Chapter Two

A mês later…

“Hungry?” Xavier asked.
“Starving.” I replied. Xavier went into the fridge and pulled out a tan plastic bowl and a smaller turquoise bowl. He placed the bowl of fresh frutas in front of me and the small bowl of plain yogurt. He handed me a fork.
“Enjoy.” He said. Xavier kissed me on my forehead.
“Thank you.” I said.
I began to eat when I heard a moan. Xavier looked down at his shoes.
“Um…after breakfast do you want to go for a walk?” Xavier asked.
“Xavier, what’s that sound?” I asked.
“It’s…Madison.” He choked out.
“Doing what?” I asked.
“Feeding.” He said.
“Oh.” I said feeling really stupid.
“She usually feeds at night but um…so do you want to walk around town or through the park?” Xavier asked.
“Town.” I replied. The awkward moment slowly inched past. Xavier kept his head down embarrassed. The awkwardness that filled the room at a snail’s pace inched away.
“It’s okay, Xavier.” I said.
“I know…I’m just not use to it. No offense but blood feeders are…different.” Xavier said.
“How? I mean a vampire is a vampire right?” I asked.
“Not exactly. We feed in different ways and physically we are different. Energy feeders eat energy and blood feeders of course eat well really drink blood. Physically blood feeders are stronger and change drastically in appearance once they have turned. Energy feeders don‘t change.” Xavier said.
“Okay.” I said. Xavier practically squirmed at the sound of Madison’s moans. Blood feeder stuff clearly made him very uneasy.
“Besides the fact that we are different from each other…what else is making you all squirmy?” I asked.
“Don’t take this the wrong way but I kind of…I don’t. Xavier sighed. “ I think drinking blood is a little gross.” Xavier admitted.
“So do I but the taste and the smell is amazing.” I gushed. I was surprised por what I had just said.
“Really?” Xavier asked. His head tilted slightly to the side.
“Really.” I said sounding less enthusiastic than before. Honestly, what was I turning into.
“I think I still prefer energy.” Xavier said.
“Suit yourself.” I said. I pulled Xavier closer to me por his blazer playfully. “Ease up, Xavier. You’ll get use to it.” I said.
“Can I ask you something?” Xavier asked.
“Sure, Xavier.” I replied.
“Why do you guys moan?” He asked. His angelic eyes went all child-like.
“Because of the taste.” I said. I looked down at my breakfast and then put of chuck of sweet honey dew in my mouth. I blushed. Xavier laughed.
“I may never fully understand…but it interests me.” Xavier said.
He kissed me tenderly on my lips. Xavier parted his soft lips from mine.
“We we return from our walk we’ll have guest.” Xavier said.
“Who?” I asked.
“The Night Crows.” Xavier said.
“Oh…that’s good I guess.” I stammered. The Night Crows scared me. Especially Logan. His bottomless, cold, black eyes sent freighting chills down my spine. He was all for the idea of killing me. I was a little curious about how they killed people. Could they kill a vampire? I’m not one, yet. If they had to do away with one of the creatures of the night how would they do it?
“Don’t worry. It’s just a friendly visit.” Xavier said.
“Okay.” I said sounding very tense and nervous.
“Relax, Amethyst. The Night Crows are friends.” Xavier said.
I trusted Xavier so what he was telling me must be true. The Night Crows are friends, I told myself. The wouldn’t hurt me. I had to mentally choke out the word hurt. I trusted Xavier, them not so much.

We went on our walk into town. First we drove into town, then Xavier parked, and after that we walked. It was so romantic. We passed por many quaint boutiques. We, well really I shopped at a few, and ate at an old fashioned diner. Xavier even got me a cell phone. When we returned início they were waiting for us. Three shiny expensive cars were parked on the large pathway leading up to our house. My coração ran a marathon.
“Relax, Amethyst.” Xavier said. I tried as hard as I could, did so deep breathing exercises but to no avail.

Xavier parked the car and got out. When he went to open my door I contemplated ways to get out of this. I did not want to see them again. Why would they visit us?
I got out slowly, very slowly. It appeared to Xavier that I was joking. He laughed. I looked for a hint of nervousness in his voice, there was none. It was comfortable, this was normal for him. He locked the car doors and we headed for the house.
Xavier opened the door and he walked in. He had to pull me in.

