It was the middle of the night for humans, which was the middle of the day for us. It astounded me some that I’d already acclimated to the time difference. I would have thought I’d be tired and sluggish for days after my conversion, but I’d felt fine from that very first night. It even felt natural being up all night long.
Hunter smiled as he watched me enjoying the twilight. “I can’t say I’m happy about everything that has transpired recently, but…you certainly are a sight to behold in the moonlight.”
I laughed as I grabbed his hand. “So are you.”
We walked at a human pace toward Hunter’s old home, the place where I’d first laid eyes on him. Just before the house, we ran into Rory and Cleo. The pair of ex-vampire hunters were among the first batch that Hunter had compelled. Rory was a wide man, a six-foot-five wall of solid muscle. Even still, I could probably bench-press him if I wanted. Cleo was the opposite. Long, lean, and dark as the night, she was lithe and swift. She vanished so quickly at times, I nearly thought her a ghost. They were sort of Hunter’s lieutenants now, helping him with everything and anything. They even saluted him when he came into view.
“Only three this time.” Rory bowed his head. His dark hair was cut close to the scalp; a thin white line ran parallel to his right eye. He’d had a close call once. Probably more than once, considering his line of work.
“Three is better than none,” Hunter said as Rory and Cleo fell into step behind us. Their heartbeats were low and smooth, untroubled. Whatever anxiety they might have once felt about our kind, they certainly didn’t feel it now. Glancing over his shoulder, Hunter asked, “Any trouble with these three?”
Cleo shook her head. “No, they believe they’re here for important intel. They’re just waiting for the lead hunter to arrive…Hunter.” Her mouth curved into a one-sided smirk. She had the kind of lips men fantasized about—so plump you’d almost think she’d had them cosmetically altered. Cleo wasn’t the type, though. Everything about her was natural. She wasn’t out to impress anybody. Her mission was her life, and now her mission was Hunter’s mission.
Hunter twisted back to the front and continued leading us to his old home. Some things had changed drastically since he’d last lived there. Some things were charmingly the same, like the effeminate salmon color of the walls. It appeared slightly darker at night, but it was still definitely pink. The familiarity brought a smile to my face, and I hoped the landlord never changed the color.
Halina arrived just as we reached the door. Gabriel was with her. She beamed at Hunter, but restrained herself from hugging him in front of the “troops.” Instead, she merely nodded at him, then opened the door for us all. Rory and Cleo rushed inside first, to calm and gather the new trio of hunters who were about to be brought into the fold. Hunter paused for a moment, listening to the greetings, then strode in. Not expecting a vampire in their midst, the hunters in the living room were slow to react. Their brief hesitation was all we needed. Calm as a summer day, Hunter told them. “Don’t move, don’t speak. I have something to tell you, and I want you to listen very carefully.”
Forty-five minutes later, we had three more eager volunteers ready to champion the cause for vampire rights. Hunter was very careful to stress that every precaution should still be taken when dealing with vampires, but now, vampires would be given a chance to prove their innocence and not just murdered unduly. It was a way to give vampires, like my family, a chance to live in peace. We wouldn’t be hunted simply because of what we were. We could relax…somewhat.
Once Hunter gave the new recruits the order to send any “uninformed” friends our way, we were free to leave. Halina gave Hunter a sad look as he told her goodbye. Even though she tried to hide it as she repeated his sentiment, I could see the longing in her eyes. Hunter had been spending all his time with me. That had to be hard on her, since they were bonded, too.
Since it was still early in the day for us, we took a long, slow walk around the city. I’d never remembered Salt Lake being so beautiful, or Hunter being more at peace. He was finally okay with what he was, and with what I was.
Whether planned or by force of habit, we ended up at the library before long. We walked up the sloping ramp to the rooftop garden. Being amid the plush green grasses and slumbering flowers was soothing. Sitting on a railing, we looked out over the twinkling lights of the city spread out around us. While I’d been taught to not get too attached to a place, since my life would be a constant juggling act of lies and movement, I thought Salt Lake would always have a place in my heart. Different by Nature, just like me.
