Awakened

By Paige Walker

Nichole is ready to accept vampire life after a long traumatic year. Nate is gone and while she has nothing to fear, life couldn’t be more complicated. As her friends blend in with humans effortlessly, Nichole realizes that, for her, straddling the fence between vampire and human isn’t as easy. Her relationships with her friends become complex as she is drawn more and more to her vampire desires, making her more dangerous and less stable.

Struggling with her feelings for a human, Nichole tries to distance herself despite the enigmatic pull she feels towards him. To complicate things more, a handsome stranger enters her life pulling her into a world she never knew existed.

Will Nichole learn to balance both the vampire and human worlds? Or will she surrender to her vampire nature and attract a mysterious hunter that could lead to her demise?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781546276265

Paige Walker

Paige N. Walker first found a love for writing in poetry. She began writing poetry when she was only in elementary school and has continued to write ever since. In 2008, she published her first book, a poetry book, called Emotions.Paige then went on to college and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a degree in Biology. Though she loved science, she has always had a passion for books, reading, and writing. Having coming from a family of individuals in the medical field, including her father who is a dentist, her parents encouraged her to pursue her writing and publishing dreams.She began writing her first novel Transition in 2014 and is currently publishing it with College Boy Publishing. She continues her passion of reading and writing to this day.www.PaigeWalkerAuthor.com

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© 2019 Paige Walker. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 02/20/2019

ISBN: 978-1-5462-7628-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-7627-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-7626-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019901057

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Acknowledgements

About the Author

For Mom

PROLOGUE

Well, I’m at a standstill, Chase states to himself.

The creature hasn’t contacted her family and there have been no signs of her. No killings in the area, at least not vampire related ones, and no missing persons recently. It seems the people in this town have been staying safe since her disappearance. Chase taps a pen to the hotel desk as he mentally focuses on the facts.

Nichole could have gone to another country for all he knew. Lighting a cigarette, Chase brings it to his mouth and takes a drag. I’ll have to just keep watch over her family until she returns. These creatures always return.

Chase knew what he had planned for any vampire offspring of Nate’s. It wouldn’t be pleasant, no, he would make it torture. Nate is dead, his friend Tyler informed him, if he could believe an evil creature’s words… but if Nate passed his evil down to another then… He felt like it was his job to remove it from existence. How many people had she killed already? He wondered. How many had she tortured?

"Every day, hell, every moment I go without finding her is another life."

Chase stood up in his hotel room and paced, hands going to his overgrown hair and pulling. Suddenly he sat back down and put on his shoes. I need to run. After putting the cigarette out, he put on a t-shirt. Cracking his neck, he left the confines of his room.

I’m getting older. I can’t do this forever. Chase thought as he started down his normal jogging trail. He started hunting vampires after his family was brutally murdered by Nathanial Blackwood. Nate left him alive as a game. He ran away from home knowing that no one would believe him about the murder. People would think he was crazy if he said vampires existed. He got the training he needed to kill the monsters that were supposed to be un-killable. He had gotten really good, thanks to his trainer, a man he met that became like a second dad. Blackwood had killed him as well.

Muscles straining, Chase pushes forward making it to his destination. After stopping abruptly, Chase bends down and pretends to tie his shoelaces like he’s done a million times before. He stares at the house with the big photograph of a missing girl in its yard. A life taken by Blackwood or was it given up freely? Being told that Nichole was made by accident didn’t sit well with him. He didn’t believe it. I have to protect these people from their own daughter, Chase thought. Standing straight he continued to stare at Nichole’s picture committing her face to his memory. He began to turn, wanting to stare out into the vast wilderness that lay in front of the house, when he noticed someone in the window. The sister? Noticing him she moved away from the window. Chase turned quickly toward the forest. What was she looking at? He wondered. He started running again not wanting to alert the child’s parents to a strange man in front of their house. Maybe Nichole has returned? I’ll need to put a motion camera out there. Chase began strategizing. If Nichole has returned, then there will be only a matter of time until she would come visiting again. Then he’d know how to proceed. All he had to do was be patient.

