***This is an excerpt from a story of mine. Malcolm and his family are all vampires, and a few days ago his brother, Ethan, attacked Gwen in the hallway. Guenevere has no idea what they are, but she has a feeling that they're not human. Dominic is in love with her, and she loves him, but neither of them know it. Dominic is a sort of half-vampire, just so y'all knows
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3
“Hey guys? I'm just going to go and get Logan a Christmas present at the toy store, okay?”4
Audrey and Katherine shrugged, continuing to move down the sidewalk. “We'll be in the coffee shop m'kay? Meet us there,” Kathy reminded me as she let go of my arm.5
“See ya in a few.”6
Gwen broke off from the group and went backwards around the turn. The walk was longer than she had remembered it, taking about ten minutes for her to reach the store. It seemed even longer than that since it was so ludicrously freezing. The wind chill made her eyes water and her hair stiffen. The metal handle to the door was so cold it actually felt like a hot iron, making her numb fingers sting. When she pulled the it open, a blast of welcoming warmth swept over her face, inviting her in.7
“Close the damn door lady!” someone from inside shouted. Gwen jumped, realizing she had been standing there for a good ten seconds, breathing in the warmth.8
“Sorry,” she mumbled, stepping out of the doorway and pulling it shut behind her. The store smelled like plastic, and the lights weren't turn all the way up like they were in the others. But it was inviting none the less, with tall bookshelves in the back, and rows of stuffed animals lining the isles. Fay had asked me to get an X-box for him with her credit card, thinking that that would be a good idea.9
I personally don't want to get the boy addicted to video games—but if he can get himself hyped up enough on Mario than maybe he won't dream about neighborhood fantasies like vampires.10
Thinking about vampires reminded her of the other week when Ethan had attacked her in the hallway. The thought sent shivers up her spine as she walked down towards the section with the technology stuff. His hands had been so strong, his eyes had looked so dangerous. There had to be a reasonable explanation to the attack.11
Maybe he has a mental problem?12
Gwen laughed quietly to herself, scanning a shelf for any video game equipment. Ethan may be a gorgeous, scary, creeper of a guy, but he was no psychopath—he has known exactly what he was doing. He was probably thinking about it right now; how he had pinned her against the locker, how his lips brushed across the crook of her neck—the crazed look in his golden eyes. More shivers ran down her spine, causing her ears to pull back. She felt paranoid and alert now, like Ethan could jump out at her again at my minute. 13
She crossed over to the game section, where tiny colorful boxes were displayed tastefully in glassed-in cases. As Guenevere walked, she came across one called Dominic's Voyage. Goosebumps erupted on her arms and neck as her hand subconsciously snatched it off the shelf. The picture on the cover looked nothing like her Dominic of course—not that any human imagination could even dream of something like him—but instead was a young, chivalrous sailer without a shirt, hanging off the stern of a ship. A half naked 'sailor's wench' stood on deck, staring at the man with a admiring, sex-driven look. 14
Something inside of Gwen grew a little angry. The woman on the box was exactly what every stupid boy on Earth ever dreamed of; the long dark curls and large red lips that curved into a coy little smirk. Her waist was so small in the middle that the sailor guy could probably wrap his thumb and middle finger around it and still have room to overlap. And of course her shape was a perfect hourglass, the top part just slightly too big and popping out of her tiny shirt. The nerd who invented her must've had a good time putting this stupid figure in a tiny ripped shirt and corset shirt, like some pirate fantasy or something. 15
Surely this is the kind of girl that Dominic, the real Dominic, would want to have. With someone that looked like him, he would have to have a woman that could balance it. It wasn't superficial or anything, it was just a fact. 16
But when she looked back at the box, she laughed. This woman didn't really come close to Dominic. He probably preferred that classic, romantic kind of beauty like Kierra Knightly or Ann Hathaway. She wasn't like any of them, the sexy pirate woman or the fair-skinned, long necked European princess. She was just Gwen—very average, maybe even pretty, but nothing special. Dominic didn't want her. 17
She put the the box back on the shelf and walked over to where the X-box models were. She did the easiest thing, which was just to pick the one that was cheapest. There wasn't a lot to choose from anyway. The clerk put it in a bag and smiled at me pityingly. 18
“Are you keeping warm?” he asked. His gray hair was poking out from underneath his little green wool hat. 19
“Yeah, right!” she laughed, pulling the bag off of the counter. 20
“Have a merry Christmas, sweetheart,” the old man chuckled, handing her a receipt. 21
“You too.”22
The cold hit her like a wall as she stepped outside. Apparently the short amount of time that she had been in the store had been long enough for the temperature to drop another ten degrees. To make matters worse, hail was starting to fall instead of snowflakes. It bounced off of the cars and roofs, making little sounds like, “tink tink tink.” She put her hood up and shoved her hands into her pockets. The X-box was heavy, but her fingers were so stiff that she couldn't have dropped it if she tried. 23
