Bite, p.67
Bite, page 67
“Tiffany it wasn’t your fault so don’t you dare start blaming yourself,” I say with slight anger in my voice. “For over a hundred and forty years Charlie has done nothing but bounce from woman to woman. Maybe the idea of just being with one woman is scaring him. You just need to be a little patient with him that’s all.”
“Oh please I wasn’t gonna ask him to move in or anything or make him pay my bills. I just wanted us to have an honest relationship where everyone knew we were together. And don’t you go making excuses for him either. I gave him the opportunity to explain himself and he chose to say nothing except the Ursela situation is more important. So I’m done. In fact, I don’t wanna talk about him anymore.”
Tiffany picks up my IPod and start searching through my catalog of music until she settles on something. The moment she hits play, Adele’s sultry voice fills the car with one of my favorites Rolling in the Deep and I know my girl is in the I-hate-men mode. I want to say something more in Charlie’s defense like how he’s saving her life but he mentally butts in as he says Just leave it alone Gina.
I let out a sigh since I’m not surprised that he’s listening so I reply back Are you sure?
Yes!
I sigh again as I just focus on the road and I even start to sing along with the lyrics. The silence between us is broken when Tiffany cuts the IPod as she huffs, “But you know what’s weird? Part of me is always thinking about him or almost feeling him if that makes any sense. Like right now, I can sense him being angry about something but he’s not here with me. It’s almost like I can feel his emotions or something. Is that normal when a human dates a vampire?”
Shit, Charlie’s mark is affecting her hard. One thing I learned is the more powerful the vampire is, the stronger the connection from the mark will be. Charlie’s not as powerful as I am but he’s nothing to be taken lightly either. I’m not surprised by Tiffany’s words and I think it’s time she learns why.
Gina don’t you dare Charlie screams at me.
I clench my jaw as I say back She needs to know what’s happening to her.
He growls, as he says No!
Geez just like Sam he can be very stubborn. Well you’re going to have to tell her something and the sooner the better. Tiffany is not an idiot and she’s going to figure it out and then you’ll have hell to pay for keeping it from her for so long. He only responds with another growl and I drop the subject as Tiffany and I sing along to the IPod.
A couple hours go by and we finally reach Erie, PA. As we drive along Lakeside Drive, I hear the thoughts of the residents that happen to be outside as they admire our rides. Joseph and Evan lead the way on their bikes while our vehicles follow. I hear Charlie’s thoughts of approval as the compliments on his Maserati pour into his head and I just roll my eyes. Show off.
I follow as the guys make a turn and we go slightly up a small hill through some trees until we reach a clearing that reveals a modest size two-story house. At first glance, I immediately think of the cottages you read about in fairy tales. It is stone colored that seems to have windows everywhere. Black smoke is spilling from the chimney and the front door is a bright blood red. Charming. In the background we can hear the water from Lake Eric lightly crash against the rocks below. Overall, it’s perfect spot for hiding our friends.
We park our vehicles and I look around as I get out of Sam’s car (I refuse to acknowledge it as my car). While making a face of disapproval, Diane asks, “That’s where we’re staying?”
“Sorry it’s not a palace your majesty,” David replies sarcastically as he hits the alarm on his Hummer once everyone exits.
Nodding in agreement with Diane, Amber says, “Well we just thought that you all had the same kind of living arrangements. You know, something like your house.”
“Oh come on girls it’s not so bad,” Mark says.
“Yeah it’s kind of cool,” Steve adds.
Tiffany shakes her head in a way that signals she is in full bitch mode as she says, “I am not staying here. I mean is there even running water or do I have to bathe in a watering hole?”
Just then my guard immediately goes up as I feel another vampire approaching. I look at Charlie who reassures me when he quietly says Relax it’s just him.
We all turn as Alex O’Mara lands right in front of Tiffany who lets out a yelp for being caught off guard by his entrance. He flashes a boyish grin while his ice blue eyes stare at her deeply as he says, “Now that is just rude to insult a man’s house. Especially when he agreed to hide a bunch of humans as a favor. You have a big mouth for someone that totally reeks.”
“Excuse me,” Tiffany says while copping an attitude.
Alex widens his smile and turns his attention away from her as he says, “Charlie my man. So good to see you again.”
“You as well my friend,” Charlie responds.
Alex makes the rounds with his hellos and introductions to my friends as I study his features. He is about Evan’s height and built but his face shows off the features of a nineteen year old with a hint of mischief in his eyes. But his personality is playful and I find myself liking him instantly. Basically he reminds me of Chris Evans when he was in the Fantastic Four. In other words, Alex is a major cutie pie.
After he says his hellos, he walks over to me and he lets out a whistle as he says, “Mrs. Samuel St. James it is a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Same here Alex. I heard a lot about you,” I say while smiling even though hearing Sam’s name nearly makes me fall apart.
“Wow I can’t believe you’re Sam’s wife. You are way too gorgeous for him.”
Charlie laughs as he responds, “Hello, he is my brother. A St. James is always going to get the best.”
