Chapter 5

            “Do you know what this would do to her to find out after all this time?” Mike asked.

            “I don't know, Alexandra must have told Talon about her. I don't know what to do.” Darla said pacing around. “I know Jayden is going to be angry, hell I don’t even know if he would want anything to do with her. Especially since he turned. This is all too much.” She said shaking her head.

            “You need to tell her, otherwise she’s going to find out from someone else and hate us,” Mike suggested.

            “You know it’s kind of hard to tell her about vampires, let alone a family,” Darla said shaking her head. “This is already hard enough on her. First her mom, then she moved here. And now she’s going to learn her dad is a vampire.”

            “Argh Darla if you don't tell her I will,” Mike growled.

            Mike stormed into the house; Darla started crying. Jade closed the window and laid down in bed to act like she was sleeping. Mike quietly opened the door and peeked his head in.

            “Jade are you asleep,” he whispered.

            Jade did a fake snore and turned to face the wall, Mike quietly closed the door. Jade opened her eyes and looked towards the door. She got out of bed, and went to the window, and opened it. She climbed out and jumped to the ground.

            “Whoa, slippery.” She said out loud.

            The snow slowly fell, the wind blew cold air. Jade rubbed her arms to try and make them warm. She wasn't sure where she would find the answers, but maybe this walk will help her. She walked into the middle of town, everyone sleeping. She sat down near the fountain, the water cold.

            “Hey there!” A girl’s voice said.

            Jade looked up to the approaching voice, she was with Ricky and Stephan.

            “Hi,” Jade said waving at them. She didn’t want to hear any more about the legends, she just wants to clear her head.

            “Jade I'd like you to meet my brother Rob and his girlfriend Kat,” Ricky said sitting next to her.

            “Hello.”

            The two waved and then smiled. “So, you're new in town huh?” Rob asked.

            “Yep, afraid I'm the new meat in town.” Jade rolled her eyes. “Don’t know how long I plan to be here; my Aunt is probably going to ship me off.”

            He laughed, “Aw man she’s funny, hey you want to come up to Mr. Hewsen's with us?” He asked.

            “Um I'm not supposed to go there, I don't really want to die,” Jade said shaking her head. She knew if she went with them, they might actually be her friend.

            “Don't worry Jade no one is there at this time of year,” Kat said.

            “Um okay, I guess I can take a look around since there isn't anyone in town,” Jade said.

            “Alright come on.”

            The snow picked up a little, the wind howled. Jade was freezing, she covered her face with her collar, and prayed the weather would turn nice. The four of them continued to walk, Rob got a flashlight out of his pocket and shined it down the darkened road.

            “You ready Jade?” He said jokingly.

            “Yeah, I guess, why are there legends about this place anyways?” Jade wasn’t expecting anything. She didn’t remember how to get back home. She would just have to get back to the square and retrace her steps.

            “I told you Jade vampires. Supposedly there are werewolves too, but no one has seen them yet.” Ricky said.

            Rob turned the flashlight on and walked in front of the group. He flashed the light left to right, hoping to see something to scare the girls. An owl echoed in the darkened trees, it made Jade jump. Kat held onto Rob's hand; Jade just shook her head.

            Rob stopped, as did the rest of them. He flashed the light onto a house and smiled.

            “Good no one is home; it means they are out hunting something. We can go in and look around.” Rob said.

            “Um we better not go in there, it's breaking isn't it?” Jade asked. “And I thought you said they were not here around this time of year?”

            “Well yeah, except they leave the house wide open, it’s like they don't care if someone comes in their house or not.” He laughed. “Besides you don't have to worry about anything if you're not bleeding. They can smell the blood of their victim.” Rod said.

            “Like I told Stephan and Ricky vampires only exist in the movies and stupid shows. They aren't real why do you guys think that?” Jade complained.

            “Well, tonight you will find out,” Rob said.

            “And how's that, you said they only smell the blood of their victim if they are bleeding. Guess what none of us are bleeding.” Jade said.

            Rob let go of Kat's hand and walked towards Jade. He stopped in front of her and flashed the light under his chin to give him an eerie look.

            “Stop it you're scaring me!” Jade cried.

            “Aw, what’s the matter Jade afraid of the dark.” Rob taunted.

            “No, I'm not afraid of the dark, you’re a jerk I'm leaving!” She spoke.

            Jade started to walk away, Rob grabbed her wrist and twisted it.

            “Ow stop you're hurting me.” She whined; it was the wrist that got hurt in the car accident. “Please let me go.”

            He pulled up her sleeve, and reached in his pocket, and pulled out a knife.

            “Let me go!” Jade begged. She tried to pull her arm away, he gripped it hard. “Please stop.” She said shaking her head.

            Rob taunted her with the knife before finally slicing her wrist. The blood rushed from her arm; her heartbeat rose. Rob pushed her to the ground and tossed the flashlight next to her foot.

            “Vampires come and get your next meal.” He yelled, he laughed. “Now you’ll know the legends are true.” Rob knelt and pushed Jade’s hair out of her face, he smiled. “I hope after tonight you'll believe in vampires.” He spoke. “Otherwise, we'll do this again, but a little cut on your wrist won’t be the only bleeding thing on you.”

            Kat, Ricky, and Stephan laughed. Rob stood up, and put his arm around Kat's neck, and walked away from Jade. She was bleeding pretty badly she took her jacket off to try and stop the bleeding. Her hands trembled, and she felt sick to her stomach. Jade was freezing, a distant scream startled her. Jade felt light-headed and passed out. Jade started to come around, her vision blurry and she was completely cold, she closed her eyes.

            “Hey, Garrett look it’s a girl.” A girl said.

            “It’s Jayden’s daughter,” Garrett said.

            Garrett and Lena slowly walked to the girl. Garrett knelt and brushed the snow off of her blood-covered jacket. He carefully unwrapped her arm.

            “She’s bleeding pretty bad!” Lena cried. “Her blood, oooh just one taste!”

            “No!” Talon said.

            “Why not these mortals they live by legends why not give them one?” He spoke. “Isn't it time to make a new one?” He asked.

            “No, this one has done nothing wrong to us.” He spoke. “Besides its Jayden's daughter, it’s his choice to turn her or not.”

            Jade slowly opened her eyes, her vision still blurry, her eyes meant Talon's for a moment before she blacked out again. Talon picked her up and took her inside the house.

            “Get some blankets, she's freezing to death.” He demanded.

            Lena went to grab some blankets, while Garrett went to get some warm water and a towel to clean the wound up. Garrett came back with the bowl of warm water and set it down by Talon's feet. Talon carefully removed her jacket and tossed it on the floor. He examined the wound; the smell taunted his thirst. Lena covered Jade with a blanket and went to sit in the corner to watch Talon work. Talon slowly wiped the wound; it wasn't as deep as he thought it would be.

            “Call Darla to have her come to the house, Garrett,” Talon said while looking at the wound. “I will finish up here.”

            “Okay.”

            While Garrett went to call Darla. Talon examined her face a little more closely. Her red curls made her as beautiful as her mother, her face the shape of Jayden’s.

            “She’s on the way,” Garrett said as he walked into the room.

            “Good.”

            “Should I call Jayden?” Garrett asked.

            “No need to I'm here,” Jayden said coming into the room. “How can this happen?” he said looking down at Jade.