One of them, YA Urban fantasy A.D. Duling (Author of The Anna Kippling Series)

by A. D. Duling

  Pete smiled and held a hand out to him. “Just had to make sure my girl wasn’t in any trouble.” He told him as Nathan took his and shook it. “As you already may know, I am Pete.” He introduced himself.

  “You’re a couple?” Nathan asked him.

  Pete chuckled. “Unfortunately no; just friends...” He told him, giving Evie a wink. “I admit, I’d like it to be more, but Evie declares it would never work out.” He playfully dramatized a sob, making them laugh.

  Evie looked at Nathan. “I told him he’s a looker, but just not my type, so we agreed to be friends.” She played along.

  “So you’re new here?” Pete asked him.

  He nodded. “I just enrolled this morning.”

  “Why?” Evie asked him.

  He looked back at her, “I need to keep an eye on you.” He answered.

  “Why do you need to keep an eye on Evie?” Cassie asked him.

  “You’re not like this over protective boyfriend, now are you?” Pete threw in.

  Nathan grinned and shook his head.

  “He’s not my boyfriend.” Evie corrected him.

  Nathan looked at her and frowned. “I’m not?” he teased.

  “Well, perhaps you two can discuss this at the dance.” Cass suggested and received a nasty stare from Evie; her friend devilishly grinned back at her.

  “The dance..?” Nathan looked at her.

  Cass’s face lit up. “It’s the winter homecoming dance and Evie doesn’t have a date!” she declared a little too loud.

  “Thanks Cass…” Evie sarcastically thanked her and Cass mouthed an apology back.

  “When is this dance?” He asked her.

  “It’s next Saturday!” Cass perked up again and answered for her.

  He smiled and looked back at Evie. “Well, your friend here thinks we should go together….what do you think?”

  “She agrees!” Cass answered for her again.

  Evie looked at her. “Can I answer!” she complained to the girl and Cass grinned.

  “You don’t want to go with me?” Nathan asked her, playing disappointment.

  She smiled. “No, I’ll go with you… but just as friends.” She gave her stipulation.

  He smiled. “I can handle that.” He agreed.

  “Great! Now I need to find a date…” Pete broke in.

  “I thought you didn’t do dances?” Cass reminded him.

  He smiled. “What? And miss this?!” He remarked and gestured to the couple across from him. Evie rolled her eyes and he grinned. “Now Nathan…why is it you have to keep a close eye on our Evie here?” Pete asked him, redirecting their conversation. Three pairs of eyes focused on Nathan as his went to Evie.

  “There was a guy talking to Evie, his name is Jonas and he’s trouble.” He told them staring at her. “It seems he has his eyes set on her and wants a date.” He looked back at them.

  “What’s so bad about a date?” Cass asked him.

  “Didn’t you hear him say the guy was trouble?” Pete interjected.

  Cass shrugged at him. “So do I know this Jonas guy?” She asked her.

  Evie shook her head just as the end of lunch warning bell rang.

  “I’ll have to tell you about that later.” She told her friend.

  “Can you meet me after school first?” Nathan asked her as he stood up. She nodded and picked up her sloppy Joe. He gave a wink to Cass and saluted Pete before walking off. She sheepishly grinned and Pete returned the gesture and watched him leave. As soon as he was far enough out of ear range, her two friends leaned over and started in on their interrogations. While quickly shoveling her food down, Evie told them a fake story on how they met. She later had to promise to Cass in the hall, to report any new information as soon as possible as their “relationship” went along. Evie argued about there being no relationship, but still swore.

  Chapter Three-

  An evening with the vampire…

  “So why is it that you need to keep a close eye on me?” she asked him as soon as he walked up to her in the parking lot.

  “As you’ve already figured, Jonas is trouble and he has a pack with him. They showed up here a few months ago and are the culprits behind the attacks. They are the few that like attacking humans and they bring nothing but attention and trouble with it. We’ve been watching them since the first one and trying to figure out the best way to deal with them.” He told her.

