How to Date a Dead Guy

by C P Fleur

  “Look who’s talking,” I shot back.

  Lucas

  “It still doesn’t make sense.” Sylvi shook her head, her long pigtails swaying.

  “If he thinks it’s possible, there has to be a reason,” I replied, turning my attention to Nova. “Maybe there is some truth to the folklore. After I told you the story of us, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. What if it was possible?”

  “The folklore?” Lachlan asked, stepping closer.

  “Nova’s father, my maker, is a direct blood descendant of William, son of Nicholas. And according to him, he loved Amy Ambroise. He would have never hurt her. Her or their offspring.” My eyes went to Nova.

  “So if he can love, maybe all in his bloodline can as well?” Nova asked, and I shook my head.

  “What if he was him, Nova? Son of Nicholas... Nick’s son. What if he is the first.”

  “Nixon. My father’s name was Will Nixon.”

  “Wait,” Kamala, called out, “Your dad is the Will Nixon? As in the most famous vamp to ever walk our halls. As in the guy who once ruled over our entire clan. As in –”

  “The one who supposedly murdered a human and went on the run,” I finished. “Except according to our old books, he didn’t run. He was killed by the witches as retribution for associating with Nova’s mother after they’d bound her powers.”

  “Fellows turned him over to the witches to be killed without a trial?” Sylvi asked, taking a small step back from Nova.

  “But I thought the first vampire couldn’t be killed,” Lauchlan added.

  “Either way, Fellows had something to gain by getting rid of him. He wanted to be the headmaster of Briarwick, and the only person who stood in his way was her father. He was next in line to lead our clan.”

  “So, either Fellows is using the witches to kill off his rivals or –” Kamala thought out loud.

  “Or his rival isn’t dead, and he wanted to make sure his enemy’s offspring wouldn’t be able to seek vengeance,” Lachlan finished.

  “You think...” Nova let her words trail off as her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. A gust of wind blew, swirling around us and causing Sylvi’s hair to whip into her own face.

  “Is that her?” Sylvi asked, angling her face toward the cloudy night sky.

  I nodded, grabbing Nova’s hand and locking my fingers with hers in hopes of calming her down. “If he’s alive, we’ll find him. I promise.”

  She sniffled, nodding once before we all looked to Sylvi. She raised her hands in front of her chest, shaking her head. “Oh, no.”

  “We need as much help as we can get. I need your help, Sylvi.”

  Her eyes met mine before her shoulders fell. “You need me?”

  “We all do,” Nova spoke up, taking a small step closer to her.

  She looked around to Lachlan and then to Kamala. “You all hate me.”

  “We don’t hate you, Sylvi,” Lachlan replied.

  “Well –” Kamala began, but Lucas cleared his throat, shooting her a glare. “Okay, fine. I don’t hate you. But if I’m being honest –”

  “Now is really not the time,” Lachlan admonished her.

  “We can get you out of this place,” I added, turning my attention back to Sylvi. “I know that’s all you really want. I can help you.”

  “Why would you help me after all I’ve done?” she asked.

  “Because that’s what family does for each other. That’s what we are.” My eyes danced over each of them. “Not all factions have a blood bond. We just have to be there for each other.”

  Sylvi threw her arms around me, causing me to grunt when she squeezed me tightly before whispering, “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. I may get us all killed in the process.”

  “Wouldn’t be fun if it wasn’t dangerous,” she replied with her eyebrow cocked.

  “What’s the plan?” Lachlan asked.

  “Let’s go meet up back at my room and figure out the best way to get to Fellows.”

  Lachlan, Kamala, and Sylvi stalked off toward the makeshift parking lot as I looked over Nova.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, tucking a wayward strand of her hair behind her ear.

  “It could have been a lot worse.”

  “The nights not over yet,” I joked, lacing my fingers with hers and tugging her toward the exit of the Carnival.

  Pulling my keys from my pocket, I hit the unlock button on my key fob as I reluctantly let go of Nova’s hand so she could make her way to the opposite side of the vehicle.

  “I think next time, I should plan the date,” she called over the roof of the car.

