Darlings of Paranormal Romance (Anthology)

by Chrissy Peebles

  "Tessa."

  Tessa turned, spotting her friends, Jill and Catherine, on the other side of the street. They studied the traffic, then ran across. Idiots. Both of them. They could die doing that.

  She grinned as they surrounded her. Jill was tiny, dark and on the plump side. She stared at Tessa, her mouth hanging open. Catherine, blonder with shoulder length curls, gasped. "Oh my gosh, it is you!"

  "Look at your hair. It's gorgeous." Both girls reached out to touch her waist-length hair.

  "Really? You aren't just saying that to be nice?" she asked shyly.

  Catherine moaned. "No way. You look great. How did you get it that color? It's so cool. You know what you should do now – get a suntan. A honey-nut tan and wow!"

  Tessa beamed. At least they liked her new look. She held out her fingers. "What do you think about my nails?"

  "Ohh." The three girls fell into a full-on fashion discussion as they completed the walk to the mall.

  "So, did you hear about Dane and Tami?" Catherine always had the latest gossip.

  Tessa lit up. Dane and his on-again, off-again girlfriend kept everyone entertained. "No. What?"

  "They had a huge fight right at the movie theater. They were actually asked to leave the building."

  "That bad? Oh my." She giggled. Tami was a drama queen extraordinaire. Dane, on the other hand, was king of the football field. He liked his girlfriends gorgeous and stupid. They both liked to be the center of attention. It had appeared to be a match made in heaven.

  "That's so normal for them. They'll kiss and make up again. They always do." Catherine snickered.

  Jill glanced over at the other two girls. Words burst from her mouth in a high squeaky voice. "Kurt called me last night."

  "What?" Squeals erupted as the trio stopped in the middle of the length of sidewalk.

  "Spill. Every little detail. Now!"

  As the story unfolded, Tessa found herself overjoyed her friend had been asked out – but inside a small kernel of envy reared its ugly head. She was the only one of the three who couldn't attract any interest from a guy. Was she so ugly? So yucky?

  She peered at her reflection in the big window of the clothing store beside them. Her hair helped her stand out, but everything else appeared normal. Too normal. Nothing special or attractive about her. Obviously nothing that attracted human males. She frowned at herself.

  "Stop doing that." Catherine smacked her lightly on her shoulder. "You look great. What I wouldn't do to have those cheekbones."

  "Not to mention those witchy eyes. Your white skin and green eyes… absolute dynamite," Jill added enviously.

  "Right," Tessa scoffed. "Then why don't I have any guys hanging around me?"

  "You probably intimidate them."

  Tessa gave Jill a sidelong look. She was kidding, right? Her?

  Five-foot-nine in her stocking feet and boyishly slim. Intimidate the guys? Not likely. Or maybe it would embarrass them to be seen with her? Yeah, that was closer.

  "Shh. Look who's coming."

  Tessa twisted around.

  "Don't look!" Catherine's horror had Tessa turning back again without catching a glimpse of who approached.

  "What? Who?" After a moment Tessa added, trying to look around surreptitiously, "And where?"

  "Behind you. Shh."

  Tessa checked out the reflection in the glass display cases beside her to see who was behind her. She stiffened. Oh, no. Her stomach jumped with nerves.

  "Hi, Catherine, Jill."

  Tessa stared at Catherine, her eyes widening in panic. She slowly turned. "Hi, Jared."

  Jared started, his shock turned to gleaming appreciation as he studied her. He was slightly taller than Tessa and his gorgeous brown curls hung down his forehead. Her heart sighed happily.

  "Ohh. Wow. I didn't recognize you there for a second," he said warmly. "Wild hair."

  Really? How sweet.

  "Doesn't it look awesome on her?" Catherine studied Tessa's white tresses enviously. "I wish I had long hair."

  "No, you don't," said Jill. "Your short curls look great." She turned to Jared. "We don't usually see you here."

  "Nah. I had to pick up some school supplies. Can you believe in only a couple of weeks we'll be back in session?"

  Everyone groaned.

