Dark Angel

By Louise Gleave

Story Description

Taking care of her sick mother was the only thing on Kyra's mind until Lance sprung in to her life. She knew instantly that he was bad news but it didn't stop her from trusting him anyway, turns out her first instinct was correct as Lance is part of an ancient society of Vampires that goes back thousands of years. Her life goes spinning out of control as she finds out more and more secrets about her birth and who she really is. 

But the biggest shock for Kyra is who her father is, a mystery that has been hidden from her since she was born, but when she finds out who he is will she side with him or bring him down?

 

Chapter One

Life is tough

Adrenaline pumping, heart hammering, arms swinging, feet pounding on the pavement, a strong smell of freshly cut grass almost suffocating, declared the weather was taking a turn for the better (or worse depending on how you looked at it.) The sun had risen two hours ago and already it was twenty degrees, completely out of character for Manchester’s weather, or should that be British weather? Steel toecap boots made it harder to run, the muscles in my legs and ankles protesting profusely. My foot wobbled slightly and I went over on it, a sharp pain shot up my leg and just got my balance before I fell.         

“WAIT!” I yelled, almost sobbed. I wasn’t much of a runner and the increasing pain in my chest was excruciating.

The bus sped off, leaving choking dust in its wake.  “Shit” I huffed, between wheezing breaths. For certain the bloody driver saw me and deliberately waited until I was a meter away from the doors.  Damn it, third time this month I'd be late for work. The written warning loomed; I was lucky I hadn't received one sooner.

           

While pulling my long brown hair in a ponytail I lowered myself on to a bench, trying to catch my breath and reflect on how bad the week had been. Hell, it's only Wednesday!

Monday was a basket load of scorpions with stings.

I awoke to the sound of Mum screaming in agony. I rushed in to sooth and feed her

painkillers. Mum has brain cancer, Meningiomas, the specialist docs at Bolton Hospital call it. I do my best, I really do but it’s never good enough. I can’t help her the way I really want to. I question so many times why her? Even wish it were I instead. I mean Mum's a much better person than I could ever be.

            She used to volunteer at the homeless shelter in town, ran two jobs, raised me, looked after Gran when she was dying…why did God have to be so cruel. The minister came round to our home and told me ‘God takes the ones he loves first’, but how could God be that selfish?

           

Tuesday was no better. The social worker came knocking and laid down ground rules. “Need to hire more help,” she said. “Maybe get in contact with your dad,” she said. Went on and on about if things didn't improve . . .we’d have to put her in care.

I bit back the “fuck off’ on the tip of my tongue. Do you have any idea what I go through in a day? I wanted to yell. Instead, I nodded. “I’ll do what you ask,” I said.

So, besides the day nurse I have looking after Mum, me working my arse off to pay the woman's salary, I've now got to pay for a special bed that will stop Mum from falling out, plus a new bath that will allow her to be lowered in, and hoisted out, a night nurse . . . Oh and a stair lift. Please, don’t get me wrong I love my mum, do anything for her. But how is anyone supposed to pay for all this?  It never ends! I tried applying for benefits to help get by but was declined. Apparently because I was working I didn’t qualify.

            I shook my head, thinking back on that letter, a letter that was signing Mum’s and mine to a life of poverty.  

     

“You’re late” Elaine stood with her arms crossed and a face like thunder. She was wearing the customary blue t-shirt and a pair of black pants. Her auburn hair was tied in a neat bun, her make-up minimal. The Newton's Cradle on her desk clicked in the ominous silence. I could smell her McDonalds breakfast remains in the bin, a sausage and cheese McBagel. My stomach grumbled, reminding me I'd had nothing to eat since dinner time yesterday. Even a vegetarian like me would have wolfed down the McBagel in that moment.

She sighed. I waited patiently for the sentence.

“This is your final warning, Kyra. If you are late one more time, I’m going to have to let you go. I’m sorry, I really am. I know it’s hard for you right now, what with your mother and all, but I can’t let this go on. I have to put the business first, you understand?”

            I nodded.

            She sat down at her desk, hands clasped in front of her.  “Kyra, you are only twenty years old, you should be out enjoying yourself, are you sure there is no one else who can take care of your mother?”

            I shook my head.

            She sighed and shook her head. “Go on. Get to work”

            I bit back tears, more because of the clawing fear that ripped through me at the thought of losing a wage. Christ, we were in a recession; no way would I find another job quick enough. If one existed.

I glanced at my watch while a middle-aged man with bad dress sense and a soul patch asked what the difference was between oil based paint and water based paint. It was five o' clock, the store about to close. I had Mum on my mind, alongside thoughts of losing the job, all the money I needed for the stuff Mum required. My stomach turned.

           

“Oil based is more durable but it has a strong odour,” I told him. “Water based is nearly odourless and you can wipe it down if it’s dirty. So if you have children –“ which I doubted – “then water based is better.”

            He took the oil based paint to the till.

I rushed to the staff room and grabbed my change of clothes. My shift starts at the nightclub in fifteen minutes, luckily it’s only half a mile away. Once changed I worked on my hair, that dull, lifeless brown blob that sat on my head like a tumbleweed. I brushed through the snarls, deciding it was better kept in a ponytail.  I quickly brushed on some mascara to help highlight my hazel eyes.

            Elaine, after locking up the store and cashing up, followed by Tiffany – her 'arse kisser' – gave me a sad look. Sure she felt sorry for me and was left with little choice but to get rid of me if I was late again but I didn’t want pity. Pity wouldn’t pay the bills, the medical costs, stock the fridge. I do what I must in order to survive. If that’s not good enough then…

            “Don’t be late tomorrow, Kyra. Please don’t make me sack you.”

            “I’ll try,” I called back aware it all depended on how Mum felt.  

*   *   *

The club hummed with life and excitement. A band – ‘The Festivals’ – played. Good too, in a wreck-your-ear-drums kind of way. People were screaming and jumping up and down, raving to the music. Glow sticks dangled from ears and necks and wrapped around wrists and ankles. The smell of body odour and ale was so strong I could taste it. The room burned with heat, sweat trickled down my neck and back. I handed another Punter a beer and moved on to the next in a rhythmic fashion. My feet hurt in the kitten heels and my head throbbed with the start of a migraine.

            God, I was so damn tired.

            “That’s a coke, I asked for a lemonade,” the girl yelled making sure she was heard over the music. She wore the tiniest red cocktail dress I’d ever seen: if she fell in a puddle of her own vomit it was pretty safe to say her dress wouldn’t get soiled.

I nodded and swapped the drink over. Placing it down she looked at me, her head cocked to one side like a predator sensing prey.

            “I need ice.”

            I sighed, filled it with ice and smiled angelically.

            “That’s too much.”

            My smile became a glare. I picked up the glass, and saw myself throwing it at her. I didn’t. I took it to the sink, emptied it and returned with three ice cubes, lemonade and a shot of vodka. I placed it down on the bar. She smiled wickedly and tottered to the dance floor, ice cubes clinking.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

By the end of the night, well, early morning, one a.m. precisely, I was more dead on my feet than a zombie. I sluggishly grabbed my coat off the rack when Zara came thundering in, larger than life, to grab her denim jacket.

            Zara has been my best friend since primary school, along with Lucinda. Dark, nearly black hair was piled on top of her head in an elegant updo. Her full shaped lips were glossed with red and her green eyes were framed with long, fake eyelashes.  

            “You look awful, dearest,” she chirped.

            “Thanks,” I managed.

            “Saw that bitch giving you shit. So, I dropped a fag end in her drink when I was glass collecting.” She winked. Zara was the only one who could do that and not get in trouble, it was her bar and what she says goes. Her father left it to her in his will. Mr Lint was a great guy, he watched out for me when I was little, offered his support and kept the social off my back before I was legal to take care of Mum. If it wasn’t for him Mum would have been in a home and I would have lived with a foster family.    

