The Betrayal
Sheila Hendrix
Copyright 2011 Sheila Hendrix
Smashwords Edition
This book "The Betrayal" is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright 2011 Sheila Hendrix. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law.
Cover Designed by: Neil Jackson
Published by: Sheila Hendrix/Dark Seeker Publication
http://www.sheilahendrix.blogspot.com/
Visit the author website:
http://www.sheilahendrix.net/
ISBN: [NUMBER] (eBook)
ISBN: [NUMBER] (Paperback)
Acknowledgements
First, as always, I would like to thank God for giving me the talent and the courage to write, as well as the willingness and the desire. I would also like to thank my husband and my friends, who always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. A special thanks goes to Bobbie and Belle for all the help they’ve given me. Thanks, also, to Neil for doing the cover for me. You guys are great!
A Message from the Author
Hello everyone. Welcome. Meet Zack and Matt McCannon, two brothers who, because of events that have taken place in their lives, have become hunters of the supernatural. Their parents left them when they were little leaving Zack to take care of his younger brother. It’s not easy, however, because Matt has powers and because of that, something evil is always after him, keeping Zack on his toes to keep his brother safe.
The Betrayal is about family, love, loyalty and sacrifice and how one brother will do anything for the other, even it includes dying for him.
The book was first published in January of 2006 but because I wanted the best story possible, I have rewritten it and added more description and storyline. I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you,
Sheila
"The new, fully revised version of ‘The Betrayal’ will entertain and captivate readers of all ages–Ms. Hendrix is a new breed of YA author so hang on to your seats—it’s one heck of a ride!!"
--Bobbie Crawford-McCoy (CEO, Founder & Owner of Nurture Your BOOKS™)
Prologue
He roamed through the cave, listening to the sounds around him. Water dripped into an underground pool further down, the drops spaced several seconds apart and the splash echoing off the rocks. Sand and pebbles crunched under his feet, and wind whistled across the cave opening, all of it familiar. He’d walked that cave a million times for a million reasons. His domain — where he drew his strength — also became his weakness at times, for the cave was alive.
His name, Alanya, meant The Destroyer. He wandered the ages, seeking to slaughter people who held special gifts. He fed on them for their strength and power, each special power offering a distinctive flavor. Their cries resonated in the cave’s memory; their blood splattered on its walls and drenched its floors. If he closed his eyes and concentrated, he could still smell the coppery tang.
Outside, patches of golden moonlight speckled the ground beneath pine and alder, yew and birch. Strolling to the mouth of the cave, he looked at but didn’t see the forest. His mind seethed in his hatred for the brothers Zachariah and Matthew McCannon.
Their parents abandoned them ten years earlier when they were seven and eight. Since then, Zack took it upon himself to care for his younger brother. Matthew’s powers caught Alanya’s attentions and, from Matthew’s infancy, the demon made one attempt after another to steal them. But always — always — Zack stood in the way. The thought of a mere boy defeating him sent Alanya’s jaws cracking. A fury flooded him, so fierce he couldn’t breathe, so fierce the claws on his clenched fists drew blood from his palms.
Alanya roared, the walls of the cave shaking with the sound, and his chest heaving. Moonlight reflected off his blood red scales, so dark they almost looked black. In his fury, outstretched dragon wings brushed the cave walls and the long tail, spiked at the end, drove a hole into the floor.
Lowering his bald head, human in shape except for horns twisting on either side, he scanned the forest, yellow eyes glittering at his new plan. The demon decided to play brother against brother, slowly, so he could enjoy his feat and revel in their pain. He smiled at what he’d do to them before they died, licking his lips in anticipation at the thought of Matt’s powers becoming his. And, to treat himself, toward the end, he’d watch Matthew kill Zack, breaking the boy’s spirit and mind. Payback, he nodded; retribution for refusing to submit to his superior power, for daring to defy him.
Sucking in a deep breath, Alanya turned from the mouth of the cave to gaze around his domain, then walked into the shadows, sneering.
"I’m coming."
Chapter 1
The beautiful Gatlinburg night enveloped the McCannon brothers in deep blue velvet. The beginning of autumn, usually blistering hot this time of year, felt cool. Flowers bloomed everywhere and the scent of magnolia blossoms perfumed the air for miles.
Stars, bright, shiny, like a million tiny diamonds, bedecked the cloudless sky. The night provided exactly what eighteen-year-old Zachariah McCannon and his brother, seventeen-year-old Matthew, needed.
Pink azalea bushes and ruby red roses surrounded the new amphitheater. Crossing the parking lot, the bass throbbed through the bottom of their shoes, making the brothers all the more anxious to get inside. They rarely got to be normal teenagers, and planned to enjoy every second of the concert. Inside, speakers boomed with the music from the rock band on stage. The amps pulsed with the beat and had the sold-out crowd going wild. Zack and Matt were no different. The group performing was their favorite and they sang along to each song. When the lead guitarist cut loose, Zack joined in with his own air guitar.
At the start of the next song, Zack and Matt jumped to their feet, clapping and yelling in time to the music. Stage lights switched from red to purple, reflecting on their faces.
"Isn’t this great?" Matt proclaimed during a drum solo, his eyes bright.
