“Honestly…no,” I said.
“Ella, I have faith in you. I never had a student progress as well as you did. If I had to pick someone to fight by my side in battle I would pick you. I believe in you and you should too.”
“So do I,” Roman said, taking my hand.
“You’re just saying that because you’re my boyfriend,” I said, giving him a playful nudge.
“I Believe in you,” Dean said, catching me off guard. “And so do the rest of your friends. Ella, there is no other person who could handle this better than you. You are one of the strongest people I know. I sometimes envy how brave you are. I know if anybody can get through this you can,” he said, squeezing my shoulder.
“Thank you Dean,” I said, giving him a hug. “I really appreciate the encouragement, but I think I need some time to myself,” I said, looking at Roman. He gave me a soft kiss before I took off. I needed to clear my head and mentally prepare myself. I took a walk along the wall where we had just freshly planted flowers and saplings.
“Hello Ella, how are you feeling?” Ms. Kraft asked, startling me.
I didn’t even hear her approach. “Ms. Kraft, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”
“I know. I could tell you were somewhere else,” she said, pointing to the pile of dirt I was standing in.
“Oh, I’m such a moron.”
“Ella, you are not a moron. You are a young girl who has more on her plate than she should. Come with me.” She held out her hand and we walked over to the fountain and had a seat. “I want you to meditate with me.”
“I don’t know…I don’t think I…”
“Yes you can. Just concentrate and close your eyes. Listen to the sounds around you and open up your mind. Breath in and breath out.”
At first I didn’t think this could possibly work and I knew she felt my skepticism, but she didn’t give up. Once I let myself go and tried, I could feel myself start to relax. We sat there for a half hour just meditating. I felt completely at ease until Dean started to call me in my head. I had left my cell phone in my room and Josie was waiting for me. I sighed and opened my eyes. “I have to go,” I said.
“Do you feel better?”
“I do. Thank you Ms. Kraft.”
“Ella, remember, you are one of a kind, and everything you are is inside of you. I have faith in you and I know you will know what to do when the time comes.” I thanked her one last time then headed off to my room to get ready.
“Uh, hello, what the hell took you so long? I had Dean channel you or whatever that thing is he does for like twenty minutes,” Josie complained.
“I’m here now. What’s up?”
“Duh…we have to get ready and you need to shower, eww,” she said, holding her nose. I rolled my eyes and got in the shower.
“Did you find something to wear?” I called from the bathroom.
“Cameron and Sienna let me raid their closets. Not exactly my style, but Sienna said she wouldn’t mind if I made some alterations.” Sienna’s going to find out the hard way that some alterations means say goodbye to your dress.
Josie had picked out a cute, purple, baby doll dress. She took the hem up two inches and took the sleeves off to make it a strapless. She had also added some gems and silk flowers to the dress. “Where did you get that jewelry you’re tearing apart?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about that,” she winked. I didn’t bother to ask any more questions. I knew the less I knew the better. After I dried my hair, I packed my purse with weapons. Then I sat down to do my makeup. Josie suggested I curl my hair, which she offered to help me with while I did my makeup. She even made me a double jeweled headband to go with my dress. We pinned different sections of my hair back leaving curls hang around my face and down my shoulders.
I started to get nervous as I got dressed. Once I felt I was ready, I turned to the mirror to check myself out. “Wow Ella, you look like a princess,” Josie gleamed.
“Thanks,” I sighed.
“Hey. You really do look hot,” she said, thinking I was unsure with my appearance. I could have cared less right now. The only thing I was worried about was surviving the night.
“Come on we better go,” I said, grabbing my purse. “Can you put this in your bag? I don’t have any more room in mine.” I handed her my lip-gloss and then went to go meet everyone else in the social room. When we got there Dean was on the couch drinking from a flask. “You really think that’s wise?” I scowled.
“It helps me think,” he said, almost dropping the flask when he saw me. “Wow.”
“What?” I said, feeling uncomfortable under his stare.
“Ella you look…grown up.”
“Thanks, I think.” I grabbed his flask and took a sip.
“Now, that’s not a good idea,” he said, taking the flask back.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I said, straightening his tie.
“Please…I’ll be the best looking person there.”
“Until they see me,” Roman announced, coming into the room. When I turned around to face him, his jaw dropped, and he stopped dead in his tracks. I blushed at the way he was staring at me. “Ella you look…beautiful,” he stuttered. I walked over and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “How did I get so lucky?”
“I have no idea,” I teased. “I have to say you do clean up pretty nice.” He raised a brow at me. “Where did you even get this suit?” He had on a dark, navy blue suit that matched his eyes, a white button down shirt that was a nice contrast to his slightly tanned skin, and a light blue tie to match.
“Just something I had lying around,” he said, brushing it off like it was nothing. When I looked at him again he leaned in closer and whispered, “It’s Deans.”
“Oh,” I smiled, thinking it looked familiar. “It looks better on you anyways,” I winked and gave him another kiss.
“Alright, enough of that,” Cameron said as her and the rest of the gang joined us in the room. “Ella…Wow!”
Everyone stopped to stare at me.
