In the next days of school, Gabe didn't come. First, I thought it was weird, but after I talked with Caiden, we both realized something: Lucifer, acting like a human, witnessed Caiden half-transforming and trying to get something from Emily's brain. A thing which wasn't normal for a human to see. We all thought he was hiding, trying to think of the best humane, but a still friendly reaction to the supernatural. Emily bought the pinkie incident and Caiden even came with an aid-band, just to make it even more believable. He came again without glasses and I frowned, making a self-note to ask him later about it.
The weekend came and Emily invited us to a club party. Jessica was so happy she literally was emanating positive vibes, but Caiden seemed even grumpier than usual. I had mixed feelings about it. Touching my cross pendant, I felt safe, but thinking about the shadow things, I wasn't so sure anymore. Maybe my bad luck ended, but the general bad luck didn't seem to want to go away that easily.
"Hey, Ivy Moore! Get your ass out! I need the bathroom! Gotta do my fantastic makeup!" Jessica yelled, knocking at the door with so much force I was afraid it could've fallen on the ground.
"One second!" I said, adding the finishing touches to my own makeup and blinked slowly at my reflection in the mirror.
I opened the bathroom door and Jessica was staying in front of me with her hands placed on her hips. Her eyebrows were caught in a deep frown, but the second she looked at my face she raised them, vaguely surprised by my appearance. "Oh. Ivy Moore put some extra effort into her daily make-up. I'm kinda impressed, girl. You looking good."
I blushed and lowered my eyes. Coming from her, the compliment made my heart skip a beat. She was stunning and it was mainly because of her demon nature, I believed. But, receiving a compliment from a beautiful person made me feel good about myself.
Plus, I hated to make eye contact with her. She always looked... so lustful. And I didn't trust myself around her. Her aura made me feel vulnerable.
"Aren't you ready yet? That human said to be there in thirty minutes." Caiden said, coming next to us when he saw us not moving at all. He was wearing the same things he usually did: black trousers and a black T-shirt, which made a nice contrast to his pale skin.
Jessica rolled her eyes and brushed my shoulder with hers, entering the bathroom. "We'll be there on time, chill. Anyway, it's a party, not a job interview. Relax, foxy fox."
"The next time you say that I'm going to kill this human body of yours." Caiden replied, his voice becoming dangerously low.
She placed her hand on the door, ready to close it. "Please do. Can't wait to be black again." She blew him a kiss and closed the door.
Caiden sighed, running a hand through his messy, black hair. "Tonight Lucifer might be there." He said, with a serious expression and I felt my heart hammering in my chest.
"I know what I have to do." I whispered, lowering my had and watching my bare feet.
"Be natural. I told you already. If he finds out you know about him, everything will be ruined."
I nodded and sighed. The burden was on my shoulders. They couldn't do many things without being suspicious. But I could and me, being in the center of attention, was the best plan we could've put in action.
I drew a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.
It was party time.
***
"Don't try the tequila. It's disgusting here. Some people say they sell something else instead of it." Emily screamed in my ear, getting a grip on my shoulder and walking with me towards the bar.
At the moment we entered the club, meaning ten minutes ago, Jessica vanished, a glimpse of red hair being visible next to the bathroom door. She saw me searching for her and grinned, pointing out a guy who was following her. I sighed and pursed my lips. At least she had fun.
Caiden appeared in my right and gave me a meaningful look. I nodded, while Emily was trying to catch the barman's attention.
"Hey! Here! I want vodka!" She said, laughing and waving at him on the music rhythm.
I grabbed her arm, making her look at me. "You're drunk already?!" I asked her, raising my eyebrows.
I couldn't believe she was already wasted. How could I let her alone, if she was already like this?!
She jerked away from my grip, puckering her lips. "I had a few shots until you came. It's not my fault! You were late, guys! I told you the hour and you came thirty minutes after it! It's your fault!"
