Bite, p.39
Bite, page 39
Sam laughs at my request and kisses my forehead before responding, “Gina, I love the King and all but I want a semi-traditional wedding.” I make a face which makes him chuckle again and with a smile he says, “I promise it will be a day that you will love. Don’t worry, I won’t let her or my brother get carried away.”
That only makes me feel slightly better but for his sake I smile a bit and say to the girls, “Okay we gotta go now.” Sam gives me a slight tug to remind me about Charlie and I say, “Just give me one second to speak to Charlie real quick and then we can go so you can torture me some more with all this wedding stuff.”
“Geez Gina, aren’t you a happy bride. Hurry okay,” Tiffany says with a wink.
I just roll my eyes while Sam, Charlie and I go into the kitchen. The minute the kitchen door is closed Charlie immediately says, “Vincent will see us tonight at midnight.”
“And what about Carla,” Sam asks with a little anger.
Charlie’s face becomes slightly apprehensive as he replies, “She’ll behave herself. At least she’ll try to behave herself. I told her we’re bringing a human so he can meet her. Carla will have no choice but to comply with our wishes.”
“How can you be sure? You know how she feels about humans?”
Sam is growing agitated so I interlock my fingers with his in hopes to relax him. He looks at me and slightly smiles as Charlie responds, “I am aware of this but there are six of us and one of her. I think Gina is more than protected Sam.”
“It’ll be okay Sam. Everything will work out,” I say with as much enthusiasm that I can muster and I feel his body relax a little. I turn to Charlie and say, “Midnight? Okay I’ll be ready.” My stomach has a million butterflies dancing around inside me at the anticipation of meeting Vincent. I have a million questions but Sam’s anxiety is distracting me. I stare into his eyes as I say, “I better get going to class. Charlie can you please let them know I’ll be right out?”
“Sure no problem,” he says and he leaves us alone.
The minute he leaves, I feel Sam pull me into a hug. He is still somewhat tense but he is trying to put up a brave front for my sake. I return the hug by squeezing as hard as I can until my muscles ache. I look up into his eyes and say, “I don’t want to leave.”
He laughs and responds, “You’re welcomed to stay home with me if you like.”
I mull over the thought and I realize that staying here with Sam is not a bad idea. I’m going to become a vampire so why do I still have to go to school? It’ll be pointless since my degree won’t mean anything and I’m not going to get a job so why bother? I bite my lip while nervously I respond, “I really could do that. Since I’m going to be turned and that’ll mean I’ll have to postpone school for awhile, there’s really no point in taking this class right?”
“It’s all a front love. You have to pretend everything is still the same until it’s time for us to leave.” He gives me his adorable smile while he murmurs, “Besides playing hooky is not a good example to set for Joseph.”
I see the humor in his eyes but I know he’s not going to let me cut so with a sigh I mumble, “Right. Well I better go then.”
He kisses me, “Take care of my heart.”
“I will,” I say and we kiss one more time before I walk out the door.
I’m so grateful that Sam is picking me up after class because I can’t take anymore-wedding talk with Tiffany and Amber. I groan as I think of the weeks ahead and how Tiffany is going to drive me up the wall. On the way to school this morning, she listed off a bunch of designers that could make my dress due to the limited amount of time. I couldn’t remember any of the names she said. I am already stressing because now it’s going to be nonstop until the day finally arrives. Oh joy.
By the time class is over I start to get ideas for my short story. Joseph and Evan are waiting for me by the door and we walk outside where I see Sam’s car. As much as I want to be with him, I need some quiet time to work on my assignment and I definitely won’t get that from home or Tiffany’s house either. So I have to ask Sam for a huge favor and I know he isn’t going to like it.
The moment we approach the car, Sam greets me and is about to open the car door for me when I say, “Wait, before you do that, I need to tell you something.”
Evan and Joseph just get into the car while he says, “Okay what’s wrong?”
“Everything is fine but I want to use the campus computer lab to work on my paper before I go home.”
He grins as he says, “I have a computer at the house Gina.”
“I know but you distract me,” I say while playfully punch his arm.
“I do?” He stops to think for a moment and then asks, “Do I smother you? Please tell me; it won’t hurt my feelings.”
“Trust me, I will let you know if I feel you were smothering me. But I could use a couple hours of quiet time and I don’t think I’ll get that from a house full of vampires.”
His brow furrows as he thinks this over and I worry that he’s going to overreact and say hell no because he won’t be able to keep an eye on me. But he surprises me when he lets out a sigh while saying softly, “Okay but you call me the moment you’re about ready to leave and I’ll come get you.”
“I will,” I respond while smiling.
“I mean it this time Gina. No deciding to walk home by yourself like last time. Promise me?”
