Cassie ran as fast as she could, but it was not fast enough, nowhere near fast enough. He was far too powerful for her, far to hell bent on destroying her and Devon. The door was mere feet away when his arms encircled her. His iron tight grasp knocked the breath from her as he squeezed hard. A rib cracked, a cry of pain and terror tore from her as his hands dug into her, tearing through the fabric of her dress, slicing her skin. This was it; this was the way that it was all going to end.
She wasn’t ready; she so very much was not ready for this. Her thoughts turned to Devon, sadness consumed her as all of her dreams from earlier shattered. Her heart broke at the thought of leaving him, of losing him.
Cassie tried to dig her feet in, tried to stop Julian’s attack, but it was useless as his violent rush propelled them toward the door.
CHAPTER 15
Devon skidded around the corner of the hall, not losing a step as he raced forward. His body thrummed with dread, his skin crawled with fear. He couldn’t move any faster, yet it was not fast enough. Not nearly fast enough. Too much time had passed; she had been alone with Julian for far too long. And he knew that she was with Julian, she had to be. Only Julian could have inspired the amount of terror that was radiating from her.
Devon tried not to think about the many things that Julian could have done to her already. Things that Devon could never fix. His skin crawled as he flew down the hall. The bathroom was right there, just out of reach, but so very close.
The door shattered outward, wood splintered as the door was forced to go in a direction it was not designed to. Cassie and Julian tumbled out of the wreckage; they bounced off the wall before slamming onto the floor. Shock tore through him as he moved. Cassie lurched up, trying to rip free of Julian’s grasp, but he clung tight to her. Swinging around, her fist connected with his cheek, snapping his head to the side.
The scent of her blood, soap, and terror hung heavy in the air but Devon had prepared himself for the scent of her blood this time. Instead of the smell sending him into a bloodlust again, it only served to enrage him further. He would destroy Julian for hurting her; destroy him for even daring to touch her. Julian also seemed to have prepared himself for the scent of her blood this time. Instead of becoming wild and crazed with his need to get at her, he remained in complete control of himself as he reached for Cassie again.
Scrambling forward, Cassie was nearly free of him when Julian reached out, snagged hold of her ankle, and jerked her back. With a startled cry, she fell to the floor, her chin bouncing off the ground with a sharp crack as her hands gave out. Devon winced for her as the sound of her teeth crashing together reached him. She screamed as Julian pulled her toward him. Turning onto her back, she kicked forcefully out. Devon was momentarily stunned by the force of her blow. He knew Julian’s strength, knew his powers, and what he was capable of. But the force of her blow jerked his head back, the crack of his jaw resonated loudly as Julian growled in pain. Though she connected hard, he did not let go of her.
Devon roared, his bellow of fury echoing throughout the halls of the school. Cassie’s head whipped toward him, her relief was palpable; her fear nearly choked him. Julian looked up, his eyes widening as a small smile curved his mouth.
Releasing Cassie, he leapt gracefully to his feet. Devon bounded over top of her, seizing hold of Julian’s throat as he slammed into him. For the first time in over a century he fully released the beast that he had been struggling to keep locked away. It tore free of him with a savage intensity that was more of a relief than he wanted to acknowledge. He would annihilate Julian, not only for hurting her, but for daring to touch her at all. All reason fled, his humanity vanished as the monster in him took complete control and his lust for the kill sprang forth.
The metal of the lockers twisted and folded, bending beneath their weights with a tortured screech. Growls filled the air as they tore at each other with the frenzy of wild animals. Devon was so infuriated, so enraged that he did not feel the blow that sliced through his side, spilling his blood. Nor did Julian slow when Devon shattered his arm against the water cooler in the hall.
***
Cassie crab crawled backward, desperate to escape as Julian’s grip was torn free. She watched in horror, her heart leaping into her throat as Devon collided with him, smashing him into the lockers. The growls and roars that filled the air caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand up. Though she knew she should flee, she found herself unable to move as she watched the brutal fight in horror.
She had never seen so much violence and hatred. They tore at each other with the frenzy she associated with sharks when they smelled blood. The copper scent of blood filled the air, but neither of them slowed in their assault, neither stopped. They were hell bent on killing each other.
She couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe. It was like watching a train wreck, but this wreck involved the love of her life, a person that she did not even recognize right now. His eyes were red with murderous intent, his face twisted into a brutal snarl. His long canines, fangs even longer than Julian’s, extended past his lower lip as he tore at Julian. She did not know this person, but she did know that he would kill for her. That what he wanted right now was to destroy and mutilate for her.
Terror for him filled her. He may be stronger and faster than Julian, but that did not guarantee a win. Anything could go wrong. One small mistake could mean the end of his life.
They rolled along the lockers, twisting and destroying the metal as they moved. Locks were torn off, shattering upon the ground. Devon was bleeding badly, blood dripped down his side, splashing on the ground. She could not leave him here. Not alone, and not with that monster.
Leaping to her feet, Cassie’s gaze darted back to the bathroom. Her purse was somewhere in there, a small stake tucked discreetly inside. The problem was that she did not want to leave the fight for even a second, let alone the amount of time it would take for her to find the thing.
