Trinity - Defying Destiny (8 page)

Chapter Fourteen

I left the others in the training centre as I silently creeped out. I knew it didn’t go unnoticed by Garth or Lachlan, but they let me be. I wasn’t really feeling anything, just overwhelmed. I wanted to do something, something fun, and something the old Trinity would do. As I walked down the hall, I pondered on what that would be. The old me seemed so far away and untouchable. I felt rebellious like I had with Lachlan. He didn’t even tell me about Garth, although he never told me much about anything. Most of it I had to find out on my own with Nikkee’s help. I understood that they wanted me to find out the hard way, to learn along the way. But if they would’ve been straightforward with me from the start, I may not have told Nikkee, nor Sky or at least I would have had some proof so Sky would not have told Mark. She would have kept my secret; I knew she would have if it were under different circumstances. Well, I hoped. Things between her and Nikkee seemed to be better like the old days. I laughed a little as I passed someone. They gave me a funny look, but kept going.

I walked into the reception area and up to the sign-in log on the counter where a woman was sitting, reading the paper.

“Hi,” I said.

She moved the paper to expose her face and then sat the same paper face down.

“Trinity, what can I do for you,” she asked.

“I’m looking for Steven,” I told her.

She frowned slightly, “He is on the third floor,” she said slowly.

“Can you call his room and ask him if he could come up here?” I asked politely.

“Sure.”

She turned around, dialled some numbers, spoke briefly and then hung up the phone turning back to me.

“He said he will be right up,” she told me with a questioning look.

“Thank you,” I replied sincerely.

I turned around, walking over to a set of chairs in the corner, and sat down. The woman had gone back to her paper, but kept moving it slightly, glancing at me and then back to her reading material.

I squirmed a little at her scrutinizing eyes. Good thing Steven was not long and stood in front of me in no time at all.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked with a cocky grin.

I stood up. “I was wondering if you were not busy, could you take me into town?” I asked.

He raised an eyebrow. “What for?” he asked.

“Just something to do,” I said.

“Why not go with your friends and maker?” he pressed.

“If you don’t want to, don’t worry about it,” I said turning around.

He grabbed my arm. I turned back and watched as he ran his fingers through his hair and looked around.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing. We will at least leave a note,” he said and turned towards the reception desk. I followed.

“I will be taking Trinity into town,” he informed the woman.

She looked from him to me and again to him. She stood up, walking over to the far wall where a bunch of drawers were. She opened the top one and pulled out an envelope. She walked back and handed it to me.

“You will need this,” she said handing it to me.

I frowned and ripped it open.

Inside was a bankcard with a small note which read, ‘so you can always buy your own underwear! Garth.’

A big smirk came on my face at his humour. I didn’t know he had any.

I turned the card over and saw my name printed on the front. There was a little sticky note on the top that said UNLIMITED.

“I can’t accept this,” I said.

“Well, you have to. It would be an insult to not,” the lady stated as a matter of fact.

I looked back down at it. Could it be mine? Could I actually buy my own clothes and undies? With my own money?

A smile slowly crept over my face as I thought of all the possibilities.

“I guess we are going shopping,” Steven was grinning.

“Sounds good to me,” I said asking, “Oh, you do have a car right?”

“I do, but you could always buy your own,” he told me with a big grin.

My eyes widened at the possibility of having my own car and underwear. Things were starting to be more exciting.

Steven had walked into the garage, over to a Commodore that was sitting at the far end. I told Steven to wait as I started to feeling guilty because I had not invited Sky and Nikkee. I sent a text and asked if they wanted to come. I shortly received one saying that Lachlan had told her that she shouldn’t, now that she has had her first feed, the direct sunlight will affect her and that I shouldn’t go either. I told her I would be fine and that I would see her soon. She told me to just wait as Sky wanted to come. I smiled and sat back in my seat deciding I was going to enjoy this trip even if it was to a small township. I had my own money, my friends and kind of a family of my own and I think I had a boyfriend.

