Karolina Life as a Vampire Chapter 16

Karolina Life as a Vampire Chapter 16

SIXTEEN

Erik kept his arm around my waist all day long, he never removed it. During the day he had scooted over to lay flush against me, his bare chest pressed up against my back with each deep breath. When I shifted his arm held me in place. I rolled my eyes at him. I tried again and this time succeeded. I silently pulled the bed sheets off my body and softly made my way to the door. My hand touched the door knob when I jumped out of my skin.

“Sleep well?” Groggy from sleep. I turned to face him, his eyes were still closed.

“Yes, and you?” I asked, my back against the door.

“I wasn’t the one having trouble.” He stretched and sat up, the covers pooling in his lap. I could have drooled. His hair was tangled and statically charge, it reached out to grab hold of anything near it. He rubbed his eyes like a child, it was cute. His hair, as if in slow motion, slid over his shoulders. “How I slept is irrelevant.” He didn’t look at me. His eyes avoided mine as he went to the closet to get a fresh shirt and pants. I took my leave when he unzipped his fly. I shut the door and leaned my back against it. My heart was pounding in my chest.

“What is wrong with me?!” I asked myself at loud.

“I’d like to know that as well.” Alex emerged from his room, eyes avoiding me as well. “When you have an answer, not bullshit, see me.” He trudged down the stairs. I bonked my head against Erik’s door. He asked who it was. I ran to my room to change.

I should have stayed upstairs. I entered the kitchen to see Evol when a pair of high heel boots caught my eye. I ignored them until I was done with Evol. I helped her by setting up the tea tray, I placed the cups on top of their saucers while Evol readied the tea. I back up when I was no longer needed and immediately screamed. I scared Evol.

“What’s wrong dear?” She asked soothing my quivering shoulders. I pointed to the problem, who sat with her feet on the beautiful table.

“What are you doing here?!” I barked.

“Surprise!” She took her feet down and stood up, she was taller than me to begin with but now she was a foot taller. Those boots were made for kicking, and kicking my ass was what she was going to use them for. “Are you glad to see me? I had to come by and stir things up for you.” She scrunched up her nose and passed me. “Do you need any help Evol?” She asked innocently. Evol declined her offer since I had done everything needed before hand. She turned her attention back to me.

“Don’t say a word, just get out, you’re not welcome here.” I put up a hand to stop her words. She spoke anyway.

“Seeing as I’m the oldest in this house I make the rules.” Evol made a face at that.

“Seeing as I’m still the Master of this plantation age means nothing.” Colken appeared from the study, a book still in hand. I recognized that book very well. He glared at Raven and then at me.

“Of course Colken, whatever.” She waved her hand in his direction, blowing him off.

“I don’t care how old you are you don’t talk to Colken like that!” I defended Colken? Holy crap.

“Enough! I have a head ache.” Evol pinched the bridge of her nose. Rae started to apologize and blamed everything on me. I just took everything with a pinch of salt and crossed my arms. Colken bolted from the room when Erik entered stage right. Vance came up behind me and bent down to my ear to ask what was going on, while Raven was yakking Evol’s ear off. I shook my head and said, “Don’t ask.”

“Oh Vance! How are you, I haven’t seen you for years!” Raven pushed me into the pantry to hug Vance. The contents inside rattled when my body came in contact with it. She looked like she was strangling him and his expression backed my theory up. I pushed off the pantry to right myself.

“Don’t push me in my own house!” I pushed her so she was standing at an angle from Vance now.

“Pay back for shoving me at the bar, Skank.”

“Are you trying to ruin my life?”

“It’s my life long goal, Sweetheart.” She said snidely. The patio door opened at his moment, enter Alex stage left. Raven skipped over to Alex and hooked arms with his, he leaned away from her when she invaded his personal bubble. “How does it feel Alex to know that the girl you love is in love with none other than Erik.” Alex’s head snapped in my direction.

“I never said that!” I waved my hands in the air. Erik looked at me and then at Raven. Evol was nursing an raging migraine now. Vance move past me to comfort her.

“Cheater lies! Cheater lies!” Raven pointed an accusing finger at me, still hooked on to Alex.

