by Zara Zenia
My pulse rushes through my ears. I wonder if he can hear it or smell it. Will he attack me? I’m sure he wants to. He’s eyeing me with a wild hunger. The frenzy of my imagination threatens to seize control and collapse me like rubble from a caved in building.
“My family will protect me,” I tell him meekly. I know I don’t sound as assertive as I desire to be but I’m no coward.
“Protect you from what?” Roger’s brow furrows with apparent disapproval. “I already told you that I won’t hurt you.”
“How am I supposed to believe that?” I shriek. I’m losing the battle of staying sane in this standoff. There’s something genuine about the way that Roger is gazing at me, but I still don’t fully trust him.
The only reason I’m even agreeing to follow him in the first place is because I am curious about his knowledge of my nightmares. If he is truly able to help me stifle them or make them disappear completely, well then, I need to take my chances.
“You just have to believe me.” Roger’s eyes flash. They still look human and they make my guard waver slightly.
“That’s not exactly the best point ever made,” I retort.
Roger glances around as if he’s paranoid about something. “I already told you I won’t hurt you and I intend to keep that promise.”
“Well I told you once that my family will do whatever it takes to keep me safe and they’ll fight whoever they need to.” I raise the stakes and eye him defiantly.
“Is that a threat?” Roger’s facial expression makes me tremble as it darkens with frustration and irritation.
I recoil slightly, taking a step backwards on the sidewalk. “Just think twice before you actually act on what you are thinking of doing.”
“How do you know what I intend on doing?” Roger narrows his eyes on me and closes in the gap by taking a few steps in my direction.
I swallow hard and look away. His gaze is too intense and I’m trembling, even though it’s a humid night. My shirt clings to the back of my neck and a few droplets of sweat trickle down the side of my face.
I don’t want to die here. I’m seriously backtracking on my choices. If something dangerous happens to me, I’ll have only myself to blame. I’m the one who agreed to take his bait and walk to God knows where in oblivion for all I know.
He hasn’t outright told me he’s a vampire, but I know better. I’ve already confronted him and Carl about it, back at the campus. It’s a mutual understanding that nobody is discussing right now. It’s the elephant in the metaphorical room of the Earth.
Roger’s face grows a shade of bright blue. His expression is one of anger and agony. “Look,” he begins and holds out a hand. I stare at him in shock. “You just need to trust me.”
“It’s hard to trust you,” I confess.
Roger’s eyes are bloodshot as he speaks again in a shrill, slightly hostile voice. “All I want you to do…” He trails off and squeezes his eyes shut as he takes a moment to compose himself. “…All I need you to do is listen.”
I don’t know why, but my feet become rooted to the concrete ground below me. I nod my head, unable to say a single word because the air is suspended in my lungs. If he wants me to listen, I guess I have no choice but to obey, no matter how afraid I am.
Chapter Eleven
Roger
The others are waiting for us. They are eager to meet Katie, but I can’t blow it. If we get there and she is visibly scared, then I’m royally screwed. They already told me that she needs to come with me willingly.
I don’t know how many times I have to convince Katie to trust me, and I’m even more unconvinced that she actually does trust me, however, I have no choice but to press on.
I meet her gaze. We are locked in a stare down. One of us has to break the silence first. I understand that it’s probably going to have to be me. I’m the one bringing her on this wild goose chase. Katie has no idea where we are going. She has no clues, only what I’ve told her…which isn’t much.
“I’m sorry,” I finally say. I shift my weight uncomfortably as Katie’s expression brightens with surprise.
“Sorry for what?” She acts as if I’m going to pounce on top of her and devour her in one bite.
I wish she wasn’t so skittish. It’s going to be extremely difficult to prove to the others that I attained her full consent to follow me, especially if she is visibly quivering at my mere presence beside her.
“I don’t mean to just string you along,” I confess. Mostly, this is a true admittance.
“Then just tell me the truth,” she states flatly.
“I can’t,” I blurt out hastily.
Katie gives me a quizzical frown. “Why not?”
I glance around the city. “Look,” I try to explain and hold up my hand defensively. “It’s just…it’s just not that simple.”
“Nothing ever is.” Katie sighs regretfully.
“I want to come clean,” I admit.
“Did you do something to cause you to have regrets and remorse?” Katie eyes me suspiciously.
“Not really…” I trail off.
“Then what do you need to come clean about?” she taunts me.
“Maybe I’m not explaining myself correctly,” I belt out with a flash of frustration.
“Well I followed you,” Katie reminds me. “I have all the time in the world apparently.”
I know that she’s just trying to be sarcastic and lighten the mood with a joke. I see through Katie. I know she’s a fraying mess of anxiety and stress, but she’s trying to resist the urge to let any of those emotions slip through the cracks with me.
I get an idea that switches on in my head like a lightbulb. “I think we are going all wrong about this approach.” I am talking more to myself than Katie as I distantly stare off into space.
“Huh?” Katie eyes me. “Who’s this ‘we’ you are referring to?”
I glance at her and then walk toward the street.
“Hey what are you doing?” Katie’s voice brushes with alarm.
“I’m not going to jump in traffic or anything,” I say and roll my eyes.
