Laney (25 page)

He stood, grabbed a blanket from the top of the closet, and settled back down beside me. He pulled me off the floor and back against his chest. “We’re going to be in here a while; try to sleep.” He wrapped the blanket and his arms around me. Even being locked in a closet with him was perfect.

Chapter 28 - Broken Cars and Mortal Naps

I woke up with a start.

“It’s okay,” Oliver said quietly, brushing my hair from my face. “I heard from Felix; they’ve got everything secure.”

I stretched. My body ached and I felt exhausted, like I hadn’t slept at all—in days. “Can we leave the closet now?” I whined.

“Fine. I make us this cozy little hideout and you don’t even appreciate it,” he joked.

“I’ll appreciate it once I’ve showered and eaten.” I turned and wrapped my arms around him, kissing his neck. “Unless you have something else in mind,” I teased.

“Who’s teasing who now?” He stood, pulling me to my feet.

He opened the closet door and removed the panel. I blinked at the glow from the sunlight streaming in through his window. His blinds were hanging by shreds and his room was a disaster. His dresser was on its side with a couple of drawers open and clothes strewn across the floor. His queen-size mattress was half off the bed and his pillows and comforter were on opposite ends of the room. His desk was on its face, as was one of his nightstands, a lamp lay in pieces near it. His backpack was open and all of the contents; books, pens and pencils, and a stainless steel water bottle, had been dumped onto the floor beside it. There was a large dent where his computer chair had been thrown against the wall. It now lay on its side near the dresser under the window.

“You know, cleaning my room was not what I had in mind for today,” he joked.

Together we cleaned up his clothes and moved the furniture back to where it had been. I found the picture of him and his siblings. The frame and the glass were broken, but the picture was unharmed.

“Here,” I said handing it to him.

“Thanks.” He smiled and stuck it on top of his closet.

He closed the closet door and the secret panel.

“Let’s get your things and bring them back here. I can protect you better if we’re here.”

“You said everything is secure.”

“Just a precaution,” he smiled. I didn’t believe him. A thought crossed my mind;
perhaps this was just his way of us “living together.”
I felt a little jolt of panic and pushed it aside.

The rest of his house wasn’t nearly as bad, just a knocked over dining chair and the refrigerator door was left open.—made me wonder if they’d been looking for a snack. Carter’s room hadn’t been touched; Oliver wouldn’t let us go in it. He said since neither of us had ever been in his room, there was no scent to follow.

My place was another story. It looked like someone had had the party of a lifetime and had forgotten to invite me. Kiera’s room wasn’t bad, it just needed to be straightened up and I was able to do that quickly. My room wasn’t so easy. Everything was everywhere. My mirror was shattered, my curtains ripped down by the curtain rod, leaving jagged holes where the brackets had been. My furniture was worse off than Oliver’s had been. Both glass bubble lamps were trashed, including the shades. Every drawer was open and all my clothes, including my undergarments, were on the floor. I made a mental note to wash all of it; the thought of dirty vampire hands all over my things made me cringe. My mattress was in place but my bedding was not and it didn’t even look salvageable. My room was covered in pillow fluff and I couldn’t find my pictures.

“What were they pictures of?” Oliver asked.

“One of me, Kiera, and Zoey and another of me and Lilly when I was little. The other one was a wedding photo of my parents.”

His eyes widened. “I need to tell Felix this information and make sure that your aunt and the girls have extra protection. I don’t think they will be able to associate the pictures and the actual person…” He trailed off then said, “Grab what you’ll need while I call him.”

I stuffed my big, light-blue duffle bag full of clothes and all of my bathroom items, one of which presented me with a panicked question I needed to ask.

Oliver came back in my room as I was folding up my favorite fleece blanket and stuffing it into the pillowcase of a spare pillow I found in my closet.

“I have a question.” I asked hesitantly.

“Shoot,” he said distracted. He was scanning my room which we had cleaned up the best we could for now.

“How does the period thing work?” I felt my cheeks warm from embarrassment.

