She took a deep breath and walked toward him. How could things get worse than they already were?
As she approached him, he didn't appear to notice her. He was looking at the ground as he walked.
"William."
He looked up and shock covered his face. "What are you doing here?"
"Probably the same thing as you."
"Trying to figure out why you've lied to me this whole time?"
"I suppose I deserve that. I haven't been trying to lie to you. William, I've just wanted to be with you. The last thing I ever wanted to do was to upset you."
"You could have fooled me."
Birds chirped around them and squirrels chattered on the ground not too far away. Clara took a deep breath, attempting to take in the serenity of nature. "I wasn't trying to."
"Well, you did."
"Will you hear me out? Please?"
He gave her an exasperated look. "Why now? You had plenty of opportunities to explain to me that you're a witch."
"A witch?"
"That's the only thing I can figure. Wiley was known for trying to take down local witches and Liam was rumored to have dated one before marrying. And you're in both of their pictures. That's too much to be a coincidence. Are you going to turn me crazy too?"
Once again, she felt as though he had slapped her. "I haven't made anyone go crazy, and I'm not a—"
"I've been trying to make sense of this. Part of me is screaming that you're nuts—and that I am too for even considering any of this to be true. But I can't ignore the pictures. I want to believe that those pictures aren't you. But nothing makes any sense. No matter what conclusion I come to, there is no happy ending."
"But there can be if you hear me out."
He sighed. "I don't think I'm ready for this."
"Wouldn't you rather try to make sense of it with all the facts? You didn't even let me explain myself last night."
"What's to explain? My fiancée doesn't age."
"Most people would be pretty excited about that."
William furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm not most people."
"Are you willing to hear what I have to say?"
He stared at her, not saying anything.
"Is that a yes?" She sounded a lot more confident than she felt.
"I don't know." He sighed. "Is the story going to get worse?"
"I hope not."
He wrinkled his forehead. "What does that mean?"
"It depends on how you take it. I want to tell you everything, but you're going to have to have an open mind."
"I already think you're a witch. A witch! I think you've already ripped my mind wide open."
"Can we sit?" She indicated toward a bench not too far away.
He pulled his phone out and looked at the time. "Fine."
Clara felt a lump forming in her throat, but she pushed it down. She didn't want to come off as a needy, emotional little girl. She nodded and walked to the bench. She waited for him to sit first, and then she sat next to him, making sure not to sit too close. Her insides felt like they were being ripped apart to know that he was mad at her, but she wasn't going to let him see that.
"Let's hear it."
She nodded. "Thank you."
He shrugged, not looking at her.
"First of all, I'm not a witch."
William turned to her, looking surprised. "What then? Did you find the fountain of youth?"
"Nothing like that. I come from a long line of…people…who live forever if not killed."
"Go on." His face showed no indication of what he was thinking. He may as well have been playing a hand of poker.
"Usually, we keep our identity hidden from humans. These days, it's a lot easier because people aren't so superstitious. A couple hundred years ago, people were worried about things no one believes anymore. That's why Wiley tried to have me burned at the stake."
"That's what people did to witches. What are you, if not a witch?"
"He was an idiot, William. If your family has passed on any truth about the people in that album, I'm sure you've heard that he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed."
"So I've heard. What's the true story according to Clara?"
Clara looked around to make sure no one else was in hearing distance. "I'm a vampire, William." She kept her gaze on his face for a reaction.
His face remained stoic.
"Did you hear—?"
"You expect me to believe you're a vampire?"
"Whether or not you believe it, that's the truth…according to Clara."
"A vampire?"
She nodded.
"Yet you say you come from a family that lives forever?"
"I was born to vampire parents."
He put his face into his hands, muttering something Clara couldn't hear, even with her strong hearing. He put his hands into his lap and turned to her. "You were born a vampire?"
"It's complicated, but essentially, yes."
"You're going to have to explain that to me."
"Born vampires don't actually become a vampire until after the transition. Before then, we have a heartbeat and no desire for blood. We're practically human until then."
"So vampires aren't humans first?"
"Common vampires are. They don't tend to be as secretive about their identities, so that's why you humans mostly believe things that apply to them. Though I don't know where garlic—"
"Hold on. How can you be out in the sunlight? Are you going to tell me that's a myth?"
"It's not. I had a sun blessing placed on me at birth. All royal babies do."
"So, you're not only telling me you're a vampire, but you're vampire royalty?"
Clara nodded. Why did she feel that she was only digging herself into a hole? "Every born vampire is from the royal class."
"Interesting."
She put her hand on top of his, but he pulled it away. "William, I'm sorry I never told you. I wanted to, every day. I hated keeping it from you, but it's not like it came up easily in conversation."
"What about all those nights we spent talking about our dreams? Or pretty much any other time we've been together over the last couple of years?"
"It's something that has to be brought up delicately. Like I told you, I've been handed over to a human mob, ready to set me on fire. It's not something I'm eager to have happen again."
"Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I do. That's why I'm telling you this now."