“Well when we get him back, I’ll owe him a toast for snagging the hottest babe on the planet. You make Megan Fox look like a dog girl.”
Feeling awkward I politely say, “Thanks.”
Catching my mood Charlie says, “Gina is not use to compliments so don’t go overboard and embarrass her Alex.”
“What? Are you kidding me? I’m sure everywhere you turned, men were probably wagging their tongues thinking of their best pick-up lines to say to you.” Now I really start squirming and he chuckles as he says, “Okay I won’t embarrass you anymore. I apologize.”
I let out a genuine laugh since while he bows he makes a goofy face. Yep, he is definitely acting like his human age of nineteen.
My friends grab their bags as Alex leads us into the house and I quietly beg my friends to be polite since he is letting us crash for a while. They reluctantly agree but soon they are eating their words when he takes us inside. The moment we enter, we all do a double take at how modern and elegant everything is. The furniture is Italian leather sofa and love seats with marble tables on top of hardwood floors. The boys begin to drool at his 70” flat screen TV and high tech surround system while the girls are busy deciding who is hotter, Joseph or Alex. Well at least that’s what their thoughts are screaming.
“Wow Alex I stand corrected. This is absolutely beautiful,” Diane comments. She smiles at him as she says, “I’m sorry for being so judgmental before.”
“Yeah me too. I hope you can forgive us,” Amber chimes in with a grin.
He gives them both a huge smile as he says, “See. Never judge a book by its cover.”
Diane nods as she responds, “You are right. I’m sorry if we hurt your feelings. You are being nice in doing this for us and we acted like total stuck up bitches.”
“No worries. Please make yourselves at home.”
They smile warmly at him as they continue to browse through the rest of the house. I notice Mark and Steve haven’t moved from in front of the TV and I laugh as I say, “I think the boys found their favorite part of the house.”
They follow my eyes to where the two of them are standing mesmerized. I walk over and click it on and the moment a scene from an action movie appears, Mark whispers, “Alex I love you.”
“Ditto for me,” Steve adds and I just shake my head as I leave them to their new toy.
Alex begins catching up with the group as I join them until I hear Charlie silently says Shit!
I glance at him while asking What’s wrong?
You’re about to find out. I better brace myself.
Still not understanding what he’s referring to, I feel Tiffany come up behind us and I turn to face her as she says, “Hey! Alex I’m not done with you. Although I am grateful for you letting us stay here, what the hell did you mean I stink?”
Alex steps up to her and replies, “No I actually said you reek.”
“I beg your pardon,” she says with irritation. “I do not reek.”
He chuckles as he says, “Are you kidding? You have Charlie’s scent damn near all over you.”
Confused Tiffany says, “Are you the first vampire that’s actually high? Charlie and I are not together like that so unless you’re totally stoned, you are sadly mistaken.”
Looking at our faces Alex realizes that Tiffany doesn’t know that she’s marked and he groans as he says, “Damn she doesn’t know does she? I’m sorry; me and my big mouth.”
“I don’t know what? Somebody tell me right now what the hell is going on or I swear to God…”
Her raised voice grabs all our attention including Steve and Mark. I look at Charlie who is wishing he could disappear in order to avoid this conversation. I’m guessing it’s not going to go well. Not at all he answers.
Sensing her mood, David says, “You know, I think I’ll step outside for some air.”
As he starts to head for the door, Joseph nods as he says, “I’m right behind you man.”
“Why don’t we all give them some privacy to talk,” I suggest as I gesture my friends towards the door. Charlie looks at me with pleading eyes as he begs Please don’t leave me alone with her.
Sorry Charlie, you’re going to have to take it like a man and deal with her by yourself I say while smirking.
As he says a few curse words back to me, I mentally hit the back of his head with one of the pillows from the sofa.
The moment we get outside, Alex asks, “Is she really gonna get that bad?”
Harry lets out a whistle as he responds, “There’s a reason Tiffany is my daughter’s best friend. They both have the same kind of temper and they’re wrath is frightening.”
“I don’t think we’re that bad,” I say while pretending to be upset.
He laughs as he says, “Well maybe not you but Tiffany’s temper is nothing to mess with and if you do something against her will, you better be already running.”
“You’re kidding me? She looks so innocent,” Alex says with confusion in his eyes.
David grunts as he says, “Blondie innocent? Her attitude is almost as bad as kiddo’s here.”
I roll my eyes as I say, “Well whatever Charlie is getting he deserves because no one told him to mark her. And I’ve been trying to get him to tell her but he kept refusing so now he’s gotta deal with her wrath.”
“Wait Charlie marked Tiffany,” Mark asks.
“Yep and she has no idea.”
Amber asks, “So what does that mean?”
David struts over to her as he replies, “It basically means that she is his human and no other vampire can feed from her. She is his feeder.”
I glare at him angrily and I’m about to correct him when he sends me a message of Let them believe that. Don’t tell them why Charlie really marked her. Less they know the better.
I nod letting him know I got it and I quickly glance at the others giving them a look so they won’t say anything. Even though they can’t mentally hear me, they got the message loud and clear.
Diane appears disgusted as Steve asks, “Why would Charlie do that?”
