Cursed Blood

Part Ten

It was hardly a surprise to walk through the front doors of the Garwin Estate to find the lavish home completely filled with intoxicated teenagers ready to welcome the blonde to his own after party. He was quickly whisked away into the arms of all of his "fans" for a round of shots. I didn't protest, this was his party and he was expected to be the type of fantastic host that his reputation often revealed.

I exhaled before scanning the beautiful home laid out before my eyes. Rich hued walls, intricately stitched rugs, crystal chandeliers allowing light to shine upon every polished vase and glistening wooden furniture. So the guy's parents had quite the impressive taste in décor; I was impressed.

The choice of music was hardly the type I could enjoy as I pushed my way through the dancing teens; I found my way towards the only part of the space left untouched by the hardly modest gathering of people: the wine chiller. I pulled out a bottle of Chardonnay and managed to find a bottle opener nearby to indulge in a bit more sophisticated choice of beverage. My wine glass within my grasp was the closest thing to a celebration I've experienced in quite some time; sure I was obviously standing by myself, but it was nice to fill the slight warmth from the pale liquid ticking my lips.

"Not one for parties I take it?" asked a voice. I turned to see Caleb standing next to me pulling off his tuxedo jacket and folding up his starched white sleeves up over his forearms.

"Quite the contrary; I just happen to enjoy them in a different way I suppose." I smiled while returning my eyes to the people around me. I managed to spot Reid and Tyler chugging can after can of beer.

"Well I'll have to admit, I'm glad you don't share Reid's style of enjoying parties." Caleb chuckled as he too poured himself some wine. I watched as Reid caught sight of my gaze upon him and he quickly winked. How could I not smile at that?

"He's just young and enjoying his life. I admire that." I smiled.

"Well why are you not doing the same?" He asked.

"I am an old soul Caleb; a very old soul." I smiled while finding myself pouring a second glass of wine.

"To old souls." Caleb said while clanking his wine glass against my own. I chuckled; I had been very surprised at the kindness shown to me by the same young men I was warned about from Chase Collins at that bus stop so late at night. Could they really be as dangerous as he had inferred? By the warm smile and gentle nod of the head before walking away, Caleb sure didn't seem dangerous to me.

Hours seemed to have passed like minutes until I realized I had finished off my second bottle of wine; the feeling was warm…like an extended embrace from within. I wouldn't say I was as intoxicated as the humans still dancing around me, but I certainly wasn't opposed to admitting I was starting to feel like dancing…which was a good indicator that I had drank far more than I had intended.

I forced myself away from the dancing teens and managed to locate Reid who had finally reached his alcohol limit for the evening, at least I had hoped. He was propped up against the island located in the middle of the beige and granite adorned kitchen.

I walked up to him and kneeled beside him. His tired eyes rolled towards me and he smiled.

"I'm s-sorry…I haven't…paid attention to you." He slurred. I smirked at the sound, how adorable was he at this moment?

"Don't apologize, I'm a big girl remember? I am quite capable of entertaining myself." I spoke until I felt the warmth of his hand brushing my cheek slightly.

"So beautiful." He said softly. I rolled my eyes to mask my obvious blush.

"How about I take you to bed?" I asked.

"Only if you'll…join me." He said with a smirk. I shook my head before laughing.

"Sweetie, I'm afraid you're seductive powers aren't as strong when you've drank an entire twelve pack of beer." I giggled before trying to position myself under his arm to help him up only to find myself stumbling on top of him the moment I tried to lift him. I heard his laughter in my ear as we fell to the chilled tile floor below.

I went to stand once again only to feel Reid's arms pull me back toward him.

"Reid I swear…" I laughed before noticing the seriousness upon his expression. His eyes were looking deep into my own as he seemed to struggle to conjure words to speak.

"Something w-wrong?" I stammered while feeling slightly embarrassed we were laying in the middle of the kitchen floor and were obviously surrounded by nosey onlookers.

"I want…to tell you s-something…but I don't…know if I s-should." His words continued to slur but I raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe you should wait until tomorrow to tell me; after you've had some rest." I said with a smile. Reid started to shake his head in response.

