Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) (8 page)

“Hey, Mom. What’s going on?”

“Wel , the vampire scents are becoming stronger. We think there may be more of them than we initial y thought.”

“Is Levi around?”

“Yes. He’s in his office.”

When I entered his office he was deep in thought. “Hey handsome. I heard about the fresh scents. Should I be concerned?”`

“Hey baby. They’re stil way off yet, and I’l take care of you. No need to worry.” But somehow I wasn’t convinced.

“I’m concerned about Ashley. I think she may have an eating disorder.”

“Hmm, I was afraid of that. Do you want me to handle it?”

I gave him a sharp glare. “No!” I sighed. “Actual y, I think I should talk to her, but I’m not sure what to say. I get the feeling that beating her won’t go over too wel .”

“I think you’re right about that. Just tel her from your heart. She knows you love her and only want her to be healthy and happy. She respects

you. I think she’l listen.”

“You real y think so?”

“Absolutely. And I’l pray with you about it if you want.”

“That’d be great. Oh, I almost forgot.” I walked around the desk and punched him in the arm—hard.

“Hey! What was that for?” he asked, rubbing his arm in mock pain.

Like I could really hurt a werewolf.

“I think Doc is interested in my mother.”

“And how’s that my fault?”

“Everything’s your fault. If it weren’t for you she wouldn’t even know Doc.”

“And if it weren’t for me you wouldn’t be incandescently in love,” he said, pul ing me into his lap and kissing me on the neck.

“Al right, Fido, don’t give me another reason to punch you.”

He chuckled. “What makes you think he’s interested in Cathy?”

“Because he’s been hanging around—and he makes her laugh.”

“Wel , I didn’t make you laugh when you were fal ing in love with me.”

“Yes you did, I just laughed behind your back that’s al . Hey—maybe you can find out.”

“Sure. I’l just ask him.”

“No! You can’t just ask him.”

“Why not?”

“I should’ve expected werewolves to do it that way. You see, Levi—humans have this sort of code. We do things more secretively. We don’t

just go up and ask someone what we want to know. We hire an investigator, or something. I know—maybe you could fol ow him.”

“Oh, good grief. I don’t think that’s a human code, I think that’s a Charity code.”

“Wel —wil you do it?”

He sighed. “Okay, but you’l owe me big.”

“Just add it to my bil . By the way, has anyone seen my cat yet?”

“There was a ruckus in the Recreation Wing last night, and I heard that some of the youngsters were trying to catch it but to no avail. But don’t

worry, we’l find her soon.”

That night I was sitting at my desk studying for my exams when I heard a tap. I got up and started toward my window when Levi opened it and

came through.

“I didn’t expect to see you tonight. I thought you had a meeting.”

“Yeah, wel , I changed my mind.” He was looking at me strangely, just like the night of the Prom. His eyes zoomed up and down, admiringly.

“Wow. I heard you were beautiful.”

“What?”

“I mean, I hear people talk about your beauty, and I stil can’t believe you’re al mine.”

“Oh, puppy, you say the sweetest things.”

I molded into his arms as I crushed my lips to his. His arms came around and encircled me, pul ing me closer. His hands were instantly

everywhere and we stumbled to the bed, our feet getting tangled causing us to col apse on top of it.

The look in his eyes was unfamiliar to me. It was a look of hunger and nothing else—not mixed with compassion, or even love—just pure,

primal hunger. I was almost frightened.

“Levi? Are you okay?”

“You’re mine, Bel , al mine.”

“Since when did you start cal ing me Bel ?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. It just came out, but I like it.” Then his lips were on mine again, but this time it was painful.

“Charity!” my mom cal ed from downstairs.

My head popped up. “Yes ma’am!”

Levi continued to trail kisses down my neck.

“Can you come down? I need to talk to you!”

“Yes ma’am. I’l be right there!”

Levi pul ed my shirt aside and kissed my bare shoulder.

“Levi, I have to go. My mom wants me.”

“Screw your mom. I want you.”

“Levi Drake!”

