Rock n Roll Promises (YAE) (Rock n Roll Paraphantasy Series) (9 page)

“Paige! What are you doing here?” She turned to
Sebastian. “Did you turn her, too?”

 

“Calm down.”

 

She glanced behind her to Jack. “No, I will not
calm down. Ruining my life isn’t enough?”

 

“He brought her here for you.”

She slapped her leg. “Great, just great!” She
rolled her eyes back to Sebastian. “You think I was
ticked off before? This takes the cake. Why did you
think this would make me happy?”

“Anna!”

 

She ran to her friend and hugged her close. “Oh
God, Paige, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know-“

Held at arm’s length, she looked at her friend
when she spoke. “Anna! You have to calm down.
No one turned me. I’m not a vampire, but I have
known Sebastian a long time. He came and got me
so that I could help you.”

She pulled away and took a few steps back.

 

“No, you can’t be here. What if I hurt you?”
“If you will chill out and listen, I will explain
why that’s not an issue.”

She grabbed her friend and pulled her farther
into the room and away from Sebastian. “OK. I’m
listening.”

“As I said, I’m not a vampire. I am a Weretiger, a
white one.”

 

“What the…A were what?”

 

“Weretiger. You know, a white tiger. I can change
from human to a big white cat.”

“I get what it is…I mean I know what a white
tiger is; I just don’t understand how you can be one.
I have known you my entire life.”

“Remember that summer between eighth and
ninth grade when I suddenly went away?”
“Yes, because we were supposed to spend spring
break in Orlando and you never showed at the
airport. Your mom called before we boarded and
said you had a family emergency. She said you and
your father had left in the middle of the night and it
was too late for you to call me.”

“Well, that’s not what happened. The only
accurate things my mother told you was the fact I
was with my father and it was a family emergency.
The rest…”

“OK, so what happened?

“I changed that night for the first time. It was
unexpected and we ran. Usually it’s the first born
who gets the gene. I’m the third child. When my
older siblings didn’t change, my parents assumed
since my mother was a normal human, it canceled
out the gene, but obviously not. My father was the
first in his family to fall in love with a human. No
one really knew, they just guessed.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“I was sworn not to. I’m only telling you now
because you are now part of the supernatural,
paranormal, or whatever you want to call it, world,
and, of course, Sebastian came to me and said you
were really freaking out.”
“So I can’t hurt you?”

“Not really. I mean, if you really tried maybe,
but I’m certain that I could hold you off until you
came to your senses. I will be here to help you.
Now that you know, I will be around so much you
will get tired of me.”

She looked around the room and everyone
looked at her. She met each pair of eyes and stayed
on Sebastian’s the longest. Diamond size tears fell
from her cheeks. Having Paige indeed made her feel
less alone.

“Thank you, Sebastian.”
Chapter 7

“Now remember, Anna, I will be back around
two, and Sebastian isn’t due back until dawn, so
you will have the apartment all to yourself.”

“Actually, I think I’m going to go out. There is
supposed to be a new band playing at the bar down
the street. I figured I would check them out.”

“Are you sure you’re ready to be out alone?”

“It has been two years, Paige. I’m fine now. I am
in control and aware of what I crave now. I think I
will be OK. I’m just going to the club around the
corner.”

“OK. If you think so. How do I look?”

“I like it. You look perfect. Pink, silk dress and
white go-go boots? Who could go wrong with that?
Maybe you should add a long headband in your
hair?”

“Yep, got it right here. It’s a sparkly one, too.”
“Have fun. Try not to get into too much trouble.”

 

“Oh, I’m sure I will. I’m going to the disco with
Stephon.”

“You will have to tell me all about it tomorrow.
I’m off to get dressed. Hey, lock the door behind
you.”

“No problem.”

She caught Paige’s movements out of the corner
of her eye as she left. Turning on her heels, she
heard the click of the lock as she headed to her
room. Cool plastic under hand, she flipped the light
switch and crossed the room to her closet.

I am so glad I made Sebastian redo this room.
Who wants an all-white bedroom anyway? Yuck! I
had to add some color in here, and pastel purple
happens to be my favorite. I thought he was never
going to give in and buy me the pastel purple bed
set. Geez, what a tightwad.

