Percy had received careful instructions from the Shadow Vampires. He was to go to Bertram High classes in the early track, sit in the back and keep a low profile. He was not pay attention to anyone. It was only Amanda he was to set his sights on. When he had her completely mesmerized, under his spell, he had to immediately find all he could about Keira. She was Urgent Target 1. There was no time to waste, either. Everything was heating up and Keira was a loose cannon.
Percy also had to remember to report in, every step of the way. The Shadows had a system of staying in touch telepathically. Percy knew what it was and how to use it. When he called, they would hear him calling. When he put his shield up, he would be in the private zone, not able to be found. This system had been set up eons ago, and worked for many reasons. There was power in privacy. In the private zone, you could not get or give mixed messages, could stay focused, and be undistracted. It was important when you had to mesmerize a target. It was often the first step in getting things done.
This was one of the first Urgent Missions Percy had been assigned to. Up to now, the tribe hadn’t trusted him with anything this vital. He was pleased to be moving up in the ranks, knew he would get the job done perfectly. Then he’d move up even further, have control over lots of them. He drooled at the thought of this. He couldn’t wait to get Amanda under his spell.
Amanda wasn’t in any one of his classes. He knew she wouldn’t be. It didn’t matter -- he’d see her again soon enough. He laughed to himself, all through the day, waiting for these stupid classes to end. Percy planned to meet up with her at the main door at the end of the school day. This would be one of the easiest victories he had.
Events were working in his favor. He’d seen her first thing in the morning, as soon as he’d signed into school. He snared her interest. More than her interest, she couldn’t stop looking at him over her boyfriend’s shoulder. Just like the rest of them, she probably couldn’t wait to jump into bed with him, either. Stupid boyfriend she had there, too. That guy would be history before he even knew what happened.
Percy hung back the way he’d been instructed. After his classes were over, he waited in the alcove in back of the lunchroom. When he walked through the halls between classes, all through the day, girls turned their heads, giggling, looking at him. Some of the bolder ones tried to get his attention. Even though he’d been tempted to toy with some of them, he was staying on track. It was Amanda he had his sights set on. She’d be putty in his hands.
At the end of the day, when all classes were over, bells clanged in the hallway. He pushed through the crowds and noisy corridors and planted himself outside the main door, leaning against the stair railing. Amanda would be walking through it, sooner or later, he was sure of it.
Before he knew it, he saw a glow coming towards him, looked up and there she was again. This time surrounded by a bunch of girls. They were all chattering loudly, happy to be together. Percy set his mind on her. He focused in, sent a cord of light to her and drew her towards him.
She must have felt it right away. He saw her look up from her friends and when she saw him leaning against the railing, her eyes opened in surprise. Then she smiled - a dazzling smile. It took Percy back a minute. Boy was this one lively. He felt her attraction to him flooding his veins. It was almost too easy. There wouldn’t be any struggle, or conquest, he thought, a little disappointed. Usually he enjoyed the battle. He enjoyed winning them over. But this one was different. There was something more here. He sensed it immediately. Was she playing some kind of game with him?
When she smiled at him, he waved at her. Without hesitation, she waved back.
Despite himself, he smiled a different kind of smile. He didn’t like that. He had to take charge here. He stood back, focused and drew her to him in his mind. It would he Him controlling her movements. No one would control him. In a few minutes, she separated from her friends, and responding to his energy, came down the stairs, directly towards him.
“Hi,” she chirped as she got closer. “Didn’t I see you in the admissions office this morning?”
She’s walking right into my trap, he thought, but at the same time noticed that she smelled so sweet and delicious, like honey and cream. It was a different odor than most girls had, purer, more inviting. Then he remembered she’d just gotten out of a coma. That had to have something to do with how special she seemed to him.
“How’re you doing?” he said, in a smooth, silky tone, flashing his winning smile, the one that no girl ever resisted.
Amanda stared as his perfect, red lips parted, showing his beautiful white teeth. His lips were redder than ever these days, too. She was taken by them. He could see it.
“I haven’t seen you around,” she said then, in a tone similar to the one he was using, smooth, assured, seductive.
He smiled to himself. He liked that she was daring, matching his every move. He hadn’t experienced something like that before. Usually the girls hung back at first, pretending to be shy. This one wasn’t pretending anything.
“I’m new to town,” he said, looking deeply into her blue eyes. They were gorgeous, like crystal lakes.
She tossed her head back and her long golden hair flowed over her shoulders. Then she arched her eyebrows playfully “Really?” she said. “I’m new here, too. Just started this year.”
