"You seem to be in one piece," she said, smiling at me.
"I hope so," I said.
"How was it?"
"It was amazing," I told her. "You should come with me next time."
"You're already planning a next time?"
"Yeah. Why not?"
She grinned and shook her head. "You really do have a death wish."
O'Shea, Jonas and Chase all climbed back into the boat behind me.
"We should have done this ages ago," O'Shea stated. "If I had known just how sweet it would be, I never would have waited."
"You're welcome," I said to him. "Let's not forget who planned this little excursion."
"I won't forget," O'Shea said. "I need someone to blame for my new addiction."
Rex climbed aboard the boat last, bringing the bait box with him. He spoke with the captain for a few minutes before the boat's motor revved, and we started back for shore.
"That was incredible," Chase was saying to Rex. "People must think you have the coolest job in the world."
"Ah, well ... some would argue that being a rock star is the coolest job in the world," Rex said, humoring Chase.
Aurora was watching the vampire with a distrusting eye. I was pretty sure, by that point, that Rex was just a vampire on a boat doing his job and doing it well. The problem was, I couldn't exactly voice that to her with him standing right there.
"I'm just glad you had a good time and that you survived," she said to me after I'd gone below and changed back into my dry clothes.
"Me too," I said. "Thanks for understanding how bad I needed this."
"Who am I to keep you from having one last human thrill?" Aurora said. "Besides, we're about to embark on a whole new thrill together."
Chapter 30
Aurora
“ARE YOU SURE IT’S okay for me to tag along?” Trey asked me we got out of the the BMW.
“I told Antonio I wasn’t letting you out of my sight again. He knows what that means. It’ll be fine.”
Trey and I reached the hotel the next night where the full-moon ritual was taking place. Antonio had texted me the location earlier today. Trey had called the guys in the band and let them know that he needed a few days off to recharge his batteries before they tackled rehearsals. O’Shea wasn’t thrilled by the news, but it was hard to argue with a guy who had only gotten a few days off for his honeymoon. Trey promised to get in touch after a few days so they could get back to work. Now, we were about to attend the full-moon ritual where I would ask for the power to make Trey a vampire like me. I’d spent a lot of time imagining what it would feel like to be here tonight, but so far it all felt a little like a dream.
After a ride in the elevator, we made our way down a hallway to the hotel suite. I raised my hand to knock, but the door opened before I had the chance. Mark smiled at me from inside the suite. I hadn’t seen him since the day he came to The Waking Moon to try and talk me out of my decision to change Trey. We’d spoken only briefly since then, but even after everything that had happened, he looked genuinely happy to see me.
“Hey,” I said, smiling at him.
“Hey, yourself,” he said. His smile only faltered for a second when he realized Trey was standing off to the side. “Trey,” he added with a nod. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Come on in, both of you.”
Trey and I stepped into the suite and looked around. Antonio had gone all out for this ritual. I wondered if it was because one of his children was about to become a maker, or if it was because this was Beck’s first ritual with the brood. It still wasn’t The Four Seasons, but it definitely beat the abandoned warehouse where we met two full-moon’s back. We walked over to where Beck was seated in a lounge chair nearby.
“Good to see you again, Beck” I said.
“You, too,” he said, standing to greet us. “Congratulations on the wedding and everything. I guess you guys have had a pretty crazy week.” Then he looked at Trey and said. “After getting married, becoming a vampire should be no big deal, right?”
Trey laughed and nodded, “Right,” he said, grinning.
“It’s not so bad once you get used to it,” Beck added. “Oh, and I heard “You Only Live Twice” on the radio. It’s amazing. I think it’s your best work yet.”
Trey smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Just when I thought no one could understand what I’ve been through lately, you write a song like that. It kind of puts things into perspective.”
I smiled at Trey. “He has a way of doing that, doesn’t he?” I said to Beck.