Her attention was snagged back as Devon bellowed loudly, smashing the palm of his hand into Julian’s chest. The force of the blow shattered ribs, their loud cracking filled the air. Cassie’s mouth dropped as Julian flew backward a good ten feet before slamming into a classroom door. The glass in the center shattered, the frame bent, and the doorknob was torn off.
She took a fear filled step back, she did not belong here. This was not her fight, not anymore, but no matter how much she wanted her feet to move, no matter how much she wanted to escape, she knew that she would not leave him. If something were to happen to him, then she was going to be here, and she was going to give him whatever help she could.
Julian shook his head, trying to clear it as he attempted to rise to his feet. He stumbled back, a wheezing sound escaping him. Attempting to rise to his feet again, he staggered slightly forward before dropping again. Devon stepped in his way, a loud growl escaping him as Julian’s gaze darted briefly back to her. Though he was no longer smiling, there was still an oddly amused twinkle in Julian’s ice blue eyes that left Cassie unsettled. He did not seem concerned about the fact that he was losing right now.
She also did not like the way that he was studying her. It was too intent, too questioning, and there was a strange, unsettling gleam in his eyes. It was as if he saw far too much, as if he understood her in a way that she didn’t even understand herself. As if he understood her in a way that even Devon didn’t. His gaze came slowly back to hers, his blond eyebrows drawn tightly together. There was a stunned look in his eyes, a dawning realization that unnerved her as much as it confused her.
She wanted to wrap her arms around herself, wanted to shrink from that strangely comprehensive stare, but she found herself unable to move from his penetrating stare.
“Don’t look at her!” Devon spat, taking a defensive step forward. His shoulders were locked tight, his hands fisted at his sides as his body thrummed with fury.
“I’m going to be looking at her for eternity when I’m done with her.”
All the
hair on Cassie’s arms and neck stood up as Devon released a sound that was part growl, part snarl, and something utterly terrifying. Trying to ward off the chill of terror that swept through her, she wrapped her arms uselessly around herself. Julian started to grin, giving Devon a come here wave with his fingers that sent a thrill of foreboding down Cassie’s spine. Julian had something up his sleeve. Devon seemed to sense the same thing as he did not rush heedlessly back at him again.
Cassie jumped, a startled cry escaping her when a hand seized hold of her elbow. She spun, ready to fight again until she saw Chris and Melissa standing there, their eyes wide with worry and fear as they scanned her ruined, blood stained dress. Another roar filled the air, snapping their attention back to Devon and Julian. This time however, Devon’s attention was not focused upon Julian, but on them.
Mouth parting in alarm, Cassie swiftly pulled her arm free of Chris’s grasp. Devon’s red eyes continued to gleam, his focus centered upon Chris. Trepidation pounded through Cassie, realization hammered throughout her. Devon was so far gone that he would attack anyone he thought might be a threat to her right now. Would destroy anyone that got between him and her.
Swallowing heavily, she held up her hands, trying to ward him off. “No Devon,” she whispered, praying that she could still reach him. “No, he didn’t hurt me. Chris would never hurt me.”
Devon’s red eyes surveyed her, their blood color more than a little disarming. She had never seen him like this, had never known that he could be like this, and she was terrified of him. Even more terrified that he would hurt her friend. She wasn’t sure that she could stop him, not when he was like this, not when he was so far gone. She did not know this person, this creature before her, but she still loved him. She just had to keep him from killing Chris.
Chris released a hissing breath; taking a small step back he pushed Melissa back with him. “Devon,” Cassie whispered, her gaze briefly darting to Julian.
He was still on the ground, his attention focused upon them. Upon her still. If it hadn’t been for Chris, he would be dead by now, but he was not taking the opportunity to run during his brief reprieve. That did not sit well with her. He had to realize that he had lost this fight, why would he stay?
Devon took another step toward them, his intensity still focused upon Chris. Panic tore through Cassie. She could not let this happen. Instinctively, Chris reached for her again, grasping hold of her elbow as he tried to pull her back. Cassie stiffened in horror, knowing that it had been the wrong thing to do, the wrong move to make.
Another bellow escaped Devon as he raced at them, leaping over the debris generated by the brutal fight. A strangled cry escaped Cassie as he launched himself at Chris. Though he had already told her once never to get in between a vampire and its prey, she did not take the time to think about the consequences of her actions. She just hoped that it did not end badly. Cassie stepped in front of Chris, blocking Devon’s attack with her body, willing to die before she allowed him to destroy her best friend. She ducked her head, holding her hands up as she braced herself for the hard blow she knew was about to ensue.
Devon’s body hit hers; his arms wrapped around her as lifted her up, pulling her away from Chris’s hold. His touch was surprisingly gentle considering his frame of mind, and the murderous intent that hummed fiercely through his body. His hands wrapped into her hair, pulling her tighter against him as he cradled her head against his chest.
The tension thrumming through him eased slowly as he buried his face in her neck, his lips running gently over her skin. Cassie stayed perfectly still, sensing the hunger in him, the tenuous hold he had upon his control. The beast was still there, the demon fighting with the man as it struggled to break free once more. Fought to satiate itself upon her. If she moved even a millimeter she was afraid that she would set it free. That he would bite her.
