Uniquely Unwelcome (The Shadow World, #1)

by Brandy Nacole

  “Actually Coy and I are going for a walk.”

  She turns with a gasp. Here comes the freak-out.

  “I seriously advise against that.”

  Danika carries an “I’m all proper” attitude that I dislike. I wonder why she acts like she’s forty instead of nineteen.

  I cross my arms and lean against the wall. “And why is that?”

  “Not only is it a full moon tonight but we also have those creatures to worry about. If you insist on going then I must come with you.”

  Protective little thing, isn’t she?

  “Look, I know we’ve got a lot going on right now but I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Coy needs a break from all this. He needs a chance to see the world without all the fighting and running. If you come along he’s going to feel something’s up.” Everything I say is true. Coy really does need to see London and other parts of the world without having to be in constant fear.

  She matches my stance, crossing her arms with that stern motherly look on her face. “Why would it look so suspicious if I went? And why do you care all of a sudden?”

  Okay, ouch. She talks to me like I don’t have an actual soul or ounce of humanity in me whatsoever. Is it really that hard to believe?

  “Jeez thanks for that verbal slap. You want to know why it would be so suspicious if you went?” I ask, waiting for her to nod before I continue. “Does it honestly look like we are two people that hang out all the time?” I gesture at her formal attire that clashes against my laid-back look. “No. Whenever we aren’t discussing, plotting, or running for our lives, we’re bickering.”

  Danika looks away for a minute, then turns back. “I’m sorry Racquel, I really am. I never meant for us to bicker or wanted to make you feel different.”

  I step back, surprised. This apology thing is starting to get out of hand. I never expected her or anyone else to ever apologize to me. But over the last few days, I’ve had a lot of people apologize to me, and seem sincere about it. Before then, the only apologies I got were from my grandparents and Addie, but really those don’t count.

  I wonder what my grandparents would say about what I’m doing. My grandmother would be proud, I know that. But my grandfather? My chest tightens as I think about all those times he practiced martial arts with me in my room or in my back yard. He would spend hours teaching me how to defend myself. He always told me to watch my back, and not to trust any of the Shadows. He hated them, hated them for what they did to our family. He always lent me his love and protectiveness, knowing what I was going through. I’m not sure if he would be proud of me for helping them, or if he would be disappointed.

  Danika starts walking away, but then turns back around. “Oh I forgot, we never did get to discuss your premonition.”

  I had almost forgotten all about that considering everything else we’ve been through since then. “I’ve never had one before. What exactly does it mean?”

  “I don’t know, maybe you’re descending.”

  “Excuse me, what?” Doesn’t descending mean to come down from somewhere? I’m pretty sure I’m grounded already.

  “It means your powers are more fully establishing themselves in you. If you don’t mind me asking, what did you see?”

  “Lynna doesn’t like the way Aldrick is running things. She thinks he’s hateful and uncaring about their people. She’s planning a revolution.” I completely agree with Lynna and hope that everything works out. Aldrick is a pain who needs to be dealt with.

  “That would be great. Everyone hates dealing with Aldrick and how he’s so loose with the Vampires.” Danika looks down at the floor, kicking her foot against the carpet. “Well, be careful tonight, and don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”

  She hands me a piece of paper with her number on it. I probably still have it on my phone where she called me the other night, but it’s nice of her to offer.

  I shut the door and plop back on my bed. It’s around eight at night and the moon will be rising soon. Not wanting to spend any more time locked up in this room analyzing every bit of my life, real or dreamlike, I get up and get dressed.

  I decide on my usual: jeans and a t-shirt, but instead of boots I wear my sneakers. I don’t want to be trudging through London wearing heavy boots. I also grab my jacket, knowing it’s going to be chilly out. The weather usually doesn’t have an effect on Vampires or Lycans. Figures that that would be the super-power I didn’t get. I hate the cold.