"If I don't s-say it now…I may never…I mean…I would but…"

"Oh for goodness sakes Garwin…just tell me then." I said while growing used to the feeling of closeness we were sharing here tonight. I watched as he swallowed hard…his features grew slightly pale except for the redness of his lips from him biting them in nervousness. What could possibly cause such a hesitation in him like this? He was never one to be shy before, or even question what comes out of his mouth. He was more of an act now, think later type of young man…but right here, right now, I watched as he struggled to speak.

"I…love you. And…" He revealed. I felt my jaw drop as I heard a few faint gasps from the ever present onlookers still huddling around the kitchen. What did he say? What did he just say?

"And…" He stammered.

"And what?" I quickly asked.

"And I think…I'm going to be sick." He said before scrambling to his hands and knees and hurried away towards the darkened hallway; running into walls, people and every other obstacle on the way to the bathroom.

I was left, shocked and stunned at what he had just said. Hearing those words had finally made this entire relationship, this whirlwind of a situation I was now in a bit more real. I was in a relationship with a human being. I was a vampire taking part in the ultimate form of taboo in my world. Part of me was just relieved to hear the words from his lips that had been circling around my mind for awhile now; I did love him. I would have confessed to him instantly had it not been for the sudden and abrupt exit he had made.

There was another part though; as much as Reid had detested me having it, which constantly reminded me how wrong this entire relationship was. It wasn't safe; it wasn't right and would lead to very dire consequences. I had told Reid all of this, all of the reasons why we should just say goodbye and walk away from this, but he would disagree with me with every ounce of his being. I had assumed it was because he truly wasn't grasping the seriousness of the situation, but I was starting to feel as if maybe he did know and he just didn't care. Or could it be that he did care, but he cared for me far more than he cared for the reasons why he shouldn't.

I finally forced myself to my feet and made my way through the crowd almost in a daze; I was lost in my thoughts and feeling drained by the weight of the emotions I was now feeling. But in the midst of the overwhelming thoughts and feelings rushing over me; one thing was certain. I wanted to find Reid and I honestly wanted to tell him that I loved him too. I couldn't believe how much I've changed, how much I could actually feel for another person…but I felt that it was my duty to tell him that I loved him. That's the only thing that mattered to me at this moment.

I felt my lips curling into a smile as I allowed my fingers to sway with the red fabric of my dress as I walked down the hallway. I finally reached the door of the bathroom and I opened it gently, the excitement of revealing my feelings was bursting within me as I walked into the bathroom.

"Hello dear sister." Max spoke as he stood from the side of the porcelain tub he had been sitting upon. I quickly slammed the door behind me before looking down to see Reid sprawled out on the white tiled floor.

"If you touched him…" I hissed.

"Relax; I do believe alcohol is to blame for the loss of consciousness." He said with a smile. In the stark bright hues and unnaturally bight bulbs within the lights; I could finally see my brother in all of his unearned glory. He was so pale; his eyes were dull and lifeless as he continued to look at me. His pleasant demeanor wasn't fooling me in the least, whatever he wanted wasn't going to end well for me.

"Wearing dresses now? Boy, this Reid fellow is stirring up quite the changes in you. I can barely recognize you when you are trying to look so…human." I felt my fists clenching tightly; I tried to force my anger to subside but was having a hard time holding myself back as he grew closer to Reid's motionless body.

"Stay away from him!" I snapped.

"Oh my, someone's protective aren't they?" Max chuckled as he straightened his leather jacket before folding his arms.

"I actually came to warn you; word has…slipped out that you have entered into a relationship with a human. And you know how those leading vampires are, so worried about the exposure of our kind and wanting to uphold tradition…they have issued a warrant for your capture. I'm sure wolfing will be requested on your behalf." Max spoke. My heart dropped…well the joy of realizing love was short lived. My greatest fears had been made reality. What could I even do at this point? There was nothing I could do; running was pointless, vampires had nothing but time on their hands, they would never stop hunting me.