"It’s fantastic," Zack agreed. "I’m glad we were able to get tickets. I love this group."
"Me, too. It sure beats sitting in a motel room, watching boring T.V. You know, Zack, we should do this more often. I’m really having a good time." Matt picked up his soda, taking a long sip and eating a few nachos.
Zack studied his brother for a moment, noting how relaxed and happy he seemed, something rare in their life lately. He nodded, agreeing.
"Maybe we will, but Matt, we have to be careful. You know we do."
Matt shook his head and groaned inwardly even though no one was able to hear him. "Not tonight, Zack. Please. Let’s just have a good time, okay?"
Zack nodded again, then grinned a little. "Okay, not tonight." Jabbing his brother in the ribs, he added, "You know you sound like a girl when you sing?"
"Ha! Ha! Maybe I do, but I still sound better than you." He turned, about to take another sip of soda, when his eyes locked on the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. She swayed to the music and his heart simply stopped beating.
She looked to be about sixteen, with the body of a dancer, fluid, elegant, and poised. Red flowing hair cascaded to her waist and the most intense green eyes were watching him. His adolescent hormones soared.
"Matt?" Zack turned at his little brother’s lack of movement. Zack followed Matt’s gaze and his eyes fell on the object of Matt’s attention.
"Wow!" Zack proclaimed.
"Tell me about it," Matt said, swallowing hard. Taking a chance, he waved once, his nerves sparking when she ducked her head, then glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He scanned the area around her and she seemed to be alone. Gesturing for her to join them, he straightened when she began to walk over, her eyes never leaving his.
"Hi. I’m Kira. You sure are cute." She batted her lashes. Matt swallowed again. The girl was definitely not shy. He grinned.
"I’m Matt."
Kira shuffled her feet. Matt wanted to reach out and touch her hair. It looked like pure silk. He shoved his hands in his pockets instead, his hormones kicking into overdrive.
Beside him, Zack cleared his throat, but Kira paid him no mind.
"Ahh…this is my brother, Zack."
"Hello," Zack said, putting on his best grin.
"Nice to meet you," Kira replied, still looking at Matt. Zack rolled his eyes. She leaned in and touched Matt’s shoulder. "Want to dance?"
"Sure," Matt said readily. He glanced once at his brother, his expression showing he couldn’t believe his good luck.
"I like to dance," Zack mumbled, irked at being ignored.
The band played one of their slower songs and Kira led Matt to a platform the amphitheater set up for people who wanted to dance. They put their arms around each other and began to sway to the music.
The two acted as if they were the only ones in the whole theater. At first, they gazed into each other’s eyes, her hands on his shoulders and his arms around her waist, standing several inches apart. In a moment, they touched foreheads and her hands slid around his neck. By the second verse, he pulled her to his chest and she rested her head between his collar bone and chin — a perfect fit.
Just before the song ended, she raised her head enough to pull his earlobe with her teeth, the sensation making him crazy. Matt knew he had fallen helplessly in love — inside of five minutes — a new record for him.
When the song ended, they walked back to Zack with his arms crossed, scowling. Matt held Kira’s hand and she laid her head on his shoulder as if they had been together forever.
With almost hypnotic eyes, Kira glanced at Zack over Matt’s shoulder and Zack felt paralyzed. She really is pretty, he thought.
An hour later, Matt tapped Zack on the arm. "I’m going for another soda. You want one?"
"No. I’m good."
"Kira?" Matt turned to her, "You want anything from the snack bar?"
"No thanks."
"Okay, I’ll be right back."
Kira nodded and, when Matt left, she turned her attention to Zack and stared.
After an awkward moment, he asked, "What?"
"You’re cuter than your brother, you know?"
Zack grinned. "I know. I’m older too."
She laughed. "I can tell."
"How?"
"You seem more…mature. I like that."
His chest puffed out at the compliment, even as his head warned him to quit flirting. His brother had seen her first. Instead, he heard his mouth say, "So what are you doing with Matt?" Zack cocked his head to the side, studying her, but she didn’t answer. Instead, she rose up on tiptoe and kissed him on the mouth, then hugged him tightly. Something like electricity flooded his veins. He tried to step away, but her eyes mesmerized him and his lips wanted hers again.
Matt came through the crowd just as Zack leaned in and whispered something in Kira’s ear that had the girl giggling. She hugged him again.
"Hey, Zack!" Matt stormed up and pulled Kira back by the arm. "What’s going on?"
Zack shrugged. "Nothing. I was just talking to Kira."
"It looks like you were doing more than that," Matt fumed.
"What?" Confused, Zack turned to face his brother.
"She was dancing with me. Leave her alone."
"Matt, calm down. We just met her."
"You were flirting with my girlfriend."
Shaking his head, Zack said, "She’s not your girlfriend."
Matt shoved him.
"Cut it out. What’s the matter with you?" Zack shoved him back.
"You were flirting with her!"
"She was flirting right back."
"Stay away from her, Zack. I mean it!" Matt turned to address Kira, but she had disappeared in the crowd and he couldn’t find her anywhere.
Zack stared at Matt as if he’d gone crazy.
