Part 15
So that was her. Carter didn't understand it. She was cute, but so what? So were Faith and Morticia, and Obsidian had them wrapped around her fingers.
Now this absurd thing with Susanna. He had know who she was, just needed her to confirm it. The stupid girl was far too trusting. Kathryn wasn't exactly the friendliest person in the world, had Susanna told her because they were roommates? Or had Kathryn seen through Susanna's pathetic disguise? Jack could usually get any information from anyone he wanted so he wasn't surprised at that.
He didn't know how Bridget and Shanna would react having a famous vampire hunter in the house...
Well, anyway, she was only there for a week. Obsidian would be here soon. Susanna would be dealt with.
Keeping an eye on her wouldn't be too hard. Providing none of those idiots figured out who he really was.
* * *
The drive to Greenville was conducted mainly in tense silence. Ethan frowned as he drove past the city limits sign, welcoming him and Tiegra to the small town.
"So do we have a plan or are we just going to go in and grab her?" Tiegra asked.
Ethan didn't say anything. He hadn't really say anything. He hadn't really been thinking of a strategy. He just wanted to see Susanna. He hadn't any idea if any sort of plan.
"I don't know," he admitted dryly. He cursed himself mentally for not thinking about that before hand.
Tiegra's eyes rolled. "Great," she muttered.
Ethan glared at her. "So what's *you're* plan then?" he snapped at her. He was tried of everyone getting on his case. This whole thing wasn't his fault. He *loved* Susanna. He had never wanted to hurt her.
Whatever had happened he would convince her nothing could ever change that.
"Any idea where this house is?" he asked.
Tiegra shook her head. "No," he voice was small.
Ethan's eyes rolled. "Did you think we'd just knock on doors?"
Tiegra glared back. "I don't know either!" she snapped, her voice almost on the verge of tears.
Ethan sighed heavily, guilt setting in. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "This whole thing...it's..."
Tiegra reached out and took his hand. "I know."
"What was she *thinking!*" he exploded, unable to keep it in any longer. "She should *know* better!"
All of a sudden he was angry. How dare Susanna do this to them! How dare she be so selfish! How could she do this to the woman and the man she loved! How *could* she?"
"Well, sitting here isn't doing anybody any good," Tiegra said finally. "Let's look around and see where we go from there."
Ethan nodded, put the car in gear and started driving again, more determined than ever to find Susanna. She needed to be taught a lesson.
* * *
Part 16
Susanna woke, blessedly with no hangover. Kathryn was already gone. Susanna sighed, wondering what she was going to do with herself. She dragged herself up, hearing voices downstairs.
She shuddered, wondering if they were plotting on how to make her even more miserable.
~Oh stop it~ she told herself. ~They're probably completely different to what you think~
She showered and dressed. When she headed into the kitchen only Jack and Carter smiled at her. Kathryn just smirked cruelly.
"Well, I'm only looking out for everybody's safety," she said reasonably before walking out the door, hips swaying. Bridget turned away and refused to look at her. Shanna just shrugged helplessly.
Susanna sighed heavily. "Maybe I should just turn myself in now," she muttered sullenly.
Jack patted her lightly on the butt. "Lighten up, they'll get over it."
Carter snorted. "You never give up, do you?"
Jack grinned. "I can do stuff to your ass instead if you like," he offered.
Carter's eyebrow raised. "Dream on, buddy."
Susanna noticed Shanna giving Jack a deadly glare. Jack ducked behind Susanna. "Help! She's giving me the Evil Eye!" He clutched at his throat as if choking.
Shanna was trying very hard to glare at him, and failing miserably. "Drop dead, Jack."
Jack sniffed. "My feelings are hurt. If I'm not wanted, then I'll leave." He left the room, head held high, hands on his hips.
Once he was gone Shanna and Bridget burst into giggles. Carter's eyebrow remained raised. "Did I miss something?" he asked. He shook his head and left the room.
Susanna felt even more isolated, seeing the friendly, easy humour of the housemates.
"I can't believe Carter's really that clueless to Shanna's crush," Grace snorted. Susanna wasn't sure if Bridget was talking to her or not.
