Her Vampire Rebel

by Zenia, Zara

  I nod and move back to him. “Thank you.” I wrap my arms around his waist and push up on my toes to kiss him.

  “I will have the driver wait in the waiting room, so he can escort you to the car and see you to Bella’s.”

  “Thanks, James,” Bella says from her hospital bed.

  “Be safe, pet. You still have Bella’s phone?”

  I nod and pull it out of my pocket.

  “Good, text me when you are back at her home, so I know you are well.”

  “I will. Thank you, James.” I kiss him again.

  He leaves, and I sit in the chair next to Bella. An hour later, the doctors release her, and we return to the waiting room near the emergency entrance to leave.

  “Miss Grant?” a gentleman asks.

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  He smiles. “I’m Stanley. Mr. Silver hired me to return you home.”

  “Thank you.” We follow him out to a black stretch limo. “A limo?”

  “He does do things in style, doesn’t he?” Bella grinned.

  Stanley opens the back door, and we climb in. A moment later the car moves, and I lean back in the seat, feeling exhausted. “This is too much,” I say with a laugh. “I thought he was going to get us an Uber.”

  “Me too, but I have to admit, this feels nice. Sooo, there is something different between you and James. Don’t think I didn’t notice.” She grins.

  “He said he loves me,” I reply, smiling.

  “I could have told you that.” She giggles.

  “Yes, well, it’s nice hearing him say it.” My cheeks heat.

  She nods. “So… what happened with Marvin? Nobody said. Did the cops get him?”

  I frown. “No, unfortunately. When James showed up, he left.”

  “Well that sucks. Are we going to be safe at my place?”

  “Yeah, one of the officers said that he’d keep someone patrolling the neighborhood to make sure we’re safe tonight. And they put an APB out on him.”

  “Good.”

  Stanley pulls up in front of Bella’s house and opens the door for us. We get out and head inside. We clean up the broken glass and move the low table that sat in front of the window out of the way.

  “Shit. If we touch the glass it looks like it’s going to shatter, but I don’t want bugs getting in. What am I supposed to do?”

  I sigh. “Let’s just leave it till morning, and maybe when we aren’t so tired, we’ll figure it out.”

  “Yeah, okay. I can’t believe he did that. Did he really think he would get away with it?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know, maybe.” I head into her bathroom and pull open the drawer I use when I’m here. I get my toothbrush and brush my teeth, while Bella changes into a pair of sweatpants and a different tee.

  “You know, I don’t remember wearing this shirt. I thought I had on that pink one you got me for my birthday a few years ago.”

  I rinse my toothbrush and feel a little guilty. “No, you had on that one.”

  She shakes her head and laughs. “Must be the concussion thing. Thanks for staying with me tonight.”

  “Well the plan was for me to stay tonight, and besides, I wouldn’t feel right leaving you here by yourself.”

  She grins as she brushes her teeth. “Still, I appreciate it.”

  “I’ve got class tomorrow, but if you want me to skip, I will,” I offer.

  “No, no. I’m going into work anyway. God it’s already past one a.m.! Let’s go to bed, I have to be up in a few hours.”

  I nod. “Night, Bell.” I hug her.

  “Night, Care.” She gives me a wave as she yawns and climbs into her bed.

  I head down the hall and into the guest room. I climb into bed and then remember my phone needs to charge. I dig it out of the bag and pull the charger from my purse and plug it in. I send James a quick text telling him we are safely at Bella’s. I set the phone down and fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

  The next morning, we get up and have breakfast while the repair people James sent over fix the window. Once they finish and leave, Bella drives me to the club to get my Blazer before she heads to work. I pull out of the lot and go on to school and then work for a few hours.

  I get off of work at five and head back to my apartment. It is still sunny out as I pull into the gated complex, park in my usual spot and head upstairs. As I go to put my key in the door, I realize it’s just the tiniest bit ajar. Panic sweeps through me. Did I forget to close it all the way? Or did someone break in? Oh God, what if it’s Marvin? I bite my lip, trying to decide what to do. James isn’t up yet, at least I don’t think he is, so I plan to err on the side of safety and step back. I press my back to the hallway wall.

