Okay, that was it. Malik might have been a great choice to run off with for a weenie while, and the blood was new and strangely satisfying (Emphasis on the strange)…but I couldn't take this anymore. I'd been restricted long enough. Now, Malik seemed like the type to let me run free, but no. I was kept on a leash so tight; I swear my fangs were going to fall out! He got to gallivant about in Paris, Berlin, Rome - I could go on and on – with his rebel chums and I was stack at the make-shift base, sitting around with sleazy vamps far to old for my liking.
I finally confronted him.
'Okay. Malik. I need to talk to you. Pronto.' I said behind him as he messed around by the fire we had – no, I – made earlier.
'In a minute, Ere, I just have to-' He replied, waving his hand at me.
'No. Now.' I snarled, fangs out – it didn't hurt anymore.
A flicker of feeling passed over his bad-boy face and he rolled his eyes, following me out of the camp. We walked down the lane, to the nearby bridge. I leaned on the railing, refusing to face him. The dreary day had turned to twilight, despite it looking like 9pm.
'You got me out here, Erin, what is it?' He snapped in his awful – yes, it really was terrible – leather jacket.
'Why am I always left at camp when you go out feeding with your stupid mates? Why can't I come?' I said. 'I get hungry too. Maybe more so.'
'You come.' He protested simply.
I laughed humourlessly. 'Yeah, once a month! Loosen up a little on me, will ya?'
'Keep your trap shut, newbie. You don't understand. You're a girl.' He said, like that was reasonable.
He did not just say that. "You're a girl." Really? I spun around. Out of habit, I still wore scarfs around my neck. Today/night it was a red, green and white paisley one. My hair was the same, but I had to blow it out of me face.
'I can't believe you! You know me! I'm not just a girl, even I know that! I've got more power than you – the power of the Chosen One - and you're scared I'll use it on you.' I said in a threatening way.
His face showed nothing, but I'd been around him enough to know when his mean façade was at breaking point. This was one of those times. I'd hit a pressure point and he knew it. I was right.
'No. You won't. I got you out of Hell Hole Grange and you wouldn't do that to me.' He said confidently in the dark.
The water below the bridge we stood on sloshed about softly. I could always feel the tingle of power at my fingertips. Ever since Vlad bit me – It wasn't so hard to say or think his name now. It didn't hurt like saying a holy name. I wiggled my tapered fingers and held up my left hand at Malik. He simmered down and grasped it firmly, as if he had been forgiven. Then, his dark eyes bulged and he crumpled, his hand smoking. His knees hit the cobbled road hard and his expression was pure agony.
'Are you sure?' I suggested otherwise.
'Hmm.' He grunted, pulling a tight scowl up at me.
I liked feeling in control, like the queen around here. 'Loosen my noose, and I won't use my abilities on you again. Don't do it and next time will be a lot more painful.'
He nodded, hesitantly. I smiled, baring my fangs happily.
He broke his oath again though. Not a month later. And, boy did I lay it on him thick. He was a grovelling heap when I was finished with him that stormy night.
'Nagh. What did I ever do to you?' He groaned at my feet.
'Not enough.' I snarled. 'You broke your promise.' I twisted my hand and he crumpled more with an uncharacteristically pitiful cry of pain.
I laughed horribly and dropped him to the Parisian pavement.
The next morning I was gone. Back to the only place that had the slightest chance of letting me back – even if
That was only to taunt and kill me. At least I'd be home.