"See what you’ve done?" Matt jabbed a finger at him.
Zack still stared, not knowing what to say.
"What?" Matt asked.
"Nothing," Zack replied. "Let’s just go."
"Fine!" Matt huffed and they headed to their SUV.
Outside of the amphitheater, away from the crowd, Kira stretched, eyes glinting. She laughed as she turned back into Alanya. The Destroyer sneered and headed to the cave where he lived, his plan working beautifully.
* * *
The ride to the motel filled with silence. Streetlights flashed by to reveal two scowling faces. In their room, Zack tossed the keys on the nightstand, where they clattered against the lamp.
Matt threw himself on his bed, legs straight out, arms folded, back slumped against the headboard.
"I can’t believe you did that to me," he fumed. "Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a date?"
"Yeah, I…"
"And you just had to cut in! Thanks for nothing!"
"Look, she…"
"Why couldn’t you have let me had this one night without ruining it? Just one!"
"Matt, she came onto me."
"Uh huh. Sure she did."
"Why would I lie about that?
"I dunno. Same reason you’d steal my girlfriend."
"She was not your girlfriend!"
Matt clicked on the TV, refusing to listen to, or to even look at, his brother.
A few sullen hours passed before Zack tried one more time.
"Matt." Zack went over to sit on the bed opposite his little brother.
"What?"
"You okay?"
Matt sighed. "Yeah. I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me. She was so pretty and I thought it was cool she liked me instead of you. I don’t know why I got so angry. It was like I couldn’t control myself."
"Well, she was pretty. Anyway, we’ll probably never see her again. Don’t even worry about it." Zack rose to take off his shirt and climb into bed.
Matt stole a glance. "Are we okay?"
Grinning, Zack said, "We’re okay."
Chapter 2
The next morning, after they’d both taken a shower, the McCannons went to the Log Cabin Pancake House for breakfast. They both ordered the breakfast buffet and were sitting down at their table when their waitress came over.
"Hi, boys. What can I get you to drink?"
"I’ll have coffee," Zack ordered.
"I’ll have a Coke," Matt said.
After the waitress left to fill the drink orders, Zack and Matt dug into their breakfast. Neither spoke at first, too busy eating French toast, sausage, sliced cantaloupe and anything else they could pile on their plates. After the waitress brought the drinks and left again, Matt set his fork down.
"I’ve got an idea."
"What?" Zack raised his coffee cup to his mouth to take a sip.
"Let’s go hiking."
Zack choked on the coffee and stared at his brother. "What for?"
"Because this is the Smokey Mountains and there are a lot of beautiful places to go and see."
"I don’t want to go on a hike. There’s nothing but a lot of woods out there. Let’s go to the movies instead, huh?"
"No. I really want to go on a hike. Look." He pulled his cell phone out and pulled up the website for the Smokey Mountains. "There’s a place called Cades Cove. It’s an eleven mile circle and there are some old houses and stuff out there. It also says there’s an abundance of wildlife, especially deer."
"Why would I want to see a deer?" Zack asked, putting his fork down on the table, no longer wanting his breakfast. He hated to hike. Matt knew he hated to hike. His idea of the great outdoors was from the SUV, across the parking lot until he reached a store.
Matt rolled his eyes and said, "They’re pretty. There are also turkeys and raccoons and squirrels."
"Yeah, and spiders, snakes, bears and scorpions. No thanks."
"Fine. I’ll go by myself." He shoved a forkful of hash browns in his mouth and chewed.
"Not gonna happen, Matthew."
"Why not?"
"Because, my brother, unless you’ve forgotten, something is always after you. I can’t protect you if I’m not with you."
"Then come with me," Matt whined, not caring if he sounded like he was ten. "I really want to do this. Remember the camera you bought? You said you like taking pictures and you’re pretty good at it, too. Think of the kinds of pictures you can take at Cades Cove. Besides, it’s not really hiking. You can drive the SUV around the eleven mile stretch, then just get out and take pictures of the old buildings and wildlife and stuff. There’re also old graveyards out there. Come on. It’ll be fun."
The waitress came back to refill their drinks and when she left, Zack picked up his coffee, thinking. A couple of years back, he had bought a digital camera and found out he enjoyed taking pictures. He was halfway decent at it, too. Pursing his lips, he saw how badly Matt wanted to do this.
"Okay. Fine," Zack relented.
"Great!" Matt snapped his cell phone closed and took one last bite of his scrambled eggs before pushing away from the table.
Thirty minutes later, they arrived at their destination and entered the Cove. Even Zack succumbed to its beauty. Magnolia trees perfumed the air, and flowers of every shape and size grew with wild abandon. A stream weaved its way throughout the cove and waterfalls flowed everywhere. Matt was right. Zack would be able to get some beautiful pictures.
When they reached the first point in the Cove, they stopped, locking the SUV. A wooden fence ran along the property line and a nature trail led out to an old house. Zack took a lot of pictures, thrilled to see live deer, even though he would never let Matt know it. The house looked straight out of "Little House on the Prairie."
They stopped next at an old church and graveyard. An abundance of wild flowers ran rife, as well as deer, raccoons, squirrels and even a snake. Zack clicked away.
