This is a new story idea I have, and I am still excepting sign ups for it. I will still be continuing A Game of Secrets. Please post all feedback on the feedback thread. Thanks! Prologue: The afterlife. No matter what religion your in, you have this picture perfect place you go when you die. Then there are those of you not in a religion. You don't really believe in a "god", but you do believe you will go somewhere when you die. Lastly, there are those who have lost all hope. Those who believe in neither a god, nor an afterlife. Those are the people who get the grand prize. No god, no afterlife. You got all that? Good. Now that we're clear on the basics, let's move onto something harder to wrap your head around. Once upon a time, humans didn't die. They would live forever until we (I'll get to us later) killed them off. Old age was the outcome of a disease one of the angels created that went wrong. Which brings me to my next point: Angels exist. So do werewolves, and vampires. Before you start asking about unicorns and dragons, know this: our sole purpose on this earth is to kill humans. True, old age will take care of all of you sooner or later, but sometimes we like to get creative. But killing humans can get boring pretty quickly. So, we picked up a few tips from mankind and began one of humans' favorite pass-times: war. Angels vs. Vampires vs. Werewolves. All three groups are pretty closely matched- each with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Angel live forever, and are stronger than the other two races, but they cannot reproduce. Vampires also live forever, but they're easier to kill than angels.Vampire have strength in numbers, and are faster than angels and werewolves. Werewolves only live a few decades older than humans, but they have an animals instincts. Werewolves are known for quick attacks and retreats. They are a pack, a team that works together in harmony. I just so happen to be a fifteen year old vampire-werewolf-angel hybrid, and this is how I got caught in the middle of this pointless war.
Chapter One Agyos was in a math class when the trance wore off. He wasn't sure if it was algebra, geometry, or one of the other math classes, but it seemed advanced. Agyos couldn't remember who put him in the trance, only that he didn't like them that much. Agyos didn't even know what a trance was, just that he was under one. The bell rang while the teacher was talking, but no one stayed back to hear what he had to say. Agyos glanced at his stuff and saw a schedule clipped to the front of his binder. It said that he had study hall next, and gym after that before the day ended. Agyos got up and followed his classmates into the hall. Almost immediately after exiting the classroom, Agyos ran into a girl. She was beautiful, with straight, dark brown hair, and deep blue eyes. Her lips were a dark red. She smiled at him, and took his hand. To Agyos she seemed like a stuck-up brat. "So I was thinking about the dance." she said, and waited for him to respond. "What about it?" Agyos asked. "Since you're taking me, I thought we should coordinate our outfits." "I'm taking you to a dance?" "Duh. And it's not just a dance, it's the dance!" "Oh." Agyos said. "I don't really want to take you." "What?" her face was confused. "We've been dating for two months!" "Yeah, well we're not anymore." "You're breaking up with me?" "Sure." "Well then who are you going to take to the dance?" She said, regaining her cool. "I'll think of something." Agyos said, turning down a hall that his map said would lead to study hall. He entered just as the bell rang and sat down in the only available seat. He was sitting by a girl, so he decided to ask her to the dance. Why not? Agyos thought. "Want to go to the dance with me?" he asked. She jerked her head up and stared at him like he was crazy. Now that he could see her face he saw that she was just as beautiful as the other girl, but she didn't have the same dark beauty. Her light blond hair seemed to be streaked with honey, and her eyes were a stunning jade color. Her lips, slightly parted in confusion, were a pale pink. Her whole face seemed to be the very picture of innocence and purity. "Me?" she asked. "Yeah." "I thought you were going with Mackenzie." "I broke up with her. Why did I even like her in the first place?" "The same reasons guy would, I guess." she said, looking down at her book. "She's beautiful, rich, popular, and has power over practically everyone in the school." "Ah." Agyos said. "So will you come with me to the dance?" "Sure." She said, looking up at him again. "Cool." Agyos smiled at her, and she smiled back. He had a date for the dance.
