Dangerous Lovers Read online

  Scar turned to face me. “Clear away whatever thoughts are on your mind and focus on one thing: winning. Nothing else matters right now. Just do what you have to.”

  I shut my eyes and took a deep breath, letting his words sink in.

  Finally, I managed to clear my mind and really focus on my task. I peeled my eyes open to see Scar looking at me.

  “Why are you being so nice to me?” I had to know. After last night, I’d thought he hated me.

  He shook his head, looking slightly ashamed. “I apologize for how I treated you. But the security of our people rests on my shoulders, and I can’t afford to let just anyone through those gates. But you are a Warrior. Possibly the last true Warrior left, and for that, you deserve to be shown respect.”

  I looked down at my arm. My words to Kayden came flooding back into my head. “I’m not so sure,” I mumbled.

  He squinted at me for a second, and then he cupped my face with his rough hands and looked into my eyes. “I am,” he said. “Now go.”

  Just before he opened the door and pushed me through, he mumbled, “Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one who will save us all.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  I stood in what looked like a dungeon. The walls were stone and the place had a cold, damp feel to it. Unlike a dungeon, however, there was an opening in the walls that led to what looked like a dirt floor. Also unlike a dungeon, beyond the opening, I could hear the cheers of a loud crowd and the muffled voice of an announcer.

  My heart was beating out of my chest as I walked toward the opening. As I drew closer, I could see rows and rows of bleacher-like stone seats that were jam-packed with people. The announcer’s voice rang loud and clear, and I bent over, clutching my knees, as I heard what he was saying.

  We have a new applicant for our school of Warriors. Alexa Montgomery will be facing Daniel Benson tonight in order to gain entry. If she manages to defeat him, she will be accepted in the ranks and earn Daniel’s status in the academy. Shall we meet our fighters?

  I straightened up and was happy when it didn’t cause me pain. Adrenaline always did that to me. And with the amount of adrenaline that was running through me right now, I doubted I’d feel anything if a bullet hit me.

  I had dressed in form-fitting sweatpants and a dark blue jacket with a black wife-beater underneath. I was sweating buckets, so I stripped off the jacket, no longer caring if people saw my marks. They would find out soon enough anyway, and the jacket would hinder my movements. I wasn’t even scared. I had only one thought in my head: kill or be killed. It was what my mother had always told me. And even though I knew she wouldn’t be proud of what I was doing, I would make her proud of how well she’d trained me. More than that, I would make myself proud. I would show these people what it really meant to be a Warrior. Because that’s what I was: a Warrior.

  The announcer had already called the name of my opponent, and if the crowd’s cheers were any indication, he was already standing before them. When my name was called, I stepped through the opening.

  The crowd cheered for mere seconds before emitting a collective gasp. A tense silence fell over the arena. I knew what they were looking at, but I didn’t spare them a glance: all my attention focused on the guy standing opposite me. He was about half a foot taller than me and packed with muscle. I swallowed hard. I hoped his size would give me the advantage of speed.

  The announcer seemed to stumble over his words, but I’d heard the only word I needed: BEGIN!

  Daniel Benson started toward me. The way he moved, so cautious and calculated, sent my mind back to the Lamia I’d killed in the woods. The images seemed to awaken something in me. Something I knew I should probably shove back, and something I didn’t.

  When he charged, my heart leapt in excitement. I slid just out of reach, turning on the balls of my feet and keeping my eyes on him for every heartbeat. I moved unlawfully fast. The crowd roared in my ears.

  He spun and faced me, an uncertainty on his face for the briefest of moments before years of training morphed it away. I’m not an easy person to stare down. And though his gaze never wavered, I recognized the look behind his eyes. It wasn’t quite fear—more like the look one gets immediately preceding fear, a look of extreme apprehension. The regard one acquires right before everything falls to pieces.

  I’d learned that at moments my speed could be ungodly. My strength could, too. But, I don’t believe these things were the reasons my opponent had that peculiar look behind his eyes. It was something else he saw. That same something that I probably should’ve kept leashed.

