Alter by Gracie Cochran (iphone ebook reader .txt) 📕

“What are you?” I ask frightened.

 

He gives me a look of confusion. “It’s me, Derek. You know what I am.”

 

My head starts to hurt as I try to remember. I groan holding my head. “I can’t remember anything.’ I say fustrated.

 

Concern and anger replaces his features. “What did he do to you?”

 

I hear footsteps and feel arms wrap around me. “I’m so glad your ok sis.” the man says.

 

The smell of this man is oddly comforting. I pull away. “Do I know you?”

 

Hurt crosses his features. Derek puts a hand on the man’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault something happened while she was there. She can’t remember anything.”

 

A woman comes storming over. “I knew you were the devils child. I knew it.”

 

I look at the woman confused. The man that claims to be my brother growls. Lie an animalistic growl. “I wish she had her memory then we both could give you a wake up call.”

 

“Are you some kind of animal? No one makes that kind of noise.” I say.

 

He smiles. “You can do the same thing too.”

 

I groan as my head starts hurting worse. “I don’t know who I am.”

 

The woman glares. “Your grounded when we get home.”

 

Something inside my clicks and A rush of memories hits me. It becomes too much and I pass out.

 

Jims POV:

 

I catch my sister just as she starts falling. “Anne. Anne.” She doesn’t respond.

 

I pick her up and glare at my mom. “You treat her like shit. I’m leaving the house and going somewhere far away from you. I don’t want to see you again.”

 

Derek smiles. “You can stay with me until you find a place to stay.”

 

I give him a nod of gratitude. My sister stirs but doesn’t wake up. I give my mother one last glare then walk with Derek back to his mansion. She had been taken from me to days ago by that devil angel that I’ve come to learn as Satan. It took me this long to find Derek and to make a sort of plan to get her back. Now that my sister is out of harm’s way I can finally rest. My sister means everything to me and she always will.

 

When we get to his house he points to a room toward the front of the building. “Put Anne in there and lock the door. We don’t know wha state of mind she’ll be in when she wakes up.” He says.

 

I nod. I place her carefully on the bed and cover her with blankets. I walk out locking the door behind me.

 

“You should get some rest too. She’s in good hands.” Derek says.

 

I glare at him. “I still don’t fully trust you. You did take my sister to be your slave.”

 

“She was never able to begin her slavery. It was paid off by an uncle.” He says

 

I shake my head. “We don’t have an uncle.”

 

Recognition flashes in his eyes. “That’s why the dog with wings was with her.  He must have been a dog with wings too.”

 

Now I’m confused. “Dog with wings?”

 

He smiles. “ It’s a term dark beings use for angels. I should’ve guessed.” He says.

 

I sit on the ground next to the door. “I still don’t trust you. I’ll stay here until she wakes up.”

 

He rolls his eyes but leaves. I shut my eyes and drift off to sleep.

Chapter 10

Anne’s POV:

 

I’m awake and alert in a second. The last thing I remember was the devil angel kissing me. The stench of vampires hits my nose. A growl rumbles in my throat and I’m on my feet.

 

I go to the door and find it locked. I groan but then another smell hits me as I hear the lock click and watch the door open. My brother looks at me with tired eyes. “Where am I?” I ask him.

 

“Your at Derek’s mansion.” he says. I look at him confused.

 

“How?” I ask.

 

“I carried you after you passed out.” he says looking at me with sad eyes.

 

“Why are you sad?’ I ask.

 

He smiles his eyes still sad. “ I’m not.”

 

I cross my arms. “Jim I can clearly tell your upset. What’s wrong?” The sadness vanishes from his eyes.

 

“Did you just call me Jim?” He asks i see hope in his eyes.

 

I give him a look of confusion. “What else would I call you?” My hand goes over my bracelet and then images and sounds go by and I realise why he looked sad.

 

I sit on the bed and put my head in my hands. “I forgot. I forget my own brother.”

 

He pulls my hands from my face. “What did you just say?”

 

I shake my head. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe…… Jim where’s Derek?”

 

I hear footsteps. “I’m right here. What’s up?” He asks.

 

“I still don’t like you. Next time place me in the woods. This house stinks of you.” I smile.

 

My brother wraps me in a hug. “You remember.”

 

Derek sticks his tongue out at me. “A thank you from getting out of that hell hole, literally hell hole, would be nice.”

 

I smile. “I’m ok with using that statement as my thank you.” I return my brother’s hug.

 

He sighs. “What happened while you were taken by Satan?” Derak asks.

 

I explain what happened to me and his face goes dark. “DO you feel anything towards? Like a sudden pull that you didn’t have before?” He asks.

