Here is Chapter 13 I hope you enjoy. Feel free to review.
Taking a lungful of sweet air, she relished in the coolness of the shadows created by the canopies that stretched high above her head. And the lukewarm sun felt pleasant on her skin as she kept walking through contrasting patches of light.
She had been walking peacefully for quite some time. When a rustling noise made her jump. Scanning the branches above her she couldn't make out anyone. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her shoulder and Celeste resisted the urge to scream.
Something inside her snapped. She was sick to death of being treated like dirt; the time had come for her to defend herself. Grabbing the hand she yanked it downward; intentionally trying to break the bone.
Instead she felt someone fall on top of her. They both gasped as the wind was knocked out of their chests. Crawling out Celeste parted the stranger with a sharp kick to the thigh.
"Hey! That's no way to treat your fellow kind," the indignant voice of a boy caught Celeste's attention as she looked down into his silvery eyes.
"My kind. Wow. Uh, I mean sorry," Celeste stumbled over her words as she offered a hand to help him up.
He had floppy black hair that tended to cover one or both of his eyes. Sometimes it would sit neatly. He took the hand and said,
"The names Shadow. What's yours?"
"I'm Celeste," Celeste thought she was blushing and she felt incredibly awkward in the presence of a boy, especially as he was her kind.
"Can I call you Cel?" the boy asked as he walked around her once. His eyes seemed to be scanning her. Celeste nodded her head and blurted out,
"Do you know much about our kind? It's just because I'm curious and I have never met anyone else."
Shadow flashed a charming smile without revealing any fangs. His eyes softened and he signalled for her to follow.
"I know quite a lot. Well from what I have gathered, most of my info comes from home," Shadow admitted honestly as Celeste sat down next to him on the wilted leaves.
"Where's home?" she asked curiously,
"Hell," Shadow responded without a hint of concern, as if it was the most natural response in the entire world.
Celeste knew that place should instil fear into her; Uncle Gabriel often told her scary stories about it, but mostly in jest. However, a part of her had always known she had come from there even before all of the others started associating her with that place. In fact the word Hell seemed very comforting to her.
"I don't think I've ever been there," Celeste confided in Shadow, who burst out laughing before saying,
"Well you were born there. Not sure how mind you, but we all definitely come from there. I am surprised you can't recall it," Shadow sniggered as Celeste scowled at him for laughing at her apparent naivety.
"What makes you say that?" Celeste frowned.
"There's something about you Celeste. What half are you?" Shadow studied Celeste's face with admiration and exposed his fangs in the process.
"Clearly you're a vampire then. If you must know, I am part angel," Celeste admitted as a shred of pride slipped into her features, making her hold her head high in a regal fashion.
Clasping her hand Shadow stated excitedly,
"You must be the one Cel! The one Master Azazel has so often talked about,"
"Master Azazel?" Celeste voiced the name with confusion and uncertainty. For some reason it made her feel as cold as ice. Chills began to scurry down her spine. It seemed so familiar and yet she couldn't match a face to that name. But if she met him in person she swore she would know him instantly.
"Yeah. He's the one who created us new-age monsters," Shadow informed Celeste amicably. When she looked at him blankly he said, "New-age is another term used to describe us, I think it proves that we were created," and he shrugged when Celeste mentioned that he had said they were born, "We were. But like I said I don't know all the details. Azazel definitely played a part though, the main man if you like," Shadow grinned childishly as if he had just got away with something incredibly mischievous.
"Do you know why we are here, Shadow?" Celeste murmured thoughtfully as she gazed up at the fading flame coloured sky and laid back on the leaves.
Shadow copied her position and moved closer to her,
"All I know is we have been built with a purpose. For something great. For something bigger than ourselves! I just know it. And once we discover what that is, I am going to achieve it," Shadow spoke with such passion, energy and enthusiasm it made Celeste feel inspired. She knew in that moment she had found a true friend. "What about you Cel? Do you feel that way?"
"No, I don't need a purpose to be happy in life. I have family," Celeste admitted as Shadow shot her a look to imply that she was crazy but then he held a smug expression over his face. He leant over her, closing his eyes.
Anticipating his movement Celeste pushed herself of the ground with her wings and wrapped her arms around him, forcing him over they rolled down the hill, laughing uncontrollably as they went. However, their laughing ceased when a group of three older vampires surrounded them.
Bit of suspense never harmed anyone ;)