by J. P.
I smirk. “Jealous that she’s taken your title?”
Luke smirks back as he takes my hand and pulls me over to him. “You know I have no interest in being just friends with you.”
“I know,” I say, a blush spreading across my cheeks.
I lean in closer and slowly reach out towards him. I hear his heart start to pound in his chest as I slowly run my fingers through his hair. His eyes flutter shut as my fingers continue to graze the side of his face, along his sharp jawline, down to his chin. I forget about where we are and the situation that we’re in as I lean in further and kiss him.
Immediately, Luke comes to life and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me onto his lap. I feel him smile as his lips move on mine. I kiss him slowly, lost in listening to the rhythm of his heart pounding in my ears. Luke squeezes my hips and moves me closer to him so he can wrap his arms around me. I move my hands from his shoulders to his neck as his lips leave mine and trail along my jaw. The second his lips leave mine, I already want to kiss him again. I pull back and take his chin, leading his lips back to mine. He chuckles before he kisses me again. My heart flops as I feel perfectly at peace. If I had to spend the rest of my life kissing Luke, I would be happy.
A pounding at the door makes us both jump.
“Guys, it’s me,” Tyler says from the other side.
I go to move off of Luke, but he keeps his arms around me. He leans in and kisses me one last time before he lifts me up and places me back down on the couch. I watch him undo the locks as I try to catch my breath. The door opens, and Tyler storms through.
“Okay, I made it just to the end of the hall when I heard people talking, Malum vampires. They were saying it was a group of radical vampires. They didn’t give them a name, but they did say,” Tyler pauses as he rakes his hands through his hair, “they said Ethan’s dead.”
My eyes snap to Luke for a reaction, and I see his eyes get wide. “What?”
“That’s what they said.” Tyler nods.
Luke runs to the door. “We need to go. Now.”
“Go? Go where?” Tyler asks.
“We’re leaving.” Luke slams the door open and holds a hand out for me. “C’mon.”
I take Luke’s hand and run after him with Tyler on our heels.
“Luke!” a man calls as he runs over to us. “Did you hear the news? Your father has been murdered. We look to you now. What do we do?” the man asks. He looks at my hand in Luke’s, and he furrows his brow. “What are you doing with…”
Tyler pulls his fist back and punches the vampire square in the jaw, knocking the man out.
“Why did you do that?” I ask him as Luke pulls me along.
“It was the first thing I thought of,” Tyler says with a shrug.
“Pay attention,” Luke snaps as he turns a sharp corner.As we pass random hallways, I stop in my tracks. “Wait!” I call as I spot two figures. I rush down a hallway as Luke calls after me.
Olivia and Tate are running towards me, both of their faces look like they’ve seen a ghost. Olivia runs straight into my arms, and Tate runs to Luke.
“Luke, Mommy wouldn’t wake up,” Tate says as she cries into his chest.
My eyes widen as I understand what that means.
“She’s dead,” Olivia whispers to me. “She was killed in her sleep.”
“We have to go,” Luke says. “Olivia, we have to move,” he tells her as he scoops up Tate.
The five of us run through the halls, Olivia squeezing my hand so tight, it hurts. We burst through the front doors, and fresh air fills my lungs. It tastes so good, I almost choke. I haven’t been outside in so long. The bright, rising sun hurts my eyes, and I hold my hand up, trying to block it as I keep running.
We follow Luke around the yard and find a black SUV sitting next to the side of the house. Luke gives Tate to Olivia before he climbs into the driver’s seat. Tyler jumps into the seat next to him, and I sit with Olivia and Tate in the back. Luke starts the car and immediately drives away. We drive past the gates, and I watch as the mansion gets further and further away.
The five of us try to catch our breath as Luke continues to speed down the road.
“They killed him and Trish?” Olivia asks from my side after a few moments of silence.
“It seems like it.” Luke makes a sharp turn. “We were able to escape. That’s all that matters.”
