Secrets Within

Chapter 2

It will keep you safe, please wear it. I want you to know that I love you so much. I loved your mom with every ounce I had. I didn't want to leave her. In that, I also had no choice. I was forbidden to with your mother, and I didn't listen to my warnings. I will be at the motel on the main street until your birthday. I hope to see you, and please don't tell anyone I am here.

With all my love, Dad.'

"I went to see him; I couldn't stop myself. He was jumpy and paranoid. Nothing like I had pictured. The first words he said to me were, you look just like your mother. I had no idea what she looked like; he gave me a picture of them. I still have it, but I don't look at it that often. Then he says, you are half-shapeshifter. I thought he was crazy, he looked crazy. I tried to leave, so he shifted in front of me. How could I deny it after witnessing it? He had shifted into a bird; I think he thought that would scare me the least. I still ran away. I haven't heard from him since." I pulled her into my arms and kissed her forehead. She leaned into me and started to cry. After a while, she pulled herself together.

"Do you feel better?" Having real feelings is new to me. I haven't felt anything in so long. These feelings were even more intense than they were in my dreams. Nothing can happen to her; it would kill me and that's not easy. My feelings for her are so strong, I would turn on my kind if she asked me to. I know without a doubt. I would kill or die for her. Nothing is ever taking her from me, ever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Ruby**

"Yes, I'm sorry. I have never told that to anyone, not even Haven." I don't want him to leave. There's something about him that brings out my trust. I know he will keep me safe no matter what.

"Do not apologize for how you feel." He kissed my forehead again. My whole body heats up when he touches me.

"Haven doesn't know that I’m a half shifter, no one knows that either." He was staring into my eyes. It was like he could see all of me, every thought and every secret. I just hope he can't see my most painful secret.

"I'm going to order some pizza. Do you want some?" I'm not sure if he can eat human food, but it doesn't hurt to be polite.

"What is pizza?" Dez looked baffled. It was so cute. "I can eat human food."

"How do you not know what pizza is, have you been living under a rock?

"I guess you can say that. I haven't been very sociable in a very long time. Almost two hundred years." I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"How old are you? You don't look that much older than me." It could be true that vampires are immortal, but I don't know what information about them is true or not.

"Are you sure that you are ready to know that?" He's being completely honest with me. I don't know how, but I can just tell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Dez**

"I am five hundred and sixty-four years old." Dez was waiting for Ruby to react.

"You age well!" Ruby was laughing now. "So, you are immortal?"

"Yes, I am." I am going to be in so much trouble. I can't help telling her the truth. Viktor didn't say what all I could tell her.

"You used to be human, so how old were you before you turned?"

"I was turned when I was twenty-four." (Is this too weird for you yet?)

(Are you kidding? This is amazing!) "Well, I'm going to order my favorite pizza." Ruby smiled at me.

Ruby made a phone call; she told the person on the other end what she wanted.

"It will be here in about twenty-five minutes. Make yourself at home." (I am going to take a quick shower.)

**Ruby**

His eyes darkened. “What did you say?”

“Can you hear everything in my mind? I am not sure how it works.” My face was turning red.

“I am so sorry; I do not know how it works either. You are the only one I can talk to like that.” His eyes are still dark, I like how he is looking at me.

“Oh, I guess we will have to figure this out together. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” (I want to kiss him. Oh my god, did he hear that?) Dez’s licked his lips, and I turned and walked away. "I need to remember he can hear my thoughts," I said quietly to myself.

I hurried through the shower and put on my favorite black sweatpants and a band T-shirt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Dez**

(Ruby, someone is coming.) I can smell them, and something foreign to me.

(It's probably the pizza. I'll be out in a second.) Just as Ruby walked out of her room, there was a knock on the front door. She answered the door and paid the young man for the food. "Thank you. Keep the change." She smiled at him and started to close the door. (That boy finds you attractive. I can hear his heart racing.) Ruby laughed, "Yeah right. He's probably scared of me."

"Why would he be scared of you?"

"There are rumors going around about me. And they aren't very nice ones." Ruby sighed. "People talk to me and act nice to my face but as soon as I leave, they start whispering. I pretend that I don't notice."

"We don't have to talk about that now. But I am here when you are ready to talk." I can tell she doesn't want to talk about the rumors.

"Thanks. So, what's up with the garlic thing? Is that real?" Ruby asked as she was getting plates.

