I listened to their conversation, mouth agape. She didn’t even lie all that well to him. She was smart to tell him to keep his thoughts to himself. He wouldn’t be able to, humans weren’t all that good at controlling their thoughts. I paced in front of the window, infuriated about the conversation happening below. If any of the hunters or the seers were to catch a glimpse of my mind, they would alert the hunters. I continued to wear a path in the ground. I would not die for this unextraordinary human boy. I turned my head and spat. She had no idea the danger she was putting them in by letting him know she was still alive. I would be forced to take care of this little problem, by any means necessary.

  I raced back to the manor to make preparations for their travel. Once their problem was taken care of, they would need to leave immediately. It had been years since I had killed anyone. I didn’t relish the thought now. It would be necessary for their safety to eliminate the threat. I would make Abrianna believe he was fine before they left. I would forbid her from going anywhere without him.

  I sat in front of the fireplace, pondering my plan for hours before I realized Abrianna should have come back. Her absence didn’t make sense. She would be foolish to stay with the boy. I stood and walked to the door, throwing it open. She should be here. I clenched my hands into fists. This girl was going to be the end of him, he knew it.

  CHAPTER 18

  I decided I needed to head back to the house. It was the last place I wanted to go. Obligation was the only thing carrying me there now. Keeping Alexander from knowing about my activities, was going to be a challenge. He couldn’t know I was with Cam today. I wasn’t sure what Alexander would do, but I couldn’t chance it. I strolled back toward the border not wanting to get there too soon. The sun was coming out behind the clouds, and I didn’t know what to do if I was stuck out in it.

  Another reason I was still bound to Alexander, I didn’t know everything about being a vampire to survive alone. I would find a way to get this information from him, so I would never be in danger. I didn’t like feeling weak in my strong body. I felt invincible from the moment I opened my eyes to this new life. I wasn’t happy about the situation, but my new abilities were exhilarating. I was becoming more lethargic as I moved toward the house. Quickening my pace, I raced back determined to make Alexander tell me all of my weaknesses as a vampire.

  I arrived at the quaint house where Alexander had taken up residence. I never thought about how exactly he’d gotten this house, and now I wondered at that momentarily. Surely, someone had lived here before. It was fully furnished. There were three bedrooms, only one of which was decorated for an adult. I wondered why I never thought about it before. In all honesty, he kept me busy since changing me. I never had time to think about such non-trivial things. Now, as I wandered outside, I had time to notice and ponder them. In reality, I was avoiding entering the house. I could hear he was in there as surely as he could hear I was outside. After a few moments, the door opened and Alexander emerged.

  He leaned against the door jam. “What, pray tell, are you doing out here?” he asked. He crossed his arms over his chest as he watched me. The sun was almost out from behind the clouds.

  Startled, I said, “Oh, just thinking about who may have owned this house before.” I turned and waved my hand toward the house.

  “Why would you think about that?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. It’s weird. It’s obviously not decorated for you,” I shrugged.

  “Well, that’s hardly something to think about. Why don’t you come inside, so we can discuss some more practical matters?” He turned and walked back into the house.

  “Yes, let’s.” My tone was biting. I knew he heard it although he was already back in the house. He was perched in the chair when I closed the door behind me. His eyes were intense as they watched me. I walked over, methodically, and slow. If he was going to appraise me, I was going to give him something to think about.

  “So,” Alexander stretched out the word as I folded my hands in my lap, “I’m making plans for us to move. I believe I’ve given you plenty of time to decide. I’m making the decisions now, since you seem incapable. We will be leaving for Europe in four days” His eyes met mine. I glared at him as he spoke.

  He thought he was making decisions for me. There was no way I was going along with his plan. I had to admit; I was taken by surprise. I never dreamed he would just suddenly decide we were leaving. I thought for sure he would leave it up to me. I thought I would be able to stall for years like Alexander did.