Chapter Two "I have a date to the dance!" I shouted as I entered the woods. "I have a date to the dance!" I skipped along the path I had made a while back, dodging trees and leaping over logs. "I have a date to the dance!" I yelled again. I entered the clearing where my pack was and said: "I have a date-" "To the dance. We know, we heard you the first thousand times, Vecile." Vincent growled. "Oh yeah, super hearing. Forgot." I amaze myself sometimes. I live with werewolves twenty-four/seven, but I still forget their abilities. "So who's stupid or desperate enough to take you?" Matt asked. Matt is going to be alpha when his father dies, and he's practically my only friend in the pack. I never changed, so I'm pretty much just a normal human, but Matt makes sure I get treated fairly. "Shut up!" I said. "What? I'm genuinely interested." He said. "Agyos." "The stuck-up guy that thinks he owns the school." I hit Matt. "Those were your words, not mine." "Yeah, well, he's nice now." "Does he even know your name?" Matt asked. "Yeah. Well, I think so. He's the most popular guy in the school." "Not bad for a girl who's never going to change." I heard Vincent mutter. "I could still change." I snapped at him. "Yeah right! Your fifteen. No one changes that late." "I could! Just you wait, I'll prove you wrong." "Right. I'll be waiting for that day." I was angry. Of course I knew I was never going to change, but did Vincent have any manners? "You won't have to wait long." I said, then I snarled. An actual snarl. "Just keep your wishful thinking to yourself, okay?" That was the last straw. I was shaking with rage. I ran towards him to- well, I don't know, hurt him in some way. But I didn't make it the whole way, I tripped over my paws. Wait a minute, I don't have.... I changed. I looked up, waiting for the clapping one normally recorded when the change for the first time, but I heard nothing. I wanted someone to say something. I couldn't ask what was wrong, so I used the way us Wolf's communicate. I used thought-speak. What's wrong? I asked my father, who was staring at me from the other side of the clearing. "You have wings." he said out loud. I glanced around at my back, and saw that I indeed had wings attached to my back. I was a winged werewolf. "Flap them." Someone said. I obeyed, but nothing happened. "So if she can't fly, their more of a disadvantage." Someone else said. I may have changed, but I was still an outcast.
Chapter Three Matt drives me to the dance in the old Jeep. Agyos is already there waiting for me. I wave when I see him. "Go and have a good time. But don't forget, your a werewolf now, not a human. This is your last time at this school." "I know." I smile and hop out. Agyos smiled and took my hand. We were about a foot away from the car when he stopped and asked: "I feel really bad to ask this, but what is your name?" In the Jeep I could here Matt chuckling. Stupid sensitive hearing. "It's Vecile." I said quickly. "What?" he asked. "Vess-sel-ee." I said, this time slower, drawing out the syllables and extending the vowels. "Oh. Well hi Vecile." Agyos said, then he led me into the school. ------------------------------------------------------------ She looked so beautiful in her yellow dress, Agyos thought. It came down to the middle of her calf and sparkled every time she turned. It looked great with her blond hair. In the corner of his eye Agyos saw Mackenzie, he tilted my head so he could see her a bit better. When she realized he was looking she turned around and trotted off in her sleek red dress. Agyos Vecile into the school. He sat down in one of the chairs lining the gym and invited Vecile to sit by him. The memories hit him then, so many Agyos felt dizzy and was glad he was sitting down. He didn't! Agyos thought. Not again! He would not get let off easy this time. Absorbed in his anger, Agyos hadn't noticed he'd stood up until Vecile said: "Ouch." Agyos had still been holding her hand and had yanked it when he'd abruptly stood up. Vecile. She was so sweet, and pure, and... mortal. He could not involve a mortal in this. "Sorry... sorry." Agyos let go of her hand. "It's not you." he said exiting out the door and leaving her sitting there. ------------------------------------------------------------ After Agyos left I just sat there for a while. I probably would have stayed there for an hour had I not glanced across the gym and spotted Mackenzie smirking at me. Angry tears sprung up in my eyes as I stood up and flung the door open. Matt wouldn't be here for another hour or so, but