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  “You became a vampire, Kimmy, not a robot,” I told her. She was acting different. I felt guilt building up inside of me. Her life was thrown into a whirlwind and changed completely, and it was my fault. I would never forgive myself.

  “Sorry, I’m just a little nervous,” she admitted. She finally smiled and made me feel a little better. I was still in disbelief that this was Kimmy.

  “What did you do to her?” I asked, looking at Ezra. He laughed.

  “How have you been?” I questioned her, fighting to keep my emotions at bay. I wanted to pull her in and never let go. Standing there with Kimmy made me realize how much I had missed her.

  “I’m okay now. It was difficult at first, but Ezra’s been teaching me how to fight the urges.” She stopped and looked up at me. It was clear that she wasn’t comfortable talking about it. She didn’t have to say it, I already knew what she meant, the urge to drain humans dry. Ezra called it a blood addiction. All new vampires have to learn to control themselves before they can be let out into society. Apparently it’s like being addicted to drugs … or worse. He said you never taste anything so amazing in your human life so once you have blood for the first time you go crazy for it.

  “Come on, you have to blow some candles or something like that. Don’t ask me, I don’t understand the tradition, but Gavin and Axle said it was necessary,” he said, pulling me away from Kimmy. I was angry that he was taking me away from my friend, but I was probably being rude to the rest of the party.

  A few guys from the B team showed up and wished me a happy birthday. They don’t work with us every day; they are the back up if we need more people on a job. They come watch me on their lunch break. I’m the amusement for the entire building. They laugh as I stand next to Gavin, thrusting my hands out at a bottle trying to move it, or the time Gavin brought in a broomstick and tried to teach me to fly. Apparently, the joke was on me. Witches don’t fly at all, but everyone got quite a laugh as I tried. I can remember how humiliated I was jumping up and down on the broom. They finally stopped me when I tried going to the roof to get a head start.

  “You look like you’re thinking about me again,” Axle whispered in my ear.

  I didn’t realize I was smiling while I reminisced. “No, Axle, my expression looks nothing like this when I’m thinking about you.”

  “I have that effect on women,” he teased. Leave it to Axle to come up with something completely offensive. I smiled as everyone stood around the desk and sang happy birthday. I breathed in deeply and blew out hard. Each flame flickered, staying lit, and everyone began laughing. Chatting continued as I bent back down and blew again, this time each flame died out. The talking stopped instantly. The silence startled me and I jumped.

  “What happened?” I asked, looking at Robert and Ezra for an answer. Everyone’s eyes were locked on me in astonishment.

  “Yay!” Kimmy yelled, clapping her hands and breaking the silence. Everyone looked around and started laughing. I was flabbergasted; it was candles not magic. Did they not understand how a candle works? Or maybe I accidently spat on the cake and they were all grossed out.

  Ezra got me an iPad and Robert got me a spell book. I didn’t know what I would do with a spell book if I couldn’t do magic, but I was grateful. The guys from the B team all got me a pointed witch’s hat and a new broom. Gavin gave me a gift certificate for a relaxing day at the spa, and Axle said he didn’t believe in giving gifts unless it was the actual day. I would be scared to open a gift from Axle in front of a crowd of people anyway.

  “Thank you everybody, this was really great,” I stated, smiling. I had a blast just hanging out with the guys and seeing Kimmy. Soon after I opened my presents she stated that she had to leave.

  “Sorry I didn’t get you anything. I’ve been a little preoccupied,” she said, hugging me.

  “Don’t even apologize, it’s fine. I should be allowed to come see you more often now. Maybe Ezra will loosen up his leash,” I said as our hug ended.

  “Emily, it wasn’t Ezra that wasn’t allowing you to come see me, that was my decision. Ezra has been bugging me for a month now. I didn’t feel ready,” she stated, laughing softly. She kissed my forehead and left me to my thoughts. I didn’t understand why Ezra didn’t just tell me. Maybe he was protecting me from getting hurt. I must admit it was easier thinking that Ezra was keeping us apart, instead of Kimmy. People filed out soon after. I dropped cake off at the front desk for Bob as we all walked out of the building together.

