Fangs for Freaks

by Serena Robar

They told me they were assigned as security during the day and hadn’t expected any trouble; it was the night shift they believed would have all the action. The guy rolling on the floor was new and a bit nervous because the other two had told him all sorts of scary stories about the ferociousness of half-bloods. He was simply jumpy and when I opened the door without announcing my presence, he acted first and thought second. This, unfortunately for him, would be a decision that would haunt him for the rest of the day.

  His two buddies helped pick him up and I rushed inside for a bag of ice. I didn’t mean to punch so hard, but it was daytime so I hadn’t thought I would do too much damage. I guess all those hours of training with Cyrus were improving my strength and reaction time.

  I returned with the ice wrapped in a dish towel and apologized again.

  “I’m really sorry about that,” I clucked like a mother hen.

  “Yeah, my bad. Not a problem,” he responded through clenched teeth, yelping a little when he put the ice on his groin.

  “I’m Colby, by the way.” I put out my hand to shake but realized his were kind of full at the moment.

  His two buddies grinned and introduced themselves as Todd and Mark, taking my hand in turn.

  Todd, who’d explained the situation, was very tall and wide like a football linebacker. He whistled in appreciation of my fast reaction.

  “You know, Colby, I’ve never seen a girl, much less such a tiny one such as yourself ever get the best of any Tribunal Security.”

  Mark nodded in agreement, looking at Zach, his downed comrade, in shame. “Yeah, it’s a sad day when a girl punches you in the nads, man.”

  Zach tried to defend himself. “She’s superfast and stronger than she looks.”

  I nodded at them. “He’s right. I’m stronger than I look.”

  Todd and Mark looked at each other and laughed some more.

  “It’s okay, buddy.” Todd clapped his hand on Zach’s shoulder. “It can happen to the best of us.”

  There was more guffawing all around.

  “If you guys hadn’t told him all those stories about how dangerous half-bloods were, he wouldn’t be hurt, you know.”

  I was trying to scold them but one look at Zach’s face made me realize my mistake. The girl who punches a man’s family jewels doesn’t raise his standing by scolding his buddies. Apparently, this adds to the humiliation. So I decided to offer an olive branch instead.

  “Zach?” I asked calmly. “Would it make things better between us if I knocked down your two friends and then you guys would all be on an even footing?”

  Zach replied tightly, “It sure would be a nice start.” And his two buddies starting laughing even harder, which worked out great for me because they didn’t even see it coming.

  I was already in a crouched position, so I launched myself straight up at the two on the stairs and struck both of their windpipes at the same time. They lost their breath, leaned forward and grabbed their throats in a vain attempt to protect against another strike and then I took both of their heads and smacked them together. I tempered my strength so I wouldn’t knock them out or cause any serious pain, but enough that they felt it and Zach could be redeemed.

  “Better?” I asked Zach.

  “Much,” he replied smugly.

  I turned back to the door and entered the house. “Good night gentlemen,” I tossed over my shoulder and was rewarded by the sound of a downed guard vomiting on the porch.

  Shaking my head in exasperation, I headed back upstairs. I was still mad at Thomas but after meeting my protection, I was not convinced Curly, Larry and Moe were going to be much help. Still, they would make some noise if attacked and that was something.

  I stepped over Sophie’s sleeping form and crawled back into bed. I felt better after sparring with the guards but was still upset at Thomas.

  When I awoke again, it was early evening. I brushed my teeth and showered. Nothing felt as good as a warm shower when you’re Undead. The hot spray warmed my cool body up and I almost felt alive. I stepped out of the shower and was surprised to see Angie getting ready to jump in a shower stall as well.

  “Did you sleep well?” I asked her.

  “Like the dead,” she quipped and I laughed. You gotta like a girl who doesn’t take herself too seriously.

  I changed into stretch denim capri pants—low-rise, naturally—and a pink half-shirt that said “Barely Legal.”

