|
Post by blackmoondagger on Oct 7, 2005 11:10:10 GMT -5
Author: blackmoondagger
Sumarry: What happens when a demon owes you his life? What happens when that demon is super hot and has major sex appeal? You get him to be your boyfriend! Duh! Gwen is an anime-lover and that doesn’t exactly put her in the ‘in-crowd’. When Gwen meets up with Night, a pale stranger from America, her life is turned upside down. After saving him from a Demonslayer, Night confesses that he owes her his life. After some major showing off and an accident in gym class, Night discovers something about Gwen that not even she knew.
Copyrighted by Shandi Lemoine.
"..."- Talking out loud (...)- Instant Messange or Text Message
Chapter One The Normal Life
Gwen Randolph sat at her computer as dawn’s first ray’s peeking into her window. She yawned and rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hands. Her short hair black with purple streaks and her eyes were the color of crushed violets. Down the hall her mother’s alarm clock rang out through the silence. Gwen looked at her door and back at her computer screen. Her friend Pauline Monroe typed an instant message that made Gwen smile.
(We’re going to sleep in class.)
Gwen’s fingers flew across the keyboard as she typed back. (I know but I can afford to sleep through Mr. Yuki’s class. You know I’m super good at history.)
(LOL! The entire free world knows that the Great Gwen is wonderful in history. The only class that I can sleep through is Ms. Moto.)
Gwen growled and typed, (Grrrr! I HATE math!)
(LOL! I know! Now let’s get ready for school. I’ll meet you outside your apartment. Ciao.)
(Yeah. Bye Pauline.)
She exited the conversation, logged off the internet, and slid her chair back from the desk. The sound of her mother walking past her door made Gwen glance that way. Her mother knocked on the door and Gwen groaned.
“Get up, Gwen.” her mother called.
“I’m up, Mom!” Gwen called back.
She moved towards her closet, pulled the doors open and looked around inside. A smile crossed her face when she found the shirt she was looking for. She pulled out a black shirt with white writing trimmed in red that said ‘Anime Junkie’. Turning back towards the dark maw that was her closet, Gwen tried to find some jeans. Gwen reached inside her closet and pulled out a pair of jeans that she had agreed to let Pauline makeover. There were holes everywhere. They were Gwen’s favorite pants and now they just had ‘air-conditioning’ for when it got hot.
Gwen tossed her clothes on her bed and retrieved some socks and undies from her dresser drawer. The sound of two small pairs of feet rushing past her door made her groan. Giggles filled the air as her little sisters ran by her room, pounded down the hallway, and burst into the kitchen. Anna and Gina were twins. They were only five, but Gwen loved her little sisters. The fact that they were only her half-sisters didn’t really bother her. She loved her step-dad. He was a great man. It was her real father that she wasn’t very fond of.
“Arnold get up!” her mother called from kitchen. “You have to go to school.”
“I’m up!” Gwen’s younger brother shouted. “Chill out woman!”
Gwen groaned at the sound of her brother’s voice. He was far too much like their father and a year younger than her. Her brother pretty much worshiped their father, but their father was in America with the rest of their family. When Gwen was ten, her mother, step-father, her brother, and she had moved out to Tokyo, Japan. Gwen had been thrilled, her brother had been pissed and her little sisters didn’t really care because they weren't even thought of yet.
Arnold and Gwen’s father didn’t see them anymore. All he did was send a child support check and a letter every now and then. Her step-father had never told the four of them why they had moved out of America and come to Japan. Gwen had never asked. She didn’t really see much point in it. They had been there for nearly eight years. If Gwen had been like most seniors in her class she would have been living in an apartment by herself, but her mother wouldn’t hear of it.
Gwen striped and pulled her clothes on. What her mother didn’t know was that Pauline had a place all lined up for the two of them and Pauline’s boyfriend Yoh. The three of them all had jobs at the local book store and made great money so they could afford the rent, groceries, and a few extra comforts. They would move into the place in about a week. All Gwen needed was a way to tell her parents.