"Isn’t this fantastic?" Matt stood with his hands on his hips, taking in deep breaths.
Zack grinned. "Yeah, it’s not bad. It’s not even really like hiking."
"I told you."
At the third stop, a three mile nature trail led to Laurel Falls. At no surprise to Zack, Matt wanted to see the waterfalls, so they took off walking. They didn’t meet anybody along the trail for awhile, but then they passed a family of four. The kids were yelling and squealing, until the youngest, a boy, ran to the side of the trail and picked a purple aster. Turning, he hurried to his mother, arm extended straight out, and gave her the flower. She knelt to take it, then pulled him close and kissed his cherub cheek.
"Thank you, my darling boy," she crooned while the father stood beside her, grinning.
As they passed the family, they exchanged greetings and then Zack and Matt stopped to rest. Both brothers watched the family until they were out of sight.
"That’s nice," Matt said.
"Yeah." Zack sat on a rock, took off his shoe in order to get a pebble out of it and glanced up at Matt who had gotten quiet.
"Hey. You okay?" Zack asked, putting his shoe back on. Matt walked a little ways up the trail, then stopped and stared down at the stream.
"Matt?" Zack walked over to him. "What is it?"
"Nothing."
"Matt," Zack said again.
"I’m fine."
"No, you’re not. What’s wrong?"
"Nothing! Get off my back!" Matt walked a little farther up the trail. Zack stood where he was and stared after him, but didn’t say anything. He knew his brother. Matt would talk when he got ready, so he waited. Finally, Matt squeezed his eyes shut, dug his fingers through his hair, then rubbed the back of his neck before turning to Zack.
"Why did they leave us, Zack?"
Zack walked up to his brother and both of them sat down on a boulder. "I don’t know."
"I do." Matt kicked a pebble and his jaws flexed.
"You do?" Zack asked.
"They left because of me."
"What? No they didn’t."
"Yes, they did. They left because I’m a freak. Even back then."
"You’re not a freak, Matt."
"How can you say that? I have these powers, had them all of my life. I’m always running from something or someone. They decided they didn’t want me and left."
"That’s not true. They left us both. They didn’t just leave you. They left me, too. I think they just didn’t want to be tied down with kids, so they took off. It’s not your fault and it’s not mine. It’s their fault, and it’s their problem." He paused and his voice grew softer. "How long have you been thinking they left because of you?"
Matt shrugged, not answering, and got up to pace. Zack took a deep breath and joined his brother. "Why didn’t you tell me you felt like that? I could have told you to stop being an idiot."
Matt laughed. "You would, too."
"You got that right." Zack took Matt by the shoulders, turning him to face him. "Look at me." Matt glanced up at his big brother, his rock, his protector. "It’s not your fault they left, okay? It’s not either one of our fault. It’s theirs. Don’t blame yourself."
For a few minutes Matt didn’t say anything, but then he nodded slowly. "Okay."
"Good."
"Zack?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"What for?"
"For always being there. You’ve never let me down and I appreciate you even if I don’t tell you enough."
Zack remained quiet for a couple of minutes, but then he said, "We’re not going to have to hug or anything, are we?"
Matt snorted, knowing Zack was trying to make him feel better the only way he knew how. "God, I hope not." He grinned. Zack grinned back.
"Come on. If you want to see those falls, we need to get going." Both brothers finished hiking down to the falls. Zack told Matt to stand on the bridge in front of them.
Matt moved into position and Zack took his picture. A moment later, he looked down at the ones he had taken, but drew up to gawk at one in particular.
"What the…? Come on, Matt."
"Where are we going?"
"Back to the SUV. Let’s go."
Matt looked at Zack who had gotten nervous. "What’s the matter?"
"Nothing. Come on!"
"Zack, what is it?" He walked over to look at the picture Zack had taken of him in front of the waterfall and gasped. There in the picture, a dark, menacing figure with clawed hands stood behind Matt. He couldn’t make out anything else, just dark. The brothers didn’t waste any time looking around. They hurried back to the SUV, Zack following closely behind Matt, his hand on the gun in his waistband, under his jacket. His eyes scanned the area, waiting for the dark figure to emerge.
They reached the SUV in record time. Both brothers climbed in and Zack floored it, getting out of the Cove as fast as he could.
Alanya grinned. He’d caught them both off guard. They were scared this time. He felt a little stronger as he fed on that fear and couldn’t wait for what he had in store for them next.
Chapter 3
Once they had gotten back to the SUV, Zack decided they’d had enough nature for one day and watched Matt rub his eyes and fidget in his seat.
"Matt?"
"Yeah?"
"Why don’t we head back to town and grab something to eat? Let’s call it a night. What do you say?"
Matt shrugged but didn’t say anything. They rode in silence for a few minutes. Zack noticed Matt was having a hard time being still.
"Is something wrong?" Zack pulled into a parking lot across the street from Fannie Farmers, a hot dog stand and arcade. He turned off the SUV and faced his brother.
"No, nothing," Matt replied as they got out, locked the doors and jogged across the street. He didn’t want to worry his brother but he felt agitated and thought he heard something in his head, like a voice, and his skin felt like it was crawling. He figured he was probably just tired.
