by Avery Kloss
Thorn glanced over his shoulder, briefly ceasing his attack on Gabe. His eyes glowed with the intoxication of bloodlust. He appeared startled, gazing at the animals that drew near. “What is this?” He shot an accusing glare my way. “What are you doing, Brie?”
“Nothing.”
Gabe did not move, his body ravaged beyond all hope, the sickly smell of vampire blood filling the air.
“You’re not going to get away with this!” I shouted. A rush of emotion surfaced, with anger and hatred at the forefront. “I hate you, you bastard!”
An odd vibration started within me, a ball of heat in my belly. It rushed through my arms and legs, feeling like a raging fever. “You and your games,” I said, although I did not sound like myself. “The pain you put my family through. “How my parents suffered after my death. It all but killed my dad.”
Thorn’s gaze narrowed. “Suzie?”
“I’ve waited a long time ... ”
The growl of a bobcat resounded, the animal the first to jump. It landed on Thorn’s back, where he tore into his neck. I stepped out of the way to avoid the melee, as dozens of deer rammed into the vampire, along with the swooping owls, that hooted into the night.
The odd sensation left me, where I felt nothing but the biting cold. “W-what’s happening?” I had to shout over the din, the sound of antlers clinking repeatedly and the bobcat snarling. I saw Gabe, his arms and legs nearby and his severed head a few feet away. “Oh, my God!” For all my efforts, I had been too late. “Gabe!”
50
Blinded by tears, I collapsed to my knees, the white dress torn and filthy. “Gabe?” Vampires were supposed to live forever, but how could anything survive being torn to pieces like this? With little time to grieve, I got up and found the bigger parts, the arms and legs. I placed them near where the torso was, grasping the heavy, blood-soaked mass of his head. His eyes remained fixed at nothing in particular. “Oh, God,” I cried, and placed the head next to the neck.
Wiping my nose with the back of my hand, I wept, not knowing if he could heal himself. Some of the animals darted into the forest, the owls flying away, while the bobcat growled ferociously and snarled at the remains of the vampire. Weighed down with emotion, I bowed my head and cried over the loss of Gabe, because he had not survived the fight.
“I loved you. We had so little time together. Tonight was the best night of my life; it was perfect until Thorn showed up. I’ll always remember it. I regret … nothing.” The woodland creatures had arrived to help me with Thorn, the animals now scattered. They left a pile of bloody remains, the smell of noxious vampire in the air. “What do I do now?” I touched his face, feeling cold skin, and wishing he might open his eyes to look at me once more.
I sat there, and shivered in the cold over the remains of my boyfriend. Wrapping my arms over my knees, I huddled for warmth, reluctant to leave. I prayed for a miracle then, and wished for nothing more but one last goodbye. “Please, please, please. Don’t let him die forever. Bring him back to me. Bring him back, so he can live in the sun.”
An odd light caught my notice, as something glowed in a thin haze. The mist thickened rapidly, gathering and growing, the image of a woman emerging. I could see straight through her to the trees in the distance, but her face became clearer, with pale hair falling around her shoulders. She smiled softly, her look serene. The ghost floated a few inches above the ground.
“Suzie?”
She pointed to Gabe. “You can heal him.” Her voice sounded as if it came through a long tunnel. “Wake the dead.” And then, she disappeared, the haze evaporating.
Stunned, I wiped away a tear, and swallowed the lump in my throat. “Wake the dead?” Remembering what Anna said and how I had brought Maven and her sister back to the their mortal selves, I focused my attention and thoughts, reaching out to touch Gabe’s face.
A rush of heat warmed my belly, feeling as if I had just had hot chocolate or warm soup, the sensation radiating. A tingling drifted through me, which escaped out of the tips of my fingers, where I gently touched my love’s handsome, wounded face. I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by the yearning to have him returned to perfect health. An odd crackling sound occurred then. I did not see anything unusual at first, although the slightest movement happened. The parts of Gabe’s body drifted together and began to fuse.
“Oh, my God, yes,” I cried, watching as the broken form before me slowly regenerated. The magic I possessed accomplished this feat. “Oh, Gabe.”
With agonizing slowness, the process continued. The form of a man took shape again, the skin attaching and healing, the rough edges smoothing. His clothing hung from him in shreds. I waited for what felt like an hour before he healed completely, a naked man lying in the grass before me now, his skin pale in the moonlight. I shivered, chilled to the bone, but I could not leave Gabe, praying he might regain consciousness soon.
He opened his eyes a while later, and blinked. “Gabe?” I leaned over him, my hand on his chest, where I felt the beat of his heart. “Gabe?”
A soft groan left him. “Brie … ”
“You’re back!” I cried, hugging him. “Oh, thank God!”
“I’m freezing.”
“I know. I am too.”
“Where’s Thorn?”
“In pieces over there.”
“I feel … different. I shouldn’t be cold, honey.”
“I think you’re human now. I’m sorry, but it was the only way to save you.” He had not given me permission to do this to him yet, the man wanting to wait until the threat of Thorn passed. I eyed the bloody remains of the vampire, smelling the noxious blood all around, mixed with damp earth. He could not possibly survive that, could he?
