“She needs to be observed for at least twenty-four hours.” Another said. “We can’t have the council coming after us for this.”
I take in a deep breath and feel a surge of energy. My hearing heightens, and I listen to a man and a woman in the back of the room speaking quietly to each other, “This is our chance to find out more about that mutt. Force her to claim her den.”
“I agree, but it must be handled delicately. We don’t want a war on our hands.” She covers her mouth with her hand.
“We’re already in a damn war.” The man stands up and walks over to the bar.
Vampires have excellent hearing, but not this good. The blood not only awakens my vampire side, but whatever other blood that runs through my veins. I slouch back against the wall, not wanting them to be alarmed by how alert I was.
A young girl, late teens, approaches me cautiously. Relief appears across her face when she realizes that I’m still ill. She crouches down by my side, “I’m Annie.”
She has a sweet face, pale with freckles. Her hair a deep red was almost to her waist.
“Penelope,” I mutter.
“Did the blood help? We have more if you need it.” She points to the fridge.
The group congregates on the other side of the room, away from me.
“I’m good.” My voice is still scratchy. “What’s going on here?” I wondered how much she would know and tell me. Teens knew more than their parents expected and loved talking – even supernatural teens.
“A den meeting about the missing boys.” She sits next to me on the floor and flashes me a friendly smile, “I know you were close with them.”
“Is there any news?” I sit up straight and glance between her and the rest of the vampires.
She bites her lip. There’s an awkward silence as I wait to see if she will tell me what she knows.
“Arthur made contact. They’re Okay but compromised.” She runs her finger on the floor in a pattern.
At first, I think she's a weird teenager, then I notice she keeps making the same movement. Her eyes meet mine, and once she has my attention, she nods. I pay more attention to what she is doing.
Her finger traces out an E. I nod to her, and she traces another letter. L. She repeats this until she spells, “Elliot.”
Once I realize who she’s talking about, I try to remain calm. I didn’t want to blow my cover if she was fishing for information from me. Maybe she wasn’t as innocent as she appears.
“It’s okay.” Her hand grazes my leg then pulls away, “Clark called me. You can trust me.”
I stay open-mouthed. Still unwell and foggy. She knew Clark. But why was she here? “Are you a Mutt?”
She giggles, “No. I’m a full-blood vampire. But, also part of the secret council. I’ve worked with Elliot, or whatever he’s calling himself these days, for centuries.”
“But you look so young.” I bend forward, and my head spins so I slump back to the support of the wall.
“You need more blood.” She begins to stand up, but I grab her arm and pull her back.
“No.” I don’t want to feel my vampire side. When the blood reached my tongue, it made my stomach turn. I knew it was wrong, but I didn’t know why.
“You need your strength. I can’t leave you vulnerable around some of these vampires. They are not all friends.” She gets up and hops over to the fridge, so innocently. She grabs a couple of bags of blood and makes her way back to me.
She plops down, carefully blocking the view from the den members, ripping the first bag open, spitting the plastic on the floor. “Here. Drink it.”
When I don’t reach for the bag, she forces it in my hand then up to my lips. Once I have the taste of it in my mouth, I grab onto the bag and devour the contents. The taste is addictive, and I can’t stop. I grab the other bag of blood and drain it.
“Need more?” Annie asks.
I shake my head and lick the access blood on my mouth off while she bounces off to get more. She doesn’t disappoint. Her arms are loaded with bags of blood as she returns.
In no time, I finish them all off. I feel sharper and more powerful. Like I could rip through anyone that attacks me.
Annie witnesses my transition, and for a second, I see a flash of worry in her pretty green eyes. “I’ll get you out of here. Clark will be waiting in the woods.” She grabs my arm, “you’re still unwell.” She winks.
“Yes.” I lean on her as she brings me to my feet.
“I’ll take you to a bed to rest.” She says loud enough for some of the den members to hear, “I’ll stay with you for a bit.”
“Where are you going?” Principal Stanton is by her side instantly.
“She needs to sleep it off.” Annie bats her eyes at him. “The blood was too much for her.”
I slump up against her and keep my eyes to the ground. I had to rely on Annie at this point. At least I will know who’s side she is on.
“What about the couch?” He nods his head to one on the side of the room.
“She’d hear Den business.” Annie scrunches up her forehead, like his suggestion was the most absurd thing she had heard.
He waves us off, just as Alexandra pipes up. “Where are they going?”
“Enough already, Alexandra,” Principal Stanton throws his hands up in the air, “The Den members need to hear more from you. Let this go.” He grabs her arm and whisks her over to them. We are free to leave the room.
As we enter the hall, I keep my head down and keep the act up. There are several servants preparing supper for the group. Trays are lined up against the walls. We slump along until we arrive in the ground hall. It’s empty and dark.
We pass the grand staircase and begin a jog to the front door. Annie opens it, and we both race toward the woods. I feel the vampire blood mixing with my own and explode into a full run. I’m faster and have more clarity than ever. I smell more scents and can narrow down small animals further away as we run on.
After a few minutes run into the woods, we stop and hunker down behind a large tree. Annie is breathing hard and is staring at the path we just ran through.
“Where...”
