Into The Shadows (The Shadows Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  On the ground floor, we exit to the reception area. Josh the clerk is behind the desk, and I wave at him as I pass by, and he nods back at me. I push open the double doors saying hi to Alfie, the doorman. Ax and I walk out onto the sidewalk, and the busy streets are full of activity so early as usual with people walking busily to work or having somewhere to be and people out enjoying the weather. EC's (electric car) are normal in 3000, driven by people reading or on their ED's while the car drives itself. Sounds of talking, ED's going off, EC engines, drones flying by with sounds of them zooming in on things that catch their attention, the occasional siren and dogs barking.

  The day is hot and the sun is bright and high in the sky. I walk to the edge of the path and wait for EC's to pass before crossing the road to arrive at Central Park with Ax trotting beside me excitedly. We enter the park, and I bend down rubbing his ears and say, "Be a good boy, ok?" And I'm certain he nods, strange. I clip off his leash and keep my eyes on him until he’s off running around with other dogs barking happily. I go to a nearby bench and sit down checking my ED pressing the projection button for any missed calls or texts as I had put it on silent last night. I take off projection and speak,

  "Morning Ace, Take off silent."

  "Great morning Ava, silent mode off" Ace is the nickname I gave my ED cause well I thought it was 'Ace' a word used in the earlier times for something they thought was interesting.

  "Text Una, ‘hey are you awake since it takes you forever to be on time I'm at the park with Ax, you still coming at noon?’"

  "Text to Una sent" after an hour of watching Ax run around and play with other dogs, watching people coming and going, listening to the busy streets, my mind cleared and relaxed, I stand and call his name. He comes running over.

  "Ok buddy time to go. Someone will walk you later" bending down I clip on his leash, and we begin walking to the exit.

  My ED buzzes while in the elevator "Text message from Una, read it now?"

  "Yes Ace,"

  "Yes, yes, I'm awake, had a shower, now having breakfast. Will be there soon, you better be ready to dish on the mystery man." I laugh, and the elevator dings our arrival on my floor. Using my thumb for the scanner to open the doors, I open the main door with my thumb again and close it behind me. I clip off Ax's leash hanging it back up, Ax taking off for the rug in the living room to nap. He’s tired now.

  I walk to the kitchen taking out a vanilla yogurt and fresh strawberries pouring them both in a bowl as I stride to the couch.

  "Turn on TV" the wall opens up letting out the electronic screen. Sitting down I eat my bowl of yogurt and strawberries and watch TV for a bit. It’s some old comedy show and put my empty bowl on the black coffee table as Ax snuggles by my feet. I must have drifted off cause soon someone is nudging me awake saying my name. I open my eyes to find Una standing over me with her backpack smiling.

  She's beautiful as always without even trying, wearing her hair down, a white tank top, black gym pants, old sneakers and no makeup or jewelry. I sit up and check for the time on the ES: 12:10 pm.

  "Sorry, I fell asleep. I'm not ready."

  "Neither am I. I thought we could pack the clothes for the show and dress at the venue later with the boys."

  "That works for me," I respond standing up and start heading for the stairs, Una and Ax following. She sits down on my bed while I pack. I grab my backpack from the corner of my room and pack some makeup, hair brush, toothbrush, fresh red underwear like my colors to match. I also pack my favorite red V-neck sweater, black jeans, and red ankle boots. Una's waiting for me to start spilling, but I'd rather wait till we're in the car, and I think she understands this, so she leaves me to finish and plays with Ax. I go into my closet putting on old blue jeans not wanting to go to the venue in my gym shorts , I put my sneakers back on and grab a blue cardigan for if it gets cold.

  "I'm ready, let's go," I tell her zipping my bag on the bed and collecting my car keys from my bedside drawer, putting them in my jeans pocket. Una stands up, and we go downstairs with Ax following. When we get to the living room I say aloud, "Lock balcony door" I hear the click.

  "Balcony door locked," It is probably silly, but I don't like Ax in the house alone with the balcony door unlocked since he can open doors with his paw and I'm afraid he could be jumping for something and accidentally go over the railing.