  “Why is it that you’ve only been watching them?” She asked him. “You’ve known what they’ve been doing all this time and yet did nothing to stop them!” she yelled at him.

  Nathan looked around and gently grabbed her by the arm and guided her off over to a more secluded area. “Please try to keep you voice down.” He growled at her.

  “Well sorry…” she retorted and yanked her arm out of his hand. “But how could you!” she hissed under her breath.

  He stared hard at her with his coal black eyes, but Evie stared him right back even harder, her arms crossed, waiting for an explanation. He sighed and finally answered. “Evie, we had no choice. You cannot just go right up to a werewolf and pick a fight and expect to win.” He told her.

  She shook her head. “Not good enough. I saw what you did to him the other night. And besides there are more of you…” she disagreed.

  He nodded his head. “There is, but remember Evie, there are more of them than us and we only have so much strength and speed.” He explained to her. “They are stronger in their wolf form; we have a good chance against them, but an even better one when they are in their human state.”

  “So why haven’t you gotten them yet in their human form? You just said you knew who they were?” she challenged him.

  “It’s better if we get them at the same time, because if I kill one, then the others will find out and bring more. Besides….” He stressed. “We do not know who they all are yet.” He pointed out.

  “Well, while you take your time figuring that out and waiting for you moment, people are getting murdered!” she slammed at him.

  “Please keep your voice down Evie…” he reminded her.

  She rolled her eyes at him and stared back; Nathan crossed his arms and started at her; absorbing. “Perhaps you shouldn’t be so quick to throw out accusations about things you hardly know anything about.” He finally said to her.

  “Maybe I don’t know everything Nathan; but it’s still is my responsibility to do the right thing. People are dying and I know of at least one who is responsible. To sit by and do nothing is morally neglectful and a big injustice to my fellow humankind.” She lectured him.

  He whistled. “Wow… that was quite an impressive speech.”

  “So it’s true then.” She responded to his sarcasm.

  “What is?” he asked her.

  “You are a cold heartless breed.” She insulted him and walked away.

  Nathan sighed and caught up to her in a blink, his hand already on her arm before she had reached the next car. “Hold up…” he said and stepped in front of her. “Ok…that was very rude of me, but did you listen to yourself back there?” he told her.

  “I don’t think I said anything wrong Nathan.” She defended herself, stubbornly staring back at him.

  “I know what they are doing is wrong Evie. Your fellow humankind is mine too. I’m aware of what waiting means, but you have to admit, you really know little about this and even though you may not approve of our decision, you’re going to have to trust it.” He reasoned with her.

  Evie stared at him; he could see the gears turning in her head. Her stubborn head… He thought.

  Her head finally nodded and forgiveness came into her eyes. “Ok… I probably did go off the deep end a little; but Nathan, I do not do well with guilt.” She told him.

  He nodded, understanding. “Evie, my heart may not beat, but I am not heartless.” He told her.

  Evie looked down at his chest and wondered. She reached up and placed her hand on his chest, over his heart. “It really doesn’t beat,
does it?” she asked him as she felt no beat underneath. She removed her hand feeling sad for him.

  “Don’t pity me Evie, I don’t deserve that.” He spoke somberly.

  She looked up at him and shook her head. “It must be hard being you.” She spoke to him still feeling empathy.

  “Well there are some advantages…” he grinned, turning the mood.

  She smiled. “Yeah, super strength, super speed and flawless skin!” she played along.

  He laughed. “I can also bend time…” He revealed.

  “You can bend time?” she asked him, eyebrows rose. “Explain.” She demanded.

  He laughed. “When I say bend time, what I mean is I can pause it and reshape it. Sort of like a game of chess for example. I can use a few minutes of paused motion and manipulate the pawns around to my advantage.” He explained to her.

  “Wow, have you done it before?” She asked him.

