by M. D. Bowden
“You’re still bleeding – I thought you said you healed quickly!”
“Yeah, but it was more than a bite – more like a rip. It’s not bleeding as much as it was though.”
“Will you scar?”
“Nah – I’ll heal up just fine – should be great in a couple of days.”
I eye his leg. “Really?”
“Yep.”
“What happened to your leg?”
“Well – I was pretty ganged up on there – while I was fighting one bloodsucker, another went for me and I guess he twisted it or something – but it broke pretty bad. Is a good thing I was a wolf as when I turned back the bone went right back to the proper place again.”
“How did you get away when you were injured?”
“I’ll tell you all about it – after you tell me what happened to you!”
“Alright then.”
“Go on then!”
I explain everything I can – as much as I can remember – excluding the details of how attracted I still felt to Casper. At least I didn’t give in to it though. His eyes darken when I tell him about Casper killing the other bloodsucker, then darken further when I tell him Casper thinks I’m his.
“This is not good – he’s fixated on you Ava. Do you like him?”
I don’t answer fast enough, and I can feel my cheeks heat. “I don’t—”
“You do.” He says it quietly.
“No! Well …” I say, and I look at Alfie’s hurt face. “He makes me feel a certain way – but I know it’s because he’s a vampire! I don’t want to feel that way! He killed that girl – he makes me sick!” I realise I’ve got to my feet. I’m shouting.
“Whoa, Ava, take a breath,” Alfie says.
“I’m sorry,” I say, just standing there.
“Did you kiss him?”
“No! I like you Alfie,” I say, unfortunately it comes out more pleading than romantic. “You are good and wonderful, and I don’t want to lose you.” A tear rolls down my cheek.
“Sit back down, Ava.”
I perch on the edge of his bed, feeling rotten.
“You’re not going to lose me – not unless he gets rid of me so he can be with you.”
“You’re a match for him anyway,” I say, managing a little smile, but another tear rolls down my cheek.
Alfie brushes it away with his fingertips. “You’re beautiful, Ava, beautiful and lovely. I’m not surprised he’s fixated on you. I am too.”
I meet his eyes and finally manage to smile properly. Very carefully this time, I lean over and kiss him on the lips. He wraps his hand around the back of my neck and kisses me again, more deeply, and it’s a while until he lets me go.
“You need to be careful though, Ava. I can’t turn you – but Casper is a vampire, and he can. I don’t want a bloodsucker for a girlfriend.”
“I don’t want to be one either,” I say.
“Good.” He pauses. “Look, Ava, I can’t tell you how sorry I am that you were there last night – I should never have trusted that we’d be safe. You could have died. I won’t take that risk again.”
“I chose to be there. It’s not all your fault.”
“It won’t happen again.”
“That’s a shame – I love seeing you as a wolf,” I say, teasingly.
“Well, after this is all over … we’ll see what we can arrange,” he says, and manages a laugh, but he winces again, his face screwing up in pain. “Ugh – try not to say anything funny,” he says, groaning.
“Ok,” I say, grinning at him, finally feeling like everything is going to be alright between us. “Tell me what happened to you now.”
“Yeah, ok. I panicked when I saw five bloodsuckers coming for us. Thought that was it – I had no idea how I was going to manage to protect you. And as that blond one went for you – three of them came at me. I’d seen it was Casper there as well – and knew I wasn’t fighting him – so I thought he’d gone for you too. I thought they’d kill you.” He stops and squeezes my hand. “Even though he’s a bloodsucker, and into you, I’m still happy he saved you.”
I smile. “I know.”
“I went into some kind of frenzy, desperate to get to you – just lashing out at them. I didn’t really know what I was doing – wasn’t thinking straight. Got my teeth around the neck of one of them, and that’s when another got my leg, but then I ripped the head off the one I got and the other two legged it. I didn’t even notice how my side got hurt. Then I looked for you and couldn’t see you, or even pick up a hint of a scent trail – guess that’s cos Casper carried you,” he says.
“You looked for me even though you were injured?”
“I had to – but I … when I couldn’t find your trail I had to stop looking. I’m sorry – the pain was so bad, and—”
“Hey,” I say, putting my hand on top of his. “Ok here, remember?”
“I know. Still felt terrible though, not knowing where you were and not doing anything to find you.”
“I get that, I did too. Do you know how the vampires found us?”
“Nope. Mic and a team are out there now seeing if they can work anything out. No-one else got attacked last night,” he says, with a little attempt at a shrug. “’At least two bloodsuckers bit it though.”
I make us tea and sit next to him on his bed talking about anything and everything and nothing. Every now and then someone pops in to see how Alfie’s doing – I guess they’re all like a big family. They are getting friendlier with me too – maybe they think I’m more of a permanent feature now. Mic drops by in the afternoon but he doesn’t have any news; they reckon the vampires were just out looking for us, and unlucky for us they actually picked up our scent.
By dinner time I can hardly keep my eyes open. I make something for us to eat, but after that I crash out on Alfie’s sofa and don’t wake up until dawn. Alfie must hear me moving about as he calls me in. I quickly pull on a jumper and jeans and then hurry to his side.