  I laughed, but the sound caught in my throat. I pressed my palm against the center of my chest before pulling it away to examine the sticky dampness that coated my fingers in crimson. My eyes met Nova’s as a scream ripped from her throat, and I sputtered up drops of blood before my knees buckled, and I fell to the ground below.

  Throbbing pain sliced into my back, radiating throughout my body. Standing over me was Remy, his coal lined eyes narrowed. “Sylvi can’t be coupled to you if you’re not around anymore.” He turned, his eyes locking onto Nova as he grinned wickedly. “Oh, look. It’s your little friend.”

  I sputtered again, desperate to be able to help her, but I couldn’t move. I could hear her strangled pleas for help, the sounds of bodies slamming against the vehicles as, for the first time in my afterlife, I felt exhaustion take over me, pulling me from consciousness.

  But as I blinked back the blurred images of the cloudy night sky, Nova’s face came into view. Tears were dripping from her eyes to my face, mingling with fat drops of rain that now began to pour around us. She pressed her palm against my wounded chest, begging me to not leave her.

  “I-it’s okay,” I managed to groan. “Rule number thirteen – A quick death is a merciful one.”

  “Y-you can’t die. You can’t l-leave me,” she sobbed. “I need you.”

  “He needs blood,” Lachlan called out from somewhere behind me.

  “Here,” Nova shoved her wrist in front of my mouth, and my fangs ran out, but I turned my head.

  “No, I won’t bite her,” I shook my head, my eyelids now feeling heavy again.

  “If you don’t bite her, you’ll die,” Kamala squealed.

  “I’ll find someone else,” Sylvi replied. “This place is crawling with people.”

  “No,” I snapped, my eyes focused on Nova. I brushed her wet hair that clung to her face back so I could see her. “I won’t ever hurt you, Nova. I promised,” I choked out before the only sound was from the heavy downpour.

  “You promised, not me,” she snapped back before pressing her wrist against my fangs, sucking in a hiss as they pierced her thin flesh.

  The warmth from her blood engulfed my body in heat. The aching in my chest intensified as I began to feel my strength return. I clung to her arm as a growl emanated from my throat.

  “Lucas,” she squealed with fear in her voice. But I couldn’t stop. The inferno that raged inside of me was being fueled by her blood.

  “You’re going to kill her,” Lachlan barked, grabbing hold of Nova, trying desperately to rip her from my grip. But along with her blood came her; the fear, the pain; the anguish, and the desperation. My body convulsed, overcome by all of the emotions, and I released my hold on her.

  “What’s happening to him?” She panicked as thunder rumbled so loudly I felt it vibrate through me.

  “I don’t know,” Lachlan replied from beside me. My body felt like it was consuming itself as fire licked its way through my veins into my fingertips. “He’s burning up.”

  Nova fought herself free from Lachlan and clung to me, pressing her body against mine, begging me not to leave her. The flames climbed their way up my throat, and my body jerked beneath her, and then everything went black.

  Rule 14: Make Sure the Skeletons in Your Closet Are Really Dead

  Nova

  LUCAS STILLED BENEATH me, and my cries of angui
sh were drowned out by the water that poured around us, washing the traces my blood from his skin. Lachlan grabbed my arm to pull me back from him, but I held him tighter, desperate to feel the shock that had traveled through us before when we’d touched.

  “It’s your blood. It’s poison,” Sylvi called out. “We need to get him a human.”

  “No,” Lachlan barked, “We can’t hurt these people.”

  “We don’t have a choice! She’s killing him,” she screamed. I was thankful when he turned his attention to her as she fought against him, clawing her way to get to Lucas.

  “Lucas,” I sobbed. “Lucas, please don’t do this. Don’t leave me.” I slid my hand over the rip in his shirt, my fingers splaying out over his flesh. I felt him burning up under my touch again. I grabbed at the fabric, clawing at it. “Help me, I need to touch his skin,” I cried out.

  Lachlan grabbed the thin fabric between his fingers and yanked it hard enough to jerk Lucas upward before the material gave way and tore.