“I’m not a cheater!”

“Than why were you in Erik’s room all day!” Raven shouted. Colken came back into the room now.

“What?” Colken asked, his question drowned out by my defense.

“We didn’t do anything!” I looked at Erik for support.

“Nothing happened.” Erik vouched.

“Why go to him when my room is closer to yours!” Alex yelled. Raven’s eyes were glowing again.

“I figured you didn’t want to see me!” I yelled at Alex.

“Yeah Karolina, why didn’t you go to your boyfriend?” She gave Alex a tug, then gasped. “Unless you are seeing someone else!” She pointed at Erik.

I blacked out again.

Raven and I were on the floor wrestling around the tiles. My hands were around her neck squeezing. Everyone around us were in a frenzy, shouting and trying to pull me off of her. She flipped us over and now her hands were around my neck but they weren’t trying to rip my head off my shoulders. Her eyes were aglow as if on fire, I could literally feel the heat from her gaze on my face. Then I smelled something burning. Erik ripped Raven off me with one swoop. Before I could ask what was burning I was doused in the face with a cup of tea. Sputtering I sat up and shook my head like a dog.

“Raven control you temper!” Erik yelled. Raven shoved him aside and stomped down the stairs that lead to the cellar.

“There are too many hormones in this house.” Evol moaned, shaking her head.

Silence erupted throughout the house. Alex and Erik awkwardly left the room, leaving me on the floor dripping raspberry tea down my nose.

“Why am I drenched in tea?” I asked.

“Raven’s possesses the power to control fire, she can spontaneously set things on fire just by sight and enough conversation.” Evol sighed, gripping her forehead.

“That bitch set me on fire!?” I growled.

“Hence the reason you’re drenched in tea.” Vance pointed out.

“I hope she has a heart because I’m going to drive a stick through it.”

After changing for the second time tonight I thought it would be best to sit outside and cool down before braving another episode of That’s so totally Raven. Big mistake. Alex was stretched out in the grass staring at the crescent moon. The others had dispersed around the house finding anything to keep their minds off of the tension between the five of us. I exhaled and decided that he could deal with my presence for the time being. I sat myself down on the stone wall erected to keep the rose bushes at bay. Alex looked over at me.

“Made up your mind?” He asked, turning his gaze away when I looked at him.

“I’m confused Alex, I need more time to figure this out.”

“It should be the easiest choice Lina.” He stated flatly.

“What shirt I’m going to put on is an easy choice, my feelings are more complex than that.”

“You know how you feel so just say it already.” Alex snapped.

“What do you want me to say? I don’t know how I feel, can’t you understand that?” I was getting frustrated with him.

“No I can’t.” He forcefully got to his feet and whipped around to face me. “I know how I feel about you, even though I’m so angry and hurt by your actions. I’m in love with you.”

“Love is a strong word Alex, it’s only been a year.”

“Love knows no boundaries.” He stated.

“Love is also blind.” I countered.

“Shut up Lina.”

“Gladly.” I pushed myself off the wall. I was suppose to be able to cool down not get more heated.

“I didn’t mean go away, I meant for you to stop skirting around the issue.”

“You’re forcing me to make a decision, here and now, when I’m not ready!” I was throwing my arms in the air.

“Erik forced you into becoming one of us! Yet listened to him!” Alex growled.

“He never forced me! Up until the last second of my human he gave me the choice of turning back. You weren’t there, don’t assume you know him!”

“I’ve known Erik three years prior before you bumped into him at the bookstore!” Alex advance on me. “He obsessed about you.”

“Protected me.” I defended him.

“Call it whatever you want.” He looked me square in the eye. “If this situation was switched, meaning Erik was in my position, would you defend my honor like you are defending his right now?”

“Of course I would!” It was the truth. Alex studied me for a moment before sitting down in one of the patio chairs. The metal screeched against the stone. He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t believe me, I could tell by his stance.

“What exactly do you want from me?”

“The truth.”

“You want more than the truth, you need some kind of validation.”

“I just want the truth.” Alex repeated.

“I’ve given you the truth and you spat it back in my face every time.”