  Jill pounced on him. "Remember that unwritten rule that you're not allowed to mention school when it's summer vacation?"

  "Sorry." He grinned that lopsided grin that sent Tessa's heart pumping at a crazy rate. Damn, he was cute. "I'm going to see Night Stalker tonight. Any of you girls want to join me? I mean us, Billy and Zack will be going, too."

  The three girls exchanged quick glances. Tessa desperately wanted to say yes, but only if one of the other two would go with her. She compromised. "I might be able to go. What about you, Catherine? Jill?"

  Jill smiled shyly. "I've got other plans." Right, she had a date with Kurt.

  "Catherine?" Tessa sent her a hopeful glance. Maybe she'd go? Please let her say yes.

  Catherine glanced at Jared. "I might. I dunno. What time?"

  "It starts at 7:30. We're meeting around the corner from here just after 7:00."

  Tessa glanced down at her watch. Almost four o'clock now. So in three hours. Catherine opened her mouth. Tessa held her breath. "Oh what the heck." Catherine rolling her eyes at Tessa. "Sure, why not?"

  Tessa could have kissed her. Jumping jacks bounced in her stomach before they raced up and down her nerves.

  Jared's smile lit up the area. "Hey, that's great. I'll meet you both in a couple of hours. I'll go finish my shopping for you-know-what now. Talk to you later."

  He gave a small wave and walked away. The three girls watched in silence until he disappeared.

  "It's okay, Tessa. You can breathe now." Catherine grinned at her.

  Tessa's exhale whooshed out in a noisy gust. "I was so afraid you'd say no."

  "Oh, I got that message. So now on to something really important. What are we going to wear?" With Catherine's words, the girls got down to the serious business of deciding on the right clothes.

  ***

  Tessa panicked as she scrambled through her closet. There was no other way to describe it. She couldn't figure out what to wear. Five outfits later, she'd texted Catherine. Catherine had chosen jeans and a T-shirt. Comfortable in her skin, Catherine wasn't even going to dress up.

  "Oh, no. Now what do I do?" Tessa looked at her jeans and T-shirts. And hated everything. Okay, this wasn't exactly a date…but her nerves couldn't be convinced otherwise.

  So what about her worked? Jared liked her hair. So, white hair and white jeans? Black cami shirt with a little white lace? Or would that be too much white and black?

  Once dressed, she realized it was too much white. She quickly switched for black jeans and a white belt. Groaning, Tessa flopped backwards onto the bed. Using her cell phone, she clicked a picture and sent it to Catherine.

  She'd better say this is fine, because I'm out of time.

  Her phone vibrated as a text message came in.

  "Perfect." Tessa read out loud. She gave a fist pump in the year.

  Yeah. Now shoes. It was summer and hot – so sandals? She pulled out three pairs and frowned. Damn it, why couldn't she just get dressed and be done with it? Her phone rang again. Talk about being late. She slipping into the most comfortable pair, grabbed her purse and raced downstairs.

  Her family had gathered in the kitchen. David was getting ready to go out and Seth looked to be sleeping on his chair. Cody had disappeared. Good thing. He made her uncomfortable.

  She grinned. She'd be ready for bed in a few hours and they were just revving up. She didn't follow a human schedule all the time, yet it was the best way to keep in touch with her friends.

  She bent down and dropped a kiss on her mother's cheek. "Going to the movies. Yes, I'll be careful. Yes, I'll be coming straight home." She neatly cut off all the questions bubbling out of her mother's mouth. She continued on her way thro
ugh the kitchen and out the door. She sped to the movie theater that was attached to the same strip mall she'd been at earlier.

  Catherine waited outside with Jared, Billy and Zack.

  "Hi, everyone. Sorry if I'm late."

  "Love your outfit." Linking arms with her, Catherine dragged her to the ticket booth. "You're just in time. We've already bought our tickets. Grab yours so we can go in."

  That took only minutes and then they were inside. Tessa sighed at the cool darkness of the theater. The girls chose their seats before the guys took off to buy popcorn and pop.

  Tessa sat down beside Catherine and waited nervously to see which seat Jared would take. Next to her? Next to Catherine? Or on the outside away from them both?

