“10:56 p.m.”
“Crap.” I walked past her, seeking the man I knew was in charge. “Drexel!”
I gasped, stopping short when he appeared in front of me. “I need the helicopter to drop us as close to Mel’s house as possible. She’s dropping at midnight.”
“Let’s go.” He brushed past me, already issuing orders into a Bluetooth headset. I followed his bodybuilder frame through the mess and crowd of army members falling over to do his bidding.
Chapter 14
It was 11:34 p.m. when they dropped us over Mel’s house. We climbed down the rope ladder that descended into her backyard. Neighbors came out, curious as to what the commotion was. I was sure we’d have to do a bit of cleaning up, but we didn’t have time to focus on that right now.
The ones we’d left behind were waiting for us. Craig nearly took me out, his eyes shooting darts in my direction. He was more than pissed off.
Mel pressed a shaking hand against his chest. “Leave her alone. She saved me.”
“Yeah, well, your hide wouldn’t have needed a hero if it weren’t for the — ”
“Don’t make this personal.” Kellan was in his face in a split second. How had things gone south so quick? A simple last-minute human fun date was now dividing best friends.
“Both of you cut it out. We need to focus on my daughter right now, not some petty blame game.” Mr. Hartford cut between the two vamps and grabbed his daughter’s arm. “Let’s go, honey.”
Aunt Claire shook her head. “Let’s get inside, guys. We don’t need any more attention being drawn to this house that what already is.”
The guys scowled at each other before breaking apart. Craig stomped inside after Mel. Kellan took my hand, murmuring as we followed the rest of them.
“What happened out there, Lex?” Gabi asked the second I closed the back sliding glass door.
“I’m sorry, Gab, but now isn’t the time. I promise to tell you, but I need to help Mel get through the next twenty minutes first. I owe her that much at least.”
“Sure thing. Anything I can do to help, chica?” She leaned into Jack, his chocolate-colored arms wrapped protectively around her lightly tanned ones. There was such a stark contrast between the two of them, yet somehow they seemed right. His muscles flexed, even as his lips gently connected with Gabi’s dark brown locks. He didn’t interfere, but I knew had anyone crossed Gabi, he would have done what Kellan and Craig did. It hit me in that moment, the truth behind his feelings for her. They weren’t fabricated; they weren’t an illusion. He was as in love with Gabi as Kellan was with me and Craig was with Mel.
I smiled at Jack, my heart warming as a bit of the anger I held towards him dissipated under the new realization. “I’ll let you know.”
His dark eyes softened. He knew where my mind was. “Let us both know.”
I nodded.
Mel was supposed to be my focus today, not assassins, not love, not a love triangle. Only Mel. Yet I couldn’t even do that for my best friend. In my effort to find balance, in my drive for normality, somehow I was dropping the ball on everything.
I glanced at the clock. It was already fifteen minutes till midnight. I needed to clear the air with Mel before the clock struck twelve.
Aunt Claire, Steven, and Craig created a protective circle around her. I approached with caution. Craig immediately lashed out.
“Keep that snot raisin buffoon away from her!”
“Craig!” Mel snapped at him. “Stop yelling at her. This wasn’t her fault.”
“Yeah? Who delivered your arse to the rompen stumpers?” he snarled.
I swallowed hard, fighting to keep my emotions in check. This was the worst time for me to get worked up and create a light show. My heart thundered in my constricting chest. Rage began to course through my veins. I was angry at him for being so arrogant and ignorant. I was angry at myself for allowing any of this to take place.
“Mel, can I talk to you alone?” I clenched my jaw, struggling to focus on her and to do right by her.
“Come down to the basement. That’s where I’m changing, anyway.”
I followed her to the door beside the staircase. Opening the door, she immediately switched on the light and led me down.
I broke into a smile as we reached the bottom of the stairs. “Is that what you’re going to change in?”
Her face lit up. “Yup. My dad built it and me and Craig painted and upholstered it. I ordered the material from China. The padding is just regular stuffing from pillows.”
“Wow. You don’t do things halfway, do you?”
She chuckled. “Do you like it?”
