Protected (Book 1 in the Ariya Adams trilogy) (25 page)

That comment had been a jab and Emma knew it and had done it on purpose. She had been watching me for a
while now if she knew that tid-bit of information. I hated that she knew something so intimate about Riley and me. No one else should know about our private conversations, especially Emma.

Helen sa
t down and Riley took his turn.

“So
, Helen, what else are you all up to today?” I had to change the subject before Emma hurt Riley anymore.

She couldn’t get away with being so horrible the whole afternoon. If she couldn’t get a word in anymore
, I could protect Riley and Helen and try to salvage their day at least.

“Riley i
s cooking for me tonight. He won’t tell me what though, the sneak.” Riley turned and smiled at her.

She was glowing back at him. They seemed like they were really getting along well. Jealousy reared its
ugly green head for a moment, but I forced a smile onto my face. It made me feel horrible, that I was surprised by the fact that Riley was happy with someone besides me. What kind of a friend was I? If he hadn’t made his feelings known, I’d be happy for him, so what was wrong with me now?

“Oh, lucky girl!
You know, Caroline and I would have starved our sophomore year if it weren’t for Riley. You’re in good hands.”

Helen smiled brighter. We could be friends. She seemed like such easy company to keep. Was it a good idea being nice to her with Emma sitting right here? That would just add another person to her
ever-growing list of people Ariya cared about.

“Good to know!” she said.

We kept bowling, and I noticed that we were only one frame away from finally ending the game. I started gabbing again, trying to pick apart who was going to win. Helen jumped in, joking along, and I thought if we could keep this up for just a bit longer, we’d be able to finish and leave in peace. Riley ended up bowling a strike to solidify his lead.

Emma was the last
to go and threw a gutter ball.

“Whoops!
Aw, Riley it looks like you win.” She grabbed his arm gently and laughed.

Helen was either very good at hiding jealousy or she was not in any way worried about her status with Riley
, because she didn’t seem fazed by Emma’s obvious flirting. Me, on the other hand? I wanted to stomp on her hand so that she never touched him again.

“
Yeah, we should get going since we have to go to the store first before dinner tonight. Good seeing you, Ariya.”

He made a poi
nt not to say anything to Emma.

They walked up to the bench by the shoe stand and were alone again. Helen smiled up at him a
nd looped her arm through his. I was glad they were gone, leaving me alone with my monster relative. Turning back to face Emma, it was clear she was staring after him in a way that looked an awful lot like lust.

“Isn’t
he just yummy?” she commented, licking her lips.

“Back off
, Emma,” I said through grinding teeth. I was getting tired of her and wished I were strong enough to get rid of her myself.

“No? There seemed to be something there bet
ween you two. Does James know?”

I knew she was trying to get under my skin
again, and it was difficult to act as if it wasn’t working. Everything she had said today was getting under my skin.

“There is nothing there
, and if you even think about speaking to him again, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Her features darkened
, instantaneously.

“I said don’t forget who you
’re speaking to, Ariya. I could beat you to a pulp and feed you my blood to cover it up so no one would know. If you don’t watch your mouth, I’ll just threaten him, too. He would fit in nicely on my list of people to get back at you with.” She stopped talking, put on her fake smile, and took my arm. “Let’s go. I’m sure you’re hungry. Where would you like to eat?”

“I don’t care
, Emma. Just pick something.” All I wanted to do was go home.

“Oh
, you wouldn’t want
me
to pick, Ariya. You know what I eat.”

I looked over at her and her teeth were gleaming white.
As normal as all these vampires acted around me, I kept forgetting they relied on blood. How often did they have to eat? James had said in the story he told me that the bloodlust is painful, but he could control it. That didn’t mean Emma could or wanted to. No point in letting some innocent bystander be her next Happy Meal.

After returning our shoes to the rental counter, I decided on a place that was off the beaten path and led in the direction away from the center of town. The pub I’d picked
wasn’t usually too crowded. A place with limited food supply for her was probably best. She was definitely unstable, and I shouldn’t risk anything with her.

We ordered my food and sat down. “So, how are you enjoying our time together? It’s quite wonderful to get to know me
, isn’t it?” She flicked her long blonde hair back over her shoulder as she spoke.

