A Heretic and Some Vampires

Chapter 12

I pull back and look up at him in shock and happiness.

“Really? Why would you want to be with me?” I ask.

“You are incredibly beautiful. You’re talented and kind, and you care about others before yourself. Your personality alone draws me to you. Your blinding beauty is just a plus for me. I understand you have trust issues because of what you have been through, but I want to be the person you turn to when you need to talk about things you can’t tell everyone else. When you learn to trust again, I want to be the first person that you trust. I want to earn your trust, and I know this is a little forward, but I want to be the person you spend your life with if you’ll let me.” He whispers as he tucks a lock of hair behind my ear.

“Ok.” I smile after a minute.

“What?” He asks, surprised like he wasn’t expecting me to say that.

“Yes, I would love to be your girlfriend.” I smile brightly as I wipe a tear from my eye.

Isaac picks me up and spins around as he kisses my cheek.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I promise to make you the happiest girl in the world.” He smiles brightly, kissing my forehead as he puts me down.

I giggle at his happiness as he takes my hand.

“You ready for dinner? I think Brent is here.”

“I’m ready.” I smile up at him as he intertwines our fingers.

“Have you decided what to do about the contract?” He asks as we leave my room and walk to the dining room.

“I’m gonna sign it.” I smile shyly.

“Really? I’m so happy for you.” He says, lightly squeezing my hand.

“Thanks.” I chuckle nervously.

“Ready?” He says, stopping in front of the door to the dining room.

“Yeah, let’s go.” I smile back, and he opens the door, letting me walk in first.

“Clementine, good to see you again,” Brent says brightly as I take my seat, with Isaac seated to my right.

“You too. How have you been?” I ask politely.

“Very well, thank you. Shall we get business out of the way?”

“Yes.” I nod.

“Have you read the contract I gave you?” He asks as Kat and Andrew serve dinner.

“Thank you,” I say to Andrew as he smiles encouragingly. “I have read the contract, and I’m pleased with it,” I tell him.

“I’m glad. So you understand everything?” He asks.

“Yes. And I’ve made my decision.” I pause as I take a deep breath.

“And what’s that?” He smiles, looking a little nervous.

“I’ve decided to sign it,” I tell everyone with a bright smile.

“Great!” Brent smiles brightly.

“Congratulations, Kebab Queen,” Dante says happily from my left as he covers my hand with his own. Don’t get me wrong, I think I could fall in love with Isaac, but there’s just something about Dante that puts all my worries a million miles away whenever he’s near. I love that about him.

“Thanks.” I chuckle.

“I’m proud of you, baby,” Isaac whispers to me.

I look at him and smile brightly. “Thank you,” I say, kissing his cheek as I blush.

I turn back to everyone, and they are all looking at us knowingly. I blush deeper and sip my water.

“Do you have the contract on you? We can sign it and get it out of the way and enjoy dinner.” Brent asks happily.

“I’ll just go get it.” I smile as I stand up.

I leave the dining room and hurry to my bedroom to get the contract.

When I got back to the dining room, I could hear everyone talking in a whisper about something and me being me; I decided to eavesdrop.

“Isaac, you have to tell her,” Dante says.

“Why do I have to do it? She’ll hate me. I only just got her.” Isaac replies sadly.

What are they talking about? Tell me what?

“She has a hard time trusting anyone, son. If she’s going to take it in calmly from anyone. It will be you.” Andrew says sadly.

“She’s a smart girl. I’m surprised she hasn’t figured out that you’re a family of vampires on her own.” Brent says.

‘Vampires?’ I think to myself.

I lean against the wall and think.

All those times that Kat knew what I was feeling, all the times that Zac had finished my sentences, all those times Isaac had said he just had a ‘feeling’ of where I would be. I go to sleep before anyone else. I wake up after everyone else. How do I know if they actually sleep or not? And their hearing! Their strength. They eat, but I never see them drink anything other than what I thought was red wine. Maybe it was blood.

Oh my god. I live with a family of vampires! But they’ve never posed a threat to me. They’ve never tried to hurt me. In fact, they actually get upset when I’m hurt or they’ve heard me talk about Tash. This family cares about me. Especially Isaac. He’s just asked me to be his girlfriend. He wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t at least like me. Right? And he promised he would never hurt me. Kat did too. She said the boys loved me and promised me that the family would always protect me. This family cares for me and would never hurt me.

‘I can trust these people. They care for me and trust me. They invited me into their home and have taken care of me ever since. Andrew met me and heard me sing; that same day, he made a meeting with Brent, who I assume is also a vampire, to talk about a record deal. Which I am currently holding the contract for in my hands. I have nothing to be afraid of. And to be completely honest, it’s exciting. I’ve never met another magical being before, now I find out I’m living with a family of vampires. I feel like I’m living in one of my books. I wonder if they have powers.’ I stand against the wall, thinking as I breathe to calm my heart.

“I hope she didn’t hear us talking,” Isaac says sadly, and also sounding a little anxious for me to return.

I walk into the dining room with the contract clutched to my chest.

“You’re back. I was just about to come and find you.” Isaac says as he relaxes.

“I heard you all talking,” I say as I stand behind my chair.

Everyone looks at me, shocked and a little scared.

“Clem, please don’t be scared,” Kat says as she stands up and walks towards me.

“I’m not,” I whisper with a smile.

“You’re not?” Isaac says with hope in his voice as he stands up.

“No. I’m not. I was a little when I first heard the words, but I was just standing outside thinking it over and, you all have had countless opportunities to hurt me, and none of you did. You all were comforting when I told you about Tash. You encouraged me with my singing. You’ve all cared for me since the day I arrived.” I pause and look at the boys, who still look worried. “We watched movies together. Played games and jokes on each other.” I look to Kat. “We’ve done each other’s makeup and helped each other get dressed. I made your dress, and the look on your face said everything your mouth couldn’t. Andrew, the first day you met me, you made the meeting with Brent for a recording contract. And Brent, from the first day I met you, you’ve told me how amazing my voice is and gave me praise. Even talked to other people you work with about me. Dante, you’re Lord Smoothie.” I smile at him brightly as tears prick my eyes.

“Kebab Queen,” Dante says with tears in his eyes.

I turn to Isaac as I put the contract on the table.

“I don’t even know how to explain my feelings toward you, Isaac. I trust you more than anything. And now I understand why I feel the way I do about you. I know how you feel right now, and you don’t need to be worried about losing me.” I whisper as I place my hand on his cheek.

“How did you know?” He asks sadly.

“Since I know I can trust you all, I’ll tell you about me. After I sign this contract.” I smile brightly, which he returns.

“You’re still signing?” Kat asks, shocked but happy.

“Yes.” I smile as I pull out a pen.

I sign all the pages I need to sign and hand the contract and pen to Brent. He stares at me in shock before smiling and signing it himself. He hands me back my pen and stands up. We shake hands.

“Thank you, Clementine.” He says with a genuine smile.

“Thank you,” I say.

Everyone sits down, and we eat dinner, talking about the contract and a few meetings he needs to organise, asking what days and times would suit me.