Page 35 of Road Trip with a Vampire
“Ifeellike I’ve explored a lot of this country, too,” he murmured. “I only wish I could remember what I’ve seen.”
When we reached a reststop near Donner Pass, just west of the California-Nevada border, I decided I needed a breakfrom driving. I also needed to let off some magical steam. My hands were beginning to shake, the levels of anxiety strumming through my bloodstream becoming uncomfortable and difficult to ignore.
If the signs were to be believed, the next rest stop was nearly a hundred miles away. If we didn’t stop here, it would be a while before I’d get another chance.
Peter had nodded off about twenty miles ago but woke up when I pulled into the parking lot.
“We’re stopping?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.
“Just for a bit,” I said. “I need a break.”
Peter nodded, then peered suspiciously at the sky. “It’s sunny here,” he muttered.
“Sorry,” I said. “The forecast says we’ll have a lot of sun until we get east of the Wasatch Front. Will you be okay?”
“The sun won’t kill me,” he said. That was true. Stories of vampires burning to a crisp in the sunshine were myths. For most of them, the sun just didn’t feel very good. “I’ll survive.”
I got out of the car, arching my back and raising my arms over my head. After hours of driving, with only a fifteen-minute gas and bathroom break, I was feeling stiff in a way I hadn’t experienced in a while.
It only added to the tension swirling through my bloodstream.
The passenger-side door opened and then snicked shut. “If we’re stopping,” Peter said as he approached me, “I should find something to eat.”
“Findsomething to eat?” I asked.
He nodded.
“You didn’t bring any blood bank supplies?”
He looked sheepish. “I hate drinking from bags.”
I looked around at our surroundings. On summer weekends,this place would be packed with tourists en route to Lake Tahoe or other destinations in the Sierra Nevadas. But it was midweek in October, and the rest stop was nearly deserted. It was just our car and a pickup truck in the parking lot, its owner a stocky man making his way to the squat brick building that housed the restrooms.
“This is the perfect place for me to find something to eat,” Peter continued. He pointed to the man, who disappeared into the brick building as we watched him. “He’s the only other person here. No witnesses. Glamouring him so he forgets anything even happened will be easy.”
“Be careful,” I warned. “Only take what you need.” The last thing we wanted was to end up as suspects in the man’s death.
“I will be,” he said. A moment later, he was off like a shot in the direction of the restrooms. He moved like the predator he was, all grace and stealth and shadow.
I was transfixed despite myself, unable to look away as he silently entered the bathrooms and let the door close quietly behind him.
While Peter was occupied, Istrolled to the wooden railing separating the picnic area from the vista below. It was a cloudless day, and at this altitude the sun was stronger than I was used to. I raised my hand to the level of my eyes to shade them as I took in the magnificent view.
The sign by the exit had said the elevation here was more than seven thousand feet. I could feel that not only in the too-bright sun overhead but in the way I had to work harder than usual to take in air as I moved. Worth it, though. Whichever gods had been responsible for making this part of the world had done anexcellent job. My view looked out across a canopy of fir trees, the air so quiet and still I almost could have believed I was the only person in the universe. I took a deep breath, savoring the way the mountain air felt in my lungs. The way it tasted—like pine and blissful solitude.
It was at least fifteen degrees cooler here than it had been back at home. It was delicious after too many consecutive days of sweltering heat. I scooped up my hair and piled it on top of my head, luxuriating in the cool breeze on the back of my neck.
As much as I wished I could spend another hour enjoying the sunshine and cool weather, it was time to get started.
I looked over my shoulder to confirm I was alone. Still no sign of either Peter or the man he’d decided would be his lunch. Satisfied, I closed my eyes, letting my power flow out from my center. I gathered up a small pinch of it, only slightly more than what I used in my candle rituals. After I cast this small spell and analyzed how I felt, I would likely graduate to larger uses of power. But for now…
I pointed my right hand at a nearby pine tree, the barest slip of my energy spilling out towards it through the tips of my fingers. There was no naturally occurring wind that afternoon, but within an instant, the branch closest to me swayed gently as though touched by a light breeze.
I could have taken down the entire tree if I’d wanted to. But there was no need. I swayed right along with the branch, the relief from this modest release of my power welcome and immediate.
“It would be beautiful here if it wasn’t for the sun.”
I whirled around. Peter stood beside me, still as a statue. His gaze was fixed on the gorgeous scenery.