Shanna just shrugged. "Oh come on. You had a crush on *Jack* when you first moved in!"
Susanna didn't say anything.
"Just ignore Kathryn," Shanna said dismissively. "She can be a grade-A bitch when she wants to be. Which unfortunately, is most of the time."
"Is what she said true?" Bridget asked, eyes narrowed slightly.
Susanna sighed. "What did she say? Have Carter and Jack said anything?"
Bridget's lip curved. "For starters, *Suzy*, are you really a vampire hunter?"
Susanna bit her lip on a smart remark. She did *not* understand Bridget. "Let's get one thing straight. It's *Susanna*." ~I'm gonna kill you the next time I see you Selene Weald~ she thought, annoyed. "Yeah. I *was* anyway."
"They're not that bad," Bridget said simply. Susanna wondered if she was referring to vampires or just Night Worlders in general. Confusing, considering Bridget appeared to be human.
For a moment she didn't say anything, thinking of her beloved Ethan, completely lost to her now. "Some of them arte," she snapped. Bridget opened her mouth. "Tell that to the group of Night World monsters who gang-raped me," Susanna snapped at her.
Bridget shut her mouth. "Oh."
"Of which Kathryn's *boyfriend*," she spat the word out "was part of." Thinking about Kathryn's words, she remembered briefly where she had seen the girl before.
She had never forgotten how Ethan had come in and saved her. They had surely been planning on killing her once done with torture. He'd stopped them, literally barged in, kicked their asses, and carried her out and away to safety, like a real movie hero.
*Her* hero. She sniffled as she thought of how much she missed him. And Tiegra. Her beloved kitten...
"I take it Kathryn doesn't know," Shanna said finally, almost disgusted. "How come she hates you then?"
Susanna shrugged. "Like you said, she's a bitch."
"Carter mentioned you'd been bitten by a vampire," Bridget said.
Susanna nodded. "A vamp I was hunting decided they liked me, and wanted me as theirs, so they kidnapped me and changed me. I couldn't face the other hunters...my...and my..." She trailed off and turned away.
"There was a boyfriend in there, wasn't there?" Bridget said, and when Susanna didn't reply instantly, "*not* just a boyfriend?"
Susanna smiled slightly. "You miss nothing, do you?"
"I'm a visionary," Bridget admitted. "I kind of see the future."
Susanna could see instantly why that would be dangerous to both the Dayworld and the Night World. "You're human, aren't you?" Bridget snorted and nodded. Susanna looked over at Shanna.
Shanna sighed. "I'm a dragon."
Susanna stared at her in utter shock. "You mean - like - "
Shanna smiled and nodded. "Flies, breathes fire...the lot..."
"And..."
"I know why Jack's here," she said. "What's Carter's deal?"
Shanna sighed. "Dark, sexy mysterious...who could want more?"
~I want Ethan,~ Susanna thought. ~And Tiegra. And Carter would be nice. Ethan, Carter and Tiegra all at once.~ She smiled a little. ~Yum~
"Carter's a bit of a mystery," Bridget said with a smile. "We know very little about him."
Susanna was more intrigued about him than ever.
Shanna made a face. "But even we have to suffer." She sighed heavily. "School. And you're coming too."
"But I - " Susanna began, cut off as Shanna dragged her out the kitchen. "All sorted out."
Susanna sighed. "Gee, thanks."
Maybe she would be alright here after all. Kathryn would be a problem, but if necessary, she could deal with that. At least she could trust the others.
Well, she thought she could.
* * *
Part 17
They were up to something. Obsidian wasn't sure what but knew the gang were planning and plotting. Whether it was something good or bad, she wasn't sure.
They were all acting extremely suspicious, as if nothing out the ordinary was going on when it was pretty obvious something was. When she sopped Sven lurking outside her door she grabbed his wrist, digging her sharp red nails into his arm.
"Sven? What's everyone up to?"
Sven just looked back at her, ice-blue eyes flashing strangely. "What are you talking about?"
Obsidian scowled. "Don't humour me, asshole," she snapped.
