The Transformed Box Set: Books 1, 2, 3, 3.5

by Stacy Claflin

  "Why would they do that?"

  "You are their princess. It's your destiny to be the wisest and most powerful vampire. Their senses know this and it frustrates them that you don't know anything about being their leader. It's their place to take your orders, not to tell you what to do. It's definitely for the best that I'm here. Actually, the best would be for your parents to be here, but that will have to wait."

  "When will I get to meet my parents? I've been searching to figure out who I really am and they are my missing piece. I understand a lot more knowing that I'm becoming a vampire, but something is still missing. Once I meet them, I think I will finally know who I am."

  "Has it helped spending time with Cliff?" she asked.

  "Haven't you heard about Cliff?"

  "You mean that he's off hiding somewhere?" she asked, as if he was just playing hide and seek a few feet away. "He's fine. I have no doubt about that. He's a thinker anyway, so it doesn't surprise me."

  I looked down at my feet. "I mean, don't you know what I did to him?"

  "That you kissed that human volunteer that you were using? Yeah, I know about that. You're talking to a vampire who went through a really rebellious period. Believe me. I've done a lot worse than you will probably ever even think about doing."

  "Then why were you sent here to be my warden?" I asked.

  She laughed. "I'm no warden. I won't lock you up or tie you down. We come from a line of vampires who likes to learn things the hard way. You've undoubtedly heard about my father's rebellious ways. His brother, your father, went through a very defiant period himself. You'll have to ask him about that someday," she said with a twinkle in her eye.

  "But that doesn't make it okay that I betrayed Cliff," I said. "There is no excuse."

  "Aww, look at you. You totally love him," she said with a smile. "Not that I really had any doubts. I saw you two together as kids, and you two had each other wrapped around your fingers. It was seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen. I can't wait to see you two together soon."

  "You saw us kids and thought we were cute?" I asked, confused. "How old are you? You don't look like you could be any older than me."

  "Didn't anyone tell you how slowly vampires age?" she asked. "We practically stop aging after the transformation. A seven hundred year old vampire won't look much older than twenty."

  "So how old are you?"

  "I would have to look at a calendar to know for sure," she said. "The years roll on by, and age just doesn't matter after a while. I'm about 238 years old."

  "That is so cool. You look like you maybe just turned sixteen."

  She flipped her hair and smiled. "I know. It's so much fun. It can be a lot of fun to toy with the humans."

  I smiled. "It does sound like a lot of fun."

  "I think that we're going to get along just fine. Listen, I've got to get over to Brooke's house, because the story is that I'm supposed to go there. Your human parents are going to meet me there and then take me in as their foreign exchange student."

  "Sounds good," I said. "I need to get back anyway. Last time I took off, my parents got all bent out of shape."

  "It's too bad that we can't just tell them that you're turning into a vampire. It would make things so much easier."

  I laughed. "Yeah, but then we'd have a whole new set of problems."

  "True, true. Okay, so when I meet your family, remember that we've never met. I'm sure you're used to keeping things quiet. I'm not, but I'll be fine. I haven't spent a lot of time with humans in the last twenty or thirty years. It's nice to see the styles have improved."

  "I wouldn't know, but that sounds good, I'll meet you later."

  She surprised me by giving me a huge hug.

  "Wh…what was that for?" I asked.

  "You're my little cousin and I haven't seen you since you were three. Cliff wasn't the only one who adored you. After you were born, I went to the castle as much as I could. I missed you terribly, and have been working with your parents to find the Moretti's. That's why I've been selected to be your 'warden' and trainer. I can't wait to finally get to spend some time with you and see what you're like now. I can see you haven't lost your spunk. See you at the Flemings'."

  She ran off so fast that I almost didn't see her, which was odd because I could see the others when they ran. Perhaps it was something that improved with age or practice.

  I was relieved that she was the vampire sent to watch and help me. She might just understand me, unlike everyone else.

  I ran as fast as I could back to my car, grateful that I could find my way with these new senses. Without them, I would surely be lost before I was fifty feet into the woods.

  When I got back to my car, I saw a bunch of missed call notices from my parents. Not wanting to deal with my mom, I called my dad back.

  "Why do you make yourself so difficult to reach?" he asked.

  "I went for a run to clear my head again," I told him. It was kind of true.

  "We're supposed to pick up Clara in about a half an hour at the Flemings' house. Why don't you meet us there? We want at least one of you girls with us to meet her. Natalie is at practice and can't get away."

  "Okay, I'll see you there in about a half an hour."

  ***

  When I pulled into the driveway, my parents were waiting in their car. I got out of mine and tapped on the window to let them know that I was there.

  "I'm glad you'll be able to be here to meet her," my mom said. "It would probably be awkward for her if it was just your dad and I picking her up."

  "I wouldn't miss it," I said.

  We rang the doorbell and Brooke answered with a smile. "I'm so glad that you guys could take Clara in for us. My parents are traveling, but they thank you very much. They regret that they can't be here to fulfill their duty as host parents."

  "It worked out," my mom said. "I have always wanted to have a foreign exchange student, and with Alexis and Natalie getting along so well these days, the timing couldn't have been better."

