Legacy of Secrets 01-Cursed Secrets (3 page)

“You can’t buy my attention, Christian. I don’t operate that way. You should know that. Besides, you have better conquests I presume?”

“My dear, no woman is a conquest. Each has her own mind, therefore makes her own decisions. While I’ve not been particularly chivalrous, I would have been simply misleading you. I enjoy your company however I would never want to put either of us in a compromising position. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“You enjoy my company? What kind of bullshit is that? That’s like saying ‘it’s not you it’s me’. What do you want, Christian? I don’t have time for whatever game it is you’re trying to play,” she rolled her eyes.

“No games, just a simple conversation. Come take a walk with me?”

“I really shouldn’t, I have an exam next hour and I haven’t studied. For some reason I keep letting men get in the way. I’m sure you wouldn’t know anything about that?”

“Well, what if I said that I would help you and we can still talk? I took that subject last semester and I have a mind like an elephant.”

“The last time you said that we ended up on a road trip and I almost lost my scholarship. No way, I’m not doing that again.”

“Rosa, please? Just one small conversation?” she looked into my eyes. At first she resisted, but my mind was more powerful. Her breathing slowed and I focused on what I needed to know.

“Who is Adalia Klein, better known as Lia?” her pupils dilated.

“Lia is strange. She moved here a few years ago from Pennsylvania. She saw her parents’ murder and flipped out. Some people think she actually did it. She’s nice, but if you get too close weird things can happen. One day everyone started crying and she freaked and went home. Once she was gone, everything went back to normal. Some people didn’t know what happened, others didn’t remember, but they all knew that somehow she’d caused it. Very weird chick.”

“What else about her? Anything you might know personally?”

“She runs every night. I’ve seen her on my way home from work. She also used to be involved with Dallas Holcomb. They weren’t exactly an item, but they knew each other well. He lives around the corner from her.”

“Thank you, Rosa. You’ve been very helpful,” I whispered the answers to the test and compelled her to forget the parts about Lia.

Such a horrible situation for such a beautiful girl, yet she also possessed something quite amazing. Influencing other’s emotions wasn’t easy, even for me, but it seemed she didn’t even know she was doing it.

I wanted more proof. I needed to find out her history. Maybe she would talk to me if the opportunity presented itself, but I didn’t want to be intrusive. If I could find out a few more details, I could do my own research. I had to convince her that I was oblivious to the rumors. My best course of action was to get her alone.

I left campus with a new mission. I felt more alive than I had in ages. Even if she wouldn’t let me help her I wanted to be her friend. I couldn’t stand by without at least trying. I had to do whatever I could.

Lia

It was odd that he just stood there, staring at me. For months we had a class together and he was always on the quad, but never glanced in my direction. What changed? Did Leslie actually tell anyone? Was he being nice to find out if it was all true? What bothered me more was that I couldn’t get him off my mind. I found myself hoping I’d run into him again. I sighed as I walked to my car and embarked on the lonely drive home.

The smart thing was to stay as far away from him for as long as possible. The last thing I needed was an “episode” to cause more rumors. The only person who wasn’t freaked out was Dallas; I wasn’t about to cross that bridge again. Dallas didn’t need me for anything anymore.

I tread heavily up to my room and hoped for a peaceful night’s sleep. I hadn’t slept well in weeks. It seemed the dream came more often and it was unnerving. I changed into my track clothes, grabbed my MP3 player, and headed out the back to run.

The air was crisp and smelled of pine and freshly turned soil. The soothing sounds of the evening immediately made my anxiety fade. I jammed to my running mix and kept a steady pace. There was nothing more exhilarating than the feeling of pavement gliding beneath my feet. Even as I raced faster, my breathing stayed steady and I barely broke a sweat. I felt invincible, as if all of the pain had been stripped away.

Rounding the last corner, I slowed to adjust my armband. I looked up at the last second and squealed as I ran right into Dallas. We stumbled backwards in a tangle of arms and legs.

“Oh jeez, Dallas you scared the shit out of me. What are you doing out here?”

“I was just passing time, hoping I’d run into you. Well, I guess technically you ran into me.”

“Right, well why did you want to run into me?”

“I felt bad about what happened with Leslie. Not to mention we haven’t hung out in a while. We always have so much fun together, don’t you agree?”

“I thought I was clear today that we didn’t need to have fun anymore. Not to mention Leslie wouldn’t be too happy with you,” I smirked.

“What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. It’s never bothered you before. We have a special thing between us. That’s what I like best about our arrangement.”

“Our arrangement? What exactly is our arrangement?”

“Oh silly girl. We’ve had the same arrangement for years. We fuck, you go home, and we both keep our mouths shut. You have to admit you enjoy it,” his tone gave me goose bumps.
             

“It was fun, but I think it was just a phase. We have to grow up sometime,” the ripples began at a slow vibration as I backed away. I couldn’t ignore the tension.

“I suppose, but I enjoy the grown up Lia much more than the little girl Lia. You have quite a bit more going for you these days,” he licked his lips and closed the gap between us, “and I definitely like what I see.”

“I’m sure you do, Dallas, but if I’m late getting home Pops and Nana are going to think something’s happened. I can’t have them calling the police. That wouldn’t be much fun, now would it?” I backed up to a large tree, but he followed me. I was pinned.

“Actually, I think that would be a lot of fun. How long do you think we would have before they found out where you are? I bet we could finish before then. It’s something we’ve never done before. You’re usually down for trying new things,” he pressed his body up against mine and I felt him tremble with excitement.

“Usually I am, but honestly Dallas you’re kinda freaking me out. What the hell is wrong with you?”

He laughed, “Is it so wrong that I miss your body? Mmm my how I’ve missed you,” he kissed me softly, but something about it felt terribly, terribly wrong. I tried pushing him away, but he ignored me.

