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Jonah didn't spend as much time at the store as he used to but with the semester drawing closer, he was trying to help ease the load on his employees and be present for the inevitable problems that come from having broke college students trying to haggle down the price of a seemingly over priced textbook. The killer was sympathetic to their plight, he had gotten his degree and knew of the costs involved, but he would not allow anyone to cuss one of his employees out as he had seen happen when he wasn't on the floor of the business. For some reason though, the sight of the 7' tall, heavily scarred, and hard bodied killer kept a lot of those issues from coming up.

It was just past dusk and the last rush of the day was slowly dwindling out of the stores, a few gripping bags tightly hoping that they got a better deal than Amazon, most frowning because they either couldn't find the book in the store or it wasn't as cheap as they were expecting. He was hoping that a few more would wander out and not be replaced so he could leave the cashier on his own and work on some inventory, but it didn't look like that was going to happen for a bit longer.

Unsure of what else to do since the registers were decently well manned, he took to walking through the racks, re-shelving the books that were strewn around the aisles in every direction imaginable. One would think that it would be that hard to put a book back on the shelf it had just been removed from, there would be a hole for it and everything making it obvious where it came from, but it seemed to be beyond the abilities of most customers. It was his business though, and if he wanted it to be maintained, he would have to do it, so he loaded up his arms to at least get them out of the floor while he put them away.

A tight twist of red hair wound around Astrid’s extended index finger, then unraveled as a sigh escaped her parted lips, only to be rewound again. She sat at the computer desk in the office of her newly acquired place of employment (thanks to her sire), Fine Arts Studio and Gallery, as she perused the textbook lists sent to her by her professors.

While reading the list, her blue eyes absorbed the text from the screen. She couldn’t help but feel a pull of anxiety in her gut at the thought of returning back to school for another semester of college; her third year. As if the normal worries that an average college student harbored wasn’t enough, but the added fact that she was no longer a human but a blood sucking vampire definitely lends itself to be a stress inducing circumstance. Thank goodness for night classes.

After adding up the books on her list, she needed two biology books, one anatomy, one lab, and two for her forensics’s class. Being that she was into her third year, she had a good idea as to how much that was going to cost her. In the past she would find herself at the blood bank, selling her blood to help pay for her books. The humor of the irony of this wasn’t lost on her. Just the thought of it caused her to let out a soft giggle, especially since her sire was a frequent customer. Astrid couldn’t help but wonder if Alex hadn’t enjoyed a few blood bags that had her blood inside of them.

She had considered giving up on college, but her sire had insisted that she continue on as if nothing had changed; that it was important to keep up appearances. Alex also thought that education was important and knew that Astrid had high ambitions and didn’t want to see her let go of them. Being the fact that Astrid’s mother had died while she was a small child, she never really had a mother figure in her life. She was beginning to feel as if this could have been how it would have felt to have had one. Her sire was always looking out for her and getting her out of trouble. In fact, her bank account was full and she no longer had to do things like; be a naked model for an art class or sell her blood to be able to afford books and tuition. She had even once considered selling her eggs when she had found out that she could make ten grand. Now it seemed that her eggs were safe and her modesty could be kept in check.

After finishing up her duties, Astrid took a printed sheet of the book list from the printer and locked up the office. She walked through the studio portion of the store and headed into the gallery. There were not many patrons that day, only two were in the gallery looking at some of the hung artwork.

“I’m done for the evening.” She said to Claire, who was the security person at the gallery. Claire nodded to her, signifying that she had heard Astrid’s announcement.

With her leather messenger bag slung over her shoulder and her list in hand, Claire made her way from the gallery entrance and into the open space of the mall. It may not had been busy inside the gallery, but the mall had its usual crowd in attendance.

Astrid weaved her way through the throngs of people until she was standing in front of the directory. Her eyes scanned over the lists of stores until they landed on what she was looking for, The Book Nook. Hopefully they would have the books that she needed so that she could go ahead and get them without having to deal with the headaches of the campus store. Once she had the location, Astrid quickly navigated her way toward it.