  I rolled my eyes. "Thanks, Mom. Let's go in and meet Clara. I can't wait to see what she's like."

  Brooke gave me a look that told me she could tell I was putting on a show.

  As we walked in, Clara stood up from where she was sitting and said, "Hello. You must be Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson. It's a pleasure to meet you."

  My mom smiled and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Clara. This is our daughter, Alexis."

  "Hello, Alexis. It's very lovely to meet you."

  "It's nice to meet you too," I said.

  "We have a special dinner planned for tonight," my mom said.

  "Speaking of which," my dad said, "we need to go pick it up. Clara, would you mind riding home with Alexis?"

  "That sounds wonderful," she said. "We can get acquainted."

  "Alexis, make sure that you get home by 6:30 please," my mom said. "Pay attention to the clock and don't be late. I don't want it to get cold waiting."

  "Sure thing," I said. "See you then."

  "Clara told us about you two meeting in the woods," Steve said after my parents had left.

  "She surprised me, but I could sense her presence."

  "Were you hunting?" he asked.

  "Not this time," I said. "I was testing out my senses so that I know how to use them more effectively. I know that I'll need them when I have to fight the Moretti's someday. I can't start preparing too early."

  "That's the truth," Clara replied. "Those guys are fierce and they grow more powerful each year."

  "Have you seen them?" I asked.

  "Oh yeah. They love Europe and they make their way over to England pretty frequently. They love to start fights with vampires to show off how strong they are. If they weren't so evil and trying to wipe out our family line, it would be very entertaining to watch them."

  "Wonderful," I mumbled.

  "Don't worry, Alexis. You will defeat them and that is a show that I hope I don't miss."

  "If they're so powerful, how will
I ever defeat them?" I asked.

  "All of your gifts and talents will have matured by then," Clara said. "I will be here to give you some real training in the meantime. You can still go and play in the woods if you want, but I promise you some real instruction. Don't forget that Cliff will be fighting beside you."

  "I thought that the prophecy was that I was to be the one to defeat them?" I asked.

  "You will ultimately be the one to win the battle against them, but Cliff will be there fighting alongside you. It's not known exactly how that will come about, but it will."

  "Hopefully, Cliff won't be mad at me then."

  "I'm sure he's not mad at you now. I've seen him many times since you've been living with the humans, and he has been miserable the entire time," Clara said. "That boy loves you, and he has a bigger purpose for his absence than to drive you nuts." She winked at me.

  I couldn't help but smile.

  "Okay, so is there any blood in this house?" Clara asked. "It's been a long day for me, starting halfway across the globe. I need a glass."

  "I'll go get some," Brooke said. "Who else wants some?"

  "I'll have some," I said.

  "Me too," Steve said.

  "Four bags coming up," Brooke said, and went to the kitchen.

  "You guys just keep that stuff in the kitchen?" I asked. "That's so weird."

  "Were else would they keep food?" Clara asked.

  I shrugged my shoulders.

  Brooke came out juggling four wine glasses and we each took one from her before any spilled.

  I sipped mine and nearly spit it out. "What is wrong with this stuff?"

  Clara laughed.

  "What's so funny?" I demanded.

  "The bagged stuff takes some getting used to," she replied. "It's definitely not the same as the fresh stuff."

  "No, it's not. It's horribly stale. How can you guys stand it?"

  "It beats going out and needing to hunt humans like some animal," Steve said.

  "I'm no animal."

  "They've never had the fresh stuff, Alexis," Clara told me. "It's part of being raised with the royals."

  "Is that part of the exposure process? One drop of this nasty stuff at a time?" I asked.

  "That's how it's done at the castle," Steve said. "By order of your parents."

  "Is there anything that can be done about this taste? Please tell me there is."

  "You can either just get used to it or you can add wine," Clara told me. "Sometimes the wine helps to bring out the fresh flavor."

  "Can I have some wine with this blood, please?" I begged.

  "No," Brooke said. "You need to get used to this stuff. If we give you wine, you'll start craving the fresh stuff and we need to get you off of it."

  I looked at Clara for some help.

  We'll go hunting, don't worry.

  I sighed with relief and grew excited about my new warden.

  "It's our job to protect you," Steve said. "You think we're just killjoys but it's for your own good."

  "It's up to us to follow the orders and wishes of your parents," Brooke added.

  "I understand," I said, and took another sip of that nasty drink.

  Clara winked at me.

  SEVENTEEN

  "That dinner was delicious. Thank you so much," Clara said to my parents.

  "We're so glad to have you here and we want you to feel welcome," my mom said.

  "Oh I do, this is fantastic. Can I help you clean up?"

  My mom smiled. "You are so polite and sweet. No, I just want you to go and have some fun with the girls. Do each other's makeup or nails."

  "Let's do our nails," Natalie said. "I just bought a bunch of new colors."

  We ran upstairs like a bunch of silly kindergartners. When we got to Natalie's room, she closed the door and then stared the two of us down.

  "Okay, I know that something's up. Why don't you tell me what it is?"

  "Whatever do you mean?" Clara asked.

  "You two are hiding something. I can tell. Spill it."