She pulled her black Converse from under the bed and pulled them on. Arnold walked down the hall past her door and slammed his fist against the oak wood. Their mother shouted at him, but Arnold gave no indication of hearing her. After she had her shoes on, Gwen grabbed her backpack and walked out of her room. She walked into the kitchen and smiled at her family.
The twins were throwing oatmeal at each other, Arnold was eating his cereal and sulking, her father was at work and their mother was sitting on the counter smoking. Life was sweet and normal. There was nothing out of the ordinary here. Gwen went to cabinet and pulled out a couple of cereal bars. She kissed her mother good-bye and headed for the door. Pauline stood on the sidewalk, her headphone on her ears and a piece of beef jerky in her mouth. Gwen smiled and ran down the steps towards her friend.
Sweet, sweet normalcy. Nothing was out of place and nothing had gone astray. Just the way she liked her life.
A/N: I know it's starting out slow but it will pick up. K? Thank you for reading and reviewing(if you reviewed)
|
|
|
Post by blackmoondagger on Oct 7, 2005 11:10:25 GMT -5
Chapter Two Night in the Day
Pauline wore a black jacket with Inuyasha on the back, a black long-sleeved shirt with a fairy dancing in blue flames, baggy jeans, and dark blue Converse. Gwen walked beside Pauline, watching her nibble on the beef jerky. She was always eating, but she was so d**n skinny. Pauline had tan skin that stayed on her all year long no matter how much she avoided sunlight, golden eyes like a tiger that the girls had seen in a zoo one time in elementary school, long black hair was tipped with pink and streaked with pink in random areas. Pauline was the only friend that Gwen had since she was in ninth grade.
The girls had met in gym class when Pauline spiked the volleyball and Gwen had blocked it, scoring a point for her team. A few of the snobs had gotten angry at Pauline for not scoring and Gwen had come to her rescue. The two girls had gained up on the snobs and made sure the rued the day they had messed with Pauline. From that moment on the girls had been friends.
Pauline looked over at Gwen, thingying an eyebrow at her friend with the jerky hanging out of her mouth. “What?” she asked. “Is my nose green?”
Gwen smiled and shook her head. “Just thinking.” she replied. “Sorry.”
The younger girl smiled back. “About what?” she asked. “Some sexy guy that I don’t know about?”
Gwen blushed, averting her face. “No.” she said. “Why would I do something like that?”
Pauline giggled and ate the beef jerky. “It was only a joke.” she said. “No need to go all red on me, girlie.”
Cars zoomed by with busy people on their way to work. Teens passed by them in a hurry to get to school. It was there was one more week of school before Christmas vacation started. Snow had been threatening to fall, but nothing as of yet. Gwen hoped that it snowed after they moved into their apartment. She felt eyes upon her and she glanced over at her friend. Pauline was staring at her.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Pauline sighed, pulling her jacket closer to her. “You’re never cold!” she said. “How is that?”
Gwen shrugged. “I don’t know.” she replied. “I’m just not cold when I’m out in cold weather. Now when I’m in the house, I’m freezing. I’m sorry, Pauline.”
The other girl frowned. “It’s just not fair.” she said. “I hate to be cold and you never have to worry about it.”
The two of them laughed, they’re heads tossed back and eyes closed. It was no surprise that Gwen slammed into a passer-by. She fell backwards, but a calloused hand wrapped around her wrist and pulled her up towards a muscular chest. Gwen could see Pauline out of a curtain of her hair. The younger girl was standing there with her mouth agape. Gwen looked up at the person holding her and her mouth also fell agape.
The young man holding her had long brown hair, deep black eyes with golden swirls starting at the pupil and ringing around his dark iris. His skin was pale as moonlight and as smooth as silk. He flashed a smile, his teeth as white as newly fallen snow. He was like an advertisement from Wet-Dreams-R-Us.