Hands on the wooden knobs, she flung open the
closet doors and stared. The clothes were mashed
together on hangers from so many outfits. All that
could be made out were colors and fabrics.

Let’s see, what to wear? Ooh, how about my
black denim hip huggers with…oh, here we go, my
button-up, red, silk shirt. I think I have a red and
black paisley headband to match this.

Wrestling the clothes free, she carried them over
and dropped them onto her bed.
Soft silk ran down her skin when she untied her
robe and slipped it off.
I need music. Always helps to keep me in a good
mood.
She walked across the room, turned on her radio
and “T.N.T” by AC/DC blared from the speakers.
Man I love this group
.
She danced her way back to the bed. The denim
slid up her legs as she pulled and tugged her pants
until she got them on.
Whew, these things are tight. I need to make sure
my panties don’t show.
She twisted and turned in front of the mirror to
make sure her panties were hidden, but her tattoo
shined brightly. She stared at the orange and black
tiger face on her lower back and it made her think
of Jack.
Maybe it is the chocolate-colored eyes. I didn’t
really get to know him that well, but I miss him
being around. I wonder where he moved to?
Pushing it from her mind, she went back to the
bed and finished getting dressed. She went to the
mirror one last time and checked to be sure her hair
and makeup still looked good.
This song is fitting.
She did The Hustle across the room as “You
Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate filled the air.
I am outta here!

****

The sound of her steps echoed off the buildings
as she cut through the alleyway on her way to the
club. Street lamps lit her way and she could see the
top of the neon sign. It was a beacon to the nightlife
as it flashed and changed colors. The hair on the
back of her neck stood, sending a silent warning of
chills down her spine. She piqued her ears and
listened. Movement from behind her and the slight
rustle of paper filled her ears. She smelled them a
moment later. Three men, all drunk, by the sound of
it, not to mention they reeked of liquor. The sound
of a shoe scraping across the dirt and debris told her
the one on the far left harbored a hurt or disfigured
ankle.

Something is off. Different. They are different. I
can’t put my finger on it. Not your average… Joes?

She stopped, intent on facing them, but they
caught her by surprise. There was one at her back
and one on each side. Her breathing became
labored. Her heart raced and drummed in her neck.
Another shock wave shook her. She tried to jerk her
arms away, but they were stronger.

Vampires! How did they surprise me?

Focusing, she calmed her nerves and pushed her
fear to the back burner.
Firmly, she planted her feet in place and stopped
struggling with her hands. She leaned her head
forward, as if she were going to give in, counted to
three, and then brought her head back with enough
force it should have broken his nose. She quickly
jerked free of their hold. She spun and kicked the
man on her right in the head. Latching onto the one
on her left, she took his arm, swung him around and
pinned it to his back. He dropped to his knees and
screamed. She twisted it an inch more and broke it.
With her boot in his back, she kicked him to the
ground and spun, looking for another attack.
She froze in her tracks. Six more had joined and
they all stalked her as if she were food.
Can’t fight my way out of this one. Time to run!
Kicking it into high gear, she bolted. Wind blew
her hair back as she sped through the alley. Her
booted feet skid across the asphalt as she screeched
to a halt. Two tall, burly vampires dropped from the
roof and blocked her path. They lurked in the
shadow. Her breath seemed to freeze and gain
consistency as it stuck in her throat. Fire danced in
her lungs from lack of air.
In the small amount of light, she noticed they
fashioned all black leather, from their clothes to
their long trench coats to their boots. They had an
evil glow to their eyes. They were small, dark voids
and yet they held a small spark of light in them. Her
heart raced at Olympic speeds and beat against her
chest. Fear encumbered her and she couldn’t move.
Air seemed to filter through in ragged breaths. She
watched them advance and still her feet refused to
run. Two deep breaths and they were within kissing
rage. The short one stayed in front while the taller
one circled around her and stood at her back. She
sensed the others still in the alley, but they had
quieted and stopped moving. She jerked her head to
the right and tried to move when he traced his hand
down her face.

