CHAPTER 7
"No," was the only word to come out of my mouth. These guys were insane. First telling me they were vampires, and then telling me I was of a different species. I started shaking, the kind of shaking when your system has a rush of adrenaline when youre faced with some dire news. Not because I was afraid of these guys, but because on some buried level of my psyche, there was a minuscule thought that what they were saying was true. I am different, have always known it and felt out of sync with the rest of the world. I listened to people all my life tell me I was over sensitive, or high-strung. I never once thought maybe I was different in a genetic way. Well shit, who would think of that?
Janel wrapped her arms around me and glared at the two men who were still in the same exact position.
"What is wrong with you two? There is nothing wrong with Olivia."
"Of course there is nothing wrong with Olivia. She has some special gifts she is not aware of yet. Thats all." Alex said kindly.
Janel and I said in unison, "Gifts?"
"What do you mean by gifts?" I felt like I was going to hyperventilate.
Robert groaned and began to rub his temples.
"Alexander, why do you always have to speak out of turn? Why do you have to speak at all?"
Alex glared at him. "She has to know. You cant keep this from her. She has a right to know whats going to happen. The stakes are as high for her as for us."
"Dont you think that Im aware of that? Who knows better than I what can happen? I have been fighting this battle for almost five hundred years. You have been at it what? A mere two hundred years, pup?"
At Robertos use of the word pup, Alexander made
39 a low growling noise and sprang at Roberto. Roberto easily grabbed Alexander and placed a restraining arm around his neck.
"Do not think to take me on pup. You know what will happen."
When Roberto grabbed a hold of Alex, I involuntarily moved forward to help. The action didnt go unnoticed by both men. Alex calmed down quite a bit and actually gave me a little smile while Roberto just scowled.
"Dont worry babe, this old guy wont hurt me. Will you gramps?" Alex laughed.
Roberto stiffened but he did let Alex go. Alex came over to me and pulled me down to sit beside him.
"Listen Olivia, I may not be five hundred years old, and I dont always speak with all of the old world charm of that one over there, but I will always speak the truth to you. And the truth of the matter is you are different. There is a whole world out there with a lot of different things in it. You call us vampires and that is what we are. I dont make any apologies for it anymore than you should apologize for what you are or Janel for her being human. Im sure you have a lot of questions. Why dont you ask? Then you can begin to imagine the world you have suddenly found yourself in."
I took a deep breath. Where to begin? If all they said was true, then my world was about to implode.
"Do you drink blood?"
I was dying to know this ever since they bared their fangs to us. Kind of silly but hey, I was a girl who read Bram Stokers Dracula five times. Romantic that I was, I considered it a great love story and what girl doesnt like a love story, I ask you?
For the first time Alex looked a little uncomfortable. "Yes we do." He said and frowned when I moved farther away.
"But I saw the two of you eat earlier." I said.
40 Janel chimed in, "Yes. I saw that too, and drink. They drank wine with dinner." She accused.
Roberto was back to rubbing his temples and looking like he was getting a headache. I wondered if vampires got headaches and decided to add that question to my list.
"If you had ever done any research on bat species you would know besides blood, bats have a varied diet. Besides we have evolved from bats and humans. We carry the best traits of both. We do need blood in order to be at our peak. Just like humans need to eat a varied diet, so do vampires."
Janel said, "That makes sense I suppose. Okay what about getting staked through the heart. Would it kill you?"
Even Alex began to look irritated. "Would it kill you?"
"I guess most of the things weve read or seen in the movies arent real then?" I asked.
Roberto answered, "Most arent, some are. There is always a grain of truth in legend. We are not harmed by garlic, holy water or seeing a cross. Our genetic makeup does leave us vulnerable to daylight, its not like we would combust or anything. Its more like a sensitivity. We also need to go into a state of torpor."
"What is that?"
"That is when our bodies go into hibernation like state. Our core temperatures go from eighty-six degrees, which is our normal to sixty-eight degrees. This is required by our rapid metabolism to replenish our bodies. During this time our heart rate drops to an undetectable level and our breathing stops. It is very much like death for a short period of time."
Roberto stared at me, "That is why you can scent us. Almost every species has a unique scent, as you will find out."
