Touch Her…
I glanced out the window while sifting through my closet.
I’d woken back up around nine-thirty. Now it was a gloomy afternoon.
I hummed and moved clothes around, searching for a cozy outfit to keep me warm while Ari and I went shopping.
I settled on a long sleeve crop top, black skirt, thigh high stockings, and over the knee boots. Nice and warm.
“That’s warm for you?” Ari was eyeing me from the doorway. She was wearing a hoodie, jeans, and converse. An outfit for boring people.
“Clearly. My boots are higher than usual and I’m wearing long sleeves and thigh highs. How is this not warm?”
“Whatever you say.” She stopped mid-sit on my bed and stood back up, then poked the comforter. “When did you get these?” She picked up the new stuffed animal.
“Dennis got them for me. I named him Drakie. Get it? Like Dracula? Now I have Drakie and Frankie. They’ll be brothers.”
“That was sweet of him,” she murmured, setting Drakie down.
“I know, right?” I couldn’t wipe the giddy smile off my face, which she seemed to notice.
She was watching me with a certain smile of her own.
I led the way downstairs and into her car before she could say anything about it.
“This shopping isn’t for me, by the way.
I hope you have extra scholarship money,” I said as we headed for the mall, ready to announce my master plan. “We’re getting you a new wardrobe!”
“Why? I like my clothes.”
“I’m sure you do, but I don’t. You need to be more spicy.”
“Spicy?” she asked, laughing at my choice of words. “I’m not food.”
“Yes, spicy. You can keep the same style with all your boring t-shirts and stuff, just get ones that are better. You need actual blouses instead of t-shirts. And if you keep wearing jeans, stop having such plain ones. We’re gonna get you some that are at least different styles and colors.
You wear a different color t-shirt and the same color jeans every day and it’s boring. ”
“I’m not wearing see through shit or lace. Nothing leather, and there’s no way I’m wearing a shirt that shows my entire bra. At least half my stomach stays in at all times. No spikes—no, not even small ones—or studs or chains. Nothing that doubles as a weapon.”
“You’re taking all the fun stuff away.”
“I’m not done. No bustiers because a bra is not a shirt, my skirts need to be long enough to cover my ass when I bend over, I’m still wearing underwear, and I’m not walking around in heels all day. And I’m not wearing boots every day, either. Okay, now I’m done.”
“Eh, I guess I can work with that. I wouldn’t want us to dress the same, anyway.”
We talked about random things the rest of the way to the mall, which was only a few minutes. Once we arrived, I led the way to a store that was somewhat her style but with better options. Four stores, three hours, and a few hundred dollars later, we were finished with operation Ari’s wardrobe.
“Where should we go now?” I asked eagerly.
“That spot looks like your type of store.” She pointed as best she could with a handful of bags.
I wandered inside with her trailing a few feet behind.
I hadn’t bought anything for myself—a brand new motorcycle was splurging enough—but a couple of small things wouldn’t hurt.
I zeroed in on a jewelry display and picked up a black handcuff choker, then chose a silver amethyst ring.
And then something perfect caught my eye.
“This is so Dennis,” I said, marveling a coffin shaped lighter. It was red with a grey and black stake on it. The sheer red almost made the fluid look like blood inside. I flipped it open, then flinched when a flame shot up.
“Why’d you turn it on, dummy? You know fire freaks you out.”
“I had to make sure it works. I’m so excited. I hope he likes it.”
“I’m sure he will,” Ari said. “It’s basically him in a nutshell. Fire and death.”
“I know! It’s perfect.” I grinned as we went to the register. I paid and put my new jewelry on, then slipped the lighter into my pocket as we left. “We should probably go to the bar now. I start in twenty minutes. Sean is teaching me how to close today and I don’t wanna make him wait.”
We pivoted for the parking lot. It was rare for me to care about timing—I usually preferred fashionably late—but there was something about this job that made me wanna try.
“I haven’t seen him all day. It’s unusual.” Ari unlocked her car and we both got in.
“I haven’t seen Dennis all day, either. It’s super weird. Maybe they’re mad at us.” I said, slumping in my seat. “Do you think they’re mad at us?”
“Of course not. Why would they be mad at us? We didn’t do anything.” She pulled from the parking lot and started down the street.
“No. Dennis is mad. I can tell.”
“He’s not mad. Stop being dramatic and text him. Or better yet, call him so you won’t keep pouting until he texts back.”
“No, that would be annoying. I think he got tired of me.”
“Right, ‘cause that’s really gonna happen.” Ari rolled her eyes. “You’re being paranoid. Just call him.”
