ReAwakened Page 24

  “Even though my head was foggy, it was my best performance ever. I could have sworn I even saw my mother there. After the first set, my head start to throb so I went out into the alley behind the club for some air. I leaned against the wall, and the world started to spin. I couldn’t breathe.

  “That’s when she came to me. Lola. Long blonde hair. Freckles. She looked so much like my mother, with a smile that could light up the sky. ‘I can help you,’ she said in the softest, most melodic voice I’d ever heard. Then she cut her wrist and placed it against my mouth.” Hunter looked up at me.

  “It took a while to adjust to life as a vampire but she was by my side the entire time. I wasn’t strong enough to live a ‘normal life,’ so she took me in. I hated having to part with the band. I missed the guys and pined after the music scene, but at the same time Lola and I were happy.

  “However, three years into our relationship, she began to feel empty. She wanted a family. She spent months going to these underground vamp organizations, trying to find vampire children for adoption. It was then that I realized that, just like my mother, Lola was broken on the inside.

  “One night, I heard this horrible shriek outside. Lola wasn’t in bed so I ran out, thinking that something horrible was happening to her. But it was she who was doing the horrible thing. In her arms was a tiny human child, probably around five or six. Lola had her fangs poised by the girl’s neck. She was hysterical, saying that we would finally be a family. I tried to get her to let go of the girl, but she was so strong. She just kept holding on, squeezing her tighter and tighter.

  “I had always told myself that I would never lay a hand on someone I loved, that I would never be like my father,” Hunter said, clenching his fists. “But at that moment, it was either stop Lola, or the girl would die. I…hit her. She let go of the child and the girl ran into my arms. That’s when Lola gave me an ultimatum. Turn the girl, or lose her forever.

  “I was devastated. I hated myself for hitting her and she kept screaming, ‘Turn her if you love me! You owe this to me! Turn her if you love me!’ I don’t know what I was thinking when my fangs sank into the child’s flesh. I think I lost my mind for a split second. But that second was enough to cause a lifetime of pain. I killed the girl, Dawn,” he breathed, his eyes overflowing with pain. “She died in my arms. I tried feeding her my blood, but I couldn’t revive her. After that, I lost it.

  “I didn’t want to live anymore. I wanted to disappear into a black hole, to stop feeling things. But I knew that death wouldn’t be punishment enough for what I’d done. Being condemned to an eternity of living with my actions was the only way to avenge the life I’d taken.

  “So, I kept on living. I kept thinking about this little child and what I’d done to her. Feeling the guilt devour me from the inside. Through alcohol and drugs, I slowly began to lose memories of my past life. My mother was just a distant fragment within my broken mind. Lola, the little girl…everything began to fade. I forgot how it felt to feel. It was a coward’s way out, but it’s what I chose to do.

  “And that’s what I’d been doing when you found me. Now that I’m sober, a lot of it is starting to come back. I hadn’t sung until your father’s funeral. I hadn’t touched my guitar until recently, when a friend approached me for help. I think you guys have been good for me, but it still doesn’t mean that I’m not tempted to stop remembering, you know?”

  “I can’t imagine how that must feel,” I whispered hoarsely, my throat tight.

  “At the Scarlet House, I blamed myself for not being able to save all those little kids. Seeing their lifeless bodies, I was reminded of what I’d done. But I didn’t give in. No matter how much I wanted to, in spite of the fact that it would have made all the darkness go away, I didn’t.”

  “Hunter…” I reached out to touch his shoulder. This time he didn’t pull back. “I’m so sorry I doubted you.”

  “It’s fine. I would have doubted me too.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Dawn, really. It’s fine,” he said gently. “You know, for the first time, I don’t feel like I have to deal with things all by myself.” He chuckled. “That must sound corny, huh? Some hotshot ex-rock star I am.”

  I smiled. “I know what you’re trying to say,” I told him, placing my hand on top of his. “Please know that, no matter what, you don’t have to go through any of this alone. Okay?”