Hunter grabbed my hand and stroked my fingers. Our bond was calm and quiet since we were together. Everything was calm and quiet. Remembering something that I’d grabbed for Hunter a few nights ago, before everything in my life had changed, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small wooden puzzle box.
When I handed it to Hunter, his eyes widened. “How did you…?” He couldn’t finish his question in his confusion.
My grin was enormous as I watched him finger the contraption. “It was in your jacket, in that old man’s house. By the look on your face when you’d told me your dad had bugged it, I figured it was important to you.” Pointing at the side of it, I added, “I took the tracker out, by the way.”
Hunter stared at me, dumbfounded. “You figured out how to open it?”
Laughing a little, I grabbed it back. Simultaneously pressing on two smooth wooden sections, I popped it open. “Wasn’t so hard.” Truth was, it had been a little tricky, and I’d nearly smashed the stupid box against the wall, but the stunned look on Hunter’s face was priceless, so I didn’t mention that.
Hunter gingerly took the box back. The inside was lined with velvet, and the only thing that I had found inside—besides the tracker—was a picture and a ring. The picture was obviously of Hunter and his family, back when he and his sister were younger and his mother was still alive. They’d all looked so happy and normal, but even back then they’d been hunters, born and bred. Hunter removed the photo, smiling at the family members he’d lost. “My sister was twelve in this picture. She was given her first stake a few weeks later…” He sighed and shook his head. “Odd how much things change. Dad asked me what she’d think of me now. Sometimes I wonder the same thing.”
I ran my hand up and down his arm. “She’d see that you were doing the right thing, and she’d be very proud of you.” I kissed his shoulder. “I’m very proud of you.” He smiled down at me, and I pointed to the ring in the box. “Is that your mother’s?”
Nodding, Hunter replaced the photo and pulled out the golden circle with a small, modest diamond solitaire attached to it. “Her wedding ring. Her first one anyway. Mom and Dad didn’t have much in the beginning, doing what they did for a living. Dad eventually gave her a nicer one, but this simple one was always her favorite. Evangeline took it once Mom died. Now that she’s dead, too…I guess it’s mine.”
I folded his fingers around the ring. “It’s beautiful.”
Hunter grinned at me. “Maybe I’ll give it to you one day? When you’re older, of course.” He laughed, and I playfully pushed him away from me.
“Maybe someday I’ll agree to wear it…when I’m older, and ready to settle down with one man.”
I gave him a teasing smile, and he pursed his lips in feigned displeasure. “Mmmm hmmm.”
Laughing, I leaned into his side. Hunter fingered his mother’s jewelry, then lovingly put it back into the box, and back into his pocket. “Thank you for saving these for me. It means a lot.”
I exhaled in contentment. “I know. You’re welcome.”
After a peaceful, quiet moment, Hunter whispered, “Are you hungry? We could get you some more to eat.”
Even though I’d downed a huge glass of blood almost the instant I’d woken up, I was hungry again, almost on the edge of starving. That was a side effect of being a newborn. It didn’t control me, though. I controlled me.
Resting my head on his firm shoul
der, I murmured, “Yes, I need to eat again, but I don’t want to leave just yet. It’s too perfect here. With you.”
I could feel Hunter chuckle, then felt him kiss my head. “Whatever you want, Nika. Whatever you want.”
We stayed there longer than I’d anticipated, just enjoying the still night, the hard-earned freedom we’d won, and each other’s comforting company. When only a few hours remained in our day, Hunter stood. With hardly any effort at all, he swept me into his arms. I laughed as I curled my arms around his neck. “If we stay here ‘til sunrise, you’ll starve to death.”
I laughed a little harder. “And we’ll both fry to a crisp.”
His smile faltered, and I hurriedly gave him a soft peck. “I’m fine with my life.”
His smile returned, although, not as bright as before. Keeping me cradled in his curved arms, he jetted off for my house. If I was going to eat, I preferred to do it from a steaming thermos like the rest of my family. Attacking cattle and wayward animals wasn’t my style. And humans…no…I didn’t ever want to bite a human. My teeth were reserved for Hunter, and Hunter alone.