  My dad hated that shirt. Piper got it for me on my birthday. I did the makeup thing—a hint of blush, a swish of lip gloss—and popped in my colored contacts. I pulled my hair up in two braids, one over each ear, and gave myself the once-over in the mirror. I could so pull off the naughty schoolgirl look. Satisfied, I made my way downstairs.

  I looked around for someone who could go outside, but I couldn’t find Tina and Sage was still sleeping. I decided to feed early, before the sun went down. I walked to the door and announced that I was coming outside, giggling to myself.

  When I opened the door and peeked out, Zach was nowhere to be seen but Todd was on the porch.

  “Can I come out?” I asked.

  He snorted at me. “Like I could stop you?”

  “Oh, come on, don’t be sore. I had to do it. You guys would never let poor Zach live it down if I hadn’t.”

  I gave him my best pouty girl look and he caved. That’s right; they always cave for the pouty girl.

  “I’m going to take a walk,” I told him, stepping onto the porch.

  He shook his head at me. “Sorry, Colby, no can do. No one can leave the premises without an escort.”

  “Even during the day?” I asked in surprise.

  “Affirmative. Thomas’s orders,” he replied.

  “Okay, can you be my escort?”

  He looked a bit uncertain, so I reassured him. “I don’t bite,” I teased, then slapped my hand over my mouth in chagrin. I couldn’t believe I just said that.

  He laughed at me and reported into his walkie-talkie that he was escorting me around the block and would check back in twenty minutes.

  We left together and I steered him toward the park. “So,” he said, “where did you learn …”

  His voice trailed off and I piped up tartly, “How to kick your ass so effectively?”

  He gave me a pained expression and nodded.

  “I’m the Protector. It’s my job. How ’bout you? Gotta admit, you have a pretty odd job. What with being human and all.”

  He looked at me in surprise. “You’re not human anymore?”

  I smiled ruefully at him. “Not technically. I’m more vampire but not fully blooded.”

  We walked in compatible silence for awhile. I was enjoying the coolness in the air and the sun dropping down, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the horizon. I inhaled the scent of berries, freshly cut lawns and soft ocean spray on the air.

  Todd looked at me funny. I knew he could smell none of the odors I was enjoying so I shrugged in his direction. It didn’t matter anyway.

  He surprised me by finally answering my question. “A friend told me about this job after I graduated college. I used to play football but wasn’t good enough for the big time and security sounded kind of interesting. Especially this kind of stuff.”

  “Babysitting a bunch of girls in a sorority house is interesting, huh?” I teased him and he smiled.

  “Well, not until this morning it wasn’t. But I never knew about your kind before. I mean vampires. I had no idea they walked among us and all. It’s been an eye-opening experience, I can tell you.”

  I nodded in agreement. It had been for me as well. But I was puzzled why the Tribunal employed human security guards and posed the question to him.

  “You guys can only operate during the night. We can do things during the day, like transport and investigating.”

  “And do it under the cover of daylight, without being thwarted by other vampires?” I was starting to understand. Pretty smart, actually.

  “I used to do mostly transpor
t of mutant, er, half-bloods,” he corrected himself quickly, “but I guess that will all change soon. I hope I don’t lose my job.” He frowned at the thought.

  I tucked my arm through his and squeezed gently. “I don’t think you have to worry about job security. We aren’t going anywhere and we’re certainly not the most popular girls in the Undead community.”

  I was the queen of understatement.

  He patted my hand and kept it through his arm and we walked in compatible silence. Todd was a nice guy and he was there to protect me. But he also knew I could protect myself. He respected that ability in me, unlike Thomas. It was kind of nice; I hadn’t been able to walk arm in arm and admire the sunset in a long time. He was no Thomas, but I wasn’t all that thrilled with Thomas right now.

  I sighed heavily and Todd looked at me in question. “It’s nothing. Life is complicated,” I said.

  He smiled teasingly. “Boyfriend?”

  “At this point, I’m not sure.” And the thing of it was, I wasn’t sure. If we didn’t have mutual respect of our abilities, what did we have? We didn’t have the physical side. I sighed again.

  We rounded the block and a Starbucks came into view. It was teeming with coeds desperately needing caffeine.

