In the Dark by Lila Rose (11 page)

As soon as I entered, I sat on the couch beside Isaac. His gaze roamed over me before he gave me a smile, which told me he approved of my attire.
Huh, go figure
. I turned my attention to the two newbies standing in front of the television. Jeremiah joined them. Jezanna and Caelen sat on the floor by the wall. I hoped the look on my face expressed what I wanted it to—an apology for my crazy behaviour.

"So," I drew out. "What's up? And why here so early?"

"Yes, sorry for the intrusion," Isaac offered. "I wanted you to meet some of my people before we went to school."

"Not sure I'm going today, but I'd be happy to meet your guys."

He looked at me cautiously. "All right." He waved his hand in the bald guy's direction. "This is Adan Kenna, and that is Xavier Trengrove. They have come here today to help, ah, me, what I'm saying is I would like for them to be your…"

Placing my hand on his arm, I smiled at him reassuringly. Him being tongue-tied told me he was worried about how I would react with the information of having guards.

Throwing Isaac a bone, I answered for him, "They're here to help keep me safe. It's all right, Isaac, I get it."

He looked at me as if I'd grown an extra boob.

He raised a brow. "Aren't you going to rant and rave at me?"

"Not today." I smiled.

He sighed and said, "Thank the gods for small favours." His smile went wide after I pushed him.

Waving to Adan and Xavier, I said, "So nice to meet you both and I apologize in advance for all I do. What can I say? Some people get me and some don't. We'll just have to see what category you guys fall under."

"We look forward to getting to know you." Xavier grinned.

Catching Isaac's gaze, I asked, "How did you guys meet?"

Only he didn't answer, Jezanna did with, "They're some of Isaac's people. They came, like many who follow my brother, to us under different circumstances. All would be willing to sacrifice themselves to keep him safe."

My eyes flicked to Isaac to see he wasn't too happy about it. I couldn't say I blamed him. It was strange how people were willing to throw their lives down for Isaac.

However, having not lived as they had, I was sure there were still things I didn't understand.

Then again, Isaac would be easy to follow. He had no intention of killing in cold blood to get what he wanted, like Gerald did. People saw Isaac for who he was. Caring, honourable and courageous.

"Right now, we seem to have a fairly easy job." Adan smiled.

Laughter fell from my lips. Jeremiah mimicked my laughter and then stated, "I give you three days tops. By then, you will want to shoot yourselves to get away from her."

"Hey," I snapped, pretending to be offended. "Anyway, now that I have you all here. I have some questions if you don't mind."

Isaac nodded. "Ask away."

"I'm assuming not all myths about vampires are true. Like not being able to eat real food, being affected by sunlight, sleeping through the whole day and being dead, because I've heard some heartbeats."

He gave me that half smile, sending my heart on high alert.

Calm thoughts, Leila. Super-hearing vampires are about.

"That's correct. We can eat, but it's not necessary. It's more of a show we put on in front of humans. We can sleep and do. Though, we only need a few hours at the most. We're able to go out in the sun. However, in doing so, we need to consume more blood, and yes, we have a heartbeat
and
a soul. We're very much alive."

"What about, um, feeding?"

"We feed off humans, love. There're places to go where humans are willing to feed us. They even enjoy the act. But if it were in an emergency situation, we'd have to feed from who was around. In the end though, they won't remember what happened. All vampires are able to wipe the minds of humans."

Nothing else crossed my mind, except who Isaac fed from. Just thinking of it sent my stomach in a downward spiral. Whoever it was, I wanted to find them and claw their eyes out. I wanted to… Wait.

"Those girls." I gasped. "The ones I saw at Boozers…"

Caelen started laughing.

Turning to Isaac, I glared. "You feed off them?" I was a little appalled and a bit disgusted.

And
very
jealous.

"What girls?" Isaac asked.

Caelen coughed into his fist. "Heather, Chloe."

"Oh," Isaac replied.

Oh. OH. That's all he can say?

He rubbed the back of his neck. "They're happy to keep us nourished. It's hard to find trustworthy suppliers."

"Yeah, I just bet they're happy to give you something."

