Four Horsemen Page 9

  He kept his hair short and his round glasses and suspenders reminded me of 1920s fashion. He loved wearing historical styles. “Honey, don’t you remember? It’s parents’ weekend! We told you last week we were coming.”

  I mentally facepalmed. I completely forgot. Well, I guess I was stuck with them. Not that I minded. I loved them but I was always on edge when they were around, wondering what kind of mood they would be in. Ever since Owen’s death, they had become morose and a bit unstable. It was hard to gauge their mood most times. For now, they seemed happy but that could change in an instant.

  “Right, I remember.” I stood there and fidgeted with my Hawaiian bracelet. “So, what do you want to do?”

  “Show us around. We want to see everything,” my mom said smiling.

  I took my parents to each of the buildings where my classes were located, to the dining area, and passed the library. There was not much else to show them unless I wanted to take them to see Liam, Kaden, and Trevor which I did not. As far as my parents knew, I had not seen those three in a year. No need to open old wounds.

  My phone buzzed and I pulled it out to see a text from Shawna. Perfect timing. I texted her back to meet us at the wing take-out place then led my parents there. They were excited to meet the person I had been living with over the past couple of months. I wondered if I would meet Shawna’s family today. She hadn’t mentioned they were coming but then again maybe she had, and I just forgot. My mind has been a bit occupied lately.

  I didn’t see Shawna yet when we arrived, so we went ahead and ordered and found a seat to wait. My parents gushed over the beauty of campus and told me stories about their new gardening hobby and how they were hoping for vegetables soon so they could send me some.

  A few minutes later, Shawna found us, her presence halting my dad’s story about the vegetables they planted. “Hi! I’m Shawna!” She held her food in one hand and held out her other hand for my parents to shake in greeting.

  My dad, ever the gentleman, stood and pulled out a chair for her to sit in after he shook her hand. My mom greeted her next. “I hope our Ophelia hasn’t been causing too much trouble,” she said.

  I rolled my eyes. They knew all too well I was not the type to cause trouble.

  Shawna laughed and shook her head. “Not at all, Mrs. Bronson.”

  My dad looked around before bringing his attention back to Shawna. “Are your parents here?”

  Shawna tensed briefly then relaxed making me think I imagined it. “No, not this time. They are currently in Italy schmoozing with the Pope.”

  “The Pope!” My mother exclaimed excitedly.

  “Italy!” My father exclaimed at the same time. “That must be nice.”

  Shawna shrugged, keeping her focus on her food. “Eh, not really, they travel a lot on business, so it is not like a vacation or anything.”

  My father nodded as if he knew what she was talking about, but I would bet he was curious what kind of business let them travel to Italy often. His own job had to do with international finances but even he did not get to travel.

  “Anyway, I heard something about gardening when I walked up,” Shawna said, changing the subject in true Shana fashion.

  The way her smile tightened, and shoulders tensed made me think she did not have a good relationship with her parents. My heart ached for her. Even though mine could have crazy mood swings, I still valued the relationship I had with them. I wanted to ask her about it but wasn’t sure if our friendship was at the point where I could. I hadn’t even told her about my brother yet.

  My parents took the change of subject in stride and talked for the rest of our meal about their new garden, occasionally asking us about our Engineering projects. I found myself relaxed and happy for the first time in a while. I had missed my parents and loved how they could be so excited about everything despite being depressed much of the time. I was eager to finish my Engineering project so I could send them pictures and show off my skills now that they showed interest.

  Once our conversation fell into a lull, Shawna stood and grabbed her trash. “Well, I will leave you guys alone now. It was nice meeting you.”

  My dad sighed and stood up as well. “Actually, we should get going. We will have to come back soon and visit you two again.”

  My mom and I stood to join them and the four of us disposed of our trash then met outside. We stood in a circle for an awkward moment before my dad moved in and hugged me. I held him tight knowing it would be a while before I saw him again. They did not leave home much these days. They hadn’t even left to drop me off at college. My mom moved in next and grabbed Shawna along the way to bring her in for a group hug. Shawna looked surprised but accepted the hug.

