“And what does a vampire do along that journey?”
“Do you wish me to be frank, Sebastian?”
“Yeah. I don’t ever want you to hold back.”
“Then I shall always be forthcoming with you. The vampire lives for pleasure. I hope that wouldn’t frighten you. It does so many.”
“Oh…” Sebastian said slowly. “After all that I know already. Who you are and what you do. I guess at this point what else is there that could frighten me? What’s one more revelation? And that’s not bad anyway. There’s nothing wrong with… pleasure, I guess.”
“Your commitment to loyalty never fails to enthrall. Remain at my side, and I will show you a side of the world you never knew existed.”
“You’ve already done that. Really.”
“Then you can only imagine what truly awaits,” Gregory said. “But now, I have questions… for you.”
“For me?” Sebastian asked.
Gregorious faced him. “Sorry,” Sebastian said swiftly. “I know you don’t repeat yourself.”
“Sebastian, what would you do if you never had to worry about everything you worry about? If you were free to do whatever you like, away from the constraints of parental boundaries even.”
“I think I’d want to explore… everything. The whole world,” Sebastian answered in a way he felt was thoughtful. “Oh,” he said boyishly. “Also, video games. Lots of video games.”
“Among your friends,” Gregorious started. “What are you best known for?”
“That’s a really interesting question. Before I met you I was always known as the kid who never took anything serious. I was a fast snapping loud mouth and I made jokes about everyone. I’ve only just now realize how much I’ve truly changed.”
“What are you most proud of, Sebastian?”
“I’m most proud… to be honest… I’m most proud of pleasing you. I realize, with your help, that the human-vampire bond is maybe the most unique thing on earth.”
“Then I know the answer to this next question will contain only the purest of fidelity,” Gregorious smirked and stopped to face the boy now standing directly in front of him. “Tell me, my reverie. What is the greatest food you have ever tasted?”
“That’s easy, because I know so badly what I want to say,” Sebastian said nervously.
“Then say it,” Gregorious instructed.
“Your blood,” Sebastian admitted, free of guilt.
Gregorious ran his hands through Sebastian’s hair, petting him upon the head. The cool lithe hands felt like running water upon his scalp. Cold, kind, sensational. Sebastian closed his eyes as the meaning of the world consumed his thoughts just as quickly as it freed his mind.
“Kneel,” he whispered to the boy. His head down, standing in front of the vampire, Sebastian kneeled on both knees as he was commanded.
Gregorious pulled his right sleeve back and protracted his fangs. Sinking them into his wrist, the punctured wounds began to drip.
“Take and drink. The blood of my body. For I provide the blood of eternity for those who are faithful and obedient. And you, Sebastian, are both of those. Open your mouth.”
Sebastian closed his eyes, opened his mouth, and felt two thin streams of blood pour into his mouth – one from each puncture. The blood overflowed, running down his chin as he closed his mouth and swallowed. He opened his eyes, feeling the immediate renewal of mystique and life and euphoria that came with the consumption of a complete mouthful of a vampire’s blood.
“Is it your turn?” Sebastian asked, his flickering eyes showed him the dark graveyard in the splendor of euphoric technicolor.
“No, you have given me enough tonight. For a vampire cannot survive on blood alone, but also on the spirit of man. And you have provided that to me in abundance. For that I thank you, Sebastian. Now let us go forth and be grateful.”
***
It was Friday morning and Hailey was having none of her brother’s nonsense. He didn’t know the situation, he was too young and foolish to understand the way she felt about Percy. And, according to Hailey, he was a pious little zit to have started off the morning by passing by her doorway, out of mom’s earshot, and telling her, “Hailey, there’s a fine line between being seduced and being loved.”
What the hell did he know about love, she thought. Video games, maybe. Horror movies, sure. Telling fart jokes and coming up with creative ways to use profanity, definitely. But matters of the heart? That was far beyond the comprehension of a younger brother who never changed his pants.
Before he could attempt to hijack her day any further, Hailey walked out and left the house, waiting for Madison to show up to drive her to school. Hell, she’d walk to school before listening to Mason’s mouth for just a second longer.
As she waited for her friendly ride to arrive, she could only think about Percy. How he didn’t see her last night. How he hadn’t tried to look for her or fight for her or beg for her. Oh God, he hasn’t given up on me, has he?
Sure, the Queen of the Undead stuff was far out. But so were the fangs and the blood and the Surrender and everything else about the fact that she’d fallen hard for a vampire who looked no older than a boy her age.
Moving forward, how could any man possibly compare? No other guy would be able to heal her with his blood, appear in her dreams, smell her emotions, and know when she was upset through a sacred bond.
The thought of him being gone forever was too much to bear. Why else had he gone a full night without so much as an attempt to see her? That’s it. It’s over. He’s gone. I freaked out. And now he’s gone. And Mason… that damn Mason! It’s half his fault.
Moments later, as tears filled her eyes, Madison pulled up to her house in the same large boat-like Cadillac she drove each day. Hailey quickly wiped her eyes using her shirt, hopped in the passenger seat of the car, and smiled as if nothing were wrong.
“What’s up? Your eyes look a little wet,” Madison asked.
“Nothing,” Hailey lied. “Just allergies. Too much pollen in the air.”
“You slept well last night?” Madison questioned her with care.
“Yeah, sure. Sleep was fine. Just the pollen. I told you,” Hailey was defensive in her answer.
Madison turned up the volume of the car’s radio. It was WKP-26 and Corpus’s own DJ Jazz blaring his local highlight reel.
“So the cops have quit answering their phones and apparently the calls of the town’s citizens as well. It’s as if the Sheriff’s Department has gone on permanent vacation, as Aerosmith would call it. And here we are… no closer to learning who’s been committing horrific crimes throughout our small town. But I have no doubt that there is something truly sinister at play here. That is why we will shortly be joined once again by noted columnist and theorist, Mr James Snow to further discuss what it’s like behind the scenes of the Corpus County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Antwan Zeddman couldn’t be reached for comment and when it’s reelection time, I hope he’s not surprised when the voters can’t be reached!”
Madison changed the frequency on the radio and groaned. “I just can’t take any more of that right now. Do we really need more arguing and fighting and conspiracy theories this early in the morning?”
“I agree entirely,” Hailey said, laying her head back against the leather headrest of her seat. “I just feel so over this whole town right now. No offense.”
“Welcome to me at thirteen,” Madison laughed.
“Madison, have you ever fallen for someone that you thought was perfect? Well, not perfect. But pretty extraordinary in comparison to any other guy you could ever imagine.”
“All the time,” Madison answered. Hailey tilted her head, looking at her friend strangely. It was not the answer she was expecting. Madison clarified, “I mean to say, I’ve fallen for my favorite movie stars. What other type of guys are that extraordinary?”
Her explanation drew laughs from Hailey. “I’m not sure what I’d do without you, Madison. Not quite the answ
er I was looking for. Now… I hope class doesn’t drag today.”
“Like an alley cat in a dirty can,” Madison chuckled. “That is to say – it always does.”
They arrived at school minutes later. The drive was never a long one. Madison parked in the dirt stretch of a lot and turned off her car. They made their exit from the vehicle and into the West Wing of Corpus Middle and High.
“Breakfast?” Madison asked her. To which Hailey shrugged, “Sure,” without much feeling.
They entered the cafeteria, making their way through the line with a tray of what was surely powered eggs and barely cooked bacon. At least there was orange juice to drink. When they took their seats at the same table they usually sat at, Hailey just kind of pushed her tray to the side, assessed the food, and drank the orange juice.
“It’s not that bad,” Madison said, placing a spoonful of eggs into her mouth. “Well, no more than usual. Good enough to eat.”
