Illuminatus (The Girl in the Leather Jacket, #2)

By Catharina Shields

Lola and her new group head for Bel Air to liberate Andy's mother, but a redheaded Vamp swoops in and snatches him out of her Ghia. A fight ensues and they struggle to free him from the redheaded vamp's talons. Now she understands that they're far from ready to confront dangers of that scale because if they can't even best a regular vampire, how were they going to face the powerful Ridleys? Forced to postpone the rescue mission, Lola concentrates on training her rag-tag group of witchy-dudes and to get them to get it together, because she's discovered that the formidable Ridleys aren't the only enemies they have and who want them destroyed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Catharina Shields
• Release date: Mar 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311894915

Catharina Shields

{PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LIST OF MY AVAILABLE E-BOOKS} I've always enjoyed storytelling, ever since I was a child. My love for storytelling has evolved from hand-drawn comic strips, to creating hand-puppets - "Meemies and Fluffies" - for my younger brother and sisters' morning puppet show, to writing stories in longhand in spirals armed with only a Penmate pen while battling a stiff hand and dreaming of a day when I'd finally own a typewriter. Today, in my peaceful Southern California home near the mountains, I can't go a day without my computer and I now enjoy storytelling via my e-books, specializing in mystery, drama, Young Adult and paranormal romance. If you've read one of my books and like them, please leave a review, good or bad, and add me as a favorite author {a single click on a button to your left is all it takes}. Remember . . . reviews are tips for Authors.

Book preview

Chapter One

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With the Ghia’s top down, the night air blows wildly through my hair. The black crow’s feather twirls frantically against my ear, but I don’t really register it. My mind is still stuck on tonight’s events.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the simple feather Andy gave me two weeks ago, and what had prevented serious damage to my physique when he suddenly became a huge wolfbeast, had now become my lucky charm. Who would’ve thunk it? I sure as hell didn’t.

So…does that mean—and make—Andy my lucky charm?

Hm. Food for thought.

I glance briefly off to my right. Andy’s sitting pretty quietly in the passenger’s seat. Come to think of it, he’s been quiet ever since we left the Hollywood sign. I guess he has a lot to think about, too. I hear his thoughts, and they sound frantic, panicked, and confused. I hear his voice in my head, but I can’t really make out the words.

I turn my attention back on road and return to my own thoughts with a mental sigh.

To recap, after what had happened at Brandon’s house, I had hurried home, snuck out with my Ghia before Manning could see me, and took off with Andy to get back to Bel Air before the Cotillion was over. The plan is to get back there as fast as I could in order to rescue Andy’s poor mother.

The abuse I had watched her suffer wasn’t something I’d wish on my worst enemy. Well, that’s not entirely true. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody outside the Worst Enemies list in my head—a list, by the way, that was growing by the hour. It wasn’t that what was bothering me, though. It was the sadness I saw in the she-wolf’s eyes back at the Ridley’s fortress. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it, and I just know I’ll never get any rest until I rescue her from those uppity vampires.

I can’t explain it, but it was as if I could experience the full weight of her sadness inside myself. It was as if I could taste it, physically feel it, and spiritually get hurt by it. That look in her eyes reached deep down inside me and gripped my soul, telling me that she was terrified…and tired. Very tired. I guess she was done being the alpha female and she was ready to retire. She was definitely exhausted from all the degradation and abuse she was made to suffer, so I couldn’t blame her. Hell, I’d be worn-out, too.

So, since I didn’t want to lose too much time before I could get back to Bel Air, I didn’t bother to change. I’m still wearing the cotillion gown with that long train. It isn’t the kind of gear a girl—or vampire—should ever wear on a rescue mission! Just to refresh, clothes are very important to me. They’re my life.

They’re usually the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about before I close my eyes. So I wouldn’t blame you if you’re guessing that I was in too much of a hurry that I didn’t really have time to change, and that would be the reason I’m still wearing this fancy gown. But you’d be wrong.

First off, I just figured, since I’m still wearing this sick dress and I didn’t really want to say sayonara to it just yet, why not incorporate it into this impromptu rescue mission and use it as a clever disguise? Remember, the Cotillion is still on-going so I figure it wouldn’t be a good idea to draw attention to my person among the other guests when I return. This is supposed to be a stealth operation: in and out without too much brouhaha and/or witnesses.

