Penny's Choice

by Annette Archer

  Penny giggled. “That's not what I meant!”

  “Body fat doesn't really affect the taste of blood,” he said. “That's more of an age and gender type thing. Men taste better than women and the young taste better than the old.”

  “So little boys? That's gross!” Penny wrinkled her nose.

  “God, Penny, I'm not a pedophile!” Thomas said, sitting up. “That's enough talk about that.” He rolled his eyes. “Try your polenta.”

  “What?”

  “The mashed potato looking stuff,” Charles pointed to the yellow, grainy lump next to the meatloaf.

  “Haven't you just heard of mashed potatoes?” Penny took a tiny bite. “Not bad, I guess.”

  “You’re boring,” Thomas said with a twinkle in his eyes.

  “Boring? I'm eating meatloaf with a vampire!” Penny ate up the rest of her meatloaf while Thomas droned on about whatever was passing through his brain at the moment. Penny had never seen two people as opposite as Charles and Thomas. She could sit for an entire dinner with Charles and he would never say a word. Thomas on the other hand, could talk for hours without taking a breath. They did have some things in common. Like they were both extraordinary fighters. But while Charles was simply stronger than anyone else, Thomas was a good fighter because he was smarter than everyone else. He used complex physics and geometry equations to determine the best route. His abilities to instantaneously execute complex equations in his head, made him practically precognitive, and a favorite of the Matriarch. He often knew with mathematically certainty what was going to happen before it did.

  Penny looked up to see Thomas doing a ridiculous dance. “What are you doing?” Penny asked.

  “You weren't paying attention,” he replied, “so I thought I would bring you back to earth.”

  “Oh, sorry,” she said, putting her fork down. “Just thinking.”

  “Yeah, I could tell,” he said sitting back down. “You got a question?”

  “Did I have a choice joining the Brotherhood?” It felt good to finally get that question out in the air.

  “Yes, you did,” Thomas answered. “But not good choices. You could have joined the Brotherhood or you could have been killed by the Brotherhood.”

  “What?” Penny didn't really like that answer.

  “They don't want the secret to get out. They want humans to go about their merry lives not having to worry about the rest of the creatures in the world. In fact, I bet you don't even know about half of us that are out there.”

  “So, people that learn about vampires either have to join the Brotherhood or die?”

  “No, mostly they just die. If you wouldn't have been young, strong, talented, and filled with rage for vampires, they would have killed you. Or tried to kill... I wouldn't have let them do it that easily.”

  “Is that why we don't find many bodies and stuff?”

  “No, you don't find many bodies because most vampires don't kill when we feed. Most humans that find out about vampires don't find out in a bloody mess like you. Vampire's befriend humans, fall in love with them, help them out. I mean this isn't always true. There are many, many bad vampires out there. More bad than good.”

  “They just kill innocent humans?”

  “More than just innocent humans. They have it out for all nonhuman species, even the peaceful ones. Like they hunt down werewolves like a bunch of mindless beasts. Werewolves never hurt humans.”

  “Wait, I've been attacked by werewolves twice!”

  “Yeah, I know, but not until you joined the Brotherhood,” he replied. “Werewolves are the warriors of the Shape-shifter community.”

  “So you mentioned other...things,” Penny said, wondering if she even wanted to know about all of them.

  “Sure, sprites, djinn, mer, just to name of few. Are all of these creatures good? No, but neither are all humans good either. But that doesn't mean that humans should be systematically exterminated because there are a couple bad ones in the batch.”

  “The Brotherhood is like the Nazis, Penny. They are charismatic, charming and they fill your head with propaganda and lies to get you to go along with their extermination of everyone that doesn't fit a specific physical bill. They're monsters!” Thomas was much more serious and agitated than normal. She could see tears forming in his eyes. “We just have to get out of both of these places of hell and to someplace better.”

  “What, you want me to come with you all?”

  “Yes, I mean you and Charles, are...”

  “Not anymore, even if all of this is true, I don't think I can really trust him anymore.”

  “Well, I would...I still...feel responsible for you. Please, you can't stay with the Brotherhood. I really want to make this right...between you and me.”