CHAPTER 1

I lay on the beach in my red and black polka dot bikini. The sun above beams, warming my skin. Running my hands through the grains of the toasty sand, I relax. It’s days like these that I’m happy vampires’ can go out into the sunlight. Well, I’m happy I can go into the sunlight. I don’t know what I would do if I had to live my life only in the night. Only to come out when the sun is away. I would probably be miserable.

I have finally come to terms with the fact that I am a vampire and that there is nothing I can do to change that. There is no undo button to make me human again and there is no way to rewind time. I will forever and always be a vampire. The past is in the past and as for my future this is what it will be. Everything will be okay. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

I stretch out on my beach towel, trying to take up more of the sun’s heat while listening to the gentle motion of the waves. The whoosh of the water is strangely calming, soothing the monster underneath. The vampire. Me. I don’t come from one of the good vampire bloodlines. Ha… as if vampires can be considered ‘good,’ even though I try to be. Try being the operative word. I’m a Sadune and the Sadunes are a ruthless and vicious type of vampire. Violence, anger, and aggression run through my veins like a second nature and with it comes an insatiable thirst for human blood. All of it is pure instinct, like it was programed in my brain. We are the strongest vampires, or so I’ve been told, and I’m the only one I know. I fight, it seems, every day against my nature. I fight to abstain from feeding on humans although it’s hard. I can cave at any moment. For now, at least, I am on a vegan diet. You would think it is easier to feed on animals rather than humans, you know, because I was a human… but it’s not. Feed on animals, I tell myself every day, feed only on animals.

A woman walks toward me. She stops at my feet blocking my sunlight. Her raven hair blows rapidly in the wind, its color contrasts greatly against her cream skin. I can’t help but think of Snow White when I look at her. Her brown eyes find mine. It’s time to go home, Nichole, she says with a sigh. I stare up at my friend through my sunglasses debating on how to respond. After a moment of silence, Casey shakes her head in frustration.

Casey Neal, my best friend, knows everything about me. We have been friends since elementary school. She knows my favorite color, my likes, my dislikes, and my secrets. She also knows that my previous boyfriend Nathaniel, or Nate for short, tried to kill me and ended up turning me into a vampire by accident. I lost my family, my friends, and my life. I did get one friend back though, but the only reason Casey is here now is because she is also a vampire. In an effort to lure me to my death, for a second time I might add, Nate kidnapped Casey. He used her as bait to trap me. Casey is like my sister and I wasn’t going to abandon her. After all, it was my fault. One mistake can cost you everything. One wrong decision can change your entire life. After that, all you can do is pick up the pieces… if there are any to pick up. Nate failed in his second attempt to kill me. I’m not surprised since he couldn’t kill me the first time. He and his so called ‘friends’ John and Tyler failed to kill me. I ripped Nate’s head from his body and burned his remains. I gave John the same treatment. Tyler, on the other hand, got away. The little coward. He ran like the wind once his associates were no more. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s somewhere sitting on a beach, too. My fist clenches. If I ever see him again, I won’t hesitate in snapping his neck so he can join his friends. We might have won the battle on that fateful night but we didn’t get away without some causality. Casey was injured and near death. She was turned into a vampire in an effort to save her life.

I breathe in deeply and exhale audibly. Nichole, I hear Casey say, although I’ve zoned out. The scent of blood invades my nostrils. We aren’t alone on this beach. There are lots of humans around. Tempting me…

A family not too far from where we are—a mother, father, their little girl, and their little boy— are all playing on the beach and building sand castles. For some reason, and I don’t know why, the boy is constantly staring our way. He looks as if he knows my secret. I smile at the boy and then let my fangs slowly creep downward. I wink. The boy gasps and turns toward his mother.

Nichole, Casey yells before she laughs. I retract my fangs and smile. Funny…

Mommy! Mommy! There’s a vampire over there! The boy’s mom looks back at us but we act as if we aren’t paying attention. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the mother shake her head.

No baby, it was your imagination. Vampires aren’t real. The boy tries to argue but this mother cuts him off. They continue building their sand castle.

Casey sighs and shakes her head. Nichole, why did you do that?

