I sprung away from the railings and trailed in Fabian’s wake.
Leaning back onto the bench I stuck my greasy hands deep into my pockets, having finished my chips and impatient for the others to finish. Cain, sat next to me, had long since fallen silent and so instead I watched the street performers dotted along the embankment.
Something further along caught my eye. Three guys, wearing zipped-up hoodies and baggy jeans held up by belts that clearly did not work, were leisurely walking along the pavement, swearing loudly and laughing raucously at the nearest mime artist. Beanie hats over jagged fringes, tight T-shirts, collars turned up, they swaggered closer. It was only when one of them looked up and glanced our (Lyla’s) way that I recognized them.
Joel’s friends.
‘Shit!’ I breathed, panicking. Cain turned to me questioningly, before following my gaze. His eyes landed on the three boys gradually getting closer. There were both staring at me, but stupid as they were, I did not think they had recognized me.
‘What?’ Cain flustered, yanking his head from me to them.
I raised my widened eyes to face him. ‘I know them!’
Cain’s eyes widened too, paling. ‘Fuck.’
I nodded furiously. As they both passed behind a large group of tourists I leapt up, meaning to run for it. But before I could take a step forward I was pulled back down onto the cold wood.
‘Where do you think you’re going?’ Cain hissed, sounding uncannily like his brother.
‘I’m getting out of here! They’ll recognize me!’
‘You can’t!’
‘I can!’
‘Then I’m coming with you,’ he declared, jumping up too as I made to move. I pushed him back down onto the bench and replied rather too quickly.
‘No! I mean, I’ll be fine, I won’t run off.’ Hastily, I glanced up and saw the three guys, both glaring intently at me. They were gradually pushing their way through the crowds and I knew if they saw me properly they would instantly know who I was.
Cain’s eyes followed the parting crowd like a hawk surveying prey, before he turned to me. ‘Okay, okay, but please don’t run off, Kaspar will kill me. We’ll sort this out, just go!’
I did not need telling twice. I dove into a side-street and then through the crowds, feeling tears streak my cheeks. I didn’t know where I was going, or even where I was; I just knew to keep running.
Elbowing someone out of the way I heard disgruntled grunts from behind me, followed by loud cursing. Glancing back I saw a man clad in an expensive suit shaking his fist at me, briefcase full of papers scattered across the pavement.
Fresh sobs caught in my throat and a new wave of tears poured down from my eyes. Joel? Why now? I don’t need this.
Still pelting it down the pavement I ran to the one place I could seek comfort around here: Hamleys. A toy store. Lame, but true. The shelves and shelves of toys brought happy childhood memories flooding back – and happy memories were just what I needed.
Running up the escalators I passed screaming children, all dragging peeved-looking parents towards expensive-looking toys. Tripping over at the top of what felt like the millionth escalator, I found myself staring at a room full of train sets.
I ducked behind a shelf and leaned up against a stable-looking pile of boxes containing model trucks. I took several deep breaths.
Joel’s appearance had taken me off guard. That was for sure. And that had to be why my heart felt as though there was a vice clutching it, right? Because I was over him. I’m over him. That had to be the reason my heart felt as though with every faint pump the clamp around it was constricting, restricting the flow of essential liquid – blood.
Suddenly, something cold pressed against my back. ‘I’m going to suck your blood,’ a voice murmured against my neck, and I flinched.
‘Don’t do that!’ I exclaimed as plastic fangs pressed themselves into my neck, arms clad in dark material wrapping themselves around my shoulders. ‘Kaspar! Get off!’
‘No,’ he replied, pressing his chest into my back. ‘I quite like it here.’
I struggled for a moment, trying to shrug his arms off. ‘At least stop slobbering all over my neck and take those stupid fake things out, you have real fangs for Pete’s sake!’
‘Keep it down, people will hear,’ he muttered, tone alarmed. But all the same he reached up and popped them out, placing them in his palm. He examined them, poking the rounded and exaggeratingly large incisors with the other hand – the one still wrapped around my chest. ‘Stupid humans. We wouldn’t be able to eat with fangs that size.’
