Dark Days (The Childe Series, #2) (8 page)
“Cat? Cat?” Taylor quietly whispered trying not to scare her. She lifted her head to look at him and Taylor’s heart sank as he saw the pain in her eyes. As he joined Cat on the concrete foundation, he pulled her into his arms and held her as she sobbed loudly into his shirt, not caring that it was quickly soaked. He stroked her hair until she was pacified.
“Sorry about your shirt,” she whispered.
“Yeah, you should be,” he said, and then hugged her to him again. Cat was overwhelmed with the love he was projecting. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought he’d be the one to come and comfort her.
Taylor chuckled. “You know, Cat, growing up, I resented Mom and Dad for bringing you into our family. Man was I jealous, and of course I even hated you a little at times. But you’ll always be my little sister. This last week I’ve wanted to just bust into your room and tell you how selfish you were being. But now I realize, you were hurt and feeling alone. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
Cat leaned her head against his shoulder, “I think I needed that week, especially with what was unloaded on me tonight. I mean, they told me I’m a
Childe
! A half-vampire! How the hell is that even possible? Don’t I scare you, Taylor?”
He laughed. “Well, you don’t see me running do you?”
“So you knew? They told you?”
“Yeah, they told me. Oh, and believe me it took me awhile to come to terms with it. But I did, because like I said, you’re my sister.”
“I can’t believe Sam and Rachel took me in knowing that I was a freak.”
“Well, they did, so just deal with it. Now, being half-vampire aside,” he said matter-of-factly, “I know you have a huge decision to make. Ròs and Trevor want to take you away, but we want you to stay here. Whatever you decide, I’ll have your back.” Cat smiled up at her brother. “But know this, if you leave us, a hole will be left. I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. I just want to let you know how I feel. How Mom and Dad feel. So kid, get up and let’s go face this together. Tell them you need some time to figure out what
you
want to do,” Taylor said, returning her smile. “Give me your hand Red Freak.”
Cat scowled jokingly as he helped pull her to her feet. “That’s Miss Red Freak to you, buddy.” As they walked back to their cars, Taylor threw his arm around Cat’s shoulders and pulled her close. She smiled, and swiped away the tear that had trickled down her cheek.
When they reached the parking lot, Taylor was relieved to see Ryan’s car wasn’t there. Ròs stood by the Mustang, watching the pair warily as they approached. Cat moved toward her aunt, shocking Ròs as she hugged her tightly. Ròs’ throat constricted and words escaped her as she hugged back.
As Ròs watched Cat and Taylor settle into their vehicles, a quick vision shot through her head.
An ornate coffin, a gorgeous evil vampire, and the whisper of Catherine’s name from his lips.
She gasped. “Cain is going to find out about her,” she whispered under her breath. Ròs looked at Cat with worry in her eyes, as she began to drive away.
“Something wrong Ròs?” Taylor asked.
“No, nothing.”
“Well, come on then. Get in. Cat’s going to beat us home.”
Cat opened her eyes and it was pitch black. She couldn’t see anything. Her breathing sounded louder than usual and seemed to engulf her. Raising her head quickly, trying to sit up, she hit full force into something. “Oww! Damn, that hurt!” she yelled in pain, rubbing her forehead. Feeling above her, Cat felt a soft, silky, fabric covering something solid. As she pressed her palms upward, she was met with resistance and couldn’t budge whatever lay above her. Kicking to the front and side, she felt she was enclosed within a space. She began to panic. Her breathing grew heavier as she started pounding her fists about, hoping someone would hear. She tried to scream, but nothing came out. Cat began frantically pushing upward using all her strength, but nothing would budge. She took in a couple deep breaths trying to calm herself and then tried to focus. A beeping noise startled her and she realized it was her cell phone indicating a message. Digging in her pocket she found her cell and read the text:
Wake up, Cat
!
The number was unknown. By the light of her phone, Cat caught a glimpse of something next to her. Slowly, she turned to face it. Piercing jet black eyes bore into hers. The man’s cold stare caused Cat to freeze in fear. He grinned, revealing his long fangs. “Catherine,” he whispered. She let out a blood curdling scream and began pounding feverishly. He reached out for her, his evil laughter filling her ears.
