"Okay, I get it.” Her bare feet slapped against the concrete floor and faded into the gym lobby.
I quickly dressed into my leo, then rinsed my mouth out with water. My stomach had settled, so I joined the warm-up. I needed to worry about my skills and leave the other stuff outside of the gym. It would still be waiting for me later.
Besides the huge rip I got on my right hand from doing a million bar sets, the evening went well, especially considering the rocky start. Constantine hadn't show up again, neither had Ryan.
"Ready to go?” Mandy asked. Sweat beaded her forehead and upper lip from the grueling plyometric course Larry had set up for conditioning. He called it ‘mountain.’ I called it hell.
On the way home, Mandy kept asking about Constantine. It rather freaked me out. Why was she so interested in him? I just hoped she had sense enough to stay away from him. I guess the whole ‘bad boy’ thing appealed to her. I mean, she had a perfectly good guy who practically fell at her feet.
I drove into Mandy's driveway. “See you tomorrow."
"Yep, I'll be there. IM me later."
"Okay."
She walked up the driveway to the front porch and let herself in with her key. I backed out of the driveway and headed home. Dinner and a nice warm bath sounded wonderful. Crap! It would have to wait until Nicoleta left. And then I had tons of homework. So much for relaxing.
A tingle of apprehension traveled across my skin and goosebumps popped up along its path—my radar zeroing in on an unnatural presence. My lungs squeezed, making it hard to breathe. When I gasped for a breath, air thick with the scent of almonds choked me. A motion snapped my attention to the rear view mirror.
My vision filled with a shadowed figure.
The blood in my veins froze. My heart nearly burst from my chest. I slammed on my breaks and came to a screeching halt.
"Good evening, my little
Vanator
."
"You scared the crap out of me! You stupid jerk!” Tears of anger and relief filled my eyes. I turned and faced Constantine. “What gives you the right to just show up whenever you want? I could have wrecked the car and died!"
His eyes slightly widened and his jaw slackened. Regret flickered across his face. Startled by his reaction, I stopped my tirade. Was he actually capable of feeling remorse?
A smile spread across his face. “You've got nine lives, right little
Vanator
? Don't all
cats
?"
I clenched my teeth together. So much for my hopeful thoughts. “Get out of my car!"
"But then you wouldn't be able to enjoy my company. Don't you want a little taste of freedom? I can give you that.” He opened the door and stood, then leaned back into the car. “You know where to find me.” After shutting the door, he morphed and flew away, circling the nearby street light. Because of the uneven flaps of his wings, I could tell he'd taken the form of a bat.
Once my heart rate returned to normal, I left. Just like Nicoleta predicted, Constantine's visits had become more frequent and a bit more desperate. His dark eyes drew me as if he placed a spell over me. And now, he had the nerve to interrupt my dreams of Ryan—every night—luring me to him, showing me another life. His constant nearness affected me in so many ways I couldn't even begin to explain it. He presented a real and imminent danger.
And I could seriously hurt him for scaring me so bad. Having someone pop up in the back seat of a car held a frightening nightmare quality—kind of like the movie where the babysitter receives a threatening call that comes from within the same house. I shuddered.
My hands still shook as I turned into my driveway, Nicoleta's car conspicuously missing from its usual place—mine.
"Cheyenne?” Mom called from the living room when I entered the house.
"Yeah, it's me. Where's Nicoleta?” Mom and Dad sat snuggled next to each other on the couch. After twenty-two years, they still seemed to enjoy each other's company. It was kind of cool, but kind of gross, too.
"Why don't you come sit?” Mom patted the place next to her.
I sat. “Is something wrong? Is Nicoleta okay?"
"She's fine. But, she's having to take care of a few things,” Dad said, his tone alerting me there was more to the story.
"And?"
Dad turned his body toward me. “And she wanted us to make sure you kept your guard up. Due to recent happenings, she believes the
Liliacs
will make their move very soon. And she thinks you're about at full power, which means they won't have much of a choice but to take you."
"If I'm at full power, how come I don't have a clue what to do with it? Or how to do it?"
