The anticipation quickly turns to fear as I continue walking further on the path. At least, I think I’m still on the path. The ground still feels like gravel beneath my shoes. That means I’m on the path, right?
A dark chuckle hits my ears sounding like someone is standing right next to me. But when I turn to look, I see nothing.
“Okay, this isn’t funny guys,” I say, hearing the shake in my voice.
Then what sounds like my own voice mimics back at me from all around. The word ‘funny’ echoes and flutters about on the air and pure terror grips my heart.
I can hear my heart pounding in my ears as sweat beads along my temples.
A tall male figure appears out of nowhere right in front of me and whispers, “Boo!” Making me fall backwards right onto my ass. Gravel bites into my palms and I scramble away from whoever or whatever it is.
That’s when Maverick and Hendricks find me. And find whatever is tormenting me.
The growl at the apparition and have it dangling up in the air by its neck.
“Don’t fucking mess with her again or I’ll snap you in half, you hear me?” Maverick threatens.
I know I should be scared right now, and I definitely am, but watching him like this is so hot.
The figure disappears as quickly as it appeared, leaving me gaping and dumbstruck. The thought that there’s more to this place than meets the eye is back and stronger than ever. Hendricks is gathering me up in his arms, running his hands over me and making sure I’m not harmed.
“What the actual fuck was that?” I ask.
Maverick and Hendricks give each other a look, and I snap my fingers to get their attention. “None of that silent communication you two like to do. Look me in the eyes and answer me.”
They seem to shuffle uncomfortably on their feet, crossing their arms over their chests and letting out a sigh.
“Spit it out already,” I demand.
“It was a phantom.” Hendricks finally says.
“A phantom? Like of the opera?”
“Like a ghost.”
I stare at them for a beat and laugh. “You’re kidding me? A ghost?”
“Phantom.”
“Right, okay. Phantom. What the hell is the difference between a ghost and a phantom?”
“Do I look like Google?”
“No, you look like—” I stop myself as my eyes flick over his face, catching on those prominent, sharp canines.
“Like what, Lydia. What do I look like?” Hendricks asks, taking a step towards me until we’re dangerously close together. The wound on my thumb pulsates and I lick my lips.
“Like a vampire,” I finally say, the truth of those words hitting me square in the gut. Admitting it out loud makes it real, and it’s almost laughable that I was so willfully blind to it before. It’s so obvious. They’re vampires.
“Does that scare you, little screamer?” Maverick asks, taking a step towards me.
I should be scared out of my mind. Here I am alone in the middle of the woods. It’s dark out and if I were to scream, no one would come to help. Screaming is a normal part of being here. If anyone were to hear it, it would probably be ignored. But that part of me that should be afraid, isn’t. Maybe I’m broken. Or maybe this place is starting to get to me. If you asked me three days ago, my reaction would have been completely different.
“I’m not scared,” I say, and I feel the two of them absorb those words, like they were waiting for my answer. “But what does that mean? Being a vampire?”
“It means, we can do a lot of things humans can’t.” Hendricks says. His hand finds my hip. His thumb rubs on the sliver of skin that’s exposed between my shorts and shirt. It brings goosebumps to my flesh.
“Like what?” I ask as Maverick’s hand finds the other side of my hip. The two of them looking at me and touching me with their vampire fangs on full display has me feeling like I’m about to be devoured— in the best kind of way.
