B008317UG0 EBOK

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B008317UG0 EBOK Page 9

by Amy McClung


  Someone is clearing their throat and it causes us to finally break apart. As I turn around I see that it’s Mitchell. “Sorry guys, I didn’t mean to interrupt but I really need to talk to you Quinn…alone.” There was an odd tone in his voice and I was a bit taken back at the mysterious nature of his request. His hands were shaking and he looked very grim. Gracefully I excused myself stating I needed to get home anyway. I kissed Quinn again and then waved goodbye at Mitchell as I turned to leave but he didn’t seem to notice. As I was walking away I turned to look back and Quinn's face had become very serious and he had a hand on each of Mitchell’s shoulders as though he was trying to calm him. That is odd, but maybe someone made him mad and he is trying to determine how to deal with it. Shifting can be affected by anger so it would be easy to relate if anger cause a vamp to get out of control. Whatever it is, hopefully Quinn will fill me in later.

  A few hours later, I got a text from Quinn and was hoping it would give me a clue to what I walked away from today. Instead it just said, Sorry we were interrupted today, I was enjoying that. I love you—Quinn. I was a little disappointed, not at what he said, but at what he didn’t say. What could have upset Mitchell so much? Wonder if I am the only girlfriend in the dark about this.

  It was imperative I find out what happened with Mitchell and there was one person I could check with who may know, I hit 1 on my speed dial. “Jackie, what’s up chickie? What is up with Mitchell today? He came to see Quinn and looked so serious?” I said, as soon as Jackie answered the phone, barely letting her say hello before I started in. She said she had no idea what was going on, said Mitchell was supposed to meet her after school and then sent a text and said he had to see Quinn right away and that he would call her later. I filled her in on what was going on when he showed up, how shaken up Mitchell was and how Quinn reacted. Now both of us were curious at what our beaus were hiding from us. I made the choice to just come out and ask mine, I’m not as patient as Jackie.

  My text to Quinn was short and sweet. Why were we interrupted? What was Mitchell so upset about? I love you too—Parker. No response and so I turned in for the night. I barely slept and every time I woke up I checked to see if he texted me back. Nothing. Ugh, I hate when I text someone and don’t get a response, he could have at least told me not to worry or something.

  Quinn was standing at his locker when I arrived at school. He turned and saw me and I expected him to run the other way and avoid me like he has done before. Instead, he smiled and walked toward me and grabbed me up in his arms and kissed me with fervor. All the questions and thoughts left my mind at that moment. “Good Morning to you too,” I said once he released me. At that moment, I heard Jackie calling my name and I turned to face her. I felt Quinn’s arms go around my waist from behind me and he put his head on my shoulder. Oh man, I love having a boyfriend.

  Quinn said, “Jackie, baby, where is our man Mitchell this morning?” It was obvious that she was anxious to tell us something because she hurriedly answered him and then got to the topic that was eating at her. “He said he didn’t feel good so he stayed home. Did you guys hear what happened?” I had no idea what she was talking about and I guess she could tell because she kept going. “Christine Randall was found dead in the woods, they said it looks like a murder, her neck was cut wide open and she bled to death.”

  I was dumbfounded, and so was Quinn. My head turned to analyze his expression to see if he was surprised and he looked confused more than upset. Turning my attention back to Jackie, “What? What was she doing in the woods, how did they find her?” Quinn was staring off into space with a look of bewilderment. What bothered me most about his reaction is that he wasn’t asking any questions or even acting like it was something he hadn’t heard before. Of course he has killed people himself so maybe he is just numb to things like this. Jackie didn’t seem to notice though and answered, “Some hunters found her. They were hunting wolves and practically tripped over her body. It sounded dreadful. They aren’t sure why she was in the woods though, they are thinking someone may have tricked her out there and then killed her. Can you believe this, I can’t ever remember there being a murder here before.”

  All day we heard rumors and gossip about what happened to Christine. Of course everyone in town knew her because she grew up here just like 99% of the population. Christine was quite popular but she was not very nice. Not that I am happy she is dead, I would never feel that way about anyone. However, people are acting like she was a saint. Girls that she bullied were crying their eyes out like their best friend had just been killed. I know it is pretty customary when someone dies, all of a sudden they are the most wonderful person on earth, but it was still annoying. I couldn’t help thinking about the way she died, her neck was slashed open. Who, or what, would do something like that?