"No, I can eat garlic." I chuckled, "We told a few vampire hunters that garlic is deadly to us."

"Why would you do that?" She looked genuinely curious.

"We were being captured and tortured, humans too. They did not know how to tell for sure who was a vampire and who was not. The royal families were terrified, so they sent out hunting parties to annihilate us." I looked away from her, I don't want her to see my pain.

"If they couldn't tell who was who, then how were they deciding who to capture?" I turned back to her. Ruby is so beautiful.

"They took mostly the poor and extremely beautiful. Only a demon could be more beautiful than a royal, they said."

"That's horrible!"

"Yes. The Vampire Royals met in secret to decide how to settle it. Vivian, the Queen of another coven suggested we s*******r all humans who rise against us."

"She sounds lovely." Ruby rolled her eyes. I laughed.

"She is very vindictive."

"I'll say." Ruby was eating her pizza and hanging on to every word I say.

"Viktor, the leader of my coven, suggested we tell the humans a few lies about how to kill a vampire. And ask for a few volunteers to make it believable. The plan was more beneficial to us, so Vivian and Jabari agreed to his plan. They each went to their covens and asked for volunteers. For the plan to work the volunteers would have to die."

"Are you serious?" Ruby's shock was clear.

"Yes. Ten from each coven volunteered. They had no desire to live any longer. Vampires cannot commit suicide. The only way for us to die is by the hand of another vampire, and there is a very specific ritual that must take place before death can occur."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Ruby**

(Wow, what kind of ritual?) "Did you help with all of that?" He's amazing.

"I cannot tell you what kind of ritual. I am sorry. And no, I was not turned yet."

"So, you were human when this was happening?" I want to know everything about Dez.

"Yes, I was human. I am not ready to tell you about that time of my life yet." He looks so sad now.

"Okay." I yawned. "I should probably get some sleep, it's late." I got up to throw away the pizza boxes.

"I should leave so you can sleep." Dez was grabbing his jacket.

"Do you have a place to stay?" I hope he doesn't, "I mean you are my boyfriend so you could stay here."

"Do you want me to stay?" He was smiling at me.

"Yes. Can you go with me in the morning to pick up the guard dogs that I bought?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Dez**

"Why do you need guard dogs?" So, is she in danger?

"I want them, I don't need them." Ruby wasn't looking at me anymore. She's not telling me something.

"Alright, I'll go with you. Where do I sleep?"

"The guest bedroom. It's down the hall to the left. The bathroom is on the right."

"Goodnight Ruby."

"Goodnight Dezmond." She walked away.

The next few days went by pretty fast. We picked up the dogs and got them settled. Haven called Ruby and told her that she would be back in a week. She still didn't tell Ruby what the family emergency was about. I talked to Viktor; he thinks I can only read someone's mind if the memories have to do with Ruby. He suggested I try to read someone else's mind and talk to someone else telepathically. I tried but I haven't been able to. I haven't told Viktor that Ruby isn't fully human. The stories I've heard about hybrids never end well. I need to know more about the wars. I need to know more about shifters. I don’t even know if we are biologically compatible.

Ruby has nightmares, the first night here she was screaming for help. I thought she was being attacked. There was a scent lingering in her room. It was so familiar, but I could not place it. Ruby woke up when I entered her room. She ran to me, she sobbed for hours. I just held her. She asked me to stay with her while she slept. I couldn’t resist her. I’ll never abandon her; she is vital to my existence. I have no idea how I had any kind of life before her. Our bond is unbreakable. No one will ever come between us.

The sound of a phone ringing brings Dez back to the present. “Hello.”

“Dez, we need to talk. Can you meet me? Nowhere near your mate. It is not safe.”

“Viktor, what do you mean it isn’t safe? I am not leaving her.”

“I cannot say over the phone. I must tell you in person.” Viktor sounds concerned. Or maybe scared? I have no choice.

“I’ll come home so we can talk.”

“NO!” Viktor interrupts. “We have to be somewhere safe, somewhere we won’t be overheard or disturbed. Do you understand?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Ruby**

Dez stayed in my room with me after he witnessed one of my nightmares. I was embarrassed at first, but he calms me. I haven’t had any more nightmares since he’s been staying in my room. He is the perfect gentleman. I can tell he is holding himself back. We haven’t been falling into telepathic conversations by accident. We figured out how to put up boundaries so we can have some privacy. It’s nice to have secret conversations but frustrating when you can’t have a single private thought. He had also started patrolling the woods around my house. He said that he wanted to make sure there was nothing suspicious or out of the ordinary.

