“And please don’t cry, I know how it feels inside, I’ve been there before, something is changing inside you,” Don’t Cry, Guns N’ Roses, Guns N’ Roses: Greatest Hits. 

Jamie’s POV

The next day at school I was out of it. Zoning out and not paying attention; jumping at the smallest sounds. Which is why I was completely unprepared to even begin to comprehend Ayunli’s question.

“Why do you have a vampiric tint to your aura?” She asked.

I jumped almost a foot in the air at her question, “I hung around some vampires when I lived in NYC, including my cousin Sam.” I answered, trying to keep the memories I’ve suppressed from overtaking me, but failing.

“You like freaked out, and kinda green.” Andrea told me, before my knees gave away and I fell.

“Oh my god, Jamie! Are you alright?” Ayunli asked, catching me, and for once I saw genuine emotion on her face instead of the expressions that she passed off as emotion.

“I think so,” I replied, my stomach cramping in anxiety.

“From the way you reacted I doubt that that was the real reason for your aura.” Ellen reasoned.

“Fine, I lied, though that does account for a teeny bit of my aura.” I confirmed, then paused to take a deep breathe before continuing on, “I’ve been fed off of by a vampire, okay.” By the end of my confession tears were brimming in my eyes.

“But that shouldn’t be possible, you couldn’t have survived that and not be a vampire.” Erin said loudly.

“If you’re bitten, I wasn’t bitten.” I said, starting to assume a shell of calm composure like that of the Avians in The Kiesha’Ra.

Ayunli frowned at that, “Then how could a vampire have fed off of you?”

“Can we get off this topic? I’m really uncomfortable with talking about this.” I told them, hoping to fend off their questions.

“Was it Jessica?” Ayunli pestered.

At that I again jumped about a foot in the air before responding a bit too quickly, “No.”

In response Ayunli raised an eyebrow skeptically, “She didn’t, she’d never do that . . .” I persisted, trailing off before I revealed too much.

“Okay,” Ayunli replied slowly, still looking like she didn’t believe me, but also like she would respect my wantto drop the topic.

Jessica’s POV

“And Jessica,” Tamie added, her voice distorted over the phone, “Jarl is currently in Ireland negotiating with a coven there, leave him alone. I know you want pay back for Jamie’s sake, but you can get that later.”

“Fine,” I replied through gritted teeth.

“Good, now can you please go a little faster?” she asked.

“As you wish, Tamie.”

“Good bye,” she replied.

“Bye,” I muttered hollowly, snapping my cell phone shut. Now to see if my supplies have come in.

Some other stories by Lydia Tall:

• B Is For Betrayal
• Code Red Creations
• A Is For Accusation
• Disturbia Isn't a Pleasant Place
• A Goddess of Chaotic Balance