Aspens Vamp (9 page)

Feeding had never felt so good. I hadn't realized how badly I needed it until I was actually drinking that hefty guy’s blood. Michael said he wouldn't watch but I had a feeling he was on the sidelines somewhere peeking; just to make sure I was okay. It bothered me but how could I deny him that comfort?

Honestly
, I liked knowing someone was watching over me. Having JR showing up last time had really shaken me up. Now as I walk with Michael back towards the house I feel much more like myself. There was a slight chill in the air but I can still wear my t shirt and feel just fine. It would take an awful lot to get me to feel cold, that I can tell already. As we walk I feel Michael reach for my hand; without thinking I place my hand in his. It feels right. I love the quiet of the night and the view of the millions of stars up in the heavens.

Just as I am enjoying our quiet walk Michael looks towards me.

"Feeling better?"

I look up at him and smile. "I am. Thank you."

He smiles then looks back towards the road we are walking on. Aspen seems deserted with barely anyone out walking at this hour. It's the dead of night, well past midnight so everyone is probably sleeping, among other things.

"Have you had a chance to think about you and Daniel? I mean I know a lot has been going on but I just thought maybe..."

I bow my head.

"No
, Michael I haven't had the chance to really think about Daniel and me at all."

He can feel the frustration in me, I am sure of it. Suddenly I am racked with anger. I take my hand out of his grasp then stomp forward to stand in front of him.

"Damn it Michael! What in the hell am I supposed to do? Everything was fine before you came back into my life! Daniel and I could have been just fine and happy and now I have to break his heart? You and I don't make any sense! You are a shape shifter, I am a vampire. Daniel and I make sense! He is a vampire just like me. Hell, he taught me how to live. How am I supposed to just break his heart after that? I owe him!"

I can see the sadness in his eyes. He cannot deny anything I am saying although it hurts.

"Jaci, listen to me. You and I make the most sense of all. Yes, I am a shape shifter and you are a vampire. I know this but, damn it, Jac, I love you! I have loved you from the very beginning. I keep kicking myself in the ass because I should have made a move earlier, then this whole mess could have been avoided. I know Daniel taught you everything but he taught it to you before you two became something so I know he would have done so otherwise. He may be like you but you love me. I know you do."

He reaches for my hand then places it against his heart.

"You know you belong with me Jaci."

Damn this man! Damn this gorgeous man who just so happens to be right. I know I should be with him. I feel things with Michael that I don't feel with Daniel. It doesn't make any of it any easier though. How am I just supposed to break Daniel's heart? I let out a sigh as I look into Michael's beautiful ocean blue eyes; there is nothing but love in there. I take a deep breath because these are words I have never said to any man.

"I love you too
, Michael. I just don't know how to do this to Daniel right now."

I look up to see the biggest smile on Michael's face.

"Then we just wait a little before you tell Daniel. I'm not a heartless man. I can wait until you can talk to him. I just needed you to make a decision. You are mine."

Now I can't help the smile spreading across my face either. That sounds heavenly. I am his.

"Thank you Michael."

He leans down to place a gentle kiss to my lips then places one on my forehead.

"Anytime baby. Now let’s get back to the house before they send out a search party."

I laugh as he takes my hand into his once more and we walk towards the house.

As we walk through the door I see Avalon and John making out on the couch. I clear my throat to make our presence known then laugh when I see them jump about three feet off the couch.

"Sorry guys." Avalon apologizes but I see no remorse on her face.

It's cute actually. I am just over the moon that she is so happy. I would have never seen her like this with Nicholas. I was so happy when she found John. Thank goodness I talked her into seeing him in the first place. Avalon comes over to grab my arm and lead me away as John and Michael run off to the game room.

"Are you feeling better Jaci?"

I can't hide the smile that I am sure is on my face.

"What is it Jaci?"

I smile wider.

"You chose Michael, didn't you?"

Avalon always could read my mind.

"Yes, I chose Michael."

Avalon throws her hands together and begins jumping up and down like a five year old.

"I knew it! I knew it! I knew you two were meant for each other."

I laugh watching how happy Ava is.

"Yeah. You called it smart ass. But now tell me how I break this to Daniel." Avalon stops jumping immediately.

"Yeah
, I thought that might get your attention Ava."

She walks over to hug me. "Daniel will be fine Jaci. He needs to know sooner rather than later though. It wasn't like you two were in love. He will bounce back."

I know Avalon is right but it is still hard. I look around the room just now realizing I don't see Daniel anywhere.

"Speaking of Daniel, where is he?"

Avalon steps back. "He went upstairs to check in on Iris. I haven't seen him since and he went up there a half hour ago."

Weird. "I think I will go up and check on them both. Thanks Ava."