Zack ordered a foot long corn dog with chips and a soda while Matt opted for a Polish sausage dog with grilled bell peppers and onions and a large sweet tea.
"Come on. Let’s take this back to our room and eat it there." Zack started back across the street with Matt beside him.
When they arrived at their motel, both brothers dug in, wolfing down the food as if they had not had anything to eat for a month. Neither said anything.
After they’d finished, they took their showers and settled in for the night. Sitting at the small round table by the window, Zack took out his digital camera, hoping the shadow they’d seen was a trick of the light. As he flipped through the pictures, he noticed the photo of Matt by the waterfall still had the dark form behind him and the thing was huge.
Examining the picture, neither could make out much. All they saw was a dark shape with claws for hands. The thing, whatever it was, towered over Matt.
Taking a deep breath, Matt asked, "What is it?"
Zack shook his head, shrugging. "I have no idea, but it’s big."
"Yeah. I can see that."
"I can’t make out a face. The clawed hands stand out though. It’s scary as all get out. That’s for sure." Zack flipped through the rest of the pictures, but the one with Matt by the waterfall was the only one that had the figure. Zack couldn’t understand it. Matt had even taken a picture of him by the falls, but there was nothing there. It was just a regular picture.
"What do you think it means?" Matt suddenly became nervous, his hands shaking.
"I don’t know. Your picture is the only one that shows it. Look, you’re not to go anywhere by yourself. Is that clear?"
Matt jumped up and began to pace. "Okay." He rubbed the back of his neck which became stiff, then rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the headache forming behind his eyes.
Zack set down the camera and got up to join his little brother.
"Matt? You okay?"
Matt sighed, taking a deep breath. "Yeah. I’m fine. I’m just tired."
"Well. It is getting late. Why don’t you lie down and get some rest?"
Matt yawned. "What about you?"
"I’m going to stay up for awhile. You know, make sure the sun comes up in the morning." Zack grinned. Though worried, he would never let Matt know it.
"Okay." Matt climbed into bed, falling asleep instantly. Zack glanced at the clock. Two a.m. He climbed into his own bed, keeping an eye out for his brother, but around three a.m. he could no longer hold his eyes opened and fell asleep.
At three-thirty a blood-curdling scream woke Zack, who shot straight up in bed and snapped on the light.
Matt stood in the center of the room, fighting something only he could see. For a minute, Zack could only stare. His brother was having an all out war with something, savagely kicking and punching the air, but there was nothing there.
At one point, it looked like something shoved Matt, for he stumbled backward, but he came back full force to kick and punch more.
Zack ran over to him. "Matt!" He placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder and Matt, still in the throes of the dream, knocked it off and slammed him against the wall.
"Wait! Hold on!" Zack winced. Matt shoved his forearm against Zack’s throat and pressed hard, causing him to gasp for breath as his vision wavered. "Matt!"
He choked out the name like a lifeline, and stared into his brother’s eyes. They were opened but unfocused. Zack knew Matt was still asleep. He couldn’t get over how strong he was — almost superhuman. He tried but he couldn’t move.
"Matt," he gasped as he struggled to breathe. "Wake up, man!"
Matt pressed harder until Zack thought he’d pass out. He couldn’t remember if he was supposed to wake a sleepwalker up or not, but he didn’t have a choice. It could be dangerous, but no more dangerous than having the life choked out of him.
With some effort, Zack finally got his hands up to Matt’s shoulders and shook him. "Matt!" he bellowed. "Wake up before you kill me!"
Matt woke at once. His eyes focused and he stared at his arm across his brother’s throat. "Oh God, Zack." Matt let go and backed away, putting some distance between them. Zack bent over, placing his hands on his knees, struggling to catch his breath.
"What the hell…?" he wheezed.
Matt seemed dazed. "I…I didn’t see you."
"What were you fighting? Who did you think I was?"
"I…I thought you were a demon."
"Well, I’m not."
"I’m sorry."
Zack caught his breath and stood. He saw worry and fear in Matt’s eyes. "It’s okay."
"I’m so sorry."
"I said it’s okay. Now drop it," Zack growled, angry, not at Matt, but at whatever that thing was at the waterfall. What had it done to Matt?
Instinctively he knew once again something was after his little brother. He noticed Matt still seemed tired.
"Try to get some sleep. I’ll sit up awhile."
Matt nodded, not knowing what else to do. He went back to bed, falling asleep. Zack sat in the chair beside the window.
Later that morning, when Matt woke up, he found Zack still in the chair and still awake. His wrinkled clothes, wild hair and the beginning of a five-o’clock shadow matched the dark circles under his eyes.
He’s tired, thought Matt. He saw the ugly bruise on his neck also. "Zack?"
Zack glanced at his brother.
"Did you sleep at all?"
"No."
"You can’t watch me twenty four-seven. You’ve got to get some sleep, too."
"I’m fine," Zack snapped, anger till evident by his dilated pupils.
"No you’re not. Get some sleep. I’m awake so I won’t sleepwalk."
Zack stared at Matt, trying to decide what to do. The back of his eyelids felt like sandpaper and his sleep deprived mind couldn’t think clearly.