She brings her finger to her mouth to quiet me and remains focused on the path. I lean back on the tree and close my eyes, focusing on any noises in the woods. Soon we realize we are in the clear.
“He should be here soon. You may need to go further in the woods. The vampires will be able to smell him if he comes too close.” Annie grabs an envelope from her pocket and hands it to me. “Guard this.”
“What is it?” I flip it over, unsure if I should open it.
“It’s your assignment. I should have gotten it to you sooner, but shit happens.” She smiles.
“Should I open it?” My hands shook, unsure if I wanted to know what my mission was. What if it was against the vampires? Against the Stanton brothers?
“Only you can read it. The harm is if anyone knows you have a magical document, I can’t save you from what could happen.” Annie brushes off dirt from her knees as she stands.
“Do you know what it says?” I place the envelope on my lap.
“No, I have my own mission. We all have a little piece of the puzzle. I know they searched for you for a long time, so your part is special.” Her smile was warm and motherly, even though she looks seventeen.
I nod then look down at the envelope. Unsure if I wanted to know right now. My mission would be the same tomorrow.
“Don’t take too long.” Annie watches the envelope on my lap. “I have to get back before they notice. Get to Clark. He can help you.”
Annie moves past the tree to leave, but I have one more question for her. About Clark.
“Is he okay?” I get to my feet to look at her reaction.
“What do you mean?” She stops but only turns her head back to me.
“You know what I mean.” I hold my breath as I wait to see if she will tell me his secret.
Annie just smiles, “He’s got a good friend in yo
u. He’s going to need that.” She leaves and runs back to the house.
The woods seem unfriendly without her. It’s darker, and I feel alone. I could run now, far away. Never have to see any of them again if I wanted to. The envelope is warm, reminding me of what I promised. What I was to gain if I fought this through.
I rip it open, like a band-aid. Quick and fast. I pull the only page out of the envelope, and it’s blank. I wait for something magical to happen, but nothing appears.
I shove it in my pocket as branches break on the path Annie just left on, “Did you forget something?”
A shadow in the woods approaches slowly. No one replies to my question, and the scent is not Annie’s. They have masked it with some sort of spell. I shove the paper in my back pocket and get ready to fight if I must, happy that I drank all that blood.
“You...” Ivor says as he steps out into the moonlight.
Chapter 16
“Where the hell have you been?” My fists pound onto his chest with all my rage, fear and relief behind them. I want to hug him and slap his face all at the same time.
“I can’t tell you, but we’re all okay.” His eyes shifting to the side told me otherwise.
“Where are the others?” I look past him in the woods, but it’s silent.
“It’s just me...for now.” Ivor grabs my hand, and we run through the forest, I’m still not used to this new energy and am amazed at how my body feels, moving at this insane speed effortlessly. It’s easy to keep up with his strong stride.
We come to a clearing, and there’s an old cabin. There is a faint light glowing inside. I reach out and grab on to his shirt, before he does something stupid, “No...”
“It’s my place. Not many know about.” He gently kisses my cheek as a reassurance. His lips are soft and wet and get my imagination going.
“How did you know I was in the woods?”
“I always know where you are, Penelope...I told you we were fated.” This time he kisses my forehead, I grab his face and bring those lips down further. They crash into mine, and his wet tongue dips into my mouth, at first, it’s soft, then it hardens with further promises.
I draw back from him, embarrassed I tried to make out with him at a time like this. When his brothers were missing, or whatever was going on.
“No one will find us here.” He wraps his arms around my waist from behind me, and we bear walk to the cabin.
He opens the door, then lifts me up in his arms and carries me over the threshold. “This is yours now, Penelope.” He set me down next to the fire. “You’re safe here.”
“Wasn’t I safe before?” I search his face for any clues.
“We had to go into hiding. Things got a little heated. I wanted to reach you before we left, but it was a last-minute decision.” Ivor pulls off his wet t-shirt and throws it on a chair then opens the fridge and brings out a bottle of wine. “Red?”
I nod and sit in front of the fire, letting the warmth flow over me. I wouldn’t push him tonight, but tomorrow it was on. He had a lot of explaining to do.
He passes me a glass and sits down next to me. “You’ll see the others soon. They should all be headed back here tomorrow. For now, I just want to spend time with you, alone.”
I watch as he drinks from his glass. His adam’s apple bobs up and down in a sexy way. My cheeks begin to burn – not from the fire. This was the first time we had been alone - really alone. There was that one time in the classroom, how I wondered what would have happened if we had five more minutes together...
“A penny for your thoughts.” Ivor leans into me, the heat from his body is electric.
“Your uncle is pretty worried.” I cupped my glass with both of my hands and watch the wine swirl around.
“He’ll be relieved tomorrow.” Ivor puts his glass down on the floor and moves one hand behind me, he’s close enough that I feel his breath on the back of my neck.
I have a sudden urge to avoid this attention from him and get up and walk into the kitchen, I wasn’t ready for this – or was I? Sure, I wanted to fuck him right there in front of that fire, but he had disappeared, and there were those murders on campus. I still wondered if they were involved somehow. And then there was this mission – the reason I was here. Lastly, there was a note in my pocket begging to be read.