Gabe sat up, and glanced at his clothing, which hung in shreds. Eyeing his anatomy, a crooked smile appeared. “Well, look at that.”
“I’m trying not to,” I giggled.
“You might be right about me being human.”
“Are you mad at me?”
“Are you kidding? No, honey.” He glanced at Thorn. “He’s done. The sun will burn the parts up. There won’t be anything left but ash.” His attention lingered on me. “You ruined your dress.”
“I don’t care.”
He touched my face. “Thank you, Brie.”
“I hardly did anything. It was all Suzie. She’s the one who made this possible.”
His lips brushed mine, his breath warm against my skin. “You are one in the same, my love.”
I nodded. “But, I’m Brie. I might’ve been her in a past life, but I’m still me.”
“I know that.”
“We should get you some clothes. I want to go home.”
“My car’s in the parking lot. I’ve no idea where the keys are. They were in my jacket, but … the jacket’s shredded.”
“They must be around here somewhere. I left my purse at the school.”
He wrapped his arms around his chest. “Man, I’m cold. Haven’t felt this in a … long time.”
I smiled at that. “You’re going to have to get used to all those pesky human problems now.”
“I'm thirsty, hungry.”
“Yeah, that.”
“And I want to kiss you, bad.” A crooked smile appeared.
“You need a shower, buddy. So do I.” I glanced at the grass beneath my feet, seeing nothing other than smelly vampire parts and weeds. “This is gonna be impossible. Where are those keys?” Something glinted in the distance. “What is that?” I ran to where I saw the flicker, seeing a small bunch of keys floating a few inches above the ground. Grasping them, I giggled, “Yes! Got it. Let’s go!” I adored my supernatural powers, although they might not last much longer.
Far later than it should be, Gabe dropped me off at the house, where I found my mother asleep on the sofa before the TV. I hurried to shower, saddened by the fact that my dress was ruined, the fabric on the sleeve torn and the rest stained with grass and dirt. I glanced at myself in the mirror afterwards, not seeing a sing
le bruise or scratch, my skin perfect.
“There you are.” Mom appeared in the doorway, as I stood in the bathroom with a towel on. “I didn’t hear you come home.”
“I’m sorry we were so late.”
“How’d it go? Did you have a nice night?”
I beamed, so happy about everything, but I could not tell her any of the details. “Yes. It was … awesome.”
“I’m glad. I hope you and Gabe took pictures.”
“Um … Maven did. I really need a better phone, Mom.”
“I know. We’ll go to the store on Monday.” She yawned. “I’m going to sleep, honey. It’s late.”
“Night.”
“Goodnight.”
After she left, I donned a nightgown and slid between the sheets. A flash of light caught my notice through the window. I sprang from the bed to see Gabe’s Land Rover. Wanting to speak to him, I sprinted down the hallway and to the entranceway, where I flung open the door.
“Gabe!”
He grinned, appearing clean and showered, his hair damp. Wearing jeans and a jacket, he nodded. “You really went and did it, didn’t you?”
“What?”
“There ain’t nothin’ vampire about me anymore.”
“I saved your bacon,” I giggled.
“Speaking of bacon, I plan to eat a great deal of it from here on out.”
I laughed, and hugged him. “I’m glad. You’re not mad, are you?”
His arm around my back, he escorted me into the house, closing the door. “It’s cold outside, baby. You’ll catch your death.”
“I was just about to go to bed. Come with me.” I took his hand.
“That might be dangerous now.”
“Why?”
“Like I said. I’m not vampire anymore. My … body is well aware of the fact that … you’re female, and I’m incredibly attracted to you.”
“I’m incredibly attracted to you.” Our eyes met. “I think I like you even better like this, so much better.”
“I think I’m in big trouble.” Humor shone in his eyes. Smelling of freshly laundered clothing and spicy soap, he drew me to him. “I just wanted to see you one last time tonight before I watch the sunrise. I don’t plan on sleeping. A whole new world’s just opened up for me. I don’t want to miss one second of it.”
“We can watch it together. Please don’t go, Gabe. I can put on some coffee. We can talk.”
A hint of a smile appeared. “I’d like that. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Good.”
51
Despite not getting any sleep, I had never felt more alive. Gabe and I spent the rest of the night talking, trying to stay quiet enough not to wake my mother. The house smelled of freshly brewed coffee, which wafted up to the second floor. When mom came down, she eyed us quizzically.
“I didn’t know you were here, Gabe.” She wore her hair in a messy bun, her nightclothes hidden beneath a pink robe. “You’re up rather early.”
“We didn’t sleep.” I grinned. “The sunrise was spectacular.”
Gabe nodded, sipping coffee. “It’ll go down in the history books.”
Mom poured herself a cup, eyeing us over the rim. “I don’t recall giving you permission to have … men in your room … overnight.”
“We were mostly in the parlor and the kitchen. I’m almost twenty anyway.” I glanced at Gabe. “He’s a perfect gentleman. Maybe a little too perfect.” In daylight, with the sun in his eyes, small wrinkles lined his forehead. The flawlessness of his vampire-self was gone, but he looked so much more real to me now. I preferred him this way.
