The Awakening (9 page)

Boss grumbled as he stepped back from Jonas and Tabby. He raked his fingers through his hair and paced. Jonas and Tabby stood motionless, waiting.

My heart raced. I hated seeing them argue. They were happy until I arrived. Everywhere I went, chaos followed. Maybe Boss was right and I should leave before one of them ended up hurt.

“I don’t want to cause any more problems than I already have,” I said softly. “Could you at least give me some cash and drop me off somewhere?”

Jonas and Tabby stood together as a team with their eyes on Boss.

Boss dropped his arms. “Fuck!”

We all flinched.

Boss’s eyes leveled on me and then Tabby and Jonas. “You are risking your lives for her.”

Jonas folded his arms over his chest. “She’s worth it.”

Boss stepped closer to them. “One person is not worth your souls. You don’t know what she is capable of. This goes beyond my knowledge and power.”

He sounded like a father trying to protect his offspring. His deep tone made it clear how much he cared for Jonas and Tabby.

Jonas took a deep breath. “Then we’ll leave.”

“No, you won’t,” Boss replied curtly. He ran his hands through his hair again.

Tabby and Jonas exchanged glances.

“Can she stay Boss?” Tabby asked.

Boss turned to Jonas. “You need to do some research. Check the groups as we discussed earlier. Look for anyone missing with the initials SB, but do
not
communicate with anyone.”

Jonas gave a nod. “I’ll get on it right away.”

Tabby placed her hand on Boss's arm. “Thank you, Boss.”

“Help Jonas. We need answers or places to start.”

“I will.” She pecked him on the cheek before she ran up the stairs.

“We’re going to have to contact Sal by tomorrow evening,” Jonas said.

“Think of something. He doesn’t know she’s a vampire and we need to keep it that way. The less he knows, the safer we all are.”

“I’ll get to work.” Jonas picked up the camcorder from the coffee table in front of me. Our eyes met and he gave me a wink.

“Leave the camcorder. I want to review it,” Boss said. “Then I’ll have to destroy it. We can’t leave any traces of her existence around.”

Jonas handed the device to Boss. “Thank you.”

Boss turned away from him without responding.

Jonas took one last glance at me before he too darted up the stairs.

With a deep breath, I leaned back against the sofa and folded my arms over my ribs. I didn't want to stick around anymore than Boss wanted me to. Staying in a home where I didn't feel welcome bothered me. Nor did I like the fact that my existence put others at risk. “If it makes you feel any better, I can stay somewhere else. I know everyone is putting their lives in danger to help me. If you give me some money, I can sneak away.” In truth, I didn’t know where to go, but their safety meant more to me. The thought of any of them getting hurt made me ill. They deserved a normal life, whatever normal was.

He sat on the opposite end of the sofa, holding the camcorder in his hand. “I can’t.” His attention was on the camcorder’s screen as it lit up.

Asshole. He couldn’t give me a little money? “Fine.” I rose and stepped around the table. Staying in the basement with Boss would be a challenge for me, but one I'd find a way to overcome.

“I can’t let you leave,” he said, and I stopped.

“Why? You told me to get out.”

“My anger had the better of me.”

I stood, speechless. Did he just try to apologize?

“Jonas made a good argument. Because you are…unique, I don’t know what you are capable of. And for that reason, I’d prefer to have you in my sight than out of it.”

I stared at him, even though his eyes remained fixed on the device in his hands. “I’m not a killer. And I would not hurt Jonas or Tabby.” I sounded like a broken record. In my heart, I knew I couldn’t harm them.

Boss's dark eyes lifted. “You are part demon and vampire. Aggression and the need for chaos are in your blood. They will show up eventually.”

I crossed my arms and glared at him. Sure, I had mixed blood running through my veins, but that detail shouldn't single me out for the roughest bitch on the planet. At least, I didn't think genetics could determine if an individual was bad or not. I had a heart and soul as much as he did. “Does this mean we can’t be friends since I’m part demon?”

He lowered his eyes and said nothing. My heart sank. I understood his need to protect his friends, but couldn't he show a tiny bit of sympathy for me? Did he truly think of me as a horrible creature prone to act horrifically? Well, he was wrong. I headed for the stairs.

