by Jemma Grey
The dress I was wearing tonight was a black, strapless, puffy affair, paired with plain white gloves that went up to my elbows. The dress had a heart shaped neckline and reached just a few inches over my knees. This too was simple; there weren’t any sort of workings on it. My jewelry however, was over the top. I had on flashy diamond earrings that dangled from my earlobes, necklaces and hand bands, all of them real.
Taking one last look at myself, I huffed out a breath and walked out of my bedroom. Eric had already gotten dressed and he was supposed to be waiting downstairs for me. However, instead of walking to the staircase, I found myself heading towards Christy’s bedroom. It was almost half nine so she was probably asleep by now, but I wanted to check in on her.
Without knocking on her door – just in case she was asleep – I opened it and walked into the room, only to find her sitting on her bed in total darkness, staring straight at me. “Jenifer,” she beamed as soon as I walked into the room and immediately a smile pierced my lips.
“I thought you were asleep,” I whispered, switching on the lights and then walking over to her bed, kneeling in front of her.
“I know,” she grinned. “I knew you’d come… You look like a princess from Thirdworld… so pretty…” she trailed off, raising a hand and palming my cheek. “I love you, Jenifer,” she hugged me.
Another smile colored my face and pure love for her flowed through my body. Suddenly I found myself slowly beginning to feel better. It was like the sadness inside me was drifting away.
“I love you too, baby,” I whispered and then laid her on the bed, tucked her in and started for the staircase.
Eric looked breathtaking in his tux and I couldn’t look away. I mean, Eric in a t-shirt and jeans was hot, but Eric in a suit was mouth-wateringly sexy, and I literally couldn’t stop myself from staring at him. He was clean-cut, radiated power and strength, and he had me dazed more than I thought possible. Just when I think I couldn’t be more attracted to him, he does this to me.
“Thanks,” he grinned at my side, as he draped his arm around my waist leading me towards his car. “So I should wear suits more often, then?” his grin widened as he stopped at the passenger’s side of the car.
Instead of getting in, I turned to face him and found myself trapped between his body and the car. I could smell his seductive scent wrapping around me and already it had me floating on cloud nine. My throat went dry as I stepped closer, eliminating most of the space between us. Not being able to help myself, I tiptoed, pressing my lips to his.
My eyes closed automatically, as my hands unclenched at my sides, gripping onto the lapels of his jacket, pulling him closer to me. I couldn’t think; I couldn’t breathe; I could only hold onto him and hope by the grace of God that the heat sizzling in my veins didn’t consume me.
Where I started the kiss, Eric deepened it as his hands trailed up the sides of my body to my neck. He held my face in place as he kissed me like tonight was our last night on Earth. It seemed like every part of me was alive right now. My entire body buzzed and tingled from just being touched by him. Where his skin met mine, left my own skin heated, and made my blood boil inside my veins. It ignited a fire within me that I really couldn't explain. Right now, I wanted nothing more than to drag Eric back inside the house and do things to him that I'd never own up to.
“God,” Eric groaned, as he pulled away from me, breaking the kiss. “You have a really dirty mind, Jen,” he grinned, making me blush. I pulled my lower lip between my teeth and bit down hard so I wouldn't give into the urge to show him just how dirty my mind was.
“Sorry,” I shrugged at him. “But you wearing a suit does to me, what I do to you wearing lingerie...” I admitted, blushing deeper.
“I’ve never seen you in lingerie…” he frowned at me.
“Really?” I smirked at him as I thought about what I was wearing under the dress. I pushed the thought towards him as hard as I could and the second he saw what I wanted him to, Eric's jaw literally dropped and crashed to the floor.
“Well fuck…” he trailed off and before I could say anything, he pulled me towards him, kissing me again. This time the kiss was hard and desperate, and suddenly I found myself pressed against the car and Eric's body at the same time. I wasn't complaining though, in fact I wanted nothing more than to eliminate any space between us.
