Legacy of Secrets 01-Cursed Secrets Page 2

  “You’re a hard person to find,” Dallas ducked from behind a tree, scaring me so badly I nearly jumped out of my skin.

  “What do you want?” I stood, putting space between us.

  “I just want to talk to you. Why do you keep running away from me?”

  “If you have to ask, then you don’t need to know,” I started gathering my things, but he rushed to stop me.

  “Please, just give me two minutes. Leslie is nowhere near here. Just hear me out,” he pleaded.

  “Time’s ticking,” I tucked behind another tree, hoping I was out of sight.

  “I never meant for this to happen. Like I said before I don’t even know why I told her. I’ve never said anything to anyone else about what happened to you, but I can assure you I wouldn’t have told her if I knew she would act this way. So, how much sucking up do I need to do for this?” he asked with a crooked smile. I wanted to punch him in the face.

  “Seriously? Is this a game to you? Of everything I’ve told you, I guess you didn’t understand that I have no one else to run to. There is nothing you could do to fix this. Why not just tell her I cut you off? Instead, you’re telling her things that aren’t any of her business. This is more than just a disagreement, Dallas,” I stared at him incredulously.

  “I know, I know, I’m sorry. Look, would it help if I talked to her? We could all just sit down and discuss this and maybe she’ll see that it’s not what she thinks,” I laughed at him.

  “Right, because she’s so understanding. I don’t think so. Your two minutes are up,” I turned from behind the tree and found Leslie waiting with a menacing grin.

  “Oh, are we feeling chatty today? I know a few people who are like that,” she said snidely.

  “Talk to him, he’s the one who scoured the campus looking for me. I think you’re blaming the wrong person, sweetie,” I nodded in Dallas’ direction.

  “Oh I’ll take care of him later, but for some reason I don’t completely believe you. It must be because you’re such a damn good liar. How did you get away with it? Did you hire someone to kill your parents or did you just have enough time to clean up before the cops showed up?” I took several steps toward her, not bothering to hold back the rage pounding inside.

  “You’re a bright girl, I assume, so I’m going to say this to you once. The next time you imply that I killed my family, I will show you just how fucking crazy I am. Dallas might not have the balls to shut you up, but I do. Watch your tongue, before you lose it,” she backed up, trying to look away. I could feel the fear radiating from her and, sadly, I enjoyed it.

  “What makes you think I’m afraid of you?” she stuttered.

  “Because the difference between me and you, is that I know what you’re capable of, but you have no idea what I can do. Are we understood?” I hissed.

  “For now” she moved behind Dallas, who stared at me wide eyed.

  “Good. Oh and the next time you key my car, I will break your fingers. Have a nice day,” I turned my back on both of them, the anger so raw I could barely stand it.

  Christian

  I heard her voice like a knife piercing my senses and turned, finding myself mesmerized. She looked nothing like the girl in class; her face no longer covered. I had a hard time believing this creature was the one I’d heard whispers about. She was elegant and earthy with flowing dark hair passed her shoulders, slightly olive skin, and hazelnut eyes like I’d never seen. She was strong, yet delicate, and every part of me screamed for her, but everything I knew went against it.

  I watched as she stalked away from a young man with a stricken expression on his face. The girl behind him seemed frightened as they watched her go. I cursed myself for not picking up the conversation from the beginning; clearly it was human drama at its finest. She moved to the furthest side of the quad and lay beneath a tree. She was frazzled, but I watched as the emotions eventually faded from her face. The wind picked up and I caught her scent. It was sweet with a hint of pine. My mouth began to water and I took a few sips of elixir.

  She suddenly looked at me and if I’d been able to blush I would have. Instead of being embarrassed by my blatant gaze, she picked up her things and stalked towards me. I fought the urge to disappear, but meeting her would satisfy my curiosity.

  “So, if you’re going to stare you can at least tell me why? Have you heard the stories about me? Or are you just in line to watch the freak show?” she glowered at me.

