Unforgiven (Wanderers #3) (52 page)

I pulled my blue socks up to my knees, rolled up the
sleeves on my horrible yellow school t-shirt, and tightened my
ponytail. I stood next to Mr. Miller nervously, remembering my
first day there when I knocked out Roman. “Ashby, front and
center.”

As if Roman was having the same memory, he winked at
me before he joined me. Only then, standing in front of everyone
had I noticed who was there. The strange new guy Josie was jonesing
for, Lucas, Brennen, the wolf – the one I accidently pelted in the
head with the roll – Kyle, my ex, along with two other angels Dylan
and Nate, and of course Josie and Cassidy. Seeing all these people
before me started making me feel apprehensive.

“For those of you who are new, I am going to tell you
now that certain students here excel better at their skills then
others. Those students participate in special training to make them
even better. Those of you who think you got what it takes to be as
good or better will have the opportunity to prove it.” Mr. Miller
paused, letting the info sink in. “We are fortunate enough to have
two of the best here with us for the week,” he said, pointing to
Roman and me. I suddenly wanted to hide. I didn’t take compliments
well nor did I like to be the center of attention.

“McCallister, Ashby, I want you two to show them just
what it’s like to be the best.”

I turned to Roman who had a cocky smile on his face.
Clearly he loved the attention. It stroked his ego making his head
bigger than necessary. I smiled back knowing well I could easily
bring him back down to reality.

Cassidy stood up from the group. “Is there a problem,
Miss Carter?” Mrs. Daniels asked.

“I’m sorry, but I think it’s wrong to have a girl
fight a guy. That’s not a fair fight,” Cassidy said.

I had to hide the smile on my face. Mrs. Daniels
looked to Mr. Miller who smirked. “Miss Carter, while your concern
is valid, it does not apply here. Here in this gym we are not boys
and girls nor men or women. We are warriors, equals, and I can
assure you this match is every bit as fair,” Mrs. Daniels said,
smiling proudly at me. “But of course that is up to Ella. Would you
like another partner to spar with?”

“Nope, I’m good,” I replied, winking at Roman.

“Anybody else have a problem?” Mr. Miller asked. When
the room fell silent, Cassidy sat back down, and Mr. Miller turned
to us. “You may begin.”

I took my battle stance ready to wipe that smug look
off of Roman’s face. “So quick to take the defensive,” he laughed,
taunting me. “Haven’t you learned by now that’s always your biggest
mistake,” he said, getting in my face.

I didn’t hesitate and I attacked, catching Roman off
guard. He fell out of step, surprised. “And you talk too much. That
was always your mistake,” I teased.

Not happy about letting his girlfriend get the upper
hand, he put his game face on, and I knew I was in trouble. He came
at me fast and hard, but I was taught by the best so I could block
every blow. Unfortunately so was Roman, so he was equally as good.
Ten minutes and I was already sweating and out of breath, but I
wouldn’t give up and I wouldn’t back down. Roman and I were too
evenly matched so we weren’t getting anywhere. I had to think
smart. I threw my fist up to land a punch to his jaw, but he caught
my hand and spun it behind my back holding my other arm down by my
side. He smiled and kissed my cheek. I leaned forward and kicked my
foot in to the side of his knee. He fell backward and lost his
grip. I slipped away and swept my leg under his feet knocking him
on his ass. I jumped on him and pinned his arms by his side. Then I
smiled down at him.

“Very cute,” he said, his cheeks all red.

“That’s what you get for playing dirty.” I loosened
my grip and he sat up giving me a quick kiss on the lips.

“Alright, enough you two,” Mr. Miller said, giving us
dirty looks, clearly disapproving of our show of affection. I stood
up and helped Roman up. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder as we
rejoined the teachers. “Now, does anyone think they can beat either
of these two?” Mr. Miller challenged. No one bothered to come
forward. They were either two scared or didn’t want to be
embarrassed by getting beat down by a girl. “No takers, alright
then, moving on.”

“I’ll take the challenge,” someone said. I turned to
see who the opponent was, but no one stood out.

“Come forward,” Mr. Miller said, not knowing either.
I scanned the crowd waiting nervously for the challenger to come
forward. Lucas stepped down off the bleachers and stood next to me
smiling. “Roman, you need a break or are you good?”

