Beginnings (The Trifectus Series - Book One) (14 page)

“I didn’t know it was that complicated,” I said.

“It’s fine.  If things were the way they were in the past, we could go ahead and confront them.  We aren’t even fully sure where they are hiding.  They are most likely in the woods somewhere and we can’t go in there.  They would smell us the second we came in.  Some packs even have spotters that hide near prime locations to catch people coming in.  We might as well wear flashing lights and have air horns,” Troy said.

“The best thing we can do is try to figure out where they will strike next,” Michael said.  “If we can plot the area they confine themselves to, we might be able to spot them and stop something.  They don’t seem to necessarily be bent on mindless destruction.  They seem to want a human to target.  If we clear the humans out of the area, we will stop any attacks and they will leave.”

“Maria and I can lay the smack down on some of them.  We are some pretty tough women,” Elsa said.

“No,” said Remey.  “We would need you to stay here in case of an emergency.”

“You think that because we are women we can’t handle getting dirty?” Elsa said.

“Not at all, Elsa, you know that.  I think every guy here can confirm the fact you women could easily take us down.  We need you here to safeguard the house and Juliet.  If she is taken, she won’t be able to defend herself like you girls can,” said Remey.

“Why would they take me?” I asked.

“Because of your father,” Michael said.  “He is the prime target for the werewolves.  He has leashed and slaughtered many werewolves in the past thirty years.  No pack in this country or the world likes him in the slightest.  They know they could target his daughter and do to him what he has done to them over the years.  Kill you.”

“I won’t let it happen,” James said.  “I love her.”

“I know you do,” said Rosa.  “We will protect her.  She might be mortal, but she is one of us and we love her.  She is a part of this family.”

I smiled as Rosa looked at me.  They were so loving and kind to me.  I had never felt more accepted.  I just wish I were like them.  I wish I were changed so I could actually help.  I wasn’t able to do anything against the werewolves.  I was powerless. 

“I still think that Derek and Cara had something to do with everything,” I said.

“I know you do,” said James.  “I will try to talk to him at school and make him tell me.  Innocent lives are at stake and I’m not taking those odds.”

“Just be careful with what you say,” said Troy.  “We don’t need any kind of fight in public.  If he shifts or you use any of your powers, it is all over.  Don’t sacrifice us all to be the hero.”

What Troy was saying was true.  If things did get out of line then we would lose everything.  They would have to leave and move and I would be alone: without them.  I couldn’t let James get too out of hand when he confronted Derek.  I knew Derek wouldn’t like even talking to James, and I had to make sure they didn’t kill each other in the process.

“I won’t hurt anything for us,” James said.  “I know he is dangerous.  If he does shift anywhere near that school, many people could get hurt.  I won’t risk that happening.  I don’t want to fight him.”

“Good,” said Troy.  “We will continue our patrols and see if we can find anything else out.  Maybe Derek and Cara will meet up with them somewhere and we can at least find out their human identities.  If we do that then maybe we can tip off the government to who it is.”

“You want to actually do that?” asked Elsa.  “Why would you even risk us?  If they traced the tip then we could all go to jail.  Is that what you really want?”

“I’ll do it from a pay phone.  They won’t even know who gives them the tip.  If we have these people arrested then the attacks will stop.  We won’t have any problems and everyone, both mortal and non-mortal, will be safe.  It is the best choice.”

“Fine, but you better not be stupid,” Elsa said with her arms crossed.

“Do you think they will come after me?” I asked.

“It’s a possibility,” said Lucas.  “They might know who you are and want you because of your father.  The werewolves aren’t known for being reasonable, especially in their forms.”

James rubbed my back as Lucas said that.

“We will keep you safe.  Nothing will happen to you,” James said.

“I wish I was like you guys.  I wish I was a vampire,” I said.

“It’s a hard thing to be,” said Remey.  “I was a normal guy once just trying to live life.  I was an artist in France learning from the greats.  I had my whole life ahead of me when I was bitten.  I didn’t even want it back then.  I really didn’t know anything about vampires.  I was walking along a dirt road at night when a man approached me out of the darkness.  He asked for some money but I had none to give.  He got restless and attacked me.  I tried to fight him off as best as I could but I wasn’t strong enough.  He eventually bit me and changed my life forever.  I stumbled the road until I got to my apartment.  I knocked things over trying to get in, and I could feel the pain.  His toxins were in my body and were attacking all of my cells.  I was turning undead.  I was leaving my mortal life behind.  I had a few years by myself while I learned about my new abilities and myself.  I tried to research it as much as I could to get a handle on what had happened to me.  I finally met Rosa in London a few years later.  She was a lovely woman who was on a research trip with her university.  She was a professor.  We fell in love and I finally told her what I was.  She was fascinated and wanted to be just like me.  I gave her the bite because I loved her, and I was alone.  Nobody understood me and I didn’t know of any other vampires out there.  We have been together ever since.  You have to leave everything you know and love behind when you become like us, Juliet.  Sometimes I wish I was never bitten, sometimes I wish I would’ve lived a normal life.  You aren’t ready for something like this.”

“You’re never ready,” said Troy softly.

“If James is to ever give you the bite, it has to be the right moment.  I know you are probably caught up in the moment and caught up in love with him but you need to remember it isn’t easy.  Your friends and family will vanish and you will start to be hunted.  You are safe as a mortal.  When you turn into one of us, you have to constantly look over your shoulder to see if someone is there with a rifle and handcuffs to take you away,” said Rosa.

“I didn’t know it was so difficult or dangerous,” I said.  “I want the bite someday, but I can wait until it is the right time.”

