Samantha arrived at the hospital forty-five minutes later. The fermented odors of cleansers and medicines wafted around Samantha as she walked the halls. It took little time to find the correct floor and a nurse to direct her to the doctor overseeing Leisha’s care.
“I’m Angela Templeton’s sister, Sandy,” she asked the doctor. “Where can I find her?”
The doctor’s lips thinned into a grim line. “She’s unconscious right now. It may be a while before she wakes up.”
“Unconscious?” Samantha blinked a few times, and then shook her head. “Are you sure we’re talking about Angela Templeton? Blond hair down to her waist, emerald colored eyes, about this tall?” She held her hand right above her shoulder.
The doctor nodded. “Yes, we’re talking about the same person. Do you know the details of your sister’s ordeal?”
“Only that she was attacked.”
He put a hand on her shoulder. “Yes, by a gang of eight men.” When Samantha showed no reaction, he hesitated before continuing. “She’s sustained some very serious injuries. Concussion, cracked ribs, broken arm, three lacerations on her head. She’s lucky a patrol car spotted them before they were able to do anything . . . worse. On a slightly better note, there are no signs of rape or internal injuries. She’s very lucky. This might have been a much worse scenario, and your sister could easily have died.”
At this information, fear started to seep through Samantha’s confusion. “She can’t be that badly hurt.” The doctor shot her a funny look, and Samantha bit her lip and tried to feign more concern. “I mean, I can’t believe this is really happening. I can’t imagine her in so much pain. Please, just let me see her.”
The doctor nodded. “It’s fine, but don’t try to wake her.”
“Alright.”
The doctor called the nurse over to show Samantha to Leisha’s room. As soon as they entered, Samantha stopped. The woman on the bed was Leisha. But Samantha had never seen her vampire friend like this. She had seen Leisha bloody and battered plenty of times, but she always healed so quickly. The vampire that lay unconscious before her looked . . . broken.
“How could this happen?” she whispered to herself. The nurse gave her a sympathetic look and quietly left the room.
Samantha forced her feet forward and sat in the chair next to Leisha’s bed. She took her friend’s limp hand and gently patted it. “Can you hear me?” she asked softly. No response. She leaned in closer. “Leisha.”
The vampire’s eyelids fluttered but stayed closed. “Wrong,” Leisha mumbled. “Something’s wrong.”
“What’s wrong Leisha? What happened tonight?”
No response.
After a few more promptings, Samantha gave up. She knew she wouldn’t get anything else out of her friend tonight. Why can’t my visions cover things like this? she thought to herself. If only I could choose what they were about, then I would know more! She sat back and tried to push away any thoughts of what had made Leisha so vulnerable.
Without intending to, Samantha fell asleep in the chair. She woke to realize there was drool on her chin, her neck was cramped, and her butt was asleep. She slowly sat up and arched her back. After rolling her head a few times, she looked over at the bed. Leisha was sitting up and watching her, a smirk on her face.
“You look like you’re ready for the next Miss Ohio pageant,” Leisha quipped, her voice raspy.
Samantha groaned and finger-combed her hair as best she could. Suddenly she remembered where they were, and her attention snapped back to Leisha.
Her friend was awake and making sarcastic remarks, but she did not look at all like herself. Her left eye was swollen and purple. Her skin was pale instead of its usual healthy glow, and there were scabs lining her knuckles.
“I could say the same about you.” Samantha cleared her throat. “Leisha, what happened last night? Do you have some sort of . . . vamp illness that weakens you or something?”
Leisha shook her head. “I’m not sure.” She told Samantha about her run-in with Sean. “Maybe he put a spell on his blood that affected me when I tried to drink it. That’s the only thing I can think of that makes sense.”
“Do the immortals practice a lot of magic? I don’t remember seeing anything like that when we stayed with them.”
Leisha shook her head, then stopped, wincing, and put a hand to her temple. “As far as I know, they don’t practice very much Voodoo. Just enough to create more immortals. Since that battle between them and the vampires, the oldest immortal among them is Tafari. He may have learned the ways of a shaman, but I have no idea how much of it he’s retained after two thousand years.”
Chewing on her lip, Samantha contemplated before responding. “So it’s possible that Sean cursed his own blood, but not likely. But, since you’re in this hospital, I’m betting he must have done something.” Glancing at the I.V. on Leisha’s arm, another thought occurred to her. “For all intents and purposes, you’re like a human, right? At least for the time being?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
Samantha gestured to the EKG machine. “I’m no expert, but no one seems to think your heart beat is off. To me, that machine is showing the normal rhythm of a human heart.”
Eyes wide, Leisha glanced at the equipment, then placed a trembling hand over her chest. “What did Sean do to me?” she murmured.
“Did you end up feeding at all last night?”
Leisha shook her head.
“And do you feel The Hunger in your mind?”
Leisha blinked a few times, then shook her head again. “I don’t, but I do feel something.” As if summoned, her stomach growled. Leisha jumped and looked down at her midsection with what could only be described as horror.
Samantha burst out laughing, but covered it up as best she could.
“Sorry.” She said, trying to be contrite when Leisha frowned at her. “It’s just the look on your face. You’re never rattled.” Clearing her throat, she forced herself to sober. “You’re hungry for, you know . . . food, I think.”
“How can this be possible?” Leisha’s eyebrows drew together.
Samantha didn’t have a clue, but she could at least take care of Leisha’s immediate problem. She reached over and pushed the button for the nurse. When the nurse saw Leisha awake, she said she needed to get the doctor. Samantha asked her to bring Leisha some food, and the nurse pointed to a menu on the table next to her and walked out of the room.
“Guess nurses don’t get much congeniality training in school.” Samantha looked at the breakfast section of the menu, and then followed the instructions to place the order over the phone.
A few minutes later, the doctor came in, though not the one she’d met last night. He did a thorough examination and looked impressed. “Well, besides some nasty bruises, you seem to be alright. Your file says you broke a couple of ribs, but that’s not how they feel to me. They’re definitely bruised, and maybe cracked, though I’d need to confirm that with some x-rays. Take it easy, and as long as your x-rays look good, I think we can get you released today.” Nodding to the cast on her arm, he continued. “You’ll need to make an appointment with your primary care physician in about a week so we can check on how the bone is healing.”
“And there’s nothing else that you can see that’s odd about her?” Samantha glanced at the heart monitor Leisha was hooked up to. Her EKG really was looking normal…human?
The doctor shook his head. “I’ll make sure the nurse comes to check on you in a little bit.”
As soon as he left, Leisha grabbed Samantha’s hand in a tight grip. “This doesn’t make sense. I’m healing faster than humans do, but not nearly fast enough for a vampire. But besides that, everyone is treating me like a human. None of them are even showing me a curious glance. Under normal circumstances, my vitals would have them completely stupefied.”
Samantha shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you.”
The food arrived. It was placed on a tray over Leisha’s
bed, and she didn’t waste any time diving in. As soon as the omelet entered her mouth, Leisha made a face.
“What?” asked Samantha.
“This food is so bland.”
Samantha leaned over, took Leisha’s fork, and sampled some of the breakfast. “Actually, this is pretty good.” She threw Leisha a strange look. “Try something else.”
Leisha cut a piece of French toast smothered in syrup and took a bite. Looking over at Samantha, she shook her head. “Same,” she said around her food. “I can taste a little sweetness from the syrup, but that’s about it.”
Samantha took the fork from her friend and tried a bite herself. “Are you kidding? It tastes amazing! I think they may have put nutmeg in the batter or something.” Her eyes got wide. “Maybe Sean’s spell did something to your senses so they’re not working properly.”
Green eyes squinting in thought, Leisha shook her head. “Actually, I think my senses might simply be at a human level.” Nodding her head, she continued. “It makes sense when you think about it. After all, I’ve had heightened senses for a couple of millennia, and now . . . Everything is just dull.”
Taking another bite, she grimaced while chewing. “This is going to take some getting used to,” Leisha grumbled.
It wasn’t too long before someone brought paperwork for Leisha to fill out. Luckily, they had insurance. A couple of police officers also came to get Leisha’s statement about her attack.
After hearing it would be a few more hours before Leisha’s release, Samantha went home to shower and change. She also got herself breakfast, since Leisha had been too hungry to share her “bland hospital food”. As an afterthought, she grabbed some clothes for Leisha.
Once she was back at the hospital, the doctor met with them to inform Leisha that her x-rays looked fine and she could leave. It took little time to check out “her sister” and head back home.
“Do you need help up the stairs?” Samantha asked as Leisha headed straight toward them.
“I’ll manage. Don’t worry about me.”
The girl watched as her vampire—or non-vampire—friend leaned heavily on the banister and made her way up to her room for a nap. It was almost surreal to see Leisha look so vulnerable. Samantha hoped nothing bad would happen while Leisha was in this condition. If her father found them, there would be no escaping this time.
On a sudden impulse, Samantha sat on the couch as she scrolled through her phone. There, she found a number that was only supposed to be used in emergencies. “Hope this qualifies as one,” she muttered as she pressed the call button.
Chapter 3
Since all vampire senses were heightened, Leisha knew pain better than any human could imagine. Over the last two thousand years, she had experienced all kinds of pain. She had been tortured, poisoned, shot, and stabbed—just to name a few. But Leisha was very unaccustomed to her current physical state. She wasn’t in an immense amount of pain, but her body ached all over. Her head pounded, her muscles were sore, and she was so tired that she could barely think straight.
Moaning through the discomfort, she rolled over to look at the clock. She couldn’t believe it, but she had slept through the evening and into the next day. Leisha couldn’t think of a time when she had slept for sixteen hours. Deciding she had spent enough time in bed, she forced herself to get up and dress.
Once downstairs, she found Samantha in the kitchen eating oatmeal. Easing herself into a chair, she asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be at school?”
Samantha shrugged. “The principal heard you were attacked; and since we don’t have any other family, he thought it was acceptable that I stay home to take care of you.”
Leisha grunted in reply.
Samantha went to the cupboard and got some pills out of a bottle and brought them to her with a glass of water. “Tylenol and Advil for your aches. Are you in a lot of pain?”
“I’m managing, but thanks.” She swallowed all four pills at once, then took her glass to the sink and toasted herself a bagel. After she’d spread cream cheese on it, she took a bite. Although she could enjoy the thick, yeasty texture, there was hardly any flavor. How did normal people live like this?
Samantha glanced at the clock on the wall and sat down across from Leisha. “I think I should tell you that we’re going to have some visitors soon.”
Leisha stopped chewing and raised a quizzical eyebrow.
Samantha averted her eyes. “I made a call last night to see if I could figure out what happened to you. You know, to see how long it might last and whatnot.” She shifted in her seat.
Before Leisha could prompt Samantha to continue, the doorbell rang. She started in her chair. Usually, she would hear people approaching before they ever got to the door. Since she couldn’t use her senses to detect who was there, Leisha hesitated. Her stomach churned with unease as she eased out of her chair and walked to the vent by the entryway. Removing the screen, she palmed the gun hidden within. She may be weakened with human limitations, but it didn’t mean she’d lost all of her combat skills. Of course, if it were any of her enemies, they wouldn’t politely ring the doorbell and she’d probably be dead already.
With the gun hidden behind her back, she opened the door, took one look at her visitors, then slammed it shut. Her sense of foreboding lifted, but was instantly replaced with confusion. “Sam!”
Samantha came into the entryway with a knowing look. “Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I thought you needed your rest.”
“Why are they here?” she whispered. “I don’t want them to see me like this!”