  Quinn was nowhere to be found after school. I texted him Where are you—Parker. A few minutes later I get a response, Had something to take care of, talk later—Quinn. He’s being secretive again. Thoughts of Christine began plaguing my mind as I was walking. Mitchell was acting weird and had to talk to Quinn the other day. My mind was flashing images of his face, he was angry and his hands were shaking and he barely looked at me, in fact, he barely acknowledged me. Mitchell has always been the gentlemanly type, holding doors, greeting people, friendliest guy you could ever know. For him to act like someone doesn’t exist, well that just is not in his nature. Now Quinn is trying as hard as he can to keep me from knowing anything. A gasp escaped me, could Mitchell have killed Christine in a feeding frenzy? My hand immediately clasped over my mouth in shock. I texted Quinn again, I had to know what was going on. If Mitchell could get that out of control then Jackie isn’t safe around him, no one was. I need to know what is going on, now!—Parker, no response, so I texted him again. This is not negotiable Quinn Roberts, I don’t like secrets—Parker. Still nothing. If you won’t answer me, than fine, don’t bother coming over tonight—Parker. Finally, I get a response. I’ll be at your house in a couple of hours and I will explain everything, I promise. I love you—Quinn. I guess that I will have to live with that. He better show up, I won’t forgive him if he doesn’t, and I told him that. You better explain or we are done.—Parker. It was a bit immature not to tell him I love him but I don’t want to sugarcoat things. If Jackie or any of my family is in danger, I won’t take that lightly.

  Chapter Ten

  Two hours went by and I hadn’t heard anything else from him. I was so mad that I started slamming stuff around and throwing things in aggravation. I didn’t hear the front door open over the commotion I was causing and Quinn walked in just as I threw a pillow from the couch. He ducked and hooted, “A heads up would have been nice there slugger!” as he smiled at me. “It’s not funny, you better tell me now what is going on Quinn Roberts or I swear to god you will never see me again. I will not put up with secrets and lies!!!” I screamed at him. He came toward me, “Man you keep using my full name, I must really be in trouble, what is my punishment?” He said in a sexy tone as his left eyebrow cocked upward, and I backed away and put my hand up. “You will not distract me with kisses or sweet talk. Tell me right now what Mitchell had to talk to you about yesterday! I mean it, or you can walk out that door and never come back.” I threw my hand toward the door in an angry motion.

  My body was shaking with anger and I could tell it was starting to worry Quinn but I didn’t care. He put his hands up in surrender. “Wow, you really are mad. Look, I am here to tell you everything baby. Just sit down with me, please…Please?” So I sat on the recliner, I didn’t want to sit next to him on the couch where he could distract me with hand holding or anything of the sort. The pull to be near him was strong but I had to fight it because I needed to know what was happening. If Mitchell killed Christine than he was out of control and I would have to get rid of him. I could not take the chance that he would hurt anyone else. It’s one thing to turn someone, but to kill them so violently; I can’t sit by and tolerate that.

