The General's Son w***e

IX

He threw his hands up, “Cool it, inferno. It was meant mostly for Fayette.” He disappeared from the doorway, and then popped his head back in, “Oh and by the way, Constantine wants us out in fifteen minutes.”

Fayette sighed, “Well, I guess that means you'll get to see your girl soon.” She winked before going out of my room.

I began to do my daily routines, making sure to look extra good for her.

I am going to make it my personal goal to get her name today, even if I had to ask for another ink stick.

We’ve parked in our usual parking spot near the front entrance, and just as expected, people turned their heads towards us.

At this moment, as I was taking my helmet off, I felt the foreign feeling I had felt yesterday and my heart was beating erratically inside my chest. It felt as if my heart literally came out of, did a couple of flips and slammed back in. I shook my hair a little, releasing the tight strands from being smashed under my helmet, and I immediately noticed her.

She was currently walking towards the front doors with her friends. It's seemed like she sensed that I was around because she quickly stopped on her tracks, turning half of her body to face me. We stared at each other from a close distance, neither one of us moving. I leaned against my bike and made the first move.

I waved and she started walking over to us.

Fayette touched my shoulder, “Babe, 3 o'clock.”

I didn't need her confirmation to know exactly where she was headed. Every step she took was almost like a strategic plan to gain my attention, but little did she know, she already had it.

Once again, the fire in me was inflamed and I felt it throughout my body. Perry touched my back notifying me to focus, so I reached deep finding my water to cool my burning fingertips.

She smiled, “Hi, ink stick, right?”

I blushed, “That is I.”

She tilted her head, “The name’s McKenzie.” She held her hand out.

I shook her hand, “Amora. It's a pleasure to have met you. You have delicate hands.”

She giggled, “You're so odd.”

I should have known she had a partner, someone who looked as good as her couldn’t possibly be single. I guess I just had some competition because I was not going back down without a fight. He may have had her, but I'd be damned if I couldn't change that.

“I could give you a ride.”

She shook her head, “No that's fine, I don't mind waiting. He should be here any minute, but thank you for the offer.”

“Then I'll wait with you.”

“All right then, if you insist.”

I took the seat next to her, making sure our legs were touching as I set my bag off to the side. I stole glances at her every chance I could as she played on her phone.

She looked up, “Don't you have anything better to do than wait here with me?”

I shook my head, “This is my better thing to do.”She smiled, “What? Waiting on my ride with me?”

“No, spending time with you.”

Several minutes passed and the parking lot began to get eerie as more students depart.

“This is depressing. May I take you home?” I asked, glancing at the side of her face.

She sighed, looking up from her phone, “I don't want to be a burden.”

I put my hand up and shook my head, “It's no burden to me, and I’m offering my service to you.” She groaned, “I don't suppose you'll take any form of no.”

I turned more of my body to her, “I can accept various forms of no, but I'd like your answer to be a yes.”

She rolled her eyes, “Fine, you twisted my arm.”

I raised a brow, “I think you have mistaken me for someone else, I did not do such thing. I wouldn't hurt you like that.”

She giggled, “It is figurative language, not like you actually did it, Amora.”

I got up from the ground and helped her to her feet,

“If you say so, I will rely on your words.”

She smiled, “Thank you, weirdo.”

I grabbed my bag and she did the same and we walked back to my bike. I handed her my helmet before I straddled my bike, waiting for her to do the same. When I felt her near my back, I smirked to myself as I revved up the engine.

I turned slightly and yelled loud enough over the bike’s engine, “You might want to hold on.”

Before she had a chance to say anything, I sped out of the parking a lot faster than I should. I felt her arms snake around my waist as her front pressed against my back.

She flipped the visor, “Do you think maybe we could stop somewhere.” She shouted.

“Where to?”

“Take a left after the traffic light. There should be a park on the corner.”

Pulling into the park, I walked my bike into one of the stalls and turned off the engine. After she unmounted, I followed pursuit and turned around. I watched her take the helmet off, flipping her hair, then running her fingers through her blonde waves.

She playfully shoved me, “You did that on purpose!”

I laughed, “Did what on purpose?”

“You’re fast! You knew I'd have to hold on to you.”I raised a hand, “Guilty.”

“Amora!” She squealed.

She lifted her hand again causing me to coward, “I sincerely apologize, and I won't speed again.”

She nodded in content as she looked over my shoulder, “Hey let's go on the swings, I feel in the mood for some sort of fun!”

I raised a brow, “What are swings again?”

Her jaw dropped, “Have you never been on one?”

I shook my head, “No, I don't even know what it is.” She gasped, “Seriously Amora? Oh geez, we have to go then.”

