by J. N. Colon
Not anymore, I thought, shifting my gaze to another female on his bedside table. I lifted the black frame that held his mother’s picture. She was stunning with deep auburn hair framing a delicate, porcelain face. Her chin was pointed, nose straight, and lips round. Her eyes mirrored Mac’s completely.
“You look like her,” I said, setting the frame back in its place.
Mac’s brows lifted and lips pursed. “Everyone says I look just like my dad.”
“You do, but you look like her too. Especially the eyes. They’re exactly the same.”
A heart-stopping smile spread over his handsome face. He tossed his book aside and pulled me down, rolling over until I was laid out on the bed beneath him. “Have I told you how much I love you today?”
I tapped my chin in thought. “Hmm? Today? No, I don’t think so.”
He brushed his lips against mine. “I love you from the end of the world and back again a million, gazillion, infinite times.”
I giggled. “That seems like a lot, but I’m not sure. Maybe you need to show me instead.”
A dangerous glint entered his eyes. “I think you’re right.”
He crushed his lips against mine, making my heart stop at his quickness. My mouth immediately opened under his, inviting him in. My fingers wove in his hair, massaging his scalp. His hand traveled down and grabbed my thigh, bending it until it was curled around his waist.
“You feel so damn good,” he breathed against my mouth before kissing me again.
I could say the same thing about him, but he kept me too busy with his tongue to speak.
Mac pulled my hoodie over my head, tossing it somewhere behind us. His hand found its way underneath my shirt, his fingers dancing across my abdomen and then up to the bottom of my bra.
We’d been away for so long it was like we were starved for each other. I never wanted him to let me go. Ever.
An annoying buzzing resonated through the room and Mac broke the kiss to glare at his bedside table. His cell phone was the annoying noise.
He growled. “It’s my dad.” He grabbed it, but made no move to get off me. “Hello,” he said into the receiver, his voice cracking.
I choked back a snort—barely.
A scowl spread across his face. “Right now?” He glanced down at me with desire still darkening his eyes. “I’m in the middle of something important.”
I wondered if Whitmore knew what his son considered important. Probably.
“Fine,” he snarled. “I’ll be there in five minutes.” He hung up and tossed the phone on the bedside table. “I have to go.”
“I know.” I tried to keep the disappointment from my voice. I knew he had responsibilities.
Mac slid off me, but I remained reclined on his bed. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be, but please stay.”
“I can’t exactly go back to my room.” Not with the make out king and queen.
A smirk curled his lips. “Good. I’ll have to thank Brant.”
I rolled my eyes.
Mac leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. “In fact you should stay here all night.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.”
I snuggled deeper into his pillows. “If you’re a good I just might.”
Chapter 8
My feet pounded against the cold, frozen ground and my lungs burned from my ragged breath. Darkness was thick and fog swirled around the trees. I glanced back and saw a pair of crimson eyes closing in on me.
A briar snaked around my ankle, yanking me down. I cried out as I slashed my palm open on a dead, jagged branch. Scarlet ran down my damp, pale skin.
Deep, angry growls resonated behind me. I scrambled up and saw those red eyes closer. And then another pair off in the distance joined the fray. And then another and another until I was surrounded by burning eyes the color of fresh blood.
My heart raged against my ribcage, threating to escape my chest. My breath clouded violently in front of me as I spun in circles, looking for an exit. There wasn’t one.
More growls echoed from the beasts surrounding me, their gazes’ blood thirsty and hungry. Snarls rose in sync until they were a cacophony of death cries.
I clamped my ears over my head. “Leave me alone!” I yelled, hot tears burning down my cheeks.
“Awe. Poor Rubi is being chased again.” Madison was suddenly standing next to me, a smug smile on her alabaster face. A silver stake protruded from her chest, oozing dark crimson.
The growling ceased, leaving the forest unnaturally quiet, but those eyes remained. Watching. Waiting.
I wiped the tears with the back of my hand. “Go away Madison. You’re dead.”
