The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven (106 page)

             
“That I can do,” he smiled.

             
We laid there for a while in each other’s arms. I thought about everything that was about to go down in only two days and then I started to kiss Roman. I wanted to forget and I knew kissing him would help. I guess I came on a little too aggressively because he pulled away. “What’s the matter? You don’t want to?”

             
“No, I do. It’s just…you’re coming on a little too strong.”

             
“I thought you said you like it rough,” I teased, nibbling on his ear.

             
“Okay, that’s not fair,” he said. I ran my hands up his shirt and across his chest. Then I took off my shirt and kissed him with so much force I accidentally bit his lip. “What’s gotten into you?”

             
“Nothing. I just want to be with you,” I said, trying again, but he pushed me back.

             
“Ella, I want to be with you, but not like this.”

             
“Like what?” I asked annoyed.

             
“I can tell you’re not really into it. It’s like you’re forcing yourself so you can forget.”

             
“What’s wrong with wanting to forget?”

             
“Ella…”

             
“Just forget it. Just go,” I said, turning away from him. I pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my forehead against them. He reached for my shoulder and I pulled away from his touch. He didn’t make a move to leave and I knew I wouldn’t be able to get rid of him easily. Not caring anymore, I let the stress of everything hit me and I started to cry.

             
Roman tried to comfort me, but I resisted. I finally gave in when I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. “I know you’re scared and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared too,” he said, caressing my hair. I pulled back to look at him and gently pressed my lips to his. Then I laid my head on his chest as he held me. “That’s the Ella I know and love.”

             
I could feel him take a breath and then exhale. “I love you Ella and I don’t care if you love me back, but I want you to know that I do and I mean it.”

             
I pulled back, turned his face to mine, and looked into his dark blue eyes. “I love you too.”

             
“Don’t say it because you think you have to.”

             
“Roman look at me…I’m not just saying it because you did. I mean it. I love you.”

             
And I really did.

             
He smiled, pressing his lips to mine. We laid back on the bed and ended up making love. Afterwards, as I lay my head in the crook of his neck and ran my fingers up and down his chest he said, “So what made you decide to compel me to punch Dean?”

             
“Really? That’s what you’re thinking?”

             
He laughed. “Actually, I was thinking about it earlier, but then I got distracted,” he said, rubbing my back.

             
“I figured it was only fair. Besides, he needed a good punch to the face.”

             
“I guess thank you for the honor.”

             
“You’re welcome,” I said, reaching up and placing my hand behind his neck as I kissed it. I could feel his pulse start to race and I could hear the blood coursing through his veins. I could feel his blood calling to me. I started to nibble on his neck and I felt my fangs come out.

             
“Go ahead,” he said breathlessly. “It’s okay. I want you to.” I didn’t hesitate as I sank my teeth into his neck. The pull was too strong for me to hold back. The feel of his blood trickling down my throat was so intense and empowering. It felt so good. It was warm and it tickled as it went down. I bit harder, not seeming to be able to get enough. I knew they said you could get into the other person’s mind if they let you, but I was too distracted to even try. I couldn’t seem to get enough.

             
“Ella…Ella,” Roman said panting.

             
I managed to pull myself away. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t take too much, did I?”

             
“No,” he smiled. His eyes were all glossy. He tangled his hand in my hair and rolled over on top of me, pressing his lips so hard on mine I was gasping for air. I forgot how the endorphins from a bite are so engrossing. I knew how they made the person you bite feel, but I had no idea it was just as intense for the biter.

             
The weight of his body on mine was crushing me, but at the same time felt incredible. Every time I saw the wound on his neck from where I had bit him, I wanted to sink my teeth right back in. If it wasn’t for him distracting me with his hungry kisses I would have. I never felt a rush like this before and I never wanted it to stop.

             
When the feeling finally wore off, we both laid on our backs panting. “That was…”

             
“Amazing,” I finished for him.

             
“I only heard about how intense a bite was, but I never imagined it to be like that,” he said.

             
              “I’m just glad I was able to stop,” I said, reaching for him and pulling him to me.

             
“I knew you could,” he smiled, brushing the hair off of my face.

             
“But I almost didn’t,” I said, embarrassed at letting myself get so out of control like that.

             
“It’s always hard your first time. When you first get a taste for it you feel like you don’t want to stop. Like you can’t seem to get enough.”

             
“Have you ever bitten someone before?” He nodded. “Oh.”

             
“It wasn’t like that though. It was different…I mean I still felt the attraction, but not like I felt it with you.” He brushed his thumb across my cheek. “I love you,” he whispered, kissing my lips.

             
“I love you too.” I looked at his neck that was bruised and covered in dry blood. “Oh my, I didn’t realize I bit you that hard.”

             
“I didn’t mind,” he smiled. “But I should teach you how to close the wound.” I looked at him puzzled. “After you drink from someone you run your tongue over the bite so it stops the bleeding and closes the wound. It also helps it look less noticeable. It was partially my fault. I didn’t give you the chance,” he said.