  “That’s insane. We can’t leave in four days. It’s too soon, I’m not ready, I … uh ...” I stammered not knowing what to say. My hands clenched at my sides. I thought I would be able to ask about the dangers of being a vampire. Now, I panicked. We couldn’t leave.

  Alexander closed his eyes as if placating a teenager. “I know I said you could decide,” he said, smoothing out his tone, “but you have taken too much time. We need to be on our way.”

  I smoothed my hands out over my thighs. Closing my eyes, I took a calming breath. “If you think it best, then I will go.” My voice was chillingly calm.

  “Yes, we have to leave. Hunters haven’t discovered us, but it’s too dangerous to remain. Your disappearance could cause suspicion. We can’t be here when the hunters come to scope it out.” I felt his penetrating gaze as he looked at me. I dropped my head and nodded as he spoke. I didn’t want him to suspect anything.

  “What danger? You always talk about danger, but we’re strong, unbelievably so. What are we in danger from? What hunters could harm us?” I snapped.

  “I’ve told you there are those that hunt us with similar skills,” he said, irritated.

  “Yeah, I truly doubt it. How could they have similar skills?” I asked.

  Alexander rolled his eyes at me and blew out a breath before speaking. “Their skills are passed through the blood as ours are, just a little differently. They have those with the gift of sight. They can read minds like we can. They read minds in areas where certain suspicious activities occur, then they call on others with skills like speed and strength to come and kill us. They come in numbers to eliminate any threat. There is a reason you don’t hear of our kind. We don’t wish to be known or found because it is our death. We may have the ability to live forever, but the hunters make sure that doesn’t happen. There is a danger, a true one you must fully appreciate. The minute you take that for granted and become cocky, they will find you and end you. Hunters have been killing our kind for centuries. Respect the danger.” he explained vehemently.

  “It sounds like you know from personal experience.” I fluttered my lashes. I wasn’t concerned. Maybe I should be, but I didn’t entirely believe there were hunters with matched powers.

  “I have encountered them once before and was barely able to get away with my life. Lucius skillfully taught me. He was taught well by his creator. I was once a hunter, so I knew how they operated. I will share this with you as well because we must survive.” He looked at the ground as he spoke.

  “You’ve met them before? How did you live? What is it I need to know about them that’s so vital to my safety?” My questions came one after another.

  “Well for one, we move around often. It’s one thing that keeps us safer. This is also why I don’t kill humans. It draws too much attention when people die regularly in any one place. You also need to make sure no human knows of you, or anything suspicious about you. The seers can read their thoughts and know you exist. They will call their guard to kill you.” His eyes bore into mine.

  “I think I can handle ‘em,” I said easily. It didn’t sound difficult to keep away and safe. “Is this also why you chose the secluded woods to live in?” I asked.

  “In part, yes I like to be away from people. It makes it easier not to be hunted by them. It’s also convenient as a hunting ground. No one notices when animals die, so no worries. You need to take the threat seriously. They will kill you without trouble if they find you.” He shrugged.

  “Good to know, so it seems we’ve wasted some of the daylight. Anything else I need to know while we’re discussing it?” I asked as nonchalantly as possible.

  “No, I believe I’ve told you everything. Is there anything you want to buy or bring with you before we leave? I can give you my card to go shopping and buy yourself some things for the trip.” He stood.

  I looked down at my clothing and realized why he might have suggested shopping. My t-shirt had a tear at the bottom and there were streaks of mud across my jeans.

  “Yeah I should probably pick up some new clothes. I can’t exactly go back and get the old ones.” I shrugged. I stood to go up the stairs. There were a few things upstairs I could change into before heading to go shopping. Taking a nap seemed like a good idea as well. The full sun must be out because I was getting increasingly exhausted.

  Alexander took a card out of his wallet and held it out to me. “Here, this card has unlimited funds. It’s supposed to rain later today. Maybe you could head up to Rochester in the car. By the time you arrive, you should be able to go shopping without trouble.” I took the card from him and slid it into my pocket.