Cruel laughter pealed out her mouth. “You’ll be joining me very soon—if you don’t see the truth.”
My brows knit. “Truth about what?”
She motioned around. “They’re coming. They’re probably already here.”
I opened my mouth to ask her who when a claw slashed through the air, striking her down. Madison collapsed on the ground, her stomach ripped open.
I spun around to run only to feel an invisible claw tear at my chest, splitting it like a can opener. Blood gushed down my body and I fell to my knees.
Madison’s eyes found mine. “Don’t be so stupid this time Rubi.”
I gasped awake in my bed, sweat clinging to my skin. My heart raced and breathing ragged as if I just ran a marathon. I frantically checked my chest for wounds.
Nothing was there.
I was suddenly glad I snuck out of Mac’s room early this morning. If he witnessed me waking up like this, checking my chest for claw marks he’d start worrying more than he already did.
Why, oh why do I have to have freaky nightmares like that?
I collapsed back on my pillow with a shaky sigh. This is the second dream where Madison is warning me about something coming and she gets sliced open by invisible claws.
A shiver rippled up my spine, thinking about the hungry, red eyes and vicious growls. They sounded like animals, but a million times more vicious.
Was this dream really a warning or was it simply my weird brain melting things together, like Madison’s death, that animal attack, and my paranoia of Highland?
If it wasn’t my imagination then what the hell truth am I supposed to see?
***
I cuddled up against Mac to hide from the chilly morning air. We were sitting on a bench outside the dining hall before first period. His giant hand covered one of my bare thighs below the material of my gray uniform skirt to keep me warm. I wore the black sweater and burgundy blazer, gray socks, and black Mary Janes.
“It’s good to have you back Rubi,” Tristan said, running a hand over his pale blonde spikes while his liquid gold hawk eyes smiled at me. “Mac’s been so boring without you. Hopefully now he’ll remove that stick up his ass.”
Everyone laughed even Mac.
Tristan gestured toward him. “Ah look, it must already be gone.”
Brant gave him daps. “Thank god. I was tired of seeing him mope around.”
“All right. I get it. I’ve been a tool.”
Emmaline tsked. “No you haven’t,” she said in her lilting voice. “You just had a hard time without your other half. Now you too are back together and you’ll be that way forever.” She dabbed at the corner of her azure eye. “You two are so cute together. It really makes me happy.”
I flashed a smile. “Thanks Emma.”
Mac told me she’s still a little emotional after her best friend, Tatum, was murdered by my fake best friend.
The eternal, gorgeous, blonde ballerina was still beautiful whether she was crying or laughing.
“I’m glad you’re back Rubi.” Corbin, a senior vampire, jokingly punched Mac in the arm. “It’s been real boring without you.”
“Yup.” Jack, his twin brother, rubbed his hands together, a mischievous glint to his eyes. “I’m ready for some drama.”
The twins looked almost exactly alike with
fluffy golden brown hair, green eyes, tall stature, and pale skin. The only difference was Jack’s scar on his chin. They were both clowns and loved practical jokes. Corbin was probably the more serious of the two, which wasn’t really saying much.
“Hi.” My cheeks burned at their teasing.
Mac narrowed his eyes at the two. “Knock it off.”
They laughed and backed away, Jack pantomiming a camera with his hands, recording me. “Maybe we should carry a camera around to catch it all on film. It would make a great movie.”
Mac growled.
Corbin elbowed his brother. “Dude, you’re totally pissing off the royal couple.” He did several dramatic bows followed by his brother.
Now my face was on fire. I buried it in Mac’s chest and felt his arms go around me. “Can you beat those two up please? Or at least smack them one good time.”
A deep rumble in his chest echoed from his chuckle. “Anything for you.”
A shiver suddenly rippled up my spine the same time Mac tensed. I picked my head up to see a group of unfamiliar students heading toward us. There were five of them—two girls and three boys—all dressed in different styles of the school uniform.