This was the part I was anxious to hear, but now
41 that the time had come, my stomach clenched into a tight knot. What were they going to tell me? That I was some kind of monster? Or Im not like everyone else. Well that I had always known. I felt Janel squeeze my hand.
"Okay, go ahead. Tell me what a freak I am."
Alex began, "Ohhh babe, you arent a freak. What you are is a Sensay. That is one of the most revered species in our world. There have only been a handful of Sensays, ever."
"A what? A sensei like in Karate Kid? Wax on, wax off?" Alex laughed. "No, a Sensay." I looked at him like he was Costello and I was Abbott. He spelled it out for me.
"S E N S A Y"
"Well alrighty, but what is a S E N S A Y?"
Roberto chimed in, "A Sensay is a person who has heightened senses. You know taste, smell, hearing, touch and vision. It is the evolution jackpot more or less. It is believed that you have the senses of some of the best animals in the world. For instance, dogs have superior hearing, jungle cats have a unique sense of touch with their whiskers, and hawks have an amazing range with their eyesight. Pigs are used to find truffles with their advanced sense of smell."
"Did you just tell me I have the DNA of a pig?!" I asked on the verge of hysteria.
"Of course not, not the DNA, but its possible you have some of the same traits."
Alex burst out laughing. "Way to charm a lady Roberto."
"I didnt mean it like that and you know it." Roberto croaked.
"So, if Im to take you seriously, I am a unique being who evolved from a bunch of different animals? I questioned."
"Yes. Thats precisely what you are, a Sensay."
Janel was unusually quiet during all of this and by
42 the look on her face; she didnt believe this crap anymore than I did. As if by an unspoken clue we both rose.
"Ummm, yeah thanks and all for the dinner and our little chat but I do think its best if we head home. This trip has been a little bit more exciting than what we had planned for. We were gonna have some nice dinners, play a bit of blackjack, and do some shopping. I dont think we had anything on our agenda that had to do with vampires and Sensays and pigs and...."
Janel cut in "Drinking blood and death sleep. Dont forget about that."
"Yes well, thank you again. It was nice meeting you."
"Are you really going to walk out of here and miss the chance to know more about your abilities?" Roberto asked.
He knew just what would pull me in. A part of me wanted to keep going and a part of me wanted to know more, like if there was way to get rid of this so called gift.
"Ahhh, I can see youre torn about this but let me tell you one more thing before you make up your mind. That explosion tonight was because of you." Roberto said in a matter of fact tone.
Unbelievingly I said, "Someone wants to kill me?"
Alex sighed and said, "No babe, someone wants you. The explosion was a diversion for Roberto and me."
"Alexander is right. Olivia, a Sensay comes into their abilities when they reach an age of about thirty or so. I am taking a guess you must be close to that."
"Hey! Yeah, Im going to be thirty soon but you dont have to advertise it."
Janel piped in, "Shes a little sensitive about hitting the big 3O."
Alex laughed. "Really? I would not have guessed. But babe, you look fantastic. If you want to come over here and sit on my lap Ill show you just how much you turn me
43 on. Maybe even partake in a bit of hot monkey sex."
He wagged his eyebrows at me. He had heard Janel in the lobby earlier tonight! I felt my face turn a hundred shades of red.
"Alexander! Please stop now. You promised you would proceed with caution concerning Ms. Sherman."
"Never mind all of that. What did you mean when you said the explosion was a diversion? Are there really people after me? Why?"
Roberto raised his eyebrow, "You are a hot commodity Olivia and not just in this room." He gave Alex a look that made me want to take a step back.
"There are those who would like to use you for their misguided agenda. There is a group of people, mostly scientists, some so called religious groups who call themselves the Guardians. They believe it is their duty to rid the earth of any species they feel threaten the purity of the human race."
"That is crazy. It also sounds a little too close to ethnic cleansing if you ask me. But why do they want me? How could they use me?"
Alex came over to stand by me and take my hand in his, "Think about your unique talents babe. How you scented Roberto and I this afternoon. Think about your talents that havent shown yet, how those things could be used to track down and identify the different species out there. And babe, there are more species than vampires and Sensays."
Roberto cleared his throat, "I dont think we need to go into that right now."
God no! I didnt think I could take much more. Why did I have to open my big mouth?
Roberto addressed me with a look of pity. "You need to understand something Olivia; you cant go back to your old life. Somehow they know who you are. They knew you were going to be in town this weekend. They will
44 not let you alone now."
