Luxuria

By Nicci Sefton

Vampires and mortals, love and lust; these things usually don’t make good combinations. Though, in Luxuria, they all come together to make one enthralling and captivating story. Nicci Sefton creates a world between the living and the undead from which a love story unravels. Because Nicci was 17 when she wrote this literary work, she was better able to relate to her characters and draws from her own experiences to make the story more lifelike.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Total Publishing
• Release date: Mar 30, 2009
• ISBN: 9780881440454

Nicci Sefton

Tulsa author Nicci Sefton creates a world between the living and the undead from which a love story unravels 2008 Nicci won her first national writing contest by describing her wow first kiss with boyfriend. Since then she hasn't looked back. A 2008 graduate of Tulsa Union Public Schools, Sefton now has two novels under her belt, Luxuria and Invidia. These are coming of age tales written in the vampire genre. Sefton connected with her publisher, Total Publishing and Media, through a booth at the Tulsa State Fair several years ago. Her book Series is called "The Deadly Sin Series"

Book preview

CHAPTER 1:

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A typical day is when all you really had to worry about was getting jumped after school, getting hit by a car, or even failing a test.

A typical day at Madison Prep High School would never exist if your name was Derrick Clark. Typical days ended the moment his guardians transferred him from Hoover High. He wasn’t as nervous as he would’ve been if it was a new town and he knew no one. He’d still be able to see all his friends and do the same things, just have to deal with star jocks and cheerleaders whose parents were more upscale than God almost. Most of the town was like that.

But of course, Derrick lived on the wrong side of the tracks. Downtown where he lived was more of the rougher part, with the one gang lurking in its shadows. It had one nice hotel with a ballroom that was used for prom and any other parties you could think of.

Derrick stared up at the three story white brick building, sighing. He looked up at the sky, which was filled with dark graffiti like clouds, so thick the sun couldn’t penetrate.

Three girls walked by him towards the entrance giggling at his bemused expression. The blonde turned to look at him and smiled, showing him brilliant white teeth. He was surprised by her beauty and was even more taken aback when her friend, with chin length black hair that was spiked in the back, turned and he saw she was beautiful too.

Well, here goes. He walked up the stairs toward the front door where students were spilling in and out. Lockers ran up and down the hallways, no graffiti, and all of them seemed to be intact, which reminded him nothing of his old school.

Derrick? He turned. A boy with a muscular physique ran up to him, beaming. Derrick, dude, I can’t believe you’re here. What’s up? Is something wrong? he asked, slapping Derrick on the back. Derrick tried to catch his breath after that blow, then smiled at his long time friend, Chance Howard, who’d changed schools there half a year ago.

Nah, the Stouts sent me here. Apparently I fit Madison quality. he said, laughing.

Chance raised an eyebrow. You? You don’t even play a sport, much less, understand them. Derrick frowned. Madison High was more notable for its athletic department and not so much their creativity.

"You don’t have to just play a sport to get into this hell hole. Apparently my writing caught the poetry and drama teachers’ attentions."

Ah, Miss Applebomb and Mr. Thomas. What hour?

Uh, Derrick pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. 5th, then 6th. A smug smile spread across Chance’s face. What?

Chance shook his head, leading Derrick to their homeroom. Nothing. You’ll find out. Man, I wish I were you right now. When Derrick kept asking what was up as they sat down in the back of the classroom, Chance just said, Look, you’ll actually probably find out at lunch, but until then just focus on class. I hear this guy’s really hard. He gestured toward the front where a man was scribbling down a book list.

The rest of the day was pretty much the same. They listened to the teachers go over the rules and passing requirements for the new school year, the occasional note taking for supplies, the talk about block scheduling (though no one seemed to explain that part very well). Only a couple of school jokesters got yelled at. But what really caught Derrick’s attention was the whispering among the girls that became more excited as the day went on. The girl who sat next to him in science was talking excitedly to the girl sitting directly in front of him.

Did you see what Annabell was wearing? said the girl with long red hair next to Derrick.

I know, she always has the best clothes. Last year they seemed old though, like the 20’s or 40’s sometimes. I wonder what style she’s going with this year?

That’s what I noticed, maybe they’re imported from some old French store.

What about Lucy’s new haircut? said a blonde girl who sat next to the redhead’s friend.

