Page 91 of Black Hollow: Awakening

Will cringed, expecting the blow, but Blake stopped the attacker’s fist, catching it in his hand. Without letting go, he stepped in front of Will. Kent struggled, but he couldn’t pull free. Kent’s irises glowed gold. His face began to change, taking on different, sharper features. Less human. He swung with his free hand, but Blake blocked him again, though the vampire visibly staggered.

“You really want to start this here?” Blake hissed. His voice sounded different than usual. It was lower and raspier. When Will peeked out from behind him, he saw that Blake had bared his fangs, and his normally black eyes were now the color of scarlet.

“You think you can take all three of us?” the freshman asked as he helped Steve get up.

“With a wizard in tow? Easy.”

Will gave Blake an uncertain look. It was a total bluff. They both knew that in an actual confrontation, he would be useless, unless by some miracle he managed to use his powers, and that was never a sure thing.

The attackers, however, didn’t look eager to act.

“Not here,” Steve grumbled once he was back on his feet. “We’re out.”

Kent calmed down and backed away. The trio gave them one last threatening look, then left the cafeteria. A moment later, Blake did the same. Will hurried after him.

“Hey!” he called out, catching up to the boy. “Are you okay?”

“You shouldn’t have interfered,” Blake said gruffly.

“It looked like you were in trouble.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Really?” Will snorted.

Blake shot him a harsh look.

“I didn’t ask for your help,” he announced haughtily.

“And I didn’t ask for your shitty attitude, but I guess you don’t always have to ask to get it,” Will snapped back.

Alden shot him a venomous look, then quickened his pace, leaving Will behind.

“You’re welcome!” Will shouted after him.

What a rotten day.

January 18 | Saturday

“Are you sure this is the right time?” Will asked.

He was standing in front of Oscar’s house. Oscar was right beside him, holding his hand and looking amused.

“Will. It’s just dinner,” he pointed out, laughing quietly.

“Yeah, dinner with your family,” Will clarified nervously. “I’ve never been introduced to the parents of any guys I’ve dated before.” Probably because he had only dated a couple of them, and not for very long. “Somehow, this makes us… You know. Official.”

“Because it is official,” Oscar assured him, squeezing his hand tighter.

Will smiled broadly, then took a deep breath and decided, “Let’s go.”

They went inside.

“We’re home, Mom!” Oscar called out.

“I’ll be right there, Ozzie!” a woman’s voice called back.

“Ozzie?” Will repeated.