Cave of Terror (16 page)
Midway through the class our principal, Mr. Gonzales, came into the room.
"Miss Wilde, I need to see you. Bring all your stuff, please."
I whipped my head around to Mandy—my eyes wide with surprise. Mandy shrugged in response to my unvoiced question. I stood and walked out of the room with Mr. Gonzales.
"What's the matter? Is something wrong with my mom or dad?” I couldn't think of any reason why I'd be called to the office, especially with Mr. Gonzales personally coming to fetch me.
He fixed me with a stern frown. “No, it's nothing like that."
It appeared I was indeed in trouble, but for what I didn't have a freakin’ clue.
As we walked into the office, Val walked out. She seemed way too pleased with herself. She made sure to give me one of her smirky smiles as she passed. The witch had everything to do with this mess.
"Have a seat, Miss Wilde."
I did as I was told and sat.
"We have been informed you may be in possession of some illegal drugs. We take these allegations very seriously. Campus security has been alerted and will be checking out your locker shortly."
"What? I've never taken drugs in my whole life. Who told you I had them? Val?” Heat crept across my face and neck and I clenched my fingers into a tight fist.
Oh, she was so going to pay. She must have been the one in the hall when I took my supplements. Crap.
"The name of the person is unimportant. I need for you to empty the contents of your purse."
Surprised at the request, my pulse sped up. “You can't ask me to do that. What about my privacy?"
"Do you have something to hide, Miss Wilde?” His face left no doubt he thought he already knew the answer.
"No, I don't, but it's not right,” I stated.
"What's not right is kids bringing drugs onto
my
campus. Empty your purse, please."
I opened my mouth to say something, then shut it again. Fighting a losing battle seemed senseless. I grabbed my purse and dumped it out in one big pile right in front of Mr. Gonzales.
He slowly picked through the pile, thoroughly checking out each item. When he picked up the vitamin bottle, I held my breath. Nicoleta told me no one would be able to tell, but it still made me a nervous wreck as he opened the bottle and poured a few pills onto his palm. He put the supplements back into the container and moved on to the next item. I exhaled—the worst of the inquisition over with. Apparently satisfied, he motioned for me to put everything back into my purse.
"Now, empty your backpack,” he demanded.
Now I was angry. I took everything out and piled it in front of him—again. When he finished, I put everything back.
One of the campus security guys knocked on the door, then entered. “We found nothing. Her locker is clean."
"Good. Thank you, Ben."
"Miss Wilde, you're free to go. Sorry for any inconvenience, but we have to treat every piece of information as serious. I'm sure you can understand."
What I understood was that Val was about to get her ass kicked. She had gone too far this time. Blood boiled in my veins. I clenched and unclenched my fingers as I walked out of the office and into the hall. It wouldn't surprise me if smoke blew out my ears. I was completely one-hundred percent pissed off.
Mandy waited outside the office. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, then her expression fell as she caught a glimpse of how angry I must have appeared.
"What the heck is going on? I saw two security guys going through your locker."
"Yeah, Val informed Mr. Gonzales I had drugs.” I twisted my face into a snarl.
"What the—"
"I know. I'm going to rip her head right off her stupid looking narrow shoulders,” I interrupted.
"Why would she say that? I mean, why drugs?"
"I don't know. I guess she saw me take some ibuprofen when I left biology."
"Oh, my God! She's such a bitch. She's so jealous Ryan prefers you over her she can't stand it."
"She's going to pay for this.” I clenched my teeth.
The witch hunt was on!
"Omigod! You got them off! Wow. Look at you. You're freakin’ gorgeous,” Mandy yelled out.
I should've known it wouldn't take her long to notice. I ran my tongue across my teeth, still amazed at how wonderfully odd the smooth surface felt. After having metal stuck onto my teeth for over two years, it would take some getting used to.
"What's going on?” one of our teammates asked.
"Yeah, what's up?” several others joined in.
I grinned real big, just for their benefit.
"You got them off!” they all screamed at once.
"What's all the fuss about?” Larry asked as he walked into the gym.
"Cheyenne got her braces off,” Mandy answered.
