by J. N. Colon
She blinked, her eyes widening with fear.
Good.
“Okay girls.” Aspen’s amused voice cut through the tension. “Let’s not star in Girl Fight: Part Two.” She picked up Mac’s discarded sweater and tossed it on her bed. “Chill out Paisley.”
“What?” She sneered at us both as she straightened her black sweater.
“Brant probably borrowed it and left it here.” Aspen rolled her eyes, annoyed. “They are roommates. Duh.”
Paisley huffed and stormed out, mumbling under her breath.
My fingers attempted to brush my unruly hair from my face, wondering why I couldn’t have thought of something so simple.
Wait. What?
I glanced at Aspen who was watching me with a knowing smile twitching her lips.
My heart jumped in my throat and pulse hammered out a ragged beat through my ears. Did she know? Or more importantly why would she lie to her best friend for me?
Unease twisted my stomach and not just from Aspen’s possible insight. It was the sudden, hot anger that burned through me moments ago. I had seriously wanted to hurt Paisley in a very bad way. I wasn’t a violent person and I never had much of a temper in the past. So where had that come from?
History class began and I resisted the urge to shriek in terror when I saw Brant. Those hungry hazel eyes and that crocodile smile zeroed in on me the second I walked into class.
I also resisted the urge to peek at Mac across the room. I knew the exact moment he crossed the threshold because that same electric shiver exploded across my spine. The incident in the hall with Jackson last night still lingered with me, pulling me in different directions. Jackson was the sweet guy who adored me and Mac was the guy who was totally under my skin, making me itch like crazy.
And seeing Paisley in his arms last night was still ripping my heart to pieces.
A sigh flitted out of my mouth as I continued doodling in my notebook. I never thought history could be more boring than at my old school until I heard the first of Professor Forsyth’s lectures. His dull voice just droned on… and on… and on…blah…blah…blah…
“Rubiks!”
My head snapped up to see him staring at me with an angry gleam in his dark, beady eyes.
“Are you paying attention at all?”
“Yes,” I lied.
His lips twitched. “Well, then go ahead and answer the question.”
Crap. “Can you repeat it?”
“Of course I can repeat it, but will I repeat it?” His English accent was exceptionally nasally today.
I stanched the urge to roll my eyes. “Please will you repeat it?”
His face was smug as he buffed his nails on his boring gray sweater vest. “What were the catalysts behind World War I?”
I bit my lip, thinking hard. Was he serious? No one knew anything about World War I. I didn’t even know who it was between much less why.
“Rubiks Moon-Gem, I will not waste the entire hour while you think.”
He just had to throw in Moon-Gem, baiting several snickers from the students.
Everyone’s eyes lingered on me and my cheeks burned a deeper shade of red as the seconds ticked by. I leafed through my history book, but I wasn’t even in the right section. I was all the way back in the Roman Empire…
“Rubiks Moon-Gem, if you don’t give me an answer you’ll be in here afterschool studying the rest of the week.”
More time with this jerk? No thanks.
“Rubiks Moon-Gem, we’re all waiting.”
I gritted my teeth as my embarrassment slow burned into anger, making my blood boil.
Suddenly Professor Forsyth slammed my book closed, startling me. “Times up Rubiks Moon-Gem.” He was having a difficult time hiding his smile.
I clutched the sides of my desk hard so I wouldn’t lunge at him and rip that stupid mustache off his face.
“Now Rubiks Moon-Gem…”
The rest of what he was saying was drowned out by the blood rushing in my head, pounding in my ears.
“Rubiks Moon-Gem, are you even…?”
“Rubi,” I hissed.
Professor Forsyth blinked. “Excuse me?”
“It’s Rubi. My name is Rubi.”
The smug smile returned. “Like I said, in this class Rubiks Moon-Gem we…”
He didn’t finish his sentence.
