by C.M. Owens
Jill smiled shyly. "I've got other plans." Right, she had a date with Kurt.
"Catherine?" Tessa sent her a hopeful glance. Maybe she'd go? Please let her say yes.
Catherine glanced at Jared. "I might. I dunno. What time?"
"It starts at 7:30. We're meeting around the corner from here just after 7:00."
Tessa glanced down at her watch. Almost four o'clock now. So in three hours. Catherine opened her mouth. Tessa held her breath. "Oh, what the heck." Catherine rolled her eyes at Tessa. "Sure, why not?"
Tessa could have kissed her. Jumping jacks bounced in her stomach before they raced up and down her nerves.
Jared's smile lit up his face. "Hey, that's great. I'll meet you both in a couple of hours. I'll go finish my shopping for you-know-what now. Talk to you later."
He gave a small wave and walked away. The three girls watched in silence until he disappeared.
"It's okay, Tessa. You can breathe now." Catherine grinned at her.
Tessa's exhale whooshed out in a noisy gust. "I was so afraid you'd say no."
"Oh, I got that message. So now on to something really important. What are we going to wear?" With Catherine's words, the girls got down to the serious business of choosing the right outfit.
***
Tessa panicked as she pawed through her closet. There was no other way to describe it. She couldn't figure out what to wear. Five outfits later, she'd texted Catherine. Catherine had chosen jeans and a T-shirt. Comfortable in her skin, Catherine wasn't even going to dress up.
"Oh, no. Now what do I do?" Tessa looked at her jeans and T-shirts. And hated everything. Okay, this wasn't exactly a date…but her nerves couldn't be convinced otherwise.
So what about herworked? Jared liked her hair. So, white hair and white jeans? Black cami shirt with a little white lace? Or would that be too much black and white?
Once dressed, she realized it was too much white. She quickly switched to a pair of black jeans and a white belt. Groaning, Tessa flopped backwards onto the bed. Using her cell phone, she took a picture and sent it to Catherine.
She'd better say this is fine, because I'm out of time.
Her phone vibrated as a text message came in.
"Perfect." Tessa read out loud. She pumped her fist in the air.
Yeah. Now shoes. It was summer and hot – so sandals? She pulled out three pairs and frowned. Damn it, why couldn't she just get dressed and be done with it? Her phone rang again. Talk about being late. She slipped her feet into the most comfortable pair, grabbed her purse and raced downstairs.
Her family had gathered in the kitchen. David was getting ready to go out and Seth looked like he was sleeping in his chair. Cody had disappeared. Good thing. He made her uncomfortable.
She grinned. She'd be ready for bed in a few hours and they were just getting revved up. She didn't follow a human schedule all the time, yet it was the best way to keep in touch with her friends.
She bent down and dropped a kiss on her mother's cheek. "Going to the movies. Yes, I'll be careful. Yes, I'll be coming straight home." She neatly cut off all the questions bubbling out of her mother's mouth. She continued on her way through the kitchen and out the door. She sped to the movie theater that was attached to the same strip mall she'd been at earlier.
Catherine waited outside with Jared, Billy and Zack.
"Hi, everyone. Sorry I'm late."
"Love your outfit." Linking arms with her, Catherine dragged her to the ticket booth. "You're just in time. We've already bought our tickets. Grab yours so we can go in."
That took only minutes and then they were inside. Tessa sighed at the cool darkness of the theater. The girls chose their seats before the guys took off to buy popcorn and soda.
Tessa sat down beside Catherine and waited nervously to see which seat Jared would take. Next to her? Next to Catherine? Or on the outside away from them both?
She released a shuddering breath and waited. And tried to ignore the smell of stale buttery popcorn that lingered in the room.
"Relax," Catherine leaned over and whispered in her ear, "he likes you. You'll see."
"I hope so," Tessa muttered into the dark room. Switching from her human to vampire vision – another one of those differences between her and her other family members – her sight sharpened to diamond clarity. The guys returned as the music started. Jared sat down next to Tessa. His arm bumped hers on the narrow armrest.
