Out for Blood: Phil's Story (Talisman Series)

by Brenda Pandos

  Son of a bitch!

  I blew out a breath slowly, conceding. I’d find another angle. She couldn’t be latched to his arm forever and I knew where she lived. Heck, I knew her room like the back of my hand.

  “Lucky guess then.” I laughed and shook my head. I wouldn’t give up so easily.

  She frowned, but not in an I’m-sorry kind of way and I took off to lick my wounds, hoping they wouldn’t follow.

  :::

  P.E. blew. A little five-on-five would have worked out this frustration in no time but Coach wouldn’t let me play basketball in my street clothes. I was forced to watch from the bleachers. And to top it off, Nick and Julia never showed. I tried not to think about why as my blood boiled. Super vampire powers would have come in so handy right about now.

  My eyes kept drifting to the girls’ side as they played volleyball. No one new caught my eye. They were all the same boring girls from my alter-universe. I spotted Katie with her loud mouth right off the bat, bragging each time she made a point.

  I wondered if she and Tyler were an item or not. The Fab Five felt like ages ago. Whatever happened to Scarlett? Or Samantha? And as if I’d summoned her, Sam walked in from the gym doors, talking to Coach. Her hair hung in shiny dark waves, resting over her shoulders.

  My mouth gapped. She totally had a soft spot in my heart too, and the last time I’d seen her, we were handcuffed in Cain’s lair awaiting death. I’d co-sired her after she’d become a vamp from Dr. V’s serializing venom. My ingenious idea was to mix them in order to save her life and that plan backfired, almost killing her.

  Cain had taken me first. Judged me after Julia left the hall to be prepped for his meal.

  “Is it true you killed others of our kind?” Cain had asked.

  No matter how hard I tried to lie, I couldn’t. Slide, from the fang gang in L.A., had been my first and not my last. But after my resurrection, I’d considered myself a saint. No blood. No killing of innocents. Cain’s rules weren’t the same as God’s apparently and he had zero mercy.

  The staking was quick. No other questions were asked and I was glad Julia didn’t see. Like a knife through butter, he plunged his stake into my heart right through the venom drenched shirt. Damn.

  I sucked in a breath, resurfacing to my new reality. This was a better universe. Seeing Sam happy and free, and so beautiful, proved that. Maybe she’s the one I’m supposed to go for, not Julia.

  My pocket vibrated with a text.

  How’s school? –Jess

  I pocketed it. After everything, I didn’t want to give Jess a second thought anymore. Come to think of it, she’d been cheating on me with my best friend back home anyway.

  Damn.

  Lingering in the hall after P.E., I waited until the girls made their exit. They had to recognize me. Sam popped out of the locker room door first, chatting with Katie and I intentionally bumped into her, knocking her bag from her shoulder.

  “Oh, hey…sorry.” I held out the bag to Sam, flashing my award-winning smile.

  It’s Phil…you know me. Remember?

  Katie’s eyes bugged at me and for a moment, and I swore she recognized me.

  “No problem.” Sam’s cheeks flushed as she slid the bag onto her shoulder.

  What? Do I have to do all the work around here?

  “I’m new around here,” I said quickly. “Phil.”

  Sam’s eyes grew as Katie moved in, outstretching her hand. “Katie.”

  Reluctantly, I took it, keeping my eyes locked on Sam. “You must be…Sam? Is it?” I leaned in toward her.

  Her jaw swung open. “How did you know?”

  I winked. “Lucky guess.”

  Katie and Sam exchanged curious glances and I chuckled on the inside. They might not have remembered, but all girls were so predictable. It did help I knew them already.

  “Anyway, sorry for bumping into you. Nice to meet you both. See ya around,” like next period.

  I sauntered off, leaving a swarm of hushes in my wake. Even if they didn’t remember, a late entrance into history would seal the deal. Who says I can’t press fast-forward myself and just pick up where I left off?

  Walking through the hall, I tried to keep from inadvertently saying hi to everyone I knew. Thinking on it, being at school beat waiting around in the dark with Katie and Scarlett for the sun to set any day. But being able to fly? Hmmm…maybe I’d forgo high school to fly again.

