Chapter 17: Twin Nekos

"So, you see, we're Nekos," Ash said. He was up real close to my face, along with Ari. It seemed like Ash was trying to charm me somehow. His eyes were dimmed with an adorable half smile playing on his lips. His eye were directed at my lips, while Ari's was intensely looking into my eyes.

I was confused. "What's a Neko?" I had never heard the word before in my life...well then again...I wasn't allowed to know about a lot of things. My parents were very overbearing.

"Wha-?!" everyone said at the same time--except for Jaun--gaping at me.

I shrugged. "I don't know what a Neko is...I barely know what a vampire and werewolf are." I looked to Aiden and Jaun apologetically.

"What world do you come from?!" Ari said, still completely confused.

"Um...Earth? How many worlds are there?" I wondered, realizing that there could farewell be a million worlds that I've never known about.

Ash debated this, counting on his fingers. "Only seven."

My eyes widened. "Really?" I leaned closer to them, intent on hearing more about the different dimensions.

He nodded. "We've visited all of them--except Earth--and they aren't any different than this one. This one just gathers all the magical creatures who want to broaden their horizons...we even have a few humans. Though, they're nowhere near as beautiful as you." He leaned even closer to me, gazing at my lips once again.

I blushed slightly. "Then you obviously haven't seen any real humans."

He shrugged. "What does that matter? You're still the most beautiful one that I've yet to meet." He pinned me against the sofa, getting even closer to me.

Ari came up next to us, getting up real close to me. "Ash is right. You are the most beautiful." He pressed his lips against my bare shoulder, trailing little butterfly kisses up to my neck.

Ash smirked as he noticed me holding back a small moan. He pressed his lips against the other side of my neck, sucking and licking.

I wanted it to stop. I didn't want to get this close to these "Nekos." I mean, I don't even know them! Why aren't the others doing something about it?! Jaun has to feel something!! And Aiden kissed me on the roof! Why isn't he getting mad?!

"ASH! ARI!" The voice penetrated the room as Ash and Ari pulled back with a smirk.

"What? We were just having a little fun." They waved their hands in front of them, chuckling.

I sat there, flushed, as Jaun and Aiden flew forward to pin the twins against the wall. Micah came to me, examining me.

"Are you okay, Allegra?" He hovered above me, as Ash had just done. It was different, though. He didn't lean into me to steal a kiss. He simply caressed my cheeks as a doctor would do, turning my head back and forth to check.

"I'm fine, Micah. They were just...just kissing me..." I beginning to slightly shiver, and it confused me as to why I was. It's not like I haven't been kissed like that. Not by Jaun, obviously. But Masters had tried to take advantage of me plenty of times, and Sage had come just in time to stop it from going too far. Hey, that's what happens when you get drunk.

Micah sighed. "Allegra...you don't understand. They may only be Neko's, but their family comes from a long line of lustful sirens. Just the slightest brush of their lips they can mark you so that you fall in love with them." He sighed again. "And, obviously, they tried."

I looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

He brushed my neck with his thumb, and showed a red gel wiggling. It looked like jello, but it wasn't. "This is the stuff they use to force girls to fall in love with them. They may not mean to, but when it's gel like this they did. If this had gotten into your ear, or sunk into your skin, you would've been head over heels in love with both of them."

I gasped a little, staring at the twins. I couldn't believe it. "But...OW--" I grabbed the back of my neck. It felt like something had bitten me. What the hell?

"Yes!" Ash and Ari said at the same time. "We win the game!"

Micah's eyes were wide, examining the back of my neck. "Dammit!" He yelled, slamming his fist on the sofa.

"What is it?" I asked, touching the bite mark. There were two little holes on the tip of my spine bone.

"The gel sank into your skin...soon you'll be with them." He pushed away from the couch, leaning against the wall, back to me. "I was so close, too...."

I looked back at the twins, waiting for the affects to begin. The only thing that happened was that my heart gave two stuttering beats, and then I felt normal. Well, except for the fact that my anxiety was acting up yet again. "I...I don't feel any different."

Ash and Ari looked at each other, shrugging. "That happens sometimes. It will come though. After maybe a night of sleep. We'll see in the morning."

"No. We won't. The affects won't start if you're dead!" He began to wrap his hands around Ash's neck.

I ran over there to stop him. "Jaun, don't." I grabbed his arm before he could connect with Ash. I stared at his face intently, running my hand down to his wrist. "Please don't."

