Tiny Bites Page 6

  Why? Because, to be blunt, my life sucks. High school bites. No one in this crappy little town gets me. I've been called goth, emo, poser, punk, loser, and even vampire-wanna-be.

  The last one is the most accurate, but no one would ever guess as much. I mean, really, vampires aren't even supposed to exist, but as it turns out, they do—and I'm going to join their world after school today.

  Why after school? It's the easiest time to disappear. After the final bell rings, it's always mass-chaos. I'll be able to get away and miss my bus no problem. My parents won't be alerted that I missed school, and since they'll be at my little brother's piano recital, they'll get home late. By then, no one will ever be able to find me again.

  I'll be living in a vampire castle miles away. Yeah, you read that right. A vampire castle. Who knew?

  You want to know what I'll be doing there? This part you might not guess. You probably think I'm going to become one of them, but that's not it. Besides, you can't just become a vampire and then move on into the castle. The castle is only for those born as vampires. Didn't see that coming, either, did you?

  Apparently, there are two classes of vampires—royalty and common. The common ones are the ones you and I hear about in the stories. People bitten and then turned. They're the ones who've been careless enough to be seen by humans and have stories spread around.

  Okay, enough about all that. You've got the basic idea of what's going on now. Let's fast forward to the end of the school day. Hear the bell? Now all the screaming. It's not just the end of the day, but the end of the school year. Paper airplanes are flying through the air.

  One hits me in the back of the head. Laughing ensues. I turn around and glare at the stuck-up cheerleaders and give them a one-finger salute. Something to remember me by.

  Making my way through the maze of bodies, I find myself at the backside of the school where not many people are. Just a few kids smoking and another couple making out. I follow the same path I took the other day when I first ran into Sergio, the vampire ambassador to humans. Nice title, huh?

  At first, I totally thought he was joking when he introduced himself. He showed up out nowhere—well, at least that's how it had seemed to me. He came from the woods, but I hadn't been paying attention. Sergio looked like some kind of stuffy dude from the prep school not far away.

  Imagine my surprise when he said he was a vampire, and not just any old vampire, either. Born and raised before my grandparents' grandparents had been born. But now, he works as ambassador to us lowly people.

  Stopping, I look around. Where is he? I told him what time I get out of school. Maybe vampires go by different times than we do. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

  I lean against a tree, starting to rethink my decision. Do I really want to leave the only world I know? My annoying parents and dorky little brother? The kids at school who think I'm a freak?

  The answer seems pretty clear. Of course I want to leave all of this behind. Assuming Sergio's telling me the truth. That I'll have my own suite in the castle, living a pampered life—so long as I follow the one and only rule I'll have.

  Stay in the human area, and never, ever leave. At least not until I've been relieved of my duties.

  My heart races a little at the thought of that. In exchange for living in the lap of luxury, I will give my blood. Vampires in the castle like drinking their blood from crystal wine glasses. Apparently, treating the human volunteers well gives them the best quality of blood. They've been doing that for thousands of years, so I guess they know what they're talking about.

  I take a deep breath and look around, twirling a strand of my black hair around my first and middle finger. Something catches my attention at the edge of the woods. Nothing looks out of place, but I can't help feeling like something is.

  All of sudden, Sergio appears in front of me.

  I jump, trying to hide my surprise. By the look on his face, I can tell he isn't fooled.

  "Are you ready, Emily?" he asks.

  "Yeah." I hold my head high. "Are you?"

  He chuckles. "Follow me."

  "You know, I won't be able to keep up with you if you travel faster than I can see."

  "I'm well aware of that. We'll travel at typical human speed."

  I follow him, first across the street, and then into the woods. He doesn't speak, but he looks like he has a lot on his mind. I watch him, curious, but don't say anything.

  I can't help having second thoughts again. But they don't last long. I have no desire to return home. Would you believe I don't even want to go to Hawaii with my family in a few weeks?

  My friends are so jealous. Only one has been there before, and it's pretty much everyone's dream destination. My brother is beside himself, counting down the days. I wonder if they'll go after I turn up missing. My mom's been waiting for this for years. I have a hard time imagining her letting anything get in her way.

  Now that I think about it, they'll probably have a better time in my absence. Maybe they can even take my perfect cousin, Jeanette. My mom would love that. She doesn't ever stop telling me how I should be more like that goody-two-shoes who gets perfect grades and never wears too much makeup—or too much black. The freaking daughter she never had, but always wanted.

  Sergio and I leave the woods and cross over some more streets, coming to another forest—but this one I have never seen before.

  "What… how… where did this come from?" I ask.

  "The truth has been unveiled from your eyes."

  "I swear there was a… what was it?" I can't remember what had been there before.

  "You can't recall because it wasn't real. Follow me."

  We walk through this forest, but it's different from any other. Animals scatter at the sounds of our footsteps—well, mine. Sergio movies without making a sound. Little colorful birds fly around, near flowers.

  Wait. Those aren't birds.

  "Are those faeries?" I whisper, feeling stupid. Though, I really shouldn't. I'm talking to a vampire.

  "Yes." He sounds irritated.

  White horses drink from a stream. My mouth drops open—those aren't horses. Unicorns. I don't dare ask Sergio. I know the answer—yes, those are real, too. After a few minutes, I swear I see a troll.

  I have the urge to pull out my phone, snap some images, and run back home. Everyone is going to freak. This crap is real. I slow down, considering this. It could change everything. Seriously.

  Sergio turns, glaring at me. "Don't even think about it. You're in too deep now."

  My heart sinks. He's right, and it's not like anyone's going to believe me, anyway. Vampires, unicorns, and faeries. They'll lock me away for sure. I'm better off here, and there are supposed to be other people. I can talk to them—if they'll even have anything to do with me.

  "Fine. Whatever." I roll my eyes.

  He shakes his head, muttering something I can't understand. Not that I care.

  "So, does it hurt?" I ask.

  "What?"

  "Draining my blood."

  "No." He shakes his head. "We use vampire venom to remove the pain."

  "Awesome." Hopefully it won't kill me. Not that it matters. Who would miss me?

  After like an hour, I start to wonder if we'll ever get there. Am I a fool to follow Sergio into these woods I've never seen before? It's probably the stupidest thing I've ever done.

  A bunch of faeries fly by close enough I can feel the wind from their wings. No. This stuff is real.

  "How much longer?" I ask.

  "Not much."

  That really helps. I keep my mouth shut. I get the feeling he's taking some long way to confuse me. That way I'll be less likely to run away. But from everything he told me before, I'll never want to leave. A nice, cushy room with the best food available on the planet whenever I want it. Television, movies, books, fresh air, plenty of exercise, the works. Some kids my age who don't care what anyone else looks like. Probably just as much of social freaks as me, though not necessarily from the sam
e circles.

  I imagine some picked-on bookworm and a fat kid. Who knows? Maybe they'll be cool. I don't really care. Just as long as they're nice. Apparently, there are people of all ages. Some who've been donating their blood to royal vampires for decades.

  "Didn't we already pass that rock before?" I ask.

  Sergio shakes his head again.

  Smarter than you thought, huh, pal? I want to ask.

  He turns to me. "No. Not really."

  I gasp.

  "Vampires can read minds."

  I swear.

  "No need for that," he says. "How do you think I knew I could trust you?"

  "Because I have an honest face?"

  He laughs.

  I stifle a dirty look. I don't know whether that's an insult or not. "What else do you know?"

  "You won't miss Hawaii."

  I stiffen. "Wasn't going to, anyway."

  "We're almost at the castle."

  "Didn't you say that, like, an hour ago?" I ask.

  He ignores me, turning ahead again. We pass a crooked tree I know we saw earlier.

  "I thought these woods were enormous," I say.

  "More than hundreds of miles."

  "Then why take me in circles?" My legs ache and I'm hungry. I just want to get to my new room and rest.

  "It's easier that way." He brushes some hair away from his eyes.

  "Don't you guys just have some way to keep us inside?" I ask. "I mean, you have faeries and crap. I'd think that would be easy enough."

  We walk into a clearing. I glance around, and notice a large, looming castle in front of me. Magic and faeries have nothing on this place.

  I'm speechless.

  The Volunteer

  Two

  Sergio stares at me, his intense, steely glaze baring into my soul.

  Fears surges through me.

  "Release your fear, human."

  "My name's Emily."

  "It won't matter if a thirsty vampire smells it." His eyes grow softer, probably realizing he was the cause of my terror.

  I nod, trying to calm myself.

  "We keep you in a part of the castle no other vampires visit. Only the ones arriving to collect your blood and serve you will be around you. To protect you, we always—always—feed before entering. We can't allow for any accidents."

  Chills run through me. I can imagine the kind of accident he means. "Okay."

  "As long as you follow the rules, you'll be fine. Don't, and no one can guarantee your lifespan."

  "Got it."

  He leads me around the massive structure—I've never seen anything like it before. My family has forced me to travel around the world, so it's not like I'm a stranger to castles. This one is far huger than any I've seen.

  We enter through a small door with a tight seal. Once inside, we're surrounded by elegance. This is far more extravagant than anything I've ever seen.

  I hear some noises, and a couple faces peek around a corner.

  "Come out," Sergio orders.

  They do. A girl a bit older than me with long, wavy brown hair steps out, holding a cell phone at her side. She looks me up and down. A boy comes forward. He looks my age, but he's not the fat kid I had envisioned. No, he looks like some stupid jock. Well, after another look, he doesn't look so dumb. But the way he's built, definitely a jock.

  "Nice nose ring," he says.

  I clear my throat. "Thanks." Nice pecks. I actually might like spending time with him. "I'm Emily."

  "Landon."

  The girl steps closer, not appearing to be sure of me. "I'm Genesis."

  "Cool name."

  She shrugs.

  Sergio walks for another door, probably leading deeper into the castle. "I trust you two will take care of her and get her acquainted. Find Nathan or Cindy if you need to."

  "No problem," Landon says.

  Sergio leaves, and I give Genesis and Landon the once-over again. They both seem cool.

  "Where are you from?" Landon asks.

  "Doesn't matter," I say. "I'm not going back."

  Genesis laughs. "None of us is."

  "How long have you been here?" I ask.

  "A couple years," Genesis says, shrugging.

  "Just a few months for me," says Landon.

  "What's it like?"

  "Best thing ever." Genesis grins, showing off perfectly white teeth.

  "Yeah," Landon says. "I haven't missed home even once."

  The room, though elegant, is pretty boring.

  "What's there to do around here?"

  "What's not?" Landon asked. "That's the better question."

  My stomach rumbles. Nice. I expect them to ridicule me, but instead, Genesis grabs my elbow.

  "Come on. You'll think you've died and gone to Heaven when you see the spread."

  "Spread?"

  "Dude," Landon says. "I'm surprised I haven't gained five hundred pounds with as much as I've eaten. Must be all the blood they take or something."

  They lead me to a room filled with food. It reminds me of things I've only ever seen in the movies. Long, elegant tables are spread across the room filled with food. The aromas make my mouth water.

  "Dig in," Genesis says.

  "Where do we start?" I ask.

  Landon laughs. "Anywhere you want. I like to start with dessert."

  "A man after my own heart." We walk over to the farthest table.

  Genesis heads for the nearest one. "I'm starting with the main course."

  "Is it always like this?" I ask.

  "All the freakin' time," Landon says. "Anytime you want to eat, fresh, delicious food awaits." He picks up a plate and piles on cookies, ice cream, and cupcakes.

  "Don't just stand there."