  I locked eyes with Justin and he startled, looking away.

  “Justin,” I said and sauntered over to him, putting my arm over his shoulder. I lead him down the hall. “Remember me?”

  “Uh…,” he said, his voice quaking. “Should I?”

  “Well, not yet. But when you do, be sure to let me know, okay?”

  “Yeah, sure,” he agreed.

  I let go of him and he scurried away. Poor kid. He’d had such a short vampire life. Maybe his memories will never surface.

  The warning bell sounded and I stepped into History. Scanning the room, I spotted the threesome right away: Julia, Sam and Katie. Of course my usual seat was taken, but the one behind Julia was open. Score. I made my way over, when the sub stopped me.

  “Mr. D’Ella, I presume?”

  I turned toward the voice and felt the blood drain from my face.

  Slicked black hair and icy blue eyes stared back at me. He smiled, flashing his canines. “Nice to not be the only newbie around here. I’ve been expecting you and Mr. Kendrick. You’re fine where you are in front, Mr. Kendrick.” He gestured to a chair behind Julia. “Mr. D’Elia, please take the seat behind Ms. Parker.”

  Behind his head on the whiteboard, I read the letters: Mr. Cruor. But I only knew him as the man who’d murdered me.

  As Cain.

  CHAPTER THREE

  I did as he instructed, taking the seat behind Julia. But when I passed her, she kept a poker face. Maybe she didn’t remember.

  And besides being Cain’s doppelgänger, Mr. Cruor’s first name wasn’t Cain like I’d suspected. Horace, as the class soon discovered, was a single dude that grew up in Boston, had a degree in archaeology, loved to travel, and owned a German Shepherd named Felix. His gestures weren’t as fluid and graceful as when I’d known him as the Prince of Vampires, but all the girls were mesmerized by him—even Julia.

  Great. Dude has skills.

  As the class listened transfixed to his jovial stories, I couldn’t stop the memories of what he’d done to me in the evil lair. They were on replay in my mind. And quite frankly, Cain AKA Horace terrified me. The hot fire that had consumed my chest after he’d pierced me with the stake wasn’t something I enjoyed reliving. The coincidences set my teeth on edge and the intoxicating scent drifting over from Julia was almost too much to handle. It took all my effort not to run my hands through her hair, accidentally of course.

  After class, Julia darted out of the classroom first and Nicholas followed. The throng of people in the hall made catching up to them easy.

  “I can show Nick where the physics building is,” I said while joining Julia’s side. I left off the part where I knew her English class was in the opposite direction.

  “It’s okay. I’ve got it.” Julia looked to Nick as if for confirmation.

  A small shudder convulsed across her shoulders and wanted to ‘whoop’. She was remembering. Yes!

  “You don’t want to be late to English,” Nicholas said to her with an apologetic smile. “I’ve got it,” he ticked his head back toward the History room door, “… later.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked

  Nick nodded.

  “Okay.” She forced out a weak grin. “I’ll meet you back here.”

  I narrowed my eyes. Was Nick remembering, too? Dang, I didn’t want him to. I wanted to share the memories with Julia and only Julia.

  Man, if only she would finally admit to this elephant in the room and that she cares about me. The déjà vu was driving me crazy and if Horace and Cain were one in the same, shit was about to hit
the fan. We weren’t safe…not our grades, not our lives.

  “Ready?” This delayed good-bye was really getting old. “It’s this way,” I said, nodding.

  Nick finally left Julia’s side and we walked a few feet apart toward the double doors leading outside. I ignored the feeling of dread inside. Something felt wrong with leaving the love of both our lives behind. What if Cain/Horace decided to just take her? I looked over my shoulder one last time, watching her join up with Katie and Sam. They’d be together for now at least.

  I closed my eyes. Something huge was up, and after everything I didn’t believe in coincidences anymore. Mr. Marshall’s heart attack most likely wasn’t an accident and I planned to find out more about Horace.

  If he had ulterior plans, that meant owning up to the truth, putting aside my feelings for Julia and my loathing hate for Nick, and figuring out a plan.