“I’m good,” he said, puffing his chest.

“Actually, I was hoping to spar with Ella. If that’s
alright,” he asked Mr. Miller, but never took his eyes off of
me.

I could see from my peripheral vision that Roman was
ready to comment so I quickly stepped in. “I accept,” I said,
praying Roman wouldn’t cause a scene.

“Alright, let’s see what you got,” Mr. Miller said.
“Roman, have a seat.”

Roman gave Lucas a look that said if you hurt her or
touch her in anyway I don’t like I will kill you. I rolled my eyes
and took a sip from the water Mrs. Daniels handed me. They allowed
me a few minutes to regroup before I started again. “Don’t hurt
me,” Lucas winked.

“You sure you want to do this?”

“I think I can handle it.”

“You asked for it,” I warned.

“Come on Ella,” Cameron and Josie cheered.

I squared my shoulders ready. I didn’t wait to take
the defensive. I just attacked. To my surprise Lucas was ready for
me. He countered every move with precision. He even had a few moves
I didn’t know. I was getting tired and out of breath and before I
knew it, my ass was on the floor.

Lucas bent over and offered me a hand. I took it and
shook off the embarrassment of the butt whooping. “You’re pretty
good. Where’d you learn all that?”

“Good job, Brown,” Mr. Miller said before Lucas could
answer me. “Now that you see how it’s done, spread out.”

Roman jumped up and ran over to me. “You okay?” he
asked.

“I’m fine,” I said a little annoyed. The only thing
bruised was my ego.

Roman stomped over to Lucas and shoved him. “What’s
your problem?” Lucas put up his hands defensively, not
understanding what just happened.

“Ashby!” Mr. Miller yelled. “Cool the tough guy act.
You’re in enough trouble as it is.”

Roman stared Lucas down before he backed off and
walked over to me, throwing his arm around me possessively. I threw
it off and glared at him. “Really?” I said, walking away. I was not
going to tolerate that kind of behavior.

Roman spent the remainder of class pissed off and I
spent it ignoring him.

He wasn’t at lunch and frankly I was kind of
relieved. Lucas sat next to me in Roman’s spot and I froze. “Hey,
sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean any disrespect,” he said.

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. Roman’s just a
little over protective and I should be the one apologizing.”

“Apology accepted,” he smiled.

Lucas spent the rest of lunch glued to the seat next
to mine. Every now and then our skin would brush giving me goose
bumps and not in a good way. I couldn’t get rid of this weird
feeling I got when Lucas was around. I still didn’t know whether it
was a good one or bad one, so I thought I’d tread lightly.

Roman was waiting for me at my room after training.
He wasn’t at training either and once again, I was not
disappointed. I stood in front of him with my arms crossed waiting
for an apology. When it didn’t come, I shoved past him and slammed
the door in his face. “Ella,” he said through the door. “Let me in
please.”

I swung the door open and stood there. He must have
taken that as invitation to come in, but he was wrong. When he
stepped forward I put my hand up to stop him. He sighed and took a
step back. “I’m sorry,” he said.

“I remember a conversation not too long ago about you
trying not to be a dick,” I spat.

He squared his shoulders ready to say something, but
then his posture changed, indicating he changed his mind. “I am
trying.”

“Maybe you should try harder.”

“I wouldn’t have to try so hard if I –”

“Could trust me?” I offered, hurt.

“No that’s not…Ella look, I’m sorry. I over reacted.
It’s just when I thought he hurt you…I got so…so…”

“Jealous?”

“Hardly,” he said, frowning.

“Why do guys never admit they’re jealous?” I asked,
with my hands on my hips.

“Because that would mean we would have to admit that
you are one of our weaknesses,” he smiled, placing his hands on my
hips.

“And what’s so bad about that?”

“Nothing,” he breathed. I pulled him closer and
placed a soft kiss on his lips. I let him off the hook and he
promised he would verbally apologize to Lucas and give him a chance
and even said the next time he was a dick I was allowed to hit him.
Okay, so he really didn’t say that last part, I added it, and he
reluctantly agreed. He knew all too well how vicious my right hook
was.

