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

  “That’s no lip gloss. I’ve tasted your kind before.” Buck looked her over. Maddox pulled her back into his arms.

  “You can’t say a word, Buck. You know what will happen.” Maddox pleaded. Skye was touched by how worried he sounded.

  “You want me to lie to your dad? He would fucking kill me!” Buck groaned feeling pulled in two different directions.

  “Please. I promised to protect her and cause her no harm, I will keep that promise.” he said emphatically. Maddox looked down into Skye’s brilliant eyes.

  “You know there’s a chance you could keep her.” Maddox’s eyes shot back at Buck.

  “I won’t do that to her!” Maddox yelled.

  “What is it? Tell me how.” she asked Buck. “He won’t tell me, but I deserve to know.”

  “I don’t know Skye.” Buck muttered. “He’s my cousin.”

  “I’m in love with your cousin. I love him heart and soul, completely.” she admitted. Buck looked to Maddox in shock but was even more amazed at what he saw there.

  “You love her too.” he groaned.

  “I do.” Maddox simply said. Buck walked in circles for a moment then looked to Skye.

  “It is rare for a demon to keep one of their prey. It would mean that you would belong to him. As a slave. He would feed off of you when he needs blood. You would be responsible for his life, but you would not be allowed to marry him. He is still obligated to marry one of his own kind. He would be allowed to sleep with you since you would be his, but only his wife would be allowed to bare his children.”

  “Wait. His mother was human.” Skye pointed out.

  “Human relationships with demons are rare but they are more accepted than one of another supernatural like you. Your blood is a delicacy.” Buck said with a smile.

  “Too much information.” Skye whispered walking out of Maddox’s arms. She stood alone in the middle of her living room not looking at either of them.

  “I would never marry anyone else while with her.” Maddox spoke up. Skye tried to work through her feelings on it all, but she was too confused.

  “If you don’t marry then you would be cast out from your family. All demons would know you betrayed them and they would hunt you. You know that only your death would come from that.” Buck said. Skye turned looking Maddox in the eyes.

  “Does that mean that this is over? That we are over?” Her voice trembled but she held back the pain that was fighting to overcome her.

  “Never.” Maddox blurted out running to her.

  He picked her up in his arms kissing her passionately. Skye kissed him back and held him as if her life depended on it. In a way both of their lives depended on this decision.

  He pulled his lips slowly from hers but couldn’t handle to let her go. Skye touched his face gently with the palm of her hand. She felt his rough skin, his stubble, and his incredible warmth.

  “There’s a light around you both.” Buck sounded scared. Skye and Maddox noticed it surrounding them once again and laughed softly. It faded slowly and as it did Maddox and Skye felt the light absorb into their bodies.

  “That seems to happen with us.” Skye said honestly.

  “We don’t know what it means yet. Sometimes it takes control of us and things get out of control. I think we’re learning to control it better.” Maddox looked to his cousin.

  “I’ve never seen anything like that before.” Buck said pausing. “Hell with it. I will try to keep it from your dad. It’s obvious something big is happening here besides you falling in love, which I never saw that coming! So, I’ll give you as much time as I can so you can figure this out.” Maddox nodded to his cousin.

  “Thank you.” Skye whispered. Buck looked into her eyes and gave her a small smile.

  “I see why he fell for you. I can’t blame him for it. I just really hope you two can figure this out. I don’t want to lose my cousin.” Buck said looking back at Maddox.

  “Neither do I.” Skye said holding onto Maddox.

  “What happens with that weird light thing isn’t normal. If you want a chance at staying together, I would start out by trying to find out why that happens.” Buck offered. Skye nodded.

  “We were looking into things when we first got together, but I think we got a bit distracted.” she blushed when Maddox looked down at her.

  “What kind of research did you do?” Buck asked.

  “First I discovered whether she was elvish or fae, and then asked about her powers. I used my powers to look back into her past. We discovered her deceased father was human, and her mother wasn’t her real mom. Her real mom’s whereabouts are unknown.” Maddox said.

