Blood Candy Page 12

“Don’t worry about that,” Jimmy told her. “We’re setting up watch until dawn. We all need sleep.”

  Melvin nodded. “I just slept for about half an hour. I’ll take first watch with Were-Jew and then I’ll wake you and Paul for the last hour or so.”

  Candy and Felicia went up to the guest room. Candy didn’t argue about who would get the bed or the couch; they both fell exhausted onto the bed. Though her heart still raced, Candy fell asleep the second her head hit the pillow.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Candy couldn’t look away from his alluring eyes.

  He ran his hands through her hair, bent his head down to her neck. She cried out, yearning for the pain. She yelled his name over and over again.

  “Candy!”

  Felicia shook her so violently her teeth rattled. Candy opened her eyes and gaped at her, unsure what was going on.

  “You were dreaming,” Felicia said.

  It was morning, or more than likely closer to noon. Rubbing her face, Candy rolled over to sit on the side of the bed. A small smile tugged the corners of her mouth; she dreamed about Blake and not Rupert. He freed her. With the way Felicia was looking at her, Candy realized she must have been talking—or worse—in her sleep. Her face burned.

  “I’m going to take a shower,” she said, hurrying out of the room.

  Candy quickly washed and then let the hot water run over her body. The dream had been vague, unlike the vividness of the dream with Rupert. She had been with Blake, though she didn’t know where. He made promises and he made her feel safe. In the dream she wanted to be with him. In the dream his eyes never let her go. She wanted him to bite her. She wanted him because she hated Rupert. When she came out of the bathroom, Jimmy was in the guestroom with Felicia.

  “Do you want to get some breakfast?” he asked Candy. “Well, it’s past noon, so lunch I mean.”

  “Maybe in a little bit. I need to talk to Felicia if you don’t mind.”

  Jimmy nodded and left the two girls alone in the room.

  “What’s up?” Felicia said.

  Candy sat on the end of the bed. “You know what happened last night?” Felicia nodded. “This is insane. How does he keep finding me? This has to be illegal or something.”

  Felicia didn’t say anything for a moment, making Candy wonder what could be going on in her head. “I don’t know how he’s finding you,” she said. “I know vampires have some strange powers, but I’ve never heard of this.”

  Candy didn’t want to think about it anymore. “What did you hear while I was sleeping?”

  Felicia tried to suppress a smile. “A whole lot about Blake.”

  Candy sighed and looked at the ground.

  “Are you ashamed?” Felicia asked her.

  “I don’t know. What would you think? I mean, I barely know him and I’m having that kind of dream. But it wasn’t exactly that kind.” She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “Well you are a virgin.”

  “I’m glad that was a topic of discussion while I was asleep.”

  “Sorry, but it is kind of important. It’s at least some of the reason Rupert’s after you. The Mullin mother never told you what makes your blood so special aside from that?”

  “No.” Candy hadn’t thought about it until now and it made her curious all over again.

  “I had an idea,” Felicia said. Candy didn’t like the wry grin that crept over her face. “Maybe if you go ahead and give it up, maybe that will spoil your blood or something. It couldn’t hurt to try and it will certainly clear up the tension between you and Jimmy.”

  “What tension? There’s no tension. I’m not giving up anything.”

  Felicia narrowed her eyes. “I’m not stupid, you know. I’ve been around long enough to know sexual tension when I see it, and you’re wound up so tight you’re ready to explode.”

  Candy’s mouth dropped open. “Am not!”

  “I call it the way I see it. Why are you, a blonde bombshell, still a virgin? You don’t come off as the religious type so you’re not waiting to get married. And considering the way you were dressed the other night you’re certainly not shy.”

  Candy crossed her arms. She wanted to tell Felicia to shut her trap, but the redhead was mostly right. “I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve just never met a good enough guy.”

  “Oh, you’re one of those.”

  “One of what?”