“Hi there.” he said.
His voice was like fur rubbing against her naked skin. It was perfect. It was sexily smooth, like the skin hidden under his black t-shirt.
Pauline cleared her throat and stepped away from Gwen and the stranger. “I’ll catch you later, Gwen.” Pauline whispered.
Gwen glared at her friend as the girl began to step away from them. The young man laughed and Gwen shuddered as things clenched low in her body. Who was he and what the hell was he doing to her?
“I’m Night.” he said. “It’s nice to meet you, Gwen.”
|
|
|
Post by blackmoondagger on Oct 7, 2005 11:10:49 GMT -5
Chapter Three To the Rescue
When Gwen finally caught up to Pauline, the younger girl was laughing so hard she was bent over double. Gwen glared down at her friend but said nothing. The younger girl looked up at Gwen and flinched. The look in her friend’s eyes was a scary one. It made her eyes look as if they were glowing and her skin burned with pale firelight. A small group of people stood around them, watching to see what Gwen would do.
Gwen whirled on them, her black and purple hair whirling around her face. The small group that had gathered gave a collective gasp and backed up as one. A few of them had had the displeasure of facing off when Gwen when this happened. Quite a few of them ended up with broken bones before it was over with. The small group quickly broke apart and the two girls were left alone.
“What were you thinking, leaving alone with a stranger like that?” Gwen demanded, whirling back on Pauline. “He could have killed .me.”
Pauline squatted down, pulling her backpack in front of her. She pulled out a chocolate chip chocolate muffin, unwrapped it, and started eating. “I saw the way you looked at him, girlie.” she said. “It looked to me like you were looking at a long lost love that had just come back from the grave or something.”
“Pauline, I didn’t look like that.” Gwen said, stomping her foot. “You know I don’t get all silly around boys.”
Pauline smiled wickedly. “I think that this guy has some real potential.” she said, taking a bite out of the muffin.
The bell rang and Gwen groaned. She was so tired and angry at her only friend for leaving her with some strange man. The two girls made their way up the stairs and into the building. This was their last year of school and then they were out in the ‘real world’. Gwen stopped on the threshold of the school building and turned around. Someone was watching her.
On the brick wall that surrounded the school yard sat the man named Night. His strange eyes were upon her and a smirk pulled on side of his kissable lips to the side. Someone slammed into Gwen and she fell back on her butt. The boy glanced down at her and smiled evilly. He was handsome. He was one of the snobs.
A shadow passed over her and Gwen looked over to see Night towering over her. The boy who had knocked her over looked up into his eyes and fear swept over his handsome features. Night took a step forward, his black and gold eyes glowing brightly; his skin was glowing so brightly it looked as if he had swallowed the moon.
“Do you have a problem?” Night asked, his voice low with anger.
“No.” the boy said, backing away from Night. “I’m sorry, girl.”
Without another word, the boy shot through the crowd. Gwen could hear Pauline’s voice as she fought her way back to her friend. When Pauline finally made it to Gwen’s side, Night was still glowing. The strange man turned towards Gwen and held his hand out to her. Gwen took it hesitantly. His hand was warm in hers and she watched as he own skin began to glow.
A faint smile touched Night lips and he released her hand. “Until we meet again, my lady Guinevere.” he said and was gone as fast as he had come.
|
|
|
Post by blackmoondagger on Oct 7, 2005 11:11:15 GMT -5
Chapter Four The Demonslayer and the Deal
The bell rang and teenagers swarmed the hallways. Gwen walked beside Pauline, watching the girl munch on A Milky Way candy bar. If Pauline didn’t stop eating, Gwen thought that her one and only friend in the world would blow up like a balloon and explode. Pauline looked over at Gwen and smiled with the candy bar in her mouth. Gwen rolled her eyes and started down the hallway.
“Why do you never get fat?” Gwen asked, shoving someone aside as she stepped outside into the cold December air.