William leaned against the bench and put both of his hands on top of his head. "Why me?"
"Everything else about our relationship is true. My love for you is like no other. I would do anything for you, William. Anything at all. I want to marry you and make you the happiest man ever to live."
He looked at her. "What's supposed to happen when I age and you don't?"
"I could pretend to be addicted to plastic surgery."
He shook his head. "That would never work."
"Do you believe me?"
"I don't know what to think. Twenty-four hours ago, I never would have thought I would be trying to figure out if witches or vampires are real."
"They are. We are." Clara sighed. "Remember last night when I was kissing your neck? I was actually so taken in by our love that I couldn't help drinking a little of your blood."
He stared at her. "Are you joking?" He rubbed his neck. "You didn't even leave a mark."
"I have healing properties that I used. Your skin is as good as new."
William removed his hand from his neck. "I need some time to process everything. Can you give me some space for a while?"
Clara tried to hide her disappointment, but was unable. She swallowed. "How much time?"
"I don't know. Let me call you when I'm ready to talk."
She slid off the ring. "Do you want this back?"
He looked at it. "Keep it. I'm not making any decisions right now. I just need some space."
"You got it." She slid the ring into a pocket in her purse. The
n she stood up and walked away without another word.
Chapter 21
WILLIAM WATCHED AS she walked away. Why did this have to happen? Why had she felt the need to tell him that she was a vampire? A vampire. What was he supposed to do with that?
He looked at the lake, watching the water bob up and down. How was he supposed to deal with this? His fiancée was either a liar, a psycho, or some kind of blood-thirsty monster. But he had spent so much time with her. He had seen her on good days and bad, under stress and elated. She was none of those things.
Someone stopped in front of him and he looked up. A pretty brunette walking a cocker spaniel was staring at him. She looked vaguely familiar.
"William? Is that you?"
He tilted his head, trying to place her. "Nichole?" She was one of Kathryn's friends from school. He hadn't seen her in years.
She broke out into a grin. "Yeah. Wow, I almost didn't recognize you. Love the stubble." She turned to the dog and told him to sit. "Mind if I have a seat?"
"Sure."
Nichole sat down, a little closer than he felt comfortable with. "How have you been? You were overseas, right?"
He nodded. "Studying abroad."
"So exciting. Do you totally love it?"
"It's been better than I could have hoped for." He looked around, eager to find a reason to leave. The last thing he needed was to talk with her when he needed to figure out what to do about Clara.
She scooted closer. "Are you back for the whole summer?"
William moved away, practically sitting on the edge of the bench. "That's the plan. I'm spending long hours at the firm with my dad. I'm very busy."
"I can tell." She made her way closer. "You know, I always thought you were cute. But I stayed away because of Kathryn. Now we're not really friends, we've drifted apart and don't spend any time together." She raised her eyebrows.
He cleared his throat. "Didn't you hear the news? I'm engaged."
"I heard someone got engaged at the club's dance. I didn't feel like going, so I missed it. Do I know her?"
"Probably not."
"Was she the one who just left?"
"You saw her?"
Nichole nodded. "I stopped when I saw you two. It looked like a pretty intense conversation. She didn't look very happy when she left. You know, if she doesn't have what it takes to keep you happy, I'm more than willing to step up."
He stood up. "You're bold. You don't even care that I'm engaged?"
"You're not married. It's not over until the fat lady sings."
"She's not fat."
Nichole laughed. "I didn't mean her. Look, you don't have to sleep over. Let's just grab a coffee. You know, old friends catching up."
"I should get back home. I need to get ready for my internship."
Smiling, she stood up also. "Obviously, you're not on a timetable. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here, watching the lake."
"What do you know about my schedule? I need to get back."
"Oh, come on. It's just coffee. You look like you could use some. My treat. There's nothing to lose. It's not like I'm an old flame. Your girlfriend has nothing to complain about."
"She's my fiancée."
"Whatever. I want to hear about school overseas. My parents have been trying to get me to travel. You're just educating me."
He sighed. "One coffee."
Nichole grinned. "Perfect. Your car or mine?"
"I'll meet you there."
"If you say so." She shrugged.
William grumbled to himself in the car on his way to the coffee shop. Why had he agreed to meet her? Nichole had always been so irritating, and obviously that hadn't changed. He yawned as he pulled into a parking spot. Maybe a coffee wasn't such a bad idea after all. He had barely gotten any sleep between those dreams and tossing and turning.
As he walked to the coffeehouse, he noticed the cocker spaniel in a red sports car. At least the windows were down so the dog could stick his nose out. William put his hand out and patted the dog's nose. If Nichole became too annoying, he would suggest that her pet should get out of the car. It was perfect.
When he walked in, Nichole was paying. She waved to him. "I ordered for you. I hope that's okay."
He shrugged. "I'm not picky." He looked around the shop, sighing in relief. The last thing he needed was any of his friends, or worse, any of Clara's friends, seeing him there with Nichole. Especially after he told Clara not to contact him.