And, okay, I’ll admit it…I really, really like the dress. I should be tickled pink at the moment…but I’m not. What rained on my parade isn’t the fact that I’m about to embark on a dangerous mission that could very well put my person in danger. No, at this moment, that wasn’t what was bothering me.

Kurt was. Yes. Kurt, my pet rat.

What I couldn’t have known up until he revealed himself after I’d come down from the Hollywood sign, was that my much-too-clever pet rat had decided to become a stowaway. He’d been hiding in the Ghia back at the house as if he knew I’d be back for it, which prompted me to briefly wonder if he was some sort of psychic rat. Is that even possible? Can rats be psychic?

Anyway…Andy was the one who found him. I guess I can kind of, sort of, understand my pet rat’s out-of-character behavior. I guess Kurt’s been missing me since I haven’t been spending as much time with him as I used to on account of these hectic days. Well, that’s my story and, for now, I’m sticking to it.

As I sit calm, cool, and collected behind the blood-red steering wheel, driving as responsibly as I could so I wouldn’t attract any unwanted attention—as in, from cops—I can feel Andy stealing glances my way. Even though I don’t show it, I can feel his curious eyes burning holes in my cheek. I damn well know he has a lot of questions that he was dying to ask me, but I’m guessing that he hasn’t gotten around to it because he hasn’t made up his mind which ones to ask first.

I can sense his confusion. Hell, I can hear it. It’s been a confusing night for me, too, so I can relate. And Andy didn’t expect this little trip to Bel Air—something that was pretty last minute for me, too. The idea that it would be a good idea to rescue Andy’s mom from slavery just hit me out of the black. Yeah, that’s exactly how I saw her situation at the Ridley’s fortress: slavery.

As I think of Andy, I can’t help but admit that his confusion is kinda sorta cute. Andy is kinda, sorta cute, too. I guess it’s because he just is—maybe more so since he’s no longer forbidden fruit to me, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I wonder why no other girl has hurled herself at him all these years. Then a thought hits me and I speak before I think.

I’ve never asked you, Andy, but… I pause, suddenly not knowing how to say what I wanted to say. Damn it! Can’t I just keep my mouth shut and think first??

Yeah? he presses me.

Um…nevermind.

It’s okay, you know, he says. You can ask me anything you want.

I sense he wants something—anything—to take his mind off of whatever it was that was bothering him.

I dunno, I say, shrugging my shoulders. I don’t remember what I wanted to ask you anyway so just forget it.

My tone must’ve discouraged him from pressing me for my question because he just stares at me for a few moments—until I turn my head and arch an eyebrow at him. Then, and only then, does he direct his gaze out in front of us again.

Then I notice Kurt on Andy’s shoulder. The little rat was just chillin’, content as could be. He really seems to like Andy, though, and that’s got to be a good sign that Andy’s good…people. Kurt doesn’t like anybody but me. Kurt has never been chummy-chummy with anyone in any way, especially not with Maggie and most certainly not Alice who is, consequently, terrified of him.

Kurt usually keeps himself invisible when strangers are around, but not with Andy! He’s been on Andy’s shoulder ever since we drove away from the Hollywood sign. I guess he agrees with me and thinks my friend is special, too.

I suddenly frown when I get this sudden feeling of…betrayal. I glance over at the big white rat with the black leather jacket on Andy’s shoulder, suddenly thinking what a little traitor Kurt’s proving himself to be. Andy catches me looking in his direction again and notices my expression. He’s frowning curiously now. I just hope he doesn’t go whoa.

Okay, he finally speaks up. So what’s up? What’s this about going— He suddenly pauses. Where to, again?

Bel Air.

Yeah, he says with a nod. Bel Air. Then he frowns curiously again. You said it was to, um, meet my mom?

Yeep.

How do you know who my mom is?

I shrug. I just do.

You’ve never met her before, he reminds me. How do you know what she looks like?

I don’t answer and let that hang in the air. I don’t know how to tell him that I’d met her and that she was a werewolf/Ridley guard dog, and that the only reason why I know it was his mom was because of her eyes. He has his mother’s eyes. I know it sounds impossible to know that, just by looking at a person’s eyes, but it’s just the way it happened. But how am I supposed to tell him something like that without sounding lame?