  “What else?” Buck asked.

  They sat on the couches in the living room and went over what they had discovered together. They even told him about the vision from the doctor’s office when she was a small child. Buck listened intently as they shared all they knew. Skye blushed again when Maddox shared the details of the first time the light almost had them making love, and then again when they had made love recently.

  “Would you stop looking at my girl like that?” Maddox thundered to Buck. Skye saw Buck staring at her. She had a feeling she was in for a time with the two of them being so stubborn.

  “I’m sorry. No disrespect. I’m just impressed. She’s hot and sassy as hell. Add to that she’s a little bad ass? It’s awesome! I see her worry and concern but it’s mostly for you, not herself.” Buck shared his insights.

  “I’ve been through living hell in my life. There isn’t much more for me to worry about. I’ve lost everyone in my life except for Maddox. I didn’t want to love him because everyone I love dies, but I couldn’t stop myself from falling for him.” Skye shared unashamed.

  “What about the doctor?” Buck asked suddenly. “He said in the vision for you to come back to him later in life so he could see what result came from your attack right? Well, find the bastard and demand some answers.”

  “Wow, that’s actually a great idea.” Skye sounded amazed.

  “Of course it’s a great idea, it was mine.” Buck said proudly. Skye looked to Maddox.

  “Maddox, could you try to take me back to that night again? Maybe we can see the name of the clinic or the doctors name tag. Something to give us an idea of who we are looking for!” Skye exclaimed excitedly.

  “I can try but I don’t always get to pick the moment we go back. We may go to a different night or time.” He pondered where they would end up. “Skye, it could be worse than what you’ve seen before.”

  “I know.” she whispered. “I need to know even if it hurts.” He kissed her forehead and nodded. Buck moved to stand behind them quietly. Maddox held Skye close to him.

  “Think of your dad.” he told her. His hand waved again and the black smoke appeared in front of them. At first nothing happened but then like before an image appeared. Skye was a small child, the same age she had been when she was taken to the clinic.

  She was walking through the park with her dad. He held her hand in his and smiled lovingly down to her. Skye’s smile was huge in return. She looked at her dad as if she worshipped him.

  “You have to remember to not show your light in public my darling girl.” Gary said down to a confused Skye.

  “I can’t help it. I get so happy and boom it comes out.” Gary stopped walking and got on his knees in front of her. He stroked her small face gently.

  “I want you to be nothing but happy.”

  “Why are you sad, daddy?” Skye asked him touching his face with her small hand.

  “It’s not fair to ask you to hide who you are. I know that, but you are more special than I could ever hope to explain. People would want that kind of special for themselves. I have to protect you. It’s my only reason for being. That and making you happy.” He kissed her nose softly. Skye giggled at her dad.

  “I’m happy as long as I have you.” Gary took her hand in his again and began walking again. A man opposite of the small walkway in the park was watching th
em intently. Gary was too busy smiling at his daughter to see the man at first.

  He was a dark skinned man with dark hair, and even darker eyes. He walked towards them, purposely extending his arm out so his hand would brush against Skye’s arm. The moment it did Skye’s body went limp. Gary bent over to catch her before she hit the hard ground. She looked into the man’s eyes and began screaming.

  The look on her father’s face was that of pure fear. The image faded away quickly leaving nothing in front of them.

  Buck and Maddox shared a look full of dread, but Skye was still looking forward so she did not see it. Skye tried to remember this moment, but had no memory of it at all. She finally looked to Maddox who was staring at her with concern in his eyes.

  “I don’t remember it at all. I had flashes before of the doctor’s office but never of what happened before. I don’t remember that man touching me. I don’t ever remember my dad sharing with me that I had powers or abilities. Why can’t I remember this?” Skye frowned.

  “I don’t know, but we will find out.” Maddox promised.

  “Can we try again?” Skye asked.