  She released a shuddering breath and waited. And tried to ignore the smell of stale buttery popcorn that lingered in the room.

  "Relax," Catherine leaned over and whispered in her ear, "he likes you. You'll see."

  "I hope so," Tessa muttered into the dark room. Switching from her human to vampire vision – another one of those differences between her and her other family members – her sight sharpened in the dark to diamond clarity. The guys returned as the music started, so they immediately took their seats. Jared sat down next to Tessa. His arm bumped hers on the narrow rest.

  "Sorry."

  She tossed him a quick smile and moved her arm slightly to give him more room.

  His grin glowed in the dark.

  Sighing happily, she snuggled deeper into her chair and settled down to watch the action show.

  An hour later, Tessa shifted in the uncomfortable chairs and wondered for the hundredth time what would happen when the movie ended.

  Jared leaned toward her, a lone curl shifting down across one eye. "Are you okay?"

  She smiled. "Yes. It's just the seats. They aren't the most comfortable."

  Happy and content in her world, Tessa never thought twice when something flashed across her vision. Her vampire vision.

  When it happened a second time, she tuned in and straightened slowly. What was going on? Had those dark flashes been vampires? In hunting mode? She didn't know of anything else with the ability to move that fast, or move that far without touching the ground. Definitely nothing could move that silently. Not that it was unusual to see her people in town. It was nighttime, after all. Except, in her experience, vampires did not show up in a human hangout like a movie theater.

  And never in hunting mode.

  Her attention focused on her inner senses. The movie didn't even register as she expanded her awareness to sort through the conflicting information overwhelming her.

  Catherine nudged her shoulder. "Hey, what's up? You aren't even watching the movie."

  "Sorry," she whispered, "just distracted."

  Settling back, she couldn't stop the frisson of worry that rippled down her spine. Something was stirring. Something dark, unsettling. The peace treaty between humans and vampires had been in effect for close to half a century, but she’d heard it hadn't happened easily or convinced everyone on both sides that harmony was the best way forward.

  Instead, small fringe groups on both sides continued to stir up trouble. She remembered hearing her family discussing various groups' actions. Moltere's exploits were legendary. And they had happened a long time ago. Her father still hated him with a passion. It was one of the few subjects that made her dad slide into vampire mode instantly. He'd let something slip once, something about Moltere farming humans? She shuddered. Good thing he'd been caught and dealt with – whatever that meant. She had no idea what kind of punishment had been meted out. She didn't want to know.

  Vampires weren't known for their compassion. On the other hand, banishment was a common penalty for doing anything wrong.

  The lights in the theater went on, making her rear back in surprise. She’d been so lost in her own thoughts Tessa hadn't realized the movie had ended.

  "Awesome movie! Love that big bloody scene at the end. What a wild finish!" Zack's enthusiasm was contagious and all the guys erupted with comments on their favorite parts of the movie while Tessa struggled to figure out which big bloody scene they were talking about.

  She shook her head and joined the line to exit the movie theater. She stumbled as she moved around the last seat in the row…and smiled as Jared reached out to steady her. Tonight would go down as the special event in her life.

  The crowd milled in the lobby before making their way slowly outside. Tessa joined in the raucous laughter of her group and savored the experience. The moon hid behind clouds and the sun had long gone, leaving everyone in the twilight zone of half-light.

  Vampires loved it. Made for a perfect stalking time. Except they weren't allowed to hunt anymore.

  The group meandered outside the theater, talking aimlessly among themselves. Tessa walked at Jared's side, close but not touching. "That was a great movie."

  Jared grinned. "Oh, yeah. Great stuff." He glanced at her before adding, "Hey, do you want––?"

  Screams split the air.

  People scattered. Tessa was shoved to one side as panicked people overran her group.

  Chaos ensued. No one knew what had happened or who was after them, so everyone scrambled for cover.

  More screams split the air behind them. Streetlights sparked, then went out. Her heart pounding in her chest, Tessa huddled against a huge cement planter full of summer blooms. Jared pressed up beside her. The other three snuggled close behind them. Peering over the top of the cement, Tessa tried to see what the commotion was all about.