  Penny took a step back. She could see terror in his eyes when he talked about losing her. Terror for losing his family. Terror at what he could do in a place like this. She finally let her guard down with Thomas and let herself feel.

  “Fine,” she said. She took a couple small steps toward him. “When the time comes what do you want me to do?”

  “Stay out of it. Lay low, please. I don't want anything more to happen to you,” he said with pleading in his eyes.

  Penny rolled her eyes in response.

  “Alright, I thought so, miss I sleep with a dagger under my pillow,” Thomas said. A smile returned to his lips. “Let me think about it.” Penny liked it when he smiled. “Did you want to go on a walk with me?” He offered her his arm. “I need some fresh air.”

  “Sure,” Penny said. She hadn't been outside since she had been abducted. “I didn't mean to upset you.”

  “No it's okay. You needed to hear the truth, I suppose.”

  When fresh air hit her face, Penny suddenly wanted to cry. She grabbed Thomas and buried her head in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight while she cried for over an hour. Eventually, Thomas scooped her up like rag doll and carried her back into the holding area. At that point Penny had nothing left in her. She was emotionally exhausted.

  Thomas tried to place Penny in her bed, but she wasn't going to let go of him. She needed to feel him next her. So he crawled in bed with her and held her tight, caressing her hair while she drifted off to sleep. Penny dreamed her same dream again. But this time instead of Thomas's presence being ominous, it was comforting; the dream was pleasant. She heard no screams, only felt his strong, loving presence, and felt completely safe.

  When she woke up hours later, she was still wrapped in Thomas's arms.

  “Morning sleepy head,” Thomas said when he felt her stirring. “You were starting to put my arms to sleep.”

  “Can I just snuggle here for a little longer,” Penny said, burying her head in his chest.

  “Mmmm, if you have to,” he said, but he tickled her sides instead of letting her doze back off.

  “Thomas, quit it. Geez, can't you be serious for a minute?' she asked trying to wriggle out of his grasp.

  “You are so not a typical vampire!”

  “Yeah, I know, but I'm still pretty good looking!” Thomas said grabbing Penny back in his arms. “What do you want to do today?” He finally let Penny go and got up out of bed. He still looked fresh and unwrinkled.

  “You're asking me? Aren't you supposed to order me around and be all mysterious?” She followed him out of the cell. Penny liked that Thomas was different, but the happy vampire still took some getting used to.

  “What, so all vampires have to be moody and brooding? I have to demand this and that and control everything that you do?” He filled a bowl with water for Penny to wash up. Every morning he made sure that she had all the human necessities.

  “Well, you're not supposed to just say 'ok' and go on with your merry way,” she said between brushes of her teeth.

  “How about, sure Penny, that's fine with me. Or I really don't care what you do, Penny... Are those better?” he said while turned around to let Penny get on some fresh clothes. Penny rolled her
eyes.

  “That's not really what I meant,” she replied. “Well, I mean I am your prisoner.” She finished washing her face and grabbed a hand towel from Thomas. She felt a little more human now that she was washed up, so when Thomas moved a little closer she didn't have to worry about morning breath.

  “Do you want me to put you back in your cell?” Thomas jingled the keys in his hands. “Or would you prefer 'Get out of my sight you filthy mortal before I succumb to my blood lust from your young, supple neck.” He barred his teeth.

  Penny giggled. She grabbed a brush and combed out her long, knotted hair.

  “See. I'm just not a scary, moody vampire. My intent there was pure terror!” He clenched his fist and slammed it into the wall.

  Penny giggled again.

  “All right you,” he grabbed her by the arm, which shocked Penny. She started to retract her arm, but he was much too strong. Penny panicked; she had pissed him off, but then she saw the impish smile on his face as he dragged her back down the hallway toward the cells. He threw her back in the cell and followed her, locking the door behind him.

  “You idiot. You locked yourself in.”

  Thomas jingled the keys and then threw them out of reach outside the cell. “Oops. Oh well, what's next? Oh right I ravish you long into the night, right?” He grabbed her and threw her onto the bed in the corner.