  He shook his head. “Not often, it takes a lot of effort and energy to do it. I cannot just snap my fingers and poof it suddenly happens. I have to imagine the pause, which means I have to pause myself and focus on imagining that. It leaves me disadvantaged and very vulnerable; it also drains a lot of energy from me, a lot. So I only do it when absolutely necessary.” He explained on.

  “Is this why your last name is Bender?” she asked him, putting two and two together.

  He laughed again. “You like jumping around in your conversations, don’t you?” he asked her.

  She smiled. “It’s not a choice; it’s more of a personality defect.” She poked fun of herself.

  He grinned. “I don’t see it as a defect, I find it very entertaining.” He teased.

  “Well gee thanks… I’m glad to entertain, but you still didn’t answer the question.” She reminded him.

  He smiled. “Yes, that is why are last name is Bender.” He complied and she grinned, satisfied.

  “Evie!” a voice called her name. “Come on!” Cass hollered, waving to her.

  “I have a car…” Nathan told her.

  Evie looked to her friend and then back at him. He grinned and she smiled and gave her answer. “I’m gonna hitch a ride with Nathan!” she told her. Cass nodded, grinning and climbed into her jeep.

  “So what are your plans on stopping Jonas and his so called pack?” She asked him, jumping back to the subject.

  “We are working on that.” He assured her.

  “And what exactly are you doing to work on that?” she pushed.

  “They shift once a month, under the full moon. It’s known that during their shifting, there are a few moments of vulnerability. They are going to attack again and they always do it together, this will be our perfect and only opportunity. Shifting is a painful process for them and their attention is focused solely on the shift. Giving us a brief space of time to attack, also giving us enough time to bend if necessary.” He explained.

  “And it took you three attacks to figure this out?” she criticized him.

  He gave her an irritated look. “If I recall, three attacks later and you still had not even figured out what was behind them. So if we are going to start with the insults again, let’s stop here.” He chided her.

  The jab offended her, but she knew he was right and nodded her agreement. “I’m sorry Nathan...” She apologized.

  “Well….how about I give you that ride home.” He changed the subject.

  She smiled and nodded. Nathan’s car turned out to be a classic nineteen sixty- four Mustang and fire engine red.

  Evie laughed as they walked up to it. “Impressive ride…”she poked fun at him.

  He laughed. “I like the classics…” he told her and opened the passenger door for her. She gave him an impressed look and got in. He shut the door for her and went around to his side and climbed in. He looked over at her as he started the car and pressed on the gas pedal, revving it a little.

  Evie laughed as she buckled up. “Oh so cool…” she commented at his play, making him grin more. He shifted gears and drove off out of the parking lot.

  “You didn’t buckle up.” she reminded him.

  He glanced over to her and laughed. “I don’t think buckling up is necessary for me anymore.” He told her.

  “I know, but you can still get pulled over.” She pointed out.

  He smiled and buckled up to appease her. “Very entertaining…” He whispered under his breath.

  “What was that?” She asked him; having heard the comment.

  “Oh…I said where too?” he covered.

  She eyed him, knowing otherwise, but grinned and played the fool.

  “Would you mind taking me to your house and checking on my wound?” She asked him. “Seeing that I cannot reach it…” She added. He nodded and drove on in that direction.

  “Ouch!” she complained as he peeled the gauze off of her skin around the wound a little while later in the kitchen.

  “I’m sorry, but it’s sticking to the wound a little and if I pull faster, it’ll take the scabbing off with it.” He told her.

  “I know, but please try to hurry… it hurts!” she spoke between clenched teeth.

  “There… is off!” he announced pulling the last of it off. The wound was healing nicely, so he applied some more Neosporin to it and placed a fresh bandage back on.

  Evie stood up and pulled down her shirt. “Where’s your family?” she asked him.

  “My parents are at work and my brother, I have no idea.” He answered her as he cleaned up.

  “Aren’t you guys like rich?” she asked him curious.

  He laughed at her boldness. “We are, but it’s like what they say… idle hands…” he left open.