Sven yanked his arm free. "If we told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now, would it?" With that he sauntered off.
"Hey - Oblivion called after him, but he was gone.
She frowned, not liking the idea of whatever surprise it was they were planning for her. She doubted it would be anything she liked.
The girls were probably jealous of her obsessing over Susanna and were trying to get her someone new. Or something along those lines. Or maybe it was something totally different.
Obsidian scowled, remembering how much she hated surprises. She dreaded to think what this one would be.
* * *
"What's up with Obsidian?" Glory asked, sauntering into the downstairs living room. Some screaming heavy metal band was shrieking out of the stereo. "Are you guys trying to wake the dead or something?"
"Where the hell have you been?" Pierce demanded.
Glory shrugged and smirked. "Around. You people don't think you can keep me on a leash, do you?"
Morticia's eyes rolled. Where the hell did Oblivion find people like Glory? "Do you have any idea what's going on?"
Glory snorted. "Obsidian's obsessing over that vampire hunter Susanna." She chuckled. "She wriggles like a fish."
Morticia's eyebrow raised slightly, deciding not to pursue that subject. "Are we all set then?" she asked.
Pierce nodded. "She's suspicious, but it doesn't matter. She'll just be *surprised*."
Glory snorted again. "Obsidian hates surprises."
Sven smirked. "Which means this plan of ours is going to be all the more fun."
Morticia remained silent, keeping her own plan to herself. Well, Faith knew, but Faith was smart enough to keep her mouth shut. She stood up. "Pierce, you're coming with me. Glory, you're coming too. Faith and Sven, you guys are staying here."
"Why can't Faith go with you?" Glory whined.
Morticia just glared. "Because I *say* so. If all of us go, then she'll figure out what we're up to."
Pierce nodded, scowling at her. "Just remember who's in charge," he said icily.
Morticia ignored him. She glanced over at Faith, who smiled at her, lip curled. ~We'll deal with the bitch~ Faith's mental voice said in her mind. Morticia nodded, her eyes narrowed in determination. "Let's go."
* * *
So that was her. Carter didn't understand it. She was cute, but so what? So were Faith and Morticia, and Obsidian had them wrapped around her fingers.
Now this absurd thing with Susanna. He had know who she was, just needed her to confirm it. The stupid girl was far too trusting. Kathryn wasn't exactly the friendliest person in the world, had Susanna told her because they were roommates? Or had Kathryn seen through Susanna's pathetic disguise? Jack could usually get any information from anyone he wanted so he wasn't surprised at that.
He didn't know how Bridget and Shanna would react having a famous vampire hunter in the house...
Well, anyway, she was only there for a week. Obsidian would be here soon. Susanna would be dealt with.
Keeping an eye on her wouldn't be too hard. Providing none of those idiots figured out who he really was.
* * *
The drive to Greenville was conducted mainly in tense silence. Ethan frowned as he drove past the city limits sign, welcoming him and Tiegra to the small town.
"So do we have a plan or are we just going to go in and grab her?" Tiegra asked.
Ethan didn't say anything. He hadn't really say anything. He hadn't really been thinking of a strategy. He just wanted to see Susanna. He hadn't any idea if any sort of plan.
"I don't know," he admitted dryly. He cursed himself mentally for not thinking about that before hand.
Tiegra's eyes rolled. "Great," she muttered.
Ethan glared at her. "So what's *you're* plan then?" he snapped at her. He was tried of everyone getting on his case. This whole thing wasn't his fault. He *loved* Susanna. He had never wanted to hurt her.
Whatever had happened he would convince her nothing could ever change that.
"Any idea where this house is?" he asked.
Tiegra shook her head. "No," he voice was small.
Ethan's eyes rolled. "Did you think we'd just knock on doors?"
Tiegra glared back. "I don't know either!" she snapped, her voice almost on the verge of tears.
Ethan sighed heavily, guilt setting in. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "This whole thing...it's..."
Tiegra reached out and took his hand. "I know."
"What was she *thinking!*" he exploded, unable to keep it in any longer. "She should *know* better!"
