I dont understand. Energy? Sent by me? A week ago, the only thing hed done was kill a few corpses and meet Mary Ann.
With the thought, his eyes widened. The first time hed seen Mary Ann, everything had ceased to exist before the world had seemed to explode in a burst of wind. Could that be what Victoria meant? And what did that mean for him and Mary Ann if it was?
Who are your people? Where do you live?
I was born in Romania, she said, ignoring his first question. Wallachia.
His brow furrowed as he considered her claim. A tutor had once forced him to do a report on Romania. He knew that Wallachia was north of the Danube and south of the Carpathians and that Wallachia was not what the town was now called. He also knew there was no way the wind he and Mary Ann had generated could have reached a place that far away. Right?
Were you there when the energy hit you?
Yes. We move around a lot, but we had just returned to Romania. So what game do you play with us, Aden Stone? Why did you want us here?
Us? No, hed only wanted her. If I was the one to send that energy, it wasnt intentional, he said.
She lifted her hand and rested her fingertips just below his ear. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring. Finally. Contact. Her skin was burning hot, static, like lightning. Down her nails raked, gentle, so gentle, stopping at the base of his neck where his pulse hammered.
Intentional or not, she said, my father was angered. And believe me, his anger is a terrifying thing. The stuff of nightmares. He wanted you dead.
Aden was too entranced by her actions to be scared of her words. Is that why you brought me here? To kill me? Then why had she given him the blades? Youll understand if I dont lie down and take it, Im sure.
The harshness of his tone must have jarred her because she backed away until she was no longer within easy reach. I should have kept my mouth closed, he thought darkly. What would it take to make her return?
I said my father wanted you dead, she admitted softly, gaze falling to the ground. He no longer does. I convinced him to wait, to study you. We still feel the hum of your power, after all.
One part of her speech intrigued him more than any other. Why?
She didnt pretend to misunderstand. He wanted to know why she would seek to help him, a boy she knew nothing about. Youfascinate me. Her cheeks brightened with pink. That was stupid of me to say. Pretend I said something else.
I cant, he said. Nor did he want to. You fascinate me, too. Ive thought about you since the moment I first saw you. He didnt tell her that had been months ago, in a vision. Didnt tell her that sometimes shed been the only thing in his life worth living for. And when you visited me while I was sickdont try to deny it, he added when she opened her mouth. You took care of me, I know you did. Ive wanted to spend time with you ever since.
She shook her head as he spoke, tendrils of hair slapping her face. We cannot like each other. We cannot become friends.
Thats good, because I dont want to be your friend. I want to be more. The words rushed from him, unstoppable. What he felt for this girl was different than what hed ever felt for anyone else. It was more intense, consuming.
Maybe he should have kept that information to himself, as hed told himself earlier, at least for a little while. But because of Elijahs death-vision, he knew his days were numbered.
You wouldnt say that if you knew Her eyes narrowed on him. Do you have any idea of what I am, Aden? Of what my father is?
No. And it didnt matter. He had four souls trapped in his head. Like he could really complain about someone elses heritage, whatever it was.
Before he could blink, Victoria was once again in his face, pushing him backward until he slammed into a tree and lost his breath. Hed wanted her near him, but not like this. Not angry.
Her lips pulled back from her teeth, revealing sharp white fangs. You would be running in terror if you knew.
Those fangsButyou cant be. You stood in sunlight. I saw you.
The older we are, the more the sunlight hurts us. The younger ones like me can stand in it for hours, unaffected. There at the end, her voice rose. Do you understand now? We use your people for food. Our mobile meals. Our blood on tap. And if we like that food enough, we drink again and again until that human becomes our blood-slave. But they never become our friends. To care for them is useless, for we will live on while they wither and die.
Hed wondered what else was out there, and now he knew. I cantI meanA vampire.
Suddenly, in his mind, one of Elijahs visions opened up and he saw Victorias head against his shoulder, her teeth in his neck. He saw his knees buckle and his lifeless body fall to the ground. Saw her back away from him, mouth smeared with crimson, horror in her eyes.