An eternity of agonizing silence as Alex put the fragments of thoughts together to create his next sentence. Perhaps he was calculating my answer to his question and think up a response for that one as well. All I know is that I would have killed for anyone to invade the tense atmosphere. I wouldn’t go as far as Raven’s company however.

“I love you, Lina.” Alex, at last, broke the silence. I looked at him, his hair turned into a face. “Did you ever feel that way about me?” I chewed on that for a bit before choosing my next words carefully.

“No, I like you a lot Alex, but I don’t love you, yet.” Again it was the truth. I saw that my words had hurt him, he winced, turning his attention to a patio stone. A short pause.

“And how about Erik?” He looked back, carefully, over his shoulder at me.

“No, I never felt that way about Erik either. However I cannot deny the fact that he’s very attractive.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “That doesn’t mean I don’t find you very attractive, I do.” My voice had lost the edge it carried from the beginning of the conversation. If you can call this a conversation, this is more like a recipe for break-up cake. Add Erik, crack on bowl, mix well until frothy then fold in jealous boyfriend. Bake for a week until burnt to crisp.

“Has he told you that he loved you?” Add the touch of curiosity for flavor.

“No.” He didn’t have to, I felt it. I remembered back to the kiss he gave me before the depression. I could even go further back to my changing. The way he made the inception intimate and gentle. I smiled, remembering how I felt. The heat rose within my face. I gasped silently, covering my mouth. Maybe I was fooling myself. Alex stood and walked over to the door that lead in to the kitchen.

“If the obvious answer doesn’t come to you about your feelings than maybe we should break it off.”

“That’s not fair Alex.”

“What’s not fair?”

“That just because my feelings don’t align with yours that you can just call it off. I’ve had other things to think about during the last year, my emotions were invested elsewhere.”

“Lina, that’s a poor excuse.” That hurt. It was like everything that I had gone through hadn’t of mattered at all. This last emotional episode especially.

“Accept it.” I spat.

“I changed to you know, I had to deal with the emotions of a new born fledgling as well, but that didn’t effect the way I felt about Viktor.” He blurted out.

“Your creator?” I absorbed that piece of information.

“If you were in my position would you go through with it, knowing what you know now?”

Alex didn’t answer me for the longest time. He just stared into my eyes searching for the right response. Was there even a correct answer?

“Yes.” He said at last.

“Why?”

“Viktor.” His eyes glaze. “I won’t say anything else.”

“Why such a shock?” Alex asked as I pulled a face.

“You’re a hypocrite.”

“Elaborate on that for me.” He furrowed his brow .

“You fell in love with your creator and now you’re getting on me because I’m attracted to mine!”

“This is different.” He turned to face me. “You and I are in a relationship.” He gestured between us.

“Not anymore.” I pushed past him. I was tired of this. “I can’t be with someone who treats me like an object. I’m sick of being the bone in this dog fight. You can assume whatever you want and the same goes to Erik, I’m done.” I slammed the door shut.

I buried myself in the chocolate satin sheets begging sleep to come. The night was still young but I desperately wanted an escape from all this. Frustrated I beat the pillow senseless until pounded into a much softer cushion for my noggin. My hair glided down my face, I could smell my shampoo mixed with the aroma of the blood I had consumed before laying down. I could hear Raven and Erik bickering from the parlor, their conversation muffled by the layers of building material. I heard a door shut quietly, latching into place with a click down the hall. Must be Colken.

He and I have something in common. Other than Erik. We spend most of our nights in our rooms. I had a pretty good idea of what he was doing, creating a beautiful masterpiece that would be stowed away in his closet, never to be seen. Shame.

The sheets hissed as I ran my naked foot from side to side in boredom. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the rhythm my foot was making with the sheet. I stared blankly into the back of my eyelids. I blew out making my hair jump with glee and I ceased my foot movements. I changed position to my back, placing my arms over my face. I breathed in and out until my limbs disappeared until there was nothing left of me, only space and mind.

I walked along a wooded dirt road keeping a steady pace. My right foot caught a rock and I flung out my arms in an attempt to keep standing, quickening my pace to help. I laughed at my clumsiness and continued to follow the path. Above me a pale blue sky danced between the tree tops as clouds swirled within. I hadn’t seen a day sky in so long. I had forgotten how beautiful it is.

