Chapter 1
**CHAPTERS ADDED - THE FIRST 2 ARE TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY FROM BOOK 1**
Chapter 1
Nox
A groan falls from my lips causing the pain in my head to intensify ten-fold. The pulsating rhythm feels like a jackhammer is pounding on my brain. Cautiously I flutter my eyelids open afraid that any exposure to light will surely make my head explode. Releasing the breath I unknowingly hold I realize there is no need to fear light. Wherever I am, there isn’t an ounce of light be it natural or synthetic! The inky darkness settles heavy upon my being, and I wonder if maybe I had just thought about opening my eyes but haven’t yet done so; that is how dark my surroundings are.
Shutting my eyes once more (I think), since there is no point in straining my vision to look through the nothingness that I’m being held in, I attempt to recall what I had been doing prior to blacking out. Images of fiery red, long flowing hair and jewel like emerald, green eyes dance across my mind. Blaise, in a pale-yellow evening gown, was absolutely breathtaking! Having just ended a dance, we made our way back across the black marble flooring of the ballroom where the Harvest Ball was being held to take seats with the rest of our group; Clover, Blaise’s roommate, her boyfriend Jaxson or as Blaise referrers to him as, Clover’s ’Italian lover’. Across from them are two of Blaise’s Soul Fated, identical twins, Braeden and Carden Callaghan. If the throbbing in my head wasn’t so atrocious, I would almost laugh at the thought that just crossed my mind. Because at this moment I would give just about anything to see Blaise or her other two lovers (que the non-existent laughter).
Reality begins to sink in about my current situation as the coldness of the ground soaks into my black dress pants causing shivers to consume my body. I think I’m sitting on cement flooring but due to the lack of light I cannot confirm this thought. The cold settling into my bones though has me wondering if I haven’t been placed in some type of freezer which causes me to wonder, what the fuck! Where the fuck am I? Is Blaise and the others, okay? And of course, what the fuck happened? My body aches as I begin to move around but I realize I am not tied or bound to anything and am able to move my limbs freely. With a little effort I lift my right arm and run it through my hair several times as I try to figure out what is going on...
∞
Blaise
Not that I will ever admit it to Clover but I’m glad she convinced me to go to the ball with her. The harvest ball is nothing less than magical! A gasp falls from my lips as I enter the ballroom and my mouth falls open in awe. The room itself is adorned in gold molding and massive windows allowing the light of the full moon to filter into the dimly lit interior.
But that isn’t what’s got me staring in amazement. The entire room has been transformed to look like an autumn forest! I feel as if I have been transported to some magical fairy kingdom! Trees with gold, orange, and crimson leaves align a majority of the walls. The black marble flooring has the same-colored leaves scattered across it with strategically placed bales of hay, dried cornstalks, pumpkins, and scarecrows set about for an ambient effect. Glancing down at my pale-yellow gown, I’ve never felt more thankful that Clover had convinced me to purchase the dress. It shimmers as the moonlight hits the sequences and rhinestones just right.
Smiling, I spot Clover seated at one of the many tables throughout the room and make my way over to her. Sitting next to her is her date, Mr. Italian Lover-boy, Jaxson. For just a second, I wonder what their status is; are they boyfriend and girlfriend, just friends... but then my attention is pulled to the left of where I’m standing as some of the hottest guy’s I’ve ever seen in my life strut and stroll into the room! Braeden and Carden enter first both in matching black and white tuxedos causing me to drool slightly as they come closer and closer to our table. If I didn’t know they were identical twins, I would question whether or not I was drunk and having double vision! My eyes shift as I notice a shadow following directly behind the twins. Nox is decked out from head to toe in black, black button-down, black blazer, black pants and I snicker at seeing him in his black combat boots. The sight of him causes me to sigh appreciatively at how well the suit fits his broad shoulders and slim waist. Don’t get me wrong though, all of them are growl worthy!
All three guys have a stupid, dorky grin gracing their lips as they come to stand in front of me. The music that has been trickling through the sound system from the DJ stationed near a sprawling staircase is shut off as the sound of someone clearing their throat comes through the speakers. Braeden, Carden, and Nox take their seats and I find myself settled in between Clover and Nox.
Both Carden and Braeden suck in a breath of surprise as we all hear, “good evening, everyone.” I look over at the twins, surprised myself, at seeing their father Chris standing on the second to last step of the previously mentioned staircase. “The S.C.D. would like to thank Black Sun Academy for allowing us to host this year’s Harvest Ball. The harvest meal will begin momentarily until then please take pleasure in the music provided by the D.J., again thank you and enjoy your night.”
Nox stands as the music gradually gets louder and sticks a hand in front of my face, “would you like to dance, Blaise?” Grinning, I nod yes as I place my hand in his allowing him to pull me to my feet. Hand in hand we make our way to the dance floor where Nox then spins me out and then pulls me in to cradle me against his chest. Leaning next to my ear I hear him whisper, “you look absolutely stunning.” Shifting my head so I can gaze into his eyes I smile before placing my lips against his in a gentle kiss. Together we twirl around the room a couple of times and just as the song is coming to an end, I spot Gavin amongst other professors milling about. He’s wearing a tux similar to the twins causing my heart to flutter at the sight of him. I don’t even realize I’ve started towards him until I feel a tugging on my hand as Nox pulls me in the opposite direction. Glancing over my shoulder I see Gavin clench his jaw and shake his head subtly no; telling me not to come over to him. With a slight nod of my head, I continue to follow Nox as he leads us back over to the table.
Just as we take our seats, servers bring food to our table. White painted China plates are sat in front of each person and when every person has a dish in front of them at our table, we begin to eat. The chatter is pleasant as we all dine but then suddenly the lights go out. Everyone is stunned silent for a moment but as the power doesn’t immediately come back on, people begin to question what is going on.
The doors to the ballroom seem to implode causing shrieks and screams to sound about the room. “What’s going on?” I shout as I feel someone take hold of my hand. It’s hard to see in the pitch-black of the place but I recognize the strength of Braeden’s fingers interlock with mine. A scuffle sounds near where Nox had been sitting. However, before I can get to him to make sure he’s okay, pain shoots through my neck. My hand flies to the area that stings but I’m unable to speak and then I lose all control of my body and feel myself collapsing against the cool marble flooring.
“Ugh,” I moan as I come to. I notice the lights are back on and brighter than before they went out causing me to wince at the brightness. Slowly I get to my feet and then look around, taking in the chaos of my surroundings. “W-what happened?” I ask as I let my gaze bounce over my friends. They are all coming too slowly as well.
“What the hell?” Braeden growls out as Carden groans and Clover whimpers an ouch as Jackson helps her to stand. All of them are rubbing at the sides of their necks as well. I make my way to Clover’s side. Looking at her neck I see she has a small red irritated circle about two inches above her collar bone. Turning to Carden, I turn him so I can see the side of his neck which of course has the exact same mark on it.
I turn and tell Braeden to look at my neck. “Is there a small red circle?” I shift so I can see his face and watch as he nods yes. “Um, we’ve all got the exact same marks on our necks! What the heck happened?” Others in the room are rousing now and I can see the confusion flickering in their eyes as well. This is when I realize a very important fact! “Uh, where’s Nox? He was sitting right next to me before the lights went out!” Frantically, I search the room in hopes of spotting him. Panic is surging through me, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that he’s gone. But who took him and why...
