"What was your nightmare about this time?” I asked.
"A blond vampire sunk his fangs into my neck and raped me, killing and tormenting me at the same time.” Her body trembled and I held her tighter. “It was awful, the man's brutality. I've never felt so violated."
"Come here, baby girl.” I slithered down a little until we were face-to-face. My eyes met hers, and she bit down on her bottom lip. “I'll do everything I can to make the nightmares stop."
She blushed. “Why do you call me baby girl?"
"Oh, girl.” I chuckled and kissed her forehead. “I remember your mother once called you that, and I liked the sound of it. Plus, you are a lot younger than me, and as much as I'd like to deny it, you're a baby girl compared to me."
She playfully punched me in the shoulder. Her fist started for me a second time, but I stopped it and moved so that I pinned her down. Her chest rose and fell in quick breaths beneath me.
"I'm sorry.” I rushed to climb off her. In my mind, I knew putting her in a position where I dominated would reverse all the healing I had accomplished. You shouldn't be thinking about sleeping with her in the first place.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I wondered how to go about this strange relationship with her. Her hands touched my shoulder, and I grinned. She did little to help the moral debate raging inside me.
"I think I love you, Cameron."
I couldn't help but sigh. “You don't know me, baby girl. You're merely giving your heart to the first man who says and does the right thing. I wish I could grant you everything your heart desires."
"I trust my heart.” She climbed in my lap so that I would look at her. “This is love, Cameron. Please don't make any excuses. You don't know how painful that is, even more so because I see how you look at me when you think I'm not looking."
Embarrassment flooded me. “I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry.” She took my stubbly cheeks in her hands. “I want you to love me back. I've lost too many people to have you leave too once this is all over. I want to be yours."
It felt as though she handed me the world, though her heart was a much bigger treasure. My lips met hers, and this time I allowed my tongue to slip inside her mouth. She moaned against me.
A crash downstairs alerted my senses, and I broke away from the kiss. Celeste's eyes revealed uncertainty and fear. I stroked her hair off her face and smiled. “I'll be back in a second. I'm sure it's just a raccoon or something. Don't worry."
"You promise you'll come back?"
If not for her seriousness, I would've laughed at her innocence. “I won't leave you."
My feet touched the cold wood steps. I marched down, slow at first, then gained ground once I knew I was far enough away from Celeste. “Jeremy,” I whispered. I reached the bottom and stopped. The cabin was pitch black in spots and shimmering with moonlight in others. “Jeremy."
"Think again."
I saw a flash of blond hair as I whirled around. Something banged against my head, and I fell to the floor in intoxicating pain. My eyelids dropped in an instant, no matter how hard I tried to keep them open.
"Cameron, wake up."
The nudge at my shoulder brought me back from the haze. I touched my damp hair. When I brought my fingers down, crimson painted my skin. I looked up at Jeremy hovering above me.
"Celeste! We have to protect her.” Placing my hands beneath me to push me up, a wave of nausea swept over me and I stumbled back down. My panic threatened to steal my focus. “Jeremy, you need to go to her."
He nodded to the side of the room. I picked myself up enough to see Celeste's form resting on the couch. In the next instant he helped me to my feet. I grabbed the back of the plush sofa to steady myself.
"Where is he, that blond man? And why is he so set on you?"
"His name is Nicodemus. He's one of the few to survive the ages of time.” His black hair fell into his eyes as he watched his sister sleep. “Some say he's been around since the creation of the vampire race."
"That's all fine and dandy. Where is he now though?"
"Cameron, there are two distinct groups of vampires. I'm on the side that would like to see good prevail.” He sighed. “We are few and far between though. People like Nicodemus are set on making sure it stays that way."
"So you want to take out the stronger guys like this blond fellow to even the odds?"
He nodded, but gave a frustrated groan.
"What is it?” I asked, questioning if I should hurry to get Celeste out of there.
"Our baby vampire here has made a deal with me.” The blond man with the icy stare morphed out of the shadows behind us. “His life, or rather death, in place of his sister's. That way there will be no more complications."
