In My Veins

by Madden, C. A.

  David was there because James invited him. He’s not as scary as before but he still gives me the creeps sometimes. Eli didn’t even try to show up.

  At least Jenny was happy. She chatted with me and talked about how she thinks I would look gorgeous with caramel highlights as we helped set the table.

  James talked to his dad about Lana. I worried his father was going to hate me for requesting it, but he was curious as to what she said. He too said it was too big of a risk to believe her and he forbid us to even try.

  James gave me a look and went back to his food.

  “I wonder who it was though…” I mumbled.

  “Who was who?” Jenny asked.

  “Lana said we’re not the only ones who came to ask recently. That means there was another person or people who came in recently. I thought it was only you and David…”

  “That’s true…” David said.

  “Collin…” James said. “At first I figured he somehow had the curse too… but what are the chances that he’d have the same curse right?”

  “Is it possible you guys are related… maybe distantly?” I asked.

  “It’s possible…” James’s father replied, “It’s a curse from many generations ago. I’m sure some family bloodlines got lost.”

  I sat in the living room and stared at the television. I think it was a reality show but I wasn’t even paying attention. Lana said that anyone in his family would work to break the curse. Should I meet Collin? Let him have some of my blood? It's worth it if it helps James... but would Collin let me go after he's had the amount needed?

  I felt David staring at me and thanked God that James said they couldn't read minds. Although I sometimes thought he was lying when I was around David. He arched his eyebrow and gave me 'I know you're up to something' look.

  How will I meet Collin without them knowing?

  I took my phone out of my pocket and searched his name on the internet hoping that it would come up with something. Collin Martin at the law office he worked at in the building came up.

  I knew he worked there but I couldn’t believe it.

  The monster that's attacking me...is a lawyer.

  But makes things simpler for me, he has an office phone number that goes straight to him.

  I looked up and David was still staring at me. He totally knows I’m up to something and I knew it was going to be hard to get away.

  “So… don’t you have anything to do?” I asked. James made David babysit me while he had a meeting with some R&B diva who refused to change her meeting date.

  “Nope. Your lover boy is paying me to babysit you. He pays more than my work so… I took a few days off.” he smirked.

  “I see… What did you do again?” How am I going to get away from him so I can go to Collin!?

  “I’m a trainer at Bar’s Gym.” Explains the muscles. “What are you up to?” He asked not buying my curiosity of his job.

  “I… Nothing. I just wanted to go to the store.” I said.

  “Then let’s go.” he said standing up.

  “Um… I kind of want to go alone…” I said awkwardly.

  “Why?” he said narrowing his eyes at me.

  “I want to buy feminine stuff.”

  David cringed and sat back down. “Um…”

  I internally screamed for joy. I stood up to go, “I’ll be back soon.”

  “Wait. I’ll come but I’ll wait outside.”

  ***

  “You better be out in an hour.” He mumbled as he drove in front of the closest store.

  “But what if the lines are long?”

  “An hour, or I’m coming in to drag you out myself.”

  I groaned as I got out of the car and went into the local store. I went to the back of the store, knowing David’s hearing was exceptional. I wasn’t sure how good it was but the further in the back I got, I figured it was the safest.

  “Hello this is Collin Michaels speaking from Michaels & Park Law Offices.” Collin answered.

  “This is Karina.”

  He paused for a moment, “Well…what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “I want to meet you.”

  “Where are you?”

  As soon as I told him the store and location he hung up. I checked the time and it was two minutes past four. I will wait a little before leaving.

  Just in case David decided to come early I went to the feminine aisle. I sighed and felt someone standing behind me. I turned around and it was Collin. His eyes were bright red and he was smirking at me. Then he glanced around the isle, “Um… could we go somewhere else… I feel awkward being here.”

  “Seriously? You guys are ‘monsters’ and a couple pads and tampons make you cringe.” I looked down the aisle as if David would show up, “I was actually hoping we could go. James’s cousin is outside waiting for me.”

  “My pleasure.” Before I knew it he grabbed me and dashed us out of the supermarket back door.

  Scared from the speed and scared that I was in the hands of the monster; I had my eyes closed the whole time. I ignored any trace of fear I had and tried to get James out of my head. I couldn’t feel scared or guilty. Before I knew it he stopped and placed me down.

  I looked around and realized we were in an empty abandoned building. This would be when I’d be yelling at the girl in the movie for being an idiot. Ever since I started dating James I was the idiot in the movie rather than the one yelling at her to stop being so stupid.

  “So…what makes you want to meet me? And alone at that?” Collin said walking around me like I was prey. I was prey.

  I didn’t fail to notice his eyes were still red and getting redder by the minute. “I…I needed to ask you something….” I said trying not to sound scared and failed miserably.

  “What is it?”

  “How are you…what you are?” I asked as I turned around to keep my eyes on him.

  He dashed behind me and gently grabbed my arms. He brought his nose to my neck and I felt him inhale my scent and he sighed, “I can definitely see how James is attracted to you. Don’t know how he controls himself though.”