“What do you want?”

His soft husky voice filled her ear when he
moved intimately close and whispered. “You,
sweetie, we want you.”

“Just let me go and no one has to get hurt.”

“Oh, someone is going to get hurt. We are…
many things, and you seem to fit the bill for all we
crave.”

She stiffened her neck when he wrapped his
hand around it and pulled her close. Her stomach
clenched tight, and she squeezed her eyes shut as he
licked the side of her face.

“I bet you taste as sweet as you look. Well, better
than this makeup on your face anyway.”
His fangs pierced her neck and her eyes flashed
open. Her mouth went dry and she couldn’t force
herself to cry out. Her butt in his hands, he pinned
her to him and his face nuzzled her neck. She felt
every muscle in his body flex as he moved and
pawed at her. His tongue slid over the blood from
his bite mark. The man behind her smelled her hair
and skin, but never let loose his hold.
The man in front of her moved and his clawed
hands slashed at her clothes, leaving open cuts upon
her skin. The wounds burned as if mixing fire and
acid. She felt blood pour from her chest and abs. A
river of tears ran down her face as she screamed out
with each new blow. Her body sagged and she fell
against the man behind her. She hovered above the
ground, almost on her knees.

“Look here, Thomas, something different. She
looks human, but her blood is all vampire. I wonder
if we could drink her dry and collect her power.”

“I don’t…have…any power.”

 

“Isn’t that cute, Jared? This sweet, little fang
doesn’t know she is special.”

 

“Not special…no powers.”

“Well, of course you do. You can make yourself
look human. Why, if I had that power, I wouldn’t
have to work near as hard to fill my…thirst.”

Three more sets of slash marks along her frame,
and she fell to her knees. Her hands were still in a
tight grip from behind, which caused her shoulders
to throb in pain. The man behind her started in next.
He lifted her arms and scratched marks of his own
down her back. Searing pain shot through her and
she screamed out. She fought to get free but failed.
They held her too tightly. Her lower back sizzled
and she felt faint. Her head swam and her eyes
rolled to the back of her skull. She felt them let go
and she collapsed to the ground. Blackness
beckoned to her as she fought to stay awake. Then
she heard panic in her attacker’s voice.

“Who are you? She is our kill, mind your own
business.”

 

“She is my business.”

Loud growls and the sound of fighting played in
her ears. She tried to get up and help, but her body
seemed a huddled mass of throbbing agony. She
panted as she tried to work through it and fend off
the black void calling her name. A scream ripped
from her throat when someone picked her up and
carried her off.

Her jaws clenched at the new pain that being
carried brought on. The fabric of her shirt went
from soft and silky to flame and sand paper.
“Please…let me…go.”

“Anna, it’s OK. I am taking you home.”

 

She looked into his face through squinted eyes.
“Jack?”

 

“Yes, it’s Jack. Hold on, we are not too far
away.”

In pure anguish, her eyes rolled back in her head
as she lost the fight and succumbed to the numb,
dark oblivion.

****

Small drops of water splashed her skin and
mixed with the sounds of semi-silent sobs. She felt
the weight of someone that lay across her abdomen.
Opening her eyes, she found herself in her own bed
with Paige sprawled across her. Her body ached and
she noted a minor twinge in her back, but overall
she felt fine. The soreness equaled that of a heavy
and strenuous workout. Lifting her head and her
hand, she nudged Paige’s arm to get her attention.
Her heart broke when she met her friend’s eyes. She
was raccoon faced from streaking mascara. Lipstick
smeared her cheek. Her brow furrowed as confusion
took hold.

“Paige?”

 

“Oh my God, you are awake…”

She squeezed her eyes shut and slammed her
hands over her ears when her friend yelled.
“…Sebastian, Jack, she’s awake. Get in here!
Anna, I swear that will never happen again. I have
blood oath sworn myself to you.”

The two men rushed into the room and took up
posts on each side of her, as if they were protective
sentinels. Her brain clicked. She pushed her friend
aside, jerked the covers off, and ran her hands over
her naked body, searching for marks.