Serena tapped her foot impatiently against the grimy McDonald's floor. Succulent aromas of crispy French fries and apple pies made her stomach grumble and she groaned in frustration, all the while trying not to look at Stanton and Cassandra. The girl was leaning forward against the counter, her arms folded. A huge grin enveloped her features, constant giggles bubbling from her throat. And for a good reason too. Stanton had slipped his arms around her waist from behind and was now nibbling at her neck and whispering who knows what into her ear. Serena was sure that she would be sick. Cassandra shot her a triumphant look and she stuck a finger down her throat, pretending to gag.
"Jealous, Goddess?" Tymmie whispered from behind her. She spun around. Instigator…
"Jealous?" she laughed, hoping that it didn't sound as phony as it felt. "I'm not jealous! Why would I be jealous?"
"Yep", Karyl nodded. "She's jealous"
Anger raged like fire through her veins. Why should she be jealous just because her drop dead gorgeous boyfriend was completely ignoring her and on the verge of making out with L.A's biggest whore. "I'M NOT JEALOUS!" she boomed more to herself than Tymmie or Karyl. Oops… She watched out of the corner of her eye as Stanton and Cassandra headed her way, still linked in each other's arms. She turned to stare out of the window.
"What's wrong?" Stanton asked, but the taunting ease of his tone stated that he had a pretty good idea.
"I think I know", Cassandra whispered, her voice whimsical. She wrapped her arms around Stanton and proceeded to smear a line of dark red lipstick down his neck. He didn't seem to notice and just continued to stare at Serena. She shifted from side to side uncomfortably.
"Can we go now?"
Low, menacing laughter escaped his lips, sending a chill up her spine. He took her by the chin and guided her eyes to face his. "Why? Are you in some rush?"
"No", she whispered, enjoying the warmth in his touch. That was before she caught the streak of lip stick smudged over his neck. "I mean, yes! You might not care about your better half but I do!"
Rage flickered through his eyes for a few seconds before the former calm took hold. He abruptly pulled his hands from her face and crossed his arms. She raised an eyebrow. What was his problem? She tried to venture into his mind and see, but she was met with an angry force field.
"Don't try it, Goddess" he warned before backing away. Then in mid step, he turned back around. "Oh and I'm sure he's fine. You'd know if he was in any immediate danger"
"Wait". She reached out and took him by the shoulder. He seemed surprised at her touch. "How do you know?"
He gazed at her for a while and then lifted a finger to her forehead to play with the charm. "This"
"Huh?"
He smirked and shook his head as he would to a naïve child. She pouted.
"Well?"
"It's a connection. It bonds you to him".
She nodded in understanding. So that's how she'd heard him in Planet Bang. He had linked their souls together without Maggie or the daughters' knowledge. Risky, she thought, admiring his daring.
Stanton stared pensively at her for another minute before giving a heavy sigh and starting off towards the main counter. "Too risky…"
She shrugged and followed after him. They all leaned against the counter and Stanton smiled at girl behind the register. "We're ready"
She nodded uneasily. "What do you want?"
"A cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake"
"I want one too", Cassandra told him.
"You can share mine". Serena pictured them with two straws and rolled her eyes.
"Serena?" Stanton's voice interrupted her thoughts.
She blinked and looked up, hoping that her envy wasn't that obvious. "Yeah?"
"Are you hungry?"
"No", she lied, her stomach growling.
He turned back to the woman. "Give me a dollar fry. What do you want to drink?"
"I told you I wasn't-"
"The drink?"
"A chocolate milkshake" she smirked and crossed her arms. He returned her smirk.
"You heard her"
Serena's expression fell and Cassandra sneered at her from Stanton's arms.
Three's a company.
Bite me. She stuck her tongue out to reveal a shiny steel barbell.
Stanton gave her an amused look before glancing around. "Where are those idiots?"
"Ahem", the woman tapped her nails on the counter surface and Stanton whirled around to face her, his eyes flaming yellow fire.
"Is there a problem?"
"No", she squeaked.