 

“The only pull I feel towards him is pulling my fist back to punch him in the face.” I say angrily.

 

I imagine my bracelet turning into a small dagger. I look at my dress surprised it’s still white. My ear perk at the sound of wingbeats. I focus on the familiar face on the other side of the window. I recognise West. Unexplainable anger forms inside me. My vision becomes blurry as well as everything else.

 

When my vision clears Jim and Derek have me pinned to the ground. I look around confused. My eyes fall on West and I see him looking at me in concern and fear. My heart breaks. “Anne. Are you ok? Are you back with us?” Derek asks. Tears form in my eyes.

 

Concern etches everyone’s features. Derek wraps me in a hug. Pain licks at me like a flame but I ignore it. I wipe my eyes. “What happened? Why was I pinned on the ground? Why is West afraid of me?” My voice cracks at the last question.

 

“You saw him in the window and started growling at him. You guys started talking in another language and you attacked him. We had to tear you off of him. You don’t remember that?” Jim asks.

 

I shake my head. “All of a sudden I got angry at him. My vision blurred and that’s all I remember.” I look at West still seeing fear in his eyes. I back up from everyone. Derek reaches for me but I pull away. I almost hurt West. My mate I almost hurt my mate.

 

It keeps repeating in my head as I turn and run. I run until my legs give out. I fall to the ground and cry. I hug myself tightly. I hear footsteps but I ignore them. I wipe my eyes still crying. I feel a light touch on my shoulder and I look up to see an unfamiliar face.

 

“Are you ok?” The guy asks. He smells human so I just shake my head.

 

“Want to talk about it?” he asks sitting next to me. I shake my head.

 

“OK well my name’s Michael but all my friends call me Mike.” He says.

 

I wipe my eyes. “Anne.” my voice is cracky. He holds out his hand. I look at it confused.

 

He laughs. “I just want to shake your hand.” he cocks his head and smiles. I take his hand and shake it.

 

‘What’s someone like you doing out here in the forest alone?’ he asks.

 

I raise an eyebrow. “I should ask you the same. People usually don’t go this deep in the forest.”

 

He shrugs. “I hang in the forest when i’m bored. Plus your here.”

 

I laugh. “That’s because I wanted to be alone. Guess that’s not happening?” He gives me a look of concern. I look away not wanting to see it. I get up. He grabs my arm.

 

“Wait. Why do you want to be alone?” he asks softly.

 

I look at him. “Because when I’m not I put the people I care about in danger. I am a danger to them. I’m a curse. I should just give up and let myself get taken.”

 

“I bet it’s all in your head. Maybe it wasn’t your fault that you hurt them.” he says.

 

I glare at him. “I don’t need a therapist. I need to be alone. It’s better for everyone if I am alone.” He gives a knowing look. He pats the spot by him. I look at his hand then back to him. I sigh and sit down.

 

“You know you’re inhumanly beautiful.” he says. I look into his eyes seeing a hidden meaning. I take in his features and realise that he looks inhumanly perfect. I look back into his eyes.

 

“Do you know West?’ I ask. He nods. I look away instantly regretting the question.

 

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

 

I explain everything leaving nothing out. He nods and listens to every word. His eyes light up at the mention of my being alter and turn sad when i tell him about the underworld and to now. When I finish I’m in tears again. “I saw the fear in his eyes. That hurt worse than anything else. I would have changed that to a bullet to the heart any day.”

 

He gets up and holds out his hand. I grab it and he helps me out. “Sounds to me like it’s not your fault.” His wings appear. “Just let them tell him the situation of what happened before and it will probably help him understand you odd behavior towards him. I know West very well and he is a very forgiving person. He’s also the most understanding person I know. He probably had no intention of hurting your feelings. Maybe he wasn’t really fearing you.”

 

I smile. “Thank you. That helped a lot.”

 

He nods then flies into the clouds. I take in a deep breath watching him leave and then look at my surroundings. I notice some familiar land markings and anger courses through me. I storm toward the cave. Before I even step inside Satan is at the entrance smiling. I take a deep breathe and wipe the anger completely from my face.

 

I decide to use the fact that he thinks I don’t have my memories to my advantage. I pretend that I’m nervous and shy. “H h hi.” I move my hair behind my ear and look towards the ground then back at him. His smile widens.

 

“Hello darling. What brings you here?” He asks.

 

I shrug looking back at the ground. I try to supress the anger I feel toward him. He places a finger under my chin and lifts it so I’m facing him. I give my best look of internal struggle which isn’t hard considering I’m struggling to not tear him to pieces.

 

“Have you figured out what I am yet?” he asks. I shake my head.

 

He moves his lips to my ear and I shiver involuntarily. “I am a god. And you my dear are my