Cave of Terror (25 page)
He covered his heart with both hands. “You wound me with your words."
I widened my eyes and looked deep into Constantine's. Ryan had made the exact same gesture and said similar words at the Halloween party when he had teased me. How weird. “You can't keep showing up wherever you want."
He braced his hands against the wall on either side of my head and leaned in close to my body, his lips a mere inch from mine. “Ah, but that's where you're wrong. I can do whatever I want.” He smiled. “Join with me, and you will also have that freedom."
I pushed against his chest and ducked under his arm. “You mean like the freedom you have as you hide from my
clice
? And will hide from
me
?"
His eyes turned an eerie golden yellow, signaling me I might have gone too far. I couldn't afford a scene in the gym. I'd never be able to explain the situation.
"One way or another you will come to me. I prefer you willing, but I'll take you however I can get you. And that's a promise.” He licked his lips, then disappeared around the corner.
I exhaled and leaned against the wall, trying to collect myself. Thank God no one had witnessed our little exchange. I went back into the gym and finished my last vault. We only had conditioning left now.
Mandy plopped down next to me while we waited for everyone to get their water bottles.
"Aaag! We have medicine ball for conditioning,” Mandy whined.
I groaned at the thought. “My arms still hurt from bars and all the arm conditioning we did Friday."
"Yeah, me, too."
Me and Mandy partnered, tossing the ball back and forth. Tiny vibrations rippled across my skin and cinnamon scented the air. I immediately glanced toward the viewing area. Ryan now stood in the same place as Constantine had.
A heavy object hit me square in the chest, knocking me onto my butt.
Mandy's eyes were huge. “Why didn't you catch it? What were you doing? Are you okay?"
Not sure what had hit me the hardest—the ball or Ryan's appearance—I just stared at Mandy. I glanced toward Ryan, his eyes also wide with shock.
"I'm sorry,” he mouthed.
Mandy followed my glance. “Dang girl, you've had two hunks visit you. Shazaam! You're on fire.” She pressed her finger to the top of her hip and made the sizzle sound as if she put out a burning match.
After conditioning, we pulled the mats onto the floor, so we could stretch. I kept my back to Ryan while I sat in the splits, one leg elevated on the mat. I needed a little time to think and he distracted me to no end. Way too many coincidences kept happening for my comfort. I could believe Constantine would shadow Ryan, but Constantine always showed up first, leaving me to believe Ryan followed him instead. But that didn't make sense, so I switched back to the coincidence scenario. Aaag! I no longer knew what to think or believe.
Mandy leaned over. “I take it Ryan's appearance surprised you since your attention was ... elsewhere?"
"And your point would be?"
"Nothing. I'm just saying."
We finished stretching, so I gathered my things and walked out of the gym and into the lobby where Ryan waited, a big smile on his face.
"Hey, Sparkie, how are you doing? I've been worried."
I raised my eyebrows. “So you thought you'd check up on me?” I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him caring enough to come all the way to the gym just to check on me. Any negative thoughts I had went right out the window.
He winked, reducing me to a puddle of mush—a condition I seemed to find myself in a lot lately. “Yep, sure did. And you look mighty fine to me.” He waggled his eyebrows as he teased me.
Heat infused my face at the comment, becoming more than just a little aware I stood in front of him in a form-fitting, skimpy leo. “Whatever!” I said, trying to cover-up my discomfort.
"And I wanted to see if you would like to go somewhere and have a quick dinner. Maybe Panda Express?"
My tummy rumbled at the mention of food. “I'd love to, but ... I have a lot of homework and Mom and Dad are expecting me home right after gym."
I knew Nicoleta would be waiting for me and I had a few things I needed to inform her about that couldn't wait any longer. Not to mention the fact Mom and Dad really did expect me home right away. With all the craziness surrounding Constantine, they had tightened the reins, becoming more and more paranoid. Not that I could blame them.
"That's okay. Late notice. Maybe another night."
I did my best version of the puppy dog look. “Sorry."
"No worries. I'll walk you out. Wouldn't want anything to happen to you."
He had no idea how close to the truth he came. “Okay. Let me get dressed."