Okay, if I have to walk another ten minutes in this, they won't get to my body unless they have a blowtorch and icepicks. 24
As she was scuttling along, she came across a path of alleyways that cut through the long line of buildings she would have to go around if she stayed on the sidewalk. The idea was very, very tempting. The only problem was that there wasn't a lot of light, except for the occasional flickering street lamp. An icy wind blew harder than ever, making all fears of the dark completely obsolete. She spun on her heels and sped into the backstreet. 25
Her mood changed like a small candle flame being blown out in a dark room. Suddenly the walls made her a little claustrophobic. Thoughts of Ethan and his golden eyed family flashed across her memory, sending another round of goosebumps down her entire body. She had only been walking for a minute, but it seemed like she had been spinning around for hours. She found it hard to breathe, with the smell, the lack of breeze because it was all blocked by the buildings, and the way the frosty air seemed to freeze in her throat.26
Calm down Guenevere, calm down. Breathe. Stop walking, just relax for a minute.27
For a while she concentrated on only her breathing, take slow breaths in through her scarf, and out from her nose. Then she looked away from her feet—fear gripping at her heart again.28
What was I thinking?29
Her thoughts were, of course, on the fact that she was hopelessly lost. On her way getting started the path had been very clear, straight across with only two turns. The end point should still be visible, the sound of cars and the Christmas music playing in the stores should still be heard. 30
There was only dead ends. And there was no sound except the beating of her heart and the drone of her breath.31
She wanted to call out, to scream for someone to come help her. But when you were all alone and lost in a labyrinth of alleyways, drawing attention to your vulnerable female body wasn't the smartest thing to do. Guenevere reached into her purse and grabbed her pepper spray. It was amazing how Carl's paranoid parenting habits had finally been put to good use.32
More tears splashed from her eyes, and not all because of the cold. She was so scared that she felt like just crumpling into a ball and staying there until somebody came and found her. Someone trustworthy—the last person she wanted to find her now was Ethan.33
Once Guenevere had calmed herself down a degree, she decided to try and backtrack, even though all of the alleys looked the same.34
I might as well be running through the house of mirrors.35
She took two alleys onto a vacant, heavily shadowed backstreet. The high contrast was unreal, like everything had been edited from some film. The only brightness was a flickering street lamp, sputtering a dying florescent light that lit up the whole scene like a dull strobe light in a cheap club. Gwen stepped out onto the road, her heart suddenly catching in her chest. 36
Underneath the streetlight was a tall dark figure, completely covered in the silhouette of the light, that had not been there before.37
She felt like she was going to throw up, or pass out, or fall to her knees and beg for mercy all at the same time. This figure, though it was impossible to make out his face, was looking at her. Her fingers desperately grabbed for the the mace in her purse again, though something in her subconscious told her it would never work.38
She told her subconscious to shut up.39
“Hello?” Gwen called, her voice breaking. Her muscles went stiff and rigid; eyes focused unblinkingly on his shaded face. Maybe it was someone from school? Maybe it was even Ben? Her subconscious was going to doubt her again, so she squashed it. 40
The figure moved, causing her to flinch as he stepped away so that the light could flicker across his face.41
“Malcolm?” she asked, still not near relaxed. In one swift movement he was three feet away from her. She gasped, reflexively pulling the mace out of her purse. Malcolm's eyes were blood red; unnatural, ferocious, and yet curious.42
“Keep away from me,” she whispered, backing away. He looked at her with interest and diabolical amusement. He stepped forward again, closing the space between them with ease. The look on his face made the hairs on the back of Gwen's neck stand straight up.43
She couldn't help it; she ran. Or at least, she tried—but Malcolm had her shoulders and swung her violently around into a dead end like a rag doll. The walls of the brick building blocked almost all of the light. Malcolm grabbed Gwen and pinned her against the wall, his face inches from hers. His cool breath smelled like pepper, the burning abhorrence in his expression making more tears spark in her eyes.44
“Please let me go,” she whimpered as the his fingertips dug into her shoulders. It was uncanny how strong and hard they felt, like nails were being driven into her instead of fingers.45
“Drop the mace Guenevere, it won't do you any good.”46
His voice reminded her of black silk; smooth, but dark and slippery. Her imagination went wild as she pictured all of the horrible things that Malcolm could do to her now. Her hand shook and she obediently let go of the small spray bottle, dropping it in the snow by his feet.47
“Very good.”48
Guenevere, what are you doing?! That was your only protection!49
It really won't help...50
“What do you want?” she shook, feeling her insides squirm in discomfort.51