I shudder as he reminds me about the last time I was supposed to call him when I was ready to leave after visiting with my mother and I choose to walk home instead. Yeah it was scary but that was a freak accident running into that wolf and what are the chances of something like that happening again? I’ve walked alone on several occasions and obviously nothing happened since I’m still here. I could argue this point until I’m blue in the face but I have a feeling if I do so then he might join me in the computer lab and that would defeat the purpose of me wanting to use it in the first place. I was once told by Tiffany when I started dating to pick my battles when it comes to men so in following her advice and to make Sam happy, I reply, “I promise to call you when I’m ready to come home. No walks for me.”
“Good. Do you want Evan to hang around at least?”
“No I’ll be fine. I’m in a public place; what could possible happen to me here?”
He almost hesitates but he finally agrees. I mean it’s true. What vampire, wolf man or any creature would try to attack me here and risk exposure? Sam gives me a kiss and after making my knees go weak, he murmurs, “Be careful. I love you.”
“I love you too. I’ll only be a couple of hours. I’ll call you okay?”
He nods and watches me go back on campus before hopping into the car and driving home. I reach the building that holds the labs for the school and I sigh with relief to see there are only five other students inside so I don’t have to wait forever for a computer to free up. During the regular semesters, this place is usually a nightmare especially during finals where at times there are up to three people sharing a computer. But with a lot of the students gone for the summer break, the place is like a ghost town and I know I’ll get a lot done without any distractions. I’m about to sit at one of the computers when I hear someone calling my name. When I look to find who it is, I smile and walk over to the empty desk next to him.
“Hey Steve, what’s up?”
“Nothing. Fancy seeing you here.”
“Yeah I have a paper to work on. You?”
He points to his screen which has a diagram of the human heart and says, “Studying for a Biology test that’s in two days and I don’t have a freaking clue at what I’m looking at.”
He looks totally lost and I silently groan. I really want to work on my paper but I can’t just say screw you to Steve. I took Biology two semesters ago so I know the material and what kind of a friend would I be if I didn’t give him a hand? I sigh, “I can help you if you like?”
“No way. You have a paper to do. I don’t wanna take up your time like that.”
“Will you cut the shit and focus?” I move my chair closer while we both laugh.
We both focus on the screen as we go through his notes. Almost two hours go by and when I look around the room, I notice we’re the only ones left in the lab. Damn I didn’t get anything done for my assignment but I feel better hanging out with Steve and helping him study. I know I’ll push it with Sam if I ask to stay longer and I cross my fingers hoping later tonight he’ll give me a moment to work on my paper. Once I explain why I didn’t do it here, I’m sure he’ll understand. I stretch in my seat as I say, “I better call Sam so he can come pick me up. I don’t think my back can take sitting in this seat any longer.”
Steve yawns as he responds, “I hear you. But instead of having to make him come all the way here, I can drop you off if you like.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. It’s no problem at all that is if your boyfriend won’t chew me out like he did the last time when I helped you after you fell,” he says with a teasing grin.
I laugh as I respond, “No I’ll make sure Sam is on his best behavior. He wanted to apologize for that so this will give him the chance.”
Okay that’s not exactly true but I will make it mentally clear that Sam should apologize for behaving like a jealous boyfriend. Ugh men!
Steve winks at me while saying, “Cool. Let me shut down and we can head out.”
I just smile in response and move the chair back to its proper place while he gathers his things. Too bad Steve never spoke to me before because he is totally adorable and I would have loved to have gone out with him a few times. Maybe I’ll hook him up with Tiffany. Yeah he plays sports which Tiff absolutely hates but despite that they might make a cute couple.
Just then something makes me freeze and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It is as if the energy in the room has suddenly shifted. I slowly turn my head and see that the front desk where the attendant always sits is empty and when I inspect further, I see a cup that had coffee in it was spilled over and dripping onto the floor. That isn’t good.
While watching my face, Steve asks, “Gina are you okay?”
Without trying to scare him, I calmly but quickly move and pull at his arm so he can follow me. He’s about to protest but I signal for him to keep quiet as I pull him toward the back of the room and we both duck behind one of the bookcases that holds manuals and other information. I am grateful it is against the wall but still left space for us to squeeze in. Steve is still confused so I mouth to him to stay quiet and I go to peek around the edge.
And that’s when I see them standing in the entrance looking around. It is two male vampires; one with blond wavy hair and the other is brown that seems to have strands going in every direction while still looking neat. Only a vampire can have perfect bedhead and still look sexy even though I’m sure he’s here for another reason and not trying to see if any ladies will swoon over him.
They both step in a bit while searching the room. The blond one inhales deeply and says, “She has another human with her.”
His companion replies, “Do what you want with it but our orders are to bring her back alive and untouched. I know it’ll be hard but you’ll survive. Besides, the human with her can be our snack for the road.”
“I can live with that,” the blond says with a sneer.
They both snicker and Steve and I cringe at their laughter. I try to think of how to get him out of the room before he sees too much. I glance at him and he whispers, “What did they mean by the human with her?”
I motion again for him to be quiet and I take another peek as the two vampires step further into the room. The brown hair one says, “She’s using the venom to distract us. Her scent is all over the room. Spread out.”