“What’re you doing?” I jerked as the car swerved to the curb.
“I’m not driving until you call him and get it over with. I don’t feel like hearing you overthink all day.” She crossed her arms and stared. I stared back, narrowing my eyes.
“I have to go to work,” I said. She put the car in park and pulled the keys from the ignition.
“Fine. I’ll call him. You’re so annoying.
” I dug my phone out and pulled up my contacts, scrolling for Dennis’ number.
For some reason, I couldn’t find his name.
I could’ve sworn it was saved in here. “I can’t find it.
” I kept scrolling up and down until something caught my eye: the word ‘Master’ was listed as a contact.
I groaned but decided to leave it for now since I needed to get to work and Ari was holding me hostage. I brought the phone to my ear, bouncing my leg while it rang. Butterflies were overtaking my stomach. Why was calling him making me so nervous?
“Hello?”
I hung up and threw the phone at Ari.
“What was that?” She was laughing so hard she could barely talk.
“Shut up, I panicked.”
“That doesn’t count. Do it again.” She tried to give my phone back, but I wouldn’t take it.
We pushed it back and forth until I grabbed the keys at vampire speed and turned them in the ignition.
I switched the car from ‘park’ to ‘drive’ and turned the wheel so we rolled into the street.
She slammed the brakes right before we would’ve touched a passing car. “Emery! What the fuck?”
I cackled while she freaked out. “Oh, get over it.” I was done laughing and busy re-situating. “It’s not like we’re on the freeway. I’ve done worse.”
“True, but don’t ever do that shit again.” She resumed driving at a normal speed, shooting glares every time I started giggling at her freakout. This went on until a distant sound caught my attention.
“Can you pull over?” I asked.
“Now?” Her voice was aggravated. “You just told me to start driving again. Scratch that. You made me start driving like a fucking lunatic—”
“Ari, pull over. I’m serious.”
She sensed the urgency and pulled into the first open space along the street. I popped my door open and hopped out before the car fully stopped.
“Where are you going?” she shouted after me.
“I’ll be back.” I slammed my door and set off toward the ongoing argument.
We’d stopped near a somewhat crowded Craven Lake, but the voices were carrying from deep within the trees—far enough that no human could hear.
Once I entered the woods, a few more details were audible: a human heartbeat, a vampire heartbeat, some type of scuffle.
Something bad was going on, but not drinking. It was more than that.
I stopped as two figures became clear a few feet ahead. A woman was pressing a man into a tree, gripping his shoulders while he winced.
“I don’t think I want to,” the man was saying.
“Just agree already,” she snapped. “Say it out loud.”
“But—”
“Say it!”
“Hey!” I cut in and shoved the girl aside. The man fell free and I easily caught him. “Are you okay?”
“Mind your own business.” The girl stepped forward, but I didn’t back up. “I’m trying to get myself a servant.”
“You’re binding him?” I let go as the man regained his footing.
“I don’t know what she’s trying to do. Where did you come from?” He grimaced and rubbed a shoulder.
“Shh, stop talking.” The girl reached to touch him, but I caught her hand. “I’m not getting a bind,” she finally answered me. “I’m getting a servant. I’m gonna bind him and then he’s my… whatever. I haven’t decided what I’ll use him for yet. I just need him to agree out loud.”
“Let him go.” I blocked her from grabbing the man again, then shoved when she tried to get past me.
“What’s your issue?” She stopped trying to force her way between us.
“You. I wouldn’t bother if you were drinking or he actually wanted to be your bind, but you can’t just be out here enslaving people.”
“What the fuck is happening?”
We both turned to the panicked man.
“Will you stop yelling? You’re giving me a headache.” She made a face at the man, then sized me up before making another move toward him.
I snatched her arm and yanked her around to face me. “I’m not leaving until you let him go.”
She sighed and shook her arm free. “Alright, fine. I don’t know who the hell you think you are for stopping me, but I’ll let him go. I guess.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much.” The man practically bowed to me before running away.
“Who are you, anyway?”
I turned to see her watching me. “Why do you care?”
She shrugged. “I like you. I’d bind you instead, if you weren’t already a vamp. You’re pretty cute.”
“What’s your name?” I asked, equally curious about her. “I think I like you too. You seem fun.”
She laughed and smiled. “I’m Fiona.”
“Emy?” Ari’s voice came, followed by crunching leaves. “What’s happening?” She emerged from the thick trees.
“I heard people fighting and wanted to help.”
“Oh.” Her eyes went to Fiona.