I shifted my gaze to the right of me when a rustling noise was made. I slowed my walk a bit as I searched the woods. I saw a huge dark animal staring at me. It was a mass of black, all I saw were the red eyes glowing. I swallowed a lump that had formed in my throat.

“Stay.” I pointed at it as I spoke the word, my voice shivered a bit.

I slowly continued down the path until I was a good distance from the creature and took off into a run. The dirt road curved slightly up a small hill then sharply to the left down a much larger hill. My feet left the ground a few times as I ran, I tried not to scream. I heard a roar and my body went cold. I skidded to a halt at the bottom and looked behind me. The creature was flying above me. It was a dragon. As the wings flapped above, the force of the powerful wings caused a gust of wind to crash upon me. The trees swayed and forest debris kicked up around me. I dropped to my knees and shielded my face and head. I heard branches fall from above crash the surrounding area. When the wind died down and the last branch had fallen I dusted myself off and cautiously continued on my journey. I was alerted to a small stream up ahead by the calm trickle of water. The stream had cut into the path, eroding it’s way to create a miniature grand canyon. Easily I made it to the other side, the edge gave way a bit under my foot and I stepped away before I could fall in.

I heard the roar again. I looked up at the sky and searched between the tree tops for the dragon. Reality shattered around me. The scenery cracked and fell apart, the ground beneath my feet splintered and I fell.

Everything was white as I plummeted further and further. The dragon flew upwards, from below me and exploded into a bright light. I shielded my eyes. When I opened them, that tablet from within my mind stood where the dragon had been.

My eyes fluttered open against my forearm, my lashes gently kissing my skin. I removed my arms from my face and lifted myself up on my previously folded arms. I made a face as I reflected on the dream. That tablet had to mean something otherwise it wouldn’t be popping up in my dream, and that earlier dream had something to with it as well. I contemplated talking to Erik about all this but pushed back under the carpet when I thought about how that might look to Alex. However I shouldn’t care about what it looks like because they can assume all they want. I’m not in love with either one of them.

End of story.

I swung my legs off my bed and stretched. I had only been asleep for an hour. Now what? The house had become too quiet. Which seemed odd since the loud mouth Raven was, to my knowledge, still at the house. I turned on my radio and put the volume on low as I made my way to the door. My foot edged the stairs when a voice from behind scared me.

“Sneaking out?” Colken asked, scaring me.

“N-no! Everything went quiet, just curious.” I spun around to face him, pointing frantically down to the first floor. He was peering out of his room, I could see the easel with the painting he was working on just behind him. Realizing that I had taken interest in the painting he looked over his shoulder than at me before caving in and opened the door in a welcome gesture. He stood aside as I came to the doorframe. The painting was oil on canvas and of draped sheet on the wall being held up by pins. It’s simplicity was breathtaking.

“You’re thoughts?” He inquired coming up behind me.

“It’s a shame that no one will see it.”

“I’ve seen it, you have seen, my good deed is done.” He went over and took up a small brush and signed his name.

“Could I have one?”

“Absolutely not.” He scrunched up his face like he was disgusted by my request.

“How much for that one then?” I pointed.

“Not for sale.” He started to put all his paints away. “You may leave now.”

“You invited me in here.” I sat down on his bed. “Don’t get snappy.”

“The invitation has expired now please escort yourself out.” He took down the painting and set it against a wall to dry before folding the easel and storing it away in his closet. He didn’t emerge from his closet and that’s when it dawned on me that he was waiting for me to leave. I felt the rift that had begun to close between us suddenly crack and drift further apart than where we started. I felt my shoulders slump knowing all my hard work was tossed to the way side now, thanks to Erik. Forcing the door back on it’s hinges produced a mouse like squeak to alert Colken that I was leaving.

