The Worst Summer Ever

10: Can you beat the cook?

"Have some of the blood pudding," Kaito said, handing Daniel a bowl of something dark red, "It has lamb blood. Your favorite."

    "Thank you," Daniel answered, slurping the contents. Kaito looked at Daniel, his grin spreading. Daniel suddenly started to gag, and he dropped the bowl which broke into pieces. He started rolling around the floor, his face turning purple.

    "What did you put in this?" Daniel rasped.

    "Garlic," Kaito replied.

    "You found out," Daniel said.

    "You broke the rules!" Kaito yelled, "Of course I found out! Did you really think that killing humans is more important than your own family?!"

    "Yes," Daniel finally said, "Did you really think I wanted to live, working for my younger brother for the rest of my life? I should be the leader, not you!"

    "You are weak," Kaito hissed, "You are going to die."

    "Please give me garlic medicine," Daniel pleaded, " I can't die."

    "Please," I heard Bora beg, "You can't let him die!"

    "Fine," Kaito said, rolling his eyes. "But Daniel has to leave tonight. I think it would be best if he took a vacation to our family villa in California."

    "Fine," Daniel choked.

******

    It had been a day since Daniel had left, and everyone was decorating the house for the grand ball. The house felt more empty with Daniel gone, but it also felt more safe. Vasile and Felix were in charge of painting the house and doing the heavy work. Bora, Nicholae, and I were in charge of decorating, and Kaito was going to cook the birthday cake and food (we were doomed).

    "Do you know how to cook?" Bora asked as we were walking down the halls.

    "Sadly, no," I replied, "I never had the time to learn."

    "I still can't believe Kaito was the cook," Nicholae said, "It makes me feel like there is a part of him that remembers who he was before he became a vampire."

    "What kind of a person was he?" I asked.

    "Oh, he was very shy and quiet," Nicholae said, smiling as if he was remembering a happy memory, "He was a poet and a writer, and he was a romantic peace lover."

    Wow, that sounded different than the barbaric animal I knew.

    "What about you?" I asked, "What kind of a person were you?"

    "I was just an immature little kid," Nicholae said, "Kaito was the only one who changed the most. Bora on the other hand didn't change at all."

    "Hey!" Bora said in the background.

    "Kaito only changed the most, because he was the most affected by his own mother killing him and ruining his chance of having a peaceful human life," Nicholae explained, "But the full story will be saved for another time."

    I wanted to hear the full story right now, but I decided to agree.

    "Aurora, do you know how to dance in a ball?" Bora asked.

    "Nope," I replied, "But only, because it is the 21st century. Do I have to learn it?"

    "Yes!" Bora cried, "Nicholae should teach you!"

    "You know, I don't think think that is such a good idea, "Nicholae said, his face reddening.

    "I would be honored for you to teach me," I said, bowing down.

    "Then it would be my pleasure," Nicholae said, bowing back.

******

    "So what do we do?" I asked, "Do we twirl? Spin? Roll?"

    Nicholae laughed. "No, it's just like in the old movies."

    I blushed as Nicholae grabbed my arms, and started to explain to me all of the different steps. It was hard to concentrate, because I couldn't stop looking at his face. He had shiny black hair and ruby red eyes. His sin was very pale which made his red cheeks look like blush had been applied. He smelled like something really good, but I couldn't exactly pinpoint what that was.

    "Nicholae..." I said, leaning forward. This was it, I was going to kiss him at this exact moment without any interruptions.

    "Aurora," Nicholae said, leaning forward, but instead  of kissing me, he bit into my neck!

    I screamed trying to push Nicholae off me, but his fangs sunk deeper in, I suddenly lost sense of color and perception. I could see some of Nicholae's memories flashing through my mind. I saw him as a kid, running around. As a teenager, laughing at a joke. I felt myself rise above the world. Was this how it was like to be high or something?

    "I'm so sorry," Nicholae said, tears falling down his face, "I didn't want to hurt you, but I did!"

    "It's ok," was the last thing I said before I blacked out.