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t mind a shopping trip. I like the idea of doing something normal.” I grabbed the keys he offered. I never even thought about a car since it was so convenient to travel so fast on foot. I’m going to run upstairs. I’ll leave as soon as the sun goes behind the clouds. I feel like I need to rest.

  “I forget, the younger you are the more effect the sun has on you. I’ll be down here when you’re ready to leave.” He went back to the chair before the fire. I watched as he sat, pulling his coat to straighten it below him.

  A few hours later, I descended the stairs. He walked me to the garage. I stopped abruptly when I saw the car. It was shiny black with tinted windows. Anyone would look sharp in this car. So much for being inconspicuous.

  “Really?” I raised a brow as I gawked at the car before me.

  “It’s only an Audi A8 AW12 series. It looks just like the regular A8, hardly something to get worked up over.” He sighed.

  “You’re not coming, are you?” I hadn’t thought about it before. I didn’t want to go shopping with Alexander.

  “No, I have some travel arrangements to attend to.” He closed the door when I slid into the leather seat.

  “Oh right,” I said as I started the engine and shifted into reverse. I hoped he was right about not being noticed. Driving around Minnesota with an Audi would be noticed. I was sure of it. Having a car did have its possibilities though. I could go and pick up Cam for this trip. He would absolutely love this car. Deciding I would chance it, I headed toward his dorm. I parked in the lower lot close to his room and darted in to find him. I got lucky. He was sitting in his room reading for his upcoming class.

  “Hey,” I said as I easily slipped on the other side of his door.

  “How? What? How do you keep doing that? My door was locked.” He looked at me bewildered.

  “Oh yeah, sorry about that. A new talent I guess.” I shrugged. “So, you want to go on a shopping trip with me?” I asked. I hooked a arm under his and pulled him to his feet.

  “Wha…” he asked. He followed me out of the door. He didn’t have much choice as I pulled him along next to me.

  He stopped. His arm slipping out of mine as he froze. When I hit the button to the car, he was shocked. “Where did you get this car? What the hell is going on, Bree?”

  “So, you like the car?” I asked with a sly smile. I bit the side of my lip as I studied his reaction. His eyes were wide as he took in the sleek black car. .

  “You need to tell me what is going on here, Bree.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  “The only thing I need to do is shop. I thought you would enjoy the trip shopping. I bet you could use some new things.” I raised a brow at him, a challenge.

  “Bree!” Cam scolded. He threw up his hands and turned in a circle before turning back to face me. “Are you going to tell me anything?” he asked.

  “No, but I will tell you that you’re in desperate need of a new pair of Converse shoes.” I pointed down at his shoes. “Those are being held together by safety pins.” I smiled again, wanting Cam to be comfortable with me like old times. I wanted it to be like nothing had changed. I only wished nothing had.

  “I like my shoes.” He shrugged.

  “So, where are we going in such a car, Armani?” He walked to the passenger door and opened it.

  “Ha, Ha, no we’re going to the Apache Mall.” I walked around to the driver’s door.

  “So, are we going to the bookstore first as usual? I agree you need some. What is with all the dirt?” He pointed to the mud across my jeans.

  I looked down, realizing I meant to change before leaving. The sun had made me so exhausted. I lay in the bed and when I woke, I completely forgot about it. “Ah, I think I better get some clothes first. Then we can go elsewhere. I’m kinda dirty, aren’t I?” I bit my bottom lip, letting it go slowly. It had been a little while since I’d been around other people. I wasn’t sure what other people would think. I looked over to Cam. His eyes were transfixed on my mouth.

  “Yeah, definitely.” He said in a soft, dream-like voice.

  “So, what were you working on back at the dorm?” I asked.

  “Oh, uh, I was working on stuff for Paidea class. We have another paper due. I was re-reading some of the book for the paper.” His brow furrowed as he spoke.

  I knew he was stressed. I reached a hand over and rubbed his leg. Something I’d done before. This time his whole body stiffened under my hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll have you back so you have time to work on it today.”

