Read Online What Lies Inside (A Blood Bound Novel, Book 1) by J.L. Myers - Free Book Online Page B

vaulted off the bus and darted behind it. My hands braced against my knees while I sucked crisp, untainted air into my lungs.
    It was Thursday; only three days since Mom had signed the bloody permission slips, which any and all arguing hadn’t gotten me out of. The bus ride to the White Mountains in a stuffy, packed-to-the-brim coach had been long, way too long. I had been seated up front, blockaded by Dorian against a window. Still the urge to turn on everyone trapped within the slow-moving vessel was overwhelming. Not even my supposed reprieve, the menthol nasal tube that I hid in a clenched fist fearing anyone might catch sight of it, could deter my wicked thoughts. The collective scent of blood, heightened by not only Ty but Troy’s too, was far too pungent.
    Now at our destination, the beautiful and dense green forests of the White Mountains, everyone poured off the bus. Groups of twelve were being arranged as Dorian sidled up behind the bus, finding me still curled in on myself. He patted a supportive hand across my back while the geography teacher announced his name into group one with Mrs. Ruby. When I finally got placed into group three with Mr. McKenna from psychology, I groaned.
    Dorian hauled me upright. “It’s outside, fresh air. Just tail behind your group,” he said with a squeeze on my arms. “You can do this.”
    I felt tempted to chuck a pink fit. But I knew Dorian wasn’t about to demand the teacher move me, not when his eyes were already wandering to a group of pretty girls. Besides, there was no way in hell I could argue the point myself, surrounded by blood-scented teens, without the possibility of letting my fangs loose. “I hate this.”
    Dorian sighed, then half-smiled, lowering his voice so that only I could hear him. “Think of it this way. If you lose it, you only have to kill everyone in your group. That’s only twelve people. And I’m sure there are plenty of good places to stash bodies out here.” He brushed his hands together. “No witnesses, no crime.”
    “That’s not funny!” I swung my fist to connect with Dorian’s stomach, but he jerked back just in time.
    “Call me if you need,” he said, lifting his mobile from his pocket as he backed up to his group. “I’ll always back you up.”
    Left with no escape, I sighed. My assigned group had already taken off up the winding gravel path. Now Mr. McKenna was calling for me to hurry up. Trailing far behind, I sucked in a deep breath of fresh air. Then instantly wished I hadn’t. A much too familiar scent intruded as the crunch of gravel reached my ears. The sound was approaching from behind. No, please no.
    My heart jumped into my throat and I whirled. Ty and Troy were bounding straight for me. Troy passed by, face stormy as he caught up with the front of the group. Ty however slowed, falling in step beside me. The smell of his blood mingled with a touch of chlorine in the air. Picking up my pace, I groaned internally. There must have been swim practice before school. I forced my view from him and onto the dense surrounding scrub, which breathed life with a spectrum of colored, wild flora. If only the raw beauty were enough to distract me from him.
    “So,” Ty said with clear hesitation. “What about coffee, as friends?”
    His proximity made my mouth water, and I knew he had spoken. But above the irregular beating of his heart, I hadn’t been able to concentrate enough to hear the words. Instead, I dug into my jeans pocket with shaky hands and retrieved the nasal tube. Before I could think twice, I lifted it to my nose. Then I cringed. Now Ty had seen me use a nasal decongestant. Great!
    “Sorry, what?” Hiding the tube back in my pocket, I glanced at Ty. I fully expected to find his expression guarded with a look that said you’re a nerd! Only Ty wasn’t staring at me like I was a nerd. He was smiling, a curious and confident smile that brought warmth to my cheeks.
    “Coffee, as friends…”
    I hated coffee with