The Rock's of Beauty by Meghan Escott (books for new readers TXT) 📕

need to bite and feed from each human to gain your tattoos back. That is all you need to do to regain your former self and your tattoos.”
I did as The Head said and went from human to human, biting and sucking with The Head holding me upright and moving me because of all the pain.
I woke up in my bedroom with Sam beside me softly stroking my naked skin. I jerked involuntarily and Sam covered my body up with the sheets of the bed. I felt numb everywhere and I was tingling where the sheets were touching me.
I pushed the covers off of me and retrieved the bra and underwear that Sam had gotten from a drawer. I slipped them on quickly and laid back down on my bed next to Sam. He smiled at me them cuddled up close to me. I winced where his clothes touched me and he moved away from me slightly.
“Everything is over now honey. I promise you that Tristan is over and he will never harm anyone ever again.” Sam whispered into my ear. “He is scattered all over the school, buried so no-one will find the pieces of him.”
“The Head said that I was ready to learn about the ancient ways our kind or something. It sounded like it was a test of some kind.” I said to Sam, anger tainting my voice. Sam sat up and took my head in his hands and brushed his fingers down my forehead and over my eyelids. He said a magical incantation and placed some sort of powder on my eyelids.
As soon as the powder touched my eyelids, my eyelids started to burn and I started to scream out in agony. Sam blew on my eyelids and they stopped burning. I sighed with relief and started to open my eyes.
“NO! Keep them closed.” Sam shouted at me so I kept my eyes closed while Sam gripped my hands way too tightly.
“Sam.” I could hear the fear in my voice. “What's going on Sam? What's happening?”
“I'm proving something to everyone. Okay, you can open your eyes now.” I opened them quickly and looked at Sam who was looking at me in awe. “We must go to see The Head at once. Get dressed.” he said quickly. He gave me a t-shirt and shorts and I slipped them on quickly. I picked up a hair band on the way out of my room – forgetting about the new tattoo on my neck. As we passed the door from my block I started to tie my hair up so I would at least look a bit respectful to The Head – more than last time I saw him anyway.
“What's that on your neck?” Sam said as I finished putting my hair up. He grabbed for my hand but I moved away from him and took my hair down. This time when he grabbed for my hand, he caught it and walked be into the nearest classroom which was thankfully empty. He pushed me against a wall and pushed my neck to one side. The tattoo was nicely placed inside the indent in my neck that Josh had made. It was harder to see it that way but it had hurt a lot more than expected.
“That's the anti-vampire mark.” Sam said disbelievingly. “Why did you get that done?” he said, anger etched into his tone.
“I had to. I had no choice other wise I had blown Ethyl's and my cover.” I said to Sam sinking down against the wall.
“Tell me everything Lucy.” Sam commanded and sat in front of me and crossed his legs.
So I did. I told him everything that happened from the moment I was transported to outside the school. I told him about the boy I nearly killed. I told him about waking up a whole street. I told him about how Ethyl saved me and took me into her home. I told him about the meetings with the anti-vampire community and I told him about having to get the tattoo to help Ethyl. I told him about the fight with the Vampires that I got Ethyl out. I told him about the week at the other school and I told him about Cassius. And all through this Sam was staring at my neck and holding my hands too tight again.
“Sam are you okay?” I asked him when I noticed that he was staring at my neck.
“I'm hungry is all.” he said.
“Bite then. I don't mind.” I said quickly, remembering saying to myself that I'd feed him the second I got back here. I tilted my neck to the side and moved the hair out of the way. He moved quickly at vampire speed to my side and bit quickly before I had really noticed that he was there. The pain only lasted a second before he started sucking although it didn't give me the normal reaction I was used to.
I could start to feel the life draining out of me so I told Sam that it was time to stop and he immediately stopped although didn't heal the bite but blew on it to make it scab over. I shrugged my shoulders and got up pulling Sam up with me. I took his hand and walked him to The Head's office. I put my hair up and walked confidently into the office with Sam grasping my hand tightly.
