“What do you guys want to do today?” I asked, addressing Adam and Aiden.
“Well sis, is there anything fun to do in this ancient crumbling city?” Adam asked with his usual humor.
“Well... we could always go shopping,” I said baiting him.
“No, no, and more no.” said Adam with a scared look on his face. To this day Adam and for that matter Aiden too, both hate shopping. I always found it comical. I liked to shop and I liked history so Rome appealed to me. But not to my boring brothers who would rather watch football.
I looked at Jonathon shrugging my shoulders, “Any ideas?” I asked him.
“Why don’t we just hang around here?” He suggested with a shrug of his shoulders. Adam and Aiden exchanged a quick glance.
“Sounds good to us,” said Aiden before returning to the conversation with Danny and Mason.
I resisted the urge to laugh. Jonathon had flown my brothers out here to visit me and they were having more fun hanging out with Danny and Mason. It was like I didn’t even exist.
“Okay,” I said shrugging. I headed towards the kitchen to eat some breakfast. I was suddenly ravenous from dealing with annoying boys.
I picked around in the kitchen and produced a bowl, milk, and cereal. I sat at the table stirring the flakes until they were at just the right sogginess; not too soggy but not to crunchy either.
Jonathon sat at the table with me. He didn’t say anything letting me have some peaceful moments to think. From the family room I could hear my brothers’ laughter.
I was a little disappointed that they wanted to hang out with Danny and Mason, and not me, but another part was glad they liked my new family, even if they didn’t know my new family happened to be vampires.
I dumped my last bit of cereal down the sink and stuck the bowl in the nearly empty dishwasher. Since I’m the only one who ever eats it was always pretty empty.
Jonathon’s cold muscular arms wrapped around me. His cold lips kissed my forehead.
“You seem tense, principessa.” He said as a statement not a question.
“I’m just tired,” I said by way of excuse. I thought back to last night and what he had told me about bloodlust.
Suddenly I felt as if his blood was singing. It’s like it was calling to me. I thought I could smell it too; sweet but powerful. It was as if I could see his veins popping out against his pale white skin, the veins appearing like a bright blue.
I looked away quickly and when I looked back at him everything was returned to normal. I let out a breath.
“Are you okay?” He asked; worry etched onto the finely sculpted lines of his face.
“I don’t know;” I answered truthfully as he rubbed my arms.
“Will this bloodlust thing, ever go away?” I asked him.
“Only time will tell. We’re just going to have to wait and see.”
“I don’t know how much more of this I can take.” I said bowing my head slightly.
“I’m so sorry principessa. I wish you didn’t have to deal with this but it was the only way I could save you,” He whispered, choking on his words. I looked into his warm, welcoming, silver eyes. Tears that could not fall glimmered in his eyes.
“Oh, honey!” I began, putting my hand on his cheek so he had to look at me. “Don’t you dare apologize. You saved my life. True, it’s had its consequences but I’d rather deal with them and be here with you. It’s not your fault,” I said trying to reassure him but the frown that had formed at the corners of his mouth didn’t disappear.
“But maybe if I had gotten there sooner,” He began but I stopped him with a finger to his lips.
“No ‘buts’ Jonathon. You couldn’t have done anything any differently. It’s my own stupid fault for trying to block any thought of you,” I said, tracing the smooth marble contours of his face.
He chuckled. “How about this? It’s no one’s fault. Agreed?”
It was my turn to laugh. “Agreed,” I mouthed as he kissed me.
Chapter Four: Goodbye to You and You
The rest of the weekend past by in a blur of laughs and jokes. I enjoyed the small amount of time I was able to share with my brothers. Not seeing them every day had really taken its toll on me and I hadn’t realized just how much. Today I’d have to say goodbye to them again and it would be extremely difficult, when you don’t see someone often it’s so much harder to say goodbye.
I threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, put on a little mascara and eyeliner, and hastily tied my hair back into a messy ponytail. I was too upset to bother with looking nice. I hated to have to say goodbye to my brothers. Especially not knowing when I might see them again. They promised they’d spend the summer out here with me, but promises are easily broken.
There was a light knock on the door before Diana poked her head in. “Are you ready?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I said, my slight smile faltering at the corners.
“You’ll see them again soon,” she said. I nodded trying to look optimistic. But she didn’t know what I knew. Selena was still alive and still continues to hunt me. I might not live long enough to see them again, a sad but true possibility.
Everyone was already gathered downstairs, waiting on me, like always. I probably wouldn’t be on time for my own wedding. My brothers were talking to Mason and Danny, Jonathon and Joseph stood off to the side talking in hushed strategic tones, Diana was at my side, and Patrick and Amelia were looking at all of us like loving parents. Next to my brothers feet were a cluster of a few bags. It made it more real seeing their bags packed, ready to leave, to leave me, to go back to their simple lives.
Jonathon stopped talking and looked at me. He knew how upset I was to say goodbye. “Are you ready?” he asked, and I wondered how many more times I would be asked that.
“Yes,” I said in a quiet subdued voice.
Jonathon and I would be taking Adam and Aiden to the airport so the others would say goodbye here while I could put off my inevitable goodbye a little longer. Danny and Mason looked truly sad to say goodbye to their partners in crime. My brothers shook hands with Patrick and Joseph and surprised me by not shying away from the cold, hard as a rock, hug they received from Amelia.
After my brothers said their goodbyes to the Pulmers, we headed outside, Jonathon in tow with my car keys in his hand.
Adam and Aiden climbed in the back of my BMW X6 while Jonathon climbed into the driver’s seat and I took my place in the passenger’s seat. The expensive SUV hummed quietly to life. Jonathon expertly backed out of the complicated driveway. My heart felt heavy knowing we were going to the airport. The last time I had been at the airport I had been on the Pulmer’s private plane with my dead father in the cargo. The thought made me feel sick to my stomach. Jonathon, sensing my distress, laid his arm on the arm rest, palm of his hand up. I let out a sigh of relief as I put my hand in his. I instantly felt calm at his cool touch. It was amazing how just a simple touch could make me feel so much better. Adam let out a chuckle from the back seat.
“What?” I asked, a slight smile resting on my lips.
“You two act like an old married couple,” replied Adam. Jonathon smiled down at me and I smiled up at him.
“Maybe one day,” Jonathon said to my brothers, glancing at them in the rear view mirror.
“We already consider you part of the family,” spoke up Aiden.
My mouth popped open in a small O. This was interesting. I knew they liked Jonathon but here they were discussing marriage! Lord, I’m only eighteen!
We finally turned into the airport before the conversation could move from marriage to babies. I wondered if Adam and Aiden’s easy acceptance of Jonathon didn’t come from some freaky vampire thing that I didn’t understand. Maybe because he was my soul mate they had to like him? But then again Jonathon was just likable.
Jonathon and I sat with Adam and Aiden until their plane was ready to board.
I stood up, my hands shaking slightly.
“I love you,” I said to Adam, huggi
ng him.
“We’ll see you again soon, Ky, don’t get upset,” He said, seeing the tears forming in my eyes.
“You better come see me again,” I said punching him lightly on the shoulder, making him chuckle. I moved on to Aiden.
“I love you, Aiden. Promise you guys will come spend the summer in Rome?” I begged like a petulant five year old but I didn’t care.
“I promise Kylie. Maybe after we graduate we’ll move out here,” he said. “Be closer to our little sis.”
“I’d love that. You have no idea how much I miss you guys,” I said. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
“Oh, I bet you do. You need your two older brothers around to keep the gentlemen callers away,” he said, joking like only brothers can. I laughed despite my sadness at having to say goodbye.
The final call for their plane sounded.
“I love you, Ky,” Aiden said hugging me and then ruffling my hair. They picked up their bags, hugged me one more time, said goodbye to Jonathon, and then departed, heading for their plane.
