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  “Put your tampon back in.” Tommy jokes but Amber scowls at him even harder. “Hey!” He says as Tiff smacks his arm and with a narrow evil glare from his future wife Tommy says, “Ok, I’m sorry. So where’s your man at?”

  “Here.” Amber says enjoying the shock value.

  All our eyes drift to the grill, where the only single remaining men stand. I feel sick. An image of Amber and Leo flashes through my mind. I turn to Lena who seems to be extremely tuned in to me today. She shakes her head and the acidic sensation in my throat subsides. That leaves Joel, highly unlikely, and Mike.

  No!

  “Hey babe!” Amber calls and to my dismay, Mike turns from whatever conversation he was having with Leo.

  I close my eyes tight just as Leo gives me a questioning look. I’d like nothing more than for Amber to find happiness but with Mike she won’t. I’m not even sure how I feel about him supposedly being neutral and passive when picking a side. Leo may have walked away from the Grigori but it’s clear which team he’s batting for.

  “It’s still new but we’re really into each other. He’s super cute though, isn’t he? His eyes are so sexy.” Amber says as I open my eyes, nod and with pressed lips, smile at her.

  I look around, the guys are hovering near the grill, the girls still sitting in their chairs. On my right, Robin discusses her major and the reason why she chose marine biology with Lena. On my left, Amber and Tiffany talk about the holiday sale at Macys.

  The sensation of surreal displacement spins my reality. My heart accelerates and nervous adrenaline pushes through my veins. I feel the inability to control an impulse that evolves throughout my body. I’m overwhelmed. I shift uncomfortably in my chair, lace my fingers together and take deep and controlled breaths. Get control of yourself. It’s nothing, it will pass. It will stop, it will. Stop!

  A loud clanging noise draws everyone’s attention to the grill.

  “Losin’ your touch?” Tommy jokes to Leo.

  He doesn’t respond, he just passes the tongs to Mike and walks back inside. Everyone looks at one another before settling their eyes on me. But I’m too focused on the crawling of my skin and how abruptly it stops. Lena places her hand on my arm. Her brow is creased in concern. If it’s for Leo or for me I don’t know.

  “Um, I guess I’ll go see if he’s ok.” My words come out sounding as uncaring as they had in my head.

  Truth is, Leo’s a grown man. He can take care of himself. And no, that’s not the, he’s overly complicated and I’m still pissed at him, chip on my shoulder talking. I’d rather figure out what the hell came over me and what attributed to it.

  I find him sitting on the couch; his head slumped in his hands. I can’t think of anything to say. At least nothing that won’t sound condescending. It’s not that I don’t want to help, it’s that I don’t know how. I don’t know my place with Leo anymore.

  “What happened?” Leo asks lifting his head to me.

  Outside laughter fills the air.

  “Could you be more specific?” I ask sitting down on the adjoining couch.

  I look down to my naked nails. When was the last time a floral color dressed them?

  He studies me like the answer is written somewhere on me. “It’s the blood or maybe your Awakening. It’s more than I expected.”

  I haven’t a clue what he’s talking about. Then I realize, “You felt it.”

  “Felt it? No, I heard it. I heard you.” He twists his body in my direction, resting his elbows on his knees and lacing his fingers. I scoot back and mentally try to grab hold of normality. “What’d you feel?”

  “H—heard me?” I sputter. “How does blood make that possible?”

  “Our blood, it holds secrets. Magic. We aren’t made the same way as Amber or Tommy. Now we share our own power.” He smiles.

  Maybe I’m just too exhausted to see the lighter side in this. I stare at him for a moment, shrug my shoulders and without looking back leave him sitting there on the couch. The last thing I want is something to bring me closer to the one person I wish I’d get over.

  Later in the night, my friends and I gather on the beach. We lay out blankets and dig our toes into the cold damp sand. We draw lines in the night with our sparklers as the boys light off multi colored mortars.

  With every boom, the night illuminates in light and the sound of crackling embers. It’s this moment, the smallest of the small, that cradles my heart. No matter what happens, as long as these simple moments exist, I’ll be ok.