He raised an eyebrow. "How else am I to feed, Leila?"

"I-um. You…" I stammered and blushed. I was at a loss. I couldn't come up with anyone, other than me.

Jesus. It was time to change the subject. "How old are you all?"

Isaac's lips twitched. He knew what I was doing. Thankfully, he played along and asked, "Are you sure you wish to know?"

Not really. Nevertheless, it was better than the conversation before. "Yes." I nodded.

"Jeremiah is the oldest. He's 405. I'm 398, and Jezanna is only 101. Adan and Xavier are around that same age as Jezza and Caelen—"

"She already knows, lad."

"Very well." Isaac glared at Caelen before turning back to me. "Does it change what you think of us, Leila?"

Studying him, I pondered how someone so old could be so good-looking. It was scary really, but then it had me thinking. How long would I live for with the feline blood running through my veins? Would I have enough time to have lived a happy, loving life with Is— someone?

It was something no one knew.

Each day as you go.
Dad used to say that.

"What's the matter, Leila? Something has you worried."

"Other than your feeding." Caelen laughed. We both shot him daggers.

"Nothing. It's nothing. And no, it doesn't change what I think about you all. I doubt anything could scare me away from you. I, ah, all of you."

Quick, I need to change the subject again. Hide the blush.

"So, do Adan and Xavier know everything about me?"

"I hope you don't mind, but I've informed them, because they need to be prepared for everything." He smiled.

"As long as they keep it to themselves." Tilting my head to the side, I asked them, "Can you do that, guys?" They both nodded. It wasn't that I trusted them, because I didn't. However, I trusted Isaac and his choices. He wouldn't bring people into my home if he wasn't sure of them in the first place.

Shrugging, I said, "I guess I have no more questions for now. And since I'm not going to school today, who's up for a run?" I gave them all a sly look. Then without waiting for an answer and before Isaac could question why I didn't want to go to school, I bolted for my bedroom, stripped and changed forms.

Really, the main reason school didn't appeal to me that day was because I wasn't willing for another day of questioning from our peers. What I needed was a nice, peaceful day, and school was not peaceful.

Stalking back out into the living room in my feline form, I swished my tail from side to side. I couldn't have been prouder to finally share my secret with people I cared about. People who wouldn't judge, and accepted me as I was.

Pouncing onto the couch, I watched as Caelen and Jezanna stood smiling at me.

"Leila." I looked to Isaac standing next to me. He reached out and placed his hand under my chin to bring my face up to meet his. "Even though you will be slacking today, I have to go to classes. I'll let them know you're sick, but will be back tomorrow. I'm also going to meet with another friend of mine, who will be starting at our school today. So, for now, I'll say goodbye." He bumped his forehead against mine and smiled. He waved a goodbye to everyone else and left with Adan following.

It was good to see Isaac wasn't being silly and was taking a guard with him. He also needed someone to protect him. If anyone were to attack him, it would hurt many.

"Well, love, are we running or what? I'm feeling a little peckish. I could show you how to truly hunt your prey."

My walls crashed down and I reached out with my powers. From the slight body shudder from everyone in the room, I could tell they felt the presence of my mind's strength in the room—connecting to the link I had with Caelen.
You had better watch yourself, pretty boy, or
you
will be my prey.

He laughed and bolted for the back door. I leapt off the couch after him.
He had the back door opened and ran with full vampire speed straight out into the woods, which adjoined onto my back yard. He was fast; I would give him that, and so were Jeremiah, Jezanna and Xavier. All of them only inches off my tail.

Couldn't let them have that though. I smiled to myself. Turning my head, I gave them a full-teeth grin and jumped into the air, my body ready for the impact of the tree I was heading for. I didn't stop once I touched it. I pushed from one tree to another, gaining speed and momentum.

I watched the others reach Caelen before I bounded out of the tree from above them. They all, even Jezanna, which I was proud of, readied themselves in a fighting stance, until they realised it was me.

Wanting more because I was ready to play—I always was in this form—I raced around them. Without their knowledge, I easily managed herding them into a circle.

Stopping, I sat back and watched them watch me.

