by Jaymin Eve
As if he had summoned them with those words alone, a group entered the front entrance. Two males and two females. I knew immediately that they were elites. Expensive clothes … check. Arrogance exuding from every pore … check. Dismissive way of treating humans … check.
The girls wore their hair very short, pixie-style cuts flicking out in styled disarray. One was golden blond, the other a white blond. Both of them had very pale skin, almost to the point where they looked sick. But they were still somehow beautiful, like all of these … beings.
The guys who strode in behind them were around six foot tall, their hair also a mix of blonds, but cut very short to their heads. Almost shaved bald.
The moment their group saw Jero and Marsil, they halted just in front of us. I could feel the tension coming from the two guys at my side, and I found myself straightening and going into some sort of panic alert situation.
“Thought you had petitioned the council to not come back this year,” one of the males sneered. I kept my gaze off to the side, in the hope they wouldn’t notice me.
Jero didn’t say anything, and from the corner of my eye it looked like he was glaring, ferocity carving his face into hard lines. Gone was the relaxed playboy; in its place was a being who was actually a little scary.
“You know we have to be here, House of Imperial,” Marsil said, his voice neutral. “There is no petitioning against an order from the entire council.”
I should have guessed these were the enemies. They certainly had an “enemy” attitude going on.
The white-blond girl stepped forward then. “We’ve heard whispers that the council is looking into the Darken House.” She popped her lip out in a fake pout. I was pretty sure that was supposed to be a sad face, but done by someone who was unsure how that emotion worked. I was instantly reminded of The Princess Bride, “I do not think it means what you think it means.” Classic movie, I needed to get another copy one day. I would eventually replace my collec—
My thoughts dried up as the Imperial chick locked eyes on me. I hurried to school my face back into a neutral expression. I didn’t have to bother though, because in the same instant Marsil and Jero both shifted their bulk to block me. All I could see were the tense lines of their backs.
“Don’t be worrying about our business,” I heard Jero say. “You have more than enough trouble in your own house.”
There were a few more words, but so low that I missed most of them. By the time I pushed my way through the barrier of Darkens, the Imperials had disappeared. I reached out and grabbed onto both of the guys’ forearms, yanking them closer to me. “I think you all need to explain to me exactly what is going on here. How many of you elites are in this school?”
If I was to navigate this new world I found myself in, I needed to know what I was dealing with. There was a lot going on here. A lot of history. So much I didn’t know, and nothing I was going to be able to infer from terse exchanges.
Marsil leaned in close to me. “We will tell you what we can, but the council has final say on what information we are allowed to release to a human.”
“Sometimes ignorance is the best, especially when you’re trying to stay under the radar,” Jero added.
“Like … the council might kill me if I know too much?” I said slowly.
They both shrugged, but neither disagreed. I shut my mouth, swallowing roughly to try to clear the ball of nerves in my throat.
“What happened?” Lexen’s voice had us all spinning around; he was standing there with Star at his side, staring above my head at his brothers, but it felt like some of his attention was also on me. A few times his eyes flicked to mine.
“The Imperials. Laous’ side of the family,” Jero told him.
Lexen’s expression morphed from concern into something I couldn’t read. Maybe annoyance. Possibly anger. Definitely a sliver of worry.
“So they saw Emma?”
All of us nodded, and his jaw clenched. “Nothing has changed,” he finally said. “They’re no match for us. We continue to do our job and protect Emma. The council will tell us what step to take next.”
Star, who was quiet and somber for once, stepped to my side and wrapped her arms around me. I patted her back a few times, not hating the close contact as much as I used to.
She pulled back. “What happens if the council tells us to forget about Emma?” she asked her brothers. “The Imperials have seen her now. They’re going to try and find out why she’s with us. They might hurt her.”
Well, none of that sounded good.
Lexen stopped his sister’s half hysterical rant by grabbing her hand. “It’s going to be okay, Star. I won’t let your first Earthside friend be murdered by our enemies, even if the council washes their hands of her.”
Excellent news. Best news I had heard all day. Wait a minute … I soooo wasn’t ready to hear them admit they weren’t from Earth – I was definitely ignoring that Earthside comment.
The bell rang before I could push for more information. My first class today was AP English, and I wondered which of my new group of protectors was with me.
“I’ve got Emma for this class,” Lexen answered my unspoken question. “Star, you’re with Jero and Marsil in chemistry.”
I shuddered, and she jerked her head back. “What? Is chemistry … bad?”
Another shudder rocked me. “The worst. Just … good luck.”
She blinked her wide pretty eyes at me and I couldn’t stop the smile any longer. “I’m kidding … kinda. I’m pretty good at science and math, but chem is not my favorite.”
Star brightened then. “I’m really good with numbers. This is exciting.”
She linked her arms through her brother’s, and started chatting loudly as they moved over to jump on a moving path. I found myself staring after them. I was a little enchanted by the sweetness of Star. She somehow made the world seem a little brighter than usual. Her innocent joy in simple things was … nice. I was going to try to learn from her example.
“Ready to go?” Lexen’s low voice sent a brush of tingles down my spine. I took a second to calm my rapid heartbeat.
