Lacrimosa Read Online Free Page B

stares at the strange girl hiding in the back of class, one I don’t remember seeing before today. She is a plain girl with out-of-date clothes, notable only for her flaming auburn hair and green eyes, features that are eerily familiar.
    I feel like I should know her, like I need to know her.
    My master watches Flame with an intense interest that seems odd for such an ordinary girl. What does he see that I don’t?
    I look back toward Nesy. A pained expression blankets her face, an expression that makes me want to do something I’ve never done.
    Protect her.
    The feeling is strange. Distasteful. And a problem.
    My master would never understand the need to protect a human. Honestly, neither do I.
    The teacher assigns a meaningless task and sits. Flame doesn’t hesitate; she walks over and stands next to Nesy. My body tightens. Adrenaline courses through my veins, preparing me to strike. But why? Flame is no threat. No human is.
    Flame pulls out a chair and sits. She warns Nesy about me, tells her to avoid me at all costs. My master watches them. And me. Hold back, he warns. Wait. I don’t understand his sudden concern. I can handle two human girls.
    The girls continue to whisper, their voices drawing everyone’s attention, including the teacher.
    “Anything you want to share with the class, Miss Eisner?” His words are laced with frustration.
    “No sir,” Flame chokes. “Just making sure the new girl has everything she needs for your class.”
    I stifle a laugh. That’s my job .
    Flame glares at me. Nesy does as well. Did they hear me? Feel my thoughts?
    Interesting , my master and I think simultaneously.
    Very interesting.
    I need to get closer to Nesy and see what she knows. I stand, my chair scraping against the hard floor. I feel her body stiffen as I come up behind her. She trembles and my need for her grows to a feverish pitch.
    Be careful , my master cautions.
    I shake off his warnings and press into her thoughts. Look at me. I repeat the phrase until Nesy turns. Look at me . Our eyes lock and the room spins away, fading to something else. Someplace else.

 
    Chapter 7 - Deathly Betrayal
     
    Nesy
     
    “Elle!”
    I hear his voice surround me as I run away. I can’t bear to look at him. Not now. Not after his betrayal.
    He promised we could be together. Promised he loved me. Promised…
    I crash through the thicket, my body tense. Something else is in this forest with me. Something…wrong.
    My head screams danger and I look around. Searching.
    Through the trees I notice two yellow eyes, staring.
    I freeze, my feet glued to the spot. My heart pounds so loudly I’m sure the wolf can hear it. What do I do? What do I do? My mind begins to spin away from me.
    “Take her. She’s the one I’ve prepared for you.” The voice seems to come from the forest itself. Cold, steady, unearthly. A low, guttural, growl rips through the trees.
    My body springs forward and I run. Three steps, that’s as far as I get before the wolf is on me, dragging me to the ground.
    I open my lips, the sound gone before I can scream. Blinding pain rips through my body. Along with the wolf’s teeth.
     
    I struggle against the memories, my eyes still locked with Aydan’s. Can he see what I see? Does he know what I am?
    His face blanches and anguish flashes through his expression. He’s gone before I can figure out what’s happening. But I already know one truth—
    He saw it all.
    A hand brushes against my shoulder, bringing me out of my vision. I shove it away, barely holding on to enough control to keep my identity secure. I have to get out of here, get away before everything is lost.
    I try to stand. Another hand grabs me, stronger this time. “Are you okay?” The voice of the green-eyed girl. She looks at me. Sees me.
    This is so not good.
    The bell rings as I grab my books and run from the room.
    “Wait. Let me help you,” she yells over the din of the other students.
    Pieces of memories continue as I run across the quad.