  Everything around me faded away as I stood staring at my opponent. The crowd melted, colors blending together and faces disappearing. I couldn’t see anything but Daniel, this boy standing between me and victory. I could hear nothing but my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I watched his every muscle for movement. Speed and power coiled inside me like an angry serpent. That other me broke straight through to the surface as Daniel rushed forward. I waited for the last possible second, then spun to the side in what I’m sure was just a blur of movement to all spectators.

  Daniel stumbled over the spot that had been my position a quarter of a heartbeat earlier. I spun around him once more, loving the feel of the power in my body. Mid-turn, I backhanded him so hard my fist cracked like thunder on his skull. Instead of feeling pain in my hand from the impact, I felt a small spark of energy. Somewhere in the distance, a crowd roared.

  At that moment, I lost all control. I let go of all the hate and all the pain and all the anger that seemed to be drowning me over the last few days. And I let go of it on Daniel. It felt better than I would ever admit.

  I walked quickly over to where he was now laying on the ground, grabbed him by the shirt front, and punched him hard in the face. Over and over and over again. With each blow I felt a zing of energy, bits and pieces of that magnificent feeling I’d gotten after taking the Lamia’s life. I clung to it. Like the continuous draws of a chain smoker to please an insatiable need.

  I felt myself departing also, as though I was slipping away, right along with Daniel. I was allowing myself to become what I’d always feared most. I didn’t care. I understood the consequences of what I was doing, and I didn’t care.

  As, I drew my fist back once again, a single voice smashed into my awareness like a stone on glass.

  Alexa!

  Nelly.

  She was screaming my name. Screaming for me to stop. I’m not even sure how I heard her over the pounding in my ears, but I did, and it captured my attention like a bright comet streaking through a blood red sky.

  My hand paused mid-air. The crowd still roared. I briefly remember scanning my surroundings for Nelly, not finding her, just seeing blur after blur of unfamiliar face. I looked back down at Daniel, down at my red-stained and steady hands, back to the crowd for Nelly. She wasn’t there. Not there. My eyes fell back to Daniel. One side of my mouth slowly pulled up.

  Alexa! No! Don’t do it, Alexa. YOU don’t want to do it!

  Nelly again. I took one last desperate look around. Half of me begged to find her. The other half just wanted her to shut up. I stayed completely still, pulled too hard in separate directions to move.

  Lex. Nelly’s voice again, no longer elevated, now just sad. I remained unmoved. The crowd’s screams continued. I know you’re stronger than this.

  I hesitated, then dropped my hands to my sides. My head fell forward, chin tucked tightly to a heaving chest. After a moment, I dared to look back up at the boy lying in front of me. Reaching out a redstained, no longer steady hand, I gently turned his head so that I could see his face. Blood was dripping from his mouth and his eyes were completely closed. Absentmindedly, I ran my fingers down his cheek, then rested them on his neck. His pulse beat weakly under my touch.

  The monster inside of me shoved hard, urging me to finish what it had started. I almost listened. God only knows how bad I truly wanted to listen. Nelly’s words saved Daniel’s life that day. I know you�
�re stronger than this. I battled the hunger with every bit of strength in me, but still, I could feel Daniel’s life force flowing into me. Sweeter than Tupelo honey. I clenched my teeth together and shoved the feeling away. It took everything in me, my energy included.

  I only had time to see Daniel’s eyelids flutter before I passed out.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  I awoke feeling completely drained and found it hard to move my muscles. I also woke up not knowing where I was. I assumed it was some kind of infirmary, because it looked cold and sterile.

  I didn’t need to look to my right to see who was sitting there. There was no mistaking the feeling.

  Kayden.

  I closed my eyes, surrendering to the wonderful rush I got whenever he was near. “Where’s Nelly?” My voice came out small and weak.