A slow smile crept over his lips. "Thank you". He peeked at her name tag. "Phobe"
"Phoebe"
"Whatever".
"He didn't mean that", Serena assured Phoebe. She grimaced at the puppy dog eyes Cassandra was giving him at his blatant display of insolence. Suddenly they both stared to the right and she followed their gaze to a play area where two teenage boys stood, terrorizing a group of children.
"Tymmie! Karyl!" Stanton hissed. "Get in here now. You can torture people all you want when we get back to the past"
"He didn't mean that either", Serena laughed nervously.
"Like who?" Karyl groaned and slumped over on the counter top.
"Teenagers"
"And they'd be?"
"Over the age of five", he seethed. "Now what do you want? Phobe's been waiting forever"
"Phoebe", Phoebe gathered the courage to squeak again.
He leaned towards her causing her to jump back and grinned. "Of course".
"Two number tens and two Cokes" Tymmie held up two fingers.
She nodded slowly before typing something into the cash register. "Alright… that'll be $13.47".
Serena sighed and waited for Stanton to pay. Her eyebrows furrowed when he didn't. She watched as he leaned down to whisper something in Cassandra's ear.
You know what to do.
She gasped. Just what did they have in mind? Cassandra nodded eagerly at him before locking her eyes on to Phoebe's. Any expression that may have existed there died away and the woman stared blankly ahead. Serena began to panic.
"What did you do to her?"
Tymmie took her firmly by the wrist, Karyl at the other. You'll break her concentration! one of them shoved roughly through her mind. She struggled with them to no avail as Phoebe handed over the food and then blinked, the darkness crumbling from her eyes.
"Have a nice day!" she smiled.
Serena frowned. "But we didn't pay!"
Phoebe cocked an eyebrow and put a hand protectively over the bags. "Now that I think about it…"
Stanton immediately took her by the arm and stared into her eyes.
"Stop it!" Serena wrenched his arm away from the girl, but it was too late.
Phoebe beamed. "Have a nice day!"
"But we didn't- mmmph!" She pried Karyl's hand from her lips. "You can't just do that!"
"But I just did", Stanton stated plainly before turning back to Phoebe. "We paid"
"No we didn't"
"Yes we did"
"No we didn't"
"Yes we did". He cursed as a security mob strolled out from the back of the restaurant. "I hope you've got the money, Goddess"
"If you were man enough, you could pay with your own goddamn money"
"Well, apparently I'm man enough for you"
She glared up at him, her breathing labored from arguing. He did have her there…
"At a loss for words?"
"Er…"
"What the hell is going on here?" a security guard boomed, watching as Tymmie and Karyl ran off with a small boy's fries. "I think I'm going to have to ask you to leave".
"And if we don't want to?" Stanton challenged him. Serena took him by the shoulder.
Don't, she warned.
Cassandra had picked up one of the milkshakes from the counter and started to sip at it, enjoying the scene before her. Serena glared.
"That's not yours"
"Oh, you're right" Cassandra looked at the paper cup and sneered. "This one was yours". She shoved it at Serena sending a spray of oozing ice cream down her halter front and onto her skirt.
"Oops." Cassandra bit at her pinky and giggled in obvious delight.
Serena stood there in shock for a few moments and then slowly looked back up at Cassandra, her eyes menacing. She wasn't a fighter, but there was no way she was going to let that slide. Stepping forward, she slapped her wet palm against the girl's jaw. The smacking sound echoed across the building. Now she could feel all eyes on them, watching their every move.
"CAT FIGHT!" Someone called from the rear.
"Bitch!" Cassandra cried, her eyes taking on an incandescent glow.
Surges of energy stormed about Serena, her crimson tresses fluttering in a temper induced wind, licking at the air like flames.
The entire area around them had silenced in bewilderment and fear.
Sure you don't want to back down? Cassandra taunted, sending out a wave of dark power.
Serena stifled the blow and fired it back with full force. What do you think?