Ohhh…right, he says in dawning, thinking up an answer for himself—and bailing my behind out at the same time. Or, at least I thought he had. Must be some special vampire psychic power you’ve got. He nods.

I turn an incredulous look his way.

What? he asks, surprised by my expression.

"Vampire psychic power?"

I dunno. He shrugs. Is that impossible then?

I open my mouth to say yes, but then I think about it for a moment. Hm. Is it impossible? I mean, considering the fact that I know my powers are still evolving and growing stronger, might Andy have a point? Anyway, in this case, he guessed wrong. I didn’t need vampire psychic powers to know that the she-wolf I saw on the Ridley grounds was his mother. I just needed to look into her eyes and see his there.

No, it’s not impossible, I guess, I finally admit. I mean, I don’t know the full extent to what I’m capable of yet, but considering some of the awesome things I can do already it wouldn’t be farfetched to think I have some sort of psychic power, too.

He nods. So, he begins, is that how you found out that my mom is in Bel Air?

No, I say, and immediately give myself a mental kick. It would’ve so much easier just to say yes! It would’ve at least stopped all those questions.

But you’re sure she’s there?

How about letting up with the questions and tell me about her first? I suggest.

Can’t you just use your psychic powers to get the answers you want?

Andy, I sigh, exasperated. I never said I had psychic powers. I said it wasn’t an impossibility since I’m still experiencing evolving vampiric powers.

Now I’m really confused. If you don’t already have psychic powers, then how do you know how my mother looks like and how do you know you saw her in Bel Air?

Can you stop with the questions already and just tell me about her? I say, irritably.

He shrugs. There’s not much to tell. She took off years ago when I was still a really young kid. She abandoned us for no reason whatsoever, and she’s never looked back. That’s pretty much all there is to that story.

There’s got to be more than that.

There would have been had she made an effort to stay in contact. I mean, she’s never even called or sent us a single birthday card. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I guess she was tired of being a mom and just wanted to get away so she can forget she’s one.

One what?

Mother.

Or you can be totally wrong, I suggest. I mean, there’s the possibility that she couldn’t contact you and the fam because of…things beyond her control?

That’s an easy cop-out. Don’t buy it for a single second, he says testily.

I arch an eyebrow his way.

Well it is, Lola, he defends, flipping a wrist. Look, if she really wanted to contact us, she’d find a way. But I guess she didn’t think we were worth the time or effort—or a forever stamp for a postcard.

What’s a forever stamp? I ask. I had no idea what the heck that was!

You don’t know what a forever stamp is?

Would I be asking if I did?

He sighs. I guess not. Anyway, a forever stamp is a stamp that the post office issues.

Duh. That still doesn’t tell me anything.

Well, since they have been raising the prices of stamps, and customers were getting pissed off finding out that the stamp they bought just a week prior has gone up a couple of pennies, making them buy a penny stamps or they couldn’t send their letters, the post office just decided to issue forever stamps that, even though the prices go up, you can still use that stamp you’ve bought for the old price. Pretty ingenuous, don’t you think?

Convenient.

So I take it you’ve never mailed letters before?

Nope. Never had any need to.

That’s right. You have servants doing that for you.

I arch an eyebrow at him. They’re not really servants. At least, not in the traditional sense.

He looks at me. Are they, um, like you?

You didn’t notice the unusual attention you were getting from Alice that one time you were at my house, then?

He frowns as he recalls that visit. Yeah, I guess. Then he looks at me. So, I was, um, in danger?

"I thought you were, I tell him honestly. But that was before I knew about that beastie inside you."

Hm. He nods.

Anyway, I say, back to the discussion about your mother. I see, out of the corner of my eye how disgruntled he looks. He was hoping to distract from that conversation but I ain’t gonna let him! You shouldn’t assume that your mother didn’t want to contact you just out of not wanting to contact you. She might not have been in any position to. Ever thought of that?

No.

Well, maybe you should start thinking about that possibility now.

Don’t have any reason to, he says. What I’ve got is the best explanation for why she abandoned us and left us for dead.

"Or, I emphasize, maybe it’s because you want that to be the best one you can come up with."

Or maybe, it’s the damned truth! he gives back. It’s not as if I have a lot to go by, you know?

Wow, I say. You’re really touchy about that subject, aren’t ya?

Yeah, whatever, he says, shrugging again, making Kurt bounce on his shoulder. The poor little traitor looks at me with big red eyes as if to peep, help. Pff. Fat chance.

