Called by the Vampire - Part 3

by V. Vaughn

  I glance down at my hands, but in the nearly dark galley, it's hard to see much. "Am I really a vampire?" I don't need an answer. The craving for blood I just experienced made it pretty clear. I glance at Sebastian as tears burn in my eyes. "I don't want to be." I manage to hold off on whimpering like a child. Barely.

  "No. It's not a highly sought-after state, and rightfully so."

  I sink down on the couch next to him and turn so I can see his face. My mind is racing with so many questions, and I ask, "Why me?"

  "When Kitty found you unconscious and not breathing, she gave you vampire blood with the hope she could save your life. If you hadn't been dead already, she would have."

  "I was dead?" A hot tear rolls down my cheek, but I don't care if I'm crying. "How did I die?" I recall my memory of Liam biting me. "Liam?"

  "Yes."

  Bastard! I should have known he was too good to be true. And those eyes. I gaze at a similar version and ask, "You're a vampire too?"

  Sebastian nods. Pieces of the puzzle I've been trying to solve begin to fall into place. My weakness, exhaustion, and thirst are symptoms of massive blood loss. I think about how Sebastian and Liam are strikingly handsome and wonder if that's a vampire trait too. "Is Kitty?"

  He shakes his head. "No."

  "But vampires did feed on me and my friends the other night."

  "Yes."

  Damn it, this man is frustrating with his one-word answers. "And another one, Liam, did tonight, but he went too far for me to stay alive."

  "Correct."

  I died. But I'm no longer dead. I'm a fucking vampire! What the hell am I supposed to do now? A hunger that isn't for food fills me, and I lick my lips as my canines extend. I need blood. I stand up. "I have to get out of here."

  Before I can get to the ladder, Sebastian appears in front of me with inhuman speed. He says, "I can't let you do that. You're a new vampire and out of control with your bloodlust. You need training in order to survive."

  The burning desire for blood has flooded my mind, and I imagine what would happen if Sebastian weren't in my way. I want to tear into a person's neck as if I'm digging into a juicy steak. I try to shake the urge and imagine my friend Aiden is the person. Oh my god! I cover my face with my hands as the burn of shame fills me, and I push the urge to feed out of the way. I have no doubt I'd suck him dry and kill one of my best friends. I can't let that happen. I drop my hands, and my vision is blurry as I gaze at Sebastian through my tears. "I'm a monster."

  "Yes. Right now, you are, but you don't have to be." He holds his hand out to me. "I can help you."

  I don't want to go with a man I just met tonight, no matter how nice he appears to be or how much I need to trust him. But then I think about how I can't go to work, surf with people, or hang out with my friends, because I'd be filled with the urge to drink their blood. Hell, I'm not safe around anyone. I don't want to live the rest of my life that way. Life. "Is it true I'll live--be undead, or whatever--forever?"

  Sebastian drops his hand by his side. "Not forever, but your body will be preserved and exist at your current age for hundreds of years."

  I inhale deeply and notice that my lungs fill up and deflate when I blow it out, but I know it's not a necessary function since my heart isn't beating, and I wonder if I'll eventually stop breathing. It hits me I've just lost everything I care about, because even if I find a way to control myself around my friends, how will I keep my secret? They'll age, and I won't. I think about another legendary vampire trait and then remember Liam saying he preferred to go out at night. I ask, "Is it also true that I can't be in sunlight?"

  "Yes."

  I let out a groan and try to recall the memory of sun on my face. The odor of sunscreen, and the salty flavor of ocean water on my lips. Now I do let out a childlike whimper, because how will I surf? It morphs into a chuckle when I realize that I couldn't surf if I were dead either. Anger quickly takes hold, and I wonder how the hell I'm going to survive my roller coaster of emotions racing out of control. "This is some fine fucking way to live. Huh?"

  Sebastian holds out his hand again. "It gets better. Let me help you, Lyndsey."

  Part of me wishes I did die tonight, because I haven't got a choice. I take Sebastian's hand, and as he wraps his fingers around mine, I hang on tight. I should have died tonight, but I was given a second chance, and I have every intention of taking it.