“Okay. You have five minutes to ask me anything.” Ivor leans back on his two hands and gives me a slight eye roll.
“Ten minutes.” I take a seat in front of him on the floor and cross my legs. “Who were you running from?”
“I can’t tell you.” He stretches forward, and it’s impossible to not gawk at his muscles as he settled into a new position. The light from the fireplace dances softly on his skin.
“How did you know to run?”
His eyes drift from my face down my body. His hands reach over and grab my waist, pulling me closer and on top of him. I wrap my legs around his waist and sit on his lap.
“Did you think about me?” I slip my arms around his neck.
His hands grab my ass, and with a quick jerk, he brings me up against his abs. “That’s an easy one. Every second.”
He leans in and holds me close as he kisses me, the vampire blood making me hornier than ever.
He smirks. “You’re in need.”
I run my nails down his back in response. His moan vibrates my entire body. His warm hand slips under my shirt, and he strokes my back with a firm hand. I clench my thighs, making it impossible for him to move me off. He was finally mine – at least for tonight.
He lets out a soft moan as he slides my shirt off. I lean back so I can take him all in, his broad shoulders and muscular chest were carved to perfection. I let my eyes linger on him for a minute then lower my mouth to taste him.
His skin is soft and salty. I run my tongue along each groove as he watches. I take note of his moans for the most pleasurable areas.
He’s impatient and takes over for his turn. Before I know it, he’s relieving me of my bra. He licks his lips as he unveils his prize. The back of his hand starts on my stomach and moves its way to my breast. He fills both of his hands and rubs them a little too hard, the roughness makes me wet with anticipation for the grand finale.
His thumb rubs my nipples as he stares in my eyes. He leans in and takes my left nipple in his mouth. He suckles softly, paying attention to how my body responds to his touch. I lean my head back and close my eyes, rocking my hips back and forth on the hardness in his pants.
Before I know it, his other hand slips past the band of my pants and under my panties. I rock a little harder as his hand explores my wet area. His other hand is on my ass as he pushes me forward on his hand.
The only sounds are my soft moans and the squishiness in my panties. I hold on to him as his fingers push a little further, finding the source of my wetness. His long thick fingers slide in and out in a fast-rough movement. I can’t help but ride them.
I pull at his belt, and he moves his hand to lay me on my back. With one quick movement, he removes the restriction of my pants and panties off. All while I pull at his belt to free him. I pull off his jeans and underwear and see him for the first time.
My jaw drops at how deliciously big he looks. He smiles at my pleasure. I grab onto his cock and work it with my hand, up and down. I don’t waste any time and dip the head in my mouth, yearning to taste him.
I tease him with just the tip. I smile as I see the frustration on his face. I run my tongue along the back of his shaft – right to the tip, then take him hole. He holds on to my head and helps me get a pleasant rhythm.
He grabs my legs and pushes them apart as he enters me. Full and strong, he thrusts himself in and out of me. He stops and fills me before thrusting again. We went on for what seems like forever, and I was disappointed when it was over.
We both roll over on our backs and pant, catching our breath. I close my eyes and shake my head. I could cross fucking a vampire off my list.
“That was better than I imagi
ned.” Ivor moans. He turns on his side and runs his hand across my belly. “and I’ve been imagining since I first saw you.”
“So now you fucked a mutt. You can brag about it with the vampires.”
Ivor’s hand reaches for my face and turns it toward him. “That’s not what I mean.”
I feel a burning in the pit of my stomach. I sit up and turn away from him as I power puke blood all over his floor.
“Holy shit.” Ivor's hands shake as he grabs a garbage can for me.
He’s not quick enough, as another wave hits, and I puke up even more blood.
“What’s happening, Penelope?” Ivor pulls on his pants and paces back and forth. “Water? I’ll get you water.”
I don’t have time to talk before I puke again. I grow weaker each time as the vampire blood leaves my body.
Ivor puts a glass of water in front of me and grabs his phone. He dials a number. “She needs you. We’re in the cabin.”
“Who...” Is all I can get out of my mouth before more blood comes up. The room spins as I lay my head on the floor. I close my eyes to ease my dizziness. The pit of my stomach clenches as more blood makes its way out of my mouth.
“Help is coming, Penelope.” Ivor is by my side, rubbing my back. “Who gave you the blood?”
“Annie.” I manage to say between heaving breaths.
“Who’s Annie?” Ivor says quickly.
“Someone else first...” I hold my stomach as the pain sharpens. I can’t control the sounds coming from my body, loud moans to screams. “What’s happening?”
“Your body is rejecting the vampire blood.” Ivor’s sweating as he tries to hold me in a comfortable position.
“I’m part vampire...”
“No, P, You’re not.” He kisses my forehead and rocks me back and forth in his arms.
“I could drink it.” I shake my head, “I have fangs.”
“It’s going to be okay, I promise.” Ivor was a terrible liar. It was easy to tell between the sweat on his face and his watery eyes.
The pain worsens, and my insides feel like they are shredding inside my body. I roll over and gag up more blood. I roll back on my back and finally feel a little relief.
Millwood Academy - First Term Page 10
