Bloodlust (The Blood Series #1)

Chapter 42

  "Santa Claus is coming to town", Andrea sings and dances like a crazy person on her first day back after they released her from the hospital. I shake my head at her but smile nonetheless. She danced her way out of hospital, too, when I and her parents went by to pick her up this morning before school. Her doctors stared at her worried like they were having second thoughts about releasing her. Her parents were still talking with said doctors while Drea fled the scene dragging me with her. Her parents let me drive her car to the hospital so I could give her a ride home from school. They didn't think she could be trusted with driving just yet. As if Drea who seems to think that GTA's driving rules apply to real life as well would drive any better when she hasn't just gotten released from the hospital...

Drea has been ridiculously happy to be back at school. I understand that it must have been boring to lie in the hospital for a month but this seems a bit extreme. My usually pretty grumpy best friend smiles at everyone all the time and won't stop humming Christmas carols. I love her like a sister but it's still annoying. I glare at her but she just smiles even wider and keeps humming. I give up and instead ask her if she'd like to go some other place to eat lunch and celebrate her return. We know the way to sneak off school grounds so that we won't be missed.

We are in the middle of deciding where to go for lunch when she starts screaming with delight because it's snowing. She starts dancing again her victory dance right there in the freezing cold weather as we are walking from one building to another. Unfortunately this time she forces me to do it too. I refuse at first but then she plays the I-was-in-the-hospital-for-a-month card and I have to agree. We're in the middle of an awkward waltz mixed with salsa mixed with disco dance when we hear an unpleasantly familiar voice say:

"My God, she just got out and she's already back on the drugs?"

I turn around to see our dear friend Missy Cadogan and her brat pack standing on the sidewalk staring at us.

Drea glares at her. "You evil little Bible bitch I've had it with you. I know you've been messing with my best friend while I was away. You mess with my Haley again and I'll freaking end you."

Missy smirks at her. "Ooh, am I supposed to be scared now?" she asks condescendingly and her idiotic followers obediently snicker like a pack of well trained dogs. I grimace at the sound.

"Yes", Andrea simply replies and before any of us can even capture it she has already grabbed the slushie someone walking by us was carrying and dumped it on Missy. I can't figure out why someone would want a slushie in this cold ass weather but I'm very grateful that they did because this moment is simple precious. I join in when the people Missy has put down most of high school start to cheer. For once school is kind of awesome.

Now covered in blue slushie Missy screams profanity at Drea who simply stands there looking innocent. Someone notifies the teachers and Mrs Goddacker comes running. "What is going on in here?" she questions as she finds the human popsicle Missy, her atrocious friends and me and Drea standing in a ring in the middle of the schoolyard.

"She threw a slushie at me!" Missy yells pointing at Drea and all of her friends nod along.

"No, I didn't", Drea surprises them by saying.

For a second we get to enjoy their utter confusion until they start yelling again: "Yes, she did!"

"I didn't see anything like that", I join in to defend my best friend. "We were just standing here like model students and then she started screaming at us. It has all been very dramatic."

Mrs Goddacker looks at us for a second and then she looks at the other students around us questioningly. "Did anyone see Ms Giorgio throw a slushie at Ms Cadogan?"

There is a chorus of nos and lots of heads are shaking even though every single person in the yard knows who dumped that slushie on Missy Cadogan. Sometimes I just love the people at my school. They can be an annoying lot, spread rumors and what's worse, believe them but sometimes when you need them they do come through.

Missy and her followers look enraged. "They are lying!"

"Well, I'm sorry, dear, but I can't punish anyone without proper witnesses. And those proper witnesses can't be your round of friends, Ms Cadogan", Mrs Goddacker reminds when Missy is about to protest. "Now I suggest all of you ladies try to make it to class in time and without any more incidents."

Mrs Goddacker starts to walk away and if I didn't know better I'd say that I saw her grin too. I guess preacher Missy isn't all that popular among the teachers, either. As Mrs Goddacker walks away leaving Missy and her followers boiling with rage Drea and I high-five each other and a couple of other people when Callum shows up.

"Drea!" He doesn't wait for her to tell him no, he just grabs her and hugs her tight like she's the most precious thing in the world for him. Drea is completely stunned at first but then she fastens her arms around his neck and leans on him too. I smile at them and I'm about to leave the scene when I hear my name being called.