  10

  Maggie

  During my wait in the limo for Sebastian to return, which felt like hours, I went many places in my mind with what might have happened to Lyndsey. And at the moment, I'm wondering if he had another vampire kill her to keep her from asking more questions.

  My phone rings with a call from Sebastian. I answer, prepared to let him have it, but before I get more than hello out, he says, "Margaret. Lyndsey is fine due to your quick thinking. I'm going to stay with her overnight to be sure she doesn't suffer a setback since we can't take her to the hospital and explain the vampire blood in her system."

  I let out a long breath as my anger subsides, and I chide myself for my active imagination thinking the worst. "That's a relief, but why did you make me leave? I could have helped."

  "These situations can be tricky. One never knows how an individual will react to vampire blood, and I didn't want you to be in danger." He pauses for a moment and lets out a small sigh before he says, "I'm very sorry to do this to you, but you're going to have to go to Boston without me tonight."

  Before I realize how selfish I'm being, I ask, "You'll be there in time for the signing tomorrow night, right?"

  "Of course. Adly will get you checked in. Feel free to help yourself to any of the amenities."

  "Okay," I say. "Sure. Tell Lyndsey I hope she feels better soon."

  "I will."

  "Wait. What does she think happened?"

  "Don't worry about that, Margaret. I've got it all under control."

  "But--"

  "Goodbye." He hangs up before I can get any more information, and when I hear Adly begin to speak in his phone, I know Sebastian is giving him orders to take me to Boston alone.

  I think about what Sebastian might be referring to when he said that Lyndsey's reaction to vampire blood could be dangerous. I recall how she came back to life, choking, and shoved me out of her way. I thought she was panicked to breathe, but what if Lyndsey was angry? Does drinking vampire blood cause rage? Is that why Sebastian was afraid she'd hurt me?

  Sebastian gave me a vial of his blood in case I needed it. What if I'd had a heart attack, taken it, and then let loose on everyone around me? A vision of me thrashing around and acting like a wildcat makes me shake my head, and I chuckle at myself for getting carried away. But he did think being around Lyndsey was too dangerous for me, and I'm dying of curiosity.

  I yawn and slouch down in my seat as exhaustion begins to settle in. I've had a long day topped off with alcohol, and I'll be glad to go to bed tonight. It seems as if it were weeks ago that I was binge-eating my sorrows away over Alexander leaving, but it was only this morning. I grab my phone to see if he has replied to me yet. When I find nothing, I scowl, and anger simmers in me. I hit Call.

  I get his voicemail and say, "You can't avoid me forever, Alexander. I know Sebastian sent you away, and I'm sure you have your reasons for letting him. But earlier today, he gave me a vial of his blood for emergencies and told me I needed to take it if I wanted to see you again. We will be together again. I'm sure of it." I pause as tears fill my eyes. "Please call me. I'd really like to hear your voice." I hit End as a tear rolls down my cheek.

  I clutch my phone to my chest and imagine Alexander listening to my message. I let myself believe he's sad too and tempted to call me. I envision him struggling between the need to stay away and his desire to be with me. When my phone vibrates, I nearly jump out of my skin, and I see it's Alexander. A rush of love for him stuns me.

  "Y-You called."

  "Maggie." His voice is delicious, like melted chocolate as it wrap
s around me, and I have to make myself focus on his words. "I'm sorry I've been distant, but it's for the best."

  "That can't be true. How can splitting up true-mate lovers be for the best?"

  He lets out a huff of air. "I can't discuss it. I shouldn't have called, but I wanted to hear your voice too. Tell me about your first book signing."

  I have so many questions for him about why he's gone, but I'm afraid he'll hang up if I ask them, so I say, "It was wonderful. I was surprised at how many women love Kitty's book and it was really fun to talk to them. Although my hand started to cramp up after signing for a while. I might need a workout program for my fingers." He chuckles, and his laughter makes me smile. I ask, "How's the movie business?"

