He tried to convince himself that this was true, but he knew in his heart that he was bordering on obsessive and stalker. Neither of those were things he had ever thought he could be. It was a brutal realization to know that one girl could make him become something that he could barely recognize. But then again, it had been another girl that had completely changed him in a way he had never expected before.

But Cassie was an exceptional girl, she was a unicorn, he realized with a start as she reemerged from the lunch line. She was a rare, never imagined find, but one that he was never going to release again. She even reminded him of a unicorn with her graceful mannerisms, golden hair, and bright violet flecked eyes.

Her smile was easy and bright as she conversed with the girls by her side. He had only known her for a few days, but he had come to realize that she was never alone. There was always someone by her side, demanding her attention. It was an annoying fact, especially when she was so giving of her time with them, while she ignored and avoided the hell out of him.

Mark swiftly approached her, honing in like a missile upon its target. He walked briskly, with a stride that was not to be deterred. Devon’s senses went on high alert; he stiffened as he sensed an undercurrent of anger and impatience running through the boy. He arrived at Cassie’s side, touching her elbow to grab her attention.

She turned slowly toward him, her eyes widening slightly as she took a small step back. Anger rolled through Devon as Mark moved closer to her. Using his height as an intimidation factor, he bent slightly over her. Cassie’s eyes narrowed fiercely, her shoulders straightened as she tilted her chin up proudly. Though Devon was impressed by her show of strength and defiance, he also wished that she would simply back away. He sensed an instability and anxiety within Mark that worried him, and he knew that the boy would snap if pushed too hard. And Cassie seemed intent on pushing him away.

Devon rose to his feet, with every intention of intervening. Her safety was his number one concern, and around Mark, he knew that she was not safe.

Chris appeared at her side suddenly, using his shoulder to push slightly past Mark. Chris smiled brightly at Mark, but there was tension in his solid frame, and no sparkle in his sapphire eyes. He spoke briefly to Mark for a moment while gently nudging Cassie further back. Cassie did not look pleased to be pushed out of the way.

Chris finally managed to disentangle the two of them from Mark, though Mark glared after them as Chris continued to nudge Cassie toward the glass doors at the back of the cafeteria. He suddenly recalled Melissa’s words on his first day. The senior’s sat outside when it was nice out. Until now, he had not noticed that a fair amount of senior’s was missing as his table was packed with girls, and they would not leave his side as long as he remained inside.

And if he moved outside right now, they would only follow. The last thing he wanted was a gaggle of giggling teens following him around while he tried to talk with Cassie. He watched her as she moved stiffly toward the doors, her tray clenched tight in her hands, her head held immobile, and her neck straight. He could feel the stress radiating from her, the struggle that waged throughout.

He also felt the snapping point when she lost the struggle and her head turned slowly toward him. The impact of her gaze was like a lightning bolt as it seared through him, it sizzled through his dried veins and caused his deadened heart to vibrate with pulsing electricity.

She hesitated briefly, her eyes warmed slightly; a wave of heat flooded her porcelain cheeks. Her long dark lashes swept swiftly down, shadowing her startling eyes as she bowed her head. Her golden hair fell forward, hiding her face as she hurried on. She dropped her sunglasses back into place before following Chris outside.

Disappointment filled him as he turned away from her, his anger sparked as he caught sight of Mark. He was staring after Cassie, annoyance and irritation radiating from him. Mark hesitated for a moment longer before turning and slinking over to a table packed with boys just as large and muscular as he was. They were all wearing black and gold jackets with a white horse on the back of them.

Devon had no idea why they were all wearing the same coats, but they seemed to think that the jackets were special as none of the boys were taking them off, even though the cafeteria was hot. Devon shook his head, not understanding human customs at all, and least of all not understanding teenage customs. Staying here for much longer was going to drive him crazy, but he wasn’t leaving here without finding out exactly why he was so drawn to Cassie.

And that meant finally getting closer to her.

He turned back to Marcy, deciding to use her clinginess to his advantage for a change. “What do you know about Cassie?”

Marcy was slightly taken aback as she leaned away from him, her eyes widened in surprise before narrowing fiercely. He should have taken a different approach, he realized belatedly, as he recognized her jealousy and anger instantly. “Why?”

Devon shrugged negligently. Leaning closer to Marcy, he placed his hand briefly upon her arm, hoping to soothe her. “I am simply curious; Mark seems to truly like her.”

She relaxed slightly, but her eyes still radiated distrust. “He’s liked her for awhile, but she just strings him along like she strings Chris, and everyone else along.”

Devon quirked an eyebrow, tension and anger radiated from Marcy, along with a strong wave of jealousy. He wondered if it had been Mark, or Chris, that she had liked before he had walked into this school and she had become fixated on him. “I thought she and Chris were just friends.”

Marcy shrugged, her eyes darkened as her nose scrunched slightly. “That’s what they say, but I doubt it. There is something strange about that relationship, neither one of them really date anyone else.” Her bitter tone confirmed the fact that it had been Chris she liked.

“Come on Marcy, you know they’re just friends,” Kara interjected, leaning forward as she rested her chin on her hands.

“He sleeps in her room Kara,” Marcy retorted sharply. “You can’t tell me that nothing has ever happened between them!”

Kara shook her head as she rolled her eyes. She turned toward Devon, her pretty face softening from irritation to kindness. “They’ve been friends since they were little. Cassie’s parents, and Chris’s dad, were killed in the same car accident when they were only a year old.” Devon kept his shock over this revelation hidden as Kara turned narrowed eyes on Marcy. “So yes, I believe that nothing has happened between them.”

