Derrick had called their mom and said he wanted to catch up with the Carters, so he would be staying at their inn instead of at home.
Her mom shrugged. “You know Derr. He and the Carters are close. He said he'll be here by six-thirty.”
Tabitha checked the time on her phone. Six-twenty-seven. He'd better not blow off this dinner. She slumped into a chair as her mom set the salad bowl down in the middle of the table. She'd made macaroni and cheese with bacon–a secret family recipe–and chicken strips on the side.
“I guess our little house isn't good enough for him anymore?”
Her mom gave her a warning look. “Now you know full well that isn't true. Please be nice to your brother tonight. He really does just want to help.”
Sure, he did. He wanted to help her mom keep an eye on her. Check and make sure she wasn't about to blow up or whatever they thought Tabitha would do. Because obviously Tabitha was going to explode at any moment and do something horrible. Just as she opened her mouth to spout out her sarcastic reply the door opened. “Hey, anyone home?”
Tabitha rolled her eyes. “Of course we're home Derrick. Why wouldn't we be?”
Her mom shot her another warning look and pointed at the smile on her face. Tabitha rolled her eyes but slapped a cheesy smile on her lips. She got to her feet and walked over to the hallway where Derrick stood taking his shoes off.
“Hey Derr, good to see you,” she said, folding her arms and leaning against the wall.
He grinned at her. Derrick too after their mother with his darker skin and curly brown hair. Warm brown eyes and a sporty physique from the time he spent in the gym. He'd told her once that even though he wasn't in the vampire hunting game anymore he still wanted to keep up his strength just in case anything happened.
“Good to see you too Tab. Miss me?”
He held his arms out, and Tabitha sighed but grudgingly smiled back. She let him pull her into a hug. He whispered in her ear, “After this dinner how about we go out front and talk, huh?”
There it was. The inevitable guidance chat. The talk where Derrick expressed his concern for her while also managing to be vague about why he was concerned. Oh, and insisting she tell him everything from her latest school assignment to her life as a vampire hunter. “Sure Derr, why not? Let's just get through this dinner and make Mom happy.”
He let go of her and slung an arm over her shoulder, pulling her in close as they made their way toward the dining room. “Sounds good to me. So, what've you been up to lately? School-wise? How's Chelsea?”
That's how it went all evening. Either Tabitha was answering Derrick's nosy big brother questions, or she was listening to him answer Mom's nosy mother questions. Derrick was now teaching a self-defense class and “oh yeah, do you remember Elaine Kendall?” Well he ran into her the other day, and she's going to a few of his classes. Tabitha mostly messed with her food and let herself sink into pure boredom as he went on and on about Elaine Kendall. Her mom badgered him with questions about her, and why shouldn't he ask her out or get to know her better? Her parents were so nice and friendly. The Kendall's lived in town and weren't part of the hunter community. They had no idea about vampires.
For Tabitha would be a big turn off but for someone like Derrick, who was grasping at a normal life an oblivious girlfriend was perfect for him. Derrick tried to help Mom after dinner, but she insisted she could handle the clean-up. Tabitha saw right through her. While she cleaned up in the kitchen, she expected Derrick to take Tabitha outside and talk to her.
As they set their dishes on the kitchen counter, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close, making her trip over herself. A grin tugged on her lips even as she knew his devious plan. “You wanna go out front and talk Tab?”
“Sure,” she muttered.
He grinned and waved at their mom as he led her down the short hallway and outside. Tabitha playfully pushed his arm off her shoulder and went to sit down on the bench swing. He sat down beside her and cocked his head, giving her his undivided attention. “So... what's really been going on?”
Despite knowing what he was going to say before he said it, Tabitha still felt the pull to tell him everything. She needed to talk to someone. She took a deep breath and told him everything starting with when she first met Sebastian. He sat and listened intently and quietly.
“Did you know about me? About the Soothsayer and our family… and Soothsayers in general?” Tabitha asked once she’d finished. His non-reaction, when it came to those two bombshells hadn’t gone unnoticed by Tabitha.
