Ashes

His mouth curved in a smile as the brave woman he knew reappeared. “I’ll leave the window open for you.”

“It wouldn’t stop me anyway.”

She grinned at him; her hands gently cradling his face as she pressed a chaste kiss on his lips. Heat flooded through him. He wanted more, so much more.

He pulled quickly away, before he couldn’t. It would be so easy to get lost in her, but there was too much to take care of right now. “I’ll see you soon,” he whispered.

She nodded, gently stroking his face for a moment more before she released him. Devon turned on his heel, frustration boiling through him; he was hungry for so much more than blood. His gaze fell upon Chris and Melissa standing in the doorway. Melissa was smiling softly; Chris was still wound tight as a bow string as he stared hard at Devon.

CHAPTER 5

Cassie gathered her books from her locker, resisting the urge to slam it shut. Ever since she had become the social leper of the school, she had received more whispered comments and nasty asides then she had ever thought to hear in her life. She tried hard not to let them affect her, but it had been a long day, and her defenses were wearing thin.

Straightening her shoulders, she held her chin high as she turned back to the whispers and stares. Ignoring it all, she made her way down the hall, wishing that she couldn’t hear the things they were saying. They had all heard about the attack in the woods, but for the most part, they were not relieved that she had survived. The bitter anger that surrounded them, and the hate directed at her was beating her down. They were especially angry about the fact that she was here, while Marcy was still in the hospital, and probably would not be getting out until tomorrow.

“Cassie.”

She braced herself, her hands tightened upon her books as she turned toward the sound of the soft voice. The girl standing behind her was staring up at her with wide hazel eyes. They were heavily outlined with eyeliner and mascara that brought out the gold flecks within them. Her short hair had been dyed a blood red color that stood out at spiky angles around her pretty, heart shaped face.

The girl looked vaguely familiar, but Cassie was too tired, and too drained, to place her. “Danielle,” the girl said, taking obvious pity on her. “We met in the bathroom a couple weeks ago.”

Her overwrought mind finally recognized the girl. Dani had been kind enough to give Cassie some towels when she had freaked out over Devon’s arrival at school. It was hard to believe that she had ever fought against the bond that connected them, that at one time she had fled from the changes she knew he would bring to her life.

Changes that she now relished in, but had been petrified of before.

“Oh, hi Dani, I’m sorry I just… well I’ve just been out of it lately.”

Dani’s smile was knowing and sad as she glanced around the hall. Students went out of their way to avoid walking near Cassie, and none of them did a good job at muffling the “sluts” and “freaks” that they dropped as they moved past. Cassie fought the urge to start punching them all, or just walk out, but she would not give them the satisfaction of seeing her snap.

“I understand. I heard about what happened in the forest, I’m glad to see that you’re ok.”

Cassie’s eyes widened in shock. No one, other than the teachers, had bothered to ask her if she was ok. No one had cared enough to, and she was fairly certain that most of the female student body wished that she had died so that they could have a crack at Devon. She would like to think their hatred of her was because of the strong appeal Devon had told them about yesterday, but Cassie knew that it had always been there, bubbling just beneath the surface. The girls had been looking for any excuse to turn against her. And the boys of the school hated her for turning them all down, but accepting Devon. Especially since Devon made them all feel a little awkward, uncomfortable, and self conscious.

“Thank you Dani.” Dani smiled knowingly at her, reaching out to touch Cassie’s hand gently. Cassie glanced nervously around the hall, noting the attention that their interaction received. “You might not want to be seen with me though,” she said softly, knowing that the girl would receive some backlash for speaking to her.

Dani glanced around the hall, nodding as she noted the stares. Dani gave a small wave of her fingers to Julie Jenks who turned quickly away. “I’ve never cared what these people thought of me, and believe me Cassie, being on the outside is better. You don’t have to play by their rules all the time.”

Cassie couldn’t help but smile at the small, eccentric girl. “I suppose you’re right.”

“I’m always right,” Dani declared forcefully.

“Is everything ok here?”

Devon appeared suddenly at her side, his emerald eyes fierce as he stared hard at Dani. The girl colored as she ducked her head shyly. Although Dani was one of the few that did not hate her, apparently she also had a crush on Devon. Cassie quirked an eyebrow in amusement, Devon’s eyes burned questioningly into hers, his body tense as he prepared to defend her. Something he had been doing far too much of lately.

“Everything’s fine,” she assured him. Though he relaxed subtly, he still seemed weary of Dani. “Devon this is Dani, she was just making sure that I was alright.”

He relaxed even more. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Dani’s face was bright red as she thrust her hand out; she kept her head bowed, unable to look Devon in the eye. He shot Cassie an amused look before gently taking hold of her hand. “It’s my pleasure,” Dani muttered.

Dani pulled her hand swiftly away, the heat in her face spread down her neck. Cassie felt sorry for the younger girl; she knew how overwhelming Devon’s presence could be. “I um… I should be going,” Dani stammered. “I’m glad that you’re ok Cassie.”

“Thank you Dani.”

She turned, hurrying swiftly away before disappearing into the thick throng of students. “Where did she come from?” Devon inquired softly.

“I met her a few weeks ago, when you first arrived.”

Devon nodded, his arm slipped easily around her waist as he pulled her tight against his side. She melded against him, loving the feel of his hard body. Warmth erupted in tingling waves that swamped her from head to toe. She pressed tighter to him, her hand resting on his chest as she dropped her head to his shoulder. The strength and comfort he offered pushed aside all the nasty comments and looks of the day. It helped strengthen her, buoying her confidence once more.