Arcana Animus High by Jesse Griffin (best e ink reader for manga .txt) 📖

Chapter 1

I’m standing in front of my mirror, checking my make-up one last time before I leave. Everything has to be perfect on Halloween night. For me at least; the biggest Halloween freak there is. Or maybe that’s just because it one of the few nights I feel strongest. Yes, I know, I sound crazy.
“Janessa!” I hear Mom call. “Lani and Mark are here!”
“Coming!” I call and run down the stairs fast enough it seems as if my Converses ricochet off them. I don’t realize they are at the bottom of the stairs—seeing as I was looking down the whole time—and barrel right into Mark. He catches me and sets me back on my feet.
“Drinking already?” Lani jokes and wraps me in a hug.
“You wish,” I reply.
Lani, Mark, and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. We moved down here when I was three. Lani’s mom used to babysit me while mine went and worked. Lani and I were instant best friends. Then Mark came and he joined our really small circle of friendship. It was hard to separate us. We would kick and scream if we didn’t get to see one another. A little extreme, I know. What do you expect from a bunch of bratty two year olds?
“We’re gonna be late if we stall any long so, bye Mom!” I usher them out the door with Mom in tow.
“Bye! Don’t be out to late. I’ve got something to talk to you about when you get home,” she said.
“If it’s a sex talk don’t waste your breath.” With that the three of us, me, Lani, and Mark—skip down my long driveway and into the street.

***

"So, my lovely creatures of the night," Mark starts, "What the hell are we doing tonight?"
I give him a quizzical look before glancing down at my costume. I'm dressed in a black and bright pink tutu with a matching corset that makes my boobs look bigger than they are.My stilettos click on the pavement and I can feel the glittery wings pinned to my back swish as I move. "How do you supposes that I'm

a creature of the night?" I ask.
"Easy," Lina says. "You look like a whore. It's close enough."
"Well thanks, I see how you love me though I must agree that I do my Zombie friend." Lina is dressed as one of the undead. Her face is a sickly green color and the patches that look like her flesh has rotted and bone is showing through only proves what an awesome make-up artist her mom is.
"You both have a point but I'm ruling Lani winner of the debate now, back to business. What are we doing?" Mark says.
"I don't know about the two of you," I say veering away from them slightly. "But I'm going for a walk through the cemetery like I do every year." It's true. Every Halloween since I was fourteen I've taken a walk all through the cemetery. Mark and Lani think it's weird and that I preform some type of Satanic ritual there so they never go. Nothing's changed about this year.
They shake their heads and go in the opposite direction. I shrug and walk over to the brick wall surrounding the cemetery. I find my usual place where the wall is falling apart and find my footing before pulling myself up and over the wall. This isn't my favorite thing in the world to do but hey, what ever sinks your u-boat.
I begin walking. A smile meets my lips as I run my hand lightly oner the taller tombstones. Being here... Without the watchful eye of others... It's calming and reassuring. Once again, weird I know but them again I'm not exactly the most normal person. My hair is striped three different colors for Christ's sake!
"Unusual place for a woman to be this late." A voice says behind me. I whirl around, my eyes wide with fear. "Of course, you're not exactly a normal person now are you, Janessa?"
His eyes bore into mine. They're black, pit-less and glittering with curiosity. I tear mine away to look at the rest of him. His hair is dark, like is eyes, and hangs low on his forehead. Dressed in black from head to foot he leans against one of the larger tombstones.
"Who the hell are you?" I ask taking a step back.
"That's what you ask? I would have thought you'd be wondering how I know who you are though it's not to hard to figure out. You reek of magic just like your father." His eyes begin to roam my body lingering on my breast and exposed leg before returning to my face. "Might I say you're a sight to see. an witch dressed as a Faerie. That is a bit insulting to the Unseelie Court in case you didn't know. With your outfit they'd think you were poking fun at them. Here's a little tip: They don't appreciate it."
"What are you talking bout? Witch? Unseelie Court? I suppose next you'll try and tell me I'm being stalked by zombies. And you still haven't answered my question! Who are you?"
"I suppose you'l keep asking if I don't give you and answer," He says pushing himself off. He holds out a hand. "Shane Markus, Goblin Prince of District 17." He smiles showing pearly white teeth.
I stare at trying to see if he joking. Apparently he's not. I take a step back and he shakes his head and returns his hand to his side. "Wouldn't do that if I were you. You see, there are in fact, zombies that will stalk you if you go much farther. Seems that the protection spell your father put on you wore off this year. Fun, fun."
"What are you talking about? My father is dead..." my natural British accent began showing more than usual. This usual happens when I get nervous and let me tell you, I am indeed nervous.
I receive no straight answer, just another of his wicked smiles before everything blacks out.

***

"Janessa. Janessa, honey, please wake up." I'm in that weird place between the concious and the unconcious. the voice seems familiar but I'm not sure how. I feel as if my libs are ungodly heavy. I would do anything to go back to sleep. My eyes open and I bolt up.
The events of what happened before I passed out come back in a rush of swirling emotions and images.

Text: All rights of this book belong to the author. This book may not be distributed without the author's permission. The illustrations belongs to the artists.
Publication Date: 04-28-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To Megan, who fights to keep me going even on my worst days. No one could ask for a better best friend. Also to Kimberly, who, though she may seem odd at times, could never be a bigger supporter of my work.