He smiles sadly as we drive off.
“Who was that guy?” Jake questions as we turn onto the road that would take us home.
“He saved me last night before you came. He tried to help before the vampire went too far.” I answer softly.
Jake growls. “If he wanted to save you then he should have gotten there earlier.”
“It’s not his fault.” I argue.
“Whatever, let’s just get you home.” Jake bites out harshly.
He was beginning to worry me even more than he had earlier. He seemed to be angrier now than saddened by what was happening.
To be honest, he was scaring me.
Within a few minutes, we arrive home. Jake parks in front of my house before shutting the engine off. He releases a long-winded sigh as he sits back in his seat.
“What’s wrong, Jake?” I whisper.
“I don’t know.” He breathes out. “I just can’t believe this is it. This all feels like one horrible dream."
"I want to wake up already, damn it.” He adds while hitting the steering wheel with his fist.
“You have no idea how badly I wish we could wake up from this,” I reply.
I sigh and then grab his hand. “Let’s just make the best of this.”
He nods and then squeezes my hand before lifting it to his lips. He brushes his lips across my knuckles before releasing my hand.
We exit the car and then meet on the sidewalk.
Jake wraps his arm around my waist before guiding me to the back door. We walk inside together and then greet my mom and dad in the living room with bright smiles.
“You’re home,” Mom exclaims. “You’re just in time for a movie. Please, tell me that you and Jake we’ll watch it with us.”
“We’ll watch it with you, Mom,” I reply easily.
She smiles and claps her hands together while Jake and I sit down on the couch next to Mom and Dad.
I snuggle with Jake and close my eyes as his heartbeat fills my ears.
When the movie starts, I whimper quietly.
Jake strokes his hand across my back as the movie plays and while Mom and Dad laugh loudly beside us.
Their laughter cuts right through me. It both broke my heart and hurt my ears.
****
As the sky darkens and the living room grows dark Jake squeezes my hand before he leans down to whisper in my ear. “We should go upstairs.”
I nod and then pull away from him to stand.
“Are you two going to bed?” Mom asks.
“Yeah, we’re going to bed.” I reply.
“Goodnight, Ava.” She yawns. “Goodnight, Jake.”
“Goodnight, you two.” Dad chimes in.
Without another word, we leave the room. We quietly walk upstairs and then step into my room.
Tears fill my eyes and then roll down my cheeks as I’m overwhelmed with emotion. The blood stains my shirt as my tears fall.
“Don’t cry, Babe.” Jake sighs as he moves to stand in front of me.
“I can’t help it, Jake. Everything hurts. My heart is aching, and every fiber of my being feels as if it’s on fire. I swear I can hear my parent’s hearts beating from here.” I cry. “I’m scared, Jake.”
He pulls me close as I break down. “I don’t want to die, Jake. I don’t want this.”
After a moment Jake pushes me back slightly. “I know this isn’t the time for this, but I had this all planned out for this weekend.”
He kneels down on one knee before reaching back into his pocket.
When he produces a ring, my eyes blur with more tears.
“Ava, I love you, and I want you to have this. I know we don’t have enough time to get married, but I want you to wear it.” Jake states as he grabs my hand to slip the ring onto my finger. “I wish that we had more time.”
My fangs bite into my bottom lip as I try and fail to keep myself from sobbing.
If this hadn't happened, we would have had a beautiful life together. We had only just started.
Without warning, I collapse to the floor as my stomach groans while sharp pains cut through it. Jake whimpers and then lifts me into his arms. He carries me over to my bed before gently placing me down. Once I’m as comfortable as I can get, he lays down beside me.
He leans up on his elbow while tenderly stroking his fingers across my cheek. I close my eyes and groan as another wave of pain slams into me.
“Shhhh, Babe, your parents are going to hear you,” Jake warns.
All at once this extreme hunger consumes me. Without warning, I pounce on Jake. He fights against me as I aim for his neck.
“Damn it, Ava.” He growls.
I ignore him as I push forward. My lips brush against his warm skin seconds before I bite into his neck. I groan as his warm blood fills my mouth.
I couldn’t stop myself.
“What the hell?” My father suddenly bellows right before I’m pulled off of Jake.
I glance at my father and Jake.
The realization of what I had done slams into me like a ton of bricks.
“Oh, no…” I state breathlessly.
“Get the hell out of my house, you evil creature.” My dad demands.
“Dad, it’s still me.” I whimper.
“You’re no longer my daughter. My daughter is dead. You’re nothing but an evil demon living in her body.” Dad snarls. “Now get out of my house.”
I look to Mom, but she hides her face as she sobs.
When I turn my attention towards Jake, my whole world crumbles from under me. The disgust written on his face was enough to know how he felt about me now.
I was a monster.
A whimper falls from my lips before I run past my parents and then downstairs. I exit the house and then run down the sidewalk as I cry.
I run down the sidewalks until I reach the spot where everything had changed. I fall to my knees and scream out as I grab handfuls of grass.
I suddenly felt so lost and alone.