‘Ruby, I need to talk to you.’

‘What’s wrong?’ His presence in my head felt uncertain, and that terrified me.

‘I have been called away for a meeting.’ the thought of being without him caused a wave of anxiety to overwhelm me. I started to shake, and nausea set in. He was next to me now, seeming just to vaporize there.

“Are you okay?” Dez was so aware of how I felt.

“Yes, I’m fine.” He didn’t look too convinced. “I swear.”

“You are certain?” I can’t keep him to myself forever. I was thankful it was an autumn break, so I hadn’t missed any classes. Haven decided to stay home for thanksgiving instead of coming back as planned. The reality was fast approaching so I had better get ready to be around other people again. I had quit my job at the diner too. It had become too uncomfortable to be there. Like it wasn’t safe anymore.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Dez**

“I can try to get out of it if you want. I don’t know if I can. But for you, I would do anything.” I meant that. ‘I would turn my back on my whole coven for you.’

“I don’t want you to get into trouble for me.” Ruby still looked tense. ‘I appreciate that. I can handle being without you for a bit. I am not a damsel in distress.’

I smiled, “I hope not. I am not sure if I can handle the whole knight in shining armor thing.”

Ruby laughed, “How long will you be gone?”

“I am not sure, but I do not think it will be long.” (‘Ruby, I love you.’)

“I love you too, Dez. I felt an instant connection with you.” (‘It does scare me how fast I fell in love with you.’) She was looking into my eyes as she leaned in. I started to lean toward her, I couldn’t help it.

“Ruby.” (‘If we kiss right now, you will be mine. And I will be yours forever.’)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Ruby**

My heart was pounding. My whole body was on fire. I ached for him. I needed him to kiss me. “I know.” I whispered (‘I want this.’) He kissed me and an electric shock went through me. His arms went around my waist and pulled me closer. I haven’t been this close to a man since the night of the fire. My desire turns to terror. I pull away shaking.

“What’s wrong?” Dez looks embarrassed and concerned.

“I’m so sorry Dez. I can’t do this right now.” I can’t look him in the eyes either. Memories of that night still a hold me.

*Unknown*

“She will be mine; her whole family will pay for what they have done to us.” The rage was getting harder to contain. I feel like I will explode if I have to wait any longer. How can anyone cause that much damage and then act like they haven’t done anything wrong? She needs to know our pain. She will know this torment and I will enjoy every second of her anguish.

“Sir, there is someone here to see you.” Not making eye contact.

“Thank you, Gemma. Bring them to me.” This is the perfect plan. I will not fail this time. The fire was an amateur attempt. I should have known she was smart, like her mother. That b***h just knew when something was going to happen. Her father was not as smart but could fight and he was fast.

*Dez*

Viktor said to make sure I wasn’t followed; this must be serious. He is not this secretive.

“Is Ruby safe?” Viktor asked concerned.

“Yes, of course. What is wrong?” Something isn’t right. I trust Viktor, I know he wouldn’t turn on me.

“I have been with Ozias. I was inquiring about their telepathic connection. As I told you that is extremely rare for our kind to just develop those types of gifts so quickly. They shared a prophecy with me, an ancient one. We have not spoken or even thought of this prophecy for millennia.” Viktor looked around making sure they were still alone.

“Why did I have to leave my mate and come out here for some old prophecy that never came to be?”

Viktor looked down at his feet. “Son, I believe Ruby is the woman in that prophecy. The state of our world depends on her choices. The prophecy was extremely vague. A lot of the specific details were forgotten by the time it was finally put in our archives. It was one of the first ones to be stored there.”

“What makes you think it is Ruby?” This cannot be right. I will have to read this prophecy.

*Ruby*

It had only been one night since Dez had left. I feel empty and the energy outside wasn’t normal. Even the dogs could sense something wasn’t right. They have been pacing and sniffing the air all day. They have refused to go outside. When I opened the door they just stared outside. Growling at something I couldn’t see. Maybe getting them wasn’t a good idea, they can’t protect me from this. At least I’m not alone.

*Unknown*

“Haven! How have you been?” She has grown so much. It’s time for her to take her place in our family.

“I’m fine, Uncle. Mom said there was an emergency and you needed to see me right away.” Haven kept her eyes down. She knew better than to challenge me.

