"Go ahead and try," I laugh, "try to steal me from him."
I point as a huffing and puffing Xavier stands in the doorway. He stares at our linked hands with thinly veiled disgust. I smile, ready to play my own little game.
"I thought you were gone for the day!" I exclaim, ripping my hands from his so forcefully that I almost turn around, and rush to him, "I'm so glad you're back!" I give him one of his own bone-breaking hugs, and out of the corner of my eye, I see him wince slightly. "Act like a lover," I hiss in his ear while searching for a kiss on his neck. He burns when I touch him with my soft lips, tingling with the passion that is about to come off his collar. Xavier is bewildered for a minute, then he joins me, his arms wrapping around my form. For a minute, there is no place I would rather be. I unconsciously close my eyes, drowning in his intoxicating aroma...
"I know you're faking it," Ian says confidently.
Then I turn around and look at my own skin in its radiant beauty, creamy skin without blemish. My hands are fine and smooth, as are my feet. I slide off the bed, walking to a mirror. For a minute I observe my body in all its elegance, its perfection.I hate this body, for it has brought me much grief. Beauty has a terrible, terrible price."Mona, are you okay?" Jake comes to stand beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder. He must have noticed the small, almost invisible tear that spilled into my eyes."Yeah, I'm fine," I bluff, slowly pushing him away, "never been better.""That's a lie," he says softly. There's a pause while I look at myself. Trying to believe that the person in the mirror is really me. After a few more seconds, Jake can't take it anymore. "Go talk to Xavier about it," he points toward the door.Maybe that would be best. After a moment of contemplation, I walk o
I waltz through a dirty courtyard, stained with beer cans and cigarettes, in disgust. A huge house stands before me, music beating furiously from within. People bubble around the entrance, many lounging on the many chairs outside. There is a lot of movement inside the house, several girls in bikinis and others in dresses like mine. There must be a pool around here, for there to be so many people in swimsuits.Suddenly, I feel overdressed.I stumble to the door, slowly making my way through the crowd. People immediately rub up against me as I am swallowed up by the crowd, many whispers beginning. I stick out like a sore thumb and momentarily regret letting Lauren dress me like a Barbie doll. I should have insisted on jeans and a top, instead of settling for this...Suddenly, I see Xavier's blue-haired head, talking to a random girl in the crowd. She is wearing a light swimsuit and has brown hair. He takes her away, piquin
I look at them all, wondering what's going on."Did you convert someone? Glancing over their shoulders, I squinted at the words. Maybe I missed something.But instead, this simply clarifies the obvious."Uh, nothing!" Wes moves quickly to block the screen, "they're talking about another pack!""I'm not stupid," I stare at him, pushing him away. I stare intently at the screen, watching the words on the screen. Understanding dawns on me, illuminating my thoughts, my questions. "Then why is it emailed to rayisbeast4ever@gmail.com?"They all look shyly at the floor."Xavier," I put my hands on my hips, "tell me NOW." He looks at me with his spectacular green eyes, without so much as a smile on the corner of his mouth."It seems that the Council has been following you as a recent convert, when in fact you are not fully converted," he said quie
He doesn't look at me when I walk into the room.I have never felt this way before. His cold, icy treatment has never escaped me. In the two and a half weeks I've been here, his aura has always been warm, comforting. But now I feel unwanted.Everyone can feel this sudden change in behavior. Xavier's face is like stone, incredibly beautiful, but unchanging. Yi is just sitting at the kitchen table, playing with his spoon. Wes doesn't flirt with me, giving me a brief, encouraging smile.Jake hands me a small carton of milk and a bowl of yogurt. "Eat up," he says briskly. I grab a spoon from the table, shove it into the sweet, delicious goodness and let it linger just in front of my lips before closing my mouth on it."Please sit down," he directs me to a chair; "We need to talk to you about some things." Being careful not to make eye contact with the blue-haired beast, I dropped down, staring into Jake'
In a beautiful room, lined with thick blood red curtains and marble statues, there is a long table. One person reclines on each seat, each looking very uncomfortable, fidgeting in their position. A chubby, stocky man stands off to the side, pouring drinks into teacups, then delivering them to the impatient men.Silence reigns over them, not even a breath heard. Each man looks like a statue, motionless and unmoving. It's almost like a painting, stillness in the air but violence suspended just beyond. Annoyance and anger flutter at the corner of a slender man's mouth."When will he get here?" he finally utters, his voice echoing in the large room. The murmurs begin, each one in agreement. They get bolder and bolder, until they are talking harshly and openly.Then suddenly there is silence, and the anger subsides. All eyes turn to one place. The sudden commotion begins again, surprise turning to fear.T
~Mona~The grass tickles my toes as I move slightly, sleep releasing its strong hold on me. The warm sunlight bathes my bare skin, my hair lying on the grass. I stagger to my feet, wondering why I am here in the garden.My gaze turns to the fountain, then it all comes back to me in a flash. I blush as I think back to my time with Ray earlier, with the fountain and the statue. Ray's warm embrace was very comforting, of course, but at the same time, it was terrifying. What if Xavier had seen us? What would he have thought?I hate to admit it, but I miss him. I want him to laugh and joke with me like he used to. He's really grown on me, so much so that I almost want a touch, a touch of his fingers. However, he is really impatient. It hasn't even been a month yet, and I've changed my old skin, cured people of their diseases, and had guys flirting with me. Even now, my brain is about to go into overdrive. Why can't it underst
There is a sudden squeak, and I am immediately awakened. My eyes remain closed, but my heart beats faster and faster.I freeze completely, not moving a muscle. The small, almost inaudible noise echoes once more in the room, and I am sure there is an intruder. My nose detects a slightly flowery aroma, full of old age and gray. Alertness rises in my blood, suspicion in my thoughts.I slowly open my eyes, aware of the darkness that surrounds me. It is the darkest of nights, almost as dark as when my eyes were closed. Without a sound, I slide across the floor, my feet making no resounding impact with the ground.I see the silhouette of a small being standing in front of my closet door, rummaging through my clothes. I crawl forward like a snake, sliding across the floor toward my target.Suddenly, fear stiffens the creature, and it dashes for the door. I rush toward it with incredible speed, grabbing its
That's when I realize how bad our situation is."I'm going to get ready." I take a step back and sit on the plump mattress in a daze. Ray seems to sense my hidden dismissal and slips out into the hallway.I set the bag down beside me and look around, looking at my various belongings. What should I bring and what should I leave behind?After a second of thought, I grab my emerald ring from the bedside table. It's not necessary for protection because I have very bright green eyes now, but the fact that he gave it to me makes it definitely worth having in my bag. I would wear it, but it seems to symbolize the good times we have together, and those are times I don't want to remember right now."Mistress," a small, soft voice whispers from the hallway. My head snaps up as I see an unfamiliar Phœnae peering into my room. Her ebony hair is long and wavy, surrounding a heart-shaped face. With large bro