I asked, “Where to?”

She rolled her eyes, “The swings!” She shrieked.

She grabbed my hand instantly warming my skin as she ran towards the swings, practically dragging me behind her. She sat on the nearest one laughing happily.

“Push me.” She demanded.

So I did.

She fell off the swing really hard. She didn't even have time to put her hands up to defend her from the ground. So she ended up sideways on the ground, groaning from the impact.

“Amora, what the hell,” She sat up slowly rubbing her sore arm.

I raised a brow, “What? I did what you asked.”

She groaned, “I meant push me on the swing.”

I nodded once, “That’s what I did.”

She laughed, “I guess you're not wrong, but I meant like push me while I was still on it so I could swing back and forth.”

Now I felt bad. I was guilty.

I walked over to her, “I do apologize, and may I offer you my hand.”

She raised a brow wearing a devilish smile, “That would be nice.”

She grabbed my hand yanking me down, me landing on top of her. As I layed on the most beautiful girl whom I had an instant connection in this realm, I felt a sense of comfort instead of anxiety about my powers flaring up. She stared back at me, her shimmering emerald eyes boring into my grays.

Or so I hoped.

“You have beautiful eyes.” I told her poking her cute dimple.

She blushed, “So do you.”

I smiled feeling a warming sensation through my body, being this close to her was exhilarating. I was absolutely breathless just by staring into her emerald eyes; words couldn't describe the connection my body was sharing with hers.

She called, “Amora.” She fidgeted underneath me slightly, “I think your cell phone is digging into my leg.”

I quickly rolled off of her and sat, turning away from her because I knew what happened between us. I tried to think of a way to calm down before she’d noticed, but to no avail.

As if my situation couldn't get any more awkward, she touched my shoulder. I felt my temperature rise, just great … like focusing on one problem wasn't hard enough, I thought to myself.

“Are you okay?” she asked. Worry is evident in her voice.

After turning me towards her, I watched helplessly as her eyes traveled down my torso, landing on the one thing I feared most.

Her eyes went wide, “I’m guessing that wasn't your cell phone.”

I blushed, “I … Um … ”

She scooted closer to me, placing a hand on my shoulder, “I don't care what body parts you have. You seem like a genuine person and in the short amount of time I met you, you seem like a caring, selfless person and I really like being around you.”

She wasn't wrong, in our short time together; she managed to obtain one of my deepest secrets. The only people in my life that know about it were my parents along with Fayette and Perry. It actually felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders, although the timing was awkward.

“So you really don't mind?” I asked slightly embarrassed.

She giggled, “No I don't mind, like I said your body parts don't make your personality.”

I nodded, “My gratitude towards you is enhanced.”

“I'm not sure what you mean, I talk like everyone else.”

She laid her head on my shoulder, “I mean there isn't anything wrong with the way you speak, it's kind of cute, but you could have just said thank you instead.”

“I don't mean to be so blunt but I feel like this touch is awkward.”

She looked up at me, “Why?”

I looked down and pointed, “I still haven't calmed down yet.”

She blushed, “If you want, I'll give you a minute.”

She scooted away from me allowing me to focus. I tried to think about anything other than McKenzie, like my parents back at home. I felt myself calming down right away and I looked at McKenzie.

“Better?” she asked.

I nodded, “Yes. Just don't do anything like that again.”

I stood, feeling calmer than I had been before.

She stood, smirking, “What if I did this?”

She wrapped me in a hug and I squealed, “McKenzie!”

She backed off laughing as she held the keys to my bike in the air.

“How'd you do that?” I wondered.

She wiggled her eyebrows, “I'm good with my hands,” she said, followed with a wink.

She teased the keys in the air and I was about to tackle her for them until a guy with jet black hair came walking up to us. I studied him from the distance and he seemed familiar to me but I couldn't remember where I had seen him.

“Hey baby.” He said wrapping McKenzie in a hug followed with a kiss.

I looked away, the last thing I wanted to see were lips on hers that weren't mine.

He addressed me, “Hey, girl from second period right?”

“Amora,” McKenzie corrected.

I looked at McKenzie as she tried to break out of his embrace.

“Guess I'll see you tomorrow, Farewell McKenzie.” Feeling like I lost her in this secret battle between who I believe was David, I started walking away. McKenzie stopped me, handing me my keys, “I had a lot of fun today, have a good night Amora.”

I forced a smile, “You too.”

I put on my helmet that still smells like her and ride out as the sun began to set. My heart literally feels like the time when I shattered my bones at the Munds portal, which hurt like hell. The more I thought about it, the more it pained me, leaving me to battle my own powers within.

