by Unknown
“It’s not that black and white.”
Dad huffed in apparent disappointment with me and continued to watch as Nicholas remembered his abilities of speed and agility. “Well, no wonder we couldn’t find him. He’s obviously not a vampire after all. I mean, I’ve seen him come get you in plain daylight. I’m impressed. How can he do all of those moves?”
I bit my knuckle and willed Nicholas to at least slow down a little. “He’s into martial arts.”
“I’m impressed. He must wear something that keeps the vamps from biting him.”
A venom drenched undershirt and not to mention, reflexes of a cobra.
I didn’t answer and eventually, the incoming vamps got a clue and stayed away. He went back to his car and leaned against the hood. He had something in his hands—the journal. My throat hiccupped.
“Is he guarding our house?” My dad looked dumbfounded.
“Uh, you think?” I held out my hand and smirked.
“You don’t have to be smart with me, young lady,” Dad said.
His double-standard angered me. His loathing hate for the vampires was understandable, but he’d unfairly lumped them all in the same category, even civil vampires, like Darren. What if Dad knew Nicholas was a half-vampire, would he think him the enemy? Would he allow me to date him? I didn’t think he’d accept Nicholas because of his bloodline, though he didn’t have a choice who his parents were. So unfair, especially since he clearly fought on our side.
Dad’s scratched his stubble on his cheek. “Do you think he’d talk to me?”
“He won’t know anything. He’s suffering from a case of amnesia.”
Dad’s composure dropped. I fought back a smug smile.
“I told you it was complicated.”
He grunted something under his breath, growing bored.
I took the cue and moved to the stairs for a quick exit. “So, I guess I’ll be going to bed now, since the drama seems to be over.”
“Please promise me you’ll stay inside,” Dad asked, his eyes beseeching.
“I will, but I want you to know something,” I said as a gust of courage bolstered my nerves. I pointed to my talisman. “Nicholas gave me this. It’s an amulet to protect me from vampires and makes biting me impossible.”
Dad squinted. “What?”
“This.” I held the glowing stone away from my chest.
“Julia. Are you sure?” His concern bounced around us. “I’ve seen those same trinkets in vending machines. How could it possibly protect you?”
“What?” My mouth parched as I looked down at the stone and back at him.
Did he not see the twenty-five carats of beauty practically singing in my hand? Something Nicholas had said about the talisman only being attractive to the beholder came to mind; that it cloaked itself.
“Was that before or after his amnesia?” Dad asked in concern.
My pride insisted I go outside just to show him just how awesome the necklace worked, but I knew the perceived danger could aggravate his heart problem. I decided to stop pressing the issue. Otherwise he’d duct tape me on an ET psychiatrist’s couch in Tulsa, far away from my friends and Nicholas.
“Before, but never mind. I’ve got the pen you gave me and it works great.”
“Oh?” His eyebrows shot up.
“The vamps were stalking me outside my window before the power cut out. Good night.” I hurried up the stairs, leaving him gawking in the foyer.
Dad didn’t go to bed until almost daybreak. His anxiety traipsed often through my bedroom door before he checked on me, keeping me awake. I briefly considered setting up the blond wig under my covers again so I could visit Nicholas outside, but I’d promised I wouldn’t. And after everything that happened tonight, I didn’t want to push Dad’s heart over the edge. Somehow, I eventually fell asleep.
Morning came and I awoke to the sunlight dancing across my closed eyelids. I pried them open a little after 9:00 A.M.
Disappointment twisted my stomach until I felt Nicholas’ sweet aura close by. He sat outside the window, staring at the trees with a new sense of awareness. I slid out of bed, snuck into the bathroom to brush my teeth, and pulled my hair up into a ponytail before going to the window. I covered the holey Mt. Hermon Ponderosa Camp T-shirt I wore with a sweatshirt.
“Been out here long?” I asked, while sliding up the glass.
He looked at me with awe, as if I were someone else, an angel perhaps. Not a girl with disheveled hair in a wrinkled sweatshirt and flannel pants.
