I wasn’t sure it was embarrassment that had me fleeing the scene or if it was fear of my loss of control again. But there you have it as I tore down the hall and up the stairs to my new room. Safely inside, I shut the door. I pull off both shirts then took my bra off to start putting it on again the regular way. When my door opened halfway in the process, I cursed the fact that I didn’t lock it. I covered myself with my arms and Luke turned around. I finished and pulled back on my shirt and handed him his.
“We should go out?” he said. He wasn’t angry. He sounded just as frustrated as I was.
I nodded which I seemed to be doing a lot of lately. “Yes, we should.”
Avoiding touching each other, we headed back down the stairs. Flynn gave me the evil eye. Luke showed he still trusted me and tugged at my hand. I hesitated in front of Flynn. I didn’t say anything except with my eyes. It was an esoteric look. I hoped he’d recognized the fear in them.
Chapter Thirty Three
carouse (v.) to party, celebrate
Wearing the balm was more than just important to me. I wore it even when I went to sleep. I wore it so much I was nearing the end of it and would need to ask David for another. I wasn’t certain he had more, but somehow I didn’t think he would have given me his only one.
Despite the fact the serial killer hadn’t been found, things were returning back to normal. Brent had come back to school the following week and the whole gang was together. Flynn however was still without a girlfriend. I continued to worry about him. On the way to school the following Friday, I finally had the nerve to ask him about it.
Causally, I brought up the subject, “Flynn,” I said a little loudly over the bellow of the guitar melody that was no less than hard core. He turned down the sound system which my ears were eternally grateful for and I asked the question. “How are you surviving?” I asked.
He turned to me searching my face then turned back to the road. “What do you mean?” he asked truly not understanding my question.
“The incubus needs,” I said not expounding. I didn’t think he needed further clarification.
“Oh,” he said then paused. “Why are you donating, again?”
Rolling my eyes, I said, “I worry about you.” It was true. I wasn’t sure I wanted him to know but I’d already said it.
“You still didn’t answer my question?” he said.
Puzzled, I shot back. “What question?”
“Are you donating?” he said again not looking at me but kept focused on the road.
“Don’t play games Flynn,” I said.
“I wasn’t,” he said seriously.
I thought for a moment. “Things didn’t go well the last time,” I said. But honestly if Flynn was really in need, would I? Then I added, “If you need it and have no other options,” I said sure of my answer.
“I’m fine Mercy, but I’ll keep that under advisement now that you are getting regular installments from Luke,” he said.
“I am not,” I said.
He laughed. “You sure could have fooled me,” he said. “I didn’t know you took the next step in your relationship.”
I blushed not really wanting to talk about that but somehow I needed to explain. “We didn’t. I lost control.”
He seemed thoughtful for a second. I couldn’t read his expression. “You know how dangerous that is if you don’t know how to control your power,” he said.
I’d never thought of it as power but more of a curse. “Like I said, I lost control. And honestly I really think I need your help Flynn,” I said. I hadn’t expected the conversation to take this direction but now that it had I would press forward.
“You really need to talk to your mother,” he said.
I didn’t have to think about that answer. “I already did. She said that she needed more time, but eventually she would tell me what I need to know.” I didn’t tell him about the haunted look in her eyes or how I just understood I needed to wait on her timing.
“So you should wait,” he said.
Pulling into the school parking lot, I saw Luke near his car talking to Jay. Kathy was noticeable absent. I don’t think I ever saw her away from Jay outside of class.
“Flynn that wasn’t the first time I lost control and you know it,” I said and told him about the few times he wasn’t privy to.
He seemed grim and pulled into an open slot a couple cars away from Luke. There had been an open spot next to Luke but I guess he wanted to give us a few more minutes to discuss the topic.
“Did you hear the voice that the first time you lost control?” he asked.
