Amara
I had never run so fast from another person before. But there’s no way that I can explain what just happened to anyone, especially Kell. I imagine that he’d drag me loony been if I did.
Unfortunately, I can’t really avoid talking about what happened because Juliet and Haley are waiting for me by my locker, looking extremely worried, which makes me feel guilty.
Haley throws her arms around me and utters. “Amara, what happened?”
I shake my head and continue to walk. “It was nothing. Nurse Donovan said that I must have fainted because I hadn’t eaten, and my sugar was low.”
Both girls frown in consternation but don’t question me further. Adding credibility to my lie, I head to a vending machine, buy a granola bar and eat it quickly. “I have to go take pictures. I’ll meet you guys in class.”
They both
KellI lay my books down on the table and wait for Amara. Earlier, Coach Blake asked me to be his starting quarterback. He was impressed with my speed and strength. If he only knew.I won’t pretend that I wasn’t surprised to see Amara at tryouts. She looked so hot in that cute blue dress. I wanted to rip it off her body and kiss every inch of her skin.The mere thought of tasting her soft skin makes goosebumps break out all over my body. Taking a fortifying breath, I rub my hands against my mouth. I know I should stay away from her, but every time I see her or touch her, my good intentions go out the window. And after seeing those pictures she took of me, I don’t know if I can stay away. I know she feels it. She has to feel that spark that we ignite when we’re around each other. It’s just not possible that she doesn’t feel the same way.Just then, the library doors open, and Amara walks in. She’s wearing
AmaraI watch Kell’s retreating back as he makes a hasty exit. Shame and anger burn through me at the thought that he ran from me. Images of Jason avoiding me after we had sex course through my mind.What is wrong with me?I can’t believe I let him kiss me. Leaning my back on the table, I sift my fingers through my hair and take a couple of deep breaths. I feel like such a fool right now. I don’t understand why this is happening again. I might not have had sex with Kell, but I can’t help but feel the same humiliation that I felt with Jason two years ago.Pushing away from the table, I swallow down my tears and pick up my things. The sky is dark and gloomy, which is a good reflection of my current mood. Gazing in the direction where Kell usually parks his car, I have to bite back a curse. It’s gone.Feeling foolish, I search the lot until I find my mini. It’s si
Kell“Hey, bro, what happened last night? You came in and disappeared.” Carrick asks as he casually slumps down in the front seat of my car. I don’t answer at first because I’m too preoccupied with the thoughts of Amara as I speed the car up on the way to school. I need to talk to Amara about last night’s epic blunder.Carrick snaps me from my thoughts when he smacks my shoulder and asks. “What’s wrong with you today, Kell?”I keep my eyes straight ahead and answer. “It’s nothing man, I’m just tired. Football practice is a killer.”Carrick leans his head back on the headrest with a frown but doesn’t ask again.I need to talk to Amara and explain my abrupt departure. But what do I tell her?After a moment, Carrick adjusts the volume on the radio and mutters. “I went out with Haley last night.”By the tone of his voice and the look on his
Amara“Amara.” He whispers seductively. I gaze hypnotically at his beautiful sculpted chest. He has a tattoo on his collarbone and another on his shoulder. I try to take a closer look, but the words on his neck are hazy. He looks down, tilting his head near mine. “Who are you?” I whisper. He doesn’t answer at first. Heart beating wildly, I watch as he caresses his fingers tenderly down my face. His touch is seductive and sweet. Closing my eyes, I push into his touch, then open my eyes and look at his magnificent wings. His wings are large, extending from his back with black feathers. Groaning softly, he kisses my eyes and whispers. “I’ve been waiting for you, my Sodales Sempre…” I smile and move closer as he reaches for me. However, before I can reach him, his body shudders and freezes. I scream out when I look down and see a sword protruding fr
KellShe pulls away from my hand. I had never seen her so frightened and alone before. However, she also seems wary. Like she expects me to mock her or reject her. Her lips are trembling, and her eyes are glimmering with tears.“I saw them die. I saw those missing girls die. One of them…her name was Leslie, and the other one’s name is Sophie. Someone killed them.”Her chest heaves as she lets out a few heartbreaking sobs. I don’t know what to do. So, I pull her into my arms and hold her close and whisper soothing words. It’s heart-wrenching to watch her fall apart this way. I’ve always thought of Amara as the kind of girl who is in control of her life, and it’s surprising to see that it is not the case. She continues to cry as if her heart has been broken. After a few moments, she pulls back, wipes her tears, and hesitantly asks, “Please tell me you believe me, Kell. I need you to believe me.”J