There were empty tables and booths. William walked to a table and sat down. That way, she wouldn't be able to sneak her way next to him, sitting too close.
She walked over, carrying two white cups with brown sleeves. She set one in front of him. "I hope you like mochas. I love them because they're so sweet."
He nodded. "Thanks."
"My pleasure." She sat down in the chair nearest him and moved it as close to him as possible with the table being square. She took a slow drink from her cup and then put it down. "Tell me about school overseas."
He chugged his mocha, surprised at how hot it was. At home, he always put milk in to cool it off. The hot drink burnt his mouth and throat. He nodded, doing his best to act natural. A small buzz started to course its way through him. What had she asked? Something about school. "School is school. Doesn't matter where you go."
"I guess that's good. So, it's the experience of being somewhere else that makes it worthwhile?"
William couldn't even think. He was jittery, and against his will, his feet started tapping the table leg. Were his hands shaking? He couldn't tell. He ran his hands through his hair. "Yeah. Something like that. My family has been doing this for generations, so it's not like it's something that any of us has put much thought into. It's just the way things are."
"Oh? Do you have pictures?"
"Probably. Why? You want to see some?"
He felt pressure on his knee. What was that? As soon as he felt a squeeze, he knew it was her hand. He jumped up, knocking his drink over. He picked it up before too much spilled out. He grabbed a couple napkins and cleaned up the mess.
Nichole looked like she was trying not to laugh.
"I need to get back. My dad's expecting me at the firm. You should let your dog out of the car too."
"Can I get your number? We can try this again."
"No. You have no boundaries. Don't you get that I'm engaged?"
"I told you. It doesn't bother me. It doesn't have to bother you, either."
"Yeah, well, it does. I don't know what kind of a guy you think I am, but I'm not that guy."
"I think you've misunderstood me. I—"
"No, I haven't. You've made your intentions perfectly clear." What was with everyone all of a sudden? First his fiancée was claiming to be a vampire, and then this girl he hadn't seen in years was throwing herself at him.
"You want my number? In case you change your mind."
"That's not going to happen. Thanks for the mocha, but I have to go."
She frowned. "Well, if you do change your mind, Kathryn knows my number."
"I'll keep that in mind. Have a good day."
Nichole waved. "Yeah, you too. Have fun interning." She sat taller and stuck her chest out. "Or you could have some of this."
Without a word, William left the coffeehouse. He could barely walk straight, and he nearly walked into a display case. How many shots were in that mocha?
Chapter 22
CLARA SAT BY a fountain in the middle of the mall, watching people as they passed by. Girls whispered to each other while carrying piles of bags. Boys shoved and chased each other, stealing each other's baseball caps. There weren't a lot of adults given that it was midday during the week.
She sipped a smoothie. If only watching others was enough to get her mind off her own problems. People were entertaining, but there was no getting around the hole ripped from her heart.
How long would William need to think about things? What she really needed was to talk to him. If he would just hear her out, he wou
ld understand that things didn't have to change. She wasn't any different than she had been before.
"Hey, Clara! What's up?"
Clara looked up and saw Natalie.
She sat next to her. "Is everything okay? You look troubled."
"Is it that obvious?"
Natalie put an arm around her. "Well, I've spent enough time with you to tell you're not feeling yourself. You look like your puppy ran away."
"William and I are dealing with some…stuff."
"I've been there." Natalie squeezed Clara's shoulders and rested her head against hers. "Every couple goes through it. I don't remember if you were around when Braydon and I had our issues, but there was a time I thought we'd never make it. Now look at us. You guys will get through whatever's going on."
"I'm not so sure."
"Oh come on. I've seen you two. Remember those double dates we went on when you were our foreign exchange student? Braydon and I spent as much time with you two as we did by ourselves. If anyone is going to stay together forever, it's you guys."
Clara shook her head. Had she forgotten that William wasn't a vampire? "This isn't—"
"Whoa. What's that?"
"What?" Clara looked around.
"No. This." Natalie picked up Clara's hand. "Where's the ring? Clara, what's going on?"
Clara tried to smile, but failed miserably. "I told you. We're dealing with some stuff."
Natalie's eyes became as wide as saucers and she shook Clara's hand. "It can't be that bad, can it?"
"It is."
"Tell me everything. Don't leave anything out."
Looking around the busy mall, Clara thought about her wording. "I started to tell him about…you know." She didn't want to say vampires because there were so many people around.
"No. What did he say?"
"I didn't get a chance to—"
A loud noise sounding like an explosion shook everything.
Clara and Natalie stared at each other. The building continued to rumble, and then there was another loud noise. Glass shattered nearby and people screamed. Another explosion rocked the mall, and then there was an eerie creaking noise. It sent chills down Clara's back.
Looking up, she saw the roof buckling. It was probably going to crash down on everyone, and soon. She looked around at all the young people near her. She had to get everyone out or they would all be killed.
Paranormal After Dark: 20 Paranormal Tales of Demons, Shifters, Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Witches, Magics, Ghosts and More Page 183
