4 Vamp Versus Vamp (23 page)

I watched as she carried the items to the table. Craig had set the cake beside her steak and eggs on the table. She sat down in front of the food, the cold plate from the fridge still in her hand. She looked like a panther preparing to pounce on its prey. Without warning, she dropped the plate on the table, the glass of the platter creating a loud noise upon its collision with the table. No sooner had she dropped the plate than she’d stuffed all of its contents into her mouth.

We all stared in shock and amazement as Mel devoured the cupcakes and cookies, followed by the entire cake I’d baked alone. Even Drexel seemed surprised. She moved on to the steak and eggs next, and successfully polished off everything that had been in front of her in just under a minute.

She sighed. She stacked the plates on top of each other and stood to take them away. Steven kept opening and closing his mouth. In the end he reached for the now empty dishes and took them to the sink. Mel shrugged.

Abruptly, Mel’s eyes widened in alarm. She made a face similar to sucking on a lemon, grimacing as she swallowed the serum that’d risen. She shook her body out. “Ugh. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that. At least I don’t have to walk around living the true life of a vampire living off humans, although their blood actually tasted good in the desserts. Or maybe it’s just your desserts that taste good, Lex.” She seemed to be talking to herself more than any one person, although she’d addressed me in the end. I opted to remain silent, allowing her to talk through her thoughts as they came.

She strolled beyond us toward the living room. Halfway there, she turned and faced us all. “Is there something wrong? Oh! Sweet sugar, did I grow an extra appendage?” When no one replied, she frowned. “Um, am I that much of a freak at this point?”

Recognizing the hurt in her tone, I let go of Kellan and went to her. I grabbed her hands and led her into the living room. I pulled her down on the sofa with me, squaring my shoulders towards her. “I think we’re all a little shell-shocked. As overwhelming as it is for you to get used to this way of life, we’re still adjusting to having you completely in this world. And, to be honest, I’m not sure I was prepared. You’re vivacious and quick, certainly not like the human Mel I’m familiar with.” She retreated. I immediately sought to amend her interpretation of what I was saying. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I’m just saying that it’s new to all of us, and it’ll take time. If we’re staring, it’s because we’re trying to compute that you’re one of us now, not because there’s anything wrong with you. You came out perfect.” I smiled.

She seemed to lighten at that. “Thanks. This isn’t what I thought it would be. It’s a little harder. The moment I think something, I’m doing it. There’s no delay like when I was human. That and I think I’m the first vamp ever to get a migraine. My head is pounding with all this racket.”

“Give it a few days.” I squeezed her hands. “In a week, all of this will be but a distant memory. It’ll feel like merely a dream. Plus, you have a lot of us here to help you.”

She narrowed her eyes at Jack. “Except for a certain someone who just wants to laugh at me.”

“Oh, no, Melanie. I do not wish to laugh, but you are entertaining. That is not a bad thing. Should you need help, I would gladly give it to you.”

“He just talks big and bad,” Gabi said.

“Hmph. Are you willing to help me right now, Jack?”

“Sure. With what?” To his credit, he didn’t hesitate.

Mel’s grin was the biggest I’d ever seen; her eyes glittered with some unrecognizable emotion. “I want to paint your car pink, Jack-o.”

Gabi struggled to stifle her reaction, one of pure indulgence. Poor Jack.

Jack coughed; a single brow rose in a questioning challenge. “Why?”

“Because every villain always drives a black car, and I think we should start a new trend. Plus, considering what you put Lexi through, I figure, you at least owe us a little ball-busting power.” Mel shrugged her shoulders.

I released her hands, throwing mine up in the air, thus announcing my neutral stance.

Jack turned to Craig and Steven. He met their gazes directly. “Forgive me.” In a flash he had Mel pinned against the wall.

Drexel moved within an inch of Jack, prepared to intervene if necessary. Craig was next to him. I could tell he was debating whether or not to pound into Jack.