“It’s Rubi!” Now I was yelling and I felt the class’s shock. “Rubi, Rubi, Rubi, Rubi!” I slammed my fist against the desk on the last Rubi. I couldn’t take it anymore. Everything was pressing in on me—this creepy place, the feeling that someone was watching me, following me, the deaths, and the vampires. It was all starting to seriously freak me out. And that hot anger had returned.
Professor Forsyth’s face was tomato red and jaw clenched hard. “Well Rubi, you need to report to Headmaster Norrington immediately.”
Ha! He called me Rubi.
I stalked out the room, unintentionally catching Mac’s eye. Worry shadowed his face and I felt his penetrating gaze follow me into the hall.
“Well Rubi, Professor Forsyth has already informed me of the situation.”
I grimaced, knowing he twisted the story to his benefit, making me look like an out of control teenager. And he probably left out his belittling tone.
Headmaster Norrington’s office was exactly what I imagined for the principal of a snooty private school, of course fitting in with the dark, dark, darkness of Highland. Classic, sophisticated art hung on the walls, old leather bound books garnished the dark cherry wood shelves, an antique globe stood in the corner, impressive plaques of degrees and accomplishments adorned the wall behind his desk, and an antique gramophone sat in a nook. The desk was a huge chunk of dark mahogany with plush leather chairs on either side and a nice view of the grounds on the left. I thought Highland’s campus was creepy and terrifying so that view wasn’t so charming to me.
My brow rose when I spied a stack of car magazines—the American muscle kind—and an array of racing video games. A Sports Illustrated also lay haphazardly on the fireplace mantle and there wasn’t a golfer on the cover. No. It was a beautiful blonde in an itty bitty bikini.
He confiscated that stuff from students, right? Why else would the headmaster of Highland Academy have it?
Headmaster Norrington—dressed in another tweed suit—pulled out a pipe and put a lit match to it.
Okay. That was a new one. Punishment by second hand smoke.
He lounged back in his plush chair and blew out a long puff of smoke until his mouth curved into a warm smile. “Don’t worry Rubi. You’re not in any kind of trouble.” He absentmindedly ruffled his salt and pepper hair.
Lines of confusion creased my forehead from the unexpected turn of events. I had been sure I was about to receive some major punish or a lecture in the very least. Headmasters were supposed to be old and crotchety like Professor Forsyth and have the urge to carry a wooden paddle to slap naughty students. Headmaster Norrington didn’t provoke that kind of image at all.
My suspicious gaze surveyed him while he took another puff of his pipe, blowing sinewy trails of smoke out his mouth. He looked young—like barely even thirty. If you ignored the tweed suit, ruffle that hair, and take in his masculine hands he wasn’t all that bad looking. His face was strong and classically handsome, reminding me of an old Hollywood actor, especially with the antique pipe. His mouth tended to curve up as if always fighting a secret smile.
No framed pictures of a wife or kids sat in his office. No wedding ring either.
He must get hit on by every mother—some fathers too.
Headmaster Norrington sat the pipe on his desk, smoothed his hair, and straightened in his chair, appearing more headmaster-like. “You’ve been through a lot these past few weeks.”
He only knew the half of it and that half was gruesome enough. How I managed to stumble onto two bodies was beyond me.
“It’s understandable you snapped a little.” He grimaced. “And I know how Horace
can be.”
I blanched, realizing the principal was taking a student’s side.
A warm smile spread over Headmaster Norrington’s face, reaching all the way up to his eyes. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off and get some rest.”
“Really?” I asked uncertain.
“Yes.” He leaned across his desk and gently patted my hand. “I’ll handle Horace.”
Heavy exhaustion swept over me when I stood. Maybe all this craziness was getting to me. “Thanks sir.” Tears embarrassingly welled up in my eyes at his unexpected kindness.
“It will get better Rubi.” His voice was gentle. “You’ll see.”
“I hope.”
***
I slept restlessly until nightfall, surprisingly skipping lunch and dinner. My eyes flickered open to the dry sound of paper rustling under the door. Aspen was gone so I shuffled toward it, my heart jolting when I opened it and saw Mac’s handwriting.
Meet me in our secret place.
