The Childe (39 page)

“Hey red hot, what’s up?” he asked smiling crookedly. Cat was just as surprised as he was when she giggled. Ryan chuckled and grabbed her around the waist, kissing her quickly on the cheek. “May I escort you to your carriage, Madam?”

“It would be a pleasure.” He took her hand and led her down the hallway.

They didn’t see the eyes that watched them. Isaac glared at their retreating backs. “He’s such an idiot! I can’t believe he’s strutting around school holding hands and kissing on the pet of those mangy beasts! He’s making us all look bad!” Isaac whispered angrily to Amelia.

“It’s his problem now Isaac. We tried to warn him, but he’s too thick headed to listen. He’ll find out soon enough that he should have listened to us,” Amelia sneered.

“Or maybe he should find out now!” he muttered following behind them, his group in tow.

“Let me take you home,” Ryan said as they reached outside.

“Uh, my friends are waiting, but I guess it would be all right.” Julie approached them. Cat blinked.
Did Julie just glare at Ryan?
She asked herself.
Why would she do that? That’s not like her.

“Hey Cat, ready to go home?” Julie asked.

“Um, well Ryan offered to take me home. So, I guess I’ll call you later. Tell everyone conference later, okay?” Julie nodded glaring quickly at Ryan once more. Without another word she turned and walked back toward the group, clearly bothered. Cat watched as everyone waved to her except for Julie who had already climbed into Matt’s car, looking straight ahead.

“You okay Cat?” Ryan’s eyes caught hers.

“Yeah, of course. Let’s go.”

“Beckford!” Isaac’s voice boomed close by. Ryan and Cat turned to find Isaac and his group in front of them. Amelia’s evil grin from over Isaac’s shoulder filled Cat with anger. The parking lot went silent. All eyes were on them.

“What do you want now Isaac?” Ryan’s voice carried across the silence.

“I want you away from that girl!” Isaac hissed.

“You do, do you? Well, I think we’ve been over this before and my answer is still the same, no! In fact, I was going to wait until we were alone,” Ryan announced and then looked intently at Cat, “but I think now is a more appropriate time.” The anger slipped away from his eyes as his smile widened and he moved closer to Cat. “You mean so much to me. Would you do me the honor and wear my ring. Please say yes,” he whispered.

“Yes!” she said out loud. She watched as he removed the chain from around his neck that held a beautiful ivory and onyx ring and clasped it around hers. He then gently kissed her on the mouth and warmth spread throughout Cat. As they parted she saw his eyes filling up with anger once more. He spun around and saw Isaac and his group looking on in disbelief.

“Now, you all know how I feel about Cat! I want no more threats or taunts directed at her. Do you understand? We are a couple now, and nothing you can say or do will change that. You mess with her and you mess with me! Got it?”

“How could you give her your ring, that’s for-” Isaac blurted out.

“Isaac, not another word. We’ve been friends all our lives so don’t be stupid right now. It’s my ring and I’ll do what I want with it. Nobody, and I mean nobody, will say differently. All right! Cat and I are leaving, so I suggest you do the same. And Amelia shut your trap, you look like a trout.” Ryan grabbed Cat’s hand and opened the car door for her.

Sitting in the car, Ryan reached across and grabbed Cat’s seat belt just as she was about to. “Here, let me do that for you. It’s been acting stubborn lately and I want to make sure it locks in.” Cat nodded, speechless as he pulled the belt gently across her. She turned to look up at him. He bent his head and kissed her lightly on the lips. Locking in his seatbelt he turned and pulled out of the parking lot. Numerous pairs of eyes watched their departure. Cat’s heart was beating fast. He quickly flashed a grin at her and then turned his attention to the road ahead. Cat felt his hand take hers and their fingers intertwined. Smiling, she sunk into the seat, feeling truly happy for the first time in a while.

“Sorry that was so public. I didn’t plan to put you on the spot like that. I was going to do it properly, like on a date or something. But Isaac has just pushed too many of my buttons lately and I had to shut him up. I could do it over again, if you want me too,” he said looking at her while waiting for the traffic light to change.

She shook her head, “no, are you kidding me? That was perfect. Did you see Amelia’s face? Priceless!” Cat giggled.

“Yeah, Amelia is a piece of work.” Ryan squeezed her hand as the light changed.