  “Pardon? I don’t even know you.”

  “Right, so because you don’t know me, you decided to stare at me for the past fifteen minutes? I’m sure you’ve got a better excuse than that.”

  “Actually I was trying to figure out why I don’t know you. I know just about everyone else in town, yet I’ve never seen you before.”

  My friendliness puzzled her, “Well actually I’ve lived here for a few years. I usually don’t spend my breaks on the quad, but recently it’s become a second home. Sorry for being so weird. My name is Adalia Klein, but I prefer Lia.”

  I smiled as I took her outstretched hand and bent to kiss it, “Christian Mason, and Christian is fine.”

  She blushed, “Well Christian, I’m sorry for being rude. Maybe I will see you around,” she added and slowly walked away, turning her eyes at the last second.

  Maybe indeed, I thought as I watched her leave. I could sense her excitement and confusion and it almost drew me in. I touched a finger to my lips where her pulse lingered. Venom flooded my tongue. Seeing her would be dangerous, but a part of me had been awakened. I sensed things from her that I couldn’t explain, but it left me wanting more.

  I was missing something, though. She wasn’t evil, she wasn’t a vampire, and in fact I didn’t know what she was. The only thing I could do was use other humans for more information. I groaned internally. Human girls were always too eager for my attention. Still, it was the only way.

  Keeping a low profile called for compulsion. I hated doing it, but had to admit it was useful. I just couldn’t let it go. She became an itch I couldn’t scratch. I knew that whatever she was, she didn’t know it and that made me all the more curious.

  I noticed one girl I’d had a brief friendship with making her way back into the commons, “Ah, Rosa how nice to see you on this beautiful day. How’ve you been?”

  “Well if you called every now and again you might know the answer to that question,” she propped a hand on her hip.

  “Now, now let’s not be so hasty. Mystery is what keeps it exciting does it not? What do you say I make it up to you, hmm?”

  “You can’t buy my attention, Christian. I don’t operate that way. You should know that. Besides, you have better conquests I presume?”

  “My dear, no woman is a conquest. Each has her own mind, therefore makes her own decisions. While I’ve not been particularly chivalrous, I would have been simply misleading you. I enjoy your company however I would never want to put either of us in a compromising position. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “You enjoy my company? What kind of bullshit is that? That’s like saying ‘it’s not you it’s me’. What do you want, Christian? I don’t have time for whatever game it is you’re trying to play,” she rolled her eyes.

  “No games, just a simple conversation. Come take a walk with me?”

  “I really shouldn’t, I have an exam next hour and I haven’t studied. For some reason I keep letting men get in the way. I’m sure you wouldn’t know anything about that?”

  “Well, what if I said that I would help you and we can still talk? I took that subject last semester and I have a mind like an elephant.”

  “The last time you said that we ended up on a road trip and I almost lost my scholarship. No way, I’m not doing that again.”

  “Rosa, please? Just one small conversation?” she looked into my eyes. At first she resisted, but my mind was more powerful. Her breathing slowed and I focused on what I needed to know.

  “Who is Adalia Klein, better known as Lia?” her pupils dilat
ed.

  “Lia is strange. She moved here a few years ago from Pennsylvania. She saw her parents’ murder and flipped out. Some people think she actually did it. She’s nice, but if you get too close weird things can happen. One day everyone started crying and she freaked and went home. Once she was gone, everything went back to normal. Some people didn’t know what happened, others didn’t remember, but they all knew that somehow she’d caused it. Very weird chick.”

  “What else about her? Anything you might know personally?”

  “She runs every night. I’ve seen her on my way home from work. She also used to be involved with Dallas Holcomb. They weren’t exactly an item, but they knew each other well. He lives around the corner from her.”

  “Thank you, Rosa. You’ve been very helpful,” I whispered the answers to the test and compelled her to forget the parts about Lia.

  Such a horrible situation for such a beautiful girl, yet she also possessed something quite amazing. Influencing other’s emotions wasn’t easy, even for me, but it seemed she didn’t even know she was doing it.

