Page 63 of Ghoul Kisses

“Blood pills. I didn’t trust myself around you, so I started taking them during my transition.” The tension is so thick I can barely breathe.

“I want answers; tell me everything,” I demand. She looks at me with sad eyes.

“After you went missing, Pete helped me look for you. We started dating, then he went on and on about how he loved me. The night I met you at Black Bird we had sex, and he turned me into a vampire. I fell for his lies. I thought he was the good guy.” She shook her head at her own stupidity.

“When we went to West Hollywood I was going to tell you, but Pete brainwashed me. He wanted our relationship to be a secret.”

I don’t know what to say.

“I knew Eric was King and a ghoul when I met him,” she continues. “I knew about the key and the book. Pete told me about it. I really did love him, you know?” she pauses. “Well at least, I thought I did.” I have no words left to say. A part of me wants to show remorse for her, but she could have told me, especially since she knew about Eric.

“I’m sorry for betraying you. Please, forgive me,” she begs, using the back of her hand to wipe her tears. I can’t trust her and I won’t. Vanessa hurt me so deeply that I can’t forgive her. I can’t even stand the sight of her.

“I don’t want to see you again, Vanessa,” my voice breaks with emotions. I turn away from her as tears burn my eyes. Our friendship will never be the same, so this is goodbye.

“What can I do to make it up to you?” Vanessa pleads. She is making this harder than it needs to be. I want to get away from her.

“Just go, Vanessa,” I whisper, not facing her.

“I love you, Sarah.” Before I can respond, she walks out of the room and speaks to Eric in the hallway. Exhaling, I fight back the lump in my throat. I can’t breathe. I want to scream at Vanessa to come back, tell her I didn’t mean what I said, but I just let the tears flow down my face. Eric walks back in and brushes his lips against my forehead. He doesn’t ask me about the conversation between Vanessa and me. I’m glad of it because I would fall apart.

The doctor comes in and tells me that my tests checked out good and my brain injury is healed. They are calling it a miracle. Odessa’s powers worked wonders.

“You ready to go home, love?” Eric’s voice is warm. Home? Right now, that’s where I want to be; with Eric, the man I love.

“Yes,” I say as I kiss him on the lips.

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