This heart that I've followed
Has left me so hollow
That was then, this is now
Yeah, you have changed everything
,~V~,
Another month passed and Willa hadn't returned. I was starting to wonder if she abandoned me. The thought struck a chord in me to think that way so I ignored it. Getting angry and losing focus when I was supposed to guard Tori wasn't an option. Speaking of which, the energetic human had woken me up when she was getting ready to go out. She kept throwing discarded clothes on the bed and the movement finally annoyed me enough to get up. She apologized but I waved it away. After a quick shower and a change of clothes I waited for her in the living room. While she continued to exercise indecision I turned on the news. It almost took me by surprise when I saw myself on the TV screen. It looked like I was presumed either dead or missing now.
"So, they really do care about me," I commented bitterly. I didn't really think of myself as too important or famous enough but apparently I was. It was that or they just ran out of other shit to talk about. Why couldn't they just leave me alone? Now I really had to be careful to hide my face. Tori came in and stopped when she saw the TV.
"Hey Jade, is that…oh my god. You're…" she sputtered, looking at me with wide eyes. I stood and raised my hands to placate her.
"Yeah, don't get all over-excited," I grumbled.
"I knew you looked familiar but I figured, well, some people just look familiar. But then again I don't really like watching the news or TV so I didn't see anything about you. I heard of you and your band though. Shit, I can't believe you've been here all this time and I didn't even know who you really were! That's why you were always so shifty when we went out!" she rambled. I rolled my eyes and held a hand to my head.
"Forget it. I'm not even close to the person I was then, and frankly, I don't ever want to be known as that person again. I'm simply a human given a second chance protecting the life of another. Seems fitting since I lived my life so recklessly. The shit my band and I did was stupid. I could have already died fifty times over yet I survived. I don't plan on screwing this up. Not again," I replied, determined. I wanted her to understand how serious I was. She nodded and then ran a nervous hand through her hair. It was then I noticed that she was all dressed up. Her recent shift of her hair took out some of the wave it held so I walked over to try and salvage it. She let me with what I guessed was wonder in her eyes until I was done.
"You look beautiful," I whispered. She blushed faintly and smiled.
"Thank you. And you look dashing as always," she responded, somewhat playfully. I glanced down at my dark gray hoodie over my black Ramones shirt and my slate gray skinny jeans down to my black boots. I shrugged and aimed what I hoped was a charming smile at her.
"Shall we go my lady?" I asked her, bending at the waist and holding out my hand for her to take. She giggled and took it. I led us to the door. She locked it while I pulled up my hood. I followed her into her car and we drove off to wherever she needed to go. We didn't talk, but one look at her and I knew it was because she had something on her mind. I wondered what it was. In no time we parked in the back of some fancy restaurant. As always I let her walk a little ahead while I tailed her. It was to create the illusion that I was just part of the crowd while she was on her own. But should she ever be in danger I was right there to step in. She entered the restaurant and gave the name of some dude. They directed her to her table while I pushed down my hood and grabbed the nearest server.
"Booth in the back, right there. If you have something suitable to my…tastes, I want a glass. Leave me alone after that," I commanded, my voice like honey and the human's eyes unblinking. He nodded and I released him. He led me to the exact table I pointed out and I took a seat, my eyes going to the table Tori sat down at. Two other people were there and I made guesses as to who they were. I didn't bother tuning into what they were talking about. Instead, I sat back and let my mind wander. Three minutes later a server dropped off a glass of what I expected to be New Blood but turned out to be fresh blood. This had to be the fanciest fucking place I've ever been in. It was funny how under dressed I was. I was seconds from going back into my little world when a piece of the conversation caught my attention.
"We're proud to have you with us, Victoria. You've made a good choice. I understand how hard it is for someone to get into the music business but you're lucky we stumbled upon you when we did. I think we'll see great things from you," the man told her. The woman next to him nodded along. She was in the music business? Or, she was going to be with their help. They must be producers of some sort. No wonder she spazzed when she found out who I was. How was she into music yet she didn't keep track of bands? It didn't make sense at first but then the conversation pulled me back in.
"The pop genre has seen its fair share of oddities so I was hoping we could have someone a little more, how should I say this, grounded," the woman said. So, she was into pop. Which meant she wouldn't really know our goth rock band. I drank the rest of the blood in my glass and set it aside. Almost like magic the server passed by with another. I made sure to flash him a smile full of fangs as my thanks. He just hurried away without a word. I sat back in the booth and nursed my glass while my eyes remained on Tori and my thoughts wandered again. She was so expressive. Her brows were constantly on the move, her brown eyes flicking from one person to the other, her cute button nose scrunching when she was unsure about something. And her lips. Those lips were always smiling or quirked in a way that made me want to go over there and kiss her. I sighed heavily, finished my glass, and then sat up. They looked ready to go. Their plates were bare and their conversation over. I gave them time to get closer to the door before getting up and following. I crammed some money in the pocket of the guy who served me and patted his shoulder when he looked at me.