AmaraThe day has been dragging for me. All I can do is think about Kell and our late-night kisses. It’s lunchtime, and I still haven’t figured out what to say to Kell. Juliet is waiting for me when I walk into the lunchroom. I try to stay off the topic of Kell and me, but Juliet doesn’t get the memo. Haley must have told her about us.As we usually do, we get our trays and take a seat at our pot in the corner of the cafeteria near the window. Juliet slams her tray down excitedly. “Okay, spill. I’ve been dying to know all morning. What’s going on with you and Kell Cross?”I roll my eyes and take a piece of carrot from my plate. “Nothing is going on.”She narrows her eyes and pinches my arm. “Ow! Jules. What the hell!” I say, flinching back in pain. She leans close and purses her lips. “Don’t mess with me, Am. I saw you arrive at
KellI lean my head back on her door. I shouldn’t have said what I did. I know I hurt her. I want to run back in and tell her that I want her to be mine. But what if she’s not my mate? I would be cheating on her if I dated her and later found the one I was meant to be with. Even though my body wars with itself, I painfully pull away from the door and step outside. I’m numb by the time I get home. Everyone is there. Mathias, Cassia, Traeger, Jelena, Nevaeh, and Azazel are there too.I can’t help but think that Amara should have been here with me. Rowan steps out of the kitchen with a bottle of beer in his hand. “Hey, little bro.” I pull him into a hug. “Rowan, where have you been?” He rolls his eyes and waves his hand. “Here and there.”I give him my best glower. “Well, you’ve had everyone worried, you dick. Next time call or text.” He sn
Amara“I can’t wait until this week is over. I really need to have some fun this weekend, or I’m going to go crazy.” Juliet leans her head dramatically against her locker with a groan.But I’m not looking at her. Instead, my eyes are glued on Kell and Tiffany, who seems to be in deep conversation. Tiffany is wearing a very revealing outfit. It’s a short black mesh top and cut-off jeans that barely cover her ass cheeks. Kell gives her an interested smile and whispers something. I guess that’s the kind of girl that he’s attracted to. My heart stutters with pain at the thought.I look down at my own outfit and can’t help but feel self-conscious. Unlike Tiffany, I’m dressed more conservatively. I look down at my white, skinny jeans, black silk halter top, and black heels and want to slap myself for letting Tiffany get to me.Just then, Juliet steps in my line of sight and gives me a puzzled frown. Sh
Chapter 44: EpilogueKell“Ready, beauty queen?” I ask Amara as I heft her heavy luggage cart towards our rental SUV. Amara, Haley, Carrick, Juliet, and I decided to take a road trip after graduation. Traeger and Jelena invited us to a cabin her parents purchased in one of the state parks located in upstate California. I could tell that Amara wanted to get away from home. Her parents are still trying to convince her to quit school and become a model. I can tell that she’s ready to snap. Unfortunately, it will be months before we start school at Cal State, so I suggested a road trip. Everyone jumped on the chance.Carrick told me the other day that he finally revealed what he was to Haley. She freaked out at first, but Amara spoke to her, and she seems fine now. Azazel made sure that Juliet’s memory of that night with Taylor was erased. According to Azazel, all she remembers is her car stalling on prom night and her falling after stumbling
AmaraThink about Juliet…Think about Juliet… I keep repeating in my head as I gaze into the mirror. At first, my vision swirls, and everything is hazy. I blink my eyes, trying to focus, but everything is too blurry. After a moment, I think I’m going to get stuck like this, but then as if someone turned a television on, my vision sharpens.I’m surprised to find myself in the school greenhouse. This time I’m not in someone’s mind. I’m definitely me. I look down for reassurance and see my beautiful prom dress and sigh in relief. Hopefully, this will stop the dreadful cold that debilitates me when I snap out of my vision.I can see all the beautiful flowers and the stars gleaming from beyond the glass ceiling and the ivy vines wrapped around the greenhouse walls. I walk around for a moment, confused. It feels so real. I can smell the scent of roses and other plants. I move closer and run my fingers over a soft ros
KellPROM NIGHTI move my head to the music as I make my way to Amara’s house. My fingers pull at the bow-tie that hangs snuggly around my neck. I’m wearing a traditional black and white tux with a black bowtie─James Bond style. Or so Amara told me. I smile at the memory of the really bad things we did after I got the tux.It doesn’t take me long to get to Amara’s house. We decided to forego the traditional limo. Especially since my Barracuda is so badass. Amara loves this car. We’ve had some really hot make-out sessions in the front and back seat.Stepping out of the car, I adjust my jacket, grab Amara’s corsage, and make my way to the front steps. Mimi answers the door with a delighted grin. Mimi has warmed up a lot to me over the past few months. At first, she was very formal, but I wore her down with a few flirtatious comments and compliments on her outstanding cooking.  