"That's the point, Cheyenne. They'll need to take you before you realize how to use your power against them. Everything will become clear when it's meant to happen,” Mom said.
"Why is it such a mystery? I just don't get it. If I'm so powerful, then I should be able to know what to do.” I paused. “Instead, I feel helpless."
Mom put her arm around me. “We don't exactly have an instruction manual. Most of it is instinct. I think it's just that we've lived among humans as humans for so long it takes us longer to catch on than it used to. And that's what the
Liliacs
are counting on."
"Your mom's right, honey. Be patient. It will happen. But, in the meantime, please be careful. Your very life may depend on it.” Concern shimmered in Dad's eyes. Something had him spooked, and it frightened me.
"Do you know something? What are you not telling me?” I glanced between Mom and Dad.
Mom sighed. “Nicoleta believes the
Liliacs
are behind the four murders that have happened over the last several days."
"What murders?” I hadn't heard anything. No one had said a thing to me about them.
Mom's jaw dropped. “You haven't heard? I can't believe Larry hasn't said anything. Four bodies have been found in the Georgetown area—one of them very near the gym."
My body numbed. “Omigod! No one has said anything about it—not even Mandy. But what makes Nicoleta think the
Liliacs
did it?"
The thought of murders happening so close freaked me out. And if Constantine had anything to do with it ... well, I couldn't even go there. I knew he did bad things, but I couldn't wrap my mind around the idea he could really kill someone. He annoyed me more than he frightened me, except for his stupid stunt in the car.
Dad glanced at Mom and she nodded. “Nicoleta knows a few of our
clice
who work for the Georgetown police. Let's just say the condition of the bodies point straight to our kind. Nicoleta is trying to do damage control before it leaks out to the public. The
Liliacs
are getting restless. They will make a move soon and you must be ready."
"Ready for what? What am I supposed to do?” I felt totally helpless. Everyone was counting on me—and I had no idea what to do.
Mom pulled me closer into her embrace. “Don't put yourself in harm's way, that's what. Not even for the
clice
,” she said in a low voice as if someone other than us might hear.
"But, that's what I'm supposed to do—protect the
clice
. Isn't that what I'm being groomed to do? Isn't that what all the lectures have been about? How it's my responsibility to look out for the
clice
. So how can you say that?” Confusion swirled in my head. I wanted to scream out my frustration.
"Because you're my baby, that's how. Nothing is more important to me than you.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “I won't sacrifice you for the
clice
. I can't."
I pulled away from Mom and looked to Dad for an answer. “Dad?"
"I'm with your mom on this, kiddo. Your safety comes first. I can't see my little girl get hurt."
"But, I'm not a little girl anymore.” I stood. “Look at me, Dad. I'm grown."
"Yes, I know. And it breaks my heart. I'm not ready to let go of you, and I'm sure as heck not ready to see you die for a cause you only learned about a week ago. It's
our
responsibility to protect
you
. And just a moment ago you were saying how you didn't know how or when to use your powers. We just think you need a little more time...” He paused and looked at Mom again. Yep, they knew more than they were saying. “...but the way things are going it doesn't look like we have that luxury."
"So what are you saying?"
"We're saying that we need to stick close to you for a while. I know you're not going to like this, but it's for your own good. Your mom will drive you to school, and I'll take off work early and take you and Mandy to gym."
I plopped back down on the couch. “But, you can't do that. I don't need a babysitter. I'm going to be like a prisoner or something."
Mom shook her head. “No, it's not like that at all. But, until you understand how to use your powers to protect yourself, you are vulnerable and in constant danger. The
Liliacs
will continue to try to lure you to them. And we can't allow it. If something happened to you because we failed to protect you, I'd never forgive myself."
I dreaded telling them about what happened at gym and on the way home, but I figured I needed to, especially with Nicoleta not around. “Constantine showed up at the gym and later in my car after I dropped Mandy off.” I bit my lip waiting for the explosion.
"What? What happened? When did you plan to tell us? And have you called Nicoleta?” Dad threw question after question at me like one of those automatic machines that hurled baseballs.
