“Okay,” I said relieved to have that whole situation cleared away. It had been in the back of my mind therefore making me stressed.
The doorbell chose that moment to chime loudly and made me jump. Who one earth would be here?
“Are you expecting someone?” I asked Jonathon.
He wore a puzzled expression, “No,” he said taking my hand. He sniffed the air, “Only a human, we’re safe.” He said as he led me to the front door.
Oh good, only a human, we should be safe. Didn’t he know that humans could be just as dangerous as vampires? Well… I guessed not. He was a vampire so a human couldn’t do him much harm. I hoped.
He opened it slowly as if bracing himself.
“Isaac?” I said, “What are you doing here?” He glanced at Jonathon nervously then with a little more confidence at me.
“I remembered it was your birthday so I stopped by to give you your present. I stopped by your house and some big dude answered the door and said you were here. So here I am,” he said shrugging his shoulders and talking a mile a minute.
“Well come in and join the party,” I said. He glanced hesitantly behind me.
“Um, no. Here,” he said handing me a small present, practically shoving it into my hands. “Open it,” he continued.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come in?” I asked again. “Do you want some cake?”
“I’m not going in there,” he said rather rudely. I took a step back as if I’d been slapped by his cold harsh words. I gave him a quizzical look and then opened the package. Inside was a cd. It was a clear case and on the cd it said Happy Birthday Ky!
“Thanks, Isaac,” I said stepping forward and giving him a hug.
“I wrote and performed all the songs myself,” he said rather shyly which was unusual for him.
“Oh, thank you Isaac that makes it all the more special. I really like it.”
“Well, I better get going,” he said.
“Are you sure?” I asked again. He nodded as if defeated and started down the stone steps to his car. I noticed his shoulders drooped.
Jonathon closed the door and we headed back to the others. “That was nice of him,” I said.
“He fancies you,” said Jonathon coldly.
“So? It’s not like I like him like that. He’s just a friend. After all, I have you as my soul mate,” I said kissing him on the jaw. I felt him loosen up a bit but it was still clear he didn’t care for Isaac and I couldn’t help but feel that I was missing a vital piece of information. As if Jonathon knew something about Isaac that I didn’t. I always felt like I was kept in the dark. I didn’t like feeling like that.
We sat down on the couch and I cuddled against him. His body loosened up instantly and conformed to mine. The others left leaving Jonathon, Adam, Aiden, and me to talk. After what seemed a short time but was really nearly two hours Jonathon stood up and made a show of going to bed leaving Adam and Aiden and me our first chance to talk ourselves.
“Goodnight,” he said kissing me on the forehead. “I’ll come to your room later if you want.” He whispered low enough for my brothers not to hear.
I’d like that. I said in my mind willing him to hear it. He nodded to let me know he understood. He strode upstairs towards his room. Ever since Jonathon had come back from the whole ‘lead Selena away’ ordeal I hadn’t been able to go to sleep without his presence. I felt so neurotic these days always assuming that I’m being watched. I shook away my paranoid thoughts and went back to the present to enjoy what little time I had left with my brothers.
“He’s a good guy. He treats you right sis,” said Aiden referring to Jonathon.
“He is. I’m really lucky to have found the person that I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.” I said.
“He’s good for you,” chimed in Adam. “We should both be grilling you about him. We shouldn’t even like him. We are your older, over-protective, brothers after all. But he passes all the tests on the good guy scale. So we have to approve,” finished Adam. I laughed.
“What with dad gone we have to step in to protect the fair maiden,” said Aiden in a deep voice, like a knight. I laughed. Then his words settled in my mind. Dad. Dad is dead. As in never coming back. I’m never going to see him again or hear his voice again. He’s never going to walk me down the aisle or comfort me again. I’m never going to hear him call me Ky-bear ever again. He’s gone.
A single tear slid down my cheek. I brushed it hastily away not wanting my brothers to see me cry. Too late.
