Graduating (Covenant College Book 5)

by Amanda M. Lee

  Perkins ran his tongue over his teeth. “Fine.”

  We remained seated, watching as Perkins used his smart phone to search for the jeweler and make the call. Aric’s face was smug when Perkins disconnected. “Are we done here?”

  “Just one thing,” Perkins said. “Ms. Lake, this clearly isn’t your necklace. It appears that someone went to a great deal of trouble to make sure it looked like your necklace, though.”

  Aric leaned forward. “Meaning?”

  “If you weren’t who you are, if you hadn’t gone out of your way to have a piece of jewelry specially made for her, then this could have been very bad for your girlfriend,” Perkins said. “Whoever planted the necklace there clearly thought it was something that numerous people could buy, which would have put Ms. Lake is a very dubious position.”

  “So, now you think she’s being set up?”

  “I don’t know what I think,” Perkins said. “In all honesty, I have trouble believing Ms. Lake could move ten bodies in the middle of the afternoon all by herself. We thought you helping her was a possibility, but your alibi checks out.”

  “She didn’t do it,” Aric said. “You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

  “If she didn’t do it, then who did?”

  “You’re the cop. You tell us,” Aric said. “We’re in the dark here. You guys haven’t even released the names of the victims. We don’t even know who they were. That’s weird, by the way.”

  “We’re trying to protect the families.”

  “Well, you’re not going to protect them by trying to railroad Zoe,” Aric said. “Whoever is doing this is still out there. You’ve been watching us for weeks. What have you seen? We go out to dinner. We go to the movies. We spent Christmas with my family. We’re pretty boring.”

  “That could all be an act,” Perkins replied.

  “If you think that, then you’re never going to solve this case,” Aric said. “Now, I definitely think you’re done here.”

  Twenty-Four

  By the end of the month, I’d managed to put being questioned by the cops behind me. Mostly. Aric was still angry, but he was trying to hide it. He was also worried, and he was having a harder time hiding that.

  We decided to spend the last weekend of the month at his apartment. I knew the cops were still watching me, and while I was running out of time to spend with my roommates, I needed some quiet.

  “What movie do you want to see?”

  Aric handled my agitation the only way he knew how: Food and entertainment. He’d taken me out for a big dinner – more prime rib for both of us – and now we were trying to decide what form our mindless entertainment would take for the next two hours.

  I leaned into him, resting my head against his shoulder, and looked over the movie board. “I don’t know. What are you in the mood for?”

  “Well, there’s the latest horror schlock offering,” Aric said. “I think it involves a creepy kid being possessed.”

  “Don’t they all these days?” I asked. “I like the creepy kids better than that fake documentary stuff.”

  “Yeah,” Aric agreed. “Those are unwatchable.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’m not really in the mood for horror.”

  “Yeah, our lives are horrific enough,” I agreed.

  Aric shook his head, brushing his lips against my forehead. “I think we’re luckier than most. How about that science fiction movie with Tom Cruise?”

  “I’m just not into him anymore,” I said. “Plus, the special effects look cheesy, and the trailer makes the story look generic.”

  “Are you a film critic now?”

  I ignored him. “There’s a romance movie with Rachel McAdams.”

  Aric made a gagging sound. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’ll never forgive you for making me sit through The Notebook,” he said. “It was depressing.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “That doesn’t give us a lot of options.”

  “Keanu Reeves has another movie,” Aric pointed out.

  “He can’t act.”

  Aric sighed. “There’s another Fast and the Furious movie,” he said. “Fast cars and hot women. You can’t find fault with that.”

  “Sold.”

  “I was joking.”

  “I like Vin Diesel,” I said. “And, no, I can’t explain it. The movies are huge and ridiculous – but they’re also entertaining. Let’s see that.”

  Aric nodded, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet. “I do like the cars.”

  After buying the tickets, we stopped at the concession stand to pick snacks. When we were done, we made our way into the theater and found seats. Aric positioned the bucket of popcorn on his lap , and then slung his arm around my shoulders. The movie wouldn’t start for another ten minutes.

  “So, how are you feeling about everything?”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “It’s just all so surreal. Someone is obviously trying to frame me.”

  “Any idea who?”

  “Well, Blake is the obvious answer,” I said.

  “But?”

  “But, he was genuinely surprised when I told him the bodies were arranged in the shape of a pentagram,” I said. “I can see him doing something horrible to try and frame the magical community, but he’s not a good enough actor to fake that reaction.”

  “So, what are our other options?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Aric rubbed the back of my neck. “Well, we can’t figure it out now. Eat some popcorn and enjoy the movie.”

  “I know why you put the popcorn on your lap,” I teased. “At some point during the movie, you’re going to move the bucket so I grab something else when I reach for it.”

  “Am I that transparent?”

  “Yeah, but I like it.”

  “WELL, that was all kinds of awesome,” Aric announced as we left the theater two and a half hours later. “I really love how the cars seem like they can fly sometimes.”

  “Are you being sarcastic?”

  “What was your first tip?”

  “There were plenty of women for you to ogle,” I said.

