Read Oxford Blood (The Cavaliers: Book One) Page 15

Harriet woke up on top of her bed, fully clothed, with an aching head and an overwhelming sense of confusion. She forced herself into a seated position and saw Tom sitting at her desk, watching her. She noticed that he’d tidied the place up a little.

  “You’re awake. Fantastic. How do you feel?”

  “I feel like I drank a whole bottle of champagne and then got viciously attacked by a lunatic. How do you think I feel? And how long have I been asleep?”

  “Okay, maybe that was a stupid question. You’ve only been out for a few minutes.”

  Harriet nodded. “But I still don’t understand anything.”

  Tom stood and came to sit beside her on the bed. “Well, what do you think happened? What do you think George was doing?”

  “He... we were...” She mumbled, not wanting to tell Tom what they’d been doing. “We were talking. Then I was completely out of it, and when I managed to pull myself together, he was biting my neck. Really biting. I was bleeding and in agony.” Explaining made the memories more vivid and she started to shake again.

  Tom put one arm around her. “And why do you think he did that?”

  “I guess he’s crazy. I don’t even know how he got me so dazed. Drugs or whatever. But who does something like that? I heard all these horror stories about him, and I just ignored them.”

  Tom tightened his hold on her. She couldn’t properly relish his touch through her pain and panic but still appreciated it.

  “If you don’t know already, then I really don’t know how to tell you. I guess I’m just going to have to come out with it. George is a vampire.”

  Harriet laughed, even through the pain and horror. “Are you crazy? George was dressed as a vampire because we came from a Halloween party. That’s rather different to actually being one.”

  “Yes, that was an interesting choice of costume. George always has to show off. I know it’s difficult to believe, but it’s true, I swear. George is a member of the Cavaliers. They’re all vampires.”

  Tom leaned over her and opened his mouth to reveal sharp fangs. His skin looked paler, his lips redder and his eyes a deeper blue than usual. “Including me.”

  Harriet almost screamed but forced herself to get a grip. She wouldn’t let herself be that gullible.

  “Are the two of you in on this together?” she asked. “Let’s team up and play a little trick on the northern girl. Well it was very funny and very clever. Apart from that bit where I actually lost a lot of blood.”

  Tom looked horrified. “George was out of order, and I stepped in to help. I know this is hard for you to believe, but you need to listen to me.

  “Lots of people around Oxford are vampires. Anyone who seems more attractive or stronger or more intelligent than everyone else does – there’s a good chance they’re one of us. Or if not, and their talents and charm are just a quirk of nature, there’s a good chance we’re planning on making them one.”

  “I’ve heard enough,” Harriet said, as firmly as she could manage. “I think I liked you better when you were outright blanking me. Go back to your stupid party and tell your posh friends your funny little story.”

  “I suppose there’s no point in trying to argue with you about this right now. You’ve lost blood, and you’ve had a shock. You need to sleep. Just promise me you’ll meet me in the bar tomorrow night and discuss this with me calmly.”

  “There’s nothing to discuss,” Harriet said, looking him straight in the eye. “If I happen to be in the bar, maybe we can have a quick chat. Maybe you’ll have sobered up by then and be ready to talk some sense.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow then. After dark though. Sadly that part of the legend is true.”

  “You’re not going to let this drop are you? Shall I just play along? Wear a crucifix and bring a stake?” Harriet snapped.

  Tom laughed. “Forget the crucifix. Just never be stupid enough to take your mother’s necklace off again. You have some resistance to telepathy and mind control naturally, but if you wear that you’re completely protected.”

  “This makes even less sense than the rest of your story. Why on earth would my mother give me anti-vampire jewellery?”

  Tom smiled. “I thought we agreed no more discussion tonight. It’s also true that vampires can’t come in unless invited. In Oxford, that seems to work on the level of colleges, staircases and individual rooms. So be careful who you go letting in.”

  “Well you’ve undermined your own argument there. You came into my room uninvited just now.” Dizziness from the shock and blood loss made everything confusing, but that had to be true.

  “Because I’m a member of this college I can go anywhere within its walls, but I promise you are absolutely safe from me. Now, I need to get back to my party, and you need to get some sleep.”