15. Fifteen
Fifteen
N o matter how hard I try, I can’t stay mad at my family. The joy on Erin’s face when she walked into her birthday party was everything. There are a dozen people in my parents’ house who I’ve never seen before. I can only assume they are Erin’s friends. Spotting her parents wasn’t difficult. Erin is the spitting image of her mom.
The Loch family is spread among the guests, playing their roles perfectly. Erin’s parents looked startled when they first arrived, but as usual Victoria and Harlan Loch swept in and worked their magic. Now everyone is laughing and chatting as if they’re old friends.
The day is going well, and that’s why the universe has decided enough is enough. In swoops Dana. Under normal circumstances, my old friend joining the party wouldn’t be a cause for concern, but the look she is giving me tells me my day is about to unravel.
“Amelia darling, may I steal you for a moment,” Dana says, not really asking for permission. She’s already dragging me away from Erin and her friends. I give Erin a smile and wink, hoping that’s enough to make her feel comfortable. It’s not escaped my notice that Erin recognized Dana from my birthday party.
When we are safely tucked away in a corner, Dana rounds on me. “Amelia, why the hell are you hosting a party for your bartender?”
“Dana—”
“Since when do you socialize with humans?” she hisses. Until Dana pointed it out, the fact I am at a party full of humans didn’t even register on my radar. For once in my life, I didn’t see a difference in our species. I was just enjoying myself with Erin and her family.
“Some things have changed,” I say calmly.
“And those things would be?”
“I mated, Dana.”
The news hits her hard, which is bizarre. Dana herself has her mate. We were mere playmates, every so often. “You’ve mated? With whom?”
“Erin.” It’s clear by her face she has no idea who that is. The one thing about Dana is, if she has no interest in a person sexually, she barely recognizes their existence.
“Who the hell is Erin?”
“My bartender.”
“The human?” she gasps, her hand dramatically coming to her chest as if she’s just been shot through the heart. This is ridiculous.
“Yes, Erin is human.”
“No, no, Amelia, that can’t be right.”
“It is, trust me.”
“Have you lost your fucking mind? ”
“Come back and have that conversation in a few months.” I laugh.
“Amelia, you can’t be serious.”
“Since when do you have a problem with humans? You have enough of them in your bed!” I’m not being cruel, just stating facts.
“Humans are fine for fucking! But mating? No, that’s just unnatural.”
Her words sting me. This is a side of Dana I have never seen. “You think I had a choice? Do you think any of this is easy?”
“There must be something we can do? A cure or something?”
“Dana, this has nothing to do with you. And frankly, I don’t want a cure. Erin… Erin is mine. I am hers. There is nothing unnatural about that and I am hurt that you would say such things.”
“Hurt? Amelia, you hate humans,” she scoffs.
“I never hated them. I don’t trust them. That hasn’t changed.”
“And how, pray tell, is that going to work with the bartender?”
“Her name is Erin. You may have your opinions, Dana, but do not disrespect her in my presence again.”
Dana is sufficiently chastised. I see her visibly back down. “I apologize. It’s a shock.”
“Me with a human or me finding a mate?” It’s occurring to me that Dana is feeling jealous. She knows our trysts are over.
“Both, I admit. I’ll miss our times together.”
I wish I could say the same. Sex with Dana was fun. It scratched an itch. But, if what I feel with Erin pre-sex is anything to go by, I know when we bond physically; it is going to be indescribable .
“Can I meet her?” Dana places her hand on my arm. It’s a friendly gesture, but I know Erin has just witnessed it and she is pissed. I don’t need to see her to know.
Slowly, I pull my arm free. “You can. But Dana, she doesn’t know about us yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“Vampires.”
Dana studies me for a second and then bursts into laughter. It’s loud, obnoxious, and causing people to pay attention to us, which I don’t want. “Dana, pull yourself together,” I growl.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” she howls. My patience is running thin. I can feel Erin getting anxious. Taking Dana by the arm, I escort her to the garden, far away from prying eyes and ears.
“Stop,” I boom. The tenor of my voice pulls Dana up short. She pales before nervously straightening herself out. Being one of the most influential and affluent vampire families holds sway. There is a social hierarchy that I am at the top of. Dana, whether or not she likes it, knows not to cross me.
“Amelia, I’m sorry.”
“Have you any idea the stress and anxiety we as a family are going through?” It’s a rhetorical question. “Not only have my parents and siblings been through hell thinking I would never find my mate, but they also now have to help me navigate uncharted waters. We have no idea if I’m still going to descend into madness when I turn thirty. I’m already suffering crippling side effects because my soul hasn’t been satisfied. My bond with Erin is tentative and yet, I know in my heart I cannot live without her. Don’t you dare come here and give me your unwarranted opinions on something you have no idea about. ”
“Amelia,” Dana sighs, her hand finding mine. “I’m truly sorry, you are right. I was out of line. I had no idea what you’ve been going through. Please tell me how I can help.”
