Infinity: Dawn of the New Era

By Kat Wilson

"Descended of Azaziel, beloved of the damned, she comes in a reign of blood. By the coming of Heavenly Witches she is heralded, a woman with a golden heart, the strength of a thousand suns, and the wings of Death's night, to purge the blackness from another's soul.
"Her Soul Mate, born of the Fallen and impure Warlock's blood, will rise with her, his heart black as Death's Power and his strength unchecked.
"Their Bonding will unlock the Awakened Ones, and their union will set them free. The descendant of Azaziel will be the last of her kind. She is a Dark Angel, a Witch with vast Power and the skills of a Warrior . . ."

Cayden Wheekes, a flame-haired yet shy Lost One, unknowingly stumbles into the grips of her destiny when she receives a tattoo in the form of Celtic wings connected by an Infinity symbol. When she moves from Juliette to Macon, she begins attending a new high school with her stepsisteran outrageously witty and volatile girl named Cassie Stormand is immediately drawn to the Dark Angels, a dangerous and elite group of goths. She soon realizes that the Dark Angels are not what they seem and is confronted by the stark reality of the world.

Immortal beings exist, and she bears the Mark of the Wiccan Race on her back.

In this harrowing tale of love and prophesy, Fate and Death play a game of chance, and Cayden is their pawn. None of her loved ones are safe, not even her Mates, and as a new era of war and destruction begins, Cayden must choose between free will and destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503589476

Kat Wilson

Kat Wilson is an archaeology major at the University of Evansville, Indiana, where she enjoys learning about the ancient past and applying her knowledge to her writings. When she's not in college, she lives in Forsyth, Georgia with her mother and two younger sisters, and spends her days writing, drawing, and playing with her two pet cats, Platy and Mr. BE.

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Copyright © 2015 by Kat Wilson.

Library of Congress Control Number:      2015912070

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5035-8949-0

      Softcover      978-1-5035-8948-3

      eBook      978-1-5035-8947-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 07/30/2015

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Part One:   The Lost One

Prologue

1.   Breaking Point

2.   Psychoticness

3.   A Strange New Day

4.   The Mark

5.   Explanations to Interrogations

6.   Insanity Plea Incorporated

7.   Unpleasant Surprises

8.   Gentle Acts

9.   Marked

10.   The Hunter Approaches

11.   Blood and Iron

12.   Anguish

13.   A New Plan

14.   The Vow

Part Two:   The Dark Angel and the Bane

15.   Murderous

16.   The Tale of the Fallen Angel and Her Warrior

17.   Change of Plan

18.   Dance with the Devil

19.   Instinct

20.   Initiation

21.   The After-Party

22.   Goodbye

23.   Love and Life

24.   Shattered

25.   Death

Part Three:   The Hunter of Hunters

26.   Moving On

27.   Blessings

28.   Unleashed

29.   A Rising Dawn

30.   Time Marches On

31.   Fading

32.   Confession

33.   The Darkest Angel

34.   The Master of Fate

35.   Shadows

36.   The Key

Part Four:   The New Society

37.   The Black One

38.   Healing

39.   Decisions and Revelations

40.   The Heart of a Warrior

41.   The Gift

42.   An Evil Thrill

43.   Tortured Souls

44.   A Battle of Wills

Part Five:   The Black One and the Queen of Witches

45.   Poppy Seed Bread

46.   Hope

47.   A Flippant Nature

48.   Read the Runes

49.   Pure

50.   Deals with Death

51.   Sweet Dreams

52.   Plans and Failure

53.   Akadia

Part Six:   The New Era Begins

54.   The End

55.   War Party

56.   The Summoned Angel

57.   The Mother Tongue

58.   Final Hours

59.   The Voice

60.   Infinity

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Glossary

For my family—

Fate is cruel, but we’ve persevered.

Thank you for always believing in me.

PART ONE

The Lost One

Some say the end is near.

Some say we’ll see Armageddon soon.

I certainly hope we will.

—Tool, Ænema

PROLOGUE

Long have I, the goddess Fate, watched the world of Immortals, dictating how they live, who they love, and when they die. I have worked alongside other gods—Death, Destruction, and even God Himself—throughout time eternal to ensure the continuation of mortals and Immortals alike, sometimes against the Creator’s wishes. All I do, I do for the greater good.

But the time has long passed when Immortals reigned supreme over the earth. The New Era is fast approaching, and with it, the dawn of the war mortals call Armageddon. For several centuries Death and I have worked tirelessly to provide the Immortal Races with fierce leaders and strong Mates, but without someone to govern all of the monarchs as one unit they will fall regardless of our efforts.

Death and I are playing a dangerous game, a game that will determine who survives—God’s creations or Lucifer’s legions.

This is the beginning of the end, and I can only hope that my children have the strength and courage to confront a fate that not even I can See.

March

1

Breaking Point

I’m going skiing this weekend with my parents, so if you need me call my cell.

Josh gave the girl beside him a cursory glance. She was short, with dark pixie-cut hair. Andi was fifteen but looked to be about eight. Cayden never ceased to tease Josh about that. Josh grit his teeth, trying to get Cayden out of his head for once. He took Andi’s hand. Andi smiled up at him.