“What now?” Olivia asks.
Luke stays quiet for a moment. “I’m not sure.” He glances to his right. “Can you switch with me?” he asks Tyler.
“Yeah,” Tyler says without hesitating.
Luke pulls over so they can change seats, and Tyler drives even faster than Luke as Luke pulls out his phone.
“There was a change of plans. I have them. We’re leaving now,” I hear Luke say, even though his voice is low. “We’re all safe. My sisters are with me too.”
I try to listen to what the person on the other line is saying, but they stop speaking just as I hear something.
“Got it,” Luke says into his phone before he hangs up. “Aaron said to go to his old house.”
“That was my dad?” I ask Luke.
“Yes.” He turns in his chair so he can face me. “He didn’t have much time to talk. He’s still in California dealing with everything.”
“Is he okay?”
“Yes. Everything is going to be fine,” he assures me.
“Where are we supposed to go?” Olivia asks.
“You can stay with us,” I offer.
“Really?” Olivia’s eyes light up.
“For now,” Luke tells her. “We have to figure out the safest place for you and Tate.”
Olivia sighs as she rests her head on my shoulder. “I can’t believe this. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
I take her hand in mine and give her a reassuring squeeze. I glance at Tate, who’s watching the trees go by out the window.
“Everything is going to be okay,” Luke says from the front as he glances back at the three of us. “We’re all safe now.”
Part II
18
We drive for a few hours, stopping every so often so Tate can go to the bathroom. Olivia fell asleep on my shoulder a few minutes ago, and Tate has been out for a while. Tyler and Luke switched again, and from Tyler’s head bobbing, I would assume he’s asleep too. Luke taps the steering wheel to the soft beat playing on the radio. He glances back at me in the rearview mirror, and our eyes meet for a second.
“We’ll be there in ten minutes,” he assures me after giving me a soft smile.
I nod my head as I look out the window.
“Are you okay?” Luke asks.
I chuckle as I shake my head. “I don’t know. Are you okay?” I look back at him to see him shrug.
“I don’t know.”
“Luke?” Tate asks as she rubs her eyes. “I’m hungry,” she announces.
“We’re going to be there in ten minutes,” Luke says as he glances back at her.
“Where are we going?”
“Nina’s house,” Luke answers.
Tate looks over at me. “Are we having a sleepover?”
“Yep. We’re all having a sleepover,” I tell her.
“When are mommy and daddy going to pick me up?” Tate asks.
I look to the floor, unsure of what to say to her. Olivia stirs next to me and yawns as she wakes up.
“Tate,” Luke begins. “Mommy and Daddy aren’t going to pick you up.”
“Why not?” she asks.
“They—”
“They went away on vacation,” Olivia interrupts him. “They might not be back for a while.”
“Oh. Okay.” Tate shrugs as she leans her head against Olivia’s shoulders.
I feel awful for Tate. She’s too young to understand what’s going on and what really happened to her parents.
I squirm as we make our way down the streets of Termin. It’s so strange being back here. It all feels so familiar but so foreign at the same ti
me.
We pass by the high school, and a wave of nostalgia comes over me. I wonder what my dad is going to decide about school. Are we going back? Are we going to be homeschooled?
My thoughts are interrupted as we drive down my block. My house is all the way at the end. The last time I was here, I jumped out the window, trying to get away from Luke, and here I am, returning with him.
Luke pulls into the large driveway, and next to me, Olivia is staring out the window.
“You have a nice house,” she says to me.
“Thanks,” I reply.
“Is your mommy and daddy home?” Tate asks as she rubs her eyes.
“No, they aren’t,” I answer as everyone starts to climb out of the car.
We walk in a single file line up to the front door. I can’t help but look around, waiting for something bad to happen.
“I’ll search the downstairs,” Tyler says as he walks in first.
Luke nods as he shuts the door behind all of us. “I’ll take the upstairs.”
