The Vampire’s Servant
Chapter 40

The week went well. Victor and I fell back into our old patterns. He ordered a freezer and couple little vacuum robots for the house. Drew came to accept the orders and get them set up. If I left the doors open, the one upstairs would get all the floors. It made for even less work around the house and they were cute. Gray was always coming up with fun things to do on our free period. We even left school once and went to get milkshakes. He brought me treats from his pack house or brought board games in his backpack.

I just kept trying to only be his friend. We'd come to an agreement where I was giving him one hug a day to help keep Rex calm. He never tried to make it more than a hug, so I was fine with it.

It was Friday and I was excited for the weekend. Gray and Val would be coming to the house at lunch time and we would leave for the pack house after Victor was up for the night. I would sleep in Harmony's room and we would be eating at the big dining room in the pack house.

We had the plan to go out and do the shopping I needed as soon as we finished eating lunch. It would be great to have everything in order for the people who were coming to train me. I wanted them to like me so they would train me the best they could.

At the free period, Harmony, Gray, and I went out to the big field to hang out. We sat in the grass in the warm sun. Gray pulled out a big bag of trail mix he'd brought from home and we all snacked on it. "How have you been feeling, Echo? Any stronger lately?" Gray asked.

It had been about two weeks since I started eating regular and healthy meals. I didn't know how long it would take before I was healthy. I didn't even know what that would feel like.

"No real changes, that I've seen, yet. It's only been a couple weeks. It might take more." I shrugged.

"Maybe you're just not getting enough of something you need. It can be like that for wolves when we're healing. What could you be missing?"

"I have a lot of protein and iron. I'm taking a multivitamin on top of everything else I'm doing. I just don't know what could be missing." I sighed. "I want to be better. I want to be healthy." "Could... I mean.... Is it possible that you need blood because you're part vampire?" Harmony asked.

I put my hand over my mouth in shock. "Like human blood?"

"It could be what you're missing." She replied.

"But she doesn't... you don't have fangs, right, Echo?" Gray inquired.

I shook my head vigorously.

"She can't need blood, because she would have fangs if she did." He said.

"She doesn't need fangs to get it from a blood bag or a cut. Humans invented tools for a reason. We don't need to have fangs and claws to get our meals and fight." Harmony told him.

"You're just mad that they put you with the young warriors and they keep beating you in fights." Gray chuckled.

"I want to go back with the teens, Echo. I hate fighting with the young warriors." She grumbled.

"They all love her and apologize before and after sparring with her. She uses that mind control without even thinking. Even the head warrior likes her, and he doesn't like anyone. Trent almost did what she wanted and moved her back to the teens, but then he told her she either trains with the warriors or not at all." He smiled.

"You're proud your brother was able to resist her." I laughed.

"My brother is the strongest and best Alpha ever. He took over the pack at twenty-one and made some amazing changes. We've become more powerful since he took over. Dad and mom are super proud of him." Gray beamed with pride.

"I'm glad you're not mad about him using your interest in me to make that deal with Victor. I was impressed that he put your people above his relationship with you." I told him.

"I was mad, but it gave me the chance to be your friend, so I got over it." He said.

I was glad the subject had been changed. I didn't like the idea of drinking blood. I'd rather heal slow than do that.

"You work tonight, right?" Harmony said to Gray.

"Yeah, Tuesday through Friday until summer." He nodded.

"Do you like it?" I asked.

"It gives me money of my own to spend. It's not easy, and sometimes it's not fun, but having that little extra bit of freedom makes it worthwhile." Gray said.

"I just spend Victor's money." I blushed.

"Yeah, but you're his servant. He needs to take care of you and he lets you use his card instead of paying wages. I'm sure if you needed cash for something, he would give it to you." Harmony replied.

I thought about it. He would. Victor would give me almost anything I asked for. That didn't exactly make me feel better.

The rest of the break was spent chatting about things. I learned that Gray was the youngest son in his family with three older brothers. He also had a little sister who was six and he loved dearly. The way he looked when he talked about her made me smile. Gray's only stress, at the moment, seemed to be that he couldn't get ahold of a second ticket with the prom being so close. They had sold out completely and no one was selling theirs. I told him not to worry if he couldn't find one. I was happy just to help Harmony get ready for it.

Everything had become a lot more comfortable at school. Sean would sit with me on the bus to and from school every day. He and his friends would join us for lunch and he was teaching some of the kids in Harmony's group about his game. They seemed to be trying to figure out a time to set one up of their own.