Are you going to survive two days without me? she teased lightly. Josh repressed a wince. Could he?

Josh forced a smile and stepped off the curb, striding towards his bus. Andi kept pace, almost running to match Josh’s long strides. Josh stopped in front of the bus where he knew Cayden could see them.

I’ll be fine, he lied easily. Andi never doubted him. Or maybe she didn’t care. Have fun skiing.

Okay! Andi got up on her tiptoes. Josh rolled his eyes and leaned down, hugging her small frame. He kissed her on the cheek and let her go. Andi gave him a quizzical look before comprehension flickered in her eyes. She glanced at the bus, then back at Josh’s passive expression. She huffed angrily and walked away.

Josh groaned in frustration. The long-standing feud between Cayden and Andi was complicating his life almost as much as Andrea’s—

Josh shook off those thoughts. Otherwise, he’d have to hit something. Hard. He boarded the bus.

As he’d suspected, Cayden had ducked down in her seat. Jezibell Beth sat in front of her, gazing listlessly ahead as she listened to her MP3 player. Josh vaguely wondered if he felt like messing with her today. He shrugged. Eh, why not? He walked down the bus aisle to where he sat across from Cayden, setting his bookbag in the seat. He glanced over at Cayden, motioning for her to move over. Oddly enough, she wasn’t angry; she was laughing. Josh raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment on it.

He sat beside her in the seat, gazing coolly at the back of Jezibell’s head. He slowly reached over the back of the seat. His hands cracked together an inch from Jezibell’s nose. It had the desired and undesired effect. Desired—Jezibell squealed, jumping half-way out of the seat and twisting around with a terrified expression. The undesired effect—when she saw Josh she went on the offensive, her brown eyes sparking with fury.

"Josh!" she shrieked, her hands curling into claws.

Time to go, Josh muttered. He grabbed Cayden (who was now roaring with laughter) and jumped back into his seat as Jezibell took a swipe at his face. You missed! he taunted, grinning at her furious expression. Jezibell growled at him.

I’ll get you, she snarled menacingly. Josh just smiled. No doubt she would.

Cayden tried to get up as the bus lurched into motion. Josh grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back down beside him. She winced, looking away. What? You’re gonna get me in trouble, she mumbled.

Josh had noticed the pain that flashed in her eyes as he pulled her down. Not again… he thought. You’re not going anywhere, he muttered, glancing over at Jezibell. As of now you have become my shield.

Cayden groaned. "Don’t you think maybe I need a shield for once?"

Josh felt cold inside. He looked at Jezibell. She had heard Cayden. She was pale, no longer angry; she knew. Josh looked back at Cayden. He gently tucked her under his arm, careful to make sure that nothing he did caused her pain. Her cheeks flamed red, but she moved closer to him anyway.

Cayden was half a foot taller than Andi, still petite but a lot stronger. Her hair was long and a lovely flaming red color, her eyes a startling amber. Her skin was pale; she never tanned, just burned. At sixteen she was more mature than almost everyone else Josh knew. She had to be, with an alcoholic dad and a step-out mom. She lived with her father, which had taught her to be strong and fierce no matter how badly she needed to cry. Josh had known Cayden before Natalia Wheekes left her husband, leaving Mark Wheekes an alcoholic mess and Cayden as his punching bag. Back then Cayden had been light and more than a little naive. Now, her laughter was rare and her smiles were bitter. She had grown up too fast. Thankfully, this weekend would be the last she spent with her father; she would be moving to Macon to live with her mother.

If she left, she would be safe, but if she stayed she would likely get hurt again. If she stayed, Josh would have some cornerstone of peace; if she left, he would lose his mind. Josh pushed away his frustration over the matter. She was more important than his problems.

So, he began, getting his thoughts back in order. What was so funny earlier? You know, other than me scaring the hell outta Jezibell.

Cayden’s full lips parted in a smile. Just seeing how far you had to bend down to give Andi a hug made me crack up, she laughed. Josh frowned.

The bus made several stops before Cayden’s driveway came into view. She had long since drifted off against Josh’s side. Having her in his arms was different from holding Andi; Andi was little more than breakable, but Cayden damn near gave Josh a heart attack from worry that he would crush her. These days that seemed all too possible. He gently nudged her away. She looked blearily up at him for a moment.

I don’t want to go home, she mumbled. Then she stood with her bookbag in tow and dismounted the bus. Josh watched her walk up the driveway, feeling emptier the farther away she got.

Soon it was his turn to get off. He walked up his driveway, the cell phone in his pocket seeming to weigh him down the closer he got to the porch. It was nothing compared to the dark confines of his room. He dug the phone out of his pocket and opened the message that had made his day a living hell.

Andrea had been Josh’s first girlfriend. His first love. They had been happy for several years. Then they weren’t. Andrea left him. To this day Josh didn’t know why, or what he did wrong. He’d clung to the hope that one day she would come back to him, but after today he had to face reality.

She wasn’t coming back.

