Chapter 8

• The tense atmosphere in the room was unbearable. Luc walked to the other side of the classroom, and I sat very still on my desk, trying not to think about whether what had just happened was a kiss. My entire body was aching for him, and I had no idea why. Luc was a total jerk! We barely knew each other, but being alone in the classroom with him was driving me insane. Part of me was terrified of my feelings for this stranger, while another just wanted to melt into his arms and let go.
• Was this some sort of vampire mate thing? Did Luc emit a pheromone that made me feel mushy in the head whenever he was physically close to me? I shifted uncomfortably on the desk, unsure how I'd get through this.
• Luc stood at the back of the room, staring at me. He leaned against the back wall, hands in his pockets, and just stared. My skin began to itch once more. It wasn't the scratchy type of itch that comes with an allergic reaction. It was the kind of itch that couldn't be scratched.
• It was completely infuriating.
• I pushed myself off the desk, unable to sit still any longer, and walked over to the window, impatiently. Looking around the campus grounds, I noticed the groundsmen and gardeners hard at work cleaning up the Halloween mess. Those frat boys made that mess, as well as the one inside the classroom. Why was I duped into marrying Luc instead of Laura Taylor?
• "You were born to be my mate," Luc interrupted my train of thought. "I was told by an oracle when I would meet you. She claimed you were an angel sent to lead me out of the darkness."
• "What sort of darkness?" I inquired.
• Luc bowed his head, his dark eyes hidden. "My life is pretty messed up, Mia- it's hard to explain, and I don't want to scare you," he explained.
• "Luc, I'm a tough guy. I don't need to be shielded, "I responded.
• "That's good because it might come in handy one day. Where I come from being a vampire is ruthless..." his voice suddenly trailed off and for a split second I swear I heard the ground beneath us groan, "But I am sure we will get through this phase, if you generously decide to stop tormenting me."
• Tormenting? I briefly wondered how I had tormented him. Luc was able to read my mind.
• "That 'boy.'" Luc said solemnly, unable to pronounce Jack's name.
• "Oh," I exclaimed.
• "Have you already forgotten about him, my love?" Luc inquired sarcastically.
• "No," I yelled.
• "You should, it'd be much better for his and mine," Luc said.
• I looked up from the window, compelled, and saw him directly looking at me, his eyes endless pools of dark amber that swallowed me whole. A fire burned through my body, and last night's memories became fresh and raw once more. My breath became caught in my throat, and I averted my gaze from his. I felt his annoyance and anger for a split second, as if I had rejected him and pushed him away from me. There seemed to be an underlying sense of urgency to be together.
• I despised the way he made me feel; it was torturous.
• "I need some fresh air and some food," I said, unable to bear the tensions any longer. I started walking towards the door when Luc suddenly appeared in front of me, his body blocking my path.
• "Luc," I mumbled, "please-"
• "I feel it as well," Luc said softly. "The pain, the heat... I've never felt this way about anyone before. It's as if I'm losing my fucking mind..."
• Luc drew in closer, his body suddenly crowding mine. At that point, all I could do was feel him, feel the heat radiating from his body, and smell the scent of his skin. My skin began to throb, as if it were going to explode if he didn't touch me.
• "Luc, I require y-"
• Before I could finish my sentence, the door behind us opened and Jacques entered with a picnic cooler. "I brought lunch!" he exclaimed cheerfully, holding up the picnic cooler.
• Luc took a step back, murmuring, "Great- lunch."
• My heart and body felt completely empty the moment Luc walked away. I watched as he moved closer to Jacques, increasing the distance between us.
• "It's important for you to eat, Mia," Luc said.
• "Great. I'm hungry." I stated unequivocally.
• I observed Luc taking the cooler box from Jacques and opening it.
• "Now Mia, I need you to be...open minded," Luc said, his words carefully chosen.
• "Why?" I inquired. Was he into weird food or something?
• Luc then carefully lifted a medical bag containing blood from the cooler box.
• I stared at the bag, horrified, numbly.
• "You can't force me. I won't, "I stammered, my gaze fixed on the dark crimson liquid in front of me.
• Sighing, he approached me, waving the bag in front of me. I felt the back of my throat and mouth begin to burn as I watched the heavy liquid swivel and flow in the bag. I took a cautious step backwards into a desk.
• Luc then tore open the bag and placed it under my nose, causing my fangs to erupt for the second time. I covered my mouth, embarrassed, and fled to the back of the classroom with supernatural speed. My eyes were burning and tears were falling.
• Really, it was silly, but I was crying for the loss of my humanity. I was no longer a normal adolescent. In morbid curiosity, I nervously touched my new pointed teeth. My eyes welled up with tears.
• "What have you done to me?" I sobbed to Luc.
• Luc quickly returned the blood to the cooler and took out a carton of juice.
• "I apologize, my love. Instead, try this." Luc threw the carton of apple juice at me.
• Grabbing it, I sniffed it back and happily snapped the straw off and stuck it in the carton, taking a gulp. As soon as the liquid touched my tongue, I knew it wasn't apple juice. I couldn't stop myself from gulping it down because it was so sweet and refreshing.
• I was aware that it was blood and that Luc had duped me, but I couldn't stop myself from drinking it. I glared angrily at Luc as I slurped the last drop.
• "Did your mother never trick you into eating vegetables?" Luc inquired, unapologetic.
• "Certainly, but it wasn't blood." I screamed and threw the carton at him.
• "You're a vampire, Mia, and you need blood to survive right now." Luc stated flatly, grabbing the carton and tossing it into the bin. I ignored him and reached into my bag for a real carton of juice.
• "I despise you!" I yelled as I stormed out of the classroom, grabbing my bag.