             
“Lucky for you this is where my nifty little healing power comes in handy,” I said, placing my hand over his bite.

             
“I knew I was with you for a reason.”

             
“Shut up,” I said, snuggling up close to him.

Chapter twenty-six

I woke up in the morning feeling refreshed. The thought of the dance hadn’t even crossed my mind until I opened my closet and saw my dress hanging there in the garment bag. I sighed as I stood there staring at it. “What’s that?” Roman asked, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.

              “That’s my dress for the dance,” I said.

             
“Can I see it?”

             
“Nope. You’re just going to have to wait.”

             
“You’re such a tease,” he said, nibbling on my neck.

             
              “Look who’s talking. You need to stop. We have to get ready for class.”

             
“Let’s just skip it.”

             
“No. Now go away,” I said, giving him a little shove.

             
“Fine,” he groaned. He stole a few more kisses before I finally pushed him out the door. “Good morning Josie.”

             
“Yeah, yeah,” she grumbled, falling down on the bed.

             
“I didn’t expect you back anytime soon,” I said.

             
“Neither did I, but Gabe busted us and said it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to stay in Billy’s room blah, blah, blah.”

             
“Since you’re up, you can join me for class today.”

             
“Nooo…”she moaned in to the pillow.

             
“Yes. Now get up and get ready,” I said, smacking her on her behind.

             
“You seem in a better mood. I trust you slept well?”

             
“Well, I can’t say that I actually slept.”

             
“I see I’m definitely rubbing off on you…finally. It’s about time you loosened up. If I knew you getting some would get that stick out of your butt I would have tried to get your cherry popped a long time ago.”

             
“Josie!” She just laughed. “Why does everyone think I’m such a prude?”

             
“Because you are,” Josie said, giggling again.

I had found out that we didn’t have classes today. The whole day was spent preparing for tomorrow, which meant my day would be spent training and preparing for the attack. While the rest of my friends were helping with preparations for the celebration, Roman, Dean, Josie, and I were sparing with several different guardians in the field outside. We couldn’t use the gym due to the fact that’s where the dance was being held. Aidan had switch the location from the atrium to the gym, telling us it would be a more secure place for the students in the event of an attack.

             
It was overwhelmingly warm for late March. To keep us from passing out, Gabe let us have a twenty minute break to relax. As soon as those twenty minutes was up we were right back to work. I was sweating so bad my eyes were burning and I was getting dehydrated, but Gabe kept pushing us. I was surprised he even let us go for lunch. As soon as we got the okay to go eat. I ran. Scared he would change his mind. I didn’t even care I was sweaty, stinky, and dirty. All I wanted was that hour to sit down and eat as much as I could.

             
Shortly after we sat down the rest of our friends started to file in and make themselves comfy. “Geez Ella, ever heard of this thing called a shower?” Cameron said when she got a look at me. Before I could open my mouth she saw Dean, Roman, and Josie looking just as pitiful. “What the hell happened to you guys?”

             
“Yeah, why do you all look like you were rolling around in the dirt?” Sienna said.

             
“Training,” was all I said.

             
Everyone was chatting about all the stuff they were going to do and the dance tomorrow. My stomach was churning at the thought of something happening to them. I wanted to tell them to leave and go home where they would be safe, but I couldn’t. “I know it’s hard to relax, but try not to look so edgy,” Roman said, noticing my tension. I squeezed his hand and forced a smile while I finished my lunch.

             
After lunch, Gabe worked us, hard. This would be the last chance we had to practice like this so he wanted to make sure we got it. He threw as much at us as he could. He had us take on several guardians at once and worked us into the late evening. I was so sore I thought I wouldn’t make it back to my room. For once I actually let Roman shower with me, afraid I might drown from how tired I was. I healed him and then made him give me a massage. The heat from his hands helped. He stayed with me as long as he could. He stayed until Josie returned from Billy’s room. I said goodnight wishing I didn’t have to.

             
Snuggled tightly into my blankets, I rested comfortably while I waited for sleep to come. “Josie, what’s it like, where you were?” I asked, curious.

             
It took a moment before she answered me. “It was like paradise. Whatever you imagined heaven would be like that’s what it is. It’s your interpretation of glory, pure happiness. Everything and anything you wanted was at your disposal. All you had to do was close your eyes and wish for it.”

             
“Was…he…” I couldn’t bring myself to say his name.

             
“No, Ella. He wasn’t,” she said softly.

             
“Then where?”

             
“I don’t know…when we die, our soul doesn’t leave right away. Our spirit lingers and then we move on.”

             
“Why?”

             
“I don’t know. I guess for the people who have unfinished business.”

             
“What about the people who don’t move on? What happens to them?”

             
“They stay here?” she said, not quite sure.

             
“Does everybody become an angel?”

             
“No.”

             
“Who determines whether you do or don’t?”

             
“It’s not really who it’s more like what. It’s hard to explain,” she yawned. “I’m tired. You mind if we talk about it later?”