He wanted to deny what he was seeing but couldnt. Hed suspected Elijahs ability was growing and this proved it. Victoria was here, real and in front of him. Shed led him into this forest, had touched his neck.
One day, Victoria would bite him. Drink from him. It wouldnt kill himsomeones knife would do thatbut it would leave him helpless.
Could he stop it from happening? Did he want to stop it? Having Victoria in his life had somehow become almost as important to him as breathing.
The vision faded, and Aden blinked, his surroundings coming back into view. He was still in the forest, but Victoria was nowhere to be seen. With a sigh, he made his way back to the house, already knowing he wouldnt sleep.
CHAPTER 8
Mary Ann arrived at school an hour and a half early. Presently, she was the only one outside, the sun barely peeking through the clouds. Good thing. She was shaking, unkempt. All night shed sat at her computer, researching werewolves and paranormal abilities, replaying what had happened in the woods through her mind.
Though shed printed hundreds of pages, she had found nothing substantiated, both subjects treated as fiction. In that fiction, werewolves were able to shift from animal to man, but even then none were reported as having the ability to insert their voices into human minds. But she knew, knew, that wolf had spoken inside her head.
The ability to make a body disappear was known as teleporting, and she also knew Aden had vanished. Knew his body had gone through the wolfs but hadnt come out the other side. She hadnt imagined it. Her terror had been too real, and the feel of the wolf was still burned on her hand.
Was the wolf okay? The question had plagued her all night long, which in turn caused guilt to eat away at her. She should care more about Aden. Was he okay? Where had he gone? Had he returned? Could he return? Shed looked up Dan Reevess number but it was unlisted, so shed almost driven over there. The only thing that had stopped her was the thought of getting Aden in trouble. That, and the fear of voicing what had happened and being told she was delusional.
Im not crazy, she thought, pacing in front of the black double doors. She was going to confront Aden, demand answers. If he showed up. And if he denied his ability, shedwhat? Her shoulders sagged. She didnt know what shed do. Telling her dador any adultwould earn her a referral to one of her dads coworkers and perhaps medication. Shed known it in the forest, the first time the wolf had spoken to her, and she knew it now. Her friends would laugh at her, perhaps ostracize her.
A dark blue sedan eased into the parking lot, and Mr. White, the principal, emerged, briefcase in hand. He frowned when he saw her, his steps clipped as he approached. He was an older man with thinning hair and wrinkled features. His glasses were thick, as was his silver mustache.
Youre here early, he said.
She smiled; the action felt brittle. Shed always liked him because hed always been kind to her, but she couldnt feign her usual upbeat mood. Just wanted to get away from my house to study for todays chem test, she lied.
His dark eyes filled with pride. Want to come in? You can wait in the office.
No, thanks. Shed stand out here all day if she had to, but she wasnt moving from this spot until Aden arrived. If he arrived, she couldnt help but add again. Knots formed in her stomach, twisting painfully. The air out here helps me think. When had she become such a fraud?
Well, youre welcome to come inside if you change your mind. Ill leave the door unlocked.
Alone again, she renewed her pacing. Her gaze continually strayed to the line of trees, looking for the wolf. She stomped her foot. No. Not the wolf. Aden. Looking for Aden.
An eternity passed before teachers began arriving. Finally, the students showed up. All but Aden.
Pennys Mustang swung into the lot, the tires squealing a little. Her friend had no concept of speed laws and why they were important, which was ironic since she was usually late. Several people had to jump out of the way as Penny parked.
Today Penny wore a sapphire dress that matched her eyes. Eyes that were rimmed with red, Mary Ann noticed. Her pale hair was anchored in a ponytail, as though arranging it into the usual neat style would have taken too much energy. Her skin was pallid, her freckles stark.
Mary Ann met her halfway. Whats wrong? she asked, concern for her friend momentarily obliterating her worries about the wolf and Aden.