I forgot Nicodemus and glared at Jeremy. “You can't do this."
"There is no other way!” he hissed at me. “Take Celeste to my aunt's. Your part in this is over.” He stepped past me to the vampire's side. “I'm sorry, Cameron. We have no other choice."
I stood, dumbfounded. What choice did I have? Vampires were foreign to me in every way, shape, and form. My wandering eyes found the one thing we all fought to save. Celeste slept peacefully, and I wondered if she had been drugged.
Nicodemus stroked Jeremy's neck before thrusting the boy's jaw up and out of the way. “This won't hurt much, handsome.” He licked the ivory skin and sunk fangs in while his free hand wrapped around Jeremy's face to keep him in place.
My helplessness grew. Jeremy glanced at the small table, and I followed his gaze, thankful to see what he wanted me to. He hadn't given up yet. I frowned, wondering when he'd dug out my gun from storage. How long had the kid been tracking me?
My hand reached for the pistol and I brought the cold weight up with the same line of my shoulder. I aimed at Nicodemus, and didn't hesitate, thankful for my many hours at the shooting range. His hunger, and obvious lust, blinded him, and I fired at his head, thankful for the silencer. The bullet sunk deep into his temple.
Instead of dropping like I thought he would, his now red eyes found me, and he forgot his prey, who toppled over, blood staining his neck and white shirt. Jeremy gasped and I could see his fangs extended.
"That was really stupid,” Nicodemus informed me, striding over to my side. His bloodstained chin reflected the person I had seen earlier, save for the scarlet eyes. The hole in the side of his forehead didn't seem to faze him.
I pointed the gun at him again, but he rammed my arm away at the last second, just as I let off another shot. Though the room remained still, I swear I heard the loudest ringing in my ears. My hand trembled, and the gun clanked to the floor. Something's wrong!
Whines from below frightened me, and I shoved Nicodemus aside. My heart stopped when I bent down to Celeste. A sea of blood collected around her collarbone, making it difficult to know where the bullet lay.
"Celeste.” I searched her face for life, and let myself breathe again as soon as I saw her eyelids flutter. She grimaced, but never broke eye contact with me. “I'm getting you to a hospital."
Picking her up into my arms, I rushed for the front door, oblivious to everything.
"It hurts,” she whimpered. I could hear the ache in her voice.
"I know, baby girl. I'm going to find you help."
"Cameron!"
Jeremy's scream came too late. A torrent of pain entered my back, and I collapsed to the ground. My arms tightened around Celeste, so that she wouldn't fall and be hurt further. Her pale face signaled the depth of her wound, and I held her tighter to me. Her baby pink lips parted, though no words came out.
"Stay with me, girl,” I pleaded, tears creasing the corners of my eyes.
"I can't though.” Her breaths grew more ragged and labored. “It's too late."
I circled around on the floor, scorching sensations shooting up my torso. Jeremy remained where he had fallen, yet he met my stare. I couldn't see Nicodemus anywhere. If I did, I would personally kill him.
Jeremy rose up on his
arms and crawled over. Blood streamed down his neck, and I cringed at the sight. He, however, took one look at his sister dying in my arms, and his face fell.
"Celeste."
She opened her eyes wider and turned her head to the side. She smiled, and it nearly broke my heart. “I knew you weren't dead. Everyone said there was no hope, but I didn't believe them.” Her trembling hand traced his face.
"I'm so sorry. I would've come if I could."
"I'm going to die,” she whispered to him.
He nodded. “At this rate I think all of us are destined for that fate."
I noticed the blood mixing on the floor and sighed. My wound meant little. I had lived a full life, a life many weren't fortunate enough to obtain. But these two ... these two hadn't experienced half of what I had.
Celeste's body began to tremble. I steadied her face with my hand, my heart breaking to see this angel fall. She smiled as if she recognized my thoughts, and wrapped her hand around my wrist.
"I knew you'd be the only guy I would ever fall in love with."