Derrick grimaced, shoving his hand through his hair. “I did… but Tab I only know about it because I’m good friends with the Carters and Tom thought it would be a good idea for me to know after Dad died… It was before he knew I was leaving. He thought I would stay and take Dad’s place.”
Tabitha’s jaw clenched. So not only had her mother been lying to her, keeping things from her but her brother too? He didn’t even deserve to know. Derrick didn’t want any part of this life, so why did he get to know more than she did?
“That’s just great,” she muttered, shooting her brother a glare. “Thanks for the heads’ up. For letting me know. Maybe if I had known I would have been prepared now that I’m on Alistair’s Most Wanted List. And maybe the Carters and the other hunters would be safe from him too.”
He sighed, his face creased with tension as he slung an arm over her shoulders and pulled her in close. “I'm sorry you had to deal with all that on your own. It must have been hard but Tabitha… I never meant to hurt you. They asked me not to say anything to you and I was leaving anyways so I didn’t think it would be a big deal,” he murmured.
“Big deal? Yeah, it’s kind of a huge part of my life but whatever. Not a big deal at all,” she snapped.
“I'm sorry… But it was for the best, I think. And anyways, at least you know now. I’ll do what I can here, but I have a life that's not... involved in all of this and it seems like you have a good support group to help you out. Better than I could ever be.”
Tabitha swallowed and nodded again, holding her tongue. Right. Because who wants your brother to help you and protect you when you have a bunch of strangers to do that for him? She cleared her throat and stood, his hand dropping to his side. “This wasn't a good idea. I don't know why I told you any of this Derr, cus it's not like you're going to stay or like you even really care.”
Derrick opened his mouth and stood, shock on his face. Tabitha stepped back and held up a hand stopping him. “You don't have to explain yourself. You never really wanted this life but at least one of us has to keep the legacy so I guess it falls to me. Which isn't so bad. I like hunting vampires and I'm better at it than you ever will be. This is where I'm meant to be, and you're just meant to live a normal, boring life of ignorance. So, you know what? Have a great time visiting and pretending that you didn’t turn your back on your family’s heritage.”
Tabitha could feel tears threatening to spill as she spun around and slammed the front door behind her, running up the stairs. Her mom poked her head around the corner, her eyebrows furrowed.
“Tabitha, what's wrong?” Mom asked.
Tabitha ignored her and ran up the stairs, slamming her door behind her as the tears came. The last time she'd cried was after her dad's funeral when Derrick had left. Dad had been the glue that had kept them all together and when he died her family fell apart. Even her own Mom became somewhat distant but now at least she knew why. Because she was scared of Tabitha. Scared of what Tabitha might become and of what she might do.
Tabitha collapsed against her door, her hands forming fists in her lap as silent tears fell down her cheeks. Nothing had changed in the last two years. Nothing would ever be the same. Not with Dad being dead.
Tabitha slid out her phone and shot a text to Chelsea. Sucky nite. I don't no why I thought anything would change.
A minute later Chelsea texted back. I'm sorry Tab. He still… him?
She snorted
and smiled halfheartedly through her tears. Ya. I barely feel like I know him anymore. My family's a mess.
A second later and Tabitha remembered why Chelsea was her best friend. Love you Tab. It'll all work out, I promise. Cut him and yourself some slack.
Tabitha texted back and leaned her head against her door, smiling at the wall opposite her. Thanks Chels. Love you too. I'll try, but I don't know how I'm going to survive this weekend.
You have a weekend date with Sebastian, don't you? ;)
Tabitha almost laughed, her mood lifting. Ya, I do... thanks for being an awesome friend.
I try. Have a good nite Tab. Talk to u later?
Definitely.
