Bite Me

Ch. 9 Penthouse

I woke the next morning to find Nikki sprawled across the floor as I got to my feet. I winced my body stiff from sleeping sitting up on the couch. I stretched as my back cracked. The ache subsided as I straightened up again. I headed into the bedroom to find clothes for the day. I got black skinny jeans and a white loose fitting tank top. I grabbed a my black leather jack slipping the fabric over my body. I walked into the living room again bending over to wake Nikki. She groaned swiping at me as I smirked. She scrunched her face in irritation but refused to open her icy eyes. She was so not a morning person.

"Nikki wake up," I begged shaking her slightly harder. She sat up wiping her eyes.

"What time is it?" She asked as I looked at the clock.

"It's just after eleven," I said as she got to her feet.

"What are we doing today?" She asked as I shrugged.

"I am not sure but I will have to check in with Mom about the thing we talked about last night," I said softly as she nodded. I gave her once last glance before stepping away with my phone in my palm. I gripped my phone taking a calming sip of air as I dialed my mother's number. I waited for her to pick up the phone with my heart beating rapidly in my chest.

"Hey Ashley," she said softly but I could hear the stress in her voice as she spoke.

"I am checking in. How's it going there?" I asked leaning against the wall.

"We are taking the penthouse tomorrow," my mother said cheerfully as a wave of guilt hit me. Why did I feel bad for Blake after he lied to me? I should hate him but why didn't I?

"Call me once you have him," I said firmly masking the feelings bubbling to the surface of my mind.

"I will. I love you Ashley," my mother said as I smiled.

"I love you too mom," I said hanging up. I turned toward Nikki. "Now what to do."

"Can we order pizza?" Nikki asked as I nodded. The stress fell to the back of my head as I focused on Nikki.

"What kind?" I asked her.

"Meat lovers please!" She said as I laughed. I should have guessed she would want that kind of pizza. I put our order into the mobile app before flopping onto the couch. "So what did mom say?"

"It starts tomorrow," I said simply as she nodded.

"I just want this to be over," Nikki said softly as I winced. Over meant Blake dead and deep down I still cared for him. How messed up was I to care about the man who took my bliss away from me by force?

"I'm going to get a drink. Do you want anything?" I asked getting to my feet.

"No thanks," she said as I stepped into the kitchen. My hands rested on the counter as I hung my head. Tears pooled in my eyes as I fought to hold them back. I shut my eyes trying to picture anything other than Blake. My emotions stilled as I opened the fridge. I grabbed a can of lemonade heading back into the living room.

"You want to watch some tv?" I asked concealing my emotions as I sat down.

"I guess," she said turning the tv on. We watched the daytime soap in silence as I rolled my eyes. I hated over acting and that was all daytime soaps were. I got to my feet as the food arrived. I gave the delivery guy a polite smile handing him a twenty. I shut the door before placing the pizza box on the coffee table. My lips parted as the show stopped and the news started.

"The penthouse in the center of town exploded moments ago. The owner is Blake a wealthy man who lived alone. He was presumed dead when the firefighters cleared the building," the reporter said as my heart stopped. Flames couldn't kill a vampire so he had to be alive somewhere. Nikki stared at me with concern as a single tear fell down my cheek.

"Ashley," Nikki grabbed my hand gently as I looked toward her.

"He isn't dead at least not because of the fire," I whispered as my phone vibrated in my pocket. "Yes?"

"Ashley, we tried to take the penthouse but he blew it up wiping out our strongest," My mother rambled as I ran into the bedroom ignoring my throbbing ankle. I grabbed two stakes and two crosses tossing one to Nikki. "I'm sorry we lost. He's probably coming for you Ash."

"I know he is and I'm not scared of him. If he wanted me dead I would be by now," I said my voice void of emotions.

"Why did you lie to me?" I asked softly.

"I thought you might tell him," she said as I sighed.

"You don't trust me," I stated as Nikki gripped the cross tightly in her hand.

"I know what it's like to care about a monster," she said as Tyler sat on the couch.

"I should go," I said hanging up abruptly. I couldn't deal with her at this moment. I paced across the living room as Tyler watched me with sadness. He could see all my emotions but couldn't do anything to help me through this. I stared at the video of the burning penthouse confusion filling me. I felt anger and sadness but somehow all I wanted was to see Blake.

"Ash," my sister pulled me into her arms gently. My phone beeped once more.

Blake: I will come for you and not even the hunters will be able to stop me.

I dropped my phone as I ran my fingers through my golden hair. I should be scared of the threat but I felt relieved. Blake would come and I would see him again. I could finally get the answers racing through my subconscious.