Young Blood (A Witch Hunter Saga Novella)

  “Compel them and let them go.”

  “Aww, I was just getting started.” He wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “I even let them get a few swings in for good measure.”

  “If you want to fight someone, fight me.”

  “As if you could take me.”

  “Maybe not, but taking your boredom out on innocent humans isn't the way to find constructive entertainment.”

  “Innocent?” Zac scoffed. “They're far from squeaky clean.”

  “I thought you wanted to change, Zac? Or did you forget whatever it was that happened to you in Vietnam?”

  Zac had fought in every war since he'd died and what for? A constructive way to feed his bloodlust? An excuse to go on killing?

  “I thought you didn't want to be a monster anymore.” Sam glared at him, daring him to snap. “So why are you still acting like it?”

  “You know what?” Zac sniffed, glancing toward the opposite end of the lane. “Clean this shit up yourself.”

  Before Sam could retort, he disappeared into the darkness.

  “Is there anything you want to tell me?” Gabby asked, smirking at Liz across the table.

  It was like a weekly ritual, they'd meet at Max's, pig out on fries and beer and gossip. For such a small town, a lot happened, but not as much since the Degaud brothers moved into the old plantation manor. Liz might know she was a witch, but there was no way she'd let on that they were vampires. That would screw with her head and without proof, that was one more step into crazy she wasn't willing to let her friend take.

  That's the way things usually went, right? The more she knew, the bigger trouble she'd get into. Liz was destined to get into college and move far, far away and as her best friend, it was her duty to make sure she was happy.

  That meant not finding out that vampires existed.

  “Tell you what?” Liz asked, picking up a fry coated with a thick layer of cheese. “That I'm consuming too much fat? That I'll have to run an extra mile tomorrow to make up for it?”

  Laughing, Gabby kicked her friend under the table. “No…but yeah. I demand one extra mile tomorrow.”

  “You've got it.”

  “Seriously, you've been spending a lot of time with Sam.”

  “Yeah. He's nice. Nothing like his brother.” She sighed, playing with a napkin.

  “Liz.”

  “What?” she asked, straightening up.

  “Don't tell me…”

  “Don't tell you what?”

  “You like both of them.” Liz's face began to flush and she knew she had it bang on the money. “Shit, Liz!”

  “You say it like it's a bad thing.”

  “It is, considering one of them is the biggest asshole in town.”

  “Geesus, Gabby. They're both so good looking and all the flirting…”

  Gabby eyed her friend. “Damn, Liz. You've got it bad.”

  “I'm expecting a letter from one of the colleges I've applied to any day and now they show up. Talk about throwing a spanner in the works.”

  “Liz, don't let a guy you hardly know determine your entire future.”

  “I wouldn't,” she said with a wicked smile. “It'd just be a little fun. God knows, I need some.”

  Gabby's face split into a grin. “I'd go for door number two…”

  “Sam?”

  “Shit, yeah.”

  If she was going to push her friend toward any of the brothers, it would be Sam. He was the only one who'd remained true to his word and not caused any trouble with the human population. Zac had done nothing but drink himself stupid and fight anyone who looked at him twice. Then there was the issue of her best friend dating a vampire and not knowing about it.

  Catching Liz gazing over at Zac, she said, ”Do you think Zac would treat you with the respect you deserve? He'd think you were his possession and it would be nice for a while...”

  “I get it, Gabby,” she said with a laugh. “You're team Sam.”

  “Damn straight. He gets an A plus for respect…and an F for longevity.”

  Liz just shook her head, her gaze following Zac, who'd vacated his spot by the bar and was pushing through the exit.

  “Don't let yourself fall for them. Seriously.”

  Liz rolled her eyes and picked up another fry. “Hardly.”

  But from the look on Liz's face, Gabby knew that wasn't going to happen. Not by a long shot. Looked like she'd have to have words with the vampires yet again. Calling Zac's bluff would blow.