  “Why don’t you go get a latte, I’ll be right around here.”

  He shook his head, “I can’t do that, Colby. I have strict orders you’re not to leave my sight.”

  “You know what I need to do though, don’t you?”

  He shifted uneasily. “I think I get the gist of it. It’s no big deal, Colby. You have to do what you have to do.”

  “I won’t do that in front of you, Todd. But you’re right, I have to do it.”

  “How about a compromise? You find, er, someone and I’ll be your lookout. I promise I won’t peek. I’ll just be close at hand if you need me.”

  I nibbled on my lower lip in indecision. I hated feeding in general and I certainly didn’t want Todd the Rent-a-Cop watching me do it—but what choice did I have?

  “Okay fine. Do you want a coffee?”

  He nodded in agreement and we went inside the store. It was cool and calming. I loved the way Starbucks decorated their stores. And the aroma of flavors. Intoxicating. I could smell a Starbucks a block away.

  There was a pleasant-enough guy behind us in line. He had a newspaper and wore cutoffs. While Todd was ordering his drink, I spoke to the gentleman and he nodded, as though in a trance.

  Todd waited for his coffee and I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of people. When his order was ready, I directed him outside and to the side of the store. There were large Dumpsters next to the building and it was slightly exposed but if Todd was acting as my lookout, I didn’t need anything more secluded.

  Todd asked me what we were doing; I told him we were waiting for someone. Sure enough, my new friend left the coffeehouse, cappuccino in hand, and joined us. I beckoned him further into the shadows. After Todd was satisfied I was in no danger, he turned his back to me.

  I studied my victim for a moment and then slipped my headgear into place. His eyes widened a moment but he didn’t move. I gently tilted his head to one side and whispered, “Everything is going to be okay,” then sank my fangs into his neck.

  I closed my eyes and drank, holding him upright and steady, close to me. I discovered early on that some people fainted when I was feeding, not because they were in pain or I was drinking too much, just that their blood pressure dropped suddenly. Now I held them close, to avoid hurting them.

  When I was done, I licked across the wound and it instantly healed. I pulled off my fangs and looked deep into his eyes. I told him to forget our meeting and have a great day. He wandered away slowly, still in a bit of a daze. Once he entered the busy courtyard he seemed to shake out of the trance I’d put him under and went about his business.

  I looked at Todd and found him staring at me in open-mouthed disbelief.

  “You watched me!” I accused, angry he’d broken his promise.

  He took several strides in my direction. “I had to make sure you were safe, Colby.”

  “You lied to me,” I hissed at him, trying to pass him by.

  He grabbed me by the arms and said, “Don’t make a scene. I’m sorry I lied to you, really I am, but your safety is my number-one concern.”

  “It changes everything now, don’t you see?” I was fighting with tears. Todd was a nice guy and we were getting along so well. I was hoping he would want to be my friend, but now that was impossible.

  “Why does it change everything? I don’t understand. Help me understand, Colby.”

  “I thought we could be friends. But now you’ve see me as some dark creature who feasts on human blood and that changes everything.”

  I wanted to storm away but part of me hoped he would understand. That he wouldn’t think I was so terrible.

  “I don’t think you’re some freak at all. You’re just different. You didn’t hurt that guy, you were very nice. Almost reverent in how you treated him. He’ll never know he played a part in your life and that makes me a little sad, for him.”

  “Huh?” I was so not prepared for this speech.

  “Here we are. Two species existing together but one of us has no idea the other exists. Like we’re on two separate plains. Your kind depends on us, needs us to survive, but we’ll never know your culture, who you really are or your sense of humor.” He touched my cheek and I smiled in spite of myself.

  “It seems like a small price to pay for getting to know you better. Really understanding you.” His mouth was moving closer to mine and I was caught up in what he was saying. I didn’t disgust him. He wanted to know my kind better. He wanted to know me better. He respected my Protector skills. Even though he knew what I was, he wasn’t afraid of me or disgusted by me. When his lips drew close to mine, I didn’t resist. After all, Thomas didn’t want me. I leaned into the kiss.

