Heavenly Blood (Roseville Vampires, #2)

by Brighton Hill

  Liam had no idea what danger he was in. At any second, she could lose control and tear him to shreds. For him, it was as stupid as hooking up with a shark. She could hear the Jaws music in her mind.

  Even though she got to school before her sisters, she was hardly early at all. Students filled the outdoor halls, socializing and gathering their books from their lockers. The Miami Beach sun was already hot and mixing with the thick humidity of the Florida tropics.

  Sabine tried to remember Emily’s combination. She scanned her mind for the numbers. It came back to her. 3, 5, 6, 9. Yup, that was it. She turned the dial, stopping at each number. There was a release. As she opened the metal door to put the gift box inside for Liam, Scratch approached.

  “Hey there baby cakes.” His cheery voice sounded amused as he looked out at the students socializing on the grass.

  “Yo, idiot,” she retorted in sarcastic anger. Just his presence bothered her, causing her heart to beat fast and hard. Her cheeks flushed uncontrollably. What the hell was wrong with her?

  Laughing at her comment, he raised an eyebrow as he shifted his gaze to her ocean blue eyes and then to locker. Suddenly, he grabbed the box.

  “Hey, what are you doing?” Sabine demanded. “Give that back.” She tried to take it from his hand, but he taunted her with it, shaking it before her face.

  “What’s this?” he laughed. When he saw Sabine’s angry expression, he opened the box and took out a diamond ring. “Oh, I get it.”

  “You do, do you?” she retorted sarcastically with her arms folded over her chest.

  “You’re going to ask me to marry you.” A crooked grin lifted on his gorgeous face.

  Her eyes narrowed into a glare. “Fat chance.”

  He put the ring on his pinky finger. “You’re going to have to get this resized.”

  “Put it back, scar face.” Her stomach tied in knots. The memory of the kiss on her neck bothered her. She could feel his soft, cold lips pressed against her skin.

  “Okay.” He took the ring off and put it back in the box. “I’ll wait for you to give it to me tonight when I return to your room. This time the kiss will be on the lips.”

  Sabine was shocked by his comment. How did he know about her dream? Did he really come to her last night?

  Just then Emily walked up, her blond hair braided to the side with sapphire ornaments and a stick pin of a pearl cluster at the top. Scratch swung around to face her with the box still in his hand. His expression brightened. “Well, hello there,” he said acting enamored with her beauty. He knelt down before her and opened the box. “Will you marry me?”

  She looked at the ring wide-eyed and then glanced at Sabine.

  Sabine frowned. “I’m sorry…”

  But before she could finish, Liam walked up and swiped the box out of Scratch’s hands. “What the hell is wrong with you, dude?” his face turned hot like fire.

  Scratch laughed. “Happy birthday, babe,” he murmured to Emily as he looked down at her chest. You think about my proposal,” When he turned to leave, he winked at Sabine, patted Liam on the back, and strutted away.

  “What a prick,” Liam mumbled. He turned to Emily. “It’s a promise ring.” For a moment he just stared at the diamond stone and then he handed it to his girlfriend.

  “I love it.” She put the ring on. “Fits perfectly.” Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him and kissed him lightly.

  Apparently, he was still annoyed with Scratch. His body language seemed detached as he pulled away subtly. “Happy birthday, Em,” he whispered.

  “Don’t let that dope bother you,” she encouraged.

  “He doesn’t. I’m just trying to figure out how to kill him.”

  Emily laughed as she looked over at her sister.

  But then, Sabine’s ex-play-thing, Matt, walked over. “Who is that guy?” He motioned over at Scratch who was flirting with some girls across the quad now.

  “Scratch Morrison,” Emily said—the expression on her perfect face was unreadable. She was surprised Matt joined them as if there had never been a falling out between Sabine and him.

  Matt shook his head in disapproval. “He’s a real punk.”

  “That’s putting it mildly,” Liam mumbled, trying to control his anger.

  “You’re just bent because he knocked you out in the boxing ring downtown yesterday,” Emily tried to hold back a giggle now.

  “How’d you hear about that?” Matt furrowed his eyebrows.

  “Is that true?” Sabine asked, her musical voice laced with concern. As much as she wanted Matt to forget about her, she still didn’t want this new guy to hurt him. But more than that, she wanted any excuse to disapprove of Scratch and his ways.

  “He’s not even a trained boxer,” Matt complained. It was apparent that he already hated Scratch. “He just showed up at practice and persuaded the coach into letting him workout with us. The guy went crazy in the ring. Psycho. And then he laughed after he knocked me down. His fist was liked steel. I wasn’t even expecting it. He tried to act like it was all in fun.” He shook his head. “He even started barking and clapping his hands, making fun of me like I’m some kind of idiot.”

  Sabine’s eyes widened, shocked at his behavior.

  “Look,” Emily huffed as she pointed past the trees, toward the parking lot.

  Sabine, Liam, and Matt turned to look. A cop car had just pulled up under the trees at the corner of the lot. As they watched, two male officers got out of the car and walked onto the campus.