Josh sat on the edge of the bed, staring across the dark room at his reflection in the dresser mirror. How funny… he thought. Andi hadn’t seen the turmoil in him. Neither had Cayden. No one had seen it. It was funny that no one could look at him and tell that he was dying on the inside. No one could see the agony that threatened to capsize him.

His phone slipped from his hands, making a soft clunk as it hit the floor. No one had cared to see the darkness within him. That just makes everything clear, now, doesn’t it? he thought bitterly. He felt numb. Numb was good—it meant no regret for what he was going to do. It meant no fear, no hesitation. He got on his knees beside the bed and reached beneath his mattress, his fingers curling around the butt of his pistol. He pulled it out, the metal cold and heavy in his hand. He didn’t look at it. He didn’t think about it. What more was there in his life, other than misery and a few good nights with a girl he didn’t want? What more than the agony of causing strife between two girls he cared about deeply? What more than making one friend betray another?

He was a poison to those he cared about. Better just to end it now than keep causing pain.

He put the gun to his head.

Cayden frowned as she stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. She couldn’t put a finger on it, but something was off. Something was wrong. She bent at the waist to grab her night shirt off the floor and instantly regretted it. She fell to her knees on the bathroom floor, clutching her side and gasping for breath as pain shot up her side and throughout her chest. She blinked back tears at the pain.

Damn, she thought. She curled into a ball and shivered. Her dad had done a good job that morning when he’d landed that kick against her side. It had been a powerful kick—hard enough to knock the breath out of her and bruise her muscles quite horribly. She stood and dropped her towel and turned to her reflection in the mirror. She looked at her side and felt the biting sting of tears in her eyes. The skin all along her side was black and blue, sometimes red in places. Oh yes. Her father had done well.

She looked away from the ugly bruise and turned from the mirror. She quickly pulled on her clothes, carefully tugging her shirt on with minimal pain from her ribcage, and ran a brush through her unruly hair. She sat on the floor and leaned back against the shower, closing her eyes and sighing tiredly.

Luckily she was a fast healer. The bruise would be gone in a matter of days, but the muscle damage was another matter entirely. She had a sneaking suspicion that the muscle fibers were overstretched. If so, then the pain would last a lot longer than the bruise. She was resigned to that; she was used to it.

Cayden was no stranger to pain. She had been her father’s punching bag for a long time, and had learned to accept the pain with silence. She had forced herself to be strong. She had made herself an immovable wall of stone. She closed her eyes, remembering what had happened that morning.

She had been in the kitchen making some coffee, blinking the sleep from her eyes. Her dad was passed out in the recliner, a bottle of whiskey clutched in one hand and the TV remote in the other.

She’d ignored him as she began her morning. She always did. She kept to her morning ritual: make coffee, drink it, get dressed, leave the house and go to school. Never wake her dad, and never try to hide the alcohol. She had learned that lesson early on.

She’d reached into the cabinet to get a cup for her coffee, and all hell broke loose. The cup slipped from her fingers and shattered on the linoleum floor. Her dad lurched to his feet.

What happened afterwards was a blur. Cayden only remembered being shoved onto the floor. She had tried to pick up the pieces of the shattered cup, silent as ever as her father screamed at her. Apparently he had found her silence insulting. His foot had landed against her side with the full force of the former running back’s kick. Cayden had collapsed at the impact; gasping for breath and feeling a peculiar numbness run down her entire right side.

Through it all, she didn’t make a sound.

Her father eventually got bored and stomped to his bedroom, slamming the door shut before collapsing into bed. Cayden lay on the floor for what seemed like hours as she caught her breath. Then she got up and threw away the pieces of glass from the cup, got dressed, and left the house. She told no one, yet Josh had seemed to know what had happened when he held her earlier that afternoon.

Josh…

He was hurting as well. Not physically, but emotionally. Cayden had heard about the hateful things Andrea had said to him. She knew how much Andrea had meant to him; they had fallen apart so many times because of his love for that traitorous girl.

Cayden sighed. Josh was a traitor to himself. His affection for Andrea would be his undoing. Cayden had tried countless times to steer him away from her memory and into a new and better light, but Josh was as stubborn as he was handsome. His stubborn pride would only keep bringing him pain. Eventually Cayden’s efforts would be ignored altogether and Josh would put a bullet in his skull.

The sense of wrongness Cayden felt grew stronger at the thought. She stood and quietly went into her room, pulling her cell phone out of her jacket pocket. She quickly dialed Josh’s number and held the phone to her ear, silently praying.

God, please let him be alright… she prayed.

Josh didn’t answer. She quickly redialed, feeling her heartbeat accelerate at an uneven pace. Please Josh, please pick up. She heard a click.

… Hello?

Cayden sighed in relief, placing a hand over her heart. She sat on the edge of her bed somewhat unsteadily. Josh? she said shakily. "Are you alright?

Silence. No. Josh’s voice was strained. No, I’m not okay, he rasped.

What do you need? Cayden asked softly, silently begging him to let her help. Just for once.

Josh was silent for a while. Can you… come take this gun out of my hand? Before I do something stupid?

