xxii.

Rain whined quietly as I sat down on the couch beside Star. "What's wrong," I questioned her.

Star bit her lip and stabbed at the box of Chinese in her hand. Of course, Marko had grabbed that out of all things for us before the boys disappeared to find Michael. "I shouldn't have done that last night?"

"What do you mean? Didn't you want to?"

Star quickly nodded. "Of course, I wanted to. God, it was so wonderful." She paused and sighed. "But I don't know. What's going to happen now?" She paused again. "I think I want to complete the process, Eva. Especially if he does, too. I'm tired of hurting you because of how selfish I am."

My eyes widened at the news, but I couldn't ignore the fact that it was amazing news to me. "That's wonderful! Well, I mean, it's great that you're finally accepting it. Maybe you just needed Michael all along."

"What if he doesn't react well tonight? I don't want to force him into it." Star's voice was laced with worry, and I watched her pick at the nail polish on her fingers. "What if he hates me after everything?"

"He won't," I stated firmly. "It might take him a moment, but he'll never hate you."

"I hope so." Star wrapped her arms around me and sighed quietly. "I need to see him again. I need to talk to him."

"He's with the boys, isn't he?"

Star shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, but I'll wait by his house. I have to do something. I need to see him, Eva."

I bit my lip and tapped my foot quietly before huffing and nodding. "Yeah, okay. I'll drive you so you don't have to go alone."

"What about Laddie?"

"The boys will be here soon enough and Rain can protect him if push comes to shove." Rain perked up at the sound of his name, and I ran a hand through his hair. "Laddie," I yelled out. The boy bumbled to us after a few seconds, and I grinned at the sight of him.

"Yeah, mom?"

"Laddie, Star and I are going to go out for a little bit. Are you going to be okay by yourself?" Laddie nodded and crossed his arms. "I know how to take care of myself! I'm growing up!"

Star and I laughed, and I ruffled his hair. "Okay, kid. When the boys come back, tell them that Star and I went to do something important and to not follow or I won't let them sleep in my bed tonight."

Laddie nodded excitedly, and I lifted myself from the couch. "There's still some Chinese food left if you want some. I know you ate, but I know you love Chinese, and the boys aren't going to want any."

Laddie bounced a bit before nodding and running away, yelling a 'thanks mom' and 'bye Star' over his shoulder.

I patted down myself, making sure I had my keys, lighter, and joint on me before I helped Star up from the couch. "Let's go talk to your loverboy."

I walked up the many stairs with Star trailing behind and easily climbed onto my bike. Star sat behind me and easily wrapped her arms around me, and then, we were tearing down the non-existent roads toward the Emerson house. Star gave me the instructions, and I didn't question how she knew.

The house seemed to be a bit run-down but overall nice. It had stuffed animals and wood carvings everywhere, and I could hear three people's heartbeats, though one was slower than the rest. Star jumped off my bike quickly and made her way around the house, listening for what window to look into.

I could hear a young boy talking to who I assumed was Michael as we approached a window. I lit a joint as I listened. "Don't kill me, Mike. I'm basically a good kid, so just don't kill me. I can help you. Just tell me who the head vampire is. I thought it was Max, but I was wrong." Who the hell was this kid and how did he know so much? "Just work with me, and I can help you. You'll be okay."

Of course, that's when Star decided to intervene. I had just taken a drag when she began yelling. "Michael! Michael!"

The boys' footsteps were loud as they ran to the window and peered out. "It's those girls. Are they ones, too?"

"I have to talk to you! Can we come up?" Star was incredibly loud, and I wondered if the person downstairs could hear her.

"No," Michael yelled back, and I glared at him for the harsh tone. Star's face turned distraught, and I patted her back as a way to comfort her slightly.

The boys turned and Michael told the younger to close the window, but before he could, I grabbed Star and flew us up. It was something I was absolutely terrible at, but it got us to where we needed to be.

Blondie freaked out and yelled something about us being vampires before diving under his covers and mumbling nonsense. I took another drag from my joint and gave the kid an incredulous look. As Michael and Star stared each other down, I moved and sat down on the edge of Sam's bed. He immediately moved away, and I rolled my eyes. "I'm not gonna hurt you, kid. If I wanted to feed, I wouldn't have waited this long." The kid whimpered, and I shook my head, feeling a bit bad for him.