I look back at Olivia and Tate. Both of them stand in the foyer, looking lost.
“C’mon, guys. We can wait for the boys in the living room,” I say as I motion for them to follow me.
It’s oddly quiet in here. I half expect Jake to start shouting throughout the house. We walk through the hallway, past the kitchen, and into the living room.
I sit on the couch, and Tate sits next to me as Olivia takes the couch across from us.
Olivia looks around and grins to herself. “I love your house. It’s so open.”
Tate looks up, mimicking Olivia.
“Thanks. Please make yourselves at home while you’re staying with us.”
“Thank you, and thanks for having us,” Olivia says.
“Of course.”
I glance around the living room and feel strange, remembering everything that happened here, and how different our lives are now. But yet, everything in the house is exactly how we left it.
“Nina?” Tate asks. “Do you have any snacks?”
“We just have to wait until the boys come back and tell us that it’s safe,” Olivia tells her. “Then we can get you something to eat.”
“Here,” I say as I turn the TV on and flip to a kid’s channel.
Tate becomes hypnotized by the screen and lays back into the couch.
“It looks all clear,” Tyler announces as he enters the living room.
“Same here,” Luke says as he descends from the stairs. “Except your window was wide open, Nina.”
“That’s from when I jumped out of it after I found out you betrayed us,” I tell him with a smirk.
“I have to hear that story,” Olivia says as she perks up.
“Not now. We should figure out our next move,” Luke starts to say when his phone rings. “Excuse me.” He stands and leaves the room.
“I’m Olivia, by the way,” she says to Tyler.
“I’m Tyler, Nina’s…” He glances at me as if looking for permission to call himself my boyfriend. “Friend,” Tyler finally mumbles.
“I know. My father had me study you. Tyler Lombardi, six-foot, soccer player, son of Suzie and—”
“Nice to meet you,” Tyler says with a grin. “So, you’re Olivia, five-foot, fighter, daughter of—”
“Yep.” Olivia nods. “I guess we’re living examples that our parents don’t define who we are.”
I look between them, out of the loop.
“Although I don’t know why you’re so ashamed. Your father is a decent man,” Olivia says with a shrug.
Tyler clenches his jaw. “My father left me.”
“Sorry about that,” Olivia says as she bites her lip.
“It’s fine.” Tyler waves her off.
I’m about to try and understand what just happened when Luke walks back into the room.
“Aaron has to stay in California to handle some loose ends. He needs me to go back with him, but he’s sending more reinforcements to help us in the meantime,” Luke says all at once.
“You’re leaving?” Olivia asks, and he nods. “When?”
“Now.” Luke turns and starts to walk into the foyer. Olivia, Tyler, and I follow him.
“Why?” Olivia demands.
Luke sighs. “He still has Jeremy and needs help deciding on what to do with him.”
“Jeremy?” Olivia asks, her eyes wide.
“He isn’t going to get you. I’ll take care of it,” Luke promises as he looks back at her.
Olivia swallows hard and then nods.
“Tyler and Nina, you’re in charge until I get back,” Luke says as he starts to walk to the door. Just as he reaches out for the knob, the door slams open.
“I want eyes on this place at all times!” a woman snaps as she enters the house while men and women run in from behind her. I recognize her immediately with her mahogany hair and dark eyes.
“Marcy,” Luke says as he stares at her.
“Hello. I don’t think we’ve formally met. I’m Marcy, head of Chrome.” She holds her hand out.
“Luke,” he says as he shakes her hand.
“Yes, I’ve heard much about you. While I don’t trust double agents, I’ve heard you have been very useful to the Blair family and to us. For that, I thank you.” She bows her head to Luke, who returns the gesture.
Marcy’s eyes find something between Olivia and me.
“Ah, Tyler. How are you?” Marcy asks as she holds her arms out for him, her face breaking out into a smile.
“I’m okay. Happy that this nightmare is starting to look better.” Tyler and Marcy hug quickly before she pulls away.
