Preview of Death Callers

All right, so I don't really blog much, but I figured I'd start now. For my first post I just wanted to give my readers a preview of the first chapter of my novel, Death Callers. I'm hoping once you get a taste, you--the reader--will want more :) so here we go. Sorry for the format :P.

Chapter 1

My mother had always told me that when I turned eighteen and had my first Death Call it would change my life. I just didn’t know how right she would be. “I, Aislin Briella Gray, am a banshee, and I see death.”

****

“Happy birthday, Aislin!”

I turned just in time to see Kaydynce bounding toward me. Her short blond hair danced as she ran. Her arms wrapped around me and lifted me up. She twirled me around like a rag doll.

“Thanks, Kay,” I said, breathless as she let go.

My hands fumbled with the lock on my locker. It blurred and shifted in my vision. Kaydynce smiled. Her sapphire eyes twinkled with mischief.

“I can’t believe you’re eighteen now. You are so lucky. I can’t wait to turn eighteen so I can do Death Calls with y’all,” Kay squealed.

Then she sighed as she leaned against the locker beside mine, one hand pressed against her forehead like the women in black and white movies. I rolled my eyes at her antics. Out of my peripheral view, I noticed a tall, lean figure with reddish-brown hair. My heart skipped a beat. Instinctively my body inched away from the cold metal.

“You know nothing, Kaydynce, and never will,” my other friend, Teagan, proclaimed.

Her tone snapped me back to reality. I glanced at her then again to the crowded hallway, but he was gone. I glanced back to see her green eyes filled with something I didn’t recognize, never recognized until then. I had seen that expression before, I in my mother’s eyes. The look of utter desolation.

Teagan was the oldest of my little banshee group while Kaydynce was the youngest. Both Kaydynce and I studied Teagan, our brows scrunched. I had never heard so much resentment in her voice before. Kaydynce shrugged.

“Don’t listen to her, Aislin. You should be overjoyed that you finally get to be a true banshee.”

“Shhh, not so loud.”

She brushed it off, putting her arm around my waist and dragged me toward first period. I scanned the sea of students to make sure we hadn’t been overheard or at least that’s what I told myself. My eyes searched for the guy who had made my heart skip and beat on overtime. I had a bad feeling that something horrible was going to happen, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to like it. Teagan shook her head and followed close behind.

What had happened to make Teagan appear so sad and out of place? It wasn’t like her. She used to be the fun one, until her eighteenth birthday, and then everything changed. I wasn’t sure what had happened that night, but I knew it had been horrible. I had a sickening feeling that the same thing was going to happen to me. I tried to think positive as we shuffled into our first period class, Chemistry.

Kaydynce, Teagan, and I sat in the back of the room so as not to draw too much attention to us. Yet even sitting in the back we got glances and stares. Don’t get me wrong I liked being ogled and admired, what girl wouldn’t, but it had gotten worse as my banshee powers came into play. Banshees were naturally beautiful women, and became more so when they reached maturity. My classmates checked me out, their faces filled with lust. Teagan had already experienced the constant stares, glares, and jealousy from the whole student body; even the faculty couldn’t keep their eyes off her.

It was now my turn to be the talk of the school and the envy of everyone around me. It might be cool for a few days yet I didn’t think I could handle too much attention. I hid behind my books as class rolled on. I couldn’t wait until this day ended. The black tabletops were cool against my warm skin. Sometimes I wished I could melt into the ceramic top or turn invisible at will. I looked over at Teagan for some guidance, but she just stared off into space, lost in her own thoughts. I sighed. I guess I had to deal with this on my own since I knew Kaydynce wouldn’t be of any help to me. I glanced over at her anyways. She was fluttering her eyelashes at some freshman boy who couldn’t take his eyes off of us.

I nudged her. “Kaydynce, stop messing with the poor boy you might give him a heart attack.” She just laughed it off.

Kaydynce loved being a banshee and getting all of the attention from boys and girls alike. She reveled in her powers of seduction, but being part succubus might also cause that. Her mom was a banshee while her dad was an incubus. Weird combination if you ask me.

“You’re overreacting. I’m just having a little fun is all.”

Her eyes twinkled while a smirk played across her pink lips.

I shook my head knowing I would never be able to drag her away from her flirting. Instead I tried to concentrate on covalent bonding. I understood maybe half of what Mr. Cole was saying before the bell rang for second period. Everyone rushed out of the room like they were all on fire. Chairs scraped and shoes slapped against the tile. We were the last to leave, but before I could make it out the door Mr. Cole stopped me. Teagan and Kaydynce barely gave me a second glance before booking it like the rest of the class. Good for nothing friends.

