Bite, p.81
Bite, page 81
He laughs as Sam grabs my hand while murmuring, “Thank you your Highness. Thank you for saving me. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I respond and he pulls me in for another kiss. Damn I can’t wait until we get home so I could rock his world.
It’s funny how so much can change in the course of a year. This time last year, Sam was convincing me to go with him to the New Year’s Eve party at the country club, Stacy and Diane were still alive and I never knew vampires existed. Now as I look at myself in the mirror in my brand new Valentino party dress, I can’t believe how much has changed since that night. Now not only do I know about vampires, I have become one, married Sam and killed that evil bitch. Stacey, Diane, Sara and Joseph are gone and I am now the queen. Damn, I’m scared at what the New Year is going to bring.
Sam comes up behind me in our bathroom and he smiles as he says, “You look absolutely beautiful.”
“You think so huh? I really think the other one is better,” I say while checking to see if my ass looks too big. Yes, even us female vampires still worry about our asses.
He just chuckles, as he says, “No that one is perfect Alex said he doesn’t want us to be too fancy. He is determined to make sure we party our butts off.”
I laugh. “Well you can’t blame him. He said we need to unwind tonight. We’ve been too uptight since the incident.”
He sighs as he says, “Yes, I think after everything that’s happened, we could use a night to have fun.”
I put the finishing touches on my makeup as I think of the aftermath of the incident at the school. After she was killed (we all agreed to never say her name again), Rob used his hypnotic power to convince the humans that were locked away within the dorm basements that a group of deranged people came on campus and just went crazy and killed all those people. Charlie naturally burned up the bodies of the vampires that were defeated except for Joseph’s and Evan fixed up any physical evidence done to the buildings. When the police arrived, it was just another case of people getting onto campus caused by lack of security. Sad but it had to be done.
As for Joseph, I couldn’t let Charlie just burn him up. So we flew him back to his hometown of Kansas and when it was pitch dark, we buried him in his tombstone that his parents had put up back in 1971. At least now there is a body inside it and on the headstone I carved in no worries as he used to say to me all the time. I stood there for a while staring as the guys fixed up his grave and said my final good bye to my dear friend Joseph Lipton. I will never have another friend like him and every day I shed a tear for my buddy and I will always remember him forever.
When we returned, we pretty much acted as close to human as we could. As a promise to my mother, I registered for the spring semester and Sam and I moved into our home she gave us before she died. It was weird at first but once we fixed it up (and Sam being great letting me keep a few of Sara’s things), I felt more comfortable. In fact, it was nice that we finally had a place to ourselves and could act like a real married couple. Mark moved back into his parents’ house so at least we had one friend right next door.
While putting on my jewelry, Sam comes directly behind me and says, “Now you’ve done it. You made yourself look more incredible. How do you expect me to leave this house now when all I wanna do is stay in bed with you all night?”
I giggle as I turn around to face him while replying, “Now you know how I’m struggling watching you look yummy in your suit. Looks like both of us are gonna have to use some serious self-control tonight.”
“Yep I think you’re right. But the moment we get back, all bets are off. I hope this dress isn’t one of your favorites.” He grins and I see a hint of fang as he continues, “The moment we walk through our door, the dress is history.”
I also show a little fang as I respond, “You better hope your suit survives the drive home.”
We kiss for a few moments and when we finally pull apart he asks, “Gina, you almost ready love?”
I grab my clutch and I smile as I reply, “Yep. Let’s party.”
We hop into his BMW and a few minutes later, we pull up to our former home where we see Charlie has festive twinkling lights scattered among the surrounding trees leading up to the house. When we get inside the garage, I make a face as I glance at the replacement car we got Charlie. It’s a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 (like I know what that means) and the sucker cost us one point seven million dollars. I grunt as I climb out the car and I mutter, “I hate that stupid thing.”
Sam chuckles as he says, “You knew we had to get it love. Just this time please don’t crush it. If I have to buy him another replacement car, I might have to actually get a job to pay for it.”
I just smirk as I respond, “Well I’m sure he’ll think twice before pissing me off again.”
“Oh hell yeah I will but if I do, please take it out on the Maserati. I look damn good in this one and everyone thinks I’m the shit when I drive it,” Charlie says while entering the garage.
