NEWBORN: Book One of the Newborn Trilogy Read online

  “No!” I’m aghast. “I don’t!”

  “I know,” he says, eyes drifting shut again. “I always know, Nora. I am a wizard. I know everything a wizard ought to know. Including your secret. Have you not pieced together what I’ve said? We can never be together because I already know. This is the end of everything you desire!”

  “No!” I yell at him. “You must be mistaken!”

  “I know,” he tells me quietly, “about the wolf…”

  Horror striking, I open my mouth. To tell him he’s mistaken. To tell him there is no other. To tell him I’m his for eternity.

  My mouth opens far wider than I intend. For turquoise eyes are open and terribly still. Death stares at me like the single, long werewolf claw emanating from Gabriel’s heart. I’m screaming. Louder than I’ve ever screamed in my life.

  The bed is soaking in blood. It flows over the marble of Gabriel’s white flesh, is matted in the blond his hair, and fills his pupils obscuring turquoise. Blood soaks me to the bone, covering my skin and filling my insides where it travels up to my throat, splattering the night with a scream.

  * * *

  I bolt upright. My scream dies in my throat when I recognize the clearing. It’s dark. I’m shaking all over and covered in sweat. I can still see Gabriel staring at me through red, dead eyes. My heart is beating madly. My eyes reflecting the blood-splattered white of cool linen sheets. I can still feel them.

  I’m hungry for the first time in a long time.

  But I can’t think of food. My nightmare is so real. We were here – in this clearing – except on a bed, not a couch. Gabriel… something so eerie about him. Yet his flesh was so good, so warm, so ripe for plucking.

  Looking around, my eyes are blinded by darkness. It was so bright in my dream, the whiteness complete. Now the darkness is enveloping. When my eyes adjust I don’t see Merrifeather anywhere. I’m more than a little dissonant. She was supposed to stay! Perhaps she got hungry.

  Lying back against the couch, I stare up at the stars. They are populous as ever, strewing the sky with their starriness. What an odd nightmare. I hoped my first dream with Gabriel would be positive…

  My thoughts a twisted mess, I relax my body. Before long the cushioned couch is a swaying hammock. I wonder – if I’m safe in neither the waking world nor the sleeping world, where am I safe?

  Chapter Eight

  Something is eating my foot. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I sit up. Merri stops pecking my shoe long enough to offer me a hoot. I brush my hair back with my hands. “Good morning, Merri.”

  The clearing is sparkling in morning splendor. A spattering of dew covers everything and bird calls are issuing around me. The chorus is so loud I’m surprised I wasn’t woken by it. The sunlight shining through the trees is happy and unrepressed, as though recently freed from a smothering cloud.

  Stretching, my back issues several cracks. Gabriel’s fire has dwindled to embers. So much for magic! I wonder if it rained. I’m dry as fresh laundry. Gabriel’s ‘safety spells’ might guard against it though.

  I feel silly about last night. I was frightened about nothing. Nothing came to hunt me. Nothing came to hurt me. My courage is dauntless now daybreak is here. Light is my savior, for with light I can see my enemy and run.

  I watch a squirrel bury a nut. It’s so peaceful here. I take in the scenes of a forest busy about morning – chipmunks running in all directions, birds swooping everywhere, a gopher trundling by in no particular hurry.

  Eventually I get to wondering. I have no idea what time it is. Am I missing class?

  Where is Gabriel? I assumed he’d be back in the morning. How far could he have gone? When will he be back? How long does he expect me to wait? Questions buzz in my brain like bees looking for pollen. They don’t find any.

  Come on, Gabriel! What’s taking you so long? You can translocate!

  He’s forgotten about you, remarks my alter ego. You’re forgettable, Nora.

  Wish I could forget you! I tell her.

  I’m beginning to worry. What if something happened to him? What could happen? He said no vampire could take him. Unless ambushed…

  Fucking shitballs!

  What if he got ambushed? He could need my help! Yet here I am stuck in this clearing. What if he’s tied up or something? What if Amoretta is having her way with him? Yet here I am sitting on my hands!

  Gabriel told me to stay. Geez, he must think I can’t do anything. I may not have magic or sharp claws and teeth but I’m smart. That’s my weapon, I realize. I can fight their weapons with my brain!