  Man, what a crap-ass day.

  :::

  Horace split after fifth period and no amount of charming Mrs. Hinney would get her to spill his address. This was going to be harder than I thought.

  Day two and I had nothing. Not one person corroborated my memories. And to add a notch to my insanity, I’d resorted to stalking Julia. Crouched in the brush by her house, I waited and watched her darkened two-story bedroom window, flooded with memories.

  So many times I’d flown to that rooftop and fought vampires with her using laser pens. I protected her, took shelter in there and cared for her when she had the flu. We’d been a team. We’d even planned how we were going to save the world. Remembering her in her skin tight black leggings, oh man…her butt so round and…

  I slapped myself. This wasn’t helping things. I had to stop wanting for something I couldn’t have. Finally, at ten o’clock, the lights in her room blazed on. I held my breath when two shadows filed past. Two?

  I blinked in horror. Her dad let her have guys upstairs? I stood and kicked the dirt. I didn’t have much of a plan once she did go to her room anyway. Like throwing a rock would go over well. I might as well have saved my gas and just texted her. Did she have the same number?

  Headlights flashed, revealing my hideout. I swiveled around and walked down the sidewalk as if I belonged there. An older looking Quantum drove by and parked.

  “Phil?” Julia asked as she exited the vehicle.

  I plunged my hands into my pockets. Damn. Caught. “Hey.”

  She rounded her car, her brows pushed together in such a cute way. “What are you doing here?”

  A whiff of bread and mayo told me she’d just returned from work.

  Dang it. I could have just shown up at Erik’s. What was I thinking?

  “Taking a walk.” I looked upward. “Nice clear night, huh? We don’t see stars like this in L.A.”

  Her mouth hung opened. “You walked here?”

  My eyes narrowed, searching her face. “How do you know where I live?”

  “I don’t. I just assumed…,” she stammered and shook her head.

  “Odd we know so much about each other, isn’t it?”

  She blew out a controlled breath. “No, Phil. It’s ten o’clock and it’s late and I’m tired. And you’re…why are you here anyway?”

  I shrugged, unsure what to say. My hopes she’d ‘fess up if we were alone weren’t coming to fruition apparently.

  “You’re creeping me out, Phil.”

  Her words hit me hard. I hated that she thought of me that way.

  “Like I said, I was taking a walk.” I turned on my heels and headed toward my car parked around the corner.

  “No, don’t go like that,” she said, walking behind me. “I didn’t mean—”

  I could hear the sadness in her voice, but I was done. She’d left my cheese hanging in the wind one too many times and I didn’t need her.

  “Goodnight, Parker.”

  “Stop!” she yelled.

  “I’m no creeper. I’m gone.”

  I turned the corner and vanished from her sight. My memories had been a dream, plain and simple, and I’d made a huge fool out of myself over it for nothing.

  Time to move on, buddy-boy.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The weeks flew by and I’d successfully blended in, just like before. Making friends was never difficult for me and I gave Julia and company a huge berth. No use going where I wasn’t wanted.

  Horace, other than his ability to charm the ladies, had proven to be harmless. And all my classes, so far, had been a breeze. I’d even snagged a few ex-vamp cheerleaders, taking my time to pick one to keep me company.

  Sadly, my mind drifted to Julia, especially during History. Sitting behind her every day had become pure torture. But I’d never let on that it bugged me. I’d refrained from any eye contact and refused to acknowledge her if she was in the room. She’d never be able to call me a creeper to my face again.

  “Okay, class,” Horace said while scrawling something on the whiteboard. “I’m going to deviate a little from our regularly scheduled program of History, and talk about the upcoming blood drive—”

  My ears perked at the mention of blood.

  “—specifically our contribution.”

  I listened in as Horace launched into a tirade about how the banks were depleted and sick people needed our help. Somehow fossils came up and infectious diseases. Yeah, I know about diseases. The vampire ones. The class ate up his mission as if it were gospel.

  “So,” he continued, “I’m challenging you all to a friendly class competition. Whichever class donates the most blood wins a pass on the final.”

