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Blood's Voice Page 5


  “It is interesting that the effect was worse with Nicholas than with you, though.” Jonathan turned slightly and spoke again. “Nicholas, were you upset by his attempt to touch you?”

  “Well, my first reaction was surprise. Humans don’t willing touch us; they normally sense that something is different even when fascinated with us. They don’t instigate the initial physical contact; you know that. But, no, I didn’t care if he touched me. I was worried about how he would react, and I knew it would upset Anya if I caused problems with her humans.” He looked at me with sadness in his eyes. “I am sorry about what happened.”

  “Nicholas, I’m not upset with you, I’m just worried about Declán. What happened to him and how do we stop it from happening again?”

  Jonathan began again, “Are you sure you don’t know this boy from before? Either of you?”

  “No. He’s seventeen. If I had been near here before now, I’m pretty sure Nicholas would have found me. I wish I could figure this out though. It cannot just be me. Nichols did it too.”

  “True, but considering the bond you two share, I’m not sure that it was truly Nicholas’s effect on him.”

  “What do you mean, bond?”

  “You haven’t explained this to her, Nicholas?” Jonathan’s voice dripped with disapproval. “She should know about the bond even though things are different now. That bond doesn’t stop just because she can’t remember.”

  “Jonathan, I did tell her,” Nicholas said putting up one hand to pause Jonathan’s words. “Anya, remember the discussion the night you left here?”

  “Yes? That creates some form of lasting bond that would affect Declán?” Can that happen?

  “Possibly. I can feel you, your blood and its power. Part of the reason is your blood flows within me, literally. If Declán is somehow reacting to you – your essence, well . . .”

  “You said you felt a pull toward him from the moment you entered your first class with him right?” Jonathan interrupted. “There are some mortals that draw us to them, it’s very rare for one to call to us, but it does happen. Usually it’s to one that hunts and the human wants to die. But you didn’t mention craving his blood.”

  “No, I would never!”

  “I know, dear,” Amber said gently. “I think you’re going to have to make sure that if he touches you, it’s always with permission, both of you. At least until you figure out what this spell is over him, and you.”

  “Should I stay away from him, from them?” I asked. I could hear the reluctance in my voice at the thought. I did not wish to give up my friends. Not yet.

  “No, I don’t think that should be necessary. How fascinating that your touch and voice recalled the human after he touched Nicholas . . .” Jonathan’s voice trailed off, so absorbed in his thoughts that he seemed to forget about us standing there.

  “Great, so no allowing myself to be touched or I can trap a man in his own head. Great . . . Joy.” That wasn’t the answer I had hoped for, but at least the knowledge should help, hopefully?

  Chapter Four

  Late that evening, Kayla called. “Anya?”

  “Hi, Kayla. Is something wrong?” I was surprised she would call so late.

  “Yes and no. Could you come over?”

  “Are you allowed to have company this late? I mean, you do realize the time right?” Would she really be allowed a visitor at nearly midnight?

  “Believe it or not, yes. It’s about Declán.”

  “What? Is he hurt?” I was on my way before she had the time to answer.

  “No, he’s not hurt. Well, not the way you mean anyway. Just come over and I’ll explain.”

  “Okay. I’m on my way. Are you sure your parents will be alright with this?”

  “Don’t worry about them, they’re not home.”

  “Fine, I’ll be there in a few. Bye.” Something seemed off but . . .

  “Bye.”

  I arrived just a few minutes later. Parking on the street, I could see Kayla waiting in the doorway, waiving. “Hey, that was fast. Come on in.”

  “Well, you said you needed me to come over now, so I did.” I tried to smile, but it didn’t come out right. “Now, are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”

  “Come upstairs, please. Our parents are out tonight. They both work nights twice a week, so they won’t be home until after we’ve left for school in the morning. We’re both good kids, so they don’t worry too much about it.

  “Anyways, after you left Declán talked to me and mentioned that he kinda spaced out twice while off with you and Nicholas. He’s been acting, I don’t know, odd since then. Do you think you could talk to him? He seems really off tonight.”