  "That's going well too. Except for the diva actress we hired. Oh boy." He goes on to tell me about the spoiled brat and her antics, and while I hear the story, I focus on the sound of his voice to commit it to memory.

  When he's done, I say, "I miss you so much, Alexander."

  "I know. I'm glad to hear your first day as Kitty went well."

  "Thanks."

  I hear voices in the background of his call, and he says, "I need to go now, my love."

  I don't want Alexander to hang up yet, so I blurt out, "I saved someone's life today."

  "You did? Hold on." He must have muted me, because I no longer hear background noise. When he comes back, he asks, "What happened?"

  "It was crazy. Remember Lyndsey? Well, I found her unconscious behind a restaurant, and the vial of blood Sebastian gave me to use in case I had a heart attack came in handy."

  "Maggie!" He speaks quickly. "Where was Sebastian? You-- Tell me happened."

  "He was trying to get a phone signal to call 9-1-1 when I did it. I'm pretty sure Lyndsey was seconds away from death since she didn't have a pulse, but as soon as I poured the blood down her throat, she sat up and started to choke."

  "And now she's okay?"

  "I think so. At least that's what Sebastian said. You know how he is. He whisked me away to the limo so I wouldn't be in danger."

  "Good. He was right to do that. Where are you now? And where is Sebastian?" There's a note of desperation in his voice that makes me happy he’s so concerned about me.

  "I'm in the limo on my way to Boston, and your brother is watching over Lyndsey to make sure she's okay. He's meeting me tomorrow."

  "Do not go anywhere without Adly until Sebastian arrives. And you stay in the hotel room all night. Do you hear me?"

  His voice is stern now, and it scares me. I ask, "What aren't you and Sebastian telling me? Why am I in danger?"

  "Drinking vampire blood makes--well--it's tricky."

  "Tricky how? You're as bad as Sebastian with the secrets. Tell me what's going on."

  "Maggie, I'm sure Sebastian has everything under control and you're safe. But I love you, and it makes me worry."

  His words make my chest swell with happiness. "I love you too, Alexander. I'll be good. I promise."

  "Thank you. I'm sorry, but I really do have to go. Bye, my love."

  "Goodbye." He clicks off before I do. I close my eyes and replay his voice in my head like a favorite song. I still have so many questions about why Alexander was sent away, and I wonder when I might see him again. His phone call reinforced what I knew. He loves me, and we're meant to be together.

  Alexander's reaction to what I did for Lyndsey makes me even more curious about the dangers of drinking vampire blood, and I feel as if I have valuable information to sort through to figure out the truth. But I'm tired, and right now I'd rather hold my conversation with the man I love close. I can't help the flicker of fear that threatens to grow in me, and the plastic of my phone is hard on my fingers when I squeeze it tight as if it's my connection to Alexander and I never want it to slip away.

  11

  Lyndsey

  Sebastian drives us in my car back to Port Porpoise, and I fidget the whole way. Every single emotion I have is multiplied in intensity with my new vampire state, and I imagine it must be what it's like to go crazy. Even the hum of the car engine is irritating me. "I feel strung out," I say to Sebastian.

  "I know. It's overwhelming at first, but you will get used to it. Right now, everything is heightened because you're coming from the muted version of your senses as a human. But soon you'll wonder how you enjoyed life without the sensitivity we have."

  I'm hungry. I think. Because my stomach doesn't feel empty, but my body is craving energy. Considering my intestinal problem earlier, I know eating isn't a good idea. What I really need is--"What about food? Does it taste really good?"

  "Yes, unfortunately. But it doesn't take many episodes like the one you had earlier to keep you from indulging." He glances at me. "However, we do get to enjoy alcohol."

  I frown as I wonder why he seems so calm. I'm a crazed monster who wants nothing but blood right now, and I'm sure training me to acclimate to my new world isn't going to be easy. “Do you turn people often?”

  Sebastian bursts out with a laugh, and when he pulls into the driveway of the haunted mansion, my loose grip on my emotions doesn't let me control my laugh either. I remember how it was only yesterday my friends and I were joking that vampires lived here. I decide Sebastian might not find that funny, so I stop and say, "I'm sorry. I grew up in this town, and as kids, we were afraid to set foot on your property."