Jack focused on Mel. “This is what power is. It’s not the material things a vamp owns; it’s his strength coursing through his veins. You aren’t even an hour into your birth and you’re already challenging a mature vampire. This is the help I’m offering you. It is a piece of advice. Don’t mock that which you can’t persuade, and never confront an opponent you haven’t observed because you’ll surely lose.” He gently set Mel back down on the couch. Turning, he came chest to chest with Craig.

“Don’t ever treat her like that again. Perhaps you’ve forgotten, mate, but I’ve oogled your style before, and I’m not piltered to face it.” Craig’s body was a mass of tension.

Jack chuckled, slapping Craig on the shoulder. “Relax. I meant to help her, not intimidate her.”

“Um. I have an idea. Mel, why don’t we go make an inventory list of all the clothing items you need to purchase? That way you won’t forget anything if you get distracted by the noise.” I wanted to slide past any more impending drama. I thought we’d experienced enough over the past forty-eight hours.

“Kiss that brain.” She giggled. “I love it. Let’s go, ladies.” Mel rushed towards the stairs, pausing at the bottom. “Clair, Gab, come on,” she ordered.

I fell into step behind them, Drexel pinned to my rear the entire way.

I looked at Kellan. “
Have fun with the guys. Keep the peace.
”

“
Thanks. You’ve really left me with a fun job.
”

I winked at him,
then
raced up to Mel’s room with the girls.

We spent the next eight hours laughing, sharing, and bonding over everything from worst outfits worn to most embarrassing moments. To my dismay, Drexel didn’t seem the least bit bothered; he never exhibited any signs of impatience. Rather, he hung back silently. It was as if he wasn’t even there.

We’d taken our time stuffing most of Mel’s wardrobe into trash bags for donation; we’d meticulously created an itemized list of what we were discarding so she could repurchase it or find something similar in a size up. I was proud that by the end of our long session, she was much more balanced and graceful in her movements. In repetitively bending and unloading her closet, she’d gained control.

“Oh, I can’t wait to go shopping! My dad said he would buy me whatever I wanted as a sweet-sixteen present. I hate to inform him that I want a whole new wardrobe.” She danced in place, staring at the thirteen thirty-gallon trash bags set around the perimeter of her bedroom. “He’d better take me today, too, because I’m not wearing this outfit again tomorrow.”

“You have a couple pajama pants that still fit,” I reminded her with optimism.

She rolled her eyes. “That’s not even nice, Lex. I wouldn’t be caught dead out in those.”

“In some ways you are technically dead. You’re human part of you is pretty much dead anyway,” Gabi stated. “Ironic, isn’t it?”

“Such morbidity. I completely agree with you, Mel. You should go shopping today. Human or vamp, you feel better when you’re wearing clothes you like and are comfortable in. Confidence is key no matter what you are.” Aunt Claire crossed her legs as she sat down on Mel’s bed.

“I always liked you, Claire. I used to wonder if you and Lex were actually related, but since she’s turned vamp, her style has vastly improved. I just wish you’d gotten a hold of her sooner.” Mel tweaked my nose.

“Yeah, yeah. I may need to go shopping again, though, if my clothes keep getting destroyed.” I tried not to think of the events of earlier.

The room grew quiet.

“Okay. What are you guys not telling me? What’d I miss?”

“A lot.”

“Ugh! It’s my curse, I swear. I always miss all the juicy stuff.” She plopped onto the bed beside Aunt Claire.

“You didn’t miss it in my car.”

“Don’t remind me. Since you brought it up, though, what are you going to do about a car?” Mel looked at me expectantly.

“I’m not sure, really.”

“You can drive one of your parents’ cars if you’d like,” Aunt Claire offered.

I shook my head immediately. “I wouldn’t feel right. It’s…it’s too close to home for me.”

She nodded her head. “I can talk to Auggy about an army-issued vehicle.”

“So he can keep even closer tabs on me?
No, thanks.
The thing would probably have interior and exterior cameras as well as a gazillion satellite tracking devices.” I chuckled despite how serious I was.