Michael and Star began talking, and I took to calming down the kid. His heartbeat was giving me a headache. "Do you want some of this? Your heartbeat is annoying the shit out of me." I offered the weed to him, and he stared at it for a second before shaking his head. I shrugged my shoulders. "Seriously, none of us are going to hurt you. Michael's your brother, Star wouldn't do anything to hurt Michael, and I'm not particularly fond of the idea of my first feed being some random kid in his room."

I looked back over to the couple's conversation as I heard David's name. "Well, I'm just like David now, Star."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Fuck no, you aren't," I stated before Star could talk. "For one, you're only a half-vampire for now. Two, you have nothing on David in any sense of the word. Jeez."

"You're like Laddie, Evangeline, and me, Michael. You're not a full vampire until you make your first kill."

Michael seemed to pause for a second before speaking up. "Why didn't you kill me last night?" His gaze was set intensely on Star.

"I couldn't," she stated simply. "I couldn't do that, Michael."

"Why," Michael questioned, stepping closer to Star, and I growled threateningly. I knew he wouldn't hurt her, but the urge to protect the girl I called my sister was strong. "Because you care so much about me?" His tone was condescending, and I wanted to smack him so bad.

"Yes, I do," Star whispered. She raised her hand to his cheek, and I watched his cold demeanor drop for a few seconds only for him to smack her hand away. I growled again, and blondie pulled the covers around him tighter.

"What are you doing here? What do you want from me?"

Star seemed to stutter around her words for a few seconds before she settled for something. "I needed to see if you were okay. I needed to know if you got hurt." Star paused for a second, and tears gathered in her eyes. "I needed to see you." Her voice was hoarse and laced with something I couldn't figure out, but Michael seemed to know exactly what.

"Why?"

"Because I love you."

I bit my lip as Michael's shoulders dropped, and he pulled her into a tight hug, holding her to his chest. "I've known you for only a few days, but I think I love you too."

Star swallowed harshly, and I heard sobs rack her body. "I was so worried, Michael. I'm sorry I dragged you into this, but maybe it's not so bad, y'know. We can be together. Forever."

Michael ran a hand through Star's hair, and I shifted a bit in the bed. Sam was slowly calming down, and I patted his leg. His heart spiked for a second but it died down just a moment after. "Can I tell him, Star," I questioned quietly. "Or do you want to tell him?"

Star's breath caught but she whispered out her answer. "I'll tell him."

I nodded and backed myself up so I was at the headboard of the bed. I blew out another puff of my joint as Star began talking to Michael. "Michael, do you believe in soulmates?"

Michael paused for a second. "I mean, I don't know. Why?"

"Michael, every vampire has a soulmate, someone to stay with them all eternity and keep them sane, and – and I think you might be mine."

Sam spoke up this time, his head poking out from his covers. "But half-vampires can't have soulmates unless they're true!"

Star nodded, and Michael's grip tightened on her. "You mean?" Star nodded again.

I spoke up this time, leaning forward a bit. "Why do you think she cares about you so much? I knew the moment I saw the two of you together for the first time. It's incredible how much you guys bonded in an instant. I mean, I thought me and my boys were cheesy, but then I saw you two, and I was like Jesus." I laughed a bit and shook my head. "I mean, think about it, Michael. If you join us, you get Star. You get five new brothers and a sister. You get to sleep all day and party all night. There are no rules for us, Michael. We do what we want when we want without repercussions. You get to be part of a new family, and maybe you can get your now family to join as well. One big fuckin' party, dude." I slumped back against the headboard. "Sorry for interrupting, Star. Just couldn't keep my mouth shut."

"Don't listen to her, Michael! She's a creature of the night! You can't trust her!" Blondie was shaking again, afraid I would do something, but I simply rolled my eyes.

"You believe what you want to, Michael, but I'm just trying to tell you the truth."

"Sammy," Michael started, "I don't know. If they're right, then I can't let her go. Sam, I don't want to end up like mom and dad did. If I can have my one shot at true love." He trailed off and shook his head. "I mean, how bad can it be?"

"You're willing to kill people, Mike? Are you for real?"

I snorted. "Dude, you eat animals all the time to survive. He's gotta do what he's gotta do."

Sam frowned. "You're not gonna eat me, are ya, Mike?"

"Of course not, Sammy, and I'll only kill the bad people, y'know. Like the surf nazis."

Sam looked like he wanted to protest, but I stopped him by standing up from the bed. "Listen, this is great and all. You guys can continue your brotherly love and conversation, but Star and I need to leave soon. I don't know how long my boys are willing to wait before they come to find me, and I'd rather not deal with them while they're angry."

Mike nodded but gave me a curious look. "What are you guys anyway?"