Trey just grinned, embarrassed, and looked around the suite. “This is quite the set up,” he said, changing the subject. The table for the ritual was near the giant windows where the curtains were pulled aside, allowing the full moon’s rays to pour down into the room.
“Yeah, I had no idea it would be like this when I left the Synod. Their rituals were pretty extravagant. Honestly, it was a little much for my liking.”
“If you prefer low-key, you’ll fit right in,” Mark said. “It’s not usually like this.” A knock sounded on the door, and Mark turned and opened it again. Malena sauntered in, taking a few steps before she sensed Trey in the room. She spun on her three-inch heels and glared at him.
“What is he doing here?” she demanded.
“He’s with me,” I said.
“He’s not supposed to be here.”
“I’ll be one of you tonight,” Trey stated boldly. “I’d say that qualifies me.”
“Ooh,” Malena said, grinning possessively as she took a step toward Trey. I forced myself not to react. “He’s got a little fire in him. Yummy. I can almost see why you’ve kept him around for so long.”
Trey held her gaze, unmoving.
“That’s enough, Malena,” Antonio said as he rounded the corner from the other room in the suite. He was carrying a tray of wine glasses filled with blood. He set them out the table and announced that it was time to begin the ritual. Malena shot daggers at me with her eyes as she stormed haughtily past me and stood on the far end. Trey glanced at me, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. I gave him a small smile, and he took a few steps back, leaning against the wall where he observed in fascination.
“Tonight is a special occasion,” Antonio began. “I’d like to start by welcoming our newest member, Beck, to the brood.” Beck gave an awkward nod and Antonio continued on. “A welcome to Trey as well,” he added. “He’ll be joining the brood soon.” I bit my lip, hoping Antonio wouldn’t make a big deal out of what I was doing. I was under enough pressure as it was. Mercifully, he moved right along without mentioning it. “As it is his first ritual with us, I think it is only fitting that Beck go first.”
Beck hesitated only briefly and then stepped up to the table. Antonio handed him a blood-filled glass, and took a few steps back. Beck stood facing the moon. He closed his eyes for a long moment while he silently asked the moon’s permission for a special ability to practice. When he finished, he drank the blood from the glass and handed it back to Antonio, empty. Antonio nodded his approval, and Beck returned to the group. Malena went next, and Mark followed her. When it was finally my turn, I stepped up to the window, accepting the glass of blood from Antonio. I met his gaze briefly, and willed him to know how grateful I was for his support on a night like this. He gave me a small smile and nodded for me to continue.
I closed my eyes, feeling the moon’s silver rays against my skin, even through the window’s glass. I took a deep breath and silently asked the moon to grant me the power to make my husband a vampire. Usually, when I ask for an ability, I feel an almost physical confirmation that it has taken hold. This time, I didn’t feel anything. I took my time, repeating my request over and over in my mind. Antonio had said in the past that it was normal not to feel differently during a ritual, but this was a first for me. It was both confusing and unnerving. I focused in on Trey, feeling his presence with me across the room. I let the sound of his heartbeat fill my ears and made my
request one last time. When I opened my eyes, I glanced at the moon again before drinking the blood from my glass. The life-giving liquid slid down my throat, burning away my doubt. I returned the empty glass to Antonio, feeling more like myself. I gave Trey a confident nod as I joined the group again. Malena’s jaw was clenched. She’s never a pleasant person to be around, but this seemed excessive, even for her.
“This concludes tonight’s full moon ritual,” Antonio said. “I’m leaving town tomorrow for the West Coast, but drinks are on me tonight at Club Sanguin for those of you who want to come.”
“I have plans,” Malena said curtly, and she picked up her purse and went to the door, disappearing into the hallway of the hotel.
Mark smiled at me apologetically. “Call me?” he said. “When, you know, you have time.”
“I will,” I promised.
Trey and I said our goodbyes and made our way back down to the hotel parking lot. A few minutes later, we were headed for the beach house.
“So that’s it?” Trey asked from the driver’s seat. “That’s a ritual?” He sounded more than just a little bit relieved.