  “Oh, Thomas,” Penny said trying not giggle again. She didn't want to spur on his impish streak anymore, but then again maybe she did.

  Thomas jumped over towards her as she tried to sit up to catch her breath. He then sat on directly on her stomach.

  “Oof, got off me, you weigh a ton.” Penny struggled underneath the full weight of the vampire.

  “No, I vant to suck your blood, ah, ah, ah,” Thomas said leaning slightly over her face.

  Penny burst out laughing.

  “Thomas, hasn't anyone told you not to play with your food?” Priscilla said outside the cell. “Eat it, rape it, whatever, but don't play with it. It's disgusting.”

  “Sorry, Priscilla,” Thomas said and immediately go off of Penny. The vampire threw the keys at Thomas.

  “I just came by terrorize our bait with the news that the Brotherhood is amassing a small army to come retrieve you. Seems you are very important to someone,” Priscilla said. She had a deep rasping voice that would have normally terrified Penny, but somehow with Thomas nearby, everything seemed slightly comedic. The vampire turned and floated gracefully out of the room.

  Penny waited for a minute and then laughed. “She reminds me of the High Warden.”

  Thomas laughed in return. “You can see why I want to get out of here. I want to leave and go to a happy place. I could be...I don't know...a library vampire,” he said sitting down next to penny on her bed.

  “A library vampire? Oh, Thomas, you are a little silly,” Penny said, patting him on the back.

  “Laugh all you want, but I intend to spend my eternal life reading,” said Thomas. He knocked his shoulder into Penny's.

  “And telling bad jokes,” Penny replied. She smiled at Thomas and patted his leg. It was much colder than she expected.

  “Hey, you laugh at them,” he said in his defense.

  “No, I'm laughing at you! I don't think anybody would actually laugh at your jokes,” Penny said. She was beginning to really enjoy Thomas's company. She liked him more every minute. She knew that it wasn't his vampire charm because she still had just the tiniest distrust for him. She just liked his sensitivity, his crazy humor, his infectious laugh, his strong hands, his toned body. Penny had to stop that thought train. Thomas was her boyfriend's brother...and a vampire.

  “Ah ha, you like my bad jokes, I knew it!” Thomas laughed and goosed her.

  “What? No...” Penny said in protest.

  “Penny, vampires are very intuitive. Now, I'm not saying I can read your mind...but you were totally turned on when you said you hated my jokes,” Thomas said moving in very close.

  Penny pushed him away. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” She crossed her arms and looked the other way.

  “Whatever you, like it or not, you think me and my stupid humor is sexy,” Thomas teased her.

  “No, it's just stupid Thomas,” Penny said. She was laughing to cover up her embarrassment that Thomas caught her thinking about him.

  “Oh, ok, well, there is one thing I know, and that is you were turned on by something that I did. So either it is my so called 'stupid' humor or it was because I touched you. Ooo, or maybe both. I should touch you while telling a stupid joke. So...” Thomas grabbed her in a big bear hug. “A vampire, a werewolf, and a zombie walk into a bar,” Thomas said as he started his joke.

  Thomas, you are just too much,” Penny giggled and pushed against his well-toned arms. She couldn't help thinking about the curvature of his muscles for just a second, or maybe two or three. Crap, she thought, He's just too attractive.

  “Oh, I was right, both.” He pulled her in tighter.

  “Are you trying to seduce me?” Penny said with her face muffled in his chest.

  Thomas laughed before he spoke. “No, I'm trying to harass you. If you think this is seductive then you have a problem.”

  “You don't think much of your abilities,” Penny said, still enjoying the smell of his chest.

  “No, my vampire charm is pretty broken. The Matriarch claims I am defective, “he said. His back slumped up against the wall.

  “A charmless vampire? Sorry,” Penny said. She wished he could harass her again, but he seemed upset, so she just patted his leg.

  “Yeah, well, that's supposed be like one of the big perks of being a vampire. You know, even the goofy, nerdy guys become irresistible.” Thomas sighed “And here I am almost a 30 year old vampire who still has never...”

  “Ooo, a thirty year old virgin!” Penny poked him in the side, but he seemed not in a very playful mood any more. “I'm sorry, I was just trying to harass you back...ya know a little flirting?” She couldn't believe that she just admitted that she was flirting with him.