Avalon gives me another quick hug.

"You’re welcome. I am so happy for you Jaci."

I am happy too for the moment. Now I have to go check on Daniel and maybe let him know what's going on. I am so not looking forward to this.

I walk upstairs towards the room Iris is in, the entire time thinking about how I am going to break it to Daniel that I am in love with Michael. I mean how does one let down a man they were sleeping with after so much has happened? After everything he has done for me?

Right when I decide to turn around and go back downstairs I hear something. I hear Daniel talking to Iris through the cracked door. I peek in to see the candle lit and him sitting next to her bed and talking to her. I struggle to see her around the door without making it move, I don't need to alert them to my presence yet. I see Iris lying in the bed listening to Daniel intently. I am surprised to see her so calm. When she saw Michael I thought she would have a heart attack. I decide to stand by the door and listen as he talks to her.

"I am so sorry this happened to you Iris. I don't know why but I feel like it is somehow my fault. I know that's impossible but it feels that way. When I saw you lying on that floor, chained to the ground, half dead, and my heart broke into a hundred pieces. I can't explain what happened. Oh how I wish you could talk. I wish you could tell me what you are thinking."

Daniel lays his head down on the bed next to Iris. I can hear his sobs
through the blankets. Then it hits me, Daniel loves her.

As I continue to watch them I see Iris lift her fragile hand then
place it on Daniel's head as he cries.

"It is not your fault."

Did my eyes really just see that? Iris spoke to Daniel! I see Daniel's head pop right up as if she shocked him and I knew I wasn't hallucinating. She really said something! Daniel leans towards her.

"Did you actually speak?"

Iris just nods her head.

"Please let me hear your angelic voice again. Please." Daniel pleads with her.

I see the hesitation on her face but she eases him by speaking again. "It is not your fault Daniel."

The smile on his face is undeniable. He is filled with happiness at the very sound of her voice. He places both of his hands against her face.

"You're talking! You're really talking."

Thanks to my excellent eye sight I see a single tear fall down his cheek. He really loves her. I don't know how but he does. Iris begins to cry as well.

"I feel safe with you Daniel. Please do not blame yourself for what that evil man did to me. It is his fault not yours or anyone else’s."

Daniel hugs her.

"I know it is not my fault. I just wish we had gotten there sooner."

She wraps her little arms around his neck.

"It is okay. It will be okay."

Daniel pulls back then sits back into the chair.

"Now you must eat. Do you think you are strong enough to eat?"

I see Iris nod so I decide to run back down to the kitchen.

I race down the stairs as fast as my feet can carry me which
, in my case, I am in the kitchen within a second. At the same time Avalon is by my side.

"What's going on Jaci?"

I scramble to make something for Iris to eat. I don't know if I am more excited about her talking or that Daniel has found someone he loves, either way I'm taking her food. I throw some eggs in the skillet and some toast into the toaster. I grab some coffee and orange juice and place them on the tray then go back to finish up the eggs that are frying.

"Iris is talking! She is talking to Daniel. He asked her if she could eat and she said yes so I ran down here to fix something."

Avalon claps her hands together.

"This is fantastic Jaci! What made her talk you think?"

As I finish up the eggs and place them on the plate I turn to face Avalon and see Michael in the back ground. "I think they love each other."

I can see Michael's stunned expression from across the room.

"What? Jaci, that makes no sense. They barely know each other."

I pick up the tray and begin walking towards the stairs.

"I don't know Ava but it appears they do. I know Daniel loves her, I can tell. Now I'm going to go up there and check on them both." I venture back up the stairs ready to help in any way that I can.

This time once I make it back to her room I knock quietly before opening the door. Daniel sits back in the chair that is next to her bed as I walk in with the tray.

"I was hoping you might be ready to eat so I brought up some breakfast." Iris lets out a giggle. Even I have to admit it's a lovely sound.

"It's the middle of the night, is it not?"

I laugh as I place the tray on the bed in front of her.

"There is no better time for breakfast."

She laughs then sits up to eat. She inhales the scents in front of her then picks up her fork and pops some eggs into her mouth.

"This is divine."

Daniel smiles.

"Jaci is a good cook."

I smile at Daniel then look towards Iris.

"Or it could be that she hasn't eaten a thing in so long that anything would taste good right now."

We all let out a laugh. I stand then look towards Daniel. "Can I have a minute with you?"

Iris suddenly looks alarmed.

"Don't worry Iris. It will only be a minute."

She calms then leans back against the head board as she begins eating again. Daniel stands then follows me out of the door.

"I know you heard us Jaci. You were standing outside the door." I look towards the door that I just closed behind Daniel.

"What? How do you know that?"

Daniel smiles.

