zwei

            I walked through the hallways of the school and muttered. The uniforms were too warm and too constricting. The plaid skirts were cute, if I was able to make it my own, but the blazers, white shirt and stupid tie were beyond cool. I did however like the knee socks and I was able to wear my own shoes.

            I looked at the different groups of teenagers and saw them look at me. They continued with their conversations in hushed whispers. I watched them and then glanced down at my midriff; did I forget to cover my tattoos? Or did I have toilet paper stuck to my shoe? I glanced at the uniform again and scowled.

            I found the hallway where my locker was and leaned heavily against the cold metal. My head felt disconnected from my body. I really did not want to come here today and I knew in the pit of my stomach that today was just going to get worse.

            “Well rough night? I thought the Kauville clan had everything so easy.” I was turned roughly around and my back was slammed against the lockers. Pain flared through my back as the wind came out of my body in a loud whoosh.

            Red swam before my eyes and I felt myself fall into the red abyss. The intoxicating scent of blood filled my nostrils. The rich elixir coursing through their veins caused my throat to burn with a longing thirst. My teeth ached and elongated.

            I was hoping someone would come and rescue these unsuspecting girls from their fate. I really did not want to make them my breakfast, I was pretty sure snotty debutante would taste disgusting. I felt a low growl escape my throat; I needed to distract myself from the sweet liquid that would soothe my painful thirst.

            “Ashley, I think you should let her go.” A new smell tickled my senses; it was a euphoric bouquet of blood and fear. I could not let that dark part of myself awaken. If I did, then the council will be on me in no time. That would be an automatic death sentence.

            “Oh shut up Deb. Her little weirdo sister can’t help her now.” My mind was swirling with pictures; I was also feeling different emotions. My bloodlust eased and the headache started creeping from the base of my skull.

            “I’m with Deb. She does not look good. Come on Ashley, let’s go.” Fear, jealousy, envy and something else under all the mixed emotions that came from the three girls, or were they all just from one of the girls? My stomach churned and I felt like I was going to vomit. Well if I do then I will be sure to aim for the bimbette pinning me against the locker. I smiled at the thought and then winced again.

            “You two scaredy cats can run away. The Kauville witch and I need to have a little chat.” I could practically taste the fear from the other two, and the contempt from Ashley. I had my eyes closed but I could still see the other two take off down the deserted hall.

            “Now it is just you and me. You and your sister run the school; I’m tired of you two tramps being the school goddesses. I’m sick of how everyone kisses your feet.” She started shaking my shoulders and my head was snapping back and forth. Ashley really needed to stop doing that; it was not helping my headache one bit. Also, if she kept doing it, I was going to vomit in her stupid pig face.

            “ANSWER ME B***H!” I was on autopilot, I felt my arm shoot up and my hand closed around her throat. I felt the ropy strings of her vocal chords under my fingers as I caressed the soft, yielding flesh of her throat. The hard, taut jugular veins so close, it was where the essence was the strongest. I stared into her wide surprised eyes, and knew that if I did not stop Ashley Brennen, would be my first victim.

            I felt hatred boil in my own veins; she was the typical A-scene popular girl. Perfect skin, honey blonde hair with perfect highlights, straight bleached teeth, and a downright nasty superior attitude, and that was toward anyone who was not in her elite group of clones.

            Ashley clawed at my hand and I tilted my head. I frowned and made a tutting noise. They really were just mindless animals. The difference between these creatures and animals was that animals actually knew when not to provoke something that was higher on the food chain. I shook my head and smiled. Poor stupid fool.

            “Poor delusional Ashley, whatever issues you have with my family, you need to take it up with them. Whatever bug you have up your arse about me, I suggest you get over it.” The last words hissed out between my teeth and her fear spiked even more. I tossed her away as if she were trash and watched sprawl on the polished floors.

            She stared at me in stunned silence. I smirked at her and shrugged. Bewilderment was an intoxicating feeling as well. They just do not realize what is going to hit them, and when they do, it is much too late for them. I looked around the deserted hall and everything seemed to take on a new look. It was as if I were seeing the Hunter Green walls and cherry polished floors for the first time.

            I was startled out of my thought by the sound of clapping. I growled at the figure lounging against the lockers. I stared at him, and crossed my arms over my chest, how dare he interrupt my game. He glanced casually at Ashley, I looked down, and she was drooling and gawking at him.

            He smiled and continued to stare at Ashley. He pushed away from the lockers in one poetic motion, and even I was mesmerized by his movements. He stalked towards the girl on the floor and my curiosity was piqued.

            “Who…How…” Ashley’s mouth was opening and closing as if she were a fish. I rolled my eyes-admittedly, I was curious about him too. He laughed huskily and I saw a fine tremor run through her body. I cursed silently as my own body reacted minutely to the sensation of his laughing.

            I raised my eyebrows, continuing to watch the show unfolding before me. I could not shake the feeling that there was something off about him. His lips pulled back into a cruel smile. I thought I caught the flicker of something darker in his features-something predatory.

            “That is none of your concern. You will not pick on Miss Kauville anymore, you will leave her alone, do you understand me?” His voice was a deep rumble that caused me to shiver. I was not sure if it was from pleasure or fear. I rubbed my arms through the heavy wool blazer as power prickled along my skin. The air felt thick and charged with electricity.

            “It is none of my business,” she turned glassy eyes toward me, her voice was a monotonous drone and her jaw was slack. It hit me; he was erasing her memory and using mind control. The prickling intensified and sweat beaded along my hairline.

            The feeling subsided and I fell to my knees gasping. The smooth floor was a welcome coolness to the fire engulfing my body. I felt as if I could burn a hole in the floor, I felt that warm, it was almost as if-that I would spontaneously combust. Ashley looked at us with glazed eyes, she slowly found her footing and took off at a dead run down the hall.

            He straightened up and I watched his languid movements. Delicate golden fingers extended in front of my face. The electric feeling was back and my breathing became ragged. My stomach churned as the sick feeling came back. Just wonderful.

            “Come on Kauville we need to get going. The head master felt the surge of power and he is going to come and investigate.” He spoke in hushed tones, how cute he has such an adorable accent; I shook my head to clear the fog. I wanted to ask him who he was to order me around. Even if I wanted to go with him-I couldn’t, my legs were weak and I knew they would not support me.

            I heard footsteps approaching, or was it the hammering of my pulse? I saw the khaki clad legs move slightly and then I was being hoisted into air. I wriggled and kicked only to be tossed unceremoniously onto the floor. I growled and rubbed my ego, there was cursing and then another surge of magic spilled along my skin.

            “Stop that or I am going to throw up on you.” The cramping in my stomach felt as if my insides were twisting and knotting. I held my arms across my middle and groaned. Sweat soaked through the wool of my blazer. Who turned the heat up?

            I could see his essence, his aura blazed brightly in my peripheral vision. The heat was engulfing me. It grew worse the closer he came, I panted heavily and watched his blazing aura grow brighter.

            “Don’t come any closer.” I managed to croak between parched lips. He hesitated and I heard voices coming closer. There was more cursing from the boy. I needed out of the school, I needed out of this uniform.

            “Look we need to go or it will be both of our heads on the chopping block.” I growled, my spine felt as if it were twisting. What was happening to me?

            “What are you? No time to find out now.” I could hear the confusion in his voice as I was being carried through the hallways. Everything was a blur and I could not wrap my mind around why we were moving so fast. I was only consumed with the inferno that was swallowing me. Maybe she was right. Maybe today was the day I died.