“I’m just not hungry,” Hailey admitted. “Orange is all.”
“Need your vitamin C, right? Or maybe a liquid-only diet these days?” Madison pressed.
“No, it’s nothing like that,” Hailey said, placing her head down with a sigh. “I just don’t feel like eating today. You’ve never felt that way before?”
“Yeah,” Madison answered through another bite. “When I’m, well, depressed.”
Hailey said little more, rubbing her hands along the inner leg of her jeans. Thinking about the penetrative marks he’d made upon her leg and how quickly they healed. But her leg felt a slight sensation, as if the puncture wounds were there – and she knew they weren’t. It was as if her body was longing for him.
Several minutes later they cleared their cafeteria table and tossed their disposable trays away. Hailey’s food was still untouched. The two girls headed back to the West Wing where Tara joined them near their locker rooms.
“Hey Madison. Hi Hailey,” Tara grinned as she greeted them. Madison waved back. Hailey said nothing as she retreated her face into her locker and assembled her books. “I’ve been thinking,” Tara continued. “About that boy… Percy.”
Hailey’s teeth clenched as she remained facing her locker. Percy’s gone.
Madison smiled. “No one’s even seen him around lately. I think there’s several people who should maybe just move on.” Hailey took this to mean her too.
“I still can’t stop thinking about him,” Tara groaned.
“Oh… My… God,” Madison gasped.
What is it this time! Why don’t they just go somewhere else… Why do this near my locker, Hailey said angrily to herself and slammed her locker shut.
“I can’t believe he’s here,” Tara gasped. “I’m gonna tell him!”
Wait… What? Who? Hailey turned around and there he was – to her amazement. Walking down the hall was Percy in signature black.
He was alone this time. Dark glasses completed his look. He strolled slowly in a manner that looked almost like he was gliding. The way he paced toward them was, in their minds, graceful.
Nearly every student in the hall stopped and noticed him. It was as if he exuded an aura that wrapped itself around everyone within his perimeter.
“I swear he’s like a walking love potion,” Tara bellowed.
While Hailey hated Tara for saying it, along with every moment she mentioned Percy, she knew that opinion was bizarrely accurate.
“Hi, I don’t think we introduced ourselves at the party but I’m Tara. I was just wondering if you’d be interested in getting to know me,” she said as Percy advanced toward them.
He looked at her, surveyed her up and down. Hailey felt her anger rising. Was he really eyeing Tara – thinking about her, in that way? Even Madison was smiling at him.
Hailey said nothing, upset that Percy had taken the time to show up but not address her, not even look her in the eyes. There he stood, looking at Tara and Madison.
He removed his sunglasses, folded them, and placed them into the pocket of his jacket. “Ladies,” he said softly, gazing them both in the eyes. “I appreciate your curiosities. But I have entered this building for one thing, and one thing only. Hailey Lane.”
Hailey’s chest nearly burst. Had he really just said that? But that wasn’t all. He wanted them to really know.
“I will not take serious any advances you make toward me, Tara,” he continued. “You are not Hailey. You will never be Hailey. And now… are you listening? Your interest in me will reduce to nothingness the moment you walk away from me. If I am not mistaken, your class is about to begin at any moment. Do you not see the students around you making their way into their classrooms? I think it would be best if you two did the same.”
He spoke softly and hypnotically. When he’d whispered his last word, Madison and Tara turned in a trance and walked away. He approached Hailey as the halls cleared. The two of them stood alone. So close were they that Hailey could feel his chilled breath upon her face.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered to her.
Before Hailey could respond, their heads turned upon hearing the sound of footsteps. At the corner of the hall, now facing them, was Principal Dawkins. Percy subtly nodded in his direction. The principal swiftly turned around and walked away in a zombified fashion.
“There are a lot of people under your spell,” Hailey said, returning her attention to him.
“But not you,” he said. “Perhaps that is that reason alone why I crave you. And I am not referring to your blood.”
