Stalked (A Secret Salem Novel)

by J. N. Colon

  He and Roman glared at each other, the room unmoving and silent. Mac was only sixteen and even if Roman was a born vampire he couldn’t be any younger than thirty. Plus he was the headmaster. He had to have some kind of authority. So why was he backing down from a teenager?

  Roman finally flinched under Mac’s glare and the stare off was over.

  Unfortunately for him Mac didn’t intimidate me so easily—at least not anymore. “What are they talking about?” My eyes narrowed on him, waiting on some answers.

  He clenched his jaw, glaring at me. “Not now Rubi.”

  “If there are things I need to know then tell me.”

  He turned toward me, his face softening as he gently rubbed my arms to soothe me. “I will. Later. I’d like to deal with one thing at a time.”

  The pleading in his eyes sent a twinge of pain through my chest and I caved, my body slumping. “Fine,” I mumbled.

  “So,” Headmaster Norrington began. “Do you think there could be a connection here?”

  Mac’s brows knit. “What do you mean?”

  “Rubi unable to be compelled and now she’s turning so fast. And the murders? Could someone be targeting her because of it?”

  Icy fear spread the length of my skin, puckering every ounce of flesh. That had never crossed my mind, but now that the headmaster had brought it up it would remain front and center, putting me even more on edge.

  Not only that, but it was also a terrifyingly plausible theory.

  Chapter 29

  During the next few days I learned to tolerate the loud noises and bright lights. Unfortunately food was one thing that had lost some of its luster, the taste not as lovable as before. Mac said it was because my body craved blood—something it wasn’t going to get. I wouldn’t mind Mac’s, but one more taste and I could really be a vampire.

  I’d been avoiding Madison, claiming to be sick. Guilt knotted my chest over how I reacted to her blood and I wasn’t ready to face her yet. If she only knew how close I’d been to licking her fingers she’d probably never want to see me again.

  Another groan slipped out my mouth as I trudged toward history class through an empty campus. I had overslept and Aspen made it clear she wasn’t waiting on me this time. I could already imagine the joy spreading over Professor Forsyth’s face when I show up tardy. Again.

  While my eyes were still adjusting to the dim sunlight straining through the gray, overcast morning sky I bumped into someone.

  “Rubi?” Jackson bent down to pick up the books I dropped. “Running late too?”

  I nodded and attempted to keep the guilt from my expression. I hadn’t talked to him since that night on the stairwell when he tried to kiss me. The same night Mac and I got together.

  His brow furrowed as he scrutinized my appearance. “You okay? You look… I dunno. Different.”

  A wry smile twisted my lips, thinking he didn’t know the half of it. “I feel different.”

  “I guess dating Mac Dav could do that to you.”

  A pang resonated through my chest and my face fell. “I’m sorry Jackson. I never meant to hurt you or lead you on.”

  He waved a dismissive hand in the air. “You don’t have anything to be sorry about.” He sighed and ruffled his auburn brown hair. “I should have known better anyways.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Jackson handed over my books and motioned for us to walk. “I saw the way you two always looked at each other.”

  I fell instep beside him, the leaves dryly crunching under our feet. “Yeah but that wasn’t until later.”

  A bitter laugh echoed from him. “No. It was from the first day.” He loosened his tie as if it was suddenly constricting. “Mac couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

  My brow lifted, unconvinced.

  He held his palms up in surrender. “It’s true. I was hoping he wouldn’t go after you since you weren’t his usual shallow type, but after that night in the hall when he threatened to kick my ass I should have known.”

  I shook my head. “I didn’t think he knew I even existed until way later.”

  Jackson gently nudged my shoulder. “Oh please Rubi. Anyone with half a brain could tell.” He grinned, warming his whisky colored eyes again. “You really are clueless when it comes to guys.”

  I laughed. “That’s what Madison says.”

  He nodded. “Speaking of Madison. She must never be late for class.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I see her leave the dorm at 6am sometimes.”