I hadn’t expected him to focus on that part of the story, so I hesitated to change my thoughts. I gave him a quick rundown of my dreams about Luke’s house. I also told him the full story about what happened on my impromptu date with Brad. In a way I felt bad I hadn’t told Luke everything about that. But someone needed to know. Until Flynn had really questioned me now about it I hadn’t really given it a second thought.
Luke started walking to the car. Flynn’s expression changed. “We’ll talk about it tonight. I have to stay after school. So see if Luke or Maggie can give you a ride home,” he said then added, “Don’t be alone with Luke.”
I didn’t think he meant that I should be afraid of Luke but more that we were dangerous together. I couldn’t disagree. When I’d seen him again this past Saturday and Sunday but we’d hung out with Flynn and other seniors bowling on Saturday. We went over Jay’s house Sunday. Neither of us had discussed it, but we both understood the need for us not to be alone together.
I got out the Flynn’s car and Luke was there to take me in his warm hug. His face was a bit red from the cold and his hand was freezing as well but with him none of it seemed to matter. We walked in the school hand in hand.
The school day trotted by and thankfully nothing special happened. At lunch Maggie and I made plans for the pre-evening events. Tonight was Brent’s welcome back party. At Flynn’s request, I ended up riding home with Maggie because she wanted us to get ready together. We were chatting away but my head hadn’t really been focused on the conversation.
“Brent is doing so well,” she said. I recognized that I hadn’t been paying attention to what she’d been saying. So I tried not to give her any clue that suggested I hadn’t.
Maggie knew me all too well. “You weren’t listening to me,” she said.
“I am, Brent’s doing maybe even great,” I said regurgitating her meaning in different words.
“Fine,” she said. “On another note, Amber is really happy.” I’d noticed that too. Paul hadn’t been avoiding me but our conversations were minimal at best when they happened at all. It was fine I tried to tell myself. I was sure time would heal the wounds. He’d put on his best face for Amber, but I could tell he was troubled. I couldn’t afford to think about it. I was working my own desperate need to enjoy happiness.
“Yeah, she looks super,” I said, maybe a bit too enthusiastically. I didn’t want to continue down this line of conversation.
“Well, I guess everything worked out for the best,” she said. Something in her tone made me wonder if she wasn’t telling something. But when she switched topics, I let it go.
I wasn’t one for wearing skirts a lot. Not that they bothered me but frankly they just weren’t as comfortable as jeans. On top of that my toothpick legs and top heavy chest that just weren’t quite proportional together. I didn’t have the hips for skirts. Somehow today I got talked into a mini skirt of Maggie’s that didn’t really fit me right in my opinion. It didn’t fit the way it fit Maggie. She was only a bit shorter than me but she had the added curves. Hers weren’t the heavy curves of the Luca’s sisters but gentler and a bit more graceful. That is why we could share clothes.
In a compromise, I wore short legging underneath. I wasn’t quite bold for the naked leg look. Thankfully, it was part of the latest style trend so Maggie was fine with it. To top it off, the weather channel was predicting that it was going into
the thirties tonight not that I would be outside that long.
By the time we showed for the party, it was in full swing. This was a senior’s party where only a select number of under classmen would attend. Thus we were able to find a spot on the street not too far from the house.
“We are ready to carouse all night,” I said moving my hips to make Maggie laugh.
“What is carouse?” she said.
“It means to party, my friend,” I said and mocked her laughter.
“You are seriously demented with your SAT words,” she said.
I countered her with, “The better to beat you at scrabble my dear,” I said mimicking the big bad wolf from fable of three little pigs.
“I don’t play scrabble, but I will bet you will get a higher SAT score then I will,” she added and we laughed our way inside the house.
Maggie had done my hair. With her skilled hands with a flat iron, my hair was slick and smooth. But it wasn’t my hair do that had people in awe. Peopled stopped Maggie all along the way for our search of our boyfriends. Maggie’s normally spirally curly hair was also tamed smoothed straight. Her look was more drastic change than mine thus the compliments and constant fuss over her all the way to the back of the house.