The question earned a strained laugh. Whats wrong with me? Nothing. Tucker called me last night and this morning, wanting to know if I knew what was wrong with you. Said youd acted weird after school yesterday. Said hed called you all evening, but you didnt answer.
Tucker was of no importance right now. Especially the new Tucker who hurt peoples feelings and threatened her friends. Tuckers just going to have to wait. She looked past her friend, watching the trees for any sign of life.
Finally, she was rewarded. Shannon cut through, big and beautiful. The entire world seemed to slow down, her skin tightening over her bones. Aden might be close. And it wasnt disappointment she was feeling, she assured herself. Seeing the wolf should be last on her list of priorities.
Ill call you later, okay? Off she rushed, Pennys sputtering ringing in her ears. Her backpack slapped against her, the books inside nearly crushing her spine. Shannon! she called.
He spotted her and his eyes widened, a startling green against the darkness of his skin. Once again, those eyes reminded her of the wolfs. Her wolf. Oh my God. Could he be her wolf?
The closer she came, the more he tried to swoop around her. Which wasnt like her wolf. Frowning, she jumped in front of him, blocking his path.
Is Aden coming?
His brows drew together. W-why do you c-care?
Her wolf hadnt stuttered, either. But then, he also hadnt been using his mouth. God, this was confusing. And weird! Picturing a human morphing into a wolf was not normal.
But was Shannon or wasnt he?
I just do, she finally said. Is he coming or not?
Hes b-behind me.
Hed reappeared, then. That meant he was alive and well. Her relief was so great, her knees almost buckled. She was grinning as she said, Thank you. Thank you so much.
Shannon didnt respond, but he couldnt hide the curiosity in his eyes as he finally maneuvered around her and headed into the school. Knowing Aden was out there made waiting that much harder, but she did it, stood there and waited until he came into view. When she saw him, her knees almost buckled again.
That same burning wind stabbed at her chest, there one moment, gone the next, and she would have sworn shed been cut open, even though she knew otherwise. Before, that might have freaked her out and sent her racing away. Not this time. This time, she wanted answers. Aden was unlike anyone shed ever met. His eyes changed color in the light, and he was able to disappear in a blink. How was any of that possible?
Hello, Aden, she said.
His step faltered when he noticed her. His expression became guarded, his gaze scanning the area behind her as if he expected someone to jump out and grab him. Someone like the wolf? Or an adult? She, too, glanced around. There was no other hint of life, the insects and birds strangely quiet.
Mary Ann. There was a bite to his tone hed never used with her before. He stopped in front of her. What are you doing here? With me, I mean.
Whatever had happened to him, he hadnt changed physically. He was just as tall, just as adorable with his black-dyed hair and swirling eyes. No cuts, no bruises.
I want to know what happened yesterday, she said.
He uttered a nervous laugh. What do you mean? Someones dog escaped and scared you. I shooed it away and went home.
Liar! Thats not what happened, and you know it.
It is, he insisted. Your fear has just distorted your memory.
No. No, no. He wasnt going to convince her the entire thing had been a mind-trick brought on by the intensity of her emotions. Shed spent too much time replaying the scene through her head last night. Too much time wondering about that wolf.
Tell me what happened, Aden. Please.
For a moment, he didnt speak. Then he sighed. Just let it go, Mary Ann.
No! One thing youll learn about me, Aden. Im stubborn to a fault. Youll give me the answers I want or Ill get them another way. Not that she knew what that other way would be, but still.
Fine. His stare was penetrating as he gave her his full attention. What do you think happened?
Going to play that game, was he? Let her voice her version of events so he could tailor his own recounting to either fit or discredit hers. Her dad had used a similar technique on her many times, like the day hed given her the sex talk. Tell me what you know, hed said, and then blushed when she had.
