Kiera Hudson & The Lethal Infected (6 page)

Chapter Ten

I picked up the glass bottle. A cork had been wedged into the neck. Holding the bottle up, I watched the thick, red liquid slosh against the sides of the bottle. It was a lighter colour than blood, but thicker. I pulled out the cork and held the bottle up to my nose. I sniffed the contents. It smelt sickly sweet just as I remembered it to be. But there was a difference. To smell it didn’t make my stomach lurch with hunger. And as I replaced the cork, I realised for the first time since being
pushed
again, that I no longer craved blood like I had once before. But my past lust for blood had been because of the cracks breaking out all over my flesh. That flesh had been dead and it had needed blood or Lot 13 to keep it supple – to give it some kind of life.

But what about my friends?
I thought, placing the bottle back onto the desk where it had been left for me. Did they still need to drink Lot 13 in this
where
and
when
? Did they still have the hunger? I knew that all of them used to go half-crazy if they didn’t drink Lot 13 regularly. Doctor Ravenwood and Lord Hunt had invented it for the Vampyrus to drink. Not only so the Vampyrus could stay above ground for longer periods of time, but to quench their thirst for human blood. But neither Potter nor Murphy seemed to desire human blood like they had once before, and they couldn’t return to The Hollows, even if they wanted to, as Murphy at least was totally unaware that the place even existed. Perhaps it didn’t in this world. But why then had someone left me a bottle of Lot 13? I certainly hadn’t felt the thirst for it, or for blood, since being
pushed
again.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out.

Wot time are you coming over?
Nev xx
the message read.

“Shit!” I gasped, looking at the time. It had gone 6.30 p.m. already. I had spent longer shopping than I had first thought.

Soon. KH xx
I hurriedly text back.

Forgetting the bottle of Lot 13 for now, I ran toward the bathroom, pulling my clothes off as I went. Scooping my hair up into a loose-fitting bun at the base of my neck, I ran a bath. As it filled steadily with water, I returned to my room and took the new dress, underwear, and shawl I had bought and laid them out across my unmade bed. Would Nev think I was as pretty as the woman in the shop had thought? Did it matter even if he didn’t? I wondered, returning to the bathroom and sinking down into the tub. Hadn’t I bought the dress to simply feel better about myself and not for anyone else?

Within five minutes, I was springing from the bath and towelling myself dry. With the towel fluttering away from me like wings, I put on the new clothes I had bought. Smoothing the dress down with the flats of my hands, I returned to the bathroom and fixed my hair. I unknotted the bun and let my thick, black hair cascade over my shoulders and back. Then taking the bottle of perfume I had bought earlier, I sprayed some on each side of my neck and on each wrist.

I looked back at my reflection. “Good?” I asked it.

In my mind’s eye I saw the creature coming forward inside of me. Her long hair was flowing blue and black, skin so pale it looked like ice, lips the colour of blood, eyes blazing like bright pools of fire. With wings shimmering about her, she smiled and said, “Better?”

I looked away, heading back into my room. Slipping on the heels I had arrived in and the shawl about my bare shoulders, I placed my phone inside my purse and went to the door. With it open, I looked back at the bottle of Lot 13 on the desk. Not knowing who had left it for me and why, I stepped out onto the landing, closing the door shut tight behind me.

“Going anywhere nice?” the temporary innkeeper called after me as I fled across the dining area toward the door.

“Catch you later!” I said with a wave of my hand and without looking back. What did it have to do with him where I was going? He really was Phebe’s stand-in.

Teetering on my heels, I made my away across the small parking area. Climbing inside, I kicked them off, stuffing them under my seat. They had started to hurt already. I hated heels! With the engine of my scratched and battered Mini making a series of farting noises, I headed out of the car park toward the cottage where Nev lived. Pressing down on the accelerator with my bare foot, I took the tight bends and curves in the narrow roads. The sun was just dipping on the horizon. It cast a pink blaze across the sky, like someone had knocked over a giant bottle of Lot 13. I pushed thoughts of that to the back of my mind. I would have to figure out who had left that in my room and why, later. I didn’t want anything to spoil tonight. It was my birthday and I wanted to enjoy it.