  It would have been nice to pick which powers and abilities I wanted. That’s life though. We don’t get to choose what eye color, hair color, body temperature, etc., that we want, human or otherwise. At least humans can get nose jobs and contacts to change the things they don’t like about them. Shadows can’t wear contacts because they dissolve. I’m quite certain I can’t change the way my body functions. Oh but to dream.

  As I’m heading out the door, I grab the knife I had set on the dresser just to be sure, tucking it safely in my leg strap. Without the extra support my boots usually offers at keeping the knife snug on my leg, it’s a little awkward under my jeans at first. With a few adjustments to the strap, I’m out the door. Once I’m across the hall, I raise my hand to knock on Coy’s door. Before my hand touches the wood, it bursts open.

  “Ready!” Coy steps out into the hall, full of excitement. I’m left clutching my chest and trying to calm my racing heart for the millionth time.

  If I keep getting freaked out like this, my heart’s going to eventually explode. “If you value your head, don’t−ever−do−that−again!” I bark the words out between gasps.

  A sheepish smile plays on Coy’s face as he shrugs his shoulders. “Sorry.”

  Coy is dressed like me, minus a jacket. It’s the same outfit he’s had on since we escaped the lair. I’ll have to talk to Danika about getting him some clothes.

  The café is still buzzing with people. Tourists, families coming back from a long day of exploration, young couples going out for a quiet evening, single people all dressed up, hoping to find an exciting club full of mischief.

  We head out into the night through all the ruckus. I keep distance between us. Not enough to seem awkward but enough to feel comfortable.

  As we approach the curb on the corner, I pause. “So you want to hail a ride, or walk?”

  “Depends, how far are we going?”

  “It’s a pretty long walk.” I wish we could see more of the city from here, but the tall building in front of us obscures the view.

  “Well, how about we walk for a bit and if I get tired, then we get a ride.”

  I know he chose to walk so he could see more. I wonder what the drive over here was like. I can just imagine Ethan and Danika all grim and glum sitting in the limo, while Coy hangs his head out the window, catching bugs in his jaw-dropped mouth.

  We head off down the street. Not much is said and that’s how I prefer it. I wish I had my iPod though. Silence bothers me, but filling that void with useless chatter is worse. People usually end up offending someone or sticking their foot in their mouth just to end up tripping on their face.

  We make it about four blocks, turning onto Spur Rd, with no trouble. Danika’s warning and the threat we faced in Sofia is heavy on my mind, though I try pretending otherwise. If we are attacked, I worry about the outcome. Maybe coming was a dumb idea. Looking at Coy’s eager face, I squash that thought. Besides, that one attack could have been a fluke coincidence. Then again, that foul creature who had me in his grasp did give me a direct warning. That can’t be a coincidence.

  “It’s a nice night,” Coy says, looking up at the sky, interrupting my thoughts.

  “Yeah,” I mumble, taking a peek at the sky myself. The sky is clear. The moon full and bright as it starts to top over the city.

  “So you like traveling?” Coy asks.

  Oh great, he’s a nonsense chatterer. Maybe I should have brought Danika. They could have yammered the whole way, while I walked in blissful silence and enjoyed th
e beautiful night.

  “It’s alright. You?” I mentally kick myself as soon as the question leaves my mouth. How is he supposed to know if he likes traveling? This is his first trip, dumb butt. Heck it could be his first time above ground. “Sorry, I forgot.”

  “It’s okay. I’m enjoying it so far. I plan on doing a lot more of it.” Coy brushes my idiocy off with a warm, amused smile. Once again I wonder where I’ve seen that smile. Somehow I know it.

  Coy looks over at me, sheepishly. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

  I shrug my shoulders, what could it hurt?

  “What’s the world like?”

  I stop walking to look at Coy’s curious face. Here’s this guy just recently freed into the world, and he’s stuck with me and my opinions? That’s like asking the ugly duckling how he likes living with the beautiful swans. Honestly? It sucks. But do I tell him that?

  “I’m not the one to ask. I mean the scenery is great, the animals are awesome, but the people and Shadows that live in it suck. Unless you’re an optimistic idiot who only sees rainbows and flowers and then it’s great all around. Most people aren’t like that.” Disappointment flashes across his face and I kick myself again. I could so go with silence right now.

