by TL Travis
A few nights later, David announces he has some errands to run and will be back in a couple hours. I figure since he doesn’t invite me, he is meeting up with his blood bank connection. While I’m making something to eat, I feel someone breathing down the back of my neck. I spin around, assuming it is David and that he’s changed his mind about going out, only to find Tristan standing there. He scares the shit out of me and I squeal.
That amuses him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he says while wearing his creepy stalker look.
Startled I spit, “I didn’t think you were home.”
He steps back, informing me that he was in his room and proceeds to take a seat at the table. I turn my back to him, desperately trying to ignore his presence, but feel him looking at me the entire time.
Finally, I lose it. “What the fuck are you staring at?”
Unmoved by my outburst, nonchalantly he leans forward, resting his head on his hands. “I’m hypnotized by your beauty.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
Abruptly he stands, further alarming me. “Do you need any assistance?”
I look at him wondering what he is up to. Is he seriously flirting with me? In my boyfriend’s house, I mean in our house? That doesn’t make him much a friend let alone a best friend.
“No thanks,” is the nicest response I have before b-lining it upstairs. Studying for finals in the sanctity of our room seems the safest alternative. By the time I reach our room, my head feels like it is exploding.
My ability to concentrate is faltering knowing Tristan is nearby. Why is he doing this? Does he seriously think he’ll get anywhere with me? Should I tell David? The questions kept replaying like a broken record. David probably wouldn’t believe me if I told him or he would blow it off and tell me that’s how Tristan is and he’s sure he didn’t mean anything by it. Once again, I blow it off because fighting with David is the last thing I want.
Things continue this way for a few weeks and it feels like he is never going to leave. Tristan’s advances increase, setting my nerves on edge. The stress of it makes the headaches more frequent, each gaining in strength. I become quite the recluse, living like a hermit exiled to our room which does not go unnoticed by David.
“Why are you spending so much time locked away in our room?”
“I’m studying for finals.”
He must have bought that excuse because he lets it go.
Finals come and go and, of course, we did well. School is done until fall, but there is no sign of Tristan’s’ visit coming to an end. I need to find a way to tell David he’s overstayed his welcome, but he is enjoying the male bonding far too much. The problem now with school being over is that I have no excuse to stay in our room. I try being social, but the more I am around Tristan, the more stamina the headaches gain, at times confining me to bed.
With everything going on I forget that today is my nineteenth birthday. David wakes me to give me his gift, beaming from ear to ear. He kisses me announcing, “Happy Birthday, Jess.”
I open the small box and my mouth falls open. It contains a diamond and emerald necklace set in white gold and it matches the bracelet he gave me this past Christmas. I am so overwhelmed. “It’s beautiful, David, thank you. I love it and I love you.”
Feeling trapped in my own world, I need to step outside my comfort zone and ask David the question I desperately need answers to. The ones that will help me regain my mental and physical health. “Is there a way for humans to ward off a Vampire’s allure?”
“Not that I’m aware of, at least I haven’t heard of anyone who’s been able to. We’re taught to control it for good reason, but if I’m not paying attention, then I don’t know it needs controlling. That day in class when you pointed out the girls were staring at me, I was able to nix it and then they all turned away. Is there something you need to tell me, Jess?”
“Ah, um, no. I was just wondering.”
I either need to tell David what’s going on or find a way to set Tristan up so he gets himself busted.
Today is our one-year anniversary. I wake that afternoon to the tender touch of David’s lips on mine. “Happy anniversary, Jess, I love you,” he says handing me a box.
Leaning over, I reach into the nightstand handing him his. “Happy anniversary, David, I love you too.”
“Ladies first,” he says gesturing toward the package in my hand.
He surprises me with a diamond and emerald ring, completing the ensemble he has been giving me pieces of since Christmas. I wonder what the meaning behind giving me a ring is. But that is answered when he takes it, sliding it on my right index finger. He leans in wiping away my tears. “I’m glad you like it, Amor. It’s a promise to be with you forever.”