  The next morning, Liz sat on the grass in the middle of Ashburton's Botanical Gardens, playing with her cell phone. No letter. No email. All this waiting was killing her.

  “Hey.”

  Glancing up from her cell, she saw Sam looking down at her, his hands shoved deep in his pockets and her heart fluttered.

  “Hey, yourself.”

  “Mind if I join you?” he asked, gesturing to the patch of grass next to her.

  “Sure.”

  He sunk down next to her, stretching his long legs out in front of him. She couldn't help giving him the once over, thankful that her sunglasses shielded her eyes.

  “Day off?” Sam asked with a slight smirk, giving away the fact that she hadn't been as covert as she thought.

  “Yeah,” she said with a small laugh. “There isn't much to do around here, hence sitting in the gardens.”

  “It's as good a place as any.” He shrugged.

  “It's been a few weeks now, right?”

  “Three.”

  “You must do something, right? I mean, you didn't come here just to live in that big house, did you?”

  “No.” He shook his head with what looked like a tinge of sadness, but she wasn't sure if she should ask.

  “Then what do you do?”

  “I walk,” he said. “It helps me think. I'm not sure what I want to do.”

  “That's why I run. I mean, for the thinking.” Looking away so he wouldn't see her expression, she rolled her eyes. Could she be any more awkward?

  Sam laughed. “It sure does clear the mind.”

  “Why don't you get a job or something? If there's nothing to do.”

  He shrugged, casting his gaze across the gardens. Whenever she ran into him, he'd always been here, amongst the flowerbeds or wandering the paths. When she ran, she took a route that led her through town, into the forest by the edges of the swamp and to the bayou beyond. Always on well-worn paths and always in daylight hours. There was something about the solitude of nature that allowed her to think - especially the wildness of the South. Maybe Sam felt the same.

  “If you're looking for a job, they're hiring here in the gardens.” Her face began to flush as she realized he probably didn't want to sink to the lowly position of gardener even if he liked walking here. What the hell was she thinking? “But you're probably looking for something else…” With his loads of money and plantation manor...

  “No,” Sam said, shaking his head. “It sounds great. God knows I need some simplicity right now.”

  “Oh.”

  “It just with renovating the manor and dealing with Zac. It's just a handful you know.”

  “Your brother seems to like getting into trouble. The rumor mill is already turning you know.” Apparently Zac had gotten into a fight again last night after he'd left the bar. She'd already heard it from three people between her house and work and at least they had something else to talk about other than her lack of college plans and husband. Like that was front page news or something. She'd fallen back to page ten since the Degaud brothers moved to town.

  “He's my brother and I love him, but he's just…lost I guess. Acting out.”

  She frowned at his comment and shrugged. “I guess he hasn't found what he's looking for.”

  Sam let out a long sigh. “I guess.”

  Thinking that a change in topic was called for she said, “If you're interested in that job I can introduce you to Alex. He's doing everything on his own at the moment and could really use the help. I'm
sure he could put a good word in for you.”

  “Alex? You're friends with him?”

  Liz wondered if she'd just detected a hint of jealousy in his voice and felt her heart begin to speed up. “Yeah. I've known him since forever. We're good friends.”

  “Okay. That sounds good.”

  They sat in silence for a while, the sun beating down on their shoulders. It was strange how they kept running into each other, not that she minded. Talking with Sam was nice. He seemed to get her, which was more than she could say for his brother. Where Zac was concerned, she wasn't sure who he was at all. That man seemed hell bent on keeping everyone at arm's length.

  Sam shifted, bringing her attention back onto him. “What about you? I know you work at that cafe across the street. Surely that's not all you want to do with your life?”

  Liz sighed and grimaced at the same old question everyone asked her. Small town girl wanting to make a big town life.

  “Did I ask the wrong question?”

  “No, it's just…After I graduated high school everyone wanted me to go off to a fancy college and have this high flying career, but I didn't know what I wanted.”