I could walk. I needed the fresh air. I stomped towards the woods thinking about what I would say to Agyos at school tomorrow. Only I wouldn't be at school tomorrow. Never again. "Well that went great." I said to myself sarcastically. "Hey princess." Someone across the street said. The man made no attempt in hiding his tall pale form. I stopped in my tracks. His green eyes pierced me, I felt like I was on a skewer. The attire he wore involved a red cape and a black suit. Although his figure was clearly human, his black hair seemed to slowly be covering more and more of his face, and I could have sworn his fingers her claws. He clutched a dagger in his hand. Strangely I didn't fear this man. After all, that's all he was- a man. I was a werewolf. He seemed to be waiting for me to say something. I didn't. "No scream? Running in terror? Insults perhaps?" Insults were totally my style. "Looks like someone can dress himself. I hope your mother has a better taste in style than that." Okay, not the best I can do, but I was put on the spot. "Hm.... Well, time to die, mortal." In a flash of amazing speed he was standing right next to me his dagger under my chin. I waited for the panic to set in. It didn't. He leaned towards my neck and smelled me. As if I needed more proof this guy was a creep. Then he bit me, right on the neck. "Gosh your teeth are sharp!" was the first thing I said, the second: "Oh my god, that hurts!" "You might be dead in an hour." he said calmly. "You will pass out now." I ran. Straight into the woods, half blinded by tears. I ran into several trees, but nothing hurt more than my neck. I finally made it to the clearing and shouted: "Dad, help me!" I said, falling to my knees. But as soon as I inhaled, I knew something was wrong. Being a werewolf I had super senses, and living with werewolves, I knew how they smelled. This clearing did not smell like werewolves. I wiped the tears from my eyes and looked around. About fifty startled faces stared at me. One of them was Agyos. Agyos had wings.
Chapter Four What was Vecile doing here? Agyos thought. "We'll continue this conversation later." Agyos told the Unnamed. Agyos walked towards Vecile but ran the last few steps when he saw the blood on her dress. "What happened?" Agyos asked. "I got bit by... I got bitten." She stuttered. "Where?" he asked. She removed her hand from her neck to reveal a small wound. A few angels gasped. "She's been bitten by a vampire." The Unnamed said. "It's a miracle she hasn't passed out yet. Do you know her?" "While I was under your trance..." Agyos trailed off in disbelief. This shouldn't have happened to her! "Even if she does survive she'll be our enemy. We must kill her." The Unnamed said. "I say we throw her off the cliff." "No!" Agyos shouted, "I'm king!" "She's a mortal, she's not worth it." The Unnamed said. "And are you really king? A king needs a queen, and you've turned down all your offers." "I'm not... I... Ohhhhhh..." Vecile struggled to speak. The Unnamed picked Vecile up and proceeded to walk to the cliff. Agyos felt as if his hands were tied. Vecile could be the most important person in the world, but as long as she was mortal Agyos couldn't protect her. ------------------------------------------------------------ Someone was picking her up. Agyos. He would save her. But it wasn't Agyos. Agyos was standing right behind me. And everything about him was breathtaking. Well, almost everything. He was frowning, and that ruined everything. He was so... majestic. From the crown on his head to his beautiful, dark red wings. I could feel myself start to loose consciousness, but I held onto the picture of Agyos's face. Minus the frown. My eyes slipped closed and... back open. The air blew my hair upward. I felt the thrill of free-fall before I felt my back slowing my fall. Yes, my back was somehow making me fall slower. I couldn't describe it any other way. Until my feet touched ground and I looked at my back. I screamed, but not in fear, in anger. I had WINGS! I had them as a werewolf, and I have them as a human. This is so much worse than puberty! All I wanted was to fit in with my pack, and who knows what they'd do to me if I waltzed on in with my own pair of wings. I screamed again and kicked a boulder. As you might imagine that did not improve my mood. "Vecile! You're an angel?" Agyos asked. "No. Well, I guess I am now." I said miserably. "This shouldn't be possible!" The angel that threw me said. "This just can't happen." I ignored him and tried flapping my wings. Just like when I first