The Soul's Mark: FOUND

by Stoyanoff, Ashley

  “Don’t pout,” Eric smirked. “It’s really not a flattering look on you.” He gestured again for her to sit.

  Amelia looked around at the rest of them. It was clear that they were all waiting for her to sit, faces closed and guarded. She rolled her eyes and huffed loudly, then stomped her way over to the chair and banged her coffee cup onto the table.

  Eric sat down beside her, taking her hand in his, gently rubbing his thumb across her palm. “Couple days ago one of the neighbors was attacked,” he said. “It happened in the early morning while she was out for a walk.” He paused for a moment and kept stroking her hand lightly, looking at her, Amelia thought, as if he was waiting for her to breakdown. Was she supposed to be upset about this girl? Things like this happen all the time. Anyone who watches the news or reads a paper or even listens to the radio knows that. He must have read the confusion on her face because the next thing he said hit her hard and all the blood drained from her face. “It happened on our street, Millie. She was attacked behind the gates.” He squeezed her hand a bit tighter, reassuring her silently. “There’s been a string of break-ins, too and we think that the attack is connected. So until whoever is behind this is caught a curfew is in effect. That’s why everyone was so worried about you.”

  “Break-ins? How?” Amelia breathed, their concern now feeling all too real and completely justified.

  “We don’t know, honey,” Angelle said. “No one has been able to figure out how they’re getting in. But the girl that was attacked is still in the hospital. She was really beaten up.”

  Officer McLean cleared his throat loudly. “When is the notice going out?”

  “Today,” Luke said. “Amelia, the curfew is from nine at night until seven in the morning. If you need to go somewhere, please get one of us to go with you. It’s for your own safety.”

  “What notice is he talking about?” Amelia asked.

  “It’s nothing,” Eric said. He let go of her hand and tapped the plate in front of her, which she guessed Mabel had brought but she hadn’t noticed. When she didn’t budge, he sighed and handed her a fork. “It’s just to let the neighbors know you moved in. Everyone’s really jumpy right now so seeing someone new raises a lot of questions.”

  Makes sense. “Why didn’t you guys tell me all this before?” Amelia asked, and took a bite of her eggs.

  “We really didn’t think you would just wander off by yourself the first morning you got here,” Luke answered, his calm and thoughtful expression back on his face. “And we didn’t want to scare you.”

  Officer McLean must have been satisfied because he finished his breakfast in two bites, pushed back his chair and stood up. “I’d better be going,” he said, sauntering towards the door. “You take care of yourself, Amelia and try to be careful. I would hate for something to happen to you.” He nodded to the rest and then left.

  Amelia quickly finished her breakfast. Now that she had calmed down, she realized how much she needed a shower. She put her fork and knife on her plate, gulped down the last bit of coffee, and stood up. “Hey guys, I’m really sorry I scared everyone.”

  “No worries, honey,” Angelle said. “Now go get ready. We have a fun shopping day ahead of us.”

  Luke and Eric chuckled in unison and rolled their eyes. And Amelia couldn’t help but smile, because, well, she realized with a start, as she looked at her new friends, that she was falling in love with them. All of them. It was suddenly clear to her that they were a family, not just friends, but also a real family—and she was part of it.

  CHAPTER 7

  Kandi slinked around the house, sticking to the shadows. She didn’t dare peek in the window, but she needed to get closer. The energy was enthralling and she just needed to feel it again. What was she? Kandi wondered, feeling the pulse, like a heartbeat of power, coming from the house. She didn’t know what it was, but the energy that radiated from Amelia was incredible, better than any blood she had ever smelled, and she knew she needed more.

  She crouched behind one of the massive willows outside the kitchen, closed her eyes and let the energy surround her. She could hear their whispers and she knew she should be listening, but it was almost as if she was high. Whatever Amelia was throwing out, it was like a mind-boggling drug.

  She was sure that He was going to be mad. She should never have let Amelia see her. It could ruin everything, but that smell, the energy… Kandi licked her lips, imagining what Amelia’s blood would taste like. Focus, she scolded herself and after a few shakes to clear her hazy mind, Kandi opened up her ears, stretching her senses.

