Summer Shifter Days

by V. Vaughn

  The vampire version of Sebastian hisses at me. "Stay here."

  "I— " The door slams so hard the limo shudders, and Sebastian is gone. "What the hell is going on?"

  Adly turns back to gaze at me.

  "Nothing for you to worry about, Miss Kane. Why don't you amuse yourself with the DVD player."

  I just found an unconscious and possibly dead Lyndsey and saved her life with Sebastian's blood. Apparently, it made him angry. Adly thinks Sebastian tossing me into the car to wait for him is a normal occurrence, and I should watch a movie to pass the time? I shake my head. "I don't think so." I move toward the door, but as soon as I put my fingers on the handle, the automatic locks click. "Hey!"

  "Sorry, miss. I can't let you leave."

  "But— "

  He tsks at me. Tsks! As though I'm a small child being naughty.

  I lean back in my seat and cross my arms. I have no idea what just happened, but Sebastian better be prepared for an earful when he gets back.

  9

  Lyndsey

  My coughing wracks my body, and I try to inhale, but no matter how much I breathe in, I don't feel the satisfaction of oxygen flooding my heart. My mouth is full of a metallic flavor, and once my choking subsides, I spit to try to clear it. I glance around as I get my bearings and discover I'm behind a building. The sour odor of a dumpster is strong. I could have sworn I heard Kitty's voice, but nobody is here.

  Wood is rough on my palms as I push on it to stand up, and I realize I'm on the pier by the restaurant where I followed Kitty earlier. The wind seems unusually loud as it moves past me. I look down at the water below the pier because it sounds as if it's crashing against the pillars, but I find it's only gentle waves. My hearing is as though someone turned up the volume, and the flood of strong odors filling my nose makes me think that sense has been heightened too. I feel the back of my head for a lump as I wonder if I have a concussion, but I find nothing.

  I try to piece together how I got here. And as my head clears, I remember walking with Liam, the hot bartender. He tried to kiss—

  Searing pain comes to my mind. He bit me! I reach up and touch my neck, but it feels normal. I frantically slide the fingers of both my hands over my neck and shoulders, but I can't find any tenderness. Did I imagine it?

  "Lyndsey."

  I turn to the voice of Kitty's manager. "Sebastian?"

  "You need to come with me."

  I frown. "Why? What's going on?"

  He grabs my arm and tugs me beside him as he begins to walk. "I'll explain later. First we need to get you someplace safe."

  I recall that I thought Liam bit me, but I'm not crazy enough to mention it to this man, so I ask, "Am I in danger? How did I end up out here all alone?"

  Sebastian stops suddenly, and his arm slinks around my waist to pull me tight against his body.

  "What do you think you're— " A scent captures my attention, and the intensity stops me cold. It's what I imagine shooting up heroin must feel like, because I'm overcome with a strong desire to follow it. I inhale long and deeply. I want to devour it. I glance at the two people who just emerged from the restaurant, and my mind fills with an urge that comes from every cell of my being as I realize they are the source of the odor. Blood. Devour them.

  My body reacts involuntarily as I lunge toward them, but Sebastian's strong arm holds me back. "Let me go," I say, and it shocks me that it came out like a hiss. I thrash to get away, and when that doesn't work, I dig my nails into his arms to cause pain. I open my jaw with the intention of biting him, and my gums begin to ache. I lick at my canines, which feel huge under my tongue. And sharp. I have fangs?

  "You must fight the urge, Lyndsey. They are people."

  "No shit. That's why I want to— " Oh my god! I'm lusting after their blood like a vampire. Ice fills my veins, and at the same time, I let out a frustrated scream because I can't get what I want. And oh, do I want it. I'm quickly muffled by Sebastian's hand.

  He lets out a sigh as he backs us farther into the shadows. "You're a vampire now."

  A vampire? My body goes numb, and I stop fighting to get free. He can't be serious. Vampires don't really exist. But neither does a regular person wanting to devour another. I was bitten by Liam. Shit. He must have been a vampire. I recall his interesting eyes and pale skin like Sebastian's. My stomach cramps up, and I moan as my intestines gurgle with distress.