changed, nothing happened. "I can't fly." I said, bummed. "No, it takes practice and a running start." Agyos said, chuckling. "Oh." I said, feeling stupid. Agyos leaped off the cliff. And snapped his wings open to slow his decent. He dropped down beside me and hooked his strong carmel colored arms around my waist. He picked me up and took a running start. With a grunt he leaped into the air and beat his wings. We were rising! He brought me to the top of the cliff and set me down. "That was amazing!" I said. "Being an angel comes with responsibilities, it's not all fun." Agyos said. "You've got business with tough guy over there. I'll give her the talk." I was pretty sure I knew what talk they were talking about. Severing all ties to any human I knew and becoming a full-time member of the pack, or whatever a group of angels was called. My dad, my pack leader, and Matt had all given me this talk already. "Thanks, Cyria." Agyos said, shaking his dirty blond hair out of his dark blue eyes, and giving me a comforting smile which I returned. "So welcome to angel-hood, Vecile, I'm Cyria. First things first, you need to know that vampires and werewolves exist, and they are our enemies..." I tuned out the whole speech, and only listened in when she said: "Your going to have to leave your family and come live with us. We'll give you a few days to do this." "I think they'll find out somethings wrong with me as soon as they see me." I said, referring to my wings, which seemed to pass through my clothing as if it wasn't there. "Just squeeze them tightly against your body and they'll disappear." I did this, and it worked. "That's sweet!" I said. "To make them reappear just imagine them spreading widely." Once again, this worked just like she said it would. "Thanks, Cyria!" "Good luck leaving your family." she said. Taking this as dismissal I started walking back out of the woods. Now the question was whether I would leave my family or not. A week ago the answer would have been an easy "no", but now I wasn't so sure.
Chapter Five I stumbled through the dark woods, trying to think up a believable alibi. I felt for the cut on my neck, but my fingers only brushed smooth skin. There wasn't even a scar. A few minutes away from my packs clearing I leaned against a tree and pulled out my pocket knife from my bag. I flipped it open and closed to help me think. A bird above my head squawked loudly, surprising me into dropping my knife. I reached down to grab it, accidentally grabbing the blade and cutting my hand. I absentmindedly wiped the blood on my dress. My dress! My mom was gonna kill me for getting blood on it! Well, there's my alibi. I took a deep breath, and walked into the clearing. Before I could open my mouth to explain myself, my mother had taken my shoulders and pulled me into a hug. I was surprised, because she rarely left the cabin by the edge of the clearing. "I was so worried about you!" she whispered into my hair. "I'm fine mom." I said. She pulled back and looked me over. Here we go. "Blood?" She whispered. "Blood! Vecile Patricia MCentry! Why is there blood on your dress? What have you been doing? What-" "Mom! Calm down!" I said. I hated when she used my middle name. If everyone hadn't been staring when I entered the clearing, they were now. "Then tell me what happened." For a second I was tempted to tell her the truth. I could always tell her anything. I opened my mouth, but closed it again. This was something I had to figure out myself. "I cut myself on my pocket knife." I muttered, ashamed of my lie. "And why weren't you at school when I came to pick you up?" Matt asked. I could always tell when Matt was angry. His eyebrows would be pulled slightly together, and his lips turned downwards in a frown. This was exactly what Matt's face looked like right now. "I'm really sorry, Matt. I decided to walk home." Not a total lie. Normally I would tell my parents how useful a cellphone would be in this situation, but I just didn't feel like it. "Vecile, you know how dangerous the woods are at night, there could be vampires!" Could I really have been bitten by a vampire? I didn't seem likely, and I probably wouldn't have survived. Plus there wasn't any evidence that I had been bitten. "And possibly angels." Matt's father Jon said. "But don't get too worried about them, I'm sure if they're in these woods, they wouldn't be anywhere near us." Wrong, I thought. "If you go out in the woods at night again, you will be punished." My mother said. "I won't." I promised. At the time, I believed it myself. ------------------------------------------------------------ "Vecile." I heard someone whisper. Ignoring this I snuggled deeper into my bedspread, clinging to my dream. "Vecile!" Matt whispered louder. "Ah!" I said, snapping out of sleep resentfully. "What?" I snapped at him. