3. Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Calder
I sling my cape over my shoulders, the last piece of my costume now in place. Taking a step back a smile splits across my face, and I must admit I feel sexy as fuck. Not gonna lie I wasn’t too sure about the cape. Now seeing the whole costume, I feel as though the cape just brings it all together.
I turn towards the mirror, as a giggle slips out of me thinking of just how many different things Hollywood got wrong about vampires. My reflection stares back at me as I make sure I look good in my costume. Yes, I can see my reflection, thank you very much. We also don’t have some weird apprehension towards garlic either, if you must know.
Of course, a stake pierced through the heart can kill me. I mean, come on. That would kill just about anyone if it happened to them. I roll my eyes as I look myself over, running my hands through my hair.
I turn this way and that way in front of my floor length mirror to see every angle, letting out a little happy noise. I look rather dashing if I do say so myself. I’m excited for tonight. I can’t help the little spark of hope in my chest at the thought of possibly meeting someone at the party. Sure, it may be a bit cheesy and cliché as all hell to be dressing up as a vampire for Halloween since I am one, but it makes it easier to hide the blood.
At least my costume isn’t one of those cheap ones you find at the store down one of their Halloween aisles. Cringe. The feel of the fabric always makes me want to crawl out of my skin. Something about the texture just doesn’t sit well with me.
No, this costume is obviously vintage, and by vintage, I mean I’ve had it in my closet for over a century. Waste not, want no. I’m currently wearing a white ruffle shirt underneath with a black corset vest. It took me forever to lace up the back by myself, but it was so worth it. I have black slim fitting pants on to show off all my assets, and of course a long black velvet cape. I hug the cape around me swishing it back and forth, because I just can’t help myself.
The cape reminds me of the 1800s, and oh the beautiful parties I used to attend. I know tonight is going to be so far from what I’m accustomed to, but I’m hopeful. I haven’t been to a party in decades so I’m not too sure what to expect.
The cape may be a bit theatrical, but I love it that way, and all I need now to complete the look would be blood. And my ring. Sigh.
I slide my hand into my vest pocket, and I pull out my brass pocket watch to check the time once more. Sure, it may be a bit old fashion of me, but old habits die hard. I let out a heavy breath when I realize I can’t leave my house for another thirty minutes or so.
I haven’t been able to leave my house all damn day. Which made it a very long day. Normally I would have already checked on my plants in my glasshouse. There’s something just so gratifying about watching plants grow knowing that you helped it happen.
I’ll have to check on my plants tomorrow though since I’m already feeling like I’m running late for the party. Hopefully by then Marcus will have my ring. Otherwise, I might go crazy being stuck in the house for another day.
I’m sure that if my heart could race it would be pounding against my chest with excitement at just the thought of being able to leave my house. I place my pocket watch back into my vest pocket. Normally, I wouldn’t be stuck in the house waiting for the sun to go down, but here I am checking the time constantly like a man in the throes of cabin fever. Truly, I only have myself to blame for being forgetful.
My amulet was gifted to me at the time of being reborn by a family witch. It is the only thing that helps me combat the UV rays of the run, and sadly I needed to get it recharged. Just the thought of yesterday has me cringing from the memory.
My deep purple ring gave off another dull glow in warning, and I bit the inside of my cheek in worry. The ring does that every time it needs a recharge. Its been doing that for the past couple of days now. Marcus is going to straight murder me… or whatever the hell it would be for an already dead person, I guess. The knock on the door had me jolting. I rushed to open the door to greet Marcus.
I put on a bright smile hoping he doesn’t notice my anxiety behind it.
“I have a feeling you’re going to ask me for a favor, Calder, so out with it,” he huffed in his usual tone he normal saves for just me as soon as he walked through my front door into my living room. I swallowed hard before blurting out, “I need a recharge.” I grimaced as I waited for what he would say, knowing he wouldn’t be pleased with me.
“You should have a couple days until it needs to be recharged,” he mumbles dismissively as he puts the red and white color on my kitchen counter, “so after Halloween I’ll make sure to get it done.”
“Um…” I shifted uncomfortably.
“What’s wrong,” he asks looking me up. His dark brow going up in question as he scrutinizes me. I attempted to hide the grimace as I averted my eyes from his accusing ones. I swear, he has some kind of six senses when it comes to me not telling him the whole truth.