  “I think I’m starting to realize that. Thank you.” He looped his fingers through mine. “But you also have to realize that I can’t forgive myself yet. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to forgive myself.”

  “That’s okay. At least now you know that you have an ally in the fight against your demons.”

  “Dawn…?”

  “Yes?”

  “You’re pretty cool when you’re not cracking the whip in the training arena.”

  “Thanks, Hunter. You’re pretty cool when you’re actually talking.”

  “I can promise you that I won’t drink or do drugs, but I can’t promise that you’ll get to see mushy, emotional Hunter again. Enjoy it while it lasts.”

  I squeezed his hand. “As long as I have a sober friend and teammate, I think we’ll be okay. But if mushy Hunter decides that he needs to talk again…”

  He squeezed back. “Yeah, I know. Non-whipping Dawn will be there.” He shot me a toothy grin. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier. I’m just not used to people caring.”

  “Well, I do,” I told him. “We all do.”

  “I guess I should make a greater effort to include you guys in my life,” he mused. “Starting with tonight’s party.” He stood up, brushed off his jeans, and held out his hand. I took it, and he pulled me to my feet.

  “Will you play for us?” I asked, nodding toward his guitar.

  He smiled. “One step at a time, Dawn.”

  “Deal.”

  Our talk had been eye-opening. I got to know Hunter on a deeper level than I’d ever imagined possible, and he’d also given me hope that, together with the team’s help, I could also fight my own demons.

  It was never too late to ask for help.

  As we made our way out of the graveyard, Hunter bent down to touch little Julie’s newly-erected tombstone. It was only then that I noticed the fresh sunflowers on top of her grave.

  Moments after Hunter and I joined Brooke, Sophie, Seth, and Charlotte around the campfire, Sebastian and Razor arrived, bringing along Lena. Her glamorous combination of high-heeled boots and a powder-blue cashmere dress was a stark contrast to my simple sweater and jeans. She floated over to the bench opposite from me and snuggled up against Sebastian, her arm linked tightly through his. Although he seemed indifferent to the contact, he flashed her a quick, friendly smile. I tried to stifle the bitter emotion rising within me—one that had nothing to do with Sebastian. It was the ease with which Lena displayed her feelings that I envied. I resented the comfort she indulged in when it came to their relationship. She dove headfirst into every action, without any fear of its consequence. Even if the threat of Aurora’s wrath hadn’t been upon me, I still couldn’t be that natural and carefree with my emotions.

  I could feel Razor observing me from across the yard as I watched Sebastian and Lena interact. He made his way over, plopping down next to me. Casting my eyes away from the couple, I looked down at a spot on the bench where the wood was missing.

  “You know, green isn’t a good color on you,” Razor smirked, wrapping one leather-jacketed arm around me.

  “Well, then it’s a good thing I’m wearing black,” I retorted.

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I know what you meant,” I told him. “I’m not jealous.”

  He patted my shoulder. “Trust me, I spent two hours in the car with them after we picked her up from the airport today, and there is nothing romantic going on there. At least not on Seb’s side. That chick has been sister-zoned.”

  “That’s the problem,” I muttered.

  Razor
narrowed his eyes. “Uhh…you’re upset because he doesn’t treat you like a sister?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Oh, phew!” He pretended to wipe his brow. “I thought I’d have to brush up on my Freudian theories because that would definitely call for some psychoanalysis.”

  “Gross.”

  “You’re telling me!” He laughed. “So, then, what’s the problem? Why the fanged frown, D?”

  I sighed. “I guess you could say that I’m just a little envious of how easy it is for her to hold his hand and laugh with him. There. Are you happy now, Doctor R?”

  Razor searched my eyes for a second. He cleared his throat and lifted his arm from my shoulder. Taking my right hand in his left, he carefully interlocked his fingers through mine. He moved his other hand to my side, swiftly tracing his fingers along my oblique muscles. Shocked by his unexpected actions, I couldn’t contain the laughter bubbling up from deep within my belly. Until this very moment, the fact that I was ticklish had been a well-kept secret.