‘Just because you’re jealous because you have puny little things.’
He pocketed the fake fangs and abruptly poked me in the sides, causing me to jerk further into him. ‘No need to get overenthusiastic, Girly,’ he chuckled, pushing me away an inch or two. I flushed.
‘But—’
‘And we have tiny fangs so that no one sees them.’
His tone changed as he pulled me nearer. His head lowered and his hair tickled my cheeks, his lips brushing my ear. I shivered involuntarily, and thanked the heavens we were concealed by many shelves piled high with boxes – Kaspar would be considered X-rated in a toy store.
‘Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, Girly, or do I have to force it out of you, as usual?’
I sighed. ‘Nothing’s wrong.’
‘Don’t lie to me, Violet.’
‘I’m not—’
He broke away, his cool arms leaving my chest. Snatching my hand in his, he tugged me deeper into the store. I blushed as tight-lipped mothers flashed us dirty looks, obviously thinking we were far too ‘intimate’ for their children.
You love it, my voice scoffed.
Totally, I muttered in my mind.
Bringing us to a halt in a shadowy corner sheltered beside rows of make-your-own jumbo jets, he whipped around, one hand on the wall beside my head, the other reaching up to stroke my cheek.
‘You’ve been crying, Girly. Now tell. What’s wrong?’
The vice tightened, but somehow my heart did not feel as though every ounce of life was being drained from it. Kaspar’s touch was reassuring as he wiped a stray tear from my cheek. Yet I averted my gaze to the floor.
‘I saw J-Joel,’ I choked in little more than a whisper. I bit back tears, slowly raising my head, only to see his eyes falling through to black.
‘Oh,’ he mouthed. I nodded silently, biting down hard on my lip.
‘He was at the embankment, and the others are there and I thought I was over him, Kaspar. I thought I had moved on, but I haven’t, not even close.’ I watched, eyes stinging, as his eyes regained their usual emerald green, if a little more luminous than usual; less rich.
Suddenly his hands clasped themselves around my arms. ‘Did he see you? Violet, did he see you?’ He demanded, gripping my shoulders, gaze darting from me to the escalator.
‘I-I don’t know.’
‘What does he look like?’
I frowned, slightly disgusted. Is that all he can think about? But I was not used to the panicked tone in his voice, so answered. ‘Dark blond hair, brown eyes, about six foot tall.’
‘Then duck.’
Before I knew it, he had yanked both of us to the floor, leaving me to sprawl on the plush carpet.
‘What the hell?’ I screeched at him, but he dived towards me on his knees, clamping a firm hand down on my mouth. He raised the other to his mouth, pressing a single finger to his lips.
‘He’s here,’ he mouthed. My eyes widened. I went to open my mouth, but he shook his head, pointing in the direction of the escalator, grabbing my hand and dragging me along behind him. Keeping low and darting between the shelves, he lugged us closer to the escalator, and ultimately, to our escape. But however much I despised Joel for what he had done, how he had hurt me, I could not help but crane my neck, trying desperately to catch just one glimpse of the boy I loved for two years, just to confirm he was real … that he was here.
And yet I knew deep down that if he saw me that would be it: old life and new life would come crashing together, violently.
Kaspar stopped, listening intently. How he could hear anything through the cheesy jingles blaring through the speakers and the sound of squealing children, I didn’t know. He pointed behind me, through the shelf, mumbling something.
‘What?’ I mouthed back.
‘He’s right there!’ he muttered back a little louder.
‘How right there?’
‘Right, right there!’
‘What are we going—’
Before I could finish he had lunged towards me, clamped a hand down on my mouth and sent me sprawling across the floor. He must have misjudged the distance though, because he landed right on top of me, earning him a loud groan as every bone in my body felt as though it were being squeezed into a pulp. He silently wrestled with me for a moment, as I tried to throw him off and he tried to shut me up.
‘Sshh … sshh!’
Then he froze.
‘Kaspar! What are you—’
‘Violet?’
I froze as well. Peering over Kaspar’s shoulder, I saw the one person I really did not want to see whilst a vampire was straddling me in the middle of a toy shop.
