Ever After

by Heather McBride

  Chapter 17

  Things go from good to bad

  I was into an old episode of Gilmore Girls so I ignored the sound of footsteps in the hall. I could hear 100 times better now, as my body got closer to being more vampire like. I always heard many things that I normally didn’t as a human. I heard my door slowly open, I figured maybe Gran was coming in to say goodnight. I didn’t bother to look up. The voice I heard now was one I hoped and prayed I would never hear again.

  “Ahhhh Corrine, well you’re looking rather under the weather aren’t you?” Todd Downs was standing before me. I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe as I watched him lock my bedroom door.

  “Surprised to see me aren’t you? It has been a long time hasn’t it?” He looked expectantly at me, but I was frozen in fear and could not speak.

  He was speaking softly enough to avoid waking William. I knew I needed to scream, or something to wake Will up. I curled my legs up to my chest, pulling my comforter up next to my neck. I felt like I couldn’t get any air and my body started shaking.

  “I see lover boy is passed out, not to normal for a vampire to be doing that is it?” He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes looking at William closely.

  “What?” I whispered in shock. What did he know about vampires? How did he even know Will was one? I felt my stomach churn.

  “I see you are surprised that I know what he is.” He looked at William, seeming to study him again. “Rare indeed to see a vamp sleep so soundly for so long, he seems almost…. human.” Todd smirked as he shook his head.

  “A human? Why are you speaking like that?” I gasped trying to understand him. He was acting really weird and talking strange not like the creep I knew he was. He was speaking as if he actually had a brain.

  “I see your shocked Corrine. You can tell I’m different but you are not sure how? Well… I will let you in on a secret. I am like your lover boy over there now. I too am a vampire.” He tilted his head and smiled at me.

  “Ah… but not a half ass half blood as your precious William is. No, I am a full blood and much stronger than he is as you know, I’m sure. I happened to run into Will’s creator, Vincent not long after my last little visit with you. Once I told him, I knew of you and William he offered to change me. He said my hatred of you two would make me a perfect addition to the Dark coven.

  “What’s going on? What do you want then? You’re immortal, you can be an evil jack ass forever now, why bother me and William?” I was really regretting the jackass thing now, he was after all a vampire and insane. He was more dangerous now than he ever was as a human.

  “Oh Corrine you’re smarter than that, did you think I would pass up the chance to pay you back for making the last year of my human life sheer hell?”

  “You did that Todd, not me. You attacked me, I said no and you know it! I told you how I felt about sleeping with you and you tried to force yourself on me at that party! Don’t you dare blame me because you’re a walking hormone and can’t control yourself?” I hissed at him. I felt the old anger I had buried rise as I stared into his eyes.

  “To top it off you nearly killed me by all the crap you put in my drink. Did you know if the paramedics had been just 30 minutes later in getting my stomach pumped out, I would have died! Nice job on that! One muscle relaxer wasn’t enough? Were you that stupid or did you want me to die after you had your way with me!”

  I was furious, I couldn’t control all the things I was saying either. It was all pouring out, all the anger and all the things I had wanted to say to him ever since that horrific night. I knew I was probably pissing him off and it was insane for me to do so. I lay here in this bed helpless, confronting my worst enemy. I knew somewhere inside, this may be it for me. He was probably going to kill me next. Todd was evil, he was evil before even the night of the attack, and he had to be much worse now.

  I thought back to when we started dating in high school, our senior year. I should have known then to run the other way. Todd was controlling, and abusive to me. Not so much physical but verbal. He never wanted me to go out with my friends, made me quit Drama club and soccer. He said they took too much of my time, and he needed me more.

  Kara and Beth begged me to dump him so many times, if only I had listened to them. They were my best friends, and they really loved me, but I was young and stupid, and thought Todd loved me too. It started to get bad at the start of our freshman year at Harvard. One night after a movie he swore I was flirting with a guy, he hit me in the parking lot, just a slap but all the same, he hit me. I should have dumped him then, but was too scared.

  “You’ve got some nerve yelling at me like that right now. From what I hear, you’re in pretty bad shape. You should have known I would be back for you! I spent the last year hiding from all the cops your dad hired to hunt me down. If I hadn’t run into Vincent and his crew in New Orleans, I would be doing time in prison right now thanks to you.”

  He walked around the room looking at all my pictures and personal stuff. “Daddy’s little girl.” He smirked holding up a picture of my dad, and me when I was 8 years old at the local fair. “Tell me Corrine, what does daddy think about you having a half blooded vampire as a boyfriend? I bet he wouldn’t approve would he? I bet he doesn’t even know, does he? Maybe somebody should tell him about William’s true identity eh?”

  “Shut up Todd, you know you can’t, even the Dark coven would kill you for exposing what he is. It’s the un written law all covens live by. You can’t expose other vampires, half blood or not.”

