Hello. I'm back! Here is the shorter version of the first chapter I didn't change anything just made it shorter which is what I will be working on throughout the week (cutting the chapters up) I may add a few in between the original chapters.
I hope everyone enjoys!
I do not own Darkest Powers or Otherworld Kelley Armstrong is absolutely amazing! I do however own Lily, Claire, and Melanie! and the craziness that ensues with them :)
CHAPTER 1: Normalcy
Chloe POV
I was pacing back and forth in front of the dull grey door. Simon found it oddly amusing that I couldn't sit still but I was beyond caring. I made the unfortunate mistake of saying that his spiky mess of hair was beginning to get boring, his slightly slanted brown eyes widened, pretending to be offended. We both then burst into laughs. It was nice to see him smiling again. He was starting to get used to having his dad back and the effect was a very positive one.
Tori was flipping through a Glamour magazine she had convinced Kit to get her for the wait. She had actually accepted the fact that she was Kit's daughter surprisingly well. Her messy black spikes made the similarities between the three of them more obvious. Sometimes there would be some awkward moments between her and Simon. Tori would say something that reminded them of when she had been romantically interested in Simon, but there was a silent agreement to never mention it out loud.
As I retraced my steps for what felt like the thousandth time I read the sign on the door again -"Written Driving Test"- my newly acquired boyfriend was behind, taking the written part of his driving test. He had taken the actual driving part earlier in the day, but due to a scheduling error he had to wait to take the written part until later. Sure he was a genius werewolf but I was still nervous. Sad as it was, but I felt kinda normal for once instead of some weirdo specially modified necromancer whose powers could cause an apocalypse if she wasn't careful.
Just the thought alone made me shudder reminding me of all the times I had already proven how cruel my supernatural power could be. Not wanting to think negative my thoughts went back to Derek, who kept me sane.
Well mostly sane.
Simon and Tori tried to understand. They really did. But they've never had to wake up to find reanimated bats flying around. My boyfriend on the other hand was in the exact same boat as I was. The idiot scientists from the Edison Group had made it so that instead of being able to control our powers like Simon and Tori, we were deadly. I mean, being able to raise the dead along with controlling them? That's creepy enough. Then there's Derek, who can snap a neck with his bare hands.
Kit had found information leading us to areas in the U.S. that were putting other supernaturals in our same positions, so we were going to try and help. We had to.
I was making my fifteenth rotation when I accidentally ran into a girl an inch or so shorter than I was. She was extremely skinny and pale. Her eyes were a jade green that made the crescent bruises around them stand out. I worried that she would break into pieces had I actually ran into her.
The light purple tank top she wore did nothing to hide the scars that littered her collar bone and the tops of her shoulders, deep lines that all seemed to connect to one another. I followed one of the twisting vines of scar tissue down her left arm, ending at the back of her wrist right where her artery was. She had to have been a ghost.
She looked up. Her face was impassive and cold. Her eyes sent a shiver of fear through me as they focused and zeroed in on mine.
I saw Simon staring at her intently, letting me know she wasn't an unwanted ghost. Her eyes didn't move from mine until Simon stood and made his way over to my side. I could practically see gears turning in his head, his eyebrows meeting as he frowned in agitation. As soon as he had gotten up from his seat, her head snapped in his direction. I saw Kit look up at us through the corner of my eye, his mouth open and ready to ask what was up when his eyes landed on the girl. She was still staring quietly at Simon. Kit's expression twisted with shock before anger flooded his features.
Simon spoke up, sounding choked and soft. "Lillian?"
She blinked and refocused those unusual eyes on his from glaring at his father. She shook her head slightly, denying his claim, and walked leisurely back over to a group of four who were standing close to the 'EXIT' glass door. Simon stared after her his face contorting in confusion for another moment until, in true Simon fashion, he shrugged his shoulders and went to sit back down. Kit stared with worry at the group that was now congregated by the door. My eyes went back to the girl. She almost seemed to look familiar but I couldn't place from where. I watched as she made her way back over to her group by the door. Each of them stared stone-faced ahead.