Through bleary eyes, I watch him tear through his package like a madman, making me laugh. I see a bit of shock cross his face and hope that is a good thing. He takes the white gold men’s Figaro bracelet out of the box, holding it up. “I love it, Jess,” he says while putting it on.
We embrace one another, fervently kissing and hugging. His arms are the ones I never want to be without.
Later that night, Tristan’s flirting takes a dangerous turn. I am in the laundry room taking the clothes out of the dryer. When as I stand up, I can feel someone behind me, which of course I think is David. “Hold on while I start the next load.”
The response isn’t from David.
“I’ll be waiting,” Tristan hums.
Frozen, I debate whether or not to scream, but in the end, I choose to ignore him, continuing with the task at hand. Unfortunately, that doesn’t deter him. This infuriates me so as rudely as I can I say, “Excuse me,” and try to push past him, but he stands unwavering and blocking the doorway. I am trapped. There is no freaking way I can move him.
Reaching down with his right hand, he traces my jawline with his fingertips. “Give into your temptations, Jess, you know you want me.”
Shocked, I stare at him causing my right temple to throb uncontrollably. The pain is so intense it forces my eyes closed.
“What the fuck does that mean?” I ask.
“You know you have feelings for me, give in and quit fighting them. Only then will the pain go away.”
He knows of the pain...He knows what he’s doing…
I’ve never given him a second thought. To be quite honest, I find him extremely shallow, a complete and utter tool. Have I accidentally flirted with him and not realized it? No, I don’t think so because I would’ve remembered it. Have I done anything to lead him on? I’m racking my brain when I hear my savior David in the kitchen. Tristan retreats, but not before blowing me a kiss. I escape the confines of the laundry room and haul ass to the kitchen and straight into David’s arms.
As flustered as I am, there is no way to play it off.
“Are you alright, Jess?” David asks.
I try passing it off as though I don’t feel well. “My head is throbbing.” Which isn’t a lie.
He kisses my forehead. “Do you want me to make you some soup?”
I shake my head ‘no’ then walk over to the fridge for a soda. I sit down and watch him pour himself a drink. He looks at me concerned, but smiling. I love that smile and thinking about Tristan’s bullshit and how it would hurt David really pisses me off. Thoughts of wrongdoing consume me as consider removing the curtains from Tristan’s room so his shallow ass will fry in the sunlight. Damnit, I’m trapped between a boyfriend I love and his so called best friend. Do I really want to be the cause of either relationship failing?
About a week has passed when one night David goes to take the dogs out to play. I am curled up on the couch reading Miranda’s Rights, book two of The Paranormal Detective Series by Lily Luchesi, when I once again meet with that uneasy feeling, a feeling that someone is behind me. He begins kissing my neck.
I reach back, wrapping my arm around him when he speaks, “You know you wanna fuck me.”
Fucking Tristan! My head starts pounding a
s panic sears through me. I jump up and find myself face to face with him, not an ideal position to be in. It is then the back door opens forcing Tristan to flee, but this war is far from over.
Later that same night, I am cleaning the kitchen when a pair of hands slide across my waist, twirling me around. Just as I am lifting my arms to put them around his neck I realize it’s not David. I try to break free, beating my fists against his chest which is useless, not only because of his strength, but the searing pain in my head is crippling. The more I fight the worse it gets. Abruptly a door upstairs shuts so Tristan drops, taking a seat at the table appearing innocent.
David enters, takes one look at me and knows something is wrong, “What’s wrong?”
The nerves take over as I scream, “My fucking head is killing me!”
He takes the aspirin bottle from the cabinet, handing me two of them me along with a glass of water, “I hope you aren’t getting sick, but these headaches are really concerning me. I think we need to take you to the doctor.”