  “Do I ever follow rules Corrine?” he laughed and moved on to look at the other pictures I had on my nightstand. “Oh now that is sweet, you and lover boy together. He really does pass for a human. I could never tell by looking at him he was a vampire.” I watched him set that picture down and now his eyes were fixed on me. It was all too much for me, having Todd right here in my room, the confidence I had before was now gone, replaced by terror.

  “I hear you’re really sick and that you actually gave your blood to William so he wouldn’t die. You really amaze me Corrine. You would give up your life for him, but you wouldn’t even sleep with me? You are a major head case, you do realize that don’t you? Oh and I thought you also might want to know you royally pissed off the Dark coven, by doing that.” He smirked. “A big mistake on your part.”

  “Why? What does it matter to them, me saving William, which has nothing to do with your freaky coven!” I felt the anger welling up inside of me again.

  “Oh… it does, Vincent wanted William back in the Dark coven for some reason.” He grimaced in disgust for a second. I knew he had a deep hatred for William and I hated to see what he was planning to do to him.

  “You were the one who he believed led him away from being a real vampire. I will never understand why he favored him so much, but he was adamant that William return to New Orleans. Your strong bond with the followers led Doc to protect you. When Doc killed Vincent he sealed William’s fate as well as yours.” I felt a pain in the back of my head now. I was desperately trying to hide it from Todd as he spoke.

  “What do you mean?” I said in a whisper, trying to hide my agony.

  “You see Corrine, Vincent let me become one of his coven to be his.” He tapped his finger on the edge of my footboard. “Assistant, if you will. I was to help him achieve all the things he wanted to do. I was his right hand the last few months before he died.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and took a deep breath.

  “Vincent made me also promise to complete his work if he should not be able to do it. I swore to him if he made me a vampire I would do just that.” He smiled at me as he narrowed his eyes.

  I couldn’t imagine what he was thinking. “So that brings us to this point right here, I made Vincent a promise and I will not fail him.”

  I couldn’t imagine what he had to promise to get Vincent to turn him into a vampire, but I knew it couldn’t be good at all. Another pain gripped my body, this time in my stomach. I doubled over and
gasped in pain, tears filled my eyes. I knew Todd could sense I was weak, it was a skill all vampires had. It was a way of tracking their next meal.

  “Are you hurting? I can see how much suffering being with that half blood has caused you Corrine. I did love you, did you know that?” I felt my stomach drop; I couldn’t believe he just said that.

  “You don’t know the meaning of that word, don’t flatter yourself.” I wrapped my arm around my chest, closed my eyes, and looked away, so not wanting to have this conversation with him.

  “I did Corrine, but now I only hate you and that is why completing Vincent’s plan will be all the more enjoyable for me. Your coven leader Doc killed the only person who ever understood who I was and now you will pay. It is common knowledge you are dying just so you know, the entire Dark coven is aware of it.” He laughed, but not loud enough fro Will to hear him.

  “I know you are trying to cheat a human death by becoming a vampire, nice idea. I like how you think. I hate to tell you though, it probably will not happen. Leo my coven’s chief leader knows a vast deal about changing too, and he is fairly certain yours will never complete.” I had no words. How did they know, who had told them about me I wondered.

  “Shut up Todd you know nothing!” I couldn’t get over how different he spoke now. It was like becoming a vampire made him smart.

  “Oh I know enough, and I know pretty boy over there is sick as well, you both are in bad shape. That dead blood Vincent gave him was highly concentrated, much more potent than your average stuff. I pity him really, from what I hear he has a painful few years coming to him.” I felt my breath catch. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

  “What do you mean?” I pulled my blanket closer to my neck. I looked over at Will; he was still sleeping soundly.

  “Well…. I suppose I can tell you, since you’re not going to be around here much longer. The blood he drank will slowly break down his system; it’s a long agonizing process. If I were him I would have rather just drank the whole vial and died, he could suffer for a good year or more before his body gives out.” He shrugged and pressed his lips together.

  “Vincent never really meant to kill him, but when he refused to go back to the Dark coven, he lost his temper. He did that a lot, so he instantly decided to kill him, you were next of course. If Doc had not shown up, Vincent would have drained your body of every last drop of blood to be sure.”

  I figured the last part, but to know now my William was going to suffer and my blood had not healed him but sentenced him to days of agony was enough to push me over the proverbial edge. Todd knew too much. I knew this was going to get bad, really fast. The dark coven was lethal, and they wanted Will and me dead.

  “You are wrong Todd, Doc, and Pratt will help him, you’re just trying to be hateful!” I snapped.

  “No Corrine those are strait facts. Will is…let’s see now… what’s that old saying?” He stopped to think. “Up shit creek without a paddle? Yes that's it.” The look in his eyes sent a cold chill down my spine.

  “I also could say the same for you. Vincent made me like him, so I could complete the elimination of you, William and the Followers if he should fail. He was stronger when he changed me, so fortunately I am not a half blood.” He laughed. “Finishing this will be easy.”

