Hi, yall. Sorry about the wait. I had to decide what I wanted to happen next.
I would like to give a special thanks to my wonderful beta reader, Kate, and ask that she not reveal hints of what's going to happen in upcoming chapters.
Why did it have to be so hot? Orchid had already covered half of the way home, and it wasn't even three in the afternoon. Of course, she didn't get cramps or sore feet when she walked long distances. The only thing bothering her was the way the sun was burning down mercilessly on her sensitive skin. She had also left her sunglasses in Topaz's car, so she was forced to stare at her feet most of the time, to block out the painful glare.
*Why am I doing this?* She kicked a rock off the side of the road. *Why am I even out here all by myself when I know for sure that he's stalking me now?* Why hadn't she just stayed in bed that morning? Why hadn't she gone to tardy hall that Monday instead of cutting and meeting *him*? And, now that she thought about it, why was she running from him like a scared bunny rabbit? What did he have on her? She had already gotten him down once, and she had never lost a fight.
She came to an empty back lot, shielded on two sides by tall brick walls. She took advantage of the shade that the walls provided and stopped to rest. "Come on!" she said out loud, suddenly feeling ferocious. "Come and get me!"
She had not expected her blue-eyed friend to materialize out of the shadows at her words, but somehow she wasn't surprised when he did. She quickly slid into a fighting stance. "What do you want this time?" she growled at him.
"Haven't I made that obvious by now?"
"If you're still hooked on my ring, you're not getting it."
"Just where *did* you get that ring, Orchid?"
"Just how *do* you know my name....Julian?"
So, his name was Julian. It was hard prying even his name out of his mind, but she had managed it. That was such a pretty name, Orchid thought. For the briefest moment she was once again completely distracted by how hot he was. His white hair practically glowed in the bright sunlight. His eyes were sparkling blue sapphires. He was still wearing the outfit from Hot Topic. She had always thought those fishnet shirts looked cool, but on him it looked downright sexy.
She shook her head. The fact that he was cute didn't lessen her urge to strangle him. At the moment Julian was only staring at her. *Didn't know I could read your mind, did you, Julian? Are you starting to realize what you're really up against?*
There was silence for another few seconds, and then Julian started to laugh. "I've known few beings who could use telepathy so well. You're strong, too. And fast. Most people wouldn't be able to get within a foot of me, much less push me over. You're fairly powerful for a human. However, I am still stronger than you, Orchid. I am faster, I am smarter and you cannot win against me. I suggest that you save yourself a lot of trouble and cooperate while I'm still in a good mood."
Orchid could feel her mouth drop open. Had he really just said all of that to *her*? In one swift motion she grabbed him by the neck and lifted him effortlessly into the air. "Don't ever call me human!" She snarled, throwing him into the nearby wall. This time she could see anger flashing in his eyes as he got to his feet.
"You chose the wrong person to mess with, Orchid." He walked towards her purposefully. She didn't want to be remotely close to him. She reached out to push him away but he caught her wrist before she could touch him. She tried to yank it free but he suddenly had a grip like iron. "I was weak the last time we talked. That's why you were able to attack me. So I waited a few days. And now I've got all my power back. I'm starting to wonder if you *are* human, but whatever you are you stand no chance against me." He gave her that same, terrifying wolfish smile she had seen in the mall. Orchid watched in shock as he easily bent back her arm. She couldn't break his grip. She had never met anyone half as strong as he was. Slowly, he forced her to her knees. What was this being who had more strength than a vampire?
"Do you give up yet, Orchid?" he asked softly, smiling at the fear he saw in her eyes.
Orchid stared into his endless blue eyes. She really was out of her league. Any sensible person *would* give up. But Orchid had never been known to be sensible. In one swift motion she grabbed his shirt with her free hand and yanked him forward. He shouted as his knees buckled and he fell to the ground with her. Orchid was crushed under his weight, but he lost his grip on her arm and she quickly shoved him off of her. Then, before he could realize what had happened, she grabbed his shoulders and sank her fangs deep into his neck.