  “They seem like nice people,” Shawna said once they left.

  I nodded. “They are.” I turned to Shawna with hesitation. “So, your parents are in Italy, huh?”

  Her eyes moved to the ground in between us. “Yeah, they have been there for a couple weeks. They are in charge of expanding a program to other parts of the world.”

  I wanted to ask her about it, but she didn’t seem to want to talk about her parents, so I let it drop. “So, what do you want to do now?”

  She looked relieved. “I don’t know, I was going to go do some homework.”

  I needed to do homework too, but I wanted to spend more time with my friend. Between training and her clubs, we hadn’t seen much of each other. “Want to go see a movie?”

  Shawna’s face brightened. “Yes!”

  I hadn’t been to the theater in that town yet and found it was only a bus ride away. I could have ridden my bike there, but Shawna did not have one so the bus it was. I was pleasantly surprised to see the theater was not busy which allowed us to get our snacks and seats quickly.

  Shawna bounced in her seat and talked nonstop until the movie started. I had not laughed that much in a long time and was happy to have spent some time with my new friend. Halfway through the movie though my bladder screamed at me. I should have gone to the bathroom before it started but I was too focused on getting our seats and talking.

  I told Shawna I would be back then made my way out and to an empty bathroom. Thank goodness a movie hadn’t let out yet otherwise the bathroom would have had a line. I finished my business and was washing my hands when a loud noise made me jump. I glanced in the mirror to see behind me and found a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes staring at me with disgust. I had seen her before. She was the smoothie murderer.

  I turned around to face her completely. The crest on her jacket sent a spike of fear through me but I kept my expression calm. I knew I had seen that crest elsewhere before. So far, I did not see any swords so that was a plus.

  “Excuse me,” I said trying to pass her and leave the bathroom to the lobby where there would be witnesses. She would not try to kill me if there were witnesses around. Right?

  She grabbed my shoulder roughly and yanked me back, making me stumble into the sink. “You don’t deserve to live,” the girl said in a low, angry voice.

  I gaped at her. She didn’t even know me.

  “I told you the next time I saw you, you would regret it.” She advanced toward me while a dagger slipped out of her jacket sleeve and into her open palm where she grabbed it and swung the sharp end toward me. It was such a smooth motion that I almost didn’t process its existence in time.

  If she wasn’t about to kill me, I would have stopped to admire the trick. Instead I dove for the side, feeling a sting in my shoulder. I touched the spot where pain radiated from, and my fingers came away coated in blood. A scream stuck in my throat as she came at me again. This time I used my defensive strategies that Kaden taught me and side stepped the blade then punched her in the face.

  She rocked backward, her hand going up to hold her jaw. Rage filled her eyes and a very nasty word left her lips. I had been called that before but, in this instance, it only made me smirk because it meant I had gotten to her. She swiped out at me again causing me to back
up or be stabbed. I was really getting tired of being attacked with sharp weapons. I had to start carrying a knife of my own. Too bad I left my purse in the theater or else I could pull out my pepper spray.

  Despite my moves to disarm her or defend myself she got another hit in leaving my hand sliced open. I hissed at the pain as red stained my palm. The pain from my hand and shoulder filled me, making me angry. That maniac had been able to hurt me twice. If I didn’t do something soon, someone would find me lying dead in a bathroom. Not exactly the way I wanted to go.

  The rage built until I felt I would burst. When the girl attacked me again, I ignored the pain and stepped into her attack. I leaned to the side so the blade could glide past then I grabbed her neck with my bloody hand. I pushed all my fury, despair, and fear that she made me feel out. Her body went slack and eyes wide. The blade dropped and black boils erupted over her skin. Suddenly horrified I dropped my hand and watched her crumple.

