SEBASTIAN
We're all seated in the living room, talking about death. I think I've seen this film before, but the difference is I was young when we gathered like this when they told me and my sister that my dad got tortured and killed by Nytheri hunters but they're actually called monster hunters and even though we Nytheris have protected people from the monsters, these humans think we're also a part of the dark creatures.
Imagine being compared to Nocturnes, disgusting. Really disgusting.
I didn't understand death then because, as a child, I was taught that we Nytheris are basically immortal. Well, not immortal like nocuturnes, but we have nine lives, so it's going to take killing us nine times until we're finally dead.
In dad's case, I thought that he was stabbed or shot or thrown into the river to drown nine times until he finally gave up the ghost, or he was decapitated. Turns out that wasn't the case; he didn't have to die nine times to be gone.
There's a weapon that was created to end werecats once and for all. I doubt the gun is magic since humans hate magic or anything supernatural, so they use science. And it's either involved blades or bullets.
In my father's case, he was shot by it, and he died instantly.
"Could they be monster hunters?" Pilar asks mom, who has been distressed since we saw her walk up the stairs, to break the news to us. I don't blame her, though. She was the one who had to hear first that her husband was killed simply because of hate.
She was the one who went to see his body. She's not calm and collected when it comes to death.
She just becomes… distant, quiet, in a state of shock.
"No, they said this was different. The victims were stabbed from the back by a really sharp object, way worse than a knife," she says, shaking her head, probably imagining what those people must have gone through. I am imagining it too, and I shiver because everything looks so graphic in my head.
"They think it's some kind of monster because it left a scratch on the tree where their bodies were found."
My head shoots up when I make the realisation.
"A scratch, could uh… the scratch look like that of a wildcat. Like a lion."
"Yes, that's what they said. They either believe it's some rogue Nytheri or a Nytheri. Still, they're ruling out the rogue Nytheri part because they believe there haven't been rogue Nytheris in forever," mom says, looking straight at me, and now I think I know where this is going.
"No, no, no. Jezzy isn't the one who did this. I mean, I asked about the mark because when I saw Jezzy's lifeless body." I swallow that last part. Because thinking about his lifeless body or even talking about it makes my blood itch. I never want to see him in that position again. "The thing or whatever that found Jezzy's body killed Jezzy."
"But why would they go after Jessie and those Nytheris? Could it be they're targeting humans and Nytheris?" Pilar asks.
"They seem to be targeting Nytheris mostly. Before that couple who were killed they there was a man who was found stabbed by some large object in his house. And there was a scratch there, too." Mom explains, and I just stare at her with my mouth wide open, and so does Pilar.
We've heard about a lot of scary shit, but this one takes the cake. Them leaving a mark, yep, that's serial killer shit.
"So if they're going after Nytheris, why did they attack Jessie?" asks Pilar. "He's… I mean, was human."
"Or maybe he thought Jessie was a nytheri."
"Oh, come on, son, not this again," Mom says angrily in Spanish and if you want to know if Mom is pissed or extremely excited about something. She speaks in Spanish.
"After I kissed him, I saw him, it was like a vision or not my vision but his, but I don't know. He was there, he was thriving as a nytheri. I didn't remember it at the time because I was weak from giving him my life."
My mom shakes her head. "I still can't believe you did that. But at the same time, I understand why you did that. You still love him, and the love you have for him is stronger than your ego, and you don't think before you do things, Mi amor. You need to understand that this is serious. You could get punished."
I want to argue back, but then I'm interrupted by the doorbell.
"I can't believe this is happening to me."
"It's Jezzy." I stand up from the chair I was sitting on, and I head toward the door.
"How did he know-oh," my mom says, she's forgotten Jezzy, and I share a mind-link.
I open the door, and he stands there looking like a god. And he's looking at me like I'm a god.
Oof, I'm so happy I didn't put on a shirt.
"Hey, handsome," I say.
