The Vampire’s Servant novel Chapter 75

[Echo]

I woke up feeling better than I ever had. Last night had been perfect. Gray and Victor let me have control and I got to try something I’d been thinking about since they saved me.

That wolf hadn’t been the first to introduce me to the idea. Mr. Caine had talked about it a lot. He would tell me what he wanted me to do, what he was going to do, how it would feel for him. He would tell me that I’d like it. I did like it, but only with Gray and Victor.

After dressing for the day, I went down to make breakfast. Gray had been gone when I woke up. I figured he went to train. Amy told me I’d train in the evenings during the week and mornings on the weekend while I still had school. I figured I’d have breakfast ready for everyone, it was the least I could do.

I finished putting everything on the table as Gray came into the kitchen. He came over to me and held me to him. I wrapped my arms around him and soaked in the heat of his body. He smelled like soap, but there was an underscent of something wild and woodsy. Gray started chuckling as I began sniffing him.

“What are you doing, Echo?” He laughed.

“You smell different. Like fall, when the leaves start to smell crisp and something else, kind of like Rex smelled when I hugged him the other night.” I told him.

“You can smell my wolf. The other must be my mate scent. You smell like a lemon sorbet. A little sweet, a little tart, very citrusy.” Gray said softly. “You must be much better this morning. I’m so happy, angel. I want you to be healthy.”

“What’s this?” Victor asked as he entered the room.

I let go of Gray and ran over to hug Victor. I sniffed him. He smelled like old books and mint. A thrill ran though me and I felt my fangs come out. I wanted to bite him.

“Are you hungry, princess?”

“You smell like mint and old books. I want to bite you.” I said.

He bent down and moved his head to the side. I licked his neck and bit him. It wasn’t for feeding, just the need to bite him. I licked the wound closed.

“Better, Echo?” Victor asked.

“Yes, sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” I replied with a blush.

“You smelled your Solus Amor for the first time. If you hadn’t bitten me, you would have had an irritable, itchy feeling until you did.” He explained.

I didn’t like how that sounded. I looked over at Gray. He looked a little sad. I went over to him and pulled him down, licking and biting him too.

“You didn’t have to do that if you didn’t feel like it.” Gray said.

“I love you, Gray. You’re my mate. It’s different with Victor, but I never want you to feel like I don’t love you.” I insisted.

“I don’t feel like that. I know it’s different. He doesn’t get to feel the sparks I do when I touch you and when you touch me. It’s okay to treat us differently, as long as you love us the same amount.” He told me.

“Sit down and have something to eat, Echo. Your bus will be here soon. It may be a little hard to focus if your senses are enhancing. I want you to do your best in school today, and don’t forget to get all your missing work from the teachers. We don’t want you to fall behind.” Victor said from behind me.

I gave them both one more hug before sitting down to eat. Gray ate with me. Amy came in when we were half through eating. She fixed her plate and told me there was a lunch packed for me in the fridge. I’d seen it when I was getting my orange juice and blood from the pitcher in there.

“Thank you, Amy.” I smiled.

“No problem. I’ll take care of the breakfast dishes. I don’t want you to be late for school.” She replied.

When we were done, we put our dishes in the sink and got our things together to go to school. Gray insisted that we drive to the bus stop so he wouldn’t have to run back for his truck. We parked in the entry to the drive and walked to the spot where I stood for the bus.

The early morning smelled more amazing than it had ever smelled before. I was amazed by the colors as well. They were more vibrant than before. It was like I was experiencing the world for the first time ever.

I wondered what could’ve created this change. I didn’t seem to be progressing this quickly before. Maybe I’d hit the point where everything was just getting better. Maybe it was being able to truly be myself for the first time.

When the bus pulled up, I kissed Gray goodbye and boarded. My usual seat was empty and I sat gratefully. Everything could start going back to normal. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The scent of humans was interesting. I could actually tell that almost everyone on the bus was human.

There were some scents that were like lightning, bright, powerful, and static-y. I wondered at what that meant. There was someone on the bus who smelled like plants. Not like clippings, but like something growing and green. There was another person who smelled like fur. I wasn’t able to pinpoint smells right now, but I was hoping it was something I’d be able to do as my abilities grew.

Sean sat next to me when we reached his stop. He talked to me about some of the stuff I’d missed in the classes we had together. He told me about the things that had happened in the popular group since Harmony, Valor, Gray, and Cam were all gone. Melissa tried to takeover and everyone suddenly decided to go reconnect with old friends at different tables during lunch.

Harmony would have to put Melissa back in her place after a week of thinking she was in charge. I knew everything would be put right before the end of the day. I relaxed in the seat and listened to him talk.

When we arrived at school, I actually managed to push myself into the flow of students coming off the bus instead of waiting until the end. When I stepped forward, the person near me froze. Her eyes widened and she let me out.

“Vampire.” She whispered.

I blushed and hurried past her. Cam said I smelled like a vampire before, but no one ever said anything. Was my scent more strongly vampire now that I was healthier? I hadn’t thought of that.

Harmony, Val, Cam, and Gray met me near the bus. We walked into the school and to my locker. I needed to put my lunch away before class. The girl from the bus walked by and stared at me.

“What’s wrong, Echo?” Gray asked, probably sensing my nervousness.

“That girl called me a vampire on the bus. Do I smell more like a vampire now?” I looked at Cam and Harmony.

“I wasn’t going to say anything, but you do. There’s something under it that isn’t vampire, but people who have very little experience with them wouldn’t know the difference. Don’t worry. She’s fae. They were a favorite food for vampires for a long time. Some of the younger ones hear old stories and are told not to go out at night or a vampire might eat them. Just do your best and be yourself.” Cam said with a smile.

“Are people going to hate me for smelling like a vampire? I’m not going to eat anyone.” I whispered.

“We know that. If anyone causes you any trouble, let us know. We’ll take care of it. We’re here for you.” Gray replied gently.

I nodded and they walked me to home room before heading off to their own classes. I approached Mr. Taylor. I could tell now that he was a werewolf.

“Echo, can I talk to you in the hall?” He asked.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify