“So what’s your major?” I asked, breaking a long period of silence between us.
“I’m still undeclared. I was thinking about English, but now I’m considering Business. What about you?”
“I have no idea,” I sighed. “I never had a clue. I thought something would come to me when I got here and started classes, that I’d have some great revelation about where my future career path would take me. But so far … so far, I guess I’m more confused than ever about what my future holds.”
“Why’d you pick NPU then?”
“To be honest it looked nice in the pictures and had a good library. It was a convenient distance from home with a broad range of majors and didn’t break the bank tuition wise. Plus my father really seemed to like it for some reason. What about you?”
“Distance was a main reason for me too,” he answered, avoiding my gaze.
“I thought you were from out West somewhere. That doesn’t seem very convenient to me.”
“Well, that’s assuming you wanted to be close to home.”
“Oh.”
“I needed some distance from my family,” he sighed.
“That bad, huh?”
“Not really, but I got a lot of grief when I didn’t go pre-med from day one and attend my father’s alma matter.”
“Is your dad a doctor?”
“Yes, and his father before him, and his father before him, for five generations. But I don’t want that life; I’m nothing like my father.”
You would have thought his father was a serial killer by the way he answered.
“Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here,” I said in a cheery tone, hoping to dispel the black cloud that had formed over his head.
He looked over at me with those big brown eyes and smiled just a little, just enough to make me feel a little uncomfortable at their intensity.
A few minutes later we crossed the street and entered the south edge of campus. Our conversation was steady now and had taken a light hearted tone. We talked about our favorite and least favorite classes. I carefully avoided mentioning my real favorite, Art History. We talked about music and movies we loved as well as books we’d recently read and found we had remarkably similar tastes in all of the above.
We parted ways at the base of the footbridge across from the back door of Capen Hall, and after waving goodbye, he continued along in the direction of Gage Hall where he lived. I was amazed at how much I’d learned about him in that short half hour walk. I had a feeling I might know more about Ben now than any of our friends.
Strolling over the bridge, I wondered why Ben suddenly opened up to me. Yes, we’d talked many times before, but this time he answered all my questions directly and without hesitation. It made me wonder what had suddenly changed.
As I started toward the walkway leading up to the back door of Capen, I noticed Daniel leaning against my car watching me. His arms tensely crossed in front of him, he didn’t look happy. When I changed direction and started his way, I couldn’t help but notice that he made no gentlemanly attempt to meet me half way. Instead he sternly stared at me, appraising my every move as I approached him. I smiled his way despite his frown. I was puzzled, but too happy to see him to care.
“Well, hello,” I smiled as I strode up to him. “What are you doing here?”
His face was still as unyielding a stone.
“Where have you been?” he demanded impatiently.
“Why? Did we have plans?”
I knew we hadn’t so I didn’t understand his hostility.
“I asked where you’ve been all morning,” he repeated in the same tone.
“I went to church with Tabitha and Mike. Then we went to lunch with Ben and I’m just getting back now.”
“You really need to tell me when you’re going out like that. When I stopped by there was no sign of you and your car was still here, I was worried. I was about to start a man hunt when I caught your scent in the wind … What were you doing with him?”
There was still an uncomfortable vehemence in his tone.
“Who? Ben?”
“Yes, him,” he snapped.
“Nothing, we just walked back together. It was too nice a day to ride.”
“Well, I don’t like it. I’d appreciate it if you’d stay away from him.”
My hands went to my hips as I glared up at him. Honestly, I was stupefied.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. There’s something off about that guy, and that’s beside the fact that he wants you – as more than a friend.”
“Are you jealous?” I asked, completely in shock. It seemed almost incomprehensible that Daniel would be jealous of anyone, let alone over me.
He paused, considering my question.
“I suppose maybe I am. I’m sorry if I sound harsh, but when you weren’t here my mind automatically assumed the worst case scenario, that your hunter returned and you’re laying dead in some ditch somewhere – and then you come strolling up laughing with Mr. Handsome and his wonder hair.” He rolled his eyes.
It was true, Ben did have wonderful hair.
I was at a loss as to how to respond and just stared at him for a minute. Then turning on my heel, I started for the back door without a word. Better to say nothing than something I’d only regret later on.
“I’m sorry,” I heard from behind. And then from in front as he magically appeared out of thin air a few feet in front of me. He really could move amazingly fast. I’d never seen it before in the daylight.
“Why?” I asked, but continued to walk right past him to the stairs.
Again he sped past me and now stood at the base of the stairs.
“Because I should have trusted you.” I stopped in front of him. “In all fairness it’s him I don’t trust, and you know how worried I get about your safety when I don’t know where you are.”
I looked at him and considered his words.
“Okay, yes, I should have texted you what I was doing. Not because I have to report my every movement to you, but because I didn’t want you to worry. For that I’m sorry. But you were a little hostile back there and I don’t appreciate that.” I paused for second, then continued.
