The Vampire Extraordinaire Book 1

11. Self Inflicted Solitude

I refused to hunt. The only nourishment I would take would be the bags of blood a servant would leave on my nightstand. I smiled sorrowfully, they came while I slept. THEY didn't trust me either. Four days in my room brought me nothing but pain. I had thought if I remained hidden, the pain would lesson, but it hadn't.

I showered and dressed, combing my long blonde hair back and tying it. I pushed the tight jeans down my legs and shrugged into a tee shirt. If I were still human, I would remedy myself with a little sunshine. That was impossible now. A moonlit walk would have to do. I put on a jacket and bounded down the stairs with more energy than I felt.

"Where are you going?" Nigel's voice called from the living room.

"Just for a walk," I went to the door.

"Don't leave the grounds," he warned from right behind me.

"I've no intention of doing that," I frowned over my shoulder at him and went out the front door.

As I walked down the porch steps, I heard Dad say, "Why didn't you stop him?"

"He won't go far," he answered and I heard the door close.

I walked out to the stables and petted the horses. I kicked straw under my feet as I walked to the other side of the barn. I was so lonely and sad, I considered staying there until dawn. A sunshine bath would cure all of my problems.

"So here you are!" she spoke loud and I turned with a start. She wore tight jeans and a flannel shirt. Her midnight hair was braided and went to her waist. Her violet eyes danced with unshed tears. "Don't you recognize me?" she laughed.

"Anna," I whispered and took a step back.

"Yes!" she nodded and threw her arms around my neck.

"Anna," I pulled her arms down and held her away, "When did you get back?"

"Just now," she pulled her arms free and reached out to me. I stepped back from her arms and she frowned up at me, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I said nervously.

"Aren't you glad to see me?" she took a step forward.

"Sure," I nodded and stepped back from her again.

"Don't you want to kiss me?" she said hurtfully and dropped her arms.

"Uh. Okay," I shrugged and kissed her forehead. "Glad you're back," I smiled at her shocked expression and walked around her.

"Wait a minute!" she seized me by the arm and turned me around.

"What?" I snapped and pulled from her so hard that we both stumbled a step.

"What's the matter with you?" she put her hands on her hips, "I thought you would be happy to see me," she said angrily.

"Sure," I shrugged and turned around.

"While I was gone, I imagined our happy reunion," she snorted, "Each time, it was never like this."

"Hell what did you expect?" I walked away and, damn it, she followed.

"I expected you to be a LITTLE happy that I'm home," she said as she nearly ran to keep up with me.

"Why?" I frowned. Acting this way to her was breaking my heart.

She seized my arm and pulled me to a stop. She turned me to her and glared at me. "I thought you said you loved me," she said angrily.

I jerked my arm free, "I said I THOUGHT I loved you," I shoved my hands in my jean pockets, "You've been gone and I hardly missed you. Guess I didn't love you anyway. Nigel will have to set you up with some other love slave. Not me," I said firmly and walked around her.

Anna took me by the arm and turned me around again, "What do you mean?"

"Just what I said, Lady," I pulled my arm free again. I looked down at her hatefully. "I won't be your Vampire's slave any longer. Tell Daddy to get someone else." Her face was a mask of shock, but that wasn't what I needed. So I went in for the killing blow. I took a step closer to her, my face inches from hers. I whispered low, "But tell the next poor bastard that you're a freak of nature. It'll save him a lot of broken bones." I took a step back and watched her face. The mask of shock, turned into hatred and her eyes filled with tears and turned red. Her jaw tightened and she raised her hand. She slapped my cheek so hard that I stumbled to the right a step. I heard her cry as she ran away from me. I held my bruised jaw and closed my eyes tight.

"Was that necessary?" Dad's soft voice was nearby.

"Maybe," I moaned and gingerly moved my jaw back and forth.

"Why?" he said angrily and stood infront of me.

I put my hands on my hips and smiled, "I had to say something to get her to hate me." I turned from his dark blue eyes, "I'll be going now."

He caught my arm and stood infront of me, "Go where?"

"Out on my own," I shrugged from his hold.

"You can't do that!" he stomped his foot.

"Sure, I can," I laughed, then said seriously, "I have to, Dad."

He only looked at me and I saw his anger fade. He smiled faintly, "You love her."

I looked over at the trees, to avoid his eyes. "I can't," I said and looked down at my tennis shoes. "I can't hurt her," I shook my head.

"You HAVE hurt her," he said softly.

"Only her heart," I looked up at him, "She will get over me."

"What if she doesn't?" he frowned.

"She has to," I raised one shoulder.