His body tensed and his eyes met mine for a quick moment and then flashed away. “It’s different. It’s considered dead blood. Like rotten food.”

Disgusting, but good to know.

We cleaned up the rest of the house and put things back where they went. The living room swivel chair had been flipped on its side, the couch on its back. Three of the four dining chairs had been knocked over and one had a broken leg. All of the kitchen cabinets were left open, but nothing appeared to have been touched. One of the three glass inserts to the coffee table was cracked and one of the legs had been busted off.

I pulled the vacuum out of Kiera’s closet and, before I could unwind the cord, Oliver took it from me. It was interesting to watch this handsome vampire vacuum my apartment. It was not something I’d have even imagined a vampire doing and, I have to admit, I enjoyed it.

I was starving. While Oliver finished vacuuming, I shoved some food into a grocery sack: Lucky Charms, bread, peanut butter, grape jelly, a few snack-size bags of chips and a couple of root beers. I knew he would have plenty of healthy food at his place. I wanted to be sure I had a few of my favorites while I was there—comfort food, if you will. We grabbed the rest of my things and went back to Oliver’s.

I quickly ate two pieces of toast and took the longest hot shower. I thoroughly examined myself in the bathroom mirror. I had a thick long bruise that stretched across my back, from my shoulder blade across to my side. It looked like it might have come from the steering wheel, or an arm. I was relieved that I didn’t find a ram’s head imprinted on me anywhere. Lifting the back of my shirt, I pointed out the bruise to Oliver. He gently traced his fingers over it and he reminded me that we had just been in an accident the night before. It seemed so long ago. I thought again about how lucky we all were to walk away, not only unharmed, but alive.

I stashed my pillow and blanket in the closet with a bag of chips and a root beer, just in case. When I backed out of the closet, Oliver was there.

“What will it take for this to end?” I asked.

He looked down at the floor. “He has to die.” He said it so quietly I could barely make it out.

I wrapped my arms tightly around him, burying my face in his chest. He slid his arms around me. There was nothing I could say to that. Oscar was the last of his family, not counting Hayden.

I had a huge lunch while Oliver downed the contents of a couple of stainless steel water bottles.

You’d think it would have freaked me out, but it didn’t at all.

“I need to get some things out of my car and see how bad it is,” he told me after we finished eating.

“Okay, we can take my car.”

It was overcast as we headed downstairs, which I guess was a good thing since Oliver had mentioned his sunglasses were one of the items he needed to get from his car and the bright sunlight made his eyes water. As I unlocked my car, he asked, “Do you mind if I drive?” Of course he gave me his heart-melting smile which I couldn’t resist.

“As long as you don’t wreck mine, too,” I joked, as I dropped the keys into his hand.

“Ouch, that was harsh.” He stuck out his bottom lip in a pout.

“Sorry. Too soon?” I kissed his pouty lip and he smiled again.

His car was just barely visible where he and Julz had hid it. Oliver dug around inside and put a few things into a plastic grocery bag.

He sighed, staring down at his mangled car. “She’s totaled.”

“I’m sorry.” I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind him. I rested my head against his cool, firm back.

“Wanna go car shopping?” He turned around and smiled at me.

“Today? Really? Can we go tomorrow? I’m tired,” I whined. “In the last twenty-four hours, I’ve been chased by crazy vampires, involved in a car accident, and locked in a closet with my overprotective vampire boyfriend. I could really use some sleep.” It was my turn to pout.

“Day sleeping? Are you sure you’re not turning into a vampire?” he said teasingly.

“Whatever! Vampires don’t sleep.”

“Some of them do.” He led me back to my car. “You think I’m overprotective now, just wait till I’m fully bonded.” He gave me a quick kiss on the lips. My body surged at the thought of how that would take place. I felt my cheeks warm.

I playfully smacked his arm. He wrapped one arm around me, pulled me in close, and kissed the top of my head.

“Mortals,” he chuckled. “Can’t handle a little high speed car chase. Gotta have their naps.”

“Bite me,” I said, playfully shoving him and getting in the car.

