Witchling (Chronicles of Witchood) by Genevieve Heart

his bag off the chair and it was enough of an indication that he had saved it for me. I felt the entire class watch us. The space next to Aiden seemed to have turned into the most coveted seat in the entire school.
    “You have some explaining to do,” I whispered to him as I took up the spot.

Chapter 9
     
     
    Karen’s mouth must have stayed open for much longer than she intended it to as Aiden walked behind me and then proceeded to sit down at the seat to my left in history. It would have been Lydia’s spot, if she were there.
    Aiden refused to talk about his break in and extended stay during the night. I was not sure if I wanted to talk about it either, especially when he was now so close and the memory of his arms around my shoulders returned and riveted my body. I had to remind myself that I was only fifteen and he, Aiden Winters, must be at least bazillion years old. In truth, I didn’t really know how old he was, except that he was much older, perhaps a hundred years or two. I attempted to picture him as an old man, all wrinkled and fragile, and that it was only because of his vampire curse or whatever he was that gave him the appearance of a young ageless god. I cannot be sure about my theory until he confirmed it himself. I should have asked Ethan when I had the chance.
    When the lunch bell rang, Aiden remained by my side and I felt as if he was guarding me. He sat with us and I was surprised to see him eat for the first time. I didn’t know what I had expected as he ate the burger without trouble. Karen continued to stare, along with the rest of the people who managed to grab a front row view on the surrounding seats. They attempted not to be too obvious as they occasionally glanced in our direction. I pursed my lips and knew that there was no way Aiden would tell me what I needed to know.
    “So,” Karen started. “I heard you were from Washington.”
    “Yeah,” replied Aiden in a cheerful manner, a completely different person from the silent and uncooperative Aiden I have become accustomed to. “From a little town called Lawrenceville.”
    “What made you move all the way to Pennsylvania?”
    “Oh, you know, family. Say, I heard your dad’s one of the town’s councilman.”
    As Karen spoke, I started to tune out her voice and felt something pull my attention away. I turned my head towards the door and saw a shadowy figure stand at the entrance. No one else seemed to see him. It looked like a thin wisp of shadowy smoke that took the form of a man. My instincts forced my eye to dart across the cafeteria where I spotted Ethan weave his way through the group of senior boys. They didn’t seem to notice him. In his left hand, Ethan held something big and used his jacket to shroud it from view. In his right hand was his phone. I saw how his fingers worked across the screen as he edged his way towards the shadow.
    Just as I was about to find out what Ethan’s hidden object was, my phone buzzed a message. I swiped my hand across the black glossy screen and read his text.
    Look away
    The entrance of the cafeteria exploded with sound as trays and lunche s went flying in all direction, along with bits of concrete and the pipes beneath the floor. The fire alarm went off and chaos ensued as students moved to get out. Sewerage bubbled out of the hole where the shadow stood. Ethan was nowhere to be seen. Aiden grabbed my hand and pulled me through the crowd.
    “What’s going on?” I yelled over the noise.
    “They’ve found us,” answered Aiden.
    “Who?”
    He didn’t reply. I soon found myself outside and headed towards the oak tree to where he parked his car. Aiden pulled open the door for me.
    “I can’t just leave,” I protested. Aiden lowered his face and the light caught his emerald green eyes. I saw a glint of darkness dance across his face as I searched for answers.
    “In the car,” he said in a low dangerous tone that stirred fear inside me. He didn’t have time for my questions. I refused