“Are we going yet?” Steven asked.

“No, we are waiting for Sky to come,” I told him.

“What about your hot friend?” he asked with a pout on his face.

I was laughing, “She has just had her first feed so Lachlan said she should stay.”

“And he didn’t say you had to?” he questioned.

“Yes, he did,” I said.

“Well since you have a dad like Garth I wouldn’t be all bossy, especially when your wolf lover is next in line for the throne,” he bit out.

“Get over it,” I told him with force.

“I will try, but I can’t make promises,” he replied cheekily.

“Well, try. You work at a club we both go to. Learn to deal with it here,” I snapped.

The back door opened and Sky climbed in.

“Hey guys.”

“Hey,” we both said.

“What’s going on?” she asked, sensing the tension.

“We just had our first squabble,” Steven said, smirking.

“Really?” she said with a hint of caution.

“Don’t worry about it,” I replied, sitting back in my seat.

Steven and Sky both let it drop as he drove the car out of the garage and into the hot sun. I instantly felt queasy wanting to squirm in my seat. I have not had any more blood since I bit Nikkee; I couldn’t bring myself to. Even though I accepted what I was, I was still trying to not act like the monster I had become and if that meant depriving myself of blood for as long as I could that was fine with me.

I looked out at the open dry land that stretched out thinking of nothing but the peace that it had all to itself. I was hoping that would block anyone from feeling what was going on in my head. It seemed to be what stopped them when we had driven to ‘Mutual’ in the first place.

I thought about long walks in the grass hand in hand with Jason. Not saying a word, just listening to the sound of the earth around us. No busy streets or voices breaking in, just our quiet footsteps leaving little trace of our existence. We were normal, I wasn’t a monster and neither was he. It was just us, enjoying the quiet sounds of life and what was ahead of us.

I couldn’t help smiling as I thought about a future even though I knew deep down we would never have it.

But what was the harm in dreaming?

Houses started popping into my view as Steven drove. They were acres apart, but then they started getting closer and closer together.

I could feel Sky’s eyes on me from the back seat. I didn’t know what she was worried about. As soon as Steven was out of sight, I would ask her.

The grass started going from a dry, gold colour to a brown, brown-green and then finally green trimmed lawns came into view as we entered the town. I had not been looking ahead; if I had, I would have seen how big it actually was.  It started to change as Steven drove around a few streets and then we were on a main road that was so full of cars, we were in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Chapter Fifteen

The street was so busy, but the cars were moving at a slow pace. The people that were walking on the sidewalk were moving faster than we were. It was like driving forward in time, one moment there was just dirt, long dead grass, cows in paddocks, a few houses here and there, then straight into a small city. ‘Mutual’ seemed like the perfect location remote, hidden and out of sight, but perfect feeding grounds for the monsters that hide within.

“The mall is just up ahead,” Steven announced.

“It's so busy,” Sky pointed out.

“I know,” I replied automatically as I stared out the window at all the different people.

We moved along a bit more until Steven was finally turning into the entrance to the shopping centre. We parked on the third floor, as there were no other spaces on the two above us.

“Check it out,” I said, handing Sky my card.

“Wow, that’s awesome. Do you have a budget?” she asked.

I shook my head and started walking with Steven to the elevators. I pushed the button, we only had to wait a few seconds before the door chimed and we were walking in.

“I don’t think so; a note on it had said ‘Unlimited’,” I said, finishing with a huge grin.

“What are you going to get first?” she asked.

“My own underwear!” I was laughing.

“Hey, there was nothing wrong with the undies I got you,” she said laughing with me.

“No, but it will be nice to be able to get my own.”

We walked out of the elevator and into a big, open floor with shops’ signs and people everywhere.

“Let’s get some food first. My treat,” I said and waved my card before putting it in my pocket.

“Sounds great I am starving,” Sky said.

“Me too,” I replied.

Steven didn’t reply.