  “No problem. Where is he?” Is there a longer lasting issue than just what happened earlier?

  Kayla led me upstairs to a door. “Declán, may we come in? It’s Anya and me.”

  I could hear him slowly move toward the door, a deep sigh, and then the door opened. Declán’s face was not peaceful, there was a strange light in his eyes.

  “Come in,” he droned.

  As we entered, he gave a quick glower to his sister.

  “I know you didn’t want me to call her, but you haven’t been right since your walk earlier. I’m hoping that if you two talk maybe whatever is the problem can be worked out. You have always been my protector and hero, now it’s my turn.” With that, she pointedly looked from Declán to me and back and then walked out, closing the door behind her.

  Taking a deep breath, I spoke. “Well, she seems determined. What’s wrong? You spaced out for a bit, no big deal, really.”

  He didn’t look at me, but motioned for me to join him. He walked back over to his bed and dragged the blanket off, laying it out on the floor like a rug.

  I walked over and softly sat facing him on the blanket. “Declán, please look up. Did I do something to upset you? Did Nicholas?” I waited . . . and waited . . .

  Finally, after an eternity like this he finally looked up and met my eyes. “Anya, neither of you did anything wrong, as far as I know. The problem is that I can’t get you out of my head. When you touched my face, I ‘woke up,’ for lack of a better word . . . I can still feel the touch. I don’t know how to explain it. I told Kayla not to bother you; that I would be fine, but well . . . you see how well she listens.”

  “Wait, so the problem is that I touched your face trying to get you to focus back on reality?” Relief, blessed relief. “I was worried something bad had happened.”

  “No, not bad . . . just strange. Why can I still feel your touch?” He looked at me with that strange glint again, like just before he took my hand and phased out the first time.

  “Declán. What do you think is wrong?”

  “You aren’t like other people, I know that. But there’s something more, I just can’t seem to figure it out.” He again reached out for me. This time I knew better, I couldn’t allow it.

  “Wait,” I said pulling back. “If my touch hurt your face, why would you try to touch me again? If you are . . . if you get lost . . . to my touch, it seems foolish to encourage more.” Not the words I was looking for, but they’d have to do for now. The problem was that as much as he seemed determined to reach out for me, I felt the pull again too, stronger than before. I shouldn’t allow this. It will only make things worse, right. Right?

  The look didn’t fade from his eyes nor did the war within quiet. What to do? I know the warning Nicholas gave me. I remembered what Jonathan said too. But, I wasn’t trying to hurt him. When I willingly allowed the contact, he wasn’t harmed.

  Continuing to look at me, he softly whispered my name, “Anya.”

  With that whisper caved my will. I reached out and gently placed my hand on his face once more, stroking gently from jaw to hairline. He shivered under my touch but didn’t pull away, though I knew he could feel the unnatural chill on my skin.

  With my left hand, I reached out and took his right hand, lifting it to cup my cheek. “Mmm . . .” Not only c
ould I now feel his pulse, I was wrapped in the sweet scent of his blood pulsing through his wrist. I had never allowed one of them to be this close to me before. In the back of my mind, I wondered idly if all humans smelled like this.

  Declán’s eyes didn’t empty this time. They were filled with wonder and fascination, but they were definitely filled. “Declán,” I softly sighed.

  “Yes, Anya.”

  He didn’t move to release my face. I needed space, so I gently withdrew my hand, sliding my face out of his grip. His face fell slightly as the fire dimmed. Even so, his eyes didn’t return to their normal gaze.

  “I should go, Declán. It’s very late, and you need to sleep.” I didn’t truly want to leave, but humans don’t function so well while suffering from sleep deprivation, I hear. “Was it any better this time or is it painfully distracting again?”

  “Better? Yes.” He straightened up and composed himself. “I’m sorry for Kayla dragging you out in the middle of the night. Please, get some rest. Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “Of course you will. I’ll be a school and then tomorrow night we’re all going to the party. Right?”