“Oh, Kylie I’m so sorry. I forget he’s gone and I just don’t think,” said Aiden putting his arms around me.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
“It’s obvious that you’re not,” said Adam trying to comfort me as well. I wiped away another tear and stood up.
“It’s been a long day. I’m going to bed. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” I said stepping out of their embrace. I had to get out of here before my tears came crashing down. “Goodnight. Love you,” I said to them both giving them a goodnight hug.
They both looked crestfallen at my departure and I felt bad but I knew I had to get out of there and fast.
I left the room and headed up the stairs to my bedroom faster than I had ever moved before. The tears were already coming and my breathing becoming more labored as I opened my bedroom door with my hand pressed to my chest.
“Oh, principessa.” Jonathon said as I crashed into his arms.
Chapter Three: Bloodlust
“What’s wrong?" Jonathon asked stroking my hair. I took a deep breath trying to compose myself long enough to explain why I was so upset to him.
“I keep forgetting that my dad is dead. I keep hoping that one day he’s going to call me or walk through the door. But then I remember that he’s dead and he’s not coming back. I hated him so much before he died for what he did to our family. I feel so guilty,” I choked out trying to contain a sob. He wiped my tears from my cheeks with his thumb.
“That’s understandable I went through the same thing when my parents died. What you’re feeling is normal.”
“It is?” I asked and my head perked up like he was the light and I was starved for it.
“Yes, my love. Don’t worry yourself. Why don’t you take a hot bath and go to bed? I’ll wait here,” he said rubbing my arms. I nodded my head. He stretched out on my bed while I grabbed my pajamas and headed into the bathroom.
I climbed into the claw foot bathtub and let the hot water calm and soothe me. I splashed some water on my face. I needed to get it together I had never been a weakling but in the past year I have gone through so many changes that I've become an emotional wreck. My parents got divorced, my mom and I moved to Rome, my mom attempted suicide, I fell in love with Jonathon, finding out that Jonathon, his family, and now my mom are vampires and that Jonathon and I are soul mates, Selena seeking revenge, deciding that I don't want to be a vampire, Jonathon leaving, being kidnapped by Selena, and finally watching my dad die by having his head ripped off. It was enough to make anyone more than a little emotional. Especially since Selena was still after me. I hated feeling like my life was out of control… out of my hands. It was a feeling I hoped that I didn’t have to get used to.
I stepped out of the water and put on my pajamas. I stuck my long hair back in a ponytail to keep it out of my way. I opened the door going back into my bedroom. Jonathon was still lying on my bed waiting for me, just as he promised.
This was my home now. It was amazing how quickly I had adjusted to living here. I had only spent one night in what was supposed to be my home. But now my mom was sequestered in there like she had the black plague. The black plague… that’s why Patrick turned Jonathon and the rest of his family into vampires. They were dying of the black plague. I looked at the beautiful man lying in my bed and hated the thought of him being that sick. Nearly dying. I needed him like I needed air to breathe.
I got under the covers and snuggled up next to him. I tucked my head into
the crook of his arm. “Goodnight,” he said kissing me on the top of my head.
“Goodnight Jonathon,” I said too, tilting my head up to kiss his chin. I snuggled against his side and fell asleep instantly; drifting into the same dream I had been having for a while.
* * *
The dream started like it always did… A raw burning in my throat. A thirst like no other consumed me. My throat burned. I had to have it. No! I needed it. The pain was excruciating. This had to be death for surely I would die if I didn't get what I desired. Everything was red and pain. Pain and red. My body itched but I couldn’t scratch it. Only one thing could satisfy me. Blood.
* * *
I sat bolt upright in the bed. I clutched my hand to my chest. My breath was coming in short labored gasps. I was covered in a layer of sweat.
Jonathon’s cool hand reached up to brush a piece of stray hair from my face. Concern was etched into the fine planes of his forehead.
“Principessa, are you okay?” he asked running his hands through my hair.
