HOME | DD

Description
X

"Dad!" Angel exclaimed, throwing her arms around Thomas Turner the next day at the airport. "You're here!"

"Yes! Back from business to see my lovely daughter, who is looking more and more like her mother did," Tom smiled, holding Angel close, forgetting about his luggage that was moving on the belt.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're back, even if just for a few days!" Angel said, squeezing him before she let him go and then watched him pick up his suitcase.

"And I am glad to be back," he smiled and then put his arm around her shoulders as they left the airport.

Angel spoke nonstop in the taxi on the way to her studio. She hadn't seen her dad in several months, and there was so much to talk about! Tom listened joyfully to his daughter, showing happiness where it was necessary and showing worry where it was inevitable. He was distressed to hear that vampires were hunting his daughter, but he had every belief that Jaden and Forrest would keep her safe.

He went to rehearsals with her that afternoon and watched quietly as his daughter performed the role of the leading lady. He was so proud, so unspeakably proud of the woman she had become.

Angel performed just for him, throwing herself with tremendous force into her character. She was almost completely happy. Only one thing stood in her way, and that was the sudden change Jaden was undergoing. Now that he had his new haircut and he no longer wore glasses, since he couldn't see anyway, the girls clamored around him. They fussed over him, flirted with him, and absorbed all his attention, so much so, that Angel hardly had a chance to grab him and reintroduce him to Tom. Jaden only had enough time to invite Tom to the Thanksgiving dinner the following night before he was dragged back into the group of admiring girls.

Angel prepared dinner for herself and her father once they got back to the studio. While she was cooking, she received a phone call from Forrest, and after fifteen minutes of speaking, she closed her phone and turned to her father, a smile on her face and a pan of delicious food in her hands.

"That was Forrest," she said, placing the pan on the dining room table. "I'm off to England a couple of days after Thanksgiving."

"England?" Tom asked, an eyebrow arched as his daughter sat down in front of him at the table.

"To meet Vladimir Vorsk, the author of the book 'Nocturnal.' They just made it into a movie," Angel said easily.

"You told me about that movie, how you think it has something to do with you," Tom frowned, taking her hands in his so they could pray. "Who is going to England with you?"

"Forrest and one other officer, Crystal. Vladimir is having a great ball at his estate in honor of the movie's success, and the police arranged it so we could go and stay there for the night, as most of the guests will be. We will be able to get all the information we need from Vladimir, hopefully," Angel nodded.

"Let's pray," Tom sighed, and then offered up a heartfelt prayer for the safety of his daughter and the food.

The following day, Thanksgiving, found Tom and Angel strolling through Central Park, talking about anything and everything. Angel shared all her thoughts and worries about Jaden and the vampires, being careful not to make anything sound too frightening because she didn't want to worry her father more than he already was.

When they got back to the studio, they both set about working in Angel's kitchen, preparing food for the great evening meal. Angel made several casseroles, making one of Jaden's favorites, and Tom focused on the pies. He was excellent at making pies. All thoughts of vampires were gone from Angel's mind as she worked with her dad, focusing her attention on cooking and just enjoying his company. Everything felt so safe when she was with him. It seemed as if everything with the vampires had just been one big, bad dream.

At a quarter until five, Angel and Tom went over to Jaden's apartment, and he invited them in, showing them where to put all the food. Angel was surprised to find, as she put the food in the appropriate place, that several guests were already there. There were three girls already sitting in Jaden's living room, comfortable on one of the couches. Across from them sat a man with beautiful green eyes and dark hair, pulled back in a ponytail. Something seemed vaguely familiar about him, but Angel couldn't put a finger on what it was as she entered the living room. Jaden introduced her and Tom to his guests, and then everyone sat and talked while they waited for everyone else to arrive.

There were a total of twenty-two people in Jaden's small apartment by the time the meal was started. Angel wasn't much of a talker, she preferred to listen, and so she was quiet during most of the conversations, just learning new things about new people. She noticed, this time, that all the girls, every single one of them, were drawn like flies to butter, around Jaden.

A new feeling, one that Angel had never felt before, crept over her as the evening wore on. She felt it come over her as the girls fawned over Jaden, and her cheeks flushed as she realized what this heated new feeling was.