  Sebastian removes his hand from my mouth. "You're going to need a bathroom to get the food out of your body, but I can't let you go inside the restaurant."

  I double over with the pain and need to rid my body of waste. "I don't think I can hold it."

  Sebastian scoops me up and jumps off the pier toward a lower dock. He lands with the agility of a cat when it should have hurt, and he rushes me onto a sailboat and into the galley. There is a tiny bathroom, and I manage to get my jeans off just in time. The relief is immediate.

  When I'm done, I spend a little time pulling myself together. The bathroom is dimly lit with a nightlight, but I can make out my face in the mirror, and it appears to be more chiseled. I wonder if my eyes are different too. I step out and find Sebastian waiting for me on the couch. He turned on what appears to be a battery-operated lantern, and he says, "That will happen every time you eat food. Eventually, you'll stop wanting it."

  I glance down at my hands, but in the nearly dark galley, it's hard to see much. "Am I really a vampire?" I don't need an answer. The craving for blood I just experienced made it pretty clear. I glance at Sebastian as tears burn in my eyes. "I don't want to be." I manage to hold off on whimpering like a child. Barely.

  "No. It's not a highly sought-after state, and rightfully so."

  I sink down on the couch next to him and turn so I can see his face. My mind is racing with so many questions, and I ask, "Why me?"

  "When Kitty found you unconscious and not breathing, she gave you vampire blood with the hope she could save your life. If you hadn't been dead already, she would have."

  "I was dead?" A hot tear rolls down my cheek, but I don't care if I'm crying. "How did I die?" I recall my memory of Liam biting me. "Liam?"

  "Yes."

  Bastard! I should have known he was too good to be true. And those eyes. I gaze at a similar version and ask, "You're a vampire too?"

  Sebastian nods. Pieces of the puzzle I've been trying to solve begin to fall into place. My weakness, exhaustion, and thirst are symptoms of massive blood loss. I think about how Sebastian and Liam are strikingly handsome and wonder if that's a vampire trait too. "Is Kitty?"

  He shakes his head. "No."

  "But vampires did feed on me and my friends the other night."

  "Yes."

  Damn it, this man is frustrating with his one-word answers. "And another one, Liam, did tonight, but he went too far for me to stay alive."

  "Correct."

  I died. But I'm no longer dead. I'm a fucking vampire! What the hell am I supposed to do now? A hunger that isn't for food fills me, and I lick my lips as my canines extend. I need blood. I stand up. "I have to get out of here."

  Before I can get to the ladder, Sebastian appears in front of me with inhuman speed. He says, "I can't let you do that. You're a new vampire and out of control with your bloodlust. You need training in order to survive."

  The burning desire for blood has flooded my mind, and I imagine what would happen if Sebastian weren't in my way. I want to tear into a person's neck as if I'm digging into a juicy steak. I try to shake the urge and imagine my friend Aiden is the person. Oh my god! I cover my face with my hands as the burn of shame fills me, and I push the urge to feed out of the way. I have no doubt I'd suck him dry and kill one of my best friends. I can't let that happen. I drop my hands, and my vision is blurry as I gaze at Sebastian through my tears. "I'm a monster."

  "Yes. Right now, you are, but you don't have to be." He holds his hand out to me. "I can help you."

  I don't want to go with a man I just met tonight, no matter how nice h
e appears to be or how much I need to trust him. But then I think about how I can't go to work, surf with people, or hang out with my friends, because I'd be filled with the urge to drink their blood. Hell, I'm not safe around anyone. I don't want to live the rest of my life that way. Life. "Is it true I'll live— be undead, or whatever— forever?"

  Sebastian drops his hand by his side. "Not forever, but your body will be preserved and exist at your current age for hundreds of years."

  I inhale deeply and notice that my lungs fill up and deflate when I blow it out, but I know it's not a necessary function since my heart isn't beating, and I wonder if I'll eventually stop breathing. It hits me I've just lost everything I care about, because even if I find a way to control myself around my friends, how will I keep my secret? They'll age, and I won't. I think about another legendary vampire trait and then remember Liam saying he preferred to go out at night. I ask, "Is it also true that I can't be in sunlight?"