  Shaking, I set the bag with my things down, and as quietly as I can, I reach in, open my purse and pull out my Taser. Feeling armed, I push my door open. I step in and quietly set my bag down again, shutting the door quietly. With the Taser in my hand, I move through my apartment. The living room looks undisturbed. So does the kitchen. As softly as I can, I head down the hall and push open my bedroom door.

  I peek in, and I see a form tucked into my bed. Nervously, I step into the room. Feeling braver than I probably should have, I head toward the body in my bed. It doesn’t look like James, and I’m afraid that it’s Marvin. Probably drunk off his ass. As I get closer, I aim the Taser and pull the trigger. It lands on his cheek and his body jumps, but he doesn’t make a sound.

  “What the fuck?” I say softly. I move closer and poke him, but he doesn’t move. Feeling even braver, I step closer still. Then I see them. Marks on his neck. He’s been bitten. My mind immediately goes to James, but then I realize, there is no way he would kill Marvin and put him in my bed. So if it wasn’t him, who the fuck would do this? And how the fuck did they get in here?

  Carefully, I pull the covers back, and I realize he’s been bitten several times. I press my fingers to the other side of his neck, away from the bites, and realize he’s got no pulse. He’s dead. Shaking, I go back to my purse and pull out my phone, dialing James. It rings several times, and I fear that he’s not awake yet.

  “Pet?” he asks, sounding groggy. “Did you make it home safely?”

  “James, Marvin is dead.”

  “Excuse me? I don’t think I heard you correctly,” he says, sounding more awake, even though the sun has not set yet. “Repeat that.”

  “I came home, and my door was slightly open. I went in—”

  “You went in! Carolyn, are you trying to give me a heart attack? Are you safe?”

  “Yes, I think so. I mean, I came home and found Marvin in my bed, like he was sleeping, but James, he’s dead. He’s covered in bite marks!”

  “Fuck. Aubrey.”

  “How would Aubrey know about me or where I even live? And how the hell did he get in here? You said he had to be invited! I didn’t invite him in, James!” I frown, nervously looking around my apartment, afraid I missed Aubrey hiding in here somewhere. “And why would he kill Marvin and leave him here for me to find?”

  “My best guess would be to scare you away from me. So you’d leave me, and I’d suffer. Aubrey isn’t right in the head, pet. As for how he got in… have you let anyone into your apartment aside from Bella and me lately?”

  “Just the kid who was checking smoke alarms, but he was wearing a maintenance uniform for the building. And it was a teenager, so—”

  “When?” James asks, sounding alarmed.

  “Yesterday, you probably passed him in the hall on your way here—”

  “Fuck. Aubrey was turned as a teenager. He looks about sixteen.”

  I sit down, terrified. “I invited him in… James, I invited him into my apartment!”

  “You did, pet, but there was no way for you to know.”

  I take a deep shaky breath and sniffle as I sit on the edge of the bed away from Marvin.

  “Pet, are you all right?”

  “I…” I look over at Marvin and shake my head. “No
, no I’m not. But I will be,” I say with determination. “How do I keep Aubrey from coming into my apartment?”

  “Rescind his invitation,” James replies.

  “It is definitely rescinded! Do you hear that world? Aubrey’s invitation is rescinded!”

  “Feeling better now, pet?”

  “No. Yes. I don’t know. This is all so absurd. Vampires are real. A vampire killed my ex and put him in my bed. No, that is not okay.” I take a breath and look around my bedroom. “Well, what am I supposed to do now? What am I supposed to do with Marvin? I can’t very well call the police.”

  “Damn, the sun hasn’t set yet.” He pauses. “Get what you need, pet, and come to me here. Make sure you lock your apartment up, so no one can get in. The building maintenance won’t enter without you there, will they?” His voice is filled with concern.

  “No. They are very good about it. That’s why I thought they sent the kid around to check the smoke detectors in the evening. Fuck.” I sigh and then think about Marvin dead in my bed again. “What is locking up my apartment going to do except make my apartment smell like a rotting Marvin?”

