Courtney Cole - Fated: The Bloodstone Saga (Volume 2)

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it."

--Mark Twain

Mom, Im pretty sure you didnt enjoy it, but I do hope it was worth it.

This book is for you.

Colored lights pulsed erratically in the dark gymnasium, creating odd reflections on the squirming mass of people on the dance floor. I squinted into the heat of the spotlight and gripped the microphone tightly as I scanned the room for the most important face. And I found him, as beautiful as anything Id ever seen, laughing at a joke that I couldnt hear as he leaned against the doorway.

His bright, white smile was a beacon from across the room and I found myself wanting to drop the mic and run off the stage, straight to him. I imagined the way his arms would fold around me, holding me tightly to his chest and I fought the urge to act on my impulse. My need for him was almost palpable because any time that wasnt spent in his arms was just ... wasted. Our time was always so limited.

I exhaled slowly as I felt the bass beat in my chest and I concentrated on the pounding rhythm to keep myself in the moment. I wasnt nervous and I wasnt afraid. My life was what it was. And I was okay with that. My issue now was a petty one. I was just second guessing our bands decision to play for Homecoming tonight. I would rather be dancing with Gavin right now rather than entertaining the student body.

My best friend Jessa picked up the tempo on her electric guitar and I felt my cue coming up. The air practically crackled with the music and I lifted the mic. Singing into it, I felt Gavins eyes shift to me and I held his dark stare. His eyes were so dark that they were almost black ... endless, bottomless, total sexiness.

"Every breath is a promise and I swear, baby, I wont break it. You were meant for me, meant for me "

I gyrated around the stage, ignoring the annoying way my leather pants clung to me, as I danced in time to Jenn on the drums. She was wearing thick black eyeliner and bright red lipstick tonight, the total opposite of the fresh-faced look that she normally shared with her sister.

My best friends, the Gray sisters, were identical twins, hence the name of our band, Macy and the Grays. Yes, we had secondhand equipment and yes, we practiced in my garage. But we loved it. We loved performing, we loved the attention, we loved actually writing the songs.

We pretty much loved everything about it. And since weve been performing together since junior high, weve actually gotten pretty good at it.

Jess finished off her guitar solo, ending the song which wrapped up the set. I lifted the mic again, breathing hard.

"Thanks, guys. Hope youre enjoying Fall Homecoming! Were going to take a ten minute break. Dont go anywhere! "

I hopped down from the stage and found myself face to face with Gavin. His dark hair had gotten longer over the summer and it was now carelessly falling over one eye. He shook it out of the way and stepped closer to me.

"So, do you come here often? " he asked, grinning.

I sucked in my breath. His smile was breathtakingly beautiful. Especially when it was directed at me.

"Hmm, sometimes. Every day, actually. "

"So, you would know a good restaurant ..." he smiled and stepped even closer. I grinned back. He was copying our first meeting in the tiny deli in my neighborhood a few months ago.

Corny, but charming at the same time. Of course, with that smile anything he said was charming.

"You havent gotten any better at pick-up lines, just so you know. "

I grabbed his arm and pulled him to me, burying my face in his neck. Closing my eyes, I inhaled the musky, cedar smell that belonged so specifically to him. And as we lingered in our intimate embrace, I knew that if I could freeze time right this second, I would.

To an outsider, we appeared just like any other teenage couple. We went to movies and got pizza and hung out and flirted. And technically, we had only met a few months ago. But I knew a secret. Weve actually known each other for thousands of years. The problem is, he doesnt know that. No one else knows that.

I know it because Im different.

I have a tiny birthmark on my wrist that marks me as a Keeper of Fate in an ancient organization called the Order of the Moirae. Life after life, my soul stays the same and I have the same purpose. I guide my Daedal through each life, ensuring that she makes the right decisions. And while keeping track of one person might sound easy, it is definitely not.

Because a Daedal always plays a vital role in history, which means that his or her life is never easy and it almost always ends tragically. Keeping mine on a collision course with destiny is not an easy task. But it is a necessary one. In a prior life, my Daedal was Cleopatra and I was her handmaiden, Charmian. Our deaths in that life were legendary. Cleopatra, my Daedal, hasnt found me in this life yet, so I had absolutely no idea what this life would bring.

But I had no doubt that it would be interesting.

"Macy? "

I startled back to reality as Gavin searched my face quizzically.

"Im sorry, I was spacing off. What did you say? " I focused on his handsome face, not exactly a difficult feat.

He smiled again and I consciously stilled my heart.

"I asked who you wrote that last song about. It wouldnt be me, would it? "

Cockiness radiated from his every pore, but I loved that about him. I would be hard pressed, actually, to think of something I didnt love about him. He had a great sense of humor, was as loyal as the day was long and was as beautiful as an underwear model. I had lucked out in the soul mate department.

I leaned up to kiss him, but was knocked out of the way as Jess rushed up to us and grabbed my arm.

"You havent even gone to the bathroom yet, Mace? Youve only got a couple more minutes, " she stared at me disapprovingly and then tugged at me. "Come on, say goodbye to Prince Charming and lets go get you taken care of. You are in desperate need of fresh lipstick. "

I stared helplessly at Gavin as she pulled me away. He laughed and waved and I rolled my eyes.

As Jess dragged me toward the restrooms through the throng of people still milling about on the dance floor, I noticed my ex-boyfriend, Derek, standing on the periphery of the gym with his new girlfriend, Tara. The girl that he cheated on me with last year. The acrid taste of bile rose in my throat. Even though I knew that I was never meant to be with him, the mere memory of his betrayal turned my stomach.

Now though, I watched with interest as Tara shouted at him and he cringed away from her.

Hmm. Apparently there was trouble in paradise. Someone should have mentioned to him that Karma was a venomous witch. What goes around comes around and maybe, just maybe, he was getting his. Was it wrong to feel happy about that?

I yanked on Jessas arm.

"Did you see that? "

She nodded while she smirked. "I heard about it already. Apparently, he cheated on Tara. And theyre trying to work through it. "

I should be embarrassed by the deep sense of satisfaction that I instantly felt, but I really wasnt. At one time, Dereks betrayal had cut me to the core. And now he had done it again to someone else. I guess it really was true- once a cheater, always a cheater. I would never have to worry about that with Gavin. I knew that with every ounce of my being. He was as steady as a beating drum. He always had been.

I glanced over my shoulder and found him staring at me, his dark eyes scorching me from across the room. He smiled a small, intimate smile and I felt warm all over. Nope. I would never have to worry about him in that way. Just one more perk of being a soul mate. I wrenched my eyes from him just in time to step into the girls bathroom.