All of a sudden he was angry. How dare Susanna do this to them! How dare she be so selfish! How could she do this to the woman and the man she loved! How *could* she?"
"Well, sitting here isn't doing anybody any good," Tiegra said finally. "Let's look around and see where we go from there."
Ethan nodded, put the car in gear and started driving again, more determined than ever to find Susanna. She needed to be taught a lesson.
* * *
Part 16
Susanna woke, blessedly with no hangover. Kathryn was already gone. Susanna sighed, wondering what she was going to do with herself. She dragged herself up, hearing voices downstairs.
She shuddered, wondering if they were plotting on how to make her even more miserable.
~Oh stop it~ she told herself. ~They're probably completely different to what you think~
She showered and dressed. When she headed into the kitchen only Jack and Carter smiled at her. Kathryn just smirked cruelly.
"Well, I'm only looking out for everybody's safety," she said reasonably before walking out the door, hips swaying. Bridget turned away and refused to look at her. Shanna just shrugged helplessly.
Susanna sighed heavily. "Maybe I should just turn myself in now," she muttered sullenly.
Jack patted her lightly on the butt. "Lighten up, they'll get over it."
Carter snorted. "You never give up, do you?"
Jack grinned. "I can do stuff to your ass instead if you like," he offered.
Carter's eyebrow raised. "Dream on, buddy."
Susanna noticed Shanna giving Jack a deadly glare. Jack ducked behind Susanna. "Help! She's giving me the Evil Eye!" He clutched at his throat as if choking.
Shanna was trying very hard to glare at him, and failing miserably. "Drop dead, Jack."
Jack sniffed. "My feelings are hurt. If I'm not wanted, then I'll leave." He left the room, head held high, hands on his hips.
Once he was gone Shanna and Bridget burst into giggles. Carter's eyebrow remained raised. "Did I miss something?" he asked. He shook his head and left the room.
Susanna felt even more isolated, seeing the friendly, easy humour of the housemates.
"I can't believe Carter's really that clueless to Shanna's crush," Grace snorted. Susanna wasn't sure if Bridget was talking to her or not.
Shanna just shrugged. "Oh come on. You had a crush on *Jack* when you first moved in!"
Susanna didn't say anything.
"Just ignore Kathryn," Shanna said dismissively. "She can be a grade-A bitch when she wants to be. Which unfortunately, is most of the time."
"Is what she said true?" Bridget asked, eyes narrowed slightly.
Susanna sighed. "What did she say? Have Carter and Jack said anything?"
Bridget's lip curved. "For starters, *Suzy*, are you really a vampire hunter?"
Susanna bit her lip on a smart remark. She did *not* understand Bridget. "Let's get one thing straight. It's *Susanna*." ~I'm gonna kill you the next time I see you Selene Weald~ she thought, annoyed. "Yeah. I *was* anyway."
"They're not that bad," Bridget said simply. Susanna wondered if she was referring to vampires or just Night Worlders in general. Confusing, considering Bridget appeared to be human.
For a moment she didn't say anything, thinking of her beloved Ethan, completely lost to her now. "Some of them arte," she snapped. Bridget opened her mouth. "Tell that to the group of Night World monsters who gang-raped me," Susanna snapped at her.
Bridget shut her mouth. "Oh."
"Of which Kathryn's *boyfriend*," she spat the word out "was part of." Thinking about Kathryn's words, she remembered briefly where she had seen the girl before.
She had never forgotten how Ethan had come in and saved her. They had surely been planning on killing her once done with torture. He'd stopped them, literally barged in, kicked their asses, and carried her out and away to safety, like a real movie hero.
*Her* hero. She sniffled as she thought of how much she missed him. And Tiegra. Her beloved kitten...
"I take it Kathryn doesn't know," Shanna said finally, almost disgusted. "How come she hates you then?"
Susanna shrugged. "Like you said, she's a bitch."
"Carter mentioned you'd been bitten by a vampire," Bridget said.
Susanna nodded. "A vamp I was hunting decided they liked me, and wanted me as theirs, so they kidnapped me and changed me. I couldn't face the other hunters...my...and my..." She trailed off and turned away.