He glanced up at me and sighed. “O—kay, but I’l see you again, and we’l finish this.” He was up so quick and out my window without even

so much as a backward glance—so unlike him, I thought. Oh wel , I shrugged it off and headed downstairs. But the action troubled me for the rest of the night.

At school the next morning, I cal ed Ashley over as soon as I exited my car.

“What’s up?”

“I need to talk to you.”

Without warning Levi was suddenly walking beside us.

“Hey. Bye,” I said to him.

His eyes grew wide. “I love you too,” he teased.

“Look, Ashley, see Spot run.” I peered up at him. “That’s your cue to leave—us girls need some alone time.”

“You know, kitten, if you weren’t so cute I’d bend you over my knee.”

“Shh, not in front of the children.”

“Oh, forget it.” He bent down, kissed my forehead, and then he was gone.

“Okay, now that Rover’s gone, what’s up?” Ashley asked.

“Hey, I’l have to remember that one. Anyway, Levi’s been acting strange. Has Josh said anything to you about it?”

“No, as a matter a fact, he’s in ful Levi worship mode right now. He said he was proud of the way Levi was handling the whole vampire-

trying-to-locate-them thing. He said he was very brave and that his biggest concern was keeping you safe, even saying that the survival of the pack depended on your survival.”

Well, it was true
.

“Listen, something’s not right. Occasional y he’s been acting odd. He looks at me funny, and alarms are going off in my head like crazy.”

“You mean more than usual?” she teased.

“I’m serious. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“Have you been watching
Star Wars
again?”

I stared at her for a moment. “Yes, but that’s beside the point.” I shook my head. “Ash, are you even listening to me?”

“Of course, but this is Levi we’re talking about. The man who gave his soul to God in order to save your life, the man who almost gave up his

pack for you, the man who’s risked his life many times to keep you safe, the man who runs when you say run, and who al ows you to cal him stupid

doggy names without so much as a flinch because it entertains you. The man is crazy in love with you, so that in itself makes him odd.”

I smiled. “Wel , when you put it that way. I guess he is pretty awesome.”

“He’s the best—for you—I mean.”

“Okay, if you think it’s okay, I’l drop it, for now. But last night he told my mom to screw off—sort of.”

She jerked her head around and peered at me wide-eyed. “Wel , you didn’t say that! Something’s definitely off! Levi would never say a thing

like that!”

“See!”

“Okay, this cal s for some investigating.”

“That’s my girl.” I could always count on good old Ash.
You know Charity code and all that.
“Oh, and I have something else to talk to you

about later, but now we better get to class.”

Levi caught my arm as I entered the cafeteria. “Are you avoiding me?”

“No. Wel maybe. Okay, yes.”

“Did I do something?”

“If you don’t know then I’m not tel ing,” I snapped.

“Wel , whatever it is I’m sorry.” He smiled, flashing me his dimples. He knew I couldn’t resist them.
Cheater!

“You know what? That’s not gonna work this time,” I replied, knowing ful wel it would.

“Oh, real y? Wel maybe this wil .” He took my hand and led me out of the cafeteria doors and around to our usual spot at the back of the

building. Suddenly, his lips were on mine. Against my wil , my arms went around his neck, pul ing him closer until he was pressed firmly against me.

“That’s not fair,” I breathed.

“Are you protesting?”

I smiled. “No.”

He laughed and kissed me again, but we were soon distracted by a commotion coming for the lunchroom. He glanced at me, and then

grabbed my hand and pul ed me along as he ran around the corner and through the cafeteria doors and froze. What we saw then shocked us. A

fight had broken out in our absence. Food started flying as some capitalized on the violence. Levi ducked just missing the clump of macaroni

headed toward his face. I laughed until I recognized Ashley right in the center of the chaos. Josh jumped in front of her, receiving the glob of jel o intended for her.

“Levi, this is getting out of hand.” With that he ran in to join the fight. Of course I ran in after him, losing sight of him as someone smacked me in the back with a plate of food. I spun to see Bunnie, the meanest girl in school, laughing. But she didn’t scare me, I practical y lived with

werewolves. Not to mention my staking of a very annoying redheaded vampire only weeks earlier. Compared to that, she was a walk in the park. I

turned to the table behind me and grabbed a cup of tea, launching it and hitting her in the face. I would’ve laughed, but unfortunately it also splashed Kevin, a boy standing nearby.
Oops.
He started after me. I turned to run and slipped, fal ing into a pile of food, with ketchup being the dominant ingredient.
I really hate the smell of ketchup.
Kevin stood over me laughing until a glob of chocolate pudding hit him on the side of the head.