 
“Mitchell came to me the other day because he wanted to tell me about Christine,” that was as far as he got before I reacted. I jumped up out of the chair and started panicking, “I knew it! Oh my god, he killed her! I can’t believe you kept this from me, what if he gets out of control with Jackie!” I was becoming hysterical and instantly Quinn’s hands were on my shoulders and he was looking me in the eyes. I tried to push him away but he used his super strength to keep me there. “Mitchell didn’t kill Christine and that is why he had to find me and tell me right away. He knew that is what we would think, you, me and Jackie.” I kept struggling against him, “Do you think I would let him anywhere near you guys if I thought he was that out of control,” he said, then he freed me by throwing his arms up to show me he gave in. “How did he know she was dead then?” I asked as I backed away from him and started pacing in front of the fireplace. To which he responded, “He found her, he smelled her blood when he was walking home, she was killed in the woods near his house. When he smelled the blood it aroused his hunger and he took off toward it without thinking and then stopped himself. When he realized what was happening, he sniffed out the blood to see if someone was hurt and he found her. He left her there to find me, said he was scared to tell anyone else. He was telling the truth Parker, trust me.” Trust him, that’s a laugh, especially when this isn’t the first time he has lied to me. I sat down on the recliner again and put my head in my hands. “So who or what killed Christine?” I asked him. “Mitchell and I have been trying to figure that out since it happened and we have had no luck but it does look like a vampire. Her throat was completely ripped open and there was a lot of blood, but it was evident some had been drained as well. Her head was nearly gone and there should have been more blood then what there was.” I sat down dizzy, the image of Christine being torn apart, my stomach was churning over the imagery in my head. I couldn’t stand much more of this. “I swear that neither of us has turned any vampires and we have no clue if this was a local or one that had strolled into town for fresh blood.”

  Quinn was sitting on the couch quietly watching me as I took in everything. “Parker, sweetie, are you ok?” I choked down the bile rising in my throat and tried to erase the images I had created of her. I didn’t even notice Quinn left the room until he was handing me a lemon-lime soda he grabbed from the fridge. He placed his cold hand against my head to help cool me off to keep me from being sick. My temperature is so unlike a regular person that it didn’t really make much of a difference but the soda did. After taking a few sips my insides seemed to calm down and I was able to focus again. He had a worried look on his face, like he thought I would never forgive him. It crossed my mind. But, I couldn’t stay mad at him now that I knew what was going on. Once I finished the soda, I sat it on the table and turned to him, placed my hand against his face and he closed his eyes at my touch. Leaning forward I pressed my lips softly against his.

  All I wanted was to feel something good right now, something to take my mind off this gruesome murder, my life for the past few years. All I wanted right now was to be a normal girl doing something with her normal boyfriend. Vampires and werewolves, none of that existed in this moment because I wouldn’t let it. This was our time, mine and Quinn’s and no one else was invited. For the next little bit we were going to be in a world of our own. Our moment was becoming more passionate and he lifted me into his arms and swiftly carried me upstairs, never breaking the kiss. He carried me to my bedroom and lay me on the bed. He started to kiss my neck. Every other thought left my mind and I just let myself feel this euphoria. Sitting up I removed my shirt exposing my bra, he started to kiss down my chest and kiss my stomach and then back up to my neck. I wanted him so much and I could tell by his passion that he wanted me too. Through his eyes, I could feel the intensity of his love for me. We made love and it was wonderful. This was the moment I had dreamed of, I always thought my first time would hurt but it didn’t feel anything but breathtaking. He lay back on the pillow and I lay across his chest with my head against his heart. It’s a weird sensation to have your head against someone’s heart and not feel it beat. Even weirder that I was out of breath and he was lying still, his chest never rising. He pulled the blanket up to cover me. I whispered, “I love you so much.” He kissed my head and said, “I love you more.”

  His arms were around me and I fell asleep with a smile on my face. When I woke up, I was all alone and it was getting dark outside. My first thought was that Quinn regretted what happened and that he couldn’t stand to face me. And then I came to my senses and realized that there was probably a viable reason that he left and that I needed to start having more faith in him and in our relationship. My stomach growled to remind me I hadn’t eaten in a while plus I had worked up an appetite. I was grinning to myself at the memory. Curious to see if I looked any different, I got out of bed and walked over to the mirror, the thing most girls do when they officially become a woman. I didn’t look any different, but I felt different inside which was just as good. The atmosphere in the house even seemed different; it was like waking up a brand new person.

  My feet touched the top of the stairs and my nose picked up an aroma coming from downstairs where I found Quinn in the kitchen…cooking? Putting my arms around him from behind I kissed his naked back, “I thought you didn’t cook?” He turned to face me and gave me a kiss on the lips, “Let’s just say my cooking skills are incredibly limited. But after what just happened, I figured I owed you a good meal. Plus your stomach woke me up with its growling.” There’s that amazing grin of his, I think that is what I love most, it makes me melt every time. “I thought you had left, should have known you are too much of a romantic to do something like that.” I said. He harrumphed and said, “You really need to have more faith in my feelings for you, but I guess I can’t blame you after…” I put my finger to his lip and shook my head, “Don’t finish that thought, I do need to have more faith and it is no one’s fault but my slight insecurities.” And I stood on my tiptoes, reached up and forced his lips against mine. He gave in pretty easily to my feminine wiles.

