Between Rubies and Opals

“Oh my god! I feel so bloated,” Alex groaned as she entered the kitchen, holding her stomach.

“That’s because you went overboard last night with that anciently creepy guy.” Erin dropped the contents of her blood vial down her throat and looked at a severely bloated looking Alex.

“Thank you for reminding me, mother. Why are you drinking so early in the day?” Alex frowned and walked over to the couch, plopping herself down on it, pressing her feet into the fluffy throw pillow.

“Oh, just making sure I don’t get thirsty during the day,” Erin smiled, turning up the radio.

“Turn that shit off, my head hurts,” Alex whined. “Why are you so cheerful anyway?”

“No reason.” Erin flashed a happy smile and danced over to the garbage disposal.

“You’re playing that poppy-type music. The only time you listen to that is when you’re extremely happy about something.”

“I just felt like some poppy-type music,” Erin shrugged nonchalantly.

“Said no-one, ever,” Alex grumbled.

“Go back to bed if you’re going to be so grumpy all day. It’s not my fault that you stayed out the whole night.”

“Look who’s talking. You were out much later than I was. Where were you?”

“I was with Sam,” Erin said with a small smile.

“The whole night?” Lex looked over at Erin, her jaw dropping an inch from shock.

“Yeah, we kind of had a sleepover at his house.”

“Oh my hell!”

“What?” Erin asked, dragging out the word in irritation.

“I don’t believe it. You had sex with a wolf,” Alex exclaimed and pulled a horrified face. “Gross.”

“I didn’t have sex with him, Lex. We just…”

“You just what? You let him put his dirty paws all over you?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say only his paws…”

“Oh my god. I’m scarred for life.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“Was it good though?” Alex asked after a few seconds.

“I thought you were scarred?”

“I am. I just want to know if they’re any good or not.”

“Well, I don’t know about the rest of them, but Sam was…”

“A wolf-stallion? A were-Adonis? A hardcore doggy-styler?”

Erin looked out the window and smiled dreamily. “He was inside my head like no-one had ever been.”

“That sounds disgusting. I’m giving that a skip, forget I asked. Wolf-sex is definitely not my chalice of A-negative.”

“We didn’t have sex. We connected. We were on the same wavelength.”

“Still sounds pretty disgusting.”

“It was beautiful.”

Alex pretends to vomit and Erin looks at her friend. “Mind-fucks are never beautiful, and neither are wolves, Erin.”

“You don’t know Sam.”

“Apparently not like you know him,” Alex scowled and looked at Erin. “Okay, just so we’re clear, you two only fooled around, right?”

“Yes,” Erin answered with a nod.

“No sex?”

“No sex.”

“What a relief,” Alex sighed.

“Shut up, Lex,” Erin chuckled.

“Look, I know you’re older…” Erin narrowed her eyes at Lex, but let her continue. “…and supposedly wiser, but I don’t think you and him are such a good match.”

“Why would you say that?” Erin frowned, but her eyebrows shot up almost immediately. “You’re jealous.”

“Jealous? Of your mutt boyfriend? That’s ludicrous.”

“You only use that word when you’re lying, Lex.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why are you jealous?”

“I’m not! I’m just afraid for your life, okay. If someone finds out that you’re mingling with his kind, you’re as good as dead.”

“You’re worried about my safety?”

“Of course. You’re my best friend, Erin.”

“Then just be happy for me.”

“Do you love him?”

“I might.”

“I can see that you do.”

“It scares me, actually. Opening up my heart to someone. The last time it didn’t work out so well, you know.”

“I wouldn’t know what that feels like,” Alex shrugged.

Erin walked over to her and sat down on the couch next to her. “You’ve truly never been in love?”

“I thought you knew that.”

“I’ve seen you with so many different guys-” Erin shook her head.

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“What are you scared of, Lex?”

Alex sat up abruptly, and her eyes flashed. “It’s not about being scared, Erin. Dammit!”

“Okay, sorry I asked.”

“After what happened with me and Lukas, and you, I just didn’t want to get close to anyone again.”