‘Joel?’
Joel stood there, mouth wide, eyes transfixed on me – or rather, should I say, his eyes were fixed on Kaspar lying on top of me.
‘I, err, it’s not what it looks like!’
‘That’s them, right there! Those two! On the floor!’
‘Well, what does it look like then, young lady?’ a strange voice said.
Kaspar looked down at me expression that read ‘we are in deep shit’, an expression I was sure I shared. Peering timidly over his shoulder, I could see a uniformed man clad in a shirt emblazoned with HAMLEYS, a glinting badge pinned just above his breast pocket that read MANAGER. Beside him stood one of the tight-lipped parents, nose upturned.
‘I can’t believe this behaviour! In front of children! It’s scandalous! They should be thrown out!’
I winced. Joel was here and now we were in trouble with the manager. Wonderful, just wonderful.
‘Yes, yes, quite right, Mrs …?’ the manager began.
‘Charles-Pomphrey.’
‘Yes. Out! Both of you! And don’t come back! And you too, young man,’ he said, turning to Joel. ‘Young people these days, honestly, ma’am, I have never seen anything like it in all my days here.’
Kaspar’s eyes closed and he relaxed into me slightly. He muttered something inaudible, before slowly, as though it took a lot of effort, clambering up and offering me a hand. I took it gratefully, gliding upright in his strong grip. I opened my mouth to protest to the manager, but Kaspar grabbed me by the elbow and marched us out, Joel hot on our heels, face still puzzled.
As we passed the manager, I thought I heard Kaspar mumbling an apology, passing him a slip of paper that looked suspiciously like a fifty-pound note.
We reached the entrance, the bitter air raising goose bumps on my arms. The clouds had finally cleared to reveal a glowing sun, low in the sky, even in the early afternoon. Dazzled by the light, I did not see as Joel stepped in front of us. But Kaspar did.
His arm snaked around my waist, pulling me close as he snarled faintly. ‘What the fuck do you want?’
‘And who are you? And what are you doing with my babe?’
I scowled. ‘I’m not your babe!’
Joel’s eyes flickered towards me before immediately returning to meet Kaspar’s defensive pose, as he pushed me slightly behind him.
‘C’mon, babe … you know I’m sorry. And I know that you weren’t taken that night, Vi. I know you ran because I cheated. But that’s over now.’ He stretched out a hand for me to take, and sensing the risk, Kaspar snatched my upper arm, tightly grasping it to the point where my circulation was cut off.
He need not bother. He thought I had run away because of the cheating? That egotistical assumption caused anger to flare. Loathing, yet it was bittersweet: his eyes still made my heart to squeeze. It took a lot of self control to not correct him and just scream the truth about vampires.
‘No! I’m not going anywhere with you! And for the last time, I’m not your babe!’
There was silence and even the street seemed to stand still, passers-by not bothering to hide their surprise at my outburst.
‘You … what? What d’ya mean … not going anywhere? You mean you want to stay with him?’ he jerked his thumb towards Kaspar and his eyes lowered to where Kaspar’s arm was sneakily wrapping itself back around my waist, trying to steer me away. Comprehension dawned on his face. ‘Are y-you two … together?’
My mouth fell open, appalled and I pulled myself abruptly out of Kaspar’s grip.
‘No! We’re not anything. No, I mean, me and him? No.’ I giggled girlishly, blushing until I resembled a tomato. Kaspar draped his arm back around my shoulders, looking at me quizzically.
‘Yes, we are!’
Again my mouth fell open, and I scoffed, half-laughing, half-making choking noises. ‘No, we are most definitely not!’ I stepped out of his hold, glaring at him.
He tugged me back. ‘Yes! We are!’
I shrugged him off. ‘No. We’re not. And that’s final.’
I thought I heard Kaspar distinctly breathe the word ‘Idiot’, under his breath as I turned back to Joel, whose eyes followed us like tennis, an eyebrow raised.
‘Well if you’re not with him, then come and be with me.’