"We are one and the same Jaci. I can sense when someone is near, plus I could smell you." He winks at me.

"You love her."

Daniel bows his head.

"Irrevocably. I don't know how or why but yes I do. From the second I saw her chained up in that horrible house something pulled me to her. I loved her from that very second. From then on I felt guilty. Guilty for loving her while you and I
were getting close and guilty for her being there in the first place. JR is clearly upset over us killing Nicholas so he is seeking revenge. In a way it is my fault."

I place my hand against his cheek.

"Oh Daniel, we have been suffering the same."

He places his hand against mine. "You love Michael."

It is my turn to bow my head. "Yes."

I can sense the internal battle Daniel is feeling right now because honestly, I feel it too. He is sad that I am in love with someone else but at the same time relieved because he is off the hook and free to do as he wishes. I am learning rather quickly that you cannot help who you fall in love with. When you meet your soul mate that's it, there is no going back.

"Daniel, you are not responsible for what JR has done.
If anyone is to blame it is all of us, which is why we are all here to help with Iris. We will all keep her safe."

Daniel places his hand against mine; I can see the tears building in his eyes. He steps backwards to where his back is against the wall then slowly slides down the wall to where he is sitting on the floor, pulling me right along with him. Tears are pouring down his cheeks.

"How can she and I be together Jaci? How? I am a vampire. She is human. I will live forever, she will not. She doesn't even know! What if I tell her and it scares her so much she runs from me?"

I pat Daniel's hand that is still holding mine then rub his back with my free hand.

"I know this seems impossible but you will get through this. Maybe she will want to turn and then you will both be vampires. That seems a lot better than a shape shifter and a vampire."

I actually see a smile on Daniel's face.

"Well that's true."

He begins to laugh as I smack him in the arm.

"That's not funny, Daniel!" He falls over in the floor laughing.

"Damn it Daniel!"

I kick his foot as he puts his hands up in defense.

"I couldn't help myself. Sorry Jaci."

I sit back down next to him and place my head against the wall behind us.

"I tried to fight it. I tried to fight it so hard but he is like a magnet. Something just pulls me to him. Can this be right? How are a shape shifter and a vampire supposed to be together?"

Now Daniel places his strong arm around my shoulders. "The same way you've been doing it these past few days. He can adapt to your schedule, he's been out with you to feed, and I hate to say but I don't think you even need me anymore."

Daniel gives a half smile as I lay my head on his shoulder.

"I couldn't have done any of this without you Daniel. I owe you everything."

He lifts up
, making me go with him then as we are standing he pulls me into a big bear hug.

"I know Jaci. If you want to help me then you can help me with Iris."

I don't even try to hide the smile that I feel spread across my face.

"Sure Daniel. Anything."

Just as we let go of each other I look up to see Iris's shocked face standing in her doorway.

"Iris!"

It is clear as day that she just heard every word we just said to each other! Oh God how is she going to react? Daniel rushes to her side.

"I can explain. I can explain everything."

Iris backs up with her hand on her head like she has a headache.

"You want to turn me into the same monster that put me here?"

I can tell how much that kills Daniel just to hear.

"Iris, do you think I am a monster? I am the same as JR but I don't harm people. I would rather die than bring harm to an innocent person. Especially to you. I love you."

I see Iris's beautiful green eyes look over at me.

"Are you the same?"

I nod as she backs up farther into her room. Daniel and I follow her in then close the door behind us.

"I knew you all were different. I knew you were like JR. I knew it when you saved me. No
, I do not feel as though YOU are a monster. But what if you change me and I turn into JR?"

Daniel sits down next to her.

"It doesn't happen like that. You will still be you. You will still have your same personality, same beliefs, same beautiful smile; you will just be immortal and have to live off others’ blood supply."

Iris is taking this better than I thought she would. She must have realized what they were when they saved her.

"I cannot bite people."

I sit down next to Daniel and take her hand into mine. "Iris, I didn't think I could either and I'm not going to lie to you
, it isn't pleasant, but you’re not hurting them when you do it. We will teach you everything you need to know. We will all be here with you. That is if you decide to change. This is a huge decision, Iris. You are deciding to leave your human life behind. I didn't have a choice; I want to make sure you do."

Iris looks up at me then looks again at Daniel. I can see the questions in her emerald eyes but I can also see the love she has for Daniel in them as well.

"Something drew me to Daniel as soon as he picked me up off of the floor at that awful house. My heart was his as soon as I looked into his eyes. I can't explain it at all. But if he loves me as well then I want to be with Daniel."

The smile on Daniel's face is undeniable. He is ecstatic that Iris wants to be with him. However, I am still worried.

"Are you sure about this Iris?"