Suddenly I combusted into flames as I sped down the road, I guess Perry's weak spell had no effect on the feeling I was having right now.

It's been four days since Fayette crash-landed us in the mundane world. I didn't blame her for being so reckless. I mean, she was new to her title as a Tempus after all.

Reminiscing on the event only made me remember the pain of my shattered bones. I was starting to believe now that she purposely made me go first, obviously knowing what the portal felt like.

She's sneaky like that.

Fayette spoke, “Did you get it?”

After watching McKenzie using the small piece of technology, I had asked Constantine if we could have one. He, of course, obliged and briefed us on how to use it. It wasn't confusing at all but I was still not accustomed on how to properly use it.

I stared at the device, and it read: “Etteyaf em sti”

It says, “It’s me, Fayette.” It was our language in Vudos.

I rolled my eyes, “You do know that's not how they talk here.”

She ignored me and continued to explore her phone, “What are you wearing tonight?”

I thought about her question remembering that today, at school, McKenzie invited us to her friend’s party, and I couldn't wait to see her again.

I shrugged, “The usual, of course.”

She placed her phone on my bed, rummaging through my belongings. She turned around, grinning ear to ear holding out an outfit she picked out from my closet.

I looked up from my phone, “How about this?” she asked, holding a pair of black skinny jeans slightly shredded down the front, a graphic tee along with my signature combat boots.

I flipped to my stomach on my bed, “Casual, I like it.”

She smiled, “Good, now get dressed. We have a party to attend.”

I reluctantly obliged, getting to my feet. I took the clothes from Fayette who was still smiling like an i***t.

Right on cue, my door burst open revealing Perry. He stepped into my door frame sending another attack against us. I pushed Fayette out of the way and in an instant, the surge struck my chest straight into my heart. I stumbled into the bed as I clenched the gaping hole in my chest.

Feeling helpless in the agony as the pain coursed through my body, my insides burned as the flesh around the open wound began to repair the wounded cells. Once I was back to my normal, I chased Perry down the hall.

Constantine yelled, “Quit acting like children, my heart can't handle such immaturity.”

I let out a shaky laugh, “You frightened me!”

She laughed helping me to my feet, “Thank you, but please don't do that again, I could have seriously hurt you.”

She hugged me, “Wow! You actually said thank you!”

I removed her arms, “Less contact.”

She pouted, “But I like hugging you. You're always so warm.”

I couldn't lie to myself, I loved whenever we made contact and when it was lost, I felt myself wanting more.

I stared at the blonde beauty before me, something in her demeanor changed as she studied me. It felt like a lifetime as I stared into her shining emerald eyes.

Her eyes lit up when she looked over my shoulder, “Walk with me?”

I nodded, “Okay.”

I watched as she stopped in her tracks, she stared at me in silence for a few seconds wearing the devil’s grin. I raised a brow as soon as she devoured my attention right down to the last drop.

She placed one hand on her waist then placed her other one over her waiting for one. I watched as she smoothly slid both hands down her extremely tan and toned leg, I couldn't help but admire her sly way of turning me on. Everything she did was simply mesmerizing to me and I couldn’t help but study her whenever she did the simplest tasks.

She finally reached her sandals, snapping back up as her blonde waves fell back into place, cascading over her shoulder as the white shimmer off the water’s surface illuminated her skin.

She bit her lip, “Are you going to take your boots off?”

I just stood there in silence, still stuck in my trance.

“Amora? Hello … ” She shook me.

I snapped out of it, “Yeah?”

She giggled, “I asked if you were going to take off your boots.”

I nodded, “Okay.”

I sat in the nearby grass, which felt a little damp from the evening chill. I felt her eyes on me so I decided to see for myself, and sure enough she stood a few feet from me crossing one leg over the other as her eyes roamed over my body. I unbuckled the last of my straps and smiled at her.

She returned the smile, “You're so slow.”

I rolled my eyes as I finished taking my boots off and stood on my full height towering at least six inches over her height, “This sand feels squishy.” She giggled, “Come on.”

We started walking near the shoreline side by side. Along the way McKenzie's free hand, seeing how we were carrying our shoes in the other, found mine. I thought it was an accident so I tried to pull away but her grip just got tighter. She took me to a flat rock right off the beach's shoreline.

All that was heard was the crashing of the beach waves and noises from things I didn't recognize. When I jumped up to sit on the rock, McKenzie wedged herself between my legs, pressing her back into my front.

“What are those squawking sounds?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her waist. “Birds … ” she stated in awe.

I rested my chin on her shoulder, “Are they dangerous?”