I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth, ready to blame Jessica, but the barman came at us and asked what we want. Caiden threw me a quick glance. I knew I shouldn't have done it. But Emily ordered two glasses of vodka and I couldn't have let her drink both of them.
I leaned on Caiden's arm and he looked at me with a strange expression. "How do we know if he's here or not?" I asked him, looking around the club, but all I could see was people having fun, dancing, and kissing. Also, the darkness of the club which disappeared for a few seconds when lights were turned on and off continuously didn't make our job much easier.
"Don't worry. If he catches you alone, he will surely come at you. He will try getting you drunk or he'll fake it, saying he's drunk. I bet one of my tails he will take this opportunity. Now, if you excuse me, I'm going to search for bodies left by Jessica. Sometimes she finds low-beings and kills them, but she doesn't bother with the cleaning." He said, rolling his eyes and letting me alone with Emily who was dancing to my left, almost dropping her glass.
I grimaced and took the glass from her hand, slowly placing it on the bar. She started laughing and made a spin, showing off her tight, white skirt. She stuck her tongue out, sashaying towards the dance floor and I sighed. I knew it was my chance to have some fun and dance, but I was too stressed to do that. I touched my necklace, reminding myself I was protected. The incident from two years ago won't happen again.
But if he finds out you know, something even worse can happen.
I gulped and closed my eyes for a few seconds, taking a deep breath. Everything was going to be fine. I had nothing to worry about...
"Ivy! Heya!"
I opened my eyes in an instant and widened them when I realized who was standing right in front of me. Of course, it was him. Caiden was right. He wouldn't have ignored this opportunity.
I smiled at Gabe, trying to relax my body as much as I could. He folded his arms over his white shirt, which was in contrast with his brownish skin, and threw me a stunning smile, exposing his white and perfect teeth. "Can't believe we met here! I thought the school was the single place I can see you."
I faked a laugh, trying to look after Emily, assuring myself she was safe. She was on the dance floor, jumping happily and losing herself into electronic music. I almost sighed in relief, but as soon as I remembered who I was talking with, I threw the thought away. I couldn't let him think I was stressed and worried.
"Yea, it's a shock." I said, even though I was prepared for this. Well, at least kind of. "Are you alone here?"
"Yeah. I like coming to the club to meet new people. Or meet, unexpectedly, people I already know. It's always spontaneous."
"Right. Uh... wanna talk outside? I can't really hear you here and I'd like... to ask you something." I almost screamed at him and he nodded, his features harshening.
I nodded as well, pivoted, and started walking towards the exit door. I pushed it and held it for him. He placed his big hand on it, above my head and we got outside the club, in the cold night, next to a group of teenagers who were smoking.
I adjusted my jacket, trying to warm up my body with the thin material I had on me. Bad idea to take such a thin jacket, especially because I knew I wasn't allowed to get drunk that night.
"So... what do you want to talk about?" He asked, shoving his hands in his jeans' pockets.
I exhaled sharply, rubbed my hands together, and made eye contact with him. His brown eyes were beautiful. And worried. And genuinely caring about what I wanted to say.
What a perfect actor.
"It's about... that day at Caiden's. Also, I haven't seen you at school these days. Is everything okay? Is it because of what happened? I can explain!"
I frowned, trying to be as worried as I could about what he could've thought about that day. I wasn't really good at acting, but I did try my best.
And, according to his puzzled expression, my acting was working pretty well.
"I had some... difficulties. I was caught up in a fight and got suspended. Remember I had a friend already in school and the fact I was kinda sad I wasn't his partner? Well, some guys wanted to beat him up, so I got involved for him. But I think I can come on Monday. And about Caiden's thing... I was more shocked by that ginger chick jumping on the window, to be honest. She looked like a ninja, honestly." He laughed, lowering his head and I did the same, carefully thinking about what I should've said.
"Yeah, she's... special, I guess. She likes parkouring."
"Parkour? Really?"
