Disclaimer: The conception and basis of this story is primarily the work of a brilliant author by the name of L.J. Smith. Go buy her books!
It felt like a thousand daggers had pierced through her heart. Her eyes stung with so much pain, but she willed herself not to cry. Not then. Not now. Not ever. So in place of tears came hardened anger, harnessed over years of repression. She wanted to scream and throw the whole world into a fury with her. If she couldn't be happy, then no one else will be.
August Redfern closed her eyes and let the sounds of the sea surround her. /Breathe. Just, Breathe/
Breath after breath, she felt her anger receding until it was nothing but a gentle flame. Tentatively, the girl got up and stretched. Giving the crashing waves one last look, she turned and walked back into her new rental home, leaving behind the long dead memories of the past.
Moments later, she sat in her car, staring at her new prison: Bradford High.
/Sometimes, I really do hate being immortal/ August sighed inwardly and parked. Flipping open her compact mirror, she scanned her reflection. With about six hundred years, give or take a century, nothing has changed about the vampire. Same aristocratic features. High cheekbones, straight nose, luscious mouth with a wide smile, and an impossibly black hair that ran straight like a waterfall.
August checked her compartment glove and sure enough there were blueprints, school records, fake ids, and plenty of background checks on her primary target.
Rhys Drake.
After scanning each article carefully, memorizing it in detail. The photo that accompanied the file was an old one, but August felt confident she would still be able to pick him out of a crowd. She had trained for this mission for years. With another quick glance in her mirror, shut the mirror with a thump and she stepped out of her brand new Volkswagen Jetta.
August registered at the front office. She consulted with her guidance councilor and not long after, she left the office with a schedule and a map of the school in hand.
Skimming both slips of paper she quickly found her locker and threw her backpack in. The vampire closed the locker with an efficient slam and walked briskly down the hall. A tidal wave of students cleared her path, heads turning to catch another glimpse of the new girl. Bradford was a small town and word traveled quickly.
They have fresh meat in their midst.
Rhys Drache stood atop the hillside for one last moment. Basking in the sunlight, trying to capture the last few seconds of summer. The young man spread out his arms and felt like flying. He could feel the change within seconds of his bones. He reigned the urge in and stretched instead.
Sighing, the young man picked up his backpack, but as he did, he felt a change in the air. Feeling around with his senses he picked up on the new life force fairly quickly, though not without some skill. /A new vampire. Not so powerful. Wonder if she's hot?/ Rhys mused and suddenly, he felt about his day.
"So, like where are you from?" Ashley asked.
"Around I guess. I travel alot," August answered, avoiding the girl's eyes, conveying a shy appeal.
After four and half grueling hours of human ignorance, August gratefully to endure a lunch of blood disguised in a thermos. When she had thought she had found some peace and quiet, Ashley and her gang of cheerleaders arrived.
The human dimpled, understanding. "Look, I know it's kinda hard adjusting, but don't worry. Southern hospitality." She held out her arms to her fellow comrades. They all nodded in agreement. Ashley got up and said, "If you ever needed anyone to sit with don't even bother to ask. A chair is always welcomed with us."
August wanted to laugh. Already having slipping into the little twit's mind, she found that the blonde had honestly wanted to make the girl feel welcomed. /Well this is something new/ Being accustomed to cold stares and awkward conversations, she wasn't quite sure she was ready for this..."southern hospitality". /Although it would be in my advantage to take her up on her offer/
Soon after Ashley left, another girl quickly occupied her space. She smiled and plopped down on the grass next August. Opened the brown lunch bag and extracting a sandwhich, the petite witch said without candor, "Vampire right?"
August smiled faintly. /Not very subtle./ Her skin prickled with annoyance, but she checked her anger and held out a slender hand,. "Yes I am. August Redfern. Pleasure to make your acquaintance"
After brushing some crumbs off her hands, the girl extended her own and responded, "Ally Talbot. Unity. Redfern? Pretty powerful family ya got there which explains the whole aura ya got around ya, though I'd say a lot of it is from experience as well. So c'mon give me some details. How long you've been here? Why are ya here? How old are ya?" She took a big mouthful of sandwich.
August could almost feel a twitch beginning to start, but she controlled herself. /Your object is to make friends with these people. Remember?/ "I've been here a couple of months. I move year to year to keep up pretenses," August muttered and sipped. "I've lived long enough to see the black plague spread its disease and kill by the thousands each day. After that I decided eighteen was a great age to live in. So I guess…I'm quite old."
Ally nodded thoughtfully. "What about expenses? Whatcha do? Buisness manager? Spy? Trained assasin?" She faked 'kung-fu' motions and giggled to show she was only joking.
August on the other hand didn't find it amusing at all and commented, "You sure do ask a lot of questions."
"Can't blame her. She's quite a talker," a deep southern accent resonated from behind her.
August turned around and found herself meeting intense violet eyes. Framed with dark eyelashes, the chiseled face smiled warmly. His dark brown hair tossed messily from the wind against the frame of a hard muscular body.
"Jake Welsh, a witch at your service." He took a spot next to Ally and plotted a kiss on her forehead.
"Am I meeting a welcoming committee?" August asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, it's the way we do things right here." Jake gestured, "We're pretty straightforward, curious people. You've got about a good few more visits before we're through with you. It's not so bad though. The humans here are nice and aren't so much of a pain as ya might think. There is a group of Night folk here though but it's just about a couple of shifters, witches, and a pack of wolves down on the other side of town. Not too many fangs though, but I only really count us youngins. What I call, open game."
"Open game?" August raised an eyebrow.
Ally laughed and punched Jake playfully in the stomach. "Well not open game to him anymore, but ya know. Like, someone to hook up with. Everyone is getting' all crazy about finding their soulmate that it's pretty impossible to find someone to mess with. Jake and I on the other hand, are the real thing."
She flashed a bright smile. "Congratulatons," she said suppressing an urge to gag. "So does that make me a "youngin"?"August finished up the last of the blood. Putting the canister very carefully in the pack.
Jake chuckled. "I'm sure you're going to get your share of attention from humans and night worlders alike. Be prepared Ms. Redfern. It's a small town. Fresh meat's hard to come by."
Despite feeing full, August could feel her fangs itching to grow from the anticipation. She asked nonchalantly, "Do you know if any of my cousins are here? Like other Redferns in the area? Harmans?" It would be difficult to continue on this mission if any of her family members were to show up. Technically, she was dead.
"Nah," Ally said. "You're the only one with the name here. And no other witch cousins in the area. Although there is a Drache here. Name's Rhys. Sticks to himself so don't bother with "huntin'" him."
"A 'shifter from the first house? I thought Galen was the only…"
Ally shook her head, "Something about a feud in the family. Technically, they're not considered Draches."Ally checked her watch. Jake waved and walked his soulmate down the hill back to the school. August stood looking at their retreating backs, resisting the urge to pounce.