I studied the coffin. It was painted hot pink and sealed with a thick, clear gloss. The inside was covered in a custom Hello Kitty vampire print. Hello Kitty was draped in a red and black cape, and fangs with droplets of blood on them protruded from her lips. Between each Kitty was all things vampire, from a silver cross lying in the center of a pink flower to a pound of garlic covered in a purple netting with a pink ribbon gathering the load around the top, to wooden stakes with bloodied tips and red bows decorating the top handle of the stake; it was every cliché dropped onto a cute, silky fabric lining the inside of the ultimate teenage vamp’s sleep chamber.
“Are you kidding? It’s amazing! I’m totally jealous that I don’t have an ounce of your creative flair.”
“Yes, you do. You draw really, really well, and you have a good voice on you, from what I heard in the shower one time a few years ago.”
I felt myself blush. “I know things got out of hand today and shook you a bit. While my life isn’t all roses and Hello Kitty like before, it’s also not government ops and life threats twenty-four/seven, either. In the vamp world, there’s a struggle for power going on. It’s not quite a democracy with one leader, but not exactly a liberal authority, either, and I’m, we’re — Kellan and me are — caught in the middle of it. That doesn’t automatically mean that you will be, too, but I can’t make any promises.
“That’s probably not what you wanted to hear, but the truth of it all is this. I know I complain a lot about missing my simple human life, but in all honestly, Mel, I couldn’t picture living any other way right now. I finally have a purpose. I don’t just exist anymore; I’m creating the change that I never would have had the strength to launch as a human. Not because I was weak, but because I allowed myself to be weak.
“Humans so often diminish themselves. We beat ourselves up along with the world; we tear our self-confidence apart before we even step out into society for them to take a swing at it, too. I never amounted to anything as a human because I didn’t have the guts to. I didn’t have the quick wit you have or the courage to embrace who I was like you. You were everything that I wanted to be, but didn’t have the courage to be. That all changed when I changed.
“Everything that I’ve endured as a vamp has helped make me into the human I always should have been, the human you are. Given that, I can only imagine the powerhouse vampeen you’re going to be. Don’t let threats scare you, Mel. Don’t let the bad guys kill your confidence. You were a strong human, and I’ll be damned if you don’t become a strong vamp. I expect nothing less than greatness from you. Only now, we can be great together if you still want to be.”
Her eyes glistened beneath the single hanging light bulb in the basement. “You know, there was a time when I was jealous of what you’d become. You come off like Superwoman, and I felt like a measly ant, trying get your attention sometimes.” She breathed, shaking her head. “I didn’t know that’s how you saw me, Lex. This whole time I was fighting to be a stronger human so I didn’t have to lose you, and meanwhile, you were struggling to become more like me. Life has a funny way of working things out, but know this, Lex. I don’t care if I’m a human, an ant, a dog, or a full-fledged vampeen, I want to be in your life. I want to help you keep doing these amazing things.
“Every time I hear a new story from Craig or my dad about something you did, I’m so proud
; I light up inside. Maybe I was amazing to you as a human, but you’re extraordinary to me as a vamp, Lex. I’m a little intimidated by your reputation, but as your best friend, I couldn’t be more proud of you. I’ve seen the change. I’ve learned to expect greatness from you. With or without me by your side, Lex, I have no doubt that you’ll do what you’re meant to. I know you’ll succeed regardless of who comes at you. But you can be damn sure that I’ll be beside you, beating down every vamp who threatens you and your cause. Sweet sugarplums on high, I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I can’t wait to be your sidekick.”
We broke into laughter that quickly faded back to the serious moment it was. Intensity crackled behind her sapphire eyes as they met mine. “I’ll be there, Lex, and I’ll try to be every ounce of the great vamp you think I’ll be.”
Blood stung my eyes. “I’m proud of you. Maybe I haven’t been as available as a best friend should be over the last six months, but if you need anything, I’ll always be here. Just call me, and I’ll come.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks. “Thanks.” She blinked repeatedly, trying to stop her waterworks. Her gaze traveled to the decked-out coffin. She took a deep breath, blowing hard on as she exhaled. “Well, I guess it’s time.” She shook her body out. “I think I’m more nervous now than I was in the car earlier.”