Very Keira Knightly, said the girl in front of Derrick.

No way, Sarah, it’s a little longer than that... said the redhead.

And Precious? Sarah asked.

"I heard she declined head cheerleader again." The blonde said, her voice lowering to make it sound more classified.

There’s no surprise there. She’s the peppiest person in school, but then again she’s sort of a snob at times and even though she’s a size 2 she’s so strong. I would kill to be head cheerleader and she thumbs her nose at it

Clare, Andrea, Sarah, do you have something to share? the teacher said, eyeing them suspiciously.

No, Sir, the girls said at the same time.

Well, seeing as though you’re done, I can finish with the lecture, he said, turning around back at the board. Now, I’m sure you all are aware on how block scheduling is so— Again with the block schedule. What did that mean?

Oh yeah, we wouldn’t want to miss that, the blonde whispered just loud enough for the redhead to hear.

Sarah nudged her, both she and the redhead laughing. Clare, you’re so mean.

Clare shrugged and looked over at Derrick, watching them. She smiled and leaned back toward him. Hi, I’m Clare Hudson, she said, holding out her hand. Derrick took it, giving her the obvious classifications. This is Andrea, she gestured toward the redhead, now taking notes. And that’s Sarah. Let us know if you need anything. She winked and sat up straight again.

Derrick smirked to himself. He was going to like it here.

At lunch he found Chance sitting with a few jocks, Chance looked up and waved him over. Once Derrick was seated, Chance looked around the lunchroom, then back at Derrick.

So how’s your first day of school? Chance teased, acting like a mother talking to her 5-year-old son.

Well, I got some girl to wink at me, Derrick said looking smug.

Chance laughed. Who was it?

Err, Clare—

Hudson. Chance and his friends finished. They laughed. She’s a flirt but pretty cool.

I figured that much out. But, what exactly is this block schedule?

No one’s told you? Chance asked curiously.

No, Derrick said. ‘Don’t sound so shocked, Chance. No one ever talks to the new kid unless you’re a social freak, I guess.’

Oh, well, it’s where we have half of our classes one day and the rest the next, except for homeroom or some school program like football; we have that everyday.

And how do they split them? Derrick said, getting out his schedule as though that might tell him.

Chance looked at it, too. It goes evens then odds. Odds are tomorrow and so on and so forth.

Oh... Derrick said, relieved he’d asked.

A boy with a bowl cut hair cut came over to Chance and whispered something in his ear. Chance straightened up and nudged the guy next to him who copied him. Derrick looked around and saw that almost everyone was doing the same. He leaned over toward Chance. What’s going on?

Crystals!

Crystal? I thought you had a girlfriend.

"Not Crystal, ya idiot, The Crystals!"

Derrick raised an eyebrow at him but Chance just shook his head and nodded toward the door. He turned.

The doors seemed to open of their own accord and two girls stepped through, stopping on the threshold, and scanned the room for an empty table.

The room went dead silent. Derrick felt his jaw drop. They were the two girls from that morning he’d seen laughing at him. He felt Chance lean toward him.

The little blonde one is Precious, he said gesturing to a very pale girl whose blonde hair with white streaks was pulled back into a pony-tail. She wore a long, split neck shirt with heart-shaped buttons and short sleeves, which hugged her figure very nicely, and a long denim skirt with front and back pleats. She had sparkling white teeth and gray eyes that were full of joy you only find in a kid at Disneyland.

And the other is Lucille, or Lucy. The girl he was referring to was like Precious, also very pale. In some ways she looked scary, but elegant at the same time. She was tall, maybe 5’9 and lean but still graceful, and wore a black and white plaid dress with a white collared halter-top with a necktie. Their pale white skin was practically shining in the fluorescent lighting.

The one called Lucy glanced at Derrick and he looked quickly back at Chance. So those are the girls Clare was talking about, he said. Chance nodded, not taking his eyes off them. But then where’s—

Chance hit him and turned him sharply back around. This time Derrick’s jaw really did drop. Another girl had joined Precious and Lucy and she was beyond words. A few guys whistled and Derrick was tempted to join in. The girl was maybe 5’7, though she was wearing high heels. She had olive skin that had a sort of glow to it, like a spotlight was on her. She wore a white satin button front vest and a black mini skirt with a white ring on the side and pleats all around. Her hair was in curls and in a high ponytail that fell between her shoulder blades. Her eyes were also gray, but more business like. She looked oddly familiar.