She finally peels her eyes away from Daniel.

"I heard both of you in the hall. This is the only way to be with Daniel
, plus I'm starting to feel like myself again. All of you are going to be worried about keeping me safe. If I am a vampire you won't have to worry."

I am still unsure.

"Don't do anything yet okay? Let’s talk to everyone else first, maybe get some input. I know it wasn't easy for me but whatever those meds were that Michael gave me helped. She shouldn't have to suffer if she doesn't have to." Daniel and Iris both nod in agreement.

"Okay. I'm going to leave you two alone for a few minutes while I go downstairs and meet with the guys. I'll be back."

I walk out of the door not knowing how Avalon, John, or Michael is going to react to this news.

*****

I explain everything to the guys who all look a little shocked. Michael doesn't seem too pleased.

"Hold up. You are trying to tell me that Daniel is in love with Iris? The man who was just all over you not even three days ago? How does that happen?" Avalon looks over at Michael, disappointment written all over her.

"I don't know Michael. How did it happen for you and Jaci?" Michael drops his head.

"Good point."

Avalon always has a point.

"Alright you guys. We still have to figure out what to do. Iris wants to be turned; can we get some meds for her and get things ready? We have a little time because I do think we need to wait until she is stronger."

Everyone nods so I am guessing everyone is in agreement with me.

"I think that's a good idea Jaci. No one should go through what you went through unless they are strong enough to handle it and after what we found in that house it's going to take her a few days to be at least strong enough to go through all of that. Michael can get the meds and we can get IVs to get blood in her so she isn't hungry when she wakes like we did with you and it should be fine. Just tell her we need a couple days to get ready and maybe we can get more food in her to build up her strength."

Avalon is right. Nobody needs to go through that unless they are strong enough to take it. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, well, actually, I take that back.

I can feel the morning hours approaching now where I couldn't before. I think the schedule is starting to grow on me, especially since I am so tired but then again, that could be from all the fun I've been having. Avalon and John sneak off to be alone just as I see Michael walking towards me.

"You look tired Jaci."

Well, duh.

"Yeah. This night has worn me out."

I can see concern in his eyes.

"I'll be fine Michael. I'm going to go talk to Daniel and Iris then I am going to bed."

I see a smile begin on Michael's face.

"Correction, I will be putting you to bed." I smile back at Michael. We both know now that Daniel has fallen for Iris that the problem of him and
me is no longer a problem. We are free to be together. That thought alone is enough to make me want to forget about talking and run upstairs with Michael right now. But they are waiting for me so I will go. The sooner I talk to them the sooner I can be with Michael.

I race up to see Daniel and Iris in a bit more of a hurry than normal. Not only is the day approaching but now, more than ever, I want to be with Michael. I want to lie in his arms and feel totally complete. I want to look into his eyes and finally feel some peace. I make my way to Iris's room then place my hand around the knob before deciding it may be a better idea to knock first. As soon as I hear the "Come in" I open the door slightly, peek in and see Daniel and Iris both sitting up on the bed next to each other.

"How are both of you?"

Daniel cannot hide the smile on his face. He is happy now. Sure, he was happy the few days we were together but his eyes didn't sparkle like this.

"We are doing
well, Jaci. Thank you. We were just talking about what the change might be like for Iris and what to look forward to afterwards."

I see the smile spread across Iris's face, this is the best I have seen her look yet.

"About that, we have decided to gather up everything we may need for her turn. However, we would like to wait a few days until she has had enough time to gain some strength. The turn can be excruciating and can take a lot out of the body. She is going to need every bit of strength she can manage."

I see them look at each other. Daniel's face is full of understanding while hers is full of disappointment.

"This is a good idea, Iris dear. You will need every ounce of strength you have and then some. Some people have died from turning simply because they did not have the strength to endure it. We can wait a few days."

Iris places her hand against Daniel's chest.

"I want to be with you. I also don't want to be human when JR shows back up. I can't defend myself against him and I cannot help any of you like this."

She looks down at her human form and I can feel her pain. I can't even imagine trying to go up against any of these people as a human and I know more about them than she does. Daniel takes her hand and the look they give each other makes me feel as though I should leave the room.

"It won't be long my dear, just a few days. We will eat and get you stronger and then you can turn and we will be together."

Iris just smiles.

"Yes, my love."

Now that the decision is made I am relieved. I cannot get to Michael soon enough. As I turn to walk out of the room to leave Daniel and Iris to get more acquainted with each other I find myself at a sudden stop. I cannot seem to move. I can sense something that isn't right but I can't put my finger on it. I cannot smell anything out of the ordinary; I can only feel a presence that is not any of us. Within minutes I know who it is that I am feeling and within seconds I see him standing in front of me.