Reluctantly he said, "Okay, but stay here. We need to stay together."
"I hear ya," Matt shrugged. "I won’t go anywhere. Promise. I’m just going to do some research on the computer and see if I can find out whatever it is we’re dealing with. I’ll stay right here."
Zack nodded and wearily climbed into bed while Matt sat down at the computer.
Chapter 4
Alanya paced the cave, his domain. Every nerve ending in his body growled, screaming from hunger. Growing weaker by the minute, he needed sustenance and he needed it soon. Being defeated yet again last night by Zack’s ability to bring Matt out of Alanya’s control added anger to his hunger, leaving him edgy.
Sighing, he walked over to the crystal clear pool in the back of the cave. His reflection shone through the glass-like surface. Pursing his lips, he groaned. He even looked weaker. He couldn’t afford to be weak. He had lives to destroy.
Taking a deep breath, closing his eyes, the demon concentrated on his appearance. When he opened them again, he cast his eyes back to the crystal clear pool and almost drooled. A grin split his face as he thought about how much fun he was about to have. He no longer looked like a demon. Bald pate with curling horns gave way to luxurious dark hair in an expensive cut. Yellow slits became piercing brown eyes. His dragon body changed into an athletic man, toned muscles rippling when he moved. The chiseled chin and one dimple seemed cliché, but it always worked to his advantage. Deciding on a ‘bad boy’ image, he dressed in jeans ripped above one knee, a black leather jacket and boots. One diamond earring twinkled in his ear. He laughed out loud.
He transported himself to the Tangier Outlet Mall in Pigeon Forge, TN, about twenty minutes from Gatlinburg. With a thought, he could take himself to anyplace he needed to go. But changing and traveling made him tired and took a lot out of him. Already weak, if he didn’t get food soon, he would be unable to teleport back to the cave and would lose his current appearance, changing back into the demon.
He glanced at the mall in the distance. Rubbing his hands in anticipation, he made his way to the entrance and went inside. Halloween decorations adorned the interior, and shop windows glowed in rich fall colors. Muzak piped in through speakers made him want to gag. Too tame. Too boring.
A couple stood by a fountain in the middle of the mall. They were arm in arm, gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes. The man leaned down, whispering into the woman’s ear, making her giggle. When she stood up on her tiptoes, a grin split the man’s face and the two kissed long and hard, not caring who noticed, then walked over to one of the benches. The woman took out her wallet. Alanya waved a hand and she dropped it on the ground.
Walking over to the couple, he reached down and picked the wallet up, holding it out to the woman. "I think you dropped this."
The woman glanced up at Alanya and froze, staring at the gorgeous man. She could hardly take her eyes off of him. She took her wallet back.
"Ah, thank you."
"You’re welcome." Alanya sat down beside her on the bench.
The woman smiled. Beside her, the man glared at the both of them. Alanya sat back, crossing his feet at the ankles, totally relaxed. He could almost hear the man’s teeth grind. He crossed his arms and waited.
The woman stared into Alanya’s eyes, almost hypnotized. Those eyes captured her and she couldn’t turn away. She completely ignored her boyfriend who scowled at Alanya, getting angrier by the minute.
"Excuse me, but…" Leaning closer, Alanya tucked a strand of hair behind the woman’s ear and could feel her shudder from the touch. He felt a buzz in the air and reveled in it.
"Hey, man!" The boyfriend stood to put himself between his girl and Alanya. "Keep your hands off my woman!"
Alanya raised an eyebrow and leaned back once again. "Sorry." Jealousy poured off the man in droves, hitting Alanya’s nerve endings, feeding him, making him stronger. The man grabbed the woman’s hand and they walked away.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. That’s better. Smiling, Alanya thought how lucky the man was right about then. If he had been up to par, he’d have made mincemeat out of him.
Sighing, he got to his feet. Going up the escalator to the second floor, he noticed three college coeds sitting at a table, drinking coffee. Alanya took a deep breath in anticipation. Jealousy between women offered him a special flavor.
He walked up to the group. "Excuse me."
All three turned to face him and gawked at the perfect smile, the broad shoulders. A hint of danger mixed with his exotic cologne, the combination wrapping around their heads and stealing their breath.
"Yes?" a blonde broke the spell long enough to ask. Without conscious thought, she stood and placed a hand on his leather sleeve. "May we help you?"
"That’s a loaded question, baby," Alanya said, pressing his hand over hers. "I was wondering if there’s a sporting goods store in here anywhere. I need some jet ski equipment."
Clearing her throat, the brunette jumped to her feet and wedged herself between Alanya and the blonde, earning her a protest of "Daphne?!"
Staying focused on his intense brown eyes, Daphne explained, "Joyce is kinda new here and doesn’t know the mall very well." The brunette tugged on the hem of her t-shirt to emphasize her cleavage. "Jet ski, huh? I love the water. I just got a new bikini for the summer."
"And you look like a stuffed sausage in it," Joyce muttered too low for the others to hear, but Alanya picked it up.
"That’s nice. Wish I could see you in it," Alanya said over Joyce’s insult. "But, the store…?"
"Oh, yeah. It’s that way." Daphne pointed to a hallway next to them. "I could show you if you’d like?"