  I opened my eyes and tilted my head so I could look at him. He smiled then, and the sight of it was so beautiful I could’ve wept. Relief flooded his features as he spoke. “Nelly and Jackson just left. They didn’t want to, but the doctor said you’d be fine, and I told them I’d stay with you until you woke up. Jackson seemed a little more unhappy about this than Nelly, but both of them were ready to pass out. They said they’d sleep for a few hours and then come back.” He seemed pleased about the Jackson part.

  I rested my head back against the pillow. “How long have I been out? What time is it?”

  He glanced at his watch. “Three a.m. You’ve been out for about eight hours.”

  I shot up to a sitting position with a sudden thought. Spots danced and whirled before my eyes, but I ignored them. “Where’s Daniel? Is he okay? I—I didn’t… kill him, did I?”

  Kayden shook his head and gently laid me back down. “Daniel’s going to be fine.” When I gave him a look of disbelief, he added, “He’s pretty banged up, but he’ll live.”

  I sat up again and swung my legs over the bed, ignoring him when he tried to protest. Burying my face in my hands, I said, “I really am a killer.”

  He pulled my hands away and cupped my face, forcing me to look into his beautiful eyes. Smoothing a lock of hair behind my ear, he leaned forward so that his face was only inches from mine. His voice was soft and low when he spoke. “No. You’re not. You’re not a killer. You did what you had to do.”

  I dropped my head an instant before the tears brimming my eyes spilled freely down my cheeks. He sat back in his chair, pulling me forward onto his lap and cradling me in his strong arms. It felt so right to be in his arms, but at the same time, I felt the emotions that had been burning me for the past few days burst free. I buried my face in his chest and cried. Really and truly cried.

  He just held me.

  And I just cried.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  A week later I was sitting on my bed in my new dorm room, staring out the small window. Not much had happened since my fight. A lot of people I didn’t know had congratulated me for my victory and asked to see my tattoo. It hadn’t taken too long before I had decided to keep to my room as much as possible. I didn’t feel like being treated like a hero for what I’d done—regarded as a freak for what marked me, labeled me— and I was angry that these people could think of it as some kind of honor.

  I had been given a room in the Brocken Vampires’ dormitory. I was the only girl in the building, and the boys had been warned not to bother me. I’m not sure what they’d been threatened with, but no one came by except for Nelly and Jackson. They were worried about me. I’d been walking around like some sort of zombie since after leaving the infirmary.

  After the infirmary, and after Kayden.

  I hadn’t seen him since that night. I must have fallen asleep in his arms because I don’t remember getting back up. But he was gone when I’d woken up again, and Nelly and Jackson were there. I wasn’t sure if Kayden was avoiding me, but he certainly didn’t seem to be making any effort to see me. This bothered me more than I wanted to admit. He’d seen a side of me so few ever got to see, and for that reason, I felt close to him. If I was being completely honest, I missed that wonderful happy feeling he seemed to bring me. I missed him, and I found myself craving the balance his presence seemed to give me. At the same time, I was glad I hadn’t seen him because I was embarrassed about crying in front of him like I had.

  Most of all, though, I missed my mother. I wished more than anything she could be here to tell me what to do. It was a little sardonic seeing as how not too long ago, I would’ve been happy to be making all my own decisions. I guess life is just funny that way.

  When a knock sounded at my door, I knew who it was, so I just told them to come in. Nelly and Jackson entered the room, and I pasted a smile on my face.

  Nelly wore a jade, cap-sleeved dress that hung down just past her knees. Her light-brown hair was pulled back into a loose bun and her hazel eyes looked bright and beautiful with the color of the dress. Jackson wore almost all black: black dress shirt, black dress pants and a silver tie. His reddish-brown hair was combed back neatly. I’d never seen Jack in anything other than his flannel shirts and jeans. My smile turned genuine now. They looked amazing.

  “Hey, guys, you look great. What’s up?”

  Nelly smiled that beautiful smile of hers. “Why aren’t you getting ready?”