“Ethyl.” Ethyl was sitting in a comfy looking chair placed near the middle of the room. I ran over to her and gave her a huge hug. “Ethyl, how are you? I hope the transportation didn't scare you too much.” I said to her sitting crossed legged in front of her on the floor.
“I'm fine darling and the fire was a bit of a scare but I think you scared my son yesterday on your return more than you scared me.” She said back to me, holding my outstretched hand.
“Where they good to you at that school?” I said squeezing her hand.
“Yes, they were. They cooked my favourite meals for me and let me do pretty much anything I wanted. Make sure you thank them for their hospitality towards us. Whose your friend?” She asked, referring to Sam who was standing sheepishly near the door.
“Ethyl, this is Sam. He's my fiancé.” I explained to Ethyl while I watched her eyes flick around my body taking in the tattoos and finally focusing on my neck with the scabbed over bite marks. I put my hand up to it and smiled looking down.
“So this is Ethyl, the one who made you get that wretched sign on your neck.” Sam said unexpectedly from across the room. I turned to face him and give him a 'shut up' face but he was gone and was moving closer to the door. I turned just in time to see Sam launch himself at Ethyl who was shivering in her seat.
Eric and The Head who had both just entered the room through the side door launched themselves through the air and blocked Sam from hurting Ethyl. The Head let go of Sam and quickly got Ethyl out of the room while Eric kept Sam back. I ran at my new vampire speed to help Eric and at my sudden appearance in front of him, Sam stopped and fell to his knees. I quickly sat next to him and leaned into his ear.
“Ethyl is The Heads mum.” I whispered and he jerked his head in my direction. “You can't hurt her.” I whispered more forcefully to him and he finally nodded and got up. He turned to help me up but I was already on my feet. “I'll tell you later.” I said and he turned to The Head who was guarding the side door.
“I apologise for how I acted. I was not aware that Ethyl was your mother. For attacking her I am sorry Sir.” Sam said and dropped to his knees again.
“Let the poor boy up son.” Ethyl said from behind The Head. “He's got enough on his plate right now. This baby is so cute.” I heard Kahn crying in Ethyl's arms and I smiled at him and waved.
“Why are you two here?” The Head said looking at me. “I see all your tattoos are back and shining brightly Lucy.”
“Thank you sir and we are here to inform of the school that needs thanking for their hospitality and warriors.” The Head nodded at me so I continued explaining what needed to be done.
Once I had finished my explanation and The Head nodded and sat behind his desk, I sat on the floor and crossed my legs. I closed my eyes and slipped into Sam's mind, controlling him and making him come to me, sit down and offer me blood which I desperately needed after his vast drinking from me.
I opened my eyes to see Eric looming in my face and Sam moving towards me with a blank look on his face. I slipped into his mind again this time keeping my eyes open and made him forget what I had just asked. While I was doing this, I watched Eric go to The Head and whisper something to him. The Head and Eric both looked at me just as I had finished with Sam.
Sam blinked and then looked at me. I smiled at him and talked to him telepathically.
I need blood
He nodded and started towards me.
“No. Stop.” The Head and Eric said together. Sam stopped and we both looked at them. Eric moved slowly towards me but I got up and appeared in front of him when he blinked. He lifted his hand moved a stray hair out of my eyes. I could hear Sam breathing heavily but I couldn't take my eyes away from Eric's. He stroked a fingernail down my cheek and I felt the blood drip off my cheek like a tear. He then put his fingers on my forehead and brought them down over my eyes and I closed them.
Eric gasped and took hold of my hands. He kissed both my eye lids in turn and then down the cut on my cheek and then both my hands in turn. When I opened my eyes he was on his knees in front of me. I turned my head to Sam and he just looked down at the floor and away from me.
“What's going on?” I said into the silence.
“Grandfather. She is of water.” Eric said breathless. The Head stood up from behind his desk and smiled.
“We must rejoice tonight. Sam and Eric, you must show her the ancient ways.” Sam and Eric both nodded at The Head and Eric got up and took my hand.
“Transport us somewhere. Anywhere.” Eric said and I nodded. I looked at Sam and imagined all three of us going to my room. I clicked my fingers and we all burst in flames.
Chapter Fourteen