Fallen (Fallen Series Book 1)

by Micalea Smeltzer

  I took another bite of sandwich and chewed mechanically trying hard to hide my mortification.

  “We don’t have coffins and before you ask we do not hang from trees or caves like bats. We sleep in regular beds just like humans. Even though we rarely sleep. It’s not a necessity. Sometimes it gets uncomfortable if we go to long without sleeping, just like with breathing.”

  “Okay.” I said still trying to hide how truly mortified I was.

  I took the last bite of sandwich and cleaned up.

  I yawned and suddenly felt like I could no longer keep my eyes open.

  “I’m going to bed.” I said.

  “Alright, I’ll be up in a minute.” Jonathon replied.

  “Mhmm.” I mumbled heading out to the living room.

  Mason and Danny had now joined Joseph in the living room. They were watching a soccer game on the television. They looked like normal teenagers. I heard them oohing and awing as I started up the stairs, dragging my leaden limbs.

  “Don’t fall.” Seph called to me.

  “Did Jonathon drink too much? Or was he too rough?” asked Mason.

  “Too much shopping. Wait! What did you say?” I asked turning on the stairs to look at him.

  “Mason shut up! I swear one of these days I’m going to incinerate you!” yelled Jonathon running into the living room so fast he was almost a blur. He jumped inhumanly high and tackled Mason. I heard bones crunching or maybe that was the coffee table breaking? Or both? But when Jonathon had hit Mason, tackling him to the floor, it had sounded like boulders collapsing.

  “Jonathon!” I screamed.

  Danny and Joseph were up in a flash tearing them off from each other.

  The fight had lasted no more than twenty seconds, yet so much damage had been caused; a broken nose and coffee table.

  I looked Jonathon over, he was unhurt. Not a curl out of place. Mason on the other hand had blood pouring from his broken nose, which already appeared to be healing itself. He reached up and straightened the bones so it would heal in a perfect line; it made a sickening sound. I was frightened for only a moment, for Mason’s blood was blue not red.

  I nearly fainted.

  Too tired to care what happened next I continued up the steps.

  I finally, after what seemed like an eternity, made it to my room. I closed the old wood door behind me.

  My shopping bags and luggage set had been put in the corner of the room. I’d mess with putting that stuff away tomorrow.

  I tore off my jacket and hung it on the chair in the corner.

  I took off my clothes, put on my pajamas, and put the dirty clothes in the hamper moving automatically.

  I looked out the window at my house; no longer welcoming. The full moon cast a sinister glow on the house. Patrick and Amelia were there dealing with my mom. I hoped Amelia’s severe patience was still working.

  I closed the curtain just as I heard a soft knock on the door.

  I went and opened the door. The old crystal knob turning noiselessly.

  Jonathon stood in front of me wearing gray and navy plaid pajama pants and a thin navy cotton shirt.

  I looked down at my pajamas. We were wearing almost the same thing only I wore a gray shirt. Talk about coincidence.

  We laughed and I blushed, tugging slightly at my hair.

  “May, I come in?” he asked motioning to my room.

  “Uh . . . yeah, yeah come in.” I said opening the door wide.

  Jonathon walked in and sat in the wingback chair, the one I had haphazardly tossed my jacket over.

  I climbed in the bed.

  “You can lay over here with me.” I said boldly.

  He moved and lay by me in an instant. Once again showing his incredible speed.

  “I wanted to apologize for what happened down stairs with Mason. So, I’m sorry,” He said.

  “Apology accepted. But what was he talking about?”

  “Oh . . . um . . . That?” he asked nervously.

  “Yeah, That.” I said.

  “Well um . . . I don’t know where to begin. You see a lot of vampires feed on their soul mates. It’s a bonding, passionate experience. That feeding secretes a hormone that . . . well . . . um . . . usually leads to sex. He knows we haven’t done anything like that and I don’t plan on doing it until we’re married. But you were so weak and fragile looking; I guess he couldn’t resist making fun of our ‘sex’ life. I got defensive I didn’t want him messing with you. We change when we find our soul mate. Patrick has tried to explain it to me but I still don’t understand,” He said talking about our future, being married, as easily as if he’d been talking about the weather.