  “Come on,” Felicia said, rolling her green eyes. “You think you’re too good for everyone. Girls like you go through high school with your nose stuck up in the air thinking your God’s gift to the world. You lead guys around on a leash, teasing them into thinking they actually have a chance at the promised lands. And then once you step foot into college you lose your mind and open the gates for anyone and everyone.”

  “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  Felicia gave her an “oh, really?” look. “Let me ask you this: What are you doing going to bars dressed like a common street walker if you’re a virgin? I think you know the answer. You want to release all that sexuality you’ve pent up for so long. I’m telling you, the second you walk into a college you’re going to lose your mind and your panties.”

  Candy frowned. Though Felicia was probably right, she didn’t want to think or talk about it anymore. There were far more important things to discuss.

  “Medium Dave turned into a moose last night,” Candy said. Felicia smiled as if this new topic amused her. “What’s up with that?”

  “He’s a lycanthrope. That’s what he shifts into.”

  “I’m confused. I thought you were werewolves. What’s the difference?”

  “It’s simple,” Felicia said. “All werewolves are lycanthropes, but not all lycanthropes are werewolves. Those of us who turn into wolves are werewolves. The rest of us are lycanthropes.”

  “What are you?”

  “A lycanthrope.”

  “Jimmy?”

  Felicia grinned. “Ask him.”

  Felicia suggested they go get something to eat. Candy had to reluctantly accept her answer, at least for the time. Were-Jew had gone to the grocery store to pick up some food for a cookout. White Paul and Melvin were in the living room. They ceased the conversation they were having when the girls came down the stairs.

  “How are you feeling?” White Paul asked Candy.

  “Fine, I guess.” Candy looked out the back window. Jimmy was sitting near the empty pool.

  “Are you sure you want to go through with this tonight?” Melvin said.

  Candy nodded. As far as she was concerned there weren’t any other options.

  “What’s for breakfast?” Felicia said.

  “We got burgers and dogs for the grill,” Melvin said. “Are you girls hungry now? We can fire it up.”

  Both Candy and Felicia nodded. Felicia headed towards the bathroom down the hall from the kitchen and then she paused and turned back to White Paul.

  “Is it safe to use the bathroom?” she said.

  White Paul flipped up his middle finger.

  The phone in the kitchen reminded Candy that she hadn’t talked to her mother or friends in several days. She thought about it for a moment and then decided she didn’t care. Her mother was probably too drunk to even notice her daughter hadn’t come home yet, and her friends were off doing their own things over summer vacation. Then again, she knew her mother was the type to overreact about anything, which would be bad if she did notice her daughter hadn’t come home.

  “My mother is probably worried about me by now. I hope she doesn’t go to the police.”

  “Why don’t you call her?” Melvin said.

  It was an obvious question, though for Candy there wasn’t an obvious answer. She knew she should call her mother even though she really didn’t want to. Her mother was notorious for her abuse of melodramatics, drunk or not. The religious kind of melodramatics was the worst of all.

  “Maybe I’ll call her before we leave. I’m not looking forward to
it,” Candy said.

  “Talking to your mother or meeting with the vampires?” White Paul said.

  “Both.” This wasn’t completely true. She did want to see Blake again.

  “We’ll be fine,” Felicia said from the kitchen. “We’ll all be there this time.”

  Candy didn’t feel reassured. Thus far the Misfits hadn’t been able to stand against the vampires. So far all they had managed to do was run and hide, and even that was sketchy.

  Everyone converged around the grill outside. White Paul argued with Medium Dave about filling the pool. Felicia joined in, but Dave didn’t crack, not even at the promise of skinny dipping. While they argued and while Were-Jew and Melvin tended the grill, Candy asked Jimmy to take a walk with her. They headed around the side of the house into the front yard, seeking shelter in the shade of a tall pine tree.

  “Sorry about last night,” Candy said. She tried not to remember the way his face twisted up while he was hanging in the air by his underwear.

  “You don’t need to be sorry. It’s not your fault. That’s what vampires do. They are blood thirsty and insane. That’s what I’ve been trying to warn you about.”

