The Vampires of Shadow Hills Series: Book 4-6

by Willow Rose

  "But…I am to blame for him seeing me," Amy said.

  "To tell you the truth, you aren't the first to be seen. Remember Loch Ness?" her mother asked and looked at her dad, then pointed at him, while sipping her coffee.

  He scoffed. "I was dirty, okay? I went for a swim."

  Amy chuckled.

  "Six times in nineteen-thirty-three, your dad was seen in that lake. It was his favorite place to swim until people started to come there to look for the monster and even to try and catch it. He hasn't been there in years."

  "I miss it, though," he said and ate some bacon. "It's gorgeous out there. Can't wait to show you Scotland and…"

  He received a glare from Amy's mother, then stopped.

  "Well…I mean it's pretty here too," he continued.

  Amy dropped her fork. Her parents both looked up from their plates.

  "You don't think I'll be able to fly, do you?"

  "No…I mean yes, of course, you will," her mom said, but she didn't sound like she meant it. "You just need practice."

  Amy grabbed her phone with a sigh. "I can't believe you. Aren't you supposed to be supportive?"

  "We are, Amy," her dad said.

  "I am not Cousin John; I am not!"

  "We never said you were," her mother said. "Amy…please…we didn't mean to…"

  But it didn't matter anymore. Amy was hurt. She was hurt deeply, and there was nothing her parents could say to make her feel better. She left the house and walked into the driveway, a burning sensation tingling in her nostrils, car keys in her hand. That was when she spotted him.

  Kipp.

  He was standing in the driveway next door, guitar in his hand. He was talking to someone and, as she spotted who it was, Amy's blood froze to ice.

  Mr. Aran? Why is he talking to Mr. Aran? And why is he pointing at my house?

  Chapter Thirty-One

  I told my grandmother as much as I could without mentioning that I knew about my family being vampires. I told her how much in love I had always been with Jayden and then cried helplessly when I told her he had broken up with me last night.

  "And now I don't know what to do."

  Grandma scoffed. "So, your mom wants you to marry that Duncan boy, huh? That sure sounds like her. Is there anything she doesn’t want to control?"

  I sipped the coffee she had served me. It was my third cup, and I was starting to get jittery.

  "I don't know what to do, Grandma."

  She pulled me close, and I leaned my head on her shoulder. "Well, I don't know either, child. But I can tell you that your mother ought to have a little more compassion for your story since she went through something very similar back in her day."

  "She did?"

  "She sure did. I know because I was the one she ran to. I hadn't seen her in years when, suddenly, she tracked me down and stood outside my wagon one morning, suitcase in her hand. This was back many years ago, before the war…I mean the…Gulf War, of course. Back then, the circus was a big thing, and we had our own train carrying all of us artists, and there were almost a thousand people working for the circus and so many animals you wouldn't believe it…Anyway, I’m getting off track here…she came to me because Tatiana, the woman your granddad married after me, had found a man for her that she had to marry, but your mother wanted to be with someone else."

  I lifted my head in surprise. "Really?"

  "Yes. Don't be so surprised. Your mom was human once too…I mean she used to be…you know what I mean; she once had feelings too."

  "And then what happened?" I asked.

  "She didn't want to go back, so I let her stay with me for a few days, and then that guy came for her, the one she wanted to be with. I will never forget him. He came riding up on this beautiful horse—it was out in the countryside down south where cars weren't a big thing yet—and he had this long bushy hair and looked as handsome as anything I had seen. Your mother was head over heels in love with him; it was quite spectacular. They were going to run away together."

  My grandmother sipped her coffee, then looked out the window. "Looks like your people are here. We should go to work."

  "Not till you tell me the rest," I said. "What happened? The guy on the horse, was that my dad?"

  My grandmother cleared her throat. "I'm sorry…maybe I shouldn't have…"

  "No, no, please tell me. I insist."

  "Well, the thing is…no, honey. Your grandfather came to take your mother home that same day, and she ended up marrying…your father."

  My heart sank. "So, she had to give up on the love of her life? That must have devastated her? Why did she choose my dad?"

  "Yeah…well, she turned eighteen, and she knew she had to grow up."

  I exhaled and stared at my grandmother, speechless.

  "We should go," my grandmother said.

  I spotted the cameraman as he walked past outside the car and I got up. Then I stopped. "Wait. What happened to the guy on the horse?"

  The look on my grandmother's face grew confused. "You don't want to know…let's…"

  I grabbed her arm. "No, please tell me."

  She turned and looked at me from behind the clown paint. Then she sighed. "He was killed. Your granddad killed him. One afternoon, a few days before Camille's eighteenth birthday, he found them together in the stables of his estate, and then he…lost it, I guess."

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Jayden hadn't slept at all. He walked down to the kitchen to load up on coffee before his shift at the diner, when he spotted Logan already sitting there, reading the local paper. The front page featured Mr. Aran and his drawing of the supposed killer-monster.

  "At least they're no longer saying it's a wolf," Logan said and lowered the paper. He was wearing his usual smirk.