“Oh yes, quite wonderful. Emma, there i
s something I’ve been wondering. Since I’m in on the game now, am I allowed to ask questions?”

“That depends. Go ahead and ask and I’ll decide whether or not to answer.”

“How did you find me? Us, I mean? James didn’t seem to know where you had been, and then you just show up ready to help.”

“Yes, well I have always been around
, you all just haven’t known it. That’s a scary thought, right? The Protectors not knowing the influence I’ve had.” She was grinning an evil, wide smile. She reminded me of a predator before a hunt.

“What influence?” I kept going
, and I would until she stopped me. I needed to get information out of her.

“Well, for starters, what was that guidance counselor’s name of yours … Larrys … Lazirous...
”

“Miss Laza
ro?” I looked at her surprised.

“That’s it! Do you really think she knew about Mineral Point before I told her to tell you about it? Of course
, I made her forget it was my idea and she thought it was all hers. I knew what you liked and didn’t like, which worked out perfectly for this college. A remote location where plenty of werewolves are known to gather. It couldn’t be more perfect for us or more dangerous for you. We thought we’d bring you to us instead of us having to come to you.”

Impossible.
Emma had been around? She was right; it did worry me that the Protectors hadn’t known that. The thought was unsettling.

“So this has been in the works for some time?”

“Oh yes, quite some time. We’d tried before to go after the bloodline, but the Protectors can come together so quickly that we didn’t get what we really wanted. Your grandmother was killed, of course, but your mother had already escaped. They knew we were coming. For now, they don’t know everything like they did for that attack. Being here has been so much easier.”

“You killed my grandmother?
Your own family!”

“Well
, not me personally, but I was part of the plan. Just like your plan. Oh, don’t look so shocked! I’m a bad guy, remember? And you chose the wrong side.” She laughed at that, which upset me more.

That last thing she said.
“Wrong side.” I had heard it before.

“You’ve been watching me here. You were outside my room when I started this semester. You said that to me!
‘Be careful what side you choose.’ You’re messing with me, Emma. I don’t like it.” She just laughed again.

“I
t really has been fun getting to actually play with you. It’s an exciting time for me. And you think I care what you like? Stupid little Ariya. I have enjoyed watching you, James, and Riley. That one was fun. You were so upset when he poured his heart out to you. I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing out loud at how pathetic you turned out to be after that incident. Moping around for two weeks. You are such a child. I can’t understand why they all love you so much.” She really wasn’t happy with the fact that I had Riley’s attention, and James’.

“You truly are a monster
, Emma. You wouldn’t understand anything good.” I knew the words wouldn’t faze her, but I was too angry to waste any more of my breath on her.

She was despicable.

“Thank you, Ariya, now finish up. I’m tired of pretending to be nice and I wouldn’t want to hurt you before it’s time to. I haven’t had lunch yet, and I’m starving.”

My face blanched at the comment. I didn’t care where she was or what she did
, as long as I could be away from her and the people I cared about were safe. Her statement gave me the sign that finally this outing could be over and I could head back to the apartment. The rest of my vampires would be there waiting to make sure I got back safely.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t slam the door,
squirm, and hide away from Emma, even though that’s the only thing I wanted to do. I had to play it cool and pretend I got to do what I’d wanted that day. After seeing how she treated her own family, I knew she wouldn’t hesitate to stake my vampire friends or kill Riley. My performance had to be good enough to protect them.

We walked home in silence, which was fine by me. It gave me time to build
up my confidence. Emma had decided to stay once we got to the apartment, making the need for me to act happy and normal even more crucial since she would be watching my every move. She walked straight over to where James was sitting and wiggled in next to him. She had plenty of room on the couch to sit normally, but instead she was basically on top of him. This time, he didn’t make a move to push her away.
Ignore it, Ariya. She’s watching you.

I made sure that I was adding to
the conversation, even sharing a couple drinks after dinner with everyone. It was another quiet evening in the apartment, like most evenings, now that Devon was a threat again. We didn’t go to many parties and when we did, I was always watched like a hawk. Many times, we just invited friends to our place. Tonight, it was just the vampires and me. Watching movies, playing drinking games, trying to pretend everything was okay. It was obvious none of them liked this sitting around, but they all sucked it up for me.

