Sterling Silver: (Sterling Hunter 1)

by Melody Personette

  Tabitha slumped in her seat, jaw clenched. She didn’t like the idea of being boxed in by a birthright. Everyone expected her to follow in her father’s footsteps. To pass the trials effortlessly and become a part of the organization and one day co-run it with Jonas. Tabitha wanted all that too… she just didn’t like having the expectations of others weighing down on her. If she was going to do something, she would do it for herself and no one else. It just bothered her that they had this whole plan for her life…

  “I'd like it if you considered this opportunity if this is the career path you want to follow,” her mom said, cutting through Tabitha’s thoughts. “A few weeks of training with Sebastian could be the difference between you passing the trials or not. Just think about it.”

  Tabitha glanced up at her mom who watched her intently. She shrugged and got to her feet. “I don't know. I'll think about it and get back to you at the mandatory-get-together-dinner. Thanks for warning me beforehand, by the way.”

  Her mom smiled and turned her phone back on, going back to scrolling through Facebook. “You're welcome. Wear something nice, and I suggest you keep your stakes at home tomorrow. At least until you don't feel like stabbing Sebastian in front of your teachers.”

  Tabitha nodded. “Probably a good idea...”

  Her mom grinned. “Probably.”

  The conversation died out and Tabitha was heading to the stairs, but she paused and glanced over her shoulder at her mom. “Is that why the Carters have been acting weird around me? Because they’re worried I won’t pass the trials?”

  Her mom looked up from her phone and nodded, a small smile on her lips. “Yes, it is. I'm sorry if it seemed like we were all keeping some sort of secret from you. We didn't mean to.”

  Tabitha didn't say anything else. She turned and headed upstairs. Something still didn’t feel right about all this. Probably the fact that she had to train with a vampire. Well, she didn’t have to. Everyone just wanted her to.

  No hunting for her tonight. She had enough to think about.

  Instead, Tabitha crashed on her bed and grabbed her phone, shooting Chelsea a few texts to explain what exactly happened today and a revised version of what she saw when she got home. No vampires or vampire hunters but... old family friends Tabitha didn't know about.

  While texting, Tabitha got to work on some homework, working fast and easy, her brain keeping up with the latest math equations. When she pulled out Dracula, she grimaced and threw it onto her desk across the room. She didn't feel like reading about an infamous vampire tonight. Maybe tomorrow she'd ask Sebastian if he knew Dracula personally.

  Tabitha grinned and sank into her bed, processing the supernatural version of the evening while processing the normal version with Chelsea via text. Tomorrow she'd hunt Sebastian down and ask him why he was going to her school. Just because they might train together didn’t mean he had to be next to her all day long. But if he was going to go to her school then Tabitha needed to lay down some ground rules.

  Chapter Six

  The next morning in History, Tabitha sank into her usual seat in the back of the class where Chelsea sat reading.

  “Crazy about last night,” Chelsea said looking up from the pages.

  Tabitha nodded and set her bright blue neon backpack beside her desk, taking a seat. She hoped beyond hoped today would be different. That she wouldn't freak out over having Sebastian sit next to her. She may even try for a truce. The thought of seeing him at school today had kept her up tossing and turning all night. Her father had trusted him, though… and that had to count for something, so Tabitha decided she would at least attempt civility and not make a scene.

  “Hey, the new guy's back. Did you notice he didn't show up the rest of the day yesterday?” Chelsea asked, glancing at the door. Her voice snapped Tabitha from her thoughts. She looked up and raised her eyebrows, peering at the door as inconspicuously as possible.

  There he was.

  Sebastian.

  Now that she was paying attention, he stuck out from the rest of the class. Of a crowd of hipster, jocks and rebellious teens, he dressed more... mature and classy. Dark denim jeans, black converse and a button-down navy shirt, a leather black jacket slung over his shoulder to ward off the early Fall chills. Today his blond hair was slicked back and gleamed with gel. Tabitha sat back and folded her arms as all the girl's turned to gape at him.