  Clara and I looked at each other. I said, "You caught us, Natalie. She's my biological cousin."

  "It's true," Clara said. "Our fathers are brothers. Twin brothers."

  "Twins?" I exclaimed. "I didn't know that."

  "How did you two find each other? Are you part of the mob too?"

  Clara looked completely confused.

  "Natalie, we're not from the mob," I said. "I don't know where you got that idea from, but my family is not the mafia."

  "You two so need to fill me in. But first, we need to do our nails before our parents suspect anything."

  "Our family has deep roots in Europe," Clara said. "Our family line goes back thousands of years and we are a part of royalty. Alexis was stolen as a toddler and placed with your family. Your parents have had their memories changed with a strong spell that won't be easily broken. That's why they refuse to believe that Alexis isn't their daughter."

  "That is so intense" Natalie breathed. "So are you here to try to get Alexis back?"

  "No, she'll come back soon enough on her own. I'm here to help her get to know her roots, and to make sure that she's safe from the people that ordered her death. They thought that she was dead, but have recently discovered that she isn't."

  "Seriously?"

  "It sounds too crazy to be true, I know," Clara said.

  "Not really," Natalie said. "I've seen her in action. I knew that something really big was up."

  "You saw her in action? What does that mean?"

  "My boyfriend was treating me badly and we didn't know that Alexis could hear us. She swooped in out of nowhere and threatened him. I thought he was going to pee his pants," she giggled. "He's also been a lot nicer to me since then."

  "That's good to know," I said. "If that stops, be sure to let me know."

  ***

  The next day, Clara stayed home to rest while Natalie and I went to school. Clara was jet-lagged and not ready to jump into high school. Not that I blamed her. I hoped that she was ready for modern day school. I didn't know how a 238 year old vampire would do in a school full of immature high school kids.

  When I walked to my locker, I noticed that people weren't clamoring for my attention. I was glad for the space, but it struck me as very unusual.

  After I got my books from my locker, I paid more attention to how people were acting when I walked by. I noticed stares and whispers.

  I thought that I was imagining it, but the same thing happened the entire distance from my locker to my first class. As I walked by, people standing alone stared at me and kids in pairs and groups whispered to each other. I was definitely not imagining it.

  I was beginning to feel self-conscious until I got to my honors class where nobody seemed to act any differently toward me. They ignored me, the curve-killer, as usual.

  As the day went on, the stares and whispers in the halls turned into pointing and laughing.

  "What is going on around here?" I asked Amanda at lunch.

  She started twirling her hair and looking down at her shoes. "What do you mean?"

  "You're the world's worst liar," I told her. "Just tell me what's going on."

  She dug her toes into the floor and let go of her hair. "People are saying stuff."

  I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of stuff?"

  She began playing with her glasses and continued to look away from me. "They're saying some things about you."

  I sighed. "What kinds of things are they saying?"

  Twisting her hair again, she said, "Things that aren't nice."

  My mind raced with thoughts of what could have been said about me. Did everyone know that I was vampire? Did I think that I was going to attack them?

  "Amanda, you are doing me no favors by holding out on me. Tell me what they are saying about me."

  Her heart was beating extremely fast and the smell of her blood came to my nose. It was as if her fear was romancing me.

  "If you care about me at all, just tell m
e," I exploded. I did not want to be tempted to bite into her again.

  People turned to stare at us. I didn't care because that's what they had been doing to me all day.

  She looked into my eyes. "Everyone is saying that Cliff left because you gave him an STD."

  I felt like I had been slapped in the face. "They are saying what? That's ridiculous."

  Amanda looked down. "I know, right?"

  "What do you mean by that?" I demanded. "It sounds like you don't you believe me."

  "Of course I do," she mumbled.

  "You don't sound so sure of yourself," I accused her.

  "I know it's not true," she said, looking at me.

  I stared at her. "Why don't I believe you?"

  "I do know it's not true." She looked away again. "But I did ask Brooke about it last night."

  "Hold it. Wait just a minute." My head was spinning with all of this crazy new information. "You didn't believe it, so you called Brooke? Why didn't you just call me? Or believe in me? Also, how is it possible that you all knew about this last night and nobody bothered to give me any kind of heads up before I got to school this morning? What kind of friends do I have?"

  "I'm sorry, Alexis."

  "How could you do this to me, Amanda? Emma betrayed us and now you do this to me."

  "I know. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

  "How could you even question the notion that I could have given him any kind of STD?" I whispered. I didn't want anyone with itching ears to listen in on our conversation. "You know that I've never even kissed anyone. How exactly would I have contracted something to give him?"

  "I know, I know."

  "I can't believe that you went to Brooke before you even came to me. I wouldn't do that to you. I would have believed you over some rumor and then I would have told you about the rumor."

  She just looked at me without saying anything.

  "At least now I know why people are acting like this. Thanks for telling me that much at least." I got up and stormed out of the cafeteria, ignoring the pointing and whispering.

  I passed by Emma and Hailey walking down the hall. They both smirked at me and I put it all together. They had done this to me.

  I turned around and stood in front of them and glared at them.

  "Are you having a nice day?" Hailey asked, stifling a giggle.