Intricately Intertwined (6)

.:Nolan's POV:.1

"You're in a shitload of trouble, you know that?"2

I sighed and rubbed my forehead, of course it was impossible for me to get headaches, but if I could Leroy would have given me one by now.3

"Yes, I understand that." I said, my teeth grinding together.4

"You should have never tried to get her to come here. Do you know what you put at risk? Everything. Why cant you just ignore her? She's just a girl." He stated.5

"She's Gavin's mate. His blood runs in her veins. My blood. How am I suppose to ignore her? She's mine too."6

"Beats me. But you better think of something because Reedrek's gonna beat your ass when you get in there." he snickered.7

My fist balled together as we walked down the red velvet hallway. I was on my way to meet Reedrek. He asked to see me as soon as I got back. News travels fast around here. No secrets can stay hidden for too long.8

"So which is better, being Reedrek's bitch or Gavin's?" he said with a laugh.9

A growl escaped my chest and my hand was around his throat in half a second, pinning him against the wall. I raised him up so his feet no longer touched ground. But Leroy laughed and I pressed harder until it ceased.10

"I'm no ones bitch. Got it? I work for me and only me. I stayed with Gavin for so long because I had to. He's my sire you twit. Reedrek's nothing but a supplier. Were on equal terms, him and me." I spat, barring my teeth. They were small, Ill admit, but I was still young, and had a while to go before they'd be anything more. For now they were nothing more than what you see vampires in the movies with.11

I heard someone clear their throat and I looked over, teeth still barred, to find Joseph, Reedrek's right hand man. I hated him.12

"He'll see you now." he said flatly, eyeing my hand around Leroy's throat, then turning around and walking back through the large wooden doors.13

I growled again and released him, his body falling on the floor. He still just laughed as I turned to follow Joseph. I retracted my teeth and cleared my throat as I walked close behind him. He lead me through another set of smaller wooden doors and stepped aside to let me pass.14

"Good luck." He said, a fake smile plastered on his smug little face. My teeth grew and pressed against my lip as my anger rose again. I'd like to bite him one of these days.15

"Nolan, my boy, please come in and sit down!" Reedrek's booming voice made me teeth retract once again and my skin to chill even more than it already is. These meetings never end well.16

His arms were spread open in a greeting and an ear to ear smile set on his face. Those teeth of his were noticeable from here as large as they were. Vampire teeth never stop growing, that's why elders are so long. Once they get to a certain point you can only retract them back in so far. Reedrek's touched his bottom lip now. Seeing him go full fanged was not a pretty sight, I found that out at our last little meeting.17

I stepped forward and swallowed hard, running my tongue over the straight line of my teeth. I hate coming in here. It was too large for an office, the ceilings too high. Everything was wooden and oversized. Like a giant stayed here.18

"Sit." He said once again, inclining his hand to the over stuffed arm chair in front of his desk, his smile wide and his eyes a dark gold. I have no idea what determines our eye color when we change. Chance I suppose. I originally had brown eyes now their green.19

I walked slowly to the chair and sat down in it. It was hard. No one ever sat in it for long. That wasn't a good thing.20

Reedrek sat down on his throne and crossed his large hands on his mahogany desk. When he smiled his teeth flashed in the light. He was showing me who was boss, who was the elder. Hell, I knew by now. I'm not the same smart ass punk fresh out of Camden, London anymore. I've been in America for thirty six years now. Reedrek made sure I knew I wasn't shit here. He's the big boy on campus.21

"I heard you had a run in with Gavin." His tone was polite, controlled for now. "Tell me boy, why would you be as foolish enough to go even remotely near his mate? Eleanor's territory at that."22

Eleanor was Gavin's leader. Or their leader I guess I should say. Separate sides. They haven't gotten along for centuries. Reedrek and Eleanor are brother and sister. I never did heard the full story on that, I'm rooting for this side and I don't even know why. I just know that Gavin was pretty damn upset when he found out I joined them. Tried to get me to convert tons of times, but him being my sire, he has enough control over me as it is.23

"She's been reaching out to me for a week now and-" I began, but he cut me off with a barking laugh.24

