Prologue
This Way, Nightmares Come
Arabella Grace St. James
Yesterday
We arrive at Forsyth Park only five minutes past schedule, I come here most nights to clear my head. Being late doesn’t bother me but my family is a stickler for shit like that. My family undoubtedly wants to kill me, so tonight's form of torture is brought to me by jogging, which is stupid. I have trust issues against people who run for fun. In specific, I’m talking about my Uncle Josiah, who I lovingly call Uncle Jo.
At least after the cardio, I can people-watch sitting underneath my favorite tree. Uncle Jo is tagging along tonight, apparently. He missed his workout and needed to let off some nervous energy. Trouble is brewing within the factions, but they don't discuss that stuff with me.?
Merrie-Beth, my best friend who is also my Healer, heard a rumor that there was a prison escape. The criminals are searching for the Chosen, which is insane because she hasn't even been born yet. Dumbasses.?
News travels fast amongst our societies. We are the Lux, Pyralis, and the Kori. The Lux faction has two jobs within the three societies. The first is that we supply both the Pyralis and the Kori with special herbs, and medicines so their Healers can keep them healthy. You can't find the medications we make anywhere else. Our faction is more advanced in every capacity than the modern world where we hide in plain sight. Our secondjob is that during wartime, we come up with the battle plans because we are known as the "thinkers" amongst the groups.
The Pyralis are the most fearless, passionate faction. They make the swords along with most of the other weapons that we use. Their fighters start training as soon as they take their first steps, which is why they are the first to be called into battle. They simply take the risks that we're not willing to and surrendering is not an option for them, they will fight to the bitter death.
The Kori faction is a secretive bunch. They keep to themselves but share the new inventions they make with us so that we can stay more advanced. They work on everything from making the Pyralis's weapons better to making our household items more convenient.
Finally, after almost dying from exercise, I'm able to sit with my back against my favorite tree. Uncle Jo is still running, which makes me question his sanity. Even at this late hour, people are out in droves tonight. Much to my carnal delight, I've spotted two hot guys already. One is jogging, so he's suspicious. Probably a serial unaliver or something. The other one just bought fully loaded nachos from one of the food trucks. He's less suspicious because food is life.
We’re on the brink of summer. Excitement sizzles through the air. The wind is even heaving out cool air. It feels good against my sweaty skin. To my left is a blonde woman in hot pink leopard yoga pants, walking her French poodle. She’s talking loudly on her phone and has a thick Long Island accent. It seems her boyfriend, Kyle, has been messaging someone named Camilla. Poodle lady should have known not to mess with someone with that name because all Kyles are fuck boys. Her poodle, on the other hand, has no worries. She is holding her head high, her posture perfect. She looks every bit as regal as a queen.
To my right is the macho jogger from before, and he must be hella hot for me to find him attractive because he seems to like running. Even the woman who is yelling at her boyfriend abruptly stops walking. Her mouth is open in awe of the perfection coming our way. Kyle who? The poodle, however, does not want any part of this. She starts barking at her owner, not at all impressed by the well-muscled jogger.
The man is close enough now for me to get a better look at his face, we don't have to guess if he knows what kind of ruckus his presence is causing. That smirk on his beautiful face says it all. He's surprisingly graceful for a man so tall and built. His shoulder-length blonde hair is tied back in a ponytail and I'd say he's in his late twenties—with brown eyes and a very shapely ass. Hello sir, can I call you Daddy? Daddy Thor is one hundred percent all male, with bad-boy appeal and a five o'clock shadowed jaw.
When the hot jogger is out of my eyesight, my head turns, and a set of beautiful emerald green eyes greet my bright blue ones. "Hello." The stranger says.
Startled, my back once again lands against the tree. My cheeks turn red because for me to have been so far from my post, I must have been seriously gawking at the hot jogger man. Did this guy witness that? Kill me NOW! Embarrassment sets in, but I push that shit down like a champ. My family taught me to never lose focus on what's going on in my surroundings. My back should have never left the comfort of the tree. The green-eyed guy should have never been allowed to sneak up on me.