“How are you?” I say.
“Awesome,” he says, sitting up and exposing his bare chest. He swings his legs over the edge of the bed with his covers still partly around him.
I sit down at his side and he switches on his bedside lamp.
“How’s your leg?”
“See for yourself,” he says, stretching it out in front of him.
“Wow.” The swelling has more than halved, but it’s looking more black and blue with bruising than yesterday. “Do you think you can walk on it yet?”
“I could, but it will heal quicker if I rest it until tomorrow.”
“How’s your side?”
“It’s good enough to do this,” he says, and wraps his arms around me, pulling me back onto the bed with him.
I giggle. “Hey!” I say, but I roll onto my side and wrap my arm around his chest, snuggling against him. He doesn’t smell that fresh, but that’s not surprising, all things considered.
He kisses the top of my head. “Ava….”
“Yeah?” I murmur.
“I love you. You know that right?”
I practically stop breathing.
“You don’t need to say it back or anything. I just want you to know.”
I raise my head and look into his eyes with their gorgeous amber rings.
“I love you,” he mouths, and grins.
I can’t help but grin back, but I don’t know what to say, I feel touched and full of love … but it’s too soon as it’s not that long ago I figured out I liked him … so I lean over and kiss him softly on the lips, then lean back and look into his eyes again. He strokes the hair beside my face, brushes it back and tucks it behind my ear.
“I love you so, so much,” he whispers, and pulls me to him, tenderly holding me against his chest.
I hold him back, feeling cherished and wonderful, but with a niggling doubt that it’s bad that I don’t know if feel the same way yet. Should I know by now? I lean up and kiss him on the lips again, and feel full of love. But does that mean
I love him?
We lie there for some time, holding each other, gently kissing each other while taking care not to press on his injuries. After a while I break the moment and say, “Alfie, I better go home today and do some work.”
He arranges for Sammy to take me back, promising he’ll see me tomorrow night when we’ll go hunting as a team again. Even though no more werewolves were killed that night, there have been more murders and we still need to do all we can to stop them. He makes me promise not to go out after dark alone – like I would even consider it.
I work hard all morning and then at lunchtime I decide to ring Mark – it’s been a while since we’ve spoken and he should know what’s happened – maybe it will help him come to terms with Trish’s death. Not sure if it will though as no-one who was close to her could forget her – she made such an impact on our lives.
“Mark?”
“Ava, hi.” His voice sounds kind of flat.
“How are you doing?”
He pauses, and I’m guessing he shrugs. “Not my best. I miss her so much, Ava.” His voice breaks mid-sentence and it sounds like he’s crying. “I feel really low.”
“I miss her so much too. I wish … I wish she was still here with us.”
Sobs come down the line.
“I have so much to tell you – so much has happened. Why don’t you come up for the day tomorrow? You could get the train from Barnstaple.”
“I don’t know.”
“You would really want to know what I have to tell you – and telling you over the phone just seems weird. All this is already so weird.”
“Ok then, I guess I could do with leaving the house.”
“Yay! It will be good to see you. I miss you too.”
We spend a while sorting out the arrangements before we ring off. I’m glad he’s coming – it will be good for me to talk about this with someone who’s been in my life forever, someone who’s not involved and who I know I can trust.
I work my ass off for the rest of the day and into the evening, trying to catch up for all the time I’ve spent … doing other things. More important things – worthy distractions – but I still need to earn enough money to pay the rent or I won’t be able to stay here. It’s been dark for some time when I finally snap my computer shut. It’s weird to have an evening at home, no Alfie, but a smile creeps across my face as I think about kissing him this morning.
I make myself pasta with tomato sauce then veg out in front of a film with a glass of white wine. It’s quite a change from going out hunting – to think this was what I used to do most nights. It’s nice, but it feels like another world from the one I’ve been living in recently.
As the credits start to roll at the end of the film I hear a tap on my window. I look that way – my blinds are still open so outside I can see blackness mingled with a glow from the city lights.
Another tap.
Huh. There are no trees that could touch my window and make that noise, and I’m too high above the ground for anyone to knock. I turn off the TV and there’s another tap, followed by another. I turn out the lamp next to me and edge towards the window, my heart thudding in my ears as I wonder who, or what, is out there. I have a suspicion … but no. It couldn’t be….
Another tap.
I make myself look down, and there, standing under the glow of one of the Victorian street lamps that line the river path, is Casper, looking like he’s about to throw something.
He gives me a cocky grin and a little wave.
A TERRIBLE IDEA
My stomach lurches with a mixture of pleasure and fear. Oh my God. Shite. What should I do? Instead of doing anything I just stand there staring at him like an idiot, frozen in place.
He beckons with his finger.
I shake my head.
He pulls a mock hurt expression, shrugs, and walks off into the dark.