  I flatted my palms against his chest, covering the bruise I’d caused with my fingertips, allowing my eyes to fall closed for a moment and whispered a prayer to the Gods, begging for a reprieve. That’s when I felt it, a small flutter; a twitch of a muscle before it spasmed harder. My eyes scanned Lucas’ face with confusion. “Did you... d-did his heart just beat?” I asked, my words breathy as if he’d just sucked the oxygen from my lungs. But he still lay motionless beneath me. “Is that possible?”

  I shoved my wet hair back from my face, desperate to do whatever I could to save him. Without thought, I leaned over, pressing my lips against his, hoping that somehow, even the undead could be granted miracles.

  I could feel the pulsing beneath my hands begin to build a steady rhythm.

  Then his lips parted, and he sucked in a ragged breath, his eyes blinked open, locking onto mine.

  “That was some first kiss,” he whispered, his eyes searching mine as his fingers slid against my cheek. I let my eyes fall closed momentarily, relishing in the warmth of his touch.

  “Is it true? Is his heart beating?” Kamala asked, but they stood frozen around us.

  “She really is a vampire killer,” Sylvi croaked, a tremor in her voice.

  “It wasn’t her I was worried about,” Lachlan snapped, grabbing me by my arm and hauling me to my feet before putting himself between Lucas and me. “Remy is probably back on campus by now. He won’t be alone when we find him.”

  Lucas pushed up on to his feet, groaning as he stretched, angling his neck to the side. The rain ran down over his chest, washing away the remaining smatters of blood, revealing unblemished skin; his wounds from moments earlier no longer visible. His eyes danced over Lachlan before narrowing.

  “How do you feel?” Kamala asked him as he ran his hand down over the ridges of his abdominal muscles.

  “I feel... everything,” he groaned. “Let’s get out of here before we attract attention now that the rain has let up.”

  “Briarwick?” Lachlan asked.

  “No,” Lucas replied. “Whitaker Manor. I have something else I need to finish first.”

  Lucas

  I felt like a new man. Literally. The steading thumping of my heart in my chest and the whooshing of blood in my ears was all I could focus on. I didn’t know how long it would last or what the side effects of my condition would be. But it felt dangerous. I felt dangerous. And I wasn’t sure I could trust myself around Nova.

  “Are we going to talk about it?” Nova asked from the passenger seat as we made our way to my home, just a few miles from the academy.

  “I’m not sure what to say,” I confessed, my eyes meeting hers briefly before going back to the road. “Even with all the stories, the myths – this is something completely new.”

  “Does it mean – are you... like me?” she asked. I shook my head, ignoring the hopefulness in her tone. My fangs were still there, the hunger for blood now stronger than it had ever been. But I couldn’t tell if that was in general or just the sunshine that seemed to pump its way through Nova’s veins. The thought terrified me. I didn’t want to ever hurt her, but I knew how easy it was to slip into that animalistic side. I’d been weak back at the carnival, but now I felt brand new, more than human or vampire. I felt like a God. And if I wasn’t careful, that power could consume me, and in turn, I may end up devouring Nova.

  “Whatever this is, temporary or permanent, we need to use it to our advantage. Nows the time to find Fellows and save your father if he really is still alive. Rule number fifteen – make sure the skeletons in your closet are really dead.”

  “What about the guy who attacked you?”

  “Remy. He’s Sylvi’s progeny. He won’t stop until I’m gone. I’ll deal with him when I finish with Fellows.”

  “You? Don’t you mean we?”

  My eyes cut to her as I clenched my jaw so hard it felt like my teeth might crumble. “I don’t know how long I can be around you like this,” I bit out, my fingers gripping the steering wheel tighter. It was time. I needed to lay all of my cards on the table, confess all of my sins. That would be it. It was no longer safe for Nova to be at my side. I needed her to see me for what I really am. I need her to run – from this school, these creatures – from me.

  “Lucas, w-why are you so angry with me? I couldn’t just let you die.”

