I was hunting when Emily found me. Her pure blonde hair was windswept, eyes a bright scarlet. I noted this, that she had finished her hunt before me yet again. But I was particular with the blood I wished to consume.
I straightened from the crouch, my prey continuing their laughing stroll down the side of the highway. I looked after them wistfully, but Emily's hand on my shoulder turned my attention to her.
"Dominique wanted to see you, Paige," she murmured, yet the sound was clear in my ears. "You shouldn't leave him waiting."
I let a whisper of a sigh escape me. I ran slender fingers through coppery red hair, earning a gawking stare from a passing group of teenage boys. I turned my back on them, not wanting to see the blush on their cheeks if I gave them a look straight-on. Drifting casually alongside Emily, we disappeared into the forest at the edge of the farmland.
In seconds we were sprinting, hair flying out behind us. The journey lasted little more than two minutes. We arrived at a small clearing, empty except for the three other pale, crimson-eyed vampires.
One was tall and willow, black-haired, the thick locks reaching her shoulder blades, a fringe in her eyes just like the shorter Emily. The other woman was olive-toned, dark brown hair in a wild halo about her head. Everything about her was long. She had come from the Amazon, stolen from her home by Dominique, the stunningly gorgeous boy sprawled lazily across two boulders. We were all young, about 15 to 16, except for the 19 year old Amazon.
Dominique stood up and strode over to me, a half head taller. He was well-toned, not brawny, and had a presence that made one want to nestle against his encircling stone arms. I suppressed that urge as I had done so many times as I looked at him, his dark brown and blonde streaked hair draping over his eyes.
A bored grin stretched his face, little dimples sprouting at his cheeks. I held my breath, as if that would contain my desires.
"I was wondering when you would come," he drawled, his hand rising and cupping my cheek. I narrowed my eyes by a miniscule bit.
"Ah, don't get feisty now. You can hunt on the way." Of course he would realize he interrupted my hunt. My eyes were only a dark burgundy, not the vivid scarlet he and the rest had.
In response I simply shrugged. I didn't want to deal with him today.
The black-haired girl, Arielle, pursed her lips. She was interested in Dominique, despite he only used her for momentary pleasure. I pitied her at the same time I disliked her. She deserved heartbreak. Perhaps then it would break through her vanity.
Emily was stone at my side, prepared to defend me if Dominique decided to blame me for something I had not done. Again. The Amazon was silent, as always. At one point I had even thought Ray, as I called her for her full name was much too long and unpronounciable, was mute.
Dominique moved forward, forcing me to look up or stare at his chin. He grinned again, a hand brushing the edge of my loose t-shirt. I stood stiffly, refusing to respond to his seductions. Behind him, Arielle hissed softly.
Then I was airborn. Twisting, I landed neatly on my feet, in a crouch, a growl ripping through my chest. Dominique smirked at me as I straightened, the boulder beside me ceasing it's trembling. The reason Dominique had changed us four. My complete control over the earth, Emily and her fire, Ray's air and Arielle's water. We were assorted candies that Dominique refused to let go of, no matter what the price.
My hands balled into fists, clenched so hard the tendons twitched. He made a dismissive sound and strolled to Arielle, hooking her around the waist. She went willingly, sending me a smug look over her shoulder. Silently I left, Emily and Ray following as the scene that was about to unravel was totally unneeded.
"He wanted you angry, Paige," said Emily softly, "You gave him that."
"I know," I sighed, "But he makes it so easy."
Ray walked with us, silent as ever. I didn't mind.
"If you know, then why do you do it?"
"Because I can't control myself, maybe?"
I hoofed a small boulder a quarter of a mile, until it shattered against the face of the cliff in front of us.
In my peripheral vision I saw Emily give me a sympathetic look, and I knew at that point exactly what she was thinking. Everyone, except Ray for I didn't know WHAT she thought, believed I was secretly in love with Dominique. How they came to that conclusion I had no idea. Maybe they didn't see the loathing I expressed, and mistook it for passion.
I was considering the idea of whether knocking their heads together would work when Ray extended a long arm to stop our leisurely pace that was, in fact, the speed of a swift human jog.
As one, Emily and I looked at the Amazon vampire with questioning eyes. She mutely, of course, nodded, looking ahead. We did the same, and I heard Emily's teeth clench with an audible grinding sound.
Dominique had said this place was empty of vampire covens. Apparently he was wrong, as I watched the group of four vampires pause and stare.