Tabitha set her phone down, the tears drying on her cheeks. Chelsea was right. Derrick may not be there for her, but at least she had Chelsea and now Sebastian too. She wasn't sure what having Sebastian at her side meant yet, but she was eager to find out.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tabitha avoided her mom the next morning beyond happy they didn’t have school today. There was some obscure holiday or something of that sort, giving all students an extra weekend day. Tabitha didn’t really care what holiday it was, just as long as she didn’t have to go into school. She got dressed in a pair of black workout leggings with neon pink stripes down the sides, a neon pink tank top with a yellow tank under it and her bright black and pink sneakers. Tabitha shoved a second pair of clothes into her backpack and opened her window.
When Derrick moved out Tabitha had moved to his room which was double in size and had a tree right next to the window in the back. She'd mastered the art of climbing onto the shingled roof, jumping onto the nearest tree branch and climbing down. Not that she would ever sneak out of the house and worry her mom half to death.
Tabitha swung her backpack over her shoulder and crawled onto the roof. Turning, she shut her window then crawled out farther and reached for the high hanging branch of the tree. Grasping it, Tabitha pulled herself toward the tree and hoisted herself onto the branch, making her way to the tree's trunk. Tabitha climbed down, swung off a low branch and her feet touched the ground. The sun was just beginning to rise, and Tabitha was pretty sure everyone was still sleeping. Which meant they would all have to worry about where she'd gone over breakfast. For some reason that made her smile.
Tabitha ran around to the front of the house and threw her backpack into the back seat of her car, turned her keys in the ignition and backed out of the driveway, heading out of the neighborhood. Now she would get to have the awkward post-fight talk with Derrick tonight instead of this morning. Maybe they wouldn't even notice she was gone.
***
Tabitha turned her car off in front of Sebastian's large mansion of a house. Birds chirped and sang among the trees and a chilly early Fall breeze tangled her hair as she got out. Tabitha slung her backpack over her shoulder and stepped through the antechamber and to the front door and knocked.
Sandra answered a minute later, all dressed up and looking like she was about to leave. She gave Tabitha a warm smile. “Tabitha, Sebastian said you’d be by. How are you?”
“Good, thanks. Just need to blow off some steam.”
Sandra nodded as they stepped around each other, Tabitha taking her place in side and Sandra stepping out. “Well, enjoy. I think Sebastian could use some training time too. I’ll see you later, I have a meeting I have to get to.”
“Ok. See you later,” Tabitha said with a smile and a wave as she shut the door.
Tabitha walked through huge house and to the kitchen where Sebastian sat, drinking something red from a bottle. Tabitha tried not to think about the blood as she flashed him a grin. “You heard me come in, didn’t you?” she asked as she set her purse down on the floor.
Sebastian smirked, tipping his glass to her in salute. “Yep. I hear you need to let out some pent-up frustration.”
“Yes, yes, I do.”
“Then let’s not waste any time,” he said, sliding off the bar stool and capping his blood bottle.
He opened the back door and let her out first, following her. The chest of weapons lay in the middle of his yard as if he hadn't moved it at all. Tabitha threw her backpack down by the door and made a beeline for the chest.
“How did your dinner go?” Sebastian asked, implication in his voice.
Tabitha shot him a glare as she threw open the chest and rummaged around for the swords and stakes.
He smirked and folded his arms. Today he wore jeans and a blue button-down cotton t-shirt. Tabitha couldn't say how relieved she was that he was wearing a shirt. “Not good, huh? I understand. Siblings can be the worst sometimes.”
Tabitha nodded, pulling the swords out. “I'd rather not talk about it right now. Can we just fight?”
Sebastian nodded, holding up his fists, a sly grin creeping onto his lips. The same sly grin Tabitha had just seen on his sister. She wondered which parent they'd got it from.
Sebastian attacked with a viciousness. His fangs flashed, and his lips curled as he lunged for her. Tabitha sucked in a breath, adrenaline rushing her system and she sidestepped, whipping around behind him and kicking him in the back. Within a few seconds she had him pinned to the ground, her on top of him.
She almost got caught up in the moment. Gazing down into those eyes, at that face and at those lips that hid two fanged weapons. She swallowed as he grinned up at her and reached for the sword, prying it gently from her hands.