  Refreshed and ready for action, I leap up. Merri hoots warningly. I should ask her. Going to her, I pet her white plumage.

  “Do you know where Gabriel is?” Amber eyes stare at me, unresponsive. Then, all of a sudden, the owl launches from the couch and flies into the trees without so much as a hoot. “Wait!” I cry after her. “Wait for me!”

  I dash forward and stop, staring at the edge of the clearing. Gabriel told me not to leave this enclosure, this safe zone. He’d be furious if I did. He may be in trouble, though. He can’t be mad if I rescue him.

  Where did Merrifeather go? To get her master? Am I supposed to follow? Whose directions am I supposed to follow – Gabriel’s or Merri’s?

  Stupid owl! She is supposed to stay with me! Gabriel said she would. Ugh! I can so easily see Gabriel’s patronizing gaze as I explain why I left the safety of the clearing. I can also see the incredulity on his face as I explain that Merri flying off into the woods was too cryptic an instruction. Geez, it’s easy to imagine Gabriel being critical.

  Do I stay or go?

  I feel my anxiety creeping over me. It’s like a living thing, with a pulse and evil intentions. It wants to consume my soul. I shake it off but it keeps coming – its claws jagged and tingly. Then it’s all over me, inside me, wreaking havoc on my consciousness. I must be free of it! I can’t take this anymore! I’m looking for Gabriel!

  Breathing heavily, I walk across the clearing’s boundary.

  Nothing happens.

  Gabriel made such a big deal about staying in the sphere of protection I imagined something occurring – sparks popping or a shield melting. Nothing. The fact boosts my confidence. I’m striding into the loam without a backward glance. Following Merri’s path, I embrace the forest as my own.

  I wonder as to Gabriel’s whereabouts. If something captured him, what chance do I have? He’s a fully trained wizard. I’m a clumsy human. The odds aren’t great. I think of Merrifeather. What if she’s captured, too?

  It’s up to me to save both of them. I must face whatever captor is tormenting them. Vampire or werewolf. What would a pack of werewolves do to a wizard? Wolf’s words pop into my mind. Maybe. Would they torture him?

  They better not torture my wizard! Not my… lover. Last night’s dream flashes before my eyes. I see Gabriel, white as marble on the bed. I see the radiance of his gaze and feel the electricity of our connection. White falls to red – to blood – so my imagination is soaked through. Dead.

  Where is he? I’m breathing hard, my steps unfaltering, intrepid. Where is he? Where is he? Where is he? Hiding, perhaps? Playing hide and go seek with my heart? Show me where you are, Gabriel! Where your love is…

  A thwack to my left!

  Blood freezing in my veins, my eyes shoot in the direction of the noise. A lone branch bobbing up and down. I’m silent as I stare at the place of disturbance. The branch rights itself and becomes still. Strange. Something is running from me, hiding from me, or – worst of all – hunting me. Here I am in vampire country.

  I look over my shoulder. Nothing. I’m being paranoid. I continue forward, brushing the loam with my legs. My heartbeat has quickened and nerves are shooting all over my body again. I asked for this by leaving the safety of the charmed clearing. I will deserve anything that happens to me.

  A sound!

  Off to my right this time. Whipping my head around, I see shrubs dancing before becoming stil
l. Silence again. Hell! I shouldn’t have left the clearing. I know that now. It’s too late.

  My heart racing, I take a deep breath. Close my eyes. “Whatever you are,” I say aloud to the whole forest, “I don’t fear you. I’m traveling through and mean you no harm. You don’t need to hide from me.”

  I open my eyes. Nothing reveals itself. The echo of my words ring in my head, sounding silly and hollow and – most of all – false. I am afraid. I’d much prefer whatever is hunting me stay hidden.

  What if Gabriel’s having a laugh? I twist around in all directions, my body following my head. Should I address him? I’m already speaking as though it’s him. I want to believe it’s him. I also don’t.

  “That better not be you, Gabriel! This isn’t funny!”

  Not a sound issues from the surrounding greenery, no snigger of admittance or laugh at my expense. Phew, I must have imagined it all! No sooner is that demon vanquished then a new one rears its head. Staring around in every possible direction, I realize something almost as frightening.