As my foot touched the first step, Boss grabbed my arm. “Where are you going?” he asked.

“The human part of me wants to see the sun.” I jerked out of his grasp. “Don’t worry, I won’t run away.”

I stomped up the stairs. At the top, I pushed open the door and slammed it behind me. If I had to stay with Boss a minute longer, I might consider finding a way to sneak away.

Sunlight poured into the house from the windows. Squinting my eyes, I headed for the patio. Jonas and Tabby were out of sight, but their soft heartbeats let me know they were near.

I reached the patio door and slid it open. The minute I walked out on the deck my skin tingled with excitement from the warmth of the sun. I half thought my flesh might burn, but the rays seemed to have the opposite effect. My body soaked in the warmth and craved more.

I stopped at the rail and took a good look around the wide yard. Birds chirped merrily and swooped through the air. Dew clung to the green grass. Few clouds dotted the blue sky. A sense of tranquility flowed through me while fresh air filled my lungs.

“Hey there,” Tabby said as she strolled out on the deck. “How are you feeling?”

I tilted my head back to bask in the warm rays. “The sun feels so good on my skin. If it were a blanket, I’d wrap myself in it.”

She came to stand beside me. “That’s funny. I’ve thought the same thing many times. I’ve always enjoyed bathing in the sun.”

I bet she did, in her feline form. Cats typically loved the sun. Damn it, how could I remember something so unimportant about cats, but not my own name?

I lowered my head. “Thanks for sticking up for me earlier. I appreciate it, but you’re putting your life in danger. Maybe I should leave. I’d hate myself if something happened to you or Jonas.”

“You’re not going anywhere without us. Boss is...” She paused and shook her head. “He’s always overly concerned.”

I leaned back against the rail. “I hate not being able to remember anything. Boss said it was impossible to be a demon and vampire, yet here I am.”

“Boss and Jonas are smart men. They’ll find answers for you.”

I met her kind gaze. “But what if the answers are disturbing?”

Tabby curled her arm around me. “Does it matter? You’re here with us and we’re your friends.”

While her words were comforting, I still feared the unknown. What if I had been a bad person doing bad things? Maybe my memories had been taken as punishment or to save me. Boss had walked the Earth for over fourteen centuries. How could I ignore his knowledge about demons and mixed breeds? I couldn't. But regardless of my past, I knew with certainty I couldn't and wouldn't hurt those who cared for me.

“You know what you need?” Tabby asked.

My thoughts returned to the present and I smiled. “I could think of a lot.”

“You need to go shopping with me. Those sweatpants are atrocious. You need real clothes.”

“I’d take you up on the offer if I had money.” The nine hundred dollars from selling a demon watch sure would’ve been helpful.

“I’ve got money. It will be my treat. Besides, it’s been a long time since I got to go shopping with another woman.”

“You’re very generous, Tabby. I’m not sure how I can ever repay you.”

“Come on, let’s change and get ready,” she said with a tilt of her head and a gentle smile.

I followed Tabby inside the house. Considering the night I'd had, shopping sounded like fun. My spirit lifted, excited to spend time with Tabby and glad to get away from Boss. Two young women having fun looking for clothes and spending a little money. What harm could come from shopping?

Chapter 10

Tabby twirled in a leafy green outfit the same color as her eyes. The spring dress, delicate and cute, had sheer short sleeves and flowed just past her kneecaps. Her long, dark hair floated in the air as she spun. She stopped, tucking the strands behind her ears.

“What do you think?” she asked, smiling.

“You look good in it. The color highlights your eyes.”

She put her hands on her hips. “I like it, but I’m not sure when I’d wear it. I don’t go out much.”

“Wear it around the house.”

She grinned. “I like your way of thinking.” She turned and disappeared into the dressing room.

Her enthusiasm made me smile. Since we’d left the house, we’d been talking and shopping like best friends. My worries had taken a seat on the back burner.

I waited for Tabby to change, and scanned the store. Round displays with spring clothes took up the center of the long and narrow space. Trendy dance music played and the two female clerks behind the counter had yet to do any kind of real work.

“Are you sure you don’t want to look around?” Tabby called out from behind the closed door.