Look, I havent told anyone what I witnessed. She crossed her arms over her chest. And I wont. Its our secret, yours and mine. But you have to tell me whats going on. Im in the middle of something Im completely clueless about, seeing things I once thought were impossible. She was babbling, she knew she was, but couldnt stop. I dont know what to do or how to protect myself. Actually, I dont know what I need to protect myself from or if I even need to be worried.
His gaze flicked pointedly to the school. Maybe now isnt the best time to discuss this. Well be late to first period.
Lets ditch. Shed never uttered those words before and had never thought to do so. In fact, in the past, when shed even considered them, shed gotten sick. Now, all she wanted to do was talk to Aden. Nothing else mattered. We can go to my house, my dads at work. Well have privacy for the rest of the day.
For a moment, his expression was so tortured she had to glance at his nails to make sure pins hadnt been shoved underneath them. I cant, he said. If I ditch a single day, Imokay, look, I have a confession to make. I do live at the D and M Ranch and if I ditch, Ill be kicked out. I dont want to be kicked out. Besides, this is my first day. My teachers are expecting me.
A dejected breath left her. Then we wont ditch. But we will talk. Please, please, please.
He nodded reluctantly. Come on. Walk me to school. Well talk along the way. Just be careful what you say, okay? You never know who, or what, is lurking nearby.
Though she wanted to stay right where she was to prevent their conversation from ending before she was ready, she pivoted and they ambled toward the school side by side. Thankfully, they had a while yet until they reached the masses blithely going about their day. As she once had, she thought.
You dont have to start at the beginning or anything like that. Just tell me something, she pleaded.
There was a heavy pause. Another sigh. What if I told you there was an entire world out there you had no idea existed? A world of he gulped vampires and werewolves, and people with unexplainable abilities?
A whole new world, the wolf had told her. II would believe you. But she didnt want to. She wanted to deny it. Despite everything shed witnessed, despite the fact that he was saying exactly what shed expected him to say, denial was her first instinct. The thought of bloodsuckers and shape-shifters was abhorrent. The people with unexplainable abilities she didnt yet understandbut she would. She was determined.
And what if I told you there was a boy who was somehow a magnet for those things, drawing them closer and closer to him? A boy with strange powers of his own?
She licked her lips. Can this boy disappear in the blink of an eye?
He shook his head, a single jerky motion.
But I saw
Not disappear, he said, stopping her. You saw him possess someone elses body.
Dear God. Aden could possess other peoples bodies. Just step inside them as if they were an elevator and he needed a ride. She shuddered, fighting the urge to dart away so he couldnt do such a thing to her.
Hed ground to a halt, she realized, no longer seeing him at her side. She whipped around. He was regarding her with that tortured expression again, this one mixed with fear and dread. He expected her to run screaming from him.
She might have done so, had she continued to think about him possessing her. This was just so much to take in. Too much, probably, for a girl who had always relied on science to explain the unknown. He didnt deserve that sort of treatment, though. He was giving her what she wanted, what shed demanded. What he hadntand clearly still didntwant to give.
He must live with a constant fear of discovery, afraid of what people would do to him if they knew. Such stress would have destroyed the bravest of men, and that he was standing there, unmoving, expectant, waiting, proved the depth of his strength. That hed told her anything at all proved the depth of his friendship.
She softened her expression as she closed the distance between them. Beads of sweat glistened from his forehead, a testament to his nervousness. I will not fear him. I will not fear him, she mentally chanted. Without warning him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, giving him the hug shed wanted to give him since the moment shed seen him.
At first, he remained stiff, unyielding, then his own arms encircled her tentatively. They stayed like that for several minutes, lost in the moment. As he held her, any lingering qualms shed harbored vanished. Yesterday he had protected her from the werewolf. He didnt want to hurt her.
He was the one to pull away, as if he didnt trust himself to continue. His expression was blank but his eyesoh, his eyes. They were brown this time. What did the change mean? She had so much to learn about him.
So tell me. Is possessing bodies all this boy can do? she asked softly.
Another shake of his head.
So there was more. Surprisingly, the fear did not return. What else?