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  There were not as many boils or black patches on her as the last person I unintentionally killed but she was still writhing on the floor and whimpering. At least now I knew that anger and fear had a part in activating my powers. I used her distraction as an advantage and rushed out of the bathroom, grabbing some paper towels on the way out to press against my bloody palm. A boy behind the counter looked up as I burst out of the bathroom and must have seen something in my eyes. He hurried around the counter and reached out to me asking if I was alright. I waved him away and pointed to the bathroom.

  “Someone collapsed in there, call 911.” His eyes widened and he rushed to do as I said.

  While he was distracted, I went back into the theater where Shawna sat watching the movie, completely oblivious to the fact that I just fought someone with pestilence.

  Shawna smiled at me when I reached her and whispered, “Hey, you missed a great part. The main charac-”

  I cut her off by grabbing my stuff and pulling on her hand. “I need to go.”

  Her smile dropped and she followed me out. “What’s wrong?”

  I thanked her mentally for not arguing and instead going along with my sudden need to leave. I ignored her question and pulled out my phone, sending a quick text to Liam. I knew I could have contacted Trevor or Kaden, but I felt Liam was the person I needed right now.

  Shawna pulled on my hand that was still grasping hers to stop me when we left the building. “Phi, what’s wrong? Are you ok?”

  I put my phone away after reading Liam’s reply that they were on their way. Shawna noticed my injured hand and gasped. “Oh my God, Phi! What happened?”

  I shook my head, not wanting to tell her the truth. “I fell in the bathroom and sliced my hand on something sharp. I’m not feeling great, so I want to go. I’m sorry, if you want to stay you can.”

  Shawna eyed me with suspicion and worry. Then she saw my shoulder and reached out to touch it hovering just above the cut. “You fell and hurt yourself twice?”

  I hesitated. “No, same fall, two places got hurt.” I cringed knowing that sounded unbelievable.

  “We should get you to a hospital,” Shawna said, tugging me to the bus stop.

  I pulled on her hand this time and she stopped, turning to me with worry shining in her eyes. “I’m fine, it is just a couple of small cuts.”

  Shawna eyed my hand like it might fall off, but she didn’t argue.

  Three roaring engines sounded behind us and I turned to see Liam, Kaden, and Trevor riding up to the curb near us. Tension I hadn’t realized I held dissipated at seeing them. They made me feel safe. Liam took his helmet off and rushed over to me, cradling my hand in his. I stiffened at the contact but if he noticed, he didn’t show it.

  “Why are you guys here?” Shawna asked bewildered, looking behind Liam to the other two.

  Liam gave me a knowing look but flashed Shawna a boyish smile. “She texted saying you two needed a ride home.”

  Shawna raised her brows and looked to me with a silent question. I knew she was wondering whether I actually texted Liam and whether I was ok with going with them since I often showed my dislike of them. Little did she know I had been training with the guys and growing fond of them over the past few weeks. I nodded and she sighed.

  “Ok.” Then she beamed. “I call riding with Kaden!” She ran to the red motorcycle and hopped on the back, squeezing Kaden from behind who smiled at my friend flirtatiously.

  I winced at the sudden stinging in my palm and looked down to see Liam wrapping my hand in a bandage. Then he moved on to my shoulder and patched that up. He was so gentle and for once he was not lecturing me or scowling at my actions. His arm wrapped around my shoulders when he finished and tucked me into his side. It made me feel warm and safe, and I had to fight to keep blood from rushing to my cheeks.

  He looked down at me with concern. “Are you ok? Tell me what happened.”

  I glanced at Shawna. Even though she wouldn’t be able to hear me over the roaring of the motorcycle engines and her fascination with Kaden I still shook my head. “Later.”

  He nodded once, then led me to his motorcycle. This was the second time I would be riding on a motorcycle. I stood in front of the bike waiting for the usual fear to fill me, but this time I was calm. Yay, progress. I smiled at that and got on the back, accepting the helmet Liam held out.

  Back on campus, Kaden broke away to drop Shawna off at our dorm while Trevor and Liam continued to their house. As soon as we were inside, Liam led me to the unofficial meeting spot at the kitchen table and handed me a glass of water. My hands shook as I took it.

