ll be down in a sec. I just have to run up to my room for something,” she replied. Julie could sense Cat wasn’t telling the truth.
“Well, hurry up, because someone has to keep Amanda from breaking Matt’s other arm,” she joked.
Cat laughed. “Will do.”
Reaching the top of the stairs, Cat saw Taylor’s door open and watched as he emerged from his bedroom. “Hey Taylor, what are you doing up here? The action’s downstairs. And what’s with the frown? You should be ecstatic.”
“I would be if Trish were here. Or at least answering her phone. You didn’t happen to see her downstairs, did you?” Cat shook her head. “Beth said they took her home to change. That was more than two hours ago. I didn’t realize it had been that long until somebody mentioned what time it was. I just can’t understand what could be taking so long. Maybe something’s happened,�
� he rambled on worriedly.
“Don’t worry Taylor, she’ll show up. She’s probably getting all dolled up for the party. You know how girls are. It takes us forever to get ready. I bet she’s down there right now. So get your butt in gear, and go find her,” Cat said, gently pushing him toward the stairs.
“Thanks, Cat,” he replied with a slight smile. Hurrying up to the attic, Cat pushed down the twinge of worry she was feeling herself.
Reaching her bedroom door, Cat saw it was slightly open and the room beyond was dark. Silly boy, she thought moving through the doorway. Two hands grabbed her gently, “Is that you, Ryan?” Cat asked mischievously.
“Where’s that training move you were talking about?” Ryan mocked. Cat grabbed Ryan’s arm and flipped him over her shoulder onto the floor.
Straddling him, “You mean, that one?”
He laughed. “That was pretty good.”
“Learned from the best,” Cat smiled as she leaned down to kiss him. Pulling back, Cat stared at him suspiciously. “Hey, it just occurred to me, you’re a vampire who plays football against humans. Isn’t that a little unfair, especially since you guys won State now and all? Don’t you feel a little ashamed of yourself?” she joked.
“For your information, my talent comes from training and discipline. And I’ve never used my special skills on the field, thank you very much.”
“Not even once?” she asked with a mischievous grin.
“Okay, maybe one time, but we were about to lose, and it-” Cat silenced him with a kiss, both of them grinning.
A tapping sound came at Cat’s bay window, interrupting the pair. “Did you hear that?” she asked and then pulled away from him, listening for the sound. “There it is again.”
Ryan stood and made his way to the window. Opening the curtains, the moon revealed a large white falcon sitting on the window sill tapping its beak against the glass. Oh wow, it’s that bird I keep seeing everywhere, Cat thought.
“Be careful, you don’t know where that thing’s been.”
“Don’t be silly,” she replied, pushing up the latch and opening the window. The falcon flew into the room and perched on the front edge of Cat’s sleigh bed. “You’re a pretty bird aren’t you?” she asked as the falcon ruffled its feathers as if it understood the compliment. “So, what do we do now?”
“I don’t know. You were the one that let it in.”
“What do you think it wants?” Cat asked. Suddenly the falcon let out a loud screech, nodding its head toward the window. Taking flight it retraced its path out and perched on the balcony. Cat and Ryan moved forward and looked out at the bird. It screeched again, left the balcony, and swooped downward. They looked over the railing and watched as the falcon flew low to the ground, then disappeared around the side of the house.
“That was weird,” Ryan muttered. Cat nodded as she watched for the bird to return.
Hearing the falcon screech again, “I think it wants us to follow it,” she said.
“Okay, bird whisperer,” he joked.
“Come on, Ryan, I’m serious. We can climb down the lattice,” Cat said, pulling at his shirt.
“Or we can do it the easy way.” Ryan put his arms around her and proceeded to float them both down to the ground.
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” she commented as they touched down softly in the snow. “It’s freezing out here. I’m so not dressed for this,” Cat moaned as they rounded the corner. The falcon sat on the wooden banister that wrapped around the front and sides of the house, with its wings spread wide. It was peering at something on the snow-covered ground. “I hope it didn’t kill something. I know it’s the circle of life and everything, but I hate seeing Mother Nature all up close and personal,” Cat stated, hesitantly following the focus of the bird’s gaze.
“What is that?” Ryan asked. The pair approached the shape cautiously. It took a couple seconds to register that they were staring at a body. Bending down, Ryan swiped the hair from in front of the person’s face, “It’s Trish!”
“What?” Cat yelled, looking down at her pale face and torn bloody clothes. A large piece of paper was pinned to her coat.
NO ONE IS SAFE. WHO WILL BE NEXT?
DON’T KNOW? I GUESS YOU’LL BE
SURPRISED!
“Is she alive, Ryan?”
“Yeah, her breathing is shallow, though. Hurry and get Dr. Bane!” he answered urgently. Cat ran to the front door, the snow crunching under every step she took. Not stopping to wipe her feet, she entered the house and moved as quickly as she could through the mass of people. This is all my fault, I’m putting everyone I love in danger. I should’ve left with Ròs and Trevor when I had the chance. Trish has to be okay, I couldn’t live with myself if she’s not! Cat thought. Finally she spied the handsome doctor talking with her parents and pushed her way forward, excusing her rudeness as she went.