  I didn’t want to listen in on his thoughts. He deserved privacy, but I wanted to know why he’d stiffened beneath my hand. I needed to know it wasn’t because of me being different. I listened in a moment. His thoughts were of where my hand was located. I chucked and moved my hand up infinitesimally. His train of thought continued. I had the answer I was looking for the night I disappeared. Cam was thinking about how good my hand felt on his body.

  “So shall we get on with it?” I asked, a laugh in my voice.

  “We’re here already? It’s supposed to be an hour drive,” he asked still bewildered.

  “Well I can’t take credit for the drive. It’s the car,” I shrugged. Suddenly, fear gripped me because I had to try to act human with my new body. Around Alexander I didn’t have to worry about acting human. I made sure to keep pace with Cam instead of him trying to keep up with me. I decided as long as I moved as he did, I would blend in.

  “Aren’t you afraid someone else will recognize you here? It’s not like people aren’t still looking for you.” He glanced over to me as we walked to the doors of the mall.

  “No, we’ll be quick. I’ll know immediately if someone does recognize me and we will take off,” I said, not really thinking about it until he brought it up.

  I was relatively close to where I lived and I used to come here all the time with Cam. My ability to read minds put me at ease. The only ones I needed to worry about were the hunters Alexander talked about. I decided not to think about it anymore. It seemed like it took forever to get to the door. Moving at Cam’s pace was annoying when one could go so much faster. I sighed. Blending in was key, not showing off my new abilities. It wasn’t easy, but I was determined to seem human or as human as I could be.

  Cam headed straight for the women’s clothing, knowing exactly where I would have gone. I started weaving between the racks looking for something I could wear now. Cam walked to the stand with t-shirts. He pulled out one with “Gamers do it better” on the front. “Hmm, maybe not the one for you.” He chuckled putting it back.

  “Is there one in there for book nerds? Cause that’d be more me.” I smiled.

  “There’s not a huge selection. Ah ha.” He pulled a grey shirt from the bottom. He held it up. I smiled. It had the sun from the album 40 oz to Freedom on the front with Sublime written below it.

  “Perfect,” I held my hand out and took it from him.

  “Jeans next?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I should probably wear pants without mud on them.” I shrugged.

  He looked down to my jeans. “Yeah, come on.” He held out his hand and I placed mine in his. I marveled at how warm his hand felt in mine. It felt good to be back to normal with Cam. I hadn’t realized how much I missed these everyday interactions. He was the part of my life I couldn’t imagine leaving behind.

  He stopped in front of the wall of jeans. He side-stepped until he was in front of the bootcut jeans. He bent to grab my size. “Here,” he handed me the jeans.

  “You know my size and everything?” I questioned.

  “Yeah, I do pay attention to you. Plus, how many times have we gone shopping together.” He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at me.

  “I guess I didn’t realize you were paying that much attention.” I turned on my heel and went to the dressing room. I changed out of my old clothes and slipped on the new ones. I took off the tags. When I exited, I walked over to the counter to pay.

  The girl at the counter gave me a curious look when I handed over the tags without the clothes. “Ah, sorry, I needed them immediately.” I shrugged.

  “Oh, what happened to yours.”

  I channeled my inner Cosmo girl. “Can you believe it, some idiot ran into me with his Coke. It got all over my jeans and shirt. I didn’t want to walk around in wet clothes.” I fluttered my lashes, knowing I was charming the attendant.

  “Oh my God, I don’t blame you.” She scanned the tags. “It’ll be fifty-seven dollars.” She looked up at me and blinked. I slid the card in the reader, signing when prompted. I wasn’t sure if I should be signing Alexander’s name or my own. I scribbled nonsense on the screen. I held my breath until I heard the sound of the receipt printing. She handed it over to me.

  “Thank you. I hope you have better luck.”

  “Me too, girl, me too.” I smiled. I turned back to Cam and he was shaking his head.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23