My heart and extremities tingled at the words our place even with the image of him biting Paisley so fresh in my mind. I stared at the door while a war raged inside me. My first instinct was to go to him—I think it always would be—but my brain kept repeating all the ways he’s hurt me.
Ultimately my instincts won.
“Rubi are you okay,” Mac asked when I plopped down on the scarlet chaise.
I shrugged, hesitant to pour my heart out to him again.
The room was warmed by candles, their soft flickering glow keeping the shadows at bay. Mac’s spicy scent lingered in the air like he’d been hiding up here a lot lately.
He scooted closer and turned my face toward his. “I’m worried about you.”
Heat pooled underneath his fingertips into my skin. “It’s just been… a lot. You know?” Light electricity was zipping up and down my spine and I had to bite my lip to keep from shivering in pleasure.
He nodded, the concern in his liquid jade eyes visible.
Through all that worry I still remembered the shadow of guilt overtaking his gaze when I caught him biting Paisley last night. My stupid mouth opened before I could clamp it shut. “Do you have to bite her?” My cheeks flamed the moment the words had tumbled into the space between us.
Mac dropped his hand from my face, averting his eyes to his lap. “I-I really didn’t want you to see that. It’s not something… I mean… It’s not like that… I’m a vampire and I have…” He trailed off and rubbed his hands over his face in frustration, unable to find the words. “I have to drink blood.”
“But do you have to bite people to do it?” I remembered the wineglasses full of deep crimson liquid at the party, assuming those had been blood. My stomach rolled thinking I almost drank one.
When he met my eyes the guilt returned to his, giving me my answer. No, he didn’t have to bite. And man did it hurt. I wanted to melt into the couch and disappear.
“Just listen Rubi.” Mac touched my arm as if he knew I wouldn’t have a choice with his skin on mine. “It’s not that simple. Sure I could just drink blood from non-living sources, but it would be like putting a muzzle on me. It’s just my nature.”
“Like Brant’s?”
“No. Not like Brant’s.” His voice was low and anger tightened his jaw. “I wouldn’t do what he did. Not to anyone, especially you.”
Coils of heat ignited in stomach from his words despite my brain’s nagging urge to remain upset. The urge to be close to him was much stronger.
And he knew it.
Mac gently brushed my hair behind my shoulder, letting his fingers skim across Brant’s bite mark. The muscles in his jaw clenched again. “Does it hurt?”
I silently shook my head having temporarily lost the use of my mouth. His feather light touch on such a sensitive spot was making it difficult to breathe.
“You haven’t had any more problems with Brant, have you?” His name came out as a growl, puckering my skin.
“No,” I whispered. It might have been a lie. I had no idea who pushed me in the pool.
Mac dropped his hand, letting it gently rest on mine. “I wish there was something I could do to make it better.”
An ache suddenly welled up in my chest so quick I gasped. My lips quivered and tears stung my eyes.
“Rubi?” Mac’s face was frantic.
I met his gaze and he knew what I needed. He pulled me in his arms, holding me tight. “Oh, Rubi. It’s going to be all right. It will.” He stroked my hair and rubbed my back.
His whole presence engulfed me, burning away the horrible memories and feelings until nothing was left but him. The circle of his strong, thick arms felt like home. I buried my face against his broad shoulder, breathing in his warm, heady scent that was becoming so familiar to me. The only sound present was his heart beating strong and steady against my skin… and then something changed.
Mac’s heartbeat sped up followed by his breathing. When I pulled back his cheeks gained a touch of pink and his jade eyes were smoldering, tiny slivers of silver spotting the irises. His eyes had been on the verge of doing that very thing when we locked gazes across a room, but he always looked away.
Not now.
His gaze was turning every inch of my skin hot, sending tingles through deep, dark places.
I swallowed hard.
“Mac…” My own heart was racing, pulse thundering.
He slid his hand up to my face, splaying his fingers in my hair, and leaned so close I could feel his warm breath on my cheeks.
He just hovered.