“I was exactly the same way, but it’s really not that bad. You don’t feel anything. Kellan described it best. It’s like you’re going under anesthesia. Your body grows heavy and starts to numb; your eyelids will feel like they have weights attached and you can’t fight to keep them open. I know it sounds bad, but you drift off painlessly. Then you wake up feeling like you just took a quick cat nap.”
She nibbled her lower lip. “Promise you won’t leave?”
“They couldn’t pry me away from your coffin.” I smiled.
A commotion at the top of the stairs drew our attention. Mr. Hartford appeared first, his hands in constant motion as he struggled to work through his anxiety. “It’s time, honey.” He pulled Mel into his arms. “Now, don’t worry about a thing. We’re going to be here the whole time.”
“I know. Thanks, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek and hugged him tight.
“Come here, my love bug.” Craig stretched out his arms. He immediately pressed his lips to hers the second she was within his grasp. His hands cupped her face while her hands clutched tightly to his shirt. He washed her face with kisses before one final peck of his lips to hers. “We’ll be here, waitin’ for your superiftic entrance into the vamp world.”
She smiled up at him. “I love you.”
He sighed hard. “I love you, too.”
“One minute, sweetie,” Aunt Claire announced.
Craig lifted her into his arms and settled her into the coffin.
“I so want one of those,” Gabi chuckled. “Have a good sleep, Mel.”
I was surprised when Kellan ambled past me and kissed my best friend’s forehead. “We’ll be here.”
Tears rimmed her eyes again. “Thanks, K. Thanks, everyone.”
I watched as she shook her head, her fingers fumbling for the perfect spot. I knew she was feeling drowsy already.
Steven kissed his daughter’s cheek. “I love you, honey. You’re going to be perfect.”
She barely nodded her head, though her eyes were wide with fear. My chest tightened. I wished I could climb in with her, soothe away every frightening thought. But there were some things you just couldn’t change. There were some things people were meant to endure, and I had to trust that God knew what he was doing in allowing them to go through it.
“Someone get the light,” Steven called.
“I’ve got it,” Jack stated.
A second later, we were all in the cover of darkness, as was Mel. I watched as Craig closed the lid of the coffin. I was officially losing my human best friend, and gaining a strong vampeen sister.
Chapter 15
We all stood around, exchanging glances as if we didn’t know what to do next. I knew this was our time to iron out all our issues before she woke up.
“I’m sorry about what happened tonight, guys. Trust me when I say I didn’t plan it. None of it was planned, which was why we were so caught off-guard.” I told them all the details of what had happened on the bridge and after, including my kiss with Kai. There would be no more secrets. I wasn’t going to lie to the people who trusted me; their trust was all I had at times.
“My curdles are pumpin, but this wasn’t you, love. I know that, but I love her. Drowning in your cud with those butt puddlers doesn’t sit well, though. I see what my mate goes through. I see how hard it is for him; he’s constantly freckled with fear. I don’t know if I my pitter could survive that.” He sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You’ve got it at every angle, Lex, and I don’t want her to jelly through it, too.”
“I get it, Craig. You have every right to worry, but in the end, it’s her choice. The same as it’s mine. Kellan tried to stop me, but he couldn’t. You can try to hold Mel back, but ultimately, you’ll only lose her if you try to trap her in a glass jar with no air. Give her some freedom, give her confidence in herself and your relationship, and she’ll always come home to you.”
“As much as it angers me to say this, she’s right, Craig. I despise the idea of my daughter being a target, but I also couldn’t stand to lose her because I tried to control her.” Mr. Hartford faced me. “I’m trusting you, Lexi, and you, too, Kellan. I’m trusting you both with my daughter’s life because I know her loyalty to you is impenetrable, but if anything happens to her, you’re going to have a whole new enemy to look out for. And there’s no officer in the vamp army that will be able to hold me back.” His lean muscles flexed as he rolled through the emotions, the idea of losing his daughter.