I looked at him and Alex. Alex couldnt look me in the eye; he was focusing on a spot somewhere above my head. I couldnt believe what I was hearing. I felt numb, like I wasnt in my body anymore. Cant go back? Cant take care of my patients, have dinner with my friends, what about my parents?
"I dont know what the hell you are playing at here but why should I believe you? How do I know that you are the good guys? Maybe these other guys the Guardians or whatever, maybe theyre the good guys. You said they were scientists and religious groups. They cant all be fanatical."
For the first time since meeting him, I saw Alex get angry.
"Cmon Olivia. Good guys dont put bombs in restaurants and hurt people. The guy who came to our table tonight to warn us is named Joey. He has two kids and a wife at home. He got all of the people out safely tonight, but he fell through the floor and broke his back. Good guys, f*ck that!"
"Im sorry Alex."
I realized this whole night Ive been thinking about nothing but me, something I normally dont do. I figured there was a lot I had to learn about myself, about this new world that had opened up to me, but I needed some time. This is not an easy thing to grasp. One day youre an average girl, albeit a bit shy and introverted. The next day youre in a new world where there are different species. I sat down and tried to absorb all they had told me.
Alex and Roberto spoke in hushed tones and since it was only midnight, the guys decided to go down to the main floor of the casino and do a security sweep.
I found it hard to believe there was a secret sect out there wanting to kidnap me and use me for their evil purposes, but I also wasnt going to go down there to flaunt
45 myself in front of them just in case. Crap, Ive seen those horror movies where the girl goes foolishly running into the danger even though everyone in the damn movie has warned her.
Janel sat on the sofa and pouted, "I dont know why I couldnt go down to the casino with them. Those Guardian fanatics arent after me."
"They might have seen you with me or at the least know Im here with someone and be looking for you too."
She got up to pour another drink and said, "Well this just sucks. All of this excitement and were practically prisoners here."
"Awww, sweetie Im sorry. This is my entire fault."
"No its not your fault. You cant help youre a senthingy or whatever it is. Please dont listen to my bitching. I just want that gorgeous hunk of Italian man to come back."
I debated whether I should tell Janel what happened earlier; first with Alexander and then with Roberto. I wanted to tell her but I was too ashamed. I had never been promiscuous before and tonight it sure seemed to me I had acted the slut. How could I tell her?
At the sound of the door opening, I tensed. It was hard to be in the same room with two guys that youve made out within one night.
Alex and Roberto walked in. It sounded like they were arguing again.
"I told you there is no reason for you to stay here. My men and I are perfectly capable of protecting the women." Roberto said.
"I am not leaving here and you know why." Alex said as they entered the living area.
"Why?" I asked.
"Im not leaving him here alone with you."
"Why?" I asked again.
"Go ahead Alexander; tell Olivia why you want to
46 stay here tonight."
Looking uncomfortable Alex said, "Well babe, its like this. Remember when we were telling you about the special things a Sensay can do? And how youre starting to come into your abilities and all? Youve already experienced your superior sense of smell."
Roberto urged him on. "Tell her Alexander."
Alex ran an agitated hand through his blond hair and exhaled.
"Youre beginning to show signs of another one of your abilities, a finely tuned sense of touch."
I opened my mouth to tell them I hadnt experienced anything like that, but clarity washed over me as I looked at their guilty faces. The overheated kiss from Alex in the parking lot. The almost sex session in the bedroom with Roberto. I felt the heat flooding my face when I realized the truth. They both had known! I felt used and betrayed, even though I didnt know these two all that well.
"You a*sholes!" I yelled and quickly stood up. "You both knew and you both tried to take advantage of the fact I didnt know what would happen when you touched me."
Alex growled and moved towards Roberto.
"I cant believe you went for her after I staked first claim. You know that is not permitted."
Janel was confused, "What are you people talking about?"
"What the hell do you mean by staked first claim?" I asked Alex.
"Among our type, when we meet someone we want to mate with, we claim them by leaving our scent on them. I did that to you in the restaurant tonight when I kissed your neck. This lets others of our kind know you have been claimed and they cannot try to mate with you. And Roberto it seems violated the rules tonight." Alex glared over at
47 Roberto.
"Wait a minute. Im confused. Who mated?" Janel interrupted. "Did you have sex with someone tonight Olivia?"
