“No.” I laughed the word out. “I’ve had this craving for it ever since I tried it; it’s addictive, like a drug. It makes you feel really good, kind of—energetic.”

“And David knew that would happen? The addiction?”

“Yes.” My breath became deeper as the memory of David and I by the lake flushed cold through my veins.

“Are you really in love with him? Or is he a drug, too?”

“Who?”

“David. Is he just an addiction?”

“N—Mike. I’m in love with him.”

“Okay.” He huffed loudly. “Then, I guess we need to try to find him—convince him to come back.”

“You’d do that?” I sat up taller, looking into Mike’s warm, maple eyes. “For me?”

“Ara, I would cut out my heart for you.”

I looked away instantly from the fading smirk he always wore as it turned to a teary-eyed frown. “That’s a little melodramatic, don’t you think?”

“It’s the way I feel.”

“Well, I don’t want you to feel that way, Mike. I want you move on—find love.”

“You never moved on from David; maybe I’ll never move on from you.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I refuse to believe that. I believe we have soul mates, Mike. I know yours is out there—just waiting for you to find her.”

“I hope you’re right, ‘cause my heart just hurts every time I have to look at you.”

“I want to love you. I do love you. But I love you enough to let you go—for your own good.”

Mike’s eyes focused on nothing for a moment, then he looked back at me. “If I ever see that little shit Eric again—I’ll kill him. He should not have forced you to drink his blood.”

“No, he shouldn’t have. He knows that.” I nodded, then smiled. “He’ll be feeling pretty bad right now. They get overtaken by their vampire nature, Mike, they lose control. He wasn’t thinking about me when he did that—he was thinking about the blood, the lust—” my voice lowered, “the desire.”

“Does it taste bad?”

“No. You should try it,” I said with a smirk.

“Yeah, I’ll pass. Now, come here and give your best friend a hug.” He kissed the top of my head as I fell onto his chest.

“Thanks for calling work for me. I really hate that job.”

“So quit.”

“I can’t quit. I need the money.”

“Take mine—I’ve got plenty.”

“Mike, stop it.”

“I’m serious.”

“Mike. I’m not taking your money—you know me better than that.”

“Fine. Then what do I have to do to get you happy with your life?”

“Give my students the will to learn.”

“Your wish is my command.”

I laughed. “Yeah, if only. They’re all just snobby rich kids with no talent. Except one—Aaron. When I eventually run classes from home, I’m taking him with me.”

Mike wrapped his arms tighter around me. “Two more years then, and you can afford that piano.”

I nodded, smiling, letting myself enjoy the comfort of touch for a while since Mike seemed to be in no rush to move away from me. After a few minutes, I said, “Was David okay—after you beat him up? I mean, I know he heals but—”

“No. He wasn’t.” His throat made a noise as he swallowed. “We talked for hours after. He’s a good guy, Ara, and he really needed to talk; I don’t think he has anyone that listens to him.”

So, he’s all alone, too.

Mike ran his finger over my frown to flatten it out. “We formed a bond over you, you know. We were like brothers in that time we waited for you to wake up.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He really was—is a good guy.” Mike chuckled once, shaking his head. “Took him a few days to heal properly from the injuries, though. I do feel a little bad about it.”

“Did he ever tell you if he knew who did it—who attacked me?” I asked carefully.

“No, but he said he wouldn’t rest until justice had been served.”

So, he never told Mike that it was Jason. I wonder if I should let the truth out now. “Mike?”

“Yeah, baby?”

“Eric’s my friend,” I said instead. “I’ll talk to him about the blood thing. But, please don’t hurt him. He never meant any harm by it—it’s just his nature. He doesn’t see it the way you do.”

“Look, I get that, Ar. But don’t expect me to be civil to him.”

“Okay, I wouldn’t.”

Chapter 5

The wild dance of branches gave warning that autumn was on its way, while the night sky outlined the trees in dark blue, completely hiding the lake across the road. I slipped my car into gear, hopped out and shut my door quietly, feeling an eerie chill on my skin, not incited by the wind. I tucked my hands under my arms and glanced over my shoulder, the muscles tightening in my neck. “Hello?”

The silhouette across the road stood motionless, silent. There was nothing threatening about the height or general size of the, what I assumed to be a man, but in comparison to me, small and slight, standing on the driveway outside my house, with nothing but the moonlight to show the rows of fences along the footpath, his mere presence made me feel suddenly uneasy. Or maybe it was that he seemed to be...watching me.

“Can I...can I help you with something?” Eyes adjusting to the darkness, I noticed the man shift his weight to his other foot—clarifying that it was, in fact, a person, not just an oddly-shaped tree that’d grown there overnight. But he was being rude by ignoring me. Either he had an agenda in this street, or he was up to no good.

With a bit of hesitation, I took a step in his direction.

“Ara?” The front door swung open and warm, yellow light from inside licked the path.

“Hey, Mike.” I smiled, then looked over my shoulder to the man—who was gone.

“What’re you doing standing out here in the dark?” Mike scanned the street.

“I uh—I was just doing my bit for neighbourhood watch.”

“Why?” He stepped completely outside then, and stood taller as he looked across the road. “Is someone out there?”