One girl had pixie cut jet black hair with blue streaks, high cheekbones and a pointed chin. Her uniform was tight on her body, revealing a muscular physique. The other girl was very slight and petite with delicate features, pale blonde locks, and timid brown eyes. The boy next to her rested his arm over her shoulders, nearly swallowing her up in his tall, slender body. He had curly pale blonde hair, amber eyes, a slender face, and a naughty smirk. The second guy oozed masculinity, reminding me a little of Daedalus. His golden brown hair was shaggy around his handsome face and thick muscles roped around his body. He had almond shaped hazel eyes, tanned skin, and sexy stubble on his chin.
This was definitely a motley group, but the guy in the middle took the cake. He was tall with lean, chiseled muscles moving under the black uniform sweater. Tousled inky black hair surrounded his sharp, mysterious face. Violet eyes were surrounded by dark lashes.
I motioned with my chin. “Who are they?”
Mac’s jaw clenched. “That’s what my father wanted to talk to me about yesterday. They’re Highland’s newest transfers.”
There was something definitely otherworldly about them. They weren’t vampires, but their eyes held an unnaturally bright sheen. There was also something predatory in the way they walked, especially the one with black hair. He moved way too fluid and smooth for a human.
When they reached us the guy in the middle leaned against a tree with a blank expression. His full mouth was soft and supple while his cheekbones were defined. A silver stud pierced one of his dark eyebrows and a freckle sat under the other. And even though his face was void, his strange violet eyes held all the emotion his face didn’t.
“Long time no see Mac,” he said with a slight Russian accent.
Mac nodded. “Demyan.”
What the hell kind of name is Demyan? And oh yeah there was tons of tension in the air.
Brant stood and gave him daps. “What up man?”
“Not much.” He motioned toward the others behind him. “You know all the guys.”
“Hey!” The girl with the blue streaks stepped forward. “There are two females here jackass.” She held up two fingers tipped with short, slick black nails.
“We all know you’re a girl Vera.” The boy with pale blonde curls walked up and greeted the crowd of vampires with a nod.
“Shut up Travis.” She elbowed him in the ribs and he winced.
I bet it did hurt. She looked strong.
The other guy with messy golden brown hair pointed at Tristan. “You still owe me for that poker game.”
Tristan grinned. “Damn. I thought you forgot about that Jared.”
Jared scoffed as he absentmindedly rubbed his stubble. “Please, I wasn’t that drunk.” He motioned his thumb over his shoulder at the other girl lingering in the back. “Adalynn helped me remember.”
Her cheeks immediately tinted red which wasn’t hard to miss on her fair skin.
Tristan’s golden eyes melted and he flashed a grin. “Awe Adalynn Bishop, how could I be mad at you? You’re just a sweet little angel.”
Adalynn tried unsuccessfully to hide her smile.
Tristan tsked. “Get over her and give me a hug.”
She timidly walked over and was swallowed up in his arms.
Obviously they were well acquainted with each other.
Demyan’s violet eyes fell on me, slowly drinking me in until heat flooded my cheeks. His face remained blank, but those strange eyes burned. “You must be Rubi,” he said, his accent deepening. “I’ve heard so much about you.” His tone was dripping with sexual implications.
“Hi.” My tone was dripping with annoyance that only seemed to please him from the flare in his eyes.
Mac stiffened beside me and I could hear a low growl start in the back of his throat.
Demyan peeled himself away from the tree and reached out to shake my hand. I reluctantly let him take it, which in hindsight was my mistake. Instead of shaking it Demyan caught it, bringing it to his mouth to drop a kiss on my fingers.
With a deep, possessive growl Mac shot up, snatching Demyan by his black uniform sweater. “I knew you were going to try some shit like this to get under my skin!”
Chapter 9
Mac was a slightly taller and broader than the new guy, but Demyan didn’t seem intimidated by Mac’s size or fierceness. From the amused look in his eyes he expected this.