I loved that everyone was getting along. The school work wasn't as bad as I'd been afraid of. As long as I made sure to do it all quickly it didn't pile up on me. When I was stuck I would call someone or wait and ask Victor for help.

My life was becoming what it should have been. I had friends, family, and love. I was actually becoming successful. I couldn't believe it was as simple as putting myself out there. People truly wanted to be my friends and I was able to pay attention to them. Drew was especially proud of me. He called just last night to see how I was doing since we wouldn't see each other daily. He told me about the hunters and how they were connected to Miss Helen. I was glad that she was gone and I would never have to see her again after she risked my Victor.

Before I got on the bus to head home, Gray ran out to see me. He usually headed straight to work on the days he was working. I was surprised to see him as I was in line to get on the bus.

"I wanted to ask you something." He said as he got to the line.

"What, Gray? You're going to be late for work." I replied.

"I was thinking tomorrow, instead of having dinner at the pack house, I would take everyone for pizza at a place I know. Do you like pizza?" Gray asked.

I grinned. "Val would sneak me some when they went out. I've never gotten to have it fresh."

He got that look in his eye and looked around. There was a slight high whining noise. I realized I'd made him sad again.

Before he could ask for a hug, I wrapped my arms around his waist. He held me tight. I was beginning to learn to be more assertive with this. It would stop him from getting weird.

"I'm sorry. You looked so happy. I don't know why it hurt so much." He murmured.

"It's alright Gray. My first memory of going out for pizza will be with my friends. It will be a happy memory and I'm looking forward to it. You should, too. It can be your first pizza memory with me." I told him and let him go.

"I like that. This will be my first pizza memory with you. I'll see you tomorrow." Gray winked.

"See you then." I replied and went to get on the bus.

People had walked around me and Gray to board the bus and find their seats. Sean wasn't in our spot yet, I hoped he didn't miss the bus. I was focused on the planner where I noted my schoolwork when he arrived. "Hey, Echo. I almost missed the bus." He chuckled.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"Yeah. I was trying to deal with an argument between Elle and Terry. They're going to the prom together and can't decide on a theme for their outfits." Sean rolled his eyes.

"Is there supposed to be one?" I worried.

"No, not really. A lot of couples go with colors, but you know Elle and Terry are extra and want to do a cosplay of some sort."

They'd mentioned cosplay before Gray told me it was dressing up as a favorite character like on Halloween. I thought it was a fun idea. I couldn't wait to see what they decided. "Did you help them settle it?"

"I wish. This will probably be a thing all the way until the night of. They were this way for the sweetheart dance on Valentine's Day." He replied.

"Are they dating?" I asked.

"Yes. Ever since last year. The tension between them was so high I was getting frustrated. So I set them up. They thought we were going to go do a group thing, but I never showed up. It worked, though." Sean grinned. "That's a lovely thing for you to have done for your friends. Are you going to the prom?"

"My parents made me buy two tickets, even though I don't have a date. My sister went last year and they have the pictures. They really want pictures of me with a date. I don't really know what to do. They just don't get that I'm not able to find a date. Everyone I've asked has turned me down." He sighed.

"I'm supposed to go with Gray, but he can't find a second ticket. He thought he was just going to go with friends so he only got one. Can I have the second ticket and I'll take a picture with you at the dance? I'll even dance with you so you aren't bored. As long as you're okay with me being bad at dancing." I smiled.

"Really? That would be great. My parents would be extra surprised if I took a picture with a pretty girl."

"I'll talk to Gray. We can either meet there or we can meet before for dinner." I offered.

"I'm supposed to have dinner with Terry and Elle. We can just meet there. This is so great, Echo. Thanks." Sean said and hugged me.

I laughed. I was certainly getting all my hugs for the day. It was nice to have such good friends.

We talked about his game more and planned for the movie we would go see next weekend. It wasn't long before we got to his stop and parted ways. I texted Gray about finding a ticket. He didn't respond, but I figured he was either working or on his way to work, so I didn't worry.

When the bus stopped to let me off, I was excited to be home. I could see Travis walking along inside of the fence. I'd learned the names of our weekday and evening guards. It made me feel better about them.

I paused as a jogger went past. He jogged down our road at this time every day. His name was Mr. Martin and he seemed pretty nice when I'd spoken with him on Tuesday after school.

My world felt so huge and so small all at the same time. Everything was moving forward and I was truly happy with it all. It was finally falling into place