  Confusion twisted my expression. “Where is she going?”

  “You know her. She’s probably going to the library. She can’t let any of those rich kids beat her in any class.”

  “I guess.” But a seed of suspicion tickled my stomach, wondering why she didn’t mention her early morning study sessions.

  Jackson veered onto a different path and I snatched his wrist without thinking, his eyes blinking confusedly at my uber fast reflexes.

  I released my grip and pretended nothing was unusual. “Where are you going? Both our classes are that way.” I pointed in the direction I was headed.

  “I’ve got an appointment with my guidance counselor.” He rolled his eyes. “Something about my classes for next semester being too easy.”

  My expression turned incredulous. “I have to walk to Professor Forsyth’s class alone?”

  His brow furrowed. “You were walking alone just a moment ago.”

  “Yeah, but your company was starting to give me a little courage. And now you’re going to rip it away and let me walk toward the lion’s den alone.”

  He jokingly patted my back, the smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks stretching as he smiled. “Lucky you. You can tell me all the gory details in math.”

  I sighed and watched him disappear through the trees and swirling fog. My gaze flicked to my watch, realizing he’d made me even later.

  Another groan slipped free as I picked up my pace, trudging through the loud, crunching leaves. I winced at the sound, halting my steps and trying to concentrate on blocking it out. That was when I realized it wasn’t my feet walking through the dead, fallen foliage. Someone else was out there.

  My heart fluttered in unease, wondering if they were following me.

  I received my answer with a loud swoosh followed by a thunk!

  I jumped and my eyes snapped open to see a wooden arrow sticking out of a tree trunk two inches from my face, quivering.

  The air stuck in my throat and my legs froze, trepidation spreading through each of my limbs at an alarming rate. A slip of paper was tied to the arrow and I reluctantly pried it off with trembling fingers.

  You’re next was scrolled in black letters across the strip.

  Panic surged through my body, spreading goose bumps across my skin. Another swoosh resonated and this time I watched an arrow soar above my head into the boughs of the tree.

  Several cracking noises echoed above and I jumped out of the way in time for a large object to crash down, raining twigs and leaves on me. I brushed the debris out of my face and my eyes landed on the thing at my feet.

  It was a body.

  Sickness instantly rose in my throat and I gagged, my body doubling over. The scent of fresh blood still lingered mixed with death, telling me it was a fresh kill. I hesitantly reached out and turned the petite girl over, her strawberry blonde hair falling out of her heart shaped face.

  Tatum’s green eyes were open, glazed over and staring lifelessly at the dim sky. But her motionless, slackened expression wasn’t the worst part. It was the silver stake protruding from her chest.

  Icy fear poured over me, choking me with invisible glacier hands. Someone killed a vampire. Someone who was maybe only a few feet away, shooting arrows and claiming I was next.

  I shot up just in time to miss the arrow aimed at my heart that was now sticking in the ground.

  Adrenaline poured through my veins, putting my muscles into action. My feet moved so fast every
thing blurred around me, taking me to the only place I felt safe—wherever Mac was.

  I burst into history class, gasping for air and heart slamming so violently against my ribcage I feared my bones might break. Every single pair of eyes landed on me including Professor Forsyth’s.

  “Rubi!” Mac stood and hurried toward me, already sensing my distress.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Professor Forsyth hissed. “Not only are you late, but you are disrupting my class…” He shut up when Mac glared at him as he passed by his desk.

  He pulled me close, his hands hot on my cold skin. “What happened?”

  I clutched his arms, my lips quivering and vision blurring. “Someone killed Tatum,” I whispered.

  His face blanched.

  “Then they tried to kill me.”

  Metal scraped against wood as all the vampires in the room stood and marched toward us.

  “What is going on?” Professor Forsyth crossed his arms against his chest, his pale, wrinkled face turning a deep shade of red.

  The vampires ignored them, their intense focus on Mac and me.