Tymmie and Karyl rested against a black iron parking lot gate in their hide out in down town Los Angeles. Stanton held an unconscious Cassandra in his arms and Serena scrubbed at the milkshake remains on her outfit. They had been sitting like this for at least half an hour now and she was becoming anxious again. Dabbing at the material a few more times, she stood to meet Stanton and tried her best to ignore Cassandra's limp form.
"Sorry about that", she muttered.
He gave her an unconvinced look.
"Okay, I'm not", she admitted. "But I think we should-"
"I know", he cut her off and opened the rear car door to place Cassandra upon the seats. "Just let me start the car". Slamming the door, he looked to his right and scowled. "Where'd they go?"
She glanced around, but Tymmie and Karyl were no where in sight. As Stanton rambled on about what he would do to them when they returned, her eyes traveled over shops, restaurants, small museums, and tattoo parlors. Masses of people bustled around the area, laughing and joking with their friends or family. A dreamy smile slipped across her face as she took notice of a few couples. She wondered what it would be like to walk down here with Stanton.
Don't even think about it, a sardonic voice echoed through her mind, vanquishing her earlier thoughts.
She groaned at his mood. And she'd thought he was romantic… "I was just-" She trailed off as a glimpse of white blonde flickered through her vision. Spinning to her left, she saw Tymmie entering the base of a building, Karyl on his tail. "There" she pointed. Stanton followed her gaze and then took her by the arm.
"Come on". They raced across the street, cars steering to an abrupt halt, followed by loud, angry honks. Stanton glowered at the drivers, daring them to do something. One day someone would…
He had apparently read her mind. "But I'm Stanton", he argued, teasingly, slamming his fist down on the hood of a car that almost slammed into him.
"But you're an asshole", she smirked, strutting onto the sidewalk and towards the door. She felt his eyes on her and laughed to herself. Would he take her in his arms now and admit his love for her?
"Open it"
"What?"
"The door", he motioned toward it and stared at her expectantly.
Giving a heavy sigh, she finally pulled it open and he bustled right past her. So much for ladies first… She slowly made her way down a narrow stair way and into a large dark room. Neon signs lit up the walls and heavy metal howls could be heard from a stage in the far right corner. Girls in skimpy tubes and tanks danced by, glo sticks in their hands. The smell of weed and other drugs filled the room and she knew she wanted out. As she reached the base of the room, a teenage boy grabbed her roughly by the arm.
"Hey!" she jerked away. "What the hell?"
He just barreled over with laughter, his eyes small and beady. She winced. What was this guy on?
"Serena!"
She turned to see a young blonde standing there, her hair wild over her eyes. She was wearing devilishly red stilettos with a small black tube top and a matching micro- mini. Recognition sprung over Serena's face.
"Margo!"
"Morgan"
"Right…" She gulped wondering what Morgan was doing in a place like this.
"You know", Morgan nervously put a hand to her head. "I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you'd be out at one of your high society parties"
"Oh, I'm looking for someone"
"Really?" Suddenly a cruel sneer crept over the woman's face. "Is your husband here with you?"
She glanced around for Stanton. Obviously not… "No"
"I know"
She stared at her in suspicious. "What do you mean?"
"I mean he's here with someone else". She lifted a perfect finger to point to the back of the room. "If you don't believe me, see for yourself".
Serena spun around in the direction to see Stanton talking to a young girl, no more than fourteen in the back of the room, his lips dangerously close to hers. Her emerald eyes flared with anger.
"A little young for him, isn't she?" Morgan giggled. Serena could smell the alcohol on her breath.
"Stanton" Serena mumbled, her fists clenching. How much more pain was he planning to inflict on her?
"Good luck with that" Morgan scoffed before walking up to one of the guys that had just been on stage. Serena held her head up and started towards the back of the room, pushing pass gangs of teenagers and young adults. She finally reached the two. Stanton stared vigilantly into the girl's eyes which had started to tear up, an expression of despair crossing her face. Her knees had buckled and she was leaning against him for support. Unlike most of the other girls, her clothes were modest and not one piercing or tattoo covered her body. Was it just her imagination or had he picked out the most innocent girl in the entire club? She grimaced. Sure. He was a thief, a jay walker, and the heir to supreme evil. Why not add sadist to the list?