"Sorry."
She tossed him a quick smile and moved her arm slightly to give him more room.
His grin glowed in the dark.
Sighing happily, she snuggled deeper into her chair and settled down to watch the action show.
An hour later, Tessa shifted in the uncomfortable chair and wondered for the hundredth time what would happen when the movie ended.
Jared leaned toward her, a lone curl falling across one eye. "Are you okay?"
She smiled. "Yes. It's just the seat. It’s not exactly comfortable."
Happy and content in her world, Tessa thought nothing of it when something flashed across her vision. Her vampire vision.
When it happened a second time, she tuned in and straightened slowly. What was going on? Had those dark flashes been vampires? In hunting mode? She didn't know of anything else with the ability to move that fast, or move that far without touching the ground. Definitely nothing else could move that silently. Not that it was unusual to see her people in town. It was nighttime, after all. Except, in her experience, vampires did not show up in a human hangout like a movie theater.
And never in hunting mode.
Her attention focused on her inner senses. The movie didn't even register as she expanded her awareness to sort through the conflicting information overwhelming her.
Catherine nudged her shoulder. "Hey, what's up? You aren't even watching the movie."
"Sorry," she whispered back, "just distracted."
Settling back, she couldn't stop the frisson of worry that rippled down her spine. Something was stirring. Something dark, unsettling. The peace treaty between humans and vampires had been in effect for close to half a century, but she’d heard it hadn't happened easily or convinced everyone on both sides that harmony was the best way forward.
Instead, small fringe groups on both sides continued to stir up trouble. She remembered hearing her family discussing various groups' actions. Moltere's exploits were legendary. And they had happened a long time ago. Her father still hated him with a passion. It was one of the few subjects that made her dad slide into vampire mode instantly. He'd let something slip once, something about Moltere farming humans? She shuddered. Good thing he'd been caught and dealt with – whateverthatmeant. She had no idea what kind of punishment had been meted out. She didn't want to know.
Vampires weren't known for their compassion. On the other hand, banishment was a common penalty for doing anything wrong.
The lights in the theater went on, making her rear back in surprise. She’d been so lost in her own thoughts that Tessa hadn't realized the movie had ended.
"Awesome movie! Love that big bloody scene at the end. What a wild finish!" Zack's enthusiasm was contagious and all the guys erupted with comments about their favorite parts of the movie while Tessa struggled to figure out which big bloody scene they were talking about.
She shook her head and joined the line to exit the movie theater. She stumbled as she moved around the last seat in the row…and smiled as Jared reached out to steady her. Tonight would go down asthespecial event in her life.
The crowd milled around in the lobby before making their way slowly outside. Tessa joined in the raucous laughter of her group and savored the experience. The moon hid behind clouds and the sun had long gone, leaving everyone in the twilight zone of half-light.
Vampires loved it. Made for a perfect stalking time. Except they weren't allowed to hunt anymore.
The group meandered outside the theater, talking aimlessly among themselves. Tessa walked at Jared's side, cl
ose but not touching. "That was a great movie."
Jared grinned. "Oh, yeah. Great stuff." He glanced at her before adding, "Hey, do you want––?"
Screams split the air.
People scattered. Tessa was shoved to one side as panicked people overran her group.
Chaos ensued. No one knew what had happened or who was after them, so everyone scrambled for cover.
More screams split the air behind them. Streetlights sparked, then went out. Her heart pounding in her chest, Tessa huddled against a huge cement planter full of summer blooms. Jared pressed up beside her. The other three snuggled close behind them. Peering over the top of the planter, Tessa tried to see what the commotion was all about.
They were only fifteen or so feet from the front entrance of the building. The inside lights shone outward, casting an eerie glow on the sidewalk area. People continued to pour out of the movie theater to scatter throughout the several parking lots.
The darkness deepened even as she watched.
What had happened? Oh right. In her panic, she'd shifted to her human eyesight. Now she shifted back. And watched in horror as a wave of blackness raced beside them.Shit.