He looked at me from the corner of his eye. "I can't just let them get away with what they did. They need to pay."

I sighed. "Jaun...it's not like that was new to me..." I knew this was going to piss him off. So much so that he'd go to Earth and want to beat the shit out of Masters. He won't go now that Ash and Ari just pulled that, so Masters is safe, and so is Ash.

He looked at me full on, confused. "What do you mean? I never..."

I looked down. "No...it wasn't you."

His eyes widened with realization. "Masters." He released his hold on Ash, grabbing me by my shoulders. "When did he do it?! When? Was it during you and me...? God, why didn't you tell me? Dammit, Allegra! When did it happen?"

I sighed. "Jaun. Calm down. Yes...it was during us. The nights after we'd get into a fight and I'd get wasted. Don't worry, he didn't get any further than kissing my neck. Sage would stop him."

He groaned. "How come you didn't tell me? I should've known that, being your boyfriend and all. I mean, why tell me now that we're not together?"

I stared at him. "Jaun...if I'd told you while we were on Earth you'd kill him--"

"Damn right I would!" he interrupted.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah. And I wasn't planning on ever telling you. But since you won't leave me now...I know you won't kill him."

He sighed. "I hate how you know me so well, yet we aren't together."

I shrugged. "Whose fault is that?"

He glared at Ash, turning back toward him. "You're right. I can't do anything about Masters, though. But Ash...Ash I can kill!" He lunged for him again, showing me his fangs for the first time.

I gasped and jumped in front of Ash, stopping him. "Jaun, don't!" I yelped.

He stopped just short of sinking his fangs into my neck, his arms on either side of my head. Ash was on the ground behind me, his hands on my hips.

Everyone was silent for awhile, gaping at Jaun and I.

Finally, Jaun spoke, his head still positioned down. "Why...why do you protect him? Is it because you're in love with him?"

I shook my head. "Jaun...I'd protect anyone who you wanted to kill."

"Why, though?" His head snapped up to stare at me, begging for the truth. "Is it because you hate me?"

I shook my head again. "Of course not, Jaun. I just can't see you like that. I can't see you kill someone." He looked away, and was going to say something, but I wasn't done. "I'd never forgive you if you ever killed someone."

He gulped, looked at me with sad eyes, and then disappeared.

"Wha-What just happened?" I asked, confused on why he left.

"It's because you said you'd never forgive him. And, seeing as it is still a full moon, he won't be able to control himself around Ash and Ari. I have to admit, I want to kill them after that." Aiden said, prying himself away from Ari.

I smiled. "I'm glad you're not." Aiden...he was just so sweet. How is it that he's the sweetest, yet he's the one who kissed me before the others? Besides Jaun obviously.

Aiden smiled once more, before frowning and turning away from me.

"Aiden? Are you okay?" I asked, attempting to step closer to him, but he stopped me.

"Don't come any closer, Allegra. Okay? It's just going to make things more complicated."

"What do you mean?" I wondered, wishing that I could hug him. It wasn't easy watching someone so adorably sweet, sad.

Ash stood up, pulling me closer to him as Ari came over on my left, grabbing my hand and kissing it. "You see, Allegra. They're all mad that we got you and they didn't. We won the game." Ash chuckled, "I wonder what Dante's going to do."

That statement confused me, but I shook it off. "You guys keep saying you won the game...but I don't feel any differently. I feel like me."

Ari came closer, nibbling on my ear. "It won't last long. Tomorrow, when you wake up, you'll feel two distinct heart beats and then you'll be captured."

That confused me even more. "Is it like my heart skips a beat?"

Ari nodded, moving to the nook in my neck. "That'd be it."

"Well, then obviously it didn't work on me because I felt those two beats already and I'm still me."

Aiden whipped around to stare at me, while Micah zipped back to face me as well. "What?!" Everyone said, again, at the same time.

I nodded. "I don't have any special feelings for you guys. I mean, I just met you."

They exchanged glances. "But...just now! With Jaun--"

I shrugged. "I've known Jaun for awhile now...I don't want to see him kill anyone." I pulled away from the twins, and stared at the four of them as if they'd lost it. "I don't really understand this world...but I'm going to bed. That crying earlier has got me beat." Slowly, I walked to my room.