  “You just like seeing Vin Diesel all sweaty.”

  “I do.”

  “Do you want me to shave my head? I’m starting to get a complex.”

  “Don’t shave your head,” I said. “Only certain people can carry off the bald look. Your head is lumpy.”

  “My head is not lumpy.”

  “I’ve felt it. It’s lumpy.”

  “I think I’ve been insulted.” Aric feigned outrage.

  “I like your hair the way it is,” I said. “It gives me something to tug on during special moments.”

  Aric’s smile was flirty. “Are you up for a special moment when we get home?”

  “I don’t know. Did you bring the popcorn bucket?”

  Aric leaned down, pressing his lips to mine. “I don’t need the bucket.”

  He linked his fingers with mine as we left. The nights were still cold, and our breaths came out in a hazy fog as we walked toward his truck. We were both comfortable with the silence, thoughts of his warm bed dancing in our heads.

  Something niggled the back of my brain suddenly. It was like my mind was caving in, red danger lights flashing behind my eyes causing me to still. Aric frowned. “What is it?”

  “I … someone is here.”

  Aric swiveled quickly, looking behind us. He didn’t question my intuition. He just reacted.

  Two figures were advancing on us from behind, darting in between the parking lines, using the cars as camouflage. Aric let go of my hand, his fingers stretching and his claws extending as he began to snarl.

  I’d never seen him fully change, and it was something he didn’t seem keen on letting me see. He was just reacting now.

  “Get in the truck,” Aric ordered.

  I ignored him, focusing on the two figures. “I’m not leaving you alone.”

  “Zoe,” Aric growled. “Don’t make a tar
get of yourself.”

  “I’m not helpless,” I reminded him. “I can protect myself. Heck, I can protect you.”

  Aric’s face was twisted. “Get behind me then.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Maybe you should get behind me.”

  “I’m going to kill you,” Aric warned. “I’m going to rip your head right off your shoulders.”

  “Oh, you say the sweetest things.”

  Aric focused on the two figures, lifting his nose so he could scent the air. “They’re vampires.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I think I know what a vampire smells like,” Aric snapped.

  “Why would vampires be attacking?”

  “Maybe they’re under Blake’s thrall,” Aric shot back. “How should I know? Get in the damned truck!”

  “You get in the truck.”

  “I swear … I just … .”

  I focused on the vampires. “Who are you?”

  They didn’t answer.

  I tried again. “Did Blake send you?”

  Still nothing. I was starting to get agitated. I lifted my hands, shaking them. There was no spark. The only thing that met my efforts was a void. Crap. “Work!”

  Aric’s shoulders were tense, his fingers topped off with long talons now. The sound emanating from his throat was feral and full of warning.

  The first vampire attacked, and Aric caught him in midair. Their howls mixed together as Aric struggled to keep the vampire from getting behind him. Although Aric was bigger, the vampire had power on his side – and something was propelling him to fight harder.

  He wanted to get to me, I realized. Aric was the one standing in his way. He would kill Aric to get to me. Of that I had no doubt.

  I clapped my hands together, hoping to feel the tingle that I knew accompanied the fire. Suddenly, there was a spark. The magic flared and then flamed out. It was enough to slow the approach of the second vampire.

  “Do that again,” Aric ordered, his teeth gritted. “I can’t take them both on.”

  “I’m trying.”

  “Try harder.”

  “Don’t boss me around.”

  Aric snarled, raking his claws across the vampire’s neck. Dark blood splashed out, hitting the pavement. The vampire grabbed its neck instinctively, which allowed Aric to move in closer.

  “Zoe, you have to kill the other one,” he said. “It’s coming for you. Please, baby, do it.”

  I shook my hands again. This time, when the magic ignited, it didn’t flame out. The glow was low and green, and I didn’t bother looking around the parking lot to see if we were alone. It was already too late for that. Survival was all that I cared about.

  “Stay back,” I warned.

  The vampire was clearly alarmed by the situation. Aric had managed to get the upper hand on the one he was fighting, and the duo were locked in a death match only a few feet away. My glowing hands were a clear threat to the other.

  “I will fry you,” I said.

  “Stop giving him warnings,” Aric grunted. “Just do it.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Fine.”

  The magic arced out from my palms, traveling across the parking lot and smacking the vampire, hitting him square in the chest. His face contorted in agony, flames licking his face as his hair ignited. His screams were loud, but brief. Then they faded into nothing and disappeared.

  Aric howled as he ripped the head from the other vampire, the torso remaining standing until exploding into a pile of ash. Only a split-second later, the head did the same.

  Aric leaned against his truck, gasping for breath. “Are you okay?”

  I rushed to his side. “Are you?”

  “I’m great. You did good.”

  “I don’t know why I can’t make it happen right away,” I said, pressing my face against his neck. “It’s like I have to be really worked up for it to work.”

  Aric wrapped his arm around me. “It only happens when you’re angry,” he said. “That’s why I kept yelling at you.”

  “That’s why you were such a dick?”

  “Hey, I’m not a dick,” Aric said, giving me a quick kiss. “I just needed you to protect yourself.”