  Lena’s face lights up, physically and literally. Robin points out her favorite blasts to Joel. Tiff leans back against Tommy. Amber and Mike sit side by side, as she leans in against his shoulder. Nothing good can come of her being with Mike, but for now, she is happier than I remember.

  Leo squats down silently beside me wearing a warm smile. It’s not until much later I realize he probably heard my thought.

  Chapter Twenty

  I AWAKE THE next morning feeling the best I’ve yet to feel. I shower, pull on shorts and a blue tank top with a white dove decal on the lower left side. I put a little product through my wavy brown hair for extra shine and control. I apply SPF moisturizer to my face. I check my reflection in the mirror. It’s me who I see looking back, smiling.

  “I’ve missed you.” I whisper to my reflection.

  I walk to the kitchen where, on the table, I find a note.

  KIMBER,

  OUT WITH LEO. SEE YOU SOON.

  LENA.

  “Huh. That’s a little vague.”

  I glance around the small kitchen until I see the microwave. The time, nine forty one, shines in green. I can’t fathom what Leo and Lena could be doing. Then again, it’s better I don’t. Whatever it has to do with, it doesn’t involve me, thank God! But a sick and twisted part of me wishes it did. The exact part of me that won’t listen to the lies I tell myself to lessen the hurt. We’ll never have what we had. Our love doesn’t exist. All the while knowing that if he’d see past the Grigori’s threats he’d find his way into my arms.

  Twenty minutes later, I’ve not only cleaned the useless thoughts from my mind, but also Leo’s room and a few things left out from yesterday.

  As I wipe down the rest of the counter, I hear the sound of a car engine as it pulls up alongside the house. I toss the wad of paper towels I’m holding in the trash can.

  I walk into the living room seconds after Leo. He’s wearing black basketball shorts, black Nike sneakers and a black shirt with a neon green soccer logo on the font.

  Wow, slips through my mind in a dreamy type of way. Leo’s head turns mid stride to look at me.

  Ah, hell.

  He smiles wide then disappears into his room. There has to be a way to turn this off. I’d rather die than have him listening to every incriminating thought I have about him. Which are growing excessively frequent.

  A second later Lena enters through the front door. “Hello sweetheart. Feeling better?”

  “Yes.” I smile.

  I sit on the couch just as an intoxicating woman enters the beach house. Exotic and far beyond what I’d call beauty. Her high cheekbones accentuate her long lashed almond shaped eyes. Her black hair falls in layers against her chest and along her back. Her nose looks like a button and her lips the texture of marshmallows. Her honey colored skin glows. Egyptian is the first nationality that comes to mind. She fits it perfectly. Her flat stomach peeks out from her white crop tank top. Her long gold necklace is a chain of hoops and dangles just above the hem of her khaki shorts. She’s aware of her height hence her thong sandals. Her tall slender body alone would have men drooling over this year’s Victoria’s Secret summer collection. Especially with a two-piece bikini and a suggestive pose.

  I know it’s immature and petty but I don’t like her. And it’s not because she’s hotter than I’ll ever be. It’s the way she looks at Leo with hungry eyes. She wants him and she doesn’t care if I know it.

  “Hello.” I say through a fake smile. I sit on the
furthest part of the couch. Away from where she sits. She smiles back in a dismissive manner.

  Thankfully, Lena notices her lack of manners and as she pulls up a chair from the kitchen, introduces the foreign beauty. “Kimber, this is Alexandria. Alexandria, my niece Kimber.”

  “Alright, just make sure he gets the message.” His long body pushes off from the wall he leaned against. “Sorry ‘bout that.”

  Alexandria’s face lights up. Her smile is a dentists wet dream.

  “It’s fine.” As she speaks, I bite my lip to keep from smiling. Her voice is obnoxious and nasally.

  While Lena and Leo focus their attention on Alexandria, Alexandria focuses on me. I recognize the look. It’s something adults do when they’re waiting for the kids to leave so they can have adult time. My mother’s lawyer friends used to do it all the time. I get the urge to slap the look from her face. The fantasy plays out in my head. The image of her recoiling when my hand crosses her perfect cheek bone.

