my past.
Grandma gifted it to me shortly after vampires had killed my parents. She insisted I use it to protect myself. Shortly after the attack in the alleyway, I left Anchorage to live with her in Seattle.
My chest clenched at how much I missed my parents. They didn’t turn into vampires but died from being completely drained, and by some miraculous fate, I survived. It shouldn’t be possible and I still didn’t understand why I didn’t change into one of them, why the vampire freaked out after tasting my blood.
It took me years to come to terms with losing my parents, years to embrace the new ability I’d gained from the vampire attack… a strange power to sense death and the supernatural. I still didn’t fully understand why I ended up with such power, but I used it to fight the bastards. Anything to get back at what they took from me.
The vehicle that eventually pulled up in front of the hotel was an Escalade, with its windows tinted so dark they had to be illegal. I got into the back seat anyway and watched the downtown city streets roll past in muted, subdued colors. Apart from confirming my identity, the driver said not a single word. I was grateful for that.
Pulling into the long, curving driveway felt a little bit like coming home. I passed him an extra tip as I hopped from the car. With a thanks, he pulled away less than ten seconds later. I made the journey up to the wraparound porch alone, my footsteps crunching in the loose gravel of their driveway. The house was huge and rounded at the front, and the shadow it cast bathed the grass in darkness. I vividly recalled Lian’s father half kneeling as he replaced the front steps in years past. Before my parents passed, I had spent just as much time here as I did at home. And being here had my stomach turning with a strange feeling. Being in Anchorage brought back heartbreaking recollections about what I’d lost, yet it also held my fondest memories from before the attack. It was a strange thing to feel both anxious and excited about a place.
“V!” The door flung open before I got the chance to reach for the bell. Lian burst out in a flurry of energy and threw her arms around me. She wore black leggings, boots, and a white puffy sleeved shirt with gold buttons down the front that suited her so perfectly. “Oh my God, it’s so good to see you!” She pulled back to look me in the eye. “I can’t believe you’re here again.”
“Honestly, neither can I.” I tried to keep my voice light, but we both heard a somber tinge. The second time she hugged me, Lian squeezed hard, and I hugged her back. There was something comforting and reassuring to visit her, and when we met up , I always wished I’d done it more often.
She pulled back and studied me, grinning. “Damn, how have you been, girl? And did you dye your hair brighter, as it’s super pink and super amazing. Maybe I’ll get these,” she flicked her short hair, “colored. Been thinking of going green.” She’d cut her dark hair into an adorable pixie hairstyle, and it suited her cute face. Lips pouty and cherry red, she smiled wildly at me.
“Do it.” I laughed at how adorable she looked. “How’s life with you, anyway?”
She shrugged. “Okay I suppose. Dad’s been getting me into the business a lot more as he wants me to get more involved in the managing side of things.”
“That’s exciting.”
“Yeah, I guess. Anyway, let’s get inside before we freeze.”
I glanced indoors through the front door. “Are your parents home?”
She shook her head. “They don’t even know you’re here yet. I wasn’t sure if you’d want me to tell them right away.” She grabbed me by the hand and pulled me into the front hall. “Come on in. The coffee’s all ready.” And as I followed my best friend through to the enormous kitchen with the granite countertops, the tension I’d been carrying began to melt away.
“Remember that night we tried to make popcorn and started a small fire on the stove,” I mused.
Lian cut me a narrowing gaze. “Mom still reminds me of that. She didn’t pay me pocket money for months.”
“Which was why, I gave you half of mine.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I missed you, babe.”
She blew me a kiss. “I’m so