“Cat, what’s wrong?” Rachel asked.
“I’m fine. Dr. Bane I need you to come with me! Don’t ask why, just please hurry!” she pleaded. Puzzled, the three adults followed her outside. Aldon saw the group leaving and felt their tension, especially from Cat who seemed very distraught. He hurried after and found them bent over a figure in the snow.
“What has happened to her?” Rachel’s voice shook.
“Her pulse is weak, and it looks like she’s lost a lot of blood. Sam, here’s my cell. Press and hold seven, it’s a direct line to emergency services,” Dr. Bane explained and then lifted Trish’s eyelids to check her pupils. “Aldon, please go and fetch her parents, we need to get her to the hospital quickly!” Scanning her body, “I don’t see any fresh blood, but I can’t tell how badly she’s hurt until I can examine her.”
Trish’s mom let out a cry as she moved quickly to her daughter’s side. Cat moved to allow her access, and Ryan pulled her to him, watching silently.
The sound of sirens filled the air as the ambulance came into view. The front yard was suddenly lit up by the lights of the emergency vehicle. People began spilling out from inside the party, wondering what was going on. Sam moved to calm everyone, trying to get them back inside. “What’s going on, Dad?” Taylor asked as he pushed his way through the throng. Sam intercepted him and whispered in his ear. Cat watched as pain filled her brother’s face. “Trish!” Taylor yelled, pulling out of his father’s arms and moving quickly toward her. Rachel moved away so her son could take her place. Rachel felt a hand patting her shoulder and turned to find Aldon behind her and a worried Druanna by his side.
Cat took Taylor’s arm as they watched Trish being loaded into the ambulance. “She’s going to be okay. Her parents and Dr. Bane are going with her,” Cat said, trying to comfort him.
“Come on, youngsters. Pile in. Druanna and I will take you to the hospital,” Aldon said as Druanna gently lead Cat and Taylor to their car. “Follow us when you’re able to,” Aldon called out to Rachel and Sam.
“I’ll call you later, Ryan. Please tell everyone where I am,” Cat yelled as she slid into Aldon’s car. Ryan waved to her, sending a heartening look her way.
Rachel put her arm around Ryan, “Now to get rid of all these people,” she said, looking out onto the front lawn at the growing crowd.
The next night a secret meeting was held in the back room of Astoria’s town hall. Aldon had arranged for the local vampire coven and his group to meet on neutral ground.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Aldon solemnly addressed the assembly. “As you know, last night one of ours was attacked by something unknown. Her injuries were numerous and quite substantial. But the most heinous act was that the poor girl was strung up and almost bled out entirely. Dr. Bane reports that she will thankfully make a full recovery. But that still leaves the question of who would do such a thing.” Pulling a piece of paper from his coat pocket he held it up so everyone could see it. “A note was left, and I have made copies, which are now being passed around the room. If anyone has any idea who did this, please step forward,” Aldon said,
his voice booming in the small space. Everyone looked around expecting someone to stand up, but no one did.
“Aldon, if I may speak?” Lucien Bancroft asked.
“You may,” he assured him.
“First of all, I would like to send our sympathies to the parents of the young girl in question,” Lucien said with a slight bow in the direction of the Digbys. “I also want to express how disgusted we are over this horrible act. Our coven has dedicated itself to change by blending with human society, and we implore that you believe me when I say we had nothing to do with this. We shall help you by any means and find who has committed this foul deed.” Aldon scanned the room and made eye contact with everyone in attendance. “We all have children, and as parents we would not wish this ordeal on anyone.” Looking directly at the Roland Digby as he spoke, “No one in our coven shall rest until we find the responsible party. You have my word on this, and I do speak for all of us. I know we have had our differences in the past, but I want us to work together. I fear that all of our children may be at risk.”
“Thank you, Lucien. I do believe in your coven’s innocence. Though I am not ruling out the possibility a vampire was responsible for this act. I hope you do indeed follow through on your word and help us end this plague on Astoria. It is our home that is being threatened. This meeting is adjourned!” Aldon announced and nodded to Lucien as the others silently filed out of the room.
“My old friend, it is so pleasant to see you again. And can my eyes be deceiving me? You look well. Whatever could have brought this change about, I wonder?” Andrei’s sneer confirmed the lies in his words.
“I would ask you to sit, but you won’t be here long. I just need one question answered. What knowledge do you have of the recent attacks here in Astoria?” Lucien asked coldly.
“Now what would possess you to ask me this question?” Andrei replied, looking offended.
“Andrei, whatever crazy game you are playing at shall stop, or there will be dire consequences. This is my home and you are trespassing! I want you away from here! And I do not just mean this house, or this town, but this country. Go home, or else!”