I pulled on my pajama bottoms and slipped my hoodie over my head. After sliding on my flip-flops, I was good to go.
Mandy looked over and grinned. “Have fun. See you tomorrow."
Good thing I drove myself. I'd at least have a few minutes alone with Ryan. Oh no! What if he tried to kiss me and I started to shift? Or what if I turned into a panther right in front of his eyes? I clenched my teeth, frustrated I had to even worry about such crazy things as turning into a flippin’ four-legged animal from a kiss.
As soon as we walked out the doors, Ryan took my hand. Sparks traveled up my arm and down my back, sending every nerve into a sensitized frenzy. What was it about this guy that could cause such reactions? I had to maintain control. I couldn't allow a shift to even begin. Not in front of Ryan, and definitely not in front of my gym.
We reached my car and he twirled me to where my back rested against the driver's door. I held my breath, wondering what he had in mind.
"Are you sure you're fine?” He drilled me with a stare.
I exhaled. “Yes, I'm perfectly fine. Really."
He ran his finger down the side of my face, causing goose bumps to spread across my skin. His eyelids drooped slightly, lending him a sleepy look—a very sensual, sleepy look. “I'm glad. I wouldn't want anything bad to ever happen to you. You are very special ... to me,” he said in a rich velvet voice.
"I better go.” If I stared into Ryan's eyes any longer, I wouldn't be in control of my reactions toward him.
"Right.” He clasped my hands and brought them to his lips, pressing a kiss to each.
Oh God! Even a simple and sweet gesture had a huge impact on my senses. He was far too dangerous for my own good. I'd never be able to hide all my secrets from him. And I seriously doubted he'd be real hip on finding out I'm not exactly human.
He tugged me away from the car and pulled me against his hard chest, wrapping his arms around my waist. I inhaled his cinnamon scent, wondering if this would be what heaven felt like. He bent and kissed the top of my head, then released me. An immediate loss settled along my soul, the warmth leaving my body—leaving me empty inside and out. If I could crawl back into his comforting embrace and stay there forever, I wouldn't hesitate for a minute. But, something greater than me or my desires pulled me away.
"Drive safe,” he said, opening the door for me.
I slid into my seat. “I will."
"Good night, Sparkie. Don't forget to dream of me.” He winked, then shut the door before I had a chance to respond.
I had a feeling I'd be dreaming of him tonight and every night.
I pulled into the driveway only to find Nicoleta's car occupying my space ... again, so I reversed and parked along the curb. My stomach clenched, knowing I'd have to inform her that Mandy knew
who
I was ...
what
I was. No telling what kind of reaction I'd get. And I seriously dreaded telling her about almost shifting at school.
"A little late aren't you?” Nicoleta asked as I entered Dad's office, glancing at her diamond encrusted watch.
I plopped my stuff down next to the couch and sat. “Larry kept us a little longer."
"So, tell me what's been going on. Judging by the look on your face, you have something to tell me. And I'm getting the feeling I won't like it."
I glanced down at my lap. Can she read minds? Or am I that transparent? “Well, something happened at school today.” My gaze lifted back to her face.
Her eyebrows arched slightly. “And?"
"This girl decided to play a trick on me and locked me in a supply closet. I don't do well in small spaces, especially in the dark. I panicked. And...” I paused, biting my lower lip, not wanting to tell her the rest.
"And you started to shift,” Nicoleta finished for me.
My jaw dropped. She
could
read minds. How else would she know what I thought? I nodded in agreement.
"Did anyone witness it?"
Again I nodded, not wanting to look her in the eye.
She exhaled loud enough to snap my attention back on her. No emotion flickered across her face, which made it all the worse. “Who?” she demanded.
Why hadn't I just lied and said no one witnessed it? Mandy wouldn't tell anyone. Not with her family background. She understood the seriousness of the situation.
"Who, Cheyenne?” Her lips pressed into a tight line.
