My Soul to Keep - By Sean Hayden Page 0,41

heard two sets of footsteps trying very hard to be silent, creeping up behind me.

I spun and caught an arm that had been swinging for my head. I wasn't fast enough to stop the other person from sweeping my legs out from underneath me. I landed on my back with a vampire on my chest. Wearing a skirt. It was very hard to concentrate on her face.

"Jenny? What are you doing?" I tried to pretend I didn't see her inch and a half long glistening fangs, ridged forehead, and black eyes.

"Give it up, Connor. We saw your eyes. You're as human as Beth and I. What are you? What did you wish for?" She drizzled spittle on my face as she snarled her questions.

"What are you talking about? What do you mean you're not human?" I tried to act innocent. She didn't buy it.

"If you're not human, you're food!" She bared her fangs and dove for my neck.

I really, really, really didn't want to end up as a mid-class snack. I flung her off of me with all my strength. I probably shouldn't have done that. She almost went through the concrete block wall at the end of the hall. I spun on my knees and waited for teachers to come rushing out of the classroom. They didn't.

Beth did take me down from behind though. How are the teachers not hearing this? Her fangs pierced the back of my neck. I frantically tried to get my arms underneath me to flip her away like I had done to Jenny. I slipped my right one first. Beth started moaning when my blood hit her tongue. I slipped my left underneath me, starting to get angry. She tightened her grip around my chest right as I pushed.

I threw myself up into a standing position with Beth still on my back. Jenny regained her feet and headed for us like a freight train. I’d had enough. I could feel my power gathering just under the surface. I held my arms straight out to the side and let it go. Beth screamed as it exploded out. She landed behind me and Jenny toppled to the ground mid run and slid on the linoleum, skidding to a stop at my feet. The blade that hadn't been in my hand two seconds ago pointed at the back of her neck. My other blade pointed at Beth.

"You will stop this, now!"

The bathroom door opened and Mr. Johnson walked out. He turned in our direction and I concentrated with all my might that he couldn't see us. It must have worked because he walked right around us and back into his class. I started breathing again.

"Can I get up?"

I looked down at Jenny and pointed my sword away from her.

She got to her knees and took one look at me and bowed back down to the ground. "We are so sorry, master. If we had known what you were we would never have attacked you! I swear it!"

Master? Me? Huh?

"Get back to class. Don't let it happen again," I said like I knew what the hell I was talking about. Jenny ran over to Beth, helped her up, and they scrambled back to class. I spun and caught sight of my wings. They knew. Ruh Roh, Raggy.

"Are you nuts?"

I turned and saw Clarisse standing in the corner. "How long have you been there?"

"I came around the corner just in time to see you go all demon ass and almost vanquish two vampirettes. Very impressive. Now turn back before someone sees you. I told you to be careful."

"Tell that to my eyes. They started glowing in algebra."

Chapter 16

The nurse finally released me just in time for lunch. As soon as I entered the cafeteria's double doors, stares, whispers, and silence filled the room. Ignoring everybody, I made my way to Jessie and Jeremy. They both had full trays sitting in front of them and I growled a little, knowing Jeremy had helped Jessie get her food. I made a mental note to punch him in the face after school. He had his back to me, and Jessie couldn’t see me.

Beth and Jenny tried to wave me over to their table and I was half tempted to join them just to help heal my pride. Jealousy was a new experience for me.

"I hope he's okay…" I heard Jessie say as I finally walked over to our familiar lunch spot.

"I'm sure he is. Don't worry about–See, here he is," Jeremy said