After a couple hours
, I was finally free to retreat to my own thoughts at the end of the night. I headed into my room for some peace. Would Emma really add Riley to the list of people she’d hurt? I kept thinking how if she did add him, I couldn’t save him. He wasn’t a vampire.
Please let him stay safe
, I prayed. Caroline barged in moments later.

“A
ll right, spit it out. You are miserable and you can’t lie to me anymore, Ariya. You’re my best friend and I know when something is wrong. What is going on with Emma? What are you hiding?”

How could I lie to her and have
her believe me? I couldn’t. She did know me too well.
Think, Ariya, this is her life
.

“Caroline, if I’m acting weird it’s because a lot has happened in a short amount of time. There is a lot going on that I’m trying to process. I swear that’s all it is. I am trying to find a balance between what I thought to be just stories and reality
, and figuring out how I fit into all of this. If something was wrong, I would tell you.”

She was angry.
I don’t know if that convinced her I was okay, but I could tell she still wasn’t happy with me.

“That’s a lie.” She crossed her arms
, expecting more.

Fumbling around in my mind
, I pulled out the only other thing that might not come across as a total lie.

“Emma is always all over James. He lets her do it
, too. Nick has told me there is nothing there, but I don’t really believe…” Caroline cut me off.

“Lying again.
James is tired of all things Emma-related, and so he ignores it. You know as well as I do there is nothing there.”

I wasn’t as 100% convinced as she made it seem
, but now that she said it, I hadn’t truly been jealous of anything between them recently. I noticed the touches, but it was always Emma. My jealousy stemmed from the past, but I had nothing else to go on as a reason for being off.

“That’s the truth
, Caroline.” I swallowed hard.

“Fine,” she said
, and walked out, clearly not believing me.

Lying to her was the last thing I wanted to do
, but it was necessary to keep her safe. She would understand that eventually, since that’s exactly what she had been doing to me for the past three years.

The worry and fear of the day had caught up with me
, and my bravery had started to fade as I kept thinking about the horrible things Emma could do to me and to the people I loved. I escaped into my dreams that night, preparing for the nightmares to come yet again.

It was almost winter break. Emma hadn’t tried anything with me again, and I was glad I didn’t have to fake another one-on-one outing with her.

James was around more and we would talk about things. We were trying to be friends
, but there was no denying that we both wanted more. At first, I didn’t want to let my mind think that way. I wanted to keep believing he didn’t care, but it was impossible.

While I was always the hopeful encouraging one to friends
, the one who still believed in fairytales, when it came to me, I was usually doubtful once the situation was upon me. Even I, the pessimist in my own relationships and when it came to guys in general, could tell he was struggling.

The other night
, I woke up from a nightmare about Emma killing everyone, leaving me the only one alive to live alone. I gasped and shot straight up into a sitting position. Realizing it was a dream, I brought my hand to my heart, thinking it was possible to slow it down that way. My bedroom door opened and I saw James walk in, concerned.

“Are you a
ll right?”

I nodded, swallowing back my fear. He didn’t leave
, though. He came and sat next to me on the bed.

“Do you want to talk about it?” His hand gripped his leg and I wondered if th
at helped him from touching me.

I shook my head, no.

“Come on, lay back down,” his gentle voice warmed me from the inside out. It brought me comfort and calmed my nerves that had been wired only moments before.

He smoothed out the tangled covers
, and I obediently lay back down on my pillow. He brought the covers up over my shoulders, but let his hand linger there. I closed my eyes, taking a breath to slow my heart rate one last time. When I opened them, he was gone.

There’d be
en other moments, too. Just small things. Times when I’d even notice him stopping himself and backing away when he’d come to sit next to me at the apartment.

Clearly, nothing was going to change his mind
, no matter how much either of us wanted him to. He was on a mission to protect me and that was that. He was punishing himself and me in the process, but I tried to hide that part. I couldn't bear to see him hurting because of my actions, so I sucked it up when he was around.

If he thought this was his duty and what he needed to do, who was I to change his mind or how he’d been doing his job for centuries? I pretended we were fine. Maybe he saw through me but hey, I was trying
, and that had to count for something. It was still nice to talk and be close to him. He was someone I could rely on, which made learning from him important. He could help me with all of the information on vampires and my bloodline. His knowledge might be helpful when I was on my own with Emma, Devon, or whoever else they were working with, if and when it came to that.