  “While you go stay with Bella, I will take care of our Marvin problem, pet. I just need you to bring me a key.”

  I blow out a relieved breath and look at my bed, now violated with a dead Marvin and sigh.

  “What is it, pet?”

  “I’ll have to get a new mattress set and sheets and blankets. I don’t want to sleep where Marvin’s dead body has been.”

  “I’ll take care of your bed as well, pet, you won’t have to sleep in it again,” he promises.

  “Thank you.” I smile. “I’m going to shower and change, then I’ll be over.”

  “I’ll be waiting. Be safe.”

  “I will, and James?”

  “Yes, Carolyn?”

  “Thank you.”

  “It is my pleasure.”

  Chapter 25

  Carolyn

  I should probably feel bad that Marvin is dead, but I don’t. I don’t feel anything but happy that he can’t come after me anymore. I’m finally free of him and his possessive, abusive ways. Having him dead in my apartment, let alone my bed is annoying though. I head over to James’ house and use the keyfob remote to open his gate. I park and go to the front door. I knock, but he doesn’t answer. I test the knob, and the door opens, which concerns me.

  “James?” I call.

  “In the bedroom, pet,” he replies.

  I close the door and lock it, checking that it’s actually locked before I go down the hall to his room. “Leaving the door unlocked was not a good idea, what if it was Aubrey?”

  He chuckles, pulling me into his arms and kissing me. “I unlocked the door when I heard the gate open. It could only have been you. Besides, this is my home, so Aubrey can’t come in unless I invite him.”

  “Oh. Right.” I forgot that fact. “I suppose I should start remembering that if I am to be a vampire too.”

  He smiles. “You’ll remember, pet. It is an instinct.”

  “I can’t stay. I’m meeting Bella for dinner.” I frown.

  “I know, pet. Give me your apartment key. All will be well when you finally return.”

  I arch my brow and hand him an extra apartment key. “You seem so sure. This is an extra key to my apartment. It’s the one I give the neighbor when I need to have my plants watered and stuff when I’m away for a few days. And what do you mean finally return?”

  He gives me a sad smile. “I will leave the key at the check-in at the Anxiety and OCD Center for you. I don’t want you to be without it, just in case.”

  I look at him suspiciously. “Why are you leaving it for me at work, and why do you look sad?” I ask, frowning at him.

  He sighs, pulls me to him and rests his chin on my head. “Because it is a public building, and I think I need to stay away from you.”

  “What? No!” I pull back and look at him, trying to read his expression.

  “Just for a little while, pet. Until I can deal with Aubrey. I don’t wish you to be in any more danger than you already are. In fact, I think you should stay with Bella for more than just tonight instead of going back to your place. Though God knows he probably knows her place too. That’s probably how he knew about Marvin. Maybe you and Bella should take a vacation until I get this sorted.”

  I shake my head. “No. I’m not leaving. I’ll stay at Bella’s if you insist. But I’m not leaving Tucson. No way.”

  He growls. “Pet—”

  “No, James. I’m not leaving.” I give him a stubborn look.

  “So obstinate.” He growls again, but then wipes a hand down his face and walks away from me. “You know I can make you leave, right? I can compel you to do it, Carolyn.” His voice is deep and gravelly, like he is frustrated.

  “Please,” I beg, keeping my voice soft. “Please don’t do that. I want to be close by… I want to be near you, even if I can’t see you, at least I will know you are close. Please, James.”

  “Fine.” He comes back to me and brushes his hand across my cheek. “But if you stay in Tucson, I insist you go to Bella’s, and if you feel unsafe, go to the club. You’ll be safe there too, Augustus and the others won’t allow Aubrey into the club, so you’ll be protected there. And stay away from your apartment after today, at least until I have him handled, agreed?”

  I put my hand over his on my cheek and smile up at him. “Yes, sir.”

  “Precious girl.” He shakes his head. “I’ll text you soon, pet. And I will miss you as much as the moon and stars miss the sun.” He embraces me again, holding me close. “Be safe. Please. Do not take any chances.”