“I’m fine,” I lied like every other night.
“No you’re not, love. I know something has to be wrong,” he gave me the look that said he knew something was wrong and that I better not lie to him.
“Nothing is wrong!” I said a little too defensively. Jonathon looked at me in shock, I never snapped at him, and then he took my face in his hands, tilting my head so that I was looking at him.
“Principessa, I am your soul mate you can tell me anything.” He said, love for me written all over his face. A single tear slid down my face, landing on his hand. I wanted so badly to tell him how much my body seemed to want blood, his blood specifically, but I didn’t want him to think less of me. I took a deep breath deciding that after months of fighting my desire and keeping it a secret that it was time to tell Jonathon.
“Promise you won’t get mad?” I asked him taking a shaky breath.
“My love, I could never be mad at you,” He said, his accent growing thicker with emotion.
“I want…” I breathed.
“What do you want, principessa? You know I’ll give you anything that you want.” He said with love in his eyes.
“I want your... blood,” I whispered. His shocked expression hurt me. But what hurt me more was how he pulled away from me.
“I knew you’d get mad!” I cried hysterically.
“Oh! Principessa, I’m not mad I was just thinking,” He said wrapping his arms around me to comfort me. My ponytail had come loose while I slept and my hair hung loose around my shoulders. Jonathon’s long slender fingers ran through my hair.
“Is something wrong with me?” I asked.
“No, no principessa. Let me explain.” He said rubbing my cheek.
I took a deep breath and said, “Okay.” I wanted to understand what was happening to me.
“If a vampire’s venom other than a soul mates’, enters a human, it acts as a poison. Let me clarify, once you meet your soul mate another vampire’s venom acts as venom. If John Doe out there had bit you before we met then you would have turned into a vampire. But once we met you were marked as mine and therefore any other vampire’s venom would be poison to your system. When Selena scratched you her venom entered your blood stream and was going to kill you slowly and painfully. The only way for me to save you was to drink some of your blood and then give you some blood, my blood more specifically, to make sure no poison lingered in your system. But here’s the thing about bloodletting, that’s what it’s called, it becomes addicting. For both the human and vampire. These past few months have been difficult for me as well. You aren’t alone in this,” he said in all seriousness.
“You have no idea how good that is to hear. I really thought I was going crazy,” I said breathing a sigh of relief.
“No, principessa, no. This is normal when bloodletting happens. Don’t worry yourself sick,” He said sweetly. I gave him a weak smile. He was so good to me.
He kissed me on my mouth and said, “Love, you should try and get some more sleep. You need to be in good spirits for your brothers.”
“You’re right, like always,” I said rolling onto my side. I was suddenly exhausted now that I knew the reason for my dreams and the intense feelings I was having regarding Jonathon’s blood.
“Sleep tight, my principessa.” Jonathon said brushing my hair from my face and kissing me quickly on my cheek.
As he got situated for the rest of the night I fell into a peaceful sleep with no dreams or more specifically no nightmares.
I awoke completely restedfor the first time in months. I was alone in my bed. No doubt, Jonathon had made a big show of coming out of his room, alone. I slowly climbed out of my bed, taking my time to stretch my long legs. I opened my bedroom curtains and was greeted by a sunny sky, full of promise.
I padded over to my wardrobe; there are no closets since they hadn’t been implemented yet when the home was built. I opened its large doors and grabbed a cerulean colored sweater and a pair of distressed jeans. I dressed silently and headed into the bathroom to put on some make-up, and do something to tame my hair.
I found the cd Isaac had made me sitting on the counter. I picked it up and looked it over. I opened the cd player and stuck the disc in.
Isaac’s sweet, husky, voice echoed around the massive bathroom. I sat on the edge of the counter entranced. True, I’ve heard Isaac sing before but nothing like this. This was just Isaac and his guitar, his voice was beautiful and I could tell he was pouring his heart and soul into the music. In every song the lyrics were about me. And it soon became obvious that Isaac really cared about me, in a romantic way. I wasn't sure how that made me feel. I love Isaac as my friend, maybe even as my best friend, but not as a lover. But listening to his lyrics I kept thinking maybe I should give him a chance.