He stood in front of me. “Well, let's see."
I smiled again.
Larry tilted his head to the left, then to the right, then back to the left. “Nope. You still look like a monkey."
"Ah! How rude!” I punched him in the arm.
A smile spread across his face.
I knew that look. “No! Don't you dare,” I threatened. He laughed, then grabbed me around the waist and ran across the floor, dumping me in the bar pit.
Everyone howled with laughter as I crawled out of the pit—pieces of foam stuck to my velvet leo and no doubt, my hair, too.
"Okay, ladies, let's get to work,” Larry ordered.
Oh, I'd be getting him back. No worries there.
Shazaam! I had one freakin’ great workout. Larry said I should bottle whatever had motivated me and sell it. Trust me, no one wanted any of what I had. I drove every bit of fury I possessed in my body into my gymnastics. Val's stunt still had me in a snit.
Feeling quite pleased with myself after my awesome workout in spite of everything else, I decided to grab a vanilla bean frappuccino at Starbucks before heading home. Nicoleta could wait a few minutes. Not like it would kill her. I pictured her waiting, drumming her manicured nails on her thigh. I chuckled to myself.
I pulled into the parking lot. The drive-thru had a line of cars that snaked around the parking lot.
"Crap!"
But looking into the window, I noticed very few customers waited inside. Nicoleta could wait a bit longer. I drove around the parking lot. The long line of traffic waiting to go through the drive-thru blocked most of the close spots.
"Double crap!"
I ended up parking in the Popeye's parking lot closest to Starbucks. Right as I got out of the car, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
"What now? Can't I catch a break?"
I looked up at the streetlight between the two buildings and watched as two bats circled underneath searching for bugs—a scene I've witnessed a million times since it's so near the bat bridge where they hide during certain seasons. Nothing to be alarmed about. Still, an uneasiness stayed with me as I walked toward Starbuck's entrance. It felt as if a wild animal stalked me, waiting for the right moment to pounce and make the kill. My neck tingled and a sickly sharp feeling centered between my shoulder blades. I glanced around the area, my keys strategically placed between my fingers, so I could poke an attacker's eyes out if needed.
Two guys got out of a truck and slammed their doors, startling me half to death. I made a face and chastised myself for being such a weenie. People occupied the area wherever you looked, and it was Starbucks after all. When did I get so paranoid? Oh yeah, since I found out I'm a vampire and being hunted. Silly me, how could I forget?
Because of all the drive-thru traffic, the inside was bogged down as well—even though it hadn't looked like it when I peered inside, but I refused to leave without my coffee. I deserved it. I glanced around at the few customers that had planted themselves in the cushy chairs, clicking away on their laptops. Everything seemed normal, but I still couldn't shake the creepy feeling. When the girl with purple hair and a nose ring called my name, I grabbed my drink and headed straight to my car. Even though I knew I was being ridiculous, I wanted to get the heck out of there and into the comfort of my house—even if that meant dealing with another Nicoleta session.
While I fumbled with my keys to pop the lock, a strong almond scent slammed into me. I sniffed the drink in my hand—definitely vanilla, not almond. Crap!
"Good evening, Cheyenne,” a darkly familiar voice greeted.
I squealed and threw my drink in the air. It hit the asphalt with a crunch, and the cold, creamy liquid exploded upward all over my clothes, my face, my hair.
Frozen in place, drenched with sticky, sweet vanilla bean frappuccino, I waited for an assault of some kind. Only this time, he didn't push me to the ground or torment me in any other fashion—nothing. Had I imagined the voice?
I listened for any noise or any indication of another person—again nothing. Forcing the lump down my throat, I slowly turned.
My jaw dropped open to knee level. A seriously gorgeous guy with dark, shoulder length hair, and crystal blue eyes like Ryan's stood before me. He appeared to be in his twenties, not as young looking as Ryan. Yet, he possessed many of the same characteristics.
He grinned, showing straight white teeth, not even bothering to hide his fangs. How could someone so beautiful be so evil?
