Vampire Princess

by Cameron Drake

  Right now. He’s got some crazy idea that it’s not safe for me to walk home alone at night.

  I’ll come get you.

  I slid my phone into my pocket.

  “Who was that?”

  “I’m getting a ride. And you can meet my uncle. That’s as good as I can do. They don’t like people coming over, sorry.”

  “Your uncle? Aren’t there two?”

  “You are meeting the nicer one.”

  He seemed to sag as the fight left him. I think he was relieved. But it wasn’t enough. I had a sudden feeling I might not have to break up with him.

  He might break up with me.

  “Okay.”

  “Please, be patient with me. This is all new.”

  He stared at me, a muscle clicking in his jaw. I sighed.

  “And we can go somewhere. Next time we hang out.” His eyes were questioning so I spelled it out for him. “Alone.”

  I knew it was stupid. I don’t know why I said it. Being alone was dangerous for both of us.

  Me, because my true nature might be revealed. Him, because I wanted to drink him.

  Dylan’s face broke into a smile. He looked so happy that it was worth the risk. And I wanted to be with him, even if I wasn’t ready to do the deed or anything yet.

  I just hoped it didn’t get either one of us killed.

  The more I thought about it, the more I realized that poets had been right.

  Love was freaking hard.

  Chapter 28

  My hand was wrapped in a big, warm, strong one. Dylan had forgiven me for Maxim. Or at least things seemed cool between us.

  For now, anyway.

  I stood awkwardly beside Dylan as Bernard pulled up in the sleek black SUV. It was enormous, just in case we had to hide out in it. It needed to fit all three of us comfortably, and my guardians were both exceptionally tall.

  Of course, the windows were tinted extra dark.

  “Is your uncle a drug dealer?” Dylan joked.

  I could tell he was nervous. I smiled. It was a pretty fancy car for this town, come to think of it.

  “He’s an investor.”

  True. Bernard played the market. He was surprisingly good at it. Caleb seemed more the type, but he was surprisingly not interested in wealth, maybe because he’d always had fabulous funds at his disposal.

  Actually, Caleb was an art collector. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to visit his collection in almost sixteen years. But he had a curator and a private gallery in Rome, not far from where our castle had been.

  Or still was, I just didn’t have access to it anymore.

  Bernard got out and stared at us for a second. Then he walked over and smiled easily, holding out his hand to shake with Dylan.

  It was funny but even though Bernard was huge, not to mention immortal, Dylan seemed just as big and strong to me in that moment. Seeing them together, imagining for a moment that I was just a girl introducing a boy to her uncle… well, it was really nice.

  “I’m Dylan.”

  “It’s good to finally meet you.”

  Dylan gave me a look.

  “I was starting to wonder if you even existed.”

  Bernard smiled genuinely.

  “We do.”

  I was overjoyed at how well things were going. I jumped up and tried to cut things short before anything went wrong.

  “Okay so… we have to get back. But we’ll hang soon.”

  Dylan shoved his hands in his pockets and gave me a secret smile. “Okay.” I blushed a little. knowing what he was thinking about.

  He kissed my cheek as Bernard opened the car door for me.

  “See ya.”

  Bernard waved as he climbed in and started the car.

  “He seems nice.”

  “He is.”

  “He smells ridiculously good.”

  I sighed.

  “I know.”

  We drove in silence for a while. My mind was spinning, wondering how long I was going to be able to keep up the charade. Dylan wasn’t stupid and I wasn’t human. It couldn’t go on forever, could it?

  We were nearly home when Bernard spoke again.

  “Have you glamoured him yet?” He gave me a sympathetic look as he pulled into the street. “That tends to take the fun out of it, in my experience.”

  “Yeah… so, about that.”

  “What?”

  “I’m not sure he can be glamoured.”

  Bernard hit the brakes so hard that I slammed against the seatbelt, sliding forward in my seat.

  “What did you say?”

