| |
IT WAS DIFFICULT TO fall asleep. I was overridden with guilt for breaking into the lab and accusing Ethan of such horrible atrocities, of experimenting on poor, helpless victims for his cure. When Jesse came in to say goodnight, I apologized again.
“It’s okay, Taylor. It was a simple misunderstanding.”
“I just jumped to conclusions. I need to learn to keep my big mouth shut.”
He pushed a strand of hair out of my eyes. “No harm, no foul.”
I kissed him on the lips, and he stepped out of the room. Once he was gone, I changed into my nightgown, brushed my teeth, then crawled under the covers.
I’d just fallen asleep when I heard the door creak open.
I pulled my covers down. “Who is it?”
A chill shot down my spine when no one answered.
Squinting through the darkness, I didn’t see anybody, so I assumed I was dreaming again.
A floorboard creaked.
I bolted up in bed. “Who is it?”
There was no answer, except for the loud thudding of my thundering heart. Suddenly, though, a large hand suddenly cupped my mouth.
I screamed, punched, thrashed, and flailed, but the body on top of me was way too powerful for me to free myself.
“Shh! It’s only me,” said a familiar whisper.
“Jesse?”
He laughed.
I smacked his chest. “That’s not funny! You scared me half to death.”
He didn’t say another word as his hands slid down my hips. His tongue plundered my mouth, rolling over mine as we passionately made out. It was different; he kissed me far more aggressively, hungrily than he ever had before.
“Jesse, this isn’t like you,” I said.
“It’s this place. It makes me feel like I’m somebody I’m not.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Less talk, more action,” he said, pressing his lips against mine to silence me. He then roughly tangled his fingers in my hair and pulled.
I instinctively screamed.
He put his hand over my mouth. “Shh.” His tongue trailed down my neck, and I felt a pinch when he nipped me hard by my collarbone.
I pushed him off me. “Jesse, stop it! This isn’t like you. What’s wrong with—”
His mouth crashed back onto mine. I wouldn’t have minded being swept away by Jesse’s passion, but he was too rough and began clawing at my back like an animal. He held me down with brute strength, more an act of possession rather than a slow, seductive dance. He grabbed another handful of my hair, right at the scalp and tugged. When I screamed, he slapped me, causing my face to burn something fierce.
“Do you want me to tie you up?” he hissed in my ear. “You might like it.” He then said a few words I didn’t understand, some sort of strange chant, and in the next second, I was fast asleep.
***
WHEN I AWOKE IN THE morning, I tried to make sense of the weird dream. I’d been having a lot of midnight hallucinations lately, and it was beginning to get to me. I hurried into Jesse’s room after I got cleaned up and dressed.
“Good morning,” he said, as if nothing had happened.
“Good morning,” I said. I cautiously wrapped my arms around him and smiled. “Hey...”
“What?”
“Did you sneak in my room last night? Get hot and heavy with me?”
“No, but if that’s an invitation, I’m all over it.”
I kissed his lips. “You’re always welcome.”
“Good. Just remember that when I come and ravage your body.”
“You sure you didn’t come in last night?” I asked. “It felt so real...and you were playing a little rough.”
“Rough?”
“Um... You slapped me.”
“What!? I’d never slap a woman,” he said, hurt that I would make such an accusation. “Not ever. That isn’t me. I’m not like that.”
“I know.” I pondered. “Wait! I just remembered. You said these really weird words, like you were casting a spell on me or something.” I sighed. “I guess it was only a dream. I’m sorry, Jesse. Everything is just sorta getting to me, I guess.”
“I hate that you would dream something like that. I would never, ever hurt you.”
“I know. I think it has something to do with these powers.”
“Dad is trying to find an answer.”
“I’m glad. I’m tired of these cold sweats, fevers, headaches, and weird dreams all the time. It’s like I’m going through menopause already or something.”
“Julie’s getting them too.”
“Yeah, but she’s not having the weird dreams.” I sighed. “Your dad has enough on his plate without my problems though. I feel bad for bothering him when he’s already fighting for his life.”
“He wants to help you.”
“I’m scared, Jesse,” I said. “Your dad said my body can’t handle the magic forever.”
“We’re working on it. You’re my number-one priority.” He hugged me tightly, and I basked in the comforting warmth of his body. “Look at that,” he said suddenly, pointing out the window.
“Julie and Grant?” I asked when I saw two people running across the courtyard.
“Yep. Coming back from a full moon run.”
“Wow. They look so happy and carefree,” I said. “I’m still on the fence about Grant though. What do you think?”
“If he was on the side of the werewolves, they would already know we’re here. I think he really loves Julie.”
“How can she accept it so willingly? She’s been given a curse, and she’s fine with it.”
“She’s in love. Just like me.” He then lifted me off my feet and kissed my forehead, cheeks, and chin.
I felt butterflies as I fell into his arms, and he kissed me slow and sweet. I was his forever, and I enjoyed every graze of his soft, perfect mouth. I tugged on his shirt collar, pulling him closer. I ran my hands down his chest and traced his hard muscles. I kissed his lips like nobody’s business. He slowly ran his hands over my body, and I grabbed his hand and led him to the bed. He gently caressed me as I kissed him deeper.