  The guests around the campfire turned to look in our direction. Most of the group regarded our little display with smiles, though I did receive surprised looks from Brooke and Sophie. The only scowl amongst our audience belonged to Sebastian. Razor shot him a playful grin, then moved his face toward mine.

  “We’re holding hands. You’re laughing. Does it mean anything?” He waited patiently for his words to register.

  “No,” I finally said, shaking my head. “It’s doesn’t mean anything.”

  A brief flash of pain shot through his eyes, but then his mouth twisted into a mischievous grin. “Great! Then my experiment worked,” he said. “I really should consider branching out my practice and start treating problems of the heart. Dr. Love, they could call me. Dr. Sexy Love.”

  “Good luck with that,” I groaned, but couldn’t help smiling.

  “By the way, D, I had no idea that you were ticklish.”

  “It’s not something I brag about,” I said, wrapping my arms around my sides in fear that Razor’s fingers would strike again.

  He opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Brooke’s loud voice. “Truth or Dare!” she called out, and we all gave a collective moan. “Who wants to go first?”

  “Oh, come on, guys,” she pleaded when no one volunteered. “It’s either that, or spin the bottle.”

  “Who are you trying to turn into your poor make-out victim tonight?” Seth taunted.

  “The way I see it, there are three pairs of worthy lips here—Razor’s, Sebastian’s, and Hunter’s.” There was a challenge in the way she set her jaw and pursed her lips. And the challenge wasn’t directed at any of the guys she listed. It was aimed directly at Seth.

  “Are they flirting?” Sophie whispered across the fire to me. “Is this what flirting looks like?”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “In Brooke’s world, probably,” I mouthed back.

  “Fine,” Sophie said when no one volunteered. “I’ll go first.”

  Brooke smiled triumphantly.

  Sophie turned to her. “Brooke, truth or dare?” she asked.

  “Wait, I’m the one who’s supposed to be asking you!”

  “I think it’s only fair that we make an example out of you, Brooke. Since, you know, it was your idea to play the game.”

  Go Sophie! I loved the vivacious sparks radiating from this new, feisty girl.

  Brooke thought for a moment. “Fine. Truth. I always like to work my way up to the dares.”

  Sophie stifled a chuckle. “Do you like Seth?” she asked candidly.

  Brooke’s smile dropped. “Eww! No!” she said, a little too quickly and much too loudly.

  “The game is called Truth or Dare,” Sophie chastised. “It only works if you actually tell the truth.”

  Brooke shrugged it off. “Whatever.” She looked around the campfire, avoiding Seth’s eyes. “Who’s next...?” Her gaze landed on Lena. “Lena, truth or dare?”

  “Dare,” Lena said excitedly.

  “I dare you to ki—”

  “Why don’t you ask Lena to show you her forta?” Razor interjected.

  I shot him a puzzled look.

  “What?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I wanna see her play with fire.”

  This led to another discussion on fortas, and before we knew it, Lena had her hand in the fire pit. The flames soared high, blasting toward the sky.

  “Cool!” Seth exclaimed. “That screams superhero, if you ask me.”

  The fire billowed, shooting up into the trees.

  “It also screams, ‘Hey, I’m a Born, come kidnap me!’” I told to Razor through clenched teeth.

  “Would you rather she kissed Sebastian?” he challenged.

  Before I could answer, Lena retrieved her hand from the fire. The flame died down, and everyone clapped. Everyone except Brooke. She was silently sulking at Seth’s sudden interest in Lena.

  Seth plunked himself down between Lena and Sebastian. I could hardly keep up with his questions.

  “Does it hurt when you do that? Can you shoot flames out of your fingertips? What about your eyes or mouth? Are you hot to the touch? Can I feel your hands?”

  Brooke cleared her throat. “I believe it’s Lena’s turn,” she said sharply. “Pick your prey.”

  I turned to Charlotte while Lena contemplated her target. “What’s your forta?” I asked curiously.

  “I don’t have one,” Charlotte whispered back.

  “Oh?”