  The police officers walked directly up to Scratch. From a distance it appeared as if they were asking him questions. The girls he was flirting with paled like they were frightened.

  Immediately, the cops handcuffed Scratch and led him toward their car. One girl with dark hair and big breasts started crying. She yelled out, “Don’t worry Scratch, I’ll get you out on bail.”

  “Come on,” Matt encouraged. “Let’s see what’s happening.” He pulled Sabine by the arm. A lump grew in her throat, but she followed him. Emily and Liam trailed hand in hand behind.

  As the officers led him, Scratch pranced in his usual confident manner but before he was put in the vehicle, he looked back at Sabine and winked.

  Chapter Three

  The next morning Sabine woke up in the hot tub screaming. Savannah and Jewel rushed into her room wearing only their undergarments.

  “Are you all right?” Savannah climbed into the dry tub and held her sister by the shoulders. Her black waves of hair fell into her face and over her lace bra.

  Sabine’s body was hot. She pressed her fingers to her temples and half gazed at Savannah. “I had a dream,” Sabine breathed the words.

  “Turn on the water,” Jewel demanded to Savannah, as she touched her distraught sister’s cheek.

  Without hesitation, Savannah plugged the drain and turned on the faucet, letting the water flow.

  “Scratch,” Sabine whispered, searching the girls’ eyes.

  “What about him?” Savannah asked. The tub was filling up quickly.

  Her body fell back against the wall of the Jacuzzi tub. “He came into my room last night again. Every night I dream about him. It seems so real. We talk for hours.”

  “What do you talk about?” Jewel asked as Savannah climbed out of the water and went into the closet to get some clothes for Sabine.

  “Everything. I feel like he knows me entirely. He really understands me. And I know him, but he has secrets. I can’t figure him out completely.” She paused for a moment to recollect. “He kisses like a movie star. His lips are so soft. And the way he moves…” Heat flooded her cheeks. “Last night, things got hot and he tore off all my clothes. We were making love for the first time, but then the Trident Court pulled us apart and took him away.” Sabine’s eyes were wide with fear as she gripped the edge of the hot tub. She seemed lost in thought like she hadn’t fully wakened. “It was just a dream, but we were so in love. I would have died for him. If it was real, I could have like
ten kids with the guy and you know, cap it off with forever.” She opened her hand and there was a big blue diamond in her palm.

  Jewel’s eyes widened. “Where did you get that?” Her hand went to her chest as her heartbeat sped up.

  “He gave this to me. He said it is the stone for our wedding ring.” Sabine’s eyes glossed over. “I don’t think he’s human, but I don’t know what he is. I just can’t figure him out. He…”

  “That blue diamond must be worth a million dollars,” Jewel interrupted, her eyes blinking several times. “It must be stolen. We can’t get caught with it.” She tried to swipe it out of her hand, but Sabine hid it behind her back.

  “It’s mine,” Sabine said. “He said it’s a family heirloom. The Morrison’s are loaded. I wonder how they got so rich.”

  “He’s in jail,” Jewel responded sternly. “Don’t you know rumor has it that he got arrested for breaking into Miami Aquariums? People say he’s in a gang called Boys of Mutiny.”

  Savannah set clothes out for Sabine on an old pink Victorian style chair next to the Jacuzzi. “I’ve heard of that gang. Who are you talking about?” Savannah glared at Jewel.

  “That bad boy with the hot bod. Our next door neighbor,” she scoffed. “Who do you think? He and some gang bangers were supposedly accused of driving Scratch’s Hummer through the park at night and stealing a seal from the aquarium.”

  Sabine slid under the water fully immersing her body from head to toe. She came up laughing. Her eyes were wide with a sort of sarcastic exasperation. “What a fool,” she exclaimed as she got out of the tub.

  “What did they do with the seal?” Savannah asked Jewel.

  “I think they let it go in the ocean.” Jewel cracked a smile as she put her hand to Sabine’s forehead.

  At that, Sabine’ pushed her sister’s hand away and got out of the tub. “That’s weird,” she whispered as she tried to put the puzzle pieces together in her mind. And without drying off, she pulled on the tank top and shorts Savannah had set out. “I don’t want to talk anymore.” she lifted her chin toward the door, motioning her sisters to leave.

  “You better hurry up,” Jewel said snappily. “Logan and Andrew have to drop us off early this morning.

  “They have exams in linguistics class,” Savannah explained as the two left the room.

  “Don’t sweat it. I’ll walk.” After they left rolling their eyes, Sabine dropped the blue diamond in her pocket. She went over to her treasure chest and took out a small handful of flat rhinestones and rubies that she glued onto the sides of her legs for adornment. She didn’t bother combing out her wet hair and just slipped on a pair of strappy closed toe flats, lacing them up her calves. But she put her hand gun in her purse.

  When she got into the kitchen, everyone was hanging out on pillows eating raw muscles with liquid chasers, but her mother was sleeping on the bean bag with her mouth wide open. Sabine ignored them all and just grabbed some coins from the Petri dish as she rushed out the door.