I watched until I could no longer see them.
Jonathon’s cold but comforting hand found mine. “You’ll see them again,” He said.
“I know,” I replied since he didn’t know about the notes I continued to receive from Selena. I knew I would have to tell him eventually but I didn’t want to risk him leaving me again. I don’t think I would live this time if he left; I would die from heartbreak. And after all his leaving hadn’t even worked. She’d still come for me.
We walked back to my car and he opened the passenger door for me. He exited the airport, expertly avoiding the traffic. If Jonathon ever needed a job he’d be a great professional driver.
“Do we have to go to school?” I whined, folding my arms over my chest and pouting my full lips. He chuckled his musical laugh.
“Yes, principessa. At least it’s almost over,” he said referring to graduation.
“Three more months is a lot,” I countered.
“Not when you’re a vampire. It feels like the blink of an eye,” he said somewhat morosely.
I instantly thought back to the months I had spent without him. It had been pure agony; not knowing when or if he was coming or even if he loved me. It was the worst thing I’ve ever been through. Worse than watching my own father be murdered. What felt like forever to me must not have felt that long to him? He must not have felt the agony that I felt.
I thought back to the night I had told Jonathon I didn’t want to be a vampire. That was the night he left; left to save me, to lead Selena away but I thought he left because I didn’t want to be a vampire, didn’t want to spend forever with him. We hadn’t talked much about my decision. I think he was hoping that if he ignored my conclusion then it would change. But it hadn’t and it wasn’t going to change. I wanted to talk to him about it; to let him know that it wasn’t about not wanting to be with him forever. Because nothing could be better than spending forever in his arms. My decision was because of Selena. I didn’t want to take the risk of dying during the transformation and Jonathon turning into what she’s become. True, I would die eventually but I figure if I live a long life that isn’t cut short then Jonathon would be more excepting of my decision because it would be my choice and not turn into the monster Selena has become.
When I finally came out of my own little world I found that we were already at school. I should have known we’d be here fast the way Jonathon drives.
He pulled out two pieces of paper and a pen from his pocket and expertly forged a note for himself and then one for me. He handed me my note. Tears pooled in my eyes.
“What?” he asked, panic written on his face.
“It looks exactly like my mom’s handwriting,” I said.
“Well, it’s supposed too,” he said giving me a ‘duh’ look.
“I know. But I haven’t seen her in forever and this just reminds me of how long it’s been,” I said tracing the letters that were an exact replica of her handwriting and then put the note in my pocket. He just nodded and came around the car to open the door for me.
He handed me my backpack and I put it on. We headed off for the entrance.
This school continues to amaze me. From the outside it looks like an old, crumbling, castle but on the inside it’s modern and light. It still has the stone walls but everything else looks like something out of a magazine for posh homes. The modern desks and chairs looked more like a work of art than something to sit in and doodle on.
I followed Jonathon down the left corridor to the main office. He tapped on the closed glass window startling the gray-haired lady behind it. She jumped and turned around; sliding open the glass window with a motherly smile on her face, “Yes?” she said in a pleasant, even, tone.
He spoke in rapid fluent Italian, handing her his note, and then motioning for me to do the same. “Thank you,” I said as she took the note, with a smile and nod. We walked back down the hallway, turning right at the fork. We looped around the building towards the back; Jonathon went his separate way, to his second period class, giving me a quick peck on the cheek before leaving me. I watched his retreating back. His pale blue shirt stretched teasingly over his muscles, only hinting at what lie beneath, his jeans hung sexily on his waist, and his blond hair gleamed like golden honey in the fluorescent lights. He couldn’t possibly be mine.
I tore my gaze, somewhat morosely, from him and headed into my science class that I shared with Isaac. I wondered how that would go.
I handed Ms. Cappet my tardy slip and took my seat next to Isaac who was looking an unhealthy shade of purple. “Are you okay?” I asked him as I put my backpack on the ground and sat down.