  "Yes."

  I let out a groan and try to recall the memory of sun on my face. The odor of sunscreen, and the salty flavor of ocean water on my lips. Now I do let out a childlike whimper, because how will I surf? It morphs into a chuckle when I realize that I couldn't surf if I were dead either. Anger quickly takes hold, and I wonder how the hell I'm going to survive my roller coaster of emotions racing out of control. "This is some fine fucking way to live. Huh?"

  Sebastian holds out his hand again. "It gets better. Let me help you, Lyndsey."

  Part of me wishes I did die tonight, because I haven't got a choice. I take Sebastian's hand, and as he wraps his fingers around mine, I hang on tight. I should have died tonight, but I was given a second chance, and I have every intention of taking it.

  10

  Maggie

  During my wait in the limo for Sebastian to return, which felt like hours, I went many places in my mind with what might have happened to Lyndsey. And at the moment, I'm wondering if he had another vampire kill her to keep her from asking more questions.

  My phone rings with a call from Sebastian. I answer, prepared to let him have it, but before I get more than hello out, he says, "Margaret. Lyndsey is fine due to your quick thinking. I'm going to stay with her overnight to be sure she doesn't suffer a setback since we can't take her to the hospital and explain the vampire blood in her system."

  I let out a long breath as my anger subsides, and I chide myself for my active imagination thinking the worst. "That's a relief, but why did you make me leave? I could have helped."

  "These situations can be tricky. One never knows how an individual will react to vampire blood, and I didn't want you to be in danger." He pauses for a moment and lets out a small sigh before he says, "I'm very sorry to do this to you, but you're going to have to go to Boston without me tonight."

  Before I realize how selfish I'm being, I ask, "You'll be there in time for the signing tomorrow night, right?"

  "Of course. Adly will get you checked in. Feel free to help yourself to any of the amenities."

  "Okay," I say. "Sure. Tell Lyndsey I hope she feels better soon."

  "I will."

  "Wait. What does she think happened?"

  "Don't worry about that, Margaret. I've got it all under control."

  "But— "

  "Goodbye." He hangs up before I can get any more information, and when I hear Adly begin to speak in his phone, I know Sebastian is giving him orders to take me to Boston alone.

  I think about what Sebastian might be referring to when he said that Lyndsey's reaction to vampire blood could be dangerous. I recall how she came back to life, choking, and shoved me out of her way. I thought she was panicked to breathe, but what if Lyndsey was angry? Does drinking vampire blood cause rage? Is that why Sebastian was afraid she'd hurt me?

  Sebastian gave me a vial of his blood in case I needed it. What if I'd had a heart attack, taken it, and then let loose on everyone around me? A vision of me thrashing around and acting like a wildcat makes me shake my head, and I chuckle at myself for getting carried away. But he did think being around Lyndsey was too dangerous for me, and I'm dying of curiosity.

  I yawn and slouch down in my seat as exhaustion begins to settle in. I've had a long day topped off with alcohol, and I'll be glad to go to bed tonight. It seems as if it were weeks ago that I was binge-eating my sorrows away over Alexander leaving, but it was only this morning. I grab my phone to see if he has replied to me yet. When I find nothing, I scowl, and anger simmers in me. I hit Call.

  I get his voicemail and say, "You can't avoid me forever, Alexander. I know Sebastian sent you away, and I'm sure you have your reasons for letting him. But earlier today, he gave me a vial of his blood for emergencies and told me I needed to take it if I wanted to see you again. We will be together again. I'm sure of it." I pause as tears fill my eyes. "Please call me. I'd really like to hear your voice." I hit End as a tear rolls down my cheek.

  I clutch my phone to my chest and imagine Alexander listening to my message. I let myself believe he's sad too and tempted to call me. I envision him struggling between the need to stay away and his desire to be with me. When my phone vibrates, I nearly jump out of my skin, and I see it's Alexander. A rush of love for him stuns me.

  "Y-You called."

  "Maggie." His voice is delicious, like melted chocolate as it wraps around me, and I have to make myself focus on his words. "I'm sorry I've been distant, but it's for the best."