If something happened to Mandy because of my big mouth, I'd never forgive myself. “Mandy, my best friend. But, she won't tell anyone. She really won't. She's never betrayed my trust. Not ever. And well, there's something else. She's not from a normal family either. Her dad and brother are shifters, too. So see, she knows how important it is to keep the secret,” I rambled ninety miles an hour as I twisted my hands together.
"We know all about Mandy and her family. Have for quite a while."
I drew in a quick breath. “You know?"
"Yes. We make it our business to know the various races within our community. We've been at peace with the
Luptãs
for many centuries."
"So, it's okay that Mandy knows?” I asked, hope bursting from every word.
She took a deep breath, then slowly let it out. “I wouldn't go so far as to say it's ‘okay’ that she knows, but I don't feel it places our
clice
or your identity in danger. But, you do need to be more careful and control your emotions better. What would have happened if someone other than Mandy witnessed the transformation?"
"I know. But what was I supposed to do?” I lifted my hands in front of me. “It wasn't like I asked for the witch to lock me in a closet. And it's not like I asked to be claustrophobic. If I could control it, don't you think I would? It's humiliating and embarrassing. It's not like I enjoy it.” I snapped my mouth shut and glared at Nicoleta. Maybe I wasn't cut out to be an ice queen like her. Emotions raged inside me ready to explode at any time—a teenager. Hello. And sorry if that wasn't good enough for her, but nobody asked me if I wanted to take on the responsibility of being a
Vanator
on top of the normal hormonal changes going on inside me.
"You were born into power and with that you have certain obligations. Obligations you cannot hide from any longer.” She cocked her head to the side and pursed her lips. “Trying to find a place in this world is hard enough for kids your age, but to be marked as a
Vanator
makes it ten times worse. I get that. However, you must look beyond your fear and frustrations and embrace what you are."
"
What
I am? I don't want to be seen as
what
I am but
who
I am.” I slapped my palm over my heart. “Inside. Not defined by my position. I didn't ask to be born into power.” I crossed my arms over my chest—anger rising to the surface and heating my skin to an uncomfortable level.
"And you didn't ask to be a girl. And you didn't ask for your color of hair or eyes. And you didn't ask for your skin to have a certain pigment. Well guess what, kiddo? None of us gets the privilege of ‘picking’ what we will be when we're born. Nature takes care of that."
I opened my mouth to speak, but Nicoleta cut me off before I had a chance to say a word.
"Yes, even us—the horrid monsters you look down on. We are what we are. We have no more control than any other species. We evolve and change out of necessity. Yes, we accomplish this quicker than most, but it's still a process. It's nature's way of helping to keep us from extinction. And yes we have a place in the world like every other creature big and small.” She snapped her fingers together. “We can't snap our fingers and decide to be someone else. We learn to live with the cards we are dealt. It's called life."
"So, I'm supposed to suck it up and like it?"
She froze me with a stare. “No one said you had to like it. Do you think children born with no arms or legs
like
it? But that's what nature dealt them, so they have no choice but to accept and learn to adapt. You, on the other hand, received a
gift
. And it's up to you to decide what to do with it.” She stood. “Tell me, Cheyenne, will you become worthy of your gift? Or will you choose to flush it down the toilet and wallow in the mud of self pity?” She walked out of the room, then out the front door without a further word.
Unable to remain angry, I hung my head in shame. Nicoleta spoke the truth. And I knew it.
Not holding out any hope that today would end up better than yesterday, I hesitantly entered the student center within the main building. Val's group of cheer buddies stood in a huddle and glared at me with malice glowing in their eyes as I passed, Val conspicuously absent.
"Boo-yah!” Mandy hollered as she goosed me from behind.
My heart accelerated, sending my pulse pounding hard enough I could feel it bulging and contracting the veins in my wrists and throat. “Are you trying to scare me half to death or what?” I huffed, trying to catch my breath.
"You're mighty jumpy today. What's with the overly sensitive thing you got going on?” She waved her arms in front of me.
I glanced toward the group still glaring at me.
Mandy shrugged. “Oh, them. Well, they're just pissed because Val got in-school suspension for two days for what she did to you. I'm sure they're just lost since their evil leader is missing. They don't know who to torture today.” Mandy laughed.
"Great. Just what I need."