He shuddered; his hand upon her waist became painful. She could feel the bruises that he was leaving behind, but she did not protest, did not flinch away from him. His lips stopped against her throat, pausing over the pulsing vein that was going haywire with her heartbeat. Despite the fear that pounded through her, she could not stop the thrill of excitement that enshrouded her as his teeth skimmed lightly over her, raking her skin ever so slightly.
Cassie’s knees wobbled, threatening to give out. Despite her best intentions not to move, she could not stop her fingers from curling, digging into his back as she fought the urge to press herself tighter against him, offering her vein. Though she wanted this far more than even she had realized she knew that here was not the place. This was not the time.
He would never forgive himself if he took her here, he would blame it on his lack of control. Nor did she wish for Melissa and Chris to see it, and she especially did not want Julian to be there. This was something that she wanted only the two of them to share, something that she wanted to cherish and remember for the rest of her life. And she did not want the memory to involve the hall of her high school.
Yet she did not fight him, did not push him away. He needed her now, and though she was a temptation that he might not be able to deny, she was also the only one that could calm him down. The only one that could reach past the demon inside, and bring the man forth again.
He shuddered once more, his grip eased on her. She tried not to feel disappointed as his mouth left her neck, but she couldn’t help it. His lips brushed over her ear, caressing her lightly. He was back, she could feel it in the marrow of her bones, knew in her soul that what held her now was the man. The man, whose love for her was even stronger than the demon’s desire for her blood.
“Don’t do that again, don’t ever put yourself in front of me again,” he hissed, his hand tightening in her hair as he kissed her forehead roughly. He was still shaken, still struggling to keep a firm restraint over himself. “I could have killed you.”
She shook her head forcefully, hating the self contempt that rang through his voice. “Never,” she whispered. “You would never hurt me.”
He shuddered again, his body shaking with doubt as he clung tighter to her, needing her to ease him. Though he was hurting her again she offered no complaint, she would give him everything, and anything, that he needed.
Devon’s head snapped up, a low growl escaped him as Julian launched to his feet, finally managing to stay on them. Julian’s icy eyes gleamed with contempt as he surveyed them. Cassie clung tighter to Devon, not wanting to release him, needing the safety and comfort of his arms. “How the mighty have fallen,” Julian murmured, shaking his head in disgust.
Though Devon did not release her, he shifted her subtly, moving his body more in front of hers. He cradled her head gently against his chest, but she was not fooled into believing that he couldn’t move swiftly back into attack mode. She knew the only reason he didn’t attack again now was because of her. He was frightened that next time he would not be able to come back, that next time he would be lost, and that he would hurt her.
Though Devon remained holding her, he took a small step toward Julian, his muscles going rigid. Julian flashed a bright grin, flicking his fingers through his disheveled white blond hair. “Now now Devon stay calm, things are just starting to get interesting.”
Fear flickered through Cassie. Julian was too cocky, too sure of himself. He had to be planning something. “What are you talking about?” Devon demanded fiercely.
Julian’s grin only widened, his eyes flickered behind them. The fear turned into full-fledged panic as Cassie realized that he was not looking at any of them, but over their heads. Foreboding stole through her, twisting in her gut, making it difficult to breathe. A new presence reached her, one just as malevolent and cold as Julian, but this one also emitted a jealousy and loathing so thick that it was nearly choking.
Cassie turned slowly, her fingers digging into Devon’s back as she braced herself for what was to come. She was beaten down, wounded, wary but she tried to gather her strength, and her courage. She knew she would need both.
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A woman stepped around the corner of the hall, moving toward them with the eerie grace of the undead. Cassie’s mouth parted slightly, her eyes widened at the stunning beauty of the woman. She was tall, lithe; supple. The black dress she wore swayed gently with her hips and provocative walk. The pale beauty of her face contrasted sharply with the color of her dress and ruby red lips. Her features were delicate, elegant and refined; her cheekbones high, and her nose slender. Dark auburn hair spilled down her back, swaying against her knees in gentle waves as she moved. She looked like a perfect, porcelain doll.
Devon stiffened against her, straightening to his full height as he clung tighter to her. The tension in his body reached a whole new level, anger hummed through him. The woman stopped walking; she lifted a dark eyebrow as she studied them with amused disdain. She had the most stunning, coldest eyes, Cassie had ever seen. They were the color of pure molten gold as they shone brilliantly in the bright light of the hall. Cassie had never seen anything like them before; they were eerily beautiful, yet malicious. Those eyes landed upon Cassie, pinning her to the spot as the full force of the woman’s hatred and disgust blasted against her.
“Forgive me,” Devon breathed in her ear.
Cassie glanced questioningly up at him, but he was not looking at her. Forgive him? Forgive him for what, she wondered in confusion.
His jaw was clenched tight, his emerald eyes flashed with hostility. His gaze was focused intently upon the beautiful woman, his body hard and stiff. “Isla.” His voice dripped icy disdain.
The woman smiled slowly, seductively, revealing her already extended fangs. “Hello lover,” she purred.