Let's see what Heather came up with, shall we? Thanks for reviewing, EvilAngel666 (I know it was obvious – but thank you for calling her Sammy).
Heather didn't know how to answer her friend's question. "How...how did you..."
"We could hear everything." Dakota said, rolling her eyes. "Are you guys dating or something, or not? From what he said, he obviously really likes you. I mean, was that Amy and Samey you were talking about back there – the flyer twins on the cheerleading squad? You actively encouraged him to go flirt with them, and he didn't. And you guys are seeing each other tomorrow night?"
"Oh my gosh, are you seeing him then?" Lindsay squealed. "I peeked out at you guys, and he is so cute – not as totally cute as Tyler, but you are still so lucky, Heather!"
Dakota nodded. "He was pretty gorgeous."
Heather rolled her eyes. "We're not dating. He's just this guy I know." she improvised. "He won't leave me alone."
But later that night, when Lindsay had fallen asleep, Dakota looked at her friend seriously. "Heather – about that guy – tell the truth. I didn't want to say it in front of Lindsay – she'd freak. But that guy – I saw him. He's a vampire, isn't he?"
Heather started. "He isn't! How could you tell?"
"He had fangs." Dakota said matter-of-factly. "You don't learn how to look your best like me and not become perceptive. He'd covered it up well, but I saw them when he smiled. How could you not tell me, Heather? I thought you were my best friend."
"I didn't tell anyone." Heather murmured. "You know that day when I came to school with puncture marks on my neck?"
"Yeah..." Dakota said slowly. Heather pulled her hair out of the way to show Dakota the mark on her neck.
"He was the one who gave me those marks. He sneaked into my room the night before and had the nerve to start hitting on me and calling me beautiful and trying to make me want him. And it's kind of fuzzy, but I know he did drink some of my blood after that."
"So how are you not a vampire?" Dakota asked. "I know you're definitely not."
"Ask him." Heather shrugged. " I never bothered to ask. Anyway, he made that mark that's here now last Tuesday. Apparently it stops other vampires from attacking me."
Dakota frowned. "That's true, but is that all he told you? When I was little, I read vampire books. That mark isn't just protective – it marks you as belonging to him. You'll have the mark for as long as your mortal life is, and it means that you belong to him – not just as a person, but as a mate. That's what vampires do if they feel that they've found a human that they want as their mate. I'd say that this one is crazy for you."
Heather gasped. "You mean – that sneaky, completely impossible – ugh! So that was the real reason. What if I don't want to belong to him?"
Dakota shrugged. "I don't know. Ask your vampire. But like it or not, there's no way to get that mark off. I think there was some level of control it causes...but I don't think it controls emotions or actions." she added, seeing the look of horror on her friend's face. "If you want to know more, you'll have to ask someone else."
The next morning, Heather and Dakota said nothing about their conversation to Lindsay – they knew she wouldn't unmderstand. But the meaningful looks they gave each other made it clear that something had happened. Luckily, Lindsay stayed blissfully oblivious.
"I'll text you if I can find any more info." Dakota whispered to Heather as she left. "But...you know...don't expect me to have time. I have another modelling audition anyway."
Heather decided to do the only thing that helped her calm down – therapeutic shopping. But even that couldn't keep her mind off the mark. The only thing to do was see if there was any ideas on the Internet about markings.
There wasn't much at all, but there was something about a telepathic connection, which Heather was surewasn't there. She would have been getting telepathic messages already instead of written ones, wouldn't she? There was no point in writing messages if you could just use telepathy.
Then again, she remembered thinking things that she was sure she'd never have thought of herself. Just at some points, she'd caught herself thinking in a more formal way than usual, or concentrating on something that was unusual for her.
So, you figured it out? An amused voice said in her head.
Heather jumped, checking to see that no one was around. "What the-" she said out loud.
I'm speaking to you through my dreams. I can't do this when I'm awake. The voice in her head was definitely Alejandro. She could pick out his voice anywhere by this time.
"Why didn't you just do this instead of leaving me messages?" Heather snapped.
You don't have to speak out loud. I can hear you without that. And in answer to your question, I couldn't just address you directly in your mind. Besides, it was much more fun to plant some thoughts in your mind and see how long it took you to figure it out.
Jerk. Heather thought back. Can't you just leave me alone?
Why would I want to do that? Alejandro answered flirtatiously. I'm quite looking forward to tonight.
Well, I'm not. Heather scowled as she thought her reply back. Why did I have to hear about that mark from Dakota? What if I don't want to belong to you?
Oh, Heather. Alejandro sighed in her head. Your friend had most of it right, but belonging to me doesn't mean you can't control your own life. It's only that...well, you will understand in time. I apologize for having done it without your consent, but there was no other way. I meant it when I said I was protecting you, as well. But you already knew that I wanted you. You're the only girl I've cared about enough to do that, you know that.
As Alejandro communicated with Heather as he slept, he kept some information back. What he hadn't said was that the mark also made her desire to be closer to him. Not sexually – just a subconscious feeling that she would get. It was an effect of marking her as a mate – it caused a human to feel affection for whoever marked them, which suited Alejandro perfectly. He wanted to be the one in control of the relationship. Although he liked Heather a lot, he wanted her to fall so hard that she would be willing to do anything for him, long before he let his guard down. The emotional effects of marking her would help a lot in that sense.
Alejandro couldn't wait until he woke up and it was time to see Heather in person, to test out if her resistance to affection had decreased from the last time. After all, it was only two days since she had the mark then. Maybe an extra couple of days would have increased it.
I hope this chapter was okay! Please review!
One more thing. I can imagine what happens in my head, but I can't draw. Would anyone be interested in doing cover art for this fic? If you are, PM me. Please!