"What are you doing?" she pulled at his shoulder and he blinked. The girl fell forward against him, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"I don't believe you!"
He shrugged and looked away. "I'm a creature of the night. What did you expect?"
She tore the girl from his arms and eased her onto the ground. Two other girls came there way, wide eyed, and lifted her into their arms. They stared at Stanton fearfully before walking away. Serena swallowed hard, hoping they wouldn't contact authorities.
"You can't do this. At least not while I'm around"
He only stared at her and she trembled inside, oblivious of what course of action to take. Clutching her shoulders, she breathed heavily and bit her bottom lip.
He tilted his head. Are you going to cry again?
You'd like that wouldn't you? She shot at him, blinking back tears.
He turned away again, his eyes troubled. She raised an eyebrow. Could he be ashamed?
"I'm sorry". She cursed. There she went again. But no matter how hard she tried to keep from apologizing, she carried on. "I just don't know how to get to you".
His eyes averted to hers momentarily before quickly glancing away. "I never asked you to"
She managed to smile. "You didn't need to". Taking a deep breath, she let out a small sigh. "I'm sorry about what happened to you"
"Don't" he warned.
"I know", she laughed dryly. "You don't want my sympathy". Reaching out, she ran her fingers through his hair. "But that doesn't mean you have to be lonely"
He snapped around to glare at her but the facade rapidly melted to reveal sad, painful sapphire blue eyes. And for once she thought she saw the little boy in him that he claimed had so long ago vanished.
"I have friends", he whispered faintly. In response, she made a face at Tymmie and Karyl who were now trying to battle break dance in the crowd, al though they were doing more damage to themselves than the other guys' reputations.
"You call those friends?" she gave him a knowing smile and took his face in her palms, making him look at her. "I can feel your pain and if you'd let me, I know I could take it away". She stared into his eyes and then his lips, wanting his kiss so badly. When she didn't get one, her heart stopped and she gasped as she had just made a fool of herself. Let me die. Let me die. Let me die. Let me die. She prayed, lowering her now shaking fingers to her sides. Dammit… That was the last time she tried to be romantic…
"Goddess", he finally spoke, barely a whisper. She just looked down, afraid of what he would say as it might determine their future together. When she didn't respond, he repeated it. Her eyebrows furrowed. Although he spoke softly, there was something threatening in his voice.
"Serena", he finally breathed and in astonishment that he'd acknowledged her by name, her head shot up. Then before she could stop herself, she gazed into his eyes, an eerie phosphorescent. Unprepared for his energies, she felt her mind growing weak.
"No", she mouthed, realizing what was happening. Then without warning, a swift iciness fell over her body, leaving it cold. Everything that had happened in the past hour seemed like dark swirls and images from some surreal dream. All of her happiness crumbled along with any memories pertaining to it. She trembled in despair. Had she ever been happy? What did happiness feel like? She caught a twisted glimpse of a man with golden hair but it quickly faded away. Afterwards she sat motionless in a dark oblivion, completely isolated from any other world she might have known.
Serena? A voice called from no where in particular.
Stanton? At least she thought that was his name. She bit her lip, on the verge of tears.
Snap out of it
What?
You have to wake up
I can't, she cried and effortlessly tried to keep tears from spilling down her face.
Wake up
I told you I can't, she whimpered, growing annoyed.
Just try to wake up
Whatever
And I'll be there with you
Okay…
I promise
"Whoa!" she cried, her eyes jolting open. Heavy metal music blasted through her ears and thousands of emotions and memories surged back through her. She tremblingly raised her fingertips to her damp cheeks to wipe her tears away. They found their way to the silver charm. Had Stanton contacted her? Is that what saved her?
"No", a voice answered from above. She looked up to see Stanton still standing over her. "His words were of no use. You were powerless to stop me".
"Then how…" she trailed off confused.