Jared came to Demyan’s aid, trying to pry Mac off to no avail. Finally Brant and Tristan managed to pull him back. I gripped his arm, my fingers squeezing his rock hard bicep.
A faint smirk curled Demyan’s lips—the first sign of emotion that wasn’t relegated to his eyes—as he smoothed his hair. “I had all intentions of screwing with you by hitting on your girl Mac, but when I actually saw her all that flew to the wayside.” He straightened his sweater, his eyes lingering on me. “It has nothing to do with you now. I’ll be hitting on her simply because she’s hot.”
“Please,” I scoffed. “You are so not my type. I’m not attracted to your arrogant bravado.”
His studded brow rose questioningly. “Oh like Mac isn’t cocky?”
My lips curled in a smug grin. “He has every right to be.” My gaze traveled over his body disapprovingly. “You don’t.” I tugged Mac’s arm away from the group, his anger finally melting away.
Deep laughter vibrated out of Demyan. “Oh Rubi, that hurts. Not as much as you plucking my pretty feathers would.”
My brow furrowed and I glanced back to see a knowing smile curling his lips while his strange purple eyes smoldered.
Had he seen that raven attack me yesterday?
Mac gave Demyan one last warning growl before following me toward Anderson Hall for our first class.
“Who the hell are they?” I asked, chewing on a nail. “What are they?”
Mac pried my hand from my mouth. “You could tell they weren’t human?” He unsuccessfully smoothed down his midnight hair.
I shot him an incredulous expression.
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “They’re shifters.”
My mouth fell open. “As in they can change into animals?”
He nodded.
Cold descended across my skin as my dream from last night bubbled up. I was surrounded by a pack of vicious animals with glowing red eyes and sharp claws. Madison had said something was coming. Was that something here now?
“They attend a school in Savannah that’s currently under renovations after a fire,” Mac continued without noticing my anxiety. Yet. “Demyan’s father, Dimitri Dragoniv, is the leader of the biggest group in America. My father and Dimitri are friends. They thought it would be a good idea to bring Demyan and a few others here.”
“Why?”
He shrugged evasively.
“Do they have red eyes when th
ey change?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Mac stopped and surveyed me with a worried expression. “No. Why?”
A sense of relief washed over me and I waved his concern away. “Nothing. I had a bad dream last night.” I’m probably just being paranoid. If they were dangerous Whitmore wouldn’t allow them on campus with us.
I grabbed Mac’s hand and tugged him forward. “What’s this tension between you and Demyan about?”
Mac’s fingers twitched in mine. “He’s an arrogant jerk.”
My brow rose and I had a feeling there was more, but I didn’t press the matter. Instead I focused on the suspicious thought that suddenly entered my mind. “Can they turn into any animal, even birds?”
He nodded.
“Son of a…” I growled.
“What?”
I pulled Mac along, stomping toward the building. “Nothing.” I didn’t want to add fuel to the fire.
I’m pretty sure that raven who harassed me yesterday was Demyan Dragoniv.
“Rubiks Moon-Gem, for the last time your seat is over there.” Professor Forsyth pointed a knobby finger to a desk far away from Mac’s. “If you don’t take the seat you can visit the Headmaster’s office.” A broad smile twisted his thin lips, twitching his white handlebar mustache.
This was one aspect of Highland Academy I didn’t miss. His beady eyes glared at me as he smoothed his brown vest that matched his boring brown pants. His bulbous nose matched his bulbous, bald head too.
I clenched my jaw and stomped toward a desk near the left upper corner. The room was similar to the rest of the classes at Highland. Dark walls meeting dark floors where straight rows of wooden desks filed across. A pitch chalkboard covered one wall with the teacher’s desk in front. His office was in the back right with manila blinds closed and door shut.
Professor Forsyth was visibly happy to have me back in another class, American History this time. He has someone to torture on a daily basis. I should compel him to do what I want. From the narrowed glare Mac was giving me he knew what I was thinking. We have yet to talk about compelling my English teacher.