            “You shouldn’t've done that.” My reproach didn’t sound like one since I was too tired to put any effort behind it. Besides I was secretly pleased she had anyway.

            “Oh, Hon, you really look terrible. When was the last time you took a break?”

            I gave it some thought. Ten years ago. I recalled we went to Skegness, Mum and me. It was one of my most treasured memories. I remember I dropped my ice cream and started to cry; Mum gave me hers with a smile and told me “never cry over spilt ice cream, my little sunshine.” 

*   *   *

Lying awake in bed I heard Mum ramble to herself, she did that sometimes, the cancer makes her hallucinate. “…You need to leave….No, she doesn’t know…Please, go. Please. Just go away…Go away. Go away. Go away…”

I used to barge into her room when it started, assuming someone had broken in. Every time I entered her room there was no one there and she’d just tell me she was talking to herself or she was dreaming. I realised later it was the meds, a symptom, Mum was too ashamed to admit she was seeing things.

            “Go away you evil piece of shit! ...You heard me. You stay away from her. Do you hear me?” 

A tear escaped and ran into my hairline.

The wind ruffled my hair and the smell of the sea was refreshing. I could feel the sand between my toes, the sun warming my back. I turned, Mum was running up behind me laughing. Long brown hair fluttered behind her like a cape, brown eyes were full of life and love. She swept me up in the caring, loving arms I was accustomed to. I squealed in delight.

            “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me hap-py, when skies are grey…”

A blood-curdling scream wrenched me from sleep. Running into Mum’s room, I was imagining the worst, she lay on the bed staring at nothing and screaming like a banshee. I lay beside her on the covers and held her close, whispering all sorts to try and pacify her. After an hour, she fell asleep. Relieved, I let out a shaky breath as more tears escaped.

Chapter Two

First Sight

            “Pretty little girl.”

            “I thought I told you to stay away from her!”

            A chuckle. “Oh, Abrianna, how you entertain me, even when you are so close to death.”

            “You don’t scare me!”

            “It is almost time, Abrianna, she’s almost twenty one years old and you know what will happen then…unless you hand her over to me…?”

            “Never!” She hissed.

            Another chuckle. “It’s not your choice to make, my dear,”

            The voices faded in to the background as the darkness of deep sleep consumed me.

“Wake up, Kyra. You’re going to be late for work”

            I covered my face with my arm, muttering something incoherent. I felt sweaty, greasy and just plain gross, my face felt tight with dried tears. Mum’s words ran through my mind. Late. For. Work.

            Oh, shit! I dove out of bed, jumped in the shower and dressed all in under half an hour. Kayleigh, the day nurse arrived and after giving Mum a quick kiss, I rushed out of the door and ran for the bus… again.

Kate, the deputy manager, was in charge today; Elaine was on holiday for a week - lucky for some. I wasn’t late - Thank God - but it wouldn’t stop this week going to hell. Hanging my coat on the rack, Kate flounced towards me in her blue tailored suit, designer heels tapping the floor. Obviously, the uniform we had to wear wasn’t good enough.

            “The hand tools need tidying,” she ordered without preamble.

            “Right.”

            “Oh, and the building aisle needs a good cleaning. Get right on that, yeah?” She smiled, bleached teeth gleaming.

            I nodded, tight-lipped. When she turned, I stuck a finger up at her back. “Bitch” I muttered.

            Cleaning the building aisle was the most hated job next to tiling; you always walked away covered in powdered cement. I’m always assigned this when Elaine wasn’t around. I often wondered what I had done to make her hate me so much. I talked to her about how she was treating me differently, she laughed in my face, said I was being paranoid. I let it go after that. See, I couldn’t prove she was victimising me, it was her word against mine. I didn’t have the nerve to go further with the accusation anyway.

           

I hefted a twenty kilogram bag of cement on to the shelf trying not to think about how freakishly stronger I was than other girls and recently it was starting to get worse. Take last Friday for example, I was hovering the living room and something rolled under the sofa. I turned the hover off and bent down to reach for it. I couldn’t quite reach, so I took a deep breath and readied myself to lift the sofa, knowing it was going to be heavy…except it wasn’t. It was as light as a pillow.

 I remembered back to last night, the dream I had. Something specific about it had been hovering in my mind all day but every time I tried to recall it, it moved further out of reach. It was important…and disturbing.

            It’s almost time.

            The voice came out of nowhere and suddenly the bag I was holding ripped, sending clouds of cement dust into my face.

            “You’ve got to be kidding!” I whined.

            “Kyra, are you okay? Oh.” Lucinda, Lucie for short, watched me, crystal blue eyes full of sympathy. “Go on, go and get cleaned up, I’ll sort this out.”

            “Thank you.” I could feel tears coming, so I patted her on the shoulder and made a run for the toilets, praying that Kate wouldn’t see me in this state… but that would be asking too much.

            I heard her cackling and talking to Matt, he too, laughed when he saw the state I was in.

            “Oh, Kyra, you look like you’ve seen a ghost!”

            Running for the toilets, laughter following me like a swarm of locusts, I held back tears. My reflection was horrific; cement was in my hair, it coated my face. My once blue t-shirt was mottled with grey-white patches. I couldn’t even just rinse it off; it would start turning to mush and just get harder.

            I tried not to cry, I really did, but they came any way and once the flood gates opened I couldn’t close them. Lucie found me a while later, crouched on the ladies floor, sobbing.

            With a shake of her head, she pulled a hairbrush and some wet wipes out of her bag. She started with brushing the powder out of my hair and then wiped down my face. Once that was done, she grabbed a clean t-shirt out of her locker and threw mine in the bin.

            “There, much better. So, what are you doing tonight?” She dusted herself down.

            “Working. At the club, I mean.” I hiccupped.

            “No rest for the wicked. Is Zara working tonight?” She busied herself tidying up her already perfect blonde locks.

            I shook my head, no.

            “Okay, well, I’m in need of a drink so, I’ll keep you company tonight at the bar. You never know I might pull.” She winked.

*   *   *

Lucie sat at the bar all night nursing a vodka and lemonade. She was gorgeous in her short white dress, blonde wavy hair in an elegant updo. A few men approached her, offering to buy drinks but she denied them, I didn’t know why, I thought she wanted to pull. It occurred to me that Lucie hadn’t had a date with a guy since the last school dance. I made a mental note to ask her about it later.

            Thursday was always a quiet night. Why is it when everything seems quiet and lazy something jumps out of the darkness and scares the bejesus out of you?

            We were preparing to lock up when a scream rang in the silence of the club. The security guard, Bill, a large man with a bald patch, burst through the front doors and ordered us to call an ambulance. Tara, already ahead of him, phone in hand, was giving the address…

            “What happened to her?” Lucie said in panic as Bill carried a girl over to a couch.

            He shook his head. “She cut her neck, I think.”

            The girl’s blue eyes were wide with shock, her face ashen, hands and legs trembling uncontrollably. Blood had pooled on her dress, and dripped down her neck and collarbone. She had scratches on her forearms and bruises around her chin; the latter oddly shaped . . . Was that a handprint?

            But the strangest thing out of all this was her smile –  one of pure bliss as if she had seen an angel.

            “Why’s she smiling like that? It’s creepy.” I could hear the tremble in Lucie’s tone.

            I took her hand and squeezed it gently.

            “I don’t know, it’s how I found her.” Bill said grimly.

The girl’s face haunted me for the rest of the night. I couldn’t get the shocking whiteness of her eyes or the joy of her smile out of my head. Every time I recalled the picture, I shivered. It bugged me how much of it didn’t make sense, like how on earth did she cut her neck? And why the hell would you be smiling about it? Unless - and this was the part that scared me the most - she wanted to die…?         

