Chapter 10: Ghost
Jessi's Point of View:
I rested my hands over my sheets and stared up at the ceiling. I waited for sleep to find me, but as of right now, no luck. My eyes involuntarily blinked sleepily. Finally! I had been sitting here for at least half an hour. All I could do was watch Toni sleep soundly after her experience. She told me not to worry, but that is when I have to worry. Toni is my favorite cousin and I really care about her. The last thing I wanted to see was her hurt and in pain. Letting my thoughts die out, I closed my eyes and dozed off into unconsciousness. It was peaceful at first, but it turned into a nightmare. Kalona appeared to me underdressed in his khaki pants. His bronze skin looked amazing and almost inviting. His big black wings were unfurled and spread out as if in minute he was going to take fly away. I stared down at my body and jumped in realizing what I was wearing myself. A white dress that stopped a few inches above my knees was practically glued to my body. White feathers and sequins shimmered gracefully with every swish of the wind. I had no shoes on which actually made me feel like some Indian princess (with help from the amazing dress of course). Kalona's amber eyed glaze found my chocolate eyed stare and a winning smile played across his lips. He began to approach me. With every step he took towards me, I repeated the step, but I was going backwards. Eventually, I had reached a dead end. He had me cornered. His muscular bronze arms shot forwards and were like bars of a prison cell, keeping me from moving away from him. I flinched when he pressed his warm lips to my skin, which was now (thanks to him) tingling from his touch. "My beautiful Arielle, the dress suites your beauty," he said, in an alluring voice that would have made me melt. I shuddered. "What am I doing here, Kalona?" I asked in a strong and sure voice. His fingers twined through my shinning black locks that refle in meaning to distract me from the true purpose. He may have the other students at the House of Night, but he sure wasn't pulling one over me. I glared at him as he gazed over mu appearance. "Ah, Jessi, you are as stubborn as your ancestor. I tried everything to seduce her, but she was too strong willed for me," he told me. I could sense some distaste in his words so, I figured I could toy with that. "And she entombed you in the earth, huh? Must have been such a surprise." He shoved me into the wall and his amber eyes blazed with anger. A smirk appeared on my lips. "You shouldn't tease me little one." I mirrored his glare, but his had more intensity that his. "Then leave me alone." He released me. "You and your cousin will be under my hand in time." I tossed my black hair over my shoulder and squared my shoulders. This guy was really confident. Who said we would go willingly? He may be handsome, but I sure won't be his lover. I smiled at him. "Never. I will stay loyal to my goddess." With those words said, my Kalona filled dreams disappeared, and I was back in my room with Toni rolled on her side. Sweat beaded my forehead and I exhaled. This was not good. If Zoey got the same dreams I had then, this could be something worse than I expected. Kalona had the power to get into dreams and could practically do anything there. Maybe there is some way it could be avoided. I should find Eric. He might know what to do. I threw my covers aside and stepped out of the room, brushing the blanket that hung as a door aside. I heard some noise further down the hall and spotted a guy who looked like he played football. He was arguing between Zoey and Eric. I stood in my spot deciding whether I should press on forward or turn around. My decision was cut short when their eyes found me lurking around. Eric moved towards me and kept his hands on my waist. I loved his touch on my skin, but after my dream with Kalona, I didn't want to be touched until I could figure this out. I shuffled out of his hold and stared up at him, nervously fidgeting. He obviously knew what was wrong with me, because he pulled me into a sweet, short hug. I needed his comfort. Yes, I just said I didn't want to be touched, but what the hell? His hugs felt like medicine to me. I felt healed and calmed. "Jessi, what's wrong? Did something happen?" he asked, concerned. I nodded my head, hugging him tighter. I had the idea in my head that he could help with anything and would always be there for me. "He was in my dreams." Something flashed through his icy blue eyes and he turned to Zoey. "She had the same dreams, Z." Zoey pulled her attention from the tall football jock guy and she walked closer to me. "Really?" I nodded to her and nervously ran my hand through my hair. "Yeah. Did you have them, too?" Zoey hesitantly nodded. "I had them. He tried convincing you to join his side?" "Sadly, yes." Erik crossed his arms. "Well we know his purpose." "Yeah, his purpose for being a sneaky dream creeping pervert," Toni's familiar voice came from behind me. I faced Toni. She looked sickly. Her skin was flushed, red rims highlighted her eyes, and she looked exhausted. Toni managed her signature smile at us before tripping, only to be caught by Eric. I sighed in relief. "Toni, go back to bed-," I protested, but she didn't let e finish. She put her arms around me in a hug then, stood at arm's length. "Not this time. We have to go back to the House of Night." My jaw dropped. "Toni, we can't possibly go back." She shrugged and began walking away. She finished talking over her shoulder, "We will need to head there in due time." What the hell? I dismissed her words and pulled Eric aside. "Eric, I need to tell you my powers. I never told you because they are just too freaky for me." He continued to smile at me. "Go on." I told my full list of powers which were: the power over the elements, clairvoyance, and some other things I couldn't do anymore for some strange reason. He only nodded his head then, kissed me lightly. "You are gifted, my love." I couldn't help but return his smile. Everything he did made me happy. I loved him so much that it seemed like too much at times.