  Thomas smiled slightly. “No that's not it...I mean that I am a...a, a virgin, but it's worse than that I am afraid...” He rolled his eyes and hung his head.

  “Worse? Oh wait, no, you haven't even been kissed?” she asked.

  “Yeah, ok, I'm leaving now that I have totally embarrassed myself,” Thomas got up and just about ran out of the holding area.

  Penny shot up and ran after him. “Thomas, what do you think you are doing?”

  “Trying to save myself from further embarrassment,” he said. He pressed his back against the wall like he was afraid of Penny.

  “You are one dumb vampire,” Penny put her hands on his chest. “You can read body language...exactly...you knew I was turned on, but you left. No, you ran away.” Penny moved in closer, but Thomas had his hands pressed up against wall and his head was straining to get even an inch further from hers.

  “I, really, don't...Penny, you're making me uncomfortable...” Thomas said, but he didn't make a move to push her away.

  “Good,” she replied. She leaned to kiss his lips, but he turned his head so she kissed his pale cheek instead. Penny was getting irritated. She reached up to his face to turn it and try again, but this time he pushed her away.

  “I don't want to take advantage of you or you to think that I am just trying to seduce you to get you to help or something,” he said. He started to walk away but Penny grabbed his hand.

  “I think if anyone is taking advantage of someone here, then that would be me taking advantage of the shy, smart mouthed virgin. Kiss me Thomas!”

  Thomas whipped around and grabbed her in his arms. When Thomas's lips met hers, Penny encircled her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. She shut her eyes; she wanted to blot out everything but the feel of his lips on hers and the touch of his cool body next to hers. She kissed him eagerly, welcoming his tongue into the depths of her mouth. The kiss made her legs weak, and at t
he same time she was stronger and more alive than she'd ever been.

  Thomas threw her up against the wall, pressing the full length of his body against hers. She felt desperate to touch him, to feel his skin. She pulled at his shirt, seeking the vampire beneath. Her hands slid over his chest, pulling a deep groan from him. His mouth moved from hers. She moaned softly in protest. He kissed her ears and slowly kissed down to her neck. He bit deeply into her neck and her legs buckled underneath, sinking them into the floor. Thomas licked her neck where he had bitten and moved back up toward her lips. She could taste her blood on his tongue; feel the sharpness of his teeth. Penny scratched at his skin.

  Frantically, his hands began pulling at her clothing as he kissed his way to her ear. He nipped her neck then soothed it with his tongue, as he maneuvered himself on top of her anticipating body. His hands grasping at her breasts as his lips kissed down her chest. "I need to touch you. I have to touch you...all of you."

  “Please,” Penny whispered inn his ear. No kiss or touch from Charles or any other man had ever felt so exquisite, right, perfect.

  A throat clearing above them broke Thomas's hold over Penny. She jerked away from him fearing that Priscilla or the Matriarch would be standing over them. Thomas however seemed unaffected and pulled Penny back into his arms.

  “Go away Charli,” Thomas said in an irritated voice. Thomas continued to kiss Penny and ignored the newcomer. Penny figured if Thomas didn't care, then neither did she.

  “Wait,” Penny said as she suddenly realized that this was Thomas's sister. “This is your sister?”

  “Yes, now Charli, you can come back...”

  “I just thought you would like to know that our brother, the one who's girlfriend you are currently disrobing, you know Charles....is at the front gate...or was at the front gate. They're bringing him down to the holding cell right now.”

  “What? Ah, hell,” Thomas muttered. He scrambled up.

  “This was the plan remember?” Charli said crouching down to Penny's level. Charli offered her a hand.

  “Yeah, I know, it was my plan, I just...I was right in the middle...” Thomas ran both of his hands through his hair, making the curls fly everywhere. There was a loud commotion in the hallway and Penny heard Charles's voice. “Oh, shit, this is going to blow up!” Thomas grabbed her arm and started to drag her back to the cell, but Penny knew that even with Thomas's speed, they wouldn't make it to cell in time. But she had an idea.