Chapter 1
Nox
A moan of agony falls from my lips causing the pain in my head to intensify unbelievably so. The pulsating rhythm feels like a jackhammer is pounding on my brain while at the same time being zapped by electricity.
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 manmade around me. The inky darkness settles heavily 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 on the grounds of the Black Sun Academy. We take our seats with the rest of our group next to Clover, Blaise’s roommate, her boyfriend Jaxson or as Blaise referrers to him as, Clover’s ’Italian lover boy’. 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 three lovers (queue 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 black hair (that I’m sure blends into the darkness consuming me) several times as I try to figure out what in the hell 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 causing my heart to stutter and start to beat faster.
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 long-sleeved dress shirt, 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 cotton material fits across his broad shoulders and slim waist. Don’t get me wrong though, all of them are growl worthy!
All three guys have that stupid, dorky grin gracing their lips as they come to stand in front of me causing my heart to flutter violently against my chest. 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 all and enjoy your evening.”
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 quickly 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, chaste 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 beat rapidly at the sight of him. I don’t even realize I’ve started to move 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 speak up and question as to what’s going on.
The doors to the ballroom seem to suddenly implode causing shrieks and screams to sound throughout the room. “What’s going on?” I shout as I feel someone take hold of my hand. It’s hard to see in the darkness we have been plunged into, but I recognize the strength of Braeden’s fingers interlocking with mine.
A scuffle sounds near where Nox had been sitting, and worry settles in the pit of my stomach urging me to check on him. However, before I can make my way over to him to make sure he’s okay, pain shoots through my neck. My hand flies to the area that stings but I’m rendered speechless and then I lose all control of my body and feel myself collapsing against the cool marble flooring.
“Ugh,” I groan 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 stumble to my feet and then look around, taking in the scene before me. People are either slumped over and unmoving at the dinner tables or sprawled out upon the floor. “W-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 whines out an ouch. I realize all of us have been unconsciously rubbing at the sides of our necks. I make my way over 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 move him so that I’m able to see the side of his neck which of course has the exact same mark on it.
Shifting slightly, I then ask Braeden to look at my neck. “Do you see a small red circle?” I turn so I’m able to look into his eyes and see him nod his head in confirmation. “Um, we’ve all got the exact same marks on our necks! What in the hell happened?” Others in the room are rousing now, and I can see the confusion flickering in their eyes as well.
Gazing at our small group I feel a pull in me like my intuition is trying to get my attention for some reason. Something’s off. But what? For a moment I don’t voice my concern instead letting my eyes lock on each one of my friends; Carden and Braeden next to me, Clover and her man across from me, even Gavin a couple of tables over from where I stand.
Fear starts to swirl in my stomach as I realize who I don’t see stirring among my friends. “Uh, has anyone seen Nox?” Worry consumes me because he wouldn’t just leave me. Not with what has just occurred, right? No! Why am I even second guessing such a thought?
Shaking my head to rid myself of the thought I bit my bottom lip nervously because I’m not sure how I know, I just do; something has happened to him. Nox is gone! But who in the hell took him and why...
