The Gambler

The flight

I clenched my jaw to stop my teeth from snapping together over and over, while keeping my eyes shut tight.
I could hear the trees moving in the breeze, or maybe it only sounded that way because of the speed we were moving.

I wrapped my aching legs tighter around Grayson and took a deep breath, smushing my face back down into his hair.
I was still on his back, he held my legs gently but tight enough to keep me up and as comfortable as possible.

We have been moving for hours now, we were headed for Toronto's airport I think.
"Grayson" I whispered into his ear and he stopped, looking back at me.

"You need a break?" His voice was rough. This was a long distance for a vampire to use their speed, even for the strongest of them. He had to be getting worn out.

I nodded slowly and he let me down. I winced in pain at my legs straightening with how tense my muscles were.
He kept his hand on my back in case I fell. I tried to run my hand through my hair but it was soaked from the morning fog and mist in the air.
He smiled at me and touched my chin.

"Still beautiful. It won't be much longer I promise" he kissed my cheek and I nodded, smiling back weakly.
"Where exactly are we headed?" I tried not to sound eager.
He silently opened the backpack to make sure the folder was still there.

"Airport" he said curtly and I frowned.
"Where after that?" I whined and he slid the folder back in, closing the backpack easily.
"Hopefully some food place in there to get you fed, huh?" He talked to me in a voice you might use with a child.
I pouted and he smirked at me. My eyebrows furrowed together. I was pretty hungry....but Grayson. He had to be hungry too..

"Grayson?" I spoke timidly and he looked down at me.
"Elizabeth?" He mocked my tone and I couldn't help but smirk at his unusual playfulness. I fiddled with my hands nervously.
"Are you hungry?" I tried to sound confident but let's be honest, when you're offering your blood to a vampire it's a little bit nerve wrecking.
He looked at me in surprise and smiled slightly, shaking his head.
"Don't worry about me. I'm okay. You need your blood and can't afford to lose any it will make you too tired silly. Don't concern yourself with me"

He looked to the side and stared at the forest surrounding us. He was always on guard now ever since we left the house.

I stretched my legs out a little more and then sighed, causing Grayson to turn back towards me.
"Are you ready my love?" He sounded sad as he spoke. I nodded slowly and smiled weakly. It was supposed to be encouraging but I just didn't have it in me right now. I was exhausted.
I hopped back onto his back and he shifted me up more comfortably.
"It won't be much longer" he promised and I nodded, nuzzling my face into his neck for warmth.

*********

"Flight 36 is now boarding. Last call for flight 36"
I flinched awake as the intercom came back on in the airport announcing yet another flight that was boarding, just another flight that wasn't ours.
I sighed deeply and glanced around looking for Grayson. He had just gotten up to go get me food and I guess I had begun to doze off.

After traveling on foot for about another hour we made it to the airport, got through security and were now waiting for our flight. I still didn't know where our destination was.
I shifted awkwardly in the hard plastic chair and stared out the window at the parked plane.
Planes were scary, I'll admit it.
Who thought 'yeah let's build a super heavy aircraft and fill it with people and launch it into the sky. Screw gravity!"
After titanic I trusted no big machinery for travel. No way.

"Mind if I sit here?" A voice broke my thoughts and I looked over, jumping slightly.
"No sure it's fine" I mumbled and grabbed my bag from the chair next to me as the stranger sat down.
"You on vacation?" They continued talking to me and I groaned internally. Why must you try to make small talk with me? I turned and got a good look at the stranger and felt my eyes widen a little bit.

Seated next to me was an incredibly handsome guy. His hair was brown, brown eyes, but he seemed edgy In his looks. He wore a black leather jacket and denim colored jeans. He smiled at me warmly and held out his hand
"My name is Jack" his smiled widened as I stared like an idiot.

"Oh right yeah my name is Elizabeth" my words came out jumbled and he chuckled lightly as I continued to stare. I shook his hand quickly.
"I am on vacation" my words came out sounding like a robot. Why was I being so awkward?

"What about you?" I cleared my throat and he shook his head.
"No, no vacation for me. I'm on my way home actually." He had a certain accent but I couldn't put my finger on it.
"Where's home?" I questioned further and his eyes seemed to darken a little. He stared at me intensely all of a sudden after taking a deep breath. Uh Kinda weird?

"Paris is my home" his voice came out...deeper? Why did he suddenly sound different...
"Oh I have always wanted to go to Paris!" I squealed excitedly and his demeanor changed yet again. Now it was more friendly.
"You should visit sometime, Elizabeth."
The way he said my name gave me shivers. Not the good kind...not like when Grayson spoke my name.
I leaned back slightly and nodded
"I hope to someday go" I whispered to myself and suddenly wished Grayson was back. Where the hell was he? He would never leave me alone for this long. Not when we are on the run...

Jack put his hand on top of mine and leaned closer to me.
"Come with me. I'll buy you a ticket" his voice was demanding and I jumped back.
Come with him? To Paris? Who goes to the airport and invites random girls to a whole other country!?
I pulled my hand away and shook my head quickly.
"Oh no I really can't I'm actually here with my boyfriend" I whispered quickly and he grinned wider.
"I'll show you places. I'll show you a better time than your boyfriend ever will. Come on, go on an adventure with me Elizabeth" he pushed it further and gripped my hand tightly. I shook my head and stood up, grabbing my bag.

"No really I can't. I'm sorry I can't. I don't even know you" my voice came out panicked. He stood up with me and his eyes darkened again.
"Come with me" he purred. He had a amused look in his eye.
What the hell why was he sounding like that?
I froze and opened my mouth to speak but no words came out.
He held his hand out to me and I shook my head again, looking towards the food lines I spotted Grayson.
"I have to go" I mumbled and grabbed my bag and hurried over to where Grayson stood. What the heck was that guys problem...

********

"You're going to be fine" Grayson mumbled to himself as we took out first class seats on the plane. First class!! I've never ridden this fancy before.
He was trying to talk me out of being panicked about the plane. Seeing how secure it looked made me feel better but I was still on edge. I decided not to tell him about the boy from the airport, he didn't need more things to stress about.
"When will you let me know where we are going?" I poked his side and he smiled at me.

"Whenever the pilot says it on the intercom thing" he waved his hand in the air and I kicked my legs excitedly like a kid.
"That's soon!" I shrieked and received a glare from the stewardess.
I sunk down in my seat a little as Grayson chuckled and put his hand on my thigh.
"So cute" he murmured and my cheeks turned red.
Once the plane was ready to take off the pilot came on the intercom
"Alright folks we're getting ready to be on our way to Paris. Put your seats in the upright position and the seatbelt light is on. Enjoy the flight"
Before he could even finish I was about to squeal in excitement again when that boy, Jack, from before came strolling down the aisle. He took a seat across the aisle from Grayson and I. My heart dropped into my stomach when he smirked at me, eyeing Grayson dangerously.

This couldn't be good.