Astoria: Secrets, Lies and Vampires

by Theiler, Donna

  “Really?” I said shockingly. “It’s amazing.” I added as she started to clean my wound. I stared up at the beautiful woman that was before me, thinking there was no way she was over a hundred years old. And I decided to ask her what her real age was. “So, how old are you? In total I mean?” Meaning Human and Vampire years combined.

  “Well, I had just turned nineteen when I became a Vampire. And that was in nineteen seventeen.” She replied with a smile as I tried to do the math in my head. “So that makes me one hundred and fifteen.” She replied as I raised my brow in shock. She was beautiful and her body was amazing for a hundred and fifteen year old. All I was thinking was, being a Vampire was awesome. I could see her looking at me questionably as she began to numb my forehead with the needle. “This may sting a little.” She said as she began to prick me with the needle. I tried to stay still but I winched a few times before the Novocain began to work. “Let’s give that time to take effect before we began to stitch that up.” I smiled and nodded as she wiped down the needle with alcohol, as she began to walk out of the room I stopped her. “Doesn’t the blood bother you?” I asked. Grace turned around to face me before she spoke.

  “No.”

  “How do you do it?” I asked questionably. A smile spread across her face before she began to speak, and then as she told her story her eyes began to sparkle.

  “Before I met Neville I was a nurse. I loved helping people and the joy it brought me. Then I met Neville.” As she said this she smiled. “But once I learned what he was.” She paused as though she was reliving a horrible moment as she shook her head. “But by then I was in love with him, and what he was didn’t matter to me anymore.”

  “Was it hard? The change I mean?”

  “No.” she said quickly. “I had Neville by my side. Neville could never harm a fly. So I knew if he could do it, so could I.” she said as she touched my hand lightly. “What Neville had to do today to Destiny was one of the hardest things he has ever had to do. Before my change he had never fed off a human’s blood before. Then only Cameron’s after that. And that was only to save our lives. Neville is a good man.”

  “Evan said Neville was against you becoming like him?”

  “Neville didn’t want me to become like him. He was against it from the very beginning and I just wanted to be with him forever. It was when I became pregnant with Evan and Payton and nearly died when Neville made the decision to change me. Neville didn’t want this life for me, but to save my life he did what he had to.” Her words sounded like she was remorseful that her husband had to make this difficult decision, but I could tell Grace was happy that she had eternity with Neville and her children. “And he didn’t make the decision lightly.” Her face fell as she continued speaking. “Becoming a Vampire comes with a great price.” She turned to walk out of the room when I spoke the words I swore to myself I would never tell anyone.

  “I asked Evan to change me.” The words flew out of my mouth before I knew it. Grace looked at me with shock. I looked away quickly feeling ashamed for saying the words. “But he said no.” I added, only to relieve her mind. She nodded her head before she walked towards the door and said the only words I figure she could. “Good.”

  *****

  After my head was stitched up, Grace made sure to clean up all of the blood by burning anything that came in contact my blood in a stainless steel garbage can, just as a precaution. And I agreed with her, I didn’t need any more crazy Vampires trying to kill me. I offered to help but she insisted I go to my room to rest. I took her up on her offer since I was exhausted, having a Vampire trying to kill you really takes a toll on you. Evan walked me to my room and helped me in to bed. Pulling the covers over me he then climbed into bed and lay down beside me. Evan stared at me with his gorgeous blue eyes as he began to trace around the wound left on my forehead from Destiny’s attack. “If anything had happened to you today, I don’t know what-” I stopped him before he could finish his sentence by leaning in to kiss him. Evan pulled back quickly stopping me before I could land my kiss on his lips.

  “Emma!” he snapped. “Do you not understand how the seriousness of what happened today was?” he was up off the bed now and was angry as he paced back and forth. “She could have killed you, and then I’d be without you.” Now I was sitting up on the edge of the bed, debating whether or not to reach out for his hand to calm him down or not. I took the chance and reached out for his hand and drew him back over to the bed.