I took the turning Nev had directed me down the previous day. As I headed down the road with the waist-high stone walls on each side, I could see Nev waiting by the cottage gate. I suddenly felt nervous and I couldn’t explain why. Was this what a first date felt like? I wouldn’t know. I couldn’t ever remember officially going on a first date. Besides, this wasn’t a first date – it was the start of a friendship –
acquaintance
. However much I tried not to be in this world, I was in love with someone else. And even if I wasn’t, it would be too risky for Nev to become too close to me and my friends.

I drew my car to a stop. I could see that Nev had obviously gone back into town at some point and retrieved his bike. It was chained to the front gate. I couldn’t help but smile to myself at the sight of the wicker basket fixed to the front of it. The bike looked like something an old lady might ride. But then again hadn’t Nev told me that the bike belonged to Mavis Bateman, the widow who he lived with? Even if the bike looked a little old and cranky, Nev certainly didn’t. He stepped away from the gate with a broad smile on his face and came around the front of the car. His dark hair still looked skewwhiff, but he had trimmed the stubble that covered his chin into a dark shadow. He wore a smart black shirt, jeans, and jacket. He did look good dressed all in black.

With his blue eyes gleaming, he climbed into the car next to me. “Hey, Kiera,” he smiled. Then looking me up and down as if seeing me for the first time, his eyes grew brighter and wider still. “Wow, Kiera, you look stunning!”

“Thanks, Nev. You looking pretty good yourself,” I grinned, steering the car back down the road and toward the Ragged Cove.

Chapter Eleven

The town was quieter now as night drew in. But it was still warm and some tourists still wandered the cobble streets enjoying the warm evening, even though most of the cafes, ice-cream stands, and gift shops had closed for the day. The salty scent of the sea wafted on the breeze that blew through the open windows of my car. I stole a glance sideways and watched how the wind blew Nev’s messy hair back from his brow and the sides of his face to reveal his profile. He was handsome, but not in a rugged way, like Potter. I don’t know if Potter could even be described as handsome – I found his attractiveness unexplainable. But whatever Potter had going for him, it had gripped my heart and wouldn’t let go. Nev was simply handsome and dressed the way he was, with that smattering of stubble and clear blue eyes. I guessed he was what Potter would call eye candy – but for females.

“This is the place,” Nev said, pointing to a building that was set back from the road on a thumb of rock that jutted out into the sea.

I could see at once that it had once been a working lighthouse that had now been converted into a restaurant. Parking my car, I reached beneath my seat, retrieved my shoes, and slipped them back on. Pulling the shawl about my shoulders, I climbed out.

“And I thought you looked hot in jeans and a sweater,” Nev said, looking agog as I came around the front of the car toward him. I felt his eyes roam over me.

This sudden attention from another man felt a little disconcerting, but it also felt nice too, and I couldn’t help but suddenly wonder what Potter and Sophie were doing right now. Rowing like usual, I hoped.

“Put your tongue away,” I half-smiled at Nev, taking his arm.

He steered me toward the entrance of the restaurant. “You have amazing legs, Kiera…”

“Are you always so full on?” I cut over him. I wasn’t used to hearing such compliments and it made me feel a little uncomfortable. It wasn’t that I didn’t like what Nev said, it was just that I secretly wished it was someone else saying those words to me.

“I’m just flirting again.” He smiled sideways at me.

“You’re good at that,” I smiled back.

“I know,” he grinned, holding open the restaurant door for me.

I stepped inside and was met by the maître d’. “Good evening,” the young guy said. “Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes,” Nev said, stepping up. “A table for two under the name Nev East.”

The maître d’ scanned the ledger that was open at the desk before him. Finding Nev’s name, he looked up and with a broad smile said, “Excellent. Please follow me this way.”         

Together, we followed the suited maître d’ amongst the tables and other diners who were already enjoying their meals. The place looked very expensive with its fine tablecloths, sparkling silver cutlery, and twinkling wine glasses. Even though the summer evening was warm, there was a grand-looking fireplace set into the far wall where a fire roared. Stopping next to a table near to the fireplace, the maître d’ eased back a chair for me.

“Thank you,” I said, sitting down and removing the shawl from about my shoulders.

Nev sat down opposite me.

“Would you like to see the wine list?” the maître d’ asked.

“Not for me, I’m driving,” I said. “I’ll just have some sparkling water.”

