Mirror, Shattered 6- Sneaky
"How are you faring at school?" I shrug.
"It's interesting. I had a very interesting evening last night. I went over to Nissa and Christopher's house."
"Ah. So I suppose they told you what happened?" I nod.
"Yes. So, when are your guests to be arriving?"
"In about five minutes. I suppose your mother isn't in town right now, since you're early." I nod once.
"She's gone until Samhain. And my older sister is gone as well."
"I see. Well, there are people arriving. When are you leaving?"
"The usual time. Just after the Hour."
"Shall we?" Nikolas and I leave the party and go up to his room. After we finish my little donor session, I head downstairs and get my jacket. I leave the house and go hunting.
"Christopher and Nissa aren't in SingleEarth." I nod.
"I know that. I hang out with them more remember?"
"I know. And it worries me. It's bad enough that you're friends with some of the most dangerous leeches out there, but you don't hide it!" I scoff.
"I do too hide it. You just know me too well. Adia doesn't even know about my friendships."
"That's because you're careful about it, I suppose. But still. Oh, I'm going to the Halloween dance tomorrow night." I sigh.
"I figured that. Are you going to end your friendship with Christopher and Nissa then? Since you're afraid of breaking the rules."
"Your only safety is that you're known to be stronger than Dominique. For some reason." I shrug. Since I don't even know why, or how, I'm stronger than Dominique. "Are you planning to go to the dance?" I shake my head.
"No. I have a prior engagement an hour beforehand."
"One of your leech friends?" I nod once.
"Kendra herself. To be exact. She's asked me to drop by a Halloween bash before I go to the ceremony. I might even pick off a few of the weaker guys." I head out the door and get in my car before Sarah can try to talk to me anymore about breaking the rules. The only thing that would put me at risk if Dominique found out about it would be my relationship with Nikolas. Considering it's common knowledge that the reason I'm able to pick off the more powerful vampires is that I befriend them and catch them off guard when they finally relax around me. Kendra and Kaleo have been stubborn, but I'm getting close to the killing strike.
A sudden pain in my stomach nearly causes me to swerve, if I didn't have enough control over my reflexes. Strange, it's not that time of the month, and even then I don't cramp. I'm not hungry. It could be a reaction to the light blood bond between me and Nikolas. That's probably it. A reaction to that. I sigh and get to the school.
"Maria! So glad you could make it. What time are you expected home?" I hug Kendra lightly and hang my jacket on a hook.
"I'm not supposed to be hunting tonight, so I need to be back home early. Meaning I can't stay past ten."
"That stinks." Nikolas? I turn and hug him tightly. "I'm surprised you came." I laugh slightly.
"I hate to miss a decent party."
I glance at the clock absently and sigh.
"What?"
"It's time for me to leave." Nikolas looks at the clock and backs away from me. I pick up my dress and undergarments and start getting dressed. I hug Nikolas tightly before leaving the room.
"Maria! Wait. When are you coming by?"
"Probably Monday night. And since Dominique is going away on another job tomorrow night for a couple of days, I can probably stay the day."
"And skip school? Never mind. We'll talk about it Monday." I nod and hurry out of the house. I get in my car and hurry home.
"Where have you been?! And where's your sister?" I sigh.
"I've been working on one of my projects. And I don't know where Sarah is." Before Dominique can protest, I go into the house and get ready for the ceremony.
"Nissa. Where's Christopher?"
"You haven't seen him?" I shake my head. "He's been with Nikolas."
"Since when? I was at his house on Halloween."
"After ten. He hasn't been home since Saturday night."
"I haven't been over there since Saturday night. Why's he been over there?" Nissa glances toward Sarah.
"He feels betrayed. Even though he already knew that she was a hunter. I guess he assumed that she was more like you."
"Sarah and I are about as different from each other as Nikolas and Christopher are."
"I figured as much." Classes pass by quickly and slightly lonely. After school, I head home to pack a small bag to last me. "Adia, I'm going to be gone until Wednesday."
"Project?" I nod at Adianna and she smiles. "Be careful. Don't get hurt." I nod again and leave the house, heading immediately to Nikolas' house. I park in the drive and head to the front door. One of the blood-bonded human girls opens the door and I take my jacket off.
"Welcome back." I walk over to Nikolas and hug him.
"It's good to be back." I glance up the stairs and sigh. "Hello, Christopher. Are you okay?" He nods once, though he looks tired and nearly distraught. "I warned you that she's the type to strictly keep the rules."
"I know." Nikolas claims my attention again.
"Are you hungry?" I nod.
"Yes, I'll be a second." I step towards the stairs. "Christopher. Nissa is worried about you." Before he can respond, I head to the dining room and then smile when I can no longer sense Christopher in the house.
"Guilt trips aren't nice."
"Nikolas, you know how he is, better than anyone else."
"True." We sit at the table and eat in silence. "Are you intending to skip school tomorrow?" I nod.
"I've got a change of clothes."
"And what did you tell your sisters?" I shrug.
"Project."
"Oh, so I'm a project now?" I get up and walk around the table to sit in his lap.
"No. But that's how they classify my actions so as to explain away my constantly appearing to be friends with vampires."
"Ah. And how many of your projects are close to fruition?" I smile.
"Surprisingly, both Kendra and Kaleo." In an easy motion, Nikolas stands and cradles me in his arms.
"I see. Well, shall we take a break from the stress of hunting and being hunted for a while?" I laugh slightly.
"What did you have in mind?"