“Were you expecting séances and animal sacrifices?” I said with a grin.
“I’m not sure, exactly.” He let out a breath of air and smiled at me. He turned his attention back to the road. “What will happen when we go on tour and can’t go to Antonio’s rituals?”
“We’ll have our own,” I said simply.
“Where? The tour bus?”
“Exactly.”
He shook his head in disbelief, but he was smiling again. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”
I shrugged. “I’ve been called worse.”
Chapter 31
Trey
TONIGHT I WOULD DIE and be reborn as something entirely new.
I’d been anticipating this night since I learned that my girlfriend was a vampire. In the time since, one of my best friends had been killed by blood-thirsty vampires, and I survived several vampire attacks myself. Against all odds, I was standing here on the beach tonight, alive and breathing. A light wind whistled as it moved through the palm fronds nearby. A pair of bamboo tiki torches stood guard on either side of the back steps to the beach house, their flames dancing in the breeze. The ocean, which normally had a calming effect on my spirit, was dark and menacing tonight. A storm was brewing.
I’d called my mom earlier tonight to tell her that I love her. I planned on surviving the change. In fact, I planned on being around for a very long time, but I couldn’t shake the little voice in the back of my mind that kept whispering that this could be my last night on earth. I’d also called O’Shea. I’d given him a lame excuse about needing a few days off to recharge my batteries. He hadn’t been thrilled about me calling off rehearsals until next week, but, in the end, he’d come around and agreed that a few days off would be good for us all. He promised to call Neon to let him know what was going on for me.
If everything went as planned and I survived the change, would I really be able to continue with the band as normal? Aurora insisted that she would help me learn to hide my true nature from everyone around me, but would I be as good at it as she was with me? Would the guys figure out that I was different somehow? Would the fans? I tried to push my doubts aside, and focus, instead, on the fact that Aurora would be coming with me. I could do anything, if she was by my side. At least, I had to believe that.
A seagull squawked overhead, and I looked up, watching it fly by the light of the full moon.
“There you are,” Aurora said from behind me. I turned, and she walked into my arms. I held her for a moment, wondering if it would feel different the next time.
“It’s time,” she said softly. “Are you ready?”
I took a deep breath and gave her a determined nod. “Yes.”
Aurora took my hand and led me back to the beach house. We climbed the steps together, and I opened the back door, holding it for her. She walked inside, and when I stepped in behind her, the lights were dimmed, and the smell of jasmine filled the air. I only recognized the scent because it was Aurora’s favorite flower. She had one growing in her house, and I found it fitting since it only bloomed at night. When we reached the bedroom, flames from a dozen jasmine scented candles flickered throughout the room, and a fire was blazing in the double-sided fireplace. The curtains that dressed the window facing the ocean had been tied back, giving the enormous silver moon a perfect view into the room.
Aurora stepped close, resting her hands on my shoulders. “I was hoping maybe it would distract you from-”
“Dying?” I asked. I’d meant it as a joke, but I immediately regretted it. “It’s perfect,” I added, smiling at her. “If this were my last night on earth, I’d want it to be just like this with the most beautiful woman in the world, a private place on the beach, and the ocean crashing outside the window. What more could a guy want?” I started unbuttoning my shirt.
“This isn’t your last night on earth,” she said, frowning at me. “I know how hard this must be hard for you,” she added, watching me intently as I dropped my shirt to the floor. “When Antonio changed me, I wasn’t sure I had anything left to live for. I was trying to start over, but that’s not the case for you. Your life was perfect until I came along.”
“Hey,” I said, touching her cheek softly. “My life might be taking some unexpected detours, but I could never regret falling in love with you.” Just to prove it, I pulled her up against me and kissed her long and hard. She pulled back, and I opened my eyes. I stared into the face of a vampire, fangs and all. But she was my vampire. And I was about to be hers. “If anything’s going to distract me tonight, it’s you.” I said. I stared at her shamelessly while shadows from the fire danced on her face. She kissed the center of my chest, and right on cue, my heart shifted into overdrive. I guessed that might make the whole process a little easier. Faster.
