Pinehurst: A Magical Olympian Adventure-Young Adult Romantic Adventure/Fantasy Novel (15 page)

Yeah, right. “Fluently.” I rolled my eyes. This must have been how Iris felt when she had to light that candle.

“I’d have thought you’d be on the phone, looking for your dad right now?” Iris walked beside me, even more enthusiastic than the rest of the class. Although, I was pretty sure their enthusiasm came from being out of the classroom, and had nothing to do with the project at hand. Iris however was beyond giddy.

“Why would you think I’d be on the phone with my dad?” I finally answered her. What the heck was she blabbering about?

“Evie. Did you and I talk to the same pixie or not?”

“Pixie?” Pixie? Great. Iris was seeing pixies now? The girl had finally lost it. I mean: she was excited about growing plants!

Once inside the gym I spotted Antonio already setting up chairs for the ceremony. He glanced over at me and smiled.

“Evie!” Iris was standing in front of me, her hands firmly on her hips.  “The pixie said your father had been taken.”

“What are you talking about?
What pixie
?” Iris was starting to worry me now. She turned and put her hands out, palms down and muttered
Megalonoun.
Honeysuckle grew from the floor and stretched its curling vines of yellow flowers and fragrance up the stairway to the stage.

I stared wide-eyed at her. “Iris, that’s amazing!” And I meant it.

“Thanks.” She smiled excitedly. “I’ve always been good with plants. It’s the only thing I
am
good at,” she muttered under her breath.

I thought about that and wondered if I'd have a special talent like Iris?

So,” she blurted. “What about the pixie?”

I sighed and decided to play along. “Why would a pixie say my father’s been taken?”

“Because you asked her!” Iris snapped. She was clearly annoyed with me now. Why? What did I do? I wasn’t the one seeing pixies for crap sake!

“Iris. Everything’s fine.” I spoke calmly, meeting the stares of several classmates who were now looking over at us. Okay, now, where were the people with the straight-jackets . . .?

“Fine!” Iris stomped her foot. “Denial is not going to help you, Evie.” She tossed her blonde curls over her shoulder and stormed away to work on the other side of the stage.

I certainly hoped I didn’t look as immature when stomping
my
foot. What the heck was Iris’ problem anyway? And why would she say my father’s been taken? Why would a pixie even say that? They’re creatures of the Underworld! How would a pixie know my father’s been taken unless . . .

I sucked in a breath of air. That sinking feeling you get when you feel like you're forgetting something important but can’t remember had just swallowed me whole. I held my head with my hands, the sensation of a thousand needles stabbing my brain, overtook me.

“Evie, what’s wrong?” I turned toward Antonio. His eyes were wide with alarm. He reached out, his hands settling on my shoulders.

“I don’t know,” I winced. My eyes kept going in and out of focus. There was something I needed to ask him, something important. But my thoughts were fragmented. “I can’t remember.” Tears leaked out the corner of my eyes, clearing my vision.

“Vandenberg!”

I jumped.

Gunny stood behind me—shouting as usual. “You’re not supposed to be in here, get back to class. Hollyander isn’t eye candy!”

I looked around. Roland was standing in the corner of the gym, his eyes fixed on me. What
was
he doing here, I thought he had math this period?

Roland didn’t budge, and his expression became more sinister as his lips curled up into a smile.

I blanched. That smile reminded me of the one Ms. Leech had given me before Biology. Ms. Leech! I could feel my eyes growing wider with realization.

“Evie?” Antonio shook my shoulders slightly, bringing me back to attention.

“My father’s in trouble,” I blurted out just as Roland began walking toward us, his body seeming to grow taller as he neared.

I started backing away. Roland’s eyes blazed violet. Dark scales emerged and covered the smooth skin of the arms that once held me. His blonde hair had turned to black—although calling it hair was a stretch. His head had completely scaled over, and gone were any traces of that cute boyish face all the girls fawned over.

Screams echoed around us as kids scattered. Their footsteps resounding like a stampede across the wooden floor.