Cayden’s heart jumped into her throat. She looked at her alarm clock. It was nearly seven-thirty; her dad should be passed out by now. I’m on my way.

Josh hung up his phone, astounded. Cayden had been the one to save him from himself. How often had that happened?

Too often, he thought.

He sat in silence as he waited for Cayden to appear, glaring down at the black gun in his hand. That girl always seemed to interrupt his plans. She had been right all along about his fixation on Andrea, along with a few other things. She was always there, protecting him from his own pain and suffering.

Don’t you think maybe I need a shield for once?

Josh winced and looked down at the floor, suddenly ashamed. He was weak. He should have been protecting Cayden like she had been protecting him. Instead he had taken advantage of her kind-hearted nature. He was just as bad as her father, if not worse.

It seemed like forever before he heard Cayden’s footfalls pounding up the staircase. He tensed further as his bedroom door flew open and banged against the wall, leaving Cayden standing in the doorway with a guarded expression. He looked into her eyes and felt, for the first time in a long time, helpless. Cayden’s expression softened. She moved towards him slowly. Josh watched her as she knelt in front of him. She laid a steadying hand on his shoulder, keeping her gaze locked with his as she reached out with her other hand and gently took the gun from his palm.

Josh felt the weight of the pistol leave his hand and sighed in… relief? Disappointment? He wasn’t sure. His shoulders sagged as shame consumed him. He became aware of Cayden flicking the safety on the pistol before she set it to the side. He looked at her wearily as she took his hands in hers.

Josh?

Her voice was soft and slightly urgent. Josh looked at her, feeling hollow inside. What?

Cayden pursed her lips. I heard about Andrea, she said softly. I’m sorry.

I told you so. She didn’t say it, but she didn’t have to; Josh heard it bouncing around inside his skull, a constant taunt.

Josh shot to his feet and paced across the room, running a hand through his hair. You don’t have to act like you care, he growled. I know you’re glad that I’ve had the truth rubbed in my face.

He knew his words were bitter and sharp, like tiny daggers. He knew he was hurting Cayden. But he couldn’t find the will to care. He halted mid-step and looked at Cayden when he heard her sharp inhale. She was using the bed as a support as she got to her feet, clutching her right side as her face went deathly pale. Josh felt a prickle of unease run down his spine, and he vaguely wandered just how badly she was hurt. He looked into her eyes and, seeing the unmistakable pain, his rage spiked. Her eyes hardened in defiance as she stood and faced him.

Don’t pretend to care, she snarled fiercely. Josh flinched as she tossed his own words back at him. I’m here to help you, she said softly, her amber gaze softening.

Why? Josh’s voice was harsh to his own ears.

You know why.

I love you.

She didn’t say it, and she didn’t have to. She had told him only twice before of her feelings for him, and nothing he had done to push her away ever seemed to dissuade her of those feelings. He knew there were things that would drive her away once and for all, but he could never bring himself to hurt her that way. Jezibell had on several occasions threatened to tell Cayden those things, but Josh always made Jezibell see it from his perspective. One way or another.

Josh shoved aside his anger, leaving him feeling the same emptiness that had urged him to just end it all. He sat on the edge of his bed, unable to understand why he didn’t feel anything more than a slight affection and fierce protectiveness for the girl standing before him. She was the only girl he’d ever known to stay by his side, despite all the hell he caused, and yet he felt no deep love for her. All his love belonged to Andrea.

He sighed in defeat and held out one arm. It was a moment before Cayden sat beside him. Josh carefully wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning against her as gently as possible. He rested his forehead against her shoulder—if he didn’t see her face it was easier to pretend. She wasn’t as strong as Andrea, nowhere near as affectionate. She didn’t smell of vanilla and soft musk. Her voice wasn’t as soft, and most definitely not sultry. She wasn’t as bold or brave.

A single tear rolled down his cheek. She just wasn’t Andrea.

But she was all he had.

2

Psychoticness

Cayden’s thoughts upon waking were muddled and confused. Her pillow didn’t smell of vanilla and chocolate, but of a pleasant cologne and wintergreen mix. Her bed was much too comfortable, more like a cloud instead of a box spring mattress. The blanket covering her wasn’t black, but blue. She couldn’t hear her father snoring from the living room. She couldn’t hear the TV blaring.

Where the heck am I? she thought.

She heard a door slam far away. Cayden became even more confused as a woman’s voice sounded from another room; her mom never came inside the house, if she even stopped by at all. And she wasn’t supposed to be there until later that afternoon to get Cayden. Maybe she’d overslept?

Josh? Why in God’s name is Cayden in your bed?

Cayden’s eyes flew open as the previous day came flooding back to her. Hearing about Andrea’s hateful message to Josh, seeing the sadness in his eyes on the bus home but not knowing how to ask him if he was okay, calling Josh to see if he was alright… Then the long hours they sat in silence, Josh falling into an exhausted sleep before she could finally find some semblance of rest.

Oh my God, my dad is gonna murder me! she thought, bolting upright. She dug in her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. Jezibell picked up on the first ring.

Wazzup? she asked. She sounded like she had been awake for a while now, which could only mean she was hyper.

