Saved by a Vampire: The Transformed

SAVED BY A VAMPIRE

A TRANSFORMED STANDALONE NOVEL

by Stacy Claflin

http://www.stacyclaflin.com

Copyright ©2015 Stacy Claflin. All rights reserved.

@Cover Design: Cormar Covers

Edited by Staci Troilo

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental or used fictitiously. The author has taken great liberties with locales including the creation of fictional towns.

Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited. Do not upload or distribute anywhere.

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CHAPTER ONE

My mouth watered at the rare smell of bacon and eggs. My favorite. We seldom found scarce commodities like pigs and could barely afford bacon or other cuts if we did.

Come down for breakfast, Ziamara, called my grandma.

Hold on!

The food smelled heavenly, although what I really wanted was something else entirely. Delicious, red liquid. But I only had one bag remaining, and I couldn't waste it. Not when I wasn't sure where the next one would come from.

Staring at my reflection, I found it hard to believe I'd recently faced death's door. Though a bit paler than it once was, my complexion had never been better. Not a single mark marred my skin—no reminders of my long hospital stay.

I rose and went over to my full-length mirror, turning from side to side. My bones no longer stuck out from all my lost weight. In their place were some lush curves, exactly where I'd always wanted them. I smiled, never having been so pleased with how I looked.

Regardless, I threw on an old hoodie. I would draw enough attention at school, and I didn't need my figure to add to that. Another day.

I ran a brush through my newly long, thick shiny brown hair. Even prior to being sick, it had never been so full of life.

How ironic, considering I was now technically dead.

Okay, I'd been more than just at death's door. I'd passed through, coming back on the other side. It's all semantics. I was now seventeen going on… nothing. I would forever be seventeen.

I'd been deathly sick. The doctors had mostly said cancer, but no one really knew. Our hospital wasn't one with access to expensive tests like that. They could barely afford the soap to clean my sheets each week, and even then, it depended on whether they were soiled or not. Though, more than anything, I would have wanted them to put money toward fixing the windows. The drafts were always so cold at night, and the plastic always came untaped with the slightest breeze.

Sure, I was lucky enough to live in a town where we even had a hospital, but it really wasn't much help. They could only give me some medicines to help me feel better—for a while, anyway.

Then death came calling my name.

Ziamara, called my grandma, a warning in her tone.

Coming! I shouted, more annoyed than I should be. But Larus, the delectable vampire prince, had assured me my temper would ease up. It was just part of being a newly-transformed vampire. My rich dark brown eyes turned red and I took a deep breath, trying to calm down before I went downstairs.

I knew my limits. Larus had trained me to handle my cravings before they got out of control. If that happened, my new blood thirst would turn me into a lunatic. But thanks to him, I knew well enough to drink pre-packaged blood as soon as I felt the first signs of thirst.

Once my eyes returned to brown, I pulled back my hair and tied it with a light blue ribbon—one of the only things I had from my birth mom. I sighed, wishing my perfect vampire memory could fix what I'd forgotten when I was human.

I stared in the mirror, searching for discoloration. Little red speckles marred the pure brown of my irises. No one else would notice them. Not for a while, anyway.

Mr. Foley—a werewolf, of all things—was supposed to help me find more blood, but he was out of town on a work trip. Or at least that was what he told everyone in Delphic Cove. Only I knew the truth. He was on official werewolf business.

It's getting cold!

I checked my reflection again. A new wave of bacon aroma danced around me. With my anger gone, I ran out of my room and skipped down the stairs. Smiling, I sat at the table.

Grandma came over and wrapped me in a hug. It's so good to have you back, Zia. I was beginning to wonder if they would ever return you.

You wouldn't want me here before I had my thirst under control. I picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite. It melted in my mouth.

Grandma took a deep breath and stepped back. You still like eggs, right honey? She turned back to the stove.

Of course.

She piled scrambled eggs on my plate alongside a few pieces of bacon. I miss the days when all we had to do was go to a store and pick some out.

It's hard to even imagine the grocery store carrying more than just the basics. I waited for her to sit. Aren't you going to have any?

You eat first. I want to make sure you have enough.

Come on. There's plenty. I'd rather eat together.

Grandma gave me a half-hearted smile. If you insist.

She turned around and put a tiny amount of food on her plate, and then sat across from me.

Do you regret having me turned into a vampire? I studied her. The lines on her face seemed deeper than before, and she hadn't stopped frowning.

She scratched her graying hair. I'm glad to have you back. Without you being a v—what you are, I'd have had to bury you, too. You've saved an old woman more heartache.

Then don't feel bad, I said. And you're not old.

Do you need anything for school today? she asked.

It's been so long since I've gone, I don't even know what I'd need. I'm sure they'll understand. Everyone knows I was dying.

What are you going to say? she asked. Everyone is going to have questions.

I'm just going to say I went away to receive a blood transfusion from a faraway relative. It was the truth… in a strange sort of way. My great-grandmother's sister had turned me into a vampire using her own blood.

Grandma's mouth curved down, but she didn't say anything.

If they don't believe me, I can control their minds. I giggled.

She didn't.

Well, I can. And I'm a lot stronger than any of them. I have the advantage. I sat taller and gave her a confident expression.

But that's the problem, she said. If you give them reason to worry, you might get kicked out of town.

You worry too much, I said.

She narrowed her eyes.

I won't get kicked out of town. Even if I did, I could take you, and we could start over somewhere new. Delphic Cove isn't the only town where it's safe to live.

There aren't many towns that are. Grandma frowned.

More and more are popping up. The world is starting to recover from the war.

She leaned back in her chair. I hope it returns to the way it used to be when I was little. The older I get, the harder it is to remember those days, but I cherish the memories I still have. Times were so happy then, even though the war had already started. It saddens me that almost no one remembers what it was like.