*   *   *

Mum was still awake when I got home. She was snuggled under the duvet, watching TV. She smiled when I walked in, her whole face lighting up making her look like she used to, young and full of life.      

“How was your day, Sunshine?”

            I climbed into bed next to her. I cherish these days, like a hen with her baby chick they were precious to me.

            “Great.” I lied with a bright smile.

            She wrinkled her nose. “You smell weird.”

            “Oh, I dropped some cement over me, no biggie.” 

            I crawled closer, wanting nothing more than to be cuddled up with her. I breathed in Mum’s scent; she no longer wore the perfume I remembered as a child, she smelled of the unique smell that was her. She stroked my back like she used to when I was young. I reached to touch her hair… and remembered that it was gone. The chemo' and radiotherapy had stolen the coffee-coloured locks. I held back a sob of remorse; how beautiful she'd once looked with that long, curly hair. Not like my long, thick, frizzy head of wire. I rested my head on her shoulder and she rested her head on mine. We stayed like that until she fell asleep.

           

It’s almost time.

I shot up, panting. Wide awake now, I went over to the open window; the curtain fluttered in the breeze. About to close the window I saw a figure in the street. Squinting into the shadows I realised it was a man with brilliant blue eyes, mesmerising me.  I blinked, and he was gone. Trying not to shiver, I closed the window and crawled back into bed, doubting sleep would come.

Saturday. The busiest night of the week. The club was heaving with bodies. You could taste the sweat and beer in the air only more so. The weather had thrown up a freak heat wave making the temperature inside almost unbearable. We’d put the air conditioner on maximum, its effects futile.

            Girls gyrated on the dance floor, guys nodded to the beat and did their own crazy dances. A new band was playing on stage and they were very good, they didn’t have a name yet but I guessed they'd be big someday. Zara chatted to a man perched at the bar, glanced at me and motioned for me to come over.

            “This is William,” she said, “he’s not from around here and he wants to know if we know of any good places he can get a drink.” She rolled her eyes.

            I laughed. “No sorry. Don’t know of anywhere.”

            William was very good looking. Over six feet tall with wide shoulders and a square jaw, his black hair was razor short, mesmerising purple eyes stood out against black as night skin. 

            “Shame, I’m parched.” He smiled, flashing pearly whites.

            “Would you settle for a beer here?” Zara asked, unleashing her hundred-watt smile.

            He grinned - I knew he would, no one has ever been able to say no to that smile. “I suppose that will have to do.”

            She handed him a beer as I wandered off outside for some fresh air. God, it was so damn hot! We never have hot weather in England - not like this anyway - it was unbearable. Our heat is nothing like abroad, more your muggy and damp type that clings to your skin, makes you feel like you’ve stepped in to a steam room.

            I was about to head back when I heard footsteps approaching. And yes, right, stupid to be hovering outside alone… at the back end of the club… where no one could see me… especially after the other night, but something held me in place.

            “You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

            An irresistible pull made me turn to the source of the voice and my breath catch in my throat. He was casually leaning against the wall across from me. Black jeans hung perfectly on his hips, a black t-shirt fit snugly around his torso. Ropey muscles ran down arms that crossed over his chest. A black fringe hung limply around eyes so blue they glowed in the darkness and lips, plump and begging to be kissed, held a smirk as if enjoying my flabbergasted state.

            “Are you in there, little girl?” he teased.   

            I was incapable of answering. God damn, he was… he was…I can’t even think of a word powerful enough.

            “Hello? Lights are on but no one’s home?”  

            My mouth opened and closed like a beached fish as he spoke trying to think of something meaningful to say, something witty. Finally realising I’ve well and truly lost and saying something now would only result in an awkward conversation. I shook myself, nodded and heard him chuckle as I closed the door between us.

            I was so infuriated and embarrassed, I ran into the toilets and splashed my face with water. “Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.” I reprimanded. Could I have been any more simple? My face was a bright shade of red when I looked in the mirror whether from heat or utter humiliation, I couldn’t tell. Probably both.

Chapter Three

Girls Night Out

Finally, I’d saved up enough money to get Mum’s new bed fitted. I handed drinks over to the workmen and took Mum’s and mine in to the living room while they installed upstairs. Mum was in her own world watching TV, thankfully not completely out of it. She turned and smiled at me when I handed her the drink. Sinking down on the sofa beside her, she slung her arm over my shoulders.

“So, what are you doing today?” She asked.

I shrugged. I got the day off work so I could supervise the guys, I never let anyone in the house alone. Of course, I had no choice with the nurses but I had to trust at least someone.

“Hanging out with my old Mum,” I beamed.

She placed a hand on her heart in mock horror. “Old? How dare you, I’m in my prime, I am.” She nudged me with her shoulder. It felt smaller and sharper than it used too. Being like that made it easy to forget about the cancer, and then something would make it apparent. My smile faltered and my stomach turned, tears stung my eyes, I blinked them back furiously before she noticed.

“You should go out with your friends,” she suggested. “You never go out. Unless you’re working. You are young and full of life!”

I shook my head, no. “No, Mum, I want to spend time with you.”

Her smile faltered, no, no, I didn’t want to upset her.

“Kyra, sweetheart, I’m not stupid…” I tried to protest but she stopped me with a stern look. “I know you want to spend time with me and I appreciate that but…” She took a deep breath. “I’m worried that when I’m gone -”

“No, -”

“Kyra” That one word was full of warning and something else I’d never heard in her voice before, resignation. She knew she didn’t have long, we both did. But I was the one that wouldn’t accept it. Tears filled my eyes again and rolled down my cheeks. “I’m worried dear, I’m worried about you. That once I’m gone, you’ll have no one because you’ve singled yourself out by staying with me.”

She stroked tears off my cheeks. “I love you, my Little Sunshine, more than you know, and I get that you want to spend time with me before…” She swallowed before continuing, “you need to go out sometimes. I think you and the girls should have a night out. Tonight.”

I nodded my assent, reluctantly. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. After the morbid conversation we talked and reminisced about ‘the old days’, the days before the cancer.  We talked about the weekend trip to Skegness and Nan, about how she used to be OCD about everything in her house.

“Remember when I switched the sugar and salt?” I asked with a laugh.

She chuckled. “Oh, she was ma-a-ad. I never thought her face could go that red!”

After the workmen left and the bed was installed, I helped Mum in to it. She stretched before getting in, I noticed how skinny her legs had become, as though they’d brake if she stumped it on the coffee table, which I did every morning. “Okay, call the nurse and then call the girls. I don’t expect you back until at least one am okay, young lady?”

I would have laughed if it weren’t so serious. How often do you hear Mothers telling their daughters to stay out until morning?

I nodded and tucked her in.           

*   *   *

It was hot. Very hot. Sweat beaded on my forehead, making my hair wet. The leather boots I was wearing made my feet burn. The club we’d picked was so busy there was no way you wouldn’t get touched by at least five people at a time. I hated it.

Lucie grinned at me and took my hand giving it a gentle pump, her way of saying chill out. Zara was dancing like a crazy person on the dance floor swinging her long black hair about the place. Her foot slipped and she stumbled, a guy caught her and whispered in her ear, the next thing we knew she slapped him. Hard.

Lucie gasped beside me, and we ran, well, shoved our way over to stop the inevitable fight that was obviously starting. The guy’s girlfriend, I assumed had come over and started yelling at Zara.

“…you want to watch who you’re slapping around Pussy Cat you may get your claws ripped off.”

“Okay, okay, it was obviously some misunderstanding…” I started, hoping to defuse the situation.