  “What happens now?”

  The sound of approaching sirens stilled us both.

  “Now we have to think of a story to tell the cops,” Aric said. “And we have to do it quickly. The only thing we have going for us is that your eyes aren’t big, blue orbs this time. That’s progress.”

  “Maybe we should just go,” I suggested.

  “That will make us look guilty.”

  “So, what do we say?”

  Twenty-Five

  “So, let me get this straight, you were attacked by muggers, you fought them off, and they just ran?”

  I didn’t recognize the two uniformed officers who arrived at the scene, which was a mild relief, but I was still keyed up. Luckily for me, someone in my position would normally be keyed up – so it worked for our ruse.

  “I already told you,” Aric said, running his hand through his hair. “It all happened really fast. I was just so scared.”

  He was putting on a good show. I had to give him that.

  “I understand that, sir,” the cop said. “Just go through it again.”

  Aric sighed, tightening his arm around my shoulders. “We were coming out of the theater.”

  “And what movie did you see?”

  “What does that matter?”

  “It’s just for the record, sir.”

  “It was the new Fast and the Furious,” Aric said. “You know, the one with the cars and the hot chicks.”

  “I’m aware of the franchise, sir. Continue.”

  “We were just talking about the movie when we were leaving and then, I don’t know, I heard something I guess. When I turned around, I saw two men coming toward us. They were moving really fast.”

  “Did they say anything?”

  “Give me your money,” I interjected. I’d already supplied that detail before, so I was just doing my part again.

  “Did they have a weapon?”

  “It was hard to see,” I said. “I can’t be sure. Aric seemed sure, though.”

  “The guy tugged on his coat,” Aric said. “He had his hand in the pocket of his jacket, and he acted like he had something in there. I have no idea if it was a gun or a knife, or if he really had something in there at all.”

  “And what did you do?”

  “I told my girlfriend to get in the truck.” Aric had decided to keep the story as close to the truth as possible, just in case anyone had overheard our conversation and could contradict us.

  “And, did she get in the truck?”

  “No,” Aric said. “She argued and refused to leave me. She’s flipping stubborn. Women, I tell you.”

  “Tell me about it, sir. They’re not rational sometimes. Then what happened?”

  “One of them jumped on me,” Aric said. “I managed to fight him off.”

  “And what was the other man doing during this time?”

  “He was moving toward my girlfriend.”

  “And what did she do?”

  “She tried to talk him to death,” Aric replied, shooting me a rueful look as he delved back into the story. “She kept telling him she was going to fry him if he got any closer.”

  “How did he react?”

  “He didn’t seem like he believed me,” I said. “I have no idea why. I was very convincing.” Yeah, I was playing a part, too.

  “And then what happened?”

  “Then, I don’t know. It was like they heard something,” Aric said. “They just … took off.”

  “One of the other witnesses mentioned a bright light.”

  “Did they say what kind of light?” Aric asked.

  “No, just that it was green,” the officer replied. “They said they were hiding and couldn’t really see what was going on.”

  “I didn’t see a light,” Aric said. “To be fair, I was really just worried abo
ut keeping her safe. That’s all I could think about.”

  I leaned my head against his chest, forcing an adoring look onto my face. “He’s my hero.”

  The cop nodded. “I’m sure he is.”

  “Can we go?” Aric asked, keeping his voice low. “I think I can work this hero thing to my advantage if I get her home in the next hour or so.”

  This time, the smile on the cop’s face was genuine. “Just let me check with the other officers. I’m sure it won’t be a problem. You two were very lucky tonight. You should celebrate.”

  “That’s what I intend to do,” Aric said. Once the officer was gone, his face instantly sobered. “He’s my hero?”

  “Hey, I’m supposed to be a helpless girl,” I said. “Plus, you are my hero.”

  “I’m going to remind you of that the second we get back to my place,” Aric said.

  “The second we get back to your place, I’m taking a long, hot bath.”

  “The tub is big. We can both fit in there together,” Aric said.

  Well, that was an intriguing thought.

  “I hope that cop doesn’t take too long,” I said, shivering. “I want to get out of here.”

  “Your acting skills, my love, have been topnotch this evening,” he said.

  “You’ve been fairly impressive yourself,” I said.

  “I always am.”

  “Are you trying to be cute?”

  “I’m trying to make sure you feel safe,” Aric said, his dark eyes serious. “Is it working?”

  “I’d feel safer away from the cops,” I said. “Does that make me a bad person?”

  “It makes you a realist in this situation,” Aric said. “And I’m right there with you. The cops make me nervous.”

  I shifted, moving my body over his so I could take a look at the assembled crowd behind us. To the casual onlooker, it appeared as if my boyfriend was just comforting me. I was really looking for information.

  One face jumped out at me, causing my whole body to stiffen.

  “What is it?” Aric kept his arms wrapped around me as he swiveled his head. He frowned when he saw who I was looking at. “What is he doing here?”

  “What do you think?”

  Professor Blake was standing at the edge of the crowd, his blond hair falling over his forehead, his arms crossed. The smile on his face as he regarded us could only be described with one word: Evil.