“Don’t tempt me,” he said in a silky voice, fangs showing through his wicked smile.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“You sure?” he asked in that same tone, as he closed my car door.

He tossed his bag and a sweatshirt into the back seat and, as he slid into the driver side, I responded, “I’ll bite you back.”

That caught him off guard and I laughed out loud at the surprised expression on his face.

He parked my car in front of the Dodge dealership and gave me the sweetest look. “Please, Laney, just for a few minutes?” he pleaded.

“Fine!” I said, crossing my arms.

“Thank you.” He kissed my cheek. His excitement made it hard to hold a grudge.

We walked through the dealer’s lot. Oliver weaved in and out of the cars; he was easily distracted by them.

“Damn vampires,” I muttered to myself. “Distracted by shining things.”

“I heard that,” he said from a car away, his back to me and his face just about pressed against the window of a car that looked almost identical to the one we had just left demolished and hiding in the bushes.

“You were meant to,” I laughed to myself.

“What do you think?” he asked as he strolled alongside me again and laced his fingers with mine. “Should I get the same color?”

“I don’t know. I guess. You seem to like black.” I tugged at his black T-shirt.

He smirked and winked at me; we wandered a little more.

“Hey, look how cute this one is.” It was smaller than his or Julz’s car but looked very similar. It was called an Avenger.

“It looks like Julz’s car had a baby,” he chuckled.

“Aww, it’s a little Hayden car,” I said and we laughed.

He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead. “Let’s go home. I’ll look online and pick out what I want.”

“Cool, I’ll sleep while you shop.” I grinned up at him.

We walked back through the lot to my car. I was so busy staring at his beauty as he headed for the driver’s side that I missed the puddle of slippery goop in front of me. I slipped and fell on my butt on the passenger side of the car.

“Ow!” I cried, as my butt hit the pavement.

He was standing over me immediately. “What happened?”

“I slipped.”
Duh
.

“Are you okay?” he asked, as he crouched down to examine what I had slipped in.

“I’m fine.” Though I was getting irritated.

He stood. “You need some help?”

“No, I rather like it down here. Of course I need help!” Sarcasm and irritation filled my voice.

“I’m sorry. I was distracted,” he apologized as he helped me up. “I think that liquid is from your car.”

“Great! More car trouble. Maybe we should invest in bus passes.” Yes, I know. You’d think by then I’d have known better than to speak when I was fully irritated.

His eyes focused on mine and he raised a questioning eyebrow.

I shook my head and examined myself. Somehow I managed to only get whatever I had slipped in on the leg of my jeans and it was just a small spot. I had been afraid it was going to be all over my butt, but, thankfully, it wasn’t.

My car wouldn’t start. He shrugged. “I guess we’re walking.”

“Man!” I whined. “Ya know, my car was fine until you came around.”

He gave me a playful smile. “Yeah, it’s me. Your car hates me.”

“You said it, not me.” I grinned back.

“We’d better go.” He grabbed the sweatshirt from the backseat, held it out for me to put it on and zipped it up like I was a child. I was giving him a look like he’d lost it when his eyes met mine.

“What?” he said. I raised an eyebrow at him and shook my head with a hint of a smile at the corner of my mouth. “The wind’s starting to pick up and you’re only wearing a thin T-shirt.”

He had a point and the hoodie was warm from sitting in the sun-warmed car. And another bonus: It smelled like Oliver.

He locked my car and took my hand and we began walking home through the downtown area. He seemed tense. The sun was beginning to set and I wondered if he was worried what the night would bring. I know I was…

Chapter 29 - Don’t Let Go

The Dodge dealership was on the other end of downtown from the college and we had to walk back through the busy streets to get home. I took comfort in the baggy black sweatshirt I now wore as a breeze picked up.

We were about halfway through downtown when Kiera spotted us from inside the Pancake House restaurant as we were passing by. She rushed out the front door just as we passed in front of it. It scared the crap out of me; I let out a screech and, as Oliver jumped protectively in front of me, I sensed it frightened him, too.

“Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” She invited us in to join her and Carter, along with Zoey and the oh-so-wonderful Ashton.

We didn’t want to be rude, plus I needed a break. If I had known then what I know now, being rude would have saved us a whole lot of trouble—and that’s putting it mildly, very mildly. So, we went in to say “Hello,” at least to Carter and Zoey. Ashton avoided eye contact and excused himself as we slid into the red vinyl booth.

“We should go,” I said. “I don’t want any issues with him.”

“He’s fine, Laney,” Carter said.

“Yeah, he’s the one that spotted you guys. I think he feels bad for what happened,” Kiera offered.

“Or he knows he’s no match for Oliver,” Zoey added.

There were a couple chuckles and nods around the table. I giggled at the thought of it; Ashton had no idea he’d been smacked to the ground by a vampire.

I eyed Zoey, thinking of the new information I had. I was interested if I could see it in her now. She looked the same as she always had, although I did notice that her pale jade eyes were one solid color like Oliver’s, Felix’s, and all of the other vampires I had recently come in contact with. I examined Kiera and Carter’s eyes to compare. Kiera’s blue eyes had gold flecks in them and Carter’s were a brilliant blue with no flecks. It made me wonder about Carter’s vampire lineage.

Suddenly, Oliver tensed. I felt it in his hand, which I was holding. He leaned close and whispered, “We should go.” Then he straightened and froze, listening.

My heart began to race. Something was wrong.

He leaned into my ear so only I could hear him. “Something’s happened; it’s not safe. We have to get away from your friends.”

My stomach turned, making me feel sick. My eyes widened in terror. “The closet, we could get everyone in there.” I began to panic.

He pulled me away from the table towards the front of the restaurant. My voice had become unsteady and loud enough for the others to hear. “Laney, you are my only priority right now. The longer we stay, the more danger we are all in. Hand me your phone. I’ll send Zoey a message telling her to get them back to her place and I’ll get someone over there to make sure they are safe. Okay?” He tipped my face up to his to look into my teary eyes.

I nodded.

I walked back to the table, slightly shaking. Ashton had returned and was still avoiding eye contact. Zoey checked her phone and gave me a terrified look. She glanced at Oliver and then she collected herself quickly. “You leaving already, Laney?” she asked.

I nodded. Kiera got up from the table and gave me a hug. I hugged her back, tighter than usual.

“Everything okay?” she asked, taking a step back and looking into my eyes.

I nodded and forced a smile, knowing I couldn’t speak without giving away my panic or crying. They, all but Ashton, said “Goodbye” as I walked back to Oliver by the front door of the restaurant and I hoped it wasn’t for good.

Oliver handed my phone back to me and was just hanging his up. “Felix is on his way, but he’s hours from here.” Then, to himself, he breathed, “This is not good.” A spasm of panic shook me as I thought that barely began to cover it.

He made another call, then hung up and sighed. I sank against his body and he folded his arms around me. “We have to leave. Felix is checking on the perimeter guards. I told Zoey to keep everyone here until we’ve led the danger away.”

My heart kicked into high gear at the thought of us being bait and having to lead danger away.

“It’s us they’re after. Zoey will keep them safe.” He kissed the top of my head, reassuring me. It didn’t help.

I said nothing. How was one little half-vampire going to keep them all safe?

Oliver took my hand in his. We were about to go out the door when the ground shook. It caused the windows to rattle and the fake hanging plants to sway.

“Was that an earthquake?” I breathed. I glanced around the restaurant as it became alive with alarm. Earthquakes weren’t common here, but they weren’t unheard of.

“It wasn’t an earthquake.” His voice didn’t sound right; his eyes were full of terror and panic.

There was screaming in the distance, high-pitched and terrible.

My heart was racing up into my throat and my breathing was becoming erratic. I couldn’t do this again.