“Why…” she began. “Why didn’t you try to see me last night?”
“Are you so sure that I did not?” he asked. “I was there at your window. Too doubtful to ask your invitation again. That is why I am here during the day when I should be sleeping. It’s been anguish not seeing you. How I have managed to go several centuries without you, I’ll never know.”
“I was afraid you’d let me go,” she said, her eyes large.
He placed his thumb below her left eye then below her right, wiping away what felt like frozen tears.
“If you will let me, I will stay by your side forever,” he whispered with a stroke of her hair.
“But the things you said… I don’t…” Hailey said, but was unable to complete her thought when he interrupted.
“Do I believe you have an intangible connection the Queen of the Undead? Yes. Does that mean I need to transform you into a vampire right here and right now? No. We have a long time to truly figure all of this out. Even Alobard agrees you are something ethereal and he is over 600 years old.”
“He said it too?” Hailey asked.
“He is aware the possibility is there. Lilith waited thousands of years before her first reincarnation. If she must wait a few more, she can. But that is not what draws me to you Hailey. Not the prospect of who you may be. But who you are right now. A compassionate and loving girl who’s made me aware of feelings that I haven’t experienced since I was human the same as you. You have returned something to me. My humanity.”
“Then yes,” she answered. “I never want you to leave my side.”
“Only think my name, Hailey Jean, and I will appear. You have said it and so it is. You are my priority. The life I now lead is one led for you.”
“I can’t promise I won’t feel jealous or angry when other girls refuse to leave you alone. The feelings you bring about in me are more intense than anything I’ve ever known before.”
“But I can promise you that I have only one human interest. And it is you.”
“Never in my life did I think a guy would come along and consider me so important. And while I’m not sure about the status you put on me as some Lilith, it’s still super flattering. To think of me as royalty.”
“You will remain sovereign to me whether you embrace your immortality or not,” he said as he grabbed her hand with his own. They interlocked fingers. The sensation of his palm was enough to make Hailey positively shiver.
“To be a queen must be an awfully good feeling,” she whis
pered.
“And to reign for an eon. It is, indeed,” he said in a tone just as quiet.
She rested her head against his chest as he caressed her hair.
“I’m going to be super-late for class,” she chortled.
“In a world made of the endless,” he said, “class can always wait. Besides, just say the words and I’ll alter the attendance records.”
“At first I was going to say no. But that would be pretty cool,” Hailey laughed.
Lifting her head from his chest, she smiled faintly and stared into his eyes. His gaze was hypnotic but not quite hypnosis. Hailey was in full control of her emotions and her feelings when she said to him, “What are you waiting for?”
His white face lowered to hers as she shut her eyes. His imperishable breath met hers. The unattainable became attainable, fostering visions of eternity as he kissed her. His hands moved across her back. Her lower lip tingled as he bit it. Her body writhed to his touch.
She pulled away as she opened her eyes. Hailey grabbed him by the hand and together they rushed down the hall and into the girl’s bathroom. He walked her against a wall as their lips met once more. His hands moved under her shirt. And hers under his. For the first time she felt his chest. It was as cold as she expected. His body was chiseled and fit like marbled flesh.
She felt the helplessness he loved, giving herself over to his every controlled touch. The surging tide of sensitive emotions as he tilted her head back with one hand. The intensity of his lips upon her chin and her mouth.
Suddenly – he stopped. It was as if they both recognized at the same moment just where they were.
“Controlling myself in your presence is difficult,” he said. Hailey adjusted her shirt as he continued. “But this is not the time. And certainly not the place.”
Hailey looked around, realizing just how teenager-ish it was to make out in a school restroom. “No,” she said. “Of course not. I wouldn’t want to do it in a restroom.”
“Regardless of the environment. You’re not ready. Not for me,” Percy answered. “But I will wait for you. For as long as it takes. Be it weeks, or years. A decade to me is like a quick nap.”
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