Max
“Me?” I stand there in shock, looking down at Dakota as if she really has been possessed.
“Dreaming what exactly?” Valdine asks Dakota, regarding her with burning curiosity.
Dakota hesitates and recounts the constant dream she’d been having of me. When she finishes, she can no longer meet my gaze. “You guys must think I’m crazy.”
Valdine reaches over to pat Dakota’s hand. “No one thinks you’re crazy dear. Maybe a bit eccentric, but most witches are.”
Dakota gapes at Valdine in surprise, snatching her hand away. “A witch? Wait…if those exist then…” She turns her startled blue eyes toward me and instantly I cave, giving a brief nod of my head.
“Yes, vampires exist.”
A shudder visibly goes through her body, and I watch from where I stand close at the foot end of the bed. Admitting that vampires exist is one thing, another matter entirely to tell her that I am one of the monsters that lurks in the night.
“And witches…” she trails off.
“Your sitting next to one.” I mumble and Valdine shoots me a dirty look. My eyes widen innocently. “What? She deserves to know the truth.”
Valdine gives me the third finger salute. “Not about me Einstein. My kind isn’t what went after her.” A definitive complication to our friendship for sure.
Dakota glances back and forth between us. Her gaze is heated, she’s staring intently at me, and I don’t know how to respond to her. I speak without looking at her as I address Valdine. “The fault is not mine however. I disposed of the problem.”
Valdine shudders as she stands and shakes her head. “So I see. Do tell me what you did with the bodies. I don’t need a repeat of the last time you lost your temper.”
I scowl at the witch. “Unlikely to lose my temper Val.”
“What does she mean by ‘your kind’?” Dakota asks in a quiet voice.
My eyes dart toward her and then I look away. “Those wounds were no accident. Just what were you doing in those woods last night?”
“I was…” Her heartrate picks up speed. She’s anxious and I don’t know whether or not if it’s because of her thoughts of being caught, or because she’s nervous to be in my presence. “I had to tell you about the dream.”
Although how far fetched the dream she has is, I can’t think of any reason as to why it would be that important to notify me. “I appreciate the concern, Ms. Mitchell, but I can handle my own. I took out those three efficiently enough within the hour.”
Her mouth drops open slightly in shock. “W-What did you do with them?”
“Disposed of them, obviously.” Valdine mutters as she skirts around me to get to the door. “I’ll go make sure they’re properly taken care of. Never send a vampire to do your dirty work.” She calls over her shoulder and shuts the door.
“You’re a vampire?”
When I turn back to face Dakota, I remain stoic still.
I don’t know why it bothers me to have her know. Perhaps it’s because I feel protective of her and her blood. The way it calls to me even now is strong, but it has dulled down— her siren blood seems to have calmed down since a few hours prior to my giving her blood.
“Does my presence make you uncomfortable?”
Her eyes are burning with questions, something like curiosity sparkling in that heated gaze of hers. I don’t move toward the door, but I also don’t move toward the bed. “No.” Her voice is a hushed whisper.
“It should.” I tell her. “My presence should have you cowering in fear.”
“Your not the one that did this.” She gestures to herself, and I crack a grim smile.
“No, I suppose not.” I take a step toward her, regretting my actions instantly when the curve of her pretty mouth turns down into a frown. “But I want to.”
Dakota swallows and her heart begins to race, but it’s not in fear. I blink twice and lean over the edge of the bed, reaching out to caress her cheek. She inhales a sharp breath, unable to move her gaze away from mine. “Why haven’t you?”
My jaw clenches and I keep my fingers still from grazing her soft cheek. “Because even though your blood calls to me, I won’t endanger your life.”
“Your not what I expected,” she breathes out.
My fingertips trace the edge of her jaw.
I find myself mesmerized by her and can’t seem to pull away. No matter how much I crave the very thing running throughout her entire body, it’s not right. Being this close to her, acting this way. I’m her teacher after all.
Drawing my hand back, I straighten so that I’m ram-rod straight. “Nor I you. I wasn’t expecting a witch to have siren’s blood, generally it is common in humans, not so much a witch.”
Her eyebrows furrow. “I’m not a witch. I’m a human.”
“Not with the dream you spoke of earlier.” I say. “Dreams can be powerful. Although I don’t think you ought to be worrying about me in your dream.”
Dakota sits up and shakes her head, strands of her blond hair flying. “My dreams always come true.” She mutters in a helpless state. “If I don’t say something, it could get worse.”
“Those women you describe sound like witches, the dark kind. Not the good kind.”
“Why do they matter? I couldn’t see their faces or anything.” She looks away.
I arch an eyebrow at her. “Those witches more than likely were sent for stepping onto holy ground.”
She looks up with a confused expression on her angelic face. “I find that weird. Stereotype I’m guessing?”
I nod. “In a way yes. I have to be invited in a building, but otherwise a stereotype indeed. I find peace in the church.”
Dakota draws her knees to her chest. “But the others don’t know what you are besides Ms. Evergreen?”
“Correct. If this were a pop quiz then you surely would have aced it.”
She gives me a weak smile.
Oh, Lord have mercy on my undead soul.
I could spend an eternity watching the way her face lights up with a smile.
Clearing my throat, I turn sideways as if I plan to head to the door. “I will allow you to get some rest. We’ll have you back to classes in no time.”
“Mr. Daniels?”
My back is to Dakota, but I tilt my head, waiting for her to continue.
“What you did…in the woods…Thanks.”
Turning my head, I peer over my shoulder at her. Her gratitude warms my cold heart. Something I haven’t felt since before I turned, and it’s been a long time since I felt that way. “You’re welcome, Ms. Mitchell.”
As I leave the guest room to give her some privacy, I cannot help but to wish I could call her mine. Especially after the way she looked at me.