Blood Mates

The New Girl's Secret

By lunch, everyone was talking about the new girl. So far Jasper had heard a million and ten things about her, and none of them seemed true. Some said she was fluent in Spanish and French, but had to take one as a requirement and had spent most of French correcting Madame Flowers.

Their meanest and strictest teacher was known for getting on kids for skipping or doing anything they weren’t supposed to do. Which in her opinion should stop at schoolwork and breathing.

There were also rumors she’d already rejected half of the male student population and had even their male teachers tongue-tied.

Jasper did believe some of those things. But he also knew Alaia didn’t seem like the teen mom sort, or the kind of girl to have an arrest record overseas. So he chalked them up to small-town kids getting too excited.

He sat down at his lunch table with AJ and his girlfriend Stella, and as the three of them talked another cram session for the SATs and ACTs, he got another glance at her.

Alaia was sitting alone with a book, she had her headphones in, and she seemed to be content in being apart from everyone. With no lunch tray in front of her, Jasper watched her read the thick paperback with invested interest.

“She’s cute,” Stella said seeing where Jasper was looking. “I heard she was an international spy,” AJ whispered teasingly. “Bullshit.” Both Stella and Jasper said making him laugh. Stella flipped her brown hair out of her eyes as she said, “She seemed like a nice girl when I met her in Biology. I bet she’s tired of these small-town hicks gawking at her.”

Jasper stood as he told them, “Which means she could use a friendly face.” Picking up an apple, Jasper walked to her, and Alaia slowly looked up and watched him walk the last two steps to her. As she took her headphones out, Jasper held out the apple, “Hey, I’m Jasper Wynter. We have homeroom together.” Jasper watched Alaia slowly accept the apple.

“Hi. I’m Alaia Knight. Pleasure.” Jasper smiled when she held out her hand for him and shook it. Her hand was small and dainty in his, soft to the touch like a baby’s skin. And when she slowly pulled out of his grip, he felt where her skin was on his.

And he weirdly missed the feel of it.

“Um, so where are you moving from?” Alaia grinned as she rolled the apple in her hands, “We’re coming from Italy.” Jasper turned a chair backward and sat down, “Oh that’s so dope. Have you ever lived in the U.S?” Alaia nodded, “All over basically.” She admitted, “We travel a lot because of my father’s job.”

Jasper whistled, “That blows, I mean not the filled pages in your visa. But the whole up and packing thing, hopefully, you could stay for a while.” Alaia grinned a little, “Here’s hoping.” Jasper stood, “Well I’ll leave you be to read, but if you ever want company, just let me know. I’m here.”

Alaia found the offer genuine and couldn’t stop the smile glowing on her face. As Jasper for the first time was hit by the full force of how gorgeous Alaia truly was, his feet became glued to the floor as her soft red lips thanked him for being so nice.

But Jasper didn’t want to be nice suddenly. He wanted to flirt and try his hand in getting Alaia to maybe agree to go out with him. But he had three problems with that.

1.   Alaia Knight was so far out of his league, Jasper didn’t see a point.

2.   He had never had to flirt before, and doubt he’d do it well.

3.   Alaia had a huge sign on her forehead that said go away.

Which Jasper respected. She was just moving to town Devil’s Horns and he knew she’d need more than a day to settle in. Or want a boyfriend.

So as Jasper began to walk away, he glanced back only to see her stand and the long-chain on her neck glistened in the light. It looked like a crucifix, with a black obsidian cross, there was a huge red jewel shining at him.

Turning around a foot from the table Jasper said, “Cool necklace.” Alaia grabbed it on instinct and watched Jasper as he jerked his thumb at a table of conservatively dressed girls, and a bunch of buttoned-up boys.

“If you’re looking for people who share your beliefs, the bible club kids are over there.” Alaia smiled widely, “I’m good. I keep my beliefs close to my heart.” James winked, “Same.”

When he left her alone, Alaia quickly vanished out of the cafeteria and went into the bathroom. Pulling the necklace out of her hand, Alaia looked at the jewel burning her hand.

Pulling her hand away as it slowly healed, Alaia looked in the mirror tiredly. Licking her lips, Alaia felt her stomach growl in hunger and groaned as she felt her body protest as she tried to deny her hunger.

She’d fed this morning, it should have been enough but she had gone through the whole day. Warm bodies tempting her, everyone getting too close. It had been almost too much.

Until him.

Jasper Wynter had been a refreshing change and Alaia was grateful one person had made it easier on her. By being nice, respecting her personal space, and not trying to pump her for as much information he could.

Alaia rolled her neck as her mind raced. She could hear the heartbeats of hundreds of teenagers plus staff, smell their raging hormones, and pumping blood. It was enough to drive her insane, and she was sure she was about to lose it.

When of course a girl walked into the bathroom. She went to the bathroom and when she came out and saw Alaia assumed she was overwhelmed. And Cassie Brian was not one to leave someone feeling down.

“Are you okay?” Alaia looked at the girl and smiled, “Yeah, fine. Just a little pooped after a long day. It’s an adjustment at any new school.” Cassie grinned a little, “Well if you need anything.”

Alaia smiled at the sweet offer, “I actually would if you don’t mind?” Cassie faced Alaia with a smile but as the beautiful girl in front of her morphed into a monster, it turned into fear as Alaia backed her into a corner.

“I need your blood.”

Cassie couldn’t scream because the next minute Alaia had her fangs in her arm, and Cassie was left paralyzed and confused as her mind drew a blank. After Alaia finished feeding, she met Cassie’s glazed eyes.

“You won’t remember this,” Alaia told her flatly, “You just remember coming into the bathroom, using the restroom, washing your hands, and leaving. You didn’t see me here.”

Cassie softly mumbled, “I didn’t see you.” Alaia washed the couple drops of blood off Cassie’s arm and sent her on her way. As her veins settled from her meal, Alaia naturally straightened herself up without needing to look in the mirror and walked out of the bathroom