  He stood as did I. Walking me out, he even opened my car door – seems this is a gentleman’s area. I gave him a quick peck on the cheek and commanded gently, “Get some sleep. See you at school.” Then I drove away, heading straight for home.

  Ok, life just got a lot more complicated. Once back in my room, I sat on my bed, drew my knees up and rested my chin on them, hoping that the hopeless confusion would soon be riddled through with reason.

  Tomorrow, what would tomorrow bring? Would I enforce the lines that I should be drawing or continue making things worse, worse for everyone? Pretend to be human, pretend to have a life and a future like humans do, fine, but the deeper I get, the wronger this becomes. Friendship is fine, but this–this strange sensation, the welling of . . . passion within me.

  It’s in that position I stayed until it was time to leave for school. Was it a mistake to join in the human world so completely? To interact with them as if I was one of them; was this wrong of me?

  I arrived early to school hoping, well, not quite sure what I was hoping. I sat in the car listening to music as I waited for my little group of friends to arrive. Hearing a tap-tap on my window, I’d been lost in the music, startled me to attention. I hopped out of the car knowing I needed to put calm and logic back as my guiding forces.

  “Oh, you startled me, Skye! Where is your entourage?” I looked around, but I neither saw nor heard Kayla or Declán yet. Interesting.

  “They’ll be here in a bit. I wanted a chance to talk to you before school.” She looked a little nervous as she continued, “Kayla called me early this morning to tell me about what happened last night. She said you came over late because Declán was acting weird. She couldn’t tell me what happened after she left, but she did mention how Declán was once he came back inside.”

  “Did he not do well after I left the second time?” Worried, yes, I could feel the dread welling up inside. I would have to find a way to stop this, but how?

  “No, no, it’s not that. Kayla said he went in and straight to bed. But, she said he looked a bit spacey and was muttering something strange about you. So I came to find you before they get here on the bus. What happened?” Leaning in to whisper, though I would have been able to hear her regardless, she continued. “Kayla and I need him to keep up his charade of dating me. We don’t have a back up, and she’s really worried about how people will react.”

  “Relax Skye. I’m not trying to cause problems. I promise. I wouldn’t have gone over last night if she hadn’t called and asked. Declán and I aren’t dating. I don’t think it would be wise of me to date, honestly. I barely even know myself at this point.”

  “Yes well, be that as it may, Anya, she and I are both certain he has feelings for you. Feelings that he isn’t hiding well, I might add.” I could see the concern for Declán in her eyes, not just for their shared secret. How to fix this?

  “What can I do? Remember, I am new to all this.” I wished I could talk to Nicholas right then. Maybe he would have some words of wisdom for me . . .

  “For right now, just act normal but make sure to keep things, when in public, on the D-L, okay. We can work things out this weekend, but for now, make things as normal as you can.”

  I could see Kayla and Declán approaching. Declán looked much better than he had last night but still – something was off. I agreed quickly and motioned towards them ending our little talk, for now.

  We all visited for a few minutes but then I mentioned needing to speak with Mr. Dallas before class. Leaving them on the sidewalk, I hoped my own unease wasn’t too painfully obvious.

  After lunch period, which I now spent in the library, I left school for the rest of the day. I knew I would have to go back and pick them up, as we were supposed to hang out before the party, but I needed time to think and I desperately wanted to speak to Nicholas. Would he understand? Would he be disappointed in me for becoming too entangled, even after he warned me? I knew this much though, I didn’t want to have the discussion with either his parents or with Star around. So to that end, I pulled out my cell and arranged to meet him out front of his place for one of our ‘famous’ walks.

  We walked in relative silence for a few minutes while I ordered my thoughts a bit. Nicholas didn’t seem to like the quiet as much as I did. Therefore, he promptly began prodding me to talk.