"Hey, Haley... uh, can we talk?"

I look to my left and find Troy there. "Um, yeah, sure. But let's talk while we walk because I can't be late to any more classes", I urge him. Now that Oliver has left the school I have been able to concentrate on school much better but my teachers have made it clear that they haven't forgotten my tardiness and absences from earlier in the year. I need to work harder from now on and focus on school more.

"I'm kind of just checking in on you. We haven't really talked since that whole compulsion thing went down", Troy says and I'm instantly reminded of the time Nathan nearly choked Troy. I sure know how to pick my boyfriends.

I nod and try to smile to stop him from worrying about me like I know he already does. "Yeah, I'm fine, just been crazy busy." With my demon boyfriend's homicidal brother getting released from a supernatural prison and whatnot.

"I've noticed. But you're okay though, right?" Troy asks then and looks for me for reassurance.

I nod. "Yeah, I'm okay. Now that Drea is back everything feels just better."

"Good. And uh, Hales?" he says and I glance at him upon hearing his hesitant tone.

"Yeah?"

Troy looks even more awkward now. "He treats you right, doesn't he?" he asks after hesitating for a whole minute.

I smile. "Yes, he does."

"Okay. Then I guess I'll try to be happy for you", he says sweetly and gives me a small smile in return. It must be hard for him to say that and even though I don't need his blessing it still feels good to hear that at least from one person. When Troy wants to he can be really sweet and thoughtful. How ever cliche it may sound I hope we remain friends.

A bundle of warm Christmas spirit flushes over me and I give Troy a spontaneous hug. "Merry Christmas, Troy", I whisper to his ear.

I feel him smile. "Merry Christmas, Haley."

I spot Nathan over Troy's shoulder. He looks at me right in the eyes as if to say what the hell are you doing? It's not a possessive stare, it is simply worried one. And a little jealous. I let go of Troy and run to catch up with Nathan. Screw that whole thing I said about really trying to be on time from now on, I think as I pass the classroom I should be in.

"Nathan, wait", I call out as soon as he's back in the hearing range.

He spins around and even without powers the movement is so fast that it makes me gasp. "Why were you with him?" he asks, accusation clear in his voice.

I draw a quick breath. "Because he wanted to talk", I reply although I don't want to feel like I need to justify my actions to him. I understand where he's coming from but we were standing in the middle of a crowded schoolyard. Nothing would have happened.

Nathan snorts. "I'm sure he did."

I shrug, trying to act casual so Nathan will see that there was no danger. "We were in public. I was as safe as I could be."

He shakes his head. "It's not just that."

"Then what is it?" I challenge. I don't like to be told who I can and cannot hang out with. Troy is a sensitive acquaintance for me to have but I'm not just going to drop the boy I've known all my life as a friend just because my new boyfriend tells me to. I'm not one of those girls whose boyfriend can just boss them around. Not me, not ever.

Before Nathan can respond a third person pipes up: "Ah, lookie here, dolly. It's the star-crossed lovers in the flesh."

Out of thin air before us has appeared a man surrounded by shadows. My inner alarms go off as soon as I lay eyes on him. This man is evil, truly and purely. His soul is as dark as night and I have to stifle a shudder just looking at him. The air around him is somehow heavier than anywhere else in this hallway.

Nathan doesn't seem one bit happy to see the man. "Alastor."

The man tilts his head to the left and then his eyes bore into mine. "So this is the teeny tiny Seer who has been causing us so much trouble", he mutters. "Now, tell me, child. What is so special about you? Why does everyone want a piece of you? My old buddy Oliver seems to be - dare I say it - hellbent on taking you with him. And our hero Nathaniel here wouldn't kick you out of the bed either. So what is it? Is it just because you're a Seer? Or is there more to the story?"

Nathan scoffs. "Yeah, there is: she's a good lay, too. Now run along", he says to me sounding so uncaring that I get chills. I try not to flinch at his words because I know he's just trying to protect me. He obviously thinks that if he seems uninterested in me Alastor won't get any ideas about me. But Nathan should have learned by now. Separating us doesn't work.

Alastor chuckles lightly. "Now, now, that is no way to talk to a lady. Even when you're just trying to protect her. You can't lie to Hell, Nathaniel Blood - we know all about dirty little secrets. And a Blood loving a Seer is definitely a secret that will make us take notice."

