Vampire World (VAMPIRE WORLD #1)

Part 31 Weapons and Waiting

Chapter 30: Waiting and Weapons

      

“Did Brett tell you?” I said, upset.

            “He told me everything. He also told me why you broke up.”

            I gasped. Mr. FreeCut wasn’t supposed to know about that. Damn it, why had he said anything?

            “Naturally, you’re old enough to make your own decisions,” Mr. FreeCut said. “You don’t need another vampire to make you happy. All you need is yourself.”

            I should have known Brett had a big ass mouth when I wasn't with him.

            “At the same time, you know very well I love you,” he continued. “And that I want you to stay around. So do me a favor. Listen to yourself. Listen to me. Listen to wisdom. Stay alive. Stay safe. Do all these things, because I want you to be around for a long time.”

            An unexpected rush of emotion came over me. “I promise,” I said. I gave him a very long hug. Without Mr. FreeCut, I’d be a nobody. I had to stay around. For him.

            I went to work feeling like a brand new vampire and spent my last day as a regular sales associate zooming up and down the ladders and handing out tons of clothes to energetic customers. Brett occasionally popped in my mind. So did Mr. FreeCut.  But most of all I thought about my secret messenger.

            At times I cursed him, wishing he would just go away and leave me alone. My life would be so easy then. I could get back with Brett. I could also make Mr. FreeCut feel better about me and not have to worry. Damn. But then again, Mr. FreeCut had never actually said I should stop following the quest to find myself. In fact, he wanted me to be safe and alive. And what if not finding out about myself could put me in more danger than discovering the secret? I'd never thought of it that way before.

            After work, Kate and Marsha asked me to go grab a bloodburger with them. They already knew about the break-up, though I didn’t know how. It seemed like the whole world knew.

            I met them on the overlooking deck. Surprisingly, Michael turned up too. His needy eyes never left my face, like he was in love with me.

            “Sorry about what happened,” Kate said.

            “I’m just shocked,” added Marsha. “You seemed inseparable.”

            Both Kate and Michael frowned on Marsha for not trying to make me feel better. But I wasn't offended. Brett and I had been the perfect couple. Everything she said was true.

            “Don’t take this the wrong way, Janice,” Michael said, “but sometimes when crap happens it opens new doors you couldn’t even dream of. You’re an intelligent, amazing and beautiful vampire. You’ll find a new love very soon.”

            I thanked him for the compliment, though I didn’t feel it really was one. In truth, it was a flirt. And I was not ready for that.

            Michael did not remind me of Brett one bit. If he had, that would have been a problem. Certainly the flashy dragon tattoo covering half his body and the snake tat around his neck were both visually stunning, as were his expensive clothes laced with the finest 3-D images of jagged vampire weapons and grotesque beating hearts. His necklace of rubies set the night on fire, while his fancy earrings and piercings gave him a glow that was almost irresistible. He was handsome too, with nice eyes and smooth hair. And he was rich. But with all of these things going for him, he was still no Brett. Absolutely no Brett.