Beautifully Unnatural: A Young Adult Paranormal Boxed Set (20 page)

It is Friday afternoon and school ended early in anticipation for tonight’s state finals. Roseline is a ball of nerves, excited and leery all at the same time.

“I know you’re not talking to me right now, but I was kinda wondering if you were still planning on heading to the game tonight.” It is all Sadie talked about before Roseline ran off.

“Of course I’m going,” Sadie cries, breaking her vow of silence. “How could you even think I’d miss the biggest game of the year?”

“But aren’t you still mad at me?”

Sadie waves her off. “Oh, pish posh. I don’t hold grudges,” she offers a sheepish smile. “Well, not for too long anyways.”

Roseline smiles, letting her eyes linger over Sadie’s newest theme. Her hair is dyed black and styled beautifully. Her bangs lay softly across her forehead while the back of her hair falls straight. Gone are the raccoon eyes, spiked jewelry, and flaming pink hair.

Her dress is crimson, which makes her ivory skin glow. Small white-gold hoops hang from her ear lobes and a dainty necklace nestles against the hollow of her neck.

Roseline has never seen Sadie look so good. There is a softness about her that is sadly betrayed the instant her friend opens her mouth. “Don’t tell me you’re backing out on me now.” She yanks Roseline to the side as a group of rowdy football players rush by on their way to the pep rally that should be starting any moment.

Bright posters of varying neon shades line the hall, announcing the highly anticipated victory. It has been nearly twenty years since Rosewood won a state championship and everyone is psyched. Even the teachers have gone easy on the workload for this weekend.

“The bus leaves in an hour and you’re not even ready,” Sadie moans, looking at Roseline’s sapphire blue sweater and jeans. Rosewood’s school colors are black and red, which no doubt inspired Sadie’s new look. “Where’s your school spirit?”

“Right here,” a voice calls from behind them. Before she can react, Gabriel wraps his arms tightly around her waist and draws her close. Roseline can’t help but laugh. She warned him earlier in the week that they should take things slow but sometimes he gets too excited.

“Put me down,” Roseline giggles, batting at him playfully. Gabriel winces and instantly releases her. “Are you okay?”

Gabriel nods, gingerly rubbing his arm. “Yeah. I have been aching a bit the past couple days. Hope I’m not coming down with something.”

“Did you pull a muscle in practice?”

“Nah, it’s all over. Kinda flu like, ya know. But I’ll be fine knowing you’re watching me,” he grins, pinching her side.

Sadie rolls her eyes. She is not too thrilled with the idea of them pursuing a relationship together, especially since she suspects Gabriel is the reason for her best friend’s sudden disappearance. It is a fact that she makes perfectly clear anytime he comes around. “Shouldn’t you be at the rally?”

“Yeah, but I wanted to say goodbye first.” Gabriel pulls Roseline up close to his side. He tucks his arm around her waist, hooking his finger through her belt loop. “Are you heading to the game with Sadie?”

“And me,” William calls, sliding up to his sister. “Thought I should do my brotherly duty and watch over these two. I’d hate for some guy to snatch them away tonight.”

Gabriel and William stare each other down. Roseline sighs. Ever since Gabriel had made it known that he was with her, William has been a bit testy. “Weren’t you leaving?”

Gabriel’s grip around her waist tightens as he grinds his back teeth. “I’ll see you tonight, Rose.” With a quick peck on the cheek, he turns and is instantly carried away by the swarm of pre-game, adrenaline-laced teens. Roseline acutely feels his departure but quickly covers over her disappointment.

“So, you two seem pretty comfy now,” Sadie remarks, slamming her locker shut. She does not even bother to stop and notice her backpack stuck in the door as she pulls Roseline toward the exit.

“Yeah, things are going good,” Roseline says noncommittally.

“Have you kissed him yet?” Sadie asks. Even though she has made her views on their relationship very clear, she is apparently not about to give up her chance to get some dirt on Gabriel’s famous kissing skills.

Roseline can feel William tense beside her. His expectant gaze makes her bite back a laugh. There is no way she is going to kiss and tell to these two. “We’re just trying to get to know each other, Sadie. Stop trying to turn us into one of your smutty TV shows.”