  “Not tonight. Tomorrow after school we can try again. We won’t stop until we figure it out, but I can only do so much at a time.” Maddox explained.

  “Thanks.” she murmured.

  “Look, I’m going to go home so my father isn’t suspicious of Buck and I both missing. But tomorrow I was thinking that maybe I could spend the night here.” he smiled.

  “Of course.” She kissed him softly, but he deepened the kiss. He kept it short but it left her wanting more.

  Maddox and Buck walked out of the house together leaving Skye alone with her thoughts. Buck and Maddox didn’t speak until they were back in Maddox’s room at his home.

  “Shit!” Buck finally yelled after locking Maddox’s door. Maddox growled angrily punching his wall.

  “Shit is right! Out of all the fucking demons in the world to torture her and go after her it had to be him!” Maddox snarled.

  “Your dad has never gone after one so young before. Skye was a baby. Why did he want her then?” Buck shook his head as he asked the question.

  “I don’t know, but this is bad fucking news. How am I supposed to tell her? You know this means that my dad along with whomever else was the one to kill her father! It had to be.” Maddox groaned.

  “We are going to keep them apart. They won’t meet. But you have to work on these visions with her more. Maybe the why is in there somehow? And if your dad infected her with something you need to know what that was too. That doctor seems to be the best bet.” Maddox agreed with Buck.

  “What I don’t understand is who the guy with my dad in the vision was? I don’t recognize him.” Maddox pondered.

  “Maybe he died. The vision wasn’t too clear but it looked like they both were transported somewhere else. Obviously your dad is fine so maybe the other guy is too.” Buck shook his head confused.

  “I want to know but right now I just need to focus on keeping Skye safe. That’s a mystery for a different time.” Maddox said.

  “We will figure it all out. I’m here for you man.” Buck said as he touched Maddox’s shoulder.

  “Thank you. I know what position this puts you in but thank you for helping us.” Maddox said sincerely.

  “I never thought you would fall in love. You’ve always been the one who swore love off because of what you are. Skye is amazing and I don’t blame you for loving her. I may be damned for this but I’m with you.”

  Maddox gave his cousin a quick hug then turned to look out of his window. His father would be home from hunting soon. He didn’t want to see him tonight.

  Chapter Nine

  Skye had her head on her desk when Maddox walked in. He sat beside her. Buck took the seat next to him. He knew better than to sit in between the two of them anymore. Maddox touched Skye’s face gently looking on with concern.

  “I’m just tired. For weeks we’ve been searching for answers and we keep ending up with random facts about my life. Nothing that’s answered any questions.” she mumbled.

  “I thought it was hilarious when you were asking your friend Kel about sex advice.” Buck spoke up. Maddox and Skye both shot him a look. Buck’s smile had no shame in it.

  “Yeah that was great. Just like when we saw a vision of me asking how to use tampons. Highlights of my life over here. Grab some popcorn.” she muttered.

  “Trust me I plan on it for next time.” Buck grinned happily.

  “Is he necessary for him to be present? I mean we can just ditch him.” Skye glared at him.

  “Actually he may be able to help us out now. Buck’s offered to combine his powers with mine to help make the visions clearer and possibly pinpoint the times we want to see.” Maddox interjected. “As much as I love seeing you growing up all adorable like, we need answers.” His voice went cold.

  Skye touched his hand. She wanted to reassure him that everything would be okay, but she was afraid herself.

  The classroom began filling up so they quickly quieted down so no one would overhear them. Skye’s mind was full of questions that could not be answered. She wondered if finding the truth would solve anything. She also wondered that if they did find answers, how that would affect her relationship with Maddox.

  Maddox shook her arm lightly breaking her concentration. She looked up at him wondering why he had gotten up in the middle of class. That’s when she noticed class was over and that almost everyone was already gone. Buck was standing outside of the room in the hallway talking to a few girls who had developed crushes on him.

  “We need to talk.” Nancy said walking towards her. Skye looked at Nancy amused. She had barely ever talked to her and it was mainly to hush her while in class.

