Ashes

by Erica Stevens

  He stared at her in disbelief. “Really?”

  Cassie smiled at him, pressing closer to his side. Confusion radiated from him, but he didn’t say anything more. “So I will see you later,” Cassie said softly, keeping her false grin plastered to her face.

  It was obvious that Marcy wanted to argue this point, but with Devon present she wasn’t going to say a word. Turning to Devon, Cassie slipped her hand into his, keeping her smile plastered on as she pulled him gently away. “What are you doing?” he asked quietly.

  She waited till they turned the corner before her shoulders slumped and she relaxed against him. “I don’t know,” she admitted, confused as to what she had just done. She should have remained slinking through the hallways, trying to stay hidden, though it was impossible. Now she was afraid she may have just poked the bear. “I really don’t know.”

  He heaved a sigh as he slid his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him. “Are you really going to this thing?”

  Taking a deep breath, she nodded as she bit nervously on her bottom lip. Though she had jumped before looking, she was committed now, and she intended to stay that way. Turning another corner Dani, Melissa, and Chris came into view by the cafeteria doors. “I am. It will be ok,” she muttered.

  Devon quirked an eyebrow, a small smile twitched at his lips, but his eyes were still clouded with worry. “I suppose.”

  ***

  Devon stood outside the door, leaning casually against the wall as he studied the slowly ticking clock. Though Cassie had told him to stay away, that she wanted to do this on her own, he was not going far from her. He couldn’t bring himself to; even through the thick double doors he could feel her distress and anxiety. He didn’t know why she had insisted upon this, but she was determined to go through with it, and there was no stopping her.

  Shifting slightly he shot a look at the group of freshmen boys that scurried past, eyeing him wearily. He quirked an eyebrow, but paid them little attention otherwise. Chris came strolling around the corner, a towel tossed over his shoulder, his hair still wet from his shower. He was whistling as he walked, but tension hummed through him.

  “How was practice?”

  His whistling died off as he shrugged, pulling the towel from his shoulder. “Be glad when the football season’s over.”

  Devon nodded, his attention turned back to the closed doors when Cassie’s anxiety clicked up a notch. He desperately wanted to go in there and pull her out. She would be infuriated with him though, and she was having a rough enough time without him adding to it. Chris studied the closed doors behind him as Devon shifted, his agitation growing. He was growing to hate the bitchy, cruel girls in this school. And he was not too fond of the lust filled, envious boys either that were annoyed she hadn’t chosen them.

  “Not going well?” Chris rested his hand against the wall as he studied the closed doors.

  “No.”

  “I can’t believe she insisted on this.”

  “I can.”

  Chris snorted softly. “True. They almost done in their superears?”

  Devon shot him a disgruntled look that Chris easily ignored. He turned his attention back to the room, trying to ignore the waves of distress pouring from Cassie. He couldn’t concentrate on what was being said if he didn’t block her emotions out. They were talking about decorations, debating whether or not to go with the crystal disco ball. Devon was hoping they decided against the ball, as Marcy declared that it was a necessity.

  “I don’t know,” he answered Chris. “They’re discussing disco balls right now.”

  Chris groaned as he rolled his eyes. “I hate those stupid things, they’re blinding.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Chris grinned at him, using his fingers to bounce himself slightly off the wall. “Yeah they bother Cassie a lot too, give her headaches. She has to wear sunglasses around them most of the time.”

  Devon frowned, withdrawing almost completely from the monotonous conversation within. Chris’s words had his attention far more than what color to use for the tablecloths. “She does?”

  Chris nodded as he continued to bounce. “Yeah, the bright light hurts her eyes.”

  Devon dropped his head, rubbing the bridge of his nose. There was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that he couldn’t shake. “How good is her eyesight?” he asked softly.

  Chris shrugged negligently. “Don’t really know it’s definitely better than perfect, far better than anyone I’ve ever met before.” Chris eyed him for a moment, his eyes narrowed as he tilted his head. “Except maybe for you.”