  “Did you guys feel that?” Eric’s deep voice drifted to her ears. “It’s awesome.” His two roommates nodded their heads in unison, unable to verbalize the apprehension they were feeling.

  “Do either of you know what happened the last time Mitch found her?” Angelle’s musical voice sang and Kandi cringed. After all these years, Angelle’s voice was still grating.

  “All he said was that he was too late to save her,” Luke answered. Kandi would never forget that booming baritone; just the sound of it sent a chill racing down her spine.

  “I’m really worried about Mitchell,” Angelle said. “He’s a mess. The connection is screwing with him. Whatever is happening with them, something is definitely different. Honestly, I would have thought he had already bit her by the way he’s acting. He actually accused me of challenging him last night.”

  “Seriously?” Eric said. “But Mitch’s such a push-over.”

  Kandi almost snickered but managed to hold it in. It sounded like there was trouble in paradise. If Mitchell was really losing it, it wouldn’t be long before his trusted followers would turn against him. He’ll want to hear this, Kandi knew it. It will be so much easier to get rid of Amelia if Mitchell wasn’t thinking straight. Score one point for the bond.

  “I’ll talk to him,” Eric offered.

  “Not a good idea right now, Eric,” Angelle said sternly. “He’s not stable.”

  “Come on.” Eric’s rumbling laugh tumbled to her ears. “I’m his kid.”

  “Angelle, Eric’s right,” Luke piped in. “If he really is that unstable, Eric should go. Mitch will be less likely to feel threatened by one of his children.”

  Kandi heard the door swing open and she froze. Crap! Did they know she was listening? She waited behind the tree, staying as still as possible until she heard the purr of an engine turning over, and the tires crunching along the driveway. She snuck a quick look, making sure the coast was clear, before running as fast as she could to report back to headquarters. He’ll be pleased. She was sure of it.

  In under a minute, Kandi bolted through the door of their temporary base of operations and skidded across the linoleum floor to a halt in the living room. “She’s here,” she blurted, hardly able to contain her excitement.

  “Finally,” a grin twitched at the corners of his lips and his midnight black eyes shined. He was sitting on the couch, his arm draped around that useless Erin. Kandi turned up her nose slightly at the sight of those stupid overalls. And what was with the little spiky pigtails? Erin looked like a little kid and she didn’t get it. Why would anyone try to look so young? Maybe she was jaded, but she had been stuck in an eleven year old’s body for seventy-four years and it sucked. Why did he keep her around? Kandi knew he had no plans to change Erin, especially if his scheme went as planned. She could only hope he’d dispose of her soon, because she just couldn’t imagine spending eternity with Erin.

  You’ve made him happy. Good work, my dear, Adam sent the message silently through their bond to her mind and winked. Kandi almost swooned at the attention from her soulmate. Adam didn’t give her attention often, always paying more attention to Him, but when he did notice her, Kandi’s heart fluttered and her body tingled all over. She had to admit, she was the luckiest girl ever.

  “There’s something different about her,” Kandi added, hoping that this would get her more attention. “I tried to find out what it is but they do
n’t know.”

  He laughed. “I’m surprised Mitchell hasn’t told them.”

  “What do you mean?” Kandi asked, inching forwards.

  He rolled his intense black eyes at her question. “She’s a witch. I felt it the night I met her parents.” Then he shrugged lazily, “Mitchell always suspected it.”

  “But if she’s a witch…” Erin said with panic trembling in her voice, making Kandi cringe with annoyance. “God, what if she…”

  “She won’t,” he cut her off and Kandi giggle. At least he kept her in her place while she was around. “She probably hasn’t even figured it out. She’s only been eighteen for a month and without her parents, no one would have shown her how to access the power yet.”

  A burst of red-hot anger hit Kandi and she fixed her eyes on Adam, begging him to keep his mouth shut. She could feel the rage coursing through him, hitting her through the bond harder and harder with each moment and she knew he wouldn’t put up with an outburst from any other them.