  “All of you!” He pointed a shaking finger toward the door. “Go see the headmaster. Now!”

  “We are.” Brant aimed that crocodile smile at Professor Forsyth as it took on an exceptionally menacing edge.

  They formed a protective circle around Mac and me as we walked down the hall, their eyes alert and vigilantly sweeping the area.

  “It’s a hunter.” Headmaster Norrington paced around his office, holding one of the arrows that had been shot at me.

  Mac, Brant, Emmaline, Tristan, and me congregated in the headmaster’s office after they removed Tatum’s body.

  “You’re certain?” Mac was standing behind the chair I was in, his hands gripping my shoulders. I wanted him to sit with me, but I could feel the tension thrumming through his body and knew he couldn’t.

  “Yes.”

  “But why is it after me sir? I’m not even a vampire—not yet anyways.” Fear resonated in my voice and Mac’s hands tightened in response.

  Roman’s lips pursed. “If they’ve been watching they’d know you were with Mac and that you’re close to changing. I suppose it doesn’t matter that you haven’t.” He sat the arrow on his desk. “And please call me Roman.”

  Oooh. First name basis with the headmaster. I was so important now.

  “Does this have anything to do with the human murders?” Tristan asked from Roman’s chair, running a hand across his pale blonde spikes.

  “My guess is that these vampire or vampire-like murders have gotten the attention of a hunter.” Roman shooed him out of his seat and reached for his pipe. “And now they’ve come to exterminate the responsible party.”

  “Except it isn’t one of us.” Brant’s lips curled in disdain.

  “It definitely wasn’t Tatum.” Emmaline was leaning against the opposite wall, staring off into the distance. This was the first time she’d spoken since she found out about Tatum. “She didn’t deserve that.” Her deep blue eyes were shiny and rimmed in red, her cheeks shockingly pale against the dark wood of Roman’s office. Not only was Tatum her roommate, but she was also her best friend. Mac told me they both came from Ireland together, but he never specified a year. I had a feeling they’d been best friends for a long, long time.

  To my surprise Brant moved to her side, hugging her tightly as she laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry sweetheart.”

  I tried to keep my face neutral at his show of unexpected kindness.

  “I’m calling Whitmore,” Roman declared, reaching for the phone. “He needs to know these new developments.” His eyes landed on Mac and me. “All of the new developments.”

  Chapter 30

  My Mary Janes clacked on the hardwood floor as I hurried to my locker during math class. I wasn’t supposed to go anywhere by myself, but I forgot my homework and Professor Larkin was kind enough to let me retrieve it. Besides, I could just scream if anyone attacked me. Every classroom in this hall was filled.

  I quickly fumbled with my locker and opened it, an ominous creek echoing down the deserted hall. My fingers ruffled through the loose papers finally spotting the precalculus gibberish.

  A whiff of expensive perfume from someone probably a couple feet away suddenly slithered up my nose, making it crinkle. When I closed my locker I realized how badly I misjudged the distance.

  A tiny squeak slipped out of my mouth as I found Paisley looming over me, glaring down with those narrowed cobalt eyes currently shooting death rays at me. She had been mysteriously MIA since the news spread about Mac and me.

  Apparently she was back.

  “Well, well, well Rubiks.” She boxed me in against the row of lockers with her arms. “I finally got you alone. You’ve been surrounded by Mac and his friends for the past few days. I was beginning to think they never left your side.” A malicious smile spread across her sharp face, darkening it.

  My heart pounded in my chest and the mixture of her perfume, cherry lip gloss, and sugary bubble gum was making my stomach curl. How could vampires stand to be so close to the humans who practically bathed in fragrances?

  Wildness shimmered in Paisley’s eyes. “I guess I got lucky coming to class late today.” She shook her bangs from her face with a little more twitchy force than usual.

  “What do you want Paisley?” I sighed, not in the mood for the jealous mean socialite show. I had a stalker and vampire hunter to worry about—both actual deadly threats to me.