“And who the fuck are you? You fucking tart”

My jaw actually hit the floor. “That was a bit uncalled for, don’t you think?” I asked in shock.

“You think that was uncalled for, did you?” She strode over to me as if sensing the weakest member of the pack. I took a step back and hit a hard frame behind me. Hands rested on my shoulders and for a moment, I panicked.

“Lilith, how nice to see you?”  I glanced up and noticed it was the guy I saw outside the club the other day. I had forgotten how beautiful he was and especially more so up close. His jaw was strong and at the moment clenched tight, his lips held a stubborn line. His eyes, oh my…his eyes were a glowing ice blue. He looked mad, very mad.  

The girl I assumed was Lilith, smirked, “Lance, long time no see. I didn’t realise you were in to rabbits these days.”

I blushed crimson and shrunk back from the glare she threw at me. Lance gave my shoulders a discreet squeeze, an attempt, I think, to reassure me. I was terrified, I didn’t know who this guy was, just because he was knee weakeningly beautiful didn’t mean I could trust him. This put rock and hard place in a whole new meaning.  

“Don’t you have a village to pillage or something?” He sneered.

She pouted. “Oh, Lance, you used to be fun. If I remember correctly you used to be…wicked.” She winked and I fought hard not to gag.

She sauntered off, after taking the mountain of a guy with her, before they went out of our line of sight the big guy looked back and snarled, he mouthed something that I missed and I felt Lance stiffen behind me.

After a moment, Lance whispered in my ear, “are you okay?”

I nodded, but I felt unsure. I was never one for confrontation that was Zara’s trick not mine. Speaking of…

Zara stood there, fists clenched at her side. Lucie was talking to her quietly, probably persuading her out of going after them. I knew Zara, and she would be pumping for a fight now.

“Go on, go and help your friends.” And before I knew it, he nudged me forward and slapped me on the arse. I yelped and span around to face him, but he was already walking away.

“…he said, he wanted to take me outside!” Zara was yelling.

“He’s just a jerk, Zara, you gotta just ignore it.” Lucie said soothingly, stroking Zara’s arm in an effort to calm her.

“At least they’re gone.” I offered, running a hand through my hair. “Please, can we just finish our drinks and go home?”

Zara shook her head, exasperated. Lucie looked at her watch and frowned. “It’s only eight thirty, Ky. Come on, let’s just finish our drinks and we’ll go somewhere else…?”

“No, there’s no need. I’m okay now.” Zara said while marching back over to our table. She plonked herself down on a chair and took a large gulp of her Jack Daniels and coke. Lucie and I followed suit. It didn’t take long to fetch the good mood back. We reminisced about school and gossiped about what our peers where doing now.

“I heard Kelly’s dating Jo now.” Zara informed us.

“Shut up! Seriously?”

“Seriously. I couldn’t believe it either but…hey, if that’s what tickles her clit”

“Zara! Don’t be crude.” Lucie scolded.

I laughed quietly to myself. I missed this, just relaxing with my best friends listening to their endless banter and gossip.

“So, how’s Anna?” Lucie asked me.

“She’s…okay, I guess. As okay as she can get anyway. She’s the one that urged me to go out tonight. She’s worried that I’ll lose my friends if I don’t come out with you anymore.” I shrugged.

“You know that’s not going to happen, Ky. We understand you need to look after her.”

I took a withering breath. “I know.”

They both hugged me, sensing my approaching tears. I hugged them back, glad to have such good friends.

“I love you guys.”

“And we love you too.” Zara assured me. “Come on, get up and dance.” She tugged us both up and for a while, dancing did take a way my stresses and worries.

After the fourth dance, the music settled from a beating heavy tune to a more slow, sexy couples song. I span on my heel and aimed to sit down but Lance was suddenly in front of me, holding out his hand, his face expectant. I raised my eyebrows and shook my head. He took that as a yes and grabbed my hand and waist, leading me back to the dance floor.

“Hey!” I protested, trying to pull away.

“Just one dance, I promise, it’s the least you could do after I helped you out earlier.”

“Oh, so I owe you now?” I asked, my tone angry and accusing.

“Well, not owe, no. But you wasn’t going to offer, so I thought I’d offer for you.” He grinned.

It was heart stopping. I blushed feeling it creeping to my hairline.

“Breathe,” he reminded me. I took in a breath unaware I was holding my breath in the first place. He span me under his arm elegantly, I never realised I was this good of a dancer and I realised it must be because he was a good leader. I briefly noticed Lucie and Zara watching me, eyes wide and mouths hanging open. Crap.

As the song ended Lance dipped me low and lowered his head near mine, for a moment I thought he was going to kiss me. My blood pounded and excitement filled my every nerve ending. It would be my first kiss. My first kiss would be with the most attractive, mysterious guy I had ever met, and completely out of character for me, I wanted it so badly.

He placed his mouth near my ear and waited for his lips to brush my neck.

“Don’t go home alone.” He whispered, his voice tightened things low and deep in my body and his breath skated over my skin, covering me in goosebumps and then the seriousness of what he said sank in. And the places that were scorching just a minute before were now ice cold.

“What?” I breathed.

“Just trust me, baby. Do not go home alone. If you wish I will walk you after you have left your friends, but please do not go alone. It’s…it’s not safe.”

He lifted me back up from the sweep and spun me so I faced my friends, he slapped my arse again, nudging me forward. I yelped and I knew without turning that he wasn’t there.

I started trembling, scared to death that something could be after my friends and me. He said he’d walk me home, but how do I know he isn’t the danger? No, he couldn’t be, why would he warn me if he wanted to hurt me, that didn’t make sense. Okay, I was ready to go home earlier, but now I’m pining for the comfort of my bed.

“Who. The fuck. Was that?” Zara asked, glaring at me.

“A friend.” I answered unsure. I wasn’t sure he was exactly but I could do without the Zara Lint inquisition right now, I couldn’t think past the fear that was growing in my chest.

“We’re your only friends.” She said indignantly.

“Zara,” Lucie warned. “Leave her alone. He was pretty fine, Ky. Has he asked you out?” Her tone was insultingly hopeful.

“No,” I mumbled, with mixed feelings.

Zara opened her mouth to speak but Lucie cut in. “Oh, well. Ready to go?” I threw her a grateful look.

I turned and saw Lance leaning at the bar, I nodded towards him, he nodded back and threw back his drink. 

Chapter Four

Shadows

Outside, the air was chill in a night endless in its depth’s, a night where stars twinkled like precious stones. My breath fogged in front of me, more so as the temperature dropped. Luckily, we didn’t live far. We had walked it here and intended to walk it back. Zara and Lucie talked animatedly about TrueBlood.

            “Erik, I think, is the sexiest guy I’ve ever seen,” Zara gushed.

            Lucie agreed with a nod. 

            “Oh my god, did you see the nude episode?” Zara asked.

            Lucie shook her head this time. “No, I um…must have missed that one.”

            “You missed a really good episode,” she grinned dreamily. “That whole Viking thing is so-o-o incredibly sexy.”

            I tuned them out, thinking about Tall, Dark and Handsome though it didn’t even come close to how good looking he was. I didn’t understand why a stranger would intervene in an almost fight. And even more disturbing, why would he go to so much trouble as to walk me home? Have I made a mistake? Should I have agreed to a stranger walking me home? Oh God, what if he was some kind of psycho? I read once that psychos tend to be really nice and blend in better than normal people, like Jekyll and Hyde, I mean you wouldn’t have guessed he was a bad guy would you? 

            “Ky! Hello!” Zara was snapping for fingers in front of my face.

            “Oh, sorry.”

            “Tired?” Lucie sympathised.

            I nodded, too worried to speak. I knew they’d flip out if they knew a stranger was going to walk me home once I left them.