He told me about other family members of mine
whom he had protected. Most were not like Emma, thankfully, which made me happy. I remember asking him if he knew me when I was a kid. It was weird to think about, but I was curious.

“No,” he chuckled.
“I didn’t see you until you arrived here at Kingsbrook.”

He didn’t laugh much any
more, so when he did, it was magical.

“My father and I are not close
, as you know. We stayed away from each other, even when it came to assignments, unless it was absolutely necessary for the bloodline to have both of us. There weren’t any threats on your mom, and since my father was in charge of her and you were always there, there wasn’t a need for me to be around. I worked on other assignments. While Protectors watch the bloodline, there are other things we do for other vampires. It’s almost like the secret service in a way. We can be hired to protect others, if they so wish.” I was relieved that he hadn’t watched me grow up. Something about that would have seemed creepy.

“How m
any of you are there?” I asked.

“Only about a hundred
or so, I’d say. There aren’t too many of us compared to the population as a whole, and direct descendants of the Protector line are even fewer. I turned before I had a child of my own, which is why my line has stopped. There was only one in the story I told you about that was saved, if you recall.”

“
Our line was supposed to be much like your line; we have a child and then turn them once they have a child, and so on, so that our strength passes on. It’s one of the reasons I disappointed my father. I disobeyed the rules. I was angry that my mother had been killed and went to my grandfather to turn me. He was the Protector saved by the child after the massacre. He seemed like he understood and abided by my wishes to turn before I continued the line.”

“I’m
sorry things are bad with your dad. That’s probably pretty hard.”

He jus
t smiled at me. “I’m okay, Ariya, I promise. Once you came to college, I was put in charge of watching you. I thought you’d be a brat like Emma, but was proven wrong quickly. Since day one here, you were always doing something for someone else.”

“
When the werewolf activity increased, I had to make myself known and got to interact with you directly, which was more than I hoped it would be and…”

He trailed off and became silent. I didn’t want to push anymore at
the risk of bringing up a conversation of duty again and why this wouldn’t have worked. I smiled a small smile and we went back to just sitting in silence.

I had started asking if I could go home to my family or if I had to stay here at school for Christmas break. None of the group seemed opposed to the idea of me heading back for the holidays
, and I guessed they were working out among themselves who would be in charge of me then.

James probably would be there no matter what. I hoped he would stay out of sight. I
don’t think I could bear Christmas with him. The awkwardness would only be magnified when I added in my family and my mom asking why he was back home with me. He probably wouldn’t come in anyway, since my mother didn’t know what was going on.

I didn’t know what the plan was
, but I was sure it was under control and I didn’t need another thing to worry about. I’d leave it in their hands as to what they all wanted to do. They didn’t fill me in, so I just packed up some of my clothes, put them by the door in my bedroom, and decided I’d wait for the go-ahead to head home for the holidays.

The last night of finals, it was decided that we were going to have a night out.
It’s a Wonderful Life
, which is my favorite Christmas movie, happened to be playing at the school theater. It felt like forever since we’d had a fun night out, so I loved the sound of it. It would be relaxing and we could all use that for a good two hours. Emma would be there, but it was a dark theater and I didn’t have to sit next to her. If I let the movie engulf me, I wouldn’t even have to remember she was even there.

We arrived
at the theater Thursday evening and I excused myself to go to the bathroom. Emma followed, claiming she had to go, too, to touch up her makeup. I rolled my eyes when my back was turned to everyone. I couldn’t wait to be home and be rid of her for a solid month. Unless she did something to me when I was at home. But James would most likely be there somewhere, I think, and apparently his father, if he was still watching my mother as James said he was. That would be another thing that would be hard on James, if he came. He’d have to work with his dad. Protecting me was not putting him into good situations.

When we got to the bathroom
, Emma grabbed my arm, taking me by surprise.

“It’s time, Ariya.”

My eyes bulged? “Time for what?” I whispered.

“Ariya, you’re going to do everything I say. I’ve gathered the werewolves to the town and they have orders that they can attack your friends
and kill with just one word from me. I won’t let you save them, either. Riley and what was his gal’s name again? Whatever. They are being watched.”