It was funny! I shrug. I lay flat on my towel. He was staring. Now he has something to really stare at.

Don’t you think it’s time to go home? We have been out here all summer. Casey crosses her arms and waits for me to answer. I am about to speak when Jade pipes in.

I think we can stay out here FOREVER! My friend Jade dramatically screams. She is spinning in the beach water with her arms open wide.

I smile at Casey. See, I gesture my hand towards Jade. Jade wants to stay. Casey shakes her head and her eyes roll.

Jade is my other best friend. I met her as soon as I woke up after transitioning into a vampire. She helped me adjust into my new vampire life. Jade is my ‘mother vampire’ so to speak. She also helped me take down Nate and his friends when the time came, and she also turned Casey. I was afraid that if I tried to turn Casey, I would lose control and kill her, so I begged Jade to do it. Thankfully, Casey wasn’t mad that she was turned. She’d rather be alive than dead. Even though being a vampire technically means we’re dead.

The difference between Casey and Jade and me is that I am a descendent of the Sadune bloodline, while they are descendants of the Altrune bloodline. Jade, Casey, and I did some research on vampires and surprisingly found some stuff on different vampire lines. Google is very helpful. The Altrunes are not as strong as the Sadunes, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t strong. They are also the most humane of the vampire lines. I honestly think that means that they don’t have as strong of a thirst for human blood as Sadunes. Or maybe that means they find themselves caring for humans more than any other bloodline. Which explains Jade. That doesn’t mean they aren’t vicious though. Anyone has the capability to be dangerous. Another bloodline calls themselves the Poltrunes. They are essentially the weakest bloodline in strength and in character, sometimes depending on stronger vampires for strength and protection. Apparently, you can tell the difference between vampires by their eyes or fangs. Sadune eyes change to black and red depending on aggression. As far as I know, all other vampire lines just turn black. The fangs, however, are all different. I have two pairs of fangs—a top set and a bottom set. My top pair is slightly longer than Altrune fangs and significantly longer than Poltrune fangs. It’s all a little overwhelming. Maybe some of the information we got off the web was incorrect; maybe we know nothing about who and what we are. A human could have published all those articles and let’s face it, humans don’t really believe vampires are real and the ones that do are just considered crazy.

First of all, Casey begins breaking me from my train of thought, Jade wants to stay because she is avoiding Richard after the breakup. Second of all, you want to stay because you’re avoiding Aiden and your feelings for him.

My phone beeps. I reach over into our beach bag to grab it. As I read the sender’s name I sigh. Aiden has sent me yet another text. It’s as if he knows we are talking about him.

Aiden: When are you coming home?

I don’t text back. I don’t always ignore his texts, but I don’t want to talk to him today. I will talk to him in person soon enough. I put my phone down and direct my attention towards Casey.

Ah, but you forget, I point my finger at Casey. I’m not just avoiding Aiden. I’m also avoiding everything that reminds me of home. Casey unfolds her arms and plops down on her towel beside me.

After Casey transitioned into a vampire, Jade and I stayed in Rosenburg, Colorado. It’s where Casey and I grew up. We stayed because Casey wanted to finish school, something I wasn’t able to do thanks to Nate, and to help Casey with her urges to feed. Jade didn’t like it, of course. She felt Casey needed to disappear from life like I had to, but Casey was determined. She went back home to her mom and gave her an excuse about why she was gone for so long. Her mom punished her, of course, but she was happy that Casey was home. Her mom probably thought she had gone missing like I had.

Nate is gone, John is gone, and Tyler is irrelevant. Nothing is keeping Casey from home. She’ll visit her mother and brothers from now on, but she won’t live there anymore now that she has graduated from High School. I’m a little envious because I wasn’t able to go home to my family. Nate was a threat at the time that I was turned and I couldn’t go home. I also don’t have anywhere close to the control of my urges like Casey does. The perks of being an Altrune, I guess. Since I have been away for so long, I’m not sure it is a good idea to return home. I should just let my family heal.