Maybe you should ask yourself why exactly you’re so angry, I say. Do a little personal introspection or something. It just might help you understand how you really feel about her, I suggest. I sensed that Andy’s bitter anger sprouted from a wounded heart. I just reasoned that if Andy really didn’t care about his mother, he wouldn’t get so riled up about talking about her.

I don’t need anything or anyone to tell me how I really feel about her, Lola, he grumbles with a bitter tone.

I know he’s not really bitter. Angry? Yes. Bitter? No. I sense he’s actually very sad inside. Yeah, maybe I sensed that because of some vampire psychic power or some other special vampiric power that’s developing inside me, but whatever it was, I was able to pick up on his mood—the very one he’s trying so hard to hide behind an annoying attitude.

Hell, I’d be more than just a little sad if my mom left me without a good-bye. I’d be downright pissed! But despite what he thinks—and I really won’t tap into his mind right now because there was so much sadness there at the moment that I can do without—his mother didn’t leave. She was taken. And tonight I hope to take her back—with the help of the Illuminatus dudes trailing behind us as we make our way down the dimly lit roads.

I decide to drop the subject and look in the rearview mirror at our little convoy. I see the headlights of Brandon’s truck and Ben’s car. They’re a little too close for comfort. They need to back up before they rear-end me on these badly lit roads.

Damn! The City should put more street lights up around here. Not that I need light to see, but the dudes in the cars behind me don’t have my night-eyes and I’m pretty damn sure they’re squinting like crazy behind the steering wheel. I don’t want them careening into my completely restored Karmann Ghia! I swear if they do, I’ll go berserk on them before I pay the Mayor a visit in the dead of night and convince him with a no-nonsense warning to invest in some extra streetlights!

Can you see with those really black shades on? It’s pretty dark around here, Andy says, doing his best to defuse what he believes to be an escalating argument—one that’s only in his mind. He was also trying to make peace with me—which isn’t necessary because, again, that escalating argument is only in his mind.

Yep. I can see clear as day.

Whoa. That’s cool.

Jesus. There’s that annoying whoa.

I’m pretty sure you can, too.

He frowns. But I can’t.

I turn my head and look at his curious face. But then something hits me, and I pause. Andy’s long blond hair is blowing around his handsome face as if in slo-mo. He’s got excellent bone structure, too. Then I realize he’s staring right back at me and I suddenly get flustered and feel those butterflies fluttering in my tummy. Good thing I don’t really blush.

Anyway, I say with a shrug, trying to regain my cool, that’s pretty strange considering what you are.

I can feel how those words kind of bother him. Yeah, he mumbles. What I am. Then he takes a deep breath. Maybe I only have special eye sight when I change into that thing.

That thing being a werewolf, you mean?

"Yeah. That thing."

"Well, that thing that you are, is the only reason why we’re still friends, so if I were you, I wouldn’t be so dismissive about it. Besides, it is a big deal."

He frowns at me. What do you mean by that?

Well, I begin, not everyone can morph into a powerful werewolf—

—No, he says, cutting me off as he shakes his head. I mean, what did you mean by my being a werewolf is the only reason why we’re still friends?

What? You didn’t get it that, for your own safety, I was trying to push you away all this time? Tell me you’re not that thick in the head.

I’m not that thick in the head, he dutifully says and grins when I give him a lopsided smirk. Anyway…yeah. I did notice.

Yep, I know you did.

But…what does my having a were-thing inside me have anything to do with you not wanting to be my friend?

No-o-o-o… I drag out the word. "It’s because you’re a werewolf that I can be friends with you. Get it now? Or did you miss the for your own safety part?"

No, I got it and get it, he said with a thoughtful frown. You were trying to push me away because you were afraid you’d pose a threat to me what with me being human and vampires and humans not mixing. But now that I have a supernatural creature inside me, you’re no longer afraid for my safety and we can still be friends. He looks at me. Right?

Damn! The dude was sharp. Except for, maybe, refusing to admit that he didn’t have a werewolf inside but, instead, was a werewolf. He refuses to believe that it’s a large part of him, perhaps even larger than his human side.

Something like that, I say.

I guess that’s the plus side of my having this supernatural creature inside me then, he says. "I really wouldn’t like it if we couldn’t be friends