“Laney!” Grabbing my upper arms, he looked into my eyes. “Get hold of yourself, Laney.” He pulled me into him and wrapped both of his arms around me. He whispered in my ear, “Calm down. I will never let anything harm you.” He held me out at arm’s length to get a good look in my eyes. “You’ll be safe. Just listen to me and don’t let go.” He grabbed my hand tightly. “Are you ready?”

I shook my head, tears falling. I was exhausted and terrified. Something was after us. I pictured that horrible vampire that chased us the previous night, how he wanted to kill me, and how he’d kill Oliver trying to get to me.

Oliver hugged me tight again. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face against his chest. “We’ll be okay,” he whispered.

“Promise?” It came out broken.

“You know I won’t. I don’t need to.” I looked up at him. He smiled that spectacular smile I’d have done anything for.

His smile gave me courage I didn’t know I had. I smiled back and took his hand. “Let’s go.” I was never going to be ready for this, but I knew everyone was in danger with us around.

“Don’t let go,” he said, squeezing my hand.

“You either.” I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him down so his lips met mine. “Remind me what I get when this is over,” I whispered against his lips and without any hesitation he kissed me—really, really kissed me.

“I love you,” he said, as he pulled out of the kiss and looked into my eyes.

Tears stung my eyes again. “I know.”

He slowly opened the restaurant door and checked in all directions as he led me outside. I took one last glance back at my friends. The panic in the restaurant had faded, but uneasiness lingered. My friends were getting ready to go, none of them paying any attention to us leaving except Zoey. She gave me an anxious smile. I tried to smile back. I failed.

The sun had set, the hazy sky had become clear and the moon was big and bright, lighting our way through the tree-lined streets. Leaves were crunching under our feet; it was difficult to be silent.

Screams and other noises I didn’t recognize rang out in the distance causing more uneasiness. I was so stiff and tense, not to mention still sore from last night and my bum’s collision with the pavement not long ago. We walked quickly until we reached the first alleyway. Pausing at the corner, we pressed ourselves against the building. I followed Oliver’s lead and peeked down the alley. There was something down there, in the shadows. My breath caught. Eyes shone against the moonlight. Something huge and hairy crouched, ready to pounce.

I tore my eyes away and slammed myself back against the wall. “What is that?” I whispered in alarm, my chest heaving from fright.

He ignored my question. “Look straight ahead and walk as normal as possible.” He pulled me away from the wall and across the mouth of the alley. I did as he’d said; my back was rigid with fear.

We passed to the other side of the alley opening and he whispered, “Run!” I did—with everything I had. I ran until he slowed and stopped me at the end of the building before the next street. We pressed ourselves against the wall again. I didn’t look this time when Oliver peeked down the street. I didn’t bother to see what street we were on or how close we were to home. I was focusing on nothing more than us surviving.

“What the hell was that?” I breathed. My heart was hammering.

“You could see it?” He seemed surprised.

I nodded trying to catch my breath. My throat was dry and it hurt.

“It was a werewolf,” he said, very matter-of-factly.

“A what?”

“A werewolf; it’s a full moon.” He pointed at the moon like I hadn’t noticed. “Don’t worry, they won’t attack unless provoked.”

How the hell do you provoke a…actually, how do you NOT provoke a werewolf? That’s what I’d like to know.

This was too much. “What’s next?” I blurted out.

“Keep your voice down,” he said trying to calm me. It didn’t work.

“When does the freakin’ dragon show up?” I was on the brink of hysterics.

“Laney,” he said, gripping my upper arms and looking into my eyes, “if a dragon shows up, you’d better hope with all your heart that it’s a good one.”

I stumbled back against the building and stared at him. “You’re kidding, right?” I choked out.

“Another time, okay?”

You’ve got to be freakin’ kidding me!
I edged toward him instinctively, linking my fingers with his, and stared up at the sky. He had to be kidding, right?

His phone rang, just a regular, generic ring. “It’s Felix,” he said, answering it. “Hey.”

“I can’t get a hold of anyone.” I could hear Felix clearly. “You both need to take cover. Now!”

“We’re downtown on foot. I’m trying to get us back to my place,” Oliver said.

