Hidden Paths: Vampire Revenge

Chapter Eleven

Everyone but Tony left for classes first thing in the morning. He came into Isabella's room around noon, telling her to feel free to take blood from the refrigerator in the cellar when she needed it and that he was leaving for class.

"Tony?" she asked, sleepily, trying to force open her eyes.

"Yeah?" he turned back, smiling that she called him Tony and not Antonio.

"Can I get my watch back?" Isabella asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot. I'll get it," he told her, leaving the room.

She pulled herself quickly out of bed and followed him sleepily into the wine cellar. Isabella followed Tony to the back of the cellar, where a large metal safe sat on the floor.

Tony quickly spun it open and she was unable to tell the numbers he dialed. Tony opened it and Isabella tried to peer inside. He quickly grabbed the watch which was right in front and closed the door. It all happened so quickly that she was unable to see what else he had in the safe. He handed her the watch.

"I gotta run. Go get some more sleep," he said, kissing her cheek and left the room.

She pulled on the handle of the safe but it was locked again. Isabella studied the box, but she didn't see any make or model numbers. She cursed and left the room. At least she knew where it was.

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"Hey, George!" Ray called, jogging to catch up to his friend.

"Hey, Ray." George set his book bag down on a bench that was near them.

"You got a minute?"

"Yeah, I got about half an hour before math. What's up?"

Ray absently rubbed at the crook of his neck, where Isabella had made her mark. She had made it low enough that it wasn't too visible. And he had made sure it was covered up by the collared shirt he wore.

"You better sit down." Ray told him.

"Ut oh, last time you said sit down we found out that Raven and Jake are brother and sister," George said sitting down.

"Well, this might be just as shocking."

"What is it?" George asked concerned.

"I just hope you won't be mad at me. Promise me that we're buds, no matter what."

"Of course we are. Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because I'm in love with Isabella," Ray got out.

George stared at him. "You're in love with Isabella?" George asked confused.

"Yes. Look, I know you like her and everything. But it just happened."

George nodded in shock. "Does she know?"

"She knows I like her a lot."

"Does she like you?"

Ray looked away. "We've kissed a bit," Ray answered quietly.

George straightened. "On the cheek kiss or on the mouth kiss?" George demanded.

"Mouth," Ray answered, looking at him.

George rubbed his hands through his hair trying to absorb this new information.

"I'm sorry. It just happened! We didn't want to hurt you. Isabella does like you. And maybe if we didn't get to know each other as well as we did; the two of you might have gotten together."

"When the hell have you gotten to know her more than the rest of us?" George asked angrily.

"After the club we talked. And yesterday, I cut class after lunch..."