Walking into the store, there was nothing that stood out to Astrid. It appeared to be an average book store, with the aisles full of books. It was a dying breed though. It seemed that eBooks and tablets were killing the bookstore industry. Astrid was one of those die hards that refused to read a book on a screen and much preferred the actual feel of turning a page. Not to mention, the smell of books held a type of soothing property for Astrid.

After one of the store’s employees directed her to the correct area of where she could find her books, Astrid bent down and started reading the spines of the books for the correct title and author. As she looked, she tapped her foot. The music that was playing in the store seemed to be from one of the local radio stations that played top forty music. Animal, by Maroon 5, was flowing from the speakers. Astrid started to sing quietly along to the song as she pulled one of the books from the shelving unit, Forensic Pathology: Principles and Practice.

Tucking some of her hair behind her ear, she stood back up trying to fight sticker shock, $250.00. That was just for one book. Her piercing blue eyes looked up from the price and were quickly pulled into the sight of a large muscular bound man that was busy picking up books that had been strewn between the aisles. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of him. It was almost as if he had walked out of the marvel comics that she had grown up reading, From his scars to his size, he would have made the perfect character. Though she couldn’t figure out if he would have been a villain or a hero.

Trying not to be rude or to get caught staring, she quickly averted her eyes, though she still caught herself looking over to his direction, every now and then. She really couldn’t help it, he was huge. Being that she was rather short in stature, 5’6, and of a slim build, this only made his size seem to be a bit more exaggerated in contrast.

Astrid tucked the book under her arm and quickly started to look for the next title.

He could feel eyes on him. It wasn't that strange really. He knew he was a spectacle. The killer couldn't help but laugh slightly. Even though he was taller now, he was less of a spectacle than he used to be when he looked like a monster all the time.

Stares weren't that unusual. Occasionally he would let the person watching him look in silence. More often than not, he would try and engage them in conversation. Let them know he wasn't some freak of nature. Well, maybe he was, but that there was more to him than his size and rough look. If they recognized him as a person, they were more likely to come back. And if they came back, he was more likely to make a sale.

Trying to arrange his face in to something welcoming, he turned to greet the patron. As he did, the music coming over the radio took on a strange quality. While it wasn't his preferred music, he knew the songs that were on the rotation and how they were supposed to sound. This time, the music sounded off. He could hear it and the lyrics, but there was something coming from behind the music, a beat or tune that wasn't normally there. It filled his mind and without thinking, his jaw dropped as his eyes met what he thought was the most beautiful woman in the world. And he didn't even know her name.

There was a thunking sound coming from the ground in front of him and he realized he had dropped the books he was holding. "Um, hi. Sorry. Just...wow." He stuttered out, trying to remember what he was supposed to say when greeting a customer.

As her fingertip ran along the spine of the next book on her list, the music that she had been enjoying changed. It had an ethereal timbre with an almost romantic undertone weaved throughout it. As the music flowed through her ears, the dark pools of her pupils dilated in a sort of automated response to the rounded notes of the melody.

Shifting her footing, Astrid looked up as she heard the loud sound of books hitting the floor nearby. Her blue stare locked with the large man that she had previously taken notice of; her lips parted and she started to give him the polite response of a hello, when a chill ran up her spine and resonated through her body.

"Uh...Hi." Her tongue darted out from the boundary of her lips, running over the top and then the bottom, leaving a sheen of moisture on them. This was one of those impulsive reactions that just sort of happened when she found herself attracted to someone, the licking of her lips.

Astrid shook her head just a bit, as if trying to clear her mind. What is going on? Why is it that all of a sudden all I want to do is play damsel in distress, just to feel those amazingly muscular arms around my body...and. Stop it Astrid...You don't even know him. The conversation in her head seemed to reflect upon her face. Her eyebrows lifted and her eyes moved over the large specimen of a man in front of her as she chewed on her bottom lip.

Involuntarily, she took a step closer toward the man. She breathed in the air, trying to get a hint of his smell. "Mmm...you smell so, manly." Her hand shot up to her lips in a vain attempt to shut herself up. What the hell did I just say? Her eyebrows lifted as her eyes widened in shock of her own flagrant statement. She couldn't help it though, everything about this man caused her to crave him.

She was looking at him. No, that wasn't the most important thing. She was looking at him and not running away. She was...walking towards him. Leaving the books laