Our Story - The Beginning

Chapter Four

Later

They were walking back from Nova’s dorm when Brayden and Tristan drove up. “Hi,” Cat said surprised. Brayden shut the car off and the two got out. Brayden kissed Cherish pulling her flush against him. They stayed like this for some time.

“Um... have you guys seen Garret?” Tristan asked looking away as Brayden’s hand moved down from Cherish’s waist to her butt.

“No, why?” Cat asked on guard.

“He hasn’t been around much for a couple days,” Tristan shrugged. “I was worried.”

“How well do you know him?” Cat asked.

“Not very. I’ve known him for almost two years but he’s always been kind of distant... sort of like a serial killer.” Rowan almost laughed. Tristan’s eyes, now an intelligent brown, rested on her. “Although, he really does seem to like you.”

“That’s the problem,” Rowan muttered.

“What?” Tristan inquired. Cat opened her mouth to respond but Rowan’s mental voice cut her off.

/What are you doing?/

Cat immediately connected all the three female vampires out of instinct. /We need to trust them./

/No, we don’t./

/Rach-/

/Cat, you saw what Garret did to Jesse./

/I trust him./

/Okay, it’s your call./

/God... yes... Brayden, screw this heavy shit, let’s just go to the back of your car and-/ Cat and Rowan cut their connection abruptly, not wanting to hear the rest. Cherish pulled away from Brayden startled. She blinked then smiled sheepishly. “Sorry.”

“Garret almost killed Jesse,” Cat announced.

“Uh-huh,” Tristan said flatly.

“You’re not surprised?”

“I am,” Tristan said. “I never thought he’d actually kill someone. Are you guys sure?”

“He threatened Jesse then Jesse showed up with two puncture marks on his neck,” Cat said. “Yeah, we’re pretty sure.”

“Did you check the human’s mind?” Tristan asked.

“Any thoughts on the attack were vague or blocked entirely,” Rowan said.

“Do you want us to go look for him?”

“Please,” Cat said. “For now let’s just focus on finding out what happened.”

“I’ll be in touch,” Tristan promised. He pulled Brayden away from Cherish and back towards the car. “Be careful,” Tristan told Rowan, “when Garret wants something he doesn’t stop until he has it.” The two guys got back into Brayden’s car and drove away.

“That was foreboding,” Cherish said. We walked a little further, we were now at a part of the road where there was a large drop off on the side, protected by a guardrail. We stopped, leaning on the guardrail.

“That wasn’t helpful,” Rowan said.

“No,” Cat admitted grudgingly then brightened up considerably. “But now we know those two aren’t evil.”

“True,” Rowan allowed. “Okay, so now what, O fearless leader?”

“Now I guess we find Garret,” Cat shrugged.

“That won’t be necessary.” The three turned. Garret stood in front of the ravine on the other side. He looked dark, dangerous, and... sexy.

“This is your fight,” Cat told her friend. “But you’ll have our help.” They concentrated, sending her their strength.

“Why did you attack Jesse?” Rowan demanded going over to Garret and glaring up at him. Garret almost smiled, she was cute. However, he knew that smiling at her when she was that angry wouldn’t be smart.

“Why would I attack Jesse?” Garret retorted. “I told you before, sweetheart, I don’t hurt dumb animals.” Rowan growled and launched herself at him. They went tumbling down the ravine. She had the wind knocked out of her as his hard body landed on hers, pinning her to the forest floor. “Now, aren’t we moving a little fast?” he asked in a soft purr.

“Get off,” she growled struggling.

“Keep squirming like that and I might,” he said his breath catching as her body brushed against his. Rowan had a very normal reaction for someone of her limited sexual experience: she blushed, and then she slapped him, hard. His response was a low, angry growl. “I’d like you to think about this for just one second. You’re all alone. I could kill you before your friends found us. Do you really want to fight with me?”

“You have no idea of how much,” she said. To her surprise he just laughed and got to his feet.

“Rowan, this is stupid. If I had killed Jesse why would I deny it?”

“I... don’t know.”

“Besides, why would I kill him? There’s no honor in killing something so much weaker that you are. He’s not even worth my time and energy.” Rowan growled softly and hit him. His eyes narrowed but he still made no move to retaliate. “Keep that up, baby, and I will hit you back.”

“Scary.”

“You have a nice right hook, princess. You should rethink your stance. Our side is much better.” A slow smile spread across his face. “A wise man once said: ‘there’s no crime in giving yourself over to pleasure’.”

Rowan raised one eyebrow. The bad guy is into my favorite movie. She gave herself a mental slap. Bad guy, main word there. Even if he is cute. Then the little voice in the back of her head (you know, the one that always tells you the things you don’t want to hear?) spoke up. Cute? He’s into the land of adorable. Then her logical side spoke up. Did I veil my thoughts? “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a complete pig?”

“Yes,” he smiled. “But you think I’m adorable.” Her eyes widened and a blush colored her cheeks. “C’mon, Rowan, am I that bad?”

“Yes! You tried to kill my boyfriend!”

He rolled his eyes. “Is he dead?”

“N-no.”

“Then it wasn’t me.” She felt the power that Cat and Cherish were sending her kicking in. She tackled Garret taking him to the ground. “Ya know, I always thought you’d like it on top.”

“Do you ever stop?”

“No.” With a shaking hand she pulled out a stake. “Nice sense of justice, sweetheart, killing an innocent man. Do it quick.” Rowan slammed the stake into his shoulder. “Damn...” His eyes now puzzled, met hers. “Why?” A stake to the shoulder was painful but usually not fatal.

“Stay away from me, stay away from Jesse, just get the hell out of my town.”

He reached up and pulled her down so her lips were inches away from his. “Face it, sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere.” She pushed herself off of him and he got to his feet painfully.

“Don’t call me that!” She glared up at him. “Next time I see you that stake won’t be aimed for your shoulder,” she warned. He pulled out the stake and threw it away before walking over to her.

“You’ll never get this chance again, see, I know something you won’t admit. He will never make you happy. He’s too tame. I can take you places and teach you things he never could, things you never even thought about before. Besides, I make you feel like he never did. You want me.”

“I don’t.” Right, that annoying inner voice whispered. As if. Even you aren’t buying that one. Give the guy a break, you staked him and he’s not even mad.

He grinned obviously catching her thought. “When you’re ready to stop lying to yourself just let me know.”

“Go to hell.”

He merely chuckled. “I’ll see you around.”

“Garret,” she said looking into his dark eyes pleadingly. “Please just leave.” He didn’t answer. He simply reached out and gently stroked her cheek before walking away. She took a deep breath and climbed up the ravine. Cat and Cherish were there asking numerous questions. Rowan simply said that she didn’t want to talk about it and walked back to their dorm.

Two days later

Rowan had gone through a second exchange with Jesse the previous day. Now she was sitting on top of the hospital, waiting until she could go back inside. Jesse had told her that he wanted to complete the change. He had also said that he wanted to spend eternity with her. That’s what she wanted too... Right? After this whole thing with Garret she wasn’t sure anymore.