From Deities (2 page)

Mrs. Grand slung her purse over her shoulder and headed for the entryway. When I opened the door for her, she made it halfway out before turning to me. “Please, Mason, I’m not crazy. I didn’t tell your mom, but your father is dead. He came to me the night before he died and told me everything. How do you think I felt? How do you think Nick felt?” Mrs. Grand showed me her hand and pointed at her fingertips. “I believed when Nick showed me that he could shoot what looks like lightning out of his fingertips, like silver colored sparks. It’s beautiful and frightening.”

I nodded to be polite. Mrs. Grand reached inside of her purse and handed me a slip of paper. “You’ve only been to my house a couple of times, so I wrote down my address and phone number, just in case. Please, Mason. Let us help you. These monsters killed your father, and they are after us too. Do something about it before it’s too late.”

“Close the door, Mason,” Mom ordered.

“I’ll give this to my mom,” I stated, indicating the paper she’d given me. I only said it so she would leave. “I think you’d better go now.”

“Talk to Nick, Mason. He’ll help you. He’ll explain everything.”

“Okay.” I nodded politely again and closed the door behind her. Walking to my mom, I dropped the paper on the dining table. I could have dropped it into the trashcan, but I couldn’t. As crazy as Mrs. Grand sounded, my gut told me she was telling me the truth, yet her story was surreal.

“Mason.” Mom wrapped her arms around me and held on tightly. I didn’t know how long she sobbed, but I let her cry on my shoulder until she was ready to let go. My heart ached for her. I was already used to the fact that I had no dad, so finding out he was dead didn’t affect me. However, discovering that he’d had several affairs must have been unsettling for her, especially since we never knew why he’d left us in the first place.

I could only imagine what was going through her mind. Knowing how distraught she was, I decided not to say a word. I had great respect for my mom. Being a single parent—starting from my elementary years—had been difficult for her. She worked long hours as a paralegal, but always managed to have time for me, and since we didn’t have relatives nearby, it was just us. I respected her for being independent and moving forward with her life, instead of sulking around the house for him. I knew I was one of the main reasons why she was brave. Her love for me was enough to give her the fuel to move on.

I thought about calling Nick, but knowing how Mom felt about the whole situation, I decided against it.

“Hey, Sky,” Kayla
greeted over the phone.

“Kayla,” I said cheerfully. “How are you?”

“Good. I’m on my way to my class. I thought I’d give you a call.”

“I’m glad. You know you can call me anytime. Anything new?”

“No. I saw Nick last night. And I can’t wait to do our double date thing this Saturday,” she squealed loudly.

“Do you know where we’re going for dinner?” I had forgotten to ask Mason that question.

“No. Nick says it’s a surprise.”

“Ahhh…” I said aloud. “Uh oh…Kayla, I’ve gotta go. I’m late for class.”

“Sure. If I don’t talk to you before then, I’ll see you Saturday.”

“Okay, love ya and hugs.” I didn’t mean to, but I hung up the phone as soon as I finished saying goodbye. When I talked to Kayla, I lost track of time. Throwing my arms into the sleeves of my jacket, I grabbed my backpack and bolted out the front door.

It had been several weeks since I’d gone to class. Thank goodness, it was in a huge auditorium and the professor didn’t take roll. There was a questionnaire and sign-in sheet on the first day, but that was it.

As I speedily walked to my class, I returned a phone call to my mom. I didn’t want to forget to call, knowing I would be busy studying after class. After I hung up, I noticed there were hardly any students around. What did I expect? After all, it was late and many students preferred the afternoon classes, just so they could sleep in after all the hard-core partying the night before.

I was halfway to class, when the feeling of someone following me suddenly awakened me. Accidently killing Remus and swallowing his blood, I had gained his power of healing, and though I couldn’t move with the same speed as the Grands, my sense of smell had heightened beyond what I could have imagined.

It didn’t happen right away, but I knew when it did. And I knew these enhanced abilities had to have come from Remus. Recalling that dreadful night, Remus was by the stairs with the two women he brought in, when he loudly said that he could smell something sweet. Now I understood. By “smelling something sweet,” Remus was referring to me.

Picking up the pace, I fought the strong urge to look behind me, especially since not a soul was on my path. Not wanting to give away what I suspected, I didn’t turn around. As the stranger approached closer, the scent of wood and wild flowers grew stronger. I recalled the same scent from the night when Mason took me out to dinner, where he had almost gotten into an argument with a stranger.

As my heart hammered faster, I decided to confront this stranger, but I would do it by the building entrance. That way I could yell for help, and all of the people in the auditorium could hear me. I was almost there but just as I grabbed for the door and swung around, the scent disappeared. Hmm…was I just being paranoid?

After class, I hung around the library, where there were tons of people. Since most of the tables were taken, I went to the back and settled there. Sitting in a cubicle with my lecture notes splayed out in front of me, I tried to study, but was interrupted by my cell buzzing. It was a text from Mason.

I’m staring at you.

I wish I could stare back at you. What are you doing?

I’m at Bella Amore with Nick. What are you doing?

I’m trying to study.

At the library, right?

How do you know?

Tracker.

Oh, yeah. Can you tell if I’m with another guy?

No, but if I find out, I’ll ace him with my volts. Just kidding. Don’t want to sound possessive.

I like that you are.

Don’t forget to keep your cell phone with you at all times.

Okay.

Pick you up at 6. Gotta go, kiss.

Longer kiss back.

Always on my mind. Sending you a love shock, baby! See you then.

