“Well, you either suck people’s blood or you don’t. Which is it?”
Alek’s dull eyes brighten and he smirks at me. “I knew as soon as I saw you, things would be different. There’s not only one kind of vampire, you know.”
“Yeah, I know; some sparkle apparently. You glowed a bit last night.”
“I live off other people’s energy when I can’t find Shades. That’s what I mean when I say I’m a vampire. I prey on humans for their life force instead of their blood. Sanguine vampires get energy from blood, but I don’t need to do that. All I have to do is be around humans, or if I need some urgently, I can touch them.”
Involuntarily, I shudder and take another step away from him. He said we were the same. I voice my thoughts even though I know how crazy this sounds. “So, what am I? Ghost? Zombie? Vampire?”
“You’re like me.”
“So, I’m a vampire, too?”
Alek studies for my reaction. I think my stunned look tells him everything he needs to know. “Between.”
“Yeah, I guess ‘Between’ has a nicer ring to it than vampire.”
“I didn’t mean to have this conversation with you here and now. I only came to ask you to keep away from Finn.”
“Why? What’s he? A werewolf?”
Alek doesn’t laugh. “No.”
Below, someone hammers on the door and I glance at Alek. “Let Lizzie answer it,” he says.
“And what? He thinks you’ve done something to me. I doubt he’ll leave.”
“That’s pretty ironic, considering he wants to kill you.”
My backside bumps to the step. “He what?”
“Listen, I’ll talk to you about all this, explain and let you make your own decisions. Please, don’t go downstairs to him, and definitely don’t leave with him.”
“When will you tell me?”
“In the kitchen, I wasn’t ignoring you.” He raises an eyebrow, acknowledging how annoyed I was with him. “I arranged the thing with Lizzie to get her out of the house so I can speak to you about all this. She doesn’t want me to say anything to you yet; she doesn’t think you’re ready to hear it. I have some stuff at work I promised I’d do, and then I’ll be back.”
We’re too high up in the house to be able to hear anything downstairs apart from the continuing banging on the door. Alek pushes past and I squeeze into the wall so he doesn’t touch me. He calls downstairs, asks Lizzie to get Finn to leave then stomps down in his usual fashion.
I decide it’s time to go and pack. I can’t stay with these crazy people any longer.
***
I retreat to my room and stare at the walls, blinking at the Bo Peeps and trying to figure out what weird world I’ve been dragged into. Is Alek mentally ill? Or am I losing it because I half-believe him? A thought occurs: did Finn spike my drink? Did I hallucinate then Alek helped me through the weird trip he sent me on? The ghost... the girl in the alley. The kiss. What the hell was that? I’ve kissed guys before, plenty of guys, and never experienced anything like I did when Alek’s mouth was on mine. Sure, I normally get heart-thumping arousal, but this was something else. Usually, I’m not desperate to rip my clothes off and have sex with arrogant guys who I’ve kissed once. My body coursed with sexual energy in a way I’ve never experienced, energy I think came from Alek. I shake the thoughts away.
Unable to hear what’s happening downstairs from my room, I’ve no idea whether it was Finn at the door or if the visitor left. I send Finn a text, telling him I’ll see him at work later. Then I pull out my rucksack and pack my bag with enough to stay at a hotel until I can find somewhere else to live. Easier said than done, but if I stay here, I’ll go as crazy as the other residents.
Now, several hours later, the house has quietened and I creep downstairs with my backpack. I hold my breath, attempting to hear any voices or movement. I watched Alek leave, and then Lizzie. Alek in his car, and then Lizzie half an hour later on the bus. Obviously, the movie date didn’t happen, so what was all that about? I grab some fruit and a bottle of water from the fridge. My handbag is on the sofa where Alek dumped it last night. Peeking inside, I see my purse so I’m set to go.
How can such a mundane house hold so many weird secrets? And how much of it’s true? Can I really see ghosts? Am I a ghost? Get a grip, Rose. Why the hell am I hesitating when I should be getting out? I shrug my bag onto my shoulder and leave.