Love Bites

Deceit

Hesitating, Tasha stood on the corner of the street. She didn't know what she was really doing here, or if she should even be here. Just as she turned to leave Cal appeared and got into his Ferrari which was parked at the curb. At the sight of him her heart lurched and dropped. She climbed into her car, meaning to drive away but Cal revved his engine and roared past her, jaw set, the face he pulled when he wanted to do something and no one was going to stop him. Curiosity got the better of her, and keeping a good distance back she followed him.

Up ahead of her he pulled into the driveway of a fairly nondescript house. Modest but with a large garden at the front and side. It hadn't been well maintained, the paint on the gate was peeling and the grass was badly in need of cutting. The windows to the house were dirty, the curtains drawn as if the occupant didn't like sunlight or prying eyes. One of the brass numbers of the house was upside down and no one had bother to right it. Tasha pulled up to the curb just up the road and watched Cal go in with out knocking. Whoever lived here he knew them well enough to just let himself in. It suddenly struck Tasha that it could be another girl's house; another girl from college or from some other place that she didn't know about - there was so much she didn't know about. She didn't want to see that. She turned the ignition over and began to pull away but movement at the side of the house made her stop.

Cal walked out, closely followed by that friend of his, Marcus. Even on this dreary day, and from this distance Tasha noticed how pale, nearly translucent, his skin was. Then it hit her. He was a vampire too! Shit, how could she have been so blind. She watched as they both took a seat on the wooden picnic table sat in the unruly grass to the side of the house. They began talking animatedly. Cal was shaking his head, Marcus gesticulating wildly, his face full of anger. She cranked the window down in the hope of hearing what they were saying.

"I can't actually believe you, Cal!" Marcus was saying, and Tasha sent a thank up that they were shouting at each other, otherwise she would never have heard them. "After everything we've been through, you pick her over us."

Tasha's heart leapt a little, was he talking abut her?

"Marcus, this has nothing to do with our friendship mate. You can't help you fall in love with."

Tasha felt herself smile. She did still love him. She couldn't deny it any longer. No matter what he was, or what he'd done, she loved him. Deciding she'd heard enough she fired up the engine and went home. 

                                                                                      ***

"I don't fucking believe you Cal," Marcus uttered, shaking his head.

The side door to the house opened again and a woman stepped out. Cal flew to his feet.

"What the hell is she doing here?" Cal demanded. 

Marcus floundered for words, "She...I...I couldn't leave her at the manor anymore."

Cal's eyes flared dangerously, he blew out a frustrated breath, Marcus had gone behind his back, again. "Why have you bought her here?" he demanded, his anger building rapidly.

"You know what? Fuck you Cal!"

Marcus grabbed Elliana's arm, pulling her towards him. She wrapped her arm around his waist.

Cal fought back the urge to hit him, panting he hissed, "You did this! So, you can sort it out!"

"Fuck you!" Marcus yelled, his face contorting in anger. "It's about time you stopped fucking around with that human slut and stepped up to your responsibilities." 

"You want her, you have her!" Cal's final words rang in his ears as he drove away. How had it taken so long for Cal to see Marcus for what he was. He was a taker, he'd loiter around more powerful people and get fat off their spoils, never contributing himself. Well, he'd no longer have Cal's spoils to sponge off. If he hadn't been certain before about cutting Marcus from his life, he definitely was now.

He glanced at his watch. He had enough time to do what needed to be done before the day was out.

                                                                                        ***

"Thank you for meeting me," Cal bowed deeply to show his respect and gratitude.

"I must say Cal, we are all surprised by this. However, that being said I believe you are finally showing some maturity."

Cal stayed quiet, not really trusting himself to speak.

"Follow me."

Cal took a deep breath. I was time to grow up.