“Ms. Gray, may I have a word with you for a moment?”

I nodded, wondering what he wanted to talk to me about. I ambled back over to his desk, holding my books against my chest.

“Well, Ms. Gray, I’ve noticed a slight drop in your grade for this class. If you want to bring it up, surely, I can tutor you after school to help bump it up,” he said casually.

He was giving me that slow once over like he was seeing me for the first time. I shivered, chills running up and down my spine. The offer was tempting. I did need a boost in my grade, and Mr. Cole wasn’t bad looking for his age with his rich brown hair and dark green eyes. However he was in his forties, and I was only eighteen plus it would just be plain wrong.

“No thank you, Mr. Cole, but thanks for the offer, I appreciate it.”

Before I could escape, he grabbed my arm and yanked me back, tugging me close to his chest. My books went flying, scattering across the tiled floor. His hands seared my skin. I struggled against him, not believing this was happening. His grip tightened as he held my wrists together. I pushed against him. His breath stung my face. It smelled of coffee and loneliness. My heart thrashed against my sternum as I fought. I then did the only thing I could think of. I brought my knee up and nailed him between his legs. He let go, crumbling to the ground. I sprinted out of the room not even looking where I was going. I just wanted to get away from this nightmare.

My mad dash to the door didn’t last long as I ran into someone. Air rushed out of my lungs from the impact. My body flailed. Hands rested on my shoulders, steadying me. I didn’t have time for this. I peeked back at Mr. Cole to see him getting up. I let out an involuntary yelp and tried to push through whoever was in my way. I guess they understood, because the next thing I knew I was through the doorway but couldn’t go any further. Those same hands that had saved me from falling had a hold of my wrist. His palms were rough and calloused. I peered up to find the guy I had seen in the hallway. He had a firm grip. I tried to pull away, to be free, but I was involuntarily yanked back.

“What’s going on here?” the guy asked.

His voice was rough and deep like thunder. It made my body weak just hearing it.

I shook my head and tried to control this sudden feeling while peeking pass his arm to where Mr. Cole stood.

“Nothing that concerns you, Mr. O’Neil, now why don’t you run back to class and let Ms. Gray and I finish our conversation,” he said sternly.

O’Neil? The name sounded familiar, but I didn’t have time to worry about that now. I started to shake uncontrollably at just the thought of being alone with Mr. Cole again. I felt his eyes studying me, searing my skin. My breath hitched.

“Oh, I’ll leave, but not without her.”

His strong arms wrapped around my waist and led me away. His hand scorched my skin through my shirt. Just his touch sent waves of heat coursing through my body. I sneaked a peek back to find Mr. Cole standing by the doorway glaring at me. I should have reported it, but I didn’t. Despite his flaws Mr. Cole was a great teacher. I shook my head. I glanced up at my savior. He had reddish-brown hair that covered his ears and a lean but muscular build. He must have sensed me staring as he raised an eyebrow and smiled. His honey-colored eyes stunned me momentarily.

Warmth crept up my cheeks as we continued to stare at each other, which probably wasn’t the best idea when pushing through a crowded hallway. I tripped over my feet and would have fallen if it weren’t for the tight grip he had on my waist. I cast my eyes down, embarrassed by his presence and the constant stares we got.

“Th-Thank you,” I stuttered under my breath.

He stopped. The hair on the back on my neck stood on end. I didn’t even have to see him to know his eyes were on me. Warm fingers touched under my chin and lifted it up. I met his gaze.

“What happened back there?”

My lips trembled. “H-He wanted to bring my grade up but not by tutoring”

“Oh,” was all he said before jerking me against his chest, holding me tight.

I let myself relax into his arms feeling safe for the first time today. I should have pushed him away, but I couldn’t. We stayed like that until the bell rang for second period to begin. The reaction I had to him left me confused. Why was I allowing a complete stranger to touch and hold me? Was I just too traumatized? I didn’t think that was the answer.

“Let me take you to the nurse,” he said suddenly, picking me up and cradling me against his chest. I was completely stunned. My body went limp in his arms. The guy’s muscles flexed with each step to the nurse’s office. If it had been anyone else I would have made a fuss, yet I felt calm in his arms. It was a feeling I wasn’t used to. Everything about him seemed familiar—from his golden eyes to the sound of his deep, rumbling voice. I was lolled to sleep as his arms rocked me back and forth. I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew I was sitting up in one of the nurse’s beds gasping for air.

