Cave of Terror (24 page)

Shoved from behind, I flew forward into the room and fell to my knees, barely avoiding cracking my head on an audiovisual stand that had been placed against the back wall. Before I had a chance to regain my composure, the room encased in darkness as the door shut firmly behind me. Feminine laughter trailed down the hall.

"Val!"

I'd know her cackle anywhere. What would possess her to do such a thing?

The dark, cramped room pulsed around me, forcing me back to a time I never wanted to revisit. I had to get out of there.

My chest constricted, partially closing off my lungs. Memories of a similar circumstance flashed into my head. I sat back on my heels.
No. No. No.
I didn't want to go there. Not now. Not ever. I rolled to my side and drew my knees to my chest, rocking back and forth. But the images kept coming and coming.

I was four. I didn't want to take a nap, but Mom made me because I was cranky. I took all my dolls out of my toy box and started to play. Then my room got really dark and it started to thunder. Boom!
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to stop the memory. I could hear the thunder, even now.
Boom!
I covered my ears to block the horrible sound.
I wanted to run to my mom, but she'd be really mad I hadn't gone to sleep. The thunder got louder. And louder. Something scratched at my window. I covered my mouth with my hands to keep from screaming. Lightning lit up my room, casting spooky shadows everywhere. I needed my mom, but I was too scared to move. I had to hide from the shadows, so I crawled into my toy box and shut the lid. But it was even darker and so tight. I couldn't breathe. My chest hurt bad. I pushed against the top. But it stuck. I screamed and screamed. Mom didn't hear me.

She didn't hear me.

I stayed trapped in the little box for so long ... so long.

Tears streamed down my face. My chest tightened even more. I needed out of the closet and fast.

Suck it up. Suck it up.

I wiped the moisture from my face, then pushed myself onto my hands and knees. Gasping for air, I felt around in the darkness, just enough light making its way under the door to show me the way. Even my increased senses couldn't combat the blurring and dimming of my vision. Adrenaline burst through my veins, sending my pulse skyrocketing into dangerous zones. My heart ached, the pressure increasing until I thought it would shatter into a million pieces. I couldn't breathe. My lungs burned. Dizziness seized me and I swayed side to side. Dots of light danced behind my eyes. I fell onto my side, no longer able to sit up.

And then my muscles started to burn—just like they had in the cave the last time I had an attack. My bones twisted and cracked. I groaned from the odd pain.

"Oh, God! No!"

I was shifting—at school. I had to stop it. But the pain increased, making it hard to relax and calm myself down. I rolled to my back, my arms falling by my sides. My newly sprung claws scratched along the cool cement floor. The tickle of fur sprouting from my skin sent a ripple of chills across my skin. My body started to take on another shape—and not that of a human. My fangs dug into my lips. Blood trickled from the wound, scenting the air with a delicious sweet, metallic aroma.

No! I have to stop it.

At any time now, I'd be unable to speak, my voice reduced to the scream of a wild beast.

Then I thought of what Nicoleta had told me. I took a deep breath and centered on my pendant.

"Please help me. I can't control the shift. Show me how before it's too late,” I pleaded.

My necklace heated and the pendant vibrated, emitting a glowing orange halo. Instantly, a peaceful feeling settled over me. My lungs expanded normally, allowing more oxygen throughout my body. I inhaled and exhaled. My heart rate slowed, releasing the pressure in my chest. I continued to draw from the power of the pendant. The twisting of my body ceased.

A rustle sounded on the other side of the door. It opened, the light instantly blinding me. I scurried into a corner, curling into a ball, trying to hide as much of my body as possible. Whoever opened the door had been treated to my half-shifted form. The door creaked shut, temporarily sending the tiny room back into darkness.

Then, the light flicked on.

I stayed huddled in the corner, my body shaking as it slowly returned to normal. I heard the steady breathing of the unidentified person in the room with me, and I waited for him or her to speak. Say anything for that matter. Too scared to see who had witnessed the horrific transformation, I kept my head buried into my knees.

"Cheyenne, why couldn't you tell me?” Mandy asked.

I jerked my head up and met her questioning gaze, but couldn't find the words to answer.