  “Please just answer me…”

  He stood in front of me and smirked, “I know you’re scared don’t act like you’re not. I can smell fear…and I love it.” he continued to stare at me as if I’d run off. Even if I did… not like I’d be able to run. “You’ve heard of the curse about Carmichael men right?”

  “Yes…”

  “Of course you have. Well that’s how it is.”

  “I don’t get it… James didn’t even know you.”

  “I’m a Carmichael sweetheart. My great grandfather was adopted. The gypsy that set the curse on Carmichael men is my great great grandmother. Hence the last name difference. But I am most definitely a cursed Carmichael.” He shrugged.

  “I thought that that baby died…”

  “She thought she lost it… but I guess she didn’t. They didn’t have technology to check back then.” He shrugged. “What difference does it make, I’m cursed too.”

  “Why are you after me?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? Your delicious blood.” He laughed taking a step closer to me.

  I shivered, I really hope this breaks the curse for James.

  “What if I let you have some of it.”

  “Not like you could stop me if you didn’t offer it.” he smirked.

  “If… I let you have some of it… will you stop when it gets too much and let me live?”

  He smirked. “Sweetheart, you’re with me alone. You have no idea where you are. You would never be able to out run me; I don’t need your permission.”

  ***

  I was frozen in my spot and Collin continued to stare at me. I wasn’t frozen because of him. I was frozen because I had nowhere to go even if I wanted to. “I don’t get it though. You say you’re after me because of my blood. You didn’t have a taste till the elevator.”

  He sighed, “Does it really matter why I wanted to kill you?”
/>
  “Well yes.”

  His eyes brighter and a low guttural growl escaping his throat. I don’t know why he’s getting so defensive I said he could bite me. I’m not running away.

  He stepped closer and grabbed my arms. It all happened too fast.

  Before I knew it he dipped me low pulling my hair back painfully making my head fall back freeing my neck for him. I felt him slowly bringing his head closer to my neck. I felt his warm breath prickle on my skin giving me goose bumps.

  I suddenly felt guilty once his lips were on my neck but that was quickly erased when I got the piercing pain. I felt it. It’s such a weird feeling to feel your blood being sucked out of you. And I felt even guiltier when a rush went to the pit of my stomach and lower. It felt so good. I hated myself for thinking that it felt good. But he bit into my skin harder. I scratched at his arm to get him to stop, that I didn’t want to do this anymore.

  But the curse. I need to get rid of it for James and his family. How much would he need to take to make the curse go away?

  Didn’t he get enough?

  Once I started feeling lightheaded I started hitting his arm but he growled. My hits were weak and pointless since I was losing strength and my legs had started to feel numb.

  Then I felt him being pulled back and someone holding me or maybe I was floating. I looked up and I saw David staring down at me.

  I had never been so happy to see him look at me like that. He looked angry and worried.

  He took his hand and pressed it against the painful wound I had on my neck now and looked somewhere else. I cried out at the pain from him pressing against it. I wanted to pull his arm away but I was still weak.

  I slowly turned my neck to see where he was looking and saw a blur of two people fighting with each other.

  My eyes were shutting but I knew it was James. I forced it open to see if he was okay.

  Collin had James on the floor. He was pressing his shoulders on the floor and James was struggling.

  “Collin just had your blood so he’s stronger…” David mumbled to himself or to me…not sure. Considering how he said ‘your’ like it was my fault, I’m assuming he was saying it to me.

  Collin quickly clamped onto James’s neck like a shark. James’s eyes met mine and I knew I had to do something. This was my fault.

  With all my strength I pushed David away from me and jumped up to run to them. David tried to stop me but I pushed him away again. I ran up to Collin and tried to pull him away from James’s neck but he growled at me.

  “Please stop Collin you can have me!” I cried.

  “Go with David!” James growled at me.

  “No! Please let him go!” I sobbed and continued trying to pull him away. “Please stop…”

  Suddenly Collin stopped growling and stepped back. David pulled me back. I didn’t even know he was behind me still and stepped in front of me.

  Collin’s eyes met mine and he looked almost remorseful. He frowned and looked down at the weak James.

  He rustled his hair and yelled dramatically before dashing off.

  Not even caring about Collin to go after him I pushed David aside and fell on the floor next to James. James tried to stand up to go after him but I held him down.

  “Baby, are you okay?” I cried and looked into his red eyes. He groaned painfully instead of answering me. I looked at his wound and it wasn’t bleeding although there deep bloody holes indicating that monster’s fang marks.

  He clenched onto his heart and yelled. “David what’s wrong with him!” I cried.

  David sat by me and was on the phone explaining what happened to someone. Not listening to his conversation I talked to James. His eyes didn’t leave mine.

  He brought his hand up to caress my cheek as I talked to him. He gave me a bittersweet smile and looked like he was saying goodbye.

  “Why are you looking at me like that James? You’re going to be okay!” I cried. He shook his head. I looked at David and his expression was shocked and sad. I realized that he could hear the conversation David was having on the phone.