  Ax lays back down on the rug seeming sad to watch me go. I get down on my knees and hug him.

  "I'll be home later tonight ok?" his head moves as if he’s nodding.

  "Someone will be home soon so be a good boy. I'll be home soon too," I kiss the top of his head and stand up walking out the door. I’ve always talked to Ax like he's a person, seemed like he could understand me in a way a dog shouldn't.

  "Is there something wrong with your fingerprint scanner?" Una wonders.

  "I don't think so, why?"

  "I had to put my thumb on the scanner two times before it recognized me and let me in."

  "I'll call Dad and ask him to check it out," I think aloud as we enter the elevator pressing U for underground where the cars are parked, as the door is sliding closed, talking to Ace I ask, "Call Dad"

  Hearing it ring in my ear followed by my dad saying, "Hi sweetheart, everything ok?"

  "Hi Dad I'm leaving now, and Una said she had to put her thumb twice on the scanner before it worked maybe you should look into it?"

  "Ok, Ava I will, have a good day at the show and don't forget tomorrow."

  "I won't, bye."

  "Bye sweetheart" we both click off and turn to find Una watching me probably picking up on my uneasiness about tomorrow in my voice.

  "What's tomorrow?" She queries looking worried.

  "Can I tell you later? I want to have fun today and deal with that later."

  "Ok sure," she replies not sounding sure but sensing it’s best to drop it, for now. The elevator dings our arrival to the underground parking lot. And I take my keys out my jeans pocket pressing the unlock button. The car lights flash, and opens the door automatically as we walk over to my shiny black Jeep, Una getting on the passenger side, me in the driver’s, putting on our seat belts. I drive out of the underground parking lot and onto the street then switch on automatic drive inserting Concert Hall SoHo in the destination so that we can talk.

  "Ok, you've been dying to ask so here it is, the mystery guy is called Kryan Lewis I met him yesterday at the café on my lunch break. he requested to sit down next to me, of course, I let him, and we started chatting and flirted a bit", Una's eyes are bugged in excitement and bopping up and down in her seat and clapping her hands like a little girl who got told she can have ice cream.

  "So what happened after that?" She asks enthralled.

  "Well", I pause unsure of what to say next, and she frowns some of the excitement leaving her. I continue.

  "He told me he doesn't want to lie to me that he’s not human and the next time I see my favorite gray wolf, it likes its ear rubbed and I should search into my family's history, as he got up and walked out" Una's eyebrows are now furrowed in disbelief.

  "Wait, a wolf in Central Park? Confused here" Una says and pointing to herself.

  "No not in Central Park, in Woodland Creek. The woods the government had built beside the park to allow paranormals mainly werewolves since no one has seen a were-cat in many years. I cut through the park to get into the woods to walk to work, I find it peaceful there not sure why and started to witness the same gray wolf following me to and from work almost like making sure I got there and back safely".

  "Ok so let me check if I'm caught up to speed, the gray wolf is Kyran making sure you were safe in the woods? And not wanting to lie to you about what he is and that he’s been watching you in the forest for a while but that he knows something about you or your family that you don't and doesn't want to lie and pretend he doesn't know while also informing you now that you should be aware there is something important about your family?".

  "Yeah, that about sums it u
p.”

  "God he's a keeper, so I take it you looked into your family? And wait this is why you were all spaced out at work after lunch yesterday wasn't it?

  "Yes it was and yeah Aaliyah met me walking home, and I asked her. She confirmed there is something, but our parents should tell me," I say to Una, and she asks in return.

  "And that is what the ‘don't forget tomorrow’ speech was all about with your dad on the call. But why didn't they just tell you yesterday?"

  "They were going to, but I asked for some time for it to sink in. My family has a huge secret everyone knows but me. I have a sinking feeling that my world will change once I know and just wanted today’s show to be fun so we agreed to talk Saturday after the concert".