Staying in Rosenburg was the reason Jade and Richard, her human boyfriend, broke up. He wanted her to come home, and she needed to stay. He got mad and stupidly broke up with her over it, and she ignored any plea to get back together. She’s just pissed. The whole situation is really funny, but I know they will rekindle their relationship as soon as we return.

Me—on the other hand, I am avoiding Aiden. We have become really close friends through our constant text messaging relationship but I know he has feelings for me. He is using our friendship to get closer to me in order to create a romantic relationship. What he doesn’t know is that our ‘friendship’ is the only relationship I am willing to have. He has been texting me every day since we’ve been gone, and we’ve been gone since January. After Casey graduated, we left Rosenburg and went straight to Mexico. Let’s just say, I needed a vacation after everything I had been through. Jade and Casey needed one, too. We have been gone from Denver a full seven months. It is almost August.

Nichole, I start school in August. We have to go back…and you two can’t avoid the men in your lives forever. Jade, will you give Richard another chance? Casey questions. Jade runs at inhuman speeds out of the water and materializes in front of us, not caring a bit if anyone sees her.

Mommy look! Did you see that? She was in the water and then she’s over there! The boy stands up this time and starts pointing. His mother’s face flushes red with embarrassment. She takes the boy by the hand, quite forcefully, and drags him off to play in the water. Jade and the boy make eye contact and he quickly turns away from her.

Maybe…maybe not, Jade states, turning her attention to us. Her long black hair is dripping with water. Reaching up, she squeezes it out.

Jade. Casey groans exasperated.

Jade smiles. Ok, I might. He has been texting me every day, about a trillion times a day. She is exaggerating of course but as if on cue, her phone beeps. Jade grabs her phone. Look this is him now. She shows us the message. The text reads ‘baby forgive me.’ Jade has been getting a lot of those texts lately, along with ‘take me back please’ and ‘I was stupid to let you go.’

Jade just take the man back already, I say. She glances down at me with a smirk. She’s so going to take him back.

I will as soon as we get home, Jade replies. I groan. So we are going home. Oh, don’t groan, Nichole! You know you want to see Aiden! Casey giggles and I frown. Do I want to see Aiden? …And Case, we can find you a man if you want.

Casey looks wide-eyed at Jade and I laugh. No, no man for me. You know how I feel about men. You can’t trust them, Casey tells Jade, any of them. Jade rolls her eyes and we all lay back on our towels.

It is quiet for a few minutes. We all just relax. I can hear their steady breaths along with the soothing ocean. I know we will be leaving tomorrow. There is just this feeling that this is our last day here. Our last day in paradise… We will go back to Denver, Colorado. Back to our lives, back to our futures. We have run away from our past for far too long. It is time to go home.

I sit up, and take off my sunglasses. I glance at Jade then Casey and brace myself for a run.

Last one in the water is a rotten egg, I say, as I bolt at a normal human speed. I can hear their giggles as I reach the cool water first. Jade tackles me and we both fall into the water, arms flailing. Casey starts splashing us, so Jade and I jump Casey, knocking her in the water.

We play in the water like a bunch of little children. We have no worries and no cares. All three of us stay at the beach until the sun goes down. The future is uncertain, but at the end of the day we have each other. That will never change.

CHAPTER 2

I close my eyes and listen to the rhythm of a frantic heart. It sounds strangely like drums. The sound gets louder as I focus on it. It increases in rhythm. I open my eyes and begin to feel an undeniable pull. Everything ceases to exist but that sound. A force beckons me towards the origin of that sound, that beating heart. Then there’s the smell. It’s warm and mouthwatering, like the memory of mom’s home cooked meals during the holiday. I get the feeling as if I’m starving just because of the smell. Short, slow, and shallow breaths are taken as if trying to be deadly silent but I hear everything. I hear the crunch of gravel due to slight movement, the scrape of dry skin against metal, but most importantly the beating heart. It is as clear as day. I take confidant steps towards the man. There is nowhere to hide.

Come out, come out, where ever you are, I say in a singsong voice. His heartbeat quickens at the sound. I cock my head to the side and smile, enjoying myself. A laugh nearly breaches my lips.