Tell me more, I said. I used to love these stories when I was little.

Grandma half-smiled. Where to begin? We could travel freely throughout much of the country. I remember taking road trips with my parents and siblings before things got really bad.

In cars, right? I asked.

She nodded, looking up. Most families had two or three cars, and the roads were nice and smooth, making it easy to go wherever we wanted. We could stop off at a store and buy anything we ever desired. We had computers and movie theaters. Every house had its own phone.

It's so hard to believe, I said. I wish the Great War never happened.

Wouldn't that have been nice? It makes me sad that none of you grandkids ever got to experience what life was like back then.

Maybe it'll get to be like it was. Vampires have helped people recover from desolation before.

It just seems too hard to believe.

Why? I asked. Vampires have been helping people for the last three thousand years. That was when the first one was born.

Can we talk about something else? she asked.

I picked at a nail. But it's my new heritage.

Tears shone in her eyes. Only because there weren't any other options.

What do you have against vampires? They saved my life.

My mom hated them. She refused to even talk to her own sister after she became a vampire.

Are you sure it's not because she stopped aging, and your mom didn't want people asking questions? I asked.

If you want to get technical, but there was a lot more to it than that.

I raised an eyebrow.

Shouldn't you be getting ready to leave? she asked.

I have time. What more do you know about your mom and the vampires? I stuck a piece of bacon in my mouth.

Grandma took a sip from her cup. I should just let you read the diary entries, but that'll have to wait.

I'd like that. But can you just tell me what you remember? I'm a vampire, and I'd like to know.

You're not going to give up, are you?

No.

She got up and left the room. A few minutes later, she came in with a worn journal. She held it up, showing me the front which had Natalie scrawled across the front.

Is that your mom's? I whispered.

Yes. She sat, holding the diary close. Her sister, Alexis, became a vampire when they were teenagers. She kept disappearing. It tore their parents apart not knowing what kept happening to her. Then finally, one night, some vampires abducted Mom and scared her half to death. After that, she wanted nothing to do with them again.

My eyes widened. That's horrible. Can I read it?

She glanced at the time. Later. I promise. You'd better hurry, or you'll be late for school.

I gave her my best pout.

It's not going to work. You need to get going.

What are they going to do? Kick me out? I shook my head. You know everyone is going to be excited to see me. No one else has been that close to death and survived.

I just worry about you.

I can't even die anymore. The only thing that can kill royal vampires like me is a rare type of wood that doesn't even grow here.

I know. Clifford explained the details of your bloodline and its benefits when you were… healing.

Well, then, what's the problem? I swallowed the last of my eggs.

There isn't time to talk about it. You're going to be late.

I wanted to talk about it because it was my new life, but she didn't want to hear about it.

More eggs, bacon? she asked.

I bit into the bacon and shook my head.

I'll put them into the fridge. Hopefully the electricity will last.

It's been on ever since I got back. That's a good sign.

Or it means that it's going to be out for a week again.

I got up and gave her a hug. Thanks for my favorite breakfast. It's the perfect way to start off my first day back at school.

If you need anything—

I won't. Bye, Grandma.

Have a good day, honey. She frowned.

I smiled wide, hoping to ease her mind. Despite my inability to die, she would worry for the rest of her life. I was pretty much all she had left. See you this afternoon. I gave her a hug and made my way outside. The sun shone brightly, warming me. Luckily, no one would suspect me being a vampire since I could go out in the sun.

I walked down the familiar cracked streets to the high school. Despite missing the prior year of schooling, I'd caught up on my studies while living at the castle, and so I was able to rejoin my class for senior year.

My nose tickled and hairs stood up on the back of my neck. I sniffed the air, hoping for a clue. The strange scent remained, but I didn't know what it could be.

I stopped and inspected the area. Something wasn't right, and it felt like someone watched me. Narrowing my eyes, I glanced around. Nothing appeared out of place, but the feeling grew stronger. I clenched my fists and felt the tingle of my fangs preparing to come out. Hopefully I wouldn't need them, but I wasn't going to resist them, either.

Three tall guys about my age came out from behind a building. They were well-built and brought the earthy, spicy canine scent with them. Then I noticed it—it was nearly the same one I'd smelled when I met Mr. Foley.

Werewolves.

My stomach twisted in knots. I hadn't expected them to be in Delphic Cove, but there they were. Mr. Foley hadn't mentioned anything about others, but he led all the packs in the Pacific Northwest, so it only made sense for there to be some. Unfortunately, he was out of town.

Do you smell that? asked one of the guys—the werewolves. Their smell grew stronger as they stood there. This one had sandy-blonde hair, close-set blue eyes, and a scar along one arm.

Smells like vampire to me, said another. He had black hair and darker skin tone than the other two. I thought they were run out of town a long time ago.

I stood taller. Seems like you're going to have to get used to having one around.

You're cute, but not that cute, said Sandy. He ran his hands through his hair and gave me a smug look.

I don't think you get to decide whether I stay here. I stared at him, suddenly wishing I'd asked more questions about wolves when I'd had the chance.

Oh? And you think you do? He stepped closer to me.

I think Mr. Foley does.

They all froze and then exchanged worried glances.

What do you know about him? asked the one with black hair. His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I was mesmerized. They were gorgeous and exotic.

I pulled myself together and glared at him. More than you think. But you should ask him yourself. He's helping me.

And you're bluffing.

Right, I said. And I just happened to know the name of your leader.

Anyone could know that, snapped Sandy. He's the top leader in the country. You've probably heard of him and thought you'd throw his name around for good measure.

I shook my head, surveying for an escape. They weren't going to buy my story—no