He tangled his fingers through his hair, and a thick black lock tumbled to his forehead. Mary Ann, what do you think the chances are that this make-believe boy who can do things others cant has spent most of his life shuffled from one mental institution to another?
Mental institutions? Poor, sweet Aden. She might be young, but shed seen how intolerant people could be of those who were different. Look how Tucker had treated Shannon because of his stutter. And a stutter was nothing compared to what Aden could do!
I think theres a very good chance, but that wouldnt make me like him any less.
He gazed down at his feet, hiding his disbelief. A moment passed. He sighed, grabbed her hand, and spun her around, tugging her toward the school. How can you accept this so easily?
Easily? She barked out a laugh completely devoid of humor. I agonized over this all night. Did I They were pretending to speak of other people, she reminded herself. Could a girl actually hear a werewolf speaking inside her head? And if she didnt, was she crazy? Did she truly see a boy disappear? And if she didnt, was she crazy? She either had to accept what shed seen or admit she was, you guessed it, crazy.
His grip tightened. Warm and strong. Comforting. Comfort she needed as much as he did, she realized.
What about the wolf? she asked. What happened to him?
Last time I saw him, he was alive. There was a wealth of guilt in his tone.
Why the guilt?
Did he tell you anything? she asked. Mention why he was following me?
No, and there wasnt time to ask him. Had there been, though, I dont think he would have answered me. We werent exactly on friendly terms when I left him.
He is a boy, though, right? Goose bumps broke out over her skin as she remembered the husky timbre of his voice inside her head, that warm fur against her skin, those pale green eyes watching her every move. Shivers, not shudders. Whats wrong with me?
Yes. A very dangerous one. If he returns, stay away from him. He promised to kill me.
What? Why?
Finally they reached the school, and he wasnt able to answer. She released Adens hand when one of her classmates, she didnt know the guys name, spotted them and gaped. She wasnt embarrassed for people to see her with Aden and think that they were a couple, and she hoped he realized that. If shed been crushing on him, she would have been proud to be his girlfriend. But she wasnt his girlfriend; she still thought of him as a brother-type. And the simple fact was, things werent settled with Tucker yet.
Tucker. What was she going to do about him?
The last time shed gone to sleep, shed seen the world in black and white. A world where a fifteen-year plan had driven her every action. Now, her eyes were open to its vast and vivid colors, to a puzzle she desperately wanted to solve, each minute a surprise she couldnt possibly plan for. Where did Tucker fit in this new life? Did she want him to fit?
Mary Ann sighed. Looked like she had more than wolves and secret abilities to figure out.
AFTER THEY STOPPED by the office and picked up a map, Mary Ann gave Aden the promised tour of Crossroads High. Their conversation about the supernatural had ended the moment theyd hit the parking lot and they were careful not to resume it, speaking only of the mundane.
Aden was glad for the reprieve, though he knew it would end soon enough. He wasnt sure what else hed tell her when the time came. Wasnt sure what she could handle. What little he had revealed had caused her to pale and shake. He wanted her help with the souls, yes, but
Could he trust her not to tell anyone? Again, he desperately wanted to, and she claimed that he could. But people, hed learned at a very young age, often lied. Well always love you, but this is for your own good, his mother had told him in a note. A note shed left for him at that first institution and hed read years later. His parents had never returned for the son they loved. This wont hurt, doctor after doctor had told him, just before shoving a needle somewhere in his body.
People would say anything to get the reaction they desired. His parents hadnt wanted him to think poorly of them or their decision. The doctors hadnt wanted him to fight them.
With Mary Ann, hed forgottenor chosen to overlook like the idiot he wasyears of lessons learned. The way shed hugged himas if he meant something to her, as if they were already family and had to look out for each other. Telling her, though, was the only way to gain her help. If she could help, that is.
Watch out. Mary Ann jerked him to the side.