  “Well, he is a typical teenage boy,” I said. What Jonathon had said brought all kinds of fears to the forefront of my mind. I hadn’t thought of Jonathon and I having sex. I was too busy relishing in the thought of us. I hadn’t had time to even stop and think about the future.

  “Well, I grew up in a more conservative time. Mason and Danny aren’t that old, even for vampires. Amelia gave birth to them in eighteen ninety – one. She became a vampire that day, giving birth to a dhampir especially two nearly, actually almost always, kills the female. Mason and Danny became vampires in nineteen o eight. Seventeen years later. They’ve grown up in a time when waiting until you’re married to have sex, rarely happens.”

  “If I hear another word uttered from one of their lips about what we are and aren’t doing, I’m going to kill them,” I said lightly trying erase the frown lines from his beautiful face.

  “Good luck with that.” He said sarcastically.

  “Why was his blood blue?” I asked suddenly snapping out of my sulking.

  “When we change, our blood also changes, so that we can do the stuff we do. Flying, running, jumping, the strength, a little mind reading. Our blood changes to accommodate what we’ve become. So, the color change distinguishes us for what we are. But the more scientific reasoning is the fact that we don’t need any oxygen to live and therefore are blood doesn’t react to it. But we rarely bleed. Like I demonstrated with the knife we are pretty much impenetrable. But a punch from another vampire will hurt us. We may not feel the physical pain but it can still do damage. We can also be shot. I’ve experienced that first hand and it’s not fun. I had to dig the bullets out of myself before I could heal. ”

  “Can you really read minds?” I asked.

  “We can’t read them; we pick up bits and pieces. But I guess technically we can read them. ”

  “That’s kind of cool but also kind of frightening,” I said.

  He laughed.

  “We should do something fun this weekend. I haven’t done anything fun in a long time.” He said.

  “Like what?” I asked.

  “Poetry reading? Art show?” asked Jonathon.

  “That sounds good. But I’m kind of in the mood for something with a little more speed Is there a race track around here?”

  “Yes.”

  “What kind of cars do we get to race?”

  “Ferraris.”

  “That’s so cool. I think we should go to the poetry reading and art show tomorrow; just the two of us. Then Sunday we all go race the Ferraris. You, me, Diana, Joseph, Danny, Mason, Amelia, and Patrick. Well someone will have to stay behind with my mom. But I think it would be fun doing something together as a family.”

  “Sounds like a great plan.” He said.

  “Excellent.” I whispered.

  Jonathon’s cold arms wrapped around me. He kissed the top of my forehead. His arms felt so good around me, it was so hot in the house, I was nearly in a sweat.

  “Stay with me tonight.” I said.

  “I will.” Jonathon replied kissing me on top of the head. “Goodnight, principessa, sweet dreams.” He murmured.

  “Goodnight.” I said groggily.

  “I love you.” He said.

  “I love you too.” I said falling asleep in his arms.

  When I woke up the next morning I knew he’d still
be there holding me in his arms saying, “I love you,” when I woke up.

  Chapter Fourteen: Love

  I woke up blinking harshly against the sun that leaked through the windows.

  “I love you,” said Jonathon.

  I jumped, startled at the

  “You startled me,” I said regaining my breath, “And I love you too.” I said looking up into the glorious face of Jonathon.

  “You’re so peaceful and absolutely adorable when you sleep.” he murmured sexily against my ear. A shiver ran down my spine at the sound of his husky voice and Italian accent.

  “Are you cold?” he asked loosening his grip.

  “No, I’m perfect.” I said grabbing his arms and wrapping them around me tighter.

  “Are you sure? I don’t want you to be too cold.”

  “Don’t worry Jonathon, I’m not cold. I wish we could lie here all day in each other’s arms.”

  “As wonderful and tempting as that sounds we have a poetry reading and art show to go to.” He said.

  “I know.” I whispered letting my body melt into the curve of his.