She was jealous. Never before had she been jealous of a man, but here she was, jealous over Jaden, of all people! He was her best friend, and while he had certainly expressed some feelings for her, she had never considered him to be more than a friend! It had been those kisses he had given her! That's what was making her so heated! But they had been simple kisses, never meant to anything deeper, surely!

He gave her the same attention he always did, not so much that it was embarrassing, and not so little that she felt left out, but still, he was speaking plenty enough with the other women, those flirtatious people! And they had once laughed at him for looking like he was from the 80's! And now here they were, ogling over him, because of a change of hairdo and because of…blindness!

When dinner was over, Angel and Tom returned to her studio, and Tom bedded down for the night. Angel, however, still flushed from her uncomfortable feelings, wrapped a heavy bathrobe around her pajamas and made her way to the roof of her studio. The roof was her favorite place for reflecting and solitude, and she stepped onto it and closed the door behind her.

It was freezing cold, and there was a snow flurry, whipping at Angel's hair, but she ignored it and moved to the edge of the roof, gazing out across the shrouded New York sky.

"Why am I jealous?" she prayed aloud, gazing up at the heavy clouds above, snow falling on her face and in her hair. "He's just Jaden!"

"We like to speak of it as amore," a cold voice, colder than the night air, spoke.

"Evidently I didn't burn you enough last time," Angel shivered, her teeth chattering together as she pulled the bathrobe tightly around her. It wasn't thick enough to keep her warm in such weather, and her eyes glassed over from the cold.

"Foolish girl, coming out here in the dark, by yourself, dressed in such apparel," the voice replied, and Angel watched as Ghost stepped out of the flurry, his cloak billowing about him in the biting cold breeze.

Angel backed quickly towards the door and grabbed hold of the knob, intending to hurry up and get inside. She was scared, terribly scared of Ghost now, due to what had happened the other night. She found, to her terror, that once again, she couldn't open the door, this time because her fingers were too stiff to open it.

She panicked, whimpers coming out of her mouth in gusts of smoke, as she fell back against the door. Her hands moved to her face, and tears began to stream down, cold in between her fingers.

"Oh, why the tears? Terrorized that I'm going to kill you after what you pulled off the other night?" Ghost tsked, stepping in front of her, giving her nowhere to escape.

"I can't fight you tonight," Angel sniffed, letting herself slump to the floor, pulling her knees up to her chin.

"How annoying. I don't enjoy prey that doesn't put up a good fight first," Ghost smirked, kneeling down so he was face level with her. "Why this change of defiance?"

"I'm just a girl, Ghost," Angel said, daring to gaze at his hood. "I can't always fight."

"Ah. I know what it is you want," he smiled, his fangs showing as he put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her towards him. "You, my dear lady, want some closeness, some affection."

"Not from you," she struggled weakly, her lips turning blue.

"From that blind boy, then."

"Just leave me alone. You wouldn't understand the desire to feel safe, to feel secure," Angel whispered, cringing when he wrapped his cloak around her and pulled her against his chest. She could feel heat radiating off him, and it made her drowsy.

"Jealousy isn't becoming of you, Angel," Ghost chuckled. "Perhaps your friend has others to consider. I, however, only have room for one lady to occupy my time."

"Go find another bat," Angel scowled, trying to push him away.

"You're so tired," Ghost said, pressing his cheek against hers, warming her face. "Just relax."

"You'll kill me," Angel said, her breathing slowing down as her eyes began to drift closed.

"You know what it is you really want?" Ghost asked, letting his breath brush against her cold skin.

"To stop being hunted and to finally feel free again," Angel breathed, her head tilting so that her forehead was resting on his chest.

"To get all the love and affection you deserve," he corrected, gathering her up into his arms and then standing up.

She didn't even try to fight. All the emotional changes over the past few days had worn her out. Hearing that Jaden was completely blind, watching him being pumped with blood, and then seeing him surrounded by girls had taken all the heart out of Angel for the time being. She needed rest, a good couple of days of rest without being troubled or afraid.