Like we hadn’t made love again yet, we also hadn’t shared blood again either. I wanted to, but Hunter insisted we should wait until I was stronger. Personally, I thought I was plenty strong enough to handle him drinking from me, and now that the mild concern of Hunter possibly killing me was off the table, I couldn’t wait to try it again. But I knew feeding like that made him slightly uncomfortable still, so I didn’t push him on the matter.
Like a perfect gentleman, Hunter escorted me into my home, made sure I got something to eat, then twisted to leave me once I was finished with my meal. I grabbed his arm before the bond even had a chance to kick in. “And where do you think you’re going? It’s a couple of hours before daylight.”
Hunter grinned as he wrapped his arms around me, then he sighed. “You saw Halina. She misses me, and, truth be told, I miss her too. Our bond isn’t as strong as this…” he squeezed me for emphasis, “…but it’s still there.” When he pulled back, guilt was clear on his face. “I’m sorry, but I’d like to spend some time with my sire.”
Smiling, I shook my head. “You don’t have to be sorry for that, remember. I’m used to this world, and I understand how it works. What you and my grandmother have is special, and I won’t get in the way of it. If you need to go see her, then go. I’ll be fine here with my family.”
Peace smoothed his features. “Okay…I’ll miss you, though. So much, I think it will physically hurt me.”
I patted his chest, where the ache between us when we were apart was the greatest. “It will physically hurt you. Me too.” I sighed contently, loving him with every fiber of my being.
He kissed me. “Okay.” He kissed me again. “Okay, I’m leaving now.” He didn’t move, just kissed me again. “Okay, for real now, I’m leaving.” Again, he didn’t move, and once he realized he hadn’t, he laughed. “Hmm…you may need to help me, or this could go on for the rest of the night.”
I forcefully turned him around, pushed him to the entryway, then shoved him away from me. A shiver of discomfort rippled through my soul. I ignored it, and waved goodbye to him. Hunter nodded, inhaled a deep breath, then walked out the door with halting, jerky movements. As he streaked away from me, the ripples grew into waves that cruelly bashed against my heart with merciless abandon. I stomached the sensation, and closed the door on my love and the last few shadows of the night.
Twisting around, I debated going upstairs to my bedroom to read for a bit, or going straight to my hidey-hole beneath the earth. My new bedroom was originally put in for Halina, so she’d have a place to sleep if she was in town and wanted to stay the night. I’d taken it over since my conversion. It wasn’t nearly as nice as the below-ground halls at the ranch, but it blocked out the sun, and that was really all that mattered.
The entrance to it was buried in the hall closet under the stairs. I had to weasel my way past winter jackets every night to go to bed. But secrecy was ingrained in us, and even if things were drifting toward peace, we relied on our clandestine ways to keep our existence a secret.
I was just cursing my family for having way too many clothes when I heard my brother’s voice drifting down the stairs. “Can I talk to you a second, Nick?”
Wondering what Julian was doing awake, I shifted to head up to his room. When I got there, he was sitting up in his bed, rubbing his eyes. He was dressed in his typical pajamas—a black T-shirt and gray lounge pants. His hair was adorably tousled. Arianna would be all over him if she could see him right now. I wondered if she knew about me, and if so, why she hadn’t called me yet. I’d been too preoccupied adjusting to my new life, and this crazy, intense attraction to Hunter to call her. That made me feel pretty crappy. I was being a bad friend. I made a mental note to call her tomorrow night.
Sitting beside Julian, I smiled and asked, “Why are you up so early?”
I expected him to smile in return, but he stared down at his lap, a slight frown on his face. “I…uh…wanted to talk to you in private. I’ve been wanting to all week.”
Now I frowned. “Oh? What about?”
For some reason, dread filled my belly. It amplified along with Julian’s dour expression. “School…”
I blinked in surprise. By his face, I’d expected something much more sinister. Julian peeked up at me. “You know, what the kids and teachers think happened to you.”
