Bite, p.42
Bite, page 42
He enters the room moments later where we’re waiting and I feel myself begin to panic again. Sam leans closer to me and whispers, “Don’t worry love. He’s not as bad as he appears.”
I nod my head and forget that I’m supposed to be angry at him and I move closer so he could wrap his arm around me in comfort as I stare at Vincent. At first glance, he looks like an average senior citizen. He appears to be in his seventies with his hair almost all white with a few stands of black sprinkled throughout. He’s about Sam’s height but thinner and his gold eyes are shining brightly in the dimly lit cave. As he approaches our group, he gives a broad smile and reveals his two fangs that had small traces of blood on them. I begin to wonder how many humans he drank from and if he left them alive or not. The image makes me shiver a bit and Sam holds me tighter.
Vincent laughs and asks while looking directly at me, “Do I frighten you Gina?”
I shake my head while calmly replying, “No.”
“Good because I don’t want to scare you. Charlie it is good to see you my friend.”
“You as well Vincent,” Charlie responds while shaking his hand.
“And I assume the one protectively holding onto the human is your brother?”
“Yes that is my brother Sam.”
I watch Sam as he bows his head respectively at Vincent and says, “It’s an honor to meet you Vincent.”
After his gaze passes over all of us, Vincent smiles warmly as he says, “Please everyone relax so you can tell me why you are all here.”
This is the moment we’ve been waiting for and I fight the urge to want to throw up. While gently bringing me forward, Sam responds in a bold tone, “Vincent, I would like your permission to turn Gina into a vampire.”
I’m surprised that Sam got right to the point but with vampires I’ve learned there’s no beating around the bush. Vincent eyes us both carefully and asks, “Has she been marked?”
“Yes she has.”
That, for some reason, makes him smile. He focuses his gaze directly on me as he softly says, “Gina, come here child.”
I stiffen at his request, unable to move, but Sam says, “It’s okay. He won’t hurt you.”
He’s not the one I’m worrying about. I carefully glance at Carla and she looks menacing as she sneers at me. Shit what did I do to her? Remembering what he said earlier, Charlie is right because she is making it really obvious that she doesn’t like humans.
I slowly step forward and take Vincent’s waiting hand. He smiles and says, “Interesting that you would like to become a vampire. It’s been a very long time since a human willingly wanted to be turned. May I ask why?”
I clear my throat (and my nerves) and I reply, “Because of Sam. We love each other and I want to be with him forever.” I fidget as I add, “I know that may sound corny to you but that is the truth.”
“Not at all Gina. Didn’t the Beatles say all we need is love?”
I lightly laugh as I reply, “Yes they did.”
I try to relax a little but I remind myself that Vincent is still a vampire so I need to stay alert. He then strokes my face and says, “Now, let’s see what kind of vampire you will become so I can make my decision.”
“Will this hurt,” is the first thing that comes out of my mouth and I quickly wish I can take it back. My eyes jerk over to Carla who snickers and I wish I could knock that smug look off her face. Vincent gives me a friendly smile as he answers, “No this won’t hurt one bit.”
He places both hands on each side of my face and Sam gently says to me, “Just relax Gina. It’s going to be alright.”
Although warning bells are ringing in my head, I’m going to have faith in Sam and trust his judgment. I steady my breathing and my eyes watch Vincent as he closes his eyes. I try to keep calm as he remains still. We stand that way for a few moments but to me it feels like forever and just when I feel my legs beginning to ache, he releases me and backs away with his eyes wide boring right into me. Sam is immediately at my side and I don’t hesitate as I wrap my arms around him. Charlie steps forward and asks, “Vincent is everything okay?”
Vincent smiles at us while replying, “Everything is wonderful. Better than I could have expected actually.”
“Forgive me for questioning you but what did you see?”
“You mean you haven’t seen it for yourself? Take a look and you will see.”
Charlie is confused but Vincent’s words make him look into a vision. We remain silent as he looks ahead at my future. I have to remind myself to breathe as we wait. I briefly glance at Vincent and try to guess what he saw but his face remains neutral and that has me worried. Did he see me as a normal vampire that would just hunt and go about my business with Sam or did he see me as one that would cause destruction and chaos and possible risk exposure to the human world? No matter how he saw me, his expression doesn’t give any hint of which way he will sway his decision. I hear Charlie gasp and I turn my attention back to him.
“What did you see,” Harry asks anxiously.
Charlie looks at Vincent and queries “Are you certain this will happen to her?”
Sam must have read his mind because he slowly begins to growl as Vincent replies, “Yes.”
“What is going to happen to me?” My eyes are panicked as I try to get some clues from their faces. The only thing I got is whatever Charlie saw, Sam is not happy.
The others are just as uneasy and Charlie smiles as he responds, “Our little Gina here is going to be one hell of a vampire.”
“Yes she will. Which brings us to the matter at hand,” Vincent says in a booming voice.