Antonio jumped in front of me, a silver staff suddenly appearing in his hand. Where did he even get that? He pressed a button, and two blades shot out of both ends.

My mouth popped open. There was no way that weapon would be school approved.

“Evie, stay behind me,” Antonio shouted over his shoulder.

Roland, if you could still call him that, had transformed into a . . . what the hell was he? A gargoyle? “Roland was a
freaking
gargoyle?”

I guess I didn’t have a date for the dance after all. Crap. I was really looking forward to wearing that dress. What was
wrong
with me? Roland had transformed into a beast from Hell and I was worried about a dress? I so needed to prioritize.

Antonio moved like lightning, colliding with Roland mere inches from me. The blade of his staff struck Roland deep in the thigh. A loud ear-piercing roar ripped through the already panicked screams of the fleeing students.

Staying behind Antonio proved to be impossible. He and Roland were all over the place. Roland was desperately trying to push past Antonio, slowly advancing my way.

Gunny had joined the fight, taking brutality to a whole new level. He pulled a knife that looked like something “
Rambo”
might use from a pocket in his pants—a piece of Roland flew across the floor a second later.

I could taste the vomit in my mouth. Roland shrieked—almost as loud as I did—his claw-like hand had landed with a thud against my foot.

I screamed, jumping away from the body part.

Large black wings unfolded out of nowhere from Roland’s back. How the hell had I missed those? They were huge! Not to mention the saliva-dripping fangs that snapped inches from Antonio’s neck.

“Uhhuh!” I’d kissed that mouth before.

Roland lunged in my direction, but Antonio was quick to defend me, his staff coming down on Roland’s forearm. I watched in horror as the blade cut through the scales, yellow liquid spewing from the wound.

Gunny and Antonio fought with skilled precision. There was no way I could be a Slayer. Not with all the training on the planet could I be that fast and agile—Gunny had just delivered a blow to the side of Roland’s face—courtesy of a wicked left kick—and my dad did this for a living?

Gunny was good, really good. But Antonio was better. Roland lunged at him several times, only to meet the point of Antonio’s staff.

Roland roared out. The sound reverberated through the gym I covered my ears, wincing in pain.

“Evie!” Iris appeared beside me yanking my arm, pulling me toward the door and out of the building.

“Iris, we can’t leave them!” I said as she began to pull me toward the grass.

“Ahahh!” We screamed as debris rained down on top of our heads. Roland, well Gargoyle Roland, had crashed through the doors after us. Splinters flew like small wooden swords, pricking us as they descended.

Roland’s violet eyes searched . . . until they fixed on me once again. He roared an unholy sound.

Thankfully, Antonio was right on his heels.

New screams could be heard from the students that had been outside the gym as the sight of Roland sent them fleeing in opposite directions.

“I changed my mind Iris, run!” I didn’t have to tell Iris twice. She was already sprinting down the path. Why she wasn’t on the track team, I didn’t know. She was lightning fast!

I didn’t care if I looked like a coward. Being ripped to shreds wasn’t on my self-preservation list.

A loud roar halted my retreat. I spun around as Antonio struggled to stay on Roland’s back. In one fluid movement, he whirled his staff around and planted it firmly in the middle of Roland’s head. Roland collapsed, lying motionless on the ground as yellow goo oozed from the wound.

I held my breath as I took a step toward them. My eyes searched for any sign of life. I would bolt in a heartbeat if I saw so much as a twitch from that thing Roland had become.

Antonio slipped from the dead carcass. His chest heaved in and out with exhaustion. He ran his hand through his hair, brushing it back while small beads of sweat clung to his forehead. He looked around frantically amongst the droves of cowering students, his eyes finally settling on me.

“Evie!” He looked overjoyed to see me. He’d quickly closed the gap between us. His strong hands cupped my face affectionately as he looked me over, making sure I was free of injury.
Thank the heavens
. The last was meant for my ears only, I was sure of it.