"Well of course she is my dear boy, this is her eighteenth year after all. You know what happens when she becomes of age. Humans call out to their mates to be found. Gavin's been with her this whole time though. Her blood is wanting his. That's your diluted blood. Your going to feel it too." he explained.25

"Yes sir, I know, but I'm not sure you understand the thirst-"26

"Oh I understand plenty. You just have to wait this out until she's changed." he stated.27

"But-"28

"You deliberately disobeyed me. I have told you before not to go into her territory without specific instructions from me."29

"Well she was so easily enthralled that-"30

"You enthralled her?!" he yelled, standing up out of his seat. "Are you mad?! Have you no decency for the rules of how we live here?!"31

I stood up as well, my teeth extending in anger. "She wanted to come even before I did anything." I said in a low voice.32

His nostrils flared and his chest rose in a deep breath. "We have them snooping around here enough as it is without you giving Gavin a reason to intrude. Hell start a war if you harm his mate."33

The tone of his voice sent shivers rolling down my spine but I didn't show my fear and instead showed my teeth. "You let me deal with him."34

My keen eyesight saw it in slow motion as he came at me with amazing speed and threw me up against the wall, my body colliding so hard with the wood it cracked and echoed through the high ceilings. His teeth fully extended and his hand on my chest, holding me in place. A roar erupted from his chest and I did the same back but not being able to make it sound as intimidating.35

"Now you listen to me, fledging. I will not have you ruin everything I have built." he demanded, his cool breath on my face.36

"What is it exactly that you've built?" I demanded right back.37

"You'll know when I feel fit to tell you! Pissing Gavin off is not getting you any closer to knowing!" he screamed.38

A smile found its way onto my lips. "Seems to me your afraid of my dear ol dad."39

His eyes went from amber to black with anger and in one swift movement his teeth were sunk into my shoulder. I cried out in pain as his poison spread through my body quickly with the blood from my last meal. He finally let go of me and I slid down the wall onto the ground gripping my shoulder.40

"Fuck, I forgot how much this hurts." I said breathlessly. I clinched my teeth as every part of me felt like it was being ripped apart. I looked up to him straightening his collar, his teeth already retracted. Not a spot of blood on him. Were unusually clean creatures.41

"Stay away from his mate." he sated evenly. "Now, if you excuse me, I'm late for my lunch date."42

My eyes squeezed shut in pain, hearing his footsteps leave so softly only my kind would be able to hear them. I groaned in pain again and looked down at my shoulder to see my shirt ripped. I moved it out of the way to look at my wound. Two perfect holes with deep imprints of his non-canine teeth. I was bleeding a little, but not much, seeing as how my last meal wasn't as fulfilling. The blood in out bodies is never our own, only that of the humans or animals we drink from.43

I licked at my wound with my tongue like dog whimpering at the pain. Our saliva is healing but the secretion from the tips of our teeth when we bite down is the poison that changes a human into one of us. Of course, its voluntary to let the poison out or not. Our saliva is there to heal ourselves and our victims when were done feeding. Not many of us can handle a full body of blood unless were starving or if its a child. Most humans sleep it off and wake up feeling fine, thinking it was a dream or not remembering it at all. You drink until you hear there heartbeat in your ears and you stop, knowing its enough for you and for them. Except the old ones. The elders like Reedrek. They need a whole body because they burn it off so fast. The older you get the stronger and faster you get. Your teeth grow longer and your senses heighten even more. Hence why elders are always in charge. No ones strong enough to do anything about it. I know that, but I've never been one to step down from a fight or tolerate being pushed around. I knew I wasn't gonna win, but you gotta do what you gotta do.44

The holes in my shoulder disappeared and I stood up, wincing from the pain in my veins. Another vampires poison doesn't kill you, just hurts like hell and makes you weak. I just need to feed and I'll be back to normal.45

I walked out of Reedrek's office and through both sets of wooden doors. Joseph was gone. Probably went with him to feed. They have their meals brought to them. Beautiful men and women brought in and strapped to tables naked. There are separate feeding rooms a level down for all of the higher ones. I still have to hunt mine.46

Leroy was gone as well. At the pub, I can guess. We drink just like anyone else. We can even get drunk but it'd take a damn lot of liquor. But I don't have time to find him. I need to feed and I need to feed now.47