            “Do you want me to walk you to your house first?” Zara asked sounding concerned.

            I shook my head, she looked way too tired to walk me back home and then come back. Plus I’d only be worrying about her all night, wondering if she'd got home okay. “No, it’s okay. I’ll see you both tomorrow.” I attempted a smile but it felt awful, strained and meaningless. They shared a look, but before they could say anything, I hurried away.

A safe distance away from their houses, I let out a sigh. They lived pretty much next door to one another whereas I lived fifteen minutes away. I glanced at my watch but in this light couldn’t make out the time. 

            In my moment of relaxation, arms of steel closed around me. A cold hand clamped around my mouth preventing a scream. I was aware of a van, my last thought before its doors closed on me was: No, Mum will be on her own!

            I tried to control my breathing. Okay, don’t panic, concentrate on what’s around you. The windows were blacked out, so I could not see a thing. I took in a deep whiff of the air and gagged. I could smell copper and sweat…musty, as if someone hadn’t had a shower in a very long time. I strained to hear voices but only the sound of the van’s wheels came back; occasionally a car going past. I braced myself against the floor as the van veered and forced back a scream, my hand came away gooey and sticky; it didn’t smell good. I clenched my teeth to prevent more gagging, afraid I might actually throw up in here.  

            Eventually, and with all concept of time shot, the van finally stopped moving. I listened intently, seeing if I could even catch a footstep, but whoever was out there moved like a ghost. The doors opened wide. Are they stupid? Don't they care I might just run off? So, yeah, I tried, got a couple of metres before someone grabbed my arm with such force it nearly dislocated. My captor just stood there not fazed in the slightest. I looked him directly in the face, and I choked on a sob. Even though I’d only seem them once I knew those ice-blue eyes anywhere. Lance.

            “Come,” he ordered.

            I shook my head, no, and tried again to wrench free. I wriggled and writhed until he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. It hurt, a lot, not a bit like it looked in the movies, sort of romantic! His shoulder dug into my stomach, really painful. It still didn’t stop me from struggling; didn’t care if he dropped me, I just wanted out. The panic and fear in my chest increased I struggled to breathe. Oh, God. Oh, God. Breathe! I tried. Jesus, I tried. I just couldn’t get in enough air, and eventually I passed out.

*   *   *

I was awake and aware but hadn't opened my eyes yet, stupidly hoping I’d changed the sheets last night before I went out, that I no longer had my usual cotton sheets and I’d bought silk one’s at some point and just couldn’t remember when. I was hoping fiercely that I’d left the window open last night and that was my room felt so cold. I could hope as much as I wanted, but I knew it wasn’t true. The truth was that last night I had been abducted. How blasé it all sounded in my head.

            On a deep breath, I opened my eyes on a dimmed room, a bedside table to my right, on it a lamp glowing fitfully. Considerate, I thought. I carried on my scrutiny, the bed a four poster . . .did they still make those? The sheets were of deep red, silk, and matched the curtains… The curtains!

            I scrambled from the bed so quickly my head spun. I clutched it to gain some balance and eventually wobbled over to the window. I flung the curtain to the side to find the windows were blacked out. Strange. Nor would the latch budge.

I tried and tried. And ended up injuring myself. I watched stupidly as blood oozed from a small cut.

            “Shit!” A cold dread snaked up my spine. For some reason I couldn’t fathom, I knew I should not be bleeding in this place. I sucked at the wound hoping to stem the blood flow.

            The door flung open and Lance stood in the doorway looking like a god,  black hair mussed , his face set in a hard mask. Those blue eyes glared. I hated myself for noticing. He slammed the door closed behind him and marched over to me.

            “What have you done!” he growled.

            I blanched. I wouldn't cry, and hated for him to see me upset

            His look softened slightly when he caught my reaction, and made me even more angry. Swine shouldn’t have kidnapped me if it displeased him to see me scared.

            “Why have you brought me here? What do you want with me?” Yes, anger is good.          His face hardened. “For your own protection,” was all he said.

            I snorted, I couldn’t help it.

            He’s smiling now? Jekyll and Hyde, my mind whispered.

            Despite myself, and heated with embarrassment, at what I'd done in front of one of the most gorgeous guys I had ever seen, I offered an embarrassed smile. He smiled back. Are you flirting! My mind gaped. I shook myself really annoyed now.

            He noticed the implications and left so fast, it made me wonder: Had I imagined the whole thing?

Chapter Five

The Waiting Game

The door opened some time later, could have been minutes, hours, who knew? A short, petite girl crept in; she looked around my age though I couldn’t be sure, as her hair covered half her face. She wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a t-shirt. She placed a tray on the bed and without looking my way left. I didn’t try running after her, it would be futile. Why waste energy when I could try later with a better chance?

            The tray contained a ham sandwich and a glass of orange juice. I made a face; I was a vegetarian and allergic to oranges. My stomach growled in protest. I decided sleep would be best and after placing the tray on the floor I climbed in bed. I knew I wouldn’t fall asleep yet some of the time I could fool myself into believing that I wasn’t here but home in my own bed. That Mum was sleeping quietly for a change. My stomach gave a sickly turn at the thought of Mum. Would she even notice I’m gone? Who would be looking after her? I prayed that Lucie or Zara would notice me missing, that they’d go and check on her. Both had a key to the house in case of emergencies. Fair bet the girls would be going ape shit when they realised I was missing. Zara would turn the city upside down trying to find me, and Lucie would be phoning every police station she could, probably even put up posters. I imagined my school photo on a piece of paper with the words, Have you seen this girl? underneath. I grimaced. I never took a good photo and then felt ashamed worrying about that at a time like this.

            Vivid imagination, that's me.

            I thought back to what Lance said yesterday, “For your own protection.” What did that mean? Did he think I was a suicide case? Then the club, when that guy and girl started a fight with us. Did Lance think they were going to attack me? And if so, has he abducted Lucie, perhaps Zara too? I felt sick at the thought. Thinking they could be here, alone in their own room. Especially Lucie, who wasn’t as tough as Zara. I imagined Zara in her own room, kicking and screaming. No, I thought they can’t be, Lance would definitely be bruised if he tried to abduct Zara, that gal had a black belt in Karate.

            So what the hell was going on?

            Sick of lying there feeling sorry for myself, I thought I’d take a leaf out of Zara’s book, cause as much hell as possible. No way would I lie here and wait for…whatever was going to happen.

            I ran to the door and started screaming out Lance’s name. I kicked and punched at the solid wood. When that failed, I turned for the bed thinking I might break it…somehow. I pulled on one of the posts – solid! I punched it and that hurt!  God, who would have thought trashing a room would be so difficult? I kicked up at it, nothing. And that hurt too. Okay, this was embarrassing 'cause it wasn’t working how I’d hoped and it made me feel weak and helpless…even more frustrated.

            “Finished?”

            Yelping, I span around. Lance lolled against the door wearing a smirk. I didn’t even hear him open the door, let alone come in and close the damn door behind him.

            “No,” I answered. And screamed right in face, until I ran out of air. “Now, I’ve finished.” I smiled feeling a little elevated and hoping that he’d give me something more than just indifference.

            He nodded, lips pursed as though holding back a laugh. I rolled my eyes and dropped on the bed. “Just answer me one thing,” I asked, “are you planning to kill me? Or are you just going to keep me here forever?”

            He stepped further in to the room. “We’re waiting for our…leader to arrive before we decide what to do.”

            “We? Leader?” I frowned.

            He sighed. “Um… yeah,” he said slowly. “There’s six of us here in total; two females, one of them you’ve met, and four males. Our leader should be here tomorrow to decide what we should do . . .” About me. I finished in my head.

            “You should get some rest.”    

            I nodded. He made to leave, I said, “Lance?”

