by C.M. Owens
Devon rose to his feet, with every intention of intervening. Her safety was his number one concern, and around Mark, he knew that she was not safe.
Chris appeared at her side suddenly and used his shoulder to push past Mark. Chris smiled at Mark, but there was coiled tension in his solid frame, and no sparkle in his sapphire eyes. He spoke briefly to Mark while nudging Cassie further back. Cassie didn't look pleased to be pushed out of the way as she glared at Chris's back.
Chris finally managed to disentangle the two of them from Mark, though Mark stared after them as Chris continued to steer Cassie toward the glass doors at the back of the cafeteria. Devon suddenly recalled Melissa's words on his first day. The senior's sat outside when the weather permitted. Until now, he hadn't noticed that a fair amount of seniors was missing as his table was packed with girls, who wouldn't leave his side if he remained inside.
If he moved outside now, they would only follow. The last thing he needed was a gaggle of giggling teens following him around while he tried to talk with Cassie. He watched her as she moved woodenly toward the doors, her tray clenched in her hands, her head held immobile, and her neck straight.
He felt the breaking point when she lost the battle and her head turned toward him. The impact of her gaze was like a lightning bolt as it struck him. It sizzled through his dried veins and caused his deadened heart to vibrate with pulsing electricity.
She hesitated briefly, her eyes warmed as a wave of heat flooded her porcelain cheeks. Her thick dark lashes swept down to shadow her eyes as she bowed her head. Her golden hair fell forward, hiding her face as she hurried on. She dropped her sunglasses back into place before following Chris outside.
Disappointment filled him as he turned away from her, his irritation mounted as he spotted Mark. He was still staring after Cassie with a thunderous expression on his face. Mark hesitated for a moment longer before turning and slinking over to a table packed with boys just as large and muscular as he was. They were all wearing black and gold jackets with a white horse on the back.
Devon had no idea why they were all wearing the same coats, but they seemed to think they were special as none of the boys were taking them off, even though it was hot in the cafeteria. Devon shook his head; he didn't understand human customs at all, least of all teenage ones. Staying here for much longer was going to drive him crazy, but he wasn't leaving here without finding out exactly why he was so drawn to Cassie.
And that meant finally getting closer to her.
He turned back to Marcy, deciding to use her clinginess to his advantage for a change. "What do you know about Cassie?"
Marcy was taken aback as she leaned away from him. He should have taken a different approach, he realized belatedly. "Why?"
Devon shrugged negligently. Leaning closer to Marcy, he placed his hand briefly upon her arm as he sought to soothe her. "I'm simply curious; Mark seems to truly like her."
She relaxed, but her eyes still radiated distrust. "He's liked her for awhile, but she just strings him along like she strings Chris, and everyone else along."
Devon quirked an eyebrow, he wondered if it had been Mark, or Chris, that Marcy liked before he had walked into this school and she'd become fixated on him. "I thought she and Chris were just friends."
Marcy shrugged, her eyes darkened as her nose scrunched. "That's what they say, but I doubt it. There is something strange about that relationship, neither one of them really date anyone else." Her bitter tone confirmed the fact that it had been Chris she liked.
"Come on Marcy, you know they're just friends," Kara interjected as she leaned forward and rested her chin on her hands.
"He sleeps in her room Kara," Marcy retorted. "You can't tell me that nothing has ever happened between them!"
Kara shook her head as she rolled her eyes. She turned toward Devon, her pretty face softening from irritation to kindness. "They've been friends since they were little. Cassie's parents, and Chris's dad, were killed in the same car accident when they were only a year old." Devon kept his surprise over this revelation hidden as Kara turned toward Marcy. "So yes, I believe that nothing has happened between them."
Marcy rolled her eyes but tried to keep her irritation hidden from Devon. She failed miserably. "Cassie's parents are dead?"
Kara nodded as sadness crept over her delicate features. "Yes, and so are Melissa's."