I thought I spotted the top of Flynn’s head. There was no mistaking the messy Mohawk he had that total worked for him, as much as I didn’t like to admit it. He stood against the back wall of the room. I continued to pull Maggie in that direction.
I found the elite all sitting around on one of the sofas that was pushed against the wall Flynn leaned against. It appeared it had been moved to create the dance floor in the middle of the room just like it had been done at all the parties I’d been to lately. Maggie dashed to Brent.
She nearly knocked him off his perch. He’d been sitting on the edge of the sofa. They careened back and he made a small sound of surprise and pain when she landed on his hurt shoulder. She hadn’t needed to apologize because he kissed her ever so affectionately in front of the group. Of course the members of the elite to which I was an honorary member due to my boyfriend included the usual suspects of Jay, Kathy, Brent, Flynn, Luke, Amanda and well Nina too.
Meeting Luke’s eyes, his grin widened and he reached for my hand. Pulling me too him he spun me so I landed on his lap with my back pressed to the curve of his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and perched his chin on my shoulder. I bit my lip as everyone seemed to look at us in favor of not watching Brent and Maggie make out.
The boy who was hosting the party was standing talking to Flynn. Even though he’d probably been there the whole time, I just noticed him. He was kind of popular but not really at the same time if that makes any sense. I didn’t know him very well but he seemed nice enough if rumors were true. The absolute clue on his status was when he left, the conversation resumed.
“Mercy in a skirt,” Flynn said. “I never thought I’d see the day.” I rolled my eyes and didn’t dignify what he said with a comment. Amanda and Nina stalked off not so soon after Flynn made a comment I wish he’d kept to himself.
Luke on the other hand whispered in my ear. “You look great. That’s what he meant to say, but you know Flynn.”
Someone handed Flynn a couple of bottles of beer. Next thing I knew Luke had one. I turned one down when they were handed around. Alcohol was always ever present at these events and I wondered who the supplier was.
The DJ, and yes, there was an actual one at this party. He may have been a student at school, but he had all the equipment it looked so professional. I guess our host was going all out to make his mark this year. When the next song came on, people came to life and lifted bottles and cups of liquid in the air. Everyone moved to the beat of the latest popular dance song.
I happened to like the song myself. It was in my latest playlist. Luke and his friends were far too cool tonight to actual do anything more than hold their beers up in the air. I on the other hand stood and pulled Luke to the dance floor. Kathy and Maggie followed my lead pulling Brent and Jay with them. I don’t know what happened to Flynn because he didn’t follow us. Inspired by everyone moving with the music the DJ played several of the top dance songs in a row.
Spinning a slow song which was actually a hip hop song with a slower beat, the DJ tempted fate but most everyone made the leap from hoping around in a drunken haze to a methodical sway that would put the classic movie Dirty Dancing to shame. I should have left the dance floor, but like everyone else I was caught up in my dance partner. Also, I happen to like dancing a lot. With several years of ballet, jazz, and tap under my belt, I could move with the best to any beat.
Luke tossed back the rest of his beer before wrapping his arms around me bottle teetering in between his fingers. I moved in closer to him and he gripped my hips. I was parched from the heat of the surround swaying bodies not to mention the heat growing between Luke and I had reached a fever point. He leaned down and kissed my neck. Automatically, I leaned my head back giving him more access. When his lips met my ear, he whispered in my ear. “Let’s go.”
He pulled me past Maggie and Brent who looked like one body. Jay and Kathy had no shame either. It was almost like the music had some control over the mood of the crowd.
On the way out of the room, we walked past the DJ booth. Curious as to whom had the group all enthralled, I took more than a passing glance at the guy. His face was down searching his computer while I assumed he programmed in more music. We were almost totally past him when he finally looked up.
“Sebastian,” I said but the music swallowed up my voice.
