Touch of Darkness

Chapter 6: Rumor Has It

When I wake up the next morning, I see Cain has already woken and I hear some clattering downstairs. After washing up and getting dressed, I go to find out what the noise is. Cain set down two mugs of coffee just as I came into the kitchen. He looks and notices me and gives a small grin.

"Morning wifey," he jokes.

I give him a disdainful laugh, "Who's your wife? And who said you could go through my

kitchen just cause you slept over?"

"Cmon, it's not like this is the first time I've been here. What, you don't like this look on me?" he spins around to show off the apron he was wearing.

"Great, now I have to throw that away," I smirk, "Why are you wearing that? All you did was make coffee."

He shrugs and hoists himself up on the counter, "I thought it'd be fun. I had some time to kill. Besides," He turns away and mutters, "I couldn't sleep that well." Then he adds more loudly, "So are you gonna drink the coffee I worked so hard to make or what?"

I look at the clock and proceed to pour the coffee into a thermos, "I'll drink on the way to school, we need to get going. Give me a ride on your motorcycle."

He nods and we leave for school together. When we arrive, the first thing I notice is that there's more attention on me than usual. Of course, it was coming from the girls. Cain notices too and leans down to whisper to me.

"You're getting more looks than I do after I dumped a girl. What'd you do?"

I sigh and mutter, "A girl at Salem's saw me with Zedd and got the wrong idea. Whatever, they can think what they want. This'll blow over soon."

Cain grabs my arm before I can walk any further, "You were with Zedd? After that talk we all had? Did he do anything to you?"

"Of course not, I'm still here, aren't I? We just had coffee, that's it. I didn't even talk to him that much."

"Just...be careful, Victoria."'

I smirk at him, "This doesn't really fit your whole bad boy image."

He shrugs and walks away. I take that as the cue to head to class, and I manage to make it there while ignoring the relentless glares. The classroom isn't any better, but knowing that they're mad over one petty rumor makes it easier to keep my head up. I greet Elijah as normal when I get to my desk. Out of a developing habit, I look over at Zedd's desk. To my surprise, it's empty. At first I think he'll just arrive later, but he doesn't show up for the rest of class. He and Alessia are both absent for geology, too. It's strange, but it might be better that he's gone while that gossip is going around.

In class with the five of us, we take the opportunity to talk a bit with each other. We ask Alice about how her research is going. She says she has an idea about some of the powers, but as for the hooded figure that attacked last night, she has yet to find anything. We agreed to meet that evening again at the clearing.

Later, during my office work period, it's strangely quiet. Zedd and I don't talk much usually anyways, but when he's not sitting at the desk next to me it feels a little more empty. Still, I try to fill the silence with whatever work I was given. When the door to the office opens I snap out of my concentration and look up. For a moment I think it's Zedd, but it's only two guys in basketball jerseys going in to see the nurse.

Of course he wouldn't show up all of a sudden, snap out of it...Wait, was I actually hoping it was him? I shake my head and stand up to stretch. Just as I'm about to sit back down the two basketball players come out again. One of them is holding an ice pack on his forehead under his shaggy black hair. I stop them and hand them the clipboard that all students coming through the office have to sign, stating the time and their purpose. The first guy fills it out and hands it to his friend, and while he's waiting he eyes me up and down and they exchange a few whispers.

"Hey what's your name?" the first one asks.

I look at them quizzically but see no reason not to answer, "Victoria."

"Oh, I knew it!" he exclaims with a crooked grin, "You're the one from the rumors."

His friend chimes in, "Is it true you're dating that new kid Zedd?"

"No, I-" I try to answer but am interrupted.

"But she arrived with Cain today, right? And a couple days before too. One of the cheerleaders that dated him before saw them together."

They're bringing Cain into this too? What does he have to do with anything?

They both turn to me with nasty grins on their faces.

"You're not bad looking. If anyone's fine then how about giving it a go with me?" one of them leers.

I glare at them in disgust. There's a meeting going on so no adults are around. Looks like I have to deal with these two myself. I sigh. I can't believe that one little piece of gossip has led to this. Even Cain is getting caught up in them, although that's partially his fault for getting involved with girls the way he does. Still, I'll tell him about it later. For now I should get these guys out of here. But before I opened my mouth to speak a familiar deep, smooth voice speaks out from behind them.

"Is there something you need, gentlemen?"

They turn around, and over their shoulders I spot Zedd standing in front of the doorway. Why is he here? But at the same time I can't help feeling relieved.

"If you don't need anything," Zedd walks in slow, but threatening steps, like a wolf circling its prey, till he's standing on the other side of the desk next to me, "I'd appreciate if you'd leave. You're disturbing our work." I feel Zedd take my hand underneath the desk, where no one but I can see. His expression is calm, but his tone is serious, and the two guys leave with a small click of their tongue.

I breath a small sigh and turn to him, "Thanks for that."

He smiles, "It's no big deal."

"Where were you all day?"

He smirks, "Did you miss me?" I stare blankly at him and he laughs and continues, "My sister was sick, I was taking care of her. I came just now to get some of the missed homework. And if I'm being honest..." he lifts up my hand to his lips, and I can feel his breath tickling my skin as he speaks, "I just had to see your face."

There's another shudder down my spine, but it's not as intense as it usually is. Somehow, I'm getting used to Zedd. I'm still certain that he's connected to my dreams in some way, but not I'm starting to think it can't be anything bad.

"Well I'm glad you came," I give him a faint smile, "You came at just the right time."

"Indeed," he says and then with a small frown he adds, "I got rid of some annoying pests just now. For people as low as them to think they have a chance with you is despicable."

The way he says it is a little scary but it's true they were annoying. I laugh, "Yeah. And to think, they brought up my friend and started over a silly rumor going around about you and I."

Zedd's expression becomes serious and he grips my hand tighter. Suddenly he pulls me towards him so that his face is inches away from mine. He puts a hand on my cheek and gently brushes back strands of my hair.

"You're meant for much grander things," he whispers, "Which is why I decided to pursue you, and no one will get in my way. I'll make you mine."

My eyes are wide and staring into the blue abyss of his gaze. His touch on my face feels like the one from my dream, and it's comforting and frightening at the same time.

The bell rings and I haven't realized at all that it was the end of the period already. I pull myself away from Zedd and watch him walk out of the office. He glances back at me and smiles.

"See you tomorrow."

And he leaves, his farewell as nonchalant as can be. What was that just now? He just acted like everything was as usual, but he looked like he meant everything he said. And my heart is beating like crazy, but there's a mix of fear and excitement that I can't tell what's what.

I should try not to mention this at the meeting tonight. The others don't need to know this. Even Cain told me to be careful of Zedd; if I told them it would just complicate things. For now, I'll set aside what just happened in my mind and focus on the magic and what happened last night.