A knock on the door startled me.
“My father,” Jesse said with a groan.
I giggled and covered my mouth. “Oops!” I jumped off the bed and straightened my clothes, and Jesse opened the door.
“Are you coming downstairs for breakfast?” Ethan asked.
“We’ll be right down, Dad,” Jesse said.
His dad looked at me and smiled.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Good morning, Taylor. How did you sleep?”
“Just fine. Thanks for asking.”
He looked me up and down, and then his gaze went straight to my lips. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
“Can’t wait for some of Rosa’s scrambled eggs,” I said.
He smiled. When he left, I felt a cold chill; I was unsettled by the way he had looked at me.
“You ready?” Jesse asked.
“Yeah. That was a killer kiss,” I said, grabbing his shirt and pulling him closer.
He ran his thumb seductively along my lower lip. “If we kiss too much, my love, it will be quite killer.”
“Not funny,” I said. “Not funny at all.”
***
AFTER BREAKFAST, JESSE and Grant took off with Ethan.
I peered at my friend. “I think Jesse’s dad was checking me out this morning.”
“Oh, c’mon,” Julie said, laughing. ”He’s not some pervy old man or something.”
“Seriously. He looked me up and down, then just stared at my lips. It was kind of creepy. He looked at me like he knows something, like we share some inside joke or secret or something.”
“Like a secret affair?” Fred asked.
“Ew! I don’t know. It was weird.”
“Maybe it turns him on that you broke into the lab. Maybe he’s got a thing for bad girls.”
I laughed. “Fred, really.”
“Well, on a serious note, if it freaked you out that much, you’ve gotta tell Jesse,” he said.
“No way! He’s just getting to know his dad again, and I don’t want to ruin it for him. Besides, it was probably just my crazy imagination. I’m sure it meant nothing. I’m just glad he didn’t report us for breaking into that lab.”
“Just keep an eye out.”
“I will, Fred. If anything happens, you two will be the first to know.”
“So, Dead Fred, how are things going for you?” Julie asked.
“Good. I’m really glad to be here. Before I caught up with you guys, I traveled with a few vampires. They really made me think about life though.”
“How so?” I asked.
“Their lack of humanity... It still haunts me, even though I’m one of them.”
“They’re not human,” Julie said. “A lot of them don’t care anymore.”
I nudged her. “But a lot of them do care. Just look at Jesse and his family. Or look at Tabby’s coven.”
“Or look at Drake,” Julie retorted. “But I guess each case is different, but being a vampire can suck. I think some are more vicious than werewolves. We don’t kill people for food.”
“And neither does Jesse,” I said.
Fred crossed his arms. “I began my life hungry, dazed, and confused. Vampire nature is inherently evil, and it was in my nature to kill. We have to make a conscious decision whether to succumb to our nature or fight it. At the sanctuary, they taught me how to beat it, so I can live among humans without hurting them. Some were so cold and soulless though. I don’t ever want to be like that.”
“You’re doing great,” I said.
Julie playfully punched him. “You know we love you, Dead Fred.”
“I miss food,” he said.
“Then why even come over here?” Julie asked.
“I just came along to talk to you pretty girls.”
“Well, aren’t you sweet?” Julie said.
“How were the eggs?”
“Fluffy and dry,” she said.
“There’s only one thing on the menu for me, Type B blood.” Fred looked at me. “Can’t Jesse try something new? Like Type O?”
“He uses whatever he can get his hands on,” I said.
“I know I shouldn’t complain. I’m getting used to the blood diet. I have to say, I really like being a vampire.”
“Yeah, well, you don’t have to worry about farmers coming at you with torches and pitchforks. Nowadays, you’d just be chased by a bunch of screaming tweens who expect you to sparkle in the sunlight.”
He grinned. “Girls? Where are they?”
“Pssh. They’ll find you sooner or later, Fred. Vampires are hot. I mean, look at you and Jesse. Heck, even those old Dracula guys in the movies always got the girls.”
He smiled. “I already met somebody, and we’ve really hit it off.”
I looked at him, shocked. “Who?”
“Her name is Cynthia.”
“Is she human?”
“No. She’s a gargoyle.”
Julie clutched her heart. “Seriously? Those things scared me to death.”
“I haven’t seen her in that form yet. She’s a nice girl, with curly blonde hair and light green eyes. She has the sweetest laugh and always tells me how funny I am. The gargoyles are just like us. Sure, they can turn into creatures at night, but for the most part, they’re basic immortals.”
“Ethan is a vampire, and he’s dating a gargoyle,” I said.
Fred nodded. “Yeah. I don’t see why it matters.”
“All that matters is love,” Julie said.
“Would you like to meet her?” he asked. “I’m supposed to catch up with her in the courtyard in a minute.”
“Sure. I’d love to,” I said.
“Me too!” Julie squealed.
We went out to the courtyard, and Fred walked over and talked to the pretty blonde. I could tell she was quite taken by him, because she lit up the second she saw him. She was thin, and her curly hair cascaded all the way down to her waist. Her green eyes were light, and her skin was fair. She looked like a porcelain doll or some sort of ancient goddess.