  He slid into the seat next to her and smirked. “Good to see you Tabitha. Hope you didn't bring any weapons today.”

  Tabitha's eyes widened, and she glanced at Chelsea. Her friend was too busy with her book to pay attention. Tabitha scowled. “Could you say that any louder?” she shout-whispered.

  He grinned mockingly and leaned toward her, resting his hands on his desk. “I could if you wanted me to. Let the whole school know you're a vampire hunter. Wouldn't that be fun?”

  Tabitha gave him a nasty look and turned toward the whiteboard where Miss. Pierce was beginning class. “Whatever,” she muttered under her breath.

  She heard him chuckle and her scowl deepened.

  Tabitha flipped to page 211 in her book and scanned the page, trying her hardest to ignore Sebastian... She didn't have the urge to kill him, but every nerve in her body was acutely aware of the vampire teenager sitting next to her, making it difficult for her to pay attention to anything Miss. Pierce said.

  By the end of class, Tabitha was ready to get up and move around, try to get some of her pent-up energy out.

  Chelsea nudged her as Miss. Pierce dismissed them. “I have to get to Bio. I need to talk to Miss. Newman about my grades before class starts. Promise me you won't do anything interesting while I'm gone?”

  Tabitha grinned as she slung her backpack over her shoulder. “I'll try, but I make no promises.”

  Chelsea grinned back and left, weaving like a pretty brunette shadow out of the room.

  Halfway out of class Sebastian fell into step beside her. “Nice shoes by the way,” he commented as he walked beside her, easily keeping pace with her quick steps.

  Tabitha glanced down at her shoes. Today she'd opted for her bright blue doc martens she'd saved up for all of last summer to buy. She wore a matching neon blue t-shirt with the word Pink on the front of it and a distressed blue jean jacket over it with dark blue skinny jeans. Standing side by side with the classy Sebastian, she looked like one big pop of color.

  “Thanks,” she muttered.

  He smirked and leaned into her personal space. Tabitha veered away instinctively. He didn't seem to notice. “So, I have to know. Are those yellow combat boots specifically for vampire hunting or...?”

  An involuntary grin spread across Tabitha's face as she stopped in front of her locker, punching in the combination code. Sebastian leaned against the locker next to hers, watching her intently. She shrugged. “It's kind of stupid, but yes they are. They don't look very comfortable, but they are and they're also very functional and easy to run in. I also... wear yellow gloves to go with.”

  Sebastian nodded slowly, a teasing look spreading across his face. “Ah yes. To keep the blood off your hands?”

  Tabitha shot him a half-hearted glare, grabbing her math book. She shoved it into her backpack. “Yes. Too bad I didn't bring them today. I guess I'll just have to clean up the old fashion way.”

  He cocked his head, smirking. “What do you mean?”

  She shrugged. “Ya'know. For when I inevitably end up trying to kill you today?”

  “Ah right... hunter humor. Very funny.”

  “Thank you. I do try.”

  They fell into silence as they made their way down the hall together, dodging around teenagers heading this way and that. Most girls stopped to gawk, and the guys shot him threatening glares. Sebastian didn't seem to notice though, completely at ease as they walked down the hall.

  “Anyways...” Tabitha cleared her throat. Time to enact her truce speech. Might as well, seeing as she hadn't gotten the urge to kill him yet.

  Sebastian
turned his distracted stare back to her, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Yes?” he asked as they came to a stop in front of her math class.

  She shrugged. “Well, mom explained everything. Sort of creepy that you've been stalking my family for the last hundred and something years, but I guess I get it. We Sterling’s are pretty cool.”

  His chuckle sounded surprised, but he didn't interrupt her as she continued. Tabitha waved her hands absently. “And I guess... I was just thinking that if my dad could trust you and all the Sterling’s before him than... I can give you a shot too. A small one. Like microscopic, so you better behave.” She pointed a threatening finger at him.

  He laughed quietly and nodded. “I believe I can manage that. I'll see you at lunch then? If this is a truce?”

