Fated

Courtney Cole Fated

FATED Book Two of the Bloodstone Saga

By

Courtney Cole

Copyright ©2011 Courtney Cole

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book, while some are based on mythological figures, are all products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the author or publisher.

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Courtney Cole Fated

DEDICATION ‚My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.‛ --Mark Twain

Mom, I’m pretty sure you didn’t enjoy it, but I do hope it was worth it. This book is for you.

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Courtney Cole Fated

Chapter One

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 I’d ever seen, laughing at a joke that I couldn’t 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 wasn’t 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 wasn’t nervous and I wasn’t 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 band’s 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 Gavin’s 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 won’t 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 we’ve been performing together since junior high, we’ve 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 you’re enjoying Fall Homecoming! We’re going to take a ten minute break. Don’t go anywhere!‛

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Courtney Cole Fated 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