  “And why is that?” Skye asked. Nancy stopped right in front of her.

  “Make your boyfriend go away first.” Nancy shot him a look letting him know he wasn’t wanted there.

  “I don’t think so.” Maddox did not like how she was suddenly so forceful when she had never been anything but ditzy.

  “Maddox, its fine. I can take care of myself.” Skye said. “Let’s go outside to talk so we can have privacy.” Skye suggested.

  Nancy nodded leading the way. Skye shrugged to Maddox who looked like he was ready to burst with curiosity. Nancy led Skye outside and behind the main building.

  “I’ve sat quietly by all year watching you make a fool out of yourself with your boyfriend. I think you are too serious about him and you need to dump his ass.” Nancy blurted out. Skye was so amused that she laughed.

  “Seriously? You never talk to me and all of a sudden you are an expert in my life. Wow! Thanks so much for letting me know.” Skye’s sarcasm had a bite to it.

  “Ugh. You have to be stubborn. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree I see.” Nancy grumbled. Skye took a step towards her.

  “What would you know about my tree… er… family?” she stuttered.

  “I knew your parents that’s how.” Skye shoved Nancy into the brick wall behind her.

  “Lying little bitch! My dad’s been dead for years and my mom hasn’t been around since she had me. So unless you are some immortal being you wouldn’t know a thing about them!”

  Skye could suddenly feel something different about Nancy. Nancy wasn’t mortal but how she had never noticed frightened her. It made her wonder who else she had blocked out from feeling their true nature.

  Skye hissed through her teeth. Nancy pushed Skye off of her. She then lifted her hands forming into a ball with her hands. A green light forming them into a ball between her hands and shined brightly.

  “I’m more than what you think I am.” Skye gasped as Nancy’s green light absorbed back into her hands.

  “What are you?” Skye took a small step back. She had a feeling that Nancy’s green light was not dangerous to her. In fact, she felt that Nancy was similar to herself.

  “I’m a siren.” Nancy smiled. Skye thought for a mom
ent absorbing the news.

  “Aren’t sirens women who seduce sailors with their voices causing them to crash and be stranded?”

  “Oh, the old tales live on!” Nancy exclaimed amused. “Some of my ancestors did that, yes. But they were lonely and cursed to live on small islands by petty creatures with enough power to make them stay there. They needed men. Sirens are beautiful and seductive creatures. We thrive off of sex and attention. We are also not evil. We are the daughters of the earth. Much like you are.”

  Skye looked at her in wonderment. Her life had never been normal, but all of this was beginning to feel like it was all too much to handle. She remembered wanting to know what it was like to be a real country girl instead of the Emo girl she was labeled as. That seemed like a million years ago. Skye looked back at Nancy as she collected her thoughts.

  “You said that you knew my parents. How old are you? Are you immortal?” Skye asked.

  “I did know your parents. I’ve been 18 years old for nearly 250 years now. I’m not immortal. Nothing really is besides our spirits. Eventually we all die but we come back as something else.” Skye stood listening to her and felt like she had fallen even further down the rabbit hole than she already was.

  “Too much information.” Skye paced back and forth.

  “I was charged with watching over you to keep you safe. Until Maddox showed up, you were just a normal angry teen who kept to herself. Now you’ve fallen in love with a demon. Trust me, reporting that back is going to suck for me.”

  “Who charged you with watching me? And why?” Skye demanded.

  “Your grandmother.” Nancy answered.

  “What grandmother?” Skye knew she didn’t have any family left.

  “Your mother’s mother. You know Cloud’s real mom.” Skye gasped at the mention of her mom’s name.

  “Is my mom around? Have you seen her?” Skye pleaded.

  “I haven’t seen your mother since you were born. I escorted her here to this realm with you so she could give you to your father Gary. But your grandmother stayed here in this realm so she and I could keep an eye on you. She wanted to make sure you were well taken care of especially after your father’s death.”