Pauline shrugged and pulled the candy bar out of her mouth. “Why don’t you get cold?” she countered.
Gwen glared at Pauline. “You know I don’t know that?” she said.
The other girl smiled. “Then I don’t know why I don’t get fat.” she said and continued eating her candy bar. “We’ll leave it at that.”
“So you work tonight?” Gwen asked.
Pauline nodded. “Yeah.” she said. “Yoh and I have a date after work tonight. Connie must like you giving you a Friday off.”
Gwen smiled. “I doubt that.” she said. “Well, I’m going to the park for a few hours. I’ll see you tomorrow. Stop by the apartment and we’ll talk to my mom about our apartment.”
Pauline nodded. “Will do, chick!” she called as she ran off down the sidewalk.
She turned suddenly. “Oh and tell Night that I said hello.” she called and continued to run off down the sidewalk before Gwen could say anything more.
Gwen stood there for a long moment, watching her friend run away from her. She turned away from the school and made her way towards the park. She did some of her best thinking in the park. Gwen hoisted her backpack farther onto her shoulder and watched as the leaves turn to dust under her Converse. Night’s black and golden eyes were burned into her mind’s eye.
She looked up in time to see black eyes with golden swirls staring at her from the grey brick wall the bordered the edge of the park. Gwen froze, watching as Night sat on the wall watching her. A faint smile crossed his lips and he vanished behind the wall. Gwen ran to the wall, gazing over the edge. He was gone.
Gwen sighed heavily. What was his deal? Why was he stalking her? She turned around and leaned against the wall. Gwen hoisted herself onto the wall and turned her attention to the park behind her. She pulled her backpack around and pulled out her 35 milometer Cannon camera. It had been a gift from her father. Surprise, surprise. She rose to a squatting position as she gazed around the park. Gwen looked around the park, caught sight of an elderly woman feeding the pigeons and smiled. She took aim, focused, and snapped the picture.
She moved to another part of the wall and snapped another picture just as the woman threw the greedy birds some seeds. It was always best if your subject didn’t know that you were photographing them. It gave the picture a very good quality and the person didn’t try to pose. It was more natural if they were unaware of you as you captured them doing something that they thought was ordinary. To someone like Gwen, ordinary often made the best art.
As she looked at the small world around her through her camera, Gwen caught sight of a child playing in a sandbox. As the little girl poured sand down her little brother’s diaper, Gwen snapped the picture. The little boy started to wail and Gwen snapped another. Sibling rivalry at its best. A faint touched her lips and she snapped yet another picture when the children’s mother came to pick it up.
“What do you see through the lens of your camera, Lady Guinevere?” Night asked.
Gwen whirled, still squatting. She slipped on the icy bricks and toppled backwards. Night rushed forward and grabbed her around the waist. Gwen’s hair touched the ground, but she stayed suspended over the leave covered ground. Night hoisted her back onto the wall, his hands lingering on her waist for the briefest of moments. When he pulled away from her, Gwen released a breath that she hadn’t even known she was holding.
Night leapt onto the wall, standing at his full height. He looked down at Gwen as she held her camera in her hand. “You never answered my question, Lady Guinevere.” he said.
She blinked. “Why are you calling me that?” she asked.
He smiled. “Is that not what you should be called?” he asked. “Was there not a lady in Britain by the name of Guinevere who wooed the King Arthur?”
Gwen nodded. “Yes.” she replied. “I am no queen of any kind. Why call me such a thing?”
Night squatted down beside her and moved a lock of purple hair aside. “You look much like someone I once know.” he said. “He had eyes like you.”
“What are you talking about?” Gwen asked.
Night shook his head. “Nothing.” he said. “Now answer my question, Lady Guinevere.”
Gwen looked out at the people before her that she had taken pictures of. “I see art.” she replied. “I see beauty.”
“They are ordinary people.” Night said.
