Shards of Skye (The Skye Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  For several moments Maddox was unable to move off of her body. He worried his weight was too much for her but she wasn’t complaining so he refused to move. He cherished the closeness he had with her in that moment. He felt her fingers going through his hair gently while softly stroking his head. He kissed the side of her neck before lifting his upper body up to gaze down into her face.

  “Are you okay?” he asked softly.

  “I am fucking awesome.” Skye laughed. “I’ve never felt this alive.” Maddox couldn’t help a prideful smile.

  “Glad I could help.” He said as she smacked his chest playfully.

  “Seriously? I had no idea it would be like this. People brag but they tend to be overly dramatic. I don’t see how people get anything done when they could be doing this!” she exclaimed.

  “I’ve ruined you.” He rolled off of her, yet he couldn’t stand to be away from her. He wrapped his arms around her holding her against his body.

  “I’m happy to be ruined.”

  “Skye, you could never be ruined. You know that don’t you?” he was suddenly serious. Skye rolled her eyes.

  “I was kidding. Don’t take it so literal. Besides, I’m a big girl and I’ve had to take care of myself for a long time. I can make my own decisions. If I want to be a bad girl then I’m going to be a bad girl.” She raised her eyebrows making him laugh at her.

  “You are so much more different than anyone I have ever known.” He brushed his fingers over her cheek softly.

  “Is that a good thing or bad thing?” she asked.

  “Very good. Interesting even. I never know what to expect from you.”

  “Maddox, how old are you? I’ve heard you tell others you were eighteen, but I figured that was a cover because of the whole demon thing.”

  “See? I can’t keep anything from you.” He tried to joke but she saw that he hated the question.

  “I’m not going to run away. After what just happened that should be obvious.”

  “In human years, I really am 18 years old.” Skye raised an eyebrow questioning the statement.

  “Human years?”

  “Yes.” Maddox explained. “Time works differently for us when we are in our real dimensions. In the realm where we are really from I’m 327 years old, but here I am only 18.”

  “How is that even possible?” Skye wondered.

  “Time moves more quickly there than it does here. I could be gone for a year here but over there it would be more eighteen years or even like forty years. There’s not an exact science to it. Each time we go to our home realm the time is different. It’s just how things always have been.” he shrugged.

  “I feel like a baby compared to your old ass now.” She couldn’t help but laugh. Maddox kissed her temple with a smile.

  “Be nice to your elders.” He teased. Skye and Maddox both tensed as they heard a car pulling into the driveway.

  “Maybe we should be dressed?” Skye asked while jumping up.

  Maddox hurriedly put his clothes back on. Skye had managed to get her shorts and shirt back on without any undergarments, but she supposed it was better than nothing. Maddox stood awkwardly in her room. He wasn’t afraid of her family, but he didn’t want to cause her any problems either.

  They stood still in her room waiting. They heard the front door open and the voice of her parents walk by her room. Skye held her breath hoping they wouldn’t find tonight to be the night they actually checked on her. Her fears were unwarranted. They passed by without a second thought. Skye let out a huge breath.

  “I’d better go. I’ll see you at school tomorrow. We only have a few days left before winter break. We might as well pretend to enjoy the time at school while we can.” He bent down kissing her lips softly then quietly exited her house.

  Skye sat down on her bed in awe. Making love was not what she had expected it to be. She somehow thought it would be much messier than it would really be worth doing. She had often believed others exaggerated about how great it was. Maybe they did, but with Maddox it was better than she could have ever dreamed possible.

  She stood up walking over to her mirror. She felt silly doing it, but she wondered if there was a difference. Could you really look at someone and tell if they were no longer a virgin? Skye turned her head side to side not able to see anything different about herself. She laughed at the silliness of it all and turned away from the mirror.

  That’s when she saw George standing in her doorway watching her. The smile on her face faded immediately seeing him. She wondered how long he had been watching her. She waited a moment but he never said a word. Skye finally lost her patience.

  “What are you looking at me for?” she snapped.

  “There’s a condom on your floor.” George’s eyes never left hers. She glanced beside her bed and there it was. She panicked, looked back to George.

  “I’m seventeen. It’s not like I was going to be a virgin forever.” She tried to pretend she wasn’t embarrassed, but George of course, saw through it.

  “Yeah, but I had no idea you would be that easy. You’ve been dating him for what… a little over two months? Damn I wish girls were as easy as you when I was your age.” Skye tensed up.

  “Well thanks for letting me know that I’m a whore in your opinion. I don’t care what you think. So, could you please get out of my room?” George almost laughed.

  He walked closer to Skye causing her to back up to keep space between them. Skye’s eyes quickly darted behind him.

  “She went out for cigarettes.” he said knowing what she was looking for.

  “George get out of my room.” Skye’s voice wasn’t as strong as she had wished it was. She had always had a fear when it came to him, but she had convinced herself she would be that way with any man that wasn’t her father.

  “Such a demanding little slut.” He spat the words at her. He suddenly rushed towards her pushing her to the bed. Skye let out a scream before he had his hand over her mouth. “Scream and I’ll kill you.” He slurred his words. She could smell the alcohol on him and it turned her stomach.