The first floor was quiet, the parlor was empty as was the dinning room and kitchen. The study, however, was occupied by the only vampire, other than myself and Colken, in the house. Evol sat in her favorite chair with a book perched on her lap, as she read over a certain line her lips gently curved up into a smile. I knocked softly on the frame of the doorway. Her head picked up from the depths on her book to look at me, her smile widened. She gestured for me to come in and offered me a seat. I placed myself beside her in the adjacent chair. She placed her marker in to remind her later of her place then turned her attention to me.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you, it was just so quiet.” I said.

“You could never disturb me.” She placed her hands over the book and turned more in my direction. “Erik is with Raven in the barn, she showed some interest in his collection. Vance just left to check on them, he’s hoping Raven hasn’t done anything destructive.”

“You mean she hasn’t left?!”

“No, she’s waiting for her ride to get here.”

“Ride?” I quirked a brow. “You mean she didn’t drive here?”

“She lives with another coven member in a vampire housing community. A great invention for those of the new generations, like yourself.”

“I can’t take another Raven.” I slouched in my chair.

“Katja is completely opposite from Ms. Winters.

“That’s her name? She’s not from around here is she?”

“Originally she’s hails from Germany.”

“Interesting, maybe she knows the bands that I like from there.” I thought out loud.

“I think you’ll fair well with Katja.” I nodded. I didn’t know how someone could live with a beast like Raven and come out tame. There was silence between us for a short while.

“How are you Lina?” She asked.

“I’m doing alright, I could be better.”

“I hope I’m no intruding on private matters, but, I was not present at the club, could you perhaps shed some light on this situation?” Evol asked timidly.

“You have every right to ask, Raven was spilling most of it in the kitchen anyway.” I wondered where I should start. Of course Evol knew of the jealousy between Alex and Erik, so I didn’t have to go to far back. “Basically what happened was I had that drink they serve on the second level of Vamp Pyre. It’s a mixture of human and vampire blood. The effects were much like alcohol and Erik and I shared a dance…and a kiss.” I didn’t look at her. “Raven of course has to stir things up. To make matters worse I slept in Erik’s room, nothing happened, I just couldn’t sleep. Alex says he would have let me in but I highly doubt it. To conclude Alex and I are no longer together and I’m sure he thinks I’m to go running into Erik’s open arms. Which isn’t true, furthest from it.”

“What a mess.” Was all she said as she absorb me situation.

“Life bites.” I leaned on the arm rest, laying my head in my hand.

“That would explain why Alex left in such a hurry.”

“He did?” I looked up at her.

“He spoke of Seth and left without another word.”

“Who’s Seth?”

“A friend of Alex, another vampire. He’s not a member of our coven although he could have been if he wanted to.” Evol crossed her leg and smoothed out her dress. “I suspect he will be staying with Seth for a while.”

“Shit.” I mumbled. Evol blinked at my curse. “I’m sorry.”

“Quite alright.” Evol reached out, her delicate fingers took hold of my hand. “Do you care for Erik?” She asked gently.

“I care for you all.” I avoided the question. She didn’t press the matter which I silently thanked her for.

“I’m sure Alex and yourself will make up and be right as rain before you know it.” Evol shook our hands with a smile. I nodded and hoped that she was right. There was a knock at the door and Evol rose and excused herself from the room. I heard the muffled voices of Evol and the new vampire named Katja but I stayed put. Cautious that this vampire perhaps thought of me differently then what Evol had told me. I looked over where Evol had been seated moments before and glanced at the book she had been reading. It was Much Ado About Nothing. I decided to leave it there so she could finish it later and left the study to brave the outdoors.

The moon was high in the night sky placing a heavenly glow upon the earth. My vampiric vision allowed to see the nocturnal in all it’s glory. I walked down the path the would lead me to the barn where the others were but I veered off to the left into a small wooded area. The trees were young and thin and swayed with ease as I made my way through, leaves from the autumn past crunched beneath my feet. I choose a spot in the center to think over things, I cleared the area of dead leaves and twigs before settling myself down. Unfortunately I had not seen a rock, I rubbed my sore behind and removed the intruder. Once comfortable I began to babble. Out loud.