Devon started in surprise. It was a strange coincidence, but it also explained the strong bond that they seemed to share. Though they were all popular, and always surrounded by people, they still remained aloof and mostly separated from everyone but each other. When they were together they were like one unit. A unit that was able to communicate without saying a word.
He'd been amazed, impressed, and a little confused by the closeness of their bond. However, the fact that they had all experienced the loss of a parent definitely explained the bond they shared. Unwillingly his gaze went to the windows, but he couldn't see Cassie amongst the crush of students that had finished eating and moved outside. A whiffle ball and bat had been brought out and a pickup game was starting.
"That's awful," he muttered.
Though he couldn't understand, or relate to her sorrow, he was beginning to get a better understanding of her life and what made her tick. She was so proud and strong but at the same time, lonely and hurt. He found himself even more determined than before to get close enough to ease her unsettled mind.
He rose suddenly, ignoring the startled looks that Marcy and Kara shot him. "Excuse me," he mumbled before swiftly moving through the crowd toward the glass double doors.
The excited sound of laughter and chatter suffused him as he stepped outside. He scanned the crowd, but didn't spot Cassie amongst the mass. He did spot Melissa though. Winding his way through the students, he steadily made his way toward her. Melissa turned toward him, a dark eyebrow lifted as her mouth quirked in a small smile.
"Hey stranger," she greeted warmly. He hesitated for a moment, briefly puzzled by the startling amount of knowledge within the dark eyes that studied him. He was certain that she knew exactly why he was here, and she was happy about it. "How is everything going?"
"Fine." His gaze darted over the crowd as he searched for Cassie, but he didn't see her, nor could he smell her delicious scent.
"You seem to be making a lot of friends."
"I suppose."
Her smile widened, her smooth dark olive complexion shone in the sun. She knew why he was here, and she was enjoying every moment of torment she was handing to him. He didn't know if that fact pissed him off, or if he wanted to join in with her obvious amusement.
"Not interested in friends?"
Only one, he almost told her, but he bit back the words. "Of course." Though Melissa was enjoying this conversation, he was tired of being toyed with. "Where is your friend Cassie?"
Melissa quirked her head to the side, her exotic eyes slanted as her hair fell forward. "Having most of the female population chasing you around isn't enough for you?"
Though he knew she was trying to be playful, Devon's patience was at a snapping point. Melissa sensed this as her smile slipped away and a strange sadness crept over her. That dark look passed over her eyes again as they seemed to pierce straight into his soul.
"No," he said simply.
She snorted in surprise as her eyes sparked with amusement once more. "Good," she said flatly. "Cassie went home."
He frowned in surprise as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Why?"
"Not feeling well."
"She ok?" he demanded, surprised by the wealth of worry and concern that filled him.
"She's fine, just hasn't been sleeping well."
Devon frowned as he recalled the strange dreams plaguing him that Cassie was always a part of, and that haunted him throughout the day. Dreams that he didn't want to have, but looked forward to every night just the same.
He hated what Cassie was doing to him, knew that he should leave this town, but he also knew t
hat he couldn't leave without knowing her. Not yet anyway.
***
"Cassie come on! Pay attention!"
Cassie tossed aside the stake she'd been holding and stormed over to the bench. Grabbing a water bottle she squirted it into her parched mouth. She was exhausted, she could barely function and had been completely blowing off her training for the past week. She was doing awful, and Luther wasn't about to let her forget it.
"You are so very lucky that things have been quiet this past week!" he barked at her. "You wouldn't survive five seconds in the field!" Cassie was struggling to control her temper, he was right after all, but she was just as frustrated as he was with her inability to do anything right. "What is wrong with you?"
Cassie shuddered as she thought of the many things that were wrong with her lately, and they were all centered on one very disturbing, frightening man. "I'm tired." Although it was the truth, it was also a very poor excuse.
"Tired! Tired!?" he demanded harshly.