  Adam either didn’t notice her anxiety or he chose to ignore it, shouting, “Why didn’t you tell us? This changes everything. If they strengthen the bond, we won’t stand a chance against them.”

  “Enough!” he bellowed, eyes washing red. Kandi winched, man he could be scary. “I’ve waited too long for this.” He kept his terrifying gaze on Adam for a long and painful moment and Kandi held her breath, terrified. But then his lips twitched into a cruel, little grin and he shifted his gaze to Erin, who still cuddled in his arm. “You’re up. See what you can find out.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Amelia’s feet hurt. Her back ached and her legs and just about every muscle in her body screamed at her to sit down. She peeked out of the dressing room door and watched Angelle glide around the store grabbing more clothes for her to try on. They had been at it all day and this had to be at least the fifteenth store they had been to. She glanced at the storefront window, through which the golden rays of the setting sun were entering the room. It would be dark soon and with the way Angelle was going, Amelia was sure they were not going to stop anytime soon.

  I should have listened to Eric and Luke, she huffed. Amelia looked longingly at her new phone, debating on whether or not she should call in a rescue mission. They had tried to warn her. But really, she had never thought it would be this nuts. Angelle didn’t just have a little shopping problem, she was bordering on an addiction, the kind of addiction that there really should be meetings for. Her shopping was not a hobby. It was a sickness.

  Amelia watched for another second, and then she shut the door to the dressing room and looked back in the mirror. She had to admit that her friend had a great sense of style. It had been a long time since she had been shopping, and even longer since she had clothes that fit properly. Most of her wardrobe consisted of hand-me-downs. And even though she felt a little like a dress up doll and she was exhausted, it was kind of, just a little bit, fun.

  She took off the little black dress that Angelle had said, correctly, would look fantastic, pulled on her jeans and hoodie, slung the keepers over her arm and ventured back out to the chaos that was Angelle.

  Amelia had only made it a few steps from the dressing room when a girl popped up in front of her. “Excuse me. Are you Amelia Caldwell?” she asked, looking nervous. She was a touch taller than Amelia was and about the same age with short bleach blonde hair pulled up in two spiky little pigtails, accentuating her sharp nose and cheekbones.

  Amelia had just opened her mouth to reply when Angelle was suddenly there, pushing her back and placing herself right in between them. “That depends,” Angelle said, sugar dripping from her voice. “Who’s asking?”

  Amelia’s mouth opened then closed stunned at her friend’s reaction. The girl looked sweet, wearing baggy corduroy overalls and a long-sleeved white t-shirt. Nothing about her suggested a threat. So what was with Angelle’s protective demeanor? She recovered from her shock, stepped out from behind Angelle and gave her a dirty look. “Jeez Angelle, don’t be so rude.”

  “It’s okay,” the girl said to Amelia, and then turned her attention to Angelle. “I’m Erin Truscott, ma’am.”

  Ma’am? Amelia wondered, thrown off by the formality. Who even says that anymore? And Angelle was not what Amelia thought qualified as a ma’am. She was too young, too pretty, too… well, really not ma’am material.

  Angelle, stuck out her arm and gently, but firmly pushed Amelia back behind her. “Erin Truscott, hmmm, that does sound familiar.”

  Erin really didn’t seem to be bothered by Angelle’s attitude. She was acting as if this was normal. “I’ve lived in town for a few years,” she said.

  Angelle put her hands on her hips and raised a questioning eyebrow. “What do you want with my little sister?”

  “Angelle,” Amelia snapped, appalled. She snuck out from behind Angelle and managed to dodge Angelle’s attempt to stop her. “I’m sorry about my friend. I’m Amelia. Can I help you with something?”

  “Wow, Amelia Caldwell in the flesh,” Erin said, grinning like a fool. “I can’t believe I’m actually meeting you. Your favorite color is purple, you love animals and you’re majoring in mathematics and specializing in mathematical finance, right?”

  “Um, yup,” Amelia said. The cashier came up, took the armload of clothes from her and went back to the counter. Amelia mouthed a thank you and looked back at Erin, questioningly. How in the world did she know so much? “Sorry, but have we met before?”