“Then what exactly are you doing?” Katie takes a cautious step in my direction. Her blonde hair is shining in the late evening sun and highlights of color cascade down her back in the tendrils that form the soft mane of silk attached to her head.
I throw my hand up in the air. I was a human once. That’s the beauty of this situation. I still know how to act like one when it’s necessary. “I’m hailing a cab,” I tell her as one speeds in our direction and screeches to a grinding halt right in front of us.
“Come on,” I instruct her and swing the back, passenger door open. “Get in.”
“Now where the hell are we going?” Katie whines, but to my relief she agrees and climbs in first.
“Just trust me,” I tell her again for the hundredth time today.
“You sure do say that a lot,” Katie’s voice flashes with humor.
I give the cabbie the address of the cafeteria back at campus. Katie gives me a look of confusion. “Do you mean to tell me we just walked all that way for nothing?” Her expression leaks out her annoyance.
“Not entirely…” I advise her. “Do you want to grab a coffee?”
“Why would I want to do that?” Katie makes a funny frowning face.
I shrug. “Just to get to know each other. Maybe I can explain some things, so you won’t think I’m entirely crazy.”
Katie snorts in an attempted laugh, but it comes out more like a frog croak. “I think that ship has already sailed. You are far gone on the crazy train in my mind.”
“Just give me a chance,” I protest.
I dare to look into Katie’s eyes. She’s going to say no, I can feel it. I’ve already strung her along too far today.
“I don’t know…” she states with apprehensiveness.
“We will be back at school where you belong anyway,” I remind her.
“That’s true,” she states and then gives me a confident gaze. “S
ure, I’ll do it.”
Her split-second decision to change her mind makes me a little guarded, but I make sure not to show it. “You’ll agree to coffee?” I ask to confirm.
“Yes.” She nods. “I’ll do it.”
I am relieved at her cooperation, but I have to remain stoically indifferent on the outside. Katie is not the only one playing games with emotions. If I can just work up the nerve to explain to her exactly what is going on, then the potential to gain an advantage is at my disposal. I need to have Katie on my side. It’s somewhat essential.
The cabbie makes a sharp right turn and Katie’s knees bump against mine. Immediately, a sensual bliss of euphoria raises the hairs on the back of my neck. I’m undeniably attracted to Katie, but at the same time I’m a vampire. I’m thirsty for her blood, and her scent is threatening to destroy me if I don’t get a taste.
I’m confused by the way my insides tingle at the single touch of her knee against mine. The brushing of skin to skin contact is so brief that it lingers on my skin and leaves me craving more. I have to hide my desire and attraction for her, because I feel like it can be damaging for both of us. I need to keep my focus on the ultimate goal and the task at hand.
I’m nervous, and I don’t even know why. Carl is usually the anxious one. Whatever pull, or effect Katie unintentionally has over me has a tight grip. I glance over at her and there is an immediate rush of sexual tension as she pushes herself back to her side of the seat, as far away from me as possible.
“Sorry…” she mumbles and glances out at the busy Manhattan streets as they blur and whiz past us.
A few minutes later, the cabbie stops in front of the cafeteria at the NYU campus. “Here’s your stop,” he states gruffly as if that much isn’t already obvious. I hand him the cash including a generous tip and climb out of the seat behind Katie.
When we walk inside, the surrounding area is somewhat quieter than it usually is. This is a good sign that I’m leading us in the right direction. Most of the students are in class which gives us the advantage of having peaceful privacy to discuss things that need to be discussed and unleashed.
“Should we get a booth?” I suggest and point to a dark corner of the room.
Katie gives me a knowing look and I watch as an ever so slight grin curls at the bottom of her full and delicious looking lips. “Sure,” she states.
We go sit down and wait for service, but after a few minutes of sitting together in silence, we both realize that nobody is coming.
“This must be a self-service hour,” Katie admits and cranes her neck to look over the booth.
I drum my fingers against the tabletop. “Yeah I guess so.”
Katie stands up. Dread instantly floods me. “Where are you going?”
Her expression is innocent. “You paid for the cab ride. It’s only fair that I return the favor and buy the coffee. Don’t try to protest because I insist.”
I open my mouth to do exactly that, but think better of it and clamp my lips shut again. “Okay, that’s fine I guess.”
“So, you want a coffee?” Katie eyes me suspiciously as if I shouldn’t want to have a beverage like that.
“Yeah,” I nod and sigh. “I’ll take a coffee.” Even though I’d rather have her blood, it’s a close second. Who knows, maybe it will even calm down my elusive jitters. I need the therapy of some good company too.
Chapter Twelve
Roger
“You’re different.” Katie eyes me with an unreadable expression.
I lean back against the booth and smile. “That’s certainly an open-ended statement.”
Katie rolls her eyes and huffs. “You agreed to tell me the truth,” she states like a sullen child.
“Did I?” I smirk. I’m having fun entertaining myself at her expense, but in a playful type of way.
“Yes…” Katie ponders reflectively and then glances up at the booth lights above our heads. “Well, kind of. I guess.”
