Midnight Moon (Love and Blood Series Book 1)

by Raven K. Asher

  The last thing I see before my eyes close is a large black wolf.

  ****

  I have no idea how long I lay on the side of the road, but when I open my eyes, a familiar voice yells out my name in a panic.

  Jake.

  I fight to move as I struggle to say his name.

  “Ava, please answer me.” He pleads.

  “Jake…” I breathe out.

  Unfortunately, he doesn't hear me.

  I try again as I raise my hand up into the air as high as I can manage in my weakened state. “Jake.”

  This time my voice comes out loud enough for him to hear.

  Within seconds he runs to my side. He kneels down and then pulls me into his arms.

  “What happened?” He whimpers as he scans me from head to toe.

  “I was attacked.” I cry.

  “I’m taking you home.” He states before lifting me in his arms.

  Without another word, he carries me to his car before placing me in the passenger seat.

  Moments later he hops into the driver’s seat before starting the car. He glances in my direction for a brief moment before pulling away from the side of the road to drive towards home faster than what was considered safe.

  The entire drive home he glances towards me nervously.

  As soon as he parks in the small driveway leading to his family’s garage he sighs and then leans his head against the steering wheel.

  “Ava, what attacked you?” He questions softly.

  I remain quiet. I didn’t want to tell him what had happened.

  “Please, tell me.” He begs.

  “I was bitten by a vampire.” I answer.

  He curses. “That’s the last time I ever let you out of my sight. You’re lucky it let you live.”

  I was in fact not so lucky if my memory served me right. In twenty-four hours I would either be dead or I would be cursed just like the vampire who had attacked me.

  Soon everything would begin changing.

  “Ava, do you want me to take you to your house or mine?” Jake asks after a few moments of silence.

  “Take me to mine.” I insist. “I don’t want my parents to worry when they don’t see my car out front in the morning.”

  “I’m staying with you.” He announces sternly.

  I nod in agreement instead of fighting with him. I wasn’t about to waste the time I had left with him because I certainly didn’t intend on becoming a vampire.

  That wasn't the life that I wanted.

  As long as I didn’t drink any human blood I would be dead in two days.

  Sighing softly Jake exits the car before rushing around to my side. He lifts me into his arms and then carries me to the back door of my house.

  He uses my key to unlock the door before quietly moving inside.

  Once we’re in my room upstairs, he places me down on my bed before taking a small step back.

  “Babe, tell me what to do.” He whispers.

  “Go to the bathroom and grab a wet rag so I can wash this blood off of me.” I instruct.

  He nods and then leaves my room.

  After a few moments he returns with a washcloth and a towel.

  I push myself up and then lean against my headboard while he sits on the edge of the bed. He hands me the wet cloth and I scrub it against my skin while tears build in my eyes.

  A sob catches in my throat as Jake grabs me into an embrace.

  “Everything will be alright, Babe. No one is going to hurt you ever again.” He whispers into my ear as he holds me tightly.

  His words only cause me to break down more.

  I cry for what feels like forever before my tears stop and I become exhausted.

  “Lay down with me.” Jake pushes as he leans back to wipe my tears away with his thumbs.

  I nod and then lay down on the bed with him.

  Within seconds my eyes close before I’m sucked into the darkness of sleep.

  ****

  “Ava, Jake would you two want some breakfast?” Mom calls out as she peeks inside my door.

  I groan while Jake sits up. “I would love some breakfast, Teresa.”

  Mom smiles brightly as she glances towards me. “Are you hungry, Hunnie?”

  I shake my head. “No.”

  She nods. “Alright, if you change your mind there’s more than enough downstairs.”

  With that, she leaves.

  Jake stands and then glances back at me with worry. “You should eat something before you end up getting sick.”

  “I’ll be down in a few. I’m going to get a shower and then get ready for work. Mary is going to kick my ass if I’m late again.” I sigh.

  “You should call off.” Jake pushes.

  “I can’t.” I argue.

  He sighs while rubbing his hand over his face. “Can I at least drive you?”

  “Yes.” I reply.

  He nods and then motions towards the door. “I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

  “Don’t tell them what happened, Jake. I don’t want my parents to worry about me. The last thing they need to do is worry.” I stress.

  “I won’t say a word.” Jake promises.

  “Thanks, Jake.” I breathe out.

  “You’re welcome, Ava.” He replies with a small grin.

  Without another word, he leaves my room.

  Once he's gone, I groan and then toss my arm over my eyes. I felt as if a ten-ton truck had run me over.

  Every fiber of my body ached.

  My skin felt as if it was crawling and my eyes were already becoming sensitive to the light shining through my bedroom window.

  Before this was over, I was going to be in excruciating pain.

  The only reason I knew all of this was thanks to my best friend, Tinsley. She had fallen victim to a vampire a year before.

  I had sat beside her until her parents took her away. I hadn’t seen her since, and I had no idea if she had survived or if she had decided to die.

  Right now I needed her. I needed someone to sit here and hold my hand.