  A horn honked and Bernard shook himself. It was not a busy road, but he’d nearly caused an accident. He drove home without speaking, his hands white on the steering wheel.

  “Come. Now.”

  Bernard wasted no time once we were inside. He told me to sit and brought Caleb out of his study to face me.

  “What is it?”

  “I met her human boyfriend. At least, I think he’s human.”

  Caleb raised his eyes.

  “A boyfriend? That’s ill advised, Sophie.”

  “That’s not all of it.” He looked at me, crossing his massive arms over his chest. “Explain.”

  I smiled nervously.

  “Uh, it’s kind of funny. I didn’t really try-try but I—”

  “Spit it out.”

  “I couldn’t glamour him.”

  Caleb inhaled sharply.

  “In the past, you did this without even meaning to.”

  “Yeah well, that didn’t happen with Dylan. Or his cousin.”

  “Cousin?”

  “My friend Karen. She’s a bookworm. Totally harmless.”

  But was she? Caleb wouldn’t think so. Karen was way more observant than Dylan. I knew she’d noticed some of the discrepancies in my story.

  “Of all the—” Caleb cursed, grabbing himself a strong drink from the sideboard. He tossed it back and covered his eyes. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

  “It was a while ago. I just told him to forget what had happened. And he laughed and said I was nuts.”

  I looked back and forth between them, trying to explain. I needed them to know it wasn’t a big deal. We could trust Dylan.

  Even if he accidentally found out the truth.

  “He accepts me for who I am. He cares about me. And it’s not like I was trying that hard—”

  “Dammit. Where are we? Bring me a map.”

  Bernard headed for the front door.

  “There’s one in the glove compartment…”

  “No, not one of those. The meridians. I must see where we are.”

  I sat perfectly still as Bernard fetched one of Caleb’s ancient books from the study. It was enormous and bound in cracked leather. They laid it on the coffee table, carefully opening it and sifting through the pages.

  Each page folded out to a map.

  He hissed as he found what he was looking for.

  “We’re too close to a wellspring. It’s my fault.”

  “What? What does that mean?”

  He stared at me, his eyes dark and serious. I felt dread begin to pulse through me.

  “It means that it’s very likely — no, probable — that your little boyfriend is fae.”

  “What? Like a fairy?”

  I laughed, thinking Caleb was joking with me.

  “Yes. Like an ancient breed of magical creatures that hate Vampires.”

  My jaw dropped.

  “But he’s not— I mean, he hasn’t shown any magical abilities…”

  “Except being immune to your charms.”

  I lifted my chin.

  “I’m not so sure about that.”

  Caleb growled at me.

  “That boy is dangerous. You will stay away from him.” He looked around the house. “In fact, we’re leaving.”

  “No! You promised!”

  I stood, facing him down. The lights flickered and a huge ball of flame appeared between us. It floated there, molten
swirls of white and gold.

  It looked pretty, but we all knew it wasn’t a Christmas decoration.

  The pretty ball of lights could kill.

  “Highness…”

  The warning tone of Bernard’s voice was laced with fear.

  Vampires were basic creatures when it came down to it.

  Fire bad. Stake bad. Sun bad. Blood good.

  That was it. And I’d just created a vampbomb in our living room.

  I stared at the ball of fire, trying to focus on not setting anyone on fire. Crap. I really had not meant to do that.

  “What do I do?”

  “You need to focus Sasha! You need to push it into water.” Caleb held his hands up, trying to guide me. “Bernard, would you mind getting us a vessel of some sort?”

  Bernard ran to the kitchen, coming back with a bucket of water. He set it on the floor near the hovering blaze and slowly backed away. I winced as he covered his face in pain.

  Even getting close to it had hurt him.

  I had hurt him.

  The sphere grew even larger, still connected to my emotions. I was feeding it with my guilt and worry.

  Calm down Sasha! Please, please, please do not burn anybody!

  Caleb kept his eyes on me, coaching me through this. I was sweating and lightheaded from the heat of the blaze.