  Candy nodded. As she was thinking how much she appreciated everything Jimmy and his friends had done for her, and while she took his warning into consideration, she couldn’t get Blake out of her head.

  “I didn’t mean what I said to you last night,” she said. “I really do appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

  “I know.”

  “I just want this to be over. Rupert finding me again proved we need help. I just want this to end, Jimmy.”

  He stood there awkwardly, looking like he wanted to move closer to her, but unable to do so. Candy wanted to hug him. He deserved it, but she didn’t want to lead him on anymore when her feelings were so mixed up.

  “We’ll figure this out one way or another. I won’t let you down,” he said.

  Candy smiled. “Thanks.”

  They joined the others and ate lunch together. Everyone seemed happy except for Candy. She couldn’t stop thinking about Blake. She couldn’t stop thinking about Rupert, though for very different reasons. She sat alone in the shade while Were-Jew chased Felicia beneath some trees near the backyard fence, both of them laughing like carefree kids. Melvin and White Paul discussed which science fiction movie was the best and why. Jimmy and Medium Dave sat in the open while they ate, enjoying the sun and their friendship.

  On the outside, everything would have looked perfectly peaceful, but Candy knew a cloud hung over each of them. Rupert and Vivian stuck in everyone’s minds like the recollections of a nightmare. Candy wished she could enjoy the afternoon for what it was. After some time, Melvin gathered everyone inside and went over their plan for the night.

  “We all stay together,” he said. “Under no circumstance will anyone go anywhere on their own. Also, I’m giving Jimmy lead tonight. He was at the Mullin’s house and he knows more about them than I do. He’ll speak on our behalf and make all of the pertinent decisions.”

  Melvin glanced around the room, looking very serious behind his glasses. “Anyone who doesn’t want to go has my leave. We’re dealing with vampires and there’s real danger. No Misfit will judge anyone who doesn’t want to go.”

  No one said a word.

  “Great,” Melvin said. “Misfits forever.”

  “Misfits forever!” everyone said in unison except Candy. They all looked to her. “Misfits forever,” she said with a smile.

  The remaining time before they had to leave passed far too quickly. Before Candy knew it, she and the Misfits were heading out to the SUV (no one mourned the loss of the Pinto). White Paul insisted they should fill the pool and come back later. Felicia did her best to convince Medium Dave how awesome a pool party would be, especially the no swimsuit kind. Candy wished she could be as optimistic, but the growing knot in her stomach wouldn’t allow it. They all piled into the car and Felicia drove them to the Mullin Estate.

  Candy tried to keep her mind clear. It didn’t last long. The image of Jimmy slowly twirling by his underwear crept into her head, along with Rupert and Vivian’s cruel laughter. The existence of bullies in the world of vampires and lycanthropes amazed her. She sighed and took Jimmy’s hand. He smiled, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

  They had to wait at the gate to the mansion for someone to ring them in. It was nearly eight o’clock and the sun would set soon. They parked outside of a huge garage that could have doubled as a middle class home and then went to the door. On the way up, Candy tried to pay attention to the security Were-Jew had talked about, but she didn’t see anything. Renaldo answered the door and invited them in.

  “The master will be with you shortly,” he said. “Make yourselves comfortable. Is there anything I can get for you in the meantime?”

  “We’re fine, thank you,” Melvin said.

  Renaldo nodded and walked out of the room.

  “These vampires are loaded,” Melvin said, his head craning to look up at everything in the vast antechamber. “I wonder how much money they have.”

  Were-Jew chortled. “How much money do you think you could accumulate over the course of a few hundred years? They can probably buy anything they want. Bodyguards, the latest technology, politicians, you name it. I don’t know what to be more afraid of: their supernatural powers or their vast resources.”

  Candy shivered. Aside from the frigid temperature in the mansion, she had never thought about how far a vampire’s influence could reach until Were-Jew put it into perspective. She thought it might not be so bad to have a vampire boyfriend if he was filthy rich. Never mind that Blake was also stupid hot.

