DUCHAS (The Drive Within, Book 2 in Baile series)

Chapter 4 Vixen

Isla

"He calls me the devil, I make him wanna sin. Every time I knock, he can't help but let me in. Must be homesick for the real, I'm the realist it gets. You probably still adore me, with my hands around your neck." I let the words flow, keeping my eyes closed while I ran on the treadmill. "Can you feel the warmth, yeah."

"Cause my kiss goes down you like some sweet alcohol." April responded, her strong melodic voice unaffected by the physical exertion.

"Where I'm coming from, yeah." I sang my piece.

"Is a darker side of me that makes you feel so numb."

We sang together, practicing our harmonies for the chorus. "Cause we're hot like hell. Does it burn when I'm not there? When you're by yourself, am I the answer to your prayers. I'm giving you the pleasure of heaven, and I'll give it to you. Hotter than hell, hotter than hell."

I felt my chest burn as I tested myself belting out the chorus trying to match April's stamina. I took a break from the treadmill to stretch out my limbs, continuing to sing.

"You're my manna from heaven, we all gotta get fed. Can't let me know I'm wanted, can't let me in your head. I'm not here to make you kneel, but it's praise that I'll get. You ain't gonna walk free boy, not finished with you yet, no."

We sung the remainder of the song, practicing again in a few more areas we needed to improve on.

"You don't think we're ready?" I attempted to gauge her expression.

"I want to make sure we can properly wipe the floor with those bitches." April dabbed her face with a towel.

"Well, we better. I don't want to regret spending hours of running on a treadmill while wailing like a Banshee." I collected my drink bottle and phone.

April smiled. "Are you saying that the sound of a Banshee is unpleasant? Eliza sings like a cherub."

"Eliza's different." I countered as we made our way to the doors of the gym.

"For now."

I shook my head at her comment as we walked side by side.

"Banshee's are legendary for screams that can rupture eardrums and shatter windows. If your shift was anything to go by, Eliza is going to fuck this school up when she shifts in two years time." April smirked at the possibility of destruction.

"I have faith in a smooth shift, Ciara has been helping her, and Anna." I informed.

April chuckled. "Ciara shouldn't ease anyone's nerves."

"And why's that?" I prodded.

"Because Ciara is powerful and that makes her dangerous."

"And let me guess, you consider yourself powerful too." I knew April all too well.

"Naturally." She looped her arm with mine. "You're in the danger club too."

I had never considered myself powerful, or dangerous. Sure I was a Faerie of the Unseelie Court, but I didn't live like one. I silently hoped not.

April and I changed into our uniforms. Our dorm room still felt empty as I stared at Charlotte's bed as if it would offer any answers to her disappearance. It had three days and there had been no word from the police or her parents.

After a tense silence we fled the room, heading to breakfast before meeting up again in Literature.

"I thought we could try some role play today." Eleanor clasped her hands together, beaming with perfect pearly teeth. Why did Vampires have to look so pretty? I could physically see what Riley had seen in her. "Can I have some volunteers to read a passage of their choice?"