  “Now lower it very slowly— careful!”

  The ball zigzagged, zooming this way and that. Bernard hit the floor, trying to get out of its way. I stabilized it, panting with the effort. Then with a whoosh it dove into the bucket. We stared as the water boiled, splashing onto the floor.

  The steel bucket started to melt.

  Bernard put his arm around me, guiding me away. I looked over my shoulder. Caleb had his head in his hands

  “Go to bed. I’ll clean this up.”

  I stared up at him helplessly.

  “I’m so sorry, I almost—”

  “It’s alright. You did very well. You controlled yourself. Isn’t that right, Caleb?”

  “Yes.”

  But I knew this discussion wasn’t over. Caleb followed me upstairs, waiting outside my door until I was in my nightgown and under the covers.

  “You can come in now.”

  He opened the door, leaning against the door jamb. I’d been thinking and I knew exactly what I wanted to say.

  Calmly and without making anything blow up, I hoped.

  “If he is what you say, then he doesn’t know it. He doesn’t want to hurt me.”

  Caleb grunted, saying nothing.

  “I swear to you. I can feel his emotions. I think he loves me.”

  He narrowed his eyes, then sighed.

  “There is one thing. His blood, it might be the one thing that can solidify your immortality. Make you immune to death completely. Even strengthen your powers.”

  I smiled wobbly.

  “Are you sure that’s a good thing?”

  I was trying to make a joke, but Caleb didn’t laugh.

  “Look, I’m not eating my nice human boyfriend, not even to win a war. And I’m not leaving.”

  He sighed.

  “Maybe it’s not a bad thing. The others are less likely to look for us here. And it might explain why your powers are supercharged.”

  “You mean from being around him?”

  He nodded.

  “I think… he may have awakened you.”

  I sighed, leaning back on the bed. This was so typical. Karen and Dylan might be fae, or at least part fae. I was a Vampire-human hybrid. And being near my super-hot, possibly slightly magical boyfriend had made me a walking flame thrower.

  Why couldn’t anything be normal for once?

  Nothing made sense anymore.

  “Get some rest. We won’t leave for now.” I sat up to argue but Caleb held his hand out, stopping me. “But if anything else happens, we will have no choice but to go. You will not fight me when that time comes. I don’t want to argue about this.”

  “Alright.”

  He smiled, clearly satisfied. Then he frowned.

  “I supposed forbidding you to see this boy would be useless. For his own good, as well as yours?”

  “It would.”

  He shook his head and turned to leave.

  “Sleep well, Princess.”

  “Goodnight, Caleb.” I turned over, snuggling into my bed. “And thanks.”

  Chapter 29

  I lay on my back, staring up at fluffy white clouds above me. It was a perfect day. The sun was shining, and the blanket underneath me was warm and soft.

  Dylan’s hand brushed mine and I smiled, utterly relaxed and content.

  His body slid closer, pressing into my side. I sighed as his warmth seeped into my body. When he turned me to face him, I did not resist.

  He kissed me, both of us lying on our sides. Then he slid a leg between mine, rolling me onto my back. I got lost in the kiss, not protesting as his hands slid over my body.

  I arched my back, rubbing against him. He murmured softly into my lips, turning his head.

  Offering me his pale white throat.

  Without thought I took it, sinking my teeth into his tender flesh. I didn’t remember my fangs descending. I realized that they had been there all along.

  I wasn’t hiding from him anymore. I didn’t have to.

  I held his shoulders, feeding hungrily. His blood was filled with light as it poured out of him. But I wasn’t sated. I wanted more.

  He made a soft sound of surrender, going limp in my arms. I let him fall to the blanket, crouching over him, biting him on the wrist, then his side.

  His blood was ambrosia, and I wanted every drop.

  I lifted my head and stared down at him. He was too pale, nearly blue. His eyes flickered and went blank, staring blindly up at the sky.

  I had killed him. Drained him.

