Shape Shifters Demons in the Midst

4. Cade

Cade

Corey was bleeding over all the white carpet. There wasn’t a spot on him that wasn’t pouring blood, and even his bowels were lying at his feet on the floor. It smelled like death in here. Corey’s wheezing and occasional coughs of blood were the only things heard.

“He’s not sick. He’s dying. He could’ve infected you by his presence.” Liam was a stubborn vampire, but this was crazy. I’d never seen anything like the mutilation that ailed Corey.

“It doesn’t matter. This affects all of us. He said that he had some blood and a month later boils opened, and he began bleeding. The boils are on the inside and outside.” He covered Corey, with a sheet and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.

“I told you there are darker forces at work. Someone is poisoning vampires.” He changed his gloves and donned a fresh pair of blue latex gloves before he injected the needle into Corey’s arm.

Corey was mumbling but his speech was disoriented and incoherent. His eyes glazed over once the medicine took effect. It was probably morphine to dull his pain and ease his suffering. Corey wasn’t my favorite person because he was selfish and placed all his troubles on us. Nobody deserved this type of suffering. Not even Corey.

“It must be the werewolves. Who else would poison us?” I paced back and forth.

“There’s more in this world than vampires and werewolves.” He leaned over Corey. The sheet didn’t rise for a second.

“It’s a nice thought that we aren’t alone, but we are. You’re being way too trusting. Someone touched one of us. We need to send a statement and let the streets overflow with their blood.” My fingers itched to grab the sword and hop out the window.

The audacity that someone would touch vampires was insane. We’ve been around for thousands of centuries and if our ancestors hadn’t upset Valcrum we wouldn’t be cursed with living here on Earth as second-class citizens.

“Your judgement is clouded. I need you to clear your mind. If something happens to me, you must stand and keep the academy open.”

“It’s easy for you to say, but Maximus hasn’t paid penance for Letoya, yet I’ve kept my promise to you. Letoya was my sister.” I walk toward the steps. I can never disrespect Liam, he’s like a father to me, but I can’t ignore this.

“I’m the closest thing to a father you’ll ever know. I’ve raised Letoya and you for over two thousand centuries, and you speak to me of Letoya.” His voice vibrated and echoed off the walls.

“Let’s agree to disagree.” I walked up the steps needing to calm myself before I head back through the hallways of cheerful students.

“Take one more step and I’ll force you to draw my sword. You will obey me or you will die. I won’t allow your death to be on my hands too.”

Blinking rapidly, I peered at the ceiling trying to gain control. Corey was dead and we’re arguing about werewolves. Liam knows I’d never lay a finger on him, but Maximus Ward is another story. Liam swindled me out of my promise not to kill him, but once I prove he’s behind this I’ll be clear to finally kill him.

“What is going on here? Liam are you alright?” said Maximus. He came with five men from his pack.

“Corey Adams has been murdered. When I prove you did it, I’ll cut your head from your shoulders.” I pulled Letoya’s jeweled dagger from its sheath. Recognition flared in his eyes as he saw the dagger.

All five of his men stepped forward, but he held them back. He shook his head and looked at Liam standing behind me.

“If I kill anybody, it’ll be you,” said Maximus.

I took a step toward him. I’m not known for my patience.

“Bring me my sword,” said Liam. He walked in between the middle of us.

Liam pointed to Maximus’s men. “Leave us. This concerns Maximus and Cade.”

They looked at Maximus for confirmation. Nobody bucks Liam Moretti. He runs the school by day and keeps the peace between everyone at night. He’s the protector for those that need protecting. The werewolves had made Valcrum mad just like the vampires, but the werewolves took things too far. Valcrum was going to let their species become extinct, which is crazy.

“You heard him. Go.” Maximus watched as his men left the office and shut the door behind them.

“Both of you listen because I’m only going to say this once. From this day forward, we have a treaty in place, which means for the safety of our races, we will not kill one another.”