"I'll let you go this time," Ghost said, holding her easily in his arms as he opened the roof door. "But be warned, when you are returned to your proper mentality and health, I will get you, and there will be no stopping me."

"It will be just like in the movie," Angel whispered, half asleep. "I'll try and fight, but you'll kill me anyway."

"Movie?" Ghost asked, carrying her into the building and closing the door behind him.

"Yes. The girl fell in love with the vampire, you know. Foolish woman. She fell in love and then let him kill her," Angel sighed. "Don't let that get to your head. I won't fall in love with you. How could I? I love Jaden."

"You worry so much for such a small woman," Ghost chuckled. "The boy and you would make a good match. But I think you need someone a little more…passionate…more romantic."

"Like you?" Angel laughed despite her weariness. "Oh please."

"Like me," he nodded.

"So you can do what you want and then kill me. Why on earth are you carrying me? Put me down," Angel said, beginning to squirm.

"Why are you letting me carry you?"

"You…you snake! You know I'm at a disadvantaged state right now, and all you can do is make things worse because of it!" Angel shouted, pushing her way out of his arms.

He simply let her go, and she fell hard on her backside.

"Ooh… you are rotten!" she exclaimed, climbing painfully to her feet.

"I came here more or less to give you a warning," Ghost said. "I'm not interested in killing you at just this moment, because I thought I'd let someone else, without my amount of mercy, play with you a little bit first. That may just help you realize that death at my hands would absolutely be heavenly compared to what you're about to go through. There's a whole pack of vampires coming to New York, ones that don't care an inch for your life. I've been told, in honor of their leader, to give you a greeting from them, to assure you that they will be here rather soon and that you're in grave danger. I have no power over this group, and while I don't want them to kill you, be prepared for the worst."

"You don't want them to kill me why?" Angel scowled, pushing past him to get to her door.

"Because I want to save that novelty for myself. As lord of the vampires, I should have such an honor," Ghost smiled. "But if, for some arrogant reason, they end up killing you…"

He grabbed her roughly by her shoulders and then lowered his head, faster than she could blink, and pressed his lips to her neck. She gasped sharply as he kissed her, his breath rushing against her skin, his hands tight on her, forbidding her from moving. Never had she had a more light-headed experience. He trailed kisses up her neck, moving against her throat and then back down again, making her cry out from the excruciating fever that was pulsing through her blood. He was fervent, seeming almost as though he was angry as he pushed his mouth against her, hissing in the back of his throat when he finally pulled away and stepped back. He bowed deeply, wrapped his cloak around him, and then disappeared.

Angel couldn't move. For several long seconds, she was almost positive she wasn't breathing. His touch had been…had been amazing, to say the least.

"Dad," she finally struggled to speak, gasping as she spoke, still breathless.

"Angel, there you are!" Tom said, opening the door at just that moment. His eyes widened when he saw his daughter leaning hard against the wall, her head back and her eyes closed. She looked almost as though she was clinging to the wall, and it seemed it would take a metal bar of some sort to get her off.

"Where were you?" Tom asked, watching as Angel slowly opened her eyes.

"On the roof," she smiled weakly. "Ghost was there."

"Did he hurt you?" Tom asked worriedly, pulling her close.

"No," she said, dazed. "But the hunt is on, Dad. The vampires are after me."

"Yet he didn't kill you," Tom said, surprised. "Why?"

"There's a lot more to him than the scary creature he tries to be," Angel sighed, and then followed him into the studio.

There was no school the next day, and Angel and her dad spent the morning shopping and enjoying each other's company. Angel had some grocery shopping to do in the afternoon, and so Tom volunteered to go home and clean up the refrigerator a bit, making room for more food. Angel teased him, that he didn't want to go grocery shopping, so he was making excuses, but she hugged him and then told him she'd see him later.

It was a beautiful, sunny day, and sunlight was reflecting off the snow. Grocery shopping wasn't one of Angel's favorite things to do, but she didn't seem to mind today. The grocery store was very crowded, making her feel safe. Even if vampires were after her, they wouldn't dare attack her here.