  Devon nodded, but he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was wrong. That something was not quite right. That there was something about Cassie they were all missing. “I see.”

  Chris stopped bouncing off the wall. “What’s wrong?”

  Devon shook his head, stepping away from the wall as the conversation inside turned to dresses. Cassie’s boredom beat against him; he took that as his leave to rescue her. “I’ll be back.”

  “Want me to come with you; those girls are like a bunch of leeches with you around.” Devon couldn’t help but grin at him. The kid had gotten on his nerves for a little while, but he was truly beginning to grow on him now. “Plus you might need some help with Cassie, she can’t be mad at both of us.”

  “You would like to think.”

  Chris chuckled softly as he wrapped the towel around the back of his neck, grasping both sides and pulling on it. “Lead the way.”

  Devon pushed the doors open, stepping into the dimly lit gym. The group of girls was gathered at the far end, their heads bent close together, a pile of papers scattered amongst them. Cassie stood off to the side, leaning against the wall. Her head was bowed; her golden hair cascaded in front of her in thick waves. She lifted her head slightly when the door opened; her eyes were bright even in the darkened room. Relief radiated from her as she took a small step away from the wall.

  Soft laughter drifted in the air as Marcy waved her hands in a wide arch. Bending down, Cassie grabbed hold of her bag, swinging it easily over her shoulder. The conversation stopped as their attention turned briefly to her before their heads snapped toward Devon and Chris. There was a collective inhalation of breaths.

  Devon paid them no mind as he strolled past, eager to get to Cassie. He craved her touch like a man in the desert craved water. She reached for him, a sigh of relief and joy escaping her as his hand slid easily into hers. He saw no anger in her amused, twinkling gaze. Only love radiated from her as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him gently.

  “I thought you could use a rescue.”

  “I could,” she said softly. “It took you long enough to get in here.”

  He grinned at her, brushing her hair gently back from her exquisite face. His fingers lingered on her silken cheek, caressing it gently as she turned into his touch. He pulled her closer, kissing her forehead lightly as he fought against all of the urges that sprang forth in him. He wanted to kiss her deeper, longer, forever. At the same time he wanted to sink his teeth into her elegant neck and devour her sweet blood.

  He shuddered slightly, his hand tightening upon her. Though he knew he would never conquer his fierce need for her, he had hoped that it would not be as intense all the time. Just once, he would like to hold her, and know what it was like to savor in the touch and feel of her, without having to fight with himself.

  Sighing softly, he pulled reluctantly away, gently rubbing the back of her neck. She gazed sadly up at him from under her thick lashes. Sometimes he wished that she didn’t understand him as well as she did. He knew that she saw into his soul, saw his need, and ached for his sadness and unending hunger. He wished that he could keep it hidden from her; he didn’t want her to shoulder any of his burdens.

  But she did know him that well, and though he tried his hardest, he could not keep his burdens from her.

  “Let’s go,” he said softly, eager to get her out of here and take her s
omewhere that she felt safe and sheltered. Somewhere that people could not hurt her any further.

  “I’ll see you guys Thursday,” she called to the silent group.

  Marcy’s mouth dropped, strange sputtering noises escaped her. “You can’t be serious!?” she squawked, shocked into letting her resentment of Cassie show in front of him.

  “Completely.”

  Devon shot Marcy a dark look as she continued to gape, those strange noises still escaping her. “But we don’t need any more help.”

  Cassie grinned at her. “After the ideas I heard today, I would say you do.”

  There was a collective inhalation of breaths. Cassie turned away, anger flashing across her delicate features. Pride bloomed through Devon as he pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head lightly.

  CHAPTER 13

  Cassie spent the next couple of weeks dragging herself to the homecoming meetings. She remained standing on the outside, any ideas she offered were immediately shot down. She had not expected any of them to be accepted, and she had not expected to be accepted once more, but she couldn’t stop herself from going and taking the abuse three times a week.