  “Okay, here you are, in the middle of your school day, ditching so you can talk to me about your humans but once you get here you become mute? What gives, Anya?” I could see the curiosity burning behind his eyes. The smirk playing at the edges of his lips was beginning to annoy me.

  I took a deep breath, to steady myself, and began. “Here’s the thing, Nicholas. You know what happened yesterday, to a point; Kayla called me in the middle of the night to come over because there was a problem with Declán. He was still acting weird, and she wanted me to do something about it. I agreed to try.

  “Declán didn’t talk much while I was there, but basically it boils down to that touch. The last one when I was trying to get him to snap out of it before we returned to the house. He said he could still feel my touch, and couldn’t seem to shake it from his mind. More specifically, he could still feel the touch on his skin.

  “I cannot really explain why, but I decided to touch his face again and placed his hand on mine in the same fashion. I could see the wonder and fascination dancing fervently in his eyes. He knows something is different about me, like when he mentioned how cool my skin is, but he doesn’t seem frightened as he should be.

  “Skye and Kayla are concerned that he likes me too much and that it’ll cause a problem with their cover story.” Thankfully, they had already explained the reasons for their false public relationship yesterday, though I still thought it absurd that humans should care about gender when choosing a mate. Shouldn’t it be based on love, compatibility, and commitment? But then, humans are strange creatures. Wonder if I was as strange during my first life . . . or my second . . . “Honestly, I’m concerned they may be right, about his level of interest. But to dissuade him when I . . .” What am I hoping for? He cannot understand what I am.

  Nicholas pulled me to a stop and turned to face me. “Anya dear, are you trying to tell me that you have romantic feelings for this human? You know how dangerous that’d be. The guilt you will suffer if you harm him will never stop.” He looked at me so sternly, but there was some other edge to his voice. There was something else behind his words, more than just the worry.

  “I know that! That’s part of the problem. I’ve only been with them for a few weeks, and already things have gotten completely out of hand. I want him in too many ways, too many to be healthful for him.”

  I dropped my eyes as I continued. “When his hand was cupping my cheek I could smell the – the enchanting perfume of his skin . . . of his essence, warm and blazing through the fine veins in his wr
ist.” I knew he wouldn’t be pleased with this, but I couldn’t seem to meet his gaze, afraid of what he would think.

  “Anya, you do have feelings for the human.” He was laughing. I wasn’t! Pulling himself together, he continued, “I’m sorry.”

  I shuddered at the image in my head, of trying to build a relationship with Declán. That is not possible, but . . . what if . . . No! “I cannot have that kind of relationship with Declán, as you pointed out. It is simply too dangerous for him and besides, vampires and humans do not mix.”

  “It is very rare, and usually it is not a real relationship. Even still, I don’t think it’s a good idea. We don’t forget, well not normally,” he winked, “and the loss later will haunt you forever.

  “Even if he could accept you as a vampire, not likely, how would he deal with you not aging or your diet or,” suddenly he looked down, “us?”

  “Is that what the hesitation in your eyes is? You’re not truly worried I would abandon you again, are you? Seriously, no matter how I involved I could get . . . no one could ever replace you.” His worry truthfully mystified me. More than that though, what exactly was he to me that he would have such a worry? I couldn’t have with a mortal what I could have with him; he should know that. What is he to me?

  “No, not abandon, but a human boy isn’t going to understand what we are to each other. And I am not sure . . . I don’t want to . . . never mind.” He turned away from me, weird.

  “What is it Nicholas? Please tell me.” I was careful to not forcibly persuade him. If he was going to be open with me, it had to be because he wanted to be.

  “It’s nothing; I just don’t want to see you get hurt. Moreover, if you are going to have me spending time with your humans, I don’t want him hating me. That won’t help anything,” he replied. “Nor do I want to damage your friendships.”

  I didn’t completely believe him, but he wasn’t really lying either, maybe. “I really don’t think that will be a problem, Nicholas. Do you really think he could see past what I am? I know I lost our past, but I will never willingly abandon you.” How did I leave him before? What could have happened to make me forget?