  Hoping to save his spirits, I try mending. “But you never know. I mean you’re human and I haven’t been around too many of you—them. Most of the time they get a vibe off me that tells them to stay clear. So, I mean, for you it may be great. You could get a nice job, make some friends, meet a girl, buy a house with a white picket fence, and live happily ever after.” I hope that doesn’t sound artificial.

  “You think so?” Coy asks with hope.

  “Yeah, yeah I do. You never know, right?” I look up at the street signs, hoping we’re close.

  He falls silent again, thank god, as we continue our walk down the streets of London. We meet a few people along the way, an older couple walking hand in hand, a woman walking her dog, but no funky-looking monsters.

  The thought of those creatures spurs my dream back into mind. I think about the mysterious figure under the cloak, and who it may be. When he pulled out his sword, there was a scar on his right hand, shaped like a horseshoe. His voice was definitely masculine but muffled by the cowl overhanging his face.

  The scar flashes through my mind again. It looks familiar, but I can’t place it. I start running through my memory of where I might have seen that scar but there’s nothing coming to mind. I put the image on simmer, wanting to keep it fresh on my mind. Who knows when your memory will open up and surprise you?

  Everyone’s safety comes to mind as I analyze the dream. Danika, Ethan, and Coy had been brutally killed. What if this dream was a warning? Just like the warning the creature gave me. What if they’re connected?

  I shiver at the thought and wrap my arms around my waist, reminding myself it was just a dream. Coy notices, but having nothing to offer me to ward off the cold, he moves in toward me. His arm is outstretched, ready to embrace me.

  Stunned, I quickly step out of reach. “That’s okay but thanks. I was just thinking about something. I’m really not that cold.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t mind.” He stops coming toward me, his expression wary, but he keeps his arm raised.

  “I’m sure.” I look up at the street signs again and know that we are getting close. “What about you? You need my jacket?”

  “Nah, I’m good. It’s chilly but not bad.”

  We turn the corner onto Bridge Street and I finally see it. The clock tower or as everyone calls it, Big Ben. It’s absolutely stunning, especially at night. The clock towers over London, the clock facings illuminated in the dark sky. The reflection of the Westminster Palace and the clock tower’s bright lights reflect on the Thames. The water reflecting double the beauty.

  As we’re walking across the Westminster Bridge, crossing the Thames, I notice Coy getting a little winded and sweaty. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, but we may have to hail that ride back,” he says, panting, but it doesn’t keep him from looking up in awe at Big Ben. I’m worried though, he looks like he’s about to pass out. Honestly, what was I thinking? Making him walk forever, knowing he hasn’t had any strenuous exercise his whole life. Though from the expression on his face I can tell he thinks it’s worth it.

  I wish I could get excited over something the way he is right now. See the world in a new way. Erase the memory of the past. I envy Coy, his astonishment and wonder. All I ever feel is dread and loneliness. I’m glad that someone has a chance to see the wonder and magic of the world. It does hold some amazing things.

  We arrive at the base of the tower and its enormous beauty. The structure is like a huge piece of art work. Angels and gargoyles are intricately designed up the tower, acting as guardians. The clock bell starts to sound, ringing loud for everyone to hear as its bright light shines through the night.

  Once the last strike of the bell sounds, I contemplate on going up for a quick view. But I can’t leave Coy behind. He might get attacked or feel left out. I go to discard the thought when Coy says something that gives me permission to take him with me.

  “Wow. This is amazing. I wish we could see the view from up top.”

  I shrug my shoulders. “Okay.” Before he even knows what I’m doing, I have a tight hold on him. I encircle my arm around his chest, clutching him tightly. I give a quick warning, “Hang on tight,” then launch us off the ground.

  He tries to protest but it dies as we land on the roof of the adjoining Westminster Palace. Without pause I keep jumping. I grab hold of outcroppings along the tower to keep my momentum. In a matter of seconds I’m up the tower and sitting Coy on the ledge just above the clock.