"Thank you." His nerves sang as jealousy spiked in the air. Fresh power ran up his arms and filled his chest.
"You said you were going home, Daphne." A red headed girl stepped up. The smile on her mouth didn’t dilute the glint in her eyes. "Don’t let us keep you."
"I can stay a few more minutes, Caroline," Daphne said, scowling. "I don’t want to be impolite."
"Why don’t the both of you go home?" Joyce replied, then turned to purr at the handsome stranger. "I’ll show you."
"Yeah, Luke will love that. You showing another man around," Caroline pointed out.
"And how would he know?" Joyce crossed her arms, her charm bracelet jingling. "Unless some little snitch told him."
"It’s only a matter of time before he finds out what a flirt you are," Caroline defended herself. She took a step closer to Alanya, "But I’m free."
Alanya grinned. "Ladies, I’ll find it, but thank you." He walked out of sight but not out of hearing, leaned back against the rails and reveled in the fight. He clenched his fists at his side, feeling himself getting stronger with each hurled insult, each personal barb between the coeds. After a few minutes he pushed himself off the rail and swaggered past them. He could feel the girls’ eyes on his back for a moment until they started arguing again.
At the food court, Alanya saw a husband and wife sitting at a table in front of a Chinese restaurant. The woman turned to look at him. He knew she would. Women couldn’t resist him, not right now.
"Hi," Alanya said, approaching the couple, taking a table beside them. The woman grinned at him, then turned back to her husband.
"Darling, what can I get for you to eat?" The woman took the man’s hand.
"What’s good here?" Alanya asked, interrupting. "I’m starving."
The woman glared at him. "If you don’t mind, I’m on a date with my husband." Alanya scowled at the woman and looked at the man, who simply smiled, then turned his attention back to his wife. Anger coursed through Alanya as he felt love and joy and total trust coming off both of them.
Getting to his feet, he left the two alone. He needed a new flavor, a different taste to whet his appetite. He thought of another strong emotion which fed him. Fear.
As Alanya reached the other side of the mall, leaving couples arguing in his wake, it made him a bit stronger but not nearly as strong as he needed to be. Ahead he noticed a toy store. Kids stood outside, begging their parents to let them go in and play with all the toys. One little girl ran over to her mother and tugged at her hand.
"I want to go play," she whined.
"In a minute, sweetheart," her mother said while getting a cup of coffee at a kiosk. She began carrying on a conversation with the cashier, leaving the little girl shuffling her feet beside her and getting more and more restless.
The little girl looked up and saw Alanya, who waved at her. She waved back at him. He pointed to the door of the store. When the girl looked, her eyes danced at a barking robot dog in the door, delighting the child.
The little girl ran over to the store. The dog went back inside and the girl followed, giggling all the way.
The little girl’s father had been in another store and, when he joined his wife, he looked for his daughter, but she wasn’t there.
"Sarah!"
Sarah turned to her husband and frowned. "What is it, Daniel?"
"Where’s Tabitha?"
"What?" Sarah looked down to where her daughter was supposed to be.
"Oh my God! Tabitha! Where are you?" Fear spiked in the mother and the father as well as the cashier as they searched frantically for the child, thus sending a jolt to Alanya’s system. He immediately felt stronger. The couple ran to the toy store and found Tabitha but Alanya had already fed off the fear.
"Let’s see. What’s next?" he said, grinning sadistically. He walked over to a couple looking at appliances. They needed a washer and dryer and were checking out some of the best deals. Their young son played beside them. As Alanya walked up to the refrigerators, the little boy looked at him and waved. Waving back, Alanya pointed to the back of the store.
The boy looked to where Alanya was pointing. His eyes grew wide as he saw a large balloon float up to the ceiling. The boy ran to the back of the store to try to catch it. The little boy’s mother glanced down to make sure her son was still beside her, but he was gone.
"Jacob!" Both parents searched the appliance store for their son, but couldn’t find him anywhere.
"Jacob!" the man yelled. The couple ran through the store and finally found him chasing the balloon. They let out relieved breaths as they gathered their son up in their arms and hugged him.
Alanya finally began to feel more like himself. Walking back into the mall, he spotted two men arguing with each other a few feet away. Grinning, he headed in that direction. Hate was another strong emotion that fed him. All he had to do was walk past the two men, the two friends, and raise his hand.
"I can’t believe you’re accusing me of stealing from you, Bob. We’ve been friends forever!"
"Yeah well, not anymore. I know you took my money. You were the only one who could have!"
"Why would I steal from you?"
"I know what I saw!" The man shoved Bob, then spit at him. Joe swung, hitting Bob squarely in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. They began cursing and swearing at each other. Bob got to his feet and charged Joe, head butting him, knocking him into the cash register where the store clerk was hiding. She dialed security and they came and arrested both of them.
Once again, Alanya felt stronger.
Walking back outside, he headed over to a tree and leaned against it. He did feel better, but it wasn’t enough.
Thinking, he gnashed his teeth. All the anger, hatred, fear and jealousy fed him, but he still felt lacking. What he just partook of was only an appetizer, a morsel. He wanted a full meal. Hitting the tree with his fist, he growled out loud, brooding. The only way he was going to feel full again was to tear the McCannon brothers apart.
