Uniquely Unwelcome (The Shadow World, #1)

by Brandy Nacole

  I close my eyes once again, really needing just a little bit of sleep. Just as I’m about to go off to Neverland, the captain’s voice comes blaring over the speakers, telling us we will be landing shortly. Figures.

  Chapter Ten

  I manage to get a few minutes of sleep before we land. But when I wake up I can hardly move my muscles, and when I do, they scream in protest.

  I stretch out, fully awake now. The only thing on my mind is food. We exit the plane and find a limo waiting for us. Everyone else wants to head to the safe house that has been set up for us but I separate from the group, wanting to be alone. I’m still not too fond of my travel companions or their accusing glances. Plus, I don’t want witnesses to what I have to do.

  Ethan tells me where the safe house is and I head off, hitting the streets of London. I have been to London once before but never left the airport. The view was nice but being out in the city is different. It’s captivating.

  When we left Sofia, the sun was rising and it was around 6:00 in the morning. Our flight took three hours, and with the time change, it’s now almost 7:00. It’s still dark out, with a slight morning fog that holds the cold morning’s chill. Luckily, I grabbed my jacket before departing with the others.

  After only walking a couple of blocks, I find a small café that has just opened. It’s like any other café, a few tables inside, a few umbrella tables set up outside. I stock up on high carb foods and down several cups of cappuccinos, but my body is still shaking with need after I’m done. I groan, knowing what I have to do. I was just hoping to avoid it.

  I notice the time and get going, hoping to find a blood bank before any workers arrive. I’m sure I could sneak around and get what I need even if someone was there, but I would rather not have to worry about getting caught.

  I always go to the blood banks when the blood lust hits me. To me that’s the most civilized way to get blood. I don’t believe in drinking from humans. It doesn’t sit well with me to drain someone else’s life force to sustain my own. Hospitals depend on the blood they already have there and I would hate to be the reason they were short. Taking from a blood bank seems the best option available.

  I went to a Vampire colony once before to get blood but learned my lesson fast. There are some Vampire colonies that keep blood in stock or have feeders so they don’t draw attention to themselves. Whenever I went to one for a supply, it turned into an event I will never forget, though one I wish I could. Instead of getting blood that I needed, my blood was spilled all over the ground as the Vampires tested my strength.

  I walk several miles in a matter of minutes, using what strength I have. After walking, almost gliding, I see a promising sign that proclaims blood donations can be given here. Bingo.

  The blood bank doesn’t look like your average facility. Instead it looks more like a cottage, a place where someone would live rather than use as an infirmary. To my frustration, two cars are parked out front. I check the area to ensure no one’s out and about. Satisfied the coast is clear, I sneak up to the side window and peek inside. Two women are in the front office sorting through files. The older woman is instructing the younger girl, who looks a little terrified. Either something’s wrong or this is her first day. Either way whatever they’re doing seems to have them distracted.

  I walk around the building, looking for the cooling room where they store the blood. It’s full of steel refrigerators with glass doors. I find a small window outside the room and try to open it but it’s locked. Where most people would have trouble unlocking the window without getting noticed, I have my telekinetic ability. I picture the lock opening and soon hear it give, releasing the window.

  Once inside, I start scoping out the different types of blood available. This place is pretty organized. Each refrigerator is marked with which blood type it holds.

  I’m not particular on what blood type I consume, but I do like taking whatever is the most abundant. Helps ease my guilt. In this case it’s O-negative. Not my favorite, but beggars can’t be choosers now can they?

  I grab two bags just to be sure, then I head back out the window, locking it behind me. Satisfied that I’ve left no evidence of my theft, I head around the corner and find a nice quiet place to consume the blood. My fangs extend before I can even crouch behind a dumpster. I feel like some ravenous Vampire who’s been starved for months.