             
“I’m sorry,” I said.

             
“Sorry for what?”

             
“That you’re here. It sounds like that place was perfect.”

             
              “It was, but if I can’t be there there’s no other place I rather be than here with you.”

             
“If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were hitting on me,” I joked.

             
“Nah, you’re not my type,” she laughed. “Now shut up, stop stressing, and go to sleep,” she said, turning away from me.

At breakfast, those who knew what was going down tonight sat silently while everyone else chatted about the day ahead. When we were done we all met Ms. Kraft outside to plant some seeds along the wall. It was a nice day outside despite the mood. The weather was warm, but muggy. They said it was unusually warm for spring in Rhode Island and Sienna said she could sense a storm on the way. I covered my eyes from the glare of the bright sun as I looked up to the sky. Not a cloud in sight. I should be happy for the nice weather, but today my mood was a somber one.

             
              When we were finished with all the outside activities, everyone else went inside to help set up for the dance while the few who had other things to worry about joined Gabe outside on the track to go over the plan and practice what we could. They told us the guardians on campus had tripled for tonight and were on alert. If anything were to go down and security was breached we were to barricade the doors from inside the gym and guardians would surround the students. Aidan told us the gym was the safest place in the whole school. That did not make me feel any better.

             
“Are you ready for this?” Gabe asked, after our final practice.

             
“Honestly…no,” I said.

             
“Ella, I have faith in you. I never had a student progress as well as you did. If I had to pick someone to fight by my side in battle I would pick you. I believe in you and you should too.”

             
“So do I,” Roman said, taking my hand.

             
“You’re just saying that because you’re my boyfriend,” I said, giving him a playful nudge.

             
“I Believe in you,” Dean said, catching me off guard. “And so do the rest of your friends. Ella, there is no other person who could handle this better than you. You are one of the strongest people I know. I sometimes envy how brave you are. I know if anybody can get through this you can,” he said, squeezing my shoulder.

             
“Thank you Dean,” I said, giving him a hug. “I really appreciate the encouragement, but I think I need some time to myself,” I said, looking at Roman. He gave me a soft kiss before I took off. I needed to clear my head and mentally prepare myself. I took a walk along the wall where we had just freshly planted flowers and saplings.

             
“Hello Ella, how are you feeling?” Ms. Kraft asked, startling me.

             
I didn’t even hear her approach. “Ms. Kraft, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”

             
“I know. I could tell you were somewhere else,” she said, pointing to the pile of dirt I was standing in.

             
“Oh, I’m such a moron.”

             
“Ella, you are not a moron. You are a young girl who has more on her plate than she should. Come with me.” She held out her hand and we walked over to the fountain and had a seat. “I want you to meditate with me.”

             
“I don’t know…I don’t think I…”

             
“Yes you can. Just concentrate and close your eyes. Listen to the sounds around you and open up your mind. Breath in and breath out.”

             
At first I didn’t think this could possibly work and I knew she felt my skepticism, but she didn’t give up. Once I let myself go and tried, I could feel myself start to relax. We sat there for a half hour just meditating. I felt completely at ease until Dean started to call me in my head. I had left my cell phone in my room and Josie was waiting for me. I sighed and opened my eyes. “I have to go,” I said.

             
“Do you feel better?”

             
“I do. Thank you Ms. Kraft.”

             
“Ella, remember, you are one of a kind, and everything you are is inside of you. I have faith in you and I know you will know what to do when the time comes.” I thanked her one last time then headed off to my room to get ready.

             
“Uh, hello, what the hell took you so long? I had Dean channel you or whatever that thing is he does for like twenty minutes,” Josie complained.

             
“I’m here now. What’s up?”

             
“Duh…we have to get ready and you need to shower, eww,” she said, holding her nose. I rolled my eyes and got in the shower.

             
“Did you find something to wear?” I called from the bathroom.

             
“Cameron and Sienna let me raid their closets. Not exactly my style, but Sienna said she wouldn’t mind if I made some alterations.” Sienna’s going to find out the hard way that some alterations means say goodbye to your dress.

             
Josie had picked out a cute, purple, baby doll dress. She took the hem up two inches and took the sleeves off to make it a strapless. She had also added some gems and silk flowers to the dress. “Where did you get that jewelry you’re tearing apart?” I asked.

             
“Don’t worry about that,” she winked. I didn’t bother to ask any more questions. I knew the less I knew the better. After I dried my hair, I packed my purse with weapons. Then I sat down to do my makeup. Josie suggested I curl my hair, which she offered to help me with while I did my makeup. She even made me a double jeweled headband to go with my dress. We pinned different sections of my hair back leaving curls hang around my face and down my shoulders.

             
I started to get nervous as I got dressed. Once I felt I was ready, I turned to the mirror to check myself out. “Wow Ella, you look like a princess,” Josie gleamed.

             
“Thanks,” I sighed.

             
“Hey. You really do look hot,” she said, thinking I was unsure with my appearance. I could have cared less right now. The only thing I was worried about was surviving the night.