Witchblood (19 page)

         I’m not sure how long we sat like that, Daniel holding me, neither of us speaking, but by the time I could speak dawn had broken and the morning light was filtering into the room, creeping through the cracks in the curtains.

         ‘Daniel, I need to get up and do something. Let me get dressed and I’ll meet you downstairs,’ I said eventually.

         He nodded, and reluctantly got up from my bed and walked to the door.

         ‘I have things I need to discuss with you regarding your father Jessica, but you will not bear this alone.’ He searched my face, and seemingly content that I wasn’t going to fall apart, he left me alone.

         When I was sure he’d gone and that he was no longer trying to listen to my thoughts, I searched my own emotions within. Something felt out of kilter; something felt unlike me, and then I realised what it was.

         The vampire within had grown stronger. I could still feel exhilaration and energy flowing through my body from Daniel’s blood, and the instant I paused to recollect the act, I flushed with warmth. I could remember the heavenly scent that wafted up as I bit down into his skin, the amazing, tastebud-tingling taste as his blood trickled into my mouth.

         The vampire within me was consumed with the amazing feelings it had given me, the way Daniel had turned me on and set me aflame. That part of me wanted more, and I only felt a disconnected numbness regarding my father’s death. Dare I say, my inner vampire felt good at not having to worry about everything, not feel all that human pain and guilt that plagued me every day. I even acknowledged that a very tiny part of me might be coming round to the idea of liking fresh blood. It would have to be a very willing donor, but after all, if they were willing and it felt as amazing as Daniel made it feel, what could be the harm, right?

         Yet I knew what the harm could be. I could lose my soul. I knew that although this new part of me was now stronger than ever, my human soul was still there, grieving the death of my father and yearning to see Luke and Alex once more. That girl had taken a back seat. She’d shut herself off from me, and I worried that if the vampire part took over, I’d lose myself, forever.

         I turned to face the mirror at the end of the bed and a movement from outside caught my eye. There was a gap of about six inches where I hadn’t pulled the curtains fully closed and as I glanced up I swear I saw a man, standing on my windowsill. I ran to the window and pulled the curtains apart, but there was nothing, just the early morning sun blinding me. I shook my head, trying to dislodge the vision of his face, tight with grief, jealousy and disappointment. His name whispered to me, over and over….Luke, Luke, Luke.

         Ridiculous! It was just my grief and guilt playing tricks on me. I turned back to the mirror and was instantly taken aback by the transformation. My recent deathly pallor had disappeared and a healthy glow replaced the hollowed cheeks of the last couple of days. They say the eyes are the path to the soul and mine were full of tears and grief, but the tears didn’t fall and my cheeks remained dry and pink.

         I quickly pulled on some skinny jeans, a top and a long cardigan. I didn’t feel the need to be cocooned in Daniel’s sweatshirt today; I felt stronger. So pulling on some socks and the super trendy boots Eva had bought me, I left the room. I nipped into the bathroom and splashed some water on my face to freshen up, more of a habit than necessity and quickly tying my hair back into a ponytail, I headed downstairs to find Daniel.

         ‘OK, see you shortly. We’ll be leaving around three, I think,’ Daniel was saying as I walked into the kitchen, before he hung up the phone and looked at me.

         ‘Who was that?’ I asked.

         ‘Eva. I just called to let her know the unfortunate developments and the plans for later. She’s coming over as soon as she can,’ he replied, searching my face for signs of the emotional wreck he obviously thought was waiting to happen, and was clearly nonplussed at what he found.

         ‘What plans?’ I asked, ignoring the questions in his eyes, and trying not to be drawn to the two tiny marks on his neck. Realisation slowly softened his features, as he’d probably caught flashes of my bloodthirsty desires, and he smiled warmly before answering.

         ‘Jessica, you look better, but I think you understand now that you cannot live off banked blood?’ he asked. I nodded reluctantly before he carried on. ‘I’m glad you’re feeling stronger, especially as I’m afraid I have a difficult task for you, which Sebastian wishes us to carry out today.’

         ‘Am I going to see dad?’ I asked, hope rising unchecked.

         ‘No. I’m sorry, Jessica. Your father is in the hospital mortuary, and it would be an unnecessary risk for us to go there. He cannot help us now.’ My heart sank as he continued. ‘Sebastian wishes us to visit your father’s house to look for that early photo album and any documents like your birth certificate, so we can work out your heritage, before it’s too late.’

         ‘I can’t go there. What if someone sees us?’

         ‘They wouldn’t recognise you. We’ll dress in suits and Eva and I will carry ID. That way, if anyone does see us we can pass ourselves off as officials sorting out the estate,’ he answered calmly.

         ‘Why don’t we go at night. Surely that would be better?’ I asked, hoping to get myself some breathing time.

         ‘No, daytime is better. If we go at night we’ll be more likely to arouse suspicion. Daytime is better as most people are out working. Within a few days, real officials will be visiting the house and sorting out the legal work, which is why we have to go today.’ I sighed and slumped into a kitchen chair. Desperately ignoring the human girl in the attic of my mind, I lost myself in the frivolous mind of the vampire. It was a good distraction.

         ‘Ok. So did I hear you tell Eva three o’clock? I don’t have a suit, you know?’ I said, sitting down at the kitchen table opposite him, a part of me enjoying the confusion I was causing him.

‘Ehm, Jessica are you alright? You seem to be taking all this a little better than anticipated,’ Daniel said, getting up from his seat and coming to sit on the stool next to mine, where I could smell his delicious scent in intoxicating waves.