A group of jocks passed, barely missing him. Sorry. My mind wandered. And it hadnt been because of the souls. Unlike yesterday in the forest, when hed heard them while in proximity to Mary Ann, they were once again dormant. He didnt understand it, either.
He frownedand almost slammed into someone else. His mind had wandered again. How long had he been walking through the schools corridors without really seeing them?
He forced himself to take everything in. The walls were painted black, gold and whitethe school colorsand posters that read Go Jaguars decorated each expanse. Kids rushed in every direction. Lockers were opened and slammed shut. Girls laughed and talked while the boys checked them out.
Football seasons in full swing, Mary Ann said. Do you play? I mean, I know Dan used to, so I figured he would have the boys at the ranch train with him.
No. I dont play, and Dan doesnt have us practice. We have too many chores. Aden loved watching the game, though, and hated that he couldnt concentrate long enough to experience it firsthand.
Im sorry, she said.
Why?
Well, you sounded sad, like you wish you could play but Her lips pressed together as she realized why contact sports might not be the best thing for someone who could possess anothers body.
She had no idea that was only part of the problem. Believe me. Ill recover. There were a thousand other things he could worry about. What will your boyfriend think of you giving me this tour? He didnt want you to, remember?
I dont want to talk about him. Before Aden could respond, she added, Now let me see your schedule.
Apparently, he wasnt the only one who knew how to change a subject. He pulled the paper from his pocket and handed it to her.
She ran a finger down the list. We have two classes together. First and second period.
Are you going to let me cheat off your papers? he teased.
Maybe Ill cheat off yours. I might have straight As, but Ive had to slave for every single one.
We should study together.
Like wed really get anything done, she said with a laugh.
Wait. Were supposed to accomplish something? I thought the word study was code for getting together and talking.
Another laugh. I wish.
How normal this felt. And despite everything going on, he realized he was happy.
The wolf wanted to eat him for breakfastso what. Victoria, the girl he still wanted to kiss with every ounce of his being, would one day drink from himso what. Someone was going to stab him in the heartagain, so what. He could deal.
No matter what life threw at him next, he could deal.
CHAPTER 9
Because of Adens curfew, Mary Ann didnt get a chance to talk to him after school.
So, the next morning, she waited for him at the front doors but Tucker got to her first. Too afraid to let the boys interact, she asked Tucker to walk her to class. He, at least, seemed back to his normal self, solicitous and admiring. Still. She didnt know what to do about him, maybe because her mind had too many other things to ponder. Like Aden and the wolf.
She tried to talk to Aden in each of their shared classes, but the teachers separated them, watching him closely, as if they expected him to be a bad influence. And between classes, there were too many kids in the halls to say anything of importance.
At lunch, he was nowhere to be found. Where he went, she didnt know, but his absence was probably for the best. As always, she sat with Tucker and his crew, as well as Penny and hers. No telling how they would have reacted if she left them to be with Aden.
Sadly a week crawled by in the same manner: Tucker met her in the morning, teachers ensured she and Aden maintained their distance, and he disappeared at lunch. They never again had the chance to chat. She couldnt help but wonder if Aden was relieved not to have to tell her any more of his secrets.
Each day after their final class, he was given another reprieve. She didnt want to see him. Her wolfthe wolf who had promised to kill himalways waited for her. Actually, he walked her to and from school. The relief shed felt upon first seeing him again, of knowing he was okay, still filled her every time she saw him.
For the good of everyone, she was careful to keep Aden and the wolf apart. But it was costing her bits and pieces of her sanity. She had to talk with Aden soon. How was he doing in his classes? Was he adjusting? Had he made friends? Where did he go at lunch?
What other abilities did he have?
That was the question that plagued her most.
Soon, either before or after school, she would have to shoo the wolf away so that she and Aden could have a moment of privacy. Not that she wanted to shoo him away. She was beyond curious about him. She kept expecting him to reveal his human formtodays the day, shed think every morning, followed by any moment now every afternoonand tell her what was going on. But hed maintained radio silence since that first day.