“When we find out who the other species is that betrayed us, we have proof that voids the treaty right?” My heart slammed against my chest.

“No. I decide whether the treaty has been violated and I decide who will exact justice. I can tell you now it is not either of you,” said Liam.

“I volunteer now to take the responsibility to see justice is done.” My eyes never left Maximus. He needed to know that I intend to kill him.

“You want to kill me bad. I bet you fantasize about it. You actually think you’re better than me,” said Maximus. He chuckled.

“Request denied permanently. Do not ask me again, or I will see it as a challenge to my authority.”

I clenched my jaw tight. Challenging Liam’s authority was an automatic fight to the death, and over two thousand centuries no one had won that fight. I’m not sure why they wanted all the responsibility that he has, but I don’t. He’s robbed me of my vengeance.

How could he do this to me? This is the most I’ve ever spoken out and I’m ready to go. We need to display strength at a time like this and Liam has forged a pact with the mangy werewolves.

“Whoever breaks this pact will be killed immediately, without questions,” said Liam.

“I will gather everyone together to sign the treaty, and I’m willing to sign it now in good faith. Corey was a mess but I really liked him. A happy drunk never deserves to be murdered.”

“Someone is poisoning blood. Cade will leave tonight to try and find out who is doing this. For now, we keep our eyes open and don’t associate or make any new friends,” said Liam. He walked over to the desk and rolled out the gold and cream parchment. When he finished writing he pulled out his official seal and stamped it.

My teeth ached from grinding them. The walls seemed to be closing in on me. Sweat beaded on my forehead and dripped down the side of my face. Maximus stood there looking smug and bored. I’m hoping that he too is bristling inside that we can’t fight to the death. Why should I be the only one upset?

“Come sign the treaty.” Liam held the pen in his hand as he watched both of us walk over to his desk.

“Can I see your pen,” asked Maximus.

Liam shook his head. “Everyone who signs the treaty will sign with their blood.”

Maximus stared at his fingers until his claws extended from his skin. He then ranked his long-curved claw across his wrist, and his blood spilled on the paper.

When Maximus finished, I had my blood ready. He nodded to Liam and left.

I watched it drip on the parchment feeling sick. I signed my name. It could be worse. I could be standing here looking into Maximus’s cocky face. Heading to the steps, I heard Liam clear his throat. For once in my life, I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.

“I know you’re upset but I have to keep everyone safe. One day, maybe soon, I will tell you about Letoya. We all have our secrets, Cade.”

Turning slowly, I grabbed the banister to steady myself. The water flooding my eyes overwhelmed me. Blinking rapidly, I held back the tears. I’m not crying in front of no man.

“Don’t bother.” I flew up the stairs and kicked the basement door shut. I’m way past the age to be kicking doors shut but I can’t look at Liam anymore. His betrayal sliced through my heart. Closing his office door, I stormed down the hall. This has been one of the worse days of my life.

“Cade. You’ll need this” said Liam. He prowled toward me with a tattered brown cardboard box. He dumped the box in my hands.

“It’s time.” Liam walked back toward his office.

“I don’t need this.” The box smelled old. Whatever was in here had been there for a very long time. Glancing down, I saw the address scribbled on the yellow sticky note. Yanking it off the box I crumpled it and placed it in my pocket. This is one address that I know too well. There isn’t a chance that I would ever forget it.

“You desperately seek the truth and I will not stop you from seeing it.”

He closed the door to his office. It was like Corey hadn’t died. No one would know just how messed up this day has been for Liam. For all of us. I try to have the same composure but I don’t. I had dreams of being half the man Liam is but I know I never will.

Closing my bedroom door, I placed the box down on the desk. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I swiftly turned around. Maximus stepped out from the shadows. He looked at the box.

“I never thought I’d live to see this day. Now you know the truth.” Maximus walked past me and placed the sterling silver heart-shaped locket on the desk.

How did he get her locket? Letoya never took it from around her neck.

“The question is. What are you going to do about it?” He left out of my window.