  Her reception got colder every time she went, the iciness at school grew, but she continued to forge on. Continued to try and ignore it. Having Devon by her side was the only thing that kept her consistently going. Without him, she wasn’t even sure that she would be able to drag herself out of bed in the morning. Let alone drag herself into the school that despised her.

  It was taking a toll on her, beating her down. She was tired all the time, but she had not backed down. She couldn’t.

  “You look beautiful.”

  Dani stood in Cassie’s doorway, a bowl of popcorn in her arms as she leaned against the door frame. Cassie managed a wan smile for her. She wasn’t feeling beautiful, and although she should have been excited for the dance. She was not.

  “Thank you.”

  Dani smiled at her as she came into the room, dropping the bowl onto Cassie’s bureau. She had been a little unsettled when she had first moved into the house, but over the past couple of weeks she had relaxed, and was far more at home. Cassie had started to look at her like a little sister, grateful for her company during those few hours when Devon was away hunting, and Chris returned home to watch over his mother.

  She was also glad for Dani’s unwavering friendship, a friendship that had been given easily, and with no conditions. “Just giving you a warning, Lily already has the camera set up and ready to go.”

  Cassie laughed softly as she smoothed the front of her deep violet dress. It was strapless, clinging to her upper body before flowing out gently to her knees. When she’d seen it, she had known instantly that she had to have it. And she did not regret it for a moment, even if it was a little more daring than she would normally like.

  She didn’t know how Devon was going to react to the dress. She hoped that he liked it, but she didn’t wish to test the boundaries of his control. She simply wanted to feel normal again tonight, to be a normal teenage girl for once, even if she didn’t think it was possible.

  “You don’t think it’s a little too much, or actually less?” she asked worriedly.

  Dani chuckled softly. “I think it’s perfect, and you’re wearing waaaaay more clothing then most of the other girls will be. Don’t worry about it.”

  Cassie nodded, but she still couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling that had settled over her. “Yeah, but they’re not dating vampire’s,” she muttered.

  Dani laughed as she shook back her dark hair. The blood red tips had been replaced with white blond ones. “Nope, they all just wish they were dating him,” Dani told her. Cassie snorted softly, twisting her hair up into a loose knot that rested against the nape of her neck. “It will be fine; the dress really isn’t that revealing Cass.”

  She nodded, not feeling as reassured as Dani wanted, but deciding not to stress about it anymore. It was too late; she had already wearing the dress and Devon would be here any minute. The second the thought crossed her mind, the doorbell rang. Cassie’s hand fluttered nervously up to the pearls at her neck. They were her grandmother’s, her mother had worn them on her wedding day and they would one day be Cassie’s. A wave of sadness washed over her, for a brief moment she wished that her parents were here. She loved her grandmother dearly, and would never trade a moment of her life with her, but every once in awhile she wished that her parents had also been around to watch her grow up, to also be a part of her life.

  With a soft sigh, she pushed the melancholy thoughts aside; there was no place for them tonight. Tonight was about her friends, Devon, and this dance. Tonight was for fun, and she was going to have it for a change. Taking strength from the pearls, Cassie grabbed her pea coat from her bed and draped it over her arm. She listened as her grandmother let Devon, Melissa, and Chris in. “I wish you could come,” she said as she turned back to Dani.

  The younger girl studied her carefully for a moment. “I don’t, I’m glad I’m too young. It’s not exactly my thing.”

  “Mine either,” Cassie admitted softly. “Not anymore anyway.”

  “Are you ok?”

  Forcing a smile, Cassie nodded. “I’m fine.”

  “Well come on then, you don’t want to keep them waiting.”

  Dani grabbed her bowl of popcorn, fairly bouncing as she led the way down the hall. Cassie realized that the popcorn had not been made for a movie, but this was Dani’s show. Shaking her head, she fought back a chuckle as Dani darted down the stairs. Cassie made her way slowly down, turning the corner into the living room.