  Eight

  His lips touched mine. I realized too late I’d just fed and my mouth was still warm with blood. Todd didn’t seem to mind; in fact he deepened the kiss immediately. He wrapped his arms around me and I let him hold me. He tasted like caramel and coffee and for a moment I didn’t think about Thomas or my responsibilities as Protector. I just lived in the moment. Todd ended the kiss and held me, softly kissing my jawline, and whispered in my ear, “Bite me, Colby. Let me give you what you need.”

  I jumped away as though burned. What kind of sicko game was this? Todd didn’t have the hots for me! He had the hots for vampires. Ewwwwww.

  “Leave me alone,” I commanded and he nodded, entranced by my command.

  I ran away from him toward the park, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. I can’t believe I kissed him and let him hold me! He probably got his jollies while watching me feed on the other guy.

  I hated this! I hated being different and living in a human world where people didn’t understand or they got excited at the thought of feeding us. For the first time since I became Undead I doubted I could do it. Stay Undead, that is. It would either break my spirit or drive me crazy and that scared me more than any vampire with a grudge ever could. Thomas was the only one who understood and I could hardly share my confusion over this experience. With Piper in Europe, I’d never felt more alone.

  It was well after dark when I finally made my way back to Psi Phi House. I still didn’t know what I was going to do. What could I do? I had to find a way to cope with all these feelings, but who could I turn to? My parents wouldn’t understand, vampires certainly wouldn’t understand. Maybe there was a reason half-bloods weren’t allowed to exist before now. Maybe someone, somewhere in time figured out how hard it would be for us and made the merciful decision to snuff us out of existence.

  No! My mind railed against that treacherous thought. We did deserve to exist, we could survive. I was not giving up hope yet. I rounded the corner, just as two cars pulled up to the House. I recognized Mr. Holloway and Thomas immediately, but the occupants of the other car were
strangers to me.

  I slowed down and greeted Mr. Holloway politely, nodded to Thomas and waited to be introduced to the others. I hadn’t met them yet but I had a pretty good idea the lady in question was Cookie Flannegan and one of the gentlemen with her, sporting streaked blond hair and a Hawaiian shirt, was probably Lance, Tina’s ex-boyfriend.

  Boy, my day was just getting better and better.

  “Is this her?” Cookie demanded, ignoring, yet again, my hand to shake. I really was beginning to think I was lord of the Undead lepers.

  “This is Colby Blanchard, the half-blood Protector,” Mr. Holloway confirmed, giving me credence by introducing me using my full title. I really wished I’d rethought the braids and “Barely Legal” shirt.

  “Where are they?!” she demanded, shaking her finger at me.

  “I assume you mean Tina and Sage? They’re inside,” I responded politely, resisting the urge to grab her finger. Why did every vampire I met have such bad manners?

  “Charles, I want them home. I want them on the next flight back to California with me,” Cookie demanded, and I widened my eyes in surprise. No one I knew talked to Mr. Holloway in such a familiar manner. That is, no one but me.

  I was waiting for the deep freeze when he surprised me with a gentle rebuff. “Now, Cookie, you know the law. The girls are staying at Psi Phi House. I know it’s difficult for you but that is the way things are going to be.”

  Cookie seemed to crumble a bit under his stern kindness and I noted the tears glistening in her blue eyes. “But I didn’t even get to say good-bye,” she whispered brokenly.

  Uh, these were not the actions of a wicked vampire slave master. These were the actions of a mother who’d had her children taken from her. Uh-oh. What was the deal here? What had I done?

  “Let’s all step inside, if you please,” I suggested, taking the despondent Cookie by the elbow and guiding her onto the porch.

  I glanced at Thomas, whose expression was devoid of emotion, except for the clenched jaw and muscle ticking by his ear. We entered the house and I immediately went in search of Tina and Sage. I found Sage upstairs and told her Cookie was here to see her and she squealed with delight. She pushed past me to greet her and I had the sinking feeling this was going to turn out very badly … for me.