I just shake my head as Sam says, “Don’t worry. Gina promises not to touch your car.”
“Good. Shall we go inside?”
Sam grabs my hand and we enter the house where we notice all the furniture has been moved out so there is plenty of room for dancing. New Year’s decorations are hanging all throughout the room in colors that sparkle when a light touches them. A buffet table is set up with various hors d’oeuvres and there’s even a bar with two bartenders ready to serve the guests. Charlie smiles with pride as he asks, “What do you think?”
“Oh my god Charlie, this looks fabulous. Everything you’ve done looks amazing.”
“Thanks but I am not letting him take all the credit,” Tiffany says as she comes over. “Hey bitch! You look hot girl.”
I laugh as I reply, “So do you girl. And you both did an amazing job.”
“Thank you. A lot of people are here already and by midnight this place is gonna be wall to wall full of people.”
Alex zips over and while flashing his big grin he says, “Just the way I predicted. I made it seem like this is the party of the year.”
“Of course you would Alex,” Sam chuckles.
We say hello to the other guests including our new friends. Amber is busy chasing after Rob who did look very handsome in his suit. JoJo and Jack seem to be hitting it off pretty well and Angela I was willing to forgive since she was under you-know-who’s spell. She actually is very nice and is quite fond of Mark.
Speaking of Mark, I still have to make a decision on whether to change him or not. On Christmas, he asked me to make him a vampire. The effects of the venom are getting stronger and during Thanksgiving dinner, he even tried to bite Tiffany. I don’t know how much longer he’ll be able to fight it off so I’ll have to make a decision and the sooner the better.
I’m standing outside in the backyard thinking all this over when Sam comes out to join me. I turn as I hear him and he smiles as he says, “Here you are. Are you alright love?”
I smile as I respond, “Yes baby. Just trying to decide on what to do. Mark wants me to change him and I’m wondering if that’s the right thing to do.”
“Well if it’s what he really wants then why not?”
I shrug. “I know. But I want him to be sure. Like you told me once upon a time, once it’s done there’s no coming back.”
“I think he’s more than aware of that love,” he smirks.
I just fall into his arms as I say, “Well I’ll think about it a little more and then make my decision. Maybe while he’s here, I should ask Vincent if it’d be okay first.”
Now he really laughs as he says, “Gina, you are the queen now. You supersede all the Elders. You honestly don’t have to ask permission to do anything.”
“Oh,” I say embarrassed. It sucks that I still don’t know all the rules about the vampire world. I think as one of my first official acts as queen is create a handbook so all newborn vampire will have something to go by and won’t keep putting their feet in their mouths like I do.
“Well you don’t have to decide this tonight. Come on, it’s almost midnight. Let’s go inside.”
“Okay.”
Happily Ever After
(Charlie)
It’s just about midnight and I feel my nerves building up as I walk over to Tiffany. I know it was now or never to make things right with her or I would lose the chance for us to be together. After all that’s happened, I’m hoping that we can wipe the slate clean and start over. I’m ready to try the relationship thing (ugh it feels weird just saying the word) and I’m hoping she is willing to give me that chance.
I find her talking to Steve and Mark and I casually stroll up to them. “Hey guys, are you all enjoying yourselves tonight?”
They all smile as Steve replies, “Yeah man this party is great. Thanks again for inviting us.”
“No problem,” I say with a smile. “By the way Steve, I have a little surprise for you. Since you were kind enough to help us, I had Evan put together a highlight reel of all your best moves during your college career and we secretly sent them to a few teams. We even gave a glowing recommendation to the Dolphins since that was your number one pick if I’m not mistaken.”
He appears stunned as Mark says, “Wow that’s cool. How did you get access to the archives though?”
“Don’t ask,” I reply while smirking.
Still shocked Steve manages to get out, “Thank you Charlie. I don’t know what else to say.”
“You can say this. When you make it to the Super Bowl, you’ll have fifty yard line tickets waiting for us.”
“Fuck that you guys will have your own private box,” he says while grinning.
I also widen my smile as I say, “I like that even better.” I then turn to Tiffany as I ask, “May I have a moment of your time?”