  I couldn’t see his face while we were scaling the tower, but looking at him now I have a pretty good idea of what he thinks. He’s pale with fear, his knuckles white from the death grip he has on the railing.

  “What the hell was that?” he asks, taking a shaky breath.

  “What?” I reply, innocently.

  “That,” he shouts, waving his hand through the air to emphasize.

  “Oh, well, you wanted to see the view. That was the only way I could think of getting us up here.” I take a seat on a gargoyle, straddling it like I’m riding a horse, and lean back against the tower.

  “A little warning would have been nice. You scared the hell out of me, you know.” He still looks a little rattled but seems to be calming a bit.

  I laugh to myself. I had expected his response but it’s still funny.

  “Would you have said yes?” I ask.

  “Well—”

  “Exactly! I knew you wanted to come up here, but if I had asked, you probably wouldn’t have been too giddy about it. Now will you quit complaining? It’s over and done. So just enjoy the view,” I say, taking in the view myself.

  Coy cuts his eyes at me one last time, then turns to the city. His hard expression loses its punch as the same awed look he had when he first saw Big Ben returns. His brown eyes are wide with wonder, his jaw slack, as he slowly sweeps his gaze over the bright lights of the city below.

  It is beautiful. The moon is reflecting off the river’s surface, bringing more light to the night. I don’t know what it is about the moon reflecting on water, but it seems so magical. The street lights below stretch out, illuminating the city. From up here there doesn’t seem to be a care in the world. No differences, no fighting, just total blissfulness.

  An urge hits me so hard that I don’t think I will be able to hold it back. I don’t hesitate or question it, but instead follow my instincts. I stand up on top of the gargoyle and look over at Coy. “Will you be okay up here for a few minutes?”

  “I guess.” He looks at me warily. “What are you going to do?”

  Without answering him, I jump. I hear him call my name as I fall, his voice fading as the wind rushes past me. I spread my arms out to the side, enjoying the feel of the fall as the wind rushes past.

  Before hitti
ng the ground, I shift. I unravel myself smoothly as my clothes fall onto the roof of the Buckingham Palace. Most shifters strip down naked before shifting so they don’t ruin their clothes. I don’t have to. My speed and agility allow me to move faster than most so I’m able to undress myself in mid-shift. It’s not a soul-surviving maneuver, but I find it handy.

  My familiar is the eagle, the most magnificent bird in the sky. The first time I ever shifted into the eagle, I swore I would never shift back into my regular body. There’s nothing like flying. I feel free as the wind shifts beneath my wings, ruffling my feathers.

  I play around for a minute, tucking my wings so I spiral down toward the city, before opening them back up to level out. I circle over London, loving the view from up here even more. The moon makes everything in the sky so clear. I don’t think about anything, I just look and feel as the wind takes my worries and fears away.

  I circle around the tower, seeing Coy watching me with wonder. I laugh at his goofy expression. He’s as awestruck as a child looking at Mickey Mouse in Disney World. His expression really turns to awe as I do a power dive down the tower, and just before I collide with the Palace below, bolt back up.

  After flying for a while and feeling better, I swoop back down to the roof of the palace and grab my clothes. But now I don’t know what to do. Usually I would just find a spot to land, shift back, and put my clothes back on. Now I have Coy watching.

  I circle around the tower and hover in front of him. I extend the clothes and caw at him, hoping he gets the hint. His eyebrows furrow in confusion, not really getting that I need him to turn around. I repeat my actions, cawing at him again. Realization finally dawns on him. He turns his back to me, allowing me some privacy.

  Satisfied, I land, shifting back into my human form, completely nude. I rush to put my clothes back on, which isn’t all that easy while balancing myself on top of a small statue. But I make do.

  Once I’m dressed, I sit back down.

  “All clear.”

  Coy turns back around with fascination, speechless. Minutes go by while he just sits there staring. I fix my gaze on London, but soon I’m stirring from his uncomfortable stare.