Jezibell, I need a favor.

Sure. Need a body buried? A place to hide the murder weapon? A new passport and a lift to Mexico?

Jezi!

Sorry. What do you need?

Just… help me out, okay? Cayden pleaded, exasperated. And follow my lead. She hit the send button on her cell phone and typed in her dad’s number. When he picked up she quickly pressed the send button again, linking Jezibell into the call.

Where the hell are you?! Cayden’s father shouted. Cayden cringed. He was drunk. Majorly drunk. You know you can’t just leave home without asking, and then spend the night out!

Cayden sighed. I know, Dad. I’m at Jezibell’s. She texted me yesterday and she needed someone right then. I stayed here to make sure she was okay.

Her father was quiet a moment, obviously trying to put all those words together into one coherent thought. Put Jezi on the phone.

Cayden held her breath as Jezibell hesitated. Hello? Jezibell finally said, her voice altered to sound like she’d been crying. Cayden smothered a grin; Jezibell was so good at this.

Is this Joseanna?

Jezibell, sir. Yes, sir.

Is Cayden with you?

Yes, sir.

Fine. Put her back on the phone.

Cayden shook her head, giving it enough time for Jezibell to supposedly hand off the phone. Sir?

I’ll let you slide on this one, her father warned, but I want you home by twelve. Understand?

Yes, sir. Her father hung up. Love you, too, Cayden muttered. Jezibell burst out laughing.

Damn, Cayden, she giggled, what have you been doing? Where ya’ at?

In Josh’s bed. That silenced Jezibell. Cayden sighed. Look, nothing happened, but Josh was really upset yesterday. He was gonna blow his brain out, I had no choice.

It was about Andrea, huh? Jezibell sounded angry. That bitch pisses me off. It’s not enough that she broke his heart; she has to be so cruel to him. It’s like she’s punishing him for no bloody reason. I hate sadists like her.

Cayden smiled wryly. This coming from the person who repeatedly held a spider over an open flame, just to imagine its little shrieks of pain?

Bite me. Cayden laughed. So, I’ll talk to you later, okay? You can call me once you get settled at your mom’s.

Cool. Cayden hung up, more panicked than before. She hadn’t told Josh that she was moving. How would he react? He may not care for her anywhere near as much as he cared for Andrea or Andi, but Cayden was one of only two friends that Josh had managed to hang on to. And Cayden knew Jezibell wasn’t stable enough to help Josh in situations like the one last night. She groaned, flopping back on the mattress. She winced at the stab of pain that went through her ribs. Just effing perfect.

Josh walked in then, leaning against the door frame. Cayden looked at him, feeling her heart skip a beat. Josh was handsome, tall with deep brown hair cut short and hunter green eyes, beautiful against elfish features. His skin was deeply tanned. The myriad of scars on his hands and wrists were stark white by contrast. It made Cayden hurt to see those scars, no matter how often she saw them. Josh crossed his arms over his chest with a smile. It didn’t quite reach his eyes.

I finally get you in my bed and you’re still a virgin, he mused. Cayden blushed but shrugged.

You can’t win them all, she said mildly. Josh smirked.

My mom is cooking breakfast. She wants to talk to you. Cayden paled. She had met and spoken with Josh’s mom on several occasions, but never after an incident like this.

What do I tell her? About last night?

Use your imagination.

Cayden rolled her eyes, leaving Josh’s too comfortable bed and making her way to the door. Josh smiled at her. She snorted and shoved him out of the way, walking down the stairs towards the kitchen.

Adelle Wyvern was leaning against the counter, watching a frying pan of sausage as it cooked. Cayden stopped in the doorway, suddenly aware of her own disheveled appearance as opposed to Dr. Wyvern’s pristine form. Given a fitful night of dozing in and out of consciousness, you’d get a bad hair day and extremely wrinkled pajamas. Adelle, on the other hand, was freshly made up in crisp white scrubs and light makeup. She was a doctor at a hospital in Macon, and usually worked nights. She must have gotten in around seven and checked on Josh—and by default, Cayden—before making her weekend grocery run and coming back to confront Josh.

Cayden groaned inwardly and walked into the kitchen. She sat on a bar stool at the island, chewing her lip nervously and clutching her ribs to ease the pain—apparently she had slept on her side most of the night. She sat there in silence for a while, watching Josh’s mother as she flipped the sausage and poured batter into the waffle iron. Adelle finally turned and gave her a once-over. Cayden blushed and looked down at the island’s flat surface, feigning interest in the dark wood patterns.

You look like hell, my dear, Adelle said softly. Cayden looked up, surprised by the motherly tone. Adelle smiled a soft smile and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms over her chest.

Crazy day, Cayden said, her voice cracking. Crazier night.

Adelle pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow. Well… I’m going to ask you three questions, and then you can have some waffles. Does this sound fair to you? Cayden nodded warily. Adelle smiled softly. First of all, did you have sex with my son?

Cayden flushed bright red and had to stifle her urge to laugh. N-no ma’am, she spluttered, wishing she could just sink into the floor.

