Chapter 7

"King, behind you!" Whistler yelled. King turned and saw the vampire running towards him. He pulled out his electronic pistol and the vampire exploded into ash as the Sun Dog pierced its body. He scanned the area, taking in the action. The Nightstalkers were doing their nightly routine of vampire hunting. He continued to look around until his eyes landed on Anaïs. She loaded her gun and shot a vampire in the face in one quick, fluid motion. She had learned so much and had become just as good a fighter as Abigail and himself. She had been with the Nightstalkers for a little over a year and she had become like family to all of them. Zoë and the rest of the Nightstalkers totally adored her, she and Whistler were like sisters, and he….he loved her. He loved her to death, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her. King knew that she had grown more comfortable with him, but she always seemed to keep a certain distance from him, and that killed him. He would do anything for her, absolutely anything. He only wished that she would just open up to him completely, that she would trust him.

Anaïs turned her head and met his eyes. She gave him a little nod, signaling that there was a vamp behind him. He crossed his left arm over his chest and shot it clean, without even glancing backwards. Anaïs raised an eyebrow at him and smirked.

"Showoff," she mouthed at him. He grinned and shrugged sheepishly. She rolled her eyes and continued to fight. He watched her, absentmindedly hitting and shooting random vampires, not missing a single one. King hit a vampire with long hair, but it just stood there, staring at him angrily. He hit it again, but this time, the vampire smacked him upside his head.

"Ow, what the-," he turned and saw that the vampire was really Whistler, an annoyed look plastered on her face.

"Pay attention, dummy. They're all dead," she said, punching him in the arm for good measure. Anaïs quietly laughed behind them as she unloaded her gun and put it in the strap around her waist. King rubbed his right arm, a pout forming on his face. The trio walked back to the car, exhausted from the scuffle. They drove back in silence, as usual, too tired to converse with each other. They arrived at the Hideout and walked inside tiredly. They saw Zoë at her usual spot and they all waved. The little girl ran up to Anaïs and grabbed her hand.

"Hey, girlie, what's up?" Anaïs said as she picked her up to give her a piggy back ride. Zoë wrapped her arms around Anaïs's neck and placed her chin on her shoulder.

"My mommy just bought some pizza," Zoë said.

"Good, I'm starving. I have to go shower first," Anaïs answered, as she twirled the girl around. King perked up when he heard the last few words that had come out of Ana's mouth. Whistler noticed and smirked at him.

"You are so damn obvious," she said to him.

"Not to her," he mumbled, looking a little sad.

Everyone had gathered in the kitchen to eat and drink. Abby had set her ipod to shuffle and random dance songs were playing through speakers. King was halfheartedly eating his slice of pizza. Even though he was hungry, he couldn't keep his mind off of Ana. He had never felt like this about anyone before. Every time he saw her, he felt like he wanted to blow chunks. His heart sped up and his breathing quickened. He felt dizzy, but happy. He loved her so much but it was like she was always out of his reach.

She entered the kitchen wearing a white camisole that made her dark skin glimmer, black track pants, and pink flip flops. Her long hair had been cut to her shoulders in a shaggy bob and her dark, wispy bangs hung in her eyes. She grabbed a plate and some slices and sat down next to King. He watched as she picked the pepperoni off of her pizza and put it on his plate. He smiled at their little ritual, remembering that she didn't eat meat.

"It's so inhumane," she had told him, "I feel so guilty." She went to the fridge and took out a packet of shredded cheese, grabbed a handful, and dumped it on the slices. She then put her plate in the microwave. Everyone had gotten used to Anaïs's weird eating habits, but they were still pretty strange.

"That is so gross," Abby said to her as she chewed as piece of pizza. Ana just rolled her eyes and pretended she hadn't heard her. King sat at his chair, looking oddly pensive. Abby ruffled his tousled hair, but he ignored her.

"Hey, you okay?" Ana asked, placing her chin in the crook of his neck. Her cheek felt balmy and smooth.

"Yeah, sure," he said, turning his head to look at her. Her beautiful hazel eyes looked like pools of warm honey and were framed by thick, curly lashes. She draped her arms around him and gave him an affectionate hug, enveloping him in a cloud of sweet, powdery perfume. He closed his eyes, savoring the brief moment before she let go. He got up from his chair and put his plate in the sink. King walked back to his room and unintentionally slammed the door. He sat down on his bed and exasperatedly ran his fingers through his hair.

"Why does she do that?" he asked himself, "Why does she tempt me like that?" he got up and walked up to his dresser. He opened a drawer and pulled out a wife beater. He took off his navy thermal and threw it on the floor angrily.

"FUCK!" he yelled, "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fucking fuck!" he put on his shirt and pulled back the covers. He got into bed fell asleep, too angry and too tired to do anything else.

King woke up, hearing a quiet, distant voice in the hall. He sat up and rubbed his eyes tiredly, trying to figure whose voice it was. He realized someone was singing. He got out of his bed and left his room, following the voice. He arrived at Zoë's door, and cracked it open a little. He looked in and saw Anaïs sitting on the little girl's bed, running her fingers lightly through Zoë's straight hair. Anaïs was singing to the girl, trying to get her back to sleep

Beside the sea, where the waves roll, I drew a heart for you in the sand

In fields where streams turn to rivers, I ran to you, you were there

He stood behind her, enthralled by her soothing, mellifluous voice. She tucked Zoë back into bed and kissed her lightly on the forehead. She turned and jumped when she saw King. He chuckled quietly and she covered his mouth with her hand led him out of the room. She closed the door slowly and followed him to his room.

"Why are you awake? Couldn't sleep?" she asked.

"No, you woke me up" he joked, sitting on his bed. She crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame. He thought she looked adorable with her messy hair and rumpled pajamas.

"Sorry, Zoë had another nightmare," she said, stifling a yawn.

"I didn't know you sang," King said to her, looking her up and down as she stretched her body. She sat down next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. King felt like he was going to explode. He couldn't take it anymore. He needed to tell her how he felt; she needed to know that he couldn't live without her. He had lived this past year agonizing over her, whishing he could just kiss her, be with her, and tell her that he couldn't even function without her presence. He turned he his and looked down at her longingly.

"Anaïs.." he started. She opened her eyes sleepily and looked up at him.

"Hmm?"

"I…ummm….."

"Yeah?"

"I……."

"What is it? Why are you stuttering?" she raised her head off of his shoulder and tucked her hair behind her ears. She noticed the King was…..blushing, which is something she had never seen before, and that he was breathing really fast. Her brow knitted in confusion.

What do you need to tell me?"

"I…..I love you."