"Hi," he says, clearing his throat. Then looks up at my face.
I fear that's so much worse, my love.
"Is this a bad time? You said we should meet up today so you can teach me the ways of being a nytheri." He says. And he looks so Goddamn cute.
"Oh, yeah, yeah. Come in." I move out of the way, and then I close the door. I'm really happy that he's not left for New York yet. It seems like his becoming a Nytheri is a blessing in disguise because he gets to stay for some time.
"Good mornin'," Jezzy says to Mom and Pilar.
"Hey, Jessie." Pilar and Mom say in unison. They look at him with concern on their faces. Either they think he might snap and kill us all. Or they're looking at me like they're genuinely concerned because he did die after all.
"How are you feeling, buddy?" Pilar asks him.
He sighs.
"Honestly, a bit weird. I still can't believe I'm not human and the only people I can talk to about this are you guys."
"Oh mi amor." Mom stands up and hugs him. "You will always have us, remember that," she says to him, and I stand there with my arms folded and a smile on my face.
I've always loved how Mom treats him like a son, or better, son-in-law.
She releases him, and Jezzy looks straight at me. And I immediately get a flashback of that dream.
No, it's not me that's getting the flashback. It's him. That's why he looks so uncomfortable. Holy shit, I want to crack a smile, I really do. God, I love this. I really love this.
"Are you ready for this?"
He nods his head.
"Okay, then let me just go take a shower and we'll be good to go," I say to him, and he nods again. He feels so awkward, and it has everything to do with the dream he had.
Can he see into my thoughts as well? Can you see through me, Jessie Humphrey? Can you feel my heart racing just by looking at you?
Seeing him here in this house is weird. The last time he was here was when we were eighteen. We took pictures for prom. We didn't have dates, so we just went together…as friends. Crazy, I wish I had kissed him at prom and not after our graduation.
I walk away from him.
"Would you like some breakfast, Jessie darling? I'm gonna make some fries and eggs, scrambled just the way you like them.
"Uh, no thanks, I just ate. But I have been craving milk since last night."
"Oh." Says Pilar.
"Don't worry, honey, we have lots of milk in the fridge. Come on." I shake my head, and I run straight into the bathroom.
JESSIE
Sebby and I are headed for the woods. And throughout the drive, we stay quiet, and I try to shut my mind so he doesn't hear or see anything. I'm pretty sure he saw the dream that I had. Oh God, I'm cringing so hard. Why the fuck did I have that dream? It feels like I cheated on Jeremy, but it was just a dream; I didn't really cheat.
Why do I feel so icky, though? You have to have been thinking about that person constantly to have a very intimate dream about them.
So yes, I am guilty. I am a guilty goose.
How come he gets to see into my mind and I don't? It's not fair because I really want to know what he's thinking.
He's just sitting there grinning from ear to ear like a fucking idiot. GOD I HATE THIS!
We pull up into the woods, our spot in the middle of the woods to be specific. Being here brings so many memories. We used to come here to watch the stars or to just have peace and quiet. He's the one who introduced me to this place. And like I said, being around Sebby just heals something in me; he makes me forget about my problems.
We step out of his car, and I look around at the tall trees and the smells of grass.
"Wow," I say in a small voice. "Haven't been here in a long time." I look around, feeling the nostalgia, sniffing it up.
Nostalgia will truly be the death of me.
Oh, too soon?
"So, before we begin our lessons. Do you want to talk about it?" Sebby says. My eyes widen, and I turn around to meet his eyes. He's sitting in his car, and he waggles his brows.
"Seb, I'm-"
"Well, well, well, look who we have here." I flinch when I see like four people standing in front of us. Who are these people and where did they come from? I didn't even hear them coming.
Sebby hisses in anger, and he even shows his emerald green eyes. I look at the strangers, confused, they're growling, showing their fangs and their golden eyes.
They're werewolves.
But in this case, they're Veyraths.