"NO!" The three of us all said at once.
These two men had only wanted me tonight because of me being a Sensay with some heightened sense of touch? The reason they had wanted me was because I apparently was some sort of hypersensitive sex magnet. I thought of my reaction when I was rubbing on Roberto and how delicious currents went up my spine to the base of my skull. Remembering the feel of his thick erection rubbing against me caused a wetness to rush between my thighs. I heard Robertos sharp intake of breath and looked up to see him staring at me with hot eyes. He knew! Could he scent my arousal? I stood up.
"Well, its nice to know the only reason each of you wanted me tonight is because Im a freaking Sensay and can help you get your rocks off like no one else can."
Both men made a weak attempt at denial. I stopped them because I didnt want to hear it.
"Shut up both of you! Dont try and deny it. I think I need some time to be alone. I need to think about this and what all of this means."
Janel made a move to come with me but I stopped her.
"No. Please, I need a little space."
Janel looked at my eyes that were beginning to water and sat back down. She knew I hated to cry in front of anyone, even her.
As I walked down the hall to my room, I couldnt help a tear from falling and a little smile as I heard Janel say, "You two are the biggest idiots I ever met, vampire or no vampire. I feel like kicking your asses!"
I went back to my room and threw myself on the bed in order to have a good cry. But almost as soon as the
48 tears started, they stopped. I could feel a defiance growing inside me. This was bullshit. Im not a child; Im a grown woman almost thirty damn years old. Who the hell did these two guys think they were? What gave them the right to act like they were my keepers? For the first time in my life I didnt want to be responsible Olivia. Level headed and always doing the right thing Olivia. I remembered the door that Roberto had gone through earlier. It was on the wall opposite the bed. I went over to take a look but didnt see anything that would look like a handle. So I just started pushing all over the wall and low and behold it began to turn. It was a lot heavier than I would have thought but I leaned into it and it slowly opened farther.
I was a bit afraid of what was waiting on the other side, but was relieved to see it was another bedroom. I knew instinctively this was Robertos bedroom. My first thought was "what a creep" putting me in a room next to his that had a secret entrance. What was I? Was I supposed to be like his local fast food drive through? Feeling a little hungry? Come on down for a little taste of Olivia! Wham bam thank you maam!! And they were trying to tell me I have the DNA of a pig!
I couldnt resist taking a look around his bedroom though. I was shocked this room was so different from the rest of the penthouse. It was modern. The walls were a deep red color. The bed was low with a black polished headboard with soft lighting behind it. I went over and ran a hand over the black and white bedding. Silk, of course. Why wasnt I surprised? I bet he likes the feel of silk against his naked body.
I let my mind wander remembering the feel of his erection so hot and hard as I freed it. It was like steel, but velvety soft; thick, long and throbbing. Ohhhh God, to hear him moan was the most delicious sound. With a deep sigh I forced my thoughts away from the sexy Italian or he may just find me in his bed pleasuring myself. I wondered if I
49 was going to turn into a sex maniac. I have no idea what to expect with "heightened senses." How bad was this going to get?
Was I going to one day wake up and howl at the moon? Run through the woods sniffing for truffles?
I couldnt see one other piece of furniture in the room. Hmmm who would have guessed that Mr. Italiano was a hidden minimalist? I wouldnt have. Not by the frescos and marble that was all over the rest of the penthouse. I turned to go back when I noticed a door on the far wall of the bedroom. I walked over and nervously turned the doorknob. It opened up to a small alcove that had, of all things, an elevator.
Did I dare? Why not? I wasnt going to run away, after all Janel was still here and I would never leave her behind. But holy crap, I really could use some time to myself. I could head down to the bar and have a drink and think about everything that had happened tonight. Yes, I would do it. After all, my obsessive side needed to put things on my mental list. Organize, rationalize, and come to grips with all of the information given to me. I quickly ran back to my room and grabbed my purse, thankful I had left it there and not in the living room.
I kept thinking that I was doing something wrong. I felt like a teenager sneaking out of the house at night, and I was going to get caught. Holding my breath I pressed the button to open the elevator door. As soon as the door was open I jumped inside. Made it!
As the door started to close I began to feel almost giddy with a sense of recklessness and softly sang, "I am woman hear me roar."