            He turned, blue eyes wary, “Yeah?”

            “Please…just tell me why I’m here. I have a right to know at least that, don’t I?”

            Silence, and then, “I…can’t. I’m sorry, I want to, but I can’t.”

            He left.

*   *   *

I couldn’t tell the difference between day and night anymore, no clocks, no sunshine, no moonlight. The only clue to the time was when they brought the meals for me. Toast for breakfast, ham sandwich for dinner and roast dinner for tea. The meat I left, I just ate the chips and salad, fruit for dessert.

            The door to my tomb opened and Lance stepped through. Despite myself, I drank in the sight of him wearing black jeans and black t-shirt, equally dark hair styled in disarray and those eyes bluer than I’d ever seen them, their look sympathetic.

            “Young one, take a seat. Lance leave us.” I hadn’t noticed another person enter the room. The man next to Lance looked to be in his late twenties yet the way he moved and held himself made him seem much older.

            “Aaron,” Lance started.

            “Lance, leave, now.” Aaron didn’t raise his voice, but I flinched anyway. It was sharp like a slap and held a kind of weight to it that made the air harder to breathe.

Lance scowled and left the room, slamming the door.

            Aaron turned towards me, my gaze widened in fear. A smile creased his face, his nearly black eyes intense, staring unblinkingly at me. He wore a black robe that brushed the ground, almost implying he floated on air.

            “I’m sorry about that my dear, please come.” He held out his hand to me. Timidly, I stood and slowly took it, the hand was so cold, almost painfully so.

            His grip felt slightly uncomfortable, could feel my knuckles scraping against one another. I stared into his face; noticed crows-feet around his closed eyes, the rest of his face smooth, flawless. His lips were thin and pursed in concentration, yet how could I know on what?

            “Um…excuse me? Er, sir?”

            He shushed me and fell back into silence. Finally, he opened his eyes and smiled brightly, flashing me neat, flawless white teeth. He nodded to himself and turned to go.

            “W-wait!” I stuttered. “Please, why am I here? I need to get home, my mother she’s-”

            “All in good time, my child. Great things come to those who wait.”

            “But-” And he left so quickly that my question died in my throat. I couldn’t hold it back any longer, a gut-wrenching sob bursting from my lips. Mum, Mum, Mum. I’m so sorry. Please, be okay. Please, please, be okay.

Chapter Six

Dark Places

I awoke with a start. My heart pounded erratically and my head spun. I sensed someone watching me from the darkness. Shakily, I turned on the bedside lamp. Nothing. The room was empty. Relieved, I closed my eyes. Silence settled and for the first time since arriving, I experienced some hope in that everyone would be asleep.

            I crawled out of bed, tiptoed across the room and tried the door. It opened easily. A huge smile stretched dry lips. I stepped from a room I felt had been my prison in like forever and slowly, quietly made my way down various passageways. The floor was grey tiles and painfully cold underfoot. Better to feel cold than risk my captors hearing the clicks of high heeled shoes. The walls were bare, nothing to indicate whom the people were who lived here. I passed door after door and started to feel like the girls in horror movies wandering around aimlessly waiting to be caught, or worse, killed.

            Eventually, I finally saw an opening to a grand staircase, I hid behind the wall, managed to hold my heavy breathing and listened intently. Nothing, and completely silent. I leant forward and peered down the stairs. No one. But there, the large, solid wooden doors that hopefully would take me out of here. In my excitement, I bolted for the doors, almost falling down the stairs in my haste. I scooted across a wide hallway and grabbed the door knob; I pulled, it didn’t budge. NO! I screamed in my head. I tugged for ages until my hands were sore. Panting with effort, I gave up and bit back the sob threatening to escape.  Teeth gritted, I looked around for another escape, maybe a window, another door? I ran through the first door I saw. Stupid, I know, just running through a random door. Bur no one seemed to be around. This door led to a kitchen. My stomach contracted. Food. Oh yes, even in this predicament I realised I was still bloody hungry! Distracted, I ran to the fridge hoping there would be some food that I could eat on the run. Damned thing was empty bar a few bottle of red liquid. I frowned and picked up the bottle. I stared hard at it, wondering what it could be, protein shake? I could deal with that. I unscrewed the lid and the smell was…incredible. My stomach grumbled so fiercely that it hurt. My mouth watered. I breathed of it deeply, I could practically taste it, stronger than an apple, sweeter than a strawberry.

            “Put it down,” a voice ordered.

            Startled, I dropped it, watched it pool all over the floor. The smell was so good it was dizzying and I was so hungry. In that moment, I didn’t recognise myself, I stood over the spilled contents guarding it from the intruder watching from the door way. I felt almost predatory, like a lioness protecting her prey from an enemy. Surprising myself, I growled. His eyes widened in surprise and he straightened from his attack pose.

            I narrowed my eyes at him, all the while realising I must look like a crazy person.

            He cleared his throat. “How old are you?”

            Puzzled, my answer tripped out, “Twenty.”

            He nodded. “When is your birthday?”

            “In four weeks.” I answered, wary now. These were not questions I expected to be asked when caught out of my room in the middle of the night.

            “Please come with me,” He held out his hand for me to take. I straightened from the crouch I hadn't realise I was still in and stared at his hand.

            He cleared his throat again. “Please?”

            I started towards him and then barged past him, I heard him sigh. I reached the stairs and looked up at them with dread. I couldn’t take another step knowing that I’d probably never come back down them again.

            Lance surprised me by saying, “This way.” He opened a door on the other side of the hall. I narrowed my eyes thinking this might be where he’ll kill me, cut his losses and all that, but then I thought that if they wanted to kill me, surely they would have done it by now. And this led to the million dollar question: Why am I here?

            Lance closed the door behind us once we'd entered this other large room, looking more of a living area. There were two single armchairs placed next to a large fire place, a reminder of the Disney film Beauty and The Beast. Where Belle’s sat on the floor tending the Beast's wounds after he’s saved her from the wolves. A large sofa that could easily seat six stood at the other end. The room was dark, yet light from a fire threw cavorting shadows across walls and ceiling. Lance sat in one of the chairs; he gestured for me to sit in the other, still suspicious of him I took the other seat and watched him. The fire cast his face in glow, pale skin shimmers where the light caressed, his black hair appeared dipped in ink, it flopped slightly over his eyes. When he licked his lips my body did things that embarrassed me. My cheeks grew warm, my hands sweaty, a deep tightening took place just below my navel.              He’s so beautiful, I thought and then instantly grew annoyed with myself for thinking such things. My mum could die alone because of him. He stole me away from her when she needed me the most. I clenched my fists to stop from hitting him. I’ve never hit anyone in my life, but at that moment I was furious, murderously so.

            My thoughts must have been clear on my face because his expression contorted in pain. “Kyra, I need to ask you a couple of questions. And then I’ll answer yours, as much as I can anyway.”

            I gave a single nod. Hope bloomed in me again. If I answered his questions he’d let me go home.

            “Do you know who your father is?”

            I shook my head, no.

            “Have you ever met him?”

            Again no.

            He sighed, a muscle ticked in his jaw. “Have you…have you ever…?” He cleared his throat at a question he was obviously uncomfortable with. “Have you ever… had…intercourse?”

            My jaw dropped. I glared at him with such hatred that it burned inside me like hot coals. How dare he! How dare he ask me such a private question! What kind of perverted, screwed up…?

            “I’m sorry. I don’t want to know, I have to know.”

            “I'm still a virgin if that's what you mean!” That one statement echoed around the room and seemed to last forever. Lance flinched slightly and then nodded his head as if it pleased him to know that I’d never been with anyone. Such a thought made me feel ill.

            “Okay, now your turn.”

            “Why am I here?”

