Bloods Gem (14 page)

I shook my head, “Nothing.”

He sighed. “We'll discuss more later.”

On the ride, Daniel gazed at me. I stared
back. Looking me up and down Daniel bit the side of his lip.
Closing his eyes he laid his head back on the head rest. I slid my
finger across his lips. He breathed in deeply.

“
Is this okay?” I asked.

“
Yes. When you touch me it‘s
incredible,” he said.

Placing my hand on the side of his face, I
slowly made my way down his neck. I leaned in and pressed my lips
to his neck.

He moaned opened his eyes and pulled me on
top of him. My heart beat hard in my chest. My body burned. Tearing
my shirt, he suddenly stopped and lifted me off him setting me on
the seat beside him.

“
Did I do something wrong?” I asked.
He shook his head and closed his eyes. “I have to be careful,” he
said softly.

“
What do you mean?” I
asked.

“
Please just be patient with me
Love.”

I leaned back into my seat and sighed. We
sat quiet for the rest of the way.

At the hotel, Daniel walked up to the front
desk, got a key and gave it to me. Glancing at him I wondered how
he had checked me in so quick. He chuckled. “My family owns
it.”

“
Huh,” I said. I pinched myself as he
watched. He gently pulled my chin up with one finger pressing the
side of his face to mine, “Your not dreaming,” He whispered.
Light-headed I stumbled and he caught me.

“
Do I do that to you?” He asked
grinning.

I kept my eyes down and nodded. He shook his
head and laughed.

Holding my hand he led me to my room. Upon
entering, A big bay window looked out over the city.

I glanced over at the king sized bed, a
white canopy draped over it. Daniel slid his fingers along the side
of the bed.

“
Will this do?” he asked.

I nodded. “Definitely,” I said.

Noticing the phone sitting on the nightstand
next to the bed, I remembered needing to call Mom and Chris. I had
no clue what to say to either of them. I knew I couldn't tell him I
ran away with some guy and shacked up in a hotel with him. I
figured Kate would go squeal on me as soon as she got back anyways.
I knew Mom would be understanding, as she always was. She always
tried to encourage me to do things on my own. She’s been the one
trying to push me into this big world to fend for myself. I just
never let the strings loose enough to make the leap.

I turned to see what Daniel was doing. Head
cocked he was looking at the floor as if he was listening to
something. He met my eyes.

“
Do you need to make a phone call?” He
asked.

“
Um, can you like read my mind or
something?”

He started laughing.

“
I mean it seems to me like when I’m
thinking about something and I turn to you, you already know what I
was thinking.” He walked over to me taking my hand in
his.

“
Maybe we’re connected more then you
think,” he said, winking at me. Annoyed, “Riddle me this, riddle me
that. Can you not just spit out the truth? Is there something you
need to tell me or am I going insane like I’ve thought from the
very beginning?”

His expression changed. “Can you just be a
little more patient with me Faith? You’ll get your answers soon
enough.”

He stared out the window like he was
thinking really hard about something. I folded my arms pouting.

“
Listen, I promise you there’s a
reason for our connection, and it’s deeper then you think. You have
no idea how long I’ve longed for you. Someone like you”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. He
held his stomach, his expression pained.

“
I have to go, but I'll be back later.
I'll write down my number, if you need anything just call.” He
wrote his number on the note pad.

“
I'll have my cell on me. Just have to
go do a few things. Oh, and your stuff will be here shortly, so
don’t freak out when someone knocks on the door.”

“
Okay,” I said, taking a step toward
him. But he rushed out so fast I couldn’t see anything but the door
closing behind him. I pulled my phone out and started dialing Mom,
took a deep breath as she answered…

Daniel

I got myself out as quickly as I could,
shutting the door behind me. I did pretty good considering the
circumstances. I thought I was going to hurt her really bad in the
car, but I had to tell myself how much she meant to me. It felt
strange thinking, that just the night before, I wanted to kill
her.