September was creeping up on us quickly and all
anyone could talk about was the Fall Ball. This year they decided
to make it a masquerade ball where everyone had to wear masks. I
actually was on board for that idea. Also, because it was such a
big to do, we had to learn a special ballroom dance.

The two weeks prior to the dance, those of us who
didn’t already know the dance had to learn it. Thankfully they
chose to teach us during our regularly scheduled dance class and
those who did not have that class as an elective had to give up one
of their other electives for the time being.

I felt the dance was a little outdated and boring,
but it was tradition. We had studied the tradition of Mabon (a.k.a
the autumn equinox) all week in Ms. Kraft’s class. It divides the
day and night equally and we take a moment to pay our respects to
the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as
we store our harvest of this year’s crops. The witches celebrate
the ageing goddess as she passes from mother to crone and her
consort the god as he prepares for death and re-birth.

This was pretty much the same as Ostara, just a
little fancier celebration.

I had learned that Roman was not light on his toes
and I warned him if he did not stop stepping on mine I would find a
new partner. He said it was my fault, because from his angle he
could see down my shirt and it was distracting. I punched him
playfully in the gut and he chuckled. I tried to glare at him, but
the sexy smile on his face was making it hard.

I picked up the dance pretty quickly and Mrs. Whitney
had volunteered me to be an example for the class along with Lucas
as my partner. I could tell Roman wasn’t happy about it, but he was
trying like he promised. He had apologized to Lucas as he said he
would and even invited him to hang out. But no matter how much he
had started to like him, there would always be that twinge of
jealousy when it came to me.

Lucas strolled over to me like he was a prince and I
was his princess. His charming smile widened as he placed his hand
on my hip. I tried not to show the uncomfortable feeling I got when
I was around him, but I was finding it kind of hard when we were
this close. I took a deep breath and placed my arm on his shoulder
and raised my other to clasp our hands together. Ms. Whitney
counted off to the beat of the music and Lucas took the lead. He
swept me across the floor as if I was light as a feather.

I was entranced by his eyes. As I stared into his
deep violet eyes, I saw shapes take form like I had before. They
swirled hypnotically and the more I watched, I slowly noticed my
surroundings started to change. As we twirled around the room, one
by one my classmates started to disappear. Suddenly Lucas and I
were alone and no longer in the dance studio. We were now gliding
across an elegant tiled floor inside a decorative ballroom.

I gasped as I took in the elegance of the crystal
chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. When I looked at Lucas he was
wearing a black tuxedo, his hair slicked back. He spun me and I
looked down to see I was wearing a floor length gown. It was blood
red with a tight diamond encrusted corset and a flowing skirt.

My eyes widened in shock. I opened my mouth but no
words came out. Lucas smiled handsomely at me and pulled me back
into position to finish our dance. I felt like I was in another
world and when it was over, I stood there, still staring deeply
into his eyes.

“Thank you Ella, Lucas,” Ms. Whitney said, breaking
me from my spell. I blinked and I was back in the dance studio with
all my classmates staring at me. I jumped back from Lucas, stunned.
I know I didn’t just imagine that. He bowed before me and winked,
before he rejoined the rest of the class. I was still shell shocked
so it took me a moment before I moved. I watched him with
curiosity. A few of my classmates giggled at my stunned face
bringing me back to reality. I walked back over to Roman and
gripped his hand tight.

“Hey, you okay?” I nodded, afraid my voice would
betray me. “Then can you loosen your grip on my hand?” I let go,
leaving him to open and close his palm, allowing the circulation to
flow back into it. “You were amazing out there,” he smiled,
bringing my attention back to him.

I smiled back and pulled him in for a hug. He kissed
my forehead just before Ms. Whitney dismissed the class. “Ella,
Lucas, can I speak to you two for a minute?”

I pulled myself away from Roman and told him I would
meet him later. “I can wait for you?”

“No. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you at training.” I gave
him a quick peck before he left then I marched over to Ms. Whitney
to see what she wanted.

“I would like you two to help me out after school.
Some of the students are having a harder time with the dance and I
believe you two to be some of my best students. Could I depend on
you two to help me out?”