Mom sat at the table, and cleared her throat. “You are grownup. I’m not gonna argue that. What are you plans today?”
“The first day of the rest of my life.”
I laughed, “You sound like an inspirational quote, Gabe.”
“I feel inspired.”
“You two look way too happy for being up all night.”
“I’m gonna go soon. I’ve some decisions to make regarding the bar. It suited me before … those hours and things, but … everything’s different now. I might sell it.”
“Really?”
“I’ve properties all over I rarely see. I’m thinking about taking inventory of everything.”
“What properties?” asked mom.
“An apartment in New York City, one in San Francisco, houses in London, Washington DC, Chicago, and LA, to name a few.”
“Good Lord.”
“Some are rented, but some are just empty. I might want to sell a few.” He shrugged. “I want to take a road trip and just see everything.” He glanced at me. “Hope you want to tag along.”
“I’d like that.”
“Be my wingman?”
“Yes, Maverick,” I giggled, quoting the movie Top Gun.
“Okay,” said mom evenly. “You’re taking Brie on a road trip?”
“If that’s okay with you.”
“She has to decide what she’s doing. I honestly didn’t think she’d graduate. Not because you’re not capable, but … the mental health issues and stuff. I worried she wouldn’t even be here, to be honest.”
I had put my parents through hell. “I’m sorry, Mom.” A part of me worried what would happen after I lost my powers, or would I lose them? An inkling told me I had only a little bit of time left before I became the old Brie again. Would I be depressed?
Gabe reached across the table, and took my hand. “I’ve some things I need to do. I’m not going anywhere, Brie. You think about it. I’ve got to talk to Miller.”
We discussed how awkward it might be now that he was human, having to deal with Serena and Miller and the other vampires. “I know. You should go. I need to try to get some sleep.” I got to my feet. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
Mom watched us go, although she said nothing.
Gabe and I stood on the front porch, as the light of the day streamed down all around us, and the birds chirped noisily. He kissed my cheek, murmuring, “You look so beautiful in daylight.”
“So do you.”
“I look haggard and tired,” he chuckled.
“You do not.”
“Will you come by later?”
“To the bar?”
“Yeah.”
“Sure.”
“I’ve got a lot to get straightened out. Everything’s changed now.”
“Do you think you’ll be safe?”
“Why?”
“Among the other vampires. What if they attack you? You can’t defend yourself.”
“They’re asleep now. When I see them tonight, you’ll be with me.”
“I’m the backup plan?”
“You’re the only one with power now.”
“What if it goes away?”
“What if it doesn’t?”
“What do you mean?”
“Think about it. You’re immortal. I’m not. The tables have turned. I’m getting older now, but you’ll still be young and gorgeous.”
That sat poorly with me, but then I worried over my mental state, if I were to lose my powers. “I don’t know. I think Suzie did what she did to get even with Thorn.” I glanced at my ring. “If I take this off, that might be it.”
“But, until then, you can wake the dead.” He eyed me meaningfully.
“Yeah … ”
“Which is why I need to talk to everybody. I might not be the only vampire who’d like to be human.”
“Oh.” Now I understood.
He nodded. “You get it, right?”
“Yes.”
His eyes drifted over me. “I’ll see you later. Get some sleep.”
“You too. Coffee and sunshine alone won’t keep you awake. You’ll crash and burn later.”
His smile broadened. “It was all worth it.”
Maven came by a few hours later to give me back my purse and the jacket I left at the table last night. We stood in the foyer, Maven saying, “Why’d you disappear like that? What the heck, Brie? N
obody knew where you went, and you left your stuff.”
“It’s a lot to explain. Thanks for coming. Can you do me a favor?”
“What?”
“I need a ride to the Bad Bone. Mom’s going grocery shopping, and I promised Gabe I’d stop by.”
“He sleeps during the day.”
“Not anymore. He’s not a vampire anymore. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it on the ride over, okay?”
She shrugged. “Okay.”
“Let me tell mom. I’ll be right back.” When I returned, Maven drove me across town in an old Toyota. “There was a little bit of an incident last night. Thorn showed up.”
“Really?”
“And Gabe and I killed him for good. You’ll find his ashes in the field in the woods behind the school.”
“God, I had no idea. I just noticed you were missing, and then you didn’t come back.” We pulled into the parking lot of the Bad Bone, the bar already open. Motorcycles and cars littered the space. She glanced at me. “You should’ve said something.”
“I left my phone in my purse. I couldn’t. Look, it doesn’t matter. I’m just glad the bastard’s dead.” Stepping from the car, I smiled into the sun, excited to see Gabe again, yet it would be entirely different now that he was no longer a vampire.
Maven and I slipped inside the establishment a moment later, with smell of beer and cigarettes and the interior dimly lit. Clive stood behind the bar wiping a glass. His eyes strayed to us.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” he intoned. “Can I get you both Shirley Temples?”
“I’m here to see Gabe.”
“Of course. The newly minted Gabriel. You’ll find him in his office.”
“Thanks, Clive.” Maven and I headed down the hallway, and passed the restrooms before arriving at the door in question, which stood wide open. Gabe sat behind the desk with a phone to his ear.