            He closed his eyes. “I can’t tell you that just yet, I’m sorry.”

            “Sorry.” I repeated, my voice deadpan. “Sorry!”  I screeched it and unable to prevent it, I launched myself at him. Slapping, punching, scratching. But the weirdest part was that he let me do it, never raised a finger to prevent it; just sat there and let me hit him and go on hitting him.  Finally, when I’d tired myself out –  not too long considering I was hungry and tired –  I collapsed to the floor sobbing my heart out.    

Chapter Seven

Myths and Legends

Lance held me until the tears stopped, rocking me back and forth trying to be soothing. But his presence wasn’t soothing in the slightest if anything it made it worse. I hated him. I hated him but still some part of me thought he was the most attractive guy on the planet which made me hate myself.

When the tears stopped, I pushed myself off the ground and away from him.

“I want to go home.” I knew I sounded like a three year old but I didn’t care. “My Mum is dying I need to go home.”

“I promise you, you’re Mum is safe. We’ve been watching her. Your friends have been looking after her,”

The relief I felt in that moment was breath-taking. “Thank God.”  I breathed.

“I know this is hard for you, and I know what I’m about to tell you is hard to believe but please, trust me.”

I gave him my most incredulous stare.

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Your mother is much safer with you here than at home.”

“Really, and how’d you come to that conclusion?”

 I watched as his tongue glided across his teeth, he seemed like he was debating what he should and shouldn’t say. I really wanted to hit him again. Not that it did much good before, there was not one bruise on that perfect face.

 “She just is, trust me.”

“Trust you? How am I supposed to trust you? You abducted me!” I screamed the last part.

Just then the door opened and in walked Aaron. He was calm and collected as usual.

“My, my, is that horrid screaming coming from you, little one?”

I knew it was stupid, but I felt like I should respect this man, this man that was part of my abduction but who appeared to be much older than he looked and I’d always been taught to respect my elders.

I blushed and nodded my head, bashfully.

“Lance, go to my quarters, I will meet you there in a moment. I wish to speak to the young lady alone.”

Lance looked like he wanted to protest, a pained expression crossed his face but he left closing the door quietly behind him. Aaron looked at me with a great sadness in his eyes but then smiled warmly at me, almost paternally.

“Come, sit with me, child.” He lowered himself in to the seat Lance sat just moments before. I took the seat facing because I didn’t know what else to do.

“Do you believe in the supernatural?”

“No, sir. I believe if you can see it and touch it’s real.”

“But you Mother has cancer, correct?”

I nodded, a sudden lump forming in my throat. He grasped my hand in his. “I do not ask this to upset you, child. I am merely asking because you cannot see or feel the cancer but it is there.”

“But I can see she’s sick, that’s how I know it’s there and the doctors tell me it’s there.”

He smiles. “Alright. How about if you saw an Angel, or a Werewolf would you believe then?”

I frowned, totally and utterly confused. “What are you saying, that you’re Angels?”

He laughed and it sounded delightful, I couldn’t help but smile. “Ah, there it is. You look radiant when you smile. But no, alas we are not Angels. Unfortunately, we have not been blessed by the light, but rather the dark.”

I shook my head even more confused now. “I don’t think you are evil.” A ridiculous thing to say when they’ve abducted me but it’s true, I didn’t think they’re evil, crazy maybe but I felt no malice off any of them, I was still alive after all.

“Are we not? We have stolen you from your life after all?”

I shake my head. “That may be so, but I still don’t think you’re capable of evil.”

“My dear, it pains me to tell you this but you will have a lot of information placed at your feet in the next few days. So, I’m not going to overload it on you all at once. Firstly, I’m aware that Lance told you your mother is still alive. I have my people watching over her day and night, keeping her safe.”

I nodded so unbelievably grateful for this information. “I’ve also made sure she has food in the fridge and she is being well looked after. I’ve sent the nurses that you had hired away and had my own people to care for her. Is this okay with you?”

I nodded again, tears in my eyes. “I wanted to tell you this first because I don’t think you’ll want to speak with me for a while after this.”

I frowned, not really knowing if I wanted to hear the next part.

“Lance wasn’t able to tell you anything because I forbid him to. I wanted to be the one to explain to you what we are. I’ve seen it, I’ve seen all that will play out next and that is why it pains me to tell you,” He stopped and looked in to my eyes, making sure I was paying attention, I guessed. “We are Vampires.”

I snatched my hands out of his grasp and ran for the door. I searched frantically for an exit, part of me knowing it was futile but not caring, because it all made freakish sense. How Lance could carry me in to the building without even being winded by my fight. How he didn’t even have so much as a scratch on him when I attacked him earlier. How cold their skin feels against mine. Why there’s no food in the fridge. What the red liquid is in the bottles….the bottles…that I almost….

I gagged viciously. I was so wrapped in my thoughts I wasn’t looking where I was going. I ran on to a rug, it slid under me and slammed me straight in to a wall head first, effectively rendering me unconscious.

Chapter Eight

Alone

When I awoke, I was in the room that had been my prison for God knew how long. My head was pounding and my mouth was dryer than the Sahara. I eased myself in to a sitting position and grabbed the glass of water that had been placed there while I slept. I tried not to think about what that meant. I clutched my aching head and felt a bandage. I cringed when I thought that anyone of those bloodsuckers could have licked my head before wrapping it up.

God, Vampires exist!

Shuddering, I slid myself back down and pulled the quilt up to my chin. It still left the question, what the hell was I doing here?

Someone knocked on the door, which was a first while I’d been here, I just stared. Not daring to speak, move or breathe. Lance walked in.

He just stood there a moment. None of us wanting to make the first move. He chewed on his bottom lip, I looked for fangs but I couldn’t see any. He sighed and closed the door behind him.

I flinched when he sat down on the bed, noticing my discomfort he got up and ran a hand through his hair. He looked so sad, his brow furrowed and his lips in a small pout. His eyes were the worst, they looked darker than usual like the sea during a storm, a deep sapphire blue.

“Ky…I-” He made a sound of frustration. “I’m sorry, please. What can I do?”

I shook my head and looked away. For reasons I didn’t understand I felt sorry for him, I felt really sad that I couldn’t just hold him and comfort him. But the larger part of me wanted him out. Out of my room, out of my life. I hated him. I hated what he had dragged me in to. But I also blamed myself, if I hadn’t have trusted him, if I’d have just stayed with the girls, none of this would have happened. Mum would still have her daughter and my friends wouldn’t be worried senseless.

“Please -”

“Just get out.” I mumbled. At first, I wasn’t sure if he’d heard me or not, I didn’t hear him leave but when I looked up he was gone.

*   *   *

Four or five meals later, there was another knock on my door. I sighed. “Just go away, Lance.”

“It’s not Lance, Cherie.” A deep voice drawled. I lifted my head off the pillow and looked towards the door.

“William?”

“In the flesh.” He grinned. He lowered his huge form on to the bed. He reminded me of a young version of the actor Michael Duncan. I didn’t feel frightened or annoyed at William. Zara liked him and if Zara liked him it was good enough for me, she has an uncanny gift for judging people and him, she liked, a lot.

“So, you’re a…a Vampire?” I whispered.

He chuckled. “It’s not a naughty word, you know?”

I shrugged, that’s his opinion. “Kyra, sweetheart, Lance is not a bad guy, you know?”

I laughed humourlessly. “Matter of opinion.”

“Trust me, when you get to know him you’ll love him.”

My heart gave a little flutter on the word love, I cringed. He tapped my knee and made to leave.

“Wait! What about Zara, how is she?”

He cleared his throat, looking a little uncomfortable. “She’s coping. I’m helping her get through it.”

“You’re together aren’t you?” I asked, a small smile tugging at my lips.

