Darlings of Darkness: A Vampire Anthology Part 51

"How did we end up in a town like this?" she asked.

"They're trying to blend in," I said, "and they're doing a really good job. The thing is, if there are vampires and werewolves here, there should be many more deaths occurring. They must be controlling the way they eat so they don't bring suspicion to themselves."

"So they're not dangerous because they're in Bloodaholics Anonymous."

"Obviously, one fell off the wagon," I said as I glanced down to see who had left a text on my phone.

"Who is it?" Julie asked.

"It's Jesse. He's at my house waiting for me."

"Your parents are gonna be gone all day. You can't face him by yourself. It isn't safe. Let me come with you."

"No. I need to talk to him privately."

"Then do it at McDonald's or something, in a public spot." When I didn't answer, she continued, "What if Jesse is the killer?"

"It wasn't him," I said.

"You don't know that," she retorted.

I reached for my purse. "If he wanted to kill me, he would have done it already. He's had plenty of opportunities."

"Don't confront him like this, Taylor. You were clueless to his lifestyle before, but now you know his dirty little vampy secret. If he's aware of that, he might take you out with one big, giant bite right there at the house."

"It's a risk I have to take."

"Fine, but at least take some precautions." She turned and left the room.

"If you're getting your father's gun, I don't want it!" I yelled.

She returned instead with a Bible and a wooden crucifix. "Here. Vampire repellents."

"Seriously?"

"Honey, this is just the beginning. I'm far from done. The Internet has hundreds of tips." She ran to the kitchen and came back with cloves of garlic.

"Seriously?" I repeated.

"I don't have any holy water, but I can get some at church this Sunday."

I tried to hand all the stuff back to her, but she insisted I take it.

"You know, we shoulda figured this out already. Jesse is too hot to be human. Guys like him shouldn't exist on this planet, let alone in the middle of the woods in Big Bear Lake. Who knew that vampires could come in fifty shades of s.e.xy?"

"Right," I said.

"Just don't be seduced by his hypnotizing eyes. Jesse may be handsome and s.e.xy, but remember that he's always out for blood. You shouldn't invite him in when you go home. Your house can be your sanctuary, so just stand in the doorway so he can't hurt you. Promise?"

"I promise. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Or slurped dry."

In spite of her warnings, I didn't think Jesse would hurt me. Then again, I wasn't sure who he really was or how everything would turn out. All I knew was that I needed to talk to him.

"Taylor, you haven't even asked what kind of hardware you need to take down that bloodsucker," Julie said.

"I have everything you gave me."

"Yeah, but those are just for protection. To destroy him, you'll need a wooden stake to pierce his heart."

"What!? I'm not killing anybody. Besides, if I did, his blue-eyed coven would come after me."

"Right. I didn't think about that. But if he comes after you, you'll have no choice but to stake the night-stalker."

"He walks in daylight, Jules."

"Oh yeah. But you can't just let him suck every single red blood cell out of your body," she retorted. "I bet he gets off on it too, the pervert."

"That's it. I'm leaving."

"That's it. I'm coming."

I sighed, knowing I wasn't going to be able to change her mind again. "All right. I guess in this case, I can use a third wheel."

"Let's find some more stuff. If we get the lighter fluid from the bas.e.m.e.nt, we can fry the undead bloodsucker, burning him into a million ashes."

"I suppose that might work," I said hesitantly, not wanting to picture it.

I followed Julie to the bas.e.m.e.nt door, and after she stepped in to head down the stairs, I quickly locked it behind her.

She pounded hard with her fists. "Taylor! Let me out."

"I can't believe you want to fry my crus.h.!.+" I said.

"Let me out! You can't just leave me trapped down here!"

"Your mom will be home in less than an hour. You'll be okay. I need to do this myself."

Halfway home, I pulled off the side of the road. I couldn't stop gasping for air, and I felt like I was having a panic attack. Since I'd never had one before, I wasn't sure. I ran a hand through my hair and tried to think clearly, trying to come to terms with the fact that Jesse could be a vampire. Do I just have some sick imagination? Am I a mental case? If he was, in fact, a vampire, I would despise what he was, and I would never be okay with him killing people. But is it my right to judge him? Maybe he just feeds on rodents or shops at a blood bank. Maybe I'm just completely crazy. Or...maybe my heart is just as lonely as his.