"Thanks buddy. That hit the spot," I murmured. He gulped but nodded and walked away. I smiled and headed for the door. I kept them in my sights as they made their way behind the building. They turned the corner and I quickly caught up to them, unwilling to have Tori out of my sight for even a second. They had to part, stopping in the row they parked their car while exchanging last words before Tori had to go to her own car. I moved to get closer when I was slammed against the wall. I snarled and grabbed at my attacker.
"What do you think you're doing?" a gruff, accented, voice directed at me. Before I could answer the broad man threw me to the ground. Our scuffle brought the attention of Tori and the two producers.
"Nikolai, what's going on?" the man questioned. Nikolai hauled me up by the back of my jacket and shook me.
"This stalker has been following you all night, sir. I was going to put her out of her misery," he informed them.
"I was only looking out for Tori," I tried to explain, but he tossed me on the ground and placed his boot on my head. I gripped at his ankle, trying to get him off, but he wouldn't budge.
"Lies. Give me one good reason I shouldn't smash your head?" he growled.
"Jade!" Tori addressed me, panic in her tone.
"I believe you have your proof right there. Now get the fuck off me," I snarled. He grumbled but removed his foot just as Tori made it over to us. She helped me up and examined my scratched face but I was already healing.
"Victoria, who is this?" the woman questioned.
"She's my guardian," Tori replied. They looked at me like I was some worthless delinquent before forcing relieved smiles. It was like they didn't think I was capable of such a thing. Hey, I might not be some buff Russian dude who probably gets paid to do this, but I know I can keep Tori safe. Fucking snobs think they knew what was best.
"Oh, our apologies then," the man said. I forced myself not to mock him. Instead, I voiced our departure.
"Don't waste your breath. Come on, Tori," I snapped, glaring at them and then tugging at her arm to get her to move.
"Sorry. W-we're still on for that meeting Thursday, right?" Tori spoke up, uncertain. I shot her a glare too but she ignored it.
"Yes. We'll see you Thursday, Miss Vega," the man replied. She nodded and took me by the hand to lead me away. We walked down the row, Tori hesitant to talk while I was too angry to. She inhaled, preparing to say something, when the sound of crushed metal made us spin around. Nikolai had been thrown into a car and the two humans were screaming. Four figures were closing in on them.
"Shit, what now?" I exclaimed.
"Jade, help them!" Tori pleaded. I looked at her worried face, silently trying to dissuade her, but her shining eyes were begging and I couldn't resist.
"Fuck! Fine! Just get in the car and stay put!" I ordered. She nodded and left while I ran at vampire speed to enter the fight. I slammed into the vampire closest to attacking and threw off another with a snarl. Nikolai tossed a small one and then positioned himself next to me.
"You don't seem to get paid enough for this, huh?" I mentioned to the Russian. He frowned disapprovingly at me.
"I don't get paid at all. Well, not in money," he replied.
"So I'm not the only one who gets fucked on the side?" I pondered.
"Excuse me?" the woman exclaimed behind me, clearly appalled. I glanced back at her.
"Forget you heard that," I told her.
"No, I'm fed fresh blood and given shelter from the sun. As all guardians receive," he clarified.
"Oh, lucky me then. I get extra," I remarked with a shrug. He only had time to give me a calculating look before one of the vampires stepped forward. We both tensed.
"Jade?" the familiar voice questioned. I focused on the vampire's face and gasped.
"Beck," I stated, dropping my stance a little.
"We've been looking everywhere for you," he said, gesturing to Ryder, Cat, and Robbie standing behind him.
"You're alive. Or, undead. But why are you here?" I responded.
"We have to survive somehow," he replied with a shrug, eyeing the humans behind us.
"This isn't the way. There's New Blood now and willing donors. You don't have to pick people off the street," I informed him.
"But it's so much fun," Ryder cut in with a wild smile. I snarled to shut him up and he frowned.
"No, not these humans. Get out of here and take them with you," I dismissed. He scowled, all friendliness gone.
"What happened to you? Where's the party crazy Jade we know? I was certain that when I learned you were a vampire you'd be the perfect leader for us. Our maker said so," he argued.
"Yeah, well, I'm not. My own maker showed me the true way of survival, and it's by the humans' side," I retorted with the utmost resolve.
"Fine, then it looks like you're in our way of dinner," he growled. The other three made various sounds of confirmation.
"Who's your maker?" I demanded.
"Fuck if I know. He didn't give us a name. It doesn't matter. He wants a strong hunting pack and he chose us. He gave orders to find you and bring you back at all costs, even if it means killing a few to aid our search," he replied, looking at the humans again.
"I'll tell you one more time. Turn away," I warned, voice even. He only grinned and his fangs lengthened. The other three followed his lead.
"Shit," I grumbled.
"Are you ready for this, little devil?" Nikolai asked me. A nickname? I liked it. Although, we were facing off against other 'little devils' too. I wasn't going to complain though.
"You bet," I said with a nod. He yelled some command in Russian to the humans we shielded. They found refuge in their car, removed from the fight that was about to happen. He then let out a roar and took down Ryder and Cat, leaving me with Beck and Robbie. Well, here goes nothing.
,~TB~,