Nathan drops the act and less than discreetly pulls me closer to him. "Then what do you want?"

"I am here as a favor to your father. He wanted to remind you that your presence is much needed in the gathering tonight. Be there or be square..." Alastor says tauntingly. "In my opinion your daddy should take a parenting class if he needs me to scare you into coming."

Gathering tonight? Boy, that does not sound sketchy and alarming. Not at all.

Nathan arches a brow. "And you just had to tell me that at school?"

Alastor looks around absentmindedly. "Yes, I guess this is a school. I've never understood why you Earthlings bother with this abomination. Humans are just ghastly on their own. In groups they are just... insufferable. The whole concept of people learning together in one room simply horrifies me. Why can't they just learn things on their own?"

"Not that I don't enjoy discussing the educational system with Hell's finest but why don't you get to the actual point already?"

"And so rude, too. I'm not sure if I have anything pressing to say anymore. Let's see now", Alastor says. He pauses and looks pensive like he's trying to remember a list he has written of his today's activities. "I was supposed to tell you that you need to be there tonight, inspect your lovely girlfriend/Seer and then threaten you. Oh, of course. How silly of me to forget!"

His smile vanishes and he sticks out a hand that sizzles like the skin is on fire. He grabs Nathan by his throat and pushes him against the wall, his hand burning white hot into Nathan's skin. I let out a yelp and jump to help Nathan but he struggles out a hoarse command: "Haley, don't... Don't."

He doesn't want me to charge Alastor. I stop at my feet and hide my arms in the sleeves of my coat. They are already flaming with blue.

Alastor ignores our brief exchange. His eyes are blazing with fire, actual fire that covers his entire eyes. When he speaks he no longer sounds even remotely human. He bellows: "If you ever try to mess with Hell again you won't have to open the gates of Hell... we'll bring Hell to you."

Then like a snap of fingers he lets go of a groaning Nathan who staggers but remains standing. I contain my anger towards the messenger boy from Hell and simply take a hold of Nathan's arm to help him stand.

"Okay, now that we've gotten through all that ugliness I must go now, my master is waiting for me and he does not like waiting. Nathan, if I was you I'd probably put some healing cream on that seeing as you are no longer able to heal yourself. In any case, I hope to see you both at the New Years party. Until then..." he says and disappears.

I turn to look at Nathan after the last of Alastor's shadows has disappeared. "So what's tonight?"

"I can't say. It's Blood business."

I nod even though hearing the phrase 'Blood business' makes my blood boil. I hate that he can't share that part of his life with me. I probably would rather not know what they do anyway but whenever he says that he can't tell me it creates an air of secrecy and makes me feel like he doesn't trust me. I know that it's not like that, I've seen the consequences of him telling me things he shouldn't have with my own eyes. But it still hurts a little to feel him shut me down.

Being the smart boy he is Nathan changes the subject. "I was going to ask you to come as my date to the New Years party we are throwing at my house but if he's coming..." he says and huffs in annoyance.

I grin. "I'd love to come as your date."

He lets out a wary sigh. "Haley..."

"No, don't 'Haley' me. Nathan, we can't keep living in fear or they win. All of our enemies want us to worry abut them and to keep living in their chess game. But I'm done being afraid. We are going to go to that party and we are going to have a fabulous time, I just know it."

Nathan stares at me with a pensive look in his green eyes. I can only imagine how many worst case scenarios he has gone through in his head before he cracks a smile. "So you really want to go to a party hosted by demons, attended by demons and lead by demons?" he asks teasingly.

I so did not think this one through. All-demons party? I'll never make it out alive! "Well, now that you put it that way..." I start to say but he chuckles and pulls me in for a bear hug.

"Worry not, I'll protect thee, my fair maiden. Even without my powers", he says then and his face falls as he starts to think about it. He's really struggling with losing his powers. I feel bad for him but don't know how to console him. I don't even know what all of his powers are because he won't tell me due to some weird demon rule or whatever so it's pretty hard to be sympathetic when I don't know what I'm talking about. He could be able to turn into a unicorn for all I know!

"Can you turn into a unicorn?" I hear myself ask. That filter tho.

Nathan groans. "Okay, let's go, crazy woman", he says and lets go of me to go to class.

I chase him down the hall and yell: "So is that a yes or no?"