  Jayden ignored him and walked to the coffeepot and poured himself a cup. He felt his brother's eyes on him but tried not to notice. He was so angry with him, he felt like ripping his head off. He was sick of his games and of living in constant fear of him. Now that he was no longer with Robyn, Logan couldn't touch him.

  "You look tired, bro," Logan said. "Spent the night up with your little girlfriend, did you?"

  Jayden turned to look at him. Their parents had already left for work, so they could speak freely.

  "If you must know, no. We're not together."

  Logan stared at him, his eyes scrutinizing him. "Ha. As if I buy into that one again."

  "Buy into what you want, dear brother."

  "You wouldn't…?"

  "It's the truth. We broke up," Jayden said and sipped his coffee.

  Logan stared at him, then scoffed. "Nope, still not buying it."

  "Whatever," Jayden said.

  "Have you gotten me that date with Jazmine yet?"

  Jayden sipped his cup again. "Nope. Not going to either."

  Logan rose to his feet with a snarl. His clenched fist leaned on the table, his knuckles turning white.

  "Oh, yes, you are."

  "No, I am not."

  "You will…or I'll…"

  "Or you'll what?" Jayden asked.

  "Or I'll tell Mom and Dad everything."

  Jayden scoffed. "There's nothing to tell. I told you we're not seeing each other anymore. It's over, dear brother. There's nothing you can do. You can't threaten me anymore."

  Logan growled, then leaped forward. He grabbed Jayden by the throat and held him up against the fridge. Jayden grunted in pain.

  "You'll get me that date or I swear…I'll…I'll…"

  "What, Logan?" Jayden spurted, gasping for air. "You'll what?"

  He could tell Logan had run out of options. His eyes were flickering, his teeth clenched. He tightened his grip, then let go. Gasping for air, Jayden slid to the floor. Logan then kicked him in the stomach before he rushed out the door. Jayden coughed and closed his eyes.

  Even though it felt like a defeat, he had just won his first victory over his brother.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  My mom watched while h
er own father killed her one true love? It had to be the most awful story I had ever heard. I couldn't believe it. It made me look at my mother in a different light and explained a lot. But not why she was insisting on making the same mistake as her own parents had. Why was she insisting on choosing my future husband just as her own dad had? Couldn't she see that it was wrong?

  Maybe she couldn't. She wouldn't be the first in history to repeat her own parents’ mistakes.

  I was back at the TV station. After Jimmy had done the last interviews, we had returned and spent the rest of the day editing the piece with a guy named Mike, who was a true magician. Jimmy had let me use my input as to how the story should be told.

  Now, Olivia was watching what we had created. Jimmy had let me take it to her and hear what she had to say. She was smiling and nodding, and I had a feeling she liked it.

  After she was done, she took off her headset and looked at me with a shrug.

  "It's cute."

  I breathed in relief.

  "So, you'll air it?" I asked.

  She scribbled on a post-it note and handed it to me. "Here are the changes I want you to make and then we'll see."

  I looked at the notes. She had written on both sides of the note, and there were at least ten changes.

  "Get to work," she said and put her headphones back on.

  I didn't care that she had so many changes; I was thrilled that she had liked it so far. I was here to learn. I walked back to the computer and sat down when Duncan suddenly appeared in the newsroom and approached my desk. I pretended like I hadn't seen him. He was the last person I wanted to see right now. As he came to my desk, I got up and walked to the coffeemaker. He followed me.

  "Can we talk…please?" he asked.

  "I don't think that’s a good idea," I said.

  "I’m sorry, Robyn," he said.

  I turned to look at him. "Do you have any idea what you’ve done?"

  "I have a feeling I don't," he said.

  "He doesn’t want to see me anymore."

  "I take my words back then," he said.

  "What do you mean?" I asked.

  "I said I was sorry. And I’m not."

  I wrinkled my forehead. "You're not sorry? Then, why are you here?"

  "Well, I’m sorry for saying those things out loud at the diner, so your little friend heard it. It was childish and silly of me."

  "It sure was."

  "But I’m not sorry I did it if it means the two of you won't be seeing each other anymore. I have to admit that was why I did it."

  "You're unbelievable; do you realize that?" I asked, feeling even angrier with him than before.

  He shrugged. "What can I say? I want you and I will try to get rid of any competition I might experience along the way." He leaned forward and spoke really close to my ear.

  "And I will get you."

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Duncan left as suddenly as he had appeared and I was left with just the words that he had whispered in my ear.

  I will get you.

  It filled me with such a strange feeling. It was mostly anger, furor even. Who did he think he was? He couldn't just decide I was going to be his. He couldn't just own me like that. On the other hand, I feared he was right. Knowing my mother's story, he would have me, wouldn't he?

  Would my mom go as far as to kill Jayden to make sure he did? Just like her dad had killed her boyfriend?

  The thought struck me with great fear, and I rushed back to my desk. I sat for a long time, sipping my coffee, startled and scared.

  I will get you.

  It sounded almost like a threat, didn't it? Would Duncan kill Jayden to get me? I realized I had no idea how far Duncan would go. I kept looking at him like an ordinary guy when he was everything but. I had to remember he was also one of them. Jayden would be able to kill him once he turned eighteen and became the wolf. Then he would be a real threat to Duncan, and he knew that. He'd have to kill Jayden before then. Was he planning to?