  Tabitha nodded, getting distracted by his amused green eyes. “Yeah... I guess I will. See you then... Oh, but I do have one more question.”

  Sebastian paused, half turned. He quirked an eyebrow at her. “Yes?”

  “Why are you here?”

  “I thought I explained that yesterday…” he looked at her like she was dumb.

  Tabitha rolled her eyes. “No. I mean why are you going to my high school if all you planned to do was train me? Seems a little overkill.”

  He shrugged, starting to walk away backward. “I guess you’ll just have to wait and find out Tabitha Sterling.”

  Tabitha’s eyes narrowed. Not saying another word, he turned and left, flashing her a secret fanged smile before he turned the corner and vanished. Tabitha frowned as she sank into the desk in the back of the class. Dinner would definitely be interesting tonight.

  Chapter Seven

  Sebastian stared at his reflection in the mirror and loosened his tie that evening after school. He hadn't been to a dinner like this in far too long. Not to mention, he would get to see Tabitha in evening wear... if people still changed for dinner these days that was.

  Sebastian grimaced. He'd gone for neat and formal. Unsure of what else to wear, he'd pulled out one of his newer outfits. Crisp white shirt under a sharp, black blazer with black pressed pants and shiny shoes. He slicked his blond hair back with more gel. It would have to do.

  Turning on his heels, he headed down the long hallway of his house and down the stairs to where Sandra and Carlos waited by the door. Sandra wore a nice long-sleeved red dress that flared out at the waist and went down to just above her knees, paired with black heels. Carlos wore semi-formal clothes. White button up shirt, black pants and black shoes.

  Sandra smiled as he came down. “You clean up nice Sebastian.”

  He smiled back and took her hand, kissing it. “You're not so bad yourself,” he murmured, winking. Her long brown hair had been twisted up in a purposefully unruly bun that showed off her face. He was glad he wasn't the only one getting all dressed up for the event. “I wasn't sure what to wear... I haven't been out to a get together for a very long time so...”

  Carlos waved his concern away. “You look great Seb.” He checked his watch, a hand sliding down Sandra's waist. “We should head out. Don't want to be late.”

  Sebastian eased around them with one fluid motion and opened the door to the glass-roofed antechamber. Sandra and Carlos were living in his old house. A house he'd bought many years ago in the early 1900's. Who knew it would come in handy after all these years of gathering dust?

  Before they could thank him, he vamped to the next door and opened it for the couple as well, waving a hand out with a charming smile, his fangs showing. Carlos dipped his head in thanks and Sandra smiled. “Thank you, Sebastian.”

  Sandra folded her arms across her chest, and Carlos walked them briskly to the car parked in the driveway. Sebastian vamped to the car, becoming a blur of speed. He opened the passenger door for Sandra who gave him a hasty smile.

  Carlos scowled teasingly as he went around to the other side while Sebastian slipped in the back. “You know I would appreciate it if you would let me be a gentleman to my wife every once in a while, instead of you always beating me to it.”

  Sebastian just grinned. “I'll keep that in mind next time.”

  Carlos grinned at him in the mirror as he turned the car on and left the house, driving down the long driveway. “See that you do.”

  They smiled at one another, three good friends in a car headed to dinner. Only... not just any dinner. A dinner at Tabitha's house. Tabitha, who never seized to intrigue and amaze him.

  She reminded him so much of her father. They not only shared the same strawberry blond hair but also stubbornness, determination and strength. The Sterling’s had always amazed him, ever since he had first met them back in 1887. Their hunter instincts and strength were impressive and almost supernatural compared to other hunters he had met.

  Sebastian had no doubt Tabitha would not fail to impress, much like the others of her family. Already, he could see the potential in her. She was still a little rough around the edges when it came to fighting, but Sebastian wasn't sure if she even needed his protection. Tabitha was one of the strongest hunters he’d ever met. It was incredible.