.:Anna's POV:.48

Gabby and I sat playing Patty Cake while Gavin went outside to sweep the perimeter, whatever that meant. He said he was just taking the necessary precautions. That Nolan might still be out there waiting. But I told him it was stupid. Nolan seemed like a nice enough guy. He had a certain pull on me. Like I could feel him now, like he was tired and hungry for some reason. It made my stomach growl.49

"Lets get some grub, Gab." I said, putting my hands down in my lap.50

She laughed. "Grub Gab."51

"Hardy-har-har." I murmured sarcastically and got up to walk into the kitchen. My mom was on the phone.52

She looked up at me with tired brown eyes, but tried to give a sincere smile anyway. This was a lot of stress on her I suppose, but she knew about all of this the whole time. She said Gavin made her swear not to tell me. That it wasn't her place. But everything somehow feels natural to me. Like I almost knew all along.53

She said, "I love you too", and hung up the phone. I opened the fridge and pulled out a can of butter cream icing.54

"Your father will be home tomorrow. He's getting on a plane tonight." she said to me.55

I just nodded as I opened up the icing. Gabby stuck her finger in before I could and I looked up and scowled at her, but she smiled with icing stuck in her braces. "Eww." I mumbled as I stuck my finger in to get some myself.56

My dad, Tom, worked as spokesperson for some company, traveling all over the country to give seminars. Lame if you ask me. I told him he should go into the hot dog business like Gabby's dad used be even though he's in the military. Mmm, nacho dogs. You know, they should get together and take over the world with those things. Delicioso yo.57

I wonder if he knew about all of this.58

"I called your brother too." She said.59

I wrinkled my nose automatically.60

"He said he was really busy with school right now, but that he'd come as soon as he can."61

"Tim knows too?" I asked, giving a lick of icing to my dog, Molly. She seemed to take a liking to Gavin. He said she can always see him when I cant. Like that day in the meadow. She was running back and forth with him. And he said that his fingers had been tracing my lips when I felt that cool feeling on them. That freaked me out a bit. Its much different now that I know that he's real and some guy really is touching me all the time and its not just in my head.62

"He had to be told sooner or later. Gavin allowed it when he turned eighteen."63

"Do you do everything Gavin says?" I said in a mock tone.64

She looked at me with a weird stare, like I was stupid to even ask. She didn't answer my question, but instead changed the subject. "Stop eating that icing. Ill fix you a sandwich."65

My mom got up and took the can of icing away from me and put it back in the fridge. I looked at Gabby and she had this vacant look on her face. I slapped her on the cheek and she looked at me.66

"What?" she said with a smile in her cheery voice.67

"Something wrong?" I asked.68

"No, why?"69

"You look weird."70

"You look weird." she countered.71

"Your mom."72

"Is hot."73

"In my bed."74

"With me."75

"Filming."76

"Myself and your mom."77

"Next to me and your dad."78

"Whom which is hot."79

"And huge."80

"Huger than you."81

"I'm bigger."82

"I'm bigger! I shaved my eyebrow, that makes me bigger!"83

"But my balls are hairier."84

"Look here mo fo, yous be trippin' like woah if you think your balls are hairier than mine. I am like big foot yo."85

"Yeah, but-"86

"Girls, please." my mother interrupted, smearing peanut butter on some bread. The crunchy kind. mmmm.87

I scowled at Gabby and she smiled like the tard that she is. That is until Gavin walked into the kitchen, Mr. Tall...Pale and Handsome.88

He smiled at me to show perfect white teeth that seemed to do that sparkle thing like in the cartoons.89

"You ready to go?" he asked. To where, I didn't know, but personally I didn't care if he was taking me to the swamp just as long as he was with me.90

"Um..." It was still a little hard to speak directly to him without wanting to throw up all over the place. He raised his eyebrows with a small smile and it kind of eased my stomach. "My mom is making me and Gab sandwiches."91

"Oh, I see." he said still with a smile, looking over at my mom. "Thank you, Jeanette, I forget sometimes." she smiled at him, almost a sad smile. She wasn't telling me everything.92

He kissed my forehead and I inhaled his sweet scent. Like cologne, but more of a natural smell that tingled my nose when I breathed it in.93

He laughed softly against my head, most likely reading my thoughts. I didn't like this.94