  “Man, you guys, that was awesome. Thank you,” I stated, giving them all a hug goodbye. I climbed into Ezra’s car and buckled in. I noticed he was staring at me. He leaned in for a kiss and I backed away.

  “What’s wrong? I can’t give you a happy birthday kiss?” he asked, smiling. I knew his games all too well.

  “Are you trying to kiss me because it’s my birthday or to make Axle jealous?” I asked. He turned around and started the car.

  “Fingerprint,” he stated, holding his finger in the air. His disregard for the question gave me my answer. Sometimes I wanted him to be able to hear my thoughts, and then he would know how the game they play against me hurts. I wasn’t sure if either one of them truly liked me, or if I was a prize in a contest.

  “Did you like your party?” he asked, noticing I was being quiet.

  “I did. I was so excited to see Kimmy. But I must admit I was disappointed that you didn’t really have a case I could help with,” I admitted.

  He laughed. “Em, you are the last person I would ask for help with a case.”

  I was offended. “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing, I didn’t mean anything by that,” he explained. I couldn’t let it go, he didn’t take me as a serious agent. Why would he, I couldn’t perform a spell to save my life. We rode the rest of the ride home in silence. I was beginning to dread getting in Ezra’s car. Our rides started with fights and ended in silence. It took what seemed like forever to get home. I got out of the car and grabbed my presents. I wasn’t going to say goodbye, but he caught my arm as I started towards my place.

  “Can I come up and talk to you?” he asked, giving me the adorable puppy dog eyes. I couldn’t resist.

  “Yeah, whatever. Make it quick, I’m tired,” I fussed and stormed off. He took a few of the bags from me to carry. He knew I was only playing tough. As much as we fought, I couldn’t stay mad at him for too long. I unlocked the door and threw my things on the couch. Taking my hoodie off, I placed it on the table with my purse. I turned around and found Ezra watching me. He grabbed my face and pulled it to his. Laying his lips on mine, he kissed me with softness and passion. The weight of his body pushed me backwards until I had to step back. He kept coming toward me until my back was on the door. I touched his face and ran my fingers through his stubble. He picked me up and started to the bedroom, gently nipping at my neck as he made his way back. He threw me on the bed and stood staring at me. I pulled my t-shirt off, thankful that I had worn a sexy black bra. Ezra crawled on top of me and kissed my cleavage. My body ached for him to do so much more.

  “Wait, Ezra, we can’t have sex,” I told him between pants. He put his head on my chest in defeat.

  “Why?” he whined into my neck. His teeth were fully extended telling me this excited him.

  “I’m just not ready. Although, you could bite me if you want,” I offered.

  “That does nothing for me,” he stated playfully.

  “Does nothing for you? Whatever, it does something for the both of us,” I answered. I felt like snapping and pointing at my neck. I had only been bitten by Ezra twice, both happened in the same night. Once for pleasure, orgasm after orgasm of amazing pleasure, and the other was to wake me from a spell-ridden dream.

  “Okay, you’re right. I love it, but I feel like you’re using me for my teeth,” he pouted.

  “Baby, I’m using you for much more than your teeth,” I said, kissing his luscious lips. I ran my hands up and down his back. He felt soft and smoo
th under my fingers. He started kissing me down my face to my neck, breathing in deeply as he teased the skin with his fangs. A soft moan escaped my lips. He didn’t wait this time, as he bit into my flesh. The sensation took me by surprise; I didn’t feel the amazing pleasure like I had felt before. This time I felt powerful, as if I was filling up with strength. My muscles tensed up until they began to ache. It felt wonderful, just not the way I was expecting. Maybe the last time had been a fluke and this is what I was supposed to feel. I felt in control, energy was flowing through my blood. It was extremely intense, like I was going to combust. Suddenly I felt an urge coming on. I couldn’t control myself as I ran my fingers behind Ezra’s head pulling him closer. He jerked his head, biting down harder. I let out a low chuckle. I wanted to be afraid of my emotions, but I loved them. The smell of blood intrigued me. I could no longer hold myself back. I thrust myself into his neck and bit deep into his skin. He flew backward off of the bed.

