Truth- Shadow goddess seris(COMPLETE)

Chapter Fourteen

I knew my uncle would either be in his office or in his quarters. It was after school hours so, nothing else made sense on where he’d be. Unless he had to go and deal with something that I wasn’t aware of. Which wasn’t really that big of a shock. I mean how would I know if anything was going on? I was only a student after all. Even if I was the headmaster's niece that didn’t mean I got any kind of special treatment or knowledge. And to be honest I was glad about that. I didn’t want to know what was going on around here. Like ever. These people, these supernaturals are vile. Sure, like anywhere there are some good ones. But everything considered, there was more darkness here than light. 

“Rose? Is everything alright?” My uncle asked as he was leaving his office. He turned from me for just a second, long enough to lock the office doors, before walking over to me and pulling me into a hug. 

“Yeah, everything is fine. I just wanted to talk to you about a few things.” 

“Okay.” He replied, placing his hand between my shoulders and leading me down the hall. 

“First I wanted to know about my bike. I wanted to go off campus and into town. I also want to explore around for a bit.” 

“Ah, yes. I  meant to come tell you at dinner but didn’t get the chance.” My uncle started digging around in his pocket for a minute before pulling out my keys. “It arrived earlier this morning.” He told me, placing the keys in my hand. “Not a scratch on it.” 

I clutched the keys tightly, a smile slowly creeping onto my lips. I couldn’t wait to get out of here. “And Professor Phoenix gave me some advice. He said since I already know more than most to ask if I could just take my exams and graduate. If I can, I can teach. Or help teach and then I will still technically be in class. Plus with the extra time I could try and focus on finding out what I am and what my powers are.” 

“While the idea is intriguing I can’t allow it.” He said looking over at me sadly. “I can not allow you to graduate until your supernatural makes itself known.” 

“I guess that makes sense.” I shrugged. “Is it okay if I leave campus for a little while?” 

“Of course,” he smiled. “You are allowed to leave whenever you like as long as the school isn’t on lock down.” 

“Lock down?” I wrinkled my brow. “Why would the school be on lock down?” 

“Well, while we have wards in place it is still possible to breach them however unlikely they may be. Our world has been at war with creatures of the dark. Medusa’s, cyclops’s, hydra’s, and others.” 

“Wait. Those are powerful creatures Uncle Jack. Medusa’s can turn anyone to stone with a single look. Cyclops can turn people’s brains to mush, hydra’s are poisonous. Not to mention the size of the creatures. What happened to cause a war with these creatures?” 

“The reapers were killed. Creatures of the dark followed the reapers with loyalty and honor. So when they were killed, the creatures of the dark turned on the rest of us. But we have powerful creatures on our side too. We have vampires, werewolves, sirens, gargoyles, sphinx, and many others.” 

“Maybe.” I furrowed my brow. While those were powerful, the creatures of the dark were huge. Especially the hydra. That thing had more heads than was necessary and each one of those heads could easily devour an entire army. Then. if you’re not protected the medusa could turn you into nothing more than a block of stone. I didn’t see how this is a war we could win. Even with the powerful creatures we have. Then again, there were so many different kinds of supernaturals that we could out balance them. “Well, I guess it will all get figured out.” I gave my uncle a side hug. “I’m going to go get dressed and go exploring.” I smiled, before bounding away from him a new kind of glee rushing through me. 

“Rose.” Lexi shouted, her voice piercing through the silence of the halls and bouncing around my head painfully. Did she really have to screech so badly? 

“Hey Lexi.” I said, and stopped and waited for her. The twins, Mathew and Ryker, were behind her. “What’s going on?” 

“We were all going to go into town and have some fun. Want to go?” Mathew asked kind of shyly. 

I smiled and dangled my bike keys from my finger. “Way ahead of you. I was going to get dressed now.” 

“You drive a motorcycle?” Ryker asked, surprised. 

“Yeah.” I shrugged. “And I can’t wait to drive it again. I have missed the feeling of freedom it brings. I can meet you all down in the common room when I’m ready?” I suggested. 

“Oh no.” Lexi smiled. “All us girls are getting ready together. Come on.” She laughed, pulling me down the hall with a giggling set of twins behind us. I just rolled my eyes and allowed her to drag me away. 

******

“Rose come on, you look beautiful.” Lexi complimented. 

“I look like a hooker.” I frowned, looking down at the ridiculous red dress she had me in. It was a deep red and came down to my mid thigh. It had a high neck of course, but a teardrop shaped hole was placed strategically between my breasts showing more of than than I was comfortable with. A five inch slit ran up the side of the dress, showing even more skin, and it formed to my body like a second skin.  And none of that is even counting the inch thick makeup she had on me. She tried to get me into six inch heels, but I firmly disagreed with that. Not unless she wanted me to break my ankle. Or my neck. 

“You do not.” Paris chuckled. “You look amazing.” 

I walked out of the bathroom running my fingers through my hair nervously. “Yeah, if by amazing you mean standing on a street corner.” I muttered, looking over myself again in the full length mirror and wrinkling my nose. This was way over the top to just go to town. “How can I ride my bike dressed like this?” I whined. “And what do you all plan on doing while we are in town?” 

