Visionary and the Vampire Tracker

Chapter 11

That night I fell asleep, exhausted thinking about the day’s affairs. I couldn’t help but worry about who Conrad was speaking to, and what about. It replayed in my head until I couldn’t think. I just sank beneath the covers and prayed for a restful night's sleep.

My prayers weren’t answered. I had a terrible nightmare. More fangs, grabbing, a crown and something else I couldn’t make out. It was all flashes of images that translated into a throbbing head when I woke up. Immediately I knew I had one of my migraines. Or was it visions? I didn’t know at this point. All I knew was, if I could choose not to have this ‘gift’, I would. Pain is never fun and I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.

I glanced at my alarm clock. It was still early, and I knew I wasn’t going to get any more sleep. I huffed out of bed, walking over to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee, when my doorbell rang. That was odd. It must be Rachel, I thought. She sometimes loses her keys on a night out and would do the walk of shame to mine to grab the extra set I had. I opened the door expecting to see Rachel looking guilty, but it was him. Conrad. Even at 5am he looked beautiful, with perfectly tousled hair and bright green eyes. Before I could even form a sentence, he said, “Coffee?” with a cheeky grin.

I slowly closed my gaping mouth and nodded while I stepped aside to let him in. He was holding two coffees in those holder things. He walked over to my coffee table and set them down. I closed my door and slowly walked over to the couch. He sat down on the other end and then handed me my coffee. Immediately I got up, knowing I needed to add 2 sugars, and went searching for my sugar pot.

“It’s already in there,” he said.

“What?” I said, confused by his statement.

“The sugars. I already put 2 in there for you.”

“Oh,” I said, dumbfounded. He remembered.

I slowly made my way back to the couch, sat down and gingerly took a sip. It was perfect. Waiting for my mind to become awake, I looked over at him. He was sitting leisurely and drinking his coffee. He looked comfortable, in his element, while I on the other hand, was on edge.

“Wait,” I said while shaking my head, “how did you even know I was awake?”

“I don’t think you want me to tell you that.”

His answer stunned me. What did he mean by that?

“No,” I said stubbornly, “I need to know.”

He avoided eye contact and said, “What do you think you know about vampires?”

I searched my mind for all the things I’ve read or watched about vampires. Dracula popped into my mind first, then Twilight and then all the ensuing vampire hype of the early 2000s.

There was always something about being in the sun, sometimes the mirror bit, not sure if the garlic thing was still the lore? Apart from the super-speed, eternal life and freakish strength, I couldn’t think of anything I really knew about the species.

Was I sure I wanted to dive into this unknown world? A world I knew I was a part of, whether I liked it or not.

“Why don’t you just tell me the basics? A simple rundown on Vampire101,” I said.

He sighed and set down his coffee on the table in front of him.

“Until you decide you want to be a part of this world, I’m not sure it’s safe to tell you everything, Zoey,” he finally said.

I nodded my head. The truth was that I really wasn’t sure. I wasn’t sure what I wanted out of this. If I wanted to participate in it.

If I said no to everything, did that mean Conrad would leave too? Would me being with him be something impossible if I turned my back on what he is?

“Okay, I think you should leave now. Thank you for the coffee, but I think I need some space,” I said. “I also need to get changed for work,” I admitted.

“I understand,” he said, “I won’t come into the diner today, but I cannot promise what I will do tomorrow.”

I sighed. A break for one day. A break from his searching eyes that pierced into mine. I hated to admit it, but he had gotten under my skin. And I wasn’t sure that it was a good thing. The things he made me feel…it felt amazing and dangerous. But I also knew I really knew nothing about him. I just knew how he made me feel.

I led him to the door and closed it once he left.

I still needed to get ready for work and the time had flown by while he was here. I needed to get ready stat if I wanted to make it on time.

I put on my uniform for the day and stumbled out of my apartment, determined to put vampires out of my mind for the day.