  “Ow, Emily, you bit me,” he yelled, grabbing his neck. He had a set of perfect teeth marks imprinted into his skin. I bit at my lip, tasting the delicious flavor on my tongue. I was mortified and embarrassed, but at the same time … I wanted more.

  “Oh my God! Ezra, I am so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I felt … strange,” I said as I tried to find the words to explain.

  He chuckled nervously, rubbing his neck. “It’s okay, Em. I’ve just never been bitten.”

  “Yes you have. You wouldn’t be a vampire if you had never been bitten. Let me see it,” I stated, making a valid point. I grabbed his hand to move it away. The bite was deep and oozing blood. I winced.

  “It will be fine, it will heal in just a second. And yes, you’re right, I have been bitten before I just don’t remember it. That was a very long time ago.” He still had blood on his lips, but his eyes were bright blue. Usually they turn blood red when he’s feeding. He got up and walked into the bathroom.

  “How long ago was that exactly?” I asked curiously as I followed him. I grabbed a towel and cleaned the blood. There was quite a bit trickling down my neck since he had pulled away so suddenly. I put some water on the towel and wiped at the mess.

  “That’s a very personal question,” he snapped.

  Leave it to me to ruin a perfect night.

  “Okay, that’s a personal question. Sorry I asked. So what happened at the party when I blew out my candles? Everyone got quiet all of the sudden,” I asked deciding to change the subject.

  He snatched the towel away from me and started wiping at his neck. “Oh, they were trick candles,” he said.

  Those bastards were trying to trick me and I busted their joke. Ezra groaned.

  “Ezra, I don’t have rabies. It will heal,” I fussed. He was still vigorously cleaning his neck.

  He threw the towel down unto the counter. “That’s the problem, Emily. It’s not healing.”

  Chapter Two

  “That’s impossible Ezra, let me see it,” I said, grabbing his arm and standing on my tippy toes to get a good view. I half expected him to yell just kidding as I leaned in closer. He didn’t, and the ragged bite mark was still there.

  “I’m sorry, Ezra. I really didn’t mean to,” I apologized for the tenth time since it had happened.

  “I know you didn’t mean to, Emily, but you did and now I have a bite mark on my neck,” he fussed. I felt guilty enough as it was, I didn’t need him yelling at me to make me feel worse.

  “Well, you bit me, too! So now we’re even,” I said, showing him my neck. He glanced over and did a double take. He grabbed my neck and pulled me closer. He started wiping my neck and moving my shirt around. I was just about to ask him what he was doing when he let go and answered.

  “Emily, your bite mark is healed,” he stated in shock. I grabbed my neck to feel for myself, searching in the mirror for any evidence of a vampire bite.

  “Holy crap! What the hell is happening?” I asked, scared to death. I should have been excited to learn that I had super powers like the guys, but I knew Ezra was pissed. The look on his face gave him away.

  “You are not to tell anyone about this, not even Robert, do you understand?” he demanded.

  “Why is it I’m always having to keep cool things I did a secret?” I asked, more to myself than him. I thought steam was going to blow out of his ears after my comment.

  “This is not cool, Emily,” he yelled and stormed out of my apartment, leaving me with a mess to clean up.

  “I thought it was pretty cool,” I huffed when I was sure I was alone. I took a shower, and checked my neck again. I moved my hair back and forth around my neck, checking every inch just in case the bite marks were hidden. I decided to give up and go to bed; it was getting late.

  I woke the next morning feeling refreshed and relaxed. I reached for my phone and called Ezra, figuring he’d had enough time to cool off by now.

  “What, Emily?” he asked, answering on the first ring. Apparently he wasn’t over what had happened.

  “Hey, I just wanted to see if you were okay,” I said, speaking softly.

  “No, I’m not okay,” he stated matter of factly.

  “Ezra, don’t be like this. I want to help. I feel horrible,” I admitted sadly. I didn’t know what I was thinking calling him, I knew he wouldn’t be over the incident this quickly.

  “You can help by leaving it alone and not saying anything else about it,” he warned.

  “Fine,” I said, but he had already hung up the phone.