  He was betting on Alistair's curiosity and brutality to get the better of him. But if he did show up in this town, Sebastian would be ready. His jaw clenched in anger at the thought of Alistair coming anywhere near the Sterling’s. Sebastian had known Jonathon Sterling, and he had promised himself that he wouldn’t let anything happen to the man’s family. So, Sebastian would do anything to protect Tabitha.

  “Are you ready to convince Tabitha to train with you?” Sandra asked, jarring Sebastian from his thoughts.

  He looked up to find her watching him in the mirror and nodded, a small smile curling his lips. “I do intend to try, though she is quite stubborn and set in her ways. Much like her grandfather.”

  Carlos chuckled. “So, you really did know the entire Sterling line, huh?”

  Sebastian nodded and crossed his legs, staring out the window as the world blurred by. He remembered a simpler time when people rode in horse-drawn buggies instead of electrical cars. Then the first automobile was made and several of Sebastian's friends compelled their way into getting some of the first cars ever made. Sebastian had never been too fond of cars.

  “Yes, I did. She comes from a long line of stubborn ancestors. Including her own father.”

  The first time he met Tabitha the other night in that parking garage he could see the resemblance instantly. She had her father's strawberry blond hair, fair and light and beautiful. And those eyes. So intimidating and as stern as stone. She poured her whole heart and soul into those eyes, into the looks she gave people. Sebastian could see the anger, annoyance, seething frustration and determination in them. But he could also see the fierce love and loyalty, the energy she carried within her heart too.

  Sebastian had met Jonathon when he was sixteen and training with his own father to become a vampire hunter. He'd had strong instincts too. Not as strong as Tabitha's, though. Sebastian had speed vamped up behind him while he and his father practiced in the woods beyond their house. Jonathon had whipped around and dug a stake into his stomach. He had apologized a million times for it since then.

  Sebastian's eyes whipped up from his lap as the car stopped and Carlos turned the engine off. “Well we're here. Ready?”

  Sandra smiled and slid out of the car into the chilly Autumn air. “I am. Coming Seb?”

  Sebastian slid out also and followed them to the door where Carlos knocked. A minute later Tabitha's beautiful mother, Maria Sterling opened the door in a pretty green dress, a smile lighting up her face. “I'm so glad you could make it. Come in, come in.”

  Sebastian stepped in last and shut the door behind him as Sandra and Carlos shrugged out of their coats and hung them on the coat rack in the corner.

  “Good to see you again Sebastian. You know, whenever I see you, I always remember the first time we met,” Maria said, grinning.

  Sebastian smiled back as she led them toward the dining room. The memory of a youn
ger Maria filled his mind. Back when she was just a wild fifteen-year-old girl in high school who wore flowery skirts and always had her hair in crazy curls. She hadn’t known what he was when they first met since she was Jonathon’s friend at the time. They had been high school sweethearts and Jonathon hadn’t told her the truth about his family until they graduated. Even then though, she had been strong willed and beautiful. And then just like that, the memory slipped away when they entered the dining room and he came face to face with Tabitha.

  She was strikingly bright in a lace black shirt and neon yellow skirt that stopped above her knees with black heels. Her strawberry blond hair framed her face. She gave Carlos and Sandra a halfhearted hello, shaking their hands. When she came to him her grin widened. “Sebastian,” she said, not bothering to shake his hand. Her chin tipped up at his name left her mouth, a rueful habit he'd noticed the minute he met her. Whenever she said his name, her chin always tipped up, staring her nose down at him as if she were better than him. The gesture always made him want to smile.

  Sebastian smirked, hands in pockets. “Tabitha.”

  Maria sat everyone down at the table full of food. A rotisserie chicken from the store, salad and fruits and vegetables. Carlos and Sandra sat side by side next to Maria, leaving Sebastian to take a seat beside Tabitha who stiffened when he sat down. “Try not to stab me with your fork,” he murmured in her ear as he took a seat.

  Tabitha scowled and shot him a glare as she lifted her fork, but instead of stabbing his thigh with it, she began to laden salad onto her plate. This was going to be quite an interesting dinner.