Shot: A Novel

Chapter Ten

                                                                       -Ares-

     I follow the fading path of Dilan and Aphrodite's auras. It leads me to a home in Sierra Springs. I sense a vampire here as well. I feel Dilan's aura head back to Pollock Pines but I do not feel Aph's leave. I turn back towards the house and try to get closer without being seen. There were enough trees to hide me until I got underneath a bedroom window.

     I looked inside to see Aph curled up in a ball on a king-sized bed shaking. I try to get closer but then the bedroom door opens and a tall dark-haired guy walks into the room. I try to hide while still watching. She flinches when he gets near her. He whispers something to her, I cannot hear what he said to her or her reply but I heard his response.

     "Better start liking being here and stop fighting me because you are never leaving Venus." The man yells at her then leaves slamming the door behind him. Aphrodite screams and starts to cry. I felt so much pain radiating off of her and I knew I had to get the others and get them here to take her away from the vampire kidnapper. I turn around and take off ripping my shirt in the process. As I lift myself into the air I feel torn leaving Aphrodite with that monster but I couldn't do it on my own. I made a promise that no matter what with back-up or no

                                                          •Three Days Pass•

                                                                   -Rachel-

     "You said she was this way? Where the hell is this way?" I turn around and ask Ares. He sighs and Sean rolls his eyes at me. I start to growl but Pol hugs me to calm me down.

     "Yes, Aph is this way. The house is on the edge of Sierra Springs." Ares tells me in a calm voice. I wonder how he stays so calm around us. I mean no matter how cruel I treat him, no matter how often Sean tries to strangle Pol he stays calm. Even after Aph went missing he is calm. It is official, I hate him.

                                                               -Aphrodite-

     I sit down at the kitchen table, not really paying attention to much. I stare at my hands in my lap as I listen to Ian wandering around the kitchen making me another unnecessary meal. I have refused to talk to him in the past few days. All the things I wish to tell him would have me screaming at him, demanding for him to let me leave.

     But those words, the words I am constantly replaying in my head, he would ignore. I sit and think, not hearing a word that Ian says to me. I think about Ares, his eyes, voice, and smile. I don't know how long I spent thinking about him but after some time Ian pulled me out of my thoughts, quite forcefully I must say.

     "Venus, what the hell is wrong with you?" Ian asks me exasperated. I stood up slowly looking up at him and he takes a step back trying not to look scared. Seeing his fear made me laugh, it was a cold and empty laugh.

     "Ian, it is about time you learn about me. We only knew each other for three weeks in Italy. How long ago?" My voice is hard and emotionless but I know my eyes are filled with hatred.

     "Almost 671 years," Ian says in a quiet voice.

     "Well, I think it's time you know me now. My name is not Venus! It is Aphrodite. You will no longer hold me, hostage, because if you do I will be forced to do something I rather not do but I will if I must." My voice is almost a yell and I knew he could feel my dark aura growing with my anger. He flinches and I smile. "I am a Fallen Angel, I hold power over you. Not the other way around." I growl at him.