  I nod. “You be safe, too, James.” I kiss him, and feel tears in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I don’t want him to see me cry. It will just make it that much harder for me to leave.

  “I love you,” he says softly.

  “I love you, too,” I choke out, giving him a tremulous smile. Turning on my heel, I head back down the hall and out of the house without looking back because if I do, I know I won’t leave.

  As I get behind the wheel and fasten my seatbelt, I burst into tears. I can barely see as I turn the Blazer around and hit the button to open the gate. Instead of going straight to dinner with Bella, I head back to my apartment. I go in and grab all the things I could possibly need. Brushing the tears from my cheeks, which are still falling, I drive over to Bella’s house. I have my own key to her house, and I let myself in.

  Once I calm down some more, I text her.

  Hey. I need to stay with you for a while. I’ll explain at dinner. Love you, Bell. Thank you for always being here for me.

  Bella: You have me worried! You okay?

  Yeah, I’m okay. Nothing for you to worry about, promise. :)

  Finally, I leave her house and head to the Roadhouse to meet Bella. I park and go in, finding Bella already seated.

  “Hey,” I say, seeing her seated in a booth in the middle of the restaurant, away from the windows where we usually sit. “New booth?”

  She shrugs. “I don’t want to be a target again if Marvin gets a wild hair up his butt to come shoot at us.”

  I drop my purse and keys on the bench next to me and look around to be sure we are alone. “You don’t have to worry about Marvin anymore. He’s dead.” I keep my voice low, so I don’t draw attention to our conversation.

  “What!” Bella gasps and then hisses, “Is that why you’re staying at my place? Did James kill him? Is he in jail?”

  I shake my head. “No, it wasn’t James.”

  “Did you do it? Are you hiding out from the cops?” Her eyes are wide, and she’s staring at me in shock.

  I giggle softly. “No, I didn’t kill him either.” I see the waitress coming, so before Bella can say anything, I look up and smile.

  “Hi, can I get you ladies anything to drink?”

  We give her our order and wait for her to leave before going back to our conversation.

  �
��Okay, quit piecemealing it out to me! Spill!” Bella demands, her hand hitting the table drawing attention to us.

  “Shhhh, lower your voice, okay?” I sink back against the cushioned seatback and explain what happened today, leaving out the part about the vampire bites and Aubrey. “I found Marvin dead in my bed when I got home. I didn’t want to call the cops. I mean, what if they thought I killed him? Or worse, what if they thought James killed him! So I called James. I don’t know how, but he is getting rid of Marvin’s body. So yeah, we don’t have to worry about Marvin anymore.”

  “Wow. That’s just crazy! How is he going to get rid of a body? I mean, really, how do you do that without being caught?” she says softly, looking around to make sure we aren’t overheard.

  I shake my head. “I have no idea, Bell, but I guess James knows people who can help.”

  “He must.” She looks around the restaurant and back to me. “This is crazy! Still, I’m glad he’s dead, if I’m honest.”

  “Me, too.” I give her a grin as the waitress heads our way again with our drinks.

  She takes our dinner order and then leaves again.

  “So why are you staying with me? Why aren’t you staying at James’ place?”

  Her question hits me hard, and I sniffle as I feel the burn of tears in my eyes again. “He said he wants me to stay away from him for a little while. He’s got his own stalker, and he doesn’t want me hurt. Apparently, the guy set his Jag on fire the other night.”

  She draws in a sharp breath. “Well fuck. How long is that going to take?”

  “I don’t know. James says the guy is crazy,” I say, trying to give her as much of the truth as I can. “He burned James’ house down in Canada. That’s why he moved here to Tucson. He didn’t know the guy followed him here until just the other night.”

  “Wow, so what’s this guy’s beef with James?” She takes a drink of her soda.

  “I don’t know, really. All James said was that he only met the guy once before, and they didn’t get along, but it was years ago. Now, apparently, the guy’s behavior is escalating. I think he’s probably mentally ill and has psychopathic tendencies. Maybe he went off his meds or something, and for some unknown reason, he’s focused his rage on James. Without meeting him, I can’t really diagnose him, you know?”