Shadowbook

Chapter 17: Dressed to Kill

"Nyx, come... Our prey awaits!" Astor sent me the thought, and I could almost feel his predatory excitement.

I stumbled down the steep hill and into the dense trees. A thick blue mist had settled over the valley, making Umbragard seem even more shadowy and obscure. My night vision hadn't improved much yet, so I could barely see anything. I walked carefully, feeling my way through the forest. "Astor? Astor, where are you? I can't see anything!"

Nearby I heard the loud, high-pitched voices of teenage girls. They were here! How had Astor done it?

"Oh, 'twas simple."

I spun around. "Stop doing that!"

Astor laughed mischievously. His folds seemed to simply dissolve into the mist around him. "Your friends are not here yet, but I am very hungry. Are you going to make me wait longer?"

"I guess not," I said. "I don't want to stand out here in the dark for too long.

Astor grinned, molding his folds into clothing. "Come on. Let me show you how to hunt." He took my hand and guided me out into the glade.

Astor's unblemished porcelain skin looked radiant in the light of the almost-full moon, until he shifted into Conscious form. He casually sat down in the grass and tossed his long black hair out of his face. He drew his black leather journal out from his folds and began to write in it.

I was confused. What was he doing? Did he expect me to join him, or did he once again forget that I was born Conscious and didn't know what I was doing? I didn't want to say anything, though, or I'd ruin it.

Then I heard the signature giggling of girls looking at a hot guy...

Just stay there for now...

It was Astor's voice, in my head! How was he doing that?

As a telepath, I can send you thoughts and we can communicate in our minds.

Cool! The thought crossed my mind before I could stop it.

I'll tell you when to make your move. Your Shadow will know what to do...

Ominous...

"Hey," said one of the girls, daring to step towards Astor. She was Karrine's best friend, Angelika. "Are you single?"

Astor glanced at her and smirked. They are not registering that they are in the middle of a forest at night, he said in my head.

"Don't talk to him Angelika!" It was Karrine! What was she doing here?!

I wanted to see just how dumb they were, Astor responded.

"Why not?" said Angelika. "He's really hot. Look at him!"

"Because he's a creepy Goth!" said Karrine. "Look at him! Remember I told you that—"

Angelika wasn't listening. She continued to flirt with Astor, who was staring at her like a cat. He stood up elegantly. "You are absolutely lovely."

She stepped forward, looking ecstatic. She touched Astor's belly. "He has abs!" she squealed. "Girls, he has abs!"

This is so embarrassing! My prey is typically more— mature, said Astor in my head. But sometimes I appreciate the dumb ones... they're easy to seduce...

And this is why I didn't trust you, Astor!

"Are you girls lost?" he asked the girls.

"Yes. Do you know where we are?" It was Chrissie, one of Karrine's other friends, who has one of the saddest names ever.