We looked up finding the signs that pointed us in the direction of the food court so we headed that way. I filled Sky in on what had happened during my breakfast/dinner with Garth. She listened well and gave the right nods when needed. I also told her about Ally. She seemed to keep the same expression, but I could tell she was still bothered and she knew I could see through her calm expression.

We walked into the food court area and looked around.

“What do you feel like?” I asked them both.

“Not that food does much for me, however, I do like a good kebab,” Steven said.

“I haven’t had one of those for ages. Sounds great! Sky?”

“Yeah, but I might get two, I seem to eat more these days,” she said a bit sheepishly.

I smiled at her. “I know what you like, I will grab it. What do you want Steven?” I asked.

“Surprise me.”

“Okay! You two grab us a table and I will go order it,” I told them and walked over to the kabab shop.

I waited patiently for our order to be ready. I got a funny look due to the number I ordered, but I told them I was ordering for friends as well. I looked around at everyone, eating, chatting, and walking in and out of the food area. They had all been so loud when we first approached, but I pushed it aside. I figured it was because I had a few weeks to practice before I fully changed. Not necessarily changed so much as accepted. After my first feed, things were more heightened, though not much had actually changed. With that thought I wondered why was I so uptight and what the hell was I worried about? So some people wanted to kill me, big deal. I have had a target on my back since I was born. Not that I knew, why did I feel I had to change? The only thing I needed to do was stop showing everyone I was scared. Stop letting them know their looks and judgment bothered me. I had all the people I needed to love me. The rest could bite me, or I them, whichever came first?

Our order was ready. I looked directly to where Sky and Steven were sitting. Not that I had seen them, but I could hear them as clear as day, like they were standing right next to me. I walked over and put our food on the table.

Sky grabbed hers, opened it saying thanks through a mouthful of food. She must have been hungrier than she thought.

Steven grabbed his and smiled. “This is what I get all the time. Chicken with the works and sour cream with BBQ sauce,” he seemed surprised.

“It’s what I have,” I replied.

He raised an eyebrow at me and took a bite while still staring. It made me squirm a little in my seat at his watchful gaze. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but I didn’t like it, or did I?

My kebab was delicious, I savoured the flavour while I was chewing and I could taste each one. I kept my eyes down, trying not to make eye contact again. Steven and Sky were chatting or should I say doing that uncomfortable small talk. Steven seemed to have a big chip on his shoulders about the wolves and I didn’t understand why. He worked at a club that had both species and stayed at a monster hotel, yet I could hear the clipped tone in every question or answer he gave to Sky. I had a feeling he was trying, at least for my sake since she is my best friend, but what about me. I was both and yet he didn’t seem to have a problem at all.

I averted my hearing out to other people in the food court. I suppose you could say I was eavesdropping, but it seemed like the perfect place to test out my abilities. I still didn’t quite know what they were exactly or how far they went; in order for me to find out, I needed to learn. I didn’t want to have any more break downs or episodes that would draw attention to our kind and if I wanted a normal life I needed to try to harness everything I had.

Mostly everyone was talking about bills, their partners, their children, and what they were planning to buy.

All that normal talk seemed so long ago as if it barely existed in my life at all. Only a few weeks ago, my biggest fear was not being able to go to college, even to simply escape my foster monster.

I took the last bite of my lunch and looked up. Both Steven and Sky were looking around, as if they were bored.

I rolled my eyes and stood up. They followed suit.

“Look, if you guys don’t want to shop with me, feel free to wait outside or something,” I said as I put my rubbish in the bin.

“I’m good,” Sky said.

“I would rather not face Vex if anything happened to you… or Lachlan,” Steven replied.

“Fine, well at least pretend you’re having a good time,” I said as I started walking out of the food court.

Sky walked beside me while Steven stayed behind. I felt like punching him in the face.

“Don’t worry about it, Trin,” Sky said, placing her hand in mine.

I looked down. It felt like old times only Nikkee wasn’t holding my other one.

I sighed. “Do you have a prejudice against Nikkee?” I asked hesitantly.