  I’m lost!

  Every inch of the forest looks the same. No single direction supplies a landmark. No single angle is unique.

  You fucktard! my alter ego roars at me. Now look what you’ve done!

  Sorry! I tell her hurriedly. I didn’t mean to! It was an accident!

  I’m fucked. I’m in danger even if I’m not in danger. There could be no vampires for a thousand miles in every direction and still I’m lost. Geez, I’m such an idiot.

  There’s only one path forward. Through the forest. Maybe I will come across a landmark that can lead me home. I may walk right on campus. Better yet find Gabriel or Merri. Somebody. So long as they are friendly. I’m feeling extremely weaponless right now. Even with my brain.

  A noise behind me!

  I whisk around. The leaves of a bush are shaking uncontrollably. Oh no… this isn’t a false alarm or vagabond wind. The shaking is beneath me. Looking down, I see my limbs trembling. My heart rate is spinning through the roof.

  Run! screams my alter ego.

  I don’t need telling twice.

  I’m off, dashing around trees and over undergrowth. Do I chance a backward glance? I do. Someone is chasing me! A person? A vampire? I can’t tell. They’re moving too fast! I’m moving too fast. No longer looking. I can’t look back – I must gain some ground. Adrenaline pumping me with newfound speed, I throw myself forward. No! No! No! I’m not ready to die! Not yet!

  In my innermost I know I won’t make it. I’m losing ground. Losing speed. Whatever is chasing me is faster. How can I survive? The answer is Gabriel – I must find him. He can protect me from whatever is chasing. I must find him! Throwing an extra burst of speed into my legs, I rocket forward.

  But I always was a clumsy girl.

  Hitting a root with my foot, I go sprawling over the base of a tree. My head hits the tree with a thud and the world becomes dark and murky.

  * * *

  Gabriel is in front of me. His breathing is ragged. His outline blurred to my eyes like an old Polaroid. Geez, he was here all along! I feel stupid. But something is wrong. Bright red eyes envelope my consciousness. Where is my turquoise massage? I – I don’t understand what’s happening…

  “I’m so glad it’s you!” I splutter. “I thought… I was so worried! I thought you were someone else!”

  Eyes narrow. “It’s just me. There’s no one else here.”

  I sigh my relief. “I’m so glad to hear that,” I begin. “Wait! What do you mean it’s just you? Who else is there?”

  “You’re so, so delicious looking!” A tongue licks lips.

  Rolling my eyes, I comb back my hair. “Thank you,” I say to him, “but this is hardly the time to –”

  “Tasty!” The word spills from his lips. Then I notice the drool running down his jaw. “You look so tasty!”

  “Gabriel!” I shout. “Stop it! This isn’t funny!”

  My eyes refocus.

  “Gabriel?” The man before me is perplexed. “Who’s Gabriel?”

  I stare at him.

  Holy bejesus fuck!

  What’s happening? Have I gone mad? I don’t understand…

  The man – the boy, for he’s young – standing in front of me looks like Gabriel. He has the same straight blond hair, the same bone structure to his face, the same expression Gabriel wears when curious. Only his eyes are different. They are bright red. So red it hurts to look into them. I look away.

  He shakes me with strong hands. “Who’s Gabriel?”

  I must have lost consciousness! One moment I’m flying at the tree and the next I’m pushed up against it, grasped by my captor. Somehow I ended up in captivity – not Gabriel. Geez, this is embarrassing.

  “Who’s Gabriel!” he yells, shaking me. “Tell me!”

  “No one! He’s no one!”

  Spit is flying over me. This specimen is far less appealing than my wizard friend, even if they are nearly identical. This boy’s face and hands are dirty and he’s dressed in plain, Immag clothes – not wizard’s robes. I’m forced to give up my explanation – that Gabriel went mad and became a forest person.

  Red eyes flare. “I don’t believe you! How can somebody be nobody?”

  “He is nobody! Leave it alone!”

  “You’re lying!” Roaring, he throws me to the ground.

  My back spasms as I hit the earth. I’m stabbed with pain. Curling up against the forest floor, I close my eyes. I can’t believe this is happening! I’m going to pay for my idiocy. With blood and guts. I’m going to get eaten!