  “But she didn’t.” I said as I coaxed him to sit on the bed. The look in his eyes was enough to make me want to cry. I could tell he felt guilty for everything Destiny had tried to do to me. I searched for the words to ease his mind. “Everything turned out okay. And look, here we are, at your house, in your guest room, all alone.” I said the last part trying to flirt using my sexy voice and eyes. I wasn’t sure I convinced him, but at least it got him to smile.

  “You’re right. I have you for the next six days, and I plan on making the best of it. Now, it is time for rest, doctor’s orders.” He said as he pulled the covers back over me and lay down beside me. As I curled up in his arms, Evan whispered “I love you, forever and always.” In my ear before I fell fast asleep.

  I woke with a startle as Evan thrashed around on the bed beside me. It was dark outside now, the only light in the room was from the moon but it wasn’t enough to light the room so I reached over and turned on the light that was on the table beside me. The clock next to the bed said it was eight thirty p.m. Evan was still in a deep sleep, as he tossed and turned, he began to call out my name. “Emma!” he screamed. “Please, come back.” I sat back, shocked. Then realizing he must be having a nightmare. I gently shook him trying to wake him. “Evan, wake up.” I said still shaking him. Evan still thrashed about as he continued to scream my name over and over. Sweat poured from his forehead as his body began to shake. This time I screamed his name louder and shook him harder, and to my luck he woke with a startle. He stared at me for a long moment trying to make sure I was real before taking me in his arms and squeezing me tight as he cried out my name “Oh Emma.” as his arms tighten around me a shock went through my body just as it did that fateful day the school sign nearly crushed me to death and that day on the hiking trail. I began to see what Evan had been dreaming. Evan and I were at the prom, me in my long baby blue dress and Evan in his black tuxedo dancing. Then we were fast forwarding in time and now we were walking in the woods. I couldn’t tell where we were, it was unfamiliar to me. Evan was holding my hand, I looked very happy. We were fast forwarding again, we were still in the woods, but now I was scared, face to face with large wolves. And just like that Evan’s hands where gone from around me. “What was that?” I demanded to Evan as I stood up from the bed. Evan looked at me, still in a cold sweat from his nightmare. Evan just shook his head as if it had not been a big deal. “Evan!” I snapped.

  “It was nothing.” He replied. Trying to play it off like it was just a normal dream.

  “Evan I know you saw something more.” I barked.

  “Let’s go get some dinner.” He said as he got up from the bed and walked out of the room as though nothing had ever happened. I didn’t follow Evan downstairs to the dining room for dinner. Later that night, Payton came in with a plate of food for me. I heard her come in as I lay facing the wall with my back to the door, I never turned to see who it was, but I could tell it was her by the way she moved, she came in and sat down the plate on the nightstand beside the bed without saying a word. She hesitated for a moment at the door and then she turned and walked out of the room and shut the door behind her. I never touched my dinner or left my room for the rest of the night. Evan never came back to my room to spend the night that night either. I wasn’t sure if I was more hurt over the dream and what he was hiding from me, or the fact he never came back to my room that night. But either one, it cut me deep.

  Chapter 21

  The next morning I woke to the sun shining. I lay looking out the window for a
moment. Thinking of the night before and Evan’s nightmare and the small glimpse of images I was able to see before Evan moved his hands away. It didn’t make any sense. What else could happen? Destiny was out of the picture now. Neville had erased her memory and by now he should have taken her somewhere far away and she would never find her way back here. I shook my head not understanding what Evan’s dream could mean, it didn’t make any sense, but anything in Evan’s world didn’t make any sense to me. I decided I needed to get up and dressed and get my things ready to go home. Evan’s absents in my room all night was apparent that he didn’t want me here any longer and it was time for me to go home.

  I showered in the guest bathroom that was adjoining to the guest bedroom I had been using for my stay here, making sure to clean up any mess I made behind myself. I quickly got dressed, throwing my hair in a messy bun and then began to pack my clothes into my suitcase. I was hoping I could get packed and out the door before anyone would notice I was awake, and I almost succeeded as I tried to zip up my suitcase when a knock on my door startled me.