I slightly smile as I reply, “Because vampires are selfish and when we find a human whose blood really appeals to us, we don’t want any other to feed off them as well.”
“I thought Charlie didn’t drink human blood,” Diane asks while she fights not to get sick from the image of his fangs on Tiffany’s neck.
Evan just shrugs as he responds, “I guess her blood was just too good to pass up.”
I frown at his response and with my hands on my hips I groan, “Evan I don’t think that’s why he did it and you know it. Charlie doesn’t feed on human blood and he especially wouldn’t feed on my best friend.”
He cocks a smirk as he says, “It was just a thought Gina.”
My frown deepens but my face suddenly shows panic as our attention turns towards the house as we hear Tiffany scream, “You did what to me?”
Harry snickers as he says, “I guess she knows now. I gather it’s not going very well in there.”
“No not at all,” Joseph says while laughing.
“Well won’t Tiffany see it as a good thing? I mean she doesn’t have to worry about anyone biting her,” Amber says. She looks at our faces questionably while carefully adding, “She’ll see he was only trying to protect her right?”
We all keep our faces neutral as Harry responds, “The problem is Tiffany wasn’t asked before Charlie marked her. Like I said before, she doesn’t like anything done to her without her knowledge.”
Steve laughs, as he says, “Well there’s no sense in her crying over spilled milk, right. She’ll eventually see that it’s not so bad.”
“Exactly. She’s lucky. The rest of us are still vulnerable,” Amber says.
We chat away until I feel Charlie’s tension and I turn my gaze back towards the house. Joseph walks up next to me and he quietly says, “We should go back inside.”
“Why do you think it’s serious,” I ask.
“I don’t know.”
Trusting Joseph’s instinct, I run back inside the house and when I enter, I immediately feel my anger rising as my fangs grow out. Alex comes up behind me and after surveying the situation he yells, “What the hell is going on in here?”
Tiffany has broken one of the dining room chairs and is pointing one of the legs at Charlie who is amazingly calm while standing there facing her. The rest of us, however, see it as something more serious. Ignoring the rest of us, she glares at Charlie as she spats, “How could you do this to me? I don’t recall asking for this.”
Charlie continues to hold his gaze with her as he responds, “I know and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have marked you without giving you the option first. But Tiffany, it is imperative that you put down the wooden leg right now. Please.”
“Why? Why should I care what you want me to do?”
“Because the room is now full of vampires who are on edge because you are holding a wooden stake in your hand. Trust me that is one thing Hollywood sort of got right.”
She finally looks in our direction and sees us glaring at her with red eyes and fangs out. I can’t understand why I should be angry too but my instinct is controlling my emotions. Reading my mind, Charlie replies, A vampire that sees a stake will get defensive because if we’re stabbed it can seriously hurt us. Remember when Sam was stabbed on the beach? If we didn’t get him blood, his condition would have been more serious. A stab is like a slow death sentence for us.
I nod as I recall the night of the bonfire when Carla sent a tree branch into Sam’s chest but Mark donated his blood so he could recover. But I remember how much pain Sam was in and looking at Tiffany now with a stake in her hand, I fully understand and somehow I have to make her understand as well.
“Tiffany, I need you to put it down carefully. I know you don’t want to do this,” I say to her as gently as I can.
She meets my eyes and I see a hint of fear in them but her stubbornness sets in as she asks, “What am I doing wrong?”
“Seriously? You have no idea why a bunch of vampires would be a tad bit upset over a human holding a piece of wood like that,” David answers with a sneer. “Thought you were smarter than that Blondie.”
“Don’t scare her,” I snarl at him while keeping my gaze on her.
Charlie steps closer to her, which makes our bodies tense up more, and says, “I’m curious to see what she’s going to do.” He keeps walking until one end of the leg is touching his chest. She stares at him as if he’s lost his mind (I’m starting to wonder that myself) and their eyes are locked onto one another. Charlie’s gaze intensifies a little as he murmurs, “Tiffany, the only thing I want is for you to be happy. In order to break the bond the mark makes is for the vampire to be destroyed. So if that is what it takes for you to be happy then go ahead and do what you need to do. I give you my word the others will not interfere.”
“The hell we won’t! She puts that thing in you St. James and I swear I’m taking her out myself,” David roars while rage builds up in his tone.
I mentally toss him to the other side of the room as I growl, “You will do no such thing! Touch her and you’ll have to deal with me!”
Evan is instantly in my face as he says, “So she stabs Charlie and we’re to do nothing? Is that what you’re saying Gina?”
“That’s exactly what she’s saying and I agree,” Harry replies calmly. “We will do nothing.”
“Harry that’s unacceptable. She goes down if she stakes him!”
In one of his rare moments, Charlie growls, “If anyone of you so much lays one finger on her, you better be prepared to deal with me! I don’t care how much pain I’m in, touch her and I will rip your heads off!”
The atmosphere is becoming severely intense and my friends are scared shitless as they watch this exchange from outside the door. I can’t say that I blame them. I wouldn’t want to be inside a house with a bunch of angry vampires either.