“Look, I don’t exactly know what this is,” and I waved at the air between us. “But whatever it is, I don’t think it gives you the right to go all ballistic because I decide to take a walk with Ben.”
I was yelling a little now. I wasn’t even sure why I was mad except that I thought I probably should be. I should be mad as hell at him, shouldn’t I?
“But … I thought we were in love,” he replied in just above a whisper. “I thought you were my girl.”
All traces of anger gone, his eyes were now filled with anguish.
Oh, God! I’d hurt his feelings.
I took a deep breath and ran my fingers through my hair in exasperation.
“We are.” I took a deep breath and sighed before adding “And yes, I … I guess I’m your girl.”
He looked up at me, a trace of a smile hiding in his eyes and lips.
“You’re my girl?” he asked shyly.
Did I ever have a chance when he gave me his lost little boy look? I nodded yes and his smile widened, but only fractionally.
“Look, I’m sorry. Being what I am means I have to deal with some pretty intense emotions sometimes. I’ll try harder to control it next time, but honestly, I’ve never had to deal with – this before.” Just as I had, he motioned his hands to indicate the space between us. Then he smiled his devastating smile at me. “It’s a very powerful emotion. I guess I need to work on that. – Can you forgive me?”
He looked down at me with his smoldering blue eyes. How could I resist him and why would I ever want to.
“Of course,” I said as he reached out for me. Without hesitation, I walked willingly into his arms only to feel them close behind me.
“What would you like to do now? Now that we’ve had our first fight,” he whispered in my ear. Leaning back
, I saw my shy boy had returned. He looked relieved.
“To be honest, I’d like to put my feet up for a while. These probably weren’t the best shoes for a long walk.”
At that he reached down and scooped me up in his arms as if I weighed only a few pounds and charged up the stairs before I could utter a word of protest. He set me down at the top so I could fish out my keys, and taking them, he opened the door.
Smiling unconditionally as I waited, I grabbed the railing and looked out on the beautiful sunny day. Somehow I felt as if God were smiling down on me. I don’t know, does he smile down on vampires as well? I hope so.
Under my hand I felt a bump in the iron railing, and lifting my hand I saw the imprints of fingers, two sets of hands about three feet apart. They were deep impressions in the iron made only days ago by the very hands that had just carried me up the stairs. Except they belonged to a voice that ordered “Get inside” in a husky, animalistic tone. Now it almost purred “After you” in a soft, silken one.
I smiled and walked in the door, fully aware that these two voices resided in the same creature that followed behind me up the stairs. It was a dangerous, heady combination that both attracted and repulsed me at the same time.
So ironic, so very me.
Chapter Eleven
THE BLOOD HUNTER
She was a stupid, foolish little girl, not dissimilar to the rest of them.
Humans … a useless lot.
But unlike the others, her blood called to me like the sweetest, most seductive song I’d ever heard. Just the faintest scent of her carried from far off on a breeze was enough to make my mouth drool in anticipation. It wouldn’t be long now.
She was staying in this evening, or so it appeared. I preferred it this way, so much easier to watch her, to study her.
What would be most enjoyable? Would a long drawn out chase be best? She often strayed into the woods on walks and the occasional evening run. I could chase her into the forest and claim my prize there. It would be so easy to drag her deep into the woods where her screams would go unheard by all except me. I wasn’t sure if she was a screamer yet, but God I hoped she was. We’d have fun, this one and I.
Perhaps here in her room. I’d prefer that, but there was too much chance of being discovered. The walls were too thin. And she would scream, I’d make sure of it.
She spent an exorbitant amount of time in the library and the deserted back stairwell she used was always empty. This could be a good place as well. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to imagine how well her screams would echo in the empty stairwell. How well her bright red blood would look splattered against its stark white walls. Not that I’d let much splatter. What a waste that would be.
The library was also where she seemed to feel most at home, and so would be the most shocked to find she’d meet her death there. I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted to see the terror in her eyes, to watch the life slowly – oh, so slowly drain away from them as it flowed into me. Her eyes … they fascinated me for some strange reason. To watch the light fade and vanish from her brown eyes as I sucked the last drop of blood from her pale flesh. That, would be ecstasy.
The thought had occurred to me to somehow restrain her so I could remove all her clothes while she was still conscious. It would allow me to watch as much of that soft pink flesh fade to white as it was drained of blood. I wanted to feel the heat leave her naked body and turn cold in my hands.
As I watched her recline back on her bed, I decided to start at her neck and suck the largest amount of blood from there. It could be messy; you had to hit the jugular just right. But I was too practiced at it now to worry much about that. Then I’d switch to her legs and wrists to make sure I got every last drop of the blood out of her extremities. Of course some of the choicest blood gets caught in the internal organs, and I’d savor the moment I ripped her chest open. It wouldn’t be long before I’d be holding her heart in my hands, sucking it dry as I squeezed it in my palm. My lips smacked as I imagined myself licking my fingers when I’d finished with it.