"There was a boyfriend in there, wasn't there?" Bridget said, and when Susanna didn't reply instantly, "*not* just a boyfriend?"
Susanna smiled slightly. "You miss nothing, do you?"
"I'm a visionary," Bridget admitted. "I kind of see the future."
Susanna could see instantly why that would be dangerous to both the Dayworld and the Night World. "You're human, aren't you?" Bridget snorted and nodded. Susanna looked over at Shanna.
Shanna sighed. "I'm a dragon."
Susanna stared at her in utter shock. "You mean - like - "
Shanna smiled and nodded. "Flies, breathes fire...the lot..."
"And..."
"I know why Jack's here," she said. "What's Carter's deal?"
Shanna sighed. "Dark, sexy mysterious...who could want more?"
~I want Ethan,~ Susanna thought. ~And Tiegra. And Carter would be nice. Ethan, Carter and Tiegra all at once.~ She smiled a little. ~Yum~
"Carter's a bit of a mystery," Bridget said with a smile. "We know very little about him."
Susanna was more intrigued about him than ever.
Shanna made a face. "But even we have to suffer." She sighed heavily. "School. And you're coming too."
"But I - " Susanna began, cut off as Shanna dragged her out the kitchen. "All sorted out."
Susanna sighed. "Gee, thanks."
Maybe she would be alright here after all. Kathryn would be a problem, but if necessary, she could deal with that. At least she could trust the others.
Well, she thought she could.
* * *
Part 17
They were up to something. Obsidian wasn't sure what but knew the gang were planning and plotting. Whether it was something good or bad, she wasn't sure.
They were all acting extremely suspicious, as if nothing out the ordinary was going on when it was pretty obvious something was. When she sopped Sven lurking outside her door she grabbed his wrist, digging her sharp red nails into his arm.
"Sven? What's everyone up to?"
Sven just looked back at her, ice-blue eyes flashing strangely. "What are you talking about?"
Obsidian scowled. "Don't humour me, asshole," she snapped.
Sven yanked his arm free. "If we told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now, would it?" With that he sauntered off.
"Hey - Oblivion called after him, but he was gone.
She frowned, not liking the idea of whatever surprise it was they were planning for her. She doubted it would be anything she liked.
The girls were probably jealous of her obsessing over Susanna and were trying to get her someone new. Or something along those lines. Or maybe it was something totally different.
Obsidian scowled, remembering how much she hated surprises. She dreaded to think what this one would be.
* * *
"What's up with Obsidian?" Glory asked, sauntering into the downstairs living room. Some screaming heavy metal band was shrieking out of the stereo. "Are you guys trying to wake the dead or something?"
"Where the hell have you been?" Pierce demanded.
Glory shrugged and smirked. "Around. You people don't think you can keep me on a leash, do you?"
Morticia's eyes rolled. Where the hell did Oblivion find people like Glory? "Do you have any idea what's going on?"
Glory snorted. "Obsidian's obsessing over that vampire hunter Susanna." She chuckled. "She wriggles like a fish."
Morticia's eyebrow raised slightly, deciding not to pursue that subject. "Are we all set then?" she asked.
Pierce nodded. "She's suspicious, but it doesn't matter. She'll just be *surprised*."
Glory snorted again. "Obsidian hates surprises."
Sven smirked. "Which means this plan of ours is going to be all the more fun."
Morticia remained silent, keeping her own plan to herself. Well, Faith knew, but Faith was smart enough to keep her mouth shut. She stood up. "Pierce, you're coming with me. Glory, you're coming too. Faith and Sven, you guys are staying here."
"Why can't Faith go with you?" Glory whined.
Morticia just glared. "Because I *say* so. If all of us go, then she'll figure out what we're up to."
Pierce nodded, scowling at her. "Just remember who's in charge," he said icily.
Morticia ignored him. She glanced over at Faith, who smiled at her, lip curled. ~We'll deal with the bitch~ Faith's mental voice said in her mind. Morticia nodded, her eyes narrowed in determination. "Let's go."
* * *