“You’re finally up.”
I ran my hand through my tousled bangs. “Sorry and I’m a mess.”
“You’re beautiful.”
I gulped, my heart doing flips in glee. He smiled and held me in his gaze for a moment before producing the journal.
“I read the entire thing.”
I bit my lip, anticipating his reaction, but before I knew it, he was there, kneeling down, his warm breath wafting over my face. “How have you been so strong? All of this must have been so difficult.”
I wanted to say “you have no idea,” but my voice solidified in my throat.
He pressed his hands to my cheeks and caressed my face. “My words don’t do you justice.”
My legs sunk into the carpet as his eyes searched deep within my soul, reading everything I’d kept locked away from him while I waited for his return. Then his lips were on mine, sweet and gentle, like he didn’t want to frighten me, but couldn’t wait and ask permission first. I kissed him back harder, aching and happy at the same time, weaving my hands into his soft hair.
And just like that, everything slammed back together, a wheel turning in a well-worn groove, almost as if we’d never been apart. I crawled as he lifted me out onto the ledge, lips locked and pulling in each other’s essences through our breaths. The bliss sucked out all the worries I’d stored deep within my muscles, healing me. He was here. Together with me. Tears of joy trickled down my cheeks.
“You remember us?” I asked with a sniffle.
“Not entirely,” he said, while placing a wayward lock of hair behind my ear. “But that just gave me the general idea.”
I curled into his lap as we sat on the ledge. There wasn’t anywhere I’d rather be, especially after losing him and gaining him back. I planned to stay there all day, rekindling the past if he’d let me. Activity on the patio interrupted our reunion.
I leaned over to try to listen to the commotion.
“They’re here to investigate a disturbance in the force,” Nicholas whispered, a hint of concern in his voice.
“The what?” I rolled my eyes. Dad and his ET geeks. “They’re just a bunch of—”
“Investigators looking for my kind. Once the sun came up, hoards of cars showed up with tons of equipment. That’s why I moved around to the back of the house. Am I safe here?”
“Of course you are. They don’t have trackers or anything. But that means I’m definitely trapped,” I said with a sigh.
“In more ways than one.” He tightened his grip and nuzzled his nose against my ear, sniffing and kissing my neck. Goose bumps shot down my arms.
I giggled, slightly self-conscious ‘cause I hadn’t taken a shower.
“Maybe you can overhear and find out where the vamps came from.”
He tilted his head. “From Doctor Evil.”
“Who’s that?”
“You haven’t seen Austin Powers?”
I nudged him in the arm. “Yes, but I highly doubt that’s who they mean… it’s code.”
“You ruin all my fun.” He wove his finger over my back, making designs. “A very old vamp who likes to do experiments on human blood. He’d been classified as docile in the past, but now he’s making an army.”
“Why?”
Nicholas pinched his eyes shut. “A war, maybe. They aren’t sure.”
“A war. Here? In Scott’s Valley?” I shivered and Nicholas gripped me tighter.
“I have to hand it to them, they’re brave geek
s if they think they can stop it. And your Dad wants to recruit me. I’ve actually been the talk of the morning.”
“Oh, no.” I pressed my hands to my eyes. “He saw you last night and freaked. You’re kind of a legend. They call you Dirty Harry.”
I hoped the nickname would trigger a memory, or sorrow for his Godfather. To my disappointment, nothing but curiosity wafted from him.
“Why would they give me that name?”
I gulped down the truth, too raw to tell. “Who knows? Better than Boba Fett.”
Nicholas laughed. “It’s weird. I can’t remember facts about my own life, but I remember movie trivia. Go ahead. Ask me anything.”
I took a deep breath. Though we joked, the gravity of a vampire war didn’t sit right. How convenient for everything to come together in my town of all places. Scarlett had to be orchestrating it. Was this her attempt to make me intervene and kill off everyone? I could barely hold my own with my attractive scent. Without the talisman and a laser pen, I’d have been drained dry already.