With every second that his hands were on my body, I felt the fire inside me growing hotter and stronger, but before I could really act on the impulse to tear his clothes away, he pulled away once again breaking the kiss.
“You don’t know how much I hate having to go to this ball right now,” he grinned at me as he opened the door of the car, waiting for me to get in.
“I have a very good idea,” I laughed, getting into the car. Sighing, I watched as Eric closed my door, and then walked around to his side. As he got into the car, his scent attacked me and I could only think one thing; the ride to school, was going to be very long and very hard.
The gym looked amazing. Amelia and Emily had done an excellent job. Stringed lights hung from the ceiling by the thousands, making it look like stars shining in the darkest night. Metallic black and white balloons covered the walls and created archways at every exit and entrance of the gym.
Polished wood was placed in the middle of the room to create a huge dance floor and around that, closer to the walls were tables and chairs. Instead of the wooden flooring, thick white carpet was placed there. Everything was breathtaking.
Eric and I talked to the other board members of the school and faculty for a while. Well in truth, Eric talked to them while I stood at his side, watching him in his element. Seeing him tonight, with these people, was like watching a different person. It wasn’t that he was rude or anything, but seeing him being able to blend so well with people of such a different class than I was, made me realize just how high society he was.
After he’d talked to everyone he needed to, we got drinks – there was no alcohol and no student here had thought to spike the punch either – and was heading to a table at the back of the room, when Charde stopped us, pointing towards the dance floor where Emily and Amelia were already swaying to the music. I bit down on my lip turning back to face Eric. I would really rather stay here with him. Seeing this Charde grabbed both of my hands and pulled me away, leading me to the dance floor. I turned looking back to Eric longingly, only to see him chuckling at me.
Our separation was short-lived though, because about five minutes later, I felt Eric’s hands snake around my waist from behind and I leaned into him, pressing my body to his as we swayed. He leaned down and I felt his lips brush against the side of my neck so gently it was almost as if it never happened. The touch left my skin burning and sent tingles and shivers running down my body, all the way to my toes.
“The next song is yours,” he whispered in my ear and almost as if on cue the song On My Way by Machel Montano, a Trinidadian soca singer came on, blasting through the air. Since the song was Trinidadian, I hadn’t heard it in a long while, but that hadn’t stopped me from singing it while I was doing random stuff. I absolutely loved it and for Eric to actually take the time to find out about it and have the DJ play it was amazing. It was the sweetest thing.
I stopped moving instantly and turned to him. “Oh my God, I love you!” I squealed, not being able to stop smiling as I literally jumped him, wrapping my hands and legs around his body. His hands caught and held me to his body instantly.
It was a few seconds later that I realized what I said to him and the moment I did, I froze, my entire body going tense and stiff. I pulled my head back, staring at his face not knowing what I was supposed to say or do. I had just told Eric I loved him… What did I do now? “I mean,” I began without the slightest hint of how I was going to explain this. “It’s just that you… I mean I…You and… the song… and I…” I trailed off, my mind going around in circles. I couldn’t think straight.
“Hey relax,” he chuckled, amusement lighting up his f
ace. “I know.” Still lost for words, I inhaled sharply pulling my bottom lip between my teeth. I was horrified. “But it was hilarious watching you try to explain though,” he laughed at me.
Not thinking I unwound my hands from around him and slapped his shoulder lightly, forcing my facial expression to be as serious as I could manage. Then, without giving him a chance to say anything I leaned into him, pressing my lips to his and at once pure lust and desire coursed through my body. Suddenly every part of me wanted to start shredding our clothes slowly. I tightened my legs around his waist, molding myself to him. My fingers snaked through his hair, tangling there. The passion was hot and raw. It was something that made my insides burn w ith the need to touch him all over.
We broke away from each other panting. I kept my eyes closed and pressed my forehead against his, trying to get my breath back, breathing in his addictive scent. Each time I inhaled, I felt the wildfire within me grow a little. It replaced the blood running in my veins and made the ache for him turn into an unbearable need. I opened my eyes looking at him with pure lust and raw desire. I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Take me home, Eric,” I whispered, biting my lower lip.