  She nodded her understanding. “What do you and your brother do with your time? Since you both don’t seem to go to school…” She asked him.

  “I was older than school age when I was turned.” He told her. “And as for Zander with technology he’s found a way around that these days. He does business via the internet.” He revealed, smiling.

  “What do your parents do?” she asked him.

  “They own that Antique shop downtown.”

  “How long have you guys lived here in Bigfork?” she asked him next.

  “We moved back here ten years ago, we alternate between places.” He explained as he threw away her old dressings.

  She nodded, understanding why. “Have you ever had a girlfriend?” she boldly asked him as soon he looked back up at her.

  He smiled. “Is that a question or an offer?” he twisted her words.

  She shook her head. “No! No…It was just a question.” She explained herself, quickly looking down and focusing on something in the granite counter top.

  “I have….how about you?” he asked her back.

  She shook her head and looked up. “No prospects…yet…” She told him.

  “Is that another offer?” He joked.

  She grinned. “Why? Do you want it to be?” she played back.

  He grinned and her cell phone rang. Evie pulled it out, thankful for the interruption and answered it; it was her mother. “Hi mom, what’s up?” she asked her and turned away from him.

  “Where are you at?” Her mother’s voice asked.

  “I’m at a friend’s.” She told her, not entirely lying.

  “Pick up some groceries on the way home if you don’t mind, I’m lost in my creation!” she squealed on the other end. Evie smiled at the excitement in her mother’s voice not able to tell if she was drunk, but glad she was happy. It had been a long time. She was also happy to hear her painting again, even as dark as she had observed the other night.

  “No problem.” She told her.

  “Great sweetie thanks….” Her mother cooed and went to go “Wait…what friend?” Her mother quickly asked, keeping her on the phone. Evie grimaced; leave it up to her drunk or not mother, to still be aware enough to pay attention to her social life. “It’s a new student from school…”She revealed little.

  “Does this
friend have a name?” Her mother probed from the other side.

  “His name is Nathan, mom.” She snapped.

  “Oh….ok dear…just remember your morals.” Evie could hear the teasing tone in her mother’s voice.

  “Mom…Really...?! Look, I’ve gotta go.” She cut her short as her mother chuckled on the other end. She mumbled a quick “I love you, bye.” and hung up. She turned back to Nathan. “Feel like chauffeuring me to the IGA?” she asked him.

  He smiled. “Sure, I haven’t shopped for food in a long time.”

  Chapter four

  An unexpected visit…

  Evie opened the front door and juggled the bags of groceries inside. Nathan had offered to help, but she insisted of doing it on her own. Besides, three bags were not too unbearable; so she had thought. She was also not sure of what condition her mother would be in and wanted to save them all the embarrassment. Her mother deserved that courtesy most of all. Being a reputable artist in this small town had taken her mother time to build, she knew Nathan would never do anything to damage that, but the humility would tear her mother up. And as much as this drunken behavior was self-destructive and her own fault, her mother still deserved better in her daughter’s eyes.

  She slammed the door shut with her foot and quickly raced to the kitchen before dropping them and plopped the bags down onto the counter.

  “Mom, I’m home!” she called out to her mother.

  Silence only responded and Evie threw the milk and eggs inside the fridge first before she went looking for her. The studio door was open again and so were all the lights. When she walked in, she found her mother asleep in the rocker in the corner and walked over to her. She picked the quilt up off the floor, next to it and covered her mother with it. She noticed the empty liquor bottle lying on the other side of her and sighed as she picked it up; her mother had been drunk. She turned away and started gathering up the dishes her mother had left lying around throughout the day and noticed the canvas resting on her mother’s easel, it was now covered.

  She assumed her mother had wanted it to be a surprise or kept secret and decided it best left alone. For a moment she was tempted to look under the cloth, but knew better. Her mother was bound to ask if she had looked when she woke up, seeing the room had been picked up. Evie was a horrible liar and would confess. She didn’t know how her mother would react and too afraid to chance on her mother stopping again.