Sobs fall from my lips as I lie down on my side and curl into a ball.
When a presence joins me, I ignore it even when they lift me into their arms. I close my eyes tightly and imagine myself somewhere else and in another set of arms.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t erase the last look he had given me.
I had deserved it though. I had attacked him.
“Everything will be alright as soon as I get you out of here.” Tobias insists gently as he lays me in the backseat of a small car.
I whimper in response.
He sighs and then shuts the door before climbing into the driver’s seat.
Moments later the engine roars to life before the car lurches forward to turn onto the road and away from the only place I knew.
Sadly, this town wasn’t home anymore.
It never would be again.
4-Darkwell
“We’re getting closer,” Tobias announces from his spot in the driver’s seat.
He had been driving for what felt like forever. The darkness of night was beginning to disappear with the rising sun.
“I’ll get you there before the sun rises.” He then promises as the car begins picking up speed.
A few minutes later the car skids to a stop before Tobias exits the front and then opens the back door. He grabs me in his arms before turning.
The sky brightens, and he curses before he begins running.
I cry out in agony as my blood begins to scorch the insides of my veins. It felt as if I was boiling from the inside out.
Tobias rushes me into a building before stopping.
“Shut the doors, Trevor.” He commands.
I sigh out in relief when two doors slam shut, bathing us in darkness.
“What’s going on, Mr. Blake?” Someone asks.
“She’s new, Trevor,” Tobias replies.
“Oh, should I get Mr. Avery?” Trevor questions.
“No. I’ll take care of her. Mitch is probably already asleep for the day.” Tobias repl
ies with a rough sigh.
“There should be a list of free rooms in the office. I think there’s one on the third floor that’s open. She’d probably be comfortable there while she settles in.” Trevor replies.
“I’ll check them out. Thank you, Trevor.” Tobias replies before he begins carrying me again.
I look up at him like a lost child as he walks down a long dark hallway. “Where are we?”
“We are in a small town called Darkwell. I brought you to the school where I teach. As soon as we get you settled in we can get you started in some classes.” He answers.
“I haven’t been in school for five years.” I laugh.
“This isn’t your normal school. It’s a place where you can be yourself. Here you’ll learn about what you’ve become. You’ll learn how to control your hunger, and later on, you can learn to enjoy life again.” He replies.
“I’m not going to be able to pay for this.” I sigh.
“You don’t need to pay. You live here and learn; that’s all. If you want to get a job to earn some money, there are a lot of places you can do that within the town.” He insists.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You don’t have to thank me.” He replies. “You shouldn’t even be in this position. If I would have been a few minutes quicker…”
“It’s not your fault,” I argue. “I gave in and bit my boyfriend. I wasn’t strong enough to give up and die like I should have.”
“Maybe death wasn’t what fate had in store for you.” He laughs softly.
“Fate sucks.” I snort.
“Sometimes it does.” He agrees with a light chuckle.
After a few moments, he moves into a room before flipping on a light.
“Can I put you down for a minute?” He asks gently as he looks down at me.
I nod and then wait for him to place me on my feet.
Once I’m steady, he releases me and then moves over to a large mahogany desk. He pulls out a few books from a drawer before opening them. He scans the pages before stopping.
He taps the page before looking up at me. “I think I found the perfect room for you. You’ll be by yourself, and a few vampires are living in the room next door. If there are any problems, I’m sure they’d be able to help you.”
I nod. “Whatever you think would be best.”
“It will be.” He replies confidently.
He then motions for me to follow him as he leaves the office. “Come, I’ll take you to your new home sweet home.”
We walk slowly down the halls together while I take in every detail possible along the way.
From the beautiful hardwood floors to the intricately painted ceilings, the entire place was gorgeous. It didn’t seem like a school at all. It was warm and welcoming.
It was a place I never pictured myself being.
“What was this place before it became a school?” I question as we begin to walk up a flight of stairs.
“It was a castle. The king who used to walk these halls turned it into what it is today. He now lives in the town surrounding it. He’s the oldest living vampire that I know of.” Tobias replies.
“Will I meet him?” I question.
“Yes, he always enjoys meeting new students, especially vampires. He takes a special interest in them and their makers. He doesn’t take kindly to what has happened to you though.” He explains.
“When a vampire creates another, that vampire should have a good reason,” Tobias adds.
I nod and then continue following Tobias up the stairs.
Once we reach the top, we turn and then move up another set of stairs.
I stop at the top and pant for my next breath as a wave of hunger suddenly hits me just as it had done when I had bitten Jake.
“What’s wrong?” Tobias questions.
“I’m starving,” I whisper.
He curses and then looks towards another flight of stairs before glancing around at our surroundings.
“Stay right there.” He commands before suddenly running off.
I groan as the pain in my stomach becomes overwhelming.
“What the hell, Toby…” Someone groans before Tobias reappears with a brown-haired man that appeared to be around my age.
He rubs his dark hazel eyes until he notices me.