A wide smile spread across his lips as he caught on. “I should bribe DJs more often,” he chuckled and lowered me to the ground, back on my feet, taking my hand securely in his.
We were almost out of the hall when the starry, twinkling lights around us flickered and then the entire room went completely black. Simultaneously the music died, instantly plunging the room in loud silence. I stood absolutely still, clutching onto Eric’s hand as panic slowly began seeping into my body. I didn’t like the dark – it made me feel powerless and uncertain. Almost as if he could sense the panic threatening to take me over, Eric’s hand tighten around my own as he gently tugged me closer to him.
“Eric,” I breathed out heavily, my voice loud in the stillness.
“Don’t freak out, but we need to leave.” I didn’t have to see his face to know that something was about to happen. I could hear the underlining message in his voice, the caution and urgency was thick in his tone and instantly I knew; Zane was here. Before I could say or do anything Eric’s grip on my hand tightened almost to the point of him crushing my fingers together, and then he was pulling me through the darkness.
That was when it happened. Almost as if our movement had triggered a domino effect, the blackness around us came alive with screams shattering the silence. It only lasted seconds and then the room went deathly quiet again and the overhead lights flashed on, blinding me. For a moment all I could do was stop, blinking at the sudden brightness, then as my vision slowly cleared and focused, and I took in the sight before me, my breathing stopped.
Another, stronger dose of panic exploded through my veins, this time bringing anger with it. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I stared across the room at Zane. Everyone else was gone except Jason, Emily, Eric, and I, and we were completely surrounded by Zane’s pack of freaks.
They stood, silent and frozen in dark cloaks almost looking like angels of death. To the far side of the room, thrown carelessly into a corner were my friends along with everyone else who’d attended the Ball, lying motionless. I had no idea whether they were dead or unconscious.
A wide smile spread across Zane’s lips as he took me in, and I swallowed loudly. A huge part of me was terrified of him. I wanted to sink into the floor and disappear so he couldn’t hurt me again, but there was also a growing part of me that was angry - a part that wanted to go crazy with rage and rip him to tiny bite size pieces for what he did; for what he was doing right now. At my side, Eric released my hand and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me towards him protectively.
Zane’s smile brightened with excitement as his eyes shifted from me to Eric, and then back to me. “You know you can’t protect her, right?” he said flatly, his eyes focused on Eric. “You should just give her up now. I mean, there’s no way you’re walking out of this building with her.”
“Really?” Eric asked.
“Look around you Wilson, I have an army, you’re surrounded. With your gifts… certainly you already know how this is going to end…”
“I do,” Eric nodded as his hand loosened from around my waist and I forced my eyes away from Zane, slowly turning to face Eric. What was he doing? Was he giving me up? Had he finally had enough and was now going to let Zane have me? I couldn’t blame him. I understood why.
Ever since I came into his life, I had brought nothing but pain and worry. All I did was hurt him, put him through so much misery when he did nothing to deserve any of it. My past had corrupted his life so I completely understood why he would want to rid himself of me, but it still hurt.
It hurt because no matter what I told him or what I told myself, I loved Eric Wilson. It crushed me because as much as I loved Daren, I also loved Eric. He was a part of me - body and soul, and seeing him give me away to a man we both knew was going to end my life was the ultimate defeat.
My throat burned with the need to cry, but I wasn’t going to - I knew this day would come eventually. I took a deep breath as the tears welled up in my eyes. I didn’t want to let him go - I couldn’t have my heart broken and shattered a second time. I guess it was a good thing that Zane was here. At least this time around, I wouldn’t have to live through that pain again.
His hands slowly unwrapped from around me and with each tiny movement he made to release me another crack broke into my body. This was it, the moment that I had been expecting since I had grown attached to him. My entire body stiffened as he took my hand in his and g ently pushed me back so that he was now shielding me from Zane.
