Why Girls Shouldn't Date Vampires: Chapter 21

Hunting with James was like hunting with a panther. Casually creeping up behind the prey and devouring it almost before it had even noticed. And James was so good at it. His talent made me wonder how long he had actually been a Vampire, but I was too nervous to ask him his age. I remembered what Ian had told me; stalk, jump, eat, and I took down a nice couple of deer.

James sat on a small boulder when he was done, not a single drop of blood on his shirt. I walked over to him, lightheaded from the feeling of the thirst quenched. 'So, what did you want to talk to me about?' I asked him, leaning against his shoulder.

'A couple of things actually. One, I've joined the army. Don't interrupt. Two, I think I have to go away with them. Groups are being dispatched -'

'Look, I know about the army dispatching groups of us to go and hunt my mom and her assemblage of miscrits, I'm well aware of it. You can't go.....we've only just started dating, and, well, my Dad is going.' I interjected, completely ignoring his "don't interrupt" comment.

James sighed. 'It's your Dad who is ordering me to go.'

'He can't order you to do anything! You're a Prince for Christ's sake!' I yelled, standing up and beginning to pace.

'He can actually, but only stuff war/army related. I joined the army on my own terms, I'm just like any other soldier under your Dad's command.' James said quietly, standing and wrapping his arms around me. I breathed in his scent, on closer examination, it smelt like a pine forest, mixed with my favorite type of guy deodorant. 'We should head back. It's getting dark, and I wanna stay on your Dad's good side.'

'No. I want to talk to you about something.' I led James back to the rock and sat down. 'My Dad and Adriane both said that you are dangerous. What's that supposed to mean?' I asked seriously, my blue eyes locked with James' green ones. He instantly looked uncomfortable and uneasy. 'I trusted you when you asked me. It's okay to trust me.' I said softly, taking his hand.

'I, um. I have an affinity.' James said under his breath. I frowned,
I'd heard the word affinity before....an attraction....or kinship with something.

'An affinity for what?' I asked quietly, still looking directly in his eyes.

'For Spirit. It's rare, but I do have it.' Cross whispered.

'How does that make you dangerous?'

'Spirit makes one dangerous, because it can have bad side effects the more I use it. For instance, by dangerous, your father and my cousin mean I could have a mental breakdown at any minute over anything. I can't control the side effects.' James explained seriously. 'So, if I look a bit funny, or go a bit crazy, it's most certainly not your fault. And I'm sorry in advance if I ever do have a freak out in front of you'

I stood up and hugged him before I found his lips. 'James Cross, I don't care if you are insane. You are honest with me, you are gorgeous, you are sweet, you make me smile. If I had known you more than one day, I would tell you I love you.' I said honestly.
Cross smiled. 'I'm glad. Anything I need to know about you?'

'Mm, only how much I'm dying to see you without a shirt.' I joked. James willingly obliged and removed his shirt, and I was in no position to complain. This guy was pale, but tanned at the same time, with a six pack ready for my eyes at any time. 'Woah.' I breathed.

James smiled and kissed me, dropping his shirt on the rock. 'You're seventeen right?' he asked.

I nodded. 'Yeah, you?'

James smirked. 'I'm nineteen.'

I looked at him seriously. 'So how are you in my class?'
Cross shrugged. 'Are you complaining?'

'Hell no! Does that mean that technically speaking you should be King?' I asked.

'Yes. Once I reach twenty one, I inherit the throne, until then, it is still rightfully Adriane's.'

I grinned. 'So my boyfriend is literally the future King?'

'Yes.' James repeated. 'So that literally makes you the future Queen.' My jaw dropped. I could be Queen...

'I'd be such a bad Queen...I would be terrible at all the garden parties and stuff....' I thought aloud.

'No, you wouldn't. Garden parties have always been Adriane's thing. You would be the Marie Antoinette without plunging us into a debt crisis.' James said, smirking. I poked my tongue out at him. James took that as an ample opportunity and kissed it. 'Mmmm. Queen Lily; it has a ring to it.' I raised an eyebrow. 'Technically we'd have to be married for you to take the title of 'Queen', but I'm sure we will sort that out down the track.' James grinned.

'You'd marry me?' I asked, taken aback by how fast this relationship was moving.

'Maybeee, maybe not. Keep kissing me the way you have been and you'll find yourself stuck with me before I let anyone else get hold of you.' James joked, a smart ass tone loud and clear in his voice.

'Riiiight.' I laughed.

'C'mon, your Dad will be missing you. And don't you have a guest?' James asked.

I smacked myself in the head. I'd completely forgotten about Scar. 'You are an excellent distraction, whether you mean to be or not.' I muttered.

James grinned. 'Ah, but that is my specialty.'

I laughed. 'You loser.'

James joined my laughter. 'Race you back?' he asked, daringly.

'See ya.' With that I sprinted away, leaving James to bite the dust.

***
Ian opened the door and let me in without a word. Instead, he hugged me and apologized profusely for not hunting more often.

'Dad, it's okay. I'm okay now. I -' I started,

'Commander Prentegast. May I have a word?' A scrawny soldier dressed in full army regalia asked Ian. I glanced at his name badge. So did Ian.

'What can I do for you Hodges?' Ian asked unenthusiastically.

'I, er, Prince James would like to see you immediately. He said to tell you to "relax, it's about war related things."' The soldier relayed apprehensively. Ian raised two strong eyebrows.

'Cross wants to see me?' Dad asked, bemused, 'About the war?
Sure it's about the war.' Ian muttered.

I turned away from Dad and walked up the stairs to my bedroom. Scar jumped on me as soon as I had opened it. 'OMFG! Why didn't you tell anyone you were thirsty?!' She yelled. I smiled half-heartedly.

'It doesn't matter. I'm done now. Sorry for running out on you...' I trailed off.

'Meh. I have my bittersweet revenge all planned out....' Scar said quietly, a devilish grin spreading across her face.

'Oh, God. Should I be scared?' I asked, pretending to bite my unbiteable nails.

'Very scared......Nail polish!!!!' Scar squealed, grabbing one of my
hands and slamming it onto my quilt. I scrunched my nose up.

'You can't be serious!' I whined.

Scar laughed mockingly. 'Oh I'm very serious. Now hold still.'
I sighed and gave in. Some girl time with my best friend was exactly what I needed. These past few weeks had been insane. I'd found out my father wasn't actually my father, I'd met my actual father, I'd found out he was a vampire, my mother had died, my mother had returned as an evil sadistic vampire, I'd been turned into a vampire, the King had died, a war was looming on the horizon, I'd started at a new school and I was dating the Prince. A little bit of time away from reality is just what I need.