The Vampire...In My Dreams

by Terry Spear

  The wind whistled around my head, blowing my hair into my eyes. “Marissa,” it seemed to say. My blood chilled. Then I saw him, or what I perceived as him, a shadowy form half hidden by the spring green leaves of a towering maple, shivering in the cool breeze.

  Kate had once again outdistanced me with her longer stride, and I ran to catch up. “Wait up!” I hadn’t meant to sound so…scared.

  I glanced back at the tree, but no sign of the shadow appeared now. Had he heard our entire conversation? Did he know we intended to prove he was a vampire?

  My face heated. Why did he target me, instead of Kate with the golden hair? Tall and graceful, she was every guy’s dream—from the football jock to the rodeo dude. Me? Short and inconspicuous. Did Dominic think that no one would notice if I suddenly just vanished from the face of the earth?

  Kate glanced back at me. “I wonder why he came back to see you. Are you sure it was the same guy we saw at the burger place?”

  Was she inferring I wasn’t good enough? I tilted my chin up…all-knowing-like and in a most dramatic fashion replied, “We were destined to meet.”

  Kate stared at me, a disbelieving frown knitting her brows.

  I shrugged. “So he said.”

  She shook her head. “Sounds like a guy line if ever I heard one.” Her pace slowed though, and the tone of her voice sounded a bit worried.

  I glanced behind me, the uneasy sensation of being stalked trickling through my bones. “Yeah, but from a regular guy or from a—”

  “Shhh,” the wind whispered back.

  Chapter 2

  DOMINIC

  “I am the Prince of Darkness,” I said quietly while I watched my fair-haired savior run to catch up to her lanky girlfriend.

  Marissa Lakeland. Why in the world did she have to be a witch? If she’d been a regular human, I could have started the process tonight. Easily. Just cleared her mind, made her expose her throat to me…

  A groan escaped my lips, and her head jerked back as she looked in my direction. Her eyes, liquid pools of blue, gazed at the dark and the mist. I smiled. She is as entranced by me as I am by her.

  My smile faded. The notion she wished to expose me for what I was instantly put a damper on our relationship. Witch.

  The last time I had an unfortunate tangle with a teen witch, all I could do was croak out my exasperation. Even now, I could still sense the way my skin had felt—slimy, wet and cold, no longer smooth, but bumpy and a sickly brownish-green color. Really, I should have known to stay out of her path. My brother had warned me the witch had a strong aversion to humans, but being in one of my more cantankerous moods, I’d planned to show my brother how charming I could be and how the witch would delight in having a burger with me.

  Right. For two hours I’d had to suffer the most horrible humiliation while my brother begged the witch to turn me back into my handsome self. The Hamburger Spot owner even demanded I be thrown out of his restaurant. But following that, I had to endure James berating me for a good part of the evening. I knew he’d never let me live it down. Thankfully, he never told Mom and Dad.

  Only this time we couldn’t hide my mistake from our parents. Under the dire circumstances, I felt they were holding up pretty well.

  However, if I didn’t solicit Marissa’s help soon, I’d be lost forever to the dark world of the undead. But would she help me? Her friend seemed surer of herself. Wouldn’t she be a better choice?

  No. Marissa was the one destined to be my savior. As soon as I saw the two girls at the burger joint, I knew. Her long, shiny blond hair caught my eye first. Her slim, trim figure, petite and cute as a pixie, next. But it was her eyes, alluring as the Caribbean waters, that captured my attention the most. Peering into them, I could see her every thought.

  I chuckled. She thought I was handsome. Then I frowned. Expose me to the world as a vampire so she could get some warlock’s attention? My canines itched to extend. Forever, she’d be mine.

  A witch. Why did she have to be a witch?

  I kicked a leaf on the sidewalk. Why couldn’t she have been a normal, everyday human girl? I glanced back at her form fading into the distance. Because for whatever reason, she was the one and only one who could save me—after all, it was written in the stars.

  Dematerializing, I hurried after her. I had to learn everything I could about her. Where she lived, where she hung out, who her friends were.

  Most of all, how best to make her mine.