Cassie hung her head and peeked up at him from under lowered lashes. She deserved whatever she got, but it was still killing her to keep from defending herself. Luther pulled off his Lennon style glasses and cleaned them briskly on his shirt. He was relatively calmer when he slipped them back on.
"Alright." He tugged on his graying brown hair as he paced briefly away before turning sharply on his heel and coming back. "Maybe I am being too tough on you. Maybe you should have a break, you all should. We'll take the rest of tonight off."
Taking time off wouldn't help her. She knew that. Just as she knew that none of them could afford to lose time practicing their fighting skills. "Luther…"
"No, no." His muddled English/Egyptian accent became slightly heavier the more discombobulated he became. "A night off will do us all some good, you'll come back refreshed and recharged. You are the best fighter we have; if you don't get your act together we're all at risk."
Cassie bit on her bottom lip as she struggled to keep hold of the resentment and shame that threatened to consume her. She had to get her act together, and she had to do it soon. She was overtired right now, that was her whole problem. She just needed some sleep.
Fighting to keep hold of her uncontrollably swaying emotions, she glanced around the converted garage. It was packed full of weapons, punching bags, and exercise equipment. Luther had added onto the two car garage a couple years ago, making it twice as big as its original size. She'd spent a lot of time in this room, poured a lot of sweat, and shed more than a few tears and blood.
She hated everything that this room represented and the change it had brought to her life. Turning away from the metal swords and crossbows strapped to the wall, she focused her attention on Luther, Melissa, and Chris. "It's time to go home," she said.
"Yes, yes," Luther agreed. "Rest for the next night and then we'll hit it hard again tomorrow."
Cassie nodded, though the last thing she wanted was to come back here. However, she didn't have an option. She would come back over and over again until they left town, or she died. Both options sucked.
"Will you be ok after tonight?" She nodded in response to Luther's question. His aggravation had been replaced with a deep concern that rattled her. He was the closest thing to a father she had, and right now he looked completely worried about her. She didn't like it one bit. "Are you sure?"
"Cassie." She turned toward Melissa, hating the knowledge in her onyx eyes. Though Cassie hadn't mentioned her dreams to anyone, or her bizarre attraction to Devon, Melissa saw far more than most people. She always did. "Maybe a sleeping pill would help you."
Cassie hid her surprise, and nodded briskly as she turned toward Chris. He offered her a wan smile as he held his arm out to her. Though she loved them both dearly, there were times when she wished they didn't know her so well, or possess such probing gifts. Hiding her irritation, she slipped her arm into Chris's and squeezed it briefly as she leaned against his side.
She'd always hated taking any medicine, but maybe she should take a pill tonight, she was so damn tired she could barely see straight anymore. And if she didn't get some sleep soon, she was scared that she would break completely.
CHAPTER 7
"Is this a dream?"
Cassie's golden hair tumbled in a riotous mass about her bared, creamy shoulders as she stood across from him in the clearing. The white dress she wore billowed gently about her bare feet. She was astonishing, breathtaking, and he knew that if his heart could still beat it would have stopped at the sight of her. The breeze pushed strands of hair around her delicate features. She reached up and pulled it back as it drifted across one of her eyes.
Her eyes drifted away, a small smile played over her mouth as she stared at the pristine lake in the middle of the field. Her toes curled into the thick grass beneath her bare feet as her smile became wistful. "Beautiful," she breathed.
He completely agreed, but his gaze didn't stray from her. She turned back to him, her head tilted to the side as she studied him questioningly. "You're everywhere," she whispered.
"Am I?" He started as his hands fisted at his sides. His entire body ached to touch her, to hold her, to pull her close to him. His own bare feet curled into the springy grass he stood upon. The blades tickled a little, but he ignored them as he took a step toward her.
"Yes." Though she looked like she was going to bolt, she didn't move. "You're in my school and my thoughts, and you haunt my dreams. But this one is so very real." The words were a bare whisper as she turned back to the lake. "So real. It must be that pill I took."