“Just be a friend, Dana. A loyal and supportive friend.”
“Always. I swear.”
“Amelia?” Erin is standing a few feet away, her eyes bouncing between me and Dana and our clutched hands.
“Erin, come here,” I say, dropping Dana’s hand and extending it to her. “I’d like you to meet my good friend, Dana.”
“Good friend, huh?”
“Oh, I like her already,” Dana grins. “She’s got spunk.”
“What I lack in height I make up for in scrappiness,” Erin comments. I’m not entirely sure she’s even joking. The thought of Erin fighting Dana for me is highly arousing.
“No need for scrappiness,” I chuckle.
“No, indeed. Amelia was just letting me know we are strictly friends from now on.”
“Good,” Erin nods. “Now that’s all sorted, are you coming back to my party?” The question is directed at both of us. It seems Erin doesn’t hold grudges.
“Lead the way you feisty little minx.” Dana has no boundaries, I swear it. Erin chuckles and takes my hand.
As we rejoin the party, Erin opens her presents, of which there are many. My parents have gone way overboard, and Erin is a deer in headlights again. I don’t think she’s ever seen so many sparkling jewels in her life.
Although everything is going well again, I can’t get the conversation with Dana out of my head. More to the point, the part where I confessed Erin doesn’t know about vampires. Now we are dating, exclusively, I have to tell her. But how? Really, how am I going to explain such a massive thing? This will change Erin’s view of the world forever.
There is also a gigantic possibility that even if she believes me, the very idea of being with a vampire will be unthinkable. Then what? My thoughts are spiraling. I need air. Excusing myself, I head to my old room. It’s only when I lay on my bed that I remember it’s been far too long since I had serum injected. With all the excitement of just being with Erin, it completely slipped my mind.
Maybe it’s the uncertainty of what’s to come that sparks such a violent attack. I curl into a ball, convulsing as pain slices through me. With every ounce of strength I have, I drop to the floor and crawl toward the door.
Erin, I have to get to Erin. Those words play on a loop as I edge closer to the door. When I finally get there, I feel sweat dripping from my face. The sheer amount of energy it is taking me not to pass out is mind-boggling. But I know I have to stay awake. I have to get close to Erin.
At the top of the stairs, I pause, desperately trying to catch my breath. Dragging my body along whilst feeling my insides are being shredded by broken glass isn’t fun.
Wheezing, I continue to haul myself along. My only option is to crawl on my stomach down the stairs. I’m going to frighten the life out of people, but I have no other choice.
I’m halfway down when the coughing begins. Crimson liquid paints the step in front of me. My hair hangs down, shrouding my face. If this wasn’t such a dire situation, I would find it highly amusing. How much like a Japanese horror story must I resemble ?
My eyes search feverishly for Erin. There are people everywhere. None of whom have noticed me. But then I see Lucille look up. Her eyes grow wide, and she sprints away from the person she was talking to. Her sudden movement causes people to turn my way. There is a collective cry of shock. Lucille screams my name as she runs to the stairs.
“E-Erin,” I gasp. Blood is collecting in my throat. I can hardly breathe. Lucille reaches me in seconds, followed by my father. I feel him lift me up. “Erin,” I wheeze again.
“I’ll get her,” Lucille shouts, already heading downstairs.
“It’s okay, honey, you’re going to be okay.” Cradled in my father’s arms, I give in to the pain. A piercing scream echoes through the halls. It’s all I can do to keep myself conscious.
Father lays me on my bed. I can feel my body shaking and I know that if Erin doesn’t get to me soon, I won’t walk away unscathed this time. Just as I feel time has finally run out, Erin barges into my room, her face ashen.
“Amelia,” she cries. Her body slams into mine as she takes me in her arms. The pain ebbs but doesn’t disappear this time. I know I need to be closer. With my shaky hands, I cup her face. Tears are streaming down her face as I draw her in for a kiss. If she’s repulsed by the blood, she doesn’t say. I feel her lips connect with mine. I feel all those wounds stitching themselves back together inside my body.
This has got to be freaking Erin out, but she shows no outward signs. Instead, she continues to kiss me. Eventually, we both have to come up for air. Her lips are smeared with my blood. Good Lord, it’s like a slasher movie in here .
A commotion at the door pulls my attention away from Erin. Dr. Mendhi rushes towards me. My mother takes Erin by the shoulders, gently pulling her out of the way. My hand instantly tries to grab her, pull her back, but I’m too weak.
Erin is enveloped into the center of my family, who are crowding the hallway outside my room. I see Aliah take a tissue to Erin’s face, trying to clean her up. All the time, that beautiful woman never lets her eyes stray from me. Dr. Mendhi is listening to my lungs and heart. I hardly notice. Everything I am is solely focused on Erin.
Time has run out.