Our Story Part Two the Demon

Chapter Five

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Rowan’s next few days were spent in panic with a million questions racing through her head. Where was he? Would he hurt Jesse? Would he come after her? Why exactly was he occupying her every thought?

“Rowan!” Lupe called. Rowan jumped then turned. “You okay?”

“Uh... fine. I’m perfectly fine.”

She frowned a little. “Okay.”

“So, how’s Orion?” she asked wanting to stop her suspicion.

Lupe’s frown was gone, instantly replaced by the grin that always accompanied the mention of her boyfriend, the guy that they had met in the club. “He’s great. So, what are we doing tonight?”

“We actually have a gig.”

“Where?”

“At the Black Rose. Apparently Mr. Conner liked the band. So, will you be there?”

“Hell yeah!”

Rowan laughed. “We’re meeting at her dorm right after class then heading over to the club.”

“I’ll be there,” Lupe promised her friend. Rowan walked away and she went to her next class. She found a seat near the back and laid her head down, waiting for the class to begin. Cat walked in but didn’t see her friend, so she found a seat with Tristan and Brayden. The teacher came in and began to drone on and on. Soon Rowan dozed off.

Across town

Garret was in the “training room” in his apartment near the campus. He had three homes, simply because of what Liam had always told him. He was going through his paces when he finally growled under his breath as he threw the sword across the room. It embedded himself in the wall. He didn’t need this, she was invading his thoughts, his dreams, he couldn’t even do simple swordplay, which had always calmed him. Rowan was a distraction that he didn’t need. She was everything Liam had jokingly warned him against, out spoken, head strong, independent… plus she hated him. She accused him of trying to kill her boyfriend… she had a boyfriend.

Everything about her was completely wrong for him, and he couldn’t concentrate on anything because he kept thinking of her. He grabbed the sword and wrenched it out of the wall before putting it with the others. He couldn’t even train. If Liam could see him he’d be laughing his ass off. Garret didn’t even want to think about what Ayden would say.

Garret sat down on the mat and tried clearing his head for mediation but since he had started thinking about his clan, his heart ached. He missed Liam, Serene, and Ayden so much; he even missed Angela. He needed Liam’s advice, Serene’s patient ear, and to hear Ayden’s teasing. He wondered briefly what his clan would think of Rowan. Annoyed, he got up and walked into his room and flopped down burying his head in his pillow.

Dream sequence

Rowan found herself on a playground swinging on the swings. She was alone, but only for an instant. Garret appeared next to her on the other swing. “Hello, Rowan,” he purred. As always his eyes began a slow perusal of her body.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded.

“Watching you. My new favorite pastime.”

“Why can’t you just leave?”

He smiled. “Why would I?” She growled softly. “C’mon, angel, you’ve got to admit, life is a lot more interesting with me around.”

“How are you even here?”

Now his smile was gone, replaced by a puzzled frown. “I’m not sure. Well, this is a dream...” He stepped in front of her and pulled her to her feet. The next thing she knew his lips were covering mine.

She started to pull away but stopped with the thought: what the hell? It’s just a dream. Rowan leaned in closer and wrapped her own arms around his neck. Garret growled low in his throat dragging her even closer and opening her mouth with his. His hands roamed over her back possessively as his tongue caressed hers. He pulled away licking his lips thoughtfully.

“Strawberry,” he purred.

Her eyes widened. /How did he-?/

“I’ll see you around, angel.”

Real world

“Row!” Cat called shaking her friend’s shoulder. Rowan closed her eyes tighter, she wanted to stay in this dream. “Rowan!” Rowan sat up blinking groggily. She could still taste him… but she was still in math class.

“Shit!” she exclaimed. The rest of the class was gone. She and Cat were the only ones left.

Cat looked at her concerned. “About time, you are one hard girl to wake up.”

She smiled sheepishly. “Sorry.” She stood and gathered her things. Her lips were still tingling as she threw her bag over her shoulder.

“What’d you dream about?”

Rowan started. “Huh? Dream?”

“You seemed to be having a very pleasant dream. What was it about?”

“I don’t remember,” she lied. Cat frowned but let it go.

Later

“Okay, let’s open with “Welcome to My World”,” Cat said. “Then we can go into “My Immortal Lover”.”

“Sounds good,” Nick said. “Can we do “Werewolves of London”?”

“No,” Cat said.

“No autobiographies,” Cherish said.

“Bite me,” Nick growled.

“Hey!” Maya exclaimed. “No one bites you but me.” The others laughed and Maya blushed.

“As you wish, O Mistress of Pain,” Nick smirked.

“That’s far more insight into your love life than I needed,” Nova said rolling her eyes. “Row, are you alright?”

“Hmm...?” she asked blinking. “Um... yeah, I’m fine.”

“I’m having a circle at midnight. Will you guys be there?”

“I will,” Camille said.

Nova rolled her eyes. “Of course you will, Sabrina, you live with me, and you’re co-leader of the coven.” Sabrina was Camille’s nickname due to the fact that most of her spells backfired.

“I’ll be there,” Cat said. Cat had a knack for witchcraft. She was just was good as Nova and much better than Camille. All vampires had their special talents, talents in addition to the low-grade mind control and strength all vampires possessed. For instance Cherish could communicate with the dead, and then there was Rowan’s gift with animals.

“We have a new song,” Maya announced. She handed everyone some sheet music. They played over it a few times before getting it right and adding their voices.

“The light is gone
Darkness rules the land
And another falls
But don’t worry
You’re safe with me

We all walk alone
Never seeing
Until we fall
But don’t worry
You’re safe with me

The moon is my sun
The shadows my shade
Tonight the moon is full
As you walk you hear a howl
But don’t worry
You’re safe with me

Something moves in the dark
The silence screams
For sacrifice
But don’t worry
You’re safe with me”

Jesse walked in and every muscle in Rowan’s body tensed. She could feel herself going into the fight or flight mode and forced herself to calm down. This was her boyfriend, not her enemy.

“Rowan, do you think we could talk?” he asked.

“Um, sure,” she said following him into the kitchen. “What’s wrong?”

“That’s what I want to ask.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been a little distant since you turned me. Do you feel guilty about it?” Now she felt guilty. She couldn’t tell him what was really going on with her.

“I-”

“Because you don’t have to. You gave me the choice. I was the one who made it.”

“I... I just need some time alone. There are some things going on right now that I need to deal with. Once I get everything straightened out I’ll have time for us. I swear.”

He looked at her and smiled sadly. “It feels like you’re breaking up with me.”

“I’m not,” she promised. “I just need a break. I can’t be who you want me to be right now. I need some time until I can be that person again.”

“Okay,” he relented. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

Rowan walked back into the living room. “I’m going to go hunt. I’ll meet you guys at the club.” She left without another word. She ran to the woods before sitting down, her back against a tree. She felt as though she was going to cry. She hated herself for feeling this way. She hated Jesse for trusting her so much. She hated Garret most of all. If it weren’t for him, none of this would have happened.

“You look like you need a hug,” a male voice said behind her. Rowan sighed and turned to face Garret calmly. “Can I offer my services?”