She ducked.
"What the hell was that?" Jared whispered against Tessa's ear.
"I'm not sure." But a horrible knowing slipped inside her heart. The silent movement, the pervasive fear, the darkness and the little bit she'd seen – it had to be- vampires. She groaned silently.
Did she know them? What and why were they doing this – besides to scare the crap out of everyone? Just for fun? Because they could? Or was their motivation something more sinister?
A penetrating scream was cut off in mid-shriek.
She closed her eyes as she finally understood.
They were hunting. For human prey.
And she was here with four human friends. Crap. "We need to get out of here."
Catherine whispered from behind her. "Do you think it's safe to move?"
"No, but we can't stay here. Everyone, follow me." Tessa took a cautious look around for the best route. Using her vampire vision, she searched for others of her kind. There, off to the left. That meant Tessa needed to go right. Holding her hand up, she counted down with her fingers.Three. Two. One.She bolted in a straight line to the corner she'd picked out. The panicked footsteps of her friends rushed behind her. They continued moving forward until they were buried in the deepening darkness. Her hand to her chest, Tessa gasped for breath until her racing heart calmed down.
The others crowded around her. She cast a quick glance over them. Everyone had made it. Their white faces glowed in the dark. Fear showed in their eyes. "Okay. Now let's head to the back and out onto Sparks Street."
She led the way. At the rear of the building sat the largest of the mall parking lots. Vehicles tore out into the darkness. The night sky was lit with headlights drilling through the dark in every direction. Drivers panicked in their efforts to escape. A slightly more controlled chaos reigned now, but not by much.
Catherine slipped her arm through Tessa's. "I want to go home." She looked around nervously. "Were those vampires?"
Zach spat on the ground, his bravado in full force now that the immediate danger had passed. "Hell, yeah. I saw one of them."
"Did you? I didn't see anything." Not quite the truth, but she hadn't seen anyone closely enough to identify. They just couldn't be anything else. "What did they look like?"
"Black shadows. That's all I could see. Big and black." Zach raised his hand over his head to demonstrate size.
Jared spoke up for the first time. "I saw one of them. I saw his face. God, he looked pretty freaky. He also looked pissed."
"How come you saw him and I didn't? We were together the whole time." Tessa couldn't help feeling disgruntled.
Jared reached out with a gentle hand to stroke her arm. "When we were running out of the theater. I caught a glimpse of his face as he passed us."
"Would you recognize him?" Tessa asked curiously. She hoped not.
"Oh yeah." Jared nodded confidently. "His face would be easy to spot. Wide and heavyset, very Neanderthal looking."
Shit. Her stomach bottomed out. If the vampire in question understood that he could be identified, then Jared wasn't safe. All vampires knew breaking the treaty was bad business. The Vampire Council wouldn't take this lightly. The Council was very aware of their responsibility to look after humans – the weaker species. Considering how much these vampires were risking, she could only imagine what they'd do to keep their identities hidden.
She and her friends had to get away from here. "Come on, let's move to a better lit spot."
Staying under the halo of light from street lamps, they passed phones around as everyone called for rides. Except Tessa. She didn't want to talk to her family.
"Tessa, do you want to use my phone?"
"Don't need to. David should be here soon anyway. I'll just wait." She smiled. "Is your mom on the way?"
"Both my parents are coming," Catherine piped up. "Mom's pretty freaked out. They want me to stay here." She spun around as if hoping they'd arrived in the fifteen seconds since she ended the call. "Tessa, are you sure you don't want a lift? My parents aren't going to be happy to leave you here."
"No. If David can't find me when he gets here, it could set off World War III. Don't worry. He's always on time." Now that the immediate panic had died down, a burning pissed-off sensation filled her. Her perfect evening had ended in a disaster.
She almost wanted the attackers to find her. Wouldn't they get a surprise? Except none of her human friends knew anything about her vampire heritage. If they had, they'd have run screaming long before now.