“Well done. You've improved,” he whispered.
He caught her off guard by leaning up and brushing his lips against hers then shoving her off and putting a few paces between them, waving the stake in front of him.
Tabitha gasped and sat back, glaring at him while also blushing at the lingering tingle on her lips. “What was that for?”
He smirked. “You did so good you earned a kiss. Let's see if you can earn another one,” he said raising an eyebrow.
Tabitha snorted and rolled her eyes, pushing herself to her feet. She grabbed the other sword she'd dropped. “Let's see if you can earn a kiss from me,” she teased back.
And it went like that all morning. They fought, teased each other and kissed every once in a while. Just soft, fleeting kisses. Never as passionate or fiery as yesterday at school. Innocent kisses that made Tabitha's heart skip a beat. She could have sworn she was in heaven or something close to it. Sebastian was someone she needed. Someone who understood the need to distract herself and get out her hunter energy. Someone who didn't mind taking a beating from her because he could heal. He was a human punching bag that Tabitha didn't feel bad about beating on.
The bliss ended when her phone rang for the fifth time and Sebastian insisted, she answer and not worry her mom. Glaring at him, sweat gleaming on her forehead she answered it. “Hello?”
“Tabitha, where are you?” her mom sounded frenzied and Tabitha felt a tinge of regret for worrying her mom for so long. Though it had taken her till almost eleven for her to call the first time.
“I'm at Sebastian's house, training. And don't worry I'm fine.”
“You scared me half to death. I thought Alistair had kidnapped you or something. Besides you're supposed to be spending the weekend with us.”
Tabitha made a face and sat down on the porch step as Sebastian left to get some drinks for them, giving her the pretense of privacy even though they both knew he could hear the whole conversation from the kitchen. “Derrick and I got into a fight and I didn't want to see him this morning, so I baled. I'll be home for dinner, though, and I'll make sure to spend some time with you guys tomorrow.”
“Alright well when will you be back?” her mom said, disapproval evident in her voice.
Tabitha shrugged, giving Sebastian a tight smile as he handed her a bottle of cold water. “I don't know yet. But I promise I will make time for my brother even if he can be infuriating.”
A heavy sigh and then, “Alright... just please try.”
“I will, I promise. Talk to you later. Bye.”
Tabitha hung up before her mom could say anything else. Taking a deep swig of her water, she capped the bottle and stood, brushing her hands together focusing on one thought: Fighting. “Let's go one more round then we can get something to eat, Okay?”
Sebastian set his bottle of blood down beside hers, his face unreadable. “Sounds good.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sebastian watched Tabitha dig into the leftover macaroni and cheese he had dug out of the fridge.
“So... do you want to talk about it?” he asked.
Tabitha shrugged and looked up from her food, her face passive. “There's not much to talk about. My dad died, my family split up and my brother sucks. I shouldn't have told him what I did, but I think he kind of needed to hear it.”
Sebastian nodded and propped his elbow on the counter, leaning his chin on his fist. “I think he did too.”
He smirked, and she rolled her eyes spearing a few more noodles. “He won't stick around. Derrick's already got his life figured out. He knows what he wants to do, and what he wants to do is be normal. I'm not part of his plan. Besides I don't need him.”
“No… no, you don’t,” he murmured.
That was one of the things he liked about her: Tabitha didn’t need anyone. Sebastian still wanted to know what she thought of him. And... he wanted to tell her what he concluded yesterday evening. How he sort of might... be in love with a mortal girl who would eventually grow old and die without him. Sebastian needed to know what she thought. He knew they'd only just met two weeks' ago. Sebastian had known acquaintances for far longer than two weeks.
But... everything was going so fast. Moving faster than Sebastian could keep up. Maybe that was because of Tabitha and her impulsiveness. She kissed before she thought. She killed first and asked questions later. She was impulsive, a complete adrenaline junkie though she would never admit it and a thrill to be around. She always did the unexpected and never thought twice before doing something irrational.
Sterling Silver: (Sterling Hunter 1) Page 13