  “So you stuck around until you could figure it out?”

  She turned and gave him a pointed look. “Yeah. Exactly.”

  “Have you decided yet?”

  “I applied to a bunch of colleges a few months back, but I haven't heard yet. It's killing me.”

  “I'm sure you'll hear something soon.”

  She smiled at his reassurance.

  “Listen,” he began a little awkwardly. “I hope I'm not being too upfront here, but I was wondering if you wanted to do something later.”

  The way he hesitated warmed her heart. “Like a date?”

  “Yeah,” he laughed, “like a date.”

  Smiling, she watched him for a moment before saying, “Yeah. I'd like that.”

  Sam leaned against the doorframe, watching Zac sprawled out on the sofa. He'd claimed the parlor in the manor as his drinking hole from the day they'd arrived. If he wasn't at the bar, then he was here. But tonight, he had to go someplace else.

  “I thought you'd be at the bar,” Sam said.

  “Nope.”

  “Can you go someplace else?”

  “You've got a date, haven't you?” Zac sat up, suddenly interested.

  “Don't you have a bottle of hooch to down?” he asked with a scowl.

  Zac just grinned at him with a knowing look in his eyes. “You're bringing her here, aren't you?”

  “It's none of your business.”

  “It's my business if you want to chow down on some pretty blonde in our house. Especially since you forbid me to do it…dad.”

  Anger began to boil beneath the surface and Sam felt his vampire side begin to awaken. Fucked if he was going to give Zac the satisfaction. “I'm not going to feed from her, Zac. I wouldn't do it…”

  “You like her.”

  “And what's your game, huh? I know you've been harassing her.”

  “Harassing?” Zac stood, crossing the room so they stood face to face.

  Great, Sam thought, another fight.

  “I can't talk to anyone without it being anything but harassment?”

  “I'm not in the mood to fight with you, Zac. Just do me a favor and go someplace else for tonight. Just one night.”

  “Then who's going to stop you if you can't stop yourself? Hmm? How long has it been since you've tasted human blood, brother? It's been forty years since I came back and I haven't seen you consume a single drop.”

  He was right. It had been decades since he'd fed from a human and if he got even a whiff of Liz's blood, he wouldn't be able to control himself. Especially considering the feelings she was stirring up in him. What a way to find out that he was a vampire. Shit. “I'm not going to feed from her, Zac.”

  “Whatever. The witch had words with me today, just so you know.”

  “You're the only one she has a problem with.”

  “You'll have a problem if Liz doesn't turn up for work tomorrow, little brother.”

  Sam gritted his teeth. “I can handle myself, Zac. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her.”

  “So says you.”

  Shoving Zac's shoulder, he snapped, “I say it.”

  “Fine, fine,” Zac said, holding his hands up. “Don't come crying to me when you want to get the stains out of the carpet.” He picked up the half-empty bottle of spirits he'd left on the coffee table and shoved past Sam, their shoulders clashing. When the front door slammed closed, he sighed in relief.

  He didn't believe Zac for one second. There wasn't anything in the world that would make him hurt Liz. Nothing. He couldn't deny that over the past few weeks his feelings had started to grow. Feelings he wasn't sure he could have anymore, especially for a human girl. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but he couldn't stay away.

  Despite the dangerous path he was taking, he smiled when he heard her car pull up in the driveway. He was at the front door in a flash, taking a deep breath, putting on his human face before opening it, revealing Liz with her fist hovering in mid-air.

  “I was just about to knock,” she said with a nervous laugh. “I swear.”

  “I know,” he replied. “I heard your car.” They stood awkwardly for a moment, just staring at each other before he stepped back with a chuckle. “Come in.”

  “Wow,” she said, stepping by him in a cloud of jasmine perfume and something distinctively human. “Some place you've got here.”