Adelle raised an eyebrow. You can be honest with me, Cayden, she said seriously. I wouldn’t punish you for it if you did; I’d just suggest you be careful.

I’m on birth control. The response was automatic, which further proved how nervous Cayden was with the conversation. Adelle shook her head.

That’s not what I mean. She turned to remove the waffles from the iron, then poured some more batter on it. She turned back to Cayden with a grim smile. You of all people know how damaged my son is. He hurts others without realizing it. I just want you to remember that before you decide to be in a serious relationship with him, okay?

Cayden nodded, feeling the blood recede from her face. She knew very well what Josh was capable of. She remembered the rage and violence she had seen in his eyes the previous night, remembered the volatility of his emotions. She had been afraid, very nearly terrified, of him. I know what he’s like, she said softly. I’ve been around him for the past few years.

Adelle smiled grimly. I’m just reaffirming my point. She started another batch of waffles. Second question: how badly are you hurt? Cayden flinched under Adelle’s stern gaze.

I’m fine.

Adelle pursed her lips, anger sparking in her eyes. It’s that bad?

Cayden sat silent for a moment, going pale. She finally stood and raised her shirt from her right side, exposing the horrific bruising. Adelle paled and approached Cayden slowly. She reached out and lightly touched the bruised flesh. Cayden hissed in a breath as the sharp pain shot across her midsection and jumped back. Adelle’s eyes blazed angrily.

Again? she said sharply through her teeth.

Cayden looked away, flushing angrily. She carefully pulled her shirt back down and got back onto the bar stool. Adelle went back to the waffle iron, her shoulders stiff. There was a long silence. Cayden stared down at the wooden surface of the island, cursing herself in her head repeatedly. If she just hadn’t dropped that cup… If she hadn’t awakened her dad…

Too late for ‘if’s… she thought.

Are you really, truly better off with your mother? Adelle asked softly. Cayden looked up at her in surprise. Adelle was considering her with a guarded expression. Cayden frowned.

Of course, she murmured. Why wouldn’t I be?

Your mother is not the best person in the world. She is in many ways still a teenager. Don’t you think it would be better if you had a more responsible person to look after you? She turned off the waffle iron and the stovetop. There is also the matter of your safety. That school you are attending is known for gang activity, as is the neighborhood you will be living in.

Cayden shrugged; what Adelle was saying was nothing new to her. I’m used to taking care of myself.

Adelle sighed. That’s what I’m worried about, she muttered. Cayden’s eyebrows fell in confusion. Do you at least have help packing?

Cayden nodded. My friends Mini and Gabe are helping me. They’ll be at the house around noon.

Good. Adelle smiled slightly and set a plate of food in front of Cayden. She lightly touched Cayden’s shoulder and walked away.

Cayden picked at her waffles, feeling neither empty nor full. She felt suspended in space, as if she wasn’t really there at all. Everything was happening at a breakneck pace—her father’s explosive anger the previous morning, Josh’s heartbreak, moving into her mom’s house in a few hours, starting a new school on Monday… It was too much, too fast. She was exhausted.

She pushed away her plate and pillowed her head on her arms on the island-top. She closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep. A few moments passed. A large, warm hand settled between her shoulder blades. She looked up at Josh, forcing a smile to her lips. Josh’s eyes were dark, his expression unreadable.

Are you okay?

Cayden rolled her eyes. How many times am I going to be asked that? she grumbled. Josh gave her a hard glare. She sighed. I’m perfectly fine. I’m just tired.

Josh frowned. He sat on the stool beside her and gave her a dark look. You need some rest, he said gruffly. You’ve been running like a steam-engine for nearly two days straight.

Cayden shrugged and winced. I’m fine, honestly. Once I’m settled at mom’s— she cut off, realizing too late what she had been about to say.

Surprisingly, Josh didn’t seem angry. He gave her a knowing look. You’re moving in with her today. Cayden blinked. He knew? He smiled as if reading her thoughts. I’ve known about it for a month. Jezibell spilled her guts the last time she was hyper.

Cayden groaned and mentally smacked her forehead. Leave it to Jezibell to spill the beans and not tell Cayden about it.

Josh smiled slightly. I’m glad you’re going.

Cayden felt a mixture of anger and hurt and sadness well up within her at Josh’s words. Just so you don’t have to put up with me saving your ass, she said softly.

Josh pursed his lips. You know that’s not why. Cayden rolled her eyes. Josh leaned close. I am truly grateful for what you did last night, he whispered. I am also very sorry. I should have been there for you, not the other way around.

Cayden jerked in shock. Josh had never apologized for anything. Ever. She sat upright, giving Josh a look of disbelief. He frowned.

Is it really so hard for you to believe that I’m not a total ass? he grumbled.

Cayden snorted. Umm… Yes.

Josh leaned closer to her. Cayden held herself still as Josh’s wintergreen breath mingled with hers. Let me prove myself, he whispered. A small measure of hope rose within Cayden. Give me one more chance with you to prove that I’m not a complete waste of time.

Cayden felt herself smile. Josh smiled his cocky smile, the one that had always made Cayden’s heart melt. How would it work? she asked carefully. I’m going to be in Macon, and I doubt I’ll get to see you much.