  How much did I even know about him?

  I shook the thought and sipped my cup again when my eyes fell on something on the desk. It looked like a ticket. There was a note stuck to it, a small yellow post-it.

  I'll pick you up at eight. D.

  I grabbed the ticket. It was for Circus Fantastico's performance for Saturday night. I had asked my grandmother for tickets, but she had told me she couldn't give me any. The circus couldn't give away tickets for relatives anymore, she had said, and I had found that a little weird, but then she had explained that it was a tough time for the circus business and they were barely getting by.

  I stared at the ticket while a million thoughts rushed through my mind. I really wanted to go. So badly. I had never been to the circus, and I especially wanted to see my grandmother—the clown—in action. I had been wanting to ever since they came to town and they only had those two performances—one tomorrow night and one on Saturday night. This was my chance. My one and only chance to see my grandmother in action.

  But it would mean I had to go with him. I couldn't stand the thought. I was so angry with him; I couldn't imagine doing anything with him, let alone going on a date. Ugh.

  You don't have to talk to him. Just go and see the show; ignore him while you watch the performance.

  Ignore him, huh? The thought of torturing him like that made it a lot more appealing. I knew it would drive him mad, and that would make it more fun. If he thought he could manipulate me, then I was going to show him I could do stuff too. In my own way.

  I smiled and put the ticket in my purse, then grabbed the note from Olivia and went back to the editing room where Jimmy was waiting for me.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Jazmine was slurping her milkshake, staring out the window. It was raining again. The weather had been the worst so far during their summer break. Showers constantly. It wasn't even warm out.

  Someone walked past the window at Sophie's Diner and, at first, Jazmine thought it was Adrian, but as the guy walked through the door, she realized it wasn't him.

  Where is he?

  They were supposed to meet and eat burgers. Half an hour ago. Jazmine looked at her phone. He hadn't texted or called.

  She sighed and pushed the phone away. The milkshake was empty, but she still sucked up the remains through the straw. It was strawberry, but Jazmine hadn't been able to taste any of it. It wasn't just the milkshake. It was everything. Ever since she had watched those kids be murdered, she hadn't found joy in eating or drinking anything. It was like it had become flat. Just like her love for Adrian. He was beginning to annoy her more than he excited her. He was spending way too much time with those annoying cousins of his, and it was like it had changed him. Maybe it was because he knew he was going away when summer was over. It sort of felt like he had already left. Maybe it wasn't even him. Maybe it was her? Maybe she didn't find life as enjoyable and funny as he did, not after she realized her mother…

  She didn't like even to finish the thought.

  As she sat there, waiting for him to show up, filling herself with rage that he would stand her up like this, she received a message on Snapchat. Thinking it was from Adrian, she picked it up, but it wasn't from him. It was from Amy.

  NEED TO TALK. THE DINER AT FIVE?

  She looked at the clock. It was a quarter to. She might as well just stay and see whatever was going on with Amy. Maybe it could take her mind off her own problems for a little. It was worth a shot.

  Jayden soon came to her table and wiped his fingers on his apron. "You want another one?" he asked and pointed at the empty milkshake glass.

  Jazmine shrugged. "Sure. Why not? And a burger while you're at it. I might as well get something to eat, now that I’m staying."

  He nodded. "You got the message too?"

  Seconds later, Amy rushed through the door, stumbling over the step, blowing out smoke from her nostrils in surprise. Jayden looked at Jazmine.

  "Looks serious. I'll ask Sophie for my break now. As so
on as I’ve brought you your food, of course."

  Jayden approached Amy, and she ordered a burger too with a chocolate milkshake. Jayden said he was going to be right back, then walked into the kitchen, while Amy sat down on the other side of the table. She looked like she was in great distress. Amy exhaled, then drank some of Jazmine's water. Jazmine heard a sizzling sound coming from inside of her mouth, and Amy exhaled in relief.

  "I can't seem to keep it down today. Too much going on in my head."

  Jazmine smiled, strained, then looked out the window just in time to see Adrian's car drive up. For a second, she thought it was him, but then Robyn stepped out and rushed toward the door of the diner, protecting her head from the rain with her backpack.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  "What's going on?"

  I sat down next to Amy. Jazmine gave me a tired look from the other side of the table. Or maybe she looked sad. I wondered if it was still the loss of her father that was bothering her. Probably. Those things took time, right? I didn't know anything about losing a relative, I realized.

  Jayden approached us, carrying burgers and milkshakes. My heart stopped beating when I saw him. I knew he was going to be there, and part of me wanted to stay away for that very reason, but Amy needed me and, for once, I could go without having to ask my mother.

  I stared at the burgers, and my stomach went crazy. I didn't want to bother Jayden, though, so I didn't say anything. I'd just have to do with whatever strangeness my mother had put together when I got home.

  Much to my surprise, one of the plates landed in front of me. A cheeseburger with extra bacon and cheesy fries. I looked up at Jayden, baffled.

  "I figured you'd be hungry," he said.

  I could have cried.

  "Th-thanks." I forced a smile instead. "That was…nice of you."