Chapter 41: Thank goodness that’s overAmara “…And the winner of the 2015 Ms. Arcata High Pageant, and recipient of the Fallen Scholarship is…Ms. Amara Vega!”I roll my eyes as my boyfriend cups his hands over his mouth and pretends to be a cheering crowd. Juliet, Carrick, and Haley join in and hoot and holler along with Kell. Removing the crown from my head, I lay it over my lap and blow out a strand of hair from my face. “Okay, guys, enough.”Kell takes my hand and chuckles exuberantly. “Aww, come on, beauty queen, we’re just excited that you won.”I smile shyly and rest my head on his shoulder. “Thank you for being there,” I lay a kiss on his cheek, then turn to my friends. “Thank you all. It was really fun.”Carrick whoops from the driver’s seat of the car and winks at me from the rearview mirror
KellShe looks so small lying in my bed. Caressing my hand down her smooth jaw, I move a stray strand of hair behind her cheek. Amara fell asleep as soon as we got into Mathias’ car. I had to carry her exhausted body into my house. Thankfully, her candidacy for the Ms. Arcata High pageant didn’t suffer. I called Carrick on the way to the house, and he told me that people were intrigued by her mysterious exit from the ball. I will admit that Jordana intimidates me. So, I texted her and told her that Amara was not coming home because she was attending an after-party for her pageant celebration. She seemed fine with it.Amara didn’t make a sound when I took her into my shower and washed all traces of that world from our bodies. Once I was done, I placed her on the bed, undressed her, and slipped one of my t-shirts over her bare body. I know she’ll become very upset when she wakes up with makeup residue on her face, but I just don’t have the h
AmaraI feel like a statue made of bone and mass. All I can do is stand there and watch as the man I love and his friends fight the evil that Marael and Taylor have wrought upon us. I try to fight the spell that keeps me from moving, but it’s impossible. So, I simply gaze into my boyfriend’s eyes and try to broadcast all the love I feel for him. He looks so desperate to save me. It’s almost heartbreaking to see the hope in his eyes.If only I could break loose from this spell, but all I can do is scream inside. I feel like a soul trapped inside a dead shell. My body jostles painfully when Taylor pulls me over his shoulder and carries me away. I can hear Kell’s footsteps following close behind us. Suddenly, a loud crack resounds in the room, and Taylor and I are weightless. My stomach flips as our bodies descend rapidly through a black abyss. I close my eyes as my body plummets to its death. The breeze stirs my hair, and my body is
Kell“It’s over here,” I say, pointing to an old church hidden by a cove of trees. After I tracked Amara’s phone, Azazel and I drove until we were in the deeply wooded area a few miles from Arcata. The area is deathly dark and unnervingly quiet. You can’t even hear the song of crickets. Which is odd in this part of California. It seems that every animal has left the area. In the center of the wooded area, there’s an ominous-looking church that has seen better days.The church is old and unkempt with crumbling cement and brick walls painted in garish mud colors. There’s a bell tower centered on the top, and most of the stained glass windows are cracked or boarded up. The wooden front door looks like it is falling off its hinges. As we near the church, I remove my jacket and tie. The air is almost oppressive the closer we get. An ominous feeling seizes me as I step out of the car and take a few heavy steps.Azazel follows
AmaraI can’t believe this is happening right now. It never occurred to me that Taylor might have been involved in all these deaths. But here I am, waking up to find myself tied to a column in the middle of some church. I look around in hopes of figuring out where I am. There are stained glass windows depicting an army of angels coming down from the heavens and wooden pews, just like the other ones in my visions. Used candles create a sinister décor as they lie strewn around the room. My eyes land on the large stone altar with dried blood in the center of the floor. Hysteria rises in my throat at the thought of what might happen to me. Taylor is going to kill me the same way he killed those other girls.My arms ache as I strain to release them from their bonds. All I need to do is get to the private pocket in my thigh to reach for my cell phone. Hopelessness overwhelms me at the realization that my hands are tied too tightly to reach the pocket. I can&rsqu
KellI make my way to the table and almost faint in shock when I see who’s there. Rowan is sitting at the table with Carrick and Haley. He’s wearing the black suit jacket I told him to wear, which is not exactly appropriate for the occasion.As I stroll casually toward the table, I search around for some answers. “Hey, bro. So you decided to come after all.”He nods his head and smiles cynically. “I was bored. And since you invited me, I figured I’d come around and see what all the flash was about.”He looks around the room, then back at me. “Where’s Amara?”I point to the balcony. “She’s in the ladies’ room.”Rowan moves his head to the music but quickly stiffens when Juliet walks up to the table and stops as if pulled by an invisible rope. Her smile fades instantly. You can almost feel the tension in the air. However, they don’t acknowledge each other