“The better question is are you okay? Where have you been?” he asked in a demanding, possessive voice. I was taken aback. His eyes roamed my body but not in a way like he was checking me out but more like he was checking to make sure that a single hair wasn’t out of place.
“Excuse me? That is none of your business to begin with. But if you must know, my brothers flew in from college for my birthday, and I was taking them to the airport,” I said as the purplish color in his face finally faded back to normal and then to red with embarrassment at my harsh, accusatory tone.
“I’m sorry. I just jumped to conclusions. I was imagining all sorts of bad scenarios. I was going crazy thinking something bad happened and I was stuck here and couldn’t save you,” he whispered, rambling so fast that I barely understood what he was saying.
“Why would you think something bad happened to me?” I asked, puzzled. Then I said, “I don’t need saving anyway. I’m not some weakling,” all though that wasn’t quite true. Selena had gotten the jump at me at the Holiday Dance I had attended with Isaac. He never had said anything about my disappearing act so I figured he thought I left and stood him up. At least he was still my friends because it wasn’t like I could tell him the truth. He ducked his head and muttered something unintelligible under his breath. I asked him to repeat his answer and I still didn’t catch what he said so I let it go.
The rest of the class Isaac wouldn’t talk to me or even look at me. When the bell rang he sprinted out the door. I grabbed up my bag and ran after him. In my hurry I ran past Jonathon, who wore a confused expression at the sight of me chasing Isaac down in the hallway, and I hollered, “I’ll see you in class,” over my shoulder so he wouldn’t follow me.
“Isaac,” I called as he speed walked farther away from me, his longer stride making it nearly impossible to catch up. “Sorry,” I mumbled to the girl I ran into, her expression irritated. “Isaac!” I said glancing around, for he was no longer in my sight. I turned in a circle looking for a hint of the blue that ran through his dark brown almost black hair.
He was gone.
I stormed off to my next class.
I sat down in my seat next to Jonathon but kept my eyes trained on the open classroom door. Isaac was in this class too.
The whole class passed without Isaac showing up
. As did the rest of the day.
As I sat at my usual lunch table with Jonathon, Diana, Mason, and Danny, I scanned the lunchroom relentlessly for any sign of Isaac but there was none. Nor was there any sign of him in my last period class.
When we left class I glanced around the parking lot for Isaac’s bright red smart car but I didn’t see it. Jonathon gave me a puzzled look that I ignored.
Jonathon held the passenger door open for me. I put my hands on my hips and tapped my foot impatiently. “What?” he asked, his marble brow drawing together in perfect confusion.
“I thought this was my car?” I asked trying to sound mad but really trying not to laugh. He bought it.
“I’m sorry, principessa. Here,” he said handing me the keys.
“I was kidding, Jonathon,” I said, laughing now.
“Kidding?” He asked; rolling the foreign word over in his mouth like he tasted something sour.
“Yeah, you know. Joking. Ha ha ha.” I said.
“Oh, you were joking. Now I understand,” he chuckled as I climbed into the car.
We sat in the school traffic for a little while before we finally exited the parking lot. We drove the winding roads and finally arrived at the Pulmer’s mansion on the hill.
“Aren’t you coming?” I asked when it was obvious that he wasn’t getting out of the car.
“No,” he said putting the car into reverse, “I’m going to Luigi’s to pick up some more blood.”
“Oh,” I said and watched him back out of the driveway. I didn’t see Jonathon and his family as vampires so when he talked about things like blood it threw me for a loop.
I strapped my backpack across my shoulders and headed inside. I pulled out my key but it wasn’t necessary, the door was already unlocked. I guess when you live in a house full of vampires locked doors isn’t really necessary.
They should have a sign, Caution we bite.
I didn’t see the others but that didn’t mean anything. I headed up the stairs to my room, closing the door behind me.
I threw my backpack down on the floor. I flopped across the bed and let out a sigh. I rolled over on my side and heard a crunch.
Forbidden (Fallen Series Book 2) Page 4