  “Nice talking to you too, jerk,” I yelled at my cell phone. I decided to stop feeling sorry about what had happened. I didn’t mean to do it, it was an accident and Ezra would just have to get over it one day. So I got out of bed, got dressed, and went to the mall. I used to work as a 911 operator, but since I wasn’t allowed to leave Ezra’s house for a week or two I was fired. That’s when Robert asked me to be a part of his team. I was not only excited to have a paycheck again, but I was also happy that I would get to see the guys every day. I had grown close to them on our adventure. The job paid way better than being an operator and I didn’t have as much responsibility. That sounds strange, seeing as I work for the FBI, but really I stayed in a room waving my arms around.

  After I had spent plenty of money at the mall, and bought enough clothes to restock my closet, I started home. I drove by 7-Eleven and decided to stop in for old time’s sake. I used to come in every day and pick a paper up for my mom, but ever since she was reunited with Robert she has been out a lot more lately. Now, I rarely have to do anything for her. I put my newspaper and some change on the counter.

  “Hi, Billy! Long time no see, how are you?” I greeted my old friend. I still couldn’t come to terms with the fact that he was a vampire.

  He had a strange look on his face. “Emily, there is something different about you,” he said as he handed me my change.

  “I know, I’m a witch now. Bye!” I replied and walked out, heading to my mother’s house. When I walked in and threw the newspaper on her coffee table, I was surprised to see she wasn’t watching the news. My mother watches the news religiously. I walked into the kitchen, and the smell of fresh baked cookies filled my nose.

  “Mom, that smells amazing!” I exclaimed as I gave her a hug. She was dressed in a nice pair of new jeans and a beautiful blue top. She was even wearing high heels, a first for my mother.

  “Thank you, Emily. I wanted the house to smell nice for my guest,” she replied, implying that I should ask her more about her secret guest.

  “What are you going to do with the cookies?” I asked, smelling the delicious aroma. My stomach growled, reminding me that I had missed lunch.

  “I don’t know. Don’t you want to know who my guest is?” she asked. I knew it was killing her so I didn’t pry. It was too easy.

  “Nah, I have to go. Love you,” I said, grabbing a hot cookie and kissing her on the cheek. I ran out before she could respond. I knew for the rest of the night she would be itching to call and tell me who
was coming over. It was probably one of the old dudes from her church. I really didn’t want to hear the details of my mother’s love life while mine was in shambles.

  When I got home, I began unloading the bags from my car. Afterwards, I decided to go for a run. It was colder than usual outside, so I put on a pair of sweat pants and a hoodie. Grabbing my iPod, I started out. I caught Gavin dressed to the T in the hall, leaving his apartment.

  “Hey, Gavin! Where are you off to?” I asked.

  He seemed slightly uncomfortable for a moment and then smiled. “Hello, Emily, you going for a run?” he asked, laughing. I really didn’t like working out, but lately I had been very good at it. I didn’t mind so much anymore.

  “For your information, yes I am. I am getting good, you should come running with me sometime,” I offered as we walked down the stairs together. As we got to the bottom, he continued walking straight to his car as I walked the opposite direction to the trail behind our apartments.

  “Thanks, maybe I’ll take you up on that. See you tomorrow,” he called out, waving. I returned the wave.

  “Why is everyone being so secretive lately,” I spoke to myself.

  “It’s the moon,” a female voice answered me back. I turned around, but didn’t see anyone.

  “God? I always knew you were a woman,” I stated. I heard laughing from above.

  “Up here,” a girl called out, starting down the stairs of my apartment building. It seemed like she was on the second floor opposite side of mine. She skipped down the stairs two at a time.

  “Hi, the name’s Dee-Dee,” she greeted me, sticking her hand out for me to shake. I accepted it and shook back.

  “My name is Emily, but my friends call me Em,” I replied. She was a short girl, probably five feet tall with long black hair. She wore a massive amount of black eyeliner and had straight bangs hiding her forehead. She was a cute girl, with a tiny button nose and bright eyes. She smiled and it lit up her face.

  “Well, Em, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation with yourself,” she replied.