I feel my stomach twist up into knots as I wait for his decision. Sam’s growl gets lower but it still can be heard and I stare at him with puzzlement. I wonder what has him so agitated. “You’re about to find out,” he whispers to me and I slightly shiver at the anger in his voice.
Vincent takes a seat and Carla immediately stands behind him. We all sit on the couches and he begins, “Is she aware of whom Ursela is?”
Charlie nods as he responds, “Yes. We had to explain it to her after Sam marked her and the venom began having an effect on her. Plus we had to prepare her should Ursela come knocking on our door.”
“Good. Well it seems that not only is she aware of our problem but quite possibly she is the solution.”
“I don’t understand. What do you mean Gina is the solution,” Harry asks with skepticism in his voice.
“Cheer up Harry for this is a blessing to all us vampires because Gina will be the one to destroy Ursela once and for all.”
No one speaks as Vincent’s proclamation (okay so I’m a bit dramatic) settles into our minds. Then Sam’s growl grows louder as Harry responds, “You mean to tell me that my daughter is going to be the one to annihilate her? How can that be possible? Gina will be too young of a vampire to be in that much control of herself to fight something off like Ursela.”
Vincent smiles as he replies, “But you are wrong Harry. Gina will have a power that none of us has seen for many years. Well maybe with the exception of David since he’s been around for quite some time now.”
I look at David with wonder and ask softly, “Exactly how old are you David?”
He answers unconsciously, “Twenty-two human years but you can add over two hundred and seventy vampire years to that.”
I stare at him wide eyed while Vincent says, “So you’ve seen a lot and you will know what I mean once Gina turns. She will become very powerful and will be the only one to be able to fight Ursela. And she will be able to discover the way to defeat her.”
“Will she even survive,” Evan asks with concern in his eyes.
Both Charlie and Vincent look at each other and Charlie replies, “It’s hard to tell. I can see the fight taking place but the outcome is unknown since decisions will constantly be changing during the battle.”
Joseph adds, “But there’s a chance she could win right? I mean Gina will be very strong so defeating Ursela should be a piece of cake right?”
“One can only hope,” Vincent answers grimly.
Everyone is so quiet that the silence is driving me insane. I move away from Sam’s arms and ask firmly, “So does this mean you are granting Sam permission to change me?”
He smiles as he replies, “Yes but on the terms that you are willing to rid us of Ursela.”
Sam is unhappy with the decision and doesn’t hide his irritation as he mutters, “And whether she lives or dies is of no importance to you is it? As long as she does your little deed, you could care less what happens to her.”
Vincent appears to be hurt by the comment but replies, “I am confident Gina will be victorious.”
It happens too fast for anyone to stop him. Sam flashes over until he’s right in Vincent’s face but before anything could happen, Carla wraps her hand around his neck while her sneering smile shows off her fangs. I yell for Carla to release him while Evan and David put me behind them. She is prepared to keep squeezing but I suddenly see a faint red glow surrounding Sam and she howls before finally letting him go. I gasp when I realize that I’m able to vaguely see Charlie’s shield. It is exactly as Sam had described to me only fainter.
Carla turns to Charlie and hisses, “How dare you use your shield against me.”
“You shouldn’t have put your hands on my brother,” Charlie smugly replies.
Vincent stands in front of Carla and says, “He wasn’t going to do anything. I see his is very passionate about her plus she’s marked so he’s only protecting her.”
Sam realizes the error of his actions and with regret on his face he slightly bows as he says, “I meant no disrespect Vincent. I wasn’t in control of my actions.”
“Yes I know. That venom must be reaping havoc on your mind.”
“Yes it is.”
“Of course it is. Ursela will wake up soon so the venom is starting to stir. I’m sure even Gina has felt some effects and with her still being a human I can only imagine what it’s doing to her.”
Charlie answers, “She does have some vampire traits. She’s a little stronger and her senses are a bit sharper.”
“Interesting,” Vincent says while pondering what Charlie has told him. Then to all of us he says, “Well that is why this deed needs to be done. The sooner she is destroyed, the better you both will be.”
Listening to Vincent’s words, I know what I have to do. In order for Sam (and possibly me when I’m turned) to be relieved from Ursela’s hold, she needs to be killed and Vincent for some strange reason sees me as the one to do it. Who do I look like, Neo? Mark would get a kick out of this one.
It sounds scary. Me going up against this Ursela bitch (yeah I don’t know her but what she’s done to Sam makes her a bitch in my book) and not knowing if I’m going to survive. But Vincent seems confident that I will plus it will break Ursela’s hold on Sam and he will finally be free of her. He will no longer viciously kill humans to feed his hunger for blood. Wasn’t that worth me giving it a shot?
“I’ll do it,” I say quietly to Vincent. “If that is the only way that Sam can be rid of her hold on him then I’ll do it.”
Sam looks like he would cry if he could as he says, “Gina you don’t have to do this. You can stay human until we’ll figure something out.”