  Once I drew close to the girls again, the one Marissa called Kate turned to her and asked, “Why do you keep looking over your shoulder? Do you think he’s following us?”

  Marissa ran her hands over her silky shirtsleeves. “Don’t you sense him too?”

  She seemed slightly anxious, and my gut clenched to think I’d caused her to fear me. How could I convince her that she had to save me if she was afraid of me?

  Kate surveyed the area, but she couldn’t see me or feel my presence like Marissa could. That was another reason I knew Marissa was the right one. She and I had some kind of a connection—one that went beyond the physical. She sensed me, even if her eyes could not see me.

  “There’s no one there,” Kate remarked, though her voice didn’t sound sure at all. She picked up her pace again. “You’re just jittery.” She glanced at her watch. “And it’s way past our bedtime.” Heading down a walkway to a one-story, ranch-style home, she faced Marissa. “Are you going to be all right? I mean, you don’t have far to reach your house, but your face is so…pale. Are you scared, Marissa?”

  “No. I’m fine.” Marissa vehemently shook her head and straightened her back. “See you in the morning for school.”

  “Yeah, don’t dream anything I wouldn’t tonight. Tall, dark and handsome, sucking at your neck.” Kate laughed at her own humor, though her tone of voice seemed somewhat tentative, then she hurried to her front door.

  Marissa took a hesitant breath, then stalked off down the sidewalk. She took larger steps than I imagined she normally did, her pace frenzied. Somehow I had to put her at ease, but materializing in front of her wasn’t the way. Still, I wanted to speak to her one more time before she disappeared into her home for the night. Actually, I wanted to kiss those turned down lips of hers and make her smile.

  Then I wanted to bite her, and…

  But rationally, I knew I needed to take it slowly with her. Not frighten her further. So what got into me to just pop in front of her like I did?

  Patience definitely wasn’t one of my virtues. I had to get her to agree to help me before it was too late. My time was running out. Besides, my impulsive nature hadn’t been squashed when Lynetta turned me into a vampire.

  A squeal issued from deep within Marissa’s throat as soon as I appeared in front of her. I tried my most sensual smile, hoping it didn’t appear too wickedly sinful. Feasting my eyes on her was pure delight, but my only intention was to calm her fears.

  Her lips parted in surprise and her wide eyes showed her fright. I sensed her blood racing through her veins at lightning speed. Which definitely didn’t help one bit when the rising bloodlust in my system compelled me to make her mine. Like the unfathomable addiction I had to chocolate, I couldn’t help wanting her. Trying to curb my interest in her blood, I attempted to think of a way to soothe her frayed nerves, something I could say to calm her. How I wished she were human so I could use my vampiric charms on her and easily wipe the terror from her mind.

  “What do you want with me?” she squeaked, her blue eyes barely blinking as if she were afraid I might suddenly vanish again.

  However, her fairly calm response was a beginning. She didn’t scream; she was talking to me.

  “You draw me to you, Marissa. I can’t help myself.” I choked on the next words. “Can we be friends?”

  We couldn’t be just friends—not in the ordinary sense of the word. Lovers and mates forever, that’s what we were destined to be. If only I could convince her to take the first step. If only she would give me her lifeblo
od…willingly, lovingly. If only—

  She wrung her slender hands for a moment as if contemplating something, then having decided what she would do, she raised them. Wriggling her fingers at me, she silently spoke ancient words, her lips moving without speech.

  Without my express permission, my lips turned up. Marissa really wasn’t much like the other teen witch, I could see. Instead of using a dastardly spell on me, all she attempted was a defensive spell.

  Her blond brows knit together. “What’s so funny?” Her tone was angry, no longer fearful.

  Good. I could deal with angry. Fear was harder to overcome, particularly when people learned what I was.

  “Your spells…” I almost told her the truth. Her witch’s spells wouldn’t work on me, now that I was a vampire. At least I didn’t think so, but if they made her feel more at ease, I’d allow her to continue undisturbed.

  Looking totally exasperated, she dropped her hands to her sides.

  “Are you finished?” I didn’t think she’d completed her spell.