I can hear him moving slowly, quietly, bracing for a run. His heart is like a countdown telling me when he will try to escape. I continue walking down the dark alley. My hands twitch at my sides and my tongue darts out tasting the blood of his friends.

He hides beside a large blue dumpster located a few steps down. As if on cue, the man takes off running. He doesn’t even look back at me.

I narrow my eyes. Where do you think you are going?

In an instant, I’m standing directly in front of him. Startled, he stumbles backwards and falls. His right hand smashes against the concrete scraping his skin. I smell his blood instantly. He’s breathing hard now, his eyes wide. Holding up the injured hand he begins scooting backwards trying to get away. I stare at him.

Please, he begs. I continue to stare.

I take a step forward. Please what, I respond, my voice devoid of emotion.

Please don’t hurt me. What did I ever do to you?

It isn’t what he did to me that caused him to end up in this situation. He’s a monster just like me but in his own way. I just happened upon him and all his little friends and decided that I wanted to stop for a drink. Begging isn’t going to help.

I lean down, grab him by his shirt, and lift him off the ground in an instant. He struggles against my grasp. One hand goes around his neck while the other restrains his hands.

Begging gets you nowhere, I say. I’m sure your victims begged, didn’t they? I open my mouth and my fangs slowing grow down giving him a full show. The man’s eyes bulge. His body jerks as he tries to break free of my grasp. The hand I have around his neck tightens. I bring my mouth by his right ear. I asked you a question.

Fuck you, he answers as he struggles in vain against my hold.

I stare blankly into the man’s eyes. He stares back, more frightened than ever at the empty look I’m sure I have. He starts breathing fast again and his heart doubles in speed.

Please! Please don’t hurt me, he cries.

I tilt my head to the side feeling a sort of emptiness inside myself. Like I’m no longer me. Why shouldn’t I, I mutter with no feeling at all. I sink my fangs into his throat.

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Nichole. Someone is calling my name. Nichole, wake up!

My eyes fly open and find Casey sitting on the couch. There is a book in her hand and she’s fiddling with the rips in her blue jean shorts. With a guilty look she smiles at me knowing she interrupted my nap. I glance quickly at our surroundings and I close my eyes.

Jade, Casey, and I moved into our new condo as soon as we returned to Denver. Since there are three of us now, the old Condo didn’t have enough space. More people, more space.

I heave myself into a sitting position and glare at Casey, my frown meeting her smile. The book in her lap is an English book. She is starting school in a few weeks and she declared that her major is English. As to why she chose English, I have no clue. I don’t even understand why she’s trying to get a head start on studying. A vampire attending college… I wonder if I’m the only one that thinks this is strange?

Does the news bore you, Casey asks as she flicks a tiny speck of dust off her crisp white t-shirt. So that’s why I fell asleep. Casey has chosen to watch the news, which to me is the most boring thing ever.

I guess it does Case. The question is why doesn’t it bore you? I lean back against the arm of the couch.

Casey shrugs. I find it interesting and if all three of us will live forever, one of us should know what’s going on in the world.

I shake my head. If we’re all going to live forever, why would it matter what’s going on in the world? We are just going to pass time anyway. Casey reaches for the TV remote and turns the volume up, as if she needs it to hear. She’s just doing it to annoy me.

Known drug dealer and trafficker Rick Baker was found dead this morning along with several others who we believe to be involved with Baker. Authorities received a call from a woman stating that she found a decapitated body near the dumpster while taking out her trash. When authorities arrived on the scene, they found Baker’s body. The others were found in a house Baker has been residing in. While his killer is still unknown, the women of Denver, Colorado are now safer in his absence.

The news goes on and on about the guy. It is big news but I have no interest in it. I get off the couch and head to my room.

I’m going to take a bath.

Casey’s eyes never leave the TV screen. Okay. Jade said she’d be back soon, Casey mutters in a monotone voice.

I walk to my room and shut the door. I wonder where Jade went. Could she have gone to see Richard… is Aiden with them? We have been back home for a week but we haven’t talked to guys or even announced our return. We wanted time to get settled in our new home before merging our lives with humans once again. Moving in our new place didn’t take long for us. We got everything moved in, unpacked, and set up all in one day. We didn’t even break a sweat.