Cat sat up violently in bed, breathing heavily. Her throat felt raw, as if she had been screaming for hours. She reached over to her nightstand, her hand was shaking as she turned on her lamp, which filled the room with a soft glow. “Seriously, Cat? Dreams about sleeping next to vampires? Really? I’m so over vampires! I don’t care if they say I am one. I’m over it!” She pulled herself out of bed and she made her way to the bathroom. Cat splashed cold water on her face, and then grabbed for her hand towel.
Feeling pressure in her upper jaw, she moved closer to the mirror and opened her mouth wide. By the flicker of the night-light she saw two long pearly white fangs descend from her gums. Her eyes widened with shock. “What the?” she exclaimed, flipping on the overhead light, and then realized her mind was not playing tricks on her. She was indeed staring into the face of her vampire side. She moved closer to the mirror, and examined her fangs, pulling her lips back to get a better look.
Hearing a knock at the bedroom door, Cat stiffened, putting her hand over her mouth, shielding her fangs. “One second!” she called out, her fangs causing a slight lisp.
“Is everything alright? I heard you screaming. Did you have another bad dream?” Rachel asked through the door.
“Yeah, Mom, I did,” Cat called out. She had reverted back to calling Rachel “Mom,” after a long discussion with her parents upon returning from the beach the previous night. On the ride home, Cat realized Taylor was right, that her mom and dad were suffering just as much as she was.
“Could you open the door, please? I want to see if you’re okay.”
“Actually, Mom, right now is probably not the best time,” Cat replied nervously at the thought of her mom seeing her like this.
“Young lady, humor your mother and open the door.” Cat tried to figure out what to do, but couldn’t think of one good idea. Walking to the door, she kept her mouth covered as she opened it. Rachel looked at her confused with one eyebrow raised.
“See, everything’s fine,” Cat lisped through her hand.
“Why are you covering your mouth?”
“Severe case of halitosis,” she joked, laughing hollowly.
“Oh, I see. Well, as long as you’re fine.”
“Yeah, I’m heading back to bed now. I think I’ve met my nightmare quota for the night.” Rachel scanned the room making sure everything was in place, and then kissed Cat on the forehead. Cat closed the door and leaned up against it, breathing a sigh of relief. She felt her mouth and groaned, realizing her fangs were still very much there.
Great, how will I explain these in public
? She thought as she climbed into bed.
Along with dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep, Cat’s fangs were still there the next morning. “OMG! It’s Saturday and everyone’s home! What am I going to do? I can’t walk around like this!” Even though her family knew she was a
Childe
, Cat didn’t feel comfortable showcasing that fact in front of them, proving she truly was different.
She stood in front of her bathroom mirror and squeezed her eyes shut, concentrating, trying to make her fangs disappear. “Cat, honey, it’s trash day! Could you take the garbage from the kitchen out to the curb?” Rachel called from downstairs. Cat moaned and tried once more to make her fangs retract with no success. With no other recourse, she covered her mouth and made her way downstairs. Hearing Taylor’s bedroom door open, she let out a tiny squeal and rushed passed him.
What’s up with her this morning?
Taylor asked himself.
Cat grabbed the trash, and peeked around the kitchen door to see Taylor leaving the house. She waited until she heard the revving of his Mustang, and then slowly crept her way to the front door. Sprinting to the trash can at the end of the drive way, she quickly took the top off the can and threw the bag inside.
“Yoo-hoo, Catherine! You’re starting the day late I see. And still in your pajamas, huh?” Maude, Cat’s nosey next door neighbor, asked smugly. “You know when I was your age, I wasn’t allowed out of the house looking like you currently do. You should always try to look your best in the presence of others, dear,” she continued lecturing Cat.
Cat wished she could bare her fangs and growl at Maude just to see her either die of fright or run away screaming, tearing at her hair.
Ugh, but knowing her, she’d just say that I’m being weird or eccentric,
Cat thought as she grinned at Maude from behind her hand.
“You silly girl. What on earth are you doing, covering your mouth like that?” Maude asked, peering through her thick coke-bottle glasses.
“Sorry, Mrs. Roberts, I’ve got to go,” Cat said muffled through her hand as she ran for the front door.
“Well I never. That girl is so strange. Runs in the family I guess,” Maude muttered under her breath as she waved to Sam, who was in his pajamas mowing the tall, soggy grass that was currently their lawn.