The Vampire's Second Chance novel Chapter 9

"You bitch, you're cut off. Don't expect a damn dime from me in your account," he yelled again. I'm sure his phone was swimming in his spittle as he spoke. I never had the balls to talk to dad like this before, and I must say, it was pretty invigorating. Maybe it was because I was surrounded by a bunch of vampires that now hold a picture of my father's face to ensure he would never be let in.

Not that he would find us, anyway.

"You hear me?! Not a damn dime!" I cut the call and tossed the phone on the bed. Little did he know I moved all my money to a new bank account. Justin was pretty savvy in that department. It was like he had everything planned out before I even arrived. He forced mom to not take one single dime from her now ex-husband. Justin was supposedly rich anyway and said he would take care of us.

I mean, who ever heard of a poor vampire anyway?

They were all rich. If I met a poor vampire, I think I might choke on my own spit. This place was oozing with money. Many of them were old and invested in stocks and bonds when they first came on the scene. They lived in the lap of luxury.

Of course, I wasn't going to take anything from Justin. I'd find my way and pay back any expenses I racked up while I was here. I wasn't one for handouts, I worked a lot through college at the measly taco shack off campus.

Shoving my phone into my pocket, I went over to my easel. Justin discovered how much I loved to draw and gifted it to me. Part of me felt like he was trying to buy me, but the other part tried to see the good in him. He took my mother away, and now I couldn't see her. Sure, we were going to try and set up video chats until her blood lust calmed down, but it wasn't the same, and he knew that.

He was trying to give me distractions. Couldn't fault him for that.

I picked up my digital pad and pen instead of going with the traditional pen and paper route. The sun was slowly setting, and the picture of the landscape before me couldn't be ignored. Getting lost in the brushstrokes on the screen would calm my nerves.

Grabbing my oversized black sweatshirt with a corgi butt on the front and the saying, "feeling corgeous," I slipped it on and petted Christopher before I walked out the door.

The living room was filled with the other housemates watching a scary movie. The jump-scare scene had everyone screaming with laughter as I put the hood over my head.

A warm hand touched my shoulder. "Hey," a smile in the voice had me turn my head. It was Ashton, the vampire hater. There were days I could see the appeal of hating the vampires, but since I've been here, they have all been friendly, and I couldn't complain too much. They set us up in this nice house and let us be near our parents.

"I know transitioning can be hard," Ashton's voice grew soft. "We were giving you space but would love for you to hang out with us." The movie had paused, and everyone peered over the couch. The bleached blonde girl in the corner chair scowled, crossing her arms.

She looks friendly.

Ashton had that playboy smile, and dark hair with hints of natural copper highlights. He had a pretty face, a bigger build than that of Wyatt.

Ugh, now I'm thinking of that douche again.

I sniffed, feeling the tingle in my nose. This was going to be a gift for him at graduation. I took the pen in my left hand, taking the erase icon and tapping it lightly. Each swipe was enough to pull more and more emotion from my heart. Slowly, my strokes brushed through the once happy faces.

I wasn't just erasing a picture. I was erasing memories. Memories that were tainted, fake, all a lie.

Humming, I continued to erase, slowly but surely, until tears fell down so quickly I didn't feel eyes watching me. My back stiffened as the last bit of the picture was now erased.

Turning slowly, my eyes looked up at a vampire staring at me. He was handsome, just like every other vampire here. Tall, with a slim athletic build. His face could have been carved from stone how sharp it was. Even with the youthful appearances of vampires, his face held a story.

There was something deeper, a longing held in his eyes. It wasn't an uneasy stare as he looked at me. It was a stare so deep I swear he saw every emotion that simmered in my body. My heart beat quickly, my body flushed. I blinked, wiping away the tears that had fallen down my reddened cheeks.

Shaking my head from the trance that beguiled me, I stood up, holding the tablet like it was the most precious thing. My eyes glared at the vampire who said nothing, whose stare continued to penetrate me. His eyes softened, his fists that were tightened loosened, and he took a step forward.

"Stay back," I held out my hand, ceasing him in his tracks.