  His soft, cold, stone lips brushed against my cheek teasing me. I lifted my head up and kissed him on the lips. He returned my kiss, deepening it. It felt like my soul was singing, like my entire body was a live wire.

  I put my right hand on his cheek. He moaned as he pulled away. It felt too soon, I didn’t want him to stop kissing me.

  We were both breathing heavy, as if we had run a marathon.

  “Do we have to stop?” I asked mournfully.

  “I’m afraid so, we have company,” he said glancing at the still closed door.

  Right on que the door to my room opened up and in walked Mason.

  “Hey, lovebirds,” He said.

  “What do you want?” I asked rather harshly. But after his comment last night he deserved it. Mason appeared taken aback.

  “I’m not here to make fun of your nonexistent sex life. Amelia is back and wanted to know if you wanted a report on your mom before you guys leave for the day. She’s grabbing some blood and heading back to your house. So, if you want a report you have to get down there now,” Mason said.

  “Oh, thanks. I’m sorry about my uh . . . tone earlier,” I said.

  “It’s okay. I deserved it. I was a jerk last night so . . . I’m . . . uh . . . sorry,” He said.

  “Apology accepted.” I said. He gave a small smile and I could tell he was relieved.

  Mason left closing the door behind him.

  “Wow, he must feel really bad. He has never apologized for anything.”

  “Well he should. But how do they know that we’re going out today?” I asked. Jonathon laughed so hard I thought that I was going to vibrate out of his arms.

  “Stop laughing,” I said hitting his arm but he didn’t even feel it; I caused more damage to myself.

  “I’m sorry,” he said trying to contain his hysterics, “But the fact that you don’t know how they know what we’re doing is hilarious. This is a house full of vampires with insanely good hearing and can somewhat read minds. You can’t hide anything from them. Oh, by the way they love your idea of the racing. They can’t wait,” He said finally able to stop his laughing.

  “I guess that was a stupid question,” I said embarrassed.

  “No, it’s not. This is all new to you. It’s not something you can learn or remember over night,” Jonathon said.

  “I guess we should get out of bed and get dressed. I want to know how my mom is doing.”

  “Alright you shower and get ready. I’ll go tell Amelia to wait for you and get ready myself.”

  “Okay.” I said.

  He let go of me and we both climbed out of bed. Jonathon was so perfect; not only was he gorgeous but he was also kind hearted among so much else. It doesn’t get better than that. I still can’t believe he’s mine. My soul mate.

  I watched him as he left my room. He opened the door to the hall way. Jonathon turned back around and smiled at me before closing the door. That smile made me go weak in the knees.

  I ran to the bath room and took my shower in super speed.

  I jumped out and wrapped a towel around me. I walked into my room. My hair dripping droplets of water onto the ancient wood floor.

  I began sifting through the bags of new clothes from Aqua.

  I put on my peacock jeans, turquoise sweater and dark purple pumps. I hastily ran back to the bath room to put curl product in my hair, I could already feel it frizzing. I brushed my teeth and put on my makeup. I checked my hair. It fell around my face in soft curls. Good Enough.

  I scurried back to my room nearly falling in the heels. I loved high heels but I had so much trouble walking in them due to my height.

  I went through the Coach bags and grabbed the purse and wallet. I hastily switched the contents from my old purse and wallet to the new one. At the bottom of my old purse I found the key to our new house. The one my mom is now contained in like a prisoner. The house that is no longer my home. The Pulmer House is my home now. I stuck the wallet in the purse and put the purse on my shoulder, still holding the ancient, antique key in my hand.

  I walked out of my room closing the door behind me. I went past the stair case heading to Diana’s room.

  “Come in.” she said before I had even raised my hand to knock. This physic and abnormal hearing would take some getting used to. I pushed the door open and walked in. Diana was sitting on her bed reading a book.

  “By the way, we aren’t physic,” she said.

  I shook my head.

  “Do you happen to have a necklace chain, with nothing on it, that I can use?”

  “I believe I do.” She said getting up and heading towards her vanity.