He stopped moving for a moment. "Pill?" he inquired.
She turned back to him, her eyes somber and distant. "Yes. I had to sleep before I dropped." The fierce shake of her head caused her hair to cascade around her. "But you make it so very difficult for me to function at all, never mind sleep. I hate taking medication though, and apparently these pills cause some intense dreams. I can feel the grass, actually feel it beneath my feet. That is so odd!"
"Yes," he agreed, because he could find no other words for her. He made it difficult for her to function! If she only knew what she did to him on a daily, hourly, second by second basis. Yet he couldn't stop the elation that filled him, this may only be a dream, but there was also something different about it, something very real and solid. Something that made him believe that she was actually standing there with him, that she was actually expressing her true emotions.
"Cassie," he breathed, suddenly having to touch her with a desperation that bordered on insanity.
Though he half expected her to flee, she didn't move as he stepped closer to her. Instead, resignation seemed to settle over her as desire blazed to life. "I don't want to fight my dreams anymore," she murmured.
A tear trickled down her cheek as he stopped before her. He could almost feel the beat of his pulse pounding through his veins as he wiped the single, shimmering tear from her face. Her eyes were filled with awe as she watched him. Her cheek was silken beneath his thumb as he caressed her.
This was the strangest dream he'd ever had, but he didn't give a damn. It was also the best one he'd ever had. "Cassie," he whispered again as he leaned closer to her. All he wanted to know was what her mouth would feel like, what her luscious lips would be like against his and how she would taste.
"Devon." Her hand, delicate and small, came up to his. Her fingers wrapped around his, her breath caught in her throat as her eyelids drifted down to shadow her eyes. "I've wanted this for so long," she breathed. "I think I wanted this even before I met you. I think I knew you were out there somehow. It makes no sense." She shook her head in confusion. "I'm so glad this is only a dream. I sound like an idiot."
"Never," he whispered fervently, relishing in every one of her baffled thoughts. He was so very glad to hear that she felt as confused and desperate as he did. "I understand exactly what you mean." Though the feelings made no sense, and he didn't understand how they could be so strong when he barely knew her, they were real.
/> Her eyes sparkled with amusement; the amethyst flecks in them sparkled in the midmorning sun. She was the most achingly innocent, beautiful woman he had ever met, and she was far too good for him. He should stay away from her; he should flee while he still could. It would be far safer for her if he walked out of her life, he would only bring her heartache and unhappiness.
However, he couldn't bring himself to move. Even though this was only a dream, he knew that whatever happened within this world would change their waking world also. He longed for their waking world to change. He craved to be able to touch her, and feel her, and speak with her for real. His hand trembled on her cheek for a moment.
"Tell me no," he whispered.
"I don't want to."
His deadened heart seemed to kick start again at her words. He smoothly pulled her toward him and tilted her head up. Her eyes drifted closed, her lips parted on a sigh. Her sweet breath washed over him as he brought his mouth to hers.
Electricity surged through him, for the first time in so many centuries he felt alive again, and so completely whole. She eased the aching loneliness inside of him, made him forget his entire, awful existence. She was everything good and right in the world, she was everything that he had been searching for, and she was completely his.
His other hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her firmly against him. He could feel the riotous beat of her heart as her chest pressed against his. Her pulse pounded through her veins, but thirst for her blood didn't seize hold of him. With her, he had complete control of himself and the bloodlust didn't take over. Maybe, because this was a dream he could keep control of himself, but he felt that even awake he would be able to do anything for her. Even control the monster that always lurked just beneath the surface of his existence.
A gasp of pleasure escaped her as her hands encircled his shoulders, and her fingers dug into him. A groan escaped him as her mouth parted beneath his demanding quest. His hands drifted over her bare shoulders, the feel of her silken skin left him shaken as he moved closer to the collar of the dress she wore. He caught hold of her as her knees went limp and she slumped against him.