  Dylan was gone, and I still wanted more.

  I sat up with a silent scream. I was in my bed, safe at home. More importantly, Dylan was safe.

  I hadn’t hurt him.

  It was a dream. Not real at all. Just a dream.

  It stayed with me as I showered and got dressed for school in a pair of soft jeans and a tank top. I pulled on a soft gray cashmere cardigan and grabbed my backpack, heading down for breakfast.

  I picked at my food while Bernard yawned. It was past his bedtime. Vamps ideally were asleep as soon as the sun rose. It must be Caleb’s turn to stay up during the day. Bernard would wake him in a few hours and then take his turn to rest.

  I wondered if they missed each other when they took those long daytime shifts. Or if it made it easier. Maybe it made things… smoother between them.

  If they weren’t together, Caleb didn’t have to see how he was hurting Bernard. Or wonder if he was missing out.

  And Bernard didn’t have to worry about getting his head snapped off.

  Metaphorically speaking, of course.

  I finished my yogurt with granola and fruit and gave Bernard a thumbs up.

  “Ready?”

  I nodded. He grabbed his keys and stepped to the door but I shook my head.

  “I’ll run. Thanks.”

  I pressed a kiss to his cool cheek and left, taking a barely discernible path through the woods at full speed. I didn’t pass anyone, except a few startled birds and squirrels, who darted into the brush to get out of my way.

  I smiled at the freedom of it.

  It was odd, but I could still feel the power of Dylan’s blood. It was as if the dream had been real. I stopped, slowing my pace as I entered the more suburban area on the outskirts of town. I jogged quickly down the sidewalk, grateful that it had only been a dream.

  That Dylan was alive. That I had not harmed him.

  Thank Nightfall.

  I slowed to a walk as I entered school grounds. It wasn’t a rich town by any means, but the school was beautiful. The grounds were park-like and well-manicured. There were old stone pathways leading from building to building, though most classes too
k place in the huge, main structure.

  Of course, that was not as much fun for the students or teachers when it was raining or snowing, but on a day like today, it was a pleasure.

  I envied the kids who grew up here and attended all six years from seventh to twelfth grade. The fresh air cleared my head between classes. I thought it probably helped the students learn.

  I certainly craved a bit of nature when we were in more urban areas. But even New York City had parks. And trees.

  I shivered, thinking of the spirit trees. I wondered if they had suffered. I was filled with self-loathing every single time I thought of them. Of their extraordinary beauty.

  How was that any different than what I so obviously wanted to do to Dylan?

  If it was my destiny to hurt people and things, then maybe I could change it.

  Otherwise, what was the point? Take over the world so I could destroy it again?

  No. I would fight it. And if I couldn’t win, I’d die before I hurt someone else.

  * * *

  By the time lunch came, I’d forgotten the dream. Or at least, pushed it to the back of my mind. I was distracted by the thought of seeing Dylan. I needed the distraction.

  Seeing him always cheered me up.

  He was pretty much my own personal anti-depressant.

  I strode into the cafeteria, nodding at the students I knew. Nobody stared at me anymore. I was part of the Green Rock ecosystem now.

  I belonged here.

  I stopped short before reaching for a tray. Karen was sitting with someone else today. She spotted me and waved. Then she went back to talking to her friends.

  Hmmm… I was glad she had somebody to eat with the days I wasn’t around, but I wasn’t so sure I wanted to expand my social circle. Not today.

  Not until I got this crazy hunger under control at least.

  Dylan touched my shoulder and I nearly jumped. It was hard to sneak up on a Vampire, but he’d done it.

  “Hey.”

  I smiled shyly at him.

  “Hey.”

  “So, I thought we could get out of here for lunch today.”

  He held up a shopping bag and a blanket. A very familiar looking blanket. And just like that, the dream came back.

  I could see it clearly, his lifeless body sprawled over the blue and gold plaid.

  My eyes must have shown my horror because he frowned.