Once in my room, I collapsed on my bed. I was exhausted. So much has happened...and so fast! I was attacked, I had a fight with Jaun, I had a special moment with every single guy in this house, and Jaun tried to kill someone right in front of me. I really need someone normal in this house to keep me sane.

Right before passing out, I felt my heart beat slam once against my chest, which was weird. My anxiety wasn't all that bad to where it felt like that...and am I even breathing? Huh. Oh well...I'll just...fall asleep....

Chapter 16: Confused Mischief

Dante held me closer, squeezing me so tight as if he could absorb my pain and grief. I knew my tears were staining his shirt, but, at that moment, I didn't care. As selfish as it sounds, I didn't care about anything except for the fact that my ex has hurt me. He's hurt me over and over and over. So much pain and so many secrets. How was I supposed to feel but hurt and lost?

Dante was rocking me back and forth, the way you did when you were comforting a crying child who has awakened from a terrible dream. "It's okay, Allegra. Please. Just stop crying. Ssh. Ssh. It's okay."

I looked up at him, gazing at the gorgeous, distant look in his eyes. For some, unknown reason, my face heated up, embarrassment settling in my bones. He was very attractive, but could he really be a demon? He acted nothing of the sort. Shouldn't demons be aggressive devils who want to kill anything and everything in their path? But he-

"What?" he said, finally spotting my gaze upon him. His hair kind of blew in the wind as he looked at me, kind of the way a man's would if they were trying to charm a woman (cuz the wind always seems to work with the man who's trying seduce the innocent woman).

My face heated up further, looking away from him. "Oh...uh, it's-it's nothing. Really."

He smiled light, barely recognizable. "Are you feeling alright? Your face is kind of pink." He lifted his hand and lightly caressed my rosy cheeks.

Which just made made me blush more. "I'm fine. Really. But...um..."

"What is it?" he asked, suddenly curious.

I looked down, watching my hands as I fidgeted. "Well...it's about earlier. After Aiden got punched."

He sighed. "Oh."

I looked up at him. "Why did you run off? I mean, all I wanted was for you to apologize to Aiden. He was the  victim."

He unraveled his arms from my embrace, standing up. He didn't say anything, just let his mind wander as he looked into the distance.

I just sat there, gazing at his dark silhouette. "Dante..."

He probably didn't hear me, because all he did was continue to stare. After a moment of silence, he sighed. "You would never understand." And, with that, he spread his wings and flew, further and further away.

I sat there, contemplating his strange words. What wouldn't I understand? Why he didn't apologize? Well that's just odd. I would so understand if he'd just tell me. Ugh!

I heard a door open, and I looked behind me. Micah was standing there, staring at me from the roof door. "Hey, are you okay?"

I nodded, standing up. "Yeah...I'm fine. Now, anyways."

Micah smiled slightly, walking over to me. He grabbed my hand  and faced me. "Good. It was hard to see you cry."

I smiled. "You're sweet."

He smiled a bit wider. "I try," he teased. Then his face turned serious. "But...about earlier...there had been something we wanted to talk to you about."

I nodded. "Oh! Yeah, Kain told me about that. What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" I leaned up towards him a little, earnest.

His face got slightly pink, but he continued on. "Well, we were going to give you the news about Jaun...but he ruined that."

"Yeah, don't remind me," I grumbled.

He ignored me. "But that wasn't the only reason. We also were going to talk to you about some new guest that are coming to stay with us for awhile."

"What about them?"

"Um, well...they're not exactly...normal."

I giggled. "Nothing about Rivara is exactly normal."

He smiled. "That's not what I meant."

I smiled. "Oh. So, what did you mean?"

"I meant that they can be real pains. They flirt with any girl they see and you have to be careful."

My eye brows scrunched. "Are they those flirts who touch girls like perverts?"

He shook his head. "Well, no..."

"Then, why do I need to be careful?"

He smiled patiently, caressing the cheek that Dante had just been touching. "It's because you're the prettiest girl ever in Rivara."

I blushed, looking away.

"Wait..." Micah said, moving my face back toward him.

His gaze bore into mine, making me blush even more. His gorgeous eyes had a twinkle that anyone could fall in love with. "What is it?"

He smiled, taking a deep breath. "I just want to try--"

He was cut off by a huge crash coming from down stairs. Our heads snapped toward the door, confused. Aiden was bounding up the stairs, and so Micah took a step back. I wonder why, though?