I sat down on the edge of the bed, and she bent again and kissed me. My heart wasn’t the only thing racing now. My mind reeled, and I wondered whether it had been a good idea to ask Aurora not to give me details about what would be happening tonight. All I knew was that part of the experience would be enjoyable, and part of it, not so much. She’d promised to guide me as we went but ….
“Relax,” she whispered in my ear and I could hear the smile in her voice.
“Right,” I said sarcastically as I lay back on the bed. “I think my heart is going to explode. Would that help?”
She smiled. “I’m pretty sure that would be less effective.”
“If you’re sure.”
Aurora laughed and then kissed me on the mouth again. My chest was rising and falling rapidly with my breathing and I tried to prepare myself for what was to come. Then, I felt her lips on my throat, and I was suddenly aware of the way my heart was pounding in my ears. It was time.
“It’s okay. I’m ready.” I clawed at the sheets, taking a handful of the bedding in each hand and gripping it tightly to brace myself as I closed my eyes.
“Okay.” The feel of her warm breath on my skin sent chills down my spine.
“I love you,” I added. I wasn’t sure why, but I needed to say it one more time.
“I love you, too,” she whispered, her lips brushing against my neck.
Then Aurora bit down, her fangs piercing the tender skin of my throat. I froze, unwilling to let myself flinch or jerk away. It only hurt for an instant before the pain ebbed away. I relaxed, easing my grip on the bedding. I lost all sense of time while she drank from me. It was like I was floating on an endless sea. It was probably the adrenaline or endorphins or whatever, but I felt incredible. This was apparently the good part. If it was like this every time a vampire drank from a human, then I couldn’t see the harm in that. I kept my eyes shut and let Aurora do her thing. I don’t know how long it continued. It could have been thirty seconds or three hours, but when Aurora pulled back and I opened my eyes, the room was spinning. I was weightless. This had to be what it felt
like to float around in space.
Aurora ran her tongue along my neck, probably to stop the bleeding and heal the wound. “Trey?” she asked. “Are you still with me?”
“Yeah,” I said slowly, blinking until everything came into focus. “That was … amazing.” She smiled, and I could see the relief on her face. “Admit it, I taste even better than you imagined.”
She laughed her musical laugh and leaned her forehead against mine. “Now, it’s your turn.”
I nodded, feeling the effects of the blood loss more and more with each passing second. The ocean breeze coming in from the window danced across me, drying the sheen of sweat from my skin. I was only somewhat aware of her lying down on the bed next to me, resting on her side. She bit her own wrist and lowered it to my open mouth.
She spoke only one word.
“Drink.”
It might have seemed weird if I wasn’t feeling so whacked out, but I didn’t hesitate to obey. She held her wrist to my lips, and I drank the warm liquid flowing there. The sweetness of Aurora’s blood awakened my taste buds, and I drank freely. It was unlike anything I’d ever tasted. I was lost in the act of drinking, and I wondered if my blood had tasted this good to Aurora. If it were true, I didn’t know how she’d resisted the urge to feed from me sooner. After just a few seconds, I started to feel a change. It started off as a general tingling on the surface of my entire body. My skin was suddenly hypersensitive, and I swear I could distinguish between the parts of my body that the moon’s rays shone down on and the parts that were hidden in shadow. I wasn’t sure how, but I knew when to let go of Aurora’s wrist. She healed it and then turned her attention back to me.
“How do you feel?” she asked.
“Strange,” I answered truthfully. The tingling sensation was stronger now, and it was spreading below the surface so that my insides were tingling as well.
“Remember what we talked about. You need to ask for the ability to read people’s thoughts,” she said, running her hand up and down my chest softly.
Immortals And Melodies (Blood And Guitars #2) Page 16