She shook her head, “Have you seriously lived a sheltered life?”

I shrugged, “I had been sheltered back at home.”

I saw the creature that was making the noise land a few feet away from us. I cringed as it tilted its head and squawked. My reaction was immediate as I nearly jumped out of my own skin; I squeezed McKenzie tighter as I hid my face in her back.

She laughed, “It won't hurt you, Amora.”

I shook my head, “That can't be confirmed. It's intimidating me Mc—Ken—zie.”

I opened one eye and side glanced at the beast as it c****d its tiny head side to side.

She sighed, “Okay, let’s get back to the party so the scary bird doesn't attack you.” She mocked me in a dull voice.

Before the journey back to the beach house, we wore our socks and shoes back on. Well me anyway, she just had sandals. Being the sneaky in me, of course, I was stealing glances at her as the midnight moon cascaded a glow around McKenzie. She looked absolutely stunning in her small jean shorts and pink tank top.

Her eyes flickered to mine as she tucked her hair behind her ear, “Like what you see?”

I nodded vigorously, “Yes ma'am.”

He tried to punch me, but I stopped it with one hand and swung my free hand into the side of his temple, causing him to completely go limp and blackout.

I wrapped my arm around McKenzie as many onlookers held up their phones, flashes going off. I pulled her closer to me, “May I take you home?”

She nodded, “Yes please.”

As soon as I pulled into the lot she told me about, I immediately noticed that there were no cars here. I cut the engine and turned to her, “Do you still have a parent?”

She frowned, “Yes but they are deployed.”

I raised a brow, “What do you mean by that?”

She placed my helmet on the seat, “They are both in the military.”

I nodded understanding that they must be soldiers of this land, “So why do you let David treat you like that?”

She shook her head when she’s about to answer, that was until I saw something in the window yelling in its language as she unlocked her house. I wasn't going to lie; I was terrified as she opened the door revealing the creature.

“What is that?!” I screamed when I saw it running towards us.

It looked a lot like the bird from the beach but with more legs. It continued to bark running even faster as McKenzie squatted down, picking the beast up in her arms.

She turned to me, “This is my dog, Thor, and he’s a dachshund.” She moved him closer to me, “Do you want to pet him?”

I shook my head and backed up, “No, it scares me.”

It barked, wiggling its tail.

McKenzie laughed, “He won't hurt you.”

She stepped closer and I took two more back,

“Don't come any closer.”

She lunged forward with the bundle in her arms and that was enough for me to turn the other way and run. She continued to chase me around her yard holding her dog in the distance between us.

“Just pet him, Amora!” She yelled.

“Negative.”

“You can't deny a cute little face like this.”

I turned around to yell over my shoulder but McKenzie wasn't there. As soon as I turned back around she was already right in my face. I screamed at the top of my lungs in a high pitch shriek. My vision went blurry, and I found myself crashing to the ground.

I came back as soon as I felt a pair of warm legs mounted mine, “McKenzie?”

“Hmm,” She hummed.

I tilted my head, “Do you do this with all of your friends?”

She shook her head, “No, just you.”

I nodded, “Okay.”

She held out Thor, “Do you want to pet him now?”

“Fine,” I reached out and stroked the dog’s tiny head, causing a small bark of happiness to escape through his little mouth. He jumped out of McKenzie's arms, falling in the space between McKenzie and I on my lap. I thrust forward a little after he landed on my sensitive spot before climbing up my chest.

I groaned, “For something so tiny, you sure felt pretty heavy.”

“I'm so sorry about that, Amora.” Mckenzie said covering her mouth.

I shrugged, “It's not a big problem really.”

Even though … it still hurts

She uncovered her mouth and pointed at the dog,

“On the plus side, I think he likes you.”

I let the dog climb around on me, “May I ask you something?”

She smiled, “Of course.”

I tilted my head, “Why do you let David treat you like that?”

She sighed, “I don't expect you to understand.”

I wanted to know more, “Did he hurt you?” I asked.

She shrugged, “Do you want to watch a movie? I have a lot of good movies to—”

I interrupted, “You didn't answer my question.”

She sighed heavily, “Does it f*cking matter? Why do I have to tell you anyway?”

I propped myself on my elbows, “Did you have to yell at me?”

A look of guilt crossed her face, “I'm sorry, and I didn't—”

I held a hand up, “It is fine, I should probably head out anyway.”

I moved her off of me, and stood, “Farewell,

McKenzie. Sleep well.”

“Please don't go.” She begged.

I looked at her down on her knees, “McKenzie I don't want to be the reason behind you being mad.”

She shook her head, “Trust me, you're not … you’re actually the reason behind my smile.”