  "Yes. I know people think my house is haunted. Except for the eggs some overzealous physics students launched with their catapult one Halloween, it's been a nice cloak of privacy."

  He pulls into a parking space in front of a building big enough to be a home, but I guess it's a multiple-car garage. When we get out of the car, I gaze up at the three-story mansion and find it's not nearly as scary as I’d thought it would be close up. I imagine, on a sunny day and without the Gothic-inspired fencing around the property, it would be stately.

  As we approach the front door, I notice a huge knocker that is a large ring in a dragon's mouth. The eyes of the serpent are red and glisten in the porch light. "Nice touch," I say. "That's creepy."

  "It was my brother's idea. I've grown rather fond of it." Sebastian reaches out, and the ring creaks as he lifts it. When he slams it down to knock, the sound rings out loud enough to hurt my ears. He chuckles. "That should send anyone brave enough to get this far running."

  I smile and decide I like this man who's willing to laugh at himself. We enter a large space that's just as magnificent as the outside of the house. In front of me is a grand staircase with shiny, dark wood railings and a thick carpet runner over the matching wood stairs. The faint scent of human is in the air, and I breathe in deeply. I let out a moan of desire, because my thirst for blood has rushed to the forefront.

  Sebastian says, "I'd show you to your room, but we need to take care of a few details first. Right this way." He leads me to a room off to the right, but I barely see it as my craving turns to full-blown need that is consuming me. He moves quickly to pull out a wine bottle from a wet bar and hand it to me. "Drink."

  The coppery aroma of blood hits me before I grab it, and I lift the bottle up high in the air to wrap my mouth around the neck and guzzle the contents down. The moment the liquid hits my tongue, it's like a sugar rush and protein fix in one, and I suck down the entire bottle with speed that would impress a frat boy.

  As the blood settles in my stomach, I stumble back and fall to the couch. My eyes might even roll back in my head with the euphoric feeling that has wrapped around me. I cover my mouth to let out a belch I can't control. "Excuse me."

  Sebastian smiles at me. "There's nothing like the first time."

  I feel too good to contemplate what I just consumed, but I do sit up and ask, "Did someone die for that?"

  "Goodness no. I believe in sustainable eating."

  "Ah. Like what happened to me and my friends at Matt's party."

  "Yes." He shrugs. "You were quite delicious."

  My knee-jerk reaction is anger, but the emotion switches gea
rs as I ask, "It was you?" An odd sensation of pride fills me, and I realize it's because he liked the way my human blood tasted. I let out a noise of disgust.

  "What's wrong, Lyndsey?"

  I grab my head and squeeze my eyes shut. "I feel possessed."

  "Because you're proud that I liked the way you tasted?"

  His smile is broader now when I look at him sitting on the couch across from me. "Why does that make you happy?"

  "My dear, I'm your creator. Kitty gave you my blood, and now you have an unconditional love for me similar to one for your parent."

  That explains why I'm so willing to believe everything he tells me. I know I have daddy issues because my father left when I was a small girl. I look at Sebastian and put his age at midthirties. I ask, "Is that going to be weird for you?"

  "My dear, I've been alive for over a hundred years and done this a few times. It won't be strange for me at all. I'm afraid you're the one that's going to struggle with my direction." He smiles. "You're a tenacious one, Lyndsey, and I fear we're going to have our challenges."

  I think about how determined I was to find out what really happened the night of Matt's party, and how I've never been very good with authority. I nod. "You're right."

  Sebastian leans forward. "Believe me when I tell you I take my responsibility for your creation very seriously. I only want the best for you, and there will be times you won't like what I tell you to do. Do you think you can learn to trust I'm right?"

  Considering I know next to nothing about being a vampire, I say, "I'll do my best to remember it." I take a look around the room I'm in. It's definitely one that is used often. I see two desks and a wet bar. There are two sofas, where Sebastian and I are sitting, and a coffee table between them.