Once the shopping was done, she stopped quickly at a dress store and picked up the dress she had bought for the ball Vladimir would be having at his home the next night. She then went back home to find Tom, Jaden, and Forrest all waiting for her.

"What's this?" she asked, putting her groceries on the counter and then draping her dress over the couch.

"An early birthday present," Tom said proudly. "I know your birthday isn't for a few more days, but I won't be here for it, so tonight we're going out to dinner in your honor."

"Oh! How fun! Just me and the boys!" Angel cheered, beginning to put groceries in the refrigerator.

"Well, Crystal and a few others you know from the theater are going to be there also," Jaden shrugged. "Your dad thought twenty-four was too big of a birthday for just the four of us."

"Aww. You're so sweet, Dad!" Angel smiled, giving Tom a hug. "Where are we going?"

A short while later, Angel found herself sitting on the waterfront, gazing out at the Statue of Liberty, all of her friends gathered around her, preparing themselves to eat as much seafood as they could handle. This was no formal celebration. Everyone was laughing and talking away, and truth be told, the crab legs and shrimp were going to be quite messy, but Angel preferred this type of celebration beyond and above any elegant occasion.

The sun was just setting, casting a warm glow over the Atlantic waters, and while everyone spoke around her, waiting for their food, Angel observed her friends and remained silent. She smiled at Forrest, studying his straight brown hair, his expressive brown eyes, and the joyful smile on his face. She looked to the girls in the group, all fellow actresses, and all part of one unique family. And then her eyes rested on Jaden, crammed in between two of these girls.

There could be no denying that he was gorgeous. His shorter haircut made him look more mature, and it allowed the red highlights in his hair to shine majestically. He had been trying, for the past few days, to grow out his sideburns a bit, and he looked every inch the handsome actor that he was. He moved his head from side to side, trying to look in the right direction of whomever was speaking, giving Angel a clear view of his magnificent hazel eyes. They were so expressive, even though they could no longer see, and Angel lost track of time as she leaned on the table and just gazed at his face.

"I'd say someone's infatuated," Forrest's voice cut in, and Angel started.

"What?" she blushed, turning fiery red.

"Oh, nothing. Food's here!" Forrest grinned, winking at her, as the waitress put down several huge platters of seafood.

"I'd like to propose a toast, in honor of my daughter's birthday," Tom said, standing up and holding a glass of Coke before anyone could start eating.

"A toast!" Jaden cheered, raising his glass.

"May God keep His protective arms around her wherever she may go," Tom said, smiling down at Angel.

"May she always know love and kindness," Jaden added.

"And let her light keep shining!" Forest declared, and everyone cheered, thinking of the young woman's cheerful attitude, her magical necklace never coming to mind.

"Cheers!" Tom called, and everyone toasted.

The evening passed quickly, and then Angel and Tom returned to her studio. They both got into their pajamas and then sat down in the living room.

"I want you to know, honey, before I leave, that I'm so proud of you, and I worry about you," Tom said, taking Angel's hand in his. "These vampire stories are scaring me. As soon as you graduate, I have every intention of bringing you away from this city to somewhere safer."

"Thanks Dad," Angel smiled sadly, knowing that she wouldn't be safe anywhere.

"Before I leave tomorrow, I want to give you this," Tom said, pulling a velvet case out of his pocket. "For some reason, I didn't want to give this to you for any of your other birthdays, but this one just seems fitting."

Angel took the case and opened it. Tears filled her eyes when she saw the black diamond ring there.

"This was Mom's ring," she said quietly, gazing at the exquisite jewel.

"Yes. Before she died in that car accident, she told me she wanted you to have it when I believed you were ready. I feel as though you've matured a great deal more and truly become a lady over these past couple of years in New York. I have missed you terribly, but you would be miserable traveling all over the world, getting on a new plane almost every day. And I know you like to be with me, but you would be so unhappy, Angel. Were it not for that, I would gladly spend every day with you, but I want you to be happy…and safe."

"I'm as safe as I possibly can be, Dad," Angel smiled, putting her arms around him. "You've done a good job taking care of me. And thank you so much for Mom's ring. I wear her necklace all the time. I'll wear her ring too."

"We are both so proud of you," Tom said, squeezing her tightly.