I Hate Myself but I Love You

Chapter 15

There's something pinning me down. Something warm. I panic, opening my eyes quickly. Where am I? Did Maman put me back into my coffin?

I relax when I see Laura in human form practically sleeping on top of me. Her head is resting on my shoulder and she snuggles closer to me. She must have unconsciously noticed me tensing up. One of my arms is resting on top of her back.

I look up at the sky through the trees, glad we chose a shady place to fall asleep. The sun shining directly on Laura would agitate her skin. I yawn and go back to sleep, Laura's weight on my chest making a smile spread across my face that doesn't disappear even when I sink into unconsciousness.

When I wake up again, it's because I feel Laura moving. I open my eyes to see her blushing and staring down at me. When she sees I'm awake, she shuffles back until she's straddling my legs, letting out a meep. I sit up and our faces are really close. I could lean in and kiss her. But I don't. She doesn't like me like that and I would never do anything that would make her uncomfortable. Laura's eyes drop to my lips and then back to my eyes, flushing further. She probably can see how much I want to kiss her.

Laura turns into a little lioness, balancing precariously on my legs. She moves my legs apart and sits on the ground between them. I look down at her, amused. Laura mews at me, confusion in her voice.

"You're a new vampire, cutie. When your emotions get too strong or you want to escape an awkward situation, you'll shift."

I pick her up and she meows as I cradle her in my arms. I stand, careful not to move too much and jostle the cub in my arms. Laura climbs up and rests her upper body on my shoulder, her head dropping and pressing against my upper back. At least she didn't use her claws. I happen to like this shirt.

I carry her to the cottage, staying in the shade and shielding her from the sun as best I can. Laura doesn't seem to care much. She rubs her head against mine, purring, for most of the way. She licks my cheek happily when I purr back. When we're back inside, I gently set her down.

"Do you think you can shift back?" I ask and Laura shakes her tiny head. Oh right, I never taught her how. "Think of something that makes you happy or calms you. It could be someone as well, such as your father."

Laura shifts back easily and honestly, I'm impressed. I've only taught Will and taught a little bit to JP, and it took dear William a week before he could shift back. Though it was fun to chase him around because he turned into a lizard as big as my hand when he was new.

"I'll get us some blood to drink, and then I'm going to Skype the mad scientist. They're worried about you." I tell Laura. "I can't wait to tell them how cute you are as a kitten."

I'm already pouring blood into our respective mugs when she responds. "I'm a lioness!"