“What am I supposed to do
, Emma? What is it you want?” I was trying to keep my voice as low as possible so the others wouldn’t hear.

Emma turned the water on and pulled me
to the corner of the bathroom.

“I want you to say you want candy when I give you the signal
, and I’m going to follow you. If the others try to follow, you’ll say you’re fine, or whatever it takes to make them stay in the theater. Got it? Then you’re leaving. Simple enough, right? Now nod that you understand.”

I nodded once and m
y stomach clenched. She’d had so long to make her move, but she’d chosen to wait until now. Emma had chosen a time when she knew I was complacent. She was glaring at me as she walked closer to whisper in my ear. She must have been worried the others would be trying to listen.

“One wrong move and you’ll regret it the rest of your life.”

She walked out and I was left alone with my thoughts. Putting my hands over my eyes, I shook my head hard. After a deep, calming breath, I decided that I wouldn’t be afraid. She was taking me somewhere, but that would at least mean I was away from the others, and no harm could come to them.

There was nothi
ng to be done but go with her. Protecting my friends was all that mattered. Whatever their plan was, I would at least go down fighting, and the others would be safe. The rest would play out as it would. I didn’t think I’d be this calm when faced with my own life at stake. My heart pounded with anticipation, but I wouldn’t let fear creep in. I would block it out.

I pulled myself together
again with a few deep breaths and headed back to enjoy the last few moments I had before fate would intervene. No sense in crying over spilt milk, at least that’s what the saying was, right?

I made sure to sit next to James just in
case things didn’t end well. I set my arm up on the armrest and glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He was looking at me as well. For a minute, we made eye contact and I smiled out of the side of my mouth facing him. Then I faced the screen.

My fingers twitched
and I began to pick at my cuticles nervously. My gaze was set on the screen, but my eyes weren’t taking in anything. My mind was spinning. A worried look must have been on my face because I felt a hand graze the side of my leg, and I almost sighed out loud.

I felt the touch everywhere. James was thinking he needed to comfort me for something. He hadn’t slipped up much lately
as far as actually touching me goes, but the few times he did, it was perfect. I needed to start doing a better job of acting again or he’d be in danger. That one moment alone just between us that no one else could see was enough to calm me down a bit. I closed my eyes. His thumb rubbed my leg again and then he stopped and drew his hand back.

That was al
l he was going to allow himself. That was all I was going to get. I opened my eyes. It was enough. I had the strength I needed. Now, I just needed Emma to hurry up. I could do this.

About forty
minutes into the movie, I glanced over at Emma. She nodded my way and I knew it was time. I wasn’t exactly sure what it was time for, but that would be revealed soon.

“I’m going to grab
some candy.”

I heard her pipe in
, “I can go with her. Be right back.”

They didn’t try to follow. Maybe they trust
ed Emma now. I must have done a good job of selling our newfound friendship, even to Caroline.

We got to the counter and Emma veered off to the side of it instead of walking up like we were tr
uly going to get something. From the shadows beyond the stand, Devon emerged. My skin began crawling as it had the last time I’d seen him. I was surprised that he was here, then again, he was in on the plan. He held his finger to his lips to silence me and walked closer. He twirled a piece of my hair in his finger, making me shake. Now, I was afraid.

“So
, what are you gonna get?” Emma said trying to play off the candy thing.

She raised her eyebrows at me, “Oh
, uh, Reese’s are my favorite.” I was surprised at how steady my voice sounded.

I
could do this – I could protect them, I reassured myself.

“Ew
, I never liked those. Are you sure we’re related?”

She made a motion to Devon and pointed at her arm. He took out what lo
oked like a syringe from his pocket. Holding it in his hand firmly, he stabbed her right there in her arm in the middle of the lobby like it was no big deal. I let out a gasp, but was quickly silenced by Devon’s hand around my mouth.

“Showtim
e,” she mouthed, winked, and then I heard her gasp.

It didn’t seem
fake, so what could it have been in the syringe that Devon had just stuck her with? She seemed ready for it, which I took to mean everything was going according to plan.

Devon grabbed my wrist, jerked me closer to him
, and then moved his arm around my waist. We were flying out the door at an extremely fast pace and the world was whirling by. I had no idea how Emma was going to play this one off to the rest of the group, but that wasn’t my problem. My problem was staying alive.