They waited under the bright lights as parents came to collect their kids. Each left in a flood of tears and excitement as the story was repeated over and over again. Finally, Jared and Tessa stood alone. She glanced around. "It's getting late. Are you sure your parents are coming?"
"No. They aren't," he said. "I was hoping everyone would leave so no one would have to know."
"What's up?"
"My family is a little different. And I don't have any parents. I live with my uncle. He figures if I go out alone, then I should be able to get home alone."
"Then you're walking home?" Tessa grinned. Maybe this wasn't such a bad end to her evening, after all.
"Oh, yeah."
"So am I. I lied. My brother isn't coming to get me. Everyone is out for the evening, so no big deal," she said, glancing down the street in the direction of her home. "I'm heading this way. Where are you going?"
"Down a block, then left for another block. Let's go. I'll walk you home first."
"Such a gentlemen." With the moon shining down on the deserted parking lot, the recent harrowing scene seemed like a nightmare they could now laugh about. She linked her arm through his as they walked and talked, tickled at the unexpected bonus end to her evening.
Halfway home, she heard another sound. Remembered fear slammed back into her mind. She spun around in time to see a wave of blackness cover her. A blow slammed into the side of her head, sending her tumbling to the ground. She cried out. "Jared, behind you!"
Pain exploded at the side of her head for a second time. The world disappeared briefly as blackness surrounded her. Agony clawed through her brain. Groaning, she tried to stand up, hearing the voices around her.
"What the hell! Why doesn't she stay down?"
Another blow slammed into her, this time hitting the arm she'd lifted defensively. Shards of agony reverberated from her wrist to her elbow. She screamed in a blend of pain and fury. Drawing on her primary heritage, she opened her mouth to scream again.
"Shit!"
Just like that, the attackers disappeared. She staggered to her feet, moaning at the sledgehammer pounding inside her head. She stood, closed her eyes briefly against the throbbing and waited for the world to stop spinning.
Where was Jared? She opened her eyes and searched everywhere. Jared was gone.
CHAPTER TWO
Tessa slammed the front door open, her hand to her chest, screaming, "Mom! Dad! Where are you?"
"Honey, what's the matter?" Her mother met her in the hallway, a dishtowel in her hand. A frown marred her perfect forehead.
Her father came running from the direction of the office. "What's wrong?" He took one look at Tessa and raced over, grabbing her arms. "What happened?"
Tessa gasped for air, tugging her injured arm away to hold it protectively against her chest. Her head boomed from the inside. "We were attacked," she gasped, "by vampires."
"What!" Her parents exchanged shocked glances before turning back to stare at her.
"Are you sure?" barked her father.
Tessa gave him a withering look. "Yeah. I think I know what a vampire is, Dad."
"Tessa, watch your mouth," her mom warned, then glared at her husband.
Taking a deep breath, Tessa tried to calm her frustration. What was it about parents that made them ask a million questions instead of taking action? "Sorry."
"Now tell us what happened. From the beginning," her mom said.
Words tumbled over each other as Tessa related the series of events from the time she and her friends had left the movie theater. She'd only half-finished when her brothers walked in and she had to start all over again.
"It happened just a block from here?" Her dad's frown thundered across his face. "Did they know you were a vampire?"
Thinking back, Tessa couldn't remember the details of her actions. She thought she might have bared her fangs, but her attackers might not have noticed. "Maybe." She explained what had happened at the end. Before she finished speaking, her mother had rushed over to check her head injury. She'd forgotten that she'd been hurt. Her brothers' faces darkened with fury.
"Forget about me. I'm not the problem here. They took Jared," Tessa cried out.
"Jared. Who's Jared?" Her mother fussed over Tessa's head as if she'd taken a fatal blow, which being part vampire, obviously wasn't likely. Brushing her mother's hands away, Tessa said, "He's one of the people I went to watch the movie with."
"I thought you went with Catherine?" her father questioned, confusion wrinkling his face.
Frustrated at her family's inability to stay on topic, she snapped, "I did, but Jared was there – and Billy and Zack, too."