Josh grinned. I have a car, he replied, carefully ruffling her hair. And I don’t have anything better to do on the weekdays besides driving out there to see you. He cocked his head to the side. And you’ll be eighteen this coming Friday, won’t you?

Cayden knew what he was thinking. She blushed bright red as she remembered the promise Josh had made her a year or so ago. Yes, she said shyly. I will be.

Josh grinned like a Cheshire cat. Would you allow me to fulfill my promise?

You still want to be my first? Cayden heard herself ask. She flushed a deep shade of red.

Josh chuckled. Of course. He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Cayden’s lips. She froze in shock. Josh pulled back with a smile. I intend to keep this promise, he said offhandedly. That is, if you’ll let me.

Cayden swallowed and looked down shyly. You know my feelings for you, she said quietly. I want to be with you more than you know. She looked up into Josh’s hunter green gaze. I’ll let you carry out your promise to me.

Josh grinned. I won’t let you down.

Cayden smiled and sighed, glancing at the clock on the stove. Crap… She slid down from her seat and sighed. I have to get home. Dad will kill me if I’m late…

Josh’s eyes blazed with anger. Do you want me to come with you? I could keep you company until your mom picks you up.

She shook her head. I’ll be alright. She smiled slightly. Mini and Gabe are coming over to help me pack. I’ll call you when I get to mom’s, okay?

She walked out of the kitchen and grabbed her shoes from Josh’s room, then walked back downstairs. Josh was waiting for her by the front door, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

Thanks for not telling my mom, by the way, he said softly.

Cayden smiled at him. No problem.

Josh carefully folded her into his embrace. Cayden’s heart soared in happiness as she breathed in his scent and enjoyed the warmth of his arms around her. She lived for moments like this.

Josh let her go, and she left him standing in the doorway as she went to face her fate.

3

A Strange New Day

Don’t be so nervous, Cayden, Cassie said cheerfully, flipping her long, curly blue-black hair over one creamy white shoulder. Security has gotten better with the installment of the bicycles; no one has been shanked for like a month.

Cayden stared at her step-sister in disbelief. The girl was tall and willowy, with her hair all the way down to her butt and her eyes a shimmery ice blue. She was a flamboyant person, a sort of timeless beauty that constantly drove Cayden up the wall with her extreme humor and constant pranks. Add in the fact that she was mad as a Hatter and ruthless to boot, and you had someone every sane person feared. Most men, however, were crazy about her; she was a prostitute among other things.

Bicycles? Cayden choked. Cassie grinned.

Yupp, bicycles. The hall monitors ride them up and down the hallways between classes to keep an eye on things. She tapped her chin thoughtfully with one long, perfectly manicured nail. It’s actually quite unfortunate when one takes a ride down the stairs…

Cayden blinked. Cassie grinned and led her into the front office. An elderly woman looked up at Cassie’s approach and pursed her lips. No doubt she wanted to say something about Cassie’s clothing choice—a miniskirt with a red halter-top—but kept her mouth shut. Cayden admired the woman for that.

I need Cayden Wheekes’s schedule, Cassie said authoritatively. The old woman’s gaze flicked over to Cayden, giving her an assessing look. Cayden flushed a little at her scrutiny. The woman gave Cassie a slip of paper and turned away to flick through a buildup of papers on her desk.

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Cassie smirked as she walked out of the office. Cayden hurried to catch up, pausing beside Cassie in the hallway as people ran back and forth through the hall on their way to class.

Let’s see… Cassie muttered, looking over Cayden’s schedule. Cayden looked over her step-sister’s arm at her schedule, frowning. Hmm… Well, they took you out of Honors Math.

Thank God! Cayden sighed. That class was killing my GPA.

Cassie chuckled. It’s weird though; it looks like all your classes are with—

Yo, Cassie!

Cayden and Cassie looked up at the voice that rose above the crowded hallway. A Gothic sort of guy stood at the end of the hall, waving at Cassie. Cayden watched a predatory smile curl Cassie’s lips and groaned inwardly. Cassie handed Cayden her schedule and started walking towards the Goth.

Hey! Cayden cried indignantly. Where are you going?

Cassie grinned over her shoulder. Boys’ locker room, she replied with a wicked gleam in her eye. Cayden watched in disbelief as Cassie took the Goth by the arm and dragged him around the corner.

She’s that open about her job?! Cayden thought.

She shook her head and looked at her schedule. Her first class was Algebra 2 with Mrs. Whit, room 348. She looked up from her schedule, trying to find any indicator of her whereabouts. Damn, she muttered, finding nothing. She decided the best thing to do was walk down the adjacent hallway to get her bearings.

The crowd began to thin out as she made her way down the hall, studying her schedule with a frown. The bell rang and she cursed. She shifted her books to her other hip—her muscles on her right side still hurt like a bitch, though nowhere near as badly as they had Friday and Saturday. She sighed and started running down the hallway, mentally cursing Cassie each step of the way. She careened around a corner, desperate to find some marker of where she was or anyone who could help her, and collided with a dark Goth head-on.

