Arkadia (Halfway House Series Book 1) (13 page)

Arkadia couldn’t believe Eloise was making her go to school today, granted it was Monday, but surely some consideration should be given. All she got from Eloise was, “It will be a good distraction for you.” Arkadia walked down the stairs in a pair of black jeans and a red sweater, her hair pulled back into a simple ponytail, not a trace of makeup on her face.

Raven looked up from her breakfast, her eyes going wide with surprise. Emerson being as delicate as the proverbial wolf in a chicken house, said, “You look like shit, Ark … oooph!!” He winced as he rubbed the back of his head where Eloise had given him a warning tap to close his muzzle.

Raven asked, “Want to walk to school together?”

Arkadia looked at her and shrugged. “You’re risking social leprosy, but whatever.” She grabbed her bag and wandered out the door leaving Raven running to catch up with her.

“Do you think she will be at school?” Raven asked as she walked alongside Arkadia.

“I don’t know,” said Arkadia. “I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not that she did turn up. I mean what am I supposed to say, ‘Hey, Vi, hear you’re a para. Me too. Heard you don’t like math, me too. Heard you want me dead. Aaahhhh, no thanks’.” Raven laughed as she watched Arkadia mock herself. “Besides, it’s not like I can say anything anyway, without giving myself away or ending up being committed for believing in the bogeyman.”

Arkadia’s heart raced a little as the school’s steps came into view, and she could see three people waiting at the top, like normal, as if nothing had happened. They reached the bottom of the stairs and Raven grabbed Arkadia’s hand and squeezed it, mouthing, “Will you be okay?” Arkadia nodded at her and looked back up the stairs at Chey’s face, her eyes filled with love and caring, and then looked over at Cat, her smile contagious as she bounced around excitedly. Arkadia’s eyes traveled over the third person, Violet, who immediately wrapped her arms around Arkadia’s shoulders and embraced her tightly.

“Oh my sweet friend,” Violet said as she released the hug to look at Arkadia. “I have been sick all last week. The girls have just filled me in on what’s been happening, it’s horrible, I can’t believe what you have had to go through.”

A completely confused look crossed Arkadia’s face as she said, “Violet, the police told me you’re a witness.”

Violet waved her hand around. “Oh no,” she said dismissively. “I went and re-visited them yesterday to tell them they misunderstood. I told them I saw a blonde girl running away from that area, but I never mentioned you. What kind of friend do you think I am?” Violet put her hand to her heart and pouted a little. “The stupid police got it wrong, that’s all, but I sorted it out, don’t worry.” Violet swiveled on her too-high-for-school boots and sashayed off toward the lockers, leaving Chey and Cat with the same dumbfounded look on their face that was on Arkadia’s.

“That girl is just plain crazy,” Chey said as she looped her arm through Arkadia’s. “I swear when they were handing out social skills she was still in the line for shoes.” She shook her head and laughed. “Oh, and by the way, Arkadia,” Cat looped her arm with Arkadia on the other side and continued with a contagious giggle, “there was a certain handsome hockey player who apparently couldn’t stop talking about you at training yesterday. To the point where the coach threatened to gag him.” Cat winked and giggled some more.

“Well … we are a couple.” Arkadia casually dropped the bombshell on her friends.

“YOU’RE WHAT??” both Chey and Cat screamed in unison, stopped on the spot, and turned to look straight at Arkadia.

“A couple?” Cat asked.

“Official like?” Chey asked. The pitch of both their voices was getting higher by the syllable.

“Yes and yes, but you will have to wait on details since the bell is about to ring.” Arkadia baited the hook with a grin. Cat and Chey protested having to wait on such juicy gossip, but as Arkadia predicted, the bell rung and their presence was required in a class.

“Lunch break, Arkadia, and the dish of the day is you,” said Cat. A chuckle was shared by them all as they went off to start their first class.

Later that night, Arkadia was sitting at the kitchen table talking to Eloise and Raven as the clean-up after dinner took place. “She seemed truly concerned, I don’t get it,” Arkadia said discussing Violet and how she had acted toward her earlier at school. Eloise braced herself for the onslaught her next question might get her, but she felt it was a valid one nevertheless.