  “What happened,” Liam asked, sitting across from me.

  Trevor took the other seat next to Liam and both of them stared at me with varying degrees of concern and anger. At first, I thought they were angry at me but when Trevor glanced at my bandaged hand, I realized they were angry that someone hurt me.

  “I was attacked by a Templar in the bathroom. She came at me with a knife, but I was able to block most of her attacks.” I gulped, not wanting to continue. I wondered what happened to her.

  “How did you get away?” Trevor asked. His hand was clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white and his anger was palpable. I could feel my stomach clench in the beginnings of hunger and my heart ached softly with despair, but I knew it was because I was picking up on Trevor’s talent that he was exuding.

  I bit my lip, not wanting to answer. “I think I killed her with pestilence.”

  I expected them to get mad about my talent killing someone again, but they showed no emotion. Not even grief over a person’s death.

  Their lack of emotion irked me. “Don’t you care that I killed another person?” Greif slammed into me and I closed my eyes for a moment to reel it in. Even though she had attacked to kill I still felt bad about her death.

  “No,” Liam said.

  I sat back in shock. “No?”

  Liam leaned forward to fill the space I left behind. “No. It was kill or be killed.”

  I was stunned by his opinion. Trevor’s impassive face told me he thought the same. Surely there could have been another way. I needed to control my powers, so I didn’t keep killing people.

  After a few moments of silence, I whispered, “Have you ever killed anyone?”

  Liam stared at me with an intensity I didn’t understand. In that instance I could see the line between human and supernatural and it frightened me. It was possible the emotions rolling off him caused my fear since that was his talent.

  Before he could answer, Kaden walked through the door with a loud greeting. “Hey! Your roommate is all cozy in her room, wondering about you.” His smile dropped when he saw our somber expressions. “What’d I miss?”

  Liam got up from his chair and stalked up the stairs without a backward glance. I sighed. Someone touched my arm and I jumped. Trevor. I had almost forgotten he was still there.

  “We have all killed people. We are not proud of it, but it has kept us safe.” With that he too got up an
d walked upstairs.

  I could not imagine Trevor, Liam, or Kaden killing anyone but then again, I had never imagined I could either.

  Chapter 11

  Kaden walked me home after I refused to stay the night at their place. I didn’t see Trevor or Liam again before I left, and Kaden had grown quiet since interrupting the conversation earlier. Kaden waved when we reached my dorm and left me to go inside alone. Shawna pounced on me as soon as I went into the room and squeezed me in a hug.

  I grunted at the pain in my shoulder and she released me looking apologetic. “Sorry. So, are you going to tell me what really happened?”

  I knew she wouldn’t believe the story about me falling but I couldn’t tell her the truth. “It’s nothing you have to worry about, I’m fine now.”

  Shawna stared at me with varying degrees of worry, exasperation, and relief. I moved past her, breaking eye contact and laid my purse by my desk.

  “Did someone hurt you?” Shawna whispered.

  I froze, my back facing her. Then I turned plastering a smile on my face to hide the fear and anger I had felt in the bathroom of the theater. “Nope.”

  Shawna stood there a moment longer then sighed, realizing I wouldn’t say more. I hoped this didn’t fracture the friendship we had forming. I could understand if she was hurt but I didn’t want to lose her trust in me. Shawna’s phone rang from her desk and the screen lit up displaying the caller as her dad. Shawna grumbled and grabbed the phone, telling me she would be back soon, before leaving the room.

  Once alone, I let the hurt come over me and rolled my shoulder trying to get the ache out. My hand did not feel any better which would make it difficult to do my Engineering projects. Stupid Templars. This was the second time I had been attacked by one of them. Unfortunately, I was ninety-nine percent sure there would be a next time. Today it was my hand and shoulder that got hurt but what would happen next? I could not stay sane if I had to watch my back all the time. I knew training would only get me so far. Being a badass Horseman had not stopped the Templars from killing my brother.