“You’re probably right. I’m sure Kellan wouldn’t mind shopping for a new car with you, or I can go if you want.” Aunt Claire was right about that one. I think all men have an appreciation for cars to a certain degree.

“Thanks. I’m not in any rush. It seems like I’m always with someone these days, so it’s not at the top of my list.”

Gabi checked her watch. “Well, girlies. It’s been fun. I have to head out, though. I’ve got Bladang business to tend to.” She scowled. “That’s what I get for cutting my honeymoon short.”

“Thanks for coming.” I gave her a hug.

She gave the other women a quick embrace. “I’ll call someone. We should do a spa day. Maybe that’ll ease the tension of executing a few vamps.”

Mel lifted her brows. “Do you really?”

“It’s part of the job,” Gabi replied. “Talk to you later.” I heard her descend the stairs. She said her goodbyes to the men and left with Jack.

“Jack never showed me my bakery lady.” I feigned upset.

“He told me he’d e-mail it at a later date,” Aunt Claire said.

“Oh, okay. No biggie.”

“Those were really good dessert thingies, Lex.” Mel shook her head emphatically to further assure me of her statement.

“I’m glad you liked them.”

Aunt Claire stood. “It’s about time we get going, Lexi.” She gave Mel a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Take care. Try not to wreck the house.” She winked at Mel.

“I don’t think I’m that bad.”

“I’ll see you downstairs, Lexi.”

“Okay.” I waited until Aunt Claire had closed the door before sitting on the bed next to Mel. “Can you believe you’re a vampeen?”

“It seems surreal. I remember when you came back from your
vacation
.” She threw her fingers into the air, creating quotation marks.

“Yeah. That was definitely an interesting night.”

“You’re the reason I made it through, Lex. I remember how poised you were. You were so well put together even though it’d just happened. And with everything that you’ve faced since then… You’re amazing. You’re the vampeen I’m aspiring to be. You give me hope. That’s how I know I can pull myself together. That’s how I know that everything will be okay. Because you’ve shown me that it will be, no matter what or who comes at you.”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “Half the time I feel like a fumbling mess, but I appreciate your sentiment. Regardless of whether you’re a human or a vamp, you’re going to struggle with something. I learned that it’s not what’s happening to you, it’s how you’re reacting to what’s happening to you that determines how it affects you. So just stay strong. It’s hard in the beginning, but I promise it does get better. You learn to tune things out.” I patted her thigh with my hand. “Are you ready for some exciting news?”

She smiled, facing me. My arm fell to the bed. “Always!”

“I’m going to look at a condo with Kellan. It’s in downtown and has vamp security. If everything works out, then I’ll be moving.”

“I’m so happy for you. I’m sad for me because downtown seems so far from me, but I’ll be over all the time.”

“Eventually you’ll move into Craig’s place. It’s closer.” I pursed my lips. “Does Craig even spend time at his house anymore?”

She laughed. “Not really. He has a luggage full of clothes here. My dad’s set him up in the spare bedroom.”

“Does your dad like him?”

“He adores him. They’re opposites in a lot of ways, but somehow they’re still two peas in a pod. It actually gets annoying sometimes.”

“That’s good, though.”

She lifted and dropped her shoulders, her head nodding in
unison.

“Have you thought about school anymore?”

“You know, when we were younger, I always said I wanted to be a fashion designer, and my backup plan was to be a veterinarian.”

“You still can be.”

“Yeah, but before I was in a rush. I didn’t want to flounder around with fashion and then be forced to rush through school, only to end up a thirty-year-old vet intern. Now, though, since I know I have essentially all of eternity to pursue it, I don’t feel the same pressure. I would actually be okay with getting my GED and then getting a job at the local coffee shop or at a department store.” She sounded wistful.

“I’m leaning towards a GED, too. With everything going on, I wouldn’t have a normal high school experience with normal memories even if I wanted to. I’m already different. I’ve already left that world behind in most ways. It’s strange, because at first I missed it. I fought hard to have everything I did as a human, but as I’ve adjusted to my new life, embraced who I am now, I’m not as upset.”