  They were only fifteen or so feet from the front entrance of the building. The inside lights shone outward, giving an eerie glow to the sidewalk area. People continued to pour out of the movie theater to scatter throughout the several parking lots.

  The darkness deepened even as she watched.

  What had happened? Oh right. In her panic she'd shifted to her human eyesight. Now she shifted back. And watched in horror as a wave of blackness raced beside them. Shit.

  She ducked.

  "What the hell was that?" Jared whispered against Tessa's ear.

  "I'm not sure." But a horrible knowing slipped inside her heart. Triggered by the silent movement, the fear engendered by their presence, the darkness and the little bit she'd seen. Vampires. She groaned silently.

  Did she know them? What and why were they doing this – besides to scare the crap out of everyone? Just for fun? Because they could? Or was their motivation something more sinister?

  A penetrating scream ripped and then shut off in mid-shriek.

  She closed her eyes as she finally understood.

  They were hunting. For human prey.

  And she was here with four human friends. Crap. "We need to get out of here."

  Catherine whispered from behind her. "Do you think it's safe to move?"

  "No, but we can't stay here. Everyone, follow me." Tessa took a cautious look around for the best route. Using her vampire vision, she searched for others of her kind. There off to the left. Then Tessa needed to go right. Holding her hand up, she counted her fingers down. Three. Two. One. She bolted in a straight line to the corner she'd picked out. The panicked footsteps of her friends rushed behind her. They continued moving forward until they were buried in the deepening darkness. Her hand to her chest, Tessa gasped for breath until her racing heart calmed down.

  The others crowded around her. She cast a quick glance over them. Everyone had made it. Their white faces glowed in the dark. Fear showed in their eyes. "Okay. Now let's head to the back and out onto Sparks Street."

  She led the way. At the rear of the building sat the largest of the mall parking lots. Vehicles tore out of the lots. The night sky lit with headlights drilling through the dark in every direction. Drivers panicked in their efforts to escape. A slightly more controlled chaos reigned now, but not by much.

  Catherine slipped her arm through Tessa's. "I want to go home." She looked round nervously. "Were those vampires?"
/>   Zach spat on the ground, his bravado in full view now that the most immediate danger had passed. "Hell, yeah. I saw one of them."

  "Did you? I didn't see anything." Not quite the truth, but she hadn't seen anyone closely enough to identify. They just couldn't be anything else. "What did they look like?"

  "Black shadows. That's all I could see. Big and black." Zach raised his hand over his head to demonstrate size.

  Jared spoke up for the first time. "I saw one of them. I saw his face. God, he looked pretty freaky. He also looked pissed."

  "How did you see him and I didn't? We were together the whole time." Tessa couldn't help feeling disgruntled.

  Jared reached out a gentle hand to stroke her arm. "When we were running out of the theater. I caught a glimpse of his face as he passed us."

  "Would you recognize him?" Tessa asked curiously. She hoped not.

  "Oh yeah." Jared nodded confidently. "His face would be easy to spot. Wide and heavyset, very Neanderthal looking."

  Shit. Her stomach bottomed out. If the vampire in question understood that he could be identified, then Jared wasn't safe. All vampires knew breaking the treaty was bad business. The Vampire Council wouldn't take this lightly. The Council was very aware of their responsibility to look after humans – the weaker species. Considering how much these vampires were risking, she could only imagine what they'd do to keep their identities hidden.

  She and her friends had to get away from here. "Come on, let's move to a better-lit spot."

  Staying under the halo of light from street lamps, they passed phones around as everyone called for rides. Except Tessa. She didn't want to talk to her family.

  "Tessa, do you want to use my phone?"

  "Don't need to. David should be here soon anyway. I'll just wait." She smiled. "Is your mom on the way?"

  "Both my parents are coming," Catherine piped up. "Mom's pretty freaked out. They want me to stay here." She spun around as if hoping they'd arrived in the fifteen seconds since she ended the call. "Tessa, are you sure you don't want a lift? My parents aren't going to be happy to leave you here."