"Whatever it is you're thinking, Leila. Do not do it," Jeremiah warned.

Yeah, right.
I jumped anyway, landing on him, which sent him and the others falling to the ground.

"Ooph, get off, you fat cat." Jeremiah pushed at me. I placed all my weight to hold him down. As the others climbed to their feet, I stayed firmly on Jeremiah. Finally, he stopped squirming and looked up at me, smiling.

"You do know I can get you off, but I'm not willing to hurt you in the process."

Digging deep within myself, I found that part which made me able to reach out to another's mind. I absorbed it in and pushed it out to Jeremiah. His mind had a strong barrier. However, I didn't know how or why, but I was able to get through anyone's shields and, from the shocked look within his eyes, he'd just found it out.

Just try it, He-Man
. I sent my laughter into his mind. I knew what was coming, but before he could retaliate, I opened my mouth and touched my big, wet, rough tongue to the side of his face, licking from his jaw to his forehead. Everyone started laughing.

"You disgusting little runt. I will get you for that."

Bouncing off him, I made a dash for the thicker woods.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with all three of them trying to catch me. I had to admit, sometimes they would outsmart me and were able to tackle me to the ground. However, I wriggled my way out and the chase began again. At least I was able to say I got the best of the three vampires by managing to pounce on them all and giving them the biggest, wettest willies they had ever had.

By the time we made it home, it was already six and the sun was setting in the horizon. We arrived at the house sated and satisfied. While we were out, we were able to hunt our own breakfast and lunch. It was strange to watch the others drink the blood from the animals, yet it was still intriguing. I'm sure they were just as interested in seeing me hunt, kill and eat my prey.

What amazed me was how well they hunted. It was as though they were animals. They hid, stalked and pounced on the incognisant deer, rabbit or elk. And even though they were still zoned in on what they were doing, I could tell a part of them never stopped searching the surrounding area for danger or uninvited guests.

We were so much alike and yet so different. Their bodies didn't change like mine, but it was almost like they had feline tendencies in them.

Jeremiah opened the back door and a new scent hit me. The hairs on the back of my neck raised and I crouched down on my front paws, releasing a warning hiss.

Beside me, Jezanna patted my head, bringing my attention up to her. "It's all right. It's only our father cooking."

Walking in slowly, still on the defensive, I looked around. How could they have known it was him straight away? The only smell, which was overpowering everything else, was garlic. Nevertheless, there he stood at a stove that hadn't been used for at least two years. He turned as Xavier shut the door.

"Good evening, all. I hope you're hungry. I've made lasagne, salad and garlic bread," he explained to everyone, only his eyes stayed on me. I understood the curiosity. Not many people had the chance to see a cat the size of a cougar walking around the house.

To let Gregory know I appreciated the effort he'd made, I walked over and rubbed my head, and therefore my scent, against his leg. His instinct, which was the same as everyone's would be, was to pat me on the head.

"You're welcome, Leila. You had better go and change, slowly this time. I'm sure we can wait for you. Besides, Isaac is not here yet with his friend."

Butterflies took flight in the bottom of my stomach from hearing Isaac's name, and the fact he would be there soon.

Bobbing my head, I moved off to my room to transform back and shower. Hopefully, I'd be ready for more food by then.

Tying my hair back with an elastic band, I walked down the hall then out into the kitchen, feeling refreshed and relaxed. I'd dressed in a pair of black leggings and a long black T-shirt. With the house already warm from the heater being on and the oven being used, there was no need for something warmer. It was strange to have my house cosy and smelling, well, lived in.

Upon entering, I found my usual empty kitchen table filled with people. Seeing it brought tears to my eyes. I quickly turned back around and stepped into the living room to wipe away the few drops I allowed to fall.

Stupid, uncontrollable, silly emotions
. I stomped back into the kitchen.

"About damn time," a deep voice muttered. It belonged to the guy who sat next to Isaac. My obsession sat at the end of the table. The only seat left was on the other side of him, so I sat there. I returned my gaze onto the person who was rude enough to say something, and I was pleased to see a shudder run over him upon meeting my unique eyes.