  I wanted more proof. I needed to find out her history. Maybe she would talk to me if the opportunity presented itself, but I didn’t want to be intrusive. If I could find out a few more details, I could do my own research. I had to convince her that I was oblivious to the rumors. My best course of action was to get her alone.

  I left campus with a new mission. I felt more alive than I had in ages. Even if she wouldn’t let me help her I wanted to be her friend. I couldn’t stand by without at least trying. I had to do whatever I could.

  CHAPTER 4

  Lia

  It was odd that he just stood there, staring at me. For months we had a class together and he was always on the quad, but never glanced in my direction. What changed? Did Leslie actually tell anyone? Was he being nice to find out if it was all true? What bothered me more was that I couldn’t get him off my mind. I found myself hoping I’d run into him again. I sighed as I walked to my car and embarked on the lonely drive home.

  The smart thing was to stay as far away from him for as long as possible. The last thing I needed was an “episode” to cause more rumors. The only person who wasn’t freaked out was Dallas; I wasn’t about to cross that bridge again. Dallas didn’t need me for anything anymore.

  I tread heavily up to my room and hoped for a peaceful night’s sleep. I hadn’t slept well in weeks. It seemed the dream came more often and it was unnerving. I changed into my track clothes, grabbed my MP3 player, and headed out the back to run.

  The air was crisp and smelled of pine and freshly turned soil. The soothing sounds of the evening immediately made my anxiety fade. I jammed to my running mix and kept a steady pace. There was nothing more exhilarating than the feeling of pavement gliding beneath my feet. Even as I raced faster, my breathing stayed steady and I barely broke a sweat. I felt invincible, as if all of the pain had been stripped away.

  Rounding the last corner, I slowed to adjust my armband. I looked up at the last second and squealed as I ran right into Dallas. We stumbled backwards in a tangle of arms and legs.

  “Oh jeez, Dallas you scared the shit out of me. What are you doing out here?”

  “I was just passing time, hoping I’d run into you. Well, I guess technically you ran into me.”

  “Right, well why did you want to run into me?”

  “I felt bad about what happened with Leslie. Not to mention we haven’t hung out in a while. We always have so much fun together, don’t you agree?”

  “I thought I was clear today that we didn’t need to have fun anymore. Not to mention Leslie wouldn’t be too happy with you,” I smirked.

  “What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. It’s never bothered you before. We have a special thing between us. That’s what I like best about our arrangement.”

  “Our arrangement? What exactly is our arrangement?”

  “Oh silly girl. We’ve had the same arrangement for years. We fuck, you go home, and we both keep our mouths shut. You have to admit you enjoy it,” his tone gave me goose bumps.

  “It was fun, but I think it was just a phase. We have to grow up sometime,” the ripples began at a slow vibration as I backed away. I couldn’t ignore the tension.

  “I suppose, but I enjoy the grown up Lia much more than the little girl Lia. You have quite a bit more going for you these days,” he licked his lips and closed the gap between us, “and I definitely like what I see.”

  “I’m sure you do, Dallas, but if I’m late getting home Pops and Nana are going to think something’s happened. I can’t have them calling the police. That wouldn’t be much fun, now would it?” I backed up to a large tree, but he followed me. I was pinned.

  “Actually, I think that would be a lot of fun. How long do you think we would have before they found out where you are? I bet we could finish before then. It’s something we’ve never done before. You’re usually down for trying new things,” he pressed his body up against mine and I felt him tremble with excitement.

  “Usually I am, but honestly Dallas you’re kinda freaking me out. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  He laughed, “Is it so wrong that I miss your body? Mmm my how I’ve missed you,” he kissed me softly, but something about it felt terribly, terribly wrong. I tried pushing him away, but he ignored me.

  Frustrated, I held my hands to his chest and shoved with all the strength I possessed. He flew about five feet, into another tree, and slumped with a groan. I ran to him and shook my head in disgust. What the hell am I doing?