“Shh, it’s all right now. You’re safe here,” a feminine voice said, pushing me back into a reclining position.

I had been dreaming of a boy with honey-colored eyes. I had known him long ago, but he had left, breaking my heart. I shook my head. I regarded the room with its white walls and posters of diseases and infections. I shuddered just seeing them. This wasn’t a place I wanted to be at all. I cast my eyes around until I spotted my savior, giving him a small smile.

“Hi,” I said a little groggily.

“Hello to you, too.” A grin played across his lips, lips that seemed to tempt me.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“I’d say you’ve been asleep for maybe thirty minutes or so,” he replied, “but don’t worry I told the nurse to let all of your teachers know that you weren’t feeling good.”

Interesting, I thought, as I checked him out once more.

“So what shall I call you since I don’t think savior would be the best thing?” I asked playfully, surprising myself.

“Kaelin O’Neil, and who might you be?”

I knew that name, have always known that name yet it had been so long since I had heard it.

“Oh my god, Kaelin, it’s Aislin, Aislin Gray. We used to go to school together before you moved.”

My heart thrashed and clawed at my chest. I couldn’t believe he was here and had saved me. The boy I had known had grown into himself. He wasn’t all arms and legs anymore. Kaelin’s smile widened.

“Aislin, I thought I recognized you. Wow, you’ve grown since the last time I saw you,” he joked, giving me a slow once over that made my skin tingle.

Happiness fluttered through me. The horror of the day dissipated.

“When did you get back? I haven’t seen you in any of my classes so it had to have been recent, right?”

“Actually I got back yesterday.” His laughter rumbled through the room like rolling thunder.

“Oh, well then that means you need someone to show you around the town again since you’ve been away for so long,” I said flirtatiously.

His golden eyes lit up, a broad smile spread across his face.

“That sounds like a plan.” He held out his hand.

I blushed and took it. His fingers wrapped around mine and helped me out of the bed. We smiled at each other and strolled out of the nurse’s office. The halls were barren, not a soul in sight. Kaelin guided us through the double doors to the parking lot. A gust of wind whipped past me, sending strands of my hair into his face. I giggled, covering my mouth. His golden eyes narrowed right before quick fingers danced across my sides. I screamed then giggled, thrashing away from him. Kaelin smirked. My heart skipped a beat. It was like old times, joking and laughing together.

“Do you remember sneaking out and stealing your mom’s car just to see me even though you had been grounded for a week?”

Kaelin’s grin widened, golden eyes dancing. “Yeah, I was grounded for two whole months after that, but it had been worth it. If I remember correctly that was also the night you snuck a bottle of wine out of your mom’s liqueur cabinet.”

I laughed. “That was horrible wine.”

“That was a vintage 1971 Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Riesling. It was an excellent choice except for the fact that we were only fifteen.” He held up a pinky and puckered his lips.

I rolled my eyes. Those were the best days of my childhood. It felt like ages since I had seen him. He had been my shoulder to cry on when I was sad, my encouragement when I didn’t believe in myself, and the one I had hoped would be there always. Up until the day he left.

“So why did you come back?” I asked, nudging his shoulder.

“You.”

I froze, heart stuck in my throat. He said it so seriously that I was caught off guard. We had been friends since we were little, but I had never expected him to feel anything more than friendship for me. I laughed it off. The look in his golden eyes said something else entirely. They smoldered, sending shivers down my spine. I still couldn’t believe that Kaelin had come back. He was the same old goofy boy that I had known all of my life though now it seemed like he saw me in a different light. Yet things had never been perfect in my life so why start now?

I felt a tingle in my throat and my vision went blurry. I knew then that it was about to start, my first Death Call. The asphalt wavered in front of me. Ice slid down my back, chilling the heat. I closed my eyes wishing it would go away. Wishes rarely ever came true, though. An ear-splitting screech erupted from my lips as my eyesight turned into a vision of death. I held my head. The premonition played out, and then just like that it was over. I crumbled to the ground with tears streaking my pale cheeks.

“Aislin, what’s wrong?” Kaelin asked.

Rocks crunched in front of me. Feather light touches on my arms signaled he was right there. I now understood Teagan’s bitterness and what my mom hadn’t told me. My Death Call had been of the last person I had ever expected, and the one person I had fallen for. Again. The one I had always loved—I saw the death of Kaelin Quinn O’Neil, my first love.