I turned and began my pacing again, thinking back over what had just happened as I tried to make sense of it and the odd feeling that I somehow knew the girl. Five minutes later, the group left and I saw Simon's eyes follow the girl out. She was the one to open the door, which officially eliminated her as being a ghost.
I now had something else to think about instead of Derek's test. Another ten minutes passed before the door opened as I ran into Derek, his familiar forestry scent clearing my head of everything else. I relaxed as our eyes met. I lowered my gaze to his hands that were holding a piece of paper that read PASSED stamped in red at the top.
I smiled brightly and jumped up to give him a big hug, my body relaxing even more as his arms wrapped around my waist and held me against him. I kissed him soundly, lost in my happiness for him. He set me down softly, as if I would shatter into a million pieces. I always felt completely safe with him. Then again when your bodyguard is able to turn into a 200 pound wolf not much could really scare you.
I stared at his sharp features. He had grown into his looks quite well since Lyle House. It never mattered to me what he looked like; I always thought he was handsome, but now everyone could see his beauty. He was extremely tall, at least a foot taller than me, and built with enough muscles to rip a door off its hinges. Ever since his full Change he seemed to be losing the awkward puberty smack down and taking on the form of a man.
I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts and focus on what Derek was saying to me.
"Let's get this stupid picture thing done with," his voice rumbled near my ear. Simon was staring at me, his eyebrows raised while Kit avoided eye contact completely. Tori was still flipping through her magazine, ignoring everyone and everything. Before I could register a blush, he had me wrapped perfectly under his arm, telling his dad we'd be right back.
Derek tightened his arm around me, and when I looked up he was smiling down at me with one of his very rare smiles. My blush deepened as I snuggled in close enough to hear his heartbeat through his chest while we waited in the extremely long line.
The kind pudgy looking lady with too much red hair dye in her short curly locks behind the long desk told Derek to come around to the side so she could take his photo. He sat on the tiny little stool they had and waited patiently while she readjusted the camera because he was so tall.
Simon came up behind me. "I'm not sure they could lower the camera enough to get your picture."
Tori sniggered from across the small space of the room. I sent each of them a glare. Kit smiled at us like an affectionate father, watching his children banter. Our own little family.
As soon as we made it out the door, Simon was begging to see Derek's paper I.D. We were going to have them mail his license to a P.O Box in a small town about twenty miles away. He handed it over with a smug look as we all gathered around the little paper to see the picture. Only Derek could pull off scowling at the camera and still look hot and gorgeous. I smiled at him and kissed his cheek.
Simon grinned. "Man you're no fun." Simon had tried talking Derek into posing as The Thinker for his photo and every time it came up Derek left the conversation cursing Simon and his lack of brains.
"Whatever. Idiot," was Derek's ever eloquent response along with an expressive eye roll.
"Chloe and I wanted to go out for dinner as a celebration. Is it okay if we head out now so we can be back before dark?" His voice was smooth and deep. Kit nodded, looking a little hesitant. Mostly from fear of the Edison Group being on our tails and probably a little bit about my aunt's reaction to said request.
"Let me call Lauren real quick so I can let her know and see if she wants me to pick anything up on our way back." We nodded and started making our way back to the van where Tori was already leaning up against, complaining to her brother about not having a boy toy to take her out and drive her around. I rolled my eyes at her while leaning against the van next to her, tugging lightly on the magazine she was still holding onto. She let go of it and moved her head closer to mine so we could both read. Tori and I had read half of an article about Angelina's and Brad's babies when Kit walked back over to us. His smile told me there was good news.
"Your aunt said it was okay to let you go. Just as long as you both have your phones and call if you're going to be going anywhere else. And hands to yourself, both of you. Lauren's terms not mine. Have fun."
RXR THANKS!
