Our Story - Part Four - The Lost Ones

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Rowan almost screamed but managed to fight that urge. “Didn’t mean to scare you,” Kalena told her as Rowan turned around and saw the hunter standing back, in the shadows.

“Jeez, don’t do that,” Rowan gasped. “What are you doing here?”

“I... uh needed a place to stay, the others were in bed, I didn’t want to wake them.”

“What happened to where you were staying?”

“Seeing how I’m not working and not getting the money from the Predators anymore I lost it.”

“Oh, well, you can crash on our couch. Do you have any bags?” Kalena showed Rowan her duffle bag. “That’s it?”

“When you have to travel and move so quickly, you learn that you only need a few things.” How sad, Rowan thought but didn’t voice it. “Just so you know, you have lousy reflexes.”

“Hey!”

“I’m just being honest here. I just came up behind you and you didn’t sense me at all. I could have killed you.”

“Arrrg! I’m sick of people talking about how I can’t fight.”

“It’s not necessarily a bad thing. It just means your life wasn’t as… harsh as some of ours.”

“I may have been more sheltered, but my life wasn’t exactly great.”

“That’s probably true. How often do you train?”

Rowan just looked at Kalena for a few seconds. “I go to school full time, I’m in a band that plays three nights a week- not counting rehearsals, and I’m in a relationship… a complicated relationship. When would I have time to train?”

“Exactly. Obviously, you aren’t going to be good if you don’t work at it.” Rowan paused; Kalena had a good point. They finally went into the apartment and Kalena sat her bag down and Rowan opened the window and a big black tomcat climbed in. “Isn’t there a no pet rule here?”

“’Pet?’ I see no pet.” Rowan picked the cat up. “Do you?” He meowed and nuzzled her cheek. “He said no.”

“Did he?”

“Van likes sleeping here with me, and he leaves in the morning.”

Kalena smiled. “Ah, so he’s a normal guy.” Rowan laughed. “’Van?’”

“Short for Van Gough.” She pointed to Van’s ear, which had been torn almost to pieces, a trip to the vet had repaired what could be repaired. “They have something in common.”

“How’d you find him?”

“There’s a group of about thirty feral cats living around here. I’ve gotten them all fixed, and I feed them, but Van here, he’s special.”

“You’ve got a regular army.”

“Huh?”

“What would happen if you told those cats to attack someone?”

“They’d do it,” Rowan admitted reluctantly not wanting to think about how her gift could be twisted like that, or the way the animals could be hurt.

“See? An army. All vampire abilities can ultimately be used as weapons.”

“What do you mean?”

“Take Cat or Garret’s power. But that is too obvious. Brayden could literally charm people into killing each other or themselves just to please him. I’ve seen it done. Cherish could get the spirits to attack or even possess people.”

“I’ve never thought of it that way.”

“Yeah. As a Predator I was taught about a lot of vampire powers. I’m immune to most.”

“Which ones?”

Kalena hesitated, for a second Rowan didn’t think that she would answer. “Any which involve the mind. My mother… she said that it was because my soul is too strong. Do you call the animals?”

“Sometimes. But if I’m injured or hurt they come to me.” She let Van down and he walked around the apartment looking for his little pink sock. She watched him play with the sock as she contemplated something. “I’ve got a question.”

“Yeah?”

“Feel free to decline but would you be willing to train with me?”

“Let me get this straight. You want me to teach you how to fight? Why don’t you ask your friends?”

“I’d be too embarrassed. Besides, you’re better than most of them.”

“I guess I could. I’m going to keep my best moves to myself though.

Rowan smiled. “I wouldn’t expect any different,” she yawned. She was a terrible vampire. It wasn’t even one in the morning yet and she was tired. She grabbed some blankets and pillows for Kalena.

“So, if you want me to train you when do you want to do it?” Kalena asked spreading the blanket out on the couch.

“I’m out of class every day by four, is that okay?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll meet you outside the admissions office.”

“Okay.”

“You can think of this as your payback if you want.”

“I’ll think of it as earning my keep.”

“Okay. Goodnight.” Van followed Rowan into her room. She shut the door and opened the window. She was so exhausted she barely had the energy to get dressed. Van jumped on the bed as she lay down and curled up beside her. His purr lulled her to sleep.

~*~

Garret signed as he made his way back to his dorm. Ayden and Angela were waiting outside. “Everything okay?” Ayden asked.

“Yeah,” Garret said. “Why did you tell her?”

“I didn’t know it was a secret,” Ayden argued.

“You shouldn’t have secrets for your girlfriend,” Angela said her tone condescending.

“Angela, please, try to be nice,” Garret sighed. “Do you guys have your things?”

“Yeah,” Ayden said. “We haven’t unpacked anything.”

“Good, just follow me to my apartment.” After a five minute drive the three had arrived and were carrying the six bags inside. “Why all the luggage?”

“The duffle bag is all that’s mine,” Ayden shrugged.

“It’s been a long trip, I think I’m going to turn in,” Angela said with a yawn.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” Garret said. “And please, give her a chance. She’s really a great girl.”

Angela snorted. “Right.” She went into one of the spare rooms. Garret sighed flopping down on a chair.

“This is going to be fun,” Garret sighed. “And I just convinced Rowan to give me a chance. Now I’m going to have to deal with Angela trying to split us apart.”

“Don’t worry about Angela,” Ayden said. “She’s all bark little bite.”

Garret smiled faintly. “Yeah, but that bite stings,” Garret said. Ayden chuckled shaking his head before sobering and looking at his friend seriously.