  “It isn’t your job to save me, Nova. I’m the one who should be protecting you. If the others hadn’t been there –” I shook my head, trying not to picture what Remy could have done to Nova.

  “Why can’t we protect each other?” she asked, her voice shaking.

  “I can’t keep you safe,” I bit out. “Do you know what I could have done to you? What I wanted to do to you back there?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” she replied, shaking her head.

  “Nova, you are the only thing that matters to me.”

  Rule 15: Never Give Your Heart to a Vampire

  Nova

  “YOU CAN’T MAKE ME STAY here,” I mumbled between sobs as I looked over the palatial house that Lucas called home when he wasn’t at the academy.

  “I’m not forcing you to stay,” he replied, but his eyes wouldn’t meet mine.

  “Then, why are we here?”

  “Because I need you to see me for who I really am.”

  “I know you, Lucas.”

  “You know the lies I’ve told you,” he snapped, shaking his head, his eyes fixed on the building ahead that was illuminated by his headlights.

  “There’s nothing you could say to change the way I feel –” I placed my hand on his, but he snatched it away, recoiling from my touch.

  “Are you sure about that?” He asked as he shoved open his door and stepped out into the night. I followed after him, wishing he’d give me the comfort of his touch.

  We slipped inside of the oversized stone building into the foyer. My gaze danced over the ornately carved staircase and the oriental rug that was laid out under our feet.

  Lucas looked me over before continuing into the space, slipping into another room and back a long hallway. He gripped a doorknob in his hand, turning to give me one last look. He inhaled and sighed before twisting the handle and shoving it open.

  I watched him for a moment before slipping past him and into the cavernous space. Books lined the walls, stretching up to where the crown molding met the tin ceiling.

  I gasped as my eyes landed on a guy who stood next to an ornate bench. When he turned to face me, it felt like my own heart seized in my chest, ceasing to beat.

  I scanned the boy before me as his shimmering hazel eyes did the same, regarding me in disbelief. His spun-gold locks stuck up in loose waves as if he’d just pushed it back from his face to keep it from obscuring his view. To a stranger, he probably looked like he’d just stepped off the beach, salt clinging to his skin and sand between his toes. But I knew better. Even behind his hardened, masculine features and his flawless skin.

  He was my Wyatt, the boy who was always cover
ed in dirt with skinned knees and a sunkissed speckled nose. He was the boy, who even today, wore a thin red hand-woven friendship bracelet on his wrist, even if people made fun of him for it. I grabbed my own matching bracelet, rolling it between my fingers, pulling it taut against my skin until it bit into my flesh. This wasn’t a dream. He was really standing here before me, in Lucas’ home.

  My vision blurred, thunder cracking outside as I attempted to form words past the lump in my throat.

  “I’m sorry,” Lucas said from behind me, his voice low and raw. I spun around, my fists clenched at my sides.

  “For what, Lucas? For lying to me? For –”

  “For not being able to save him for you. This was the best I could do,” he confessed as my tears finally spilled over my lashes, and a sob ripped from my throat. He didn’t take Wyatt from me. He did what he could to save him because he knew how badly it would hurt me to lose him.

  “You did this... y-you did this for me?”

  Lucas took a tentative step closer to me. “Everything I do is for you, Nova. It always has been. I always thought that if I couldn’t have you as my own, that my life would never be complete. But that’s not what love is. Love is wanting something better for the person you care about, even to your own detriment. Love is sacrificing everything I am if it would give you a better life. I spent years jealous of what you had with Wyatt. But that night, when I nearly lost you – the moments before you slipped unconscious – all you cared about was his safety. You taught me that love is selfless. And I had to do whatever I could to save him, even if it meant I’d never have a chance with you.”

  “But your heart,” I reached up, grabbing the stone in my hand, gripping it so tightly my knuckles turned white.

  The side of his mouth turned up in a sad smile, and he brushed my hair back from my face, his fingers grazing my skin and sending my nerves firing off in rapid succession.

  “It’s always been yours, Nova. I never had a choice about that. And regardless of what happens now, it will always be.” He let his hand drop at his side, and I immediately missed his touch.