My heart did a happy flip and a soft giggle escaped my mouth. Excitement and warmth flushed through me, just from reading Mason’s text. How hot was that? He could send me a love shock anytime.

After I put the phone away, I dove into my notes, but I couldn’t stop thinking of my dad and what he needed to tell us. Eventually, I was able to get some studying done… somewhat.

Stretching my arms and legs, I realized it was close to noon. Feeling tired from studying and wanting some fresh air, I packed up my bag. Suddenly, the same scent I smelled on the way to class wafted through my nose. I glanced around to find out where the smell was coming from, but saw nothing. Brushing it off, I decided it was time for me to leave.

I slid my chair back to get up, but something froze my chair in place and at the same time, I heard a ‘thud’ sound. I turned quickly. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry,” I whispered, fidgeting with my hands, unsure how to help or if he needed help at all. When I felt the gaze from other students, my face flushed with warmth from my embarrassment.

The stranger was hunched over so I couldn’t make out his face at first, but the scent of him was strong. The smell of wood and wild flowers tickled my nostrils. It was definitely the same smell as the one at Starla. Then I saw for sure, it was the guy at Starla who tried to ask me out…at least I thought that was what he was trying to do. And what were the odds of him going to the same school as me?

“That’s okay,” he replied, standing tall, trying not to disturb the others around us. “I’m fine.” Then he paused, seemingly surprised to see me. His face lit up with a huge smile. “So, we meet again. What a coincidence.”

My shoulders relaxed, confirming it wasn’t some weird stranger tailing me; then again, I didn’t actually know him. He could be one for all I knew. I thought he would have given me the evil eye or say something nasty, but he didn’t. Taken aback by his handsome face and how much less intimidating he looked under these lights compared to the dim mood-lighting at Starla, I smiled. “Uh…yeah.” It was all I could say. I didn’t want him to think I remembered him.

“My name is Ian.” He held out his hand and gave a flirty, cool smile.

Though I was hesitant to shake his hand, I didn’t want to be rude. There was something familiar about him, besides the fact that he was at Starla, but I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Perhaps it was just me.

Ian wore jeans and a dark gray sweater that clung to his well-defined chest. His body frame reminded me of Mason. Although I couldn’t recall the color of his eyes from that night at the bar, he stood before me with the most pretty, piercing blue eyes. It was like looking at turquoise gemstones—glossy and smooth, extremely hypnotizing.

Taking his hand, I finally shook it. “Hi. You can call me Skylar.” At least he didn’t shock me this time. Perhaps I was paranoid at our last encounter, and the shock was just a coincidence.

“Well, Sky—”

“Skylar,” I corrected quickly. Only two people were allowed to call me Sky, my dad and Mason. And, I wasn’t so sure about my dad anymore.

“Skylar.” He nodded. “I got it. Looks like you were studying the statistics notes. Do you have Professor Mead at eight in the morning?”

“Yes.” I held up my notes in my hand. “I missed some classes and I was trying to catch up.” I didn’t mean to give him more information then I needed to. “I was sick,” I said quickly, answering the question that would most likely have come next.

“I see. That explains it. If you need any help, I would be more than happy to. Just call me Mr. Statistic. It’s is my favorite subject.” He grinned, noting my cell phone in my other hand. Without warning, he took it from me, punched some keys, and gave it back. “I just put in my number. If you ever need my help, just call me.”

I looked at him blankly, unsure of how to respond to that. I was just hoping he wasn’t trying to ask me out. “Thanks.” I smiled. Shoving my lecture notes into my half-zipped backpack, I glanced back to see him still standing there. I was just about to leave when he spoke again.

“What are you doing Saturday?”

And there it was…that awkward moment. “I already have plans. My boyfriend and I are going out.” The word ‘boyfriend’ slipped over my tongue. I didn’t know if it was the appropriate word to use to define my relationship with Mason.

“That’s okay.” He didn’t look disappointed, as if he already knew. Of course he knew…Mason had been ready to introduce himself to him with his fist. “My roommate and I are throwing a party. If you change your mind, just call me…maybe?” He sort of sang the last four words. He was acting all cute, and what was I doing? Giggling like a schoolgirl. I didn’t like that it felt like he was flirting with me.

“I’d better go.” I tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. With Ian standing there staring at me, I felt uncomfortable. Still, I didn’t want to be rude, so I waited for him to leave first, but when he continued to just stand there, I decided to go. Just as I was about to leave, a brunette looped her arms through his, startling him.

“There you are. I thought I’d lost you.” Her tone was sensual and soft. Dressed in skinny jeans and a form-fitting red sweater, she was stunning. When her eyes locked on me, she gave me a look that said ‘back off.’

“You didn’t lose me,” he snapped and dropped his arms, forcing her to let him go when he walked away. I could imagine how loud his voice would have been if they weren’t in the library. He looked irate with an intense frown marking his face.

“What’s your problem?” she sneered, fluttering her eyelashes as if say ‘how dare he?’ Even the sound of her voice was alluring.

“Mia, there is a reason why I didn’t want to be found.” His tone was still not friendly.

“You don’t have to get mad.” She gave a pouty expression, but he wasn’t amused.

Ian rolled his eyes, turned to me with a smile, then left. Mia glanced over her shoulder to get one last good look at me, then disappeared around the cubicle behind Ian.

Weird…and awkward. Whatever. It’s not like I was going to be friends with them anyway. Feeling hunger pangs rumbling in my stomach, I headed out of the library toward the cafeteria.