"You…you told them." I growled. It was the only explanation and would explain the devious grin still upon his face as he spoke.

"Me? Now why would I do that?"

"BECAUSE! You just can't…let me be. You can't let me be happy…and live my own life the way I chose. There's nothing you want more than to see me die." I screamed; trying my best to hold back tears now burning within the corners of my eyes.

"All very valid points; I suppose I might have told one or two people about your little rendezvous with the human. And well…you know vampires, all they do is talk." Max laughed. I felt something within me snap as I watched him laughing after admitting that he was the reason I was now facing capitol punishment for simply following my heart.

I lunged at him and tackled him until I felt us crash into the tub. I felt my heart pounding as hard as my fists were now pounding into my brother's features. All my built up anger and all the thoughts of exacting revenge for everything he had ever done to me in his quest to rip my entire life away…was finally being released.

My vision was blurring as I just continued swinging; I felt my fangs beginning to extend; a rare reaction to have happen for me without being exposed to blood, but I allowed myself to fully let go of all my barriers I set up against my vampire nature.

Suddenly my fists were caught in my brother's palms as he began to laugh, I finally noticed the few cuts and swollen places my fists connected with upon his face and chest. I was breathing like a charging bull; I couldn't believe the extent of my reactions, I was showing him exactly what he had been telling me all these years, I was a monster…nothing would ever change that.

"Glad to see you still have a little fight in you…but you need to realize that you are nothing…compared to me." He said, his ominous words reflected in the sudden flicker of evil within his eyes. His smile faded instantly as he stood and released my fists until grabbing a handful of my blonde locks and forcing me to my feet. Before I could react I felt him slam my face into the oval mirror hanging above the sink. I felt the crunch of glass shattering against my face.

Glass fell to the floor like rain as I stumbled back and collapsed into the floor behind me. I raised my hands to my face only to feel my own blood now trailing down my forehead and cheek. I flipped my hair back and released a growl as I looked up at my brother, mocking me with every breath he took.

"Oh my, little sister is mad! What are you going to do? You going to fight me some more? Go for it…I'm dying to feel every bone in your body break!" He roared.

"WHY! WHY! Max…don't you care about me…I'm your sister…you loved me once!" I screamed while I felt tears finally falling. Tears mixed with my blood as they fell onto the white tiles I was slamming my fists into as I screamed.

"I came to warn you didn't I?" He smirked before exhaling loudly; he stepped over Reid before stepping over me and disappearing behind a soft slam of the door.

I felt my fangs slowly detracting as pain started to rear itself; my very knuckles were throbbing as I noticed how swollen and bloody they had become. I looked next to me and grabbed a large shard of the shattered mirror and examined the damage that was inflicted upon my face. It was almost hard to witness; my reflection revealed a few deep gashes that continued to bleed.

I then threw the shard against the cabinet nearest me and I leaned my head against the wall and I just cried. I wept as if I had never known the meaning of controlling myself.

Moments passed, a few knocks upon the door came and went until I looked over and noticed Reid was finally beginning to show signs of movement. He slowly found his way into a sitting position before resting his eyes upon me. Fear and shock swept over him as he scrambled to me and began franticly asking me what happened, am I okay and who did this. I felt him dabbing my face with a washcloth as he brushed my hair behind my ears.

As I felt his touch, and heard his words echoing within my ears, I literally found no words to say. What could I say to him? What good would saying anything else to him do? The damage was done…the warning was made and I was, at this very moment, a wanted target of my people. I would be punished because I had allowed myself to say too much, feel too much and express too much to the blonde who was sitting next to me. I would die…because I chose to love.

Author's Note:

Guest: Thanks so much for your reviews! Glad you're enjoying the story!

Lisamariem: Thanks for the review, I did PM you with detailed explanation with how she's surviving without blood but the story will continue to explain it. She can survive without blood but her vampire abilities such a quick healing from injuries is nonexistent without blood. Blood is an enhancement; vampires can live without it but not as a vampire. Make sense? More details within the story soon! She has had blood in the past though!