She hardly seemed new -- everyone around seemed to know her and like her. He wanted her to come closer and take her hand in his. That was unusual for him as well. He never wanted to hold anyone’s hand. He did it because he had to. Usually the touch of humans repulsed him. He looked at her more closely then. Was this one fully human? Her twin sister wasn’t. What about her?
“Want to take a walk?” he asked, lightly. He had to get her away from the crowd, and he knew she wanted to be with him too.
To his surprise, she pulled back a moment. “Not sure I can right now,” she murmured, looking around at the kids on the steps. “I’m meeting my boyfriend.”
He didn’t like that. Not at all. He wasn’t used to being rebuffed. And it wasn’t what he’d expected. He stiffened and frowned. He couldn’t allow her to refuse him either. He softened the energy in his eyes, intensified his intention and turned his gaze fully on her. He turned his eyes into pools of soft water, a little sad, luring her in.
“I’m disappointed,” he said in a silky tone, which he knew was irresistible.
“He’ll be here in a minute,” she shrugged.
The loyal kind, Percy thought. Rare these days. And foolish. Especially when she’s got someone like me, inviting her.
“I’m only in town a short while,” he interrupted her, his tone becoming silkier, melting her objections. “You can see him anytime.”
“That’s true,” Amanda murmured, caught up in the powerful energy he was sending.
He could feel her heart beginning to pound.
“Let’s go now, before he arrives,” he said then, excited, reaching his hand out for her. “You can tell him you were tied up in a class. We can go for just a few minutes. We don’t have to stay away for too long. I just want to get to know you.”
Amanda shivered.
She’s helpless in the face of my energy, he thought. He reached out his hand for her further.
“Sorry,” she said, turning to leave.
Then he came close up behind her, surrounding her with vibrations she could not resist. “Please,” he said in a silk tone. “
“Just five minutes,” she said. She turned around and put her slim, cool, gentle fingers into his palm.
Despite himself, Percy shivered. It felt good, too good. His energy bristled. What was going on?
“Let’s go,” she said, her voice like a clear bell. “We only have a little while.”
Percy held her hand tighter and they quickly ran down the steps, along the road, away from the school.
*
This one was really different. Percy had no idea why they both felt so absolutely at home with each other. Usually the girls were excited or frightened, and he felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. This time, he too, felt strangely excited.
Amanda breathed deeply and turned to look at him, her eyes filled with wonder. Her beautiful eyes threw him off his game. As they walked in the direction of the lake, she squeezed his hand warmly. Percy knew he should put up his shield, but this was so new to him. When she squeezed his hand, he felt warmth running up the channels to his heart. He’d never felt anything like that before. It was fascinating and he wanted to experience it.
“I’m so glad you’ve come to Everstock,” Amanda said, as they came to a deserted bench under some trees.
To Percy’s amazement, he was glad she was here too.
They turned and faced each other directly. He saw pools of light and happiness swirling in her eyes. It was beautiful, fascinating.
“It’s been such a hard time for me,” Amanda said as they sat down. “I was in a coma for a long time.”
Percy couldn’t believe she was telling him this. He had no idea what to say. No girl had ever opened up to him, or trusted him like this. They usually just wanted to get in bed, experience pleasure.
“I couldn’t talk about it to anyone,” Amanda went on. “I don’t know why, but I can talk about it with you.”
This was not what Percy expected. Not at all.
“What happened in the coma?” he asked, curious then. He tried to convince himself that he only wanted to know so he could get more information, locate Keira, her dangerous twin. But the truth was, he wanted to know everything about her, too.
“Everyone thought I was dead, or almost dead,” Amanda started, “except my twin sister Keira. Keira knew what was happening all the time.”
It was a perfect cue. Percy knew he had to dig in, ask about Keira, where she was, how to get to her? But he couldn’t. His heart started pounding. He was off mission. Why?
“I saw things and people you could hardly imagine,” Amanda continued. It seemed as if she could talk to him all day and night.
Percy couldn’t stand hearing anymore. He leaned over on the bench and put his hand over her mouth. It was warm and soft to the touch. His mind reeled. Then he did what he always did, leaned over and kissed her.
They kissed for a long, long dazzling time, her energy blending into his completely. He closed his eyes and his mind started whirling. He knew he had to pull away, put his shield up as fast as possible. But he couldn’t. It was hard to block out a moment like this, lost in the depths of an unknown delight.