Tears rolled down my face as I realized what his movements meant. Eric wasn’t giving me up. He was doing the exact opposite - he was protecting me from Zane. He moved me so his body now shield ed mine. I gripped his hand tighter as a wave of relief came over me. He wasn’t leaving me - he was never going to leave me.
“Hmm… romantic,” Zane chuckled, his voice breaking through my thoughts. I could hear the pleasure behind his words and I peeked out from behind Eric to see the wide, amused smile slapped onto his face as he stared back at us. “You honestly aren’t giving her up? Seriously?” he frowned. “You and your little sidekicks are just going to die too. Not that I have a problem with killing you but,” his frowned deepened, “you’re a pureblood… killing you means starting a war I have no intention of fighting. You’ll be the cause of thousands of Thirdworld lives lost. Can you live with that?”
Zane was right. If Eric didn’t give me up he was going to die tonight. My heart sped up as that thought sunk in. I could hear it banging against my ribcage, shooting adrenaline through my body. Zane and his pack were going to kill us. There were so many of them and just four of us, and I was practically useless. There was no way that Jason, Emily, and Eric could stand against all of them and survive. They would die and I couldn’t let that happen. Too many people had already foolishly stood up to Zane trying to help me and died.
“Eric,” I whispered, ignoring Zane and his pack as best as I could. “He’s right, you need to let me go.”
“You know I can’t do that, Jen.” His voice was hard and stern as his hand tighten around my own.
“Look around us, Eric,” I pleaded as more tears rolled down my face. “If you try to save me he’ll kill you. Don’t you see, Zane always wins - in the end he will have what he wants… but this way you don’t have to die… Please Eric, please don’t fight for me. I don’t want you to fight for me. Just let me go. Let him have me,” I cried, wanting nothing more than for him to be safe.
“Jen,” he whispered, partly turning to face me. “You can’t ask me to do that.” His face softened, and I could see now that he wasn’t going to let me go, not willingly. He would rather die than let Zane have me. His eyes w ere sure and stern.
I leaned into him, gripping his jacket between my fingers, breathing in his scent. I wanted to remember this moment, th
e way he smelled, the feel of his body so close to mine. I would hold onto all these little, perfect things until I couldn’t anymore. “I’m sorry, Eric, but no more people are going to die for me,” I whispered into his chest.
I raised my foot and using all the strength I had, I stomped down hard on his foot. At the same time I ripped my hand away from his, pushing him back. Without wasting time, I turned and shot towards Zane. I only had time to take a few steps before Katalin was suddenly standing in front of me, inches from my face. My feet rooted to the floor just seconds before I ran into her, and then I was being pulled backwards, behind Jason and Eric once more, as though the last thirty seconds of my life had never happened.
Katalin smiled at me looking like an exotic angel. Everything about her seemed sweet, gentle, and innocent her face, her eyes, her smile, even her small graceful movements, and the way she tilted her head to her side, staring at me with mild interest.
“Jenifer,” she greeted, her voice carrying a warning that I couldn’t comprehend. Then without saying anything more she elegantly walked up to us, shoved Eric and Jason’s hand down from blocking me and stood at my side so we were now in a straight line, surrounded by Zane and his small army of cloaked and hooded monsters.
“So,” she mused. “I assume you’re Zane…” It wasn’t a question; it was more like she was making a statement alongside a threat.
“I am,” Zane smiled as he bowed to her from the distance. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Princess?”
“I do not know if you’ve heard, but I don’t like sharing my toys…”
“Funny,” he chuckled as he straightened himself, his eyes never leaving Katalin. “I can say the same thing.”
“You know,” Katalin paused, “I’d thought that you’d be gone by now, already deep in hiding somewhere. It’s what I would have done if the Thirdworld army,” she paused, frowning as she glanced around the room, “as well as more than half the people in this very room, wanted me dead.”