“Okay, if you all don’t stop staring at me I’m going to go change,” I said, feeling uncomfortable under their stares.
“Sorry, you just look amazing. It’s almost like you have a glow,” Sienna smiled in awe.
“Thank you,” I blushed. “I think maybe we should get going.”
“I’ll meet you guys there. I have to pick up my date,” Dean said, taking another swig from his flask.
When we got to the gym I felt like I was back at prom. It definitely was decorated better, but still very prom-ish. There were a few tables with chairs set up here and there. Twinkling lights hanging from the ceiling and wrapped around a few small trees that were set up in different areas of the gym. As I walked through the gym with my friends I got several stares from the students and looks of utter astonishment. “Why is everyone staring me?” I asked.
“Because they’re jealous that you’re here with someone as handsome as me,” Roman said.
“Oh, really?”
He laughed. “Ella, when are you going to realize how beautiful you are and that is why everyone is staring.”
“It’s true,” Austin said. “You look hot.” Cameron smacked him and he quickly corrected himself. “I mean not as hot as my baby,” he smiled, planting a kiss on her cheek. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yeah Ella, even I got a stiffy,” Dixon said.
I looked at him strange. “I don’t know what to say to that,” I said.
“Just take it as a compliment,” he said, giving me a light pat on my behind. I just shook my head as Roman escorted me to a table.
“You want something to drink, eat?” Roman asked, once we were settled.
“I’m too nervous to eat,” I admitted.
“That’s a first,” Josie said, taking a seat as Billy pulled out a chair for her.
“You look very handsome in a suit Billy. Who would have guessed?” I said teasingly.
“And you look amazing as well,” he said, givin
g me a small bow.
Roman looked at me concerned. “What is it?” I asked.
“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m going to go get you some fruit and water.” He stood up and headed over to the snack table.
I turned to Sienna and asked her where Reagan was. She ended up mustering up some courage to ask him to the dance. “He said he’d meet me here. There he is now,” she said, smiling brightly, causing her cheeks to turn pink.
Roman returned to the table just as Dean and Mackenzie made their entrance. She was wearing a hot pink gown that sparkled from head to toe. Her hair was pulled up into a tight bun on the top of her head. She wore elbow length gloves, with an outrageously large diamond bracelet, necklace, and earrings to match. If I didn’t know any better I would think she was auditioning to be a princess, but this is Mackenzie we are talking about. She already thinks she is the queen. The only thing missing is her black crown. They made their way to our table. The look on Mackenzie’s face when she saw me was priceless and for the first time tonight made me feel good. She turned to Josie. “Nice dress. I actually have the perfect necklace that would go with that,” she said.
“Not anymore,” Josie said, giggling with Sienna. Mackenzie just looked at them confused and I now knew where the jewelry came from.
I watched my friends enjoy themselves while they danced and had a good time. I couldn’t do that. I was too worried that at any moment I would have to spring into action. A slow song played softly through the speakers. Roman stood up and held his hand out to me. “Dance with me?” I hesitated. “Come on, one dance won’t kill you,” he winked. I took his hand and he led me to the dance floor. I tried to let myself relax as he held me in his arms.
Once the song was over, I pulled away to go sit back down, but he pulled me back to him smiling and planted a tender kiss on my lips. I melted under his touch. If there was anywhere I wanted to be right now it was here, in Roman’s arms.
The dance was over in an hour and so far nothing had happened, which made me nervous. I would look over at Gabe from time to time and he would let me know nothing unusual yet. “Relax Ella. Maybe it might not even happen and we were worried for nothing,” Roman said, trying to calm me again.
“Hey, have you guys seen Riley?” Justin asked.
“She was just here a minute ago?” I said. “Maybe she went to the bathroom.”
“Don’t you guys normally do that in groups?” I looked over at the table and saw everyone else sitting there.
“I’ll go check,” I said, excusing myself. When I got to the bathroom she wasn’t in there. “Maybe I just missed her,” I thought and headed back out into the gym. “Sorry Justin, she wasn’t in there, but I’m sure she’s around here somewhere.”
The dance was almost over and we still hadn’t found Riley. Now I was worried. I told Gabe the situation and he said not to panic. No students had left the building, but he would go outside and check just to make me feel better. I turned from concerned to alarm as the dance started to let out. Not to mention Jack had yet to attempt to attack. I ran the thought over in my head. Why hadn’t he attacked yet? What was he waiting for?
On the way out of the gym I bumped into Justin’s friend Kenny. “Hey, Kenny, have you seen Riley?”
“Yeah, I saw her a little bit ago. She was talking to Mackenzie and then she left,” he said.
“What do you mean left? Left where?”
He shrugged, having no clue. Great, I could only imagine what happened. I saw Madison and I grabbed her. “Where’s Riley?” I demanded. I knew if Mackenzie was up to something she would know.
“Chill freak. I don’t know. I don’t hang with losers,” she said.
I brought my hand up to smack her, but Josie stopped me. “Whoa, down girl. As much as she deserves it it’s not going to help us find Riley.”