I stared at him, without blinking. "...yeah?" I said, hoping the excuse I found wasn't too implausible. "She does it sometimes when she's bored. And she's against me and Caiden. That's why she didn't let me interfere when Caiden was doing that... thing to Emily. And Caiden... he was showing her a relaxing trick. That's why he said it didn't work because she passed out. He's weird, you were right." I said, folding my arms and trying to play it cool.
"Yeah, I've noticed that. Strange guy, really. You should stop hanging around him. He might do that... well, thing, to you as well. God knows what creepy shit he'll do to you."
His expression got all serious, boring his eyes into mine. A soft glow appeared in them, moving around and reminding me of Caiden's snowy eyes. I controlled my emotions, not showing him how disturbed I was by his presence and his changing mood.
"Maybe, maybe not, who knows? You said it yourself: only God knows."
He laughed, kicking a stone out of his way. "God is overestimated. There are others who know much more than him. Don't you think?"
I smiled. "Sure. But what I know for sure at this moment is that I need a ride home. Do you drive?"
He frowned and crossed his arms over his massive chest. "No, I don't, but what, are you going home now?! Didn't you come here like twenty minutes ago?"
I frowned. "How do you know that?"
Caiden suspected he could've been following us around, but Lucifer, the Fallen Angel, the immortal being, really told me he truly followed me around? Was I missing something?
He shrugged, his expression not being worried at all. "I saw you entering the club. I stayed a bit with some friends and then searched for you."
A really good actor, indeed.
"Oh... well... yeah, but I feel kinda sick. I tried the tequila." I said, grimacing and touching my belly, trying to be as natural as possible.
He frowned his eyebrows. "Well... I did hear something about the tequila sold here..."
Thank you, Emily, for your annoying blabbering. I had to give her the credits.
"Yea, so... can you come with me? My house is like 20 minutes far. I really need to cool off my head and you seem fun to talk with." I smiled and battered my lashes, hoping he wasn't cringing because of my low-quality flirt. But he seemed happy I asked him that.
"Sure. Let's go. It wasn't that fun anyway. This music is a bit too noisy, honestly."
I laughed with him and started walking towards Caiden's house. The moon was shining brightly above us, remembering me of the last party I was at and how I passed out on the grass. Parties didn't seem too welcoming for me. I sighed and saw him raising his eyebrows with the corner of my eye. "Something wrong? You seem kinda off." He said, keeping his hands in his pockets.
I flinched and laughed, trying to relax my body even more. He knew something was wrong.
Don't panic. Don't panic, Ivy.
"I'm fine. We're almost there." I said and his brows furrowed.
"Right... now I remember, you said you're living with Caiden?"
I nodded. He just watched me silently and nodded slowly to himself, his expression becoming impassable.
For the last ten minutes, we walked without saying a word and I felt the tension rising between us. I could've literally cut it with a knife. My hands became sweaty, even though outside was freezing and I couldn't feel my nose. I exhaled sharply, seeing the familiar street where Caiden's flat was.
I planted my feet in front of the huge, red double door and turned around to see Gabe staring at me. His expression was disturbing and I felt the urge to look away.
You can't. Don't panic.
"You should come for some tea. Or water. I bet you're thirsty after all this walking, besides the drinks from the club." I said, smiling and he returned my smile, folding his arms.
"Sure. Thanks."
I gulped and opened the door. Caiden's flat was on the second floor and we climbed the steps in silence. The darkness was eating us, making me narrow my eyes, trying to be more careful with my steps.
I opened the flat door and exhaled sharply. For a second, I saw a glimpse of red hair on the window and I resisted the urge of smiling in relief. I wasn't alone. None of us knew why Lucifer was approaching me. Jessica said just because he wanted to not be suspicious, considering that I was his History partner. Caiden said it was possible that he wanted to capture me so he can find out what their plans were and why they came on Earth. I strongly hoped it wasn't the latter.
"Come into the kitchen." I said after I took my shoes off and, with shaking hands, I opened the window, ready for them to come in.
Gabe entered the kitchen, studying it carefully. He clearly looked ready for anything. Hell, probably he even figured out all I did was just a plan to make him come at Caiden's.