  “Thanks,” he said, thankful she wasn't facing him. He was sure his face betrayed his rising…hunger. “Can I get you anything? A drink?”

  “No, I'm okay. I'm more interested in seeing inside the infamous Degaud manor.” Catching his raised eyebrow, she added, “And you of course. It's just that no one's been in here in about a hundred years.”

  “One hundred and forty-eight years,” he corrected.

  Liz pulled her gaze from the house and frowned at him.

  “Or so say the records,” he added, lamely. “C'mon. I'll give you the grand tour.”

  He led her long the hallway, pointing out the paintings along the walls, all seventieth century French portraits of long lost Degaud's and landscapes of the old country. The old country being France.

  “You'll have to forgive the kitchen,” he said, showing her in. “We've still got a lot of work to do.”

  He watched her look over the mess the builders had left after they'd finished work that afternoon. Ladders, tools and sawdust sat over drop sheets, half the cabinets still needed to be installed and the plumbing was still days from being connected.

  “It'll look great when it's done,” she said, glancing back to him. ”And just you and Zac live here?”

  “Yes.”

  “All this space?” she asked.

  “Yes. There's five bedrooms upstairs, one we've remodeled into a second bathroom, so there's four now…”

  “Wow, you've really got it planned out. What about the outside?”

  “We can't do anything to the exterior, but we're free to update the interior to a certain point. We've been wiring electricity, replacing the plumbing and making the bathrooms more modern. The furniture and paintings are heirlooms, so we won't touch those.”

  “It's very...French.”

  “My family originated from France, so it would be,” he said with a wink.

  “You do have a strange accent. Not quite southern...”

  “Ahh, well we've spent a lot of time away, so that would probably explain it.” Shit, she was very observant. Back then there was Southern and then there was French Southern. His accent was very much flavored with his family’s heritage. Most people didn't notice these days since it was more common to move around than it had been in the eighteen hundreds.

  “And you're only twenty?”

  “Twenty-one.” The real number would probably give her palpitations.

  “Wow.”

  “Wow?”

  “I
mean, it's a lot for someone who's so young…”

  “Old families have a lot of responsibility attached to them. Name, heritage, that kind of thing.”

  “Your parents are big on it, huh?” she asked, turning away from the landscape painting she was looking at in the dining room.

  His parents? An image flashed in his mind, an image from his last moments as a human…blood. Nothing but blood.

  “Sam?” Liz was looking at him with a frown.

  “My parents aren't around anymore.” Because they weren't.

  “I'm sorry. I didn't-”

  He held up a hand to stop her. “It's okay. It's been a long time.” He led her back into the parlor and watched as she sat on the sofa across from the open fireplace.

  “So…” she began, sitting on her hands.

  “Sorry,” he said sitting beside her. “I'm not very good at this.”

  “Holding up a conversation?” She smiled at him, bumping her shoulder against his.

  Leaning closer he shook his head. “Holding a conversation with a beautiful woman.”

  “Oh.”

  She began to blush and he reached out and tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. When his fingertips brushed against her skin, she shivered slightly, leaning into his touch. Did she feel it, too? That…tingling? Vampires felt everything a million times worse than a human, but if she even felt an inkling of what he did...

  Her big blue eyes dropped from his, focusing on his lips and before he lost his nerve, he leaned forward and caught her is a kiss. Soft, tentative, just a little bit of pressure. It was probably best to take it slow, considering what he was.

  But Liz took him by surprise, winding her arms around his neck, fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck, pulling him against her. She was the one in control, deepening the kiss, sliding her tongue against his and he was a goner. When she began to pull away, he didn't want to let her go.

  “I've wanted to do that for a while now,” he murmured, brushing her hair away from her face.

  “You have?” she gasped.

  “Ever since you ran into me. Literally.”

  Pressing his lips against hers again, he knew that Zac had been wrong. He'd never do anything to hurt Liz. Never. Because he was falling for her and wasn't that a dangerous thought?