  “Dallas?! Dallas, are you alright? I’m so sorry! Do you need help getting up?” I frantically fluttered my hands around him trying to figure out what to do.

  “You bitch!” he roared, grabbing my wrist and back handing me across the face. The power behind his slap was unlike anything I’d ever felt. My jaw was on fire and although I resented it, tears sprang into my eyes.

  “Please, Dallas I didn’t mean it. Just let me go. Please, don’t do anything stupid. I won’t say a word, you know me,” I plead needlessly.

  “Let…her…go,” I heard from the shadows and my heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t believe it was him.

  “She’s going to pay for what she did. I don’t care if you know, hell you can join me if you want. I promise she’s a good time. Trust me, buddy I’ve been there,” Dallas responded with such hatred, I winced.

  “Doubtful,” Christian challenged and stepped into the light of the moon looking very dangerous. In a movement too quick for me to see, he made Dallas release his grip on me and detained him in a headlock.

  “Now I want you to apologize to Lia for your behavior and for hurting her feelings,” he said calmly.

  “I’m sorry, Lia,” Dallas croaked. I almost felt bad for him.

  “Now then, Lia would you please excuse us? I will be back in a moment,” I nodded, too stunned to speak. They walked around the side of the house and I sat on the ground reeling.

  Christian

  “It will bring me great pleasure to kill you. To lay a hand on a woman is appalling and you should have been castrated at birth. Any last words before you die?” I was seething with rage as he trembled in my grasp. Watching him strike her was like adding salt to an open wound.

  “Please, I won’t hurt anyone else again. I swear. I don’t know what came over me. Please, don’t kill me!” he began to weep. My human side felt obligated to call the police, but my vampire side wanted his blood.

  “You’re right; you won’t hurt anyone ever again. If you do, I will find you, hunt you down, and make you suffer a death so horrible it would make Jack the Ripper run in fear. Are we understood?” he nodded furiously and I proceeded to drink from him. I needed blood if I was to be around Lia.

  Once I had my fill I sped off and dropped him at the police station, emailed the video of the attack to a cop I knew on duty, and made my way back to Lia. What seemed like hours for me were mere minutes to her. I rounded the corner of the house and witnesse
d her vulnerability first hand.

  Lia

  I sat on the ground hugging my knees and sobbing. I never cried like that, not since my parents died. For the first time in a very long time I wanted to be told everything would be alright.

  “Lia, are you alright?” he spoke quietly and I jumped to my feet wiping my eyes.

  “I’m fine. Thank you. I just want to go home. You don’t have to worry I just live right there,” I said pointing a shaky finger. Suddenly the night that seemed so calming turned into ominous things lurking around every corner. I shuddered and hugged myself as I turned to leave.

  “Wait, wait, you’re serious? You honestly think that I’m going to let you go by yourself? I’m sorry, Lia, but I would feel more comfortable if I made sure you got to your door safely.”

  “I don’t understand why you care. You didn’t even know me before today.”

  “I don’t have to know someone to recognize when they need a friend. It seems as though someone needs to keep you out of trouble, hmm?” he said with a crooked smile. I didn’t like the way he made me feel and I didn’t appreciate him assuming things about me.

  “Right, because that’s what you’re after. Somehow I find that hard to believe. You’ve had your fair share of friends now haven’t you? I’ve heard about how you make friends and I’m not sure I want to go there. I didn’t fare very well with the last one I had now did I?” I spat. Instantly I felt ashamed. The pain lapped heavily in the air.

  “Lia, I don’t care what people say. Remember, you don’t know me very well either. When people don’t get their way they make up stories. Pitiful rumors that spread like the plague. You of all people should know that. I would never force myself on any woman. No one should be subjected to that,” his anger cut through me and I shuddered.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. I know people are stupid. Please don’t take it personally. I don’t have very good people skills. Not to mention I can’t really think straight right now. I’m still trying to figure out what just happened,” I shook my head sadly.