  A ceremony was being held for me today for my victory in the fight with Daniel. Apparently, it was some big honor because not many people were accepted into the Brocken School. I was now an official student at Two Rivers’ Academy for Warriors. Yay.

  I shrugged. “I’ve got another hour. I was just about to hop in the shower.”

  “Need help?” Jackson asked, with a mischievous smile on his face.

  I laughed. Jack could always manage to make me smile. “I think I’ll be okay, but thanks… I guess.”

  He smiled and held out a box he’d been holding. “We have something for you.”

  I took it and shot a suspicious glance at Nelly. She just smiled.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  She shrugged. “Open it.”

  I eyed her warily. “Okay, but if it’s another mystical weapon, I’m not sure that I want it.”

  “Well, that depends on your definition of weapon,” said Jackson.

  I pulled the top off the box and pushed aside the tissue paper inside. Gasping, I asked, “Where did you guys get this?”

  It was a black dress. Well, a really, really nice black dress. Pulling it out of the box and holding it up, I saw that there was a silver, glitterlike material subtly mixed in with the black, making it shimmer when it hit the light. It looked like it would stop just above my knees and had thin straps that crossed in the back. It was the nicest piece of clothing I’d ever owned.

  “We had some money left over,” Nelly said. “So we went exploring this morning and found a dress shop. You like?”

  Her smile was contagious. “I love,” I said. “Thank you.”

  I got up and gave them both a hug, then frowned as a thought came to mind. Nelly knew what I was thinking and stepped outside the door, returning with another smaller box.

  “Come on, sis,” she said, “I wouldn’t forget something that important.”

  I opened the box and found a pair of black high-heels inside. I smiled at both of them, my mood suddenly much lighter. There is nothing like new clothes and shoes to make a girl happy.

  “Now go shower. I still have to do your hair and make-up,” Nelly said, pushing me toward the bathroom.

  “Yeah,” Jack agreed. “If I’m going to be your escort, you have to look your best.” I shook my head and laughed.

  When I got out of the shower, Nelly blow-dried my hair and set it into loose curls that hung down my back. She applied mascara and a little bronzer and handed me some lip gloss. When I was finished, I didn’t recognize the girl staring back at me in the mirror. I looked great.

  I smiled and was happy when I saw it reach my eyes. The silver on my arm matched perfectly with the silver in my dress, and for the first time since it had a
ppeared, I recognized how beautiful the design really was. I felt like a princess.

  Nelly and I opened up the bathroom door and stepped back into the room. Jackson stood up from my bed, and I smiled when his jaw nearly hit the floor. The black looked good against my tan skin and the dress fit me perfectly, hugging my body in a way that showed how in shape I really was. I sent a silent thank you to my mother for making me train so hard. I was all muscle and curves, somehow managing to look strong and feminine at the same time.

  I laughed at Jackson’s expression. “Think I look good enough to have the honor of being escorted by Jackson Kane?”

  A smile lit up his handsome face and he gave an extravagant bow. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, with his soft country accent. “And the honor is all mine.”

  We left the dorm and headed toward the Council building, where the ceremony was being held. I tried not to let thoughts of the last time I was here ruin my mood. I just wanted to enjoy being with my loved ones and being dressed up.

  “Lex,” Nelly said, when we were about halfway to our destination. I leaned forward so that I could see around Jack, who had his arm looped through mine. She sounded nervous about something. “Hmm?”

  “I have to tell you something,” she continued.

  I pulled Jackson to a stop and turned so I could look at her. Then someone called her name, and I whipped around to see who it was.

  “Nelly!”

  My heart sank as I saw who was jogging toward us. I felt like laughing, since that was my usual reaction to tense situations. Daniel was striding toward us with a big smile on his face. Now that we weren’t facing each other in the Arena of Tears—that was the name I’d made up for it—I got to see how handsome he really was, even though his face was still marred with black and blue and red. He was wearing a jade-green shirt, black pants and a black tie. His eyes were so light a brown that they almost looked yellow and his brown hair was tousled in a way that made him look boyishly cute.