  Her actions indicated she hadn’t finished her witch’s training either. If she had, I wouldn’t have so easily distracted her concentration with merely a smile. Grateful she had a heart and wasn’t trying to cast a curse or hex on me, I took a ragged breath.

  “If you’re a—”

  I folded my arms, trying to calm the outrage that slowly burned inside of me, that the girl who would be my mate would wish to use me to catch a warlock. “You’ll want to turn me into your witch’s order. I’ll be examined, poked and prodded, stripped naked, then put on display.”

  Her brows rose, and her full pink lips pursed. The notion I’d be stripped of my clothes flitted across her mind, but I couldn’t catch whether she felt this was a good thing, or bad. Then her lips turned up slightly. Not good.

  I tried again to convince her of her folly. “Is that what you want? To prove to the others how you can take down a mighty Prince of Darkness?”

  If nothing more, perhaps I could appeal to her sense of fairness.

  She crossed her arms, her eyes still locked onto mine, but despite the revelation, she hid her feelings well. “So you are one.”

  I wasn’t sure she truly believed I was, not unless I admitted it. “If you say so.” I held out my hand to her, willing her to accept me for what I was, knowing my power to command her was futile. “Friends?”

  Seemingly annoyed, she ignored my hand. “I don’t want to turn you in to be poked, prodded and put on display.”

  I didn’t feel she was totally sincere, but it was a start. “But you want to prove I’m a Prince of Darkness. How else will you do it? Will anyone believe you without proof?”

  She tilted her head to the side, her face still hiding any emotion. “Any suggestions?”

  Inwardly, I smiled. Biting her would prove it. But if I suggested such a thing, would she run off screaming? The beat of her heart had slowed considerably, but was still faster than normal. If I took a step toward her to close the gap between us, I was sure she’d bolt.

  Yet I could think of no other way to give her proof. If I’d been an ancient vampire, I might have had more ideas in mind. But that was the point. I wasn’t and didn’t want to suffer that fate. I wanted my life back, as much as it could return to normal. Marissa was the one to help me do it.

  “Friends?” Again, I offered my hand, but she wouldn’t draw near enough to take it. Risking everything, I said, “All right. If I bite you, would that be enough proof?”

  She grinned. The prettiest, flashiest, brilliantly white toothy grin I’ve ever seen. Perfect teeth in size, shape and color. She could be a model for a toothpaste commercial, or orthodontistry work or something. The best thing was she hadn’t run away or taken a step back, and her face wasn’t filled with anxiety or horror.

  Standing taller, she asked in an amused voice, “Bite me?”

  Though the upturned lilt in her tone at the end of her words indicated she’d asked a question, I took full advantage of stating otherwise. “Are you asking me to?” I knew she wasn’t, but I still had to hope, fool that I was. If only she’d allow me to, it would end all of my miserable fleeting moments of worrying whether I’d get out of the horrible predicament I was in.

  Not that it wasn’t my fault. I should never have kissed the girl that I did, siren that she was—ancient vampire that she was. I groaned inwardly at my folly.

  Teach me to pick up any old girl before I knew more of who she was and where she’d been.

  Marissa’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and her dimples grew even bigger. “No, I didn’t offer for you to bite me. I…” She smiled a little. “I was repeating what I thought you’d said. That’s your only suggestion of my proving you’re a—”

  “Prince of Darkness,” I interrupted, stopping her from saying the hated vampire word. Though that one wasn’t nearly as awful as the bloodsucker term.

  When the breeze flipped her sun-streaked curls into her eyes, she swept them out of her face. “Prince of Darkness. Can’t you think of any other way to prove you exist?”

  “Afraid not. I’ve only just been turned, and…” I was dying to tell her the truth, but why would someone who didn’t even know me choose to risk her life to aid me? Somehow, I had to use my charms to convince her to allow me to bite her, but how could I, with her being a witch? I sighed heavily. In a week’s time, I’d lose all chance at a reversal.

  She waited patiently for me to finish what I had to say.

  Hoping to show my anguish and the awful predicament I was in, I pinched my brows together, attempting my most woeful look.