I wasn’t aware that I could do that. In fact, aside from trying not to shit my pants I didn’t think I am doing anything else. I shake my head as I make a mental note to inquire about that another time as I watch them move around the room and I know we are running out of time before we’re discovered. I close my eyes and hoping that our connection can stretch real far I silently begin to call for Sam. I repeat his name over and over and when I open my eyes, I see a window directly behind Steve. I call for Sam a few more times and then I say to Steve quietly, “When I tell you, run for the window and jump out.”
“What are you crazy? We’re two flights up.”
“It’ll be okay I promise.”
He hesitates for a second and asks, “What about you?”
“Don’t worry about me. You need to go.”
I know he didn’t like the idea but it is the only thing I could think of to get him to safety. I feel bad enough that he’s even in this mess because of me. If anything happens to him, I will never forgive myself.
All of a sudden, I feel a pain slowly building in my chest. I close my eyes as I clutch my chest while taking deep breaths. I feel Steve’s hand on my back as he whispers, “Gina are you okay?”
Through gritted teeth I say to him, “Get ready to run.”
“Gina this is crazy. You can’t fight both of them alone. It’s too dangerous. The two of us can take them together. Let me help you.”
One more wave of pain runs through my body and I can feel the vampires getting closer to our hiding place. My only thought is to get Steve to safety before his body is drained of all his blood. After a few more painful moments, I open my eyes and stare at him. He moves away from me and stutters, “What ha-happened to y-your eyes? They’re gr-green.”
I look at him with puzzlement as I ask, “What are you talking about?”
Before he can answer, I hear one of the vampires growl and when I take another quick glance, I see they’re still in the middle of the lab so I have to act fast. Steve isn’t going to leave me behind so I have to take matters into my own hands. Without giving him a chance to protest, I slightly pick him up (okay how the hell am I able to do that) and hurl him out the window. When I hear the vampires hiss, I come from behind the bookcase and yell, “Hey!”
The two of them freeze and glare at me. I match their stare long enough to be sure that Steve got away and is safe. I just pray that the fall didn’t hurt him too badly.
The brunette slowly approaches me while he says, “So you’re Gina. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I grin as I reply, “You know my name but I don’t know yours.”
“My apologies,” he says while softening his gaze. “I am Rob and this is my companion Jack.”
I glance at the blond Jack who gives me a wicked grin and sneers, “Pleasure to meet you.”
I just nod while silently continue to call for Sam. I sigh wondering if the distance is too far for him to hear me and I sadly realize that I will have to deal with them alone. Of course I have no idea how I’m going to do that.
Rob is now right in front of me and he murmurs, “We’ve been looking for you all day. Who’d have thought you’d be right here all along waiting for us. You have become quite popular and somebody would like to meet you.”
“Who,” I ask while trying to remain calm.
“You’ll find out soon enough my dear.” He gently strokes my face and when I don’t cringe from his touch, he smiles as he asks in a velvet voice, “Are you not afraid?”
I’m not sure how but suddenly I feel a strange sensation coarse through my body. Something in my brain is screaming at me to push him away but I know that won’t do any good. He’s a strong vampire and I’m a weak human. What can I do that will even hurt him? I can’t scream because if Sam is nearby, it will hurt him as well as Rob and Jack. The voice again is telling me to get him away from me and I realize that the voice I’m hearing is Sam’s. He did hear me and now that gives me what I need to get away from Rob.
I look him in his gold eyes and I reply, “Oh I am afraid but it’s not for what you think.”
He lightly grabs my face while leaning closer and I can feel his cool breath against my cheek. He whispers, “How are you afraid my dear?”
“I’m afraid for you. If you had paid more attention you would have known why it’s not a good idea to touch me.”
That is the moment I need. He lets go of me and while appearing intrigued he asks, “And why is that dear Gina?”
I glare at him as I say, “Because my fiancée doesn’t like anyone to touch me.”
The two of them both let out a laugh and with all my might, I push Rob as hard as I can. My eyes grow wide in shock as I watch him go flying across the room. Wow, good thing I had my Wheaties today.
Neither one of them was expecting that from me and Jack is over to me in a flash and his hand grips my neck. He slowly starts to lift me off the ground as he growls, “You will regret doing that human.”
“No,” Rob yells as he appears behind him. “She is not to be harmed.”
“One little bite won’t hurt.”
“Are you mad? Then we’ll be in the same predicament as her and her stupid fiancée.”
Jack’s eyes narrow as he says, “Well we can’t let her go unpunished.”
“No we can’t. Since we can’t bite her, we can just pay a visit to her mother instead and she can watch as we feed off her. Would you like to see that Gina? Would you like to watch as we kill your mother?”
They both let out a vicious laugh as I watch as both their fangs grow longer and I silently scream Sam where are you?
Why Are People Constantly Testing Me
(Sam)
The moment her voice enters my mind, I spring up from the couch while Joseph rushes over to me. He says with a grimace on his face, “Something doesn’t feel right.”