His mouth was so close to her ear that his breath tickled. A shiver ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold weather. Gwen cleared her throat and continued to gaze forward. Night chuckled and sat back on his heels. Gwen turned to him then.
“Sometimes ordinary can be beautiful if you look at it right.” she said, frowning.
“You are beautiful.” he said. “Do you count?”
Gwen felt heat rush to her face. “I’m not beautiful.” she said.
Night looked out at the people sitting in the park. He looked at the old woman and at the little boy and girl. He saw nothing special about them. What made them beautiful and Gwen ugly? Night looked up at the sky. Grey clouds had gathered and snow was coming. He stood and jumped off of the wall.
“Don’t stay out too long, Lady of Camelot.” he said. “We wouldn’t want you to get ill.”
Gwen gazed at him for a long moment. “You are weird, Night.” she said.
He smiled. “You have no idea how weird I can be, Lady Guinevere.” he said.
“Stop that!” she said. “Don’t call me that!”
Night’s smile widened and he walked away from her then. Gwen watched him leave. When he was gone from her sight, she turned her attention back to capturing beauty.
Darkness came quickly and snow did come as Night had said it would. When the streetlights came on, Gwen tucked her camera back into her backpack. She hoisted it onto her shoulder and made her way down the sidewalk. Dark skeletons of bushes loomed beside her to the left and dark buildings were silhouetted to her right. Eerie shadows were cast by the dim streetlights as the snow floated to the ground. Gwen suddenly wished that she hadn’t stayed out so long.
A grunting sound to the left made Gwen start. She turned to face the skeletal remains of the once-lovely bushes. Through the boney, brown fingers she could see a scuffle. There was a flash of gold in the dim lights and Gwen gasped in shock. Night lay under a man, a knife inches from his throat.
“Hey!” she shouted. “Get off him! I’m calling the cops!”
The man looked up at her, his face painted with black and blue paint and his teeth were pointed like fangs. Gwen gasped again and fell onto her behind. The man hissed like a cat and leapt away from Night. She rose to her feet and watched the man. He rushed her and his body slammed into hers. Gwen hit the ground, the man on top of her. He gnashed his teeth at her and spittle ran down his chin.
“I will kill you, girl!” he hissed. “You will be my newest prey.”
Gwen closed her eyes and her skin began to glow. When she opened her eyes, they were a glowing violet. The man gasped and froze above her. Gwen shoved her feet into his stomach and launched him off of her. The man bound away from her, fear lighting his eyes.
Night hobbled over to Gwen, gazing down at her. She still had glowing skin and eyes. Gwen opened her eyes and looked up at Night. He squatted down beside her, smiling slightly. Night offered Gwen his hand and she took it. He hoisted her to her feet and took her into his arms. She stood there in the circle of his arms, listening to his heartbeat.
“Guinevere?” he whispered. “Are you alright?”
She nodded. “I’m fine.” she said.
“Thank you, my lady.” he said. “I owe you my life. I am in your debt.”
Gwen looked up at him. “You what?” she asked.
Night looked down at her. “I owe you my life.” he repeated. “I am in your debt. Whatever you demand, I will do.”
“Anything?” Gwen asked.
Night nodded. “Yes,” he said. “Anything you want I will give it to you, my lady.”
“Pose as my boyfriend.” she said.
The young man pulled away. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“Just what I said.” she replied. “I want you to pose as my boyfriend.”
“Why?” he asked. “You are beautiful, Lady Guinevere. Why do you need me?”
Gwen looked down. “I just do, Night.” she said. “Something is… wrong with me, Night. You know what it is, don’t you.”
Night stood there in silence. “I am not sure yet, what you are, Lady Guinevere.” he said. “I promise I will find out.”
|
|
|
Post by blackmoondagger on Oct 7, 2005 11:11:34 GMT -5
Chapter Five A Night Alone
When Gwen got home that night, no one was home. The apartment was quiet and empty. Night hovered behind her, breathing softly on her neck. Gwen tensed when he touched her shoulder. The phone rang and Gwen jumped. Night chuckled behind her, leaning against the wall. Gwen went to the phone and picked it up.