  I looked down at James who was still staring at me. His eyes were full of tears but he wasn’t letting them drop. Not being able to control myself anymore I started crying too. I brought my face down and kissed the side of his head where a tear finally escaped and rested my forehead on his.

  “Please do not look at me like that James. I’m so sorry…. This is all my fault….” I cried.

  David got off the phone.

  “Get her out of here…” James struggled to say, “It’s dangerous…”

  I looked up at David to refuse. “I’m not leaving James here. I am staying with him or going with him.” David didn’t even give me a chance to argue as he grabbed me and dashed me out of the building. I hit his back and yelled at him to go back but it was no use.

  Chapter Nineteen

  David’s had had me at James’s house for over an hour. He wouldn’t tell me about James. He wouldn’t talk to me. He threw me in James’s room and closed the door locking it from the outside, “If you so much as try to open the window, I will hear you.” He warned from the outside of the door.

  I sat on his bed and hugged his pillow. It smelled like him. The sexy and masculine, woodsy and spicy. It was magnetic. But it was cold. I missed his warmth. I already missed his arms around me.

  It was my fault.

  I shouldn’t have listened to Lana. What will happen to James?

  I put his pillow down and headed to the door. I tried wiggling the knob to open it but it was locked. I saw the key slot and found it weird that it had a lock from both sides. I knocked on it, “David, let me out.”

  Silence.

  “Please…”

  The door swung open but he dashed away. He was mad at me.

  I walked out of the room to find him. He was sitting on the couch and looked stressed. “David…please tell me where and how James is…”

  He looked at me and glared, “Why the fuck did you run away? We wouldn’t be in this mess if you had just listened!” he yelled.

  I cringed, he was right. “I thought it would help him---”

  “Even if it would have helped, it wouldn’t work because someone told you what to do. You guys have to figure it out on your own. Didn’t he tell you this?” he said.

  “No…”

  “Now you know.”

  “Well he saved me in the spur of the moment, moments ago, wouldn’t that break the curse?” I asked.

  “I don’t think there’s a curse to be broken anymore…” he mumbled.

  “What do you mean?” I asked thinking the worst. My knees felt weak and I was sure I was about to fall so I tried to walk to him. I made it to the seat next to him.

  He sighed, “I called our uncle. The one you saw at the barbeque. He’s pretty good at these things. He says if you’re bitten by someone with the curse you’re stuck a monster forever. Or the curse is basically impossible to break.”

  I felt my stomach twist.

  “Can I see him?” I asked barely able to get my voice out.

  “No. It’s not safe… now that he’s permanently like that we don’t know how he’ll react to you…”

  “Permanently?”

  “As in twenty four hours seven days a week. Yes.”

  “I want to see him…” I said with a shaky voice.

  David looked at me with a sad expression and sighed. “I’ll talk to him and see… but for now he wants you here with me, never out of my sight and far away from him as possible.”

  “Please David I have to see if he’s okay… I have to see him.” I begged.

  He sighed and took out his phone. He texted something and I stared at him. Did he text James?

  “Yes I texted him.” he replied.

  “How did you know I was wondering that?”

  He laughed, “It’s obvious. Especially when it comes to you and James. You two wear your feelings on your face when it comes to each other.”

  He looke
d at his phone again and stood up, “Let’s go. He wants to see you.”

  I nervously stood with David at James’s parent’s house. Judging by the cars, Jenny’s not home and neither are his parents. I’m somewhat disappointed since Jenny’s the only sibling that actually likes me and I would hope still liked me. I sighed and David patted my back reassuringly. I was surprised that he was actually being nice.

  Ellie opened the door and glared at me. “What do you think you’re doing here?!” she yelled at me. David stood in front of me to protect me from James’s sister’s well deserved wrath.

  “Hey…it’s not her fault. She went there to risk her life to break the stupid curse. It might have worked if Collin didn’t try to bite his neck off.” He said calmly.

  I have to keep telling myself she’s like this to protect her brother but I couldn’t help but wonder if the curse went onto the women in the family if she would have already killed me. She loves James… she doesn’t hate me. She loves James…. she doesn’t hate me.

  Ellie glared at him and back at me. She totally hates me…

  She stepped aside to let us into the house, “He’s in his old room.”

  I followed David into the house past Ellie. We went down the hallway of the rooms and we were reaching the end turn which led to his room. I glanced at the large framed black and white family pictures on the walls while we walked down the hallway and smiled at the childhood pictures of James. He still has the same infectious smile.

  I felt nervous. Way more nervous than when I would have to do speeches in college. I was scared. Not scared because they had no idea how he would react, scared because he might hate me.

  What if he wanted to see me to break up with me? It is my fault that he’s stuck like this. If only I told him my plan first or figured out a better way to avoid David when I went to Collin he wouldn’t have come after me.

  David knocked on James’s door but there was no response. He knocked again and said that he was going to open the door. After waiting a minute for a reply and getting nothing, He slowly opened the door.

  I peaked in past him and saw James sitting on his childhood bed in the corner of his room. But it wasn’t the same James.