“Don’t bite my head off, but are you one hundred percent sure it was Violet in the window?”

Arkadia thought for a second and nodded. “Totally. It was Violet, and she held me magically. I was frozen and completely under her control, well, my body anyway.” She shuddered as it was the scariest moment she had ever experienced, even more than when the wolves were attacking. At least with the wolves, she knew the who and the why.

“Then she has to be a Mesmer, and some deal was made a long time ago to give them the added ability of masking their existence,” Raven said as she got out the coffee mugs.

Drying the last of the dishes, Eloise agreed. “That would make the most sense. The problem is getting proof, and without it, we can’t do much except make ourselves look silly.”

Arkadia had heard Bohdan’s truck coming long before he knocked on the door. She swiftly opened the door and launched herself into the waiting arms of Bohdan, who made all the stress of the day disappear instantly. Her lips sought his in a kiss that expressed how deeply she not only had missed him, but how much she needed him in her life. “How was training, Puff?” Arkadia pulled back to look at Bohdan, his hair still damp from having a shower after training. He smelt of earth and woody musk, and it made her toes curl with tingles.

Bohdan tilted his head, a quizzical look on his face. “Puff?”

She chuckled at his expression. “I am searching for a love name for you, Puff, as in the dragon.” Arkadia still chuckled. “You no like? I had thought about scales, but it sounded like you’re a dealer,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows as she stifled more laughter.

Bohdan squeezed her ass as he pulled her hard against him, walked back into the house, and rumbled softly into her ear, “You can call me anything, as long as it’s always me you’re calling.”

Looking over at Eloise and Raven, Bohdan nodded. “Evening, ladies.” Raven smiled in return, and Eloise tucked the dish towel on the hook and turned to look at Bohdan.

“Evening, Mr. Drak, would you care for a coffee? Raven is making a fresh pot.”

Bohdan put Arkadia down and shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, Ms. Mayflower, but I just came by to ask if Arkadia needed anything. I have assignments that need my attention, and as much as I would love to hang here with my queen and her family, bad grades equals no ice time according to coach.”

Eloise nodded and said, “He’s a smart man.” She turned to the boiling kettle as Arkadia went to talk to Bohdan on the verandah.

“I wish you could stay and never leave.” Arkadia wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head upon the muscular cliff face he called his chest. Shutting her eyes, she listened to the thumping of his heart.

“It only beats for you, my queen,” he murmured, placing a kiss to the top of her head. “Is there anything you need?” he asked softly. Arkadia could feel the heat pooling in her special spot as his voice caressed her ears.

Lifting her head, she spoke trying not to get lost in his endless brown eyes. “Oh yes.” She reached around to cup Bohdan’s tight ass in her hands and gave it a playful squeeze. “I need something from you,” she said and winked, “But as long as I know you love me, then I know everything will work out, and soon this nightmare will be just a distant memory for me.”

Bohdan growled at the feeling of Arkadia’s hands on his ass, entwined his hands into her hair, and pulled her lips forcefully to his, letting his tongue seek out hers and playfully dance around her mouth. It showed how close to losing control he was when it came to anything to do with Arkadia. Slowing it down with a soft peck on her nose, he said, “If I had my way, we would never leave my cave. But for now, while I still have a weak hold on dragon, I am going and I’ll see you tomorrow. Text me if you need me, I am only seconds away.” Placing another soft kiss to her lips, Bohdan took a deep breath, inhaled her scent to satisfy his dragon’s need to own her, and jogged off to his truck. Arkadia wrapped her arms around her own body, now feeling cold with the absence of his body. She softly smiled, waved, and watched him drive away.

“He’s a keeper,” Raven said as Arkadia wandered back into the living room and slumped down on the sofa with a contented glow on her face.

“He is just perfect,” Arkadia sighed and settled back to rejoin the discussion on what to do about a problem named Violet.