I'm sorry, I heard him whisper softly in my head.95

It felt like its always been, except this time he's standing right in front of me.96

It's okay, I whispered back. Okay so it was a little cool. Like I had cool ninja mind powers.97

His laughter echoed in my head and it made me smile.98

"Eww." I heard Gabby say.99

I looked at her with a glare and she stuck her tongue out at me. "Jealous."100

"You wish." she said.101

"You do."102

Anna, he purred.103

"What?" I said looking up at him.104

Be nice105

"Tell her to be nice."106

"Stay out of my head!" Gabby screamed, putting her hand over her head.107

He laughed out load at her and she scowled at him. "Hobo."108

"Alright, here's your food." My mom, set me and Gabby's plates down on the counter next to us and I immediately picked my sandwich up and taking a huge bite.109

Gavin looked at me like I was insane and I stopped in mid-chew. "You wanna a bite?" I said with a mouth full.110

His face scrunched up in disgust and he put up his hand. "No thank you."111

"You don't like crunchy peanut butter and strawberry jelly?" I asked still with a mouth full.112

"Just not hungry." he said with a look like he was enjoying some kind of inside joke.113

I squinted my eyes at him as I swallowed and took another bite. Then I looked over at Gabby to find she already finished her sandwich.114

"Damn girl." I said with shock. "You was one hungry mo fo."115

"I'm a manly man." she said rubbing her stomach as she puffed out her chest.116

I finished my sandwich as fast as I could and rubbed my hands together. "Kay lets go." I kissed my mom on the cheek and started for the front door.117

Outside there was a man standing against the railing of the porch. He had kind of shaggy bleach blonde hair that hung in his eyes. Woah, his eyes were purple. What is it with Gavin and his freaky friends! Does no body have regular eyes colors where they come from! They were pretty though, like velvet. He had on a pair of long skater looking shorts and a Hurley t-shirt. He smiled at me with a nod, cute little dimples appearing. He was tall like Gavin too, but a bit shorter, like 6'2 maybe. Yeah I'm that good, I can guess heights.118

But then his eyes fixed on Gabby and I watched her face blush so red I could have mistaken her for one of those Strawberry Shortcake dolls. She smiled sheepishly as he starred down at her.119

"Girls I'd like you to meet Todd. Of course you already know them don't you Todd." Gavin said.120

Todd smiled even wider and nodded. "Sure do." He went to stand next to Gabby, towering over her like Gavin did me. Her face went even more red and she stared down at her pigeon toed feet.121

"I suppose we should explain on the way." Gavin said with a laugh, looking at Gabby.122

"Yes you should." I said looking up at him. I didn't like this guy making Gab all shy and embarrassed.123

He put his hand on my lower back and I felt the coolness of his skin soak through my shirt. I shivered as he guided me towards a car I hadn't noticed before. I know nothing about cars but I liked this one. Nice and shiny black.124

He opened the door for me and Todd opened the other backseat door for Gabby as well. This seemed like some odd double date to the prom or something. Todd got in the driver side and Gavin on the passenger. The car came to live with a soft purr and loud music blared though the speakers. Todd quickly turned it down.125

"Sorry." he said laughing. He had a cute laugh, like a kid with those dimples of his.126

"Dear Maria by All Time Low, we love them don't we Gab." I elbowed her in the ribs and she just nodded sheepishly.127

Well the guy was cute but I mean come on. I know Gabby's always like this when she's around a guy she likes, but dang.128

Gavin turned in his seat to look at me. "You know when I said I had someone watching Gabby as well?" He looked at Gabby. "Todd is your watcher."129

I saw Todd wink at Gabby in the rearview mirror and she gave a small smile, blushing pink again.130

How long has he been watching her like you watch me? Is he inside her head all the time and in her dreams too?, I decided to ask in my head instead.131

Oh, she knows him. They've met a time or two lately. And all of my kind can listen to your mind, it's just a fancy trick., he answered back. I suppose he loves her as much as I love you.132

I heard Todd's boyish laugh.133

Love, huh? Well la tee da. Wasn't Gab just talking about love the other night? Haha, he's just her type too. Gavin said the mates for his kind are made perfectly for them individually. I wonder why she never mentioned him before. Funny how both of our lives changed today.