I thought for a moment and then realized the only way I was going to find out was to compel Madison to tell me. I gripped her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Where is Riley?” I asked again.
I saw her eyes glaze over and she opened her mouth to speak. “She’s in the tower,” she said robotically. I let her go.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “What the hell?” she said confused.
I pushed her out of my way. “I don’t have time for you.” I shoved past all the students on their way out of the dance. I looked over to the tower and out of the corner of my eye I saw one of the guardians rush across the grounds. Then I saw two more follow in his direction and over to my right I saw more running in the opposite direction and then I heard a blood curdling scream. “It’s starting.” I looked around at all the students making their way back to their rooms and the different parties being held. Some were halfway across campus and I knew I couldn’t reach them in time.
“Everyone back in the gym, now!” I yelled.
“Ella, the dance is over,” Sienna said.
“I know but get back in the gym. Hurry!” I shouted as we heard another scream.
“What’s going on?” Cameron asked.
“Just get back in the gym where it’s safe,” I said, pushing them.
“Ella, what is it?” Roman asked.
“I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before? I knew something was off when he didn’t attack. That’s because he was waiting till after the dance. He knew they would be waiting for him to attack during, but not after.”
“You’re right,” he said. “Now! Everyone back inside!”
“Seriously guys, what’s going on?”
“Just get in the gym! And make everyone else get back in there too!” I turned to go get Riley.
“Ella, where are you going?” Roman asked.
“I have to go get Riley,” I said.
“I’m coming with you.”
“No, you have to get everyone back in the gym. I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“I’ll go with her,” Justin said, joining the conversation. There were more screams and guardians running everywhere. Students were starting to panic and my friends finally took the hint to get back in the gym.
Roman and Dean wrangled up the straggling students and forced them back inside with the others while Justin and I ran to the tower to find Riley. I was never so glad that Gabe had made me do all that running for training. I sprinted across the grounds, racing to get to the tower.
Of course it had started to rain. Sienna had predicted earlier it would storm and she was right. The rain was coming down so hard it was making it difficult to see, but I managed to make it there with no interference. “Riley!” I called, running up the steps of the tower.
“Ella?”
“Riley where are you?”
“I’m up here,” she said. I was surprised that I had beaten Justin here. Considering he was a wolf I thought he could run faster, especially since I was running in heels.
“Riley, oh thank God you’re okay,” I said, throwing my arms around her. “What are you doing up here?”
“I ran into Mackenzie and she told me Justin wanted to meet me up here and he had a surprise for me.”
“Riley, I’m sorry, but it was a prank.”
“Why is she so mean?” she said, hurt that she fell for one of her tricks.
“We don’t have time to discuss it now. We have to go,” I said, pulling her down the steps.
“Ella, what’s going on? I heard people screaming and saw guardians running around everywhere.”
“I don’t have time to explain. We have to get you to safety.”
“Where’s Justin?”
“He was right behind me. You know, for a wolf he’s pretty slow.”
“Actually, he’s not. Something must have happened,” Riley said worried. When we reached the outside I had found out why Justin never made it. He was fighting off threats and he was in wolf form. That is how I made it to the tower unscathed. Justin made sure no one would get to us. I pushed Riley back inside to help Justin fight off the rogue vampires. Once it was clear, I signaled for Riley
to come out.
Things were worse than before. The school was on full attack and students were running everywhere trying to find safety. I kept Riley tight to me as I pulled her across campus. Justin stayed close to us and helped fight off any threats. We were half way to the gym when I saw a few students trying to defend themselves against some of Jack’s army of rouge vampires and failing. I thought quickly. “Justin, take Riley to the gym. Riley stay close to Justin and don’t stop running until you are safely inside. Got it?”
“Yes Ella but –”
“Go!” I yelled, taking off to help the other students. I took on the rouge vamps without even thinking. All I knew is that I had to get them away from these students. I managed to knock out one of them right before I was attacked by another. I fought with everything I had, taking out everyone that came at me. I was blindsided and knocked to the ground. Before I had the chance to recover, my attacker was on top on me, ready to strike. I brought my hands up to block his punch when someone else held my hands down. I braced myself for the pain. The second before his fist was about to make contact with my face he was sent flying into the air and the girl behind me was ripped away by a wolf.
I wiped the rain from my eyes to find a hand held out for me. “I told you I got your back,” Billy said, helping me up.
“Thanks,” I smiled, relieved. I looked at the students bleeding and cowering on the ground. “We need to get them back inside.” I heard a growl and turned to see Riley and Justin hadn’t made it back to the gym yet. “Can you get them back inside while I help Riley and Justin?”
“I got this, go,” Billy said, waving me off. I ran over to help Justin who was fighting off three vamps on his own while Riley tried to stay out of the way. Once I joined the fray, more of Jack’s army appeared. I was struggling with fighting two and trying to keep them from Riley.
My attacker was knocked out from behind. I looked up to see Roman. “Go, take Riley. I’ll help Justin,” he said. Before I reached Riley, Roman grabbed me, and crushed his lips to mine leaving me breathless. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I grabbed Riley and took off running again.
The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven Page 84