  All the hairs on my neck stood on end. I looked around class, specifically at the ex-vampires. Did no one else think this was a strange reward?

  I raised my hand. “Don’t we need parental consent?”

  In unison, the girls in the front row turned, giving me the stink eye.

  “Good question.” Horace leaned onto the edge of his desk. “If you’re not seventeen yet, then yes you do. I have permission slips here for those who need them.”

  Hands shot up from all over.

  “We can opt out, if we don’t want to give, right?” I chuckled to lighten the question.

  A low murmur of dissention rumbled through the room. I couldn’t be the only one who objected. Someone had to be afraid of needles.

  Mr. Cruor laughed. “It’s your decision, ultimately. But it’s disappointing that you don’t want to help the cause.”

  I squirmed in my seat, angered at how quickly he’d made me the bad guy. Was he starting to have a craving for blood?

  “Well, I’m not doing it just to win a contest,” I said to save face. The hype would fade and ultimately, I’d get out of donating. Whatever Horace’s reasons were for pushing so hard, I wasn’t budging, no matter how much I’d enjoy a break from finals. Something wasn’t right about it.

  Horace’s eyes tightened. “You’re setting a bad precedent for the others, Mr. D’Ella. Everyone knows the ultimate value in participating, as will you.” He held me there, just like he had in his lair when he plunged the stake into my heart. My spine shivered.

  He turned to the board, spelling out the stipulations of the contest, and I blew out the breath I’d held.

  Julia turned to the front of the room and her shoulders rose and fell dramatically. Now would be a great time to remember what Cain had done to us. But this? Anyone with a brain couldn’t deny this was a crazy idea for a test freebie.

  “My dad’s a lawyer,” I mumbled.

  “Detention, Mr. D’Ella,” Horace said without skipping a beat. “Another outburst and you’ll be escorted out of my class.”

  Damn.

  I chewed on my cheek. Would no one object with me? Cowards. I sucked in a deep breath and leaned onto my elbows, tempted to whisper into Julia’s ear. But what would I say? That this was weird? That Horace was a little too obsessed over blood. Where was my friend when I needed her most?

  I clenched my fists and sat back, folding my arms. He’d have to tie me down to get m
y blood. Flunk me. I didn’t care. I’ll just sue.

  Class ended and I slipped out without consequence, well, from Horace that was. Everyone else eyed me like I was contagious. Hushes and hurried glances were my thanks for refusing Horace’s “so called” project. I’d become a pariah with one objection.

  “You’re all sheep!” I yelled as I hit the double doors leading outside.

  :::

  “For the record, I agree with you,” Katie said, slipping into one of the many vacant seats next to me at my lonely table in the quad.

  I inclined my head and lowered my sunglasses, pulling on the earbuds in my ears. A half eaten Cheeto hung from my mouth. “Since when?”

  “Since I don’t like needles.”

  I laughed. She had no shame. My argument with the beloved teacher wasn’t about needles. It was about free-will, about choosing to be charitable because it was the right thing to do. Not something you do to win a contest, never mind his questionable alter past. But apparently word that I’d stood up to our beloved History teacher had spread like a box of spilled BB’s all over school and no one had the balls to cross that dreaded line he’d drawn in the sand.

  And now Katie, with her boobs pressed against the table top, had been nominated to sway me. This was going to be fun.

  “Then don’t donate,” I said.

  “I’m working to overcome my fears.” Katie ran her fingertips along my bare arm. “What are you afraid of? People finding out about your infectious disease?”

  What the heck? I refrained from pulling off her hand and twisting it.

  “I don’t have any diseases, Katie. It’s called standards. Something you know nothing about, apparently.”

  She blew out a gust of air and yanked her hand away which made me smile. “I’m only here to help, but if you don’t want it—”

  “That would be nice.” I attempted to replace the bud in my ear and return to my heavy metal.

  Katie stayed my hand.

  “Clearly, you do.” She glanced at the gawking crowd behind us and nudged her shoulder. “I’m just suggesting, for your reputation, you go along with the contest. It’s for a good cause.”