The desire to hurt her was gone. But still…
It was difficult being that close to her. Tasting her, my lips and
tongue on hers. It’s a cruel joke really, her being the thing I
want most, but unable to keep the animal inside caged for long.

That’s why I ran out. I knew if I stayed
there one more minute being as hungry as I was, the animal could
win. I wouldn’t let him win, even if that meant runaway from
her.

I found a spot to pull over. No one within
smelling distance, as I roamed the woods. A quick deer would
suffice. Closing my eyes, I let the animal inside take over. He was
hungry and I wasn’t going to keep him waiting.

I dashed in the direction of the defenseless
creature. I wasn’t myself anymore. I was a blood-crazed monster who
wanted as much blood as it took to get full. When done with the
deer, I scanned the woods for anything moving.

I ran about three miles East catching the
scent of a buck. This one would definitely get the job done. I
snapped its neck, he had no time to run or notice he was being
hunted. Digging my fangs into the lifeless animal I drank what I
could.

I fell to my back holding my bloated
stomach, feeling somewhat normal again. I was full. I wouldn’t need
to eat for at least four days and was ready to tell my family the
news. Thinking of telling them about finding my gem here in London,
I wondered if they would believe me.

I thought they might want me to bring her
home right away, and I knew that wouldn't be a good idea. I also
thought about leaving with Faith and moving to the United States. I
am sure it would make her happy, and it would mean me getting away
from my father for awhile, but I realized she had no clue what I
was. I knew I would have to tell her that first before I began
planning living arrangements.

Not knowing her reaction, I knew I would
have to prove it to her. Maybe I could pick up a car or something
in front of her. Then I had a better idea. I pat myself on the
back. She would think it was romantic too,with the view of the city
below us….

I drove back to my house as quickly as I
could. I was only an hour late, what harm would that do? My sister
was already outside, arms folded, tapping her foot.

“
Great, here comes the drama,” I said
bracing myself for what was to come. Hopping out of the car,
Celeste was in my face before I could shut the door.

I stopped her before she began. “Before you
yell at me and before you unleash Dad on me, hear me out,
okay?”

She stared at me hissing angrily.

“
My gem. I found her. She’s
here.”

Her eyes widened and she started jumping up
and down, grabbing onto me. “Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it how?
Where? When?”

“
Quick story Sis. The girl in the bar
that gave you the paper to give to me. Her. I met with her today
and then kissed her to see.”

My sister’s face lit up with a smile. “Awe,”
She said.

“
Okay. We’ll talk more later. I have
to handle the dad situation. Please don’t tell anyone. I want more
time with her before I bring her to meet everyone. She still
doesn’t know what we are.”

Celeste patted my shoulder. “She’s not going
to care Dan. I mean, she’s probably already in love with you. Oh,
and don’t worry about Father. He hasn’t been asking about you yet
and if he does I'll cover for you. Don’t worry.”

“
Thanks Celeste. For listening before
you unleashed your fury on me.” I kissed her cheek and we dashed
for the door.

After throwing my blood stained shirt in the
hamper, I jumped in the shower, scrubbing Faith's scent from my
body. I hurried to get dressed and ran downstairs for my party.

Angelica waited for me at the end of the
stairs.

“
Crap,” I said looking at her. I
wondered what she wanted.

“
I won’t bite,” she said showing her
teeth.

I hated this girl. Countless times I
remember her throwing herself at me. My constant rejection seemed
to entice her. Angelica's lack of humility and superficial
standards repulsed me.

“
Angelica,” I greeted her as I walked
down the stairs.

“
Mmm, don’t you look handsome,” she
said sniffing me.

“
Thanks Angelica, but really I don’t
have time for…”

She pulled my tie, forcing me closer to her.
“You have one more night of freedom. Would you like to enjoy me on
your last night, sexy man?”