“She’s gorgeous,” I said. “No wonder Fred likes her.”
“How can her hair be that perfect?”
“She’s immortal,” I said.
“So am I, and look at this mop,” she said, running her hand through her hair. “It looks like road kill.”
“You weren’t born one. You were bitten in. But you’re still beautiful anyway.”
“For a dog.”
“Hey! I didn’t say that.”
Cynthia walked over, and Fred introduced us.
She smiled sweetly and shook our hands. “I have heard about you,” she said. “It was very brave to defy the witches like that.”
“It was nothing. We’ve gotta live life on our own terms, ya know?” Julie said, feigning humility.
Cynthia smiled. “Nobody understands that more than me. I plan to live life on my own terms. I was brought here against my will from another clan six months ago, to marry Prince Gother.”
Julie and I exchanged shocked glances, startled that Fred was getting involved with someone who was already betrothed to a prince.
“If you don’t mind, I need a word alone with Fred,” I said.
“Sure,” Cynthia answered.
He sucked in a deep breath, knowing I was going to chew him out.
I pulled Fred aside. “Are you crazy? She’s promised to a prince.”
“She hates him.”
“Fine, but this is too risky. Have you been meeting up with her at night or something?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s not good, Fred. You’re either gonna get yourself killed or get us kicked out...or both!”
“We’re always careful, and the royal pain is out of town anyway.”
I slapped my forehead. “You have to end it. I don’t care how you do it, but you have to.”
“Fine. I mean, I really like her, but I don’t wanna get in any kind of trouble. Besides, you need Ethan to get those powers out of you. I guess we can’t go ticking him off.”
“Who is this girl anyway?”
“She’s in charge of the relics. She knows everything there is to know about every kind of artifact there is.”
“Hmm. She doesn’t look old enough to be a professor?”
“She a gargoyle princess from the clan of Danforth.”
I took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “She’s a princess?”
“Yes.”
“Julie! We need you over here right now,” I said, realizing that Fred’s little love affair was going to get us all in a whole bunch of trouble.
She hurried over. “What?”
I explained everything in a hurry.
Julie looked at Fred and shook her head. “You’ve gotta break it off,” she said. “You’re gonna get us thrown out of our sanctuary! Do you want to have to run from immortal hunters every time we take a breath?”
“No. It’s been nice to have a break. I just—”
“If you want to keep that break going, then end it with Cinderella, okay? She’s royalty, and you’re not. Ethan might’ve gotten away with it, but he’s their best general, in command of their armies. Fred’s just a guest here.”
“I said I’ll end it,” he snapped.
“Good,” Julie said. “Snagging another guy’s woman is not cool, in any kingdom.”
***
A FEW DAYS PASSED.
I suddenly woke up, not really sure where I was. I glanced down at my body and realized I was still dressed in my nightgown. Lightning flashed, and thunder cracked. The rain beat down against the glass, and I realized I was standing in the main living room, by the window. “What the heck? How did I get there? Did I sleepwalk?” I asked myself quietly.
A screech echoed outside the window.
I glanced out and watched gargoyles circling high in the sky, darting in and out of the dark clouds. The sight gave me goosebumps. I couldn’t believe I was in their castle.
Lightning flashed again, and a monstrous face with glowing eyes peered back at me through the glass.
I screamed, jumped back, and clutched my heart. My heart was beating so fast I could hardly breathe. When I turned around and bumped into a muscular chest, I screamed again.
“It’s only me, Lex,” a familiar voice said.
“Oh my gosh. Hi, Lex,” I said between gasps. “You scared me to death!”
He flicked on the light. “I’m so sorry.”
“I saw a gargoyle in the window and—”
“They are only patrolling. Someone saw some movement, so we all came to check it out. What are you doing up at this hour? It’s three a.m.”
“I-I don’t know. I just sorta woke up and found myself here.”
“I saw you outside, strolling the grounds with Jesse before it started to rain.”
I laughed. “That’s not possible. Jesse’s still in bed, sleeping. I must have sleepwalked.”
“Hmm. Well, I’m glad to see that Jesse is doing so well,” he said, “and I’m glad my friend found a great girl.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve never met a human before,” he said.
“Yeah, it’s strange to be the only human here.”
“You seem to be just like everyone else.”
“I could say the same thing about you. I expected gargoyles to be more...different.”
He grinned.
“I can’t believe you’ve never met a human,” I said.
“I’m a perimeter guard, and I’m only seventeen years of age. We can’t go to the villages until we reach the age of twenty-one.”
“Can you turn into a gargoyle right now?”
“Yes. At night, I can transform at will.”
“That’s pretty cool.”
“My gargoyle form may frighten you, but it does grant me the gift of flight.”
“That must be neat.”
“It’s what I was born for,” he said. “May I escort you back to your room?”
“Thank you...and I’m sorry for putting the place on red alert.”
“It’s quite all right. What good would we be as guards if we never had to be on the lookout?”
I smiled, and he led me back to my room.