“Ready when you are,” I said.
He started to walk and I fell in step beside him. When we reached the door, I waited for him to step through, but he hesitated.
“I need to speak with someone,” he said, before he peered inside the classroom. “You should be safe for a minute. I’m only going to be right there.” He pointed across to the far wall, where a few students were lingering.
I nodded. “It’s fine. I’m not a baby. You don’t have to worry about me eating food off the floor.”
His lips twitched but he didn’t reply. He just turned and walked away. I sucked in a deep breath, and then forced myself to stop staring at him and step into the classroom. Luckily, English was one of my favorite subjects, and I had read ahead in most of the assigned books. Because something told me I was not going to learn much today with Lexen at my side.
10
The classroom was empty, those fancy desks clean and shiny, waiting for students to arrive. I hesitated just inside the doorway, unsure about seating arrangements. Was I supposed to stick really close to Lexen? As in, sit in the elite area?
After a few moments of deliberation, I decided to sit in the same front desk I’d chosen yesterday. Lexen would no doubt be happy as long as he could see me. He might even prefer I didn’t confuse the humans even more by breaking social rules and jumping twenty levels to elite.
When I took my seat I slumped forward and felt some of the tension I’d been carrying for days ease. I had no idea why; nothing much had changed, but it felt like as I sat down I physically couldn’t hold on to that much stress any longer. I had to let some of it go.
“Oh. Em. Gee.” The excited exclamation jolted me out of my thoughts. I turned to find Cara sliding in to sit at the desk next to me. “So, I was freaking out on the bus thinking you were going to miss school, and then I get here and the rumors are flying.�
� She was waving her hands in the air, fifty-plus silver bracelets she wore jingling like chimes. “You arrived with the Darkens. Like in their car. Stepped out, walked between them. Didn’t get murdered for getting too close. Oh. Em. Gee.”
She collapsed into her chair, looking exhausted. Her face was still turned in my direction, her expression a mix of confusion, awe, and shock.
I cracked up. I couldn’t help it. She joined my laughter, her eyes – which were a very pale green today – filled with tears of mirth as she held her stomach.
“Oh. Em. Gee.” Another voice burst in from the side and Cara and I laughed harder. Ben looked more than a little confused as he glanced between the two of us. “I have no idea what you bitches are laughing about, but seriously, I need all the gossip.”
His eyes were locked on me, that mop of curls flying in all directions as he wiggled on the spot.
More students were entering, but no Lexen, so I leaned in closer. “I met them, last night on our street. Their sister has just arrived to start school. She was living … back with their other family. We hit it off, and they gave me a ride to school today.” The fact that most of that was true helped me keep to the story. I wasn’t the best liar.
Ben and Cara stared at me, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. It was like they had no idea how to process this information. Ben finally spluttered, “Touch this girl, she’s freaking blessed.” He then took me completely by surprise when he reached out and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me up and out of my seat into a bear hug. I knew from my brief time with Ben yesterday that he loved to give hugs, and again it didn’t bother me very much. I was getting hugs all over the place at the moment.
Was I actually starting to heal?
Before I could delve too deep into whatever was my next psychological step of healing, a shadow fell over us. Everything inside my body tightened – I knew exactly who it was.
“Put her down.” Lexen’s voice was a low caress across my nerves. There was an undercurrent there I didn’t understand, but the look on his face was calm.
Ben very slowly dropped me to my feet, holding both of his hands up in the air. “Just friends,” he said, eyes locked on the imposing supernatural standing close to us.
Lexen ignored him, turning to me. “You’re sitting with me.”
Some of my normal annoyance with him reared its head. I fought the urge to salute him. “Am I now? I didn’t realize that order had been given.”
I heard the gasps from all around us. Ben’s was the loudest as he dramatically slapped a hand across his mouth. Lexen’s attention flickered toward the many eyes on us. He leaned in closer. “Will you please sit near me?” Those words were forced out through clenched teeth.
I smiled brightly. “Much better. And, while I appreciate your offer, I think I’m going to stay with my friends.”
I had no idea why I wanted to piss him off; something inside of me liked to rile Lexen, and then keep riling him over and over. His lips brushed my ear as he moved even closer. “I know what you’re doing,” he murmured. “It’s not going to work.”
He spun then and with ease stepped between the desks to take a seat near the back. I realized that a few other elites had arrived; most I didn’t know. One of the Royales was there. I recognized the blond guy. Also the gorgeous, tiny brunette chick was already sitting. She was the girl I’d seen with Lexen yesterday; her almond-shaped eyes were locked on me. She did not look happy. I tried not to stare at the pair of them, especially as he tilted his body in her direction, his lips moving as they chatted.
I’d stood my ground for a reason, but there would be no point to that if I spent the entire time staring at him in class. Dropping back into my desk, I fought the urge to turn and check if he was looking at me.
I did feel eyes on me. Two set of eyes, to be exact. “What?” I finally said, a snort of laughter in my tone.
“Who are you?” Cara whisper-shouted. “The first day I met you on the bus, you barely spoke at all, and now … you just stood up to Lexen Darken. Lexen. Darken.”