Without a word he undid her scarf and moved his face a centimeter from her neck. His cold, peppery breath blew past her skin, making it tingle.52
“You...do...smell...so....irresistible,” he groaned deeply, running the tip of his nose along her throat. Genuine fear was building in Guenevere's chest now.53
“What?” she hissed, making an effort to pull away. She might has well have tried to push a boulder.54
He didn't answer, but he breathed—heavily too, his chilly hands now restraining her around the wrist. He made a jerky movement that made Gwen's heart thump. 55
This seemed to drive him nuts—his throat made a gagged sound and his body pressed hers against the ice cold wall. “It's...almost...too much...unbelievable...any more and it would be acrid...” he murmured to himself. He was so tall and solid and cold, making Guenevere feel very breakable. Even his legs forced hers against the wall, like she was the middle of some kind of sandwich. 56
“Don't move,” he ordered. She wasn't going to, simply because she couldn't. It was like she was clay and would stay however he molded her.57
Malcolm took his hands off of her wrists and moved them to her ribs, where he pressed against so that she was even tighter to the wall than before. Then his face lowered to her neck again, his smooth lips meeting the skin. At first Guenevere had thought that he was trying to kiss her, but then she could hear him smelling her too. His lips parted and Gwen froze even more than before. He pinched a fair amount of skin lightly between his teeth, seeming to focus most of his mouth's attention to that one part. 58
“No—” Gwen protested, again trying to squirm away. The idea of screaming came into her head, but then she realized it wouldn't be possible with the way her throat was sticking.59
“Your heart rate is increasing,” he noted, his mouth brushing lightly on her neck. This seemed to craze him—the increase in pulse.60
“Ow!” she squeaked as Malcolm's teeth nipped her skin. That was enough. What was he doing? Tasting her? She swung a punch across his jaw and darted away.61
“NO!” he roared, reaching out with lightening speed. He got hold of her hair and sent her sailing back into a row of trash cans.62
Malcolm's face was furious and hungry as he moved slowly towards her. She tried to regain her footing, only to trip in her panic. Guenevere snapped her throbbing head up to face Malcolm again. He was crouched on the wet pavement now, like a lion stalking its prey. The water reflecting the light of the street lamp made him look so crazed, so...satanic. Gwen almost began to cry as she watched him, his freakish red eyes glowing. Then he stopped, pausing in his crouch as he appraised her.63
“I suppose,” he started slowly, “that I could break the rules just this once. Enya will understand...Lucifer and Charmagne may even be proud...”64
“Malcolm,” Gwen pleaded, her voice coming in short gasps, “please, whatever it is you want to do to me, just get it over with—please, I can't take this...”65
The agony in her face was eminent, making Malcolm smile.66
“Guenevere, you seem to be under the impression that I am after your body,” he said with amusement, though his eyes still blazing with hunger.67
“Wh-”68
“That's not what I want, you conceded, trite little girl,” he said harshly, inching ever so carefully closer. “That's not what I'm after...that's not what he was after...”69
Gwen knew he was talking about his brother, Ethan. Chills ran up her spine.70
“I don't understand...” she mumbled, sliding back away from him.71
“You wouldn't,” he paused, “Shall we continue or do you want to keep on with the guessing games?”72
She didn't say anything, freezing like a statue in her defensive position.73
“Very well,” he said in a low, animalistic growl. He leaned back, about to pounce like a wolf or mountain lion. Gwen squeezed her eyes shut, hands stretched out to prepare for the blow. But the impact never came.74
Another snarl came from nowhere, loud and furious. She opened her eyes to see Malcolm pinned to the ground by another.75
“Dominic-” she gasped, trying to make sense of what was going on. The two were going at it, growling and snapping like animals. With a great heave, Dominic forced Malcolm up against the wall opposite of Guenevere.76
“Check yourself Malcolm, and that goes for the rest of your family too,” he roared, inches away from Malcolm's bared teeth.77
“Don't tell us what to do-” Malcolm hissed, calling him something that Gwen didn't really pick up on. “It is not your place.”78
“Get out, and warn your family.”79
Dominic's tone was clear and full of authority. Despite the situation, the sound of his musical voice made Gwen's heart flutter. Malcolm made a snake-like hissing sound at him before stepping off to the side and heading for the corner. Before he disappeared, he looked at Guenevere again with his now-fading red eyes. The expression he wore on his face made her feel sick.80
Then he was gone.81
Dominic came out of his crouch and straightened up, brushing off his coat as if he had just merely tripped. She was staring at him with wide eyes, her body quivering with cold and shock. Dom turned and looked up, catching her stare. His beautiful face was controlled and careful as he stepped cautiously towards her, arms stretch out in front of him with his palms facing out.82
“Guenevere, it's okay. It's just Dominic, I'm not going to hurt you...” he assured her soothingly. It amazed Gwen how at peace she felt when looking at him, even though her heart felt like it was going to jump from her mouth.83