“That is high-quality programming, I will have you know.” Sadie laughs as she shoves her way through the double doors. A huge bonfire blazes on the edge of the parking lot.

“That’s a bit worrying,” Roseline mutters as they approach the crowd. A stuffed bull hangs low over the flames. The scent of melting plastic curls in her nose.

“It’s all in good fun. I’m sure Claremont is burning our red devil as we speak,” William grins, shoving people out of his way.

Sadie giggles behind a gloved hand. “Kinda fitting, huh?”

They eagerly join in with the chants led by Rosewood’s cheer squad. Roseline pumps her fists and actually finds herself swept away until she senses a mood change as the head cheerleader’s piercing glare finds her among the crowd.

“Yikes. I think Claire’s got it in for you,” William mutters as he darts a glance her way. Sure enough, the cheerleader’s beady little eyes are drilling into Roseline’s forehead. People all around begin to follow her gaze. Most nod in understanding, thankful that they are not the one stupid enough to cross Claire. It is social suicide to get on her bad side.

“This is going to be a long night,” Roseline sighs.

Twenty-One

Roseline is careful not to bend the metal railing as she jumps and shouts like a mad woman. Rosewood Prep and Claremont High are neck and neck coming up to the final ten minutes of the game. She never dreamed football could be this intense but, then again, it isn’t exactly the game that has drawn her attention.

Gabriel has been spectacular throughout the entire night. His throws are longer than she has ever noticed before. He dives in and out of his opponents, taking them out as if they were limp practice dummies. His speed is unmatched, and his accuracy is off-the-charts amazing.

The crowd is going wild. The deafening roar has not faded for over an hour.

“Can you believe him?” Sadie cries. Her face is flushed with excitement. Obviously her frustration with Gabriel disappeared as soon as he threw the first touchdown. “He’s a shoo in for MVP.”

Even William has to admit Gabriel is in top form. “It’s no secret I don’t like the guy but, man, does he have an arm. Who knew he could throw so well?”

Their words slowly sink into Roseline’s mind and, when they do, she feels sick to her stomach. They are right. Claremont can barely keep up with Gabriel. He is practically a one-man team tonight. She turns and focuses on him as he dives over the end zone with the ball safely cradled in his arms.

“Who does that?” William laughs, hooting right along with the rest of the crowd.

“He’s not a man…he’s a machine!” Sadie crows, stomping with all her might on the metal bleachers. “I don’t know what you’ve done to him, Rose, but keep it up.”

Roseline’s face pales and her hands begin to tremble as icy apprehension creeps up her spine. Something is wrong. Gabriel has always been a skilled player but tonight he is spectacular.

She narrows her gaze on his throwing arm as he leaps up to slam the ball into the ground. Dirt cakes his biceps but it does little to hide the evidence that she feared. He has grown.

Not in the sense of gaining an extra pound of muscle or adding a little definition to his already toned body. No, now Gabriel is ripped. There is no way a seventeen-year-old boy can look like that.

“Hey, are you okay?” Sadie asks, noticing Roseline for the first time. Beads of sweat have formed along her brow, despite the plummeting temperatures. She feels weak in the knees. If it were not for her death grip on the railing, she might have passed out completely.

“I’m not sure,” Roseline says, shaking her head to clear her frantic thoughts. “I think I need to sit down for a minute.”

William leaps over the seat to Roseline’s side, easing her down. With his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders, Roseline begins to breathe easier. Maybe she is wrong. Oh god, she hopes she is!

But there are too many odd things happening to Gabriel. First are the glowing eyes she hasn’t completely ruled out. Obviously not a human thing to do. Second, his blood calls in to her in ways that should not be possible for mortal/immortal relationships. Third, his reflexes are spot on and his physique is definitely changing. It is almost as if nature is working to perfect him in ways that defy human logic.

And what about the bond? They have never shared blood or consummated their relationship. Definitely not the second bit! So then why have they entered into a life bond together?

Roseline groans, leaning heavily on William. This is infuriating. Nothing about Gabriel makes sense. How can he be so appealing, so impossibly addicting for her, when he is a mortal? The only thing that even comes close to explaining Gabriel’s oddities is that he is an immortal too…but that can’t be true either. He should have transformed in one swift and very painful swoop.