  "That can't be true. How can splitting up true-mate lovers be for the best?"

  He lets out a huff of air. "I can't discuss it. I shouldn't have called, but I wanted to hear your voice too. Tell me about your first book signing."

  I have so many questions for him about why he's gone, but I'm afraid he'll hang up if I ask them, so I say, "It was wonderful. I was surprised at how many women love Kitty's book and it was really fun to talk to them. Although my hand started to cramp up after signing for a while. I might need a workout program for my fingers." He chuckles, and his laughter makes me smile. I ask, "How's the movie business?"

  "That's going well too. Except for the diva actress we hired. Oh boy." He goes on to tell me about the spoiled brat and her antics, and while I hear the story, I focus on the sound of his voice to commit it to memory.

  When he's done, I say, "I miss you so much, Alexander."

  "I know. I'm glad to hear your first day as Kitty went well."

  "Thanks."

  I hear voices in the background of his call, and he says, "I need to go now, my love."

  I don't want Alexander to hang up yet, so I blurt out, "I saved someone's life today."

  "You did? Hold on." He must have muted me, because I no longer hear background noise. When he comes back, he asks, "What happened?"

  "It was crazy. Remember Lyndsey? Well, I found her unconscious behind a restaurant, and the vial of blood Sebastian gave me to use in case I had a heart attack came in handy."

  "Maggie!" He speaks quickly. "Where was Sebastian? You— Tell me happened."

  "He was trying to get a phone signal to call 9-1-1 when I did it. I'm pretty sure Lyndsey was seconds away from death since she didn't have a pulse, but as soon as I poured the blood down her throat, she sat up and started to choke."

  "And now she's okay?"

  "I think so. At least that's what Sebastian said. You know how he is. He whisked me away to the limo so I wouldn't be in danger."

  "Good. He was right to do that. Where are you now? And where is Sebastian?" There's a note of desperation in his voice that makes me happy he’s so concerned about me.

  "I'm in the limo on my way to Boston, and your brother is watching over Lyndsey to make sure she's okay. He's meeting me tomorrow."

  "Do not go anywhere without Adly until Sebastian arrives. And you stay in the hotel room all night. Do you hear me?"

  His voice is stern now, and it scares me. I ask, "What aren't you and Sebastian telling me? Why am I in danger?"

  "Drinking vampire blood makes— well— it's tricky."


  "Tricky how? You're as bad as Sebastian with the secrets. Tell me what's going on."

  "Maggie, I'm sure Sebastian has everything under control and you're safe. But I love you, and it makes me worry."

  His words make my chest swell with happiness. "I love you too, Alexander. I'll be good. I promise."

  "Thank you. I'm sorry, but I really do have to go. Bye, my love."

  "Goodbye." He clicks off before I do. I close my eyes and replay his voice in my head like a favorite song. I still have so many questions about why Alexander was sent away, and I wonder when I might see him again. His phone call reinforced what I knew. He loves me, and we're meant to be together.

  Alexander's reaction to what I did for Lyndsey makes me even more curious about the dangers of drinking vampire blood, and I feel as if I have valuable information to sort through to figure out the truth. But I'm tired, and right now I'd rather hold my conversation with the man I love close. I can't help the flicker of fear that threatens to grow in me, and the plastic of my phone is hard on my fingers when I squeeze it tight as if it's my connection to Alexander and I never want it to slip away.

  11

  Lyndsey

  Sebastian drives us in my car back to Port Porpoise, and I fidget the whole way. Every single emotion I have is multiplied in intensity with my new vampire state, and I imagine it must be what it's like to go crazy. Even the hum of the car engine is irritating me. "I feel strung out," I say to Sebastian.

  "I know. It's overwhelming at first, but you will get used to it. Right now, everything is heightened because you're coming from the muted version of your senses as a human. But soon you'll wonder how you enjoyed life without the sensitivity we have."

  I'm hungry. I think. Because my stomach doesn't feel empty, but my body is craving energy. Considering my intestinal problem earlier, I know eating isn't a good idea. What I really need is— "What about food? Does it taste really good?"