He stopped when he reached her feet, holding his hand out to help her up. He almost felt physical pain as he looked into her horrified face, lips blue with cold. She didn't take his hand, turning her head away to lean against one of the frosted metal trash cans. He felt the heat being drained from her body, being outside at night with hail plummeting from the sky. He took his hand away and bent down next to her.84
Gwen felt his presence beside her, though she didn't look up to see. “Please don't...wait for a minute,” she stammered, waving her hand in the air drunkly. He watched her carefully as she began to shake even harder, despite and deep breaths she was taking to calm herself down. A few small tears slowly rolled down her face as she tried to compose herself. Eventually she stopped trying and succumbed to the reactions her body was having, and shook so hard Dominic thought she might have been having a seizure. 85
“Guenevere, you need to be moved to somewhere warm,” he told her, reaching out to touch her hand. Her eyes were still squeezed shut and her eyebrows furrowed with what looked like pain. She definitely wasn't feeling well. He didn't want to scare her by making physical contact without her permission, but the moment her face suddenly lost all color save for a small green-gray tint, he took matters into his own hands. 86
Suddenly his arms slid under her knees and across her back, lifting her with grace and ease. His arms were warm compared to the metal bins and cold pavement. He cradled her to his chest, like a small child so she could hear the too-slow thrum of his heart, making her own slow down a pace. She didn't risk looking at his face, for fear she would go into cardiac arrest. 87
Dom seemed to be able to carry Gwen smoothly and effortlessly, walking at a brisk pace through the hail storm.88
“You need to take deep breaths Gwen,” he told her quietly as he stepped into an almost empty parking lot, further away from the alleys than Gwen realized. She just nodded a little, listening as her teeth smashed together. His arms were amazingly comfortable, and it surprised her to be held so close to him. 89
Guenevere felt Dom sigh and then stop moving. “Here,” he said, leaning down. She heard the click of a car door opening and then a gust of heat. Dominic laid her out on the backseats of the Buick and closed the door before any more cold air could get in. It didn't take long for Gwen to realize that Dominic was crouched next to her on the floor, appraising her to see how much damage had been done.90
With the warmth and Dominic's soothing smell, it only took a few minutes for her body to relax. Feeling flowed back into her toes and fingertips.91
“What are you doing?” Guenevere asked as he began leaning over her, brushing his hands over her head, hands, and neck. Her skin tingled uncontrollably on the trails that his fingers touched. 92
“Checking to see if he hurt you,” he answered in a low voice. His hand pressed gently on the back of her head, making her wince.93
“Sorry,” he muttered, feeling for how large the bump was. The skin on her head felt like it had been ripped clean off when Malcolm had grabbed her hair. Dominic sighed and dropped his hands. Silence pressed in like invisible walls as both of them went deep into thought. Guenevere actually began to doze off, the still eminent trails of Dom's fingers contenting her into sleep.94
About fifteen minutes later she began to come to, keeping her eyes closed even though she was awake. 95
“Where he bit you, did it break the skin?” Dom asked suddenly, his voice low and grave. Guenevere finally opened her eyes, almost gasping when she saw his face so close to hers.96
“What?”97
“He bit you, did he not?” Dominic repeated patiently.98
“Yes, but how-”99
“Did it break the skin?”100
Gwen thought for a second, then shook her head. For a moment Dom looked relieved, but then his face went hard.101
“How did you know?” she pressed.102
“You were mumbling,” he answered simply. His face was still very serious, but he averted his gaze out the window. 103
“Are you sure you're not hurt? I could take you home...” he asked, his emerald eyes concerned now.104
Gwen nodded, closing her eyes. Suddenly something washed over her, understanding and acceptance of everything that had just happened. 105
“You know.”106
Dom looked back at her, all twinkle in his eyes gone.107
“I know what?”108
“Don't play stupid,” Guenevere scowled, “you know what he was doing. You know what he was after.”109
His face grew composed, cocking his eyebrow. “I thought it was obvious what he was after.”110
She shook her head. “That's not what he wanted.”111
Silence passed between them for a while, until he finally spoke up.112
“We'll talk about this more later. You need to get some food or something. Are you supposed to meet anyone?”113
She nodded, murmuring Audrey and Kathy's names. He made a mental note and climbed into the driver's seat.114
“Where to?”115
“The coffee shop on the main street.”116
His absence left a strange air about the place where he was sitting just a moment ago, like a picture frame being removed from a wall and leaving a clean, untouched rectangle in its place. The car started with just a low vibration as the engine eased to life—impressive how the car worked immediately, even after it had been sitting in the cold.117
“How did you know where to find me? That I was in trouble?” Gwen whispered, still eager for more information. What did he mean when he told Malcolm to warn his family? Was more than just him and Ethan after her? Why had Malcolm's eyes been red?118
“Like I said, we'll talk later, okay?” he sounded edgy, like he was ready to leap out the window and run.119
“I'll hold you to it.”120
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