“I can’t believe Alex left, I mean, I know we just broke up but he didn’t have to leave. This is his home too. How girly of him to just get up and leave. So Hollywood leading lady of him.” I laughed at my comment. “Okay maybe that wasn’t so nice but it’s true in a way. Who is Seth? I don’t remember him mentioning a Seth to me, if he’s Alex’s friend then we should have been introduced.” I crossed my legs in front of me. “Maybe he’s another vampire that had been changed by Viktor?” I quirked a brow. “Why do I care? I don’t! Ah another brilliant discovery Dr. Karolina of Oxford University you are smarter than any man!” I imitated what I thought an old professor would sound like and then continued in my normal voice. “Thank you, thank you, you are much too kind. Oh! Is that for me?” I reached out and took the imaginary award batting my eyelashes. I rolled my eyes at what I had just done and banged my head against the trunk of the tree. “Oh wow, insanity is sweet.” I closed my eyes embarrassed by my display, thanking anything and everything that Vance wasn’t around to witness this Oscar performance. I heard the screeching of the barn door and jumped out of my skin. Not only does it pierce your eardrums it makes your organs bounce about. I clenched my teeth together as the sound echoed through the night. I saw Erik coming out of the barn looking irritated and annoyed. He was rubbing his temples and I could hear his heavy breathing from here, I could tell he was trying not to lash out at whatever made him mad. That’s when I heard Raven’s voice complaining about the cars in the barn. Talking about how the Ferrari is the wrong color and it’s not the best model. “Who care’s? It’s a freaking Ferrari!” I whispered rolling my eyes at her remark. “Plus it’s authentic, imported from Italy herself.” Vance and Raven appeared from the barn, Vance looked annoyed too. I figured it was from Raven’s never-ending whining than what she was complaining about. Erik grumbled and disappeared, I heard the patio door open and close. Poor Vance, now he’s left with to deal with her. Once I heard the patio door open and close again I dusted myself off and slowly walked back to the house.

When I entered the house Erik was continuing to nurse his throbbing temples in the kitchen, leaning on the countertops. He didn’t know I was there. I quietly walked passed him to the parlor where Evol and Vance were having a quiet conversation and Raven was nowhere to be found. Evol and Vance acknowledged my presence but before I could ask them anything a loud screech came from above. From somewhere upstairs a door slammed shut followed by the sound of stampeding footfalls all the way down until the thudding became a vampire. She stood in the entrance way to the parlor from the hall and screamed, “I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH ZIPPERS!” I stared at her blinking with confusion. Evol and Vance cowered under her strong voice.

This was Katja. She wore a wine colored hoodie and dark wash jeans and sneakers with elastic that held the foot in without the use of laces. The design was that of skull and cross bones that ran all over her dark shoe. Her nails were painted a metallic blue that clipped at her tips. Her hair was short and braided on each side below her ear and in the brightest copper strawberry color I had ever seen. Her eyes were the fairest shade of blue gray, they were glass like. Freckles graced her cheeks as if they were sprinkled on by a pastry chef.

Katja flung herself onto the couch where she proceeded to zip and unzip her jacket. I looked from Evol to Katja and back again. I pointed to the vampire lying on the couch and Evol nodded. Indeed this was the Katja that had been previously mentioned. Vance sat down in the chair behind him while Evol excused herself. The continuous sound of the zipping made my eyes turn back to Katja who was staring at me. I adverted my eyes for a second before coming back to meet her gaze.

“I like zippers.” Was all she said as she zipped up her hoodie for the last time.

“I can see that.” I said. Vance stayed quiet.

“Come, pop a squat!” She removed her legs and sat up right drumming the cushion next to her. I accepted her offer.

“What about Velcro?” I asked.

“It’s overrated and the sound is annoying, it sticks to everything and crud gets stuck in it when you wash it. You can never seem to remove the fuzz from it’s clutches.” She mimicked a Hollywood monster, bearing her teeth and creating claws with her fingers.

“Plus it’s childish.” I added.

“Good point!” Katja added that mentally to her list.

“What about those Wheelie shoes?”

“Agggh should be banned and made illegal. Anyone wearing them should be punished by Chinese water torture.”

“We’re going to get along just fine.”

“Uh Huh.” Katja held out her hand and introduced herself, I did as well.