"I'm their mate."

"All four of them?" His voice went up an octave, and I shrugged my shoulders.

"There a problem with that?"

Michael shook his head quickly, and I heard Star giggle from where she was hugging him still. "No, of course not. It's just surprising is all."

I nodded and tapped my foot. "Come on, Star. Say your goodbyes or whatever. You'll see him tomorrow night."

Star nodded, and she pulled back a bit before standing on the tips of her toes, so she could kiss Michael without him bending down. It lasted a bit longer than I wanted it to, and I wanted to gag, but I took a drag from my joint instead. It was on its last leg, but I was determined to use it all.

The couple pulled away after a few seconds, and I raised my hand as a goodbye to the boys before I jumped to the ground. Star followed a second after, calling a 'goodnight' to Michael before running after me. I chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as we approached my bike. "Well, that went better thank you thought."

Star nodded and gave me a dreamy look. "He's so wonderful, Eva. So wonderful."

I laughed again and shook my head. "Let's get you home, lovergirl."

The ride back was shorter than the one there, it seemed, and I bounded down the stairs happily, excited to see my boys. I bounded into the cave and was immediately pulled into someone's arms. I grinned once I made out Marko's curly blonde locks in front of me. "Hello to you too, baby!"

"Hey, share her," I heard Paul yell out from behind me.

I rolled my eyes and pulled Marko closer to myself while he giggled quietly. "Stop being a twat, Paul," I drawled out jokingly. "Marko deserves love too!" To prove my point, I pressed a kiss to Marko's cheek. Marko giggled some more and began pressing kisses all over my face. I let out a shriek and closed my eyes at the action. "I take it back! I take it back! Marko got too much love! He's too overpowered!"

I could hear the other boys laughing, and I joined in as Paul pulled me away. "I'll save you, princess," he yelled out as he threw me over his shoulder and ran across the cave.

"Paul, put me down," I screeched, giggling the entire time, but he didn't. Instead, he ran with me on his shoulder, dodging Marko along the way as he tried to grab me from Paul. I yelped when I was pulled from Paul and into a lap. "I'm not a ragdoll," I whined out, meeting the eyes of Dwayne. Dwayne chuckled quietly and leaned forward to kiss me which I reciprocated easily. "I swear," I mumbled as I pulled away, "I can only trust you and David around here."

Dwayne grinned and pressed his hand against my cheek. I then pressed my hand against his. "I missed you," he stated quietly, his voice barely audible.

"You saw me earlier, though," I mused, letting a small smile slip over my face.

"I still missed you, though. I swear a few hours can feel like an eternity when I'm not with you." God, he was so cheesy, but it still gave me butterflies.

I let out a deep breath and closed my eyes, enjoying his hold. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, princess." Dwayne pressed a kiss against my forehead, and I made out the sound of music starting up. "But I think David wants to see you."

I opened my eyes slowly, relishing in his touch, and nodded. I pulled myself up from his lap and looked over to see Marko and Paul sitting on the edge of the fountain heavily making out while Ramones played beside them. I bit my lip at the sight before turning and moving toward David. His bright blue eyes stared me down as I made my way toward him. I climbed into his lap easily, and his hands gripped my thighs as I slid my legs over the sides of the wheelchair. It wasn't the most comfortable position, but this wasn't the biggest chair.

David slid one hand from my thigh to my chin, tracing my jaw. I tilted my head to the side as he moved from my jaw to my neck, trailing his fingers down the skin smoothly. "David," I drawled out.

David hummed and leaned forward, pressing his lips against my neck. "Would you let me have a drink?" I shuddered against him and let out a soft moan as I felt his regular teeth against my skin, biting down hard enough to leave a mark but not break the skin. "Huh, sweetheart?"

"Yes," I breathed out, pressing my hands against his chest. David let out a soft laugh and kissed the skin once more before I felt his fangs sink into me. I let out a moan at the feeling as ecstasy ran through my body. The feeling was pure bliss, and I let soft moans fall from my lips as my hands clawed at his chest.

David took a few pulls of blood from me before letting go and running his tongue over the wound. I ran a hand up David's neck and gripped his hair. I pulled his face up to mine and kissed him harshly, letting him do most of the work. David bit down on my lip and dragged it back, pulling away from me with a grin. His fingers trailed up my skirt, making their way to my underwear.

I hummed and leaned in a bit. "Not out here, David," I whispered.

"Then, I guess we better take this back to our room," he stated and stood fluidly. I squealed and wrapped my legs around him with my arms around his neck.