“What did Isaac mean about the ring?” Cat asked lifting the necklace up and looking at the strange symbols that were engraved into it.

“Do you want the long or short version?” he asked jokingly.

“In between,” she replied.

“Okay, well many years ago my group’s ancestors migrated from the same place in Europe, so our families are very close. We males are given these rings when we turn sixteen. And we are only supposed to give them to someone we are truly connected to. It’s kind of a rite of passage. Isaac still wears his and I think that’s why Amelia is so frustrated. Because she thinks he must not feel strong enough about her to have her wear his.” He paused and looked deeply into her eyes. “Cat, my feelings for you sometimes overwhelm me. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable. I just think you should know. Ever since that first day of school, I have felt it, a connection. I tried to ignore it, but you are impossible to ignore.” Cat leaned across the seat and kissed his cheek.

“I must admit, it’s been hard to ignore you too. I almost died when I saw you that day in the counselor’s office and realized you were going to be my tutor. I thought you hated me half the time and just tolerated me the other half. You drove me nuts Mr. Beckford. I really should be angry at you, but all I can feel is happiness when you’re around.”

Ryan abruptly pulled the car off the road and put it in park. He turned and gently pulled Cat’s head off his shoulder where it was resting and placed his lips to hers. Cat felt her emotions soaring. Her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. Her hands clutched his shoulders as he pulled her closer. She smothered a giggle as he moaned when the gearshift got in the way. They broke apart, both flushed.

“Wow, maybe you do like me a little.” Ryan grinned.

“Yeah, maybe just a little,” Cat replied jokingly.

“So, Ms. Colvin how about going on a real date with me, like dinner and a movie?” Ryan’s hand tenderly brushed back her hair.

“I’ll have to check my date book, but I might be able to pen you in. Oh wait, no I won’t, because I’m grounded for the rest of my young life,” Cat said sarcastically and then sighed.

“Oh yeah, I guess I forgot about that little detail,” he replied putting the car in drive and pulling away.

As they approached her house, Cat was startled to see so many cars parked in her driveway, one of them being Dr. Bane’s. “Are they having a party and didn’t invite me? And my Mom’s home early too?” she asked out loud.

“Maybe it’s a surprise last day of school party.”

“I’ll call you tonight okay? I think I’m going to go find out what’s going on here,” Cat said leaning over and meeting Ryan half way. His lips met hers and everything around her disappeared. Her hand was on his chest and she could feel his heart racing, his hands moved through her hair pulling her closer. They broke apart, each trying to catch their breath, their foreheads touching.

“Cat-”

“I know,” she replied. “I feel it too. I’d better go. I’ll call you, okay.”

“Okay.” Ryan watched as she opened the door, closed it and bent down to blow him a kiss through the open car window. Walking to her front door she turned around, waved and then hurried into the house.

Ryan started his car and sat there wishing she would come back out. “Man, Beckford, you’re acting like a lovesick puppy.”
Is it really acting?
He thought as he pulled away.

Walking down the hallway toward the voices coming from the kitchen, Cat heard her name. Stopping at the door, she stood and listened.

“I think Cat needs to be told,” Dr. Bane said looking at the other occupants in the room. Rachel looked at Sam who shook his head no.

“Why now?” Sam asked.

“I agree with the good doctor. Cat needs to know.” Aldon looked at the Colvin’s, feeling Druanna taking his hand under the table. “She needs to know for her own safety and for ours. She can’t be left in the dark any longer,” he continued.

“I don’t like this. It’s been okay for sixteen years and then all of a sudden we tell her. I don’t think it’s fair to us or Cat!” Rachel’s voice was shaking as she looked at the others in the room. Five sets of startled eyes looked up as Cat walked into the room.

“What do I need to know?” Cat asked sounding calm even though she was shaking with fear inside. “Well, is anyone going to tell me?” she looked at everyone individually, finally resting on her Great Uncle’s face.

“Oh, Cat honey, why are you home so early?” Sam asked, trying to act nonchalant.

“Early release. Last day and all. Wait. Don’t try to change the subject. What do I need to-”

“Hey, what’s with all the cars? Where’s the party?” Taylor’s voice came from the hallway and the sound of the front door shutting followed, interrupting Cat. Six pairs of eyes watched as he came into the room with Trish at his side. “Sorry, are we interrupting something?” he asked, confused at the look on everyone’s face.