She was getting louder and louder, so I quickly shushed her. “I just don’t like being told what to do.”
I sensed she wanted to ask me why he was even in a position to tell me what to do, but the teacher entered then and there was no more chance to talk. I struggled to pay attention in class, and as someone who prided herself on meticulous note taking, mostly because I was gunning for a scholarship, I was bothered by my lack of focus.
“We still have to join a group, or some sort of extra-curricular activity,” Cara reminded me as we were packing up our books.
I groaned. “Did you have any thoughts about which one?”
She shrugged as she threw her bag over one arm. “Drama? Debate? The newspaper? Prom committee?”
I visibly flinched at the last suggestion. Prom … I’d gone with my ex-boyfriend; it hadn’t really been my thing. The new shoes were nice, I supposed.
“Chess club? Mathletes?”
I shook my head. I liked math, but not every day after school. And I’d never played a game of chess in my life. I was a checkers girl. Checkers all the way.
Ben joined us. “I’m thinking about running for student body president.” He straightened his spine. “The top positions always go to the elites, but I figured it was worth a shot.”
I met his gaze. “Maybe I can try for student government too. Lesser positions are fine by me.”
There was a clearing of a throat, and a low laugh from my right side. I turned to find the exotic, dark-haired beauty standing there beside Lexen. She was the one who had laughed, so I locked my gaze on her. “Something funny?” I found myself asking, one eyebrow raised in her direction.
She shrugged. “I wouldn’t bother trying out for any of the leadership roles. They’re all reserved for…” She looked me over, wrinkling her nose. “Not people like you.”
I blinked a few times, shaking my head. I was about to reply with something highly creative and snipingly witty, but Lexen interrupted before I could: “You need to get to your next class. Jero will meet you there. Kotar is going to show you the way.”
I knew Cara and Ben were hanging on every word. No doubt their mouths would be wide open as they wondered why I suddenly had an elite escort everywhere. I didn’t look at them to find out. I glared at Lexen. “Kotar?” I asked, my eyes flicking to the girl at his side. Was he talking about the snobby bitch?
She let out a breathy sigh. “Come on. I don’t have all day to be a guide. Follow me.”
She turned and flounced across the room, her shiny black hair cascading around her as she headed for the door.
I narrowed my eyes on Lexen, squinting hard enough to hurt myself. “Why are you doing this? I can walk to class on my own.”
He just crossed his arms over his chest, staring me down with that formidable expression on his face.
“Okay, fine,” I groaned. I sucked in a deep fortifying breath and followed Kotar from the room. She was already halfway down the hall, so I hurried to catch up. She looked forward, paying me no attention at all. I had a bunch of questions brewing in my mind, like, which house was she from? How did she know Lexen? How well did she know Lexen?
But there was no way to ask those questions without sounding like a pathetic human, and she clearly already hated my kind.
What do I have to lose, then? Before I could suck up the guts to open my mouth, we arrived at history class. Kotar waved at the door, which was her only form of communication, before she continued walking. I watched her tiny form as it disappeared around the corner.
Well, that went well.
Entering the classroom, there were a few students seated already. Jero was in his section. Aria, the leggy redhead, was nowhere in sight. I noticed Derek, the glasses-clad guy I’d met at lunch yesterday, already sitting front and center, a bunch of textbooks open in front of him. That was one serious-about-his-studies dude. No doubt he would be valedictorian of our year.
“Princess, over here…�
�� Jero’s loud call drew everyone’s attention. I headed straight toward him. I had no problem sitting with this particular Darken.
He draped an arm around me and there was barely a sliver of discomfort. I had mixed emotions about this step forward. I didn’t want to forget my parents – I would never be able to do that – but I wanted to hurt less. I’d survived, through some miracle. My psychiatrist told me I suffered from survivor’s guilt. I didn’t disagree. I had no idea why I had been the only one to make it out alive; we should have all gone as a family. But we hadn’t. I knew my parents would not want me to beat myself up over my stroke of … luck. I still wasn’t sure if it was good or bad luck that I had lived, but it was luck nonetheless.
“Ready to learn about my illustrious family?” Jero hadn’t removed his arm, and I got the distinct feeling he was leaving it there as a warning of some kind. Or maybe he was just a tactile kind of guy. He was certainly flirty enough.
“House of Darken today, right?” Mr. Perkins had mentioned that we were going to start on the founders straight away. “That should be illuminating. Do you get an instant A?”
He chuckled, both of us staring toward the door as the classroom started to fill. As more students stepped inside, more gaping faces were directed toward us.
Jero showed not an ounce of discomfort. “They have most of the facts incorrect,” he said, picking up the conversation about today’s topic. “But that’s not the teacher’s fault. Humans only know the history we allow them to know. You’ll have to come to us for more accurate information.”
“How long do you think I’ll have to stay with you guys?” I asked. “Like glued to your sides?”
Some of his humor dried up. He leaned back in his chair, letting his arm finally fall off my shoulders. “By the end of the week we should have an answer. The council is full of ancient, powerful, think-they-know-everything bastards. The members are chosen from all four houses. They have been known to take a long time to reach decisions, but this has a sense of urgency about it. They won’t screw around.”