  Diana’s walls were a lavender color. Her bed spread white. The head board was Parisian style. It was very girly and very her.

  “Here,” She said handing me a silver chain. The chain looked extremely delicate and dainty.

  “Thanks.” I said.

  “You’re welcome,” She replied.

  I slipped the, brass, antique key onto the chain. This was my way of saying goodbye to my old life but still keeping the memory of it close.

  “Can you put it on me?” I asked her fumbling with the clasp. I’m not a jewelry person, and when it comes to jewelry I like classic looking pieces, so I had no idea how to really work the clasp.

  “Oh, sure,” She said moving towards me and taking the necklace. She snapped it around my neck in one swift lightening fast motion. “There,” She said.

  I went and looked in the mirror. “Perfect,” I whispered. The key looked like it belonged around my neck. I toyed with it.

  “Thanks Diana.”

  “You are very welcome. Anytime you need anything you can always come to me,” She said picking up her book, Pride and Prejudice, I could see now.

  I went out in the hallway and down the steps. I didn’t see Joseph, Danny, or Mason anywhere. Jonathon and Amelia were seated in the living room. Jonathon was seated in the love seat and Amelia was in the chair opposite. The rug and coffee table was in the center of the seating arrangement.

  Jonathon’s wavy hair was glistening with wetness.

  I made my way over to the love seat and sat down next to Jonathon and across from Amelia. The room was so silent it was eerie. Jonathon grabbed my hand.

  Amelia seemed tired and hungry. Her eyes were blood shot, unfocused, and completely black. I looked up at Jonathon and his face showed no emotion, it was like Michelangelo’s David, no movement. What was wrong?

  I took deep breaths trying to calm myself. This would not be a good time to have a panic attack. I tightened my grip on Jonathon’s hand, digging my fingernails into his stone like skin. I’m sure he didn’t even feel it.

  “Is she okay?” I asked barely audible but I knew they’d hear me.

  “She’s fine and very feisty. Joseph, Mason, and Danny are over there now with Patrick. I’ve never had my power of patience tested s
o much. Younglings are always hard to deal with, we refer to new vampires as younglings, but your mother is unlike any newly born vampire I’ve ever dealt with, and I’ve only dealt with two, Danny and Mason. It may be the fact that she pursued you as a meal and you got away that has made her so difficult. Our prey never gets away and you did,” She said.

  My muscles went rigid. I felt like my heart was dead. Jonathon’s arms wrapped around me pulling me tightly against him, I could feel his muscles through his thin black long sleeve shirt.

  “Her power is developing,” continued Amelia. “She appears to be a very advanced shape shifter.”

  “Advanced shape shifter?” I asked.

  “Yes, I’ve seen her change into animals and alter her facial features. Any shape shifters I’ve ever known have only been able to change into one animal, not multiple animals, or alter their appearance. It is truly spectacular.”

  I let this sink in. My mom has developed an amazing power. My mom is a shape shifter. But apparently she was still being extremely difficult.

  “Do you know when she’ll be, okay?” I asked.

  “I’m sorry Kylie. There is no way to know for sure. We’re planning on going hunting next weekend. She needs to be exposed to animal blood soon, otherwise she’ll probably never be able to drink it. She will only know the taste of human blood and animal blood will repulse her. We struggle enough to drink it and we’re used to it. It doesn’t have as much flavor as human blood and doesn’t give us as much strength.”

  I tried not to let the casual way she was talking about blood bother me too much. “Where will you go to hunt?”

  “Outside of the city, it’s less noticeable that way.”

  Suddenly my phone began ringing.

  “I’m sorry.” I said pulling my phone out. The caller ID said that it was Adam.

  “I better take this.” I said to them.

  “Go ahead,” said Jonathon.

  Jonathon walked Amelia to the door. They conversed quietly. I answered my phone.

  “Adam.” I said as a greeting.

  “Kylie, I have something to tell you. More like warn you.”

  “What?” I asked sitting up straighter on the love seat. Adam sounded upset and angry.