Annalise Writes

Chapter 12

My forehead puckered with worry.

As the vampire preened over his newfound discoveries, trepidation and unease fell over me.

Lord M's out of character behavior was beginning to sound an awful lot like a bad sci-fi movie where the artificial intelligence gains self-awareness and evolves into something unexpected and potentially dangerous to its creator...

I gulped nervously. "So, uh... when exactly did you start noticing these changes in yourself?"

A dreamy, faraway look floated across the vampire's handsome face.

"Oh, my dearest writerly one, I am so pleased that you asked! This entire situation is turning out to be a bit of an anomaly, is it not? It both overwhelms and galvanises my spirits in the most mystifying ways. I have been eager to discuss this phenomenon relating to my incredible internal transformation for hours upon hours, but you and Jaxon were far too inebriated to carry on any form of intellectual discourse until now!"

My temples ached.

So much craziness had happened to me in the past twenty four hours. It was hard to process everything, and now the vampire's convoluted manner of speaking was starting to melt my brain.

Groaning slightly, I muttered, "Yeah, sure... let's talk. What's on your mind?"

Lord Maxwell carried on in hushed toes, "Annalise, listen carefully, for I believe I experienced my very first inklings of mortal-like hunger right after I drank from you and Jaxon. From there, my innermost thoughts and emotions reformed themselves in a way that felt very much like returning to a cozy, childhood home after traveling far and yon for many, many centuries..."

I gaped. "Uh..."

Before I could even form a fully functioning sentence, Jaxon interjected, "So, basically, Maxie, what you're saying is that—you're starting to go off script? And you're writing a brand new story for yourself which has nothing to do with the one Annalise gave you?"

Lord Maxwell nodded pleasantly. "Indeed I am! You are surprisingly quick and clever for a mere mortal."

Jaxon pursed his lips. "Thanks, I think?"

Lord Maxwell smiled graciously. "You are most welcome!"

Indignation suddenly sparked in Jaxon's blue eyes. "Hold up! I just thought of something! Why the hell did you need our blood if you can eat pizza?"

I gasped. "Oh, my God! You're right, Jax! Lord M is sus as fuck!"

Jaxon and I then shared a withering look. It was a mutually deflating did-the-sneaky-vamp-just-trick-us-into-giving-him-blood kind of look.

Jaxon asked pointedly, "So, Maxie, can you control all of these changes inside you? Or is it totally random? Because, like, you should try to eat regular food instead of drinking blood if you can control it..."

This seemed to catch Lord Maxwell somewhat off guard.

His dark eyebrows lifted in surprise. "My goodness! What a novel idea! It simply did not occur to me since blood has always been the most essential part of my diet."

Jaxon snorted. "Wow, dude! Wow!"

He didn't look happy with the vampire's response. I couldn't blame the guy. I was feeling pretty peeved at Lord M as well.

Seemingly more to himself than either of us, Lord Maxwell muttered under his breath, "I wonder if it might actually be possible to explore alternatives to blood in the future? I used to love the taste of coffee on a brisk autumn's morn..."

"Yes, yes! I love this line of thinking! Please try your best to find another way to feed yourself, Lord Maxwell," I begged. "I don't want to be your blood donor again, dude! That trip you sent me on was absolutely insane in the membrane!"

Lord Maxwell lowered his lashes. He appeared slightly hurt. "Did you not enjoy my dark kiss, my love?"

I shook my head. "Nope! Not at all!"

He turned to Jaxon. "What about you, my friend? I saw how much you adored those feelings of absolute, euphoric freedom that I inspired in you!"

Jaxon's eyes narrowed with irritation. "I thought I was a fucking plane, dude! Don't ever come near me again with those chompers, okay?"

"Oh, very well," Lord Maxwell grumbled. "I shall endeavor to find another source of nourishment from here on out..."

A curious thought emerged in my mind.

I glanced over to Jaxon. "Hey! What about you? Are you feeling out of sorts about anything? Any new hobbies? Interests? Quirks?"

Jaxon frowned pensively. "Well, I mean... I just feel like... myself? You know?"

"What about Cate?" I prodded, "Do you still wanna find her? Are you still hopelessly in love with her?"

His blue eyes grew wide. "Oh, fuck! What the hell is wrong with me? I can't believe that I completely forgot about Cate this whole fucking time!"

Ooh, ooh! This was getting interesting.

I turned to Lord Maxwell and prompted him as well, "And you, Lord Maxwell? Do you still want to find your long lost love, Elizabeth?"

A peculiar and unreadable shadow fell over the vampire's pale face.

Lord Maxwell coughed awkwardly. "Ah, well. I suppose... it would be quite lovely to see my beloved again. Although, it would not be the end of the world if I could explore your realm a little while longer before Elizabeth and I are reunited..."

"My duuuuuudes," I breathed out in awe. "This is crazycakes! It's, like, you guys were Pinocchios, and now you're becoming real boys or something! Honestly, I dunno how I'm supposed to feel about this! It's kinda cool, it's kinda creepy, but, okay, I guess this is really happening..."