My tears unleashed, and the huge drops landed on her body beneath me. Her skin was cold to the touch, yet I held onto her for dear life. I needed her with me. I still had so much I had to show her in regards to love, happiness, and life in general.
"I'm not afraid anymore,” she whispered.
I nodded, understanding how important that was. She found the peace she'd never known before through death. Jeremy grabbed her free hand, and we watched as she slipped from this world. His face strained with sorrow, as I'm sure mine did.
When the delicate eyelids closed and her chest ceased rising, I bent down and kissed her forehead. My movements were jerky and slow. The throb in my back reminded me that it wouldn't be long before I joined Celeste.
"Wasn't that heartfelt?"
The hairs on the back of my neck stood at the sound of Nicodemus’ cocky voice. My fingers changed to claws, and I fought to control the anger within me. I exchanged stares with Jeremy, wondering what he had planned now. Did it even matter anymore?
"So what, you're going to kill us now?” I let out a fierce laugh. I was sick of these games. This nightmare world remained impossible for me to understand. I sucked in a deep breath and stumbled up to my feet. The mental and physical numbness consuming my body blinded me of everything.
"Cameron, don't,” Jeremy warned. His hand still clutched his sister's.
"Yeah, Cameron, don't.” Nicodemus mocked. He raked his fingers through sweaty blond hair. “Do you know what I do to fools like you who think they can kill me?"
"What do I have to lose?"
"Ah, but you're forgetting something, love.” His attention moved to Jeremy. “You don't have any of my blood to use against me. It's near impossible to kill a vampire without that weapon."
Do you think I care?
Somehow I managed to charge at him. His egotistical expression remained even when my body collided with his and thrust him through the room. The glass backdoors took the brunt of my attack, and we landed on the porch, glass showering us.
Instead of focusing on my next move, my thoughts went straight to Celeste. I remembered seeing her on the sidewalk, crying over her what could have happened to her cat. It became hard to swallow, and I could feel the cold wetness creeping down my cheeks. I hoped I'd never forget the surprising, first touch of her hand on my arm at their home.
"Cameron, you got to get up!"
The words were fuzzy in my ear, and I placed them to the back of my mind. My heart clenched at the memory of Celeste's voice over the phone, asking me to help her. Just as her brother chose me, so did she.
"Cameron!"
The black dots cleared from my eyes and I looked at Jeremy. He extended his hand down to me. Before I took it, I checked my surroundings, weary of what lurked around each corner.
"Where is he?” I asked, climbing to my feet. The bullet raged inside me, and I had to lean on Jeremy. Though my strength disintegrated, he seemed to have caught his second wind.
"We need to get you out of here."
He led me back into the cabin, and I winced. Celeste's body remained in a puddle of blood. I wished it would have been nothing more than a nightmare. More of my energy dwindled, and my head sunk down between my shoulders.
"We can't give up, Cameron. There's still hope for you."
I tried to stay positive, though everything inside told me to give up. My feet trudged through the cabin with Jeremy practically carrying me. I glanced down at the girl who had given me her heart and the trust to take care of it. My eyes closed as another wave of emotion cocooned me. If not for my miscalculations of Nicodemus, she would still be here. You fired the bullet that stole her life!
"Will Nicodemus come back for you?"
Jeremy nodded, his sight fixed on Celeste.
"He'll kill you, and then all of this will be in vain."
He smiled, understanding what I suggested. “You're going to fight with me?"
"We're going to kill him together, and stop this madness once and for all.” I focused on the gun lying on the floor. “That bullet was meant for him, and come hell or high water, he will get it."
"I'll have to get his blood.” Jeremy's somber expression revealed his doubt.
I squeezed his shoulder. “We have to do this. Your sister did not deserve to die."
"He'll be back soon. He's regrouping before he kills us."
I chuckled, the vibrations killing my back. Somehow I stepped over and picked up the pistol. “Well, at least he's giving us the courtesy of letting us ponder things first. Let's find you a knife or a toothpick or something. Maybe we should sharpen your fangs."
"The fact that you think you can win is very amusing."