  I was terrified of what would happen once my parents and Jake found out that I was going to become a vampire or die.

  My father and Jake despised anything that had to do with vampires. They were part of a group of locals who would gather to drive them out of town.

  If I didn’t die they would more than likely drive me out of town.

  That’s why it was best for me to endure the pain and pass away. I didn’t want to break my parent’s heart by becoming a killer.

  They didn’t need to lose their only daughter that way.

  Mustering just enough strength, I sit up and then move to the edge of my bed. I stand and then slowly make my way to the door before moving down the hallway to the bathroom.

  I walk inside and then shut the door before leaning back against it.

  I flip on the light and groan.

  When I turn to look in the mirror, I whimper. It was a wonder that my mother hadn’t seen the blood dried on my neck.

  There was a ton of it and some even around my lips.

  I turn towards the shower and turn on the water. Without caring I step into it. I nearly scream as the water hits my skin.

  I swear it felt as if I was being stabbed with thousands of tiny needles.

  Every drop of water hurt unlike any pain I had ever encountered in my twenty-three years.

  I bite my lip and scrub my body the best I can before I have no choice but to exit the shower. Once I’m out I fall to my knees as I pant for my next breath.

  After a few moments, I crawl to the sink and then pull myself up to stand.

  Thankfully the blood was gone, but my eyes were ringed with red.

  The taste of blood hits my tongue, and I whimper as I check my teeth. One tooth falls into the sink before a fang appears.

  Seconds later another tooth falls out before being replaced by another fang.

  Fresh tears spill down my cheeks. To my horror, those tears begin to turn re
d as I stare at my reflection. Blood covers my cheeks as I uselessly try to wipe them away.

  I close my eyes and curse.

  There was no way I could allow anyone to see me like this.

  Once I manage to control my emotions I rinse my face with water to wash away the blood.

  Just as I finish drying my face, Jake walks into the bathroom. His brow rises before he grabs a towel to wrap around my bare body.

  He doesn’t say a word as he guides me down the hallway and back into my room.

  I move over to my dresser to grab some clothes while he sits on the edge of my bed.

  “Ava…” He begins. “Did…did something else happen that I should know about? Are you going to be alright?”

  “I’ll be fine.” I lie.

  “Are you sure?” He presses.

  “Yes. You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine in a few days.” I reply. “I just need some time to recover.”

  He nods and then reaches out to me as I move closer to him.

  “I love you.” He whispers softly while looking up at me.

  “I love you too.” I reply as I look away from him in order to hide the fact that I had fangs.

  Jake stands and then grabs my chin gently in his hand to turn my face to look at him. He searches my eyes for a moment before he rubs his thumb across my bottom lip.

  Without warning, he uses his thumb to lift my upper lip.

  He curses as he sees the fangs. I watch as he closes his eyes.

  When he reopens them, they glisten with unshed tears.

  “What are you going to do?” He asks with a whimper.

  “The only thing I can do.” I answer gently. “I’m not going to turn into one of those beasts. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

  He nods and then pulls me snuggly against his body. “I wish there was something I could do to help you, Babe. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “I don’t want to leave you.” I reply.

  After a few moments, he looks down at me. “You should stay home. We should spend as much time together as possible before…”

  “I can’t do that. Other people are counting on me, and I’d rather not tell my parents. I don’t want to drag this out. I’ll spend time with them tonight and then I’ll spend my last moments with you.” I reply.

  He breathes out a heavy sigh before leaning his forehead against mine.

  We stare into each other’s eyes for a long moment before I pull away.

  I release my towel and then begin the task of pulling on my clothing for the day.

  Once I’m dressed, I slip on my shoes before moving towards Jake. He looks up at me and smiles sadly before he stands from his spot sitting on the edge of my bed.

  “This isn’t fair.” He whispers while pushing a strand of my blonde hair away from my face.

  “I know.” I sigh as I lean into his touch.

  After a moment I pull away and then grab my extra apron from the top of my dresser before moving towards the door.

  I glance back at Jake. “Let’s go before I’m late.”

  He nods and then jumps into action.

  3-The Change

  “Are you sure you want to do this, Ava?” Jake questions me as he parks his car in the parking lot behind the diner.

  “I’m sure, Jake. I’ll be fine.” I insist while grabbing his hand in mine.

  He glances down at our hands and closes his eyes. He obviously was feeling the difference in temperature already. His hand was much warmer than mine.

  “It’s not as bad as you’d think.” I lie.

  “Don’t say that.” He breathes out as he reopens his eyes to look at me.

  After a moment he turns his attention out the windshield. “Promise me one thing, Ava?”

  “What…?” I reply.

  “Promise me that you won’t hide from me. I want to be with you as long as I can.” He whispers hoarsely as he closes his eyes again.

  A single tear escapes and trails down his cheek.

  “I love you, Jake, and I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else. I’m not going to hide from you. I wouldn’t do that.” I reply softly before I reach up to wipe the tear away from his cheek.