She smiles warmly as she replies, “Sure.”
While chatting away about which team might pick him, Steve and Mark walk away as I move closer to her. She is about to speak as I politely cut her off by saying, “Before you speak, let me say this first.” My nerves start to get the best of me but I relax while taking a deep breath. “Tiffany, you are most important person in my existence and I’m hoping we can start over. I’m sorry for everything that happened and for putting you in danger. I never meant for any harm to come to you but I’m hoping you’ll forgive me and give me another chance. No more lies or no more bullshit.” I then reach into my pocket and pull out a ring box in which I open to reveal a gold rose ring. I look into her eyes and say, “This is a promise ring in which I vow to never hurt you again.”
She has tears in her eyes as she says, “Charlie, you are unbelievable. I was pretty much going to say the same thing except I didn’t have a ring to give you.”
We both laugh as I pull her close to kiss her. After a few moments, she puts the ring on and kisses me again. When we pull apart, I whisper, “I love you Tiffany.”
“I love you too Charlie.”
As I hug her, I glance over at my brother who is dancing with Gina and they kiss as well. Looking at David muttering mush, I chuckle as I see things are back to normal.
Yep, I think it’s going to be a wonderful year.
Epilogue
(A Friendly Return?)
A few minutes after midnight over in a suburb outside of Chicago, a New Year’s party is in full swing. A young woman is tying up a garbage bag and she grabs her coat so she can take it outside. Once she dumps the bag into a garbage can, she turns to go back into the house but notices someone wearing a hooded sweatshirt hunched over by her car. She looks up and down the street and then cautiously walks over to him. “Hey are you okay,” she calls to him. He just moans and not willing to ignore someone in need, she walks closer and says calmly, “Hey it’s okay. Let me help you.” She takes his hand and says, “Wow you’re freezing. Come inside and warm up a bit.”
As she helps him, a man comes out the house and yells, “Judy, what are you doing?”
“Kevin come help. This guy might be hurt.”
Kevin runs over and eyeing the situation he says, “You can’t be serious? What are you thinking? He could be some homeless guy or worse.”
With slight anger she responds, “Oh nice Kevin. It’s still the holiday season and is it a crime to help someone who could be hurt? Now either grab his other arm or move out of my way.”
He hesitates for a moment but Kevin agrees and they both help the man inside the house. A couple of the party guests see the situation and grab a blanket and something warm to drink for the stranger. They lead the man over to a chair and when someone hands Judy a cup of tea, she holds it up to the stranger to drink but he says in a hoarse voice, “No thank you.”
“No you need to drink this. You are positively freezing. Maybe we should call an ambulance to take you to a hospital or something.”
“I’ll be alright. I am thirsty but not for tea.” He coughs and when he sees the concern in her eyes, he asks, “What is your name?”
“Judy. This is my boyfriend Kevin. We can get you something else to drink. What would you like,” she asks with warmth in her eyes.
He mumbles his request and unable to hear, she leans forward as she says, “What? I’m sorry I couldn’t hear you.”
“And what is your name if you don’t mind me asking,” Kevin says with annoyance.
Just then the stranger jumps up from the chair and grabs him by his throat. He throws the hood back so his shoulder length hair can flow freely and he grins to reveal his fangs. Looking at Kevin he replies, “My name is death and what I want to drink is blood!”
The entire room full of people is devoured in five minutes
Back home on Long Island, in the middle of the party, Gina feels a strange sensation go through her and seeing what is happening in that house near Chicago, she screams out, “Joseph nooooooo!”
About the Author
Michele Hoxie was born in Manhattan and currently resides in the Bronx, NY. Her passion for writing began when she took a creative writing course in high school as an elective. That began her love of writing and she continued to write stories as a hobby. For almost 20 years she wrote about relationships whether friendships or love and family unity but it wasn’t until 2009 that she decided to tackle the fantasy world by writing about her favorite creatures, which are vampires.
Michele currently works for a software company but crunching numbers and reviewing contacts doesn’t stop her from writing. It is her zen during the stress of dealing with numbers all day and the craziness of living in New York City.
Michele Hoxie, Bite