The three girls walked, no, glided over to a table furthest from the window. When they sat down people started to return to their conversations. Lucy and the new girl sat staring off into space, while Precious examined her nails, all of them uninterested in the world around them, that seemed to be very interested in them.

And that’s Annabel, Chance said, grinning like a fool at her.

Who are they? Derrick said, still watching them.

Sisters.

Derrick looked at him in disbelief then back at the girls. None of the girls looked even remotely related. You’re not serious.

Very, Chance said smiling. Their dad married three times. His first wife had Precious then when the second and third came along, they had already had Lucy and Annabell. So he adopted them.

Well what happened to the moms?

Precious’s mom died giving birth, Annabell’s mom died in a car accident, and Lucy’s ran off with some dude.

Wow, talk about drama, Derrick said.

Yeah, but Annabell and Lucy are both 19 and Precious is 18, and they’re stuck like glue. Perfect in every way, well almost, but very secure.

Derrick turned back toward him. Almost?

Well, a rumor went around last year that they were... inhuman. Chance rolled his eyes. Some girl whose boyfriend fell in love with Lucy and left the girl for her. She was furious. But see, Lucy didn’t like him. She’s sort of nonsocial when it comes to dating. So the guy’s love turned to obsession and he stalked her. Soon Annie—

Annie?

Annabell stepped in. It was bad. She’s very protective of her sisters. Even though she could get any guy, including teachers, she’s never been on a date or even hooked up. Something about some old boyfriend.

So how are they ‘inhuman’?

Well, that girl, the one that got dumped, got bitter and practically obsessed with them too. She was a little nerd. She comes back Monday and announces they’re vampires.

Derrick burst out laughing. Vampires?

That’s what I said. She throws evidence around about how they never go outside. But you know how much sun we get here, he said sarcastically with a hint of a smile. She also pointed out that they’re paler than snow, except Annie of course, but she still shines. They’re filthy rich and their father only shows up once every other month. He looks twenty years younger than he is and he is pale too. His eyes are sort of... reddish at times.

He could have had a long night, said Derrick.

"Exactly, But every time he does come in they have this huge party but its invitation only and no one gets an invite. The girl got frantic when the boy went missing and soon lost her credibility. One time she cut her hand at lunch and waved the wound in front of Precious, flinging blood everywhere. It wasn’t like gushing but it left a nasty stain on Precious’s white outfit. Precious was pissed and tried to attack her, girl thing I guess, and Annie and Lucy both had to hold her back.

Eventually they pulled her to the bathroom to clean up. It was really freaky. They didn’t come back to school for a few days.

Derrick looked back at the girls. What happened to the girl?

Don’t know. Clare might though, they were friends.

But why, after all that, do people... well... he motioned toward the babbling girls now inching toward the Crystals, trying to get the nerve to go talk to them.

Chance laughed, looking down at his folded arms, clearly guilty. What can I say? They’re like the Queen Bees. They can do no wrong and they please the crowd by feeding their hunger to worship someone. They go to school dances alone, attend school games, go to parties, the usual stuff, but I will admit they are... inhuman in some way. But surely not vampires.

More like good genes, Derrick said.

Annabell looked up at him then, like he’d said her name, and they locked eyes. Something like electricity shot through him. All that existed was her. This goddess. A voice was whispering in his ear, ordering him to stand and go to her but he couldn’t move. It was like a part of his mind was retaliating against the voice.

Lucy looked up at Annabell, then back at Derrick and nudged her, whispering something to her. She blinked and looked away swiftly. Derrick blinked. He realized he was holding his breath and let it out. He shook his head, looking down at his lunch trying to get the voice out of his head, then looked back up at the table but the girls were gone. He looked around the cafeteria.

They weren’t anywhere in sight.

When Derrick walked into the poetry room, two things stood out. One was the equal amount of boys to girls, which eased his nerves. And second, he noticed the lack of desks and chairs.

Instead there were low to the ground tables with two cushions at each. They were arranged in a circle where the teacher, Miss Applebomb stood, beaming at his surprised expression.

Welcome, Mr... she had a Southern accent that seemed strange, seeing as how far north they were.

