Page 7 of Creatures of Chaos

Becks has his phone out and is typing a message to someone. He hits send and jams the device back in his pocket. I don’t have any clue who he was messaging, and I don’t ask him. Becks may be one of my only friends, but I’m not the same for him. He’s charismatic, charming, ridiculously hot, and an heir. Meaning he’s practically beating creatures off with a stick who would die to be his friend, or more.

He looks up at me. “Sloan’s?”

Sloan’s is a local hangout and I know it will be packed with Nightlark students. The last thing I want is to see more of my fellow peers, but since I can never seem to say “no” to Becks, especially recently, I hold back a groan and nod. If he notices an iota of reluctance in me, he ignores it.

“Sweet. I already told Ensley to meet us there.” He rubs his stomach causing his shirt to come up a little, showing a sliverof his chiseled flat abs. “I’ve been craving one of their shakes all day.”

I look away quickly, my face reddening.

A bell over the door jingles when we enter Sloan’s a few minutes later. Several heads turn our way and Becks waves at some shifters he knows as we take a seat in one of the only available places, a booth that is regrettably in the middle of the diner.

I shift uncomfortably in the vinyl seat, self-conscious about being the center of attention and wishing more than ever I would have taken a few minutes to shower after my workout. Reaching into my bag, I pull out a zip-up hoodie and throw it on over my tank.

A waitress heads over and takes our order, and almost immediately after she leaves I see someone approaching us out of the corner of my eye. When I look over, Vesper, a pretty vampire a year younger than us, moves to stand next to Becks. Her skirt is as short as her top is low and I notice Becks give her a quick once-over before trailing his eyes to her face.

I don’t blame him. Heck, I couldn’t help but look either, but that doesn’t stop an ugly emotion from churning in my gut. Although I’ve never had an altercation with this vampire, I have the sudden urge to dump one of Sloan’s famous chocolate shakes over her head.

Vesper slowly twirls a piece of her glossy brown hair around her index finger as she stares at my best friend with heavily lidded eyes. “Hey, Becks, I saw you play last weekend. That goal you made at the end of the game was epic.”

Becks is the captain of Nightlark’s vodenball team. The sport, which is played with a ball you can kick but also move with your powers, is seen as the ultimate measure of athleticism and magical abilities. It’s the most exclusive sport at our school. Tryouts every year are cutthroat, but making the teamguarantees you a certain level of clout. If he wasn’t already popular for being the dragon heir, leading the school’s vodenball team to victory throughout the last season would have pushed him to the top of the social ladder. I know Becks loves the sport, but I think he’s ready to be done for the year. Their regular season is technically over, but they still have some post season practices and scrimmages over the next several weeks.

Becks smiles back at her, but Vesper doesn’t know him well enough to realize the gesture is false. “Thanks, Vesper. Glad you could make it out. Having support really means a lot to the whole team.”

She leans in closer, so her chest is eye level with Becks’ face. “Well, I’m not really there to see the other players, if you know what I mean.”

Yes, Vesper. He knows what you mean. Weallknow what you mean.

Becks sits back in his seat, keeping his eyes dutifully on her face, but his smile looks more like a grimace now.

“Yo, Ves, shove off,” Ensley says as she comes up behind the leggy brunette. She nudges her out of the way so she can slide into the booth next to Becks. Ensley’s golden blonde hair is streaked with red-glamoured highlights today. I dig the vibe.

Becks releases an audible sigh of relief as Ensley takes up the space between him and the pushy cheerleader.

“I was just—” Vesper starts.

“Yes, yes. You were just throwing yourself at Becks but let me save you the time and let you know he’s not interested. Now shoo,” Ensley says, and waves Vesper away.

Ensley’s my hero.

Vesper sputters and shoots Becks a look, probably expecting him to step in and defend her, but he just shrugs.

With a huff, Vesper spins and stomps away in her three-inch heels, rejoining her friends on the other side of the restaurant.

I hold a fist up and Ensley bumps it with her own.

“The vultures just keep getting bolder,” Ensley says.

She’s not wrong. Becks has always been undeniably attractive. He never even went through an awkward phase. But since his power registered off the charts and he was named the dragon heir, girls have stopped trying to be subtle about their attempts to get his attention.

“But really, Becks,” Ensley continues. “You need to learn to beat them away yourself. I won’t always be here to do your dirty work.”

“Hey, it’s not like I’m encouraging them.”

“You’re not discouraging them either though,” she says, shooting him a knowing look.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asks, a pleat between his brows.

Ensley rolls her eyes.

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