  He leans into my touch for a moment.

  Silence surrounds us as my heart breaks for him. All of our plans together were quickly coming unraveled.

  It wasn’t fair.

  “I love you, Ava.” He whimpers.

  “I’ll see you after my shift, okay.” I sigh.

  He nods but keeps his eyes closed.

  I sigh again and then kiss his cheek before exiting the car. The second my door shuts he slams his hands against his steering wheel.

  I slowly walk away as he screams inside the car at how unfair this whole situation was.

  Each step I take away breaks my heart further.

  Once I get inside Mary pulls me into her arms before she leans back to search my eyes. “Ava, what happened? I saw your car on the side of the road this morning.”

  She then glances down at where her hands were against my skin. “Why are you so cold?”

  “It’s a long story, but I’m here, and I’m fine,” I reply.

  She nods. “We are a little bit slow right now.”

  “Good.” I breathe out.

  “Oh, before I forget that man from last night came back,” Mary announces. “He’s been asking about you. I told him that I’d send you as soon as you came in.”

  I sigh and then nod. “Alright, I’ll talk to him first.”

  Without another word, I tie my apron around my waist before I plaster on my best smile. A moment later I walk into the dining area before making my way towards the back where I had seated the man the night before.

  As soon as he sees me, he smiles brightly.

  “I heard that you wanted to see me?” I state as I approach him.

  “I did.” He replies as he motions towards the empty seat across from him. “Sit, please.”

  I huff out a breath and then sit down.

  “You don’t look well.” He breathes out after a moment of silence.

  “I don’t feel good,” I answer honestly.

  Leaning across the table, he reaches out to place his hand against my forehead. Instead of pulling back like I should have I close my eyes and allow him to touch my skin.

  He curses before pulling his hand away. “You’re changing.”

  I open my eyes to look at him. “What do you know about it?”

  “Not much but I was really hoping that wouldn’t happen. I thought I had made it in time.” He replies with a heavy sigh.

  I study him closer. “You were the wolf, weren’t you?” I whisper.

  He nods. “Yes, but I’m not as bad as you’ve been told. I tried to save you.”

  I nod. “I know.”

  “What are you going to do?” He asks.

  “I’m going to die with dignity,” I reply.

  He nods once before sighing while rubbing his hand over his face. He suddenly appeared ten years older.

  “If something happens and you decide not to die I can take you somewhere where you’ll be safe.” He states. “It’s a place where the best of us live and learn to control what we are.”

  “My name is Tobias Blake, by the way.” He adds while holding his hand out towards me. "My friends call me Toby."

  I shake his hand and smile. “I’m Ava Holmes.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ava.” He replies with a grin of his own.

  After another moment of silence, he speaks again. “You’re not going to be alone at the end, are you?”

  “No,” I answer simply.

  “Good.” He breathes out. “No one should be alone.”

  I nod in agreement before glancing towards the front of the diner absently. “Is it going to hurt?”

  “What, dying?” He asks.

  I nod again as I turn my attention towards him. “Yes.”

  “As far as I know it does when you’re going through the change. The only way
the pain stops is when your body shuts down or when you drink human blood.” He replies gently.

  “This is going to suck.” I huff out.

  “Yeah, it is.” He chuckles lightly. “But like I said if you need anything I’ll be around. This isn’t the first time I’ve helped a young one during the change.”

  I raise my brow in question. “How old are you?”

  “How old are you?” He replies with his own question.

  “I’m twenty-three,” I answer.

  He nods. “I’m fifty-eight. I know I don’t look it, but I don’t age like humans do.”

  “Yeah, you definitely don’t look that old. You look like you’re in your thirties.” I reply in amusement before laughing lightly. “Mary would be so disappointed.”

  “No one can know what I am.” He stresses suddenly.

  “I won’t say a word, but your eyes give you away. I knew as soon as I saw you yesterday that you weren’t quite human.” I reply.

  “Ava, I need you.” Mary suddenly calls out.

  I sigh and then stand up. “I should go.”

  He nods in understanding while I turn and walk away.

  ****

  After a long day I find myself leaning against the back of the building as I pant for my next breath. The pain was overwhelming, and every sound was becoming amplified.

  It was so bad that I wanted to scream and cry all at the same time.

  “You need to go home where it’s quiet,” Tobias states as he appears beside me suddenly.

  “My boyfriend should be here to pick me up soon,” I reply.

  As if on cue Jake’s car pulls into the parking lot. He stops the car and then rushes to get out before joining Tobias and me.

  “Ava…” He breathes out. “What’s going on? Who is this?”

  “I’m a friend, but right now you need to get her somewhere safe and quiet,” Tobias answers him. “It’s not going to be much longer before it’s all over.”

  Jake hesitates for a moment before he grabs my hand. “Come on, Babe.”

  I nod and then allow him to lead me to the car before he opens the passenger door for me. I get in, and he shuts the door.

  I stare out the window towards Tobias while Jake slips into the driver’s seat.