“And what about Nikolai?”

“What about him?”

“I’ve seen the way you look at him, Lex. You’ve been into him for as long as I can remember.”

“You’re out of your mind.”

“Okay,” Erin surrendered and stood up, walking back to the kitchen again.

“There’s no point that I throw myself at him on every occasion and he just shoots me down like a fucking clay bat,” Alex muttered.

“So that’s what you’re afraid of.”

“I’m not afraid of anything,” Alex said slowly and leaned back against the couch.

“Okay, suit yourself,” Erin said as she opened the fridge and took out another three vials of blood.

“Where are you going today?” Alex asked.

“Morton Manor. I’m meeting Sam’s family, so I’m just taking some B-positives with me, just in case.”

“In case you feel like sucking the whole Morton family dry?”

“Lex, you know I don’t do that.”

Alex suddenly jumped up from the couch, sped across the room, to Erin’s bedroom and was back in an instant. “Here, I think you need to wear these.”

In Alex’s hand was the ruby necklace Erin’s mother had given to Erin on her first century switch. She was told that it would curb her vampire cravings, but Erin had only ever worn them once. She was convinced that they were a bad omen, as she felt beside herself and completely out of control when she wore them. She didn’t like those rubies, even having them this close to her sent shivers down her spine.

“I don’t need them, Lex,” Erin frowned as she pushed Alex’s hand away from her.

“Wear them, please?”

“You know what those things do to me.” Erin frowned, feeling the burning inside her veins as the rubies glowed ominously, as if they were taunting her.

“That was two centuries ago. Maybe it won’t be so bad-”

“I’m not wearing them, Alex,” Erin hissed through her teeth and her eyes flashed.

“You’re so stubborn, Erin Lewandowski,” Alex muttered, shoving the ruby necklace into Erin’s hand.

Erin, however, was too fast for her and within a second, Erin had Alex pinned against the wall, with the necklace laying a few feet from them on the floor.

“Erin, is this necessary?” Alex muttered, pulling her face in discomfort.

“You started it,” Erin growled as Alex tried to fight against her.

Erin had one hand around Alex’s neck and the other one was pressed against the wall for support.

“I’m just trying to keep you safe,” Alex muttered uncomfortably.

“Well, don’t,” Erin hissed and let go of Alex’s neck. “I can take care of myself.”

Alex slid down onto the ground, panting and glared at Erin. “You’re a stubborn vamp-bitch, you know that?” Alex whispered, wiping the side of her mouth.

“So are you.” Erin held her hand out to her friend. “You see what those rubies do to me?”

Alex took hold of Erin’s hand and pulled herself up from the floor. “I haven’t seen you this agro since…”

“Since the last time you took these damn things out,” Erin scowled. “There’s a reason why I locked them away.”

“They’re supposed to suppress your aggression,” Alex frowned and studied Erin’s troubled expression.

“They’re a bad omen.” Erin shook her head and turned to the necklace.

“Clearly,” Alex said with a frown and looked at Erin. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“And I’d advise you not to wear them tonight,” Alex said and motioned to the necklace on the floor. “You might just get yourself killed.”

Erin ran her fingers through her hair with a frown. “I don’t understand why they have that effect on me.”

“Neither do I. They’re supposed to suppress your vamp traits, and curbing your aggression is one of them.”

“There might be something wrong with me,” Erin grimaced.

“Or, those rubies are jinxed,” Alex said, shaking her head. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”

Erin raised an eyebrow at Alex. “Oh, really?”

“Yeah. Even though you cry a lot, which normal vamps don’t do as often, if ever, and you actually feel sympathy towards the other race, you’re perfectly normal.”

“Thanks Lex,” Erin said and let out a laugh.

Sam sat in front of his laptop and stared at the screen. He typed the words ‘wolf transformation suppressant’ into his search engine and lightly tapped the screen. As he scanned through the short list of results, he came across a website of a little shop that sells suppressants right there in Algharakh. Sam tapped on the link and started reading about different types of suppressants.

