Chapter 3
Anyways, he sent out his people to find me while he sat around dining on prostitutes.
***
The next day was Tuesday, and I had to drive down to Long Beach to see my family. It was my sister’s baby shower, and I had promised to decorate.
With pink and blue streamers, pastel paper dishes, and a lavender tablecloth loaded in the back of my Tundra, along with Sheri’s gift, I pulled into the driveway of my parents’ beach house. My brother’s four kids ran from the house to greet me, followed by my big brother Lucas, his wife Samantha, my brother-in-law Paul, and my parents, Ellen and Marty. As I stepped from my truck and hauled the bags out with me, Sheri carefully maneuvered down the porch steps, her wide belly sticking out in front of her. I walked up to her and gave her a hug.
“How are ya feeling?” I asked.
“I haven’t seen my feet in weeks, my back is sore, and this baby was due last week. I feel like a beached whale! But I’m sure glad we managed to get this party fit into the schedule, even if it is right at the baby’s due date.”
“Well, this means you’ll get to use all your baby presents real soon. Come on, let’s get this stuff put up before your friends arrive and the guys run off. We’ll need them to hang all these streamers.”
We spent the rest of the morning hanging up the decorations and setting out the snacks. Sheri’s friends arrived around one, and the party ended about four. After the guests dispersed, the guys showed up to help clean the mess. By the time I got home, it was six-thirty and already dark. Jasmine’s car was gone, but I didn’t care. She had healed up fine and was free to bite as many people as she wanted.
I walked up to my front door and got out my house key. Just as I was about to stick it in the lock, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and my sharp ears picked up the sounds of someone’s shallow breathing. I turned around, and saw a figure in the shadows, sitting down by the tree in my front yard. He was sleeping, I could tell, and had not stirred since I noticed him. I approached him slowly and dug my penlight out of my bag. Shining the tiny beam on the man’s face, I touched his shoulder. I must have woke him up because he jumped in surprise and nearly tackled me. Acting instantly, I punched him square in the nose, knocking him to the ground with my super strength. I hadn’t yet seen his face, so I held the light up. He groaned and felt his nose which was already bleeding.
“James! What are you doing here?” I was frightened out of my mind, but relieved it was someone I knew and not a prowler. I helped him up and walked him to my front door. While I opened it, James explained why he was waiting for me.
“I thought about what you said, about us getting along well, and you wanting us to be friends. I agree with you. I wanted to tell you in person.”
“Well, what were you doing sleeping in my yard?” I asked suspiciously as I helped him in and escorted him to the couch to rest.
“When I came over, you weren’t there so I sat down in your yard to wait for you. I thought you were at lunch with Isabel, or at one of your classes.
I guess I fell asleep.”
“That wasn’t very smart. My neighborhood is safe, but you never know when some creep could come around.” I gave him an ice pack for his nose, which had stopped bleeding, but was swelling up.
I noticed he was shaking, and the color was gone from his face, save the red blotch around his nose. “What’s with you? Why do you look so nervous?”
“I don’t know, I’m really shaken up. I had a weird dream, and then you scared me so bad when you woke me up.”
I bit my lip. “Sorry about that. I didn’t break your nose, did I?”
“Actually, I’m pretty sure you did. Do you think you could drop me off at the emergency room?” he asked me.
“Sure. After you get your nose fixed, you can come over some time this week, and we’ll talk.”
“Um, maybe I shouldn’t...”
“Of course, calling first would be a good idea,” I interrupted, smiling at him.
James stood up, still holding the pack to his nose, and I followed him out the door. I drove him to the hospital, and helped him check in. He asked me to stay with him there, so I did.
We were there for three hours, and by the time I got home again, it was ten-forty five.
I dragged my tired body to my bedroom, undressing on the way. I threw my nightgown on and flopped on the bed. Funny, I don’t even remember falling asleep, just waking up the next morning.
***
What do you get when you divide the city of Los Angeles with seven vampire slaves, a pissed-off master vampire, and no clues? Two. It took those vampires only two days to figure out where I lived. You’d think it would take longer, but it didn’t.
Of course, I didn’t know at the time that I had been found. I don’t know why I thought Luthar would search for me himself, but I did and never added lackeys into the equation.
I definitely knew something was up, however, because I can tell when I’m in a state of false security. It’s like that feeling you get when you think someone is watching you.
I took careful steps and probably looked over my shoulder about a dozen times on Thursday, but I didn’t spot anyone. I went to class Thursday morning and made up the time I missed the day before. I came home afterwards to spend the evening at home with my cats.
***
Now, I would have been just happy spending Thursday night watching movies and munching on chips, but egocentric Luthar decided differently.
I was in the middle of watching my favorite movie, Labyrinth, when my front door burst open and Jasmine stumbled in. She fell to the floor, staining my carpet with blood. Her left arm was broken, and she had open wounds all over her body. I rushed to her side. She looked up at me and said in a hoarse voice, “L... Luthar..... did.... this....” Then she lost consciousness.At this time, unknown to me, Luthar was gathering seven of his ‘children’ together. He sent them out to find me and drag me back to his hotel room. I know, a hotel room isn’t very dramatic, but this is the millennium. I doubt there are any bat caves or old dungeons he could have taken over. It was painted black, if that makes you feel any better.