“Hello?”
“Gwen?” her mother said. “Hey, honey. We’re not going to be home tonight.”
“Why not?” Gwen asked, looking over at Night.
“The car broke down outside the restaurant and they can’t fix it until the morning.” her mother said. “We’re staying at a hotel for the night. Will you be okay by yourself?”
Gwen was staring at Night. “Yeah.” she said. “I’ll be fine, Mom.”
“All right, honey.” her mom said. “We’ll see you tomorrow when we get home.”
“Yes, ma’am.” she said. “Oh, Mom, when you get home there is something I need to talk to you about.”
Her mom paused for a long moment. “I already know that you’re moving out after this week.” she said.
“How did you know?” Gwen asked.
Her mother laughed softly. “The twins told me.” she said. “I understand Gwen. Look, we’ll talk about this when we get home.”
“All right, Mom.” Gwen said.
“I love you dear.” her mother said.
“Love you too, Mom.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.” Gwen said and hung up after her mother did.
I just one more week she would move out. Night was her ‘boyfriend’ for a little while. School would start Monday and Gwen would get to show off a little bit with the sexy stranger at her side. Even the snobs would have to admire him. Night pushed away from the wall and drew Gwen’s attention away from the phone to him. A slight smile touched his lips as he stood before her.
“Go well?” he asked.
Gwen shrugged. “No one is coming home.” she said.
Night’s smile widened. “Then I have you all to myself?” he asked.
Gwen moved a step away from him, unsure of what she should do. When Night stopped, she stopped. He gazed down at her for a long moment, his expression blank. All Gwen could pray for was a quick weekend.
“Let’s go to bed.” Gwen said.
Night smiled wickedly. “I can sleep with you?” he asked. “You move quick, girly.”
Gwen took another step away from him. “I didn’t mean that you would…I mean you can sleep on the floor if you would rather that.” she said.
Night closed the distance between them and wrapped his arm around her waist. He bent until his mouth hovered over hers. “You are as lovely as Queen Guinevere before you.” he whispered.
“What are you talking about?” she asked. She squirmed under his touch.
Night lifted him into his arms and carried her to her room. Gwen didn’t ask how he knew where her room was. She might not have liked the answer she would get. Night opened the door and stepped inside. The computer had a pop-up window open and Pauline’s name was at the top. Night set her down and Gwen moved towards the computer.
“Could I get some privacy?” Gwen asked, turning to Night.
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” he said. “I’ll make us some supper.”
“You cook?” Gwen asked, still looking at him.
Again he nodded. Without another word he left the room. When the sound of his feet disappeared down the hall, Gwen turned towards the computer screen the instant message from Pauline.
(Hey chick! Where the hell have you been?) Pauline had typed.
Gwen sat down in front of her computer and typed up an explanation of what had happened to her. She could hear Night in her mother’s kitchen, cooking them supper. A groan passed between her lips. What was she going to do with him when her mother got home? She couldn’t shove him in the closet. Her computer chimed when Pauline’s message popped up.
(Ooooohhh. So loverboy is there and you’re alone?) Pauline typed.
(I told you that.) Gwen typed.
(You gonna do him?)
(NO! Are you insane? I got him to pose as my boyfriend when we go back to school Monday.)
(Nice.) Pauline typed. (I’d have done the same thing, but I’d get me a piece of that action.)
Gwen sighed as she typed back. (He’s making me dinner right now.)
A tap on her door made Gwen turn around. Night stood in her doorway with a tray of food in his hand. There were two plates with pancakes, bacon, and fried eggs and two glasses of orange juice beside them. Night walked over to a small table in the middle of Gwen’s room and set the tray down. Gwen continued to stare at him until her computer gave a little chime.
(Is he in there now? Is he naked?) Pauline typed.