“Hey Sam,” Vikki’s voice snapped through the silence and he jumped, closing the lid of the laptop.

“Holy shit Vik, you scared me.”

“Uhm, sorry,” she answered with a frown and walked over to him. “What you doing?”

“Nothing, I wasn’t doing anything.”

“Okay,” she said slowly and leaned against the desk. “Why are you so jumpy?”

Sam shook his head and sat back in his chair.

“What is it, Sam?”

“Do you know anything about suppressants?”

“Suppressants?” Vikki asked. “Like drugs?”

“No. I don’t know actually,” Sam frowned and scratched his head.

“What’s going on?”

“Erin told her parents about me, and they want to meet me.”

“But that’s great. They obviously don’t know that you’re a wolf, but that’s great nonetheless.”

“Anyway, Erin’s birthday is next weekend, and they’re having this big party for her, and I’m expected to be there.”

“It’s full moon next weekend.”

“Exactly.”

“So, you want a transformation suppressant, so you can go to her party?” Vikki asked, raising an eyebrow at Sam.

“Yes.”

“Sam-” Vikki warned.

“I told her that I can’t go, and even when she said that she understands, I can see that she was disappointed.” Sam dug his hands into the front pockets of his pants and frowned.

“Of course she’s going to be disappointed, Sam. She loves you,” Vikki pointed out.

“She does?”

“Of course she does, you moron. I felt it.”

A slow smile ran across Sam’s lips and he gave a satisfied nod. “I need your help, Vik.”

“Okay, I’ll help.”

“You will?”

“Sam, you’re my favorite cousin-”

“I’m your only cousin.”

“Precisely,” Vikki said and tilted her head. “I’ve never seen you this happy, not even with that other bitch. What was her name again?”

“Selena,” Sam said flatly.

“Right, Selena,” Vikki mumbled and nodded absent-mindedly. “You’re different, and I like seeing you this way.”

“Erin is different, she is so amazing.”

“Isn’t it weird, with her being a vamp?”

“Honestly, the thought doesn’t even cross my mind,” he frowned and stood up from the chair. “She’s so different from any other vamp that I’ve met. It doesn’t even feel like she’s a vamp. Well, except…” Sam chuckled to himself.

“Except what?”

“She carries little vials of blood in her bag, and she showed me her fangs.”

“Are they pretty?”

“They were impressive. She controls herself so well,” Sam said with a smile.

“She sounds so great, I can’t wait to meet her tonight,” Vikki said excitedly.

“I’m just a bit nervous about Gowan.”

“Yeah, he’s been more snappy than usual,” she nodded. “Is it because of Erin?”

“He thinks that I should stay away from her, that she is dangerous.”

“Is she?”

“No. They’re a lot like us, you know. Well, most of them. They’ll only attack when they themselves are put at risk.”

“And Gowan obviously doesn’t get that.”

“Correct,” Sam nodded.

“You should get a leash for him, or maybe a muzzle,” Vikki scowled.

“I just hope he behaves himself tonight. I don’t want Erin to think he’s the biggest prick alive.”

“And you don’t think she already thinks that?”

“Possibly,” he chuckled.

Vikki smiled slightly and looked at Sam. “Where’s this place?”

“That sells the suppressants?”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to help me?”

“Of course I am. Screw Gowan. I can’t stand in the way of true love, Sammy.”

“Thanks Vik,” Sam nodded gratefully. “Please don’t say anything to Erin; I want it to be a surprise.”

“My lips are sealed,” Vikki winked at him.

Erin walked up the steps leading to Morton Manor and she knocked on the door. A petite little man with a bushy beard opened the door and looked at her with beady eyes.

“Good evening, I’m Erin. I’m here to see Sam,” she said with a smile and he opened the door so that she could step inside.

“They are in the living area, to your left,” the little man said.

“Thank you so much.” Erin smiled and made her way towards the living area. She could hear five sets of voices from all over the house, one was Sam’s, but the others she didn’t recognize. She walked through the long, broad corridor and looked at the paintings on the walls. There were a few paintings of Senator Frank Morton, whom she recognized, and of Sam.