I take a deep breath as I walk into my bathroom. Maybe Jade went on a date with Richard and they finally decided that not being together is torture for everyone. Aiden has even texted me about how Richard is becoming a depressed hermit and getting on his nerves. We are all tired of their so-called ‘break up.’

I start to run water into the tub when my phone pings. I pull the device out of my back pocket and see a message from Aiden.

Aiden: So when were you going to tell me you were back? I can’t wait to see you! It’s been what… a whole year?

I lean back against the vanity, smile, and decide to respond to his dramatic text.

Nichole: Well, it’s been only 7 months. Also, I was getting settled in. Give me time to tell you all my business.

Aiden: ONLY 7 months? You make it sound like it’s been only a week or two days. I missed you. It’s been forever.

I smile down at my phone. He misses me! I pucker my lips. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing since I am a vampire and he’s a human. How can we have anything more than a temporary friendship? My smile fades and I huff. I can’t decide whether to say I missed him back or to just ignore his text altogether. I decide to do the latter. There’s no point in leading him on by saying I missed him too. Even though I do kind of miss him. He’ll have to accept nothing. I close my eyes and I’m transported back to our first kiss and how his lips felt against mine. I lift my fingers and touch my lips softly before dropping my hand completely. Crazy…

I place my phone down on the counter, strip out of my clothes, and get into the bath water. It feels nice to soak in hot water. It is like soothing away my troubles. I close my eyes and think no more of my past, my present, my future or even Aiden. Well, maybe Aiden…

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I sink my teeth into flesh-feeling warmth of skin against my lips and the flow of blood as I open a dam. I moan in pleasure as I drain… I jolt awake and blink away the remnants of a dream… or was it a memory? Water sloshes over the rim of the tub. My phone vibrates making me realize it was the cause of disturbance in my sleep much like Casey. I sit up alert.

In the distance I hear the sizzling of hot food. The aroma is everywhere and although it smells good, human food is a nightmare. What is going on? I reach for my phone and glance at all the missed calls from well…everyone. Jade has called me twice. I also have a missed call from Richard and two missed calls from Aiden. I lean my head back against the tub. Something is going on. I look down, back at my phone, and read the missed text messages.

Jade: Don’t be mad at me.

Aiden: It’s okay to say you missed me too.

Jade: I have something to warn you about. Don’t get mad. Well, I have two things to warn you about.

Aiden: Are you ignoring me? You know we should get together soon and hang out.

Richard: Can’t wait to see you again. We have some catching up to do. Can you put in a good word for me with Jade?

Aiden: Are you going to text me back?

Aiden: Nichole text me back.

Casey: I had nothing to do with it…just to let you know. BTW I’m in my room if you need to talk. Just a whisper away lol… Because you know…we can hear everything.

Richard: I will take your silence as a yes! Thanks!

Aiden: You know what…never mind. I’ll see you tonight.

Out of all my text, the last one catches me off guard. He will see me tonight? I am about to get out of the tub when Jade busts through my bathroom door. She has a smile on her face but I can tell it is a tool to keep the mood light. Whatever she has to say, I am sure I won’t like it.

Thanks for barging in. It’s not like I’m naked or anything. Sarcasm laces my tone and I frown.

Jade shrugs it off. Oh please, Nichole, I’ve seen you naked. We have the same parts in the same places. There is nothing to be shy about, Jade responds with her hands on her hips.

I frown. I’m not shy. It’s called privacy. Now, could you hand me a towel? Jade grabs my towel off the rack and hands it to me. I stand up and wrap the towel around my body before stepping out of the tub. What do you have to tell me Jade? I turn my back to her and begin to dry off.

Well, I’ll start with the worse news first. She takes a deep breath. So, Aiden has a girlfriend. He’s with Sarah. I turn my head over my shoulder and cock an eyebrow as if I’m unbothered.