No! You have Jonathon. Jonathon is your soul mate! You don’t need anyone else! Are you of your rocker! He. Is. Your. Soul. Mate. Get a grip on yourself!
But he left you once he could do it again!
My mind raged a storm on itself.
I shut the cd off. I took a deep breath. Isaac could always make things so confusing. It wasn’t fair. The evil part of me wanted to think he had done this on purpose to confuse me. But the bigger part new that wasn’t true. Isaac had feelings for me and he just couldn’t help letting it show in his lyrics. I shook my head.
I pushed all thoughts of Isaac from my mind and got myself together and ready. I have the whole day to spend with my brothers and Jonathon and I’m not going to waste a second of it dwelling on Isaac.
I put a small amount of make-upon and some de-frizzing mousse in my hair not wanting to waste any more time.
I left my room and walked down the massive grand stair case to the family room. Danny,
Mason, Adam, and Aiden were seated on the couches chatting.
Upon hearing me descend the stairs Mason turned to me and said, “Sleeping Beauty finally awakes.”
“Where’s Jonathon?” I asked.
“Somewhere around here,” replied Danny waving his hand to include the whole house.
I turned and headed back upstairs.
I figured Jonathon was in his room painting. I knew I should stay downstairs and hang out with my brothers since I never get to see them but I felt like I needed to prove to myself that I still got that soul sucking feeling of love when I saw him. My emotions were all scattered and I felt like I needed something solid to hold on to.
I went up the ancient staircase, enthralled once again by the peacock stain glass window, to Jonathon’s attic bedroom.
I opened the door and there he was, in an old pair of jeans that had holes in the knees and a paint splattered shirt. He stood in front of a large canvas, completely overcome by his desire to paint, that he didn’t hear me come in.
Just being in the same room as him I lost my breath. I felt like my soul was reaching out for his. As if on cue he gave a small jump. He turned slowly and when his silver colored eyes met my
forest green ones a smile lit up his whole face. His smile was sweet and crooked. He set down his paint and swept me up in his arms. Jonathon kissed me with so much passion I thought
my soul, no my whole being, might explode.
I pulled away first from lack of oxygen. Jonathon probably could have gone on kissing me forever; but I, being human, needed to breathe. Jonathon’s hand was in my hair, still holding me close to him. His sweet scent mixed with the smell of paint filled my lungs, intoxicating me. He kissed me again, quickly, before pulling away.
“You should be hanging out with Adam and Aiden,” He said with a smile.
“I know,” I sighed. “But I just had to see you.” I said, which wasn’t a complete lie. I was just leaving out the reason why I had to see him.
He put the caps back on his paints so they wouldn’t dry out and then walked over to his bathroom where he washed his hands of any last traces of paint.
“Well,” he said drying his hands, “We better go find your brothers before they get suspicious. We don’t want them to think we got Danny and Mason’s gifts out do you?” Jonathon said jokingly. I hit him in the arm, which was so hard I thought I had broken my hand.
“Ow,” I said, cradling my hand.
“Oh, principessa you hurt your hand,” He said taking my hand and examining it. “I didn't even feel you hit me. But the good news is your hand isn’t broken.” He chuckled. He gave me my hand back which still hurt but felt better from his cold hand touching it. “Don’t you know better than to hit a vampire?” he grinned.
“Anyway as I was about to say before I nearly broke my hand was that my brothers love you. They won’t be suspicious,” He laughed and took my hand as he started down the old stair case. It squeaked slightly.
My brothers, Danny, and Mason were where I had left them. “You found lover boy,” exclaimed Mason.
“Yes,” I said rolling my eyes. Mason chuckled.
Forbidden (Fallen Series Book 2) Page 3