  Her smile faded, but a glimmer of it stayed on her lips. Either she thought I was the worst actor she had ever witnessed, or she thought I was a great comedian.

  “If you help me, I can become human again. But I only have until Friday. At midnight, I will remain what I am forever, a shadow of the night.”

  Her facial expression didn’t change, yet I felt she was still amused by what I had to say. “What would I need to do?” she asked, businesslike.

  Hope flickered while I rubbed my neck to reduce the tension in my taut muscles. “You have to share your blood with me.” At least that was part of the deal. I didn't dare tell her the rest this early on. One baby step at a time.

  She shook her head, definitely opposed. Not good. “Then you could turn me into what you are.”

  “Not while I’m still only partly turned. It’s the only way.” Though I hadn’t meant to grovel, my tone of voice definitely pleaded with her. Would she take pity?

  I couldn’t spring the second part of the equation on her. Not yet. First, the blood swap. If she wouldn’t agree to it, nothing else mattered. Then, well, killing the one who was turning me would have to be accomplished next. That would end the spell. But Marissa had to do the killing. As my true mate, she was the only one who could save me.

  She inhaled deeply. “I’ll sleep on it.” She headed down the sidewalk toward her house.

  I couldn’t stop the way my heart took a dive. I didn’t want to try again the next day—each hour that passed brought me closer to a permanent hell I wanted to avoid at all costs. I had to convince her to agree, at least to the first step. “Nobody but you can save me, Marissa. You’re the only one.”

  She visibly swallowed hard. At least I knew she was considering it. Even if she wasn’t totally agreeable, she hadn’t turned me down outright.

  I followed her as she drew closer to the wraparound porch of her two-story colonial home. I sensed no one was home, which was a good thing for me, but not for her. Why would her parents leave her home alone? Maybe she was more responsible than I ever was. Of course, things had changed considerably since I’d been turned. “Is there nothing else I can say or do to convince you?”

  She stopped and turned to face me, an impish smile tugging at her lips. “Take me to the school dance.”

  I hesitated, absolutely thrown off balance by her demand. I couldn’t dance, not even at the best of times. On
the other hand, did it mean she was willing to let me have a taste of her blood?

  “A witches’ and warlocks’ affair?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral, but the nervousness still sounded in my voice. I had two left feet, and both had stepped on my date’s sandaled feet the only time I’d ever gotten brave enough to take a girl to a dance. Word soon spread, and no girl, no matter how charmingly I asked, would go with me to a dance following that disaster.

  “Yes. Take me to it. I haven’t been asked yet.” Marissa walked backwards up the brick path to her house, her mind made up, her eyes sparkling with interest.

  Immediately, a sense of relief washed over me. I was off the hook. “I can’t, can I? Not unless I’m a warlock.”

  She narrowed her eyes.

  I couldn’t imagine as pretty as Marissa was that she wouldn’t already have a date, but I also knew if I could have, I should have jumped at the chance to take her if it meant she’d share her blood with me. My reluctance? The niggling worry that I would dance on her feet when she was to be my permanent mate was the problem. But because I wasn’t a warlock the issue was moot anyway. Though now I was once again faced with trying to persuade her to go along with my plan. “I would think you’d have to turn a lot of guys down.”

  She grinned at me, showing off those perfect teeth once again. “I guess I was saving my dances for you. But…you’re right. You can’t get in unless you’re a warlock. I guess I was just so hopeful…I forgot.”

  She looked awfully disappointed, and I felt like a real heel for being grateful I couldn’t attend. Yet I couldn’t change what I was, nor could I modify the rules of the witches’ and warlocks’ dance.

  I had hooked her—if only I could take her to the dance. “What about a movie or breakfast?” Dinner out could be a little too dangerous.

  “I’d rather you could take me to the dance,” she said, folding her arms.

  Not good. Then another thought hit me. Why was she so stuck on me taking her to the dance? Was it a trick to get me in front of the witch’s tribunal? My enthusiasm that she wished to help me suddenly deflated like a needle-pricked bubble.