I feel a wave of disappointment, which is even more idiotic than just staring at him. What did I expect him to do? Force me to go out there? I could have chosen to go out … just to talk to him. I didn’t. I did the sensible thing, which was not idiotic at all – what’s idiotic is the feelings that arise in me when I see him. Everything is so good with Alfie – how can seeing Casper have such an effect on me?
I shake my head at myself in exasperation. I’m quite clear that I’m crazy about Alfie – and want to be with him – he is very, very good-looking and kind and sweet and makes me feel wonderful. But Casper … there’s just something about him. He’s beautiful and dangerous and appealing…. Unfortunately he’s also a vampire and a murderer. Or fortunately. Not fortunately for the people he’s killed – I’m not that much of an idiot. But fortunately for my clarity of mind. I think that if he wasn’t … the choice between him and Alfie would be tricky … but he is. So it’s not.
I decide that maybe sleep will implant some sense into me.
***
The next day is gorgeous with a perfect blue sky and crisp coldness. I set off in the daylight, all on my own, to meet Mark at the train station. It’s a long time since I’ve been anywhere on my own, and walking along the river breathing in the crisp air helps to clear my head.
The station is bustling and sparkling with Christmas decorations and there’s a general upbeat air about the commuters. I spot Mark ambling towards me and my face splits into a grin – and he even manages a smile in return. I run to him and wrap my arms around him, and he hugs me back. We walk away from the station in silence, but it’s good to be with him again – I’m glad he actually came – I almost didn’t think he would.
“I was right,” he says. “Getting out of the house has already lifted my spirits. Maybe … maybe I’m ready to return to uni.”
“That would be great – it would be so good to have you back here.”
“Yeah … I’ve got to get on with my life. Can’t let that bastard who … can’t let him ruin everything in my life – even though he ruined the most precious part of it.”
“I have good news on that,” I say, as we get away from the crowds and back down to the river path.
“I’m not sure that’s possible,” Mark says.
“The guy who did it … he’s dead.”
Mark stops walking and stares at me. “How do you know?”
“I saw it happen.”
His mouth drops open.
“Like I said – I have so much to tell you.”
He whistles. “Sounds like it. You might as well get on with it now – let’s sit here and you can fill me in.”
We sit on the third concrete step up, lining the river, and lean against the step behind us. I close my eyes, enjoying the feel of the winter sun on my face.
“I’m not sure if you’ll believe me…”
“I saw Trish … after it happened. I saw your neck after you were bitten. Why don’t you try me?”
“Alright then … I’ve been spending a lot of time with Alfie. And … he … really is a werewolf.”
“How do you know?”
I explain about him taking me out and transforming in front of me.
“Are you actually serious? I know what I saw before … but that’s … incredible.”
“It was incredible. It is. And all the myths are true – vampires and werewolves really are enemies. Alfie is here, and his whole pack, to take out the vampires.”
“Is he dangerous?”
“Who?”
“Alfie – duh,” Mark says and pushes me playfully on the shoulder.
“No, course not.”
“But you said he’s a werewolf – surely he must be dangerous.”
“He’s dangerous to vampires – you should have seen him when they attacked us – he went all big and growly, I –”
“Hang on, stop a minute. Vampires attacked you?”
“Yeah.”
“What were you doing putting yourself in a situation where that could happen? It’s bad enough that I’ve lost Trish – I couldn’t bear it if I lost you too,” he says, his eyes well
ing up.
“I’ve been being careful – and this is really important. I want to help them take down the vampires. I don’t want anyone else to die.”
Mark looks deflated, and worried. “What have you been up to, Ava?”
This time I tell him everything that’s happened, including the romantic stuff with Alfie. And what’s happened with Casper.
Mark listens without interrupting, staring at me intently. When I finish my story he says, “Whoa. That’s a lot to happen to one person in so short a time. I feel a bit pathetic that I’ve just been moping about the house.”
“You could come back? You could join us?”
“Nope. I’m not joining you. This werewolf and vampire business – it’s your mission. And although I don’t want you out there risking your life – I can see that I’m not going to be able to persuade you against it. But … I think I will come back to Exeter. To uni. And I’ll be here for you if you need me. Just be careful! Alright?”
I nod. “I’m glad you’re coming back – you can keep some normality in my life.”
He laughs. “I doubt that – but I’ll try.”
“So … you actually believe me?” I say.
“Yep, even though it all seems so unlikely. The murders…. Trish…. But of course I trust you. Unless … I suppose all that blood loss may have made you have a psychotic breakdown.”
“Hey!” I hit his arm.
He laughs. “Just kidding. I do believe you. I kinda wish I didn’t though.”
“Yeah, me too. At least if it was human killers – then the police could deal with this.”
Mark nods, and then stares out at the water, lost in thought. I do the same, until he jolts me out of it by speaking again.
“How come … when quite a few vampires are now dead … less people aren’t being killed?”
“I know, it’s weird isn’t it. I asked Alfie the same question when I was at his the other day.”
“What did he say?”
“He reckons that now they have realised the werewolves pose a serious threat – that they’re strengthening themselves … for battle.”
“Against the werewolves?”
“Yeah.”
“Doesn’t sound good.”