“I owe you a major apology,” Ayden said. “I’m really, really sorry about the whole Elise thing. I wouldn’t have killed her; I swear it. I take my Hippocratic Oath very seriously. I wouldn’t have even fed from her if I knew what she meant to you.”

“I realize that now. I was only eighteen and the whole leadership thing was being thrust on me, and the killings, then that happened. I just couldn’t take it.”

“So, tell me what happened,” Ayden said. “How’d you end up here? And how’d you end up with Rowan? She’s not exactly your type.”

Garret laughed at that. “Very true.” Garret filled his old friend in on everything that had happened since he had left town.

“And you guys have no idea of what happened to this Jesse person?” Ayden asked.

“None,” Garret shrugged. “Whoever tried to kill him hid themselves very well. Then Rowan’s friend Lupe and her mate Orion went missing. It… feels like it’s leading to something.”

“Then we finally find you.”

“Quite a coincidence, huh?”

“Yeah. So, does your Rowan have any friends?”

“Yes, but they’re all coupled up… except Kalena and I wouldn’t try that one if I were you.”

“Hey, I’m Ayden, I can get any girl I want.”

Garret snorted. “You wish. Besides, she was a Predator before she met us.”

“And you trust her?” Ayden demanded.

“Not in the slightest. But I’m willing to believe that her honor means something to her.”

“And I trust your instincts.”

“You want to take my room or the couch?”

“The couch is fine.”

“It’s a fold out.”

“Perfect then.” Garret got some blankets, sheets and pillows as Ayden got the bed ready. “Thanks… It’s really great to see you, man.”

“Yeah, life has been dull without you to get me in trouble.”

Ayden smiled. “Hey, you caused your fair share of trouble.”

“Sure. Goodnight, moron.”

“Same to you, ass.”

The next morning

“Do you realize you don’t have any food?” Kalena asked sitting on the couch playing with Van who had actually stuck around. He was happily chasing his sock and bringing it back to Kalena every time she threw it. Cherish was stretched out on the floor doing her Latin homework. Cat was nowhere to be found

“We have ice cream,” Rowan said sitting down on the couch.

Cherish looked up. “Not anymore, Kalena and I just killed that.”

“It was a half gallon!” Rowan exclaimed.

“It was good,” Cherish smirked. Rowan growled at her. Cherish just snickered and went back to her homework. There was a knock on the door. Rowan got up and let Garret and Ayden in.

“Where’s Angela?” she asked.

“At the apartment,” Ayden said. He leaned in close. “She doesn’t like you.”

Rowan snorted, she had guessed that much earlier. “That’s a shock. Err… Cherish, Kalena, I want you to me Ayden.”

“Hi, there,” Ayden smiled, his blue eyes sparking as he flopped down beside Kalena on the couch.

Kalena looked at him then back at Rowan. “Another vampire? Why, Rowan? Weren’t there enough?”

Rowan smiled. “That was my name again.”

“Apparently my clan isn’t so interested in killing me,” Garret said. Rowan saw his stance get protective. Her heart warmed slightly as she realized how devoted he was to his friends. At the same time she wanted to smack him for being so argumentative with Kalena.

“You’re a Lost One?” Kalena asked Ayden.

“Yes,” Ayden nodded. “Liam took me in when I was a kid. Like he did all of us.”

“You mean I can’t kill the evil vampires?” she sighed.

“Well, you can always kill Micah,” Ayden said. “I’m sure no one but Liam and Serene would mind.”

“I like that idea,” Garret said. “And yes, I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t kill Ayden or Angela…. Or any of the other members of my clan. Unless they go after you first.”

“That spoils my fun,” Kalena said. She turned to Ayden. “You’re safe unless I catch you hurting someone.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ayden nodded.

“Fair enough,” Garret said. “I’ll relay that message with the others.”

“So, are you going to enroll?” Cherish asked Ayden. He snorted.

“Hell no. I’m out of school thank you.”

“Really?” Rowan asked surprised.

“Ayden here is a doctor,” Garret announced. Ayden sighed rolling his eyes.

“Doctor?” Rowan asked.

“Don’t let the air head act fool you,” Garret told them. “Ayden is actually very smart.”

“Ha,” Ayden said. “I’m just a vampire with vampiric abilities. I’m a healer, it’s what I do.” His modesty surprised Rowan. “Well, I guess I’ll walk you guys to class then head back to the apartment and listen to Angela bitch… or maybe I’ll head back and take a nap.”

“Sounds good,” Garret smiled. Cherish stuffed everything into her bag and the four left. “Where’s Cat?”

“She called last night, she said she’d be with Tristan,” Cherish said. At that moment Tristan walked up looking exhausted.

“What happened?” Garret asked.

“Cat and I had a bit of an argument,” Tristan said with a shrug.

“Where is she?” Cherish asked, concerned about her friend.

“No idea,” he told her. “If you two see her, tell me.” Rowan and Cherish nodded, not making any promises. They didn’t know what the fight was about yet and weren’t about to betray Cat.

“Well, I have philosophy in ten minutes,” Rowan announced. “I’ll see you guys later.” Garret pulled her close and kissed her. She had all but melted into his arms by the time that he released her.

“See you after school?”

“Um… yeah. No! I have a… late lab. I’ll call you when it’s over.” He arched an eyebrow and Rowan cursed her inability to lie well. She kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you.” Ayden turned to Kalena as the others wondered off.