I half expected Nev to make me look ridiculous for not drinking like Potter had the other night in The Bucket, where we had first met Ms. Locke.

“I’ll have the same,” Nev said, smiling back at me and handing back the wine list to the maître d’.

“Excellent,” he said before heading away from our table.

I looked in wonder around the restaurant and I felt a sudden sense of excitement that I might just enjoy my twenty-first birthday after all. I couldn’t help but notice three young people – one male and two female – sitting at a table near to us by the fire. He had dark, curly hair which was in contrast to one of the girl’s fiery red. The second girl was as pretty as the first.

“Why do you need our help?” I heard the girl with red hair say to the man.

Instead of looking back across the table, he turned and looked into the fire. His voice was soft, almost a whisper. “I wouldn't know where to start, Winnie and Revekka."

I’d never heard the name Revekka before and guessed that the girl must have come from some far off land.

“Happy birthday,” Nev said, and I looked away from the young trio sitting near to us. Nev had taken a card and small box that had been wrapped with shiny paper from his jacket pocket and was holding them out toward me.

“What are they?” I asked.

“Open them and find out,” he said, eyes glinting in the nearby firelight.

Reaching out, I took them from him, unable to hide the sheer excitement I knew was splashed across my face. The last person to give me a present had been Murphy as he’d slipped that crucifix into my hand. But today he had taken it back. Placing the gift-wrapped box near to me on the table, I opened the envelope that Nev had handed me. I pulled the card out. There was a black and white pencil drawing on the front. I could tell the drawing was of me. The last person to have drawn a picture of me was my brother Jack, and that I had lost while being
pushed
.

“I had to draw you from memory,” Nev explained. “Hopefully the next time I draw you, you’ll be sitting right in front of me.”

“Why the long, black tear running from my eye?” I asked him, staring down at the card.

“It’s just how I see you, Kiera,” Nev said. “You often look so sad, like there is something dark inside of you – eating you up – if that makes sense.”

“Perfect sense,” I whispered, opening up the card and reading the message Nev had written inside.

Keep smiling, Kiera, because you look beautiful when you do! Happy birthday. Nev xx,
the message read.

“Thank you,” I said, looking up at him, tears threatening. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything,” Nev said. “Just smile. That says it all.”

Placing the card to one side, I picked up the little box. I peeled back the wrapping paper, as I did the maître d’ returned, placing a large bottle of sparkling water on the table. He set down two menus then disappeared again. I pulled free the wrapping paper to reveal a small box. It was covered in scarlet velvet. With my heart starting to quicken, I opened the box.

“Nev, it’s beautiful,” I gasped, taking out the necklace that was inside. Five tiny seashells had been attached to a thin length of leather twine.

“I made it for you,” Nev said. “I didn’t have enough money to buy you anything, so I thought I would…”

“Money couldn’t buy something like this,” I whispered, holding the necklace up and marvelling at the tiny pink shells that he had fixed to the twine with small silver hoops. “The shells are so pretty. Where did you find them?”

“I went back to where I found you crying on the beach the other day,” he explained. “That’s where I found them.”

“You did that for me?” I breathed, looking at him. “Why?”

“Because I’d do anything to see you smile, Kiera,” he said, his own smile faltering now and looking at me with an intensity that I had seen in his eyes before. “Someone so beautiful should never look so sad.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I whispered, looking back at the necklace and how the shells almost seemed to shimmer in the light from the nearby fire.

“Don’t say anything,” Nev said, getting up from the table. “Just put the necklace on.”

He came around the table, standing behind me. Nev gently brushed aside my hair and I handed him back the necklace. I felt the soft touch of his fingers against my skin as he secured the necklace in place.

“Happy birthday, Kiera,” he whispered, his breath warm against my neck. I felt my skin tingle there. He planted the gentlest of kisses on my neck.

I felt my hair fall back into place as he came around the table, sitting before me again. My fingers went to the necklace that now hung about my neck. “It’s perfect,” I smiled back at him.

The maître d’ appeared at the table again. I half expected him to ask both Nev and me if we were ready to order our food, but instead he said, “C’mon, Kiera, get your stuff, we’ve got work to do.”

“Huh?” I frowned, looking up, then gasping in surprise.

It wasn’t the maître d’ who had suddenly appeared at the table, it was Potter.