"So... tea or water?" I asked him, pouring myself a glass of water. My throat became dry because of the stress.
"Nothing. I would like to know your true reason for inviting me here." He replied and I widened my eyes while drinking the water.
I placed slowly the glass on the table and looked into his eyes. His expression was impenetrable. He seemed done with the acting.
I gulped. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I just invited you... for tea or water."
He rolled his eyes, took a few steps, and placed his huge hands on the table, next to me. I flinched, studying his movements and hoping he didn't want to kill me at that moment.
"Ivy. Tell me what's happening now. Maybe I'll have mercy."
I froze, staring at his perfect chilled face. For a second, I thought I heard wrong. But no. He was serious.
He figured everything out. Everything is ruined.
Now you can panic.
I didn't know what to do. I just stood there, staring at him and my mind went blank. No idea came. No plan came. Basically, I was waiting for my death. He moved quickly and I squeezed my eyes shut, ready for the impact.
But it never came.
I heard something break, several steps, and an "Ugh!", which made me open my eyes.
"Jessica, the blood!"
Jessica took out a knife and cut her palm, letting the black blood trickle down her arm. Caiden was standing over Gabe, who was struggling to escape. Jessica jumped in front of him and opened his mouth. She put her palm on his mouth and forced him to drink it. After a few minutes, Gabe closed his eyes and stopped resisting. Caiden was panting and Jessica looked up at him, throwing him a meaningful gaze.
"It worked." She said, quite surprised. Caiden exhaled and moved over, falling on the floor.
"It better did." The doubt in his voice made my heart skip a beat. The incertitude made my stress level hit its limit and I sat on the chair, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"Now... what's next?" Jessica asked getting to her feet, snatching a piece of cloth and cleaning her wound.
"We have to wait for him to wake up. The demon blood will make his power go low, so we might stand a chance if he still wants to fight. We need to force him to restore the balance. If he still doesn't want to do that... then we'll make him trespass hell."
Jessica widened her eyes, shocked by Caiden's words. "This is cruel, even for you, foxy fox."
"Do you prefer turning into aches?" He replied, throwing her a harsh gaze.
She raised her hands in front of her chest, backing off. I didn't understand exactly what they were talking about, but I couldn't care less. I was happy I finished my part and now I could relax.
My stomach started making weird sounds and the gag reflex made me run into the bathroom and throw up all I've eaten that day – which wasn't much. I drew a deep breath, holding tightly the toilet, and feeling how the color drained out of my face. That damn glass of vodka.
In my hurry, I totally forgot to close the bathroom's door and his silent steps made me turn my head just to see him standing in front of me with his arms crossed over his chest.
"The blood, the fact that Lucifer is on our kitchen's floor or the vodka?" He asked, having an amused expression glued to his face.
I bit my bottom lip and pressed my palm on my belly. "The last one."
"You're so weak." He teased me, lowering his body so our faces were on the same level. "But you did well, human. I was surprised by how natural you seemed. I wasn't expecting such a fragile human to cope with all of this. You have my respect."
I tried to smile, but a shot of pain stabbed my belly, making me grimace. He sighed. "Humans are weak, indeed."
"I'm gonna be fine. It's just that my stomach is not used to alcohol anymore. I haven't drunk in the past 2 years. Before that, I used to drink a lot and my liver can't take it anymore, I suppose."
He lifted an eyebrow, looking at me with a semi-curious gaze. "You're telling me you've been a rebel in the past? Going to parties, drinking alcohol, and doing drugs? Were you even able to get out of the house with your... problem?"
I grimaced. "I had bad luck my entire life, but it happened just with minor things. Like exams. Gossips. Like things which made me look clumsy, but... then stuff happened. Like the bus I was on crashed in an accident and I was the single survivor. Like a store shooting, and I was the single survivor. Like a small building collapsing, and I was the single survivor. Like me and my dad on a ride, we got in a car accident, and I was the only survivor."