The Beast Within (The Elite Series) - By Jonathan Yanez Page 0,56
this with him and she deserved to know. There, under the halogen glow of the bathroom lights, Connor told her everything. He told her of meeting Laren and Lu, of being turned himself, about the Five Families, finding out who his father was, the prophecy, and their current dilemma.
Katie stared incredulously, stopping Connor every now and again to ask questions or to gain clarification on a certain point. “Joe and Pete are dogs? Wait, you killed someone? Oh, that’s so gross—you jammed his eyes with your fingers?”
When Connor was done, the two were silent, Katie sitting on the edge of the tub and Connor leaning against the marble sink.
“So, what now? What are we supposed to do?”
“There’s nothing we can do. The Council has to make their decision. If they decide I’m the one the prophecy foretold, we’ll be safe. If not, well then, I guess the trial will continue and Morrigan would call on you for your statement.”
“There’s still so many holes that need to be filled. I don’t even know where my mom is or if she’s even alive. I must have gotten the gene from her side of the family. Did she know? Did she know about this all along and hide it from my father and I?”
“I’m sure she’s fine. I’ll see if I can find out anything.”
“I hate waiting.”
“So do I, Kat. It’s all going to work out. In the meantime, we’re basically both superheroes.”
“Leave it to you to find the silver lining.”
“Just wait till we learn how to use and control these abilities, Katie,” he winked. “Things are going to start getting better—you’ll see.”
“I’m just glad you’re here now and at least I know what’s going on.”
“I promise, I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“I know you won’t.”
Katie got up from her makeshift seat and again pressed herself into his safe embrace. The two stood there in that moment, forgetting everything else. They dismissed their present circumstances, what the future held for them, and lost themselves in each other.
“I better get going soon, Kat. People are going to start wondering what happened to me, if they haven’t already.”
She looked up at him and nodded.
Hand-in-hand, they entered the main room and walked toward the open window.
Katie stopped him before he climbed out onto the ledge and whispered in his ear. “I always knew there was something different about you, Connor Moore. Whether you’re this savior fulfilling a prophecy or not, you’ll always be my knight in shining armor.” She kissed him on his cheek and smiled.
Connor didn’t know what to say. He gave her a smile and pulled himself onto the ledge. It was dark now; the sun had given up its battle to the moon and its army of stars. The trip back along the ledge seemed easier. Connor wasn’t sure if that was due to the fact that it was familiar now, or the kiss Katie gave him added strength to his quest.
Connor entered the room and quickly closed and locked the window, then drew the curtains. Opening the door, he looked at the clueless guard to his left and waved. Connor turned to his right to begin his journey in finding his own quarters for the night.
Following his original plan, he made every left on the return trip. The halls were dark now, illuminated only by dim lights that sprouted from the walls every few yards. The moon’s rays shined through the exposed window, scattering down the hall whenever an open curtain permitted. The scene was eerie. A few hours ago, Connor had run across more than one passerby, now the halls were deserted.
As he was passing one of these particularly dark and desolate halls Connor heard a noise. It was faint, coming from a hall on his right. Whatever it was stopped him. It was a sound he’d never heard before. The closest thing Connor could compare it with was the humming of a high-end sports car.
This noise was soft though, almost non-existent. He turned his head and looked down the hall to see where the noise originated. The passage was like any other of the dozens he’d already passed, except the last door at the end of this hall was slightly ajar.
Connor would usually just ignore the noise and go on his way, but this time he couldn’t. Not only was he hearing a noise he wouldn’t previously have been able to fifty yards away, it was calling him. It reeled him in, demanding his presence.