“You must be Erin,” a voice suddenly said behind her and she whirled around, letting out a shriek.

“Holy shit!”

In front of her, a pretty, and exotic looking woman stood. She was about Erin’s age, with long light brown hair and striking eyes, wearing brown leather pants, very similar to her own and a tight black T-shirt.

“Sorry, I didn’t even hear you-” Erin shook her head in embarrassment and held out her hand. “Erin, yes.”

“Victoria, but everyone calls me Vikki,” the girl shook Erin’s hand.

“Vikki?” Erin narrowed her eyes. “You’re Sam’s cousin?”

“Yeah,” Vikki nodded.

“Oh my god,” Erin said and let out a laugh. “I thought you were a guy.”

“Because Sam likes to call me Vik,” Vikki nodded and rolled her eyes. “I get that a lot.”

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Erin smiled.

“Same here. Finally, we get to meet the girl that puts the broadest smile on Sammy’s face,” Vikki smiled. “The guys are in the lounge, come on.”

Vikki was a bit taller than Erin, so she was already a few steps behind, so Erin took a few quick steps. She followed Sam’s quirky cousin further down the corridor and Vikki opened the double wooden sliding doors that lead to a beautiful lounge area. There was a massive marble fireplace against one wall, beautiful wooden floors and large windows. It was the perfect room, according to her. The couches and sofas were covered in rich dark brown leather and the room smelled of burning embers and warm butterscotch.

“Sam, your girlfriend is here,” Vikki exclaimed as the two girls entered and Erin smiled to herself.

As she looked up, she saw Sam turning towards her and she stopped abruptly, not being able to move.

His face lit up the moment he saw her and walked over to her. His dark blue jeans and dark gray sweater fit him like a glove and Erin had to compose herself a few times. He was perfect, according to her.

“Hey,” he breathed and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.

“Hey,” she smiled at him in return.

“I see you met Vik.”

“And she thought I was a guy,” Vikki chimed in behind them.

“Really?” Sam frowned and looked at Vikki.

“Yeah, you should probably stop referring to her as Vik. It confuses people,” Erin nodded and Sam looked back at her, chuckling softly.

“You heard the girl,” Vikki nodded with a smirk.

“Okay, clearly I am outnumbered here.” Sam raised his hands in the air.

“Speaking of outnumbered, can I ask a question?” Vikki asked.

“Vik-” Sam frowned at Vikki, shielding Erin.

“No, it’s okay, Sam,” Erin frowned and turned to Vikki. “Ask away.”

“So you’re a vamp.”

“I am.”

“Are you, like, hungry right now?” Vikki asked slowly.

Erin let out an amused laugh and nodded. “I am absolutely starving.”

Nikki and Sam exchanged glances and Erin laughed again. “Dragona’s have the best platters.”

“Do you eat normal stuff too?” Vikki asked.

“Sure, but I’m not hungry in that way.”

“So you ate before you came here?” Vikki asked.

“Something like that,” Erin nodded.

“Okay, enough with the questions,” Sam interrupted and Erin chuckled, still amused.

“You shouldn’t stand so close, Vikki,” Gowan said suddenly, as he entered the room.

“It’s okay, she won’t bite, right Erin?” Vikki smirked.

“Right,” Erin nodded.

“Not yet anyway,” Gowan muttered.

“Stop it, Gow,” Sam muttered, gritting his teeth. “You promised.”

Gowan clenched his jaw and glared at Erin for a few seconds, his black eyes swirling suspiciously.

“Who stepped on your tail?” Vikki rolled her eyes. “Stop being such a bitch, Gowan.”

“I’m so sorry, my family’s nuts,” Sam whispered to her, but she shook her head.

“If this is nuts, then mine belong in Andnor’s dungeon,” Erin whispered back to him and they chuckled softly.

“Alright, enough already,” Gowan frowned at the two of them and they looked at him.

“Is your dad joining us?” Erin asked.

