Page 48 of Shattered Heir
I rolled my eyes. “Odd maybe, but useful,” I shrugged, and she laughed, and we silently walked for a few minutes before I whispered: “It is hard to believe that the Ancients will one day make all the pain worth it.”
“You will see soon enough. They always take care of their people, Emma. You can do this.” As we walked through the gates of the school, I didn't think that I needed to gain belief in the Ancients. I believed in them, all right. I just wanted to know why they hated me so darn much. I held my breath, and my personal monster inside of me bared her fangs.
“I can’t do this,” I said yet again as I opened my locker after first period. Second period was math with Shad. I really didn't think that I could endure it. I closed my locker and banged my head against it. “I am going to go back outside to the grass.”
“Emma, we have been over this. It isn't really Shad. Don't take anything he says or does seriously. And I do not think that we ever need to lay down in the grass again. People were giving us looks, and while I love you, and all, we don’t need that extra attention from the earthlings. Okay, maybe from one Earthling, Aiden, but I really would like him not to think that I am crazy. Also, I had some grass in my hair,” she whispered that last part.
“Easier said than done, for me, at least. Iamgoing crazy,” I mumbled.
Ash put her hands on her hips. “What is?”
“Easier said than done, to not take what Shad says seriously. It’s not easy, and hearing Cade inside of me is driving me crazy.”
“Try, and I don't know, to get to know the new him. Think of him as someone brand new, and get to know him again,” she shrugged.
“That might be okay, I guess, if he wasn't a psycho, murdering stalker.” I moved my head from my locker as a chill ran down my spine.
“I didn't mean Cade, I meant Shad,” Ash clarified with a laugh. “Of course, you want to stay as far away from Cade as you can.”
I turned around to see Cade behind me, leaning against a pillar with a smug look on his face.
What is the saying? Speak of the devil?
I quickly focused on my melody, shielding it as best I could. I wasn’t very good at it, but letting that monster of corruption lurking inside me have its moment always chased away my melody faster than a wildfire could engulf an entire dried out forest.
“Sweetheart, I have been looking for you everywhere,” Cade crooned as I turned away from him and gave wide eyes to Ash.
She looked from Cade to me and smiled. It was like she didn’t know that the devil was standing there behind me—or wait, the corruptor himself. “Why are you shielding your soul?” he asked. I turned back around as Ash whispered in my ear.
“He looks so much like Shad, Emma, and that melody—” She bit her lip. “I think you should cut yourself some slack for being confused.” I started pulling her down the hall and away from the evil boy.
“Ash, don't look at him. He's conceited.”
“I mean he has—”
I looked at her with warning in my eyes. “Don't you say it.”
“What?” She shook her head and pretended to zip her lips. “I wasn't going to say a word.”
I rolled my eyes at her, and she laughed. I knew Cade was attractive. How could a person be related to Shad and not be? Shad was perfect.
“Emma!” Cade called,
I didn’t answer, and because he was in the direct path of my math class, I decided that I would be okay with getting a late slip, and I took the extra ten minute walk all the way around the school to get to class. I was walking beside Ash, and it seemed like he finally had given up until I felt a light tug on my backpack and was forced to turn around, and there was Cade.
“Go away, Cade.”
“She speaks,” he smiled so wide. “I cannot speak with you inside me anymore.”
Why did everything he said sound so disturbing? “Good, that is how things should be. Now, I have to get to class.” The beast raised her claws, and if Cade had come any closer to me, I wasn't sure exactly what I would do to him. Last time, it was just small cuts, but at that moment, I had no idea. I felt the beast, the monster within me, getting stronger each time I let her out. Cade’s melody was suspiciously quiet.
“Hold on a second, and I mean, just Emma. You, little seeker, can be off,” Cade motioned for Ash to depart.
Ash glared at him.
“Excuse me? You, you piece of corrupt slime. Do not tell me what to do.” She crossed her arms across her chest, continuing her glare.
“Ah, interesting. I see Glasson probably has his hands full with you.” He winked.