He reached out and grabbed my arm, yanking me to his side. Not expecting it, I tripped over my own feet and stumbling, closed my eyes, expecting to have the pavement meet my nose at any moment. Yet the impact never came.
Instead, a wintry arm had locked itself around my stomach, leaving me teetering on my very tiptoes. Looking around, I realized Kaspar was my saviour. He set me right on my feet and then turned to Joel who was fast paling. Without even looking I knew Kaspar’s eyes had darkened. He growled; a sound reserved only for times when he really was angry.
‘You really should learn how to treat your “babes”, Joel. Especially a girl as decent as Violet. Or better still, I’ll teach you.’
Joel, obviously scared, tried to maintain some of his bravado. ‘Oh, yeah? How about you teach me right now?’ He raised his balled fist, preparing to punch. Kaspar stepped forward, meeting the challenge.
‘Be my guest!’
I saw the crowds slowing as they stopped to watch the fight break out as Joel prepared to throw his punch. Knowing he would not stand a chance against Kaspar, I intervened, stepping between them both. Instantly a fist flew towards my face, but reaching up I blocked it, pushing his arm aside. Snatching his wrist I twisted it, causing it to lock. He winced in pain, contorting to try to lessen the pain.
‘That is for cheating on me the first time!’
I raised the other fist and punched him straight in the nose, not breaking it, but still drawing blood.
‘That is for cheating on me the second time!’
He threw his head back and groaned, rather handily exposing a certain sensitive area.
‘And that,’ I said, raising my knee, ‘is for starting on Kaspar!’ Swiftly and without even the slightest ounce of remorse, I kneed him in the bollocks.
The effect was instant. Doubling over and grabbing his crotch he fell to his knees, crying in agony, blood trickling from his reddened nose. Passers-by looked on with varying degrees of disapproval and disgust, a few smirking – some even cheered.
Smirking to myself, I grabbed Kaspar’s hand and flipping my hair dramatically, marched off, but not before I had one final say.
Looking down at the pitiful boy groaning at my feet, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. Bending down to his level, I smiled triumphantly.
‘You know what, Joel? I am so over you.’
And with that we left.
I led Kaspar through a number of side-streets, eager to get away fr
om the busy main thoroughfares in case Joel called the police – not that the police were likely to catch a bunch of vampires anyway, or even believe Joel’s story.
‘I can’t believe we just did that!’ I exclaimed when we were well away. He smiled the half-smile, half-smirk I so loved, allowing himself to be pulled along as giggled like a little girl.
‘Remind me never to cross you. I want children.’
My laughs turned to a devilish smile. ‘Better watch out then,’ I warned, winking.
‘Where did you learn all that anyway? You don’t look like the type.’ He looked me up and down and I blushed.
‘My dad taught me a few moves … useless against vampires of course, but good enough for a human.’
His face fell a little at the mention of my father, his eyes dulling. ‘Ah.’
We fell into silence for a second, and keen to avoid any awkward pauses, I carried on. ‘That was so satisfying. I’ve never done anything like that before! And we got chucked out of Hamleys!’
He chuckled, mumbling something that sounded like ‘Oh, you devil!’
‘Hey!’ I pinched him on the arm, but he just shrugged his shoulders. ‘I’ve never got thrown out of anywhere before. Apart from some pizza place once for being too loud.’ I smiled at the memory, when at the age of about thirteen I and a group of friends had devoured our way through four pizzas and the entire restaurant’s supply of lemonade, causing us to become ridiculously hyper.
Kaspar tugged on my hand as I dragged him along, slowing me down a bit in my eagerness. ‘Well, you better get used to it if you plan on sticking around. We don’t have the best reputation for being good.’
I arched an eyebrow. ‘Who said anything about me being good? And besides, I never said I was sticking around.’
I stole a glance upwards to see him slowly nodding, thoughtful. Guilty, I dropped his hand from mine, shuffling away a little.
‘Kaspar, why did you say we were, you know, an “item”?’
He shrugged his shoulders. ‘To unsettle him. It worked, didn’t it?’
‘I guess,’ I mumbled. ‘You don’t think he’ll tell the police I’m in London, do you?’