  “Come in.” I said. Hoping it wasn’t Evan. I watched as the door opened slowly. My heart began to race as Evan appeared. I tried to go about my business and finish packing but my hands were shaking as I tried to get the zipper on my suitcase to zip.

  “Going somewhere?” he asked as he walked over and zipped up my suitcase for me and then sat it off to the side.

  “I’m going home.” I said harshly. The hurt in his eyes was too much for me that I had to turn away from him. Even though I was angry with him, I didn’t want to hurt him in any way.

  “Please. Don’t go.” He begged.

  “Why?” I snapped as I turned to face him. His eyes were filled with pain. I could tell my words hurt him.

  “Because I love you and I don’t want you to go.”

  “Are you going to tell me what your dream was about?” I asked, crossing my arms as I patted my foot on the ground.

  “No!” he replied. “It’s nothing for you to worry about.” He added as he walked towards me reaching out for me. I pulled away from him as I stormed off over to the window. Evan walked up behind me putting his arms around my waist, his hands felt cool and I could feel my defenses breaking, like they always do when I was near him. “Please don’t go.” He whispered in my ear. I closed my eyes as I could feel the walls I built over night come crashing to the ground. Evan had won. I turned and looked into Evan’s eyes as I said. “Okay.” Evan leaned in and kissed me softly, as I matched his kiss he slowly lifted me off the ground with ease and carried me over to the bed, as we fell onto it. Evan stopped kissing me to look into my eyes and softly spoke. “I’ve waited what seems to be a lifetime for you. Losing you isn’t an option.” I saw a single tear fall from his eye as I whispered “You are my only option” Evan and I made love that morning. Our first time was special just as he promised. It was the first time for both Evan and I. Which Evan said made it even more special. And we made a vow to never speak of his dream again.

  As I lay next to Evan I had never felt more amazing. My head was on his arm as we were both tangled up in the sheets. I had just made love for the first time, to my first love. As Evan caressed my arm softly I turned onto my side, propping myself onto his chest as I stared in his eyes. Evan smiled sheepishly at me “What?” he asked.

  “Nothing.” I said shaking my head. As I lay my head down on his chest and whispered “I’ll always love you.” As Evan caressed my back with his fingertips I thought I heard him whisper “I hope so.” before I fell asleep in his arms.

  Later that morning during my shower I noticed the large bruises on my arms and back. Remembering back to Evan and my love making I knew how I got them. I knew sex your first time was rough, but sex with a Vampire was even rougher. Evan squeezed my arms and back tighter than he meant too causing bruising, along with a few pillows being destroyed in the process. I have to admit, sex with him was rough, but I would do it again with him anytime.

  After my shower I called to check in with Gran, Evan and I was going to go to dinner in Warrenton and I didn’t want to take the chance of running into her or anyone else who may see me with Evan.

  “Hello.” Gran answered after about three rings.

  “Hey Gran, I was calling to check in.” I replied.

  “Are you and Samantha having a good time?” she asked.

  “Yes, we are.” I replied, trying to keep the deceit from my voice. “What about you? Doing anything today with Marie?” I hinted to see if I would be safe from running into her or Marie on my date with Evan tonight.

  “No not tonight. Marie isn’t feeling well, so I think I am just going to stay in as well.”