Alanya transported himself back to the cave. He paced the length of it, thinking. Pitting the brothers against each other, making one hate the other was the real meal. Having one brother kill the other would be a banquet, a seven course meal, a delectable feast. All that anger, fear, and angst along with Matt’s power would make it all worthwhile. Wanting the two to destroy each other made his hunger unbearable. Only when he reached his goal could Alanya truly be satisfied.
Chapter 5
Matt tossed and turned in his sleep as the dream began. He was in a cave, the darkness almost impenetrable. He could hear water dripping into a pool just ahead of him and it seemed like the cave howled. He felt compelled to come there, to find something, but he didn’t know what. His powers tingled just under his skin, giving him a sense of strength. The darkness of the cave began swirling and solidifying until it became a figure and started chasing Matt, trying to grab him. He ran for the opening, but it kept getting farther and farther away. The darkness washed over him and he felt pure evil. No matter what he did, he couldn’t escape it. It was so tangible he could almost reach out and touch it.
Again he ran for the opening. The evil grew worse, making him sick. He had to get out of there. Just about to reach the mouth of the cave, something grabbed him from behind. In the dream, he screamed.
Matt jumped up in bed, his heart beating a million times a minute, and sweat soaking him. Instinctively, he knew the dream was a vision. He needed to go to the cave because it held something he needed to get. Zack was still asleep so Matt went to the bathroom for a shower. When he finished, he looked on his computer to find the cave’s location as he waited for his big brother to wake up.
* * *
"Why are we out here in the middle of the night, miles from anywhere, Matt?" Zack asked, stumbling to keep his balance on the rough ground.
"I told you, I had a dream."
"You know what? Your dreams are making me miss my beauty rest." Though he made a joke of it, his voice filled with irritation.
Matt rolled his eyes and kept walking, causing Zack to take a deep breath to keep his temper in check.
"We’re out here in the woods, in the middle of the night, trying to find a cave, and you don’t even know why." Zack’s exasperation poured off him like perspiration, and all the anger from their earlier argument at the concert returned. Matt could be selfish when he set his mind on something, no matter what it did to Zack.
"I know, okay? I feel myself being pulled here. We’ll probably get some answers when we find what I’m looking for."
"Did it ever occur to you, vision boy, that it was just a dream?"
Matt stopped walking to glare at his brother, tired of being bossed around. "Vision boy?" he echoed and drew his head back. "You know better than that." With jaws clenched and hazel eyes narrowed, he waited for an apology.
Instead, Zack shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away. Thinking back, Zack remembered how their parents had abandoned them ten years before, and he wondered if Matt's special powers had anything to do with that. They hadn’t taken care of them except for leaving them a trust fund so that, when Zack turned eighteen, he would have control of the money. He guessed he should thank them for that.
For awhile, they’d lived with their grandmother in her apartment, but she had always been sickly, unable to take care of either one of them, so it was always up to Zack to make sure Matt had what he needed.
When Zack graduated from high school, he took a job as a dishwasher at one of the cafés in town. Their grandmother died that year. They stayed in the apartment for awhile and when Matt graduated at seventeen, Zack decided they should leave before Social Services came to take Matt from him. Zack would not let that happen. He’d always taken care of his little brother and he always would.
Matt turned his brother by the shoulder to make him face him. "When are my visions ever just dreams?"
He had a point there, Zack thought, and fell into step behind Matt. "There’s probably not even a cave anywhere near here," Zack mumbled, then cursed loudly when he almost ran into his brother who had stopped suddenly.
"Oh yeah?" Matt retorted. "Then what’s that?" He motioned toward an opening in the side of a mountain and walked forward, once again feeling compelled.
"Zack?" Matt glanced back at his brother when he didn't move. "You okay?"
Zack shook his head, and followed reluctantly. "Shit," he mumbled. "Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s get this over with."
Matt turned around and stared at him.
"What?" Zack said.
"You sure do that a lot."
"Do what a lot?"
"Curse," Matt said. "You shouldn’t. From now on, I’m going to get this big jar and every time you say a curse word, you’re going to have to put a dollar in it."
Zack snorted. "Don’t be a dork, Matt."
"It wouldn’t take long before we’d be millionaires." He grinned.
"Shut up."
"You ready?" Matt nodded toward the opening.
"I guess," Zack said reluctantly.
Clicking on their flashlights, they entered the dark cave and gazed around. It consisted of one large, deep room. The opening to the outside offered the only light. Matt heard water drip in the pool, and the wind howl across the entrance, just like in his dream.
"Okay, what are we looking for?" A look of resignation showed on Zack’s face.
"I’ll know when I find it." Matt studied the wall closest to the opening and Zack scoped out the other side.
Behind them, if they had noticed, a shadow formed on a wall, a shadow with the head of a human but the body of a dragon. It raised clawed hands to its head and its mouth opened in a silent roar. The brothers shouldn’t have come together. The fight over Kira and the later fight in the motel should have ensured Matt came by himself. Zack’s presence ruined the demon’s best chance at defeating Matt, and Alanya’s fury unleashed.