A tiny whimper of pleading escaped my mouth, forcing a shiver across Mac’s body in response.
And before I could have another thought our lips met.
Chapter 23
Mmm. Kissing McCollum Davenport was like freefalling except knowing when you hit the bottom it wouldn’t hurt because it would be a white fluffy cloud somewhere next to cloud nine in heaven.
Oh yeah.
His lips were soft as silk yet firm and demanding. His whole presence consumed me, wrapping me in velvet. Nothing could pry me away. I had never experienced a kiss like this. I surrendered myself, giving him everything I could. And boy did he take it.
It felt warm, safe, and oddly familiar. It felt like home.
Mac’s lips left my mouth, trekking a line across my jaw. “Rubi.” He whispered my name as if it was a prayer.
My heart was quaking and body was a flaming inferno. He swept me up in a whirlwind of pleasure and sensations I’d never felt before. It was maddening and addicting at the same time.
Part of me thought this was a dream, but no dream could be this real. No dream could replicate Mac’s touch.
His mouth trailed kisses down my neck, sending my pulse into a crazy dance. This apparently pleased him because he continued his hike across my collarbone and toward the other side of my neck.
I was letting a vampire practically suck on my neck. Shouldn’t I be worried?
I so wasn’t.
I gathered the hem of his shirt and slipped my fingers underneath, sampling his muscled abdomen.
Mac sucked in a sharp breath, but he didn’t stop me. Instead he reached up and flattened my palm against his stomach. “Mmm… Feels good…”
His deep, hypnotic voice vibrated against my skin, making me shiver in pleasure. He began nipping gently at first my ear, then my jaw, and then my neck, which made me want him to do things I shouldn’t want. But I did.
My entire body shook with need and I couldn’t stop the moan from slipping out my mouth.
I was completely losing it.
I yanked his lips back to mine and kissed him so hard I felt his fangs.
We both gasped. Was it shock or anticipation? I doubted either of us could tell a difference.
Mac pulled back, his mouth swollen and eyes dazed. “Rubi, we can’t do this.”
Smack! I hit the bottom and it didn’t feel so fluffy.
“What do you mean?” My voice was barely audible.
He di
sentangled himself from me and leaned back on the couch, breathless. “I mean we can’t be together like this.”
“Why?” I could feel little cracks webbing across my heart.
“It’s too dangerous.”
My brows met in confusion. “But you date girls all the time. You’re with Paisley now.”
Mac shook his head. “I don’t actually like Paisley. She’s just someone…”
“To feed on,” I finished, anger weaving its way through my voice.
He didn’t deny it. Instead he met my eyes, anguish darkening his. “It wouldn’t be the same with you. It would be real.”
“And that’s a problem?”
“Yes.” He gently took my hand in his. “I’m not just a regular vampire Rubi. I have responsibilities and…”
“What the hell does that have to do with us now? We’re only sixteen.”
“If we got together I don’t know if I’d be able to resist…” He bit his lip, hesitating.
“Resist what?” I asked.
He sighed and released my hand, deflating. “It’s too dangerous for us both.”
I snapped, the wonderful hazy bliss I’d been in moments ago completely shattering. I jumped from the couch. “I am so stupid.”
“Rubi no. It’s not what you think.”
I wrapped my arms around my chest as if it could protect my vulnerable heart. “I told you things. I told you what I was afraid of and I cried in front of you.” I took a ragged breath to prevent myself from crying again. “I trusted you.”
“Rubi please.” Mac stood and moved toward me.
I backed away. “Just leave me alone from now on.” I turned heel and ran—yes ran—the hell out of that attic before he said something charming to make me fall for it all over again.
An hour later I ended up in Madison’s room, set on avoiding everyone from my dorm whether they were human or vampire. I let her paint my nails blue—exactly how I felt.
Madison suddenly stopped mid-stroke on my left big toe. “What’s wrong?”
I hadn’t said a single word in over an hour. “Nothing,” I lied.
She rolled her dark eyes. “You’re my best friend so I know when you’re upset about something.”