“Antonio . . .?” There were so many questions. I didn’t know where to start.

“Shhh.” He wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled me into the warmth of his body. I savored it, listening to the steady pounding of his heart.

“There’ll be plenty of time for questions. For now, you are safe.” There was definite relief in his voice. I hated to spoil the mood.        

“Antonio. That thing tried to kill me, didn’t it?”

“Yes.” He gripped me tighter, as if the very act protected me from further assault.

“Did it take my father?”

I could feel the protective shield weakening as his arms released their hold. He stepped back a little, providing a full view of his troubled face.

“No.”

“But how do you know that? He’s a Gargoyle!” I knew I was stating the obvious but damn, someone had to.

“A gargoyle isn’t capable of delivering someone like your father into the Underworld. Something much more powerful is behind this.”

“So my father
is
in the Underworld?” I said frantically. Tears were already pooling in my eyes. I knew the answer before I’d even asked him, but somehow, I wouldn’t believe it unless Antonio spoke the words. Somehow I knew that Antonio had the answers I sought.

“Yes,” he admitted flatly.

“But, how did you . . .?” I started to question him, but stopped. It didn’t matter how he knew. Like he said, there would be time for questions later. There was a more pressing matter that needed to be addressed.

“Will you help me get him back?” I couldn’t believe I was asking him to do this. Of course he was going to tell me no. Maybe even
hell no
. Who in their right mind would willingly go into the pits of Hell to rescue some girl’s dad? Especially when he regarded that girl as “too young” and completely un-datable. How romantic would that be?

“It will be my honor.” Antonio bowed his head slightly. “Come.” He said as he laced his fingers with mine. “We have much to prepare.”

“Hold it, lovebirds!”

“Lovebirds?” I wish.

Antonio gripped my hand tighter.

“Would someone like to tell me how the hell that piece of crap got into this school?” Gunny, slightly out of breath, was still able to bellow loud enough for all to hear. His attention, fixed on the two of us, was pointing at Roland—the “piece of crap.”

“I don’t know, Sir.” Antonio stepped closer to Gunny, taking me along with him. “Evie appears to have been the target. Her father suspected an attack. That’s why he sent her, and me here as well. He felt she’d be better protected.”

I looked at Antonio in disbelief. “My father sent you to protect me?”

He managed a nod.

“Humph! I knew there was a reason you asked to train her. Why didn’t you tell me George made you her Guardian?” Antonio was my Guardian? Gunny eyed Antonio carefully, his stare dropping to our hands locked together. I shifted uncomfortably, but Antonio tightened his grip. He was completely unaffected by Gunny’s disapproving look.

“I wasn’t supposed to alert anyone to the real reason I was here,” Antonio explained. “My job was to protect Evie, if the need arose. It was my vow to her father.” His vow?

Gunny nodded his head in understanding. It was probably some sort of Slayer lingo I wasn’t in on yet.

“George always knew who to put his faith in,” Gunny stated. “Good thing to. I’ll have to dispatch a search party to find my . . .” Gunny fake coughed, “ . . .
Slayers.
”

I didn’t envy his “Slayers.” Not
one
bit. Gunny looked ready to kick some serious butt. I was just glad it wasn’t mine.

“What has happened here?” Ms. Leech had arrived on scene, standing over what used to be Roland Vandenberg—although the beast showed no outward signs of the blonde, blue-eyed hunk that had once dominated the hot-o- meter.

Ms. Leech’s face looked fierce as ever. “Such a pity.” She reached down and caressed the side of the gargoyle’s face with the back of her hand. “Roland was such an accomplished young man, so many prospects.” Her narrow eyes fixed on me. “You seem to wreak havoc wherever you go Miss Hollyander.”

I was so grossed out by her touching the scaly beast that I said the first thing that came to mind: “Perhaps we can overlook this?” I smiled hopefully, remembering her earlier leniency with the sprinklers.