“Well which one is it?” I chuckle. I know she wants me to admit that I’m a vampire. I haven’t verbally confirmed what I am, and I know that’s what she’s looking to peel out of me.
We size each other up for a few moments, trying to read each other’s thoughts and intentions. I need Katie, and she apparently knows it. She seems less fearful of me than she did in the beginning. She’s curious, almost as if she needs something from me too but doesn’t know how to explain it to me.
“What are you thinking right now?” she asks.
“That’s a complicated question,” I respond while keeping my eyes locked in on hers.
“You are the one who invited me to coffee,” she reminds me.
“That’s true.” I nod with a smile.
“Why are you drinking coffee anyway?” she quizzes.
“What do you mean?” I take another sip. It’s bitter and tastes like dirt, but I pretend to enjoy it nonetheless.
Katie opens her mouth to speak, but then loses her nerve and shuts it again. She blushes and glances down at her own mug of piping hot ‘joe.’
“You want to know why a vampire would drink coffee?” I ask.
She glances up at me with an expression popping with intrigue. “So, you admit it?”
“Admit what?” I ask. I’m playing a game with her.
She scratches the side of her cheek and looks sheepish. “You know…that you are like…a vampire.” She mumbles the last word as if she’s afraid to speak it out loud.
“Yes.” I nod with confirmation. “I am a vampire.” There. Now it’s out in the open and we can move forward to more important topics.
“The coffee? I have never seen a vampire eat or drink human food or beverages.” Katie looks confused.
“Do you know many vampires?” I raise a teasingly cynical eyebrow.
She leans back in the booth. “I know a few,” she states defensively.
“To be honest,” I begin. “I’m recently turned.”
“How recent?” Katie asks and takes a sip of her coffee.
“A couple of years,” I admit. “I’m still learning the ropes. I find myself doing things like I did when I was human. It’s quite the…adjustment.” I chuckle.
Katie studies me. “You are a different type of vampire. I mean…different from the ones I know that is.”
I don’t know exactly what she means by that, but I don’t press her. If she wants to elaborate, I’m sure she will. “Yeah I am a newbie for sure,” I tell her.
“I’m sorry.” She squeezes her eyes shut and shakes her head rigorously. “I’m interrupting you. I didn’t mean to do that.”
“It’s fine.” I wave my hand dismissively.
“Continue.” She verbally nudges me along.
I glance around the cafeteria. There is the occasional drove of students that trickle in, but for the most part we are alone. I prefer to be sitting in the corner section in the giant booth where we can remain unbothered.
I look at Katie. She’s staring at me intently. I know she’s prepared now to listen to the truth. If I were alive, I’d inhale a large breath in order to prepare myself. Instead, I just rub my sweating palms against my jeans.
“I had cancer,” I confess.
“You mean like…before you…died?” Katie whispers. I can tell she’s trying not to offend me.
“Right.” I nod. I have no problem giving her the inside scoop.
“Did it…hurt?” Katie looks frightened.
“Not really,” I shrug. “My best friend Carl did it. He turned before me.”
“How did it happen for him?” Katie’s eyes flash with curiosity.
I glance around again. I don’t know why I’m suddenly becoming suspicious, so I keep my voice down as I explain everything to her.
“Carl couldn’t live without me,” I admit. “It’s not what you think. I mean…we aren’t like…together or anything.” I want to make that part initially clear.
“Okay…” Katie trails off. Her eyes are narrowed, but not with skepticism. No, she
appears to be genuinely interested as I trailblaze through my past with a historical story of my life.
“Being a vampire is still new to me, even though it’s been a couple of years. I am still coming into my own and trying to adapt to my new strength and heightened senses.”
“I can imagine.” Katie nods as if she has any clue, but I still admire her empathy and I find it sexy and adorable.
“So anyway,” I press on. “Carl has no family. I am the only person…well…vampire now that he has in the world.”
“That’s so sad.” Katie’s eyes appear tortured.
“Yeah…” I nod in agreement. “I was the only one in school that ever treated Carl with any type of respect or dignity, or at least that’s what he tells me.”
“Good for you.” Katie gives me a shy, but warm smile.
“My cancer had been in remission for a while, but then it came back.” I pause here and give Katie a remorseful glance. “There was nothing I could do, but dying wasn’t the kind of answer Carl was going to accept at the time.”
“That must have been tough.” Katie clicks her tongue.
“Carl was desperate to keep me alive, or at least still walking the planet and functioning,” I say with a chuckle.
“Wow.” Katie’s expression mirrors that she can’t believe what I’m telling her even though she admits to knowing other vampires.
“Carl told me that he heard about the vampires in the woods. He went there to ask them to turn him into a vampire.”
“That’s really brave,” Katie states with shock.
“Yeah,” I agree. “Like I said, he was desperate.”
“So, what did he do when he got to the woods?” she asks.
I take another sip of the coffee and then make a sour face. “Sorry,” I laugh. “It doesn’t taste as good when you aren’t human anymore.”
“You don’t have to drink it.” Katie stares at me.
I watch a vein in her hand pulse for a few seconds and fight the intensity to bite her. “Well,” I go on. “He asked the vampires in the woods to turn him, so that he could save me.”