Shit! he growled as Cayden bounced off his body and nearly fell flat on her butt. He caught her right arm to steady her. Cayden gasped as that accursed sharp pain shot up her side and across her middle. She clutched her side and doubled over, leaning against the wall. She bit her lip to keep from crying out.

Show no weakness, she thought. Not in this new place, not in front of this stranger.

Watch where you’re going you— he stopped mid-sentence, finally seeming to notice Cayden’s distress. There was a short silence. Hey, are you okay?

Cayden steeled herself and looked up… and up. The Goth was over six feet tall and muscular, though he seemed to be somewhat lithely built. And he was gorgeous. His skin was pale, though nowhere near as pale as Cayden’s. His face was angular, his jaw strong and squared. His lips were full and sinful, his eyes a startling violet with sky blue flecks. His lashes were long, almost feminine, his eyebrows arrogantly arched. And his hair… Cayden had the urge to run her fingers through it. It was down to his chin, cut in a shaggy, bed-head sort of way, the color blacker than the darkest night with a few strands that were (dyed?) red but strangely unnoticeable. His shoulders were broad, his waist thin but no doubt well-toned. He wore a leather jacket, like the Goth Cassie had run off with, with a black hoodie beneath and black with silver chains dangling from the belt loops.

All in all, he was beautiful. And dangerous. Something in Cayden could sense a sort of power emanating from him. Maybe it was his eyes, the way they seemed to glow as he looked at her?

She shook off her unease. It was just her imagination. She straightened very slowly, wincing a little as her muscles screamed in protest. I’m alright she said carefully. She gently rubbed her side. I just had the breath knocked out of me.

He frowned. Sorry about that, he said softly, as if he was trying not to frighten her away. His voice was almost like velvet, deep and soothing. He stooped to gather Cayden’s books and her schedule. He looked over the slip of paper for a moment and his frown deepened.

Cayden Wheekes? he said, almost to himself. He looked up at Cayden, his head tilted to the side. You’re Cassie’s sister?

Cayden rolled her eyes despite herself. Yeah, I am.

The Goth grinned and Cayden’s breath caught. He truly was beautiful. "Let me guess—she was supposed to escort you to class but got ‘distracted’?"

Cayden smiled sardonically. Yeah, you could say that. She sighed, glad when her ribs didn’t ache as badly. I’m trying to find my first period class.

He handed her the schedule. It’s the same as mine.

Can you help me? Cayden asked hopefully, blushing a bit. He frowned a bit.

Actually, I was skipping today. He considered her for a moment. But, since Crazy Psycho Bitch has abandoned you I’ll be glad to help you out.

Cayden sighed in relief. Thanks.

He smiled. No problem. He held out one hand. I’m Daniel Vanderbilt.

Cayden took his hand, noting how calloused it was and how it engulfed her own small hand. Nice to meet you.

Daniel smiled. The pleasure is all mine. He let go of her hand and gave Cayden her books. She balanced them on her hip, suppressing a wince as her muscles ached. She forced a smile.

Daniel gestured down the hallway, in the direction Cayden had been coming from. First of all, he said smoothly, our class is in the opposite direction.

Cayden blushed, feeling like a complete moron. Oh.

Daniel grinned and began walking in that direction. Cayden nearly had to run to keep up with his long stride, noting his confident and rolling gait. He moved like a predator. It sent chills down Cayden’s spine, but she ignored it; she was getting worked up for no reason. She was just uneasy because she was in a new place, with no familiar faces around her. She followed him up a flight of stairs, stepping carefully to avoid jarring her side, and down another series of halls. He arrived outside one classroom on the left and turned to smile at her.

Welcome to Hell, he said with a gleam in his eye. Cayden shivered uneasily.

Daniel held open the classroom door and gestured her forward with a slightly mocking bow and a wry twist of his lips. Cayden entered the room, blushing to the roots of her hair as she felt every eye in the room fixate on her. Mrs. Whit approached her with a wary expression, her gaze flickering between Cayden and the Goth behind her. Cayden’s shoulders tensed as Mrs. Whit’s expression went from wary to disturbed.

Ms. Wheekes, I presume? she asked, her voice a mousy sound that some would find comical. Cayden suppressed a smile and nodded. The older woman smiled forcibly and gestured to the class. Introduce yourself please.

Cayden felt like dying as she turned to face the twenty or so staring faces. Daniel had gone to sit amongst a group of boys who wore the same leather jackets he did. Cayden couldn’t help but notice how beautiful each of them was, though Daniel was undeniably the loveliest of them all. Each had their eyes fixed upon her, a few of their gazes wavering between Daniel and her.

There seemed to be a lot of that going around.

Cayden nervously cleared her throat and forced a smile. Hi, she said inadequately, trying not to meet anyone’s gaze. I’m Cayden Wheekes.

Silence.

Cayden took a deep breath. If anyone wants to know anything just ask, she said wearily, because I don’t want to say the same inane stuff all day.

Daniel chuckled. Cayden looked at him, feeling her face turn blood red. A small girl, smaller even than Cayden, raised her hand with an eager expression. She was petite and