“I just don’t get why the talisman isn’t working right. Technically, the vamps shouldn’t be able to smell me, yet they can. Almost like it’s amplifying my smell.”
“That’s not movie trivia.” He took a dramatic sniff right at my collarbone before kissing it. “I’m not complaining.”
I chuckled. “I’m thrilled I smell good to you, especially since I haven’t showered, but I’m not happy I’ve become a five-star chum basket that incites feeding frenzies. One or two wayward vampires might have been the norm before, but dozens?” I bit my lip. “Why couldn’t you have written something in the journal about it?”
“Preston probably knows,” he said as an afterthought and squeezed me tighter.
I wiggled out of his grasp and turned to face him. “You think? Could you ask him?”
“And leave you here unprotected? Never.”
I squealed on the inside, thrilled he’d be staying for good. “Can’t you just call him?”
“Preston who?” He pulled me into his arms and nibbled on my ear.
I laughed. “I’m serious. You once said his number was in your phone. Let me see it.”
“Phone?” He shifted slightly. “What else do I have that you’re not telling me about? Don’t tell me I have a motorcycle.”
“Um… I don’t think so,” I said with a big smile. “But you’ll need to reinstate the service on your phone.”
“Why do I get the feeling you want to take care of this now?”
I pressed my lips together. “I just want to know what we’re up against, that’s all.”
He sighed and rested his chin on my shoulder. “Five more minutes, please?”
I leaned into him and kissed his forehead. How could I resist? After another round of kisses and snuggles, he reluctantly let me go. I crawled into my room and finally took a shower.
Chapter Sixteen
Nicholas hadn’t been kidding when he said lots of people with stuff had invaded our house. Wires and cables lined the floors as geeks took up every inch possible of our tiny abode.
“Hey,” Dad said, his insides chiming with pride as I walked into the kitchen. He’d created a buffet of food for the welcomed guests. “Everyone, this is my daughter, Julia. She’s wise to the force.” Dad touched his nose.
A few looked up from their laptops, giving me their fake names. I almost spit out my coffee when I met Boba Fett. No one really cared I was Russell’s’ daughter, which was fine with me. I didn’t plan on making friends and hoped they wouldn’t stay long.
“I’m going to go out with Nicholas this afternoon, if that’s okay with you.”
The room quieted, the occupants snapping to attention and all eyes falling on me.
Dad raised a brow. “Sure, but be home before dark.”
“Oh-okay,” I said and turned around.
The lingering quiet continued as I topped off my coffee and slathered jam on my toast. You’d have thought royalty pranced through the kitchen from the awe beaming forth. The girl who not only knew, but dated the slayer. I almost turned around and offered to sign autographs, but grabbed my bag and headed out the door instead.
I ran smack into Sam’s mom.
“Julia,” she said, out of breath. “Is your father home?”
I glanced over my shoulder into the house, then back to her worried face. How would he explain the geek assault inside?
“Yeah,” I said. “Let me get him.”
She paced on the porch as I wove through the maze to the kitchen. “Sam’s mom is here.”
“She is? Okay.” He cleaned off his hands on a dishtowel and motioned I lead the way. “Did Sam show up yet?” He whispered behind me.
What do I say? Yes?
I trusted my gut and pinched my eyes shut. “She’s a vamp, Dad.”
He stopped midstride. “Oh no.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll handle this.”
I braced myself before he opened the door. “Mrs. King, nice to see you again. How can I help you?”
Her sudden anger practically slapped me in the face. “You can start by having Julia explain this!” She held out two empty syringes, each labeled in a different language with a symbol that resembled a pitchfork. “Are you two doing drugs?”
“No, of course not,” I said with a gasp as Dad’s eyes zeroed in on the vials.
“Can I see those?” He rolled them over in his hand and hummed, ruffling out sadness. “Where did you find them?”
“In Sam’s room. Where else? She hasn’t come home and apparently you haven’t heard from her either.” She looked at me in desperation then grabbed my shoulders. “Where is she, Julia? Answer me!”