  Jackie opened the door and announced herself, when she saw us in the kitchen she stopped. Quinn had no shirt on and I was wearing a robe, which I had to straighten when I saw her, so I think she figured it out. She looked a little mortified and turned her back to us. Quinn’s chest is quite muscular so maybe that is why she felt weird. Jackie has been with Mitchell for 2 years so she should know that people dating have sex, but she looked really awkward. Quinn excused himself after saying hello to Jackie and he headed upstairs to shower and dress. Jackie turned around finally and came to the couch.

  “You ok?” I asked her. She blushed, “I didn’t mean to interrupt you guys, I didn’t know Quinn would be here and I was just planning on spending the night tonight, is that still ok?” “Of course it is, don’t be silly. I promised my parents that Quinn would not spend the night, so he will be leaving shortly.” I answered. Jackie still looked uncomfortable. “What’s wrong Jackie?” she fidgeted a bit and answered, “I just can’t believe that you guys already had sex, I feel like a little kid or something now.” So maybe she was still a virgin?

  “Are you telling me that you and Mitchell haven’t had sex yet?” I asked perplexed. Now she looked even more humiliated which made me feel like a tool, “Jackie it’s nothing to be ashamed of, whether you have or haven’t. Actually I should be the one feeling ashamed, Quinn and I have barely been together a month, but it just felt right and I always told myself I would know by my gut feeling. And everything was telling me it was the right time, plus I’m 18 now, just completes the whole voyage into womanhood…” Her expression became even more mortified, so I tried to rephrase, “Not that, doing…that, is the only thing that makes you a woman. I just always assumed you two had…you know…since you have been together so long.” Wow, Parker you really know how to make a girl feel good; I just keep digging a deeper grave so I stopped talking. She shook her head no and explained that they had come close but
she was always too scared to go all the way. “Does it hurt?” she asked innocently. “It didn’t hurt for me, it just felt like the best moment ever, it felt like Quinn and I truly connected and it was just, amazing. I think it would be like that for you too, as much as you and Mitchell love each other.” She smiled and put her head against mine.

  Quinn came downstairs fully dressed this time…darn it. He leaned over and kissed me goodbye and said that he and Mitchell would be over in the morning for our pizza and movie day. A reminder had to be given to bring our other guest Will. He grimaced but claimed he had not forgotten. He told Jackie goodbye and kissed her on the cheek and said that he hoped we had a lot of fun together. She blushed when he kissed her and stuttered a goodbye to him.

  Once he left we started into the typical slumber party mode. First she wanted to know all the gritty details about what led up to what she walked in on. She was gushing about how incredibly sexy and buff Quinn was and I smacked her with a pillow, “Watch how you talk about my man!” It was hard to keep a straight face when saying that and we both started laughing to the brink of tears. Once we calmed down a bit she got serious again, “Can I tell you something?” Of course I nodded, even though I was a little afraid of what she was going to say. “I wish I had been with Mitchell, before he…before he was changed.” She seemed to be a bit embarrassed at that statement and I realized it must be the whole dead guy thing that freaked her out. “Oh, no it’s not like it’s weird or anything, I mean Quinn is just like a regular guy, he just doesn’t breathe or have a heartbeat but it isn’t weird.” She had a look of confusion on her face and started giggling, “No, it’s not that. I…geez this is embarrassing…” I placed my hand on hers, “You can tell me Hun, it will stay between us.” She smiled and her cheeks blushed, “I just would like to know how it would be different, between a human and a vampire. Is it weird to think that way?” Thankful I laughed and reassured her that it was not weird. We enjoyed our night together with more girl talk. We acted like typical teenage girls for a change and we painted our nails, talked about boys, watched romantic movies and then we crashed on the couch and the recliner.

 

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