“However buttons are pretty useful.” Vance broke his silence.

“Buttons fall off.” Katja and I said simultaneously. We looked at each other with our mouths open.

“Wow.” I gasped.

“You can say that again,” After getting over the shock she continued, “A zipper will never let you down. I, for one, have never had zipper trouble.” She smiled, proudly.

“I sure hope so!” Katja and I shared in a good laugh while Vance looked lost.

Evol popped out from the kitchen holding a tray and she set it down in front of us. There was a new container sitting next to the kettle. Gothic metal designs curled around the semitransparent dark blue glass. The liquid inside danced about until settling down like the sea after a back storm. Katja clapped her hands and began to pour the tea, thanking Evol of course.

“I can see you two are getting along quite nicely.” Her smile beaming.

“You were right.” I admitted.

“About what?” Katja reached for the foreign container. After removing the top I could smell its contains. Blood. She took her spoon and poured it onto the silver surface. It looked so beautiful. She added it to her tea as well as another, stirred it well then took up the kettle again and filled another cup.

“How many spoonfuls’ for you Karolina?” She offered.

“Oh…um…one.” She added one spoonful of blood to mine stirred then asked Evol and Vance. Vance declined the offer and opted for the original flavor. Evol copied me. Katja licked her lips before taking a sip. Her feet tapped on the floor and she made a child like noise in complement. I smiled at her display. I was a bit apprehensive about my own tea, I’d never had it prepared this way but I couldn’t say no to her offer. It smelled the same though the tint was a deeper red than usual. The first sip tasted as if there was nothing added at all, but the after taste reminded me of the blood. It wasn’t a bad thing, just unusual. I took a few more sips until I was use to the new experience. Erik emerged from the kitchen, he looked better, his Raven induced migraine must have dissolved.

“So good of you to finally join us.” Vance raised his tea cup.

“Tea?” Katja offered.

“No thank you.” Erik reclined in one of the chairs near the window.

“Is Raven gone?” I asked.

“She’s out in the car. I told her I wanted to meet you before I left.”

“You left her in the car?”

“She’ll figure it out eventually that I’m not coming out anytime soon.” She smiled evilly, it was a good evil though.

“How do you live with her?” I asked.

“You learn to go deaf.” I snorted. She laughed at me. “It’s the truth, sometimes you just need to block her out. She’s a nice person she’s just had-” The front door abruptly opened, the thick wood slamming against the wall. Raven stood seething. “Speak of the She-Devil.” Katja sipped her tea, her entrance didn’t phase her.

“Raven please be careful this house is rather old.” What came out of Evol’s mouth was a clean version of what she really wanted to say. I guarantee it.

“Are we going home or what?!” She yelled like a two year old.

“I’m spending quality time with my new best friend.” Katja wound her arm around my shoulders.

“Someone call the asylum, she’s officially cracked.” Rae rolled her eyes. “She’s not you’re best friend.”

“Don’t be jealous you cow.”

“Give me the keys so I can drive home!” She put out her hand. Katja didn’t move. “Now!”

“RAVEN!” Erik snapped. “You’re 331 years old! Act like one!”

“I suppose I should follow you’re example?” Rae snapped back.

“Raven get in the car I’m coming.” Katja gulped down her tea and turned to me. “It’s been fun but I got to run.” She hugged me.

“You shouldn’t have to go because of her, you just got here.”

“I’ll come back later this week, we’ll take a trip up to the mall. I need to get more zippers and earrings…and maybe some socks…”She dazed off into the things she needed before shaking herself and coming back to me. “So I’ll pick you up…let’s say Friday and,” She turned to Evol, “You’re coming with, we need to introduce you to some pants.” She smiled as she skipped over to where Raven stood and waved goodbye. I sprung up when the door closed, I opened it again. Raven was already in the car, Katja hadn’t even opened the door yet.

“Do you have a cell phone?” I asked.

“Why, you need to make a call?” She asked back.

“No, I want your number.”

“Oh Erik has it on his phone. I don’t remember what it is.” She laughed. I could hear Raven bickering at her from within the car. I waved at Katja for the last time before she revved the engine of her forest green Trans Am and sped off.