“This is Ava. She needs help, and I have no idea what to do that won’t put me in harm’s way at the moment.” Tobias stresses.
“You need to leave and get her some blood, Toby.” The stranger commands.
Without a word, Tobias runs back down the stairs.
“How many times have you fed?” The stranger suddenly questions as he moves closer to me.
“Only once…” I answer.
He curses. “You’re new to this?”
“Yes.” I breathe out.
“Come here.” He commands.
I shake my head in response.
“You won’t hurt me if that’s what you’re worried about.” He insists. “I’m a vampire, just like you. You can’t do anything to hurt me.”
Again, I shake my head. I was too afraid.
“You’re stubborn.” He snorts.
Without warning he grabs me. He lifts me to stand before he stares deep into my eyes.
“Listen to your heartbeat.” He orders.
“I can’t. I’m so hungry.” I whimper.
“Then bite me.” He taunts.
“No,” I argue.
“Then I’ll bite you.” He replies before moving to bite me.
I scream and shove him back before falling onto the floor. I cry as images of the vampire who attacked me invade my mind.
“Damn it, Loki. What did you do?” Tobias growls as he joins us again.
“I was trying to teach her,” Loki replies. “You didn’t tell me that she was broken.”
“She was turned against her wishes, Loki.” Tobias snaps.
Loki curses and then kneels down close to me. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
“Here, give her these.” Tobias pushes as he hands two bags of blood to Loki.
Loki takes the bags and then holds one out towards me. “You better get used to this quickly if you intend to stay in control.”
I take the bag and stare at it before looking towards him for direction.
When he doesn’t say a word, I sigh and then study the bag again.
My ring catches my attention, and I drop the bag.
“What’s wrong?” Loki pushes.
I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. I didn’t know what to say, and the ache in my heart was overshadowing the pain in my stomach.
Loki sighs and then glances back towards Tobias. “What happened to her, Toby?”
“I don’t know. I tried to save her, but I was too late.” He explains. “She attacked her human boyfriend before I found her on the side of the road. She was supposed to die. She didn’t want this.”
“I take it the boyfriend was more than just a boyfriend?” Loki asks as he turns his attention back to me.
“Yes,” I answer while closing my eyes.
He sighs again before picking up the bag that I had dropped. He holds it in his hand and then stands. He turns slightly towards Tobias.
“I need you to grab her and hold her still, Toby. For now, we’re going to have to force feed her.” He states.
Before I can react, Tobias moves quickly. He lifts me and then pins my arms behind my back while placing his other hand on my throat.
I growl in anger while fighting against him.
Loki moves forward before holding the bag up. “Drink it, and I’ll have him release you.”
I snarl at him before snapping at his hand.
He clucks his tongue before placing the bag against my lips just as I snap at him one more time. Instead of biting him I bite into the bag. Warm blood fills my mouth, and I moan softly while closing my eyes.
“Toby, you can release her,” Loki announces before continuing. “You might want to grab a few more bags
of blood. Watching her is making me grow hungry.”
Toby releases me reluctantly before disappearing once again.
Once the bag in Loki’s hands is empty, he holds up the second one.
He grins as his eyes turn red. “Drink…”
This time I don’t hesitate. I grab the bag and then bite into it viciously.
Blood drips from my chin as I drink.
The second I finish I drop the bag and turn my attention towards Loki. His grin grows as he watches me.
I take a step towards him.
Toby joins us again, and I turn my attention towards him. His heartbeat was music to my ears, and I could smell the blood pumping through his veins.
“Stay still, Toby,” Loki stresses.
“I thought two bags was enough?” Toby whispers.
“Two only put her into a feeding frenzy. She needs more, and right now you’re looking pretty tasty.” Loki laughs lightly. “What she needs is to be blood drunk. That’s the only way she’ll have enough to pass out until tonight.”
“I brought six bags, will that be enough?” Toby questions while looking at me.
“That will be enough,” Loki replies.
I take a step forward, but Loki steps into my path.
“Don’t think about it. We don’t hurt others here. We only feed when it’s offered and only in moderation.” Loki states sternly.
He absently reaches behind him, and Toby places a bag of blood into his hand.
Loki holds it up between us. “Drink…”
I grab the bag and then lift it to my lip. My eyes remain locked with his as I slowly sink my fangs into the plastic.
His eyes darken before he grabs a bag from Toby for himself.
“Uh, if everything is alright here, I’m going to go.” Toby stutters while placing the rest of the bags onto the floor. “Her room is two-thirteen. When she’s finished take her there, Loki.”
Loki nods. “Go, I’ll take care of her.”
Without another word Tobias rushes off, leaving me alone in the hallway with Loki.
After a few moments, Loki bites into his bag.
Watching him feed stirs up a whole new range of emotions that I never thought I’d have for anyone other than Jake.
He pulls the bag away from his mouth and smirks. “That’s the kind of look that gets me into trouble. I can never say no to a woman who looks at me that way.”
Midnight Moon (Love and Blood Series Book 1) Page 3