The next few days passed without much fuss. School, then magic study and, yes, while Arkadia was still having the occasional flop, she was batting at eighty percent success. Ever since her night with Bohdan, she had been feeling whole, and her magic had showed that. Arkadia was still only mastering simple spells; she would have to achieve a harder level to pass her PSEs. But as Eloise said, every successful spell was one step closer to her mark. Arkadia desperately wanted her mark. At the beginning of the year if you had asked her, she would have fobbed it off with a shrug and a “who care’s” attitude. However, things greatly changed after Eloise came into the house and believed in her when no one else had. Eloise had told her she was valuable and special; they were words Arkadia hadn’t heard about herself before. Arkadia felt that there may be something worth trying for, then Bohdan came into her life and well … he was definitely worth trying for. Arkadia hadn’t realized how disjointed she was until she felt all the puzzle pieces click into place with Bohdan. He completed her in a way she had never even contemplated dreaming of, yet now couldn’t live without.

The police had visited once, informing her she was still a suspect despite Violet correcting her statement and the investigation was on-going, complete with the “don’t leave town” speech. Violet had been overly supportive at school, and always asked if she could do anything or help with anything. It was kind of creepy. Arkadia couldn’t get the image of Violet’s eyes, cold and evil, as they stared at her through the crack in the curtains, freezing her body in an ice-cold magic spell, rendering Arkadia totally vulnerable. Arkadia knew in her heart that it was Violet that day. Her eyes had terrified her, it wasn’t something easily forgotten, and yet the “Violet” at school had been so nice and supportive, to say Arkadia felt like she was going crazy was an understatement.

Arkadia had gone from being the most popular girl in school to being a virtual leper; she used to be a person who everyone looked up to, asked advice from, and set trends for the coming seasons. Since the murder has happened, there was a grand total of four people who still spoke to her: Chey, Cat, Violet, and of course, Bohdan. She wasn’t sure if people no longer acknowledged her existence because they believed she was a murderer, or if, perhaps, they believed she was a witch. Of course there was a third choice and that was they believed she was a murdering witch whose only reason for living was to hunt them down and eat their brains. The teens in Huntsville had been watching far too much of
The Walking Dead
.

Even when Arkadia went into town, which she rarely did now, people would cross the road to not have to speak to her. She had seen mothers scoot their young children away from view, like they were fearful Arkadia was feeling hungry and children were on the menu. This was the reason Arkadia went to school and came home, that was it. Arkadia was even more grateful for Eloise, who no matter what, she was there believing in her. Arkadia almost wished she was her mom.

Coming in the front door on Friday afternoon, Arkadia already felt the weekend vibe kicking in, her body preparing itself for the impending Saturday morning sleep-in. Arkadia tossed her bag in the hall closet in the corner, and wandered into the kitchen to get some juice. Eloise sat at the table with the laptop open checking e-mails, her face flashing all shades of terror. Arkadia could see she was holding onto the edge of the table so hard, even her knuckles were white as she read an email. Arkadia walked over to the fridge and proceeded to fill a glass, looking again over to Eloise, not sure if she should interrupt what was clearly a very distressing e-mail. She put the jug back in the fridge, took a sip, and decided to ask tentatively, “Eloise, is everything okay? You look like you have seen a ghost.”

Eloise looked up, peeled her fingers off the edge of the table, turned the laptop toward Arkadia, and said, “You might want to read this.” As Arkadia read it, the glass slipped from her hand and shattered all over the kitchen floor, juice and shards of glass flying everywhere. Suddenly, her breath was missing, and her heart was no longer beating. The e-mail was an official letter from the Paranormal Council.

Staggering to take a seat, the juice and glass could wait, Arkadia continued reading. The e-mail said that they had been notified a breach of paranormal rules had taken place. It mentioned the notification implicated that one Arkadia Castner was the offender. This was now case #67003, and had been assigned to Ms. Rumor Winslow. This meant that within a few days, maybe a week, Arkadia would be getting a visit. Ms Winslow would be sticking around, watching, assessing, and then casting a judgment on the situation according to council law. Council Law didn’t require her to report back or for there to be any kind of trial. With so many paranormals under the one single council, they appointed highly-trained and ancient members to be Judge, Jury, and Executioner, if need be.

