Bound by Duty

Chapter One

Last night's dream had been different. More vivid than normal. Even now, as I sat on the picnic table bench on campus, I couldn't stop seeing my father's eyes. My dreams had always been constant and the emotions I awoke with varied from anger, to sobbing, to complete fear. Waking up peaceful was a rarity for me. It was only recently that I could actually recall my dreams hours later. Before, they'd disappear as soon as I woke up. Now, they haunt me.

My hands still ached from clutching the pillow to my chest as I tossed and turned throughout the night. I didn't have to close my eyes to see the scene replay for the hundredth time today. There I was, standing in my living room, nine years old again, wondering which of my father's personalities would take the five steps from his study and turn the corner to stand before me. As soon as I saw his wide eyes, his twisted scowl, and his tense, rigid posture, I knew this night wouldn't end with bedtime stories. So few nights actually did.

I wanted to back away but had learned it only made things worse when I showed my fear. I had to keep myself from searching the room for Rynna. I knew my nanny was gone. It was just me and my father, and he knew. He always knew when I had lost control, as I had just minutes before. Before I could react, he hoisted me off the ground, his palms cupping under my arms. He held me at eye level, his frantic stare making it hard for me to keep eye contact. I was afraid of my father in these moments; in the times where he didn't feel at all like himself and I was nothing but a failure to him. For a split second, I thought I saw his eyes soften and an apology flit across his features, then all I saw was the flash of orange in his eyes before he dropped me to the ground and ran out the back door.

That was the part that made no sense. My father's power source was green. One of the many colors associated with Witch power. Orange was the power of Hunters — of killers — and I'd seen my father release his power enough times to know that he was no Hunter. I was in mid-thought, wondering why my dreams never made any sense, when Bethany plopped down beside me with a, "Hiya!"

Her peppy, southern drawl interrupted my latest round of introspection and I was thankful for it. Bethany was one of those people you couldn't resist talking to. Nice in the most sincere way, even though no one could imagine where all that positivity came from. In her short sundress covered in multi-colored bird silhouettes and her cardigan that she somehow managed to make look fresh and trendy, I wasn't sure how I managed to win the lottery of college roommates. My messy top-knot, ripped Capri, and basic tee weren't winning any fashion awards today, but she probably slept last night. I didn't.

"Hey B. What's up?" I asked as I popped my ear buds out of my ears. I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was dragging me out tonight. Some guy, somewhere, was having a party that we, "Just had to go to!" College was supposed to be a non-stop party, but I didn't drink for fear of losing control, so I generally ended up being the DD. My father had managed to make the words "lose control" into the most terrible, gut-wrenching eleven letters the alphabet could string together, and, so far, I hadn't dared stepping out of line. Even though he was hundreds of miles away, some things just stuck.

"Soooooo," she started off slowly, her accent making it sound more country song and less you're going to hate this. "There's a party outside of town. A bunch of guys have a beach house they rented and it's invite only," she said. Her face was flushing, she was talking fast, and I knew what was coming next. "And... Micah's going to be there!" She almost squealed as she smacked her palms together and looked at me with ecstatic, begging eyes.

Bethany has had a thing for Micah Clair since classes started. I keep telling her that I don't think he's the best news. I get the weirdest vibe every time he's around, but I've continued to listen to her go on and on about his European accent and male model looks.