  “I mean, I have one, but I can’t use it,” she explained. “I can move things with my mind, but…I’m just too weak to do it. The sheer concentration required for moving a tiny twig drains my energy for days. So, I just like to think of myself as not having a forta.” She focused her light blue eyes on me. “What about you? What’s your forta?”

  I pressed my lips together. “I don’t have one either.” I hadn’t told anyone about the possibility that I’d inherited my mother’s healing ability, and I wasn’t going to start with Charlotte. I was still fuming about the way she had treated Sophie earlier in the day.

  “Dawn!” I snapped my head up to see Lena pointing in my direction. “Truth or dare?”

  “Dare.” I’d been avoiding the truth for a while now, so no matter what Lena threw my way, a dare would certainly be easier to handle.

  “I dare you to tell us about your first boyfriend.”

  Except that.

  “I never had a boyfriend,” I said slowly. My words hovered in the uncomfortable silence.

  Brooke was the first to break through it. “No boyfriend, really? Not even when you were younger?” she asked in awe. “You never passed around little notes that read: ‘Will you go out with me?—Check yes or no’ with your crushes?”

  I shook my head. “The kids I used to teach sent notes like that to each other, but I banned them because they were too distracting during training. The only notes they were allowed to pass after that were, ‘Will you be my sparring partner?’” I explained, eliciting laughter from the group.

  Brooke sighed. “It’s just like you to ban young love, Dawn.”

  “What about now?” Lena asked. “Do you have someone you’d like to receive a love note from?”

  Before I could stop, my eyes flashed to Sebastian. Heat rushed to my face as I fought to keep my expression from betraying my thoughts. His own expression was unreadable—it wavered between intrigue, torment, anger, and even a hint of a challenge.

  “I think you’ve already exhausted your turn,” I told Lena, forcing myself to look away from his face. “It’s my turn to pick a victim.”

  “I’ll go next,” Sebastian surprised me by saying. “Dare.” His silver eyes burned into mine.

  “Oh, you have to let me have this one, D!” Razor exclaimed. “I have the perfect dare.” He turned to me with a mock puppy-dog stare.

  “Sure,” I said, intrigued by Razor’s sudden enthusiasm. At least it got me off the hook for having to think of a dare for Sebasti
an.

  “Great!” Razor clapped his hands, then turned to his brother with a mischievous grin. “Little bro, I dare you to spend the night in the old McDougal barn.”

  Sebastian groaned. I shot Razor a quizzical look.

  “On the other side of town, there is this old farmstead,” he explained in a deep, sinister voice. “Supposedly, it’s built on an ancient burial ground. Weird things have happened around that place since the day its first owners moved in.”

  “Weird things like what?” Brooke asked, shivering.

  “Paranormal activity, animals running away, entire families vanishing. That kind of stuff,” Razor said. “The property belonged to the McDougal family back in the eighteen hundreds. When I was fifteen and Seb was eleven, Mr. McDougal disappeared. People reported hearing screams coming from the barn one night. According to rumors, his wife became possessed by a spirit. She chopped up her old man into little pieces and fed him to the animals.”

  “Of course, it was just a rumor,” Sebastian cut in. “But after it happened, a lot of kids went to the barn and dared each other to spend the night there. My brother convinced me to go with him and investigate. Once we got there, he shoved me inside and locked me in.”

  Razor chuckled. “Don’t forget the part where I lined the rafters with buckets of blood from the butcher, rigging them so that when I pulled the rope from the outside, they dropped and soaked you in the gooey stuff.”

  “How could I forget that?” Sebastian muttered.

  “As a vampire, you should appreciate the gesture,” Razor joked.

  Sebastian shot him a fiery glare. “As an eleven-year-old human, I didn’t.”

  “It’s true,” Razor laughed, looking over at the group. “It scarred him for life. He would take long detours around town just so he wouldn’t have to walk by that farm.” He then turned to Sebastian. “I went by last week. It’s still standing. So tonight you’ll finally return to the place of your childhood nightmares to spend the night.”