Giving him a half smile, I reach into my back pocket. A sigh of relief escapes me as my hand wraps around my mini keychain of mace. If he tries anything, I could kick his ass. However, we, Lux, don't like doing that in public. We try to stay out of the limelight, and in today's world, that’s hard because ofall the cell phones. Depending on what day you ask, technology can be a blessing yet a curse.
"Hey." I eventually respond. Realization dawns on me that this is the other hot dude from before. The one that was buying the fully loaded nachos. Coincidence? I don't believe in those.
The way “nacho guy” said hello sounded different. Did he have an English accent? Maybe. He's beautiful—possibly my age but not much older, over six glorious feet tall, with short, spiky brown hair, a slight scar is trekking down the right side of his cheek. The imperfection takes nothing away from his appearance. It actually enhances his handsome features. Not to mention, the scales tip over on the hotness meter when the boys have an accent.
I can tell he is uncertain of what to say next. For whatever reason, he seems as nervous as I feel. So, of course, the conversation drifts towards the weather. "It's a beautiful night. Not a cloud in sight." He mumbles.
Definitely an English accent. "Yeah, it's stunning." I chuckle. "What's your name?"
He bows politely. "Ethan Randall."
I've known this guy for two minutes, and I am already smitten. Ethan is cute with a side of clever, which is a nonexistent combination these days. Keep your cool, Arabella. My family keeps me under tight ropes. The only guy I’ve ever been with is our delivery guy at the cafe. He’s a good friend at this point, there’s nothing serious there. My uncle would probably murder him if he knew. “Well, my name is...Ms. None of your business, but most people just call me Nunya." I wink, but it comes out more like an eyelash is stuck in my eye.
He gives me a smirk that sends shivers down my spine. Looking down at my wrists, he takes a particular interest in myleft one. "That’s a beautiful bracelet you’re wearing. My mum's birthday is the day after tomorrow. I think she would love one. May I get a better look at it?" He asks.
I’m only apprehensive for a second, he appears to be a nice enough guy, my black belt proves I can kick his ass. The advisory warning for him today is to not make any sudden moves, because cans of whoop ass will be opened.I slide the silver bracelet all the way down my hand. This particular one is my favorite. It's a liquid metal bracelet, which is made out of silver nickel. It is about three inches in width with little silver crosses going all the way around the middle. When I wear it, it never fails to make me feel safe. It’s a reminder that we’re never truly alone, and that my parents aren’t truly gone forever.
As I hand Ethan the bracelet, he only hesitates for a moment. His eyes glance down at mine as if apologizing for something that’s yet to come. When he finally makes his move to grab it, his fingers bypass the bracelet altogether, grabbing my wrist instead. Quickly flipping it over to examine it, he looks perplexed. Well, this just took a weird turn. Is he a Vampiro? Because I’ll stake the shit out of him, tonight is not the night, and I am not the one, sir.
At his simple touch, a wave of electricity courses through my body. The foreign surge of energy doesn't hurt as it flows through the length of my body. If anything, a small part of my mind has been awakened. A piece that has laid dormant for as long as I have been alive.Gazing up at his face, I gasp as a look of awe hovers over his handsome features. Ethan's eyes never move from my wrist. It’s only after I flinch my hand that his eyes meet my what the hell stare but only for a second, he quickly turns back to my wrist. Yeah, this just got weirder.
I try to make small talk because I don’t like awkwardness. “My uncle got the bracelet for me as a present for my twelfthbirthday. I'm not sure where he got it from or if it would even still be available at that shop. I'm sorry."
“It's quite alright," he says in return.
I don't understand the feeling, but I suddenly want to know everything about this mysterious stranger. Who is he? And why is he staring at my wrist in reverence? “Tell me about yourself?”