  “Tell Marie I hope she feel better soon. Love you Gran. I’ll call you tomorrow.” As I hung up the phone a sudden pang of guilt hit me. I hated lying to Gran, but I knew she wouldn’t let me see Evan if I told her the truth. This was the only way I could be with him. As I sat my phone down on the bed Evan walked in, I guess he saw the anguish on my face. “Are you okay?” he asked. Nodding my head I replied “Yes, I just hate lying to her.” Evan took me in his arms and held me tight, making everything better, as he always does. “I’m sorry you have to lie to your grandmother just to be with me.” Evan said as he squeezed me tight and then held me out to look me at me. “How about we go see what we can find in the kitchen? You have to be hungry after this morning.” He said as he smiled a devilish grin. To my surprise I was starving, I nodded my head. Evan playfully tickled me as we walked out the door and downstairs. As we entered the kitchen Payton, Everett and Cameron was all sitting at the table talking in hush voices. Once Evan and I came into view they turned their attention to us. “Ah, look who finally decided to crawl out of bed.” Cameron smirked. “So, is Vampire sex all it’s cracked up to be?” he said looking straight at me as he moved his eye brows up and down. Everett let out a small chuckle and my face must have turned beet red, because I could feel my face heat up to what must have been over two hundred degrees. Payton quickly jumped in to my defense “Cameron, don’t embarrass the girl. Besides, that is my twin brother you are talking about. I don’t need to hear about his sexual encounters.” She said as she walked to my side, patting my shoulder as she rubbed my arm with her other hand. Her words embarrassed me just as much as Cameron’s did.

  “Okay, that’s enough.” Evan calmly said as he took my hand and led me out of the kitchen, grabbing a banana that was in a bowl on the counter as he did. Once we made it out of the room I could hear Everett and Cameron both bust out in a laugh and Payton scolding them as they did. Evan apologized all the way back to our bedroom and I still never said a word, only nodding that it was okay. I could tell Evan was use to this sort of playing around with his siblings and wasn’t bothered by the scene that just unfolded downstairs, but maybe was a bit embarrassed for me. We stayed in our room the rest of the morning, until late afternoon when I finally got the courage to go into the family room to watch a movie, when Payton came were Evan and I were sitting and silently took my hand and gently pulled me off the couch. I turned looking questionably between Evan and Payton, both smiling at me as though they had a secret they weren’t willing to share with me “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “We need to get you dressed for your big date.”Payton said in her excited voice as she dragged me from the room towards her bedroom. As we entered her bedroom I immediately noticed the dress that was laid out on the bed. A strapless little black dress, it had gold flecks that ran along the bottom. It was beautiful. I turned to look at Payton, who’s eyes were lit up like it was Christmas morning. I believe she was more excited over the dress than I was “It’s your size.” She said as she handed it to me and walked out the room.

  The dress was a perfect fit. I stood in front of the mirror looking at myself in it wondering how Payton knew what size I was, just as she knocked on the door. “Come in.” I said.

  “You ready for me to do your hair?” she asked as she peeked her head in.


  “Sure.”

  I sat in front of the antique mirror as Payton began to fix my hair and do my make-up. All the while she smiled. “Evan is going to faint when he sees you.” She said when she finally putting the last touches on my make-up. I smiled and looked in the mirror. I couldn’t believe the person I saw. I looked different, I looked…pretty.

  “Thank you!” I said as I turned to hug her. “But is all this too much for just dinner?” I asked as I motioned my hands up and down my new dress and hair do.

  “No, it’s not too much.” Payton barked back, all along smirking at me with a smile as if she knew something I didn’t. “Now let’s go find your boyfriend.” As she motioned towards the door to lead me out of the bedroom to find Evan.

  As I walked in to the family room the first thing I noticed was Evan facing towards the fireplace. As he heard me walk in he turned. Dressed in a solid black tuxedo he looked distinguished. The black made his already beautiful blue eyes stand out even more, and his brownish blonde hair was messy as always. A smile lit up across my face as he walked towards me. “You look beautiful Emma.” he said as he leaned in to kiss my lips. I smiled as my heart began to begin to beat faster. “Y-you look hot.” Was all I could manage to mustard, Evan laughed with his boyish grin and my face flushed crimson.

  Our ride to Warrenton County didn’t take long with Evan driving, he drove faster than the speed limit, but his speeding didn’t frighten me. The night was cool, but the sky was clear. When we pulled up in front of the restaurant I noticed it looked empty. “I don’t think they are open?” I said, it was more of a question that a statement.