"Don't you know by now you can tell me anything?” She knelt next to me and said in a low voice, “I saw you shift in the cave."

My jaw dropped open. She saw? Omigod! And she hadn't said anything? Hadn't run screaming in the other direction?

"That's right. I saw it, but I decided to wait until you were ready to tell me."

She didn't appear to be freaked-out about the incident, so I relaxed. “Why are you so calm about everything? Did you really see what just happened? Or do you need your eyes checked? My God, Mandy, I had freakin’ fur covering my body. What's wrong with you? Don't you find that just a little strange?” Why did I feel the need to convince her of the abnormality of the situation?

"No, not really.” She sat on her butt and crossed her legs.

"Why the heck not?” The fact she hadn't flipped out over the transformation really disturbed me.

She smiled. “Because my dad and brother are both shifters. Duh!"

My eyes widened. “Shifters? What do you mean?"

"They shift like you, except into wolves.” She shrugged as if it didn't matter.

I leaned closer like I had a secret to tell. “You mean like werewolves?"

Nicoleta had mentioned other races, but I hadn't really given it too much thought. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought my best friend would be a part of a non-human race like me. Could there be more like me living right next door? Or going to the same school?

She rolled her eyes. “That is so politically incorrect.
Luptã
is the preferred term. They shift into wolves, just like you shift into a black cat."

My turn to roll my eyes. “It's called a panther. Hello."

We both cracked up, the tension of the situation fading.

"Are you okay now?"

"Yeah. By the way, how did you know where to find me?"

Mandy clenched her hands into fists on her lap. “You don't even want to know."

"Just tell me.” It's not like it could get any worse.

"The witch bragged about it with her little cronies. They acted like it was the funniest thing ever. And I don't care what you say this time. She
will
pay for this. Her actions could've had serious consequences for you. She knew you were claustrophobic and deliberately planned just the right revenge. She's a hateful person.” Mandy crossed her arms across her chest and scowled.

"What do you mean revenge?"

"Oh please! When you and Ryan came into history together, she turned completely green with envy. She didn't even try to hide it. It was quite obvious y'all were ‘together.’ And then after class, I saw Ryan talking to her. They seemed a bit too cozy. It pissed me off, so I kind of ... eavesdropped. But, get this—he told her he wanted to just be friends with her because he really liked you. And that y'all were going out."

"Omigod! Are you serious? He actually told her that?” My heart did a flip, and the butterflies in my stomach fluttered to life. He said we were going out. He must really like me to stand up to Val when his father expected him to be extra nice to her. That had to have been hard.

"Yep. She was livid. Her face turned all red, then she stormed off. I'm sure that's when she decided to get back at you."

"Well, I guess I can't blame her,” I mumbled under my breath.

Mandy wrinkled her nose. “What? Are you nuts?"

"I have Ryan. She doesn't. I was mighty ticked when I thought the tables were turned."

She shook her head and sighed. “I think the shifting has done something to your head."

We left the closet and walked toward the student center where most of the juniors and seniors hung out. Right as we rounded the corner, we ran into Ryan.

Before I could utter a word, he pulled me into his strong arms, the scent of cinnamon and musk encapsulating me. We fit together so perfectly like we were made for each other. I snuggled closer into his embrace, absorbing the comfort and security he so freely offered.

"I heard what Val did. I'm so sorry. It's my fault.” He released his hold and held me in place in front of him while he checked me over. Apparently satisfied with his examination, he hugged me again.

"How ... did you find out?” I asked, my voice muffled against his chest.

"I heard Val talking about it. Or should I say bragging about it. I had no idea just how mean she could be. I'm so sorry."

"Quit apologizing. I'm fine, really."

Mandy put her hands on her hips. “Bullcrap! When I found her still locked in the room, she was in the middle of a panic attack. She could barely breathe."

He released me again and stared into my eyes. “Is this true?"

"Yeah, but I'm okay. Just leave it alone."

Mandy huffed. “Are you kidding me? She accused you of having drugs, then locked you in a small room knowing you're claustrophobic.” She threw her hand in the air. “You might be able to let it go, but I'm sure not."