  Her breath froze in her lungs as she caught sight of Devon standing by the mantle. His hair had been brushed back from the hard plains of his face. The finely tailored sports coat he wore clung to his hard, broad shoulders. He looked magnificent, strong, powerful, and oh so handsome that he made her heart ache. Need tore through her, along with the overwhelming urge to touch him, to feel him, to never part from him again.

  He stiffened when he saw her, his eyes flashed fiercely in the light; hunger blossomed in their brilliant emerald depths. His mouth parted slightly as his gaze raked slowly over her, causing heat to burn through her. An inner quaking took root in her, shaking through muscle and bone. Her mouth went dry, her heart hammered with its fierce desire for him.

  His gaze slowly returned to hers, burning with a fire the likes of which she had never seen before. Cassie’s tremors intensified, leaving her weak kneed. No, the dress had not been a good idea at all. But then, she felt she could be wearing a sack and he would still look at her like she was a treat that he wanted to devour.

  He moved slowly toward her, his movements reminding her of an animal stalking its prey. She didn’t know if she was more frightened to be his prey, or excited to be it. Stopping before her, his gaze slowly perused her once more. Cassie shivered, her breath exploded from her as he took hold of her hand, his touch seared into her skin, burned its way into every molecule of her body as she was branded by him for the rest of her life.

  She would always remember the way that he felt against her, the delicious way that he made her feel. She would never forget how perfect his skin was, how right and true it was. Even if she couldn’t have him forever, she would have the memories, and the feeling, for she could recall it all in an instant.

  He bent low over her hand, his eyes never leaving hers as he placed a gentle kiss upon her. Cassie’s mouth parted, her pulse pounded rapidly in her temples as liquid lava pooled through her. His head bent over her hand, his lips pressed so gently against her skin was the most debonair, sweetest thing she had ever seen.

  He kept hold of her hand as he stood slowly. “You look exquisite,” he whispered.

  Heat flooded Cassie’s face; she looked away from him, unable to take the overwhelming sensations beating against her. Her body was a tumult of emotions and feelings that were crashing wildly against each other. His hand tightened upon hers, the gentle stroking of his thumb did not
hing to ease the chaos clamoring through her.

  “Let me get a picture of everyone,” her grandmother said, her voice slightly strained.

  Cassie met her grandmother’s slightly amused, slightly dazed gaze. Devon moved to her side, his arm encircling her waist. The feel of him caused her skin to hum with electricity. “Everyone smile!”

  Dani leaned happily against the wall, munching on popcorn, smiling in amusement as everyone was moved around and ordered to smile repeatedly. Cassie’s face hurt by the time her grandmother was done snapping pictures, but it was worth it to see the bright smile on her pretty face, and the happy gleam in her eyes.

  “Ok, you guys can go now!” her grandmother announced happily, letting the camera drop back around her neck.

  Cassie sighed in relief, her feet were beginning to ache and she was ready to get this night over with. Devon approached with her coat in hand; a small smile curved his full mouth as his eyes twinkled at her. “Will you even come out in those pictures?” she inquired softly.

  A small chuckle escaped him as he slipped the coat around her shoulders. “Not all the myths are true, love,” he whispered in her ear, his lips brushing lightly against her skin sent a shiver throughout her.

  She needed to get control of herself around him, or this was going to be a very long, very tortuous night. Slipping his hand into hers, he led her toward the door. “Cassie wait!”

  She turned as her grandmother hurried over, a small box in hand. Cassie frowned as her grandmother handed her the box, a small smile on her face, but a wealth of sadness in her sky blue eyes. “I think it’s time you had this.”

  Cassie took the box from her, opening it slowly. A small gasp escaped as she caught sight of the delicate emerald ring. The stone was small, but it shimmered in the light of the room. Surrounding the emerald were four petite, perfect diamonds. Cassie’s hand shook as she pulled the ring free, carefully handling the small gold band.