Samantha rolled her eyes. “They only want to talk to us about what happened to you. He wouldn’t give me any info over the phone.” With that, she strode to the door and opened it. “Sorry guys, I guess you caught Leisha off guard.” She stood aside as Tafari and Rinwa stepped inside, each holding a medium-sized suitcase.
Leisha instantly straightened up and combed fingers through her hair while trying to look casual. Tafari stopped in front of her, his eyes wandering all over, lingering on the bruises that marred her face and the cast on her arm.
Heat rushed through her blood. Though it was more subdued with her human senses, she could still smell his aftershave and that natural musky scent that belonged to him alone. She knew his face so well, and yet was still mesmerized by the silvery blue of his eyes, contrasting brilliantly with his dark skin. His broad shoulders and muscular torso were encased in a simple gray t-shirt. She could feel the warmth of his body and clenched her hand to stop herself from touching him.
Realizing she’d been staring at him too long, she looked to the side.
He cleared his throat. “I am glad to hear you are alright, Leisha.”
Suddenly, her mouth felt too dry and she gave a nod instead of replying.
Rinwa stood beside Tafari, smirking. As usual, she wore sunglasses; this pair had sparkly skulls dotting the sides. “It’s so nice to see you with bruises, mother.”
Her estranged daughter looked as beautiful as ever. Her long blonde hair matched Leisha’s perfectly, and she flaunted an athletic figure that made her stand several inches taller than her mother. The only time Leisha had seen the woman was six months ago, when they fought each other, before she knew that Rinwa was really Adanne—her daughter.
The memory suddenly came flooding back to Leisha in vivid detail.
Leisha turned to finish the fight, but a sudden rush of realization made her freeze mid-swing. Shocked, she dropped her weapon. She felt weak as she looked into Rinwa’s silvery blue eyes. The exact same eyes Tafari had. Adanne’s eyes.
“No,” she choked out through her crushed windpipe.
Rinwa gave a grisly smile. Her teeth appeared stark white against the blood that poured down from her nose. “What’s the matter, Leisha? Didn’t think I was still around?” She stood and walked over to pick up her own machete. “I assure you that nothing was ever going to keep me from living out this moment.”
Leisha crumpled to her kne
es, tears pooling in her eyes. She tried to speak, but it came out as nonsense against her broken throat.
Rinwa stalked slowly back toward Leisha. “Now,” she growled out. “You will finally pay for what you did to me and Tafari all those years ago!”
Leisha made no move to defend herself. Rinwa raised the blade for a killing blow. She could not deny her own daughter what she deserved. She wished she could explain, tell her the truth, but it was no use.
So, instead, she stayed on her knees and watched Rinwa with a convoluted sense of pride. She was so beautiful, and she moved with such grace. She met Rinwa’s fierce gaze and tried to convey all the love she felt for her in her eyes. Leisha was going to die and go to hell, but she didn’t care anymore.
She only wished she could say, “I love you,” before Rinwa killed her.
A low, baritone roar reverberated through the air. Leisha and Rinwa both looked as Tafari slowly came forward, leaning on Samantha for support.
“You will leave her be, Rinwa,” he whispered hoarsely. “For your own sake as well as hers, drop the machete.”
With mild amusement and wariness, Leisha wondered if Rinwa would take advantage of Leisha’s sudden weakness and kill her off like she had wanted for thousands of years.
Tafari pulled Rinwa through the front room and whispered in her ear. Once again, Leisha was surprised that she couldn’t eavesdrop.
Samantha grabbed her uninjured arm. “Why don’t we all sit in the living room and talk about things?”
Tafari and Rinwa sat on the large sofa. Leisha was all too aware of her estranged husband’s gaze on her as she placed her gun on the coffee table and slowly lowered her stiff self onto the love seat, Samantha next to her.
“You do not need to protect yourself from us, Leisha.” Tafari’s eyes narrowed on the gun lying between them.
Clearing her throat, Leisha tried not to sound defensive as she explained. “Sean found me last night, and since I’m practically human, I thought it best to be cautious.”
Defiance Page 2