“You’ve met Uncle Frank?”

Sam and Erin exchanged embarrassed glances and Erin nodded.

“Yeah, he came by the house this morning,” Sam nodded.

“Very early this morning.” Erin suppressed a smile and Vikki narrowed her eyes.

“What were you doing at Sam’s place early this morning?” she asked.

“Uhm,” Sam put his arm around Erin’s shoulders and grinned. “Erin surprised me with breakfast in bed.”

“Yeah, okay. That’s your story, and you’re sticking to it, right?” Vikki raised an eyebrow at them.

“Yes, we are,” Erin nodded as Sam pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head.

“I’m going to check where my dad is, I’ll be right back.” Sam let go of Erin and walked to the door. He pointed to Gowan as he walked passed him and whispered, “You behave.”

Gowan narrowed his eyes again and walked over to Erin, still keeping his distance from her. “So, Erin.”

“So, Gowan,” Erin said, tilting her head to the side. “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” he nodded. “You’re very brave to come here, with a house full of wolves.”

“Gowan, stop being such a mutt,” Vikki frowned.

“It’s okay, Vikki. He doesn’t scare me.” Erin shook her head at Vikki and turned to Gowan. “Vamps aren’t scared of anything.”

“Is that so?”

“Do you have a problem with me, being a vamp?”

“What do you think?”

“You’re the mind-reader, not me,” Erin said and crossed her arms.

“I see Sam’s been talking about me,” Gowan muttered.

“I’ve got a friend that’s just like you,” Erin said with a small smile.

“And how is that?”

“She believes she can protect me from everything, even though I don’t need any protection,” Erin answered and looked at Gowan.

“Maybe you do, and you just don’t know it yet.” Gowan frowned at her and shook his head.

“You can only protect us so much,” Erin said simply.

“Are you sure you’re not a mind-reader?” Vikki walked over to her and Erin smirked.

“No, she’s got a way cooler ability than Gowan.”

Erin and Vikki whirled around and saw a young guy, who looked a lot like Gowan, but only younger, and not as brawny, standing in the doorway.

“Lee, it’s about time, you got here,” Vikki smiled, walking over to the guy.

“Hey Vikki,” Lee smiled as she hugged him and turned to Erin.

“Lee, this is-”

“Erin, nice to meet you,” Lee said as he walked over to her. “Sam’s been talking about you all week.”

“He has?” Erin frowned.

“Of course,” Lee nodded. “I’m Lee.”

“Nice to meet you, Lee.”

“So you’re the vamp?”

“I am.”

“Can you-”

“Lee, don’t even think about it,” Gowan warned, his eyes dark.

“Ah, come on, I want to see them!”

“My fangs?”

“Yeah,” Lee nodded.

“Rather not, Lee,” Gowan said with a frown.

“Why not?”

“Why not, what?” Sam asked, suddenly appearing in the doorway with Frank.

“Lee wants to see Erin’s fangs, but Gowan is a party-pooper,” Vikki said, crossing her arms.

“Oh, she showed them to me. They’re really something,” Sam smiled slightly.

“That’s not all she showed him, that’s for sure,” Frank said with a smirk.

“Dad!” Sam exclaimed.

Frank laughed and turned to Erin. “My dear, as you may have noticed, we are a very-”

“Tactless bunch,” Sam interrupted his father, and Frank playfully shoved him away.

“We are a very open family,” Frank continued.

“I can see that. It’s very refreshing actually,” Erin admitted. “My family is nothing like this. They’re very-”

“Stiff?”

“Stuck-up?”

“Pretentious?”

Erin looked over at Sam, leaning against a wall, his hands in his jeans’ pockets, with an amused grin on his face. She let out a laugh and answered, “All of the above, but I was going to say they’re not anything like you, and I like that.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Vikki pranced over to Erin and gave her a hug.

“You kids better get a move on,” Frank said.

“Are you not coming, Uncle Frank?” Vikki pouted.

“Unfortunately not. I might be too old for this party.”