David grabbed the back of my thighs and began walking while I laughed quietly. I heard the other boys follow, though Marko and Paul kept kissing each other every few steps. David pressed his lips to my throat as he walked, and I focused on the feeling of him as time passed.

Soon, I was laid down on the bed with David hovering over me. His hands pressed my hands against my wrists, pinning them to the beds, but when David pulled away from kissing my lips, I pulled away from his hold. I grabbed his shoulders and flipped him over so I was on top, rolling my hips against his. "Can I do this tonight?"

David gave me a stupid grin and nodded quickly, his hands moving back to my thighs. I rolled my hips against his and bent down to kiss him again. I felt the other boys drop onto the bed, and I could hear Marko and Paul making out still, though I could also hear them discarding each other's clothing. Dwayne moved behind me and slowly tugged me up from David so he could kiss me. David let out a soft groan at the sight, and I moved my hips against his again.

I broke away from Dwayne and fumbled with David's pants, pulling them down his legs harshly. I then pulled my dress over my head as he threw off his shirt. Dwayne was doing the same. I silently grabbed David's cock making him let out an almost silent moan as I pumped him, long, slow strokes. Dwayne kissed me as I did so, his tongue tangling with mine.

I pulled away from Dwayne again, biting his lip as I let go. He growled quietly and moved to make marks along my neck. I lifted myself up a bit and positioned myself correctly before sinking myself down onto David. David and I let out simultaneous moans, and a feeling of bliss overtook my body. I closed my eyes and rocked into him slowly, letting the feeling overdrive my body. One of David's hands gripped my thigh tightly and the other moved to play with my clit. My movements stuttered at the action, and his name bubbled up from my throat and spilled from my lips over and over. Dwayne's hands moved up my sides and discarded my bra before toying with my breasts, fingers tugging at my nipples while his teeth nipped at my neck.

I let out a shuddering sigh as I felt my release build up, and I knew David's was too. I blinked quickly and watched as David's face upturned in pleasure, his eyes closed and lips parted. He kept biting his lip only to quickly let go, and blood from his recent meal was pushed toward his cheeks to make him look like he was blushing.

My hips stuttered, and I let out a loud moan as I came, bouncing a few more times against him as he came right after, his hand on my thigh gripping me a bit tighter.

I gave him a few seconds to calm down before I pulled up and off of him only to get dragged back to Dwayne's chest. His cock pressed against my entrance, and he slid in easily. I moaned a high-pitched moan and threw my hands back to grip his shoulder. His breath was hot and heavy against my skin, but his skin was oddly cold as it pressed again mine.

The sound of skin slapping skin filled the room, and I leaned my head back to kiss him softly as he thrust into me. I cried out against him as I felt my release build up again after being so sensitive from my release before. Dwayne hummed into my mouth and pulled away, his hand moving down to press against my clit. "Cum for me, princess."

And I did. I came with his name falling from my lips like a prayer, and he came a few moments after, his hips snapping up to mine before he completely stopped, and his lips pressed against mine one last time. He gently laid me down, and I let out a soft sigh as I heard Marko and Paul reach their release. I turned my head to see them with their fangs buried in each other, looks of bliss on their face.

I closed my eyes and let out a deep sigh, turning so I was laying on my back. David stood quietly, and Dwayne exited the room. David moved to the dresser and pulled out underwear for me. He tossed at my direction and slid a pair of boxers up his legs. Dwayne stepped back in with a rag, and he silently went about cleaning me off like he always did. He then tossed the towel to David who cleaned himself off and tossed it to Paul and Marko who were both sitting up so they could get ready for bed.

I sat up slowly and dragged the underwear up my legs, clipped the bra into place, and fell back against the bed. Marko climbed onto the bed and on top of me, resting his head on my breasts. "Hey, baby," he mumbled, looking up at me.

"Yes, Marko," I questioned, running my hands through his hair.

"I love you so much."

I smiled and pressed my palm against his head. "I love you too, baby." I ran my hand through his hair again, scratching a bit at his scalp. He let out a purring noise and nuzzled into me. I chuckled quietly and watched him fall asleep against me, his small twitches of his hand against mine slowing down until they came to a halt.

David came onto the bed next, laying on my left side. Dwayne laid on my right, pressing a kiss against my cheek before relaxing into the bed. Paul was last, and he climbed up and laid between Marko and my legs, his head laying against our thighs. I smiled a bit more and closed my eyes, letting myself fall asleep.