He smiled but turned his attention back to the computer screen. Luke grip on my hand tighten as he tugged me further. He was oblivious to my observation. I wasn’t sure where we were going, but I let him lead me. I kept turning back to see if it really had been who I through it was with an earphone pressed to his ear like a real DJ. We zoomed past Flynn who was pressed to the wall by a girl with a long blond braid. Turning the corner, I got of profile view of the girl whose mouth plastered to his was on an expedition to find his tonsils. I blinked several times trying to discover what alternate universe I stepped in. The girl in question looked vaguely like Bernadette, the psycho girl who’d tried to kill us both not too long ago. If it was her, that had to be Sebastian. What in the hell were they doing here and was Flynn really dating a demon now?
Rapidly, thing got out of hand quickly. There was a growl or a roar of some sort and bodies began to fall on the dance floor. I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever attend a party where things didn’t get out of hand.
Luke’s hand dropped from mine. He moved hastily back to the dance floor. From the corner of my eye, Flynn moved in that direction as well. In slow motion, I turned to look back and see Brent gripping some guy’s neck in what looked like a death grip. The boy looked like he was turning blue. In contrast, Brent’s face was boiling red with Maggie desperately saying something with tears in her eyes. I couldn’t hear because the music hadn’t stopped yet. People were moving away, while Jay tried to pull Brent off the poor boy. I watched in horror as his chest slow to a point it looked as though he was no longer breathing. Desperately, I thought of how I could possible help this situation.
Luke and Flynn finally reached Brent in what could have only been seconds, but felt like long minutes. They were able to get Brent’s hand from the boy’s throat. The lifeless body dropped to the floor with the sound of someone screaming. No longer able to just watch, I began to run to help Maggie who was now leaning down to the unmoving figure on the ground. It didn’t matter that I shouldn’t try to attempt CPR being a succubus, I could stand there and do nothing. Before I could reach the boy, Sebastian was in front of me.
Out of nowhere Tom came crashing in the room and one handedly grabbed Brent from the clutches of Flynn, Jay, and Luke and pulled him towards an outside door. The things you notice in a crisis. Man for a slight boy, Tom had amazing strength. Flynn and Luke knelt with Maggie to help the boy.
“I n
eed to help,” I said. But Sebastian had other plans. We crossed out of my reality and into his. The faint pop and suction was so quick, I barely was aware of it. I looked around not sure where I was. Sebastian was no longer holding me which was the only way he could transport me that I knew of. “Where are we?” I yelled at him.
“In the backyard,” he said.
“Why’d you do that?” I asked angrily. However, I was happy he hadn’t taken me far.
“I needed to talk to you,” he answered.
“So tell me whatever it is. I need to go back and find out if I can help.”
“The boy is fine,” he said to me to alleviate my fears.
“How’d you know that?” I asked.
He looked at me like I was stupid or something. “My goodness, Kayla you have so much to learn.”
“Don’t I know,” I said speaking my thoughts out loud.
But when I noticed Tom and Brent on the side of the house less than forty yards from us, my mind changed directions. Brent was by far the bigger guy but Tom seemed to be in control. Brent was cowering under Tom words. I couldn’t hear, but Tom was most certainly upset. His mouth moved rapidly with his arms moved in tandem with wild gestures.
“Kayla,” Sebastian said.
“Huh,” I said turning my attention back to him. I heard the door to the house open again and looked up in time to see Flynn and Luke exit the house. At first they were headed towards Brent until Luke saw me.
His eyes narrowed and he moved in haste in our direction. Flynn tried to stop him by putting a hand on his shoulder, but Luke shrugged him off. There was anger in his face and determination in his steps.
“Kayla, listen to me you are in danger,” Sebastian said looking at me then Luke who was halfway to us. Sebastian’s eyes changed. His eyes filled in completely black. Then, he popped out of my vision just as a bright light seem to erupt from nowhere. I turned my head to look straight into the light. But I thought vaguely I’d closed my eyes, because I was consumed by darkness.
Beg for Mercy - kindle edition v3 Page 31