  She began hitting him with her fists to get him off of her. He let her mouth go then slammed his fist into her jaw. She groaned in pain turning her head to the side. While she fought the pain he had inflicted, he was busy trying to take her shorts off. Skye’s eyes filled with tears.

  Just as he was about to free himself, he saw the tears in her eyes. The purple tears distracted him long enough for Skye to act. She jerked her knee hard right in between his legs. He rolled to the side of the bed howling in pain. Skye jumped off the bed, pulling her shorts back up, and grabbed the baseball bat she kept in the corner.

  She saw movement from the corner of her eye. She then noticed her room was suddenly full. Her mother stood staring in shock at the scene in front of her. Maddox was behind her, his chest rising and falling as if he had just run for miles. His eyes flashed red causing her to gasp. She knew he was angry, and could see the demon part of him was fighting for control.

  “How could you?” her mother yelled looking directly at Skye. “You’re the reason your father died and now you try to take my husband away from me too? You’re an evil little girl!” she screamed. Skye’s mouth dropped open not sure what to say. “I’ve been forced to raise you all of these years and this is the thanks I get?”

  “Mom he tried to rape me!” Skye screamed loudly. “I didn’t do anything! I would never!” Lucille shook her head then her eyes focused on the condom on the floor.

  “Looks like you had sex and then tried to say he raped you!”

  Behind her Maddox looked as if he were about to burst out of his own skin. He pushed passed Lucille, grabbing George by the neck and throwing him to the ground. Maddox was on top of him and all Skye could see was Maddox’s fists pounding into George’s face. After a few moments Skye didn’t want to see it anymore. Lucille was making sounds but Skye was too numb to care.

  “Maddox stop.” she simply said. Maddox’s body froze as his head
turned to look at her. He took several deep breaths then stood over George’s body. George was passed out, but Lucille stared at Maddox in fear.

  “That was my condom.” he pointed to it. “Your scumbag husband has been giving Skye looks ever since I met her. You are a horribly pathetic excuse for a mother. When I come back if he isn’t gone, you both will pay for it.”

  Maddox walked over to Skye picking her up in his arms cradling her to his chest and they left the house.

  He put her in his car and they rode for several miles until they made it to an abandoned parking lot. Skye sat still beside him still processing everything that had happened. She looked into Maddox’s eyes and saw the red was no longer there.

  “How did you know?” Skye asked noticing her voice felt very small.

  “I hadn’t left yet. I’ve noticed since the day I met him that he looked at you differently. I usually wait outside your house for a while before I leave just to make sure you’re okay.” Skye leaned against Maddox who wrapped his arms around her. “I should have got to you sooner. I thought I heard you yell, but I wasn’t sure.”

  “I’m glad you were there.” Skye’s body was shaking gently, still in shock from what had happened. “I can’t believe my…that she didn’t believe me.”

  “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”

  “You don’t know that.” Skye said doubtfully.

  “Baby, I’ve fought all sorts of supernatural creatures in my life. Do you really think a human or two will stand in my way?” Skye thought about his statement then shrugged.

  Maddox held onto Skye for a long time in his car. He knew she was strong but even the strongest of people had the right to fall apart. After what had almost happened to her Skye had the right to fall apart but she didn’t. Instead she let the shock wear off, and then wanted him to take her home so she could confront them.

  They drove back to her house and Maddox wasn’t surprised to find that they were still there. They walked into the living room where George was leaning on the couch; his face was a bloody mess. Maddox couldn’t help but smile at his handiwork. Lucille looked terrified to see him again.

  “I had a feeling about you. As soon as I met you I thought you looked familiar. You’re a demon aren’t you?” Lucille said staring at Maddox. Skye was amazed that she had known.

  “Yes, I am. I’m also a demon that you don’t want to piss off.” he said with a smile.

  “Wait if you knew, then why let me be around him?” Skye asked.

  “I had hoped he would take you away, kill you, or kidnap you. Whatever it took to get you out of my life.” Lucille admitted.

  “Why? I’ve never done anything to you!” Skye yelled. Lucille smiled evilly.

  “I’m not your real mom. Your real mom handed you over to your dad when you were born. I married him when you were little so I got stuck with you.” Lucille snickered. She had been holding out waiting to say those words. She wanted to hurt Skye. She waited for Skye to respond and was shocked when she didn’t cry or even frown.

  “I already knew that. I figured that out a little bit ago with his help. I also know that I healed you all those years ago when you told me you hated me.” Lucille lost her smug smile.

  “Look, I kept you all these years…”

  Skye laughed cutting her off.

  “Oh, I know that the only reason you kept me was because of the money. Which, by the way, is now mine. I saw a lawyer and I’m old enough per my dad’s will to take the money if I see fit to. I see fit to in case you were wondering.”

  “You can’t do that!” Lucille yelled.