  The bag rips open and the coppery fluid fills my mouth, running down my throat and into my system. I can feel the blood supplying me with energy, filling in the holes that needed nourishment. My body stops shaking, my head clears, and I start feeling at full capacity again. I’m surprised at how quickly I down the second bag. I hardly ever need this much.

  After I’m done, I make my way back to find the safe house. I walk through the streets of London watching all the happy families, so excited about visiting the city. I watch as couples walk hand in hand admiring the scenery and each other. The mothers and fathers, who are pointing out this or that to curious children. All of a sudden I feel lonely and London doesn’t look so grand anymore.

  After taking a few wrong turns, I finally find the safe house. I’m thinking it’s going to be some house or cottage, guarded and safe. I’m surprised to find it’s a regular human inn. There’s a little café and coffee house downstairs. People are standing outside looking at maps, loading their cameras with film, smiles broad on their faces.

  I spot Coy outside at a table reading a magazine, looking quite happy. The wind tosses his sandy blond hair around as his brown eyes focus on whatever he’s reading. He looks familiar to me, although I don’t know where from.

  “Hey, is this where we’re staying?”

  “Yep.” Coy looks up from his magazine, a tourist guide of London.

  “Isn’t this a little exposed?” I gesture at the tourists and the inn.

  “Yep.” Coy looks back at his magazine and takes a sip of his tea.

  “Why would they put us somewhere like this?” I persist.

  “If you are going to continue to ask question after question, you could at least take a seat.” Coy looks back up at me, his eyebrows raised. “You know, so as not to draw attention to yourself,” he says playful, his smile wide and teasing. It reaches his eyes, revealing the small dimples on his cheeks. Where have I seen that smile before?

  Rolling my eyes, I take a seat. “Well?”

  Coy shakes his head with amusement. “You’re not one who likes to wait are you?”

  I smirk, causing him to laugh before he continues. “Ethan assured us that this is a safe place. He said if we stay at a human location, whoever attacked us will likely not look there.”

  “Where are Ethan and Danika?” I glance around at all the people but I don’t see either one of them.

  Coy shrugs, returning his attention to the brochure. “They went to get something to eat. Neither one of them wanted to eat here. They said it didn’t look appetizing.”

  I’m sure. “Why didn’t we stay at the Lycan encampment?”

  “Because it’s a full moon.”

  Ethan’s deep voice behind me causes me to jump in my seat, startled, and I nearly spill Coy’s drink. As he walks by me, I give him my best glare. Unfortunately it has little effect on him.

  “Where’s Danika?” I ask, looking behind him not seeing anyone but a little girl licking on a Popsicle.

  “She was tired. She went upstairs to lie down.” Ethan takes a seat with a plop, clearly exhausted.

  We sit there not really saying much. Coy comments on a few tourist sights, but neither Ethan nor I are interested. Still curious as to why we are staying here and not at the encampment, I pick the conversation back up.

  “So what does the full moon have to do with us?”

  “Me, nothing. You three would be in extreme danger. That’s why they asked to meet with us tomorrow afternoon.” Ethan’s voice isn’t very high, but rather low and muffled. I look under the table to see him kicking around a few stray pebbles. Obviously something else is on
his mind.

  “Why would we be in danger?” I ask, confused.

  Ethan looks up, the pebbles on the ground no longer holding his attention. His narrowed eyes regard me as if I’m stupid.

  “Do you know nothing? I mean seriously. You don’t seem to know much about any of this. It’s like you’re a mundane.” He looks over at Coy and mutters, “Sorry.” Coy shrugs again, too focused on his reading to care.

  I wish that everyone would quit pointing that out to me. I know the real important stuff. I know how to kill different Shadows. How strong each Shadow is and what powers they hold. How they live and eat. You know, the basics, the stuff that will help me survive. Grimacing, I get back to the topic.

  “Just answer the question.”

  “There are three nights a month in which it is extremely hard for the younger Lycans to control themselves. Those nights would be the night before a full moon, the night of the full moon, and the night after. Tonight is the last night, so Jobe thought it would be best if we came tomorrow.”