“That’s too far. You’re going to have to go to Gladys’.”

Who the heck is Gladys?

“But I…” Oliver started.

“Oliver, you have to.”

We were interrupted by a snarl. We both froze. We slowly turned in the direction we’d just come from. Approximately two blocks down, there was someone there, a man standing at the corner. Oliver squeezed my hand tighter.

“Run,” Oliver whispered.

I didn’t hesitate. I ran without looking and I kept up with him. Fear was great motivation.

Oliver wasn’t bothering to pause at the corners anymore. I ran as fast as I could to keep up with him. My legs were starting to feel like rubber. I glanced back and saw that whoever was back there was getting closer; he was after us.

We rounded a corner and Oliver slammed into something which caused me to smack into him. It knocked us both to the ground and knocked the wind out of me.

“Hey,” a voice I didn’t recognize said. “Felix just called me and told me to find you.” He held his hand out to help us up.

“Justin, right?” Oliver asked, as he stood, not accepting the offered hand, and pulled me to my feet. This guy was young, but they all looked young. He was tall and really thin, with dark, shaggy hair, brown eyes, and a smile to die for.

“Yes, Sir.” He said proudly.

Sir?

“Let’s go,” Oliver said.

The three of us ran toward the park. I was still trying to catch my breath and I was starting to slow our little group down. Whoever, or whatever, was behind us was much closer now.

Oliver must have sensed my struggle to keep up. He scooped me into his arms in mid-run and we were off, faster than ever before.
Why didn’t he do this before?
I wrapped my arms around his neck and peered over his shoulder as we started through the park near the college. I couldn’t see anyone behind us now. Wait, there was something. I saw two glowing…eyes! They were eyes and they were gaining on us. Terror pulsed through me and Oliver glanced back

“No!” Oliver screamed in pure horror. It made the hair rise on the back of my neck and goose bumps covered my body.

Justin glanced behind us. “I’ll hold it off.” He started to slow.

“No, Justin! Run!” Oliver shouted.

“I know where to go, Sir. I’ll catch up.”

Oliver slowed. “No, run!” His voice was full of desperation. “You won’t survive.”

“I know, but the two of you will.” He flashed a sweet smile. “Sir, this is what I was trained for.” He turned and started running toward whatever was coming at us.

Oliver ran on a bit farther, just to the other side of the clearing, then slowed. We stopped beside a large oak tree. He scanned the area, including the treetops and set me down, taking my hand again.

“They hide in the trees,” he said quietly. I noticed he wasn’t out of breath. I was and I hadn’t even been running.

I looked up into the swaying trees, but didn’t see anything with my measly human eyesight.

We peered around the huge tree trunk into the clearing. Justin was in an attack position and something I had never seen before this night was heading right for him. It was like a massive misshapen dog or wolf. It was hideous, with ratty dark fur and no tail. Massive teeth were exposed from a snarled upper lip. It looked powerful and horrifying.

“Is that…” I faltered.

“Lycan, a werewolf,” he whispered.

“Why is it coming after us?” My voice was far from steady.

“I don’t know. My guess would be that whoever was behind us provoked it. But that still doesn’t explain why it came after us and not them.”

We watched as the powerful werewolf charged Justin and took him to the ground. It was so frightening. I couldn’t move or breathe. He kicked the werewolf away. It yelped, but came back at him. I turned away. I couldn’t bear it. Every yelp and scream made my heart hurt. I buried my face against Oliver’s back. He was lost watching what was happening. I tugged on his arm and he came back to himself, but he didn’t look right. His eyes met mine and he pulled me into him. I felt his breath catch; he was shaking. I looked up at him and he nodded, seeming to know I needed to be away from here. There was a sound I had never heard before and hoped to never hear again. It made my stomach turn and my heart break. Then one final gurgled scream. I gasped and covered my mouth.

A roar pierced the night and a shudder ran through me.

“That vampire just sacrificed himself for us. It would be stupid to linger,” his voice was soft with a hint of misery.

Tears filled my eyes.