“No, in fact I’m glad you’re here Taylor. I was just waiting for someone, anyone, to tell me what’s been kept from me for all these years. Apparently, there’s some secret I don’t know about. Do you know?” She asked looking pointedly at him, watching as redness rushed into his face. He looked to his parents for help.

“Cat, please sit down. Taylor and Trish, you too,” Aldon said pointing to the empty chairs in the kitchen.

“Please sweetie, have a seat,” Sam said echoing Aldon’s request. Glancing at her mom, Cat noticed she was biting her lip with worry in her eyes.

“What’s going on?” Cat demanded again while plopping down into the chair.

Aldon stood, “Cat it’s time you knew. Rachel, Samuel you have the floor.” Rachel put her face in her hands. Sam looked shell shocked.

“How are they going to explain this,” Taylor mumbled, his hand tightly gripping Trish’s.

“Well, mom…dad…what is it? What do I need to know?” Cat’s voice trembled looking at them both.

Sam cleared his throat. “Cat…umm…I don’t know how to say this. But, we’re not, your…biological parents,” he spoke quietly, looking straight into Cat’s eyes.

“What do you mean you’re not my biological parents?” she asked totally confused.

“We adopted you when you were just a baby,” Rachel stated, interrupting Sam and raising her head to look at Cat.

“Cat, we love you, you’re ours and that will never change,” Sam said reaching for Cat’s shoulder.

“Yeah
Red Freak
! We wouldn’t have anyone else but you,” Taylor interjected forcing a smile on his face, wanting desperately to make her smile.

“Why did you guys wait so long to tell me? How could you keep this from me?” Cat asked, hurt and anger present in her voice.

“Well truthfully, we were hoping that you would never have to find out. We just wanted to live like a normal family and not worry about the past,” Rachel explained.

“Normal family? That’s what you call this?” she yelled, tears filling her eyes.

“We didn’t think! We did what we thought was best! Please forgive us!” Rachel pleaded, reaching out for her. Cat backed away. “We love you so much! You’re our daughter!” she continued, tears flowing down her cheeks. Without a word, Cat turned abruptly and ran from the room. Speechless, everyone stared at the swinging kitchen door.

Slamming her bedroom door, Cat threw herself on her bed, staring at the ceiling trying to absorb that her whole world had just been turned upside down. Her mind cluttered with so many questions.
Who are my real parents? Why didn’t they want me? What’s really wrong with me? Why are these weird things happening to me?
Her head ached from the lack of answers and tears began to roll down her cheeks. She screamed, pounding her fists on the bed in frustration. She wanted to run away. She craved to be anywhere but where she was at that moment. “How could they lie to me? If they really loved me! Why lie?” Cat asked herself, pounding her fists once more, leaving indents in her mattress. A scratching noise broke through the sound of her sobs. Wiping her tears, she looked at her bay window and saw Jewels pawing at it, wanting to come in. Cat had never been so happy to see her before and flung open the window. Taking Jewels in her arms she burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably. Jewels rubbed her head against Cat’s cheek, purring softly as if trying to console her.

“Oh Jewels! You’re the only one I want to see right now!” Cat choked out as she lay down on the bed with her.

Downstairs, Aldon turned to Rachel and Sam, “Well that was bracing. Not exactly according to plan, but at least she knows now.”

“So what do we do now?” Sam asked.

“She hates us!” Rachel interjected, sobbing.

“Mom, no she doesn’t,” Taylor said putting his arm around her.

“Yes she does! And you watch she’ll hate us more once she finds out the rest!” she wailed, crying into Taylor’s shoulder.

“Everyone, please calm down. We shall cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, I think it would be best if we leave her be. She needs time to let it sink in,” Aldon explained with a warm smile upon his face. “I also have a sneaking suspicion that as we speak, she is finding comfort with an old friend. So please don’t worry. Our Cat is a strong girl. She will be okay, just give her time.”

“Eventually, she will have to be told not only who she is, but what she is,” Dr. Bane said leaning forward and taking Rachel’s hand. “And Rachel, she will need your strength more than ever at that time. We know she is not a typical teenager, but we’ve got to understand that in some respect she is. And how she reacted just now is perfectly normal. I know that once she calms down, she will come to realize that we’re all just trying to protect her,” he explained trying to calm the situation.