“It’s been flashing dull for a couple days and I just kept forgetting to bring it up,” I say in a frantic rush of words. My shoulders curl inward as I wait for his wrath.
“How do you forget about something this important, Calder?” The growl that left him made me shudder with nerves, “I’m sorry! I know I shouldn’t have waited this long to tell you!”
He pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration and a heavy sigh leaves him.
“I’m not angry with you, Calder. I’m just concerned about your wellbeing. You could literally burst into flames if it decides to go out while you’re outside,” he throws his hands into the air in defeat. His tense words make my gut clench with shame.
“I know,” I say staring down at my feet, “I’ll do better next time.”
“You better, Calder. I swear, you’re going to be the death of me one day,” he grumbled in frustration.
I cringe every time I think of the glare Marcus gave me when I finally remembered to say something about my ring. I hate when he gets mad at me. Really, I hate when anyone gets upset at me. I try my best to avoid conflict like it’s the plague.
Now, my friend is not one to growl, but that day he was in a rather foul mood with me. I hate conflict and I apologized profusely for my mistake. I know it was just him worried out of his mind for my safety. I hated how much I must have disappointed him in that moment.
I rub my eyes with the palms of my hands trying to relieve the pressure from the stress of that moment. Sometimes I’m truly terrible at remembering the things I need to do to take care of myself. It was never my intention to push the limits of my amulet. Half the time I forget to eat when I should. I bite the inside of my cheek with the nerves clouding my mind. I’ll have to find a way to make it up to him.
I had hoped he’d be able to return my ring to me today, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to be the case. He’s probably beyond busy right now since being one of the favorites in the witch community. Especially around this time of year. I let out a heavy sigh slumping down into a chair beside my bed.
Therefore, here l am, waiting for the sun to finally set since I rather not burst into flames and ash. My phone beeps with a text message pulling me out of my dark little thoughts.
Marcus: Sorry! I’m running late! I should be able to get your ring to you tomorrow… maybe… hopefully…
Me: it’s okay. I understand :)
Marcus: thank the gods. Sorry again.
Me: no worries. I know you’re busy this time of year
Marcus: You’re still coming to the Halloween party?!
Me: of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m just waiting for the sun to go down.
Marcus: Okay good :) I’ll see you soon
Me: see you soon
I’m excited to get to the party, and simultaneously hoping it’s not too far out of my norm. If it wasn’t for Marcus, I wouldn’t be going to this Halloween party. I’d probably have gone to the pumpkin patch, and maybe enjoyed a hayride. I probably would have come home alone and sat on my couch watching Halloween movies all night. It would have been boring to say the least. I’m excited to see what happens tonight.
I can’t wait to mingle and have a bit of fun instead of the same boring thing I do every year. Maybe just for tonight I can pretend to be someone that I’m not. Someone that has confidence and isn’t permanently dwelling on my insecurities. Tonight is going to be the best night of my life. I just know it.
However, I need to feed before I go mingle with mortals. I want something a little fresher tonight rather than the blood bags in my fridge. There’s just something so divine about drinking straight from the source. If I’m lucky, I’ll find a tall, dark, and handsome sort of snack.
A shiver of desire courses through me at the thought. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten laid. Fingers crossed! That may be the reason why I keep checking my pocket watch, even though it may be a bit overkill. So, my anxiety is starting to become overwhelming as the seconds drag by into what feels like eternity as I continue to work myself up.
I’ve ran my hands through my hair so many times now from the stress that I’m sure I look like a half-crazed vampire. My hair is probably sticking up in all directions by now. My leg bounces impatiently from the feeling of being trapped in my own home. I stand up not being able to sit still any longer. I begin to pace the length of my dining room as another heavy sigh leaves me.
By the time the sun finally sets I feel as though I’m officially running late. I rush out of the front door locking it behind me. I get a nagging feeling in my gut like I’ve forgotten something. Looking back over my shoulder like somehow, I’ll remember at the last minute. When nothing comes to mind, I shake my head at myself. It must be my nerves playing mind games with me.
I decide to skip the feeding because I want to make sure I make it to the party at a decent time. Maybe I’ll find someone cute to feed on at the party. That may or may not be a good idea, but the night is still young, and I guess we’ll see where it goes.