“No Sam we can’t do that. Not only am I worried about you but I have to protect my mom and my friends too. I’ll get through this. We’ll get through this.”
“Wonderful then you have my permission. When will the change take place,” Vincent asks.
“Sometime after our wedding.”
“Splendid. I’m hoping that I can attend this joyous occasion.”
Now I panic. Vincent seems to be okay being around me but Carla is a major concern. I understand that she’s his bodyguard so she has to remain at his side. But with my family and friends attending the wedding, I didn’t want Carla to think we’re laying out a buffet for her.
“Vincent I would love for you to come but I have a problem with Carla being there. I know she is your guard but there will be humans there.”
He gently takes my hands into his and says, “I understand. I can assure you that Carla will be within the vicinity but far away enough that your guests will not be harmed.”
“Thank you Vincent. Then you are most welcomed to attend our wedding.”
I glance at Carla from the side of my eyes and I see her glaring directly at me. She definitely is illustrating that expression if looks could kill. I keep on a brave face so she doesn’t see that she did frighten me a bit and Vincent says, “Now if there was nothing else, I will see you all then.”
Sam steps forward and asks, “Do you have any idea when Ursela will wake up and who is working for her in trying to have Gina killed?”
This question seems to trouble him as Vincent sits back in his chair. “I don’t know exactly when she will rise but I do believe you have time. But has Gina been deliberately attacked?”
He looks directly at me for the answer so I reply, “Yes. Two vampires came for me earlier today but they have been dealt with.”
“And they told Gina that they were sent to bring her to whoever is working for Ursela,” Sam adds.
Vincent rubs his head and says, “I will see what I can find out and once I have some information, I will send for you.”
“Thank you Vincent,” Charlie answers.
Carla starts to head for the exit and we slowly follow her. Before I leave the cave, I turn and softly say, “Thank you Vincent. I am grateful for your wisdom and for allowing Sam to change me.”
He gives me a genuine smile as he says, “You are most welcome Gina.”
I give him a final wave and slip out of the cave. We follow Carla back outside as she leads us back towards the bridge. After a few moments, she abruptly stops and says, “You all can go on from here.”
“Yes thank you Carla,” Charlie says.
We start to walk when she suddenly grabs my arm which forces me to stop. Her face remains composed as she says, “You think you’re so clever. That you have Vincent wrapped around your human fingers right?”
I grit my teeth as I reply, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Sam gets into a defensive pose as he growls, “Carla you better let go of her before I remove your hand for you!”
She begins to also growl but releases her grip of me. Carla smirks as she says, “My apologies. Have a good evening.” She laughs and then disappears into the night.
I feel Sam’s anger rising and I step in front of him just as he’s about to follow her and plead, “Please no Sam. Just let it go for me please.”
He looks into my eyes and relaxes as he says, “Did she hurt you?”
“No I’m fine. Please can we go home?”
He strokes my face as he says, “Okay love.”
We walk back to the bridge and I cringe when I remember how we crossed it earlier. I ask, “We’re not gonna go by sliding on the rails again are we?”
“No we’re going to cross it a different way,” David snickers.
I look at him with uncertainty as I ask, “How then?”
They all smirk as he replies, “Car hopping.”
I’m about to ask what that is when Sam throws me on his back and then we all take off for the bridge.
After seeing what car hopping is (basically it’s jumping from car to car across the bridge; yikes) we make it to the other side. Before getting into our vehicles Charlie says, “I’m going to go out for a while. Is everything settled for now?”
I look at Joseph and Sam and I sigh as I reply, “I hope so but only time will tell.”
Now That’s How You
Relieve Stress
(Charlie)
I sigh as I realize that the squabble between Sam and Joseph is not going to be settled tonight. The two of them bickering is starting to give me a headache so with an exasperated sigh I say, “Well try not to kill each other okay. I’m going out for a while.”
“I’m going to go hang out myself. Gina, I meant what I said earlier. I’ll help you with Ursela. You can count on me,” Joseph says and quickly gets on his bike and seconds later he’s gone.
This is really getting out of hand and I’m ready to knock both their heads together so hopefully some sense will ring in their stupid brains. Gina is just as annoyed as I am and she puts her hands on her hips as she says, “Trust me Charlie, Sam and I are going to have a long talk about this.”
Sam just rolls his eyes as I grin. “Alright then. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
I hop into my car and drive off to my favorite club. With hearing the news that Gina has agreed to battle Ursela in order to become a vampire, I have a lot of tension that I need to release and the best way to do that is to pick up a girl for a night of mindless sex.
Once I arrive in the city and pull up to the club, I hand my keys over to the valet and I stroll inside so I can check out the action. As I make my way to the bar, I smile and say hello to a few women that could be likely candidates as my companion for the night. As I continue to scan the crowd, I spot my golden hair angel chatting with two women by the bar and I smile as I head in her direction. One of them spots me coming and after they warn her of my presence, I smile as she tries to act irritated but slightly elated at the same time.