"It was me"
"What?"
He drew in a deep breath before sitting down against the wall and then patting the spot beside him. She slid down to take it and then waited expectantly.
"I couldn't do it"
"What do you mean you couldn't-"
"I just couldn't, alright?" he snapped, angry now. His hands dropped to his lap in defeat and he stared blankly ahead, into the crowd of dancers. "I don't understand..."
She gave him a sympathetic smile and interwined her fingers in his. This time he didn't pull away. They sat in complete silence for a few peaceful moments, regardless of the chaotic roar around them. He finally turned to look at her.
"Serena?"
"Yeah?" she gulped. Was he going to try and cross her over again?
"I-"
"Stanton!" Tymmie cried as he traveled through the crowd, Karyl behind him. Serena cursed. Did they try to make her life a living hell? Apparently, Stanton felt the same way. He stood to glower over them.
"Why the hell did you run off?" he scolded. "And what is it now?"
"Cassandra". Karyl held up a black cell phone and from it came a roar of incessant and rather irritating babbling. Serena rolled her eyes and watched as Stanton put the phone to his ear.
"Cassandra?" he grimaced as the roaring went up a notch. "Calm down. We're leaving. Start the car". Then before she could respond, he snapped the phone shut and handed it back to Karyl. "Let's go".
They all nodded and started after him. Serena groaned miserably as thewy made their way up the stairs, the cool night breeze welcoming them. They couldn't continue their conversation in front of Tymmie and Karyl, and besides, she had more important things to worry about.
"Are you sure you know where he is?" She called to Stanton.
He nodded, darting out across the street. "Positive"
She raced after him, another thought occuring. "Catty might have gotten there already. I mean Adonis can turn into shadow and-"
He froze once on the opposite side of the street. "Who?"
"Adonis", she breathed, glaring at a driver who was screaming vulgarities at her. "My... our son"
Stanton cocked an eyebrow. "I crossed him over?"
"No..." Confusion arose in her eyes. Of course not. Stanton would never cross his own son over.
"Then how did he recieve the powers of the Atrox?" he asked, opening the passenger door for her. She climbed in and shrugged.
"Genetics?"
He shook his head. "That's impossible. The only way for him to develop something like that is for someone to cross him over"
She swallowed hard. "So what does that mean?"
"It means", he started, walking around to the other side of the car. "That you've been decieved".
This just gets harder and harder. Ugh… Ill post reviews soon! Oh, and be honest. What should I change? Because somethign is really bothering me about this chapter. I think Im might have messed up the whole story.
REVIEW CORNER:
MiniSparky- Glad you love it! Stanton is... an ASSHOLE! Yet we still love him...
KrystallTrensk- Glad you love it! Updating now!
Moonlight Child4- Oh, I dont know why everyone likes Stanton so much. I personally don't think hes the shiznit. Im rotating more towards ASSHOLE! Especially in book 1. But hes still coo. I tried to make it more exciting
Nonas- MAKE THE CHAPTERS LONGER? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Theyre long enough already O.o This is like the longest on the page LOL
Toorikosu- Heh... sorry... guess i forgot about the steamy stuff. Probably later... Glad you thought it was funny
LJthePain- Glad you loved!
Demon Dea- Dude, when you review, review. Glad you are back. Critcize me this time! Especially now. I need it. This chapter feels su wrong, you know?
ROCKERfaerie13- Kewl! There are better stories though. Have you tried some of Nym's?
Addicted Lacrosse- THANK YOU!
Keiko- Well thank you for that... Keiko...
blondie91- Glad you thought it was awesome!
TayTay09- Glad you loved it! Will keep writing
HyperRikku59- Yeah I have a problem with laughing too O.o Glad you stopped thinking about it in school O.o
Elephantsrocmysox- LOL Damn. Sorry if I got you in trouble O.o lol I like that little plot thing too. A little complicated tho lol
darkgoddess57- Thank yoooooooooooouuuu.
AngelGoddess6- Favorite book? Dude that is SU KEWL! Fo shizzle?