"Umm, Micah?" he said, hesitant.

Micah sighed. "What is it?" He looked very frazzled.

Aiden sighed. "Our honored guest have arrived...and have already made a mess."

Micah sighed again. "I'll go clean it up and give them a warning. Keep Allegra company until I tell you to come, okay?"

Aiden nodded. "No problem."

Micah smiled at me once more, then exited the roof.

I looked out over the horizon. More boys around...jeez. More testosterone-filled air to breathe. The only decent one around this place is Aiden really. He's such a sweet heart.

"Um...Allegra?" Aiden said, a bit shyly.

I smiled. "Yes, Aiden?" I turned to look at him and was cut off guard by how close he is.

The last thing I saw before it happened was how red his cute face was.

Aiden kissed me, his fingers wrapping around my wrist so that I was caught in the shocked embrace. My eyes were wide as found myself kissing him back. Is this really happening? It can't be...can it? His eyes were closed as he tried to deepen the kiss, and mine were beginning to close, too.

We stayed like that for a long moment, until finally he began to pull away. Pecking me a few times for a last taste. No words were said as we opened our eyes to gaze into one another's. We just stared for awhile.

"Okay, Aiden! You can bring Allegra down!"

Aiden smiled, squeezing our now-entwined hands. "I've been wanting to that for awhile."

"But...Aiden--"

He pressed his fingers to my lips. "Ssh, Allegra. We'll talk about it later. I know you probably didn't want to be kissed by me...but I just wanted to see." Then, without another word, he smiled and began to drag you to meet the new guest.


When we got to the living room, I noticed that Jaun was there, brooding. Brooding in the way that I used to find adorable, staring out the window. My shattered heart still skipped a beat in the memory.

When I entered the living room fully, Jaun looked at me. He smiled slightly to reassure me that he was okay now, but it didn't help my unease. He patted the empty seat next to him, and Aiden made his way over to lead me over there.

I didn't particularly want to sit next to Jaun, but now that I knew what was wrong with him, I had to give him just a bit of forgiveness...even if he had meant what he'd said. I gave him forgiveness...becaus a part of me still loved him.

Aiden was sitting on the other side of me, his thumb massaging my resting hand, while Jaun snaked his arm around my waist. I had thought that Aiden was going to say something, but he didn't. He's a sweet guy, after all.

"So, Allegra...these are our guests. Ash and Ari," Micah said in an introduction.

I looked away from Jaun and up to mysterious look-alike boys.

"Ah, you must be the wonderful Allegra we've heard so much about!" The one on the left said. Their arms were sort of hooked together, giving me the impression that they were very close.

"Say, you are much more beautiful than what was described to us." The one on the right said. He gave Micah a knowing look. "Did you tell us all that so that we would get bored and uninterested? That's not an angelic thing to do, ya know!"

Micah scratched his head nervously. "What did I tell ya, Allegra. Complete flirts."

I smiled. "They're not as bad as you described."

They walked over to Micah, each hooking an arm around his neck. "Aw, were you talking about us? You know how we feel when you do that." They said in unison.

Micah rolled his eyes.

They moved away from Micah and made their way over to me. They both offered their hands in greeting. "I'm Ari." The one on the right said.

"And I'm Ash." The one on the left said.

I smiled, shaking their hands. "It's nice to meet you."

"And you as well," they said, again, in unison.

I smiled wider at them, loving their care free attitude already. But, apparently, Jaun didn't. His hold on my waist tightened, and the twins noticed.

"Jeez, Jaun. What was that about?" Ari said.

He shrugged and played innocent. "What are you talking about?"

"What? Is she your mate or something?" Ash asked, seeing through his innocent game.

Jaun tightened his hold even more, smiling. "In fact, she--"

"He is my ex. Nothing more, nothing less," I said, removing his hand away from my hips.

"Ex, huh?" Ash said.

"Why ex? Jeez, Jaun. What did you do to get rid of her?" Ari continued.

Jaun didn't say anything. He simply looked away, sinking back into his depressed state.

The twins looked from Jaun to me for an explanation. But all I could say was, "It's in the past now. No need to worry about it any longer."

The twins both scratched their heads, causing the green hat they were wearing to fall to the ground, exposing the adorable little brown ears to be shown.

I started in surprise. "Wha--"

The twins looked from the hat to my shocked face. "Oh. They didn't tell you? We're Neko's."