I thank him and head upstairs to lie down, but am too wound up to sleep. My head is pounding as I pace in our room wondering what the hell is wrong with Tristan. With every pace, the pounding worsenes. The more I am around Tristan the worse I feel.
An hour passes before I am able to unwind. Finally laying down to try and nap, but am awoken shortly thereafter by the sound of enraged voices.
David is tearing into Tristan and they are both in our bedroom. From what I can gather, David came in to find Tristan hovering over me. David is standing at the foot of our bed and Tristan is next to me, I leap to the other side of the bed to get away from him.
David shouts, “What in the hell are you doing our room?”
Tristan stands there looking like a deer caught in headlights.
David growls as his face changes, distorting beyond recognition. Fangs bared, eyes black as night. This is the first time I’ve seen him transform and it scares me to death. In an instant, Tristan is hurled across the room, through the wall and into the hallway. I never see David move, but he is in the hallway with his foot on Tristan’s throat.
“I asked you a question. What in the fuck are you doing in our room and if you value your life, you’ll answer me NOW.”
The look on Tristan’s face is grave. He never had a chance. David is clearly the stronger, faster of the two.
Tristan tries to get up, but to no avail. Finally, he breaks down.
“She made me do it.”
“Who is she?” David asks, increasing his hold on Tristan.
“Your mother.”
“What?” David freezes.
“She sent me to break you guys up. She threatened to remove my parents from the council and said she would personally kill me if I didn’t succeed.”
David stands there, shocked.
“You’ll leave this house at once and never return,” David tells him.
Tristan begs, “Please, I can help you. If I fail she’ll send Rogues to kill her.” Tristan gestures toward me.
“Release your hold on her now,” David demands.
“The spell I used was very intense. It will take time before she’s free from it. This has been the cause of her headaches.” Sorrowfully, Tristan’s shoulders drop as his head droops.
This infuriates David further.
Tristan pleads, “Please, David, let me stay. I can help you fight the Rogue’s. I promise, no more tricks, but I can’t risk your mother finding out I’ve failed. She’ll kill me.”
“Is my father aware of this?” David asks.
“Honestly, I don’t know. She made me swear not to tell a soul. Your mother has changed, she’s become very reckless and the other council members fear her. The only ones she sees eye to eye with are Amelia’s family.”
David releases Tristan, allowing him to stand up, but his scowl doesn’t soften.
“Who’s Amelia?” I ask.
They seem to have forgotten I am in the room. David casts Tristan a look of contempt and growls. Tristan cowers.
“Amelia is the Vampiress my parents betrothed to me. It was an arranged marriage and when I refused, it angered my mother, more so than I thought. Since then, she’s become bitter and enraged. Seems she’s taking her anger out on the council members. My mother’s family has held the controlling seat on the council for centuries.”
Tristan adds, “She’s grown strong and her sadistic hunting methods are threatening our community. She hunts with no regard for souls – no one is spared, not even children. No Vampires have come forth with any evidence to substantiate these claims so she remains untouchable, but feared by all. One particular hunt she was said to have orchestrated was in Virtron, Belgium. They wiped out the entire village – children included. Their deaths were brutal. Many had their throats severed with multiple gashes, tears caused by fangs. The villagers had no warning. This attack was devised by a Vampire with no fear of retribution or regard for human life. Others were involved, but somehow no one saw anything.”
The look on David’s face is indescribable. If he were capable of being any paler he would’ve just achieved it as he is ghastly white.
“If she masterminded this, then my mother as I know her is truly gone.” David pauses. “I was thinking of contacting my father, but maybe I better not. I don’t believe there’s any way he could be completely oblivious to this. Even though I hate the thought that he may be involved, the possibility is still there so it’s best to keep this between us until I can gather more information.”
How will David ever be able to trust Tristan again? How could he do this to David, to us? He’s supposed to be his best friend.