“Hold on, Nancy.” Dad removed her hands from me. “Why don’t you come inside and we’ll figure this out. I’ve got a friend who’s a detective investigating a lot of these disappearances. Let’s call him.”
She stood firm, nailing me with eye daggers. Again, I wanted to confess. Why couldn’t she know? I beseeched my father with my eyes, begging to come clean.
“Mrs. King. I—”
Dad grabbed my hand and gave me “the look.”
“What, Julia?” she asked, her voice anxious.
“I’m sorry.” My eyes hit the floor.
Dad patted me on the back and walked Mrs. King inside.
“I’ve got this,” Dad whispered. “Go ahead with Nicholas. We’ll talk later.”
He closed the door and left me on the porch, speechless. My heart ached. I turned to see Nicholas down the street, leaning against his car, his hands hooked in his jeans pockets.
I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his torso. He kissed me on the head. “Bad news?”
“That was Sam’s mom.”
He squeezed me tighter. “I see.”
Wordlessly and filled with empathy, he opened the car door for me. The car hummed to life and we left it all behind.
I swallowed back a tear. “It’s always the same. I have to lie and tell parents I don’t know where their kids have gone. And now, with this venom dealer, her mom just accused me of doing drugs.”
“Venom dealer?”
“Oh, right. I keep forgetting what you and your old self know. Wish you would have written down your thoughts about him.”
He shrugged. “Yeah.”
“You were worried about information getting into the wrong hands. I can’t believe you kept a journal anyway, but one time when we were driving, you smelled him, or the venom, and pulled over to confiscate his stuff. You jumped out of the car and totally freaked me out.”
“I did?” Nicholas asked with a chuckle and laced his fingers between mine.
“One of your more random moments, but maybe if we drive by the spot, you might remember something.”
“You’d think after making out with you on the roof, I’d remember something,” he said, a playful smile on his lips.
With a blush, I tucked my head down. Though I’d kissed him tons of times, the experience on the
roof ledge hit totally different levels.
I pressed my lips together to stifle my urge to attack his lips once again and suggest we forgo vamp hunting for the day. “Turn here.”
The empty alley didn’t provide the answers I’d hoped for. Who was I kidding to think the guy might be there, just waiting for us to rough him up for answers. Actually, all the streets were peculiarly empty. We drove a little farther and a window of a dilapidated brick building caught my eye. The same symbol I’d seen on the vials decorated the glass.
“That’s it. Right there.” I pointed to the window of Dr. Volynski’s clinic.
Nicholas abruptly stopped. “What’s here? Do you see him?”
“No. Keep driving.” I turned to study the building through the back window as Nicholas cruised by. “It’s the symbol on the vials.”
“That’s the Ukrainian coat of arms.”
I shot him a look of astonishment. He remembered the coat of arms but not our astounding kisses?
“What?” he said with a shrug.
“Never mind.” I smiled. “Weird. Maybe he’s him. The doctor vampire who’s giving out immortality.”
“Do you want to go back and check?”
“No,” I said and chewed on the corner of my lip. “I think I’ll just tell my dad.”
We continued on to the cell phone store and Nicholas had to practically give them the promise of his first child to get them to turn on his cell phone again. I sat in the waiting area and noticed the newspaper on the chair next to me. A picture of a clean-cut guy in a suit holding a sign that said “The End Is Near, Repent” caught my eye. I studied it momentarily, then tucked it under my arm as Nicholas approached.
“All ready?” I asked.
He nodded and we headed for the car.
“Did you see this?” I asked, producing the paper.
I read the article out loud as we drove back to his house. Authorities were trying to figure out why and where hundreds of college and high school students had disappeared to from the local schools. They’d enacted another county-wide curfew, like they had last September, and people were advised to keep tabs on their children at all times, especially after dark. Unexplainable stories of people being taken right before their eyes sickened my stomach and I barely could finish the article.