I glanced at the floor. Her long bare feet poked out from underneath the dressing room stall. A chuckle escaped me, wondering what giant-sized shoes she had to wear. “No thanks. The clothes here don't fit my style.” The green dress dropped to the floor and covered her mammoth feet.

In a store filled with bright and cheery colors, I stood out wearing my black skirt and top as much as Tabby’s long feet did. I couldn't explain why, but in all the stores we visited in the mall, I liked the dark clothes. As soon as we walked in, I searched for black, red, and purple outfits. I had zero memories of favorite colors or styles, but those three attracted me. Every time I questioned how and why I knew things, more questions arose and I just grew more confused. When my head started throbbing, I gave up pondering altogether.

I turned my gaze to the store entrance. A young man dressed in a white button-down shirt hanging loosely over his dark pants stood near the far right side. He had a medium build, wavy light brown hair, and a youthful look, early twenties if I guessed right. Peering closer, the young man looked familiar. I'd seen him before in the mall, multiple times. Could he have been following us?

“Tabby I’ll be right back,” I said.

“Wait. Where are you going?”

I didn't respond and strode around the displays, heading for the entrance. The young man’s attention was elsewhere. I had nearly reached the entrance when he turned and saw me. He darted away fast. I was about to run after him when I heard Tabby call my name. Well, the name Jonas gave me. I let the stranger disappear, and returned to her.

“Where were you going?” Tabby asked, holding her bags in one hand, her purse and the green dress in the other.

“There was a guy standing outside. I saw him before when we were in other shops.”

“Do you think he followed us?”

“I don’t know,” I said with a sigh. “He looked harmless.” My gut thought he had followed us, but I didn't want to alarm Tabby. I bent down to retrieve my bags.

“Hey, do you want to get a fruit drink?” Tabby asked.

“You’re the one with the money. I'll go wherever you want to go.”

Tabby paid for her dress, and we strolled out of the shop with bags covering our arms. I walked at Tabby’s side as we headed back the way we came. Since the doors had opened at nine, we'd shopped to our heart's content, had lunch at a nice restaurant, browsed, and spent a little more money. I was beat with aching feet, but I’d thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The air thickened with the strong scent of food and the sweet aroma of coffee as we reached the food court. Few people sat at the tables, leaving most empty. Tabby claimed a large square table and we dropped all our bags on the extra chairs.

“Stay here and I’ll get the drinks,” Tabby said.

As soon as she left, I sat down in a chair. My feet thanked me. I scanned the area in search of the young stranger. Moms with strollers walked by and teenagers meandered in groups. I didn’t see the mysterious man lurking around, but I had a feeling he was.

“Here you go.” Tabby handed me a plastic cup filled with pink slush. I took it from her. She sat across from me and leaned back in her chair with a look of overwhelming relief. “My feet are so sore.”

I chuckled. “I didn’t want to say anything.” I sipped the drink through a straw. A cold strawberry flavor slid over my tongue and tasted delicious.

“I haven’t spent so much time shopping since I was in high school,” she said, taking a drink.

“I can’t remember the last time I shopped,” I said, and we both smiled.

“My sisters and I would come to this mall all the time. It has the most variety of shops compared to other malls in the city.”

“You have sisters?”

“I have three, in fact, and I’m the oldest by seven years.”

“Wow,” I said.

“Mm-hmm.” She swallowed a sip of smoothie. “I took care of them most of the time. Our parents worked double jobs so we could have nice clothes and participate in sports.”

“It sounds like you had your hands full.”

“Yeah, but we had a lot of fun. We looked out for each other and stuck together like a team. If one of us got in trouble, we all did.”

A ring from her purse grabbed our attention. Tabby set her cup on the table and withdrew a phone from her bag. She glimpsed at it and then looked at me.

“Guess,” she said.

“Jonas,” I replied. He’d called four times already, checking on us.

Tabby pressed the phone to her ear. “Hello.” She picked up her drink and leaned back. “We’re still at the mall.” She listened silently, then directed her eyes at me. “He wants to know if you’re having a good time.”

“The best,” I said, sipping my smoothie.

As Tabby relayed my message, I scanned the area. Not far from the food court, teens played in a gaming room. Several shops to the right was a candy stand where mothers and children gathered around, eying the sweet stuff. I started to look away until I saw the young stranger. I set my cup on the table. “I don’t believe it.”