I couldn’t imagine the fear of your child’s life being on the line. How did parents let their children venture out into gangs, into a life of drugs or violence? Every time my phone rang, I would be shaking, fretting that someone had found their body and needed me to identify it.
I swallowed hard, meeting his gaze. “You have my word, Mr. Hartford. I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. I can’t guarantee her immunity, but I’d take a bullet for her without thinking twice. I know the bond between parent and child outranks everyone else’s, but the bond between siblings isn’t far behind. I love her like a sister. I don’t want to imagine a world without her either.”
He nodded. “I appreciate that.”
“Damn, Lex. And I thought I had it rough. When I see Kai, I’m going to rip him to shreds! I can’t believe he’s so insensitive and blatantly disrespectful. First to Jack and now to Kellan. Err! He is so in for it when I get a hold of him,” Gabi growled, crossing her arms over her chest, tapping her foot against the concrete floor.
“Thanks, but I think he got the message. At least, I hope so.”
“Lex, this isn’t about love notes and pitters, this is about pissing on my mate’s berry. You’re his girl, and no sapple in a hula skirt should be pressing his puffer to you, bottle sticks.” Craig scowled as he covered his chest with his arms, pushing it outward.
“He’s right, Lexi. I’d slit his throat if he came at my woman like that.” Jack pulled Gabi to his side, wrapping his arm around her waist possessively. Gabi had told me Jack was on the verge of doing it over what Kai had done to her in the past, but he knew that without Kai changing her, Gabi wouldn’t be here.
I knew they were right. I knew Kellan had every right to duke it out with Kai, but I had the irrational need to protect Kai. Perhaps I was putting some of the blame on myself. I kept running through my interactions with him, trying to pinpoint when I had given him the wrong impression. When did I tip him off to my feelings for him? It all went back to the house, to the first time I messed up. Kai was clinging to a momentary slip in the past because he knew it was a slip of truth. That left me caught in the middle of a quickly gathering war.
Gabi narrowed her
eyes at me. “Oh, no. Don’t tell me you feel sorry for him, Lex.”
“I don’t feel sorry for him. I do feel bad, though. I know he’s messed up with a lot of women in the past, but I can see the desperation. I know he’s finally ready to find someone and settle down into a permanent partnership, and I think he’ll be good to whoever he does find.”
“You.” I turned as Kellan’s voice echoed through the space. “You think he’d be good to you.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“You didn’t have to say it. You thought it.” Kellan copied the others, throwing his arms over his chest, protecting his heart. His words had bite to them. He believed them, and that hurt.
“Yes, I thought it. I think he would be good to me, but if I wanted him, then I would have already gone to him. I could have left you a long time ago, Kellan, but I didn’t. Because while I care about him, my heart will always belong to you, and all the money, weapons, and power won’t change that. But if you don’t believe me, if you think I’d be happy with someone else, then take back your ring because clearly we have a trust issue at that point.” My eyes stung. I ripped the ring off my finger and threw it in his direction. I was out of the basement and upstairs in Mel’s room in the blink of an eye.
I closed her door, sinking to the floor with my back against it. God, I was such a mess. Maybe I wasn’t ready for commitment. I was young, but… A stinging pain hit my chest. My lungs struggled to expand as tears cascaded down my cheeks. My skin was glowing a soft blue, but quickly ebbed because of the sadness curbing my anger. Who was I kidding? I would marry Kellan today if we were legally able to. I loved him that much. I wasn’t perfect, but I loved him enough to try to be.
I stared through the red haze of my tears at Mel’s room. It was the epitome of femininity, with a Paris fashion feel. Wide, bold soft pink and gray vertical stripes covered the walls all the way around her room. Pencil sketches of clothing designs hung in intricately carved black frames around the space. A crystal chandelier hung in the center of her room, reflecting the glamour back into it. Her bed was a twisted gold metal frame; her sheets and comforter were a crisp white with layers of frilly ruffles. Her dresser and desk were antique white with antiqued mirrored panels and crystal knobs. Above her desk was a plush twill-covered board with crisscrossing pink ribbons that held magazine cutouts of outfits Mel loved, along with photos and inspirational quotes.
4 Vamp Versus Vamp Page 10