  "Well that's reasonable, I'm in shock they would hide something from you, especially only you, when they all know, doesn't seem right. Do you have any idea what it is?"

  "Yeah I think I do" I turn away from her and towards the window only now realizing we’re parked at the venue and had been for some time.

  "Well let's go in and have fun just like you wanted," Una promises while opening the car door. I follow suit and get out, taking my backpack, locking the door and putting my keys back in my pocket. We walk up to the venue door where a medium built security man who appears to be in his forties with short buzz cut brown hair wearing black pants, black top, and black shoes is waiting with a name tag that reads “Nick” on it with a mini ES.

  "Names and state your purpose."

  "Una Smith and my brother is in the band."

  "Ava James and just a friend" checking his ES scrolling up and down before informing us.

  "Your names are here" and takes out a portable fingerprint scanner as he adds, "Please put your thumb on the scanner for identification."

  Una goes first followed by a voice from the ES.

  "Una Smith verified" I go next putting my thumb on the scanner followed by the same voice.

  "Ava James verified," Nick mentions to Una, "Tobias is a nice lad. Bit quiet but friendly" Una's surprised.

  "How did you know he was my brother?"

  "Well his last name is Smith and so is yours so you know I figured it out," he adds with a smile and opens the door closing it behind us.

  We head inside, and Nick shows us to The Legends dressing room where the guys are playing video games and just done with sound check. When we enter, Tobias the lead singer who's twenty-five and 5'7 is just like Una's double except for the gender part, of course, comes over hugging Una and me. Rick Dain is twenty-four, and the band's guitarist comes over saying hi to both of us kissing our cheeks. Had only met him a few times over at Una's when he was hanging out with Tobias, he’s quite short at 5'2 but muscled. And with a mop of wavy brown hair down to his ears, blue eyes and a bright smile he’s quite fetching but there’s only one man I'm interested in and besides Una likes him, so I would never go there.

  The other two members are Rick's brothers, Tom; nineteen on drums and Andy; twenty-two the bassist all three brothers are almost identical except for their style. Rick is dressed casually in navy blue pants and a white t-shirt with sneakers. Tom is into bright colors wearing an orange top and yellow jeans with sneakers. While Andy seems to be a mix of the two going for more simple colors than Tom with a green top, black pants and sneakers and Tobias has the Rock 'n' Roll look all black clothing with old band logos on t-shirt, black jeans with chains hanging down and black laced up boots.

  After hours of playing video games I get ready for the show with Una, wearing the outfit I picked out earlier with smoky eye shadow and pale pink lip gloss with my hair down. And Una looking fantastic in her short sleeved plain black dress with a red belt and black heels going for a light gray eye shadow with red lipstick and hair up in a bun. The boys are on in an hour, so they head to the stage.

  At the stage door Una and I wish the boys good luck and to have a good show while we turn down another corridor to the crowd entrance showing our VIP passes Nick had given us earlier allowing us freedom of the venue and backstage.

  "Let's go to the bar," Una offers. It's getting loud with the DJ on stage playing music and the excited crowd chatting.

  "Ok, lead the way," I say back into her ear and follow her to the bar holding her hand for guidance.

  "Two beers please," I say to the young looking bartender who must be in her twenties but get the vibe she's about eighteen, how odd, and give her a ten dollar bill. She takes the note and nods handing over two cold beers, and I turn around to Una giving her one; she thanks me before taking a long sip then sighs in pleasure, I do the same while watching the stage and checking out the crowd. It's getting busier with every minute. It's a medium size venue holding about ten thousand with a large stage and seating area on the second floor, but we already decided to stick to the floor to dance and be nearer to the bar.

  The music stops, lights go out, and a bright spotlight is on Tobias standing behind his microphone stand with a guitar strung over his back. The second spotlight lights up Tom with the drums counting them in, the next spotlight hits on Rick and finally Andy, all lights come back on leading the guys into the first song.

  Una and I jump up and down singing the lyrics looking at each other occasionally smiling and laughing. There’s pride on Una's face. The band plays Rock Indie style of music. A few songs in, I tap Una on the shoulder shouting into her ear, "I'm getting another drink do you want one?"