  After a moment, Anastasia appeared at the top of the stairs and for the first time she wasn’t dressed like a tramp. Instead, she wore a fashionable blue skirt with a darker blue jacket. Her black hair was done up in curls which, combined with her porcelain face, made her look eerily like a life sized doll dressed up in grownup clothes.

  “I’m glad you’re early,” she said, her voice carrying in the antechamber. Blake appeared behind her and they both came down the stairs together. Candy noticed Felicia eyeing Blake rather lustfully.

  “I believe there are a few of you to whom I have yet to be introduced,” Anastasia said. She stepped in front of Were-Jew. “You’re the black wolf they call Were-Jew. Did you get a good look around last night?” She smiled at his discomfort. Candy and the Misfits wondered how she knew not only his nickname, but that he had been the black wolf prowling around her house the night before.

  The porcelain-skinned vampire girl went on with her assessment of Were-Jew. “One doesn’t survive hundreds of years by being stupid. You should know I’ve crushed plenty of grown men beneath my heel, so you may want to wipe that passive-aggressive expression from your face. The last time I feared a wolf was when superstitious villagers whispered nonsense around the fireplace.”

  Were-Jew lowered his gaze. Anastasia moved over to Melvin.

  “And here’s the leader of this band of misfits,” she said with a lopsided grin. “You have much to prove, Melvin. How will you ever be accepted into a real pack if you can’t manage something as simple as this? You’ll do well, little lycan. I won’t let you down and you won’t let your friends down.”

  Melvin passed a nervous glance to Jimmy. Though they had told him how strange Anastasia was, seeing her in person was something else entirely.

  “And the lovely Felicia. The one with the biggest mouth and the most brazenness also has the most to hide. Secrets catch up to us all at some point, my dear.”

  Felicia, holding true to Anastasia’s description, stubbornly held the vampire’s gaze. Anastasia looked Felicia up and down, apparently satisfied with what she saw.

  “You’d make a good concubine,” she said. “I’d treat you well, and your secrets would be safe with me.”

  Felicia didn’t seem to know if she wanted to scowl at the vampire or smile with pride. For Candy and
most everyone else, the more Anastasia talked, the weirder she became.

  Anastasia went back to her son’s side. “Now that the introductions are over, let us be on our way. You may follow behind Blake, Candy, and I to our destination.”

  “Candy goes with us,” Melvin said.

  Jimmy gave Candy a look that asked if she was okay riding alone with them. She nodded.

  “Okay,” Jimmy said. “We’ll be right behind you,” he assured Candy.

  Candy kissed Jimmy on the cheek and then the Misfits went out to the SUV while she followed Blake into the garage. They sat in the back of the town car with Anastasia across from them. The driver started the car and then they were on their way to meet with yet more vampires.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “So tell me, Candy. How exactly did you come into the acquaintance of the Misfits?”

  Anastasia had one ghostly pale leg crossed over the other, sitting there in her skirt and dress jacket across from Candy like she was a real, grown woman. Strange didn’t begin to describe the vampire girl, or her family for that matter. Bizarre didn’t do her justice, either. And to make the situation even stranger, the windows in the back of the town car were tinted completely black—Candy couldn’t see out and no one could see in. She knew the horizon had to still be streaked red outside, but Anastasia and Blake were perfectly safe inside.

  “They saved me,” Candy said. “Tinch did. He introduced me to them.”

  “Tinch,” Anastasia said with a touch of fondness. “One of the wiser wolves I’ve come across. He may be hard on the outside, but he’s soft in the middle. He’s always concerned with the best interest of others.”

  “I wasn’t aware you know him.”

  Anastasia smiled. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. It pays in large dividends to know everything and everyone in the supernatural world.”

  “You consider him an enemy?”

  “Old feuds.” Anastasia shrugged. “I’m not in the business of making enemies, my dear. I’m a vampire and he’s a wolf. Some people have a hard time letting go of the past, even when that past stretches hundreds of years and no one remembers what the quarrel was about in the first place.”