Derrick Clark.

Oh, yes. Mr. Clark. She looked at her clipboard. You will be paired with Miss Crystal. She gestured toward a table where Annabell Crystal was sitting. When Annabell heard this, her head shot up.

He could feel her eyes on him when he sat down. He glanced at her quickly before looking at the teacher with shock.

Annabell was his partner. Annabell was a poet. Annabell, the goddess that everyone drooled over, would be working with him, probably inspiring what he thought would be the best poems he’d ever written.

When the bell rang, the teacher ordered for them to file outside and stay with their ‘inspirational’ partner.

But it’s going to rain, Sarah said, looking shocked.

Honey if you let a little rain stop your life, then that just ain’t livin’, Miss Applebomb said, smiling.

They filed out with spiral notebooks, pencils, and a blanket. Derrick carried the notebooks while Annabell carried the blanket. Annabell slowed her ‘glide’ so he could keep pace but never looked at him. Actually she looked a little frustrated.

OK, guys, now I want you to spread out with your partner and construct a poem about any inspiration that comes to you. We’ll be out here for a few days so there’s no rush.

This is so ridiculous, Sarah griped, walking down the steps to the courtyard. Don’t you think so, Annabell?

Annabell didn’t answer. She just rolled her eyes and headed off toward the front of the courtyard, leaving a hurt Sarah behind. Derrick stood there a moment then followed. When she stopped she spread out the blanket under a tall oak tree.

Each movement was so perfect, like water in a stream. Her gray eyes seemed out of focus, like they were looking beyond what she was seeing as she sat.

Hello? she said, holding out her hand for a spiral.

Oh! Sorry. He handed her spiral to her, which she took swiftly.

He stood there watching this... vision of life scribble something down.

Excuse me, but I’d really appreciate if you didn’t stare at me like a drooling monkey, she said, not looking up.

What? Oh, I’m so sorry, I just—

Always stare at girls in a mini skirt, she finished for him.

Derrick sat cross-legged next to her. No, not really. Annabell raised her eyebrows in disbelief, still not looking at him. She was on the very edge of the blanket with her legs curled away from him. So what are you writing your poem about? he asked, trying to start a conversation

I’m not, yet, at least, Annabell said. She tore off the sheet of paper and laid it beside her.

May I? he asked, motioning toward it.

She looked up briefly at him then at the paper then shrugged. He took it.

It was a drawing. A beautiful one at that. It was of a butterfly flying off into the night with a crescent moon behind it. Derrick looked up at Annabell who was watching him through her eyelashes.

This is beautiful, Derrick said.

Annabell looked back at the new sheet of paper. Thank you.

You usually draw stuff like this? he said, handing it back.

She glanced at it then looked away, not taking it. Sometimes.

Don’t ya wanna color this or something? Derrick asked still trying to hand it to her.

Annabell shrugged and glanced at him again. Aren’t you going to write something?

Derrick smirked and lay back with his arms behind his back neck on head. Nah, I have so many poems at home I can just bring a stack and say I wrote them now.

Not many guys would admit to that, Annabell said, scribbling something on her paper again.

Derrick smirked again. I’m not most guys. But yeah, I know what you mean. Annabell scowled at that. He opened one eye to look at her. Her eyes were darker, more furious. Derrick sighed and leaned back again. He was starting to get a headache for some odd reason. Maybe it was just the weather or the hard ground.

So, Annabell said, still not looking up. What part of the South are you from?

Derrick looked up. What?

Your accent.

Oh, ya, Derrick said giving her a crooked smile. He always forgot he had an accent. I use to live with my parents and older brother in Alabama. His smile faded. Hardly anyone noticed his accent anymore unless he was extremely tired.

Sweet home Alabama, Annabell said with a hint of sarcasm.

So do you—

Shush. Don’t talk to me, she hissed, scooting away from him.

Derrick looked at her weirdly. That was... random.

They sat in silence for about thirty minutes. Annabell never looked up, she just sat there, on the other side of the blanket, and wrote.

When the bell rang, she stood up, mumbling something to herself that Derrick couldn’t hear, and was inside before Derrick even stood up. He blinked in surprise. How could she be so fast in those heels?

When he handed the blanket back to Miss Applebomb she smiled and looked over his shoulder.

"Where’s Miss