“I see you haven’t forgotten your place. That’s good. You have been undercover for some time now. Have you learned anything useful?” Her heartbeat accelerated just slightly. Either I scare her, or she is about to lie to me.

*Haven*

“She doesn’t trust easily. I’m not sure if what I know will be any help.” Stay calm. I have to keep calm. If he thinks I’m lying, I will be punished.

“Well, tell me what you know.” He looks unhinged.

“She bought some guard dogs. She keeps to herself. I don’t think she is the one you are after.” Oh s**t! I shouldn’t have said that. Why am I so stupid? He slapped me harder than he has ever before.

“How dare you question me! You will spend some time in the cellar. Maybe you will learn some respect down there.”

“I’m sorry Uncle Edgar! Please, don’t put me down there with him! Please!” I haven’t been locked down there since I was fourteen.

*Dez*

“Why couldn’t I come home to hear about this vague prophecy?” There has to be more than he’s telling me.

“If Ruby is the woman from the prophecy. A lot of beings will be after her. She is valuable and dangerous. She is not just human, is she?”

“What?” There is no way he should know that.

“The prophecy says the woman is a hybrid. It did not specify what all she is mixed with.”

*Haven*

I don’t want to betray Ruby; she has never done anything to me. She was the nicest person I have ever met. I love her more than I have ever loved anyone, including my crazy family. They blame Ruby for our family’s downfall. I don’t think she would ever intentionally hurt anyone. f**k! I hear him coming over here.

“Mmmm something new to play with, come here and I’ll make sure it won’t hurt so bad.” He smells like he’s been down here forever.

“Stay away from me!” I had accidentally backed into a corner. His smile was evil, and his eyes were soulless.

He was closing in on me, I have nowhere to hide. I’m trapped. Should I fight back or just go limp and let whatever happens to happen. He’s close enough I can smell his stagnant breath. He reached for my throat, and I ducked out of the way and ran. I didn’t get far, maybe ten feet.

“Haven, didn’t you miss me? We used to have so much fun. Don’t you remember?” He was on top of me now. I felt sick, and memories from when I was fourteen came flooding back.

“Stop! No!” He was ripping my clothes off. I started crying. I remember Ruby talking about going for an attacker’s eyes. I reached up pushing at him as I felt my way to his face. I could feel his neck, his hand was in my pants. My heart was racing so fast I couldn’t hear anything. Stay calm, and focus. Go for his eyes. I feel his nose. A little farther, yes! I shoved my thumbs into his eye sockets! He screamed in pain and jumped back. His eyes were hanging, I can’t believe that worked. I need to get out of here.

**Dez**

Viktor told me that I cannot return home. He said that it is very important to make sure Ruby stays safe. Ozias and Atara are the only ones we can trust. They are headed to the vault to go over the prophecy. I have been back with Ruby for four days. She has been a little distant with me, I hope she tells me what is bothering her. It seems like she wants to tell me something. The dogs are very alert. It seems like they know something is coming. I haven’t sensed anything yet. I am starting to think they aren’t normal dogs. Maybe I am just being more paranoid since the talk with Viktor.

“Hey, Dez. Can I talk to you please?” Ruby walked into the living room.

“Of course, love. You can talk to me about anything.” I want her to know she can trust me completely.

“You seem like something is bothering you. Is everything ok?” The dogs never left Ruby’s side. She named the male, Phantom, and the female Luna.

“Viktor has given me a lot to think about. I guess there is some old prophecy that he thinks is starting to unfold.” The dogs seem like they understand what I am saying. I haven’t been around a dog in many years, but these seem much more intelligent than the dogs I remember.

“A prophecy? Is it a serious one?” Ruby started petting the dogs as she listened to me.

“It is an ancient one. One that decides the fate of our world. The details are not well known. A couple of Viktor’s friends are going to the vault to go over the prophecy.”

“Is this something you aren’t supposed to talk to me about? I understand if you can’t, I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

“I will tell you everything that I can. I don’t want to keep secrets from you, and I want you to trust me with yours. I know you have things that are difficult for you to talk about, and I won’t force them out of you. I want you to tell me when you are ready, but know that nothing you say will ever change how much I love you. I will always be here for you, and I will do anything to protect you. I will stay out of your mind unless there is an emergency.” Ruby smiled at me.