  Next to me Leo shifts his weight, as if he’s preparing to stop my violent attack. I have to find a way to shut him out of my head. He waits a second before turning his attention back to Alexandria.

  “So what’ve you got for us?” He asks.

  “With respect Leo, I’d feel comfortable doing this in private.” In unison, three pairs of eyes settle upon me.

  I straighten my shoulders. “This is as private as it gets. I’m not leaving.”

  Leo nods and though it’s the faintest of smiles, he makes sure I see his approval. But I’m not staying for him. It’s the irritation on Alexandria’s face that gives me pleasure. It’s obvious she’s here on Neph business, so screw her if she thinks I don’t belong.

  “Fine.” Alexandria says less than appeased. “The reason for my visit is simple. Word is spreading fast that you’ve cut ties with the Grigori.” She shoots me a quick look assuming it’s my fault. “With your blood, they’re going to be knocking down the door to get to you.”

  “Well you’re the first, so what is it you want?”

  “Allegiance.”

  Leo huffs in disbelief, slowly shaking his head. “Hopefuls crawl their way up through units like yours. I stepped out. I’m not stepping down.”

  Alexandria stays poised through Leo’s insult. She clears her throat and begins again. “Our unit has been in existence longer than the Grigori. You know who I am Leo and what that offers. The longer you say no, the harder the game gets. You’re not like these diluted cesspools thinking they can bounce around like their blood actually means something.” She hurries the words out like they’re acid in her mouth.

  “Excuse me,” the words rush past my lips before I can bite them back, “I know you don’t know me, but the last thing I’ll ever be is a diluted cesspool.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry was it your turn to speak because right now the important people are talking.”

  I’ve never been very confrontational. I always preferred to verbalize my anger. But something about this girl flips a switch inside me bringing out the bad. Abruptly I jump to my feet and for a second I’m surprised when Alexandria does the same. Crap! I don’t have a next move. Thankfully Leo stands placing himself between Alexandria and I.

  “Step any closer to her and you’ll bleed on your way out.” Leo snarls. He’s tense and prepared to make good on his threat.

  The way he defends me is as sweet as it is stupid. There is no way someone as cunning as Alexandria would have bought his earlier plan of a faux relationship. Not after this. She sits back down with a twitch of her eyebrow and a devilish grin. Leo turns to me and nods, implying I should also sit.

  “I guess they weren’t rumors after all.”

  “The Grigori knows why I left. I could care less what you or anyone else suspects.”

  “Leo, there’s no need for us to quarrel.” Quarrel? Where did she resurrect that word? “I wish to be allies with you. I ask that you come with me, see our forces for yourself. Meet my father and let us show you what the three of us are capable of achieving.”

  As Leo considers Alexandria offer, Lena sits with her eyes closed probably searching past visions for answers.

  As a silent moment falls between the four of us something occurs to me. Even knowing how important Leo is to the Grigori and the purity of his family’s blood, I didn’t stop to think that Leo could be superior to other Nephs. And here Alexandria talks as if he is the key to something. Making her way to the front of the ‘theoretical’ recruitment line. It makes me think. What else have I been completely oblivious to and what does Alexandria hope to accomplish in finding an ally in Leo, taking down the Grigori? Now that is something I could get on board with.

  “Alexandria.” Leo starts. I look to Lena, who watches Alexandria, who looks elated with victory. “By resisting the Grigori, I’ve taken control of my fate. I have no interest in giving that up so soon, if at all. I won’t side allegiance but I will meet with your father.”

  She clenches and unclenches her jaw. “You realize how suspicious this looks?”

  “Yes, that’s why it requires a little trust.”

  “And if not your allegiance, what do we receive?”

  “Present me with evidence I can’t refute. Show me the making of a future that’s better than the one already offered. If you can do that, I will present it to my family council.”

  “The Chambers council?” Her eyes widen. “You’d swear?”

  “I swear that if you provide me with what I ask for, then yes, I will do as promised.”