He blushed and it was the most adorable thing I had ever seen. He nodded, smiling shyly. “I don’t normally date…errr…humans but she…she’s amazing. In all my years I’ve never met anyone like her.”

“How old are you?”

“Three hundred and forty,”

My mouth literally hit the floor. “I look good for my age, don’t I?” He grinned. I nodded, there was no way I was capable of forming a response.

*   *   *

Fourteen meals later, I was sick of seeing the same four walls and decided I’d had enough moping. Quietly, I opened my bedroom door, before stepping out I listened intently for sign of life…or death, whatever and after hearing nothing but my own breathing ventured out.

I was still amazed at the pure grandness of this place. The large staircase opened out before me, it was hard not to feel like royalty as I descended them, then I looked down at my clothes and the feeling vanished. I looked more like a street rat than royalty. I still wore the same clothes I wore the night of my abduction refusing to wear anything they gave me. I felt groggy and dirty even though I’d washed them in the bath at least seven times since arriving.

I heard laughter coming from the kitchen and slowly made my way over. Pressing my ear against the door, I listened in to their conversation.

“So, he came at me, all “You! I know you have the little bitch. No one’s seen or heard from her, not even her little blood bags” right? So, I swung for him, he ducked at first, but then I grabbed his arm and quickly had him down on his knees, his arm across his back, right? Luckily, no humans were around, so I pulled his arm and it came straight off! This guy must have been at least three hundred,”

“So, then what happened?”

“Well, after the screaming stopped -“

“Stop.” I recognised that voice it belonged to Aaron.

“What?”

“Do you smell that?” That was Lance.

I froze and held my breath. The door opened and I fell in to the room, falling right into Lance’s arms. Mortified, I stepped back. I felt blood rushing to my cheeks making my blush apparent to the whole room. Everyone stared at me like I was a headliner of a show. Lance was staring at me like it pained him to look at me. Aaron sat at the head of the table smiling warmly.  William was next to him he looked sympathetic, I think.  The others, two girls, one was the girl that brought me food, they both looked annoyed and another two guys were staring at me like I was dinner and a date rolled in one.

I swallowed loudly. “Would you like something to eat, my Dear?” That was Aaron.

I shook my head. No way was eating in a room full of Vampires.

“I could eat.” One of the other guys said. His eyes roamed over me, making me feel naked.

“Jacob.” Aaron warned.

I chanced a glance at Lance, he was glaring at Jacob. How Jacob didn’t flinch under that stare was beyond me it was positively frightening.

“Everyone, this is Kyra.”

“Yes, the Chosen One. We all know who she is.” This was from the other woman I didn’t know, her look alone made my blood freeze.

“I’m sorry, Kyra, you’ll have to forgive their manners anyone would think they’ve been raised by wolves.”

“No, they’ve been raised by murderers instead, so I can forgive their rudeness, I just can’t forgive their nature.”

Silence.

“Bitch!” She hissed. “I’ll drink you dry!”

“Oh, how original.” I sneered. I could not believe I was baiting the bear. My mind was screaming at me to stop but I couldn’t, it was like some force was taking over me.

“Oh, you think you’re clever but I’ll…I’ll-”

“You’ll what? Drink me dry, ohhh scary.”

She let out a battle cry, jumped the table in one clean leap and landed right on top of me. I saw a glimpse of her teeth seconds before Lance snatched her off me.

Everyone was suddenly staring at me, eyes wide, mouth hanging slightly open. I felt weird. A tingly heat had suddenly spread over my body, from the crown of my head to the tips of my toes. Everything had come in to supper focus like looking through a microscope. I could see Lance’s eyes in detail, his pupils were black as night the iris a glowing ice blue. His rose lips were soft and plump, slightly damp from either sweat or his tongue, it made me want to kiss them. His hair, which I always thought was black was different shades of brown, chocolate, coffee, mahogany. I wanted to run my hands through that hair. 

My body felt more alive than I’d ever felt it like if someone just breathed on my skin it would feel like an actual caress.  After a few moments the feeling eased and I felt more myself again. I took a deep shaky breath, I knew that whatever had happened it wasn’t normal…it wasn’t human.

Chapter Nine

Revealed

“Silvia, come with me, now, I’d like to speak with you alone. Lance, take our guest to the meeting room. It’s time. The rest of you, go and make yourselves useful.”

Lance approached me slowly, palms facing me, arms up in surrender like you’d approach a crazy person. “Come, this way.” He placed his hand on the small of my back, I didn’t flinch or move away this time I was in too much shock over what had happened. In my daze he sat me down in a chair, I didn’t realise where we were until I noticed the fire place. We had our last argument in this room.

“Kyra, you are…special.”

I raised my eyebrow.

“I mean, you’re a very…unique and special woman.”

I snorted. “Is this some sort of cheesy pick up line?”

“No!” He growled in frustration and ran a hand through his hair. “Aaron told you we are Vampires.”

I nodded. “Yeah, that you’re murderers and you suck blood blah, blah, blah, get on with it.”

“No! Why do you have to make this so damn hard for me?”

“Hard for you? Are you freaking kidding me!”

“Why is it every time I try and have a conversation with you, you end up yelling at me!”

“Why do you always have to piss me off!” I yelled back.

I felt the heat spread over my body again, like I was being doused in hot oil. Every detail came into focus, his blue eyes like ice fire, his lips soft, plump waiting to be kissed, his black t-shirt that was so tight I could see everything. The shape of his chest, the smoothness of his stomach, I looked away before my eyes ventured any further south.

Lance placed his hands on my cheeks, it felt amazing feeling his skin on my own. I tried not to think about how his hands would feel on my sensitive areas. My thighs, my breasts, my stomach…

“You have to calm down.”

“That would be easier if you weren’t touching me.”

The pained expression I’ve seen countless times came over is features, he sat back, obviously misunderstanding my comment. A part of me wanted to pull him back and explain what I meant. But a part of me still hated him. Hated him for dragging me in to this. For taking what I knew to be true and dumping me in a life of make believe.

He closed his eyes and leant back in the chair. “We do not kill people. We have volunteers that donate the blood to us, but we cause them no pain, in fact we make it pleasurable for them. However, there are some Vampires that prefer to kill.”

“Oh, well, that’s good of you, I suppose.”

 “Kyra, you don’t know who your father is, do you?”

My eyes widened. Oh God. “You are not going to tell me that you are my dad, are you?”

His mouth dropped open a little “What? No! Jesus, Kyra. No, the reason I ask this is because we know he’s a Vampire.”

“How do you know this? If you don’t know who he is?”

“Because we can…smell it.” Lance looked uncomfortable, he shifted in his chair slightly.

“Smell it, how?”

 “Kyra, you are what we call Sveotcha, half Vampire, half human and female. Dhampires themselves are not rare but a female Dhampire is. There have only been one hundred and twenty eight Svetocha ever born and Vampires have been around for thousands of years. You are so unbelievably -”

“Stop. Stop, please, just give me a minute.” I stood up from the chair.

I’m half Vampire. I’m sveotcha. I just couldn’t wrap my head around this. My Mum was with a Vampire. I shuddered.

Lance stood up and placed his hands softly on my cheeks. His face just inches from my own. “You are so amazing, Kyra. You have no idea how special you are.”

“I bet you say that to all the Sveotchas.”

He chuckled, deep and low, parts of his body rubbed against mine and it sent a thrill through me. Our lips were just a mere inch apart. I could taste his breath, he smelled of cinnamon buns and I wanted to eat him up.

“So, what do I smell of?” I whispered.

“Chocolate covered strawberries.” To emphasis his point he breathed in deeply, relishing the smell, a smile spread across his face.

“I have to admit that does sound tasty.” 

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