“We’re going to party.” London shouted excitedly. “It’s the weekend. It’s time to let loose and have fun.” 

I looked between the three girls. Lexi was in a spaghetti strap powder blue dress, with a neckline that plunged all the way down to her belly, showing more skin than I thought was necessary. Paris and London were in matching dresses that barely covered their ass, and molded to their skin. London’s was pink while Paris’s was purple. We all looked like we were ready to go spend the night on a street corner under a streetlight somewhere. Way too revealing, way over the top. Nothing was left to the imagination with what Lexi had us in. They all looked comfortable and at ease with their outfits though. While I felt under dressed and way too exposed. 

“Uh… Well, the length of the dress and the thigh slit will allow you to open your legs far enough to straddle the bike.” Lexi told me, her cheeks flushing. 

“That just sounded way more s****l than it should have.” I shuddered. 

“Sorry.” She winced. “I guess I did get a little carried away.” 

“Ya think?” I deadpanned. “Whatever. I can ride with all of you tonight and just take my bike out tomorrow.” 

“Really?” All three of them asked, their eyes wide and glassy with excitement. 

“Yes, really.” I laughed. “Now let's go.” I said swatting them with the purse Lexi insisted I carry. It only held my phone in it, I didn’t really need it for anything else.  

The guys were waiting for us at the door, and I swear if their eyes got any bigger they’d pop right out of their skull. Their jaws were on the floor, and all color seemed to either drain from their faces or color their cheeks such a deep red it could match a tomato. I felt heat climb up my neck and into my own cheeks when I noticed their eyes scanning us from head to foot and back again. 

“Don’t get used to it.” I warned, glaring at them. “This is the one and only time Lexi will dress me. This is just way too much.” I sneered down at the dress again. 

“You look beautiful.” Ryker breathed, his red eyes seeming to glow as he looked me over. 

“Utterly heavenly.” Mathew agreed. 

“Uh...Thanks?” I stammered. 

They all just laughed at me and my awkwardness, Ryker leading me out by the small of my back. His touch sending fire through my veins even through the thin fabric of my dress. Dress. Who would have thought I would ever end up in a freaking dress. Definitely not me. 

“So what are we drive…..” My sentence cut short when I saw a sleek black limo drive to the base of the Academy stairs. 

“You’re kidding?” I stared at my little group in shock. “Please tell me you’re kidding.” 

“Of course not.” Ryker said, his tone way more serious than it should be. “I’m an heir regardless of what the others think. I can’t be seen in anything other than the best. Reporters will be there and expecting the best of me. If I disappoint them my parents will be furious.” Fear crossed his eyes at his last words. 

“Reporters? We’ll be having our picture taken? Dressed like this?” I asked, motioning to myself and the skimpy dress I was in.

“Don’t worry.” Ryker assured. “You look absolutely marvelous. Spot light ready.” 

“Somehow I doubt that.” I muttered under my breath, climbing into the black limo behind Ryker. 

The ride was short, and I didn’t know how I never noticed the nearest town was only fifteen minutes away. And the town was big. The streets were filled with students from the Academy. Vendors lined the streets, while neon and flashing lights blinded me every way I turned. And we just so happened to pull into one of the most brightly lit places in town. A club called Anarchy. That was one hell of a name. I just hope the atmosphere doesn’t match the name. In no way did I want to have to deal with any of that tonight. I just wanted to have fun. 

We stopped in front of a red carpet. A RED CARPET, as if royalty was expected to climb out of the limo. Wouldn’t they be sorely disappointed. Lexi and the twins were basically bouncing in their seats, jittery and trembling with anticipation. Mathew had turned his features serious, like it all overwhelmed him and he just cut off his emotions. Creepy. Ryker plastered on a fake smile. One that shouldn't be able to fool anyone, but I’m sure it would. 

“Time to go.” Ryker said calmly. “Mathew you and the twins get out first, then I will go then you Rose.” 

“Why am I last?” 

Ryker looked over at me and smiled his genuine smile. “Because I saved the best for last.” he leaned in and whispered. My cheeks burned at his words. All I could do was smile and nod in agreement. What else was I supposed to do? Ryker just laughed, angling himself towards the door when it opened. 

In seconds Ryker was out and leaning back into the door, his hand held out for me. I hesitated a second before taking a deep breath and taking his hand allowing him to help me out of the car. I was instantly hit with the sound of jumbled voices shouting questions, and a multitude of flashing lights, blinding me as I all but glued myself to Rykers side. This was so not my thing. So far out of my comfort zone I might as well be floating aimlessly in space. 

Ryker’s grip on me tightened as if he sensed my discomfort. He ignored all the shouted questions, smiling tightly as the flashes of cameras continued to go off around us. I did my best to not embarrass him. I smiled as cameras went off, smiled here and there. It felt awkward as hell though. Like I was a celebrity on a runway. HA! Yeah, uh, no. That life does not fit me, nor will it ever. How Ryker and the others handle it is beyond me. I wanted nothing to do with it. 