So, Aiden is back with the blonde Barbie. What did I expect? I have been gone long. Of course, he’s moved on. I did tell him that I only wanted to be friends. So why should I even care? Although, He didn’t seem to mention a girlfriend in his messages when I was gone. Don’t ‘friends’ mention things like that?

As a vampire I either feel or don’t feel and when I feel something it’s hard to feel anything else. There is no in-between and right now I’m feeling… anger, lots of it. That’s not good for me. Instead of lashing out and giving into deranged emotions, I just shrug like it means nothing. Be good, Nichole.

So? Why should I care? Good for Aiden. Great for me. I turn my head away from her. Maybe he’ll stop bothering me now…

Nichole… Jade states sounding frustrated with me. She knows how I feel about Aiden.

Jade… I reply equally irritated

Casey… Casey has materialized in the bathroom and joins the conversation by adding her name in the mix. We all laugh. I guess she is feeling left out. We all know that Nichole has feelings for Aiden, even if she denies it.

I turn and glare at both of them. It doesn’t matter how I feel or felt. I’m sorry to have to remind you about this but we are vampires and they are humans. I much rather feed on them than entertain them like Jade. Casey laughs and Jade frowns.

That’s so not true, Nichole, Casey states. She pauses in thought. "Well maybe it’s partially true. I feel that way sometimes but that’s beside the point. Jade dates a human. It’s not that bad. Or she dated one. What is the status of your relationship, Jade?" Casey asks without hiding her amusement.

Wait a minute, I interject, remembering that Jade had some other news. What else do you have to tell me, Jade? Because Aiden said he will see me tonight and I made no such plans.

Jade’s smile returns to her face. This isn’t good. See that’s the less terrible news. Don’t you smell the food? I’m having a dinner party again! Yay? Casey claps her hands and they both wait for my response. They are truly perfect for each other with similar personalities and all. That’s probably the reason I am a friend to both of them. It’s easy to see why we stay so hidden under the radar. It would have never crossed my mind that Jade and Casey are vampires, let alone dangerous. They are too girly. For some reason being a vampire hasn’t changed them but it sure has changed me. I don’t feel girly anymore… I feel dangerous. It’s probably one of the perks of being a Sadune.

You’re what, I shout. If she would just stop bringing these people around… And how is that less terrible news? Why are you having a dinner party, Jade? Why couldn’t you and Richard just go on a date or something? Why do we have to be involved?

I stomp into my room followed by my two best friends. I start to look through my closet for something to wear. What to wear to make a man suffer? Maybe I should just kill them both. Sink my fangs into their flesh and drain them dry… That would make me happy. Then I wouldn’t have to care about Aiden or anything he does.

Well, I thought that by having a dinner, both you and I could work things out with Aiden and Richard. It just so happens that after I invited both, I find out that Aiden has a girlfriend and he’s bringing her. I grimace and continue to look through my closet, trying to distract myself.

Let me dress you, Casey says. Why not? I let Casey rummage through my things as I take a seat on my bed. She is going to try to make me look desirable, no doubt. It is her way of telling Aiden that he missed out, but what did he really miss out on? A girl that is a vampire? A girl that rejected him numerous times? A girl that told him she just wanted to be friends? He really isn’t missing out on anything. He is actually lucky.

Casey dresses me in red velvet mini dress with spaghetti straps. I pair the outfit with some red heels. Jade has retired to the kitchen to finish tonight’s dinner and to get dressed. Once Casey is done with me, she leaves to go get dressed herself. I’m not forcing human food down my throat. It’s the most disgusting thing in the world.

I go into my bathroom, straighten my hair, and apply a nude lipstick. I glance at myself in my bathroom mirror, happy with the finished product. Unwelcome thoughts of Aiden and Sarah suddenly invade my mind. I keep thinking about him kissing her, her kissing him, them going on dates, spending time with each other, and them sleeping together. My eyes turn black before me, making me look scary. I close my eyes trying to expel the thoughts from my mind. Why am I thinking about him or her? They don’t matter, Nichole! I clench my fists. Why can’t I have Aiden? I’m a vampire for goodness sake! I can do whatever I want! The doorbell rings before I can even analyze my own thoughts. I take a deep breath and start to walk towards