Veronica with Rush

“I just want a little taste,” Courtney purrs. “Show us your neck, little one,” she asks again, but as I have hold of one hand, and she’s holding her brother’s, I know they won’t succumb to Courtney. But the little girl starts to hug onto my leg.

“Back off,” I say angrily.

Courtney stands up, coming eye-level with me. “Do you know who you are talking to?”

“No, and I don’t give a flying fuck. If you do that shit again, I will make sure you’re never allowed near the band again. If I have to, I will stake your black heart myself.” I don’t know if I have that kind of power when it comes to the band, but her going near an innocent child like she is nothing but a meal crosses a line.

She smiles at me. “I am going to drink you fucking dry; show me your neck.” I just look at her. “Show me your neck,” she shouts like a lunatic.

“Leave now, or I will get security and that will be even more embarrassing than it already is right now. Everyone is watching you make an idiot of yourself.” She looks around the room, and everyone is watching.

“Show me your neck,” she screams again, her eyes completely black, her teeth on show.

“Abigail, get security,” I say sternly, and she heads off to find them.

“Fuck this shit.” Courtney charges at me. I raise my hand and she bangs into an invisible wall. She tries hitting it, but she can’t go near me or the kids. “What magic is this?”

“Magic you can’t even start to comprehend. If you don’t leave, I will turn you to dust.” My gift doesn’t do that, but she doesn’t know that.

“Rush?” She looks at him.

“Just go, you went too far.” He shakes his head at her.

“Me go too far? I remember where we loved going after innocent children,” she spits at him before leaving. Security arrives as she gets to the doors; seeing she is leaving, they follow her out.

“Hey, are you guys okay?” I bend down, and the little girl wraps her little arms around my neck, her body shaking in tears. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re okay.”

“That lady was so scary; I thought she was to kill us. Are you a witch?” she asks me, her arms still hugging me to her.

“I wouldn’t have let that horrible woman hurt you. But no, I’m not a witch; I’m something else,” I sigh. “Let’s go take you to your parents.”

“It’s only my dad; my mom died giving birth to me.” She sniffs, her voice going quiet, my heart starts to break for her.

“Let’s go to your dad; I am sure he is missing you.” I take hold of her hand after I stand.

“I know we could have died, but that was awesome,” the boy says, and I laugh.

We are almost at the door when I hear my name called out. “I still need to sign the book,” Rush says, taking the autograph book, writing a message, and then signing his name. “Give Veronica here your address, and we will give you and your family a VIP experience. Limo at your house, backstage passes, front row seats, the works.” He gives her a guilty look.

“Zeke said we could get tickets, but oh my god, that would be amazing! Thank you.” The little girl smiles up at him. “Oh, and don’t hang around ladies like that; they are bad news,” she tells him, causing him to laugh.

“I will try my best,” he laughs.

“Vampire or not, it doesn’t hurt to be good,” is all she says before we start walking again.

I am smiling when heading for the door, but the smile soon falls when I look back to see the band members standing next to one another, looking at me. I look at them, my body once again heating up before I look away.

I have been in their presence for an hour, and already, it seems this job is going to be a lot of hard work.

Rush:

“What the fuck was Courtney hinking?” I shout to the room. Courtney is over two hundred years old and she still acts like a spoiled teenager. I haven’t drunk human blood from a person out of cruelty in over eighty years, and I don’t want to. Don’t get me wrong; if a girl offers me her neck, I will have a little taste.

But fuck me, when Veronica was teasing me with her neck, telling me I could have a taste, I almost came undone.

Seeing her with those children, standing up for them? I just wish someone had done that for me all those years ago.

I remember drinking from a child, the blood warm on my lips, the warmth seeping through my entire body. But when I saw a blind little boy, obviously calling out for his little brother, tears falling down his cheeks—I don’t know how, but that little boy changed something in me.

The guilt from what I’ve done and who I’ve hurt plagues my dreams.

The only problem with not drinking from a human is the withdrawals; drinking blood from a bag isn’t the same. It’s like a diet. You know if you have one taste, you will want more.

Seeing Courtney trying to compel the little girl who looked so scared, made me angry. Veronica, telling where Courtney where to go, was so hot. I was so turned on watching her.

I hate the stupid rules we have to follow. Rules the council created must be obeyed.

One of the rules in the vampire world is that we can’t stop a vampire from feeding on someone unless we have claimed that person. There are consequences if we do; it’s a fucked-up rule, but it’s a rule we must follow; that’s why Veronica is here.

Not to look after us.

But to look after the people who look up to us.

Our fans.

The people who work with us.

To keep them safe from those who find harming them a joyment.

I do have an appearance to put on. I show indifference, I show I don’t care, but deep down, I’m the complete opposite, but I block it away.

I can’t care; when you care, you get hurt.