“Nonsense Uncle Frank,” Vikki smiled.

“You young bloods have fun. I have some work I need to do,” Frank said and left the room.

Erin walked up to Sam and rested her hands on his wrists. “Are you ready to go?”

“If you’re ready,” Sam nodded and Erin let out an excited giggle as she also nodded. “You’re so pretty when you’re excited.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Not that you’re not pretty any other time,” Sam said with a frown.

“Okay, smart-ass,” Erin laughed and stood on her tiptoes, kissing him lightly on the mouth.

“Get a room, you two,” Lee exclaimed, and rolled his eyes.

“Can we go, please?” Gowan asked impatiently.

Erin and Sam looked over at Gowan and laughed happily.

Alex rested her head against the pillow next to her and stared at the television screen. She was watching an old black and white horror movie that momentarily lit up the lounge area every now and then in an eerie white glow. There was a soft creaking noise coming from the kitchen and she froze for a second.

“Come on, Lex, really? You’re a creature of the night for hell’s sake,” she muttered to herself and looked over her shoulder, obviously seeing nothing.

She turned back to the television screen, but when she heard the creaking noise again, she jumped up from the couch and whirled around.

In the corner of the room, hidden away in the shadows, was Nikolai, his eyes glowing ominously.

“Holy shit! You fucking scared me!” Alex exclaimed, throwing a pillow at him.

He caught it effortlessly and placed it on the kitchen counter next to him. “Evening Alex.”

“What are you doing here?” she asked, slowly walking over to him.

“Where’s Erina?” Nikolai asked.

“She’s with Scarlet,” Alex lied.

“That’s interesting, because I spoke to Scarlet a few minutes ago and she hasn’t seen Erina since she left the manor.”

“Really?” Alex cocked her head to the side.

“Stop lying to me, Alex,” Nikolai hissed and walked up to Alex. “You know I hate it when people lie to me.”

“She’s out with Sam.”

“Her new boyfriend, right?”

“Yes, she went to meet his family,” Alex stuttered.

“Where did they go?”

“I don’t know, really,” Alex frowned. “She didn’t want to tell me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Nikolai nodded and he walked around the living room. “There’s Erina written all over this place…” He looked up at Alex and gave her a crooked smile. “Nice rug, Alex.”

“Thanks. It was my dad’s.”

“I know,” Nikolai nodded and looked at Alex again. “Tell me about Sam.”

“There’s nothing to tell really.”

“Where is he from?”

“I don’t know. She never gave me specifics,” Alex shrugged.

“You’re her best friend, Alex. You must know something,” Nikolai frowned.

“She’s been very vague when it comes to Sam, and I have no idea why. Usually I can figure her out pretty quickly, but not lately.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s like she’s been closing herself up ever since she moved out of the manor,” Alex said.

“I’ve also noticed that.”

“Maybe it has something to do with her switch,” Alex said.

“I highly doubt that.”

“I want to ask you something.”

“If you must.”

“Something happened today…”

“What?”

“I gave Erin her rubies to wear and she got really aggressive with me.”

“Maybe it didn’t match her outfit,” Nikolai muttered sarcastically.

“Stop being a stiff. I’m serious.”

“Aggressive how?”

“Her eyes were really dark and she was stronger than usual. She managed to pin me against the wall with one hand,” Alex frowned. “That’s not something Erin would normally be able to do.”

“Yes, and my sister hates violence,” Nikolai nodded and looked at Alex. “When did this start?”

“Tonight was the first time.”

“Interesting.”

“What are you going to do?”

“What makes you think I am going to do something?”

“Because you always do, and you’ve got that look on your face.” Alex looked at him, feeling a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“Your perceptiveness is very commendable.”

“Nikolai, she is my best friend, you know that.”

“I do.”

“Just don’t do anything that’s going to piss her off, because you have a tendency to-”

“I am not an imbecile,” Nikolai glowered and within an instant, he vanished, leaving Alex alone in the dark.

“Could’ve fooled me,” Alex muttered and bit her bottom lip.