Betrayals by Lili St. Crow.
"Thank God," Shanks said, softly. "We're safe."
Shanks pulled up to the steps leading to the front door. He cut the engine, and I sensed that people inside the big pile of white stone were aware of our arrival. Any moment now the door would open, and we'd have questions to answer and things to do and…
The huge, iron- bound double door at the top of the gleaming white stairs was already opening, revealing a slice of darkness inside for just a moment before slim teenage forms boiled out they were all boys, and all djamphir.
Which ones were enemies?
"I sure as hell hope so," I said and reached for the door handle.
This is my version of book three. This is just the beginning if people seem to like it I will continue. I hope you enjoy.
The car door opened with a groan and I stepped out landing on slightly shaking feet. In that instant I knew, there would be no turning back. There would be no more hiding, no running. I would never be able to go back to my old life. I would never see my Dad again, never be able to target practice with him on a lazy afternoon. That chapter of my life was over. Behind me I heard Graves, Shanks, and Dibs all climb out of the car. They surrounded me, hiding me from view. The djamphir boys descended the stairs with angry expressions on their faces. They quickly reached the last step only to stop in surprise. They didn't say anything their eyes blinking rapidly as they tried to figure out who we were. I didn't mind it gave me time to give them a once over. It was a group of five their ages looked to be from about sixteen to eighteen, though that didn't tell me their real ages. Their faces ranged from dark to light, looking to be everything from Chinese to Irish. But they all had the Look about them, the Look that no teenager should have. Finally a tall broad-shouldered blond broke the silence.
"Who are you?" he asked. Shanks stepped forward.
"We have come to talk about the Order, it would be better if spoke in private." Shanks said. At the words the blond face turned to one of disproval. His eyes roamed over us as if he was trying to read our thoughts. He seemed to be the leader, I didn't like him.
"If you are here to talk about Christophe then let me tell you now he needs to come in, end of story."
"That's not why we are here." Graves said. The blond raised an eyebrow.
"So why are you here?" he asked.
"We have a svetocha." On cue Dibs stepped away revealing me to their view. Hisses of shock ran through the djamphir. My heart picked up a notch as they stared at me like a lab rat. I couldn't help but wonder which onces wanted me dead?
"How is this possible?" one of them asked.
"My mother was a svetocha." I answered just to prove I could, in fact, speak for myself.
"She was part of the Order." Dibs added. A chorus of nodding heads told me they all had a good guess who she was.
"Where has she…" started one. But just then a low whine sounded from the back seat. I had forgotten about Ash, I quickly opened the door and he stumbled out. At the sight of the white stripe the djamphir went crazy.
"You brought a Broken here?" asked one.
"That isn't who I think it is?" cried another. I swiftly cut them off before it could get any worse.
"This is Ash he saved my life," I stated "and I'm going to help him."
"You can't help a Broken." said the Blond.
"Then I'm going try."
"How stupid are you bringing him here?" he asked stepping closer to me.
"Hey." growled Graves from beside me. "You don't talk to her like that."
"Stay out of this half breed!" he snarled back. My temper spiked I had nearly been killed just a few hours ago and I really wasn't in the mood to watch him catcall.
"Ash saved my life, twice. A feet none of you seem to be able to accomplish!" I yelled. "I owe it to him to do everything I can." The Blonde opened his mouth most likely to start a shouting match with me but Shanks stopped him.
"Why don't we move inside and I can explain more fully." Shanks said.
With a disgruntled nod we followed him inside. I quickly climbed the stairs my bodyguards at my side and Ash walking beside my feet. The Blond opened the iron-bolt doors and I walked inside. The foyer was impressive, sparklingly white stone made up the floor and huge marble pillars held up the roof. Yet it gave the impression of a museum, it didn't seem to be lived in. Multiple hallways led off the entryway leading to what I would guess would be classrooms and dorm rooms.
"Anthony," said the Blond turning to the man next to him. "why don't you show Miss…?"
"Dru is fine." I said.
"Dru here to her room, along with her friends." he said in a way where a six year old could tell he was insulting them.
"Well I thought I would never see the day." said a voice behind me. I turned, a twenty something man stood, I could feel waves of power coming off him; this wasn't a guy to mess. All the people in the room had gone silent, even Blondie had shut up. "Dru Andersen I'm so glad to meet you."
"You know my name?" I asked.
"Yes I have friends in high places." He said with a laugh. "Welcome to my humble home. I know you must be tired why don't you settle in and Shanks and I can have a chat." I gave him a grateful look; he returned it with a smile that lit up his face. "Oh and Nathanael," He called to Blondie/Nathanael. "wait for me in my office." At the words I swear I saw him shudder.
Dibs, Graves and I wordlessly followed Anthony down a hallway. We walked in silence no one saying a word, there wasn't a sound except for Ash's panting. I lost track of the twisting halls. Finally we came to a large wooden door, Anthony stopped.
"Here is your room, the bathroom is through the hall and I will bring up some clothes."
"What about them?" I asked pointing to Graves.
"Their dorms are in a different section." I cast Graves a fleeting look as I walked in followed by Ash. The door slammed shut behind me.
I sighed and took inventory of the room. A queen sized bed sat in the center, a dark wood dresser stood by the wall. In the corner there was an ancient looking wooden desk with a sleek new laptop. It was cozy if you got over the whole prison feeling. I went to the dresser and opened it up. There were old fashion dresses and blouses hanging, I shut it again. I guess this had been a girl's room. I climbed onto the bed too tired to undress. Ash jumped up on the place beside me and rested his head so we lay eye to eye. I looked deep into his eyes trying to find something human, anything.
"I'll save you, I promise." I whispered. But the only reaction I got was for him to whimper and close his eyes. I wrapped my arm around him and slipped into an exhausted sleep.
I was walking down a gloomy hallway. The shadows seem to close in from all sides. My mother's necklace grew warm on my collarbone. I kept walking. At the end of the hall was a plain wooden door, despite my wishes my hand reached out to turn the knob. In my head I heard the flutter of Gran's owl. Something horrible was going to happen. The door swung open I couldn't see anything there was nothing but dark. Sudden I was under attack something in my head an unbearable weight. The pressure built till I couldn't think I couldn't breathe. I opened my mouth to scream but the darkness crept into my mouth and slid down my throat. It was slimy and taste so bitter I wanted to puke. The weight declined and the shadows darkened and before me stood a figure I just needed a little more light."
You." I whispered.