"My, you've made quite the mess.” He wiped his finger across my cheek, then licked the frappuccino from his finger with slow deliberate strokes of his tongue. “Not bad, but I know something that's even sweeter.” He stepped closer into my personal space, his body only inches away. He didn't scare me. And he didn't seem to want to harm me. But, the way he looked into my eyes made me uncomfortable.
I backed up; he followed. I backed up more; he followed again. Next thing I knew, my butt bumped against my car—trapped like a cornered animal.
"Let me formally introduce myself.” He bowed like I belonged to royalty, then straightened. “My name is Constantine."
Constantine? Didn't that mean devil or something like that? Whatever. His name didn't matter. He had stalked and attacked me multiple times. That was all I needed to know.
"What do you want?” I demanded.
"I thought it was time we became acquainted,” he said with silky smoothness.
"Well, I think we've been acquainted enough, thank you—and I want nothing to do with you. Now, get out of my way or I'll scream.” I glared at him to make sure he knew I meant business.
"I don't think so. I can disappear so quickly you'll be standing here alone looking like a loon. Go ahead. Scream,” he challenged.
Crap. He figured right. “We're acquainted now. Let me leave. My parents will be worried."
"My guess is that your parents don't know about this little excursion. Am I right?” Again he smiled, his fangs glistening in the light.
"Why are you bothering me?” I put my hands on my hips.
"Tsk. Tsk. You know why.” His eyes sparkled with malice and something else I couldn't quite figure out.
"No. Tell me.” I knew what he wanted, what he needed, but I wanted to hear him say it.
"It's really quite simple. You have something I want.” He held me in his gaze, freezing me to the spot.
Stunned by his mesmerizing hold over me, I couldn't respond. His deliberate stare caused a freaky feeling to spread through my stomach—not quite the same way as Ryan affected me, but similar enough to disturb me.
"I must be off. It's time to get some ... dinner.” He licked his lips. “Wonder what I'm in the mood for—blonde, brunette. Ah, perhaps a redhead."
My mouth fell open and I stared at him in what I could only imagine resembled complete horror. He didn't even try to hide his meaning.
"Don't look so shocked, Cheyenne. It's the way of our kind.” He grasped my chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting my head back. “What a pity you've been so brainwashed. It's okay. I'll show you the error of your ways.” He bent down and gently pressed his lips to mine.
Tiny shocks of electricity flowed through me—similar to the feeling I got when near Ryan, but not as strong. Pushing away from him, I narrowed my eyes and ground out, “You're an animal."
He laughed. “Ah, Cheyenne, we're all animals. Haven't you figured that out yet? By the way, you were beautiful with the metal in your mouth. Now, you're stunning.” He glanced around, then morphed straight into a bat—right in front of my eyes. In a parking lot with people all around.
"No he didn't,” I mumbled to myself.
I stood there gawking for what seemed like forever before regaining my senses. Several people glanced my way, probably wondering why I stood alone staring into space.
"Yeah, I'm a nut case all right."
I jumped into the car, sticky crap all over me, and zipped out of there as fast as I could.
On the way home, I couldn't help but wonder about Constantine's change in behavior. He still reeked of arrogance and evil, but something had definitely changed. He didn't attack me or even try to inflict harm in any way. He didn't even touch me really, except for the ... kiss. And that bothered me most of all. It wasn't cold, gross, or creepy, but warm, gentle, and kind of nice.
Oh, my God! What was I thinking?
When I pulled into my driveway, I noticed Nicoleta's car was missing.
"Strange."
She had never been late before—usually annoyingly on time as a matter of fact. I couldn't help but wonder if something bad had happened.
The house was quiet except for the distant sound of the TV coming from the living room. Mom and Dad were probably watching Moonlight, the vampire series they couldn't miss. I found a lot of humor in that now, knowing we were real live vampires and my parents watched a show about
fake
vampires. Rather ironic, don't ya think?
"Cheyenne? Is that you?” Dad called from the other room.
I walked straight back to the living room, not even bothering to put all my stuff down. “Yep, it's me."
Dad glanced up at me. “Nicoleta called and said she wouldn't be able to make it tonight. She had some ... “—Mom and Dad exchanged a look I didn't miss for a second—"problems to take care of."