  “I thought only the full moon affected a Lycan.” I knew Lycans went crazy around a full moon but the night of the full moon was the worst.

  “The night before and the night after have a pull over us too. Jobe orders all Lycans to be cautious during those three nights.” Ethan’s phone vibrates, drawing his attention for a moment. He quickly checks and with a grimace, shoves it back in his pocket.

  “Who’s Jobe?” Coy and I ask in unison.

  “Jobe is the Alpha.”

  “How does that work anyway?” I ask Ethan, curious. I know why there’s an Alpha, I just don’t know the specifics of how a pack picks an Alpha.

  “What?” Ethan asks, pinching the bridge of his nose as if irritated.

  “Becoming an Alpha?”

  Ethan groans, running his hand over his face. “It’s quite a long story with a lot more questions afterward, I’m sure. How about I meet you tomorrow morning and explain everything to you?”

  “Why not now?” I’m the kind of person that likes to know things as soon as I hear about them. Especially when the person that knows such information is sitting right in front of me.

  “Because I’m tired and really want to get some rest.”

  Ethan does look a little worn. His face is drawn, with dark circles under his eyes.

  “Okay. But can I ask you one more question? You can just say yes or no. I won’t ask any more until tomorrow, promise.”

  Ethan waves his hand in the air. “Go ahead.”

  “Does the moon have any effect on you?” I hold my breath, hoping he says no.

  “Some.” He then gets up and leaves.

  Oh I really wish he hadn’t said that. Now I want to know more, and I promised I wouldn’t ask any more questions tonight. This is going to absolutely drive me crazy.

  “I wonder what he meant by that.” Coy watches Ethan as he enters the inn. Then he looks back at me expectedly, as if I know the answer. Hello, did he not just hear Ethan chastising me for not knowing anything?

  “I’m not sure,” I say, rubbing my temples as if that will erase Ethan’s answer. “But lock your door tonight, just to be safe.”

  I go to grab the drink sitting in front of me, then remember it’s not mine. Seeing no line at the café, I get up to go get my own tea. The copper taste of blood is still strong in my mouth.

  “You’re not leaving, are you?”

  I swivel back around, astonished by Coy’s nervous tone, and find him watching me with disappointment.

  “Um… no. Just going to get some tea.”

  “Oh, okay.” Coy relaxes and goes back to reading his magazine.

  Huh, that was a little bizarre. Why would he care if I was leaving? After our little tiff on the plane, I figured he had written me off like everyone else.

  After grabbing my tea, I go back to our table. Coy is still reading his tour guide with fascination.

  “Finding the secrets of the world in there?” I say as I take my seat.

  “No.” Coy has a small smile on his face as he averts his eyes. “It’s just that I’ve never seen anything outside of my quarters back at the lair.”

  I didn’t think I would ever feel sympathy for another person, but with Coy I do. He grew up in a place where he was the main course. He was always expected to give respect to the vamps chomping on his neck, without receiving respect back.

  I feel sadness when I look at Coy and think about all the others still in servitude. The look on his face is miserable and hungry at the same time. He’s probably upset, and feels guilty for leaving all the others behind. It’s not like we could have taken those hundreds of humans without being noticed. But another part of him is hungry to see the world, to learn, to be a part of it.

  “So what are your plans tonight?” I had no intention of asking him this five seconds ago, but his miserable state changed my mind.

  “Nothing.” His face lights up with excitement. “Why?”

  “Well, there’s something I’ve always wanted to do and since we have the night off,” I say, giving him a calculating nod, “why not?”

  “What do you have in mind?” Coy asks, glowing with excitement. I’m surprised he isn’t jumping up and down in his seat.

  “You’ll see,” I say mysteriously, “but I’m going to take a nap before. I am completely exhausted.”

  “Okay. Here’s your room key, room number 20. Your stuff is all inside.”