“Hardly,” she growled. “Now that a demon from the Underworld has successfully infiltrated our midst, drastic steps must be taken. No one will be above suspicion.” She shot me another sharp look.

“Well hell, I didn’t let the gargoyle in!” Wait! How did she know that was Roland? It looked nothing like him. I didn’t even remember seeing her in the gym when the gargoyle attacked in the first place . .
.

Say nothing,
Antonio warned.

I gave him a startled look. I’d forgotten he could speak to me this way. He hadn’t done so since that day on the track field when I’d first learned he could hear my thoughts. I remained quiet, as he’d suggested.

“I’ll take over the first line of interrogations.” Gunny stepped forward, rubbing his hands together eagerly, apparently not noticing Ms. Leech’s affection toward gargoyle-Roland.

“That will have to wait. Our first priority is to repair the gym. We’ll deal with
this . . .”
she motioned to the carcass, “. . . after the awards ceremony. I’ll have one of the janitors take him away.”

That
was her first priority? Was she kidding? Did she forget there was a dead gargoyle, decaying beside her as we spoke?

“You poor dear, you must have been so scared.” Ms. Leech smiled at me. Smiled? Who was this woman and what had she done with Ms. Leech? And
why
did that smile make me want to scratch off the first two layers of my skin?

“Lucky for you Mr. Vasques was here,” she grinned, although the smile did not touch her eyes—which incidentally were still violet.

I shivered. Why were her eyes the same color as Roland’s had been before he transformed from a babe-magnet to a hideous beast? And how did she know Antonio had killed him? And why did she look as if she could eat us alive at any moment?

Antonio’s grip tightened as he pulled me into his side. I’d forgotten he was still holding my hand. “I’ll take Evie back to her dorm. She’ll be safer there,” he announced.

“Yes, of course. We
must
keep her safe.” There was a sinister tone in her voice. If it hadn’t been for Antonio’s strong hold on me, I’d have been running after Iris long ago.

Keep quiet
, Antonio warned again.

I glanced toward him.

They could be everywhere.

They? Who? I stiffened nonetheless.

“You two get out of here. I’ve got a gym to repair and butts to kick. Damn that Vandenberg, getting his ass captured by demons—he was my best student. Bixby!” Gunny strode off, shouting obscenities along the way. I’d hate to be Chad right about now.

Antonio pulled me away, taking advantage of Ms. Leech’s temporary distraction.
Stay quiet.

I tried to push my thoughts to Antonio. This was no problem for him, but for me, I had to concentrate very hard. Even with our hands touching, trying to communicate with Antonio like this made my brain hurt.
He’d
always invaded
my
mind, hearing
my
thoughts. I didn't even know if I
could
speak to him . . . telepathically that is.

Antonio? Is Ms. Leech . . .?

Antonio shot me a surprised look before answering.
Yes! She’s a Daimonas.

Ms. Leech was a Daimonas?

“Yes,”
Antonio repeated. “
That’s how the gargoyle must have gotten into the school. But not even a Daimonas would be powerful
enough
to break through the magical barriers that protect the students here. Something aided it, something sinister.

I shuddered at the thought of something more sinister then a gargoyle or a demonic principal lurking about. I shuddered even more at the reasons why!

“Antonio, how can you be sure that’s not Ms. Leech?”

Antonio stopped abruptly; his eyes scanned our surroundings before he spoke. “It’s not hard to see when you know what you’re looking for. I’m only sorry I hadn’t detected it sooner. I haven’t seen her in the last few days . . . she could have been taken anytime.”

I could accept that. I thought back to my earlier conversation in Ms. Leech’s office: when she let me off the hook for soaking Stacy with the sprinklers. I’d thought then how odd her behavior was—she was probably a Daimonas. No wonder she was willing to overlook the whole thing, she’d probably done worse!

“But, Gunny is a skilled Slayer. He hadn’t seemed to notice anything odd about Ms. Leech.”