I glanced up and recognized Toby’s smug expression. I smiled. “Thanks, Tobe.”

“No problem!” he yel ed, smiling goofy and giving me two thumbs up, then bolting as Kevin made off after him.

The principal charged on the scene, with some teachers tight on his heels. Levi helped me to my feet and ushered me to safety against the

far wal of the room.

I watched in amusement as the adults tried unsuccessful y to stop the chaos, only succeeding in getting themselves total y covered in edible

wear.

When the dust final y settled, some fifteen minutes later, most of the student body was covered in food, the cafeteria was totaled, and Levi

was untouched. Go figure.

Levi was escorting me to my car, so I could go home, shower, and change, when Principal Lewis approached.

“Levi Drake!”

He turned to him. “Yes sir.”

His expression was hard. “I have witnesses that say you were the instigator of the fight. I need to see you in my office right now.”

“Mr. Lewis,” I intervened, “Levi was with me when the fight broke out. We weren’t even in the cafeteria. We came in later.”

“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, young lady, but I’l get to the bottom of this matter. Levi, come with me.”

“But—”

“Charity, it’s okay,” Levi said. “You go home. I’l see you later.” He left me there alone as he fol owed the principal back toward the school,

giving me one last glance over his shoulder.

I was dumbfounded. How could someone say Levi started the fight? That was so ridiculous. Levi would never start a fight, even if he weren’t

with me at the time. I too would get to the bottom of it. Instead of going home I decided to wait for him.

An hour passed when he final y came walking through the parking lot, hands in his pockets, head held low. I jumped out of my car and ran to

him. “Levi! What happened?”

“Charity, you were supposed to go home and get changed and showered. You didn’t need to wait on me.”

“Moot point. What happened?”

“He’s considering suspending me.”

“What?!”

“Jackson said I walked up to him in the lunchroom and punched him in the face. He said there were witnesses. And he had a black eye.”

“But why would Jackson say that?”

“I don’t know, but the principal believed him. He cal ed my parents and they’re meeting with him later today.”

“I won’t let him suspend you, Levi. You’re making good grades and you’ve not caused any trouble. This could wreck everything for you. It’s

almost graduation for Pete’s sake.”

“It’l be fine, Charity. I don’t want you involved in any of this. Do you hear me?”

“Sure,” I said, chewing on my nail while deep in thought.

“Charity!”

I looked up at him and smiled. “You’re the boss.”

He narrowed his eyes in suspicion but didn’t comment any further.

He fol owed me al the way home, waiting until I was in the house to leave, and once he was gone, I ran to my car and headed back to school.

I sat in my car and waited. When I spotted Jackson walking through the parking lot, I hesitated until he was by his car before approaching.

“Jackson!”

He sighed. “What, Charity?”

“What are you doing? Levi didn’t hit you today.”

“Yes he did.”

“That’s impossible. Levi was with me when that fight broke out. We were behind the building making out when we heard the commotion.”

He looked confused. “Wel I wondered, but he did hit me.”

“What wil it take for you to remember differently?”

“Hmm, wel , I might’ve forgotten to put my contacts back in after my shower after gym class, and there are more than a few guys who have

reason to be mad at me right now.”

“And what would it take for you to tel the principal that?”

“Another date with Missy.”

“Done!”

“Shouldn’t you check with her first? She hasn’t spoken to me since Prom.”

“She adores me. She’l do it if I ask her to. You just treat her good. I’l get you the date, but it’s up to you after that. So, is it a deal?”

“It’s a deal.” We shook hands and walked away smiling.

While I drove home I was both happy and confused. I was happy that Levi would no longer be suspended, but I was also confused as to how

Jackson could’ve mistaken Levi in the first place. For a while now they’ve been friends. Maybe he real y did forget to put his contacts back in.