Madison Stood por the door motionless. Her eyes were filled with fear. When she finally moved the movements were so unlike her. She took our jackets and hung them up on the metal casaco rack then she stood motionless like before. It’s like she was just a maid and not our best friend. She motioned us to the living room. We went into the large living room. The Night Crows were there sitting on the beige sofa. Priscilla smiled. I tried to return it the best I could. I think it was a good one.
“Xavier and Amethyst, how are you?” Essence said.
“Good.” Xavier said.
“Good.” I choked out.
“Please sit with us.” Lorelei said.
Xavier and I sat with them. My heartbeat relaxed.
“It’s nice to see you, Amethyst.” Logan said.
I nodded. His black eyes stared through me as if they would reveal my deepest secrets.
“Your becoming a very beautiful vampire, Amethyst.” Gavin complemented.
“Thank you.” I said sounding mais at ease.
“What have you’ve been up to?” Xavier asked Logan.
“Not much lately, how about you?” Logan asked.
“Amethyst and I our planning our wedding.” Xavier said.
“Congratulations.” Logan said.
“Congratulations.” Everyone else said.
Essence turned and look at me. Her eyes gleamed. She smiled then spoke carefully.
“Amethyst, would you be interested in joining The Night Crows?”
My stomach flipped, turned inside out and did a 360°. Was she serious? Even though these people behaved in the manner of friends I couldn’t be around them like that. Having them here for a little while made me sick with fear.

Essence patiently waited for my response. What response would I give her? Say no, was it even okay to say no. I swallowed the thinning air and exhaled. I tried to appear okay. I felt fake. Priscilla shifted her weight to her right side. Her dark green eyes narrowed. Gavin face looked emotionless. Xavier began to look pale. I gathered up what little courage that hadn’t been stolen from me.
“I… I’m not sure.” I admitted.
“That’s perfectly alright, Amethyst. Sleep on it.” Essence replied. The venom in her tone made me want to say yes.
“Why do you fear us?” Priscilla asked.
Her words felt like accusations. Essence put her white strand of hair behind her ear.
I shrugged.
“Please don’t, Amethyst. We mean you no harm.” Lorelei said softly like she knew she shouldn’t be speaking now.
Essence sighed. “It’s so nice to see an energy feeder and a blood feeder getting along so well. I thought I’d never see the day.” Essence said.
“It’s very different isn’t. it‘s…ludicrous, yet so beautiful.” Priscilla said.
“Well, I’m happy to have found someone so unique.” Xavier said. He flashed a friendly smile.
“I’m curious to know, who does she feed from?” Essence asked.
Xavier swallowed hard.
“Me.” Xavier said.
“She feeds from…you?” Essence asked. Lorelei’s small body tensed up. Essence said nothing for a few moments. “How unusual.” Essence finally said.
The conversation continued. We went to lighter subjects. Gavin told a few jokes to put us at ease. It worked a little bit. Everyone seemed to react to every word and every motion Essence made. She held the strings to each of them. Each of Essence’s words seemed to be chosen carefully.

Everyone except for Logan left. He asked if he could speak with me. Privately. We went into Xavier’s den.
“I don’t want you to feel pressured…but you’re very talented. If you cadastrar-se us you will be ensuring that our code is not broken.” Logan said.
“I understand.” I whispered.
“I’m sure you do.” Logan replied. He reached for my hand. I placed my hand in his slowly. He pulled me into him. I was only a few inches from his body. Definitely to close.
He held my head in his hands.
“Why waste your talents?” Logan purred.
“I’m not wasting them!” I protested.
“You do not plan to put them to good use.” Logan hissed.
His hands caressed my face. His eyes stared me down.
“St…stop.” I stammered.
“Why?” Logan hissed.
“You…your too close.” I stammered. Logan moved closer. I felt his long black hair brush up against me. It felt like silk. I shivered under the touch of his hair. The smoothness of it caught me off guard.
I tried to pull away from him but he was very strong. I tried to pry his fingers from my face. He moved closer. His body was pressed to mine.
“Stop this.” I whispered urgently.
He laughed. His chest rumbled against mine.
“Why?” Logan purred.
“Because it’s wrong.” I said.
“It’s wrong, what are we doing that’s wrong?” Logan asked. His hands left my face. I backed away. He grabbed my wrist and twirled me around. My back was up against his chest and his arms held me close.
“You’ll always belong to us.” Logan whispered in my ear.
“No.” I said.
“Don’t deny yourself the glory, the respect and the honor.” Logan whispered. His words forced into me, swirling my mind, spinning around everything I knew. Should I give in? Giving in is easy, staying out is hard. I lowered my head, I evaluated my options. I could join, that something I did not want to do. I felt forced to. I could not cadastrar-se and worry about The Night Crows. That option was one I preferred as crazy as it sounds.
“Make the right choice, Xavier would be so proud.” Logan whispered.
“I don’t want to join.” I said.
Logan let go and pushed me away. The might of the push hurt and left me temporarily breathless.
I lifted my head. Logan fumed. He stood seguinte to me. Predator to prey, His hand reached for my face, I thought he would caress it but he didn’t. He pulled my face up.
“There are worst things to fear than Zircon.” Logan said.
“I do not fear her.” I said.
“Then speak her name.” Logan demanded.
“Zir…con.” I whispered in his face. My gut twisted up. I backed away as much as I could. He still held my face in his hands. He let go of me. Logan walked out of the den.
I crumpled onto the floor.