“The Daimonas can easily trick those around them, even someone as seasoned as Gunny.”
Antonio’s jaw tightened. “I’m glad I killed him, the gargoyle that is.” His hand reached up, his fingers gently brushing my face. “I’m glad I was there for you.”

My knees wobbled as I melted under his stare once more. “I’m glad you were too. I still can’t believe Roland tried to kill me.”

“No Evie. That wasn’t Roland.”

“But how do you know? Maybe he was always a gargoyle. Maybe he’s been plotting to kill me from the beginning. Maybe—”

Antonio gripped my arms firmly, stopping all other maybes. “I would have known. In class, when he asked to escort you to the awards . . . he was human then. I promise you, Evie. Roland may not have always had the most honorable intentions, but he would never have tried to kill you.”

I thought about that. I couldn’t believe Roland was dead . . . and Ms. Leech . . . my heart ached for them. I suddenly realized that no one was safe from harm. Any one of us could be taken at any moment.

We were climbing the steps to my dorm when Antonio asked me what my room number was.

“You can’t be in my room!” I gasped, completely forgetting what we’d been talking about. “Boy’s aren’t allowed upstairs.”

“It’s a good thing I’m not a boy then.” He grinned.

He was right of course. He was one hundred percent man. And he was still holding my hand—I blushed.

“Don’t worry. No one will even know I’m here,” he assured, smugly.

Yeah. Right. This was all I needed—getting caught sneaking a boy into my room. Ms. Leech or whoever she was would have my head for sure. No way could she overlook that!

We peeked through a small crack in the door. Ms. Spencer, the dorm matron, was sitting on the couch, watching her not-to-be-disturbed hour of
Days of Our Lives
on the television.

Antonio pulled me along behind him. Dang his hands were soft. He must lotion them every day. I wonder if his whole body is this soft? I wonder if he—

Evelyn
! Antonio scolded me mentally, drawing me out of my
PRIVATE THOUGHTS!
He rolled his eyes at me. “They aren’t private when you’re squealing them. Besides, we have to hurry. The effect will last but there won’t be much time before the others start returning to the dorm. It won’t do us any good for them to find her immobilized,” Weird. I hadn't even heard him utter a spell.

“The elevator’s over here,” I said.

We were outside my door in a matter of minutes. I’d never been more nervous about entering my room than I did at this moment; although I’d never entered my room with a guy before.

“Key.” Antonio extended his hand. If he was listening to me, he didn’t let on.

Key? “I don’t have it. I left my bag in the gym.”

Antonio didn’t seem the least bit concerned. He placed his hand on the knob and turned the handle. The door opened.

“You don't need spells, do you?” I grinned at him. “What else can you do?” I instantly blushed at the suggestiveness of my words.

“Never mind.” He ushered me into the room and shut the door. He took me firmly by the shoulders, pinning me with his stare. His face was so close to mine, making my knees weak all over again. “Do you have a backpack?”

“A backpack? Y-yes,” I finally answered disappointed that he hadn’t kissed me.

“Good.” He released me. “You’ll need a change of clothing. Pack light. Only what you can carry. Perhaps an extra pair of socks and shoes if you have them.”

I went to my closet for the bag. My dresser drawer squeaked open behind me.

“Hey!” I leapt across the room, pushed past Antonio, and slammed my underwear drawer shut.

“I’m helping you pack.”

“Not that drawer you’re not.” I could feel the blush returning to my cheeks. There was no way I wanted Antonio seeing my unmentionables.

“Fine.” He backed away, palms up, and took a seat on the edge of my bed. “I hope you have more sensible undergarments than that,” he mumbled under his breath.

“What do you mean by that? What’s wrong with them?” I was more than embarrassed that he’d caught a glimpse of my underwear but insulting them? “I’ll have you know those are very expensive. My father’s assistant had them shipped from Paris. They’re made from the finest silk and la—”

“You shouldn’t even have underwear like that. You’re too young,” he snapped, cutting me off. He grabbed a magazine from the bedside table and pretended to flip through the pages.