I leaned into her, giving her false hope and
whispered in her ear, “You know, I would just about consider it,
but I met this hot little number today and she’s human. My gem. And
I'm utterly in love with her. I believe she’s the only one I will
ever stick it to. You don’t even compare.”

My words were harsh but true. She hissed and
ran away. To cry somewhere dark in a corner, I thought. I laughed
loudly, so she could hear.

Walking toward the ballroom everyone was
gathered. There were at least two-hundred gathered there. The room
was decorated with art and my grand piano had been moved to the
middle of the room.

One of my best friends, Nick was playing one
of my favorites, that he had written. I mingled among the crowd for
two hours. Laughing and talking with friends. They wished me a safe
journey.

My good friend Vanessa came up and asked why
I was so chipper. I shrugged but she wasn’t buying it. I moved on,
scanning through the crowd to find my Mother. Dodging through the
crowd of people, I was soon next to her as she finished her
conversation. Turning towards me she kissed my cheek. “I’m going to
miss you when you leave tomorrow Danny. Will you promise to hurry
back?”

I hugged her, “It will be a short journey,”
I promised. I tried to get to everyone that mattered, leaving Dad
for the end.

Celeste caught up with me grabbing my
attention by tapping my shoulder. She smiled and whispered in my
ear. “Does your human need food?” She asked. I cursed myself for
forgetting. Then glanced around the room to see how many more
people I needed to talk to.

“
Don’t worry I'll send her some over.
Where is she staying?” I gave her the hotel and room
number.

I was hoping she would leave it at that. I
didn't want her bothering Faith—my new human—by trying to take a
peek at her. Making my way to the piano, I took a seat and started
playing. Everyone got quiet.

While playing, I saw images of Faith
and fantasized of how our life would be. I let myself sink deep
into the music and began singing…
“The
only thing left in my life, the only thing that feels right, is now
apart of me, never changing the night… So I feel it’s only right to
make you my wife, tonight will be, the first day of your new
life…”

I snapped out of it when I heard clapping.
Everyone had circled around me, applauding my performance. I closed
my eyes hoping they’d go away, but they kept clapping. “Ugh,” this
is embarrassing I thought. I stood up and took a bow hoping that
would silence them. My dad came through the crowd and everyone
stepped aside. He approached, putting his hand on my shoulder. The
butler tagged behind him with two glasses of cougar blood. My dad
giving me one, he took the other.

“
Oh great here comes the speech,” I
said under my breath. Clinking of glasses echoed throughout the
room. “This is to my son, whom I love dearly. Never stray from your
destiny. Never waiver. Always remember you're royalty, but never
above the law. Fight if the enemy crosses your path, but never
surrender. Be true and stay strong. For we are your family and will
be till the end of time! Now raise your glasses my family, and
let’s drink to my son’s farewell.”

I rose my glass and drank. After the toast,
everyone shouted out, stupid remarks and quotes. Some funny, some
wise. I smiled and nodded.

My father took me to the side. “Son, I know
I’ve been difficult, but for good reason. You are now a great man
for it. I want you to know I will never again question you. I will
trust your judgment. And will only offer advice if ask. You can now
live your life in peace, if you decide you would like to stay with
us after your journey, we will accept you and your gem gladly. If
not, well… At least send us a postcard so we know you’re safe.”

“
Thank you sir. That means a lot to
me,” I said choked up. I smiled at him and shook his
hand.

“
Go Son. Do what you must.” He patted
my back and pushed me off.

I went to my room to grab the suitcase
father gave me and packed some clothing. Checking my phone and I
saw a new message. It was from Faith.
I’m
sorry Daniel. I can't stay. I have to get back to reality, my mom,
my BOYFRIEND, and school. I made a mistake. I can't live in a
fantasy world with you and I realize now that if you could hide all
the information from me that’s important, what else can you hide
from me? And I know you're not what you seem. I can’t love someone
who I don’t know. Please understand. Don’t call me, don’t text me.
I want to forget this ever happened.