  Genesis laughs. "Newbies are so cute."

  I sniff the air. "Do I smell mashed potatoes and gravy?"

  "Over here." Genesis waves her hand over the table.

  "I haven't had that in years," I say. I glance at Landon. "Sorry. I'm joining her."

  Lance shrugs. "Don't hurt my feelings." He picks up a piece of pound cake and fits it between the other desserts.

  "You're going to get a stomachache," I say.

  "Not with this stuff." He grins, rubbing his belly.

  I join Genesis, who already has her plate piled high with what looks like a Thanksgiving feast. My mouth waters more. I scan the food on the table and fill my plate with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, cranberry sauce, corn, olives, fruit salad, and everything else that reminds me of Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners we used to have when my grandparents were still alive.

  Genesis and Landon are already sitting at a table eating. I join them, and before I take my first bite, a finely dressed man—vampire?—comes to our table with pitchers of light colored liquid. He disappears without a word.

  I'm curious about the drink, but more concerned about eating before my stomach rumbles again and embarrasses me. I get the feeling neither Landon or Genesis have heard their own stomachs growl since arriving here.

  My taste buds nearly explode when I bite into gravy-covered turkey. Never before have I tasted anything so delicious. I shovel it in so fast that I choke. I try to pretend it's no big deal, but my new friends run around to my back and squeeze underneath my ribcage, pushing up until the chunk of turkey flies across the room.

  My face burns with embarrassment. "Thanks," I say, unable to look at them.

  "It happens to everyone," Landon says.

  "Really?" I ask.

  Genesis nods, sitting back down. "Every time. The food is so much better here, it's hard not to eat it too fast the first time."

  "Guess I'm the typical newbie." I sigh.

  "Nothing to be ashamed of." Landon picks up his empty plate and carries it over to another table full of what looks like gourmet Mexican food. I can't wait to try that next—without choking.

  We spend the next hour eating. I keep going long after I'm full. I don't want to miss any of the food. It's all so good, and even better af
ter learning to eat it slower.

  After I eat all I can, a group of about six people come into the room.

  "How many human volunteers are there?" I whisper to Genesis.

  "A ton. Did you see the size of this castle?"

  I nod.

  "Well, it's filled with vampires who would rather not go out and kill for blood. So, they have to keep enough blood on hand so those guys don't go any killing rampages."

  My eyes widen.

  Landon laughs. "It's a good thing. Our blood saves lives—just not in the same way it did when we donated in the human world."

  I can't help but laugh. I watch the new group fill their plates. The people are teenagers to folks old enough to be retired. They don't look related, but they're joking and laughing like good friends.

  They also completely ignore us.

  "Is everyone cliquish?" I ask, hoping it's not high school all over again. That's what I came here to avoid.

  "Kind of. I guess," Landon says, standing. "People just tend to stick with those they know. Human nature." He shrugs. "But it's not like anyone is mean around here."

  "I guess. Now what?"

  "We let our food settle," Genesis says, her eyes lighting up.

  "Okay." I'm not sure what that means, but I know I'm about to find out. It can't be bad, right? Otherwise, she wouldn't look so excited.

  The three of us make our way out of the food room, and I notice the other group still doesn't pay any attention to us. Hopefully, other people will be more friendly. As cool as Landon and Genesis are, I want to make other friends.

  I follow them through a maze of rooms and halls until we end up in a room with enormous TVs on every wall. Leather couches face each one, and headsets sit on tables in front of them.

  Two couches are already in use, filled with people watching screens that I can't hear. They all have headsets over their ears.

  "What do you want to watch?" Genesis asks.

  "That new Jack Watson movie," Landon says.

  "You mean Escape to Amalfi Coast?" I ask.

  "Yeah," he says.

  "That's not even in the theaters."

  "It's here." Genesis plops onto the couch and grabs a headset.

  I don't even know why that surprises me. Landon and I sit, getting comfortable while Genesis finds the movie.