No, he can’t be immortal. He has human parents and just because they are rudely overbearing certainly does not make them evil immortals. But what else can he be? His human status is certainly up in the air right now. Something strange is going on with him and she needs to figure it out before someone else starts to question it.

“Feeling any better?” William asks, his deep-set eyes filling with concern as they scan her pallid face.

“Yeah, I think so. Thanks for taking care of me.” She offers him a weak smile as she eases out of his arms. Although she is touched by his concern, she fears turning to him for comfort. Especially if Gabriel looks up to see her in William’s embrace.

She leaps to her feet as the crowd explodes around her. Her gaze locks onto a football Gabriel sent spiraling across the entire length of the field. Rosewood’s receiver runs for all he is worth to catch the ball. Claremont falls behind, unable to keep up with their adrenaline pumped opponent.

She watches the ball arc toward the ground in slow motion. The receiver leaps with his hands outstretched. It falls into his hand, teetering precariously on his fingertips before they clamp around the ball. A swatch of grass carves from the ground as he slides to a halt in the end zone. The receiver rolls over and thrusts the ball high into the air, screaming in triumph.

William cups his mouth and joins the roar. “That guy is definitely going pro. Gabriel just broke every record ever set for high school football.”

Both sides of the stadium erupt. One side cheers wildly while the other roars with disbelief. The commentators scream over the loudspeaker as the entire Rosewood football team pile on top of Gabriel. College scouts race onto the field, cameras flash wildly, and news reporters fight through the crowd to interview the star quarterback that has just won the state championship almost singlehandedly.

Roseline is too numb to react as Sadie and William’s shouts mingle with the roar of the crowd. She does not smile, does not offer anyone a high five. All she can do is stand in horrified silence.

Twenty-Two

“Rose!” Gabriel shouts, shoving his way through the applauding crowd. The camera flashes are blinding. He shields his eyes to see Roseline dash down the stadium stairs, leaving a bewildered Sadie and William behind. “Rose, stop!”

“Gabriel,” a shrill cry rings out as a pair of slender arms wrap tightly around his chest. He glances down, instantly annoyed.

“Not now, Claire.”

“Oh, come on. Let’s celebrate. You won the game,” she purrs, curling her finger around a lock of his hair at the nape of his neck. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

“Not gonna happen, Claire.” He unhooks her hands and shoves her aside, ignoring her indignant shrieks as he runs full out toward the bleachers.

“Over here, Gabe.” Steve waves him over to a flock of college scouts. “I have some people I’d like you to meet.”

“In a minute,” he calls over his shoulder as he slips through the crowd descending from the bleachers.

“Where is she?” he shouts up to Sadie from where she hangs over the bleacher. “I can’t see her anywhere.”

“She’s heading toward the entrance. Something really spooked her.”

“No kidding,” Gabriel grumbles as he flings himself through the crowd, shouting his apologies as he knocks people aside.

“Rose!” he screams, catching a glimpse of her fleeing figure.

She turns. The instant he catches her eye, he knows she is going to run again. “Please don’t do this! We need to talk,” he yells.

He can see Roseline’s tears gleaming under the stadium lights. Pain and confusion jumble on her face but determination quickly replaces it.

“I’m sorry,” she mouths as she slips into a yellow cab. The door slams, echoing loudly in his ears as she turns her back on him. He slides to a halt as the taxi disappears into a maze of cars.

Twenty-Three

Roseline shoves her payment through the narrow slot in the window to the cabbie and stumbles out of the car. Once inside, the stairs prove too tricky for her fuddled mind so she takes them on hands and knees. The instant Roseline hits the bed she passes out.

Early morning light soon streams through the grimy windows, warming her face. She groans as she rolls over. Her head feels like it has been kicked in, and her throat burns with lingering acid from the night before. The taste in her mouth and the scent coming from the floor beside her bed tells her that sometime during her night her body expelled the two hot dogs she consumed at the game.

Unwilling to face the day, Roseline throws the covers over her face and falls back into a fitful sleep. Each time she wakes, the computer calls to her, begging her to contact Fane, but she knows an email won’t be enough. She needs to speak with him. Hear his voice.