She gave me a small smile. “You know, I don’t think I do. In fact, I feel like we have bonded more in the past day than we have in the past eight years. Perhaps both of us becoming monsters has made us see things more clearly,” she told me, sounding all grown up.

“What’s more clear?” I pressed.

She pulled me into a clothes shop called ‘Ice.’ “That we both care about you, and that if anything happened to her or I it would kill you. You have always been able to share your love between us both so it’s time we recognize that it is not a competition and that you are the bond that holds us together.”

I pulled my hand out of hers and jumped at her, wrapping my arms around her neck engulfing her in the biggest hug I could muster.

“To tell you the truth, Trin, it was I who had the problem and I see that now. I only hope that things can go back to normal and I get the chance to make up for my betrayal,” she whispered into my ear.

“There is no need, you are here now,” I reassured her and stepping back.

“Yes there is, you needed me. And I abandoned you. I vow to never do that to you again or Nikkee,” she said with a strong tone and a single tear was running down her cheek.

I gave her a smile and looked behind me where Steven was standing outside the store waiting for us.

“I wish everyone else saw things that way, Sky. I seem to form nothing but triangles, one gets fixed and another appears,” I sighed.

“I don’t think you should concern yourself with him, Trinity,” she said bluntly.

“Why?” I asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? If you and Jason are together, you really shouldn’t be hanging out with other males. Well, apart from Lachlan,” she told me.

“He is hanging out with his ex!” I replied mechanically.

I ran my hand across the top of the coat hangers, moving them across one at a time to see what was hidden.

“That is a bit different,” she defended.

“I don’t see how. Besides, I only see Steven as a possible friend,” I admitted.

“Does he?” she pressed.

“I think he flirts with me but I think his eyes are more set on Nikkee. I believe he is also in the majority that believe I have intermingled the species, but doesn’t seem to hold that grudge against me, but rather on Jason and Lachlan.”

“Oh, this is cute!” She was holding out a nice, tank top then asked, “Did he tell you that?”

“No, It is just what I feel is true. Not sure why, but I just do. I think he is a great guy, but he sits on the fence,” I said looking back to him and Sky did the same.

“Everything used to be so simple,” she murmured grabbing a few more shirts off the rack and handing them to me.

“I know. I keep trying to tell myself that I am still the same, but deep down I know I am not.”

Sky smiled at me. “You are still you, Trinity. Even with everything that has changed, you are still unique and special, just with a bit more flair.”

I smiled back. I could always count on my friends to bring me back from the brink of despair and self-doubt.

“I am going to go try this on,” Sky said walking toward the changing room with a dress in hand.

I moved from rack to rack until I was near the back, I grabbed a few more things that caught my eye and some really pretty dresses for Nikkee. I stood staring at the lingerie and bra’s. I was finally here. My eyes skimmed over all the different brands and designs. I reached out and touched a pink nightgown made of silk. The texture was soft like air against my touch. I marvelled at the beauty of it.

Warm hands came around my waist and then a body against mine.

“If you buy that, there is no telling what I will do and I cannot be held accountable,” his words breathed in my ear as soft as a whisper.

Shivers ran down my body as goose bumps rose on my skin and butterflies started to form in my stomach.

“Jason,” I whispered.

He slowly moved me into the changing room a few steps away until we were both in there.

I watched in the mirror with bright blue eyes as he closed the door not taking his gaze off me. He turned me around in a fast move, put his arms around me and then his lips were against my own. It wasn’t until that moment that I knew I had longed for the taste of his mouth more than I let myself know.

My arms wrapped around his body in a strong hold as if I was worried he would disappear again. Rather than feeling like we had only just started out, it felt more like we had always been together, since the day of our birth or the moment our souls were created. I felt as if my body was made just for his and his for mine. I felt pained and jealous when we were separated, but I didn’t want to believe it, yet now that he was in my arms, kissing me like I had never been kissed before I knew I would not be able to deny him ever. I wanted to be with him completely, forever, and him being a monster also meant I could have him for eternity.