The Vampire Extraordinaire Book 1

53. Coming Home

When we arrived home, it was nearly dawn. Allan carried Amanda in from the car and stopped in the entryway. "Last stop!" he laughed.

"Could you put me down now?" Amanda slugged his chest, "I told you in the car, I'm fine."

"You sure had me worried," he said softly and their laughter died.

"Well, thanks for helping me," she smiled and took a handful of his tee shirt in her hand. She put her hand behind his head and pulled him close. Her lips lingered next to his and he moved his lips to hers.

I went to the mirror on the wall and glared at my dark red eyes. "If we are interrupting....," I teased and the kiss broke.

"Marcus, you need rest," Nigel said, "and so do you Youngling," he walked by them and slapped Allan's shoulder, "Why don't you take her upstairs?"

"Gladly," he smiled broadly at her and she giggled, hugging his neck.

"To. Rest!" he announced each word as an order.

"Okay Dad!" Allan sighed heavily and stomped up the stairs, causing her to laugh again.

Nigel turned to me, "Not sleepy?"

I shook my head and looked at him, "Not sure of my place in this family anymore."

"You know you have always been welcome here," he frowned.

"I have always been loved," I nodded, then shrugged, "Things are....different now."

"You're just tired," he shook his head, "You've been through a lot."

"That must be it," I smiled and went to the stairs.

"There is an unoccupied room next to Anna's room," he called out and I stopped on the stairs. I slowly turned and looked at him. He smiled, "Just for a while."

"I understand," I nodded and tiredly went up the steps. I reached the top of the steps and stopped. I could hear Allan making love to Amanda. I shook my head and smiled. I walked on and could hear the Count sleeping in his bed and Anna in the master bedroom. From four doors down, I could hear her breath. I turned my head towards the stairs and I could hear Nigel talking on the phone.

Vampire Extraordinaire powers were a little chilling for me too. I looked over at the mirror that hung above a small table. My muscled frame threatened to pop the buttons of the shirt I had borrowed. I ran my hand through my thick, blonde hair and pulled it forward. I looked down at the new curls and tossed it back over my shoulder. I looked at the ruby eyes in the mirror. I walked up to the mirror and stared at my new visage. The dark red irises were circled in black rings and tiny specks of black shot through the red. My Human, blue eyes were gone. I put my hand on my chest. My Human heartbeat had left when I broke out of the coffin. I had resisted becoming a full vampire for as long as I could. How I had the power to hold it off at all was a mystery to me, but now there was this new phase. The Human Marcus had finally died away and all that remained was The Vampire Extraordinaire.....THE MONSTER.

"Long live the Vampire Extraordinaire," I mocked and the glass shattered as I stared at it.

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I woke early, as usual, but I was alone. Without care, I went out on the balcony and stood out in the sun. Sunset had always been my favorite time and it still was. My old friend, the sun, was the only one that still greeted me warmly.

I closed my eyes and sighed, then I noticed the sun seemed brighter, warmer. I opened my eyes and looked around. I heard the buzz of a lawn mower and a bird chirp. I looked up at the sky. It was higher!

I ran inside and stared at the clock in disbelief.

2 O'CLOCK!!

I looked back at the balcony and the buzz of the lawn mower seemed to laugh at me. "What?" I gasped and looked down at my arms. They were fine. Pale, in fact.

I ran to the bathroom and looked at the mirror. My ruby eyes danced at me. My curly, blonde hair went half way down my back. My chest was broader and my arms were bigger. I had changed the night before and nothing had changed back!

My breath was gone. In my panic, I started to pant. What was happening? What was I going to do? What would my family say? My ribs stung with the runners stitch that I was giving myself. I rubbed it idly as I walked back into the bedroom.

A part of me thought that I would change back. I just wanted to hide. I went to the bedroom door and locked it tight. I laid against it. Now what was I going to do?

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Anna pounded on my bedroom door. She yelled at someone, "I don't care!" I stepped into the bedroom from the balcony, listening. Though the door was closed, in my minds eye, I could even see them.

"This could be dangerous, Miss Annabelle," Nigel spoke softly, "Come on. He's not here."

"I will see him!" she snapped, pounding on my door again. "Marcus!" she called.

I went to the door and put my hand on it. "Go away!" I yelled.

Anna stumbled back a step and looked up at Nigel, "Did you feel that?"

It was as if my door was clear. I could see them perfectly. I looked at my wall and concentrated. Amanda slept in her bed and Allan sat next to her, watching her. I closed my eyes tight and shook my head.

"Marcus?" Anna laid her hand on my door.

I laid my back against it, "I can't see you now," I panted.

Anna looked at Nigel, "Get me a damn key!" she snapped.

"Here, my Queen," he said gently and twisted the knob. The door popped open and I ran to the balcony.

"Marcus?" she called and came into my room. "I thought you said he was here," she looked at Nigel.

"He is," Nigel said and went to the bathroom.

"The balcony door is open," she pointed.

He stepped out of the bathroom, "The sun is to high...."

I came to the balcony doorway and Anna gasped, "Marcus!"

I looked down at the sunshine on my arms, "It doesn't do anything to me."