Jeremy and I smiled together. Nicodemus’ presence didn't intimidate or scare me as it once had. We went into this fight knowing our odds were slim. The surprise would be if we did kill him.
"Game on,” Jeremy whispered.
Blondie approached us, and I whirled around. Instead of shooting him like I had planned, I hit him over the head with the gun's handle. Though it didn't take him down, it gave Jeremy the perfect opportunity to latch onto his neck. His fangs scathed the surface when Nicodemus threw him back against the wall.
Being the ever delicate fighter, I entangled my fingers in his hair and yanked him to me. His reflexes didn't falter, and I had no time to maneuver out of the death grip his hands crafted around my throat. He smirked as my eyes began rolling up.
A tip of a blade thrust out of his chest, and his hands loosened. Ignoring it, he lurched forward and sunk his fangs into my sore neck. I yelled and tried to kick, but the fight had left me with the near strangulation.
Jeremy sneaked up behind him and bit him on the shoulder. Both vampires drained their victims, each uncaring about the other. My mind shut down and I fell to the floor. Nicodemus fought to regain control. The obvious pleasure he gained from drinking my blood disturbed me. It was like watching a man recuperate after a hearty explosion in the bedroom.
I forgot those feelings and watched Jeremy tighten his grip on the knife's handle and twist. Screams echoed the cabin, and I prayed that it meant Nicodemus’ death was fast approaching.
I groaned when he spun around. Reaching behind, he dug the knife out of his chest. I shouted my warnings to Jeremy, but they went to deaf ears. The boy crouched down to check on me, and that's when the blood endowed blade harbored itself in his chest.
He fell to the floor in front of me, groaning and grasping for breath. The bloodshot, fiery blue eyes confirmed that there was no avoiding this death. Teardrops traced his eyes, and he arched his neck to stare at his sister. “Finish this.” His tone reminded me of when I first met him—the man in the middle of the road, the ominous, haunting voice on the answering machine. “Finish this for her. I'll tell Celeste you love her."
Confused that he would think I could live through something like this, I bit my tongue. My eyes traveled up to Nicodemus, who obviously beli
eved the same thing. His bored expression didn't fade, and I wanted nothing more than to wipe it from his face.
I reached for the fallen gun, stared at Celeste for a split second, and fired at the vampire. The first bullet entered between his eyes, the next two struck deep in his chest. He staggered back and fell to the ground.
I looked at Jeremy for guidance, but his eyes were transfixed on the floor. His body lay as still as a statue. I threw my head back and screamed, both out of pain and sorrow. Waiting for Nicodemus to come for me, I sank deeper into the sea of blood surrounding me. A mixture of the two vampires’ and the innocent woman, who died too young, cascaded together, with mine to top it off.
My heart slowed, and I wondered how much longer I had. I recalled Jeremy's tears for Celeste. Thinking about a few hours ago when she slept in my arms, I felt my soul die. I needed to believe there was a heaven. I had to see her again, and I had to do it now.
The cold breeze of death entered my lungs and I froze. My thoughts ceased. I stumbled into the abyss of another world. Just as I felt my senses reawakening, a clenching in my body stole me from that realm. An electric chill shot through my body, the majority of the pain in my neck. My eyes flashed open.
Many people, young and innocent like Jeremy and Celeste, stood in the cabin. They all stared at me, and I brushed at my face, unsure of what was happening. All pain slipped away. A gentle and comforting warmth filled my chest. “Is this heaven?” A beautiful, golden haired woman approached. “Are you an angel?"
"We've been trying to kill Nicodemus for some time, Cameron.” Her face beamed when she let her gaze wander down to Jeremy. “He saw something in you. I never dared ask how he found you, but I'm glad he did."
"What is happening?"
She smiled at my question. “It wasn't planned this way."
"Tell me what's going on,” I demanded.
"You've been bit. That alone would mean little. But here you sit.” She waved her arm around the puddle of blood. Her expression changed, her brown eyes reflecting something I didn't understand. She bent down and slid her fingers in the crimson substance. “Your body soaked up the key to immortality.” She glanced up at me. “It's never happened like this before."
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