A Girl in the Shadows

Chapter Six

"What can I do for you, Tristan?" I asked. "Before you run off on me again?"

"No, Taliah, I—" He sighed, his eyes glued to the floor. "I didn't mean to run out on you like that. I thought I was drunk and seeing things, having a dream...something like that when I woke up this morning, and then I get this call from the Tampa PD about my wallet. It was still in the guy's pocket. I remember the whole thing."

"You've already thanked me several times, but I appreciate you coming back here."

"That's not why I came back," he said. "I just...wanted to see if you're really...like, an actual vampire."

"Yes, I really am." He was silent for a second, unmoving. Why wasn't he running? His face started lighting up. He was smiling, eager. I gave him a wide grin, so he could see my fangs. "This is the part where you're supposed to freak out and run away."

"I'm not sure how exactly to say this...but—"

"But what? Spit it out. I told you, I have a lot to do tonight."

"Okay, okay...so, I know you live by yourself with no internet, so I don't know what your life is like, but...do you know what a fetish is?"

"A fetish? Yes of course I know what a fetish is. I'm a little naive but I'm not st—oh!" I backed away. "You can't be serious. That is way too strange and way too convenient."

He shrugged. "I know, it's weird. Everyone has something strange that they're into...and I'm...kind of into vampires."

"You can't be serious?" I watched as he shrugged. "I mean...why?"

"Why not?" His face lit up with joy. "The fangs, the biting...it's so intense! It's just so hot, you know?"

"I don't, actually."

"And Taliah, look at you," he said. "I hate to sound cocky, but I can tell by your face that you're totally into me."

"Get out," I said through grit teeth.

I snapped my hand up over my mouth. All day, I wanted nothing but to see him again, have him back, and my body was begging for some kind of release. I hadn't slept with another student in at least a year. I bet you could tear that shirt right off of him, but you need to pull yourself together, Tali. I tried to compose myself, moving my hand to my sore shoulder.

"What?" Confusion adorned his face.

"You heard me. Get lost. Go drink some more with your buddies."

"It's Monday." He reached out to me. "Taliah...don't lock yourself away from everything. You're really pretty...you've got nothing to hide...and I can tell you want it."

I went down a step. "I may be a lost soul, but I'm not a sex object. I don't typically do one-night stands, even if I like how the guy looks. I have more self-respect than that."

"Taliah, what are you talking about?"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't play dumb with me. You and your freaky little vampire fetish came over here so that you could have a good time."

He sighed. "Look, I know I'm on the lacrosse team and I have all the characteristics of a total douche, but I wanted to at least get to know you first. I'm not that kind of guy."

Don't buy into his lies! The school probably sent him. They're trying to get you out of here and onto the streets again. It was difficult to shake the thoughts from my head. Perhaps Tristan was part of their main plan? Instead of using someone obvious like a policeman, whom I would fear, they would lure me into their trap with a gorgeous freshman boy. Watch, all you have to do is leave the minaret with him, and by the time you get down the hall, you'll be captured by whoever they've got around the corner. He could be a hunter, for all you know.