I looked at the clock and noticed it was getting late.

“It’s almost time to take me home,” I said sadly.

“We should get going in a couple minutes,” said James.

“We love having you over,” said Rosa smiling.  “You are more than welcome here any time.”

“Thank you, Rosa,” I said smiling.

We got up and started saying our goodbyes.  I felt sad when I left them.  It was as if my visit was over and now I would have to go back to my prison cell.  I just wanted to grab my things and stay here with all of them forever.

James, Emma and I walked out to the car and got in as I waved goodbye.  They smiled and waved as we started to drive off into the distance. 

“Did you have fun?” Emma asked.

“I always do when I am with you guys.  I just wish it didn’t have to end,” I replied.

“Me either.  James, you should just give her the bite,” she said.

“Now, Emma, you know that I can’t do that,” he replied.

“I know, I know.  I am just trying to be optimistic here.”

Being around James and Emma was always an adventure.  They bickered just like real siblings.  You would never know that they weren’t related at all.  Coming from an only-child home, it was refreshing to see two siblings interact.

We pulled up outside my home and I could feel sadness inside myself.  I didn’t want this to end.  I wanted James to just hit the gas and drive away.  I knew it wasn’t an option, though.  I got out of the car and said goodbye through the window.  They both looked sad to see me go, but it was necessary.

I walked up to the front door and opened it to see my father watching the news.

“Where were you tonight?” he asked.

“Didn’t mom tell you?  I went to Emma’s house to study,” I replied.

“You know your mother, she never tells me anything.  Always the last to find out what is going on around here.  Did you see the news?”

“No, what happened?”

“The government caught some androidians that were planning another bank robbery.  It was just a small group of them: a bunch of outcast vigilantes looking for justice.  How ironic is that?  A group of outcasts from an already outcast group.  Isn’t that ironic?” he said, chuckling.

“Yeah,” I said, rolling my eyes and walking away.

I couldn’t believe what this world was coming to.  It seemed like we were against everyone.  Four races locked in a battle for control.  How long would it be until another group took control?  I wasn’t sure, but hoped that it wasn’t anytime soon.

The next day I got up and sat on the foot of my bed.  I was miserable without James.  It seemed as if whenever he left me I felt like I couldn’t go on.  As if my spirit and energy had been sucked right out of me. 

I went to school that day hoping that everything would get resolved.  I wanted Derek just to admit he knew who these people were so we could get it all over with.  I was sick of acting like a scared little kitten hiding in the corner.  I wanted justice for what was happening and I wanted it now.

I walked in the school and went to my locker.  James was standing there and he looked a little nervous.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I am going to try to talk to Derek today.  I just hope it all goes well,” he replied.

“I’m sure it will.  Just be nice to him and maybe he won’t get aggressive.”

“It’s hard to be nice to someone who is my enemy.”

“Well, your people used to be friends many years ago.  Maybe you can help bridge that gap again.”

“I don’t think so.  Not after everything they have done.  I will try talking to him at lunch and I guess we will see what happens.  Just don’t come near me at lunch because I don’t want you getting hurt in case something happens.  I’d be devastated.”

“I won’t, I promise,” I said while looking into his eyes.

The bell rang as I pulled him in closer by his shirt and kissed him.  I never got tired of feeling his icy lips against mine.  I got my things out of my locker and walked to class. 

I was nervous and antsy all during my classes that day.  All I could think about was what could happen.  What if Derek went mad and somebody else got hurt?  I was the only one who knew that something was going to happen.  It wasn’t as if I could just warn everybody ahead of time that there might be a werewolf versus vampire fight at lunch today. 

Finally the bell rang signaling lunch.  I wasn’t even hungry that day.  I felt it wasn’t worth buying lunch anyway in case something happened.  I went into the lunchroom and sat down at my usual table.  I waited for them to show up.

I first saw Derek walk in and sit by Cara.  Cara still looked a little shaken up, but better than before.  They talked for a couple minutes before I saw James walk in.

I watched as James slowly made his way over to their table.  They looked up and stared right as him as he stood there at their table.

“Derek, we need to talk,” James said.

“I have nothing to say to you,” Derek replied.

“What do you know about the attacks?  I know you have something to do with it.”

“What are you talking about?  I suggest you leave before something happens.”

“What will happen?  Are you going to shift and attack me?  Feel like going to jail today?”

“Just get out of here, James.”

“Not before you tell me what you know.  I know you know these people.  We have the information that says you do.”

Derek stood up and approached James. 

“Listen, buddy, I don’t know anything.  Even if I did, which I don’t, I wouldn’t tell you.  I wouldn’t betray my people like that.”

“You are betraying them by letting a few of them kill and terrorize innocent people that aren’t a part of this battle.”

After James said that, Derek lost control.  He pushed James back.

“I’m telling you now to walk away and don’t come back over here.”

James retaliated and pushed Derek back harder.  As Derek went back, he slammed against the brick wall. 

“Don’t push me again,” James said.

Derek lunged at James and started punching him.  James fought back harder and slammed Derek’s head into the tile floor.  As this fight was ensuing, everybody was yelling and chanting them on.  Cara was screaming for Derek to stop, and I stayed in my seat just as James had told me to.  I could see the raw power between these two, and I knew it would be dangerous to get involved.

As the fight went on, I noticed James being very aggressive.  He had cut Derek open and started doing things to intentionally hurt him.  He wasn’t holding back and I didn’t like it.  This wasn’t supposed to happen like this.  Could James even hold himself back?  He didn’t seem as if he had any self-control at all.  I was scared thinking of what he could do to me if he ever got mad.