  She nods and shouts back, "I'll come with you."

  Una orders us some beers from the same bartender and while talking about how great the guys are, only then do I see him. At the end of the bar, Kyran, he’s talking to an attractive girl whispering in her ear. Granted there's some space between their bodies but jealousy hits me hard nevertheless. As if sensing he’s being watched he looks up, and his eyes meet mine looking surprised to see me and starts heading our way.

  Una's head is springing back and forth between us like a tennis match, and I know from the display of understanding and pity on her face she's realized who he is. I have no right to be angry that he’s here with another girl, I have no claim on him. We've met just once this isn't rational but there it is.

  "Hey Ava happy to see you again," Kyran says when he’s in front of me and I just nod and look closely at the girl making her uncomfortable by my scrutiny. Her eyes drift towards the stage away from me taking a drink of her beer, she has tanned skin like Kyran's with an oval shaped face and the cutest small button nose and around 5'5 with long beautiful blonde hair. She has stunning green eyes and about size eight wearing an off the shoulder red dress down to her knees with red heels.

  I turn to Kyran who's smiling in satisfaction though I'm not sure why, he’s very handsome tonight with his shoulder-length locks tied in a pony. His dimpled smile is out in full force with his green eyes shining with laughter and he’s got a strong muscled jaw, wearing blue jeans with a black t-shirt and black shoes. Now it’s my turn to shift eye direction to catch Una watching all three of us in bemusement drinking her beer with an expression of “don't mind me” on her face, looking back to Kyran I say, "This is Una Smith my best friend and this is Kyran Lewis" looking back at Una for the last part, she and Kyran greet each other with hellos. Kyran studies me as he introduces the girl at his side, she had come over at his beckon.

  "Ava this is my sister Avery, Avery this is Ava James" her eyes widen a little at my name but gives me a friendly smile before adding to the conversation.

  "Hi, Ava, happy to meet you, heard a lot about you, he hasn't shut up about you since yesterday" pointing to her brother and smirking at his frown.

  I turn to Una wondering if she caught the way Avery acted upon hearing my name with the question in my eyes and she nods with a slight hint of confusion and worry on her face. Not wanting to deal with that, I down my beer in a few swallows and head for the stage to dance with Una and I notice that Kyran and Avery follow suit.

  The Legends are playing my favorite song of their debut album titled 'You Got Me'.
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  With my hands in the air and swaying my hips a body moves in close behind me I don't panic, something telling me who it is, Kyran wraps his arms around me, and we sway together lost in the music and the lyrics.

  The way you moved caught my attention

  And I knew right then you got me

  So baby, keep me close, don't wanna be

  Your recyclable cause I knew right then

  You got me. You had me so why

  Didn't you want me

  One of his hands moved from my hip to my stomach, and it tightens with need, and I shiver, he growls in pleasure, and a sigh leaves my lips my head tilted back on his chest, and he kisses my neck then behind my ear and whispers, "You are so beautiful, Ava and the smell of your arousal make me want to take you right here right now unbutton your jeans pull them down a bit and thrust the full length of me into your sweet self that will belong to me and only me," Kyran demands while growling with possession. And I moan aloud, as he goes on.

  "But I won't baby cause that isn't how I want our first time to be like and be rest assured there will be a first time and a second, third and a thousand more."

  He turns me to face him lowering his head to kiss me just when our lips are about to meet someone bangs into him from behind knocking me out of the sexual haze. I'm so embarrassed I got aroused in public like that my panties are soaked and now being unsatisfactory I pull away staring deep into his eyes when I say, "You're confident we’re gonna be an ‘us’, huh?"

  "If there weren't, you would have smacked me for saying what I just did to you in public no less" and I sense he’s right.

  “How old are you?” I ask, thinking this is something I should know after that dance.

  “Twenty-two” His lips twitch

  “And your sister?” This question is purely for curiosity reasons.