“Eloise,” Arkadia stuttered as her eyes misted up, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks, “they’re going to kill me.” Eloise was up and had her arms wrapped around Arkadia’s shoulders so fast Arkadia didn’t have time to blink.

Eloise said calmly, “NO, my child, they are not. We will explain everything, clearly and calmly, and I am almost positive that Ms. Winslow will understand and let you go forth and sit your PSEs.”

Arkadia sniffled, wiping away more tears that were freely falling now. “I am ALMOST positive you’re wrong.”

Eloise rubbed Arkadia’s arm supportively, as she said, “Let me suggest something.” Arkadia looked, eyes wet and defeated, up at her. “Go have a shower, get into your happy pants, and I’ll clean up this mess. We can order takeout and sit calmly in the living room and work out what is going to happen.”

Arkadia nodded as she got up and made her way to the bottom of the stairs. “I know what’s going to happen. I have read enough stories to know if a case manager gets involved, nine times out of ten, it doesn’t work out in the offender’s favor,” Arkadia said as she plodded up the stairs devoid of all energy. She stripped and headed for the shower. She didn’t even have the energy to shut the door, and didn’t bother trying as only Eloise was home, and she was busy downstairs...

As she came out of the shower, Bohdan was sitting on the end of the bed, and greeted her with a gentle smile. “Eloise called, and said you might need a hug.”

Arkadia dropped to her knees, a white bathrobe wrapped around her, as she shook her head. “I don’t want to see you, Bohdan.” Her voice was flat and dull; she couldn’t even look at him, preferring to study a speck of fluff on the carpet.

“Arkadia, don’t pu …” He was stopped by her hand.

“I am already dead, Bohdan, go, I can’t see you anymore.” Getting up, she turned and walked back into the bathroom before he could say another word, still unable to look at him. Arkadia knew if her eyes met his, she would weaken, but she couldn’t live with herself knowing she was just dragging him down with her; she loved him too much for that. He had a booming hockey career, which she had already put in jeopardy with her shenanigans. If she was to allow him to continue being with her, then he might be considered guilty by association, and if something were to happen to him, she would regret it for the rest of her life. Although with Ms. Winslow on the way, Arkadia might not be living for much longer.

Shutting the bathroom door behind her, she slid down onto the floor, wrapped her arms around her legs, and sobbed silently into her knees as she listened to Bohdan trying desperately to get her to open the door. Arkadia could almost hear dragon whimpering in pain.

Arkadia knew if Bohdan wanted in, he would get in, he was a dragon for goodness’ sake, but she also knew that Bohdan wouldn’t rip doors of hinges; it wasn’t his style. The last thing she heard him say was, “I am leaving this room, but I am NOT leaving YOU. I will kill anyone, or anything, that tries to take you away from me. There is no one else for us; you are not freaking alone in this world anymore. Have your little cry, throw a plate, do whatever you need to, to get your shit together. You have until tomorrow morning for your pity party. For tomorrow is when we start fighting back.”

Silence then engulfed the room, and Arkadia knew he had gone. She was so angry he wouldn’t save himself by letting her go, and in the same breath, her heart soared triumphantly. Bohdan truly loved her, and she felt it in every fiber of her being. He would fight for her, he would kill for her, and he would, if need be, die for her. That last realization took her breath away. She couldn’t live without him. She wouldn’t live without him. Things had definitely gone from “crap on a cracker” to “holy shit.”

Unable to eat or drink, Arkadia couldn’t even tolerate going downstairs at all. The last thing she needed right now was the several times she would hear. “It’s going to be okay,” from everyone. It was most completely NOT okay, never was going to BE okay, and having a hash-it-out session with Eloise was the very last thing she needed. Arkadia decided to just jump into bed and hope like hell it was better in the morning.