"Cheyenne! Why didn't you tell us?” Mom chastised.
"I just did.” I controlled the impulse to roll my eyes.
"What did he want?” Dad demanded.
I exhaled a pent up breath. “The usual ... to join with him, so my life would be so much better, blah blah."
"This is serious, young lady,” Dad reprimanded.
"Yes, this is no joking matter,” Mom added.
"I know, I know. But, it's not like he tried to hurt me or kidnap me or whatever you think he plans to do.” Why did I defend him?
Both Mom and Dad scrutinized me.
"Oh, Cheyenne! Are you falling for him ... for his evil ploys? Are you thinking of meeting him? Have you met him before?” Mom asked, horror reflected in her eyes.
"No! No way! He finds
me
. I'd never go to
him
,” I declared vehemently.
Memories of his kiss and the way he stripped me with his gaze nauseated me with guilt. Constantine had started to have some sort of control over me I couldn't understand. But, it wasn't the same as with Ryan. That much I did know. Constantine left me cold inside while Ryan lit me up like a Christmas tree.
Dad's shoulders relaxed. “Thank God. Don't ever go to him. Ever! If you do, it's the same thing as willingly handing over your powers into their hands and into their control. It's bad enough if they take you to use your blood for their gain, but if you give away your powers, you won't be able to stop them; neither will we. Do you understand the seriousness of this situation?"
"Yeah, I do."
Mom reached over and patted my knee. “Now do you understand why we can't leave you alone?"
I nodded and sucked in a breath. “But, I'm supposed to go to dinner with Ryan after gym tomorrow."
They exchanged glances. And I didn't exactly get warm fuzzies from the gesture.
"It's just for a short time ... until the
Liliacs
leave the area,” Dad reasoned.
"They won't leave without me,” I said in a flat tone. Deep in my soul I knew it to be true. Constantine would never leave me alone. Not until he got what he wanted—me. And what if I never figured out how to use my powers? Not like I'd made any progress in that area so far. I'd be a sitting duck—constantly looking over my shoulder. I would not live my life that way.
"That's what we're afraid of. Can you understand why we have to look after you?” Mom asked.
I did understand, and it pissed me off. I had the key to stop all this stupid crap, but I didn't know how to unlock the powers in order to use it. “Yeah, sure.” I stood and walked out of the room without another word, then climbed the stairs to my room.
I didn't IM Mandy, and I didn't answer my cell when Ryan called. Once I got all my homework done, I crawled into bed and fell straight to sleep.
I jerked myself awake and sat up in my bed. Roxie lifted her head and stared at me.
My chest heaved and my body shook. I slapped my palm over my pendant to make sure it remained in place. From what I could tell, everything seemed to be in its place, but I scanned the room anyway, checking for any intruders. Roxie didn't appear to be disturbed so I relaxed somewhat, but my heart continued to beat frantically against my hand. Sweat dampened my nightshirt, chilling me to the bone. I pulled the covers tighter around me and glanced at the alarm clock—5:00 AM. Gaaaaaa! I'd never get back to sleep now.
Constantine had invaded my dreams again. And it got harder and harder to distinguish between my dream world and reality. Each night, he pushed harder and harder, pulling me toward him like an invisible web.
Sleep deprived, I had a tough time functioning at school. My mind just wouldn't work half the time. Mom and Dad would flip when they saw my grades. Never in my life had I ever received a B as a final grade. And that's where I was headed in algebra at least.
I clicked on my lamp and blinked several times to adjust to the sudden brightness. Since I had no desire to take the chance of falling back asleep and resuming the freakish nightmare, I decided I might as well get some studying done.
Roxie jumped off the bed and followed me to the desk, then plopped herself across my feet. She made a great foot warmer, especially considering I left my fuzzy slippers by the foot of the bed.
I cracked my algebra book open and stared at the blurred words. My eyes burned from lack of sleep and the glaring fluorescent light. For just a moment, I shut them. Several times, I tried to open them, but my eyelids felt so heavy and kept closing on their own. I finally gave up the fight and laid my head on the desk. I'd rest for just a few minutes.