  He sat down in my pink armchair and nodded his head. “Leo will be the one you will meet next, and he is the one who will decide how and when to kill you. I will warn you he has no feelings for humans or half bloods. Did you know we hunt both even when we are not hungry, it’s rather fun actually. I especially like to smell the fear it’s like a fine wine, and the terror in their eyes is merely the icing on the cake.”

  “You won’t get away with this!” I snapped at him, wanting to punch him in the face.

  Leo warned me of how protective the Followers are with William, since he is so weak. It seems they all feel the same about you. Doc threatened Leo’s son Trevor over you two scrawny little vamp wanna be’s. That was not such a good thing to do on his part. Leo could care less that he and Doc were brothers in their human lives. Leo has wanted to kill Doc and eliminate the Followers for centuries.” He inhales and smiles confidently at me.

  “I am now Leo’s right hand man and his choice to be the next elder of the coven. This little mission is my chance to prove to him I am worthy of such a position in the coven and I will not fail.”

  I knew it was over now, I couldn’t breathe at all. I tucked my head down on my knees and closed my eyes. I had no idea what Todd had planned for me but it would end in my death. Will was also heading that way, and I couldn’t bear the thought of it. I caught my breath and slowly looked up pushing the hair out of my eyes.

  “You're going to kill me aren’t you?” I said weakly and why I even asked I didn’t know. I already knew the answer.

  “Yes and… no Corrine, I would love to kill you right now, but I must let Leo decide if I can enjoy that. You are bait right now. Where ever you are William and the Followers will come and try to save you. Do you see what I mean? You Corrine are live bait!” I saw just then Todd was not alone, he had another vamp with him. He stood watching near the window, in the shadows.

  “I see that you’ve noticed Kyle over there, don’t worry he will not eat you. He is here to help me out if I should need it.”

  “We should get going Todd, Leo is expecting us in an hour you know how he is.” I could see fear in Kyle’s dark eyes as he said Leo’ name.

  Kyle looked a lot like Todd but with dark brown hair and he was shorter, he wore a black coat and baseball hat nearly pulled over his eyes. He seemed nervous and kept looking at William. It was in that moment William did wake up; he heard Todd and Kyle talking. The look in his eyes when he saw Todd even scared me, they went from blue to nearly black, as he was enraged. Will jumped up ready to attack; he was at my bedside in seconds.

  “What the hell are you doing here Todd?” He snarled, putting himself in between me and Todd as a shield, he held his arm out in front of me as a block, if Todd was going to go after me.

  “Ahhh glad you could join us William old pal, long time no see eh?” He prodded sarcastically knowing Will was pissed off.

  Will’s body suddenly tensed up as he was sensing Todd was a vampire; all vamps even half bloods could feel another vampire presence form a mile away. This explained why Todd could never be tracked. The Followers had been looking for a human and he was no longer one and remained hidden from Doc and the coven. They would never have expected him to be a vampire.

  “I see you’ve joined my world. I don’t need to ask what coven, do I?” William was studying Todd as it seemed assessing him.

  “No… you don’t need to ask, and I am a full blood, not a half ass vamp like you!” He took a step closer to William who still was blocking Todd from me.

  I was in so much pain I was getting tunnel vision and my ears were ringing. I was glad Doc had un hooked the heart monitor or they would have known it was beating out of control. I put my face in my hands, trying to pull it together, but it was not working. Doc and Pratt were not kidding when they said stress was my worst enemy, I was going down fast, and I had no way to stop it.

  “You think you can come in here and hurt Corrine, alone or even with your side kick over there? You’re a fledgling vamp; you can’t even have been one a full year yet. I may be a half blood but you are younger and not as strong as me.” Will remained in a guarding position ready if Todd should try to get to me.

  “Really? Well in most cases that may be true, but not right now. It’s a well know fact you are sick William, that dead blood Vincent forced you to drink is tearing up your system as we speak, you know it and I know it.” He smiled at Will, and gave a Kyle wink of self-assurance.

  “You’re wrong, I am fine. Your stupidity amazes me Todd it really does. I may be somewhat weaker than I was before the attack, but I m still stronger than you! I’m also not alone here; if you knew how a coven really works, you would remember that. If you threaten one
you threaten all.”

  “So I’ve heard.” Todd laughed.

  “Well you’ve set yourself up to fail as Vincent did!” Will said in a low voice. The words set Todd off. I could see his hands ball up into tight fists.

  “I have a mission to complete, and I will not let some runty half blood get in my way, so save your pathetic threats William!” In that, instant Todd lunged at William who in a split second moved. Todd tumbled into the couch next to my bathroom. Todd was back on his feet instantly and he and Will circled each other.

  ‘Save the macho display William, I know all about it. Vincent knocked you on your ass last fall. I was just filling Corrine in on the details while you were getting your beauty rest. I can kill you; you are nearly as weak as a human right now, and no match for me! Why don’t you let me put you out of your misery right now?” He was pushing Will, trying to get him to make a move.

  “Bring it Todd, I will rip out your throat and kill you like the animal you are!” Will was in a full on rage now, like I had never seen him before.