I wanted to scream, so as I sat there in my car, that was exactly what I did.

Chapter 20.

My chest heaved, and I sucked in giant gulps of air as I pulled into the driveway. "Keep calm," I told myself.

As I walked up the sidewalk, he smiled.

My heart stopped. "Breathe," I told myself.

"Hey, you," he said.

"Hi, Jesse."

He wrapped his arms around me and lowered his mouth on mine. His warm lips were so enticing, so addictive. His gentle touch was like none I'd ever experienced.

But my feelings about him were all mixed up. I was aware of what he might be, but I didn't care. I couldn't stop, couldn't let go. I wanted to keep moving forward with him. I wanted him more than my next gulp of air. I felt myself sinking away from reality. Any normal girl would have run, but I couldn't. His lips felt so soft and warm, and I loved the way he tangled his fingers in my long, black curls. The thought of letting him go tore at my heart, and I simply couldn't. I simply wouldn't.

Still, I needed answers.

He looked into my eyes, and I was awestruck, my lips still tingling. "I was thinking," he said. "Why don't I get us a boat so we can go out on the lake, just the two of us?"

"Sounds nice, a chance to escape all the drama for a little while."

He threaded his fingers through my long locks, his flirtatious grin fixed on his face. "I'd love to have you all to myself."

"You know how much I love being with you," I whispered.

His smile eased into a big grin, and he gently caressed my face and softly kissed me. "How about this weekend?"

I drew in a short breath, but the words remained frozen in my throat. I walk over to the railing and stared into the woods.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

He regarded me intently, his hair swaying in the soft breeze wafting in from the silent woods.

"I've got a lot on my mind," I finally answered.

He came from behind and hugged me. "Like what?"

I spun around, then pushed the black hair from his face, raking my fingers through it. "I'm so thirsty. How about a soda?"

"Sure. I'll take a Sprite or Pepsi."

I unlocked the door and stepped inside. "Jesse, we need to have a long talk. Let's have a bite to eat and chat." When I glanced over my shoulder, he was still standing at the doorway.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" he asked.

"No need for that. I mean, after that fantastic kiss on the lips, do we really have to be that formal?"

"I don't want your parents getting mad that I came in without permission," he said.

I slowly walked to the doorway and stared into those eyes that still took my breath away; there was nothing dead about them. "Are you able to come in and get it yourself?" I asked.

"Meh, I'm not really that thirsty anyway," he said. "I'd rather hang out here on the porch."

Our eyes locked. He was so handsome with those strong, chiseled features, eyes as blue as the sky, and lips sculpted perfectly for kissing. I stared at his sensuous mouth, and he looked so cute with that pouty bottom lip of his.

"Are you coming back outside?" he asked.

"Are you coming inside?" I retorted.

We stared into each other's eyes for a long moment, and it would have taken a knife to cut the tension between us. The challenge had been issued, and we both refused to give in.

"Something's changed between us," Jesse said. "I can sense it."

I shook my head.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I put two and two together."

"And what did you figure out?"

"I want to know what you're hiding from me, Jesse," I finally blurted out. "What's going on?"

Jesse stared at me in silence as he contemplated what my words implied.

I inched closer to the doorway. "Take off your s.h.i.+rt," I demanded.

His beautiful eyes shone as he gazed straight into my eyes. "I had no idea you were so bold, so kinky."

My lips pressed into grim lines. "I need to know if I'm crazy, which is a very serious possibility. Take off your s.h.i.+rt right now please."

He gazed deeply into my eyes. "No."

"No?"

He smiled. "No."

I cleared my throat. "Why not?"

"Why not?" he repeated. "Because I suddenly feel very shy. You're treating me like a piece of meat."

"Maybe the real reason you don't want to remove your s.h.i.+rt is because you don't have a scar from the bullet wound. I'm sure it healed very fast, and that's why you didn't want to go to the hospital," I said.

He nodded, seemingly impressed with my insights. "Why?"