I would like to give a special thanks to my wonderful beta reader, Kate, and ask that she not reveal hints of what's going to happen in upcoming chapters.
Why did it have to be so hot? Orchid had already covered half of the way home, and it wasn't even three in the afternoon. Of course, she didn't get cramps or sore feet when she walked long distances. The only thing bothering her was the way the sun was burning down mercilessly on her sensitive skin. She had also left her sunglasses in Topaz's car, so she was forced to stare at her feet most of the time, to block out the painful glare.
*Why am I doing this?* She kicked a rock off the side of the road. *Why am I even out here all by myself when I know for sure that he's stalking me now?* Why hadn't she just stayed in bed that morning? Why hadn't she gone to tardy hall that Monday instead of cutting and meeting *him*? And, now that she thought about it, why was she running from him like a scared bunny rabbit? What did he have on her? She had already gotten him down once, and she had never lost a fight.
She came to an empty back lot, shielded on two sides by tall brick walls. She took advantage of the shade that the walls provided and stopped to rest. "Come on!" she said out loud, suddenly feeling ferocious. "Come and get me!"
She had not expected her blue-eyed friend to materialize out of the shadows at her words, but somehow she wasn't surprised when he did. She quickly slid into a fighting stance. "What do you want this time?" she growled at him.
"Haven't I made that obvious by now?"
"If you're still hooked on my ring, you're not getting it."
"Just where *did* you get that ring, Orchid?"
"Just how *do* you know my name....Julian?"
So, his name was Julian. It was hard prying even his name out of his mind, but she had managed it. That was such a pretty name, Orchid thought. For the briefest moment she was once again completely distracted by how hot he was. His white hair practically glowed in the bright sunlight. His eyes were sparkling blue sapphires. He was still wearing the outfit from Hot Topic. She had always thought those fishnet shirts looked cool, but on him it looked downright sexy.
She shook her head. The fact that he was cute didn't lessen her urge to strangle him. At the moment Julian was only staring at her. *Didn't know I could read your mind, did you, Julian? Are you starting to realize what you're really up against?*
There was silence for another few seconds, and then Julian started to laugh. "I've known few beings who could use telepathy so well. You're strong, too. And fast. Most people wouldn't be able to get within a foot of me, much less push me over. You're fairly powerful for a human. However, I am still stronger than you, Orchid. I am faster, I am smarter and you cannot win against me. I suggest that you save yourself a lot of trouble and cooperate while I'm still in a good mood."
Orchid could feel her mouth drop open. Had he really just said all of that to *her*? In one swift motion she grabbed him by the neck and lifted him effortlessly into the air. "Don't ever call me human!" She snarled, throwing him into the nearby wall. This time she could see anger flashing in his eyes as he got to his feet.
"You chose the wrong person to mess with, Orchid." He walked towards her purposefully. She didn't want to be remotely close to him. She reached out to push him away but he caught her wrist before she could touch him. She tried to yank it free but he suddenly had a grip like iron. "I was weak the last time we talked. That's why you were able to attack me. So I waited a few days. And now I've got all my power back. I'm starting to wonder if you *are* human, but whatever you are you stand no chance against me." He gave her that same, terrifying wolfish smile she had seen in the mall. Orchid watched in shock as he easily bent back her arm. She couldn't break his grip. She had never met anyone half as strong as he was. Slowly, he forced her to her knees. What was this being who had more strength than a vampire?
"Do you give up yet, Orchid?" he asked softly, smiling at the fear he saw in her eyes.
Orchid stared into his endless blue eyes. She really was out of her league. Any sensible person *would* give up. But Orchid had never been known to be sensible. In one swift motion she grabbed his shirt with her free hand and yanked him forward. He shouted as his knees buckled and he fell to the ground with her. Orchid was crushed under his weight, but he lost his grip on her arm and she quickly shoved him off of her. Then, before he could realize what had happened, she grabbed his shoulders and sank her fangs deep into his neck.