Wondering what he was getting at, I said, “Dad already told me. For now, most of the student body thinks I decided to go back to homeschooling to finish out high school.” And then, after Julian graduated, the memory of both of us would be blurred from the students and staff. It was what my family had done for my father, although, it was going to be much trickier with us, since the school population was so much bigger than when Dad was in school. It wouldn’t matter too much, though. The natural aging process would erase us from the minds of the people Halina couldn’t get to.
Julian bit his lip and started working it between his teeth. I nearly expected him to gnaw through the tender flesh. “What?” I asked, a little irritated that I couldn’t sense what he was feeling right now.
Sighing, he released his mouth. “It’s not really about school. It’s about…Arianna.”
My spine tingled. Why hadn’t she called or come over yet? “I’ve been worried about her. Is she okay? She must still be in shock over what happened.” A thought occurred to me, and I let out a weary exhale. “Is she scared of me now that I’m a pureblood? I know Halina and Hunter kind of freak her out. Is that why she’s staying away? Why she hasn’t called?”
Julian snapped his head away from me, but not before I saw his eyes start to water. The emptiness in my soul where his emotions should have been assaulted me with painful silence. “Julian…where’s Arianna?”
He looked back at me with a hard swallow. “She’s gone, Nick. Grandma erased her…she took everything.”
I shot off the bed like he’d just lit it on fire; his tired eyes only watched me. “What? No, she wouldn’t do that! Arianna is your girlfriend. My best friend. She wouldn’t do that to us!”
His sad eyes lost focus as he stared behind me. “She did. I watched her. Arianna had a breakdown after what happened to you. She freaked out, broke up with me, told her parents everything.” His eyes refocused on mine. “Grandma…was on edge, I think. She wiped her clean, just like she promised me she would.”
I collapsed on the bed, no longer able to stand. “I can’t…no…she has to remember…”
Julian put his hand over mine. “She doesn’t. I see her every day at school, and she has no clue who I am. None of our friends remember us being together either. It’s like the last few months never existed. Like I’d just been dreaming them…”
He choked on his words, and I put aside my pain to focus on Julian’s. He loved her, and she didn’t know him. I couldn’t even imagine how much he hurt, and it felt a little selfish, but for the first time, I was re
motely happy that I couldn’t feel it. Sympathy for him weighed down my spirit. “Julie…I’m so sorry. Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
He sniffed and looked at his lap again. “I told them not to. I wanted to be the one to tell you. I wanted to tell you right away, but…I couldn’t talk about it, and you had so much on your plate already.”
“You should have told me. No matter what is happening to me, I want to know what you’re going through.” I sighed. “Especially now that we can’t feel each other. Talking is all we have now.” Julian nodded, but didn’t comment.
I rubbed his back while we sat in silence. My vision hazed with red tears as I remembered all the times that I’d had with my quirky human friend, times that she didn’t remember now. “I can’t believe she’s gone. I never got a chance to say goodbye.”
Julian straightened and looked over at me. Wearing our grandmother’s confidence, he told me, “I’m going to win her back, Nick. She might not remember me, or what we were, or what we had, but I know she’s still attracted to me.” He gave me a sly yet determined smile. “I don’t care how long it takes, but I’m going to make her fall in love with me again. She’ll love both of us again.”
He seemed so sure of that, and I believed him. But still, love didn’t guarantee that we wouldn’t lose her. “Won’t she just freak out again…and won’t Grandma just wipe her again?”
Julian shook his head. “With what Hunter has been doing, we shouldn’t be chased and shot at anymore…I hope. That was what freaked her out, not what we are. I mean, you had just died…she was overwhelmed. Grandma shouldn’t have wiped her so fast. She should have given her time to adjust.”
He nodded with even more conviction. “That’s what I’ll do differently. I’ll give her time to adjust. I’ll go so slowly with her, we’ll make snails look fast.” He grabbed one of my hands with both of his. “I’m not giving up, so don’t worry, okay. I’m going to fix this. I promise.”
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