Feros and the Underworld Prince by A.L. Bridges Page A

when I arrive. I plop down on my bed when I get a text from Katie:
    Hey the party starts at 8… so pick me up at 7:45?
    Sure, is the party within walking distance? I reply.
    Ya its not too far from the house.
    Okay, then I have a surprise for you. Just make sure that you are ready to go by 7:45.
    Ok!
    It seems like I have some time so I decide to take a nap.
    ****
    “ Cole… wake up, Cole… you’re going to be late you lazy bum!” Kita says into my ear.
    I turn over and see Kita standing in my room, wearing her yellow apron. I smile at her, then her face suddenly turns pale and her eyes start to glow as I notice the bullet hole in the side of her head.
    “ I am just one of many that would still be alive if they had never met you. Why don’t you join us Cole?” Kita says with a crackling voice as she reaches out and caresses my cheek.
    ****
    “ AHH!” I scream in terror as I jolt awake.
    “ Cole?” Naia asks from my bedside.
    She wraps her arms around me and waits for me to calm down. I’m surprised to see that my ‘combat vision’ is active, but even more surprised to see that Naia has the same silver outline that Cheza and I have, while the inside of her aura is a swirl of vermillion and periwinkle; I can worry about her aura at a more convenient time.
    “ Thanks Naia.” I tell her a few minutes later and then I look at the clock.
    “ Shit, I’m going to be late!” I say as I jump up and grab some new clothes. I quickly throw on a long sleeve button-up (to make my bandages less noticeable) and a pair of jeans before applying a few spritzes of cologne.
    “ Alright, see you later Naia; I’m going to a party. Bye!” I tell her and then, at 7:47pm, I port to Katie’s room.
    ‘ This is why I told you to be ready at 7:45pm!’ I try to say as I look at Katie, who has her hands behind her back in the process of clasping her bra.
    “ You know, when you told me to be ready at 7:45, I assumed that you would be knocking at the front door instead of magically appearing in my bedroom.” Katie says with a slightly embarrassed smile. I turn around while she finishes getting dressed.
    “ Yeah, sorry about that; I guess I should have called first…” I tell her.
    “ Don’t sweat it… so, ready to go?” Katie asks and I turn around to find that she is dressed in a white, low cut, mini dress.
    “ Wow, you look great.” I comment.
    “ You really think so? Even now that I have the dress on?” Katie jokes.
    She takes my hand and leads me down the stairs and out the front door. The party is at another sorority that is about half a mile from Katie’s. There’s a line at the door, but Katie just walks past it and up to a preppy blonde girl by the door.
    “ Katie! How are you!? Who’s your friend!?” the blonde asks in an excited fashion and I immediately don’t trust her; there is no reason that anyone should have to be excited to find out who I am… wow, that’s depressing. This night is just getting off to a great start, what with the dreams about dead girlfriends and then the self-depreciation!
    “ This is Cole, he’s in my o-chem class and I’ve known him for a couple of years. Cole, this is my friend Jamie.” Katie explains.
    “ It’s nice to meet you Jamie.” I respond.
    “ It’s nice to meet you too, Cole! Head on in and get something to drink!” Jamie replies in the same excited fashion.
    “ Thanks Jamie, I’ll talk to you later!” Katie says as we walk in the door.
    Katie leads me to the bar where we get a couple drinks and then she introduces me to some of her friends.
    “ So how do you like an ASU party?” Katie asks after her friends wander off.
    “ It’s better than the last one; last time, I got stabbed in the chest with three swords and had to kill thirteen people.” I bluntly say.
    “ I’ve heard rumors about that party but… That was you!?” Katie asks as her eyes go wide.
    “ Umm, yeah. The thirteen frat guys were actually ancient Persian gods that were holding a