“I agree,” she says with a laugh. She looks around Tyler and spots Olivia. “Who’s this?”
Luke clears his throat. “My sister. One of them, actually. The other is in the next room. She’s only three.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Marcy holds her hand out and shakes Olivia’s. “Ethan is your father?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Olivia answers. “But I do not harbor the same beliefs as him.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Can we trust you?” Marcy asks flat out.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.” Marcy gives her a smile as she takes a step back.
Finally, Marcy’s eyes meet mine, and her smile gets even wider.
“You must be Nina. It is good to see you and under better circumstances this time.”
I walk closer to Marcy and shake her outstretched hand. “It’s good to see you too. Thank you for everything you’ve been doing for my family and me.”
“Of course. Thank you for everything you’ve been doing to help us take down Malum.” Marcy smooths down the fitted eggplant-colored dress she’s wearing.
“Is Malum over now? Since Ethan is dead?” Tyler asks.
“No,” Luke and Marcy answer at the same time.
“Malum vampires will be expecting someone to take his place,” Marcy finishes. “Most likely you,” she says to Luke. “Or your brother, Jeremy.”
“I’m getting on a plane to deal with Jeremy now,” Luke explains.
“Excellent.”
A man walks down the stairs and over to Marcy before he whispers something in her ear.
“Your house is safe. I will keep two men stationed outside at all times. You won’t see them, don’t worry. I have to get going. Goodbye, and good luck. If you need anything, don’t hesitate,” Marcy says as she heads for the door.
“I’ll be back soon,” Luke says as he follows after her.
I take a step forward, about to stop him, but if my dad needs his help, I don’t want to get in the way.
“You better come back!” Olivia shouts after him.
19
The door closes, and all of a sudden, the house feels really big and really quiet.
“Now what?” Olivia asks.
I look to Tyler, who shrugs. “Why don’t we get you guys settled. You can stay in Luke’s room while he’s gone.”
“Luke had his
own room here?” Olivia asks.
“Yes. You guys can take that room. Tyler,” I say as I turn towards him, “you can stay in Jake’s room.”
“Sure,” he says with a shrug, avoiding eye contact.
We all make our way up the stairs, and I show Olivia the way to her room while Tyler disappears down the hall to Jake’s.
“Wow, it’s actually pretty neat in here,” Olivia teases as she looks around.
“You don’t have anything,” I think out loud. “We need to get you and Tate some clothes and shoes and toothbrushes…”
“Ugh, I hate shopping,” Olivia says as she lays on the bed.
“I can go for you if you want,” I suggest.
“That would be great. It’s like you’re my own personal stylist,” she says with a yawn.
“Did you get any sleep last night?” I ask her, remembering that the attack was last night, even though it feels like it was years ago.
“Nope.” She shakes her head as she closes her eyes. She’s snoring by the time I reach the door. I laugh as I shut it behind me and head to my own room.
Chills creep up my arms as I push the door open. Everything is exactly as I left it. My bed is unmade, my pajamas are on the floor, my window is wide open. It’s strange to think about how much has changed since the last time I was here. I feel like a different person.
I spot my laptop on my desk and grin. Bingo. I open it and try to Facetime Paul. After two rings, his face appears on the screen.
“Paul!” I shriek.
“Nina!” he shouts as soon as his face pops up. His hair is disheveled, and he’s wearing his glasses.
“Paul! I miss you!” I shout back as I start to giggle. I brush away the few tears that escaped out of the corner of my eyes
“Where are you? Are you home?” he asks as he looks around me at my bedroom.
“Yes, we just got back. It’s so weird being here, but I am so happy that you guys will be back soon. How have you been?” I ask him.
“Honestly, I’ve been stressing out,” he says with a laugh. “I was so nervous that they were hurting you.”
I bite my lip, debating keeping the truth from him. “They were, but I'm a tough vampire with an alarmingly good healing rate,” I tease.