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." He said, his smiling face appearing in my window. "No, someone woke me up on the wrong side of the bed." I muttered, slowly waking up. "Sorry about that, but this was the only time I could get you alone, with you being grounded and all." "Oh yeah." I said, remembering. The thought brought a sour taste to my mouth. I had never been grounded before now. My dad had tried to explain that he and my mother had my best interests in mind, but it still felt like betrayal. "So, I thought we might try and get those wings of yours to work." "What?" I said, thinking about my angel wings. "Oh, yeah." "Come on." he said, jumping off the tree he had climbed. I followed without hesitation. I remembered when I was twelve, Matt would sneak into my room at night and we would talk about changing. Matt hadn't changed yet either then, so we were best friends. I had a huge crush on him then too. I landed beside the trunk of the tree, and watched the earliest rays of sunlight daringly peak over the horizon. I felt something change inside me. When I looked back at Matt, I didn't see him as a friend, but as food. I advanced not to catch up with him, but to kill him. I reached my hand out to grab his shoulder and hissed when my fingertips felt sunlight. I brought my hand to my body, and nursed the burnt skin. "Vecile!" Matt said loudly. I snapped out of it. I looked at my hand but nothing was different, it wasn't burnt. "What?" "You just stopped." He said. "Sorry, I guess I'm still not quite awake." What was it with me and lying all of a sudden? "Well pick up the pace, we don't have much time left before the pack wakes up." I moved cautiously into the sun, but only felt a pleasant warmth, so I sped up and followed Matt. We walked through the woods, a slight breeze tugging at my tangled hair. We leaped over logs and dodged poison ivy. There was a clear path we were following, but it was mostly invisible. I had no idea where we were going; I trusted Matt did. I knew exactly when we made it. It was a small lake that we would swim in as kids. I hadn't been here in ages! "So to get started you have to change." Matt said. I waded throughout my childhood memories back to the surface of reality. Change.... Some people couldn't control when they change. I had only changed once, so I wasn't sure yet. I remembered Cyria telling me that to make my wings reappear I only needed to imagine them spreading widely. I closed my eyes and imagined running through the woods and changing into a wolf. When I opened them, I was one. Off to the side of me was my plaid pajama pants and a gray St. Patricks day t-shirt that was too small for me but I refused to throw it away. "Nice work! I was afraid you wouldn't be able to change." Matt walked over to me and his hand brushed across the feathers of my left wing. I flapped my wings once and resettled them on my back. They didn't settle as perfectly on my back when I was a wolf compared to when I was a human. "So I was thinking, maybe you could fly if you ran and jumped." Agyos said that to fly I needed practice and a running start, so Matt was on the right track. I nodded my head. I backed up a few steps, and started running. After running a few meters I leapt into the air and snapped my wings out. For a moment I felt airborne, but then I fell to the ground. "Ouch," Matt said, and winced. "Well, maybe if you kept flapping your wings after you jump." He suggested. It went downhill from there. Matt seemed to have endless motivation, but it didn't help me. I was practically out of energy by my sixth try, but I didn't get a break until my tenth. "You're doing great." Matt said, but I could tell he was bummed. "We'll keep trying until I get it right." I thought to Matt. I didn't like to see Matt sad. I sprinted again, and leapt into the air. This time I was directly over the lake. In desperation not to fall into the water, I beat my wings hard and fast, and.... And I was flying! I was flying! "I'm flying!" I shouted to Matt. "You're flying!" He shouted back. My landing was a little bumpy, but I made it to the ground in one piece. Matt turned around as I changed back and put my clothes back on. As soon as I was fully clothed, he turned around, pulled me close to him, and kissed me.