Frustrated, I held my hands to his chest and shoved with all the strength I possessed. He flew about five feet, into another tree, and slumped with a groan. I ran to him and shook my head in disgust.
What the hell am I doing?

“Dallas?! Dallas, are you alright? I’m so sorry! Do you need help getting up?” I frantically fluttered my hands around him trying to figure out what to do.

“You bitch!” he roared, grabbing my wrist and back handing me across the face. The power behind his slap was unlike anything I’d ever felt. My jaw was on fire and although I resented it, tears sprang into my eyes.

“Please, Dallas I didn’t mean it. Just let me go. Please, don’t do anything stupid. I won’t say a word, you know me,” I plead needlessly.

“Let…her…go,” I heard from the shadows and my heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t believe it was him.

“She’s going to pay for what she did. I don’t care if you know, hell you can join me if you want. I promise she’s a good time. Trust me, buddy I’ve been there,” Dallas responded with such hatred, I winced.

“Doubtful,” Christian challenged and stepped into the light of the moon looking very dangerous. In a movement too quick for me to see, he made Dallas release his grip on me and detained him in a headlock.

“Now I want you to apologize to Lia for your behavior and for hurting her feelings,” he said calmly.

“I’m sorry, Lia,” Dallas croaked. I almost felt bad for him.

“Now then, Lia would you please excuse us? I will be back in a moment,” I nodded, too stunned to speak. They walked around the side of the house and I sat on the ground reeling.

Christian

“It will bring me great pleasure to kill you. To lay a hand on a woman is appalling and you should have been castrated at birth. Any last words before you die?” I was seething with rage as he trembled in my grasp. Watching him strike her was like adding salt to an open wound.

“Please, I won’t hurt anyone else again. I swear. I don’t know what came over me. Please, don’t kill me!” he began to weep. My human side felt obligated to call the police, but my vampire side wanted his blood.

“You’re right; you won’t hurt anyone ever again. If you do, I will find you, hunt you down, and make you suffer a death so horrible it would make Jack the Ripper run in fear. Are we understood?” he nodded furiously and I proceeded to drink from him. I needed blood if I was to be around Lia.

Once I had my fill I sped off and dropped him at the police station, emailed the video of the attack to a cop I knew on duty, and made my way back to Lia. What seemed like hours for me were mere minutes to her. I rounded the corner of the house and witnessed her vulnerability first hand.

Lia

I sat on the ground hugging my knees and sobbing. I never cried like that, not since my parents died. For the first time in a very long time I wanted to be told everything would be alright.

“Lia, are you alright?” he spoke quietly and I jumped to my feet wiping my eyes.

“I’m fine. Thank you. I just want to go home. You don’t have to worry I just live right there,” I said pointing a shaky finger. Suddenly the night that seemed so calming turned into ominous things lurking around every corner. I shuddered and hugged myself as I turned to leave.

“Wait, wait, you’re serious? You honestly think that I’m going to let you go by yourself? I’m sorry, Lia, but I would feel more comfortable if I made sure you got to your door safely.”

“I don’t understand why you care. You didn’t even know me before today.”

“I don’t have to know someone to recognize when they need a friend. It seems as though someone needs to keep you out of trouble, hmm?” he said with a crooked smile. I didn’t like the way he made me feel and I didn’t appreciate him assuming things about me.

“Right, because that’s what you’re after. Somehow I find that hard to believe. You’ve had your fair share of
friends
now haven’t you? I’ve heard about how you make friends and I’m not sure I want to go there. I didn’t fare very well with the last one I had now did I?” I spat. Instantly I felt ashamed. The pain lapped heavily in the air.

“Lia, I don’t care what people say. Remember, you don’t know me very well either. When people don’t get their way they make up stories. Pitiful rumors that spread like the plague. You of all people should know that. I would never force myself on any woman. No one should be subjected to that,” his anger cut through me and I shuddered.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. I know people are stupid. Please don’t take it personally. I don’t have very good people skills. Not to mention I can’t really think straight right now. I’m still trying to figure out what just happened,” I shook my head sadly.

“Don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong. I am sorry if you think I am angry with you; I’m not. I dealt with Dallas and made sure he wouldn’t hurt anyone anymore. If I was able to rid the planet of trash like him I would.”

“Wait, what do you mean you
dealt
with Dallas? What did you do to him?” I was glad he saved me, but I didn’t want Dallas hurt. I felt bad enough for hurting him.

“I turned him in to the police. I have a friend who is a detective there who’s going to make sure he never touches another woman. Why would you care after what he tried to do?”

“He wouldn’t have done it. I know him. He must have been on something. He’s not a bad person, Christian, he’s just lost. You had no right to ruin his life! Let me handle my own problems, alright? Now can I please just go home?” I didn’t realize I was shaking.

“Lia, I don’t know if you realize this, but you’re glowing red. I can feel the heat radiating off you. It’s incredible!” he was so close I could feel his breath brush across my skin. I shouldn’t have wanted anything to do with him, but I couldn’t help my thundering heart. He held his hand an inch from my skin and felt the tendrils of crackling air.

“Incredible? Are you joking? This is…well I don’t really know what this is, but it’s definitely not incredible. I have to go.”

A million things swirled through my mind. The one question that kept popping up was where he’d come from. I looked up to see him standing a foot in front of me patiently waiting.

“I told you I would feel better seeing that you got to your door safely. You can ignore me if you’d like, but in good conscience I can’t leave until you go inside,” he said matter of factly.

“I do have one question, before I go,” I said hesitantly.

“Sure, what would you like to know?”

“How did you see us? I mean, you appeared out of nowhere and I’m pretty sure you weren’t there from the beginning. How did you know?”