  “What do I want!” She slammed one of her hands against the locker right beside my ear, causing a sharp pain to explode in my head. “What I want is for you to go back to whatever seawater hole you crawled out from.”

  On second thought maybe she could actually do some damage. I eyed those French tipped fake nails precariously, thinking she could claw my face off.

  “My life was perfect before you came along and ruined it. Mac fell like an idiot for your stupid curves, angel eyes, and fake lips. You probably get injections like a cheap, gold digging whore.”

  My jaw nearly hit the ground having never been accused of getting lip injections or of being a whore.

  My eyes narrowed and I swiped her arm away with more force than necessary, causing her to stumble back. I forgot about Mac’s blood giving me extra strength.

  Okay. That was a lie. I totally did it on purpose. “Nothing about me is fake Paisley, unlike you.” I smoothed my hair down—well as smooth as my hair could go. “You stole Mac from Sutton. Did you really think it was going to last?”

  A mixture of shock and anger morphed her features. “What makes you think it’ll be any different for you?” Hostility rang through her voice.

  A smile curled my lips because I knew exactly how different our relationship was. I knew the truth about Mac and I wasn’t just a snack and a way to pass the time.

  I strolled passed Paisley, feeling that death glare burning against my back.

  “I am going to get you back for this Rubiks.”

  I glanced over my shoulder to see her trembling with anger.

  “You and Mac. You just wait.” Paisley’s breath was coming fast and hard as if she was a bull about to charge.

  I rolled my eyes. “I have bigger things to worry about than your petty jealousy.”

  A dark shadow crossed her face until only her blazing cobalt eyes were visible. “I’ll find a way. You’ll never see me coming. I’ll find a way.” And with that she turned and strutted down the hall.

  A chill shivered up my spine. Paisley was just a shallow socialite, but something suddenly told me there was a darkness to her that was only just beginning to rear its ugly head.

  ***

  The next evening Mac and I were alone in my room, studying for a history test. He was trying to explain why it would be wrong to compel Professor Forsyth into nixing the test. With anybody else I saw the unfairness in it, but not him. He was a total jerk.

  “Rubi, you’re not going to convin
ce me to do it,” he said, lounging across my bed with a lazy smile.

  I pouted.

  I hadn’t been without a vampire next to me since my attempted murder. The company didn’t bother me except when Brant was my bodyguard for those few irritating hours earlier. All he did was make out with Aspen while I tried to ignore them.

  Ah—just like old times.

  “You’re so cute when you do that.” He touched a finger to my lone dimple. “I almost want to say yes.”

  “Really?”

  “Nah.”

  I playfully nudged him in the arm then leaned in for a kiss. Our lips met and heat instantly blossomed, melting my insides. Electricity rippled across my spine, stronger than before. After sharing what we had the other night we were even more drawn to each other. There was no denying the attraction between us. Anyone could see it. Hell, they could probably feel it.

  “Mmm... Rubi.” Mac’s hand’s slipped under my shirt and began gently massaging the small of my back. “Maybe I should stay the night and help you study.”

  I shivered above him. “Study. Right.” I didn’t believe for one second we’d be studying.

  It was times like these I forgot all the fears I had about becoming a vampire. I couldn’t imagine another choice, sharing a life with Mac—forever. That didn’t sound bad at all.

  Mac suddenly rolled us over until my back was against the bed, his body hovering over mine. He titled his head, deepening the kiss, curling my toes as a breathless whimper slipped out of my mouth.

  I was putty in his hands. And he knew it.

  He pulled back and nipped at my bottom lip and then soothed it with a swipe of his tongue. “I know what my baby likes,” he murmured against my mouth.

  Holy ham hocks. Forget putty. I was more like a quivering puddle of jelly.

  Mac’s fingers unexpectedly danced across my chest, down the rim of my sweater. My breath hitched and body trembled with anticipation. And then I realized he was touching my scar, disappointment obliterating the anticipation.