"Mandy's right,” Ryan agreed. “She can't keep doing these things to you. What if she ends up really hurting you the next time?” Concern shimmered in his blue eyes.

My heart contracted. If he didn't care, he sure put on a good show.

"Hey!” Mandy greeted as she joined in the warm-up. “Ben about killed me today. He worked on my hip flexors. And boy am I gonna have a huge bruise where he pushed."

"Hey,” I said, giving her the I-know-what-you-did look. I hoped it did hurt. Served her right.

"Sorry, but Val had it coming."

Funny how she knew from just a look exactly what irritated me. “I got called out of class
again
to visit Mr. Gonzales, so I could corroborate what you'd told him. You do realize Val will make my life an even bigger hell now thanks to you?” I pressed my lips together. Still ticked Mandy had actually gone to the principal's office, I planned to make her pay for a while.

"Not if she wants to keep her head on her shoulders. I heard she may get suspended for a day or two,” she said with just a little too much excitement.

Crap! What if she blames Ryan for having a part in the whole mess, then she tells her father? Ryan's dad might feel the backlash.

"Ladies, cut the chat. This isn't gossip time,” Larry yelled across the gym.

Considering the crappy day I had at school, gym seemed to be going quite well. I worked on my release move on bars and caught all but two. Beam rocked! I made all my flights. But when we rotated to vault, I had a strange feeling my luck would be changing. On edge, I kept glancing toward the viewing area expecting to see ... well, I wasn't exactly sure. A prickling sensation centered at the base of my neck.

After a ton of run-throughs, we did some drills. I needed to work on getting the extra half-twist onto my handspring double full vault, so I could have a 10.0 start value. Starting out two-tenths more would really help. Sometimes winning came down to hundredths of a point.

"Okay, ladies, let's vault,” Larry announced.

I did two really good ones, almost making the extra half. So pumped, I forgot about the nagging uncomfortable feeling, until an overwhelming sense of foreboding broke my concentration during a vault, and I bounced sideways off the mat, falling head first into the bar pit.

The way I landed wedged me into the foam blocks with my legs sticking straight up, kicking out frantically to dislodge myself. I heard muted laughter all around me. No doubt the whole optional team now circled the pit, watching my futile attempts to escape the sinister foam blocks. Strong hands circled my ankles and pulled me out. Okay, stupid didn't even begin to describe how I felt. Larry raised his glasses and wiped the tears from his eyes.

"I'm glad I could serve as entertainment.” I huffed out a breath. I seemed to be playing that part well lately. Maybe I should become a comedian.

"Oh, but, Cheyenne, if you could have seen...” Mandy busted out laughing with the rest of the team.

"Everyone back to vault,” Larry managed to choke out.

With only slight injury to my pride, I marched back to the vault runway. I stopped dead in my tracks and lifted my gaze to the viewing area.

Constantine leaned against the railing, his stare zoomed into me. He dipped his head in my direction.

He sure had some nerve coming into
my
gym, invading
my
sanctuary for the second time.

Mandy caught up with me and nudged my shoulder. “Who is that? He's gorgeous."

"Trust me, he's not. He's no one you need to meet,” I warned.

"So, you do know him?"

"No, not really. It's more about knowing
what
he is."

Her eyes grew wide. “Is he ... a ... vampire?"

I grabbed her shoulders. “Sssh! Omigod! You can't be saying things like that out loud. What if someone heard?"

She grimaced. “Sorry. But, he really is gorgeous. A lot like Ryan."

I narrowed my eyes. Why would she compare Ryan to Constantine? “Well, let's just say Constantine's not so gorgeous on the inside. You don't want to mess with him. Stay as far away from him as possible.” I glanced back over at him. “Cover for me. I'll be right back."

Knowing Constantine would follow, I headed straight back to the bathrooms. I slipped around the corner and stopped, standing against the wall.

"Hello, Cheyenne.” He sniffed the air. “You're smelling rather yummy today."

It's more than I could say about his scent. I now hated the smell of almonds. “What now, Constantine? Bored? Felt the need to harass me? What?” Irritation hung thick on my words.