I smiled, “Are you serious?”

She nodded, “Yeah, you became a good friend to me. It took you literally days to get to this level and my friends have been working on it for a long time.” She hesitated, “Do you want to stay the night?”

I considered this and battled the thought before my body reacted, although it didn't take long as my head nodded, “I'd love to.”

We walked inside with Thor by our side, and I was mesmerized by her beauty as she led me inside her domain. She started walking upstairs with Thor as I stayed stuck at the bottom of the stairs, afraid of what would happen if I pursued with them.

“Aren’t you coming?” she asked.

I raised my hands, “I'll just sleep on the couch if that's okay.”

She tilted her head, “Are you sure? My bed is way more comfortable.”

I nodded, “Yes ma'am.”

She shrugged, “Ok, I guess good night then.” She pouted.

“Goodnight McKenzie.”

I was glad she didn't give me any blankets, Afraid that I would scorch them or freeze them, regardless I knew I was better off without covers. The couch was all I needed to stay comfortable without the scent of her stealing my thoughts.

I watched McKenzie and Thor leave me to the couch, “Good night, Queen.” I whispered to myself before my dreams penetrated my mind, causing my eyelids to close.

I woke up early at McKenzie’s place. Since she was soundly sleeping, I decided to leave before she had woken up.

Trust me, I wanted to stay but I felt something brewing inside of me and it didn't feel right.

When I got back to Constantine's place, the feeling got stronger. It made me nauseated and dizzy as it felt like my innards were being shredded.

Like something was trying to escape.

I was coughing and sweating profusely as I grasped my stomach going in and out of my own body mentally, alarming me that something was clearly wrong with me.

I tried several attempts to use my powers, I at least wanted to get to my bed, but clearly my legs couldn't handle the simplest task. I had given up at this point and decided it was best if I laid down, whether or not the ground was uncomfortable; it was irrelevant at this point.

I drew my legs up to my chest, letting a pathetic 'Help' escape my mouth.

Perry found me on the ground as he helped me to my feet, “Should I call Constantine?”

I tried to focus on his mouth, listening to the words he had spoken but to no avail. I had no idea what language he was speaking and trying to decipher his sentence was merely impossible.

I snarled, “toggam, nwo ym no klaw nac I”

‘I can walk on my own, maggot.’ I snarled.

As if my body was attacked, I found myself speaking our language involuntarily, I had no idea what caused me to speak it instead of the language spoken here.

He disregarded my statement and proceeded to drag me in. He helped me to the couch and pressed his fingers to my forehead, “Sleep.”

I crash-landed into a realm much different than I had seen before in my life. The smell was absolutely horrendous; I had to cover my mouth from spewing my guts. I stumbled around in this foreign land coming in view stood a massive castle that had looked like it hadn't been maintained in centuries. As curious as I was, I pushed the double doors open, finding a group of disgustingly mangled creatures, most of which had a seemingly glowing blue slime residue. Seeing how neither one of the creatures seemed to notice me, I decided to approach them to get a better look.

The half scaled creature spoke, “Keep looking, we can't stop until we have found her.”

“But sir—”

He slammed his hand on the table before him, and then stood, “No, she is out there, defenseless may I add.” He moved around the table, eyeing his company while he twirled his thumbs, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is our time, our time to strike.” He made a fist, pumping it in the air, “Attack while her immortality is weak. It's now or never!”

I shouted, “What's going on?”

The crowd went silent and started looking around the room, “I sense her.” The scaled wolf-like creature spoke.

I gasped, hiding behind a nearest pillar knowing he probably meant me.

There was a sudden change in the atmosphere as everything slowed down, I got light-headed. I could sense someone or something on the other side of the pillar as I held my mouth shut in fear that I will be caught. My body stiffened as his face peered around the corner, smelling the air around me. His face was even uglier up close, layers of thin razor-sharp teeth filled his entire mouth, and his skin was scaled with different shades of brown, with what looked to be like mold growing on his right cheek. He had a dark mane that covered most of his neck along with a wolf-like snout. He sniffed the air in my direction, his mouth twisting into a sly grin.

Not once did his eyes open, but I knew he knew I was there from the repulsive grin he had when he sniffed me.

“Jasper, we must head out.”

He let out a low growl and continued to hold my hand over my mouth to keep myself from making any noise.

That sound was terrifying.

He left and I was glad that he was no longer in my presence; this was too much for me to handle. I needed a way out fast, this place was taking a toll physically and emotionally on me and I felt my body grow increasingly weak.

“Amora wake up. There has been a breach.”

I suddenly stripped from the foreign realm and slammed back into The Munds.