Gwen felt heat rush to her face. (He’s here and he’s not naked.) she typed back. (I’m going Pauline.)
(I wuves you, Gwen! Do him good!) Pauline typed back.
Gwen closed the IM and turned back to Night. He was sitting beside the table, fork and knife hovering over his dinner. Gwen heaved a heavy sigh and walked over to the table. She knelt down beside the table and picked up own utensils. Night began to eat, quietly watching Gwen while she ate.
After they ate, Night picked up the dishes and brought them back to the kitchen. The sound of running water filled the air as Night began to wash the dirty dishes. Gwen rose to her feet and walked to her dresser and pulled out a pair of red shorts, a black t-shirt, undies, and a pair of socks. She walked to her door and looked down the hall. Night was still in the kitchen
Gwen stepped out of her room and walked quickly down the hall towards the bathroom. She closed the door and tossed her clothes onto the counter. Gwen turned on the water, watching it run into the tub. She stripped of her clothes and climbed into the warm bathtub. Gwen submerged herself, blowing bubbles out of her mouth as she lay under the warm surface of the water. She opened her eyes and screamed when she saw the wavering silhouette of Night standing over her.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded, sputtering.
Night sat down on the toilet, smiling at her. “I’m sitting with you while you bath.” he said.
Gwen wrapped her arms around herself. “I can see that!” she shouted.
“Why are you angry?” he asked.
Gwen sighed in exasperation and lay back under the water. “I just thought I would get some time alone.” she said. “It’s fine if you want to stay in here. Weird, but it’s okay.”
Night smiled. “Okay.” he said. “Want me to wash your back?”
Gwen sat up and glared at him. “No!” she shouted.
“Want me to get in with you?” he asked.
“No!” Gwen shouted, leaping to her feet and sending water sloshing out of the tub. “Get out!”
Night stared at her for a long moment. Water ran down her body in tiny rivulets and her eyes began to glow with that strange light that only came around when she got angry. She stood before him, her hands on his hips, her body exposed for him to see. As he stood there, watching her body become luminescent Night knew that no woman would ever look more beautiful than she did at that moment.
“Get out, Night!” she shouted again, pointing to the door for emphasis. “Leave me alone!”
Night rose to his feet without another word. Gwen finished up her bath in peace and returned to her room. Night lay on the right side of the bed, gazing up at her. He wore one of her bigger t-shirts and a pair of boxers that she had stolen from Arnold. Gwen inhaled sharply, but said nothing. She climbed into bed beside him and allowed him to pull her closer to him.
Gwen fell asleep pressed into Night’s warm chest. While she slept peacefully, Night lay awake. He watched her as she lay beside him lost under sleep’s black wings. Was she who he thought she was?
|
|
|
Post by blackmoondagger on Oct 7, 2005 11:12:04 GMT -5
Chapter Six The Gift
Monday morning came quickly for Gwen. When she awoke, Night was sitting under her window. He had watched her sleep as he had done all weekend. Gwen rose to a sitting position and rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. Night rose to his feet and stretched. He yawned loudly, but said nothing. Gwen climbed out of bed and walked to her closet. They had managed to keep him hidden from her family for the weekend. When she moved out at the end of the week, she would allow them to meet Night.
Gwen took off her night clothes and pulled on a light blue shirt with a black fairy on it and a pair of faded jeans. Her black Converse completed the outfit. Night pushed the window open and cold air wafted into the room. Gwen turned to him, but said nothing. Night walked over to her and stood before her. He towered over her like most boys. Gwen watched him as he reached into his pocket and pulled it out once more. He held it out to her and opened it slowly.
In his palm sat a plan silver band with a single rune carved in it. Gwen looked up at him. He nodded and took her hand in his. Night slipped the ring on her finger and smiled. It fit perfectly. He turned away from her and slipped out the window. Silence had prevailed over them that weekend. They couldn’t hold conversations because someone might hear them.