  “Nope, you’re kinda a celebrity around here and I’m in the same program at school. Hey, you’re like a genius, right? Maybe we can study together. I really suck at math.” Erin rolled her eyes and put up her hands, showing that she knew exactly how idiotic she sounded and without taking a breath kept rambling on. “I know, I know… why take it then, right?” She shrugged. “Didn’t have a choice. It was either take the program or don’t go at all. Then I would have to do the whole getting a job and working thing and that really didn’t sound like much fun.”

  Amelia gaped and eyeballed Erin in disbelief. She hadn’t thought it was possible, but she might have just found someone that could give Angelle a run for her money in the talking without breathing department. Was every girl in this town super excited and bubbly? She hoped not, because living with one, not that she would change it for the world, was more than enough.

  “Erin,” Angelle interrupted, “Did you really come in here to talk about school?”

  “No ma’am,” she answered and the animation on her face was replaced by the original nervousness. “Sorry. I was shopping,” Erin held up a blouse to prove she really was, “and this girl came in when you guys were in the dressing room. She was young and sorta sick looking, like really pale and grayish. She shoved this at me.” Erin handed a single long stemmed rose to Amelia. “She asked me to give it to you with a message.”

  “What message?” Angelle asked, impatience tinting her tone.

  “She said tell Amelia we’ve been waiting for you. I tried to tell her to do it herself but she vanished before I could.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Amelia asked, twirling the rose between her fingers, inhaling deeply the sweet fragrance. At first glance she had thought it was deep red, but on closer scrutiny, she realized that the large velvety bloom was black as night.

  “Not sure,” Erin shrugged. “Like I said, she just vanished. Never got a chance to ask.”

  “Thank you, Erin,” Angelle said. “Was that all?”

  “Yes ma’am. Sorry to bother you guys. Maybe I’ll see you at school, Amelia.” Erin turned to walk away. But there was something she had said that caught Amelia’s attention. A girl with pale, grayish skin. Could it be? The kid from this morning? And if it was, why a black rose? And why was she waiting for her? Waiting for what?

  “Hey wait a minute,” Amelia called after her. “You said it was a girl that looked really pale. Was she young, maybe eleven or twelve with white-blonde straggly looking hair and really creepy looking?”


  “Yeah, why?” Erin asked, curiosity creeping up in her eyes. “You know her?”

  “Millie,” Angelle said, shoving another stack of clothes at Amelia. “You’ve got to try this stuff on.”

  Amelia sighed, loud and gusty and looked at the heavy stack that had been dumped in her arms. She smiled at Erin apologetically. “I have to get back to the torture. Thanks for the message.”

  Erin nodded and darted out of the store, leaving Amelia with more questions than answers. Why couldn’t she just leave it alone? Accept the rose and chalk it up to a nice welcome to town kind of thing. But who would give a black rose as a welcome? Black never meant welcome.

  Amelia caught Angelle before she could add to the pile, grabbed her hand and towed her into the dressing room. When they were in and the door was securely closed, she dumped her burden onto the floor and shoved the rose in Angelle’s face. “What is this about? What did that message mean? Why did Erin say I’m like a celebrity? How does she know my favorite color? And what is your problem?” The questions just poured out in a stream of frustration; out of the top weirdest days ever, this one was sailing right on past and kept sky rocketing upwards.

  Angelle grinned. “Of course everyone’s gonna know who you are. Mr. Lang owns half this town and in case you missed it, you did just move into his house. That’s pretty big news around here. Now hurry up and try this stuff on. We still have a few more stores to hit.” She gave Amelia one of her overly bright smiles, snagged the rose and zipped off over to the racks and started rummaging through the clothes again.

  Amelia stood there, watching Angelle flutter around and listening to the chatter of the other shoppers, and all of a sudden she wanted to cry. It seemed silly because everyone had been so nice to her.

  She rubbed at her eyes, took a deep breath, and closed the dressing room door to try on more clothes.