Inside made me want to cover my ears and hold my jaw still at the same time. The music was so loud, and the bass had my entire being vibrating like a jackhammer. The lights were dimmed and every color of strobe light danced around the room chaotically. Women dressed in shorts that showed their ass cheeks, and shirts two sizes too small swirled around the room in and out of the crowd serving drinks. Busboys and male servers in jeans, no shirt and a bow tie around their neck cleaned tables. While the bartender was in holey jeans and a black wife beater stood behind the counter expertly mixing drinks with a broad smile. He must like his job. 

Bodies in the crowd ground all over each other making me curl my lip over my teeth in disgust. How could people just let complete strangers grind over them like that? Touch them like that? It was all very provocative. Lexi and everyone with me seemed perfectly at ease, in their element. Making me wonder if it was just me. Maybe I’m the one looking at things too deeply. 

“Come on. I reserved a table in the VIP lounge.” Ryker leaned in and told me.  I grimanced but nodded, following him through the room to the VIP lounge. I tried to ignore the hands that reached for me. Look the other way when people tried to start grinding their way down my body. I shivered uncomfortably. Yeah. Definitely not my scene. But I didn’t want to ruin my friend's night. Maybe I could get drunk enough to not care? Damn it. I breathed in disappointment. Not old enough yet. 

As we entered the VIP lounge I looked around curiously. The walls were covered completely in a shiny red velvet material. A round black leather sectional sat covering half of one wall with a table in front of it. On the other side of the room were a few small black tables and black leather armchairs. Plush red carpet spanned the length of the room, adding to the whole gothic chic vibe. 

“You want to dance?” Mathew asked me, a smile lighting up his face. 

“I will have to be more than drunk to dance out there.” I answered, sneering at the ever growing crowd of bodies on the dance floor. 

“Suit yourself.” Mathew shrugged, pulling the twins and Lexi off to the dance floor. 

“You alright?” Ryker asked me sitting beside me on the large couch. 

“I’m fine.” I waved him off. “Just have to get used to all of this.” I motioned around to the club. “It is all a bit overwhelming.”

“You want a drink?” 

“Not old enough.” I pointed out, side glancing at him. 

“What are you talking about?” He asked, furrowing his brow and c*****g his head to the side. 

“Legal drinking age is twenty one. Remember?” 

“No.” Ryker shook his head seriously. “In our world there is no drinking age.”

“Really?” I perked up. Ryker nodded, a smile creeping onto his lips. “Well in that case I want a fishbowl pina colada and two shots of patron to start with.”

“Done.” He smiled, getting up and disappearing into the crowd. 

I sighed in relief. Despite all the room I was feeling claustrophobic and caged in. Having the others around only amplified the feeling. I let my eyes scan the room more closely. So many here went to the Academy. Students and professors alike. Professor Phoenix was here, a brunette hanging off his arm as she batted her eyelashes up at him, what I think she meant to be seductively, but just looked like she had something in her eye. Professor Cornaro, the professor of demonology, was with a handsome looking man. He was shorter than most men, a head full of blond wavy hair, and completely white eyes. No pupil, no color, just stark white. It was so freaking creepy.

Professor Cassius was here too. His tall and lean frame stood out among the crowd. Mostly because he looked like he didn’t belong here. He was in dress pants and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The top three buttons of his shirt were undone exposing the top of his muscled chest. Nope. Stop. Don’t look. I chidded myself, forcing my eyes away from him. The heirs were here, women hanging and clinging to them like they were industrial glue. Their faces were drawn into bored looking blankness. Their eyes stared off into nothingness. What the hell was up with people here? 

“Here you go.” Ryker said, placing the drinks in front of me. 

“Thanks.” I smiled, tossing back the patron like it was water. Ryker looked at me questioningly, but I just shrugged. I didn’t really feel there was any need to explain my alcohol tolerance. I learned quickly in the month after my parents were killed that it didn’t seem to affect me the same as normal people. 

“So what is this place?” I finally asked. “Is it all supernatural or do humans come here too?” 

“Well. It’s a little of both I guess. Supernaturals come here mostly, but a human here and there come in. Vampires like the humans being here. It means they can feed.”

“I choked on my drink, my eyes going wide. “What?” I spluttered. 

“Don’t worry. It’s all completely consensual. The humans that come here know what kind of place it is. It’s like entering at your own risk type deal. If the human finds a vampire then that human will have all memories of the feed wiped. That way both parties are protected.”

I couldn’t help but let my eyes drift back to the crowd and search for any vampires feeding. I honestly didn’t want to know if I wanted to see. I was definitely better off not knowing. Especially after what happened to my parents. I watched them get drained, and it didn’t look like a pleasant experience. 

As my eyes scanned, I noticed Cassius had found a woman, or she found him. She was in a bright pink dress, her breasts spilling out the top. Her long legs were showcased proudly and she hung on him like a desperate monkey. He didn’t seem to mind. In fact he was smiling down at her kindly as she hung onto every word, every move he made. More than one pair of jealous eyes watched them hungrily. Ugh! Whatever, it’s not like I could be with him anyway. Not that I wanted to be. Right now I just needed to relax and unwind. I wanted to drink and have fun with my friends and just forget everything. Just for a little while.