Gwen gazed down at the ring, examining the rune. She had only seen in her Demonology book when she had been a freshman, but she couldn’t remember what it meant. Her mother had felt it necessary for her to take Demonology and Draconamia just in case she decided to move back to America one day. America was a breeding ground for demons, witches, vampires, lycanthropes, fey and everything else that no other land would take in. Humans still lived there but they were not as numerous as the monsters that had finally come out of the shadows when Gwen had been but two years old.
Despite the fact that demons were quite real, the Japanese had made a fortune making cartoons about them. Humans found the cartoon versions quite wonderful, but few had actually seen a demon up close and personal. Gwen had never seen a demon, but she was sure that they were as the animes portrayed them. Books made the out to be horrid creatures from the depths of hell. Gwen thought that some of them could look like the things portrayed in her Demonology books, but she doubted all of them did.
She shook her head. Why was she thinking about all of this all of a sudden? She hadn’t speculated on such things since she was fifteen. Gwen tore her gaze away from the ring and picked her backpack up off of the floor. She slung it over her shoulder and made her way to the front door. The kitchen was empty. Her mother had taken the twins to the dentist and Arnold was still sleeping. Pauline would be waiting for her outside.
Gwen walked down the flights of steps and stopped suddenly. Night stood beside Pauline and they were talking in whispers. Gwen frowned, but said nothing. She was still slightly troubled by the fact that she had started thinking about demons. Her mother wouldn’t like it very much if her interest in the preternatural came back in full force. Pauline looked over at Gwen and smiled brightly.
“Morning!” she said. “You look like you’ve lost some sleep.”
She smiled suggestively at Gwen, but the older girl said nothing. “What’s wrong?” Pauline asked.
Gwen shook her head. “Just thinking about something.” she said, tucking her hand in her pocket.
She was in no mood for Pauline questioning her about the ring on her finger. Gwen didn’t even know why Night had given it to her. Night stepped up beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He kissed Gwen on the forehead and started walking her to school. Pauline trotted to catch up with them. She looked from Gwen to Night, smiling all the while.
“So what’s up with you, Night?” she asked.
Night looked towards her. “What are you talking about, Pauline?” he asked.
The younger girl smiled even broader. “You know.” she said, jabbing him in the side.
He frowned. “I’m not sure I do.” he said.
Pauline fell silent, frowning up at him. Night frowned back at her, but Gwen was too busy gazing at her feet to notice any of it. She pulled her hand with the ring on it out of her pocket, allowing it to swing at her side. Pauline brushed against her hand and gasped in shock. Gwen stopped and gazed at her friend.
“What is wrong?” she asked.
Pauline brought her hand up to eyelevel. “Nothing.” she said, dazed. “Nothing at all. It just felt like you shocked me.”
Gwen frowned. “Shocked you?” the older girl asked. “I’m so sure!”
“I’m serious.” Pauline insisted.
Night moved between both girls. “Enough, Pauline!” he growled. “Shut up!”
Pauline stepped back, staring up at Night for a long moment. “Night,” she breathed.
Night glared down at her. “I said enough, Pauline.” he whispered.
Gwen gazed from her friend to the man she had spent the weekend with. Both stood in silence, glaring at the other. Night turned his attention back to her and his hard stare softened a few degrees. Pauline stood there as if dumbstruck. Gwen and Pauline stared at one another for a few minutes, not sure what to say.
Finally Pauline spoke, “Let’s get to school.” she said. “We have Gym first period today.”
Gwen nodded her agreement. “All right.” she said.
Pauline smiled suddenly and looked at Night. “We can show him off.” she said. “Won’t that be fun, Night?”
Night frowned. “I don’t think so.” he said and started walking once more.
The two girls followed in his wake.
[What had happened?] Gwen wondered. [One moment everyone is all buddy buddy and then the next Pauline and Night look like they’re going to rip each other’s faces off. Does it have something to do with this?]
She drew her hand to eyelevel and gazed at the strange ring.
|
|