  I’d forgotten he had brought my luggage over for me. I hadn’t exactly wanted to drag around a couple of bags in my track across London. “Thank you.”

  I drain my tea in one big gulp and head inside. Before stepping through the doors, I look back over my shoulders.

  “What room you in?”

  “Room 19, right across the hall.”

  “I’ll come get you later.” Coy smiles widely as he looks back at his tour guide. Before I change my mind and decide to go right now, I turn to find my room. There’s no lobby. Apparently you check in at the café. There’s no elevator either, since there are only 50 or so rooms.

  I find my room easily, and open the door to find a simple room with a full bed, typical flower print covers, a night table, a dresser with a TV sitting on top, and a bathroom. Nothing fancy-schmancy. Simple and nice, that’s the way I like it.

  After showering and throwing my stuff on the floor, I’m snuggled in my bed and ready for a good day’s rest. It doesn’t take long for my body to seize the opportunity and my mind swims into complete darkness.

  ~

  I jerk upright in my bed. I try catching my breath as I look around my dark room. I had drawn the curtains earlier to keep the light out. The only noise echoing through the room is the sound of my thudding heart. Flicking on the lamp beside my bed, I’m relieved to find it was just a dream. But what a horrible dream it was.

  We were back in Sofia, right outside the art museum. The creatures were attacking us but this time there were more. We held our ground for a while, but soon they overpowered us. Then all of sudden the scenery changed.

  When my eyes adjusted, I found that I wasn’t alone. Everyone else in our small group was trapped inside a cave or dungeon like room. The air was thick and musky with the sound of water dripping from overhead. I tried pulling away from the wall, but shackles encased my wrist, waist, and ankles. I looked around to find everyone unconscious. Even Coy was there, with blood running down his face.

  Standing by a heavy metal door was someone wearing a full-body cloak. The hood was draped over the person’s face so I couldn’t see who it was. Three creatures walked into the room behind the cloaked figure and each went to stand by the unconscious bodies on the floor. The cloaked person moved over to me.

  “I told you to leave it alone,” said the man—it was definitely a male voice. “But you did not listen. For that, there must be retribution.”

  From inside his cloak, he pulled out a sword. With a nod, the creatures started ripping apart the others. The one that had Coy was part Vampire.
After revealing his fangs, he ripped Coy’s throat out. I screamed at them to stop, but no one listened, they just kept shredding.

  Then the cloaked figure raised his sword. “This is a shame. I thought we would make good allies one day.” Then he plunged the sword straight at my heart. That’s when I jerked awake, panicked.

  I’m still trying to calm myself when someone knocks on the door. Grabbing the knife I have on the night stand, I go to see who it is. There’s no peep hole in the door, so I’m left with no choice but to ask who it is.

  “It’s Danika,” says a muffled voice.

  I put the knife on the nearby dresser and open the door. Danika is standing in the hall, wringing her hands.

  “Are you okay?” I ask her.

  “Yes. Are you?” She glances past me into the room and back at me.

  I start to say something about the dream but decide against it. No need getting Danika worked up over something like that. It was just a dream.

  “Yeah.”

  “I felt distress coming from this room. It was so strong it woke me.” She walks past me, entering my room without an invitation. She starts looking around as if trying to find something or someone. She even walks over to the bathroom and takes a peek.

  “Okay, Snoopy it’s all clear. It’s just me. Now how about we take a walk over to your room and see what spectacles lie within.” I fail to keep the irritation out of my voice. I don’t really like her barging into my room uninvited. “Or how about the guy’s rooms, they probably have some interesting tid-bits to look at.”

  “Sorry. It’s just that I’ve never felt something so strong. It’s like you were crying for help or something.” Danika looks around one more time and heads back toward the door.

  “You will be staying in all night won’t you?” she asks me.

  Should I tell her the truth? If I do she’ll freak out. If I don’t and something happens, she will really freak out.