“Thank you. I love you too. I don’t trust people I have been hurt too much. I do trust you though more than anyone I have ever met. I appreciate that you are being so patient with me. Some things are still too painful for me to talk about, but I will tell you when I’m ready.”

“I have a question about the dogs, is that okay?” Ruby seemed a little surprised.

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Well, they don’t seem like normal dogs. They are very odd.” Ruby laughed.

“They aren’t normal. They were trained by witches.”

“You know witches? They can be dangerous; you shouldn’t trust them.” I don’t believe she took me around witches. They can’t be trusted. Both dogs growled but didn’t move.

“Dezmond! That is very simple-minded of you. Anybody can be dangerous. I know humans who are more dangerous than those witches. You don’t know all the good they have done. They have helped so many people.”

“What do you mean?” I am genuinely confused.

“I mean, you can’t judge an entire group of people by the bad actions of some people who happen to be a part of that group. It’s not right. In my opinion that is what is wrong with the world right now. That coven is amazing, and they do amazing things for people who need help.”

“I didn’t know, I am sorry.” How have I never heard of good witches? I didn’t even know there was a coven anywhere near here. “Ruby, what has been troubling you? You have been a little distant. Have I done something to upset you?

“No, you haven’t, I’m sorry. Something has been bothering me. I just have a weird feeling like something is about to change. It’s the same feeling I had the night my parents died. That's why I left the house, I needed air.”

Phantom looked out of the window and started growling. Luna stood and was ready to attack anything that threatened Ruby.

“I smell blood! Ruby, you need to hide.” Luna pulled Ruby to the basement. Someone was banging on the door.

**Haven**

I finally made it to Ruby’s house. My house! They still have all of my stuff. My phone, my keys, everything! I have to tell her!

“RUBY! Let me in, please!” I hear a dog growling, that must be one of the guard dogs. The door opened slowly, and Dez answered the door. Everything went dark.

Chapter 7

**Dez**

“Haven, what happened to you?” She looks awful. There was blood everywhere and bruises.

“Is Ruby here? I need to talk to her!” Phantom got out and started circling her, he was still growling.

(Ruby, Haven is hurt, and Phantom is circling her.)

(Bring her inside. Phantom won’t attack her) Phantom stopped growling and started to push her inside.

Ruby came running into the living room. “Haven what happened?”

“She passed out, she’s still alive.” Haven was laying on the couch. She was pale and lifeless. If I was human I would think she was dead.

Ruby kneeled next to Haven and touched her arm. A faint buzzing noise filled the room, I can feel the vibrations coming from Ruby. I have never felt anything like this. The bruising on Haven’s face was fading and the color was coming back. Haven was starting to wake up, Ruby stood and gave her some space.

“What did you do?” Ruby looked confused.

“I don’t know, Dez, I’ve never done that before. I just wanted her to be better and not be in so much pain.” Ruby was crying “I could feel her pain”

“Ruby!” Haven sat up abruptly and looked around the room. Her heart was pounding, and she looked scared.

“What happened to you?” Ruby sat next to Haven.

“I am so sorry Ruby; I should have told you the truth about my family.” Haven was crying.

“Your family did this to you? Why?” Haven looked up at Ruby.

“I wouldn’t tell them about you. My family wanted to use me to spy on you. I’m not the same little girl you were friends with, she moved, and she doesn’t know you. I was put in her place to get close to you. I couldn’t tell you before. I was so scared; I have locked up again when I refused to tell them anything.”

“You have been spying on Ruby for how long?” I can’t understand how I missed that. She is a traitor, and cannot be trusted.”

**Ruby**

“How can I trust you now?” I feel so betrayed, it’s like someone ripped my chest open and shredded my heart.

“I am so sorry Ruby. I’ll tell you everything!” I would like to know what she has to say.

“Start from the beginning. What happened to the real Haven?” She looked relieved; I don’t think she expected me to ask.

“We need to go somewhere safe; I don’t know if they know where you live. I don’t want them to get you. My uncle is crazy!”

“Baby, do think it is a good idea to believe her?” I thought for a minute.

“Yes, she may not be the real Haven, but this is the girl I grew up with. I don’t fully trust her; she will have to earn my trust back.” It looked like Dez was considering what I said.

“Alright, I’ll call Viktor and find us somewhere safe to go. I'll give you some privacy.” Dez walked out of the room.

“I am so sorry Ruby. I am not the same person I was when they sent me to you. You have shown me how the real family is supposed to be.” Haven was crying again.