         ‘Yes, I’m fine,’ I snapped. Really! This guy was too empathetic sometimes. ‘The girl is still here and I think she’s pretty torn up, but somehow since we, I mean I, well you know, kind of…. well, what we did last night..’ I stumbled, suddenly both embarrassed and a bit grossed out to say I actually bit him.

         ‘Yes, go on. It’s OK Jess. I enjoyed it too;.It was amazing actually,’ he said smiling at me.

         ‘Well anyway, I guess you and Eva were right, saying things would become easier for me if I allowed my vampire side to take over, and after last night I feel stronger, in more control. I can still feel my soul. She’s still there, she’s grieving,’ I said, as my eyes were once again drawn to his neck.

         My hand involuntarily moved up to stroke his skin, my fingers moving lightly over the tiny red dots where my teeth had punctured his skin. I then traced the thin red line where he’d initially cut himself, and stroked his neck.

         His eyes were on mine instantly, like dark deep pools, glittering and mesmerising, and I let him pull me into their depths. He scooted his stool nearer to mine and mirrored my hand with his own, holding his palm against my cheek and cupping it under my jaw.

         ‘What did it feel like? Did I hurt you?’ I whispered, asking for something more and knowing he knew what I meant.

         ‘No it didn’t. Let me show you. Can I taste you Jessie, sweet Jessie?’ he asked huskily, passion setting his eyes aflame.

         My heart jumped at the mention of Jessie. The only person in the world who called me that was my dad. My dear, lovely daddy, who had played endlessly with me as a child, his only child, but he was gone now and I needed to block out the pain and disconnect the memories. I nodded and breathed him in as his mouth gently kissed my neck and sent shivers shooting down my arms.

          As his teeth broke my skin, I felt a jolt of electricity run down my spine and fizz between my legs. When Sebastian had bitten me it had turned me on and felt amazing, but this was something else. Maybe it was the connection we shared, but I could feel his excitement, passion and hunger mirrored in myself and my fangs broke through my gums, as I rocked against my stool seat, held in his tight embrace.

         He only fed for a couple of minutes at the most, and I felt him release me just as my excitement was heightening to impossible levels.

         ‘Hey, why have you stopped already?’ I asked, panting.

He grinned at me and I could see that it had taken an effort to pull away, as the desire was sparkling in his eyes.

         ‘I’ve just got you looking healthy Jessie - sorry, Jess. Eva told me not to call you Jessie,’ he replied smiling, but with a hint of worry in his eyes.

         ‘It’s fine. I actually liked you calling me Jessie. It was a shock at first, but my dad’s gone now, so I guess it would be nice to have someone still call me that,’ I said, suddenly realising how much Daniel had come to mean to me.

         ‘OK. Well I’m not about to take all that blood back and have you looking all pale and ghostly again, even though you do taste delicious,’ he added.

         I could see a droplet of blood on his lips, and I paused a second before I leaned forward and cautiously touched my lips to his. A second later, and I was plunging into an abyss of warmth and dizziness as he pulled me in. I could taste blood on his tongue, mine or his I didn’t know, but it tasted exquisite.

         The front door banging brought us slamming back into the present. I drew back and looked dreamily behind me to the kitchen door as Eva whirled in, in a haze of darkly-scented perfume, coming to a sudden, somewhat comical stop as she took in the two of us guiltily pulling away from each other.

         ‘Well, I wondered when you’d finally give in,’ she said grinning at me, her eyes sparkling, and I felt myself blushing.

         ‘I have to say he suits you very well; you’re looking much healthier Jess, and happier too considering,’ she said, smiling like a genuine friend. There wasn’t a hint of ‘I told you so’ about her and for that I was relieved, but I felt shy and didn’t know what to say. Luckily Daniel picked up on my feelings and talked for me.

         ‘I’ve told Jessica about going to her father’s home and she’s agreed to come with us. She will need to borrow a suit from you,’ he said, and as I watched him I realised his eyes were full of a light which I hadn’t seen there before.

         ‘Why borrow when you can buy, hey Jess?’ Eva said, winking at me. ‘I think it’s time Jess supplemented her wardrobe a bit more, and there’s plenty of time for a little shopping trip before three o’clock. It’s only eleven thirty,’ she said, grinning at me.

         For once I wasn’t desperate to get out of the house. Firstly, shopping for a suit to visit my dead dad’s house in was not my idea of fun, and secondly I’d hoped to spend the next couple of hours cuddled up on the sofa with Daniel. I’d even watch football if necessary!

         ‘Actually, I don’t really fancy going out now Eva. You could just pick something nice for me,’ I said, screwing my nose up a little as I pleaded with Eva.

         ‘No Jess, you’re coming with me. It’ll be good for you to get out and I need some girl time. I’ve been surrounded with men for days,’ she said, appearing smiley and friendly, but I knew that underneath she would be completely immovable.

         ‘Oh Eva, let her stay here if she wants to. It’s been a tough morning for her, and there’s more to come,’ Daniel said, which I appreciated, because sticking up for me and challenging Eva, who was essentially his boss and probably ex-lover, was not something he’d choose to do lightly. I looked up at Eva hopefully and saw frustration and maybe a flicker of anger dart across her brow, so I decided to appease her before things got difficult.

         ‘No, it’s fine Daniel, I’ll go.’ I looked at Eva and smiled hesitantly, hoping she’d understand, which thankfully she seemed to do.

         ‘Great,’ she said, her beautiful smile back again. ‘Let’s go now and then you can be back in time for a Daniel fix before we go out. I’ll just change into something more suitable.