  Rough hands seize my arms and haul me upright. I’m staring into mad eyes. The vampire licks his lips. “You’re too pretty to eat,” he tells me hoarsely, suspending me in midair. “I’ll look at you a while first!”

  Yes, please! Procrastinate eating me!

  He opens his hands and I fall to the ground. I gasp with pain as I hit the earth. Geez, can’t he be more gentle? Whisking back blond hair with dirty hands, the vampire sits down and leans backward on his hands. The glint in his red eyes is too playful.

  Geez, I can’t catch a break.

  Wiping the drool from his mouth, he says, “Tell me your name.”

  I’m about to refuse him rudely when I realize how stupid that would be. I’m trying to buy time here. The best possible ploy is to engage him in conversation. I need to get friendly with him.

  “Nora,” I say. “My name’s Nora. What’s yours?”

  Red eyes burn. “Jack,” he grunts.

  Jack? Where have I heard that before?

  “That’s – that’s a nice name.”

  He swipes his sleeve across his face to arrest some drool. “If you say so.”

  Looking Jack up and down, I realize something. He’s the Newborn! He’s a raggedy, insane mess who desperately wants to eat me. Sounds like Gabriel’s description. Jack appears far less put together than Amoretta, if that’s possible.

  Fuck! I’m supposed to be distracting him.

  “Where’s Amoretta?” I ask him.

  Red eyes widen. “Know her, do you?”

  I nod silently, but without failing to swipe my hair over my ear. I must keep him entertained. Hunger follows boredom.

  “She’s around,” he says. “Why? Want me to fetch her?”

  Panic explodes in my head. I can already feel her long finger nails grasping my face. “That’s okay,” I reply quickly. “Caught up with her recently, actually. We had an extremely relaxing visit.”

  Jack is staring at me in amazement. “Are you stupid?”

  “Are you the Newborn?”

  He swipes his blond hair back. “What if I am?”

  I’m trying to appear unconcerned while my insides are panicking. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just curious. So are you?”

  “Are you stupid?” he asks again.

  I narrow my eyes. “Is that your way of saying yes?”

  “No,” he answers, “I’m just curious.”

  I’m incensed by
his words. “Why do you think I’m stupid?”

  “Because,” he begins, “You said you were hanging out with a vampire and having a merry time of it. Sounds like you’re pretty fucking stupid to me! Begging your pardon.”

  I must keep stalling. “Well – no – I’m not stupid. For your information I had no idea Amoretta is a vampire!”

  Jack laughs. It’s a booming laugh that seems to rip from his chest. “No idea she’s a vampire? I suppose you didn’t realize… Let me ask you a delicate question. What do you suppose I am?”

  Oh fuck! This sounds like a segue to a meal.

  I screw my face up. “Something that needs a shower?”

  His smile vanishes. “Ah. You play with fire for a living?”

  “No,” I answer. “I fraternize with wizards for a living. Many of them! Even some Releasers,” I add, making sure to drop the key word. “They’re the vengeful ones. If they got wind of anything happening to me, they’d make sure to find the bastard who did it. Make sure to end him!”

  Geez, I hope this works.

  Of course it won’t, remarks my alter ego. You’re doing it.

  Jack’s face cracks in a smile. Fresh drool oozes from the corner of his mouth. “You’re irresistible when you’re scared. I can tell you’re scared. I smell it from here,” he adds, taking a hearty sniff of the surrounding air. “I bet I can taste it in your skin…” He leans forward to grasp my arm.

  “No!” I gasp. Jumping to my feet, I make a break for it.

  Jack leaps after me. “Come back! I don’t want meals on wheels!”

  Bounding through the forest I chance a backward look. He’s hot on my trail! I throw a spare burst of speed into my legs and run for my life. Panting my exhaustion, I dart this way and that around obstacles.

  This is it. I know it. If he catches me again I’m done for. There can be no charming or distracting him. There’s no mistaking the hunger in those bright, red eyes. He wants my flesh in his mouth.

  Gabriel never came. He won’t come now. The only way to survive is to outrun Jack. This terrible realization upon me, I throw everything I’ve got into my legs. They are all I have. My only hope.