Tristan implores, “David, I’m sorry and I’ll spend eternity making this wrong right. But you have to understand the position she put me in. I honestly want to help you, both of you and in time I hope you’ll learn to trust me again. I’m taxed with providing her updates, one of which is due before sunrise.”
David ignores his request. “Which council members do you feel can be trusted?”
“Obviously no one in Amelia’s family, they’re still pissed you refused to marry her. The Cordova and Vasquez families are out, at least until we see where their allegiances lie. My parents may be able to help. They know what your mother forced me to do and aren’t pleased with any of this. I told them so they’d be aware that she’s gone Rogue and cannot be trusted. Other than that, I think we’re on our own.”
Tristan assesses the damages their fight caused. “Tomorrow evening I’ll go to the home improvement store and get what’s needed to make the necessary repairs. I’ll do the work myself since this was my fault.”
David mutters, “Thanks. Please leave so Jess and I can talk.”
Tristan nods and leaves.
“Jess, I’m sorry for all of this. But you should have let me know what was going on. I knew you weren’t thrilled about Tristan staying here and now, I understand why. Unfortunately, he’s our only hope for getting this resolved. My mother needs to believe that you fell for his charms and left me or she won’t back off, at least not until you’re dead. And that’s not an option I’m willing to accept.”
I clinch my fists and stand. “I’m not in favor of this and I refuse to play along. David, this is fucking insane.”
“Jess, if we can’t pull this off then she’ll send Rogue Vampires to finish it, to finish you.”
The Rogue part of this still isn’t registering with me.
He explains, “They’re soulless and will rip you to shreds without a second thought.”
Well, if I didn’t understand it before, I sure as hell understood it now.
Tristan knocks.
“Come in,” David says without looking away.
Somberly, Tristan looks to David then to me. “Jess, I apologize, profusely for the pain I’ve caused you. I see the love you two share and it runs deep, a love like that is hard to find and no one has the right to take it from you. I should be so lucky to find a love like this in my lifetime
. David’s mother sent me here to break you apart and if she doesn’t believe I’ve succeeded she’ll order your death and will include a large bounty for your head to be brought to her.”
I look to David who nods in agreement.
“We have to try and pull this off. It causes me great pain to do so as I lose either way, but it appears we have no choice.” The anguish caused by his mother’s betrayal is clearly written on his face.
I nod. “So, what do we do now?”
“Tristan will contact my mother telling her we got into an argument and you ran to him seeking comfort. In the interim, I’ll get a hold of Tristan’s parents and make arrangements to meet. It’s difficult to lie to a Vampire when you’re face to face, at least for those of us with souls. I got an uneasy feeling from my mother when she was here which leads me to believe what Tristan is saying is true. As a friend, he should have confided in me and for that callous act, he will not be forgiven.” He looks Tristan in the eye. “But if she’s losing her soul then the mother I knew no longer exists.”
“Where are his parents?” I ask.
“They are in Varna, Bulgaria at the castle where the Elder council resides,” Tristan replies.
Without meaning to, I yell at David as my emotions escalated to anger, “You’re going to Bulgaria and leaving me with this back-stabbing piece of shit?”
Tristan tries to assure us, “Jess, I’ll not cross you or David again. I give you both my word, I’ll protect you both with my life and do whatever it takes to ensure your safety.”
“Your word means shit to me. You’re a spineless, back-stabbing weasel and I’ll never trust you.” My fists are clinched by my sides, I’m so pissed.
Tristan nods, slinking out of the room closing the door behind him which serves no purpose since there is no longer a wall beside it.
Chapter 14
David leaves for Bulgaria today. The plan he and Tristan devised consists of David showing up unannounced at the council headquarters in Varna, visibly upset, and informing his mother I left him for Tristan. While he’s there, he’ll poke around and see what he can dig up on his mother and her family’s sordid past. He’s determined to find out how much the council members know. I’m not in favor of this, but it’s obvious my opinion isn’t of concern. Tristan and I are staying behind where David feels I would be safest.