Marcy rolled her eyes but tried to keep her irritation hidden from Devon. She failed miserably. “Cassie’s parents are dead?”

Kara nodded; sadness crept over her delicate features. “Yes, and so are Melissa’s.”

Devon started in surprise. The three of them either had no parents, or were missing at least one. It was a strange coincidence, but it also explained the strong bond that they seemed to share. Though they were all popular, always surrounded by people, yet they still remained aloof, separate from everyone but each other. And when they were together they were like one unit. A unit that was able to communicate without a word, but with a simple look or a touch.

He had been amazed, impressed, and a little confused by the tightness of their bond. But the fact that they had all experienced the loss of a parent explained the closeness they shared. Unwillingly his gaze went to the windows, but he could not see Cassie amongst the crush of students that had finished eating and moved outside. A whiffle ball and bat had been brought out and a pickup game was starting.

“That’s awful,” he muttered.

The intense desire to be free of this room, and to see her, suffused him. Though he could not understand, or relate to her pain, he was beginning to get a better understanding of the hurt, loneliness, pride, and strength that surrounded her. A hurt and loneliness that he was determined to help ease, whether she wanted his help or not.

He rose suddenly, ignoring the startled looks that Marcy and Kara shot him. “Excuse me,” he mumbled before moving swiftly through the crowd toward the glass double doors.

He stepped outside, the excited sound of laughter and chatter suffused him. He scanned the crowd, but did not spot Cassie amongst the mass. He did spot Melissa though. Winding his way through the students, he made his way steadily toward her. Melissa turned toward him, a dark eyebrow lifted as her mouth quirked in a small smile.

“Hey stranger,” she greeted warmly, her onyx eyes gleaming with amusement. He hesitated for a moment, briefly puzzled by the startling amount of knowledge within those dark eyes. He was certain that she knew exactly why he was here, and she was happy about it. “How is everything going?”

“Fine.” His gaze darted over the crowd as he searched for Cassie, but he didn’t see her, and he couldn’t smell the delicious scent that she emitted in waves.

“You seem to be making a lot of friends.”

“I suppose.”

Her smile widened, her smooth olive complexion shone in the bright light of the sun. She knew why he was here, and she was enjoying every moment of torment she was handing to him. He didn’t know if that fact pissed him off, or if he wanted to join in with her obvious amusement.

“Not interested in friends?”

Only one, he wanted to tell her, but he bit back his words. “Of course,” he said softly. Though Melissa was enjoying this conversation, he was tired of being toyed with. “Where is your friend Cassie?”

Melissa quirked her head to the side, her exotic eyes slanted as her hair fell forward. “Having most of the female population chasing you around isn’t enough for you?”

Though he knew she was trying to be playful, Devon’s patience was at a snapping point. He wanted to know where Cassie was, and he wanted to know now. Melissa seemed to sense this as her smile slipped away and a strange sadness crept over her. That dark look passed over her eyes again as they seemed to pierce straight into his soul.

“No,” he said simply.

She snorted slightly in surprise, her eyes sparked with amusement once more. “Good.” She said flatly. “Cassie went home.”

He frowned in surprise as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Why?”

“Not feeling well.”

“She ok?” he demanded, surprised by the wealth of worry and concern that filled him.

“She’s fine, just hasn’t been sleeping well.”

Devon frowned as he recalled the strange dreams plaguing him, dreams that Cassie was always a part of; dreams that haunted him throughout the day. Dreams that he did not want to have, but looked forward to every night.

He hated what Cassie was doing to him, knew that he should leave this town, but he also knew that he wouldn’t. Not yet anyway.

***

“Cassie come on! Pay attention!”

Sighing in aggravation, Cassie tossed aside the stake she had been holding and stormed over to the bench. Grabbing a water bottle she squirted it into her mouth, trying to drown the annoyance consuming her. She was exhausted, she could barely function, and she had been completely blowing all of her training for the past week. She was doing awful, and Luther was not about to let her forget it.

“You are so very lucky that things have been quiet this past week!” he barked at her, his gray eyes narrowed angrily. “You wouldn’t survive five seconds in the field!” Cassie was struggling to control her temper, he was right after all, but she was just as frustrated as he was with her inability to do anything right. “What is wrong with you?”

Cassie closed her eyes, shuddering as she thought of the many things that were wrong with her lately. And they were all centered on one very disturbing, frightening man. “I’m tired,” she mumbled, knowing that although it was the truth it was also a very poor excuse.

“Tired! Tired!?” he demanded sharply.

Cassie hung her head, peeking up at him from under lowered lashes. She deserved whatever she got, but it was still killing her to keep from defending herself. Luther sighed angrily; pulling off his Lennon style glasses he cleaned them briskly on his shirt as he tried to gather his patience. He slid them back on, relatively calmer as he studied her wearily.

“Alright.” He tugged on his graying brown hair; he paced briefly away before he turned sharply on his heel and coming back. “Maybe I am working you to hard. Maybe you need a break, you all do. We’ll take the rest of tonight off.”

Cassie wanted to protest, taking time off wouldn’t help her. She knew that. Just as she knew that none of them could afford to lose time practicing their fighting skills. “Luther…”

“No, no.” His English accent became slightly heavier the more discombobulated he became. “A night off will do us all some good. But you need to come back refreshed and rested Cassie. You are the best fighter we have, if you don’t get your act together than we’re all in danger.”