Read Online Tainted Blood by Joann I. Martin Sowles - Free Book Online
Authors: Joann I. Martin Sowles
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Kiera all day, helping her get this ready.”
“Really?” I was surprised by the idea of them hanging out. It actually amused me. “How did that go?” I could just imagine little Kiera barking orders at my vampire boyfriend. It brought a big smile to my face.
“She’s kind of bossy,” he whispered in my ear. That made me really laugh, and it felt so good. He hugged me to him, and I felt full of happiness.
Carter and Kiera made their way to me, and I smacked Carter on the arm.
“Ow!” He rubbed his arm and fake pouted. “What was that for?”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”
“What part of ‘surprise party’ do you not get?” He grinned at me, obviously proud of himself for not spilling the beans.
“The part where you’ve never been able to keep surprise parties a surprise.”
“Oh, whatever!” He laughed. “Well, if you hadn’t been on the phone all day I probably would’ve spilled.” He wandered off to get some snacks, and Kiera went to answer the door.
Oliver nuzzled against my neck and asked, “Who were you talking to all day?”
“I called my grandparents.” I didn’t plan to mention talking to my father to anyone. He had sounded so serious about others not knowing that we had spoken. I wanted to believe his reasons were true. Not because I wanted either of us to be in danger, but because I wanted there to be a really big reason, a real reason, as to why he wasn’t a part of my life.
“You did, did you?” He kept his arms wrapped around me but his eyes studied mine. “You okay?” he asked.
I nodded and flashed him a smile. Now wasn’t really the time to discuss the topic, and he seemed to realize that. Plus, just then Kiera opened the door to three more guests. Hayden, Isaac, and Felix strolled in. Oliver gave me a little nudge, and I got up to greet the new arrivals.
The party was in full swing. Balloons and decorations in a variety of colors littered the apartment walls and floated across the ceiling. The dining table was covered in a colorful plastic tablecloth with an assortment of snacks. Snacks that looked delicious, especially since I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. There was a big plastic tub full of ice and sodas, and the fridge seemed to be supplied with beer. Gifts were piled up on the counter next to a large bouquet of wild flowers. The flowers reminded me of Lilly’s card which in turn reminded me of her absence. I grabbed a soda, a handful of cheese cubes, and some crackers then leaned against the counter, watching my guests for a few minutes while I fought off the sadness of missing my aunt.
It was a great party, and I really appreciated all that Kiera had done, but it almost felt like she was trying to take Lilly’s place. My aunt had always thrown me a birthday get-together, and they were very similar to the current shindig Kiera was hosting. I suppose it was just in Kiera’s nature to continue on with the tradition, she had always enjoyed helping Lilly put the parties together.
It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate the gesture, I guess, maybe I’d been thinking that a new way to celebrate my birthday would make the fact that my aunt was gone hurt a little less. I don’t know what my problem was. Maybe I was feeling a bit overwhelmed…maybe that was all it was.
Felix was squatted down next to Oliver, and they were speaking very quietly. I’m sure it had something to do with me and my graveyard visitor because when the conversation was over, Oliver glanced up at me for a very small moment then slipped his sunglasses into place, rested an ankle over his knee, and sat back very still as Felix walked away.
Felix made his way to me, gave me a hug, and told me happy birthday once more before telling me that he regretfully needed to leave. He told me he had important matters to take care of, and he hoped that I had a nice party.
After Felix left, I watched the rest of the guests for a few more minutes while continually glancing in Oliver’s
“Really?” I was surprised by the idea of them hanging out. It actually amused me. “How did that go?” I could just imagine little Kiera barking orders at my vampire boyfriend. It brought a big smile to my face.
“She’s kind of bossy,” he whispered in my ear. That made me really laugh, and it felt so good. He hugged me to him, and I felt full of happiness.
Carter and Kiera made their way to me, and I smacked Carter on the arm.
“Ow!” He rubbed his arm and fake pouted. “What was that for?”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”
“What part of ‘surprise party’ do you not get?” He grinned at me, obviously proud of himself for not spilling the beans.
“The part where you’ve never been able to keep surprise parties a surprise.”
“Oh, whatever!” He laughed. “Well, if you hadn’t been on the phone all day I probably would’ve spilled.” He wandered off to get some snacks, and Kiera went to answer the door.
Oliver nuzzled against my neck and asked, “Who were you talking to all day?”
“I called my grandparents.” I didn’t plan to mention talking to my father to anyone. He had sounded so serious about others not knowing that we had spoken. I wanted to believe his reasons were true. Not because I wanted either of us to be in danger, but because I wanted there to be a really big reason, a real reason, as to why he wasn’t a part of my life.
“You did, did you?” He kept his arms wrapped around me but his eyes studied mine. “You okay?” he asked.
I nodded and flashed him a smile. Now wasn’t really the time to discuss the topic, and he seemed to realize that. Plus, just then Kiera opened the door to three more guests. Hayden, Isaac, and Felix strolled in. Oliver gave me a little nudge, and I got up to greet the new arrivals.
The party was in full swing. Balloons and decorations in a variety of colors littered the apartment walls and floated across the ceiling. The dining table was covered in a colorful plastic tablecloth with an assortment of snacks. Snacks that looked delicious, especially since I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. There was a big plastic tub full of ice and sodas, and the fridge seemed to be supplied with beer. Gifts were piled up on the counter next to a large bouquet of wild flowers. The flowers reminded me of Lilly’s card which in turn reminded me of her absence. I grabbed a soda, a handful of cheese cubes, and some crackers then leaned against the counter, watching my guests for a few minutes while I fought off the sadness of missing my aunt.
It was a great party, and I really appreciated all that Kiera had done, but it almost felt like she was trying to take Lilly’s place. My aunt had always thrown me a birthday get-together, and they were very similar to the current shindig Kiera was hosting. I suppose it was just in Kiera’s nature to continue on with the tradition, she had always enjoyed helping Lilly put the parties together.
It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate the gesture, I guess, maybe I’d been thinking that a new way to celebrate my birthday would make the fact that my aunt was gone hurt a little less. I don’t know what my problem was. Maybe I was feeling a bit overwhelmed…maybe that was all it was.
Felix was squatted down next to Oliver, and they were speaking very quietly. I’m sure it had something to do with me and my graveyard visitor because when the conversation was over, Oliver glanced up at me for a very small moment then slipped his sunglasses into place, rested an ankle over his knee, and sat back very still as Felix walked away.
Felix made his way to me, gave me a hug, and told me happy birthday once more before telling me that he regretfully needed to leave. He told me he had important matters to take care of, and he hoped that I had a nice party.
After Felix left, I watched the rest of the guests for a few more minutes while continually glancing in Oliver’s
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