  “What’s her problem?” Andrew asked the girls. His angular features looked more gaunt than normal from staying up all night with their mother who had the shakes.

  “She’s closed off,” Emily responded, her lyrical voice laced with concern. “She doesn’t join us at the caves lately; her connection is blocked.”

  “Just give her space,” their father said in annoyance. “Maybe the mood will blow off and we won’t have to follow her to California again. It’s really not fair—I have to make a living.” He looked thinner than last week. His long strawberry blond hair was neatly tied in a low ponytail.

  “I think she’s hung up on the next door neighbor, that Morrison kid,” Jewel added. “She’s made up in her mind that he’s not human. She probably thinks he’s a superhero.” She laughed.

  “No,” Savannah insisted. “She would never give her heart to anyone else but Laurent and especially not to some base trouble maker like Scratch Morrison.”

  The doorbell rang. Everyone stiffened.

  Emily’s nostrils flared. “Yummy. It’s Liam.”

  The others scowled and made rude comments.

  “This isn’t going anywhere,” Logan mumbled as he stood up, stretching his thick muscular body.

  Emily grabbed her backpack, tossing her long blond hair off her shoulders. “He’s different,” she whispered and went to the door.

  “Good morning,” Liam smiled brightly as he motioned out to his car parked in the driveway with the engine running.

  “Hi,” she said kissing him lightly on the lips while waving behind her at the family. Her stomach tightened as he briefly pulled her closer to where their chests were pressed against each other for a moment. She felt his heartbeat distinctly. He smelled fleshy and warm.

  “I brought you this.” He handed her a white paper bag that was folded over and taped shut.

  As she held it, her stomach churned. “Oh, I hate donuts.”

  “You didn’t open the bag.” His eyebrows scrunched together. “How did you know what I brought?” He opened the car door for her and held out his hand motioning her inside.

  Her face reddened lightly. “I smelled it.”

  At that, he laughed. “Keen senses.” He was shaking his head. And with a chuckle, he slammed the door before jogging around to the other side where he got into the driver’s seat. “I missed you.” His voice sounded more like a sigh.

  Her heart tightened. “Me too.” Even her whisper was melodic.

  They were driving now toward school. The billboards loomed over them as they cruised down the business district. Street lights. Construction sounds. Smog. It was a cloudy day, yet already hot out.

  Her mind in another place, Emily ran her hand over the smooth texture of the brown leather seat. “Don’t get too attached to me, Liam.”

  “You always say that.” His face fell as he kept his eyes on the road.

  Emily’s attention drifted suddenly. Music filled her mind. Sabine was calling her telepathically.

  Her body tensed. She felt compelled to jump out of the car and run to Sabine but she knew they were already driving in her direction.

  When they pulled into the school parking lot, Sabine was leaning against the lamppost before Liam’s assigned parking space. Emily quickly got out of the car.

  “What’s going on?” She rushed over to Sabine.

  “Somebody has it bad for Laurent again.” Her expression was stern. “Stupid bitch,” she mumbled. Her skin was flushed with anger and her body was shaking slightly.

  “Does he like her?” Emily asked before Liam had a chance to walk over to them.

  “I can’t tell. He’s blocking me.” Tears were in her blue eyes.

  Liam approached Emily from behind and threaded his arms under hers around her waist. “I gotta get to homeroom.”

  Barely acknowledging him, she nodded.

  With a light smile, his hand brushed across her back as he left.

  Sabine watched Liam jog through the quad, down a row of lockers and out of sight. "Poor guy doesn’t know what he’s in for.”

  Emily looked irritated with Sabine. “Let’s go then.”

  In agreement, Sabine nodded. They walked across the parking lot and a stretch of lawn lined with tropical flowers to the street where they waited under some shade trees. Cars rolled by, bouncing over the speed bumps. Some college guys whistled at them from inside their convertible.

  “Steve’s pissed,” they both said at the same time about their father as they read his mind.

  “At least Jane is sober,” Emily mumbled as she bit her nails.

  As Sabine tilted her head to the side, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Logan’s blocking me.” Her eyebrows drew together.

  “He doesn’t want to go to California,” Emily explained, touching her arm.

  “You think I don’t know that?” Her eyes widened as her chin jutted out.

  “I’m just sayin’…” she whispered under her breath. “But don’t worry. He’s already on his w
ay.”

  But Sabine’s shoulders dropped as she exhaled deeply. “Andrew is mad too.”

  “They don’t want to miss their linguistics test.” Emily draped her blond hair over one shoulder and brushed the long locks with her nails. “They can’t deny your call.”

  With the slightest nod, Sabine’s eyes narrowed as she glared at the cars on the road. Her pulse was racing while she tried to concentrate. “The stupid bitch just kissed Laurent!” Her hands balled into fists. “That surprised him.” She was panting as she spoke. “Mandy Bowers is the slut’s name. I see her face in my mind. Blond with blue eyes.”