  Alexandria stands and extends her hand to Leo. He takes it and they shake. “I’ll arrange the details and be in contact soon.” And just like that she’s gone.

  Chapter Twenty One

  WITH ALEXANDRIA GONE I feel I can relax. Everything about the girl gave off a bitchy feel. Her, I’ll stop at no means to get what I want, attitude doesn’t sit right with me. Mostly because it’s Leo and access to his family council she wants.

  Busily Lena walks through the house opening the windows and letting the salty air in as Leo walks into the kitchen. I hear the fridge open and close followed by the silverware drawer. Are they really being this mundane? Going about everyday things like Leo hadn’t just struck a deal with the Devil’s daughter.

  “Lena.” I stand and stop her mid stride as she walks into the living room. “Explain to me what’s happening?” I plead. She takes my hand and leads me out back.

  Outside the sky is overcast with swollen gray clouds and single strands of sunlight. We walk down the beach until our sandal clad feet cross paths with the water. To me it’s just a simple walk on the beach but when I look at Lena, it’s a whole new world seen through her eyes.

  The wind off the ocean is warm and refreshing. I pull my hair to the side in an attempt to keep control of it. Lena allows her chestnut hair to fly free. She drags her feet in the water.

  “Individually they’re so simple. Sand, water and air. When you put them all together, look at what they make.”

  I remember once thinking the same thing. Enjoying the endlessness of the ocean and the soothing sound of it rolling in. I think as the years have passed the beach just became the beach and I lost sight of its beauty.

  “Lena.” I touch her arm, gaining her attention. “What’s the deal with Alexandria?” I ask recalling the importance she placed on herself.

  “Her family claims to be one of the first but because of their heritage the family was denounced, stripped of the title and shunned from council meetings.”

  “When you say founding families, you’re talking about the ones that formed clans to maintain pure bloodlines?”

  Lena nods. “Did Leo ever tell you about Mastema?”

  “Yeah, he’s seriously bad and responsible for the Watchers falling to the earth.”

  “Stories written about Mastema are so old they’re considered folklore. They’re untraceable and horrifying. But certain people who believe them also believe there is a link between Mastema and Alexandria.”

  �
��Like, family?” I ask furrowing my brow at the thought.

  “Once Nephilims were created Mastema sought to control and rule them. In one of the folklores there’s a story of Egyptian twin boys born to a woman impregnated by a Watcher. The story can’t be dated but it’s said that the twins, Olam and Bomani, entered the army of their Pharaoh pledging allegiance to serve their God. Then Mastema came and called to them. Eventually they became Mastema’s right and left hand of destruction. It was power fueled by hate.

  “Sometime later Bomani received word that his mother lay ill and dying. He thought it was a trap at first but the evil born inside him could not kill what he felt for his mother. He returned to her without Olam. Once his mother died, he did not rejoin Mastema and Olam.”

  “So what happened?”

  “Olam was outraged by his brother’s abandonment. Bomani turned from Mastema and in doing so, turned from his brother. Eventually Olam found Bomani and in the end, they killed one another. The story says that before Bomani died he had become part of the first Nephilim council.”

  As we start to walk, I just can’t wrap my head around what Lena says. Why, if Alexandria is a descendent to Olam and Bomani, would she expect Leo to pledge allegiance with her? Even if she walks the reformed line of Bomani, there are still traces of Olam in her blood. I do understand her eagerness to get in front of Leo’s family council but it’s her process of getting there that has me worried and this bright future she wants Leo to invest in. And where the heck does the Grigori fall into all this?

  “Leo’s mother will be visiting today. You’ve met her?”

  I turn to Lena, skirt blowing in the wind, hair wrapped and whipping around her face.

  “Yeah.”

  I remember the handful of times Cybil, or Mrs. Chambers, and I met. She’s old time nineteen twenties beautiful. Porcelain white skin, hazel eyes, rose red lips, and caramel blond hair. She always keeps it off her neck, pulled back and up into an intricate hairdo. I remember her love for pencil skirts and how she genuinely approved of my relationship with Leo.