  “Get a lawyer and find out. It’s done. In fact I could have this house if I wanted to, but I want nothing where there are any memories of you or your sorry excuse for a husband George. I’m moving out tomorrow. Don’t ever contact me again.”

  Maddox watched her proudly. He knew she had inner strength to live through all she had already been through, but she was showing that she was even stronger than he had imagined.

  “You’re going to turn your back on me? I took care of you all these years!” Lucille yelled.

  “Took care of me? You have to be joking! I had to cook for myself, make my own clothes, or even have friends help me get my own clothes. I took care of myself. You just kept a roof over my head so you could keep my dad’s money.” Skye said in disgust. Lucille gasped.

  “You’re leaving me for a demon. A demon who probably knows the demons that killed your father!!” she screamed. Skye paused at the accusation. She had wondered the same thing at one point.

  “He doesn’t.” Skye finally responded.

  “You both need to leave the house tonight so Skye can get her things together before moving out tomorrow.” Maddox spoke up. They looked to him. “That wasn’t a question.” he said with a smile. Lucille helped George off of the couch and walked to the front door.

  “Your father was killed for protecting you against men like him. You’re now choosing his kind over your own father.” Lucille said before leaving. Skye shook her head. She turned to look Maddox in the eyes.

  “Do you have to leave?” she asked.

  “There’s no way I’m leaving you alone here tonight.” He pulled her into his arms. She sighed happily feeling safe in his arms.

  “How am I supposed to find a place to live?” she thought out loud.

  “I’ll help you.”

  Chapter Seven

  It didn’t surprise Skye at all that Maddox found a house for her only one street away from his. She could have sworn he had already planned it out. With the money her father left her she was able to buy it and everything she needed without a second thought. She still couldn’t wrap her head around having millions of dollars. Money had never been a real part of her life so suddenly having it seemed weird.

  Skye did exactly what Maddox expected her to do. She bought modest furniture. She had no desire to show off her money. It was only hers because she didn’t have a father so it wasn’t something for her to brag about. She had made sure to search through her old house and take every picture of her father. Lucille didn’t deserve any memories of him.

  She had turned her new bedroom into an exact model of her old bedroom, only now with a large bed instead of a small one. Her home was two stories with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. She had a swimming pool in her large backyard and frankly more space than she knew what to do with.

  Maddox stayed the first couple of nights with her in her new home before she forced him to leave. Since he was worried for her safety, she had a home security system installed to put his mind at ease.

  Skye found that she really enjoyed having a place to herself. She was months away from graduating and had always had to fend for herself. She knew how to cook, clean, fix things, and even how to work on her own car.

  She flopped into her large bed one night after a long and beautiful day with Maddox. She smiled happily and sighed. School would be back in session tomorrow. She was happy to see her friends again; most of them had left to visit family during the holidays. And being back in school, she knew that she would miss being home alone with Maddox every day and every night.

  Maddox walked down the stairs and towards his front door to leave for school when his father Luke stepped in front of him. Maddox was surprised to see him up so early. Usually he was out late and slept in late because of it.

  “Headed to school?” Luke asked casually.

  “Yeah. Winter break is over.” Maddox was confused. His father was acting strange.

  “Maddox, I haven’t seen much of you lately. I know for a fact that you aren’t always sleeping at home.” He searched Maddox’s eyes.

  “You know if I meet a girl I like that I stay out with her. Why are you acting like this, dad? It’s never been a problem before.” His father shrugged.

  “It’s not a problem as long as it’s not serious.”

  “Serious?” Maddox repeated.

  “I can’t have you falling for a mortal human girl.” he fi
nally said.

  “Are you afraid I’ll follow in your footsteps?” Maddox questioned.

  “I am. You know how much I suffered at the loss of your mother. Mortals can’t survive our lifestyle.”

  “I know that.” Maddox felt very uncomfortable discussing this with his father. He had always known Maddox wasn’t a virgin and had no problem with it before, but discussing love was different.

  “Just making sure that no mortal girl has your heart.” He stood looking directly into Maddox’s eyes.

  “No dad, no mortal has my heart.” Maddox answered then walked around his father and left. Maddox couldn’t shake the feeling he had asked for a reason. Maddox felt uneasy about the whole conversation. He stopped in front of Skye’s house where she was waiting. She jumped into his car and smiled at him.

  “You look tense.” she commented.

  “My dad was acting strange this morning. He usually lets me have my privacy and doesn’t get too involved but I swear today he was being suspicious for some reason.” Maddox frowned at the thought.

  “You are about to graduate in a few months. Aren’t you supposed to join the family business then?” Skye said carefully. She knew this was a big deal for his family. She also knew it would be a big deal for their relationship as well.

  “Maybe.” Maddox said. They pulled into his usual parking spot and got out together. He put his arm around her holding her to his side. They walked up to her friends and he was quiet as they caught up. He noticed Mike still staring daggers into him but he didn’t care.

  “Oh, Maddox we met your cousin. He is so cool.” Kel said interrupting his thoughts. Maddox’s head whipped around to face her.

  “What are you talking about?” he asked. Skye looked puzzled as well.