It was a shame she was so young. Her daughters would be just like her, I was sure of it. But I couldn’t leave it to chance that she’d live long enough to procreate. In my opinion it was amazing she’d survived as long as she already had. If I was this tempted, others with my predilections wouldn’t hesitate as I had so far. No, it was best to just take her now. The mother was almost as pure as this one anyway. She’d be next. Then again, maybe I should have the mother first, sort of like an appetizer.
I was prolonging the end, vainly trying to delay my gratification in the knowledge that, odds were, I’d never come across another like her for as long as I walked the face of this earth.
She was laughing now with the worthless female who resided with her. Even from this distant view through her window, I desired her like no other. She was perfect. She would be my masterpiece, and of her I would not be denied even if it meant my death.
Over the past weeks, I’d found myself fantasizing about what it will be like when I’d possess her fully. When my lips finally found the soft skin of her neck, and after taking a moment to enjoy the unabashed terror in her eyes, I’d sink my teeth in, slowly, so slowly. After all, I could do it only once. Then I’d suck that ruby red deliciousness from her veins, pulling it from every inch of her delectably pure body.
I’d had my share of pures, felt their power coursing through my body many times before. It could be overwhelming, cathartic after days or weeks of stalking, foreplay really leading up to the inevitable end.
To think it was possible I might have missed this one. It perplexed me how she lived inside a claimed territory. She was even spending time in the company of two of us. Strange ones they were, useless weaklings who lived among this rich feeding ground. Living with them, not on them.
I was too consumed with the red head to give them much thought. Soon, very soon, her blood would be on my lips, surging down my throat.
What would I do to her body? I knew I’d tear it to shreds to get every last drop of blood out. I would leave nothing behind, not of that blood, never. She would be mine, all of her body and soul. And yet, I’d have to dispose of what would remain of her body somehow.
Soon, very soon, I was going to take her for my own; take her right out from under their weak noses. For surely they were too weak to take her as they should. Strange. Yes, very strange indeed.
It had taken every ounce of strength within me to draw out my long seduction of her blood, the anticipation pulsed within me, driving me into a frenzy, but I pushed it down hard. It wasn’t time yet. Not tonight.
A squirrel stirred in the next tree and I instantly pounced on it. Jumping back to my perch in front of her windows, I watched as she rolled over in her bed, curled up with a leather bound book and sunk my teeth into the quivering animal. Eyes fixed on her pulsating jugular, I sucked deeply. My arousal was intense, all-consuming and only tempered by the unsatisfied feeling of the squirrels blood in my mouth.
I’d stalked her longer than any other, well over a month now. But as my greatest prize she deserved nothing less. I’d only waited this long because I knew I’d miss this, miss this siren’s call of hers. Sadly, I knew every pure for the rest of my life would be a let down because they weren’t her.
I froze as he approached. She jumped at his knock and embraced him as he entered. Then his mouth went to her jugular.
NO! I screamed in my head. But he only kissed my spot and after a lingering moment, the fool stepped back. I stared open mouthed at him. How could he do that? He had to smell her as I did. How could he not take her? He baffled me, this weakling. His loss would be my gain.
Yes, guard my prize, you fool. Enjoy her kisses for the short time left to her. For the last lips she’ll feel on her milky white flesh would be mine.
I dropped from the tree and ran off into the shadows. I’d be back soon, returning after I’d fasted, cleansed myself to fill up on nothing but the pureness in her veins. This would be th
e last time I’d stalk my prey. Next time, I’d be the one to kiss her neck. Only I’d kiss with my teeth, not my lips.
Chapter Twelve
SARA
The next week passed in much of a blur. I spent my days in class and having lunch with friends, and evenings held up in the library studying and spending every available free moment with Daniel. Our strange little argument seemed to have cleared the air on some level. I wasn’t sure what it was, but I felt more relaxed around him than ever before. It was freeing that we could have an honest argument and know not only that our relationship was strong enough to weather it, but also that he wouldn’t revert into the monster right before my eyes. I know it was a relief to me.
I did come to accept one thing as our days together progressed. I think it finally sunk in that we were indeed dating. Of course the next question was, was he my boyfriend? Yes, we spent our time together, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to assign him that title quite yet. It seemed to formal and held too many implications I wasn’t ready to deal with. In the end I was probably too much of a coward to risk tempting fate in such a way. I wanted him in my life. I needed him in my life and I wasn’t about to jeopardize that for anything.
Friday rolled around all too quickly and after I finished my last class for the day, I went back to my room to start packing for the weekend. Tossing clothes in my duffle bag, I felt guilty that I wasn’t looking forward to seeing my parents. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see them; it was just the thought of not seeing Daniel for a few days was more than I wanted to consider. I wished he’d come with me, and he would have had I asked him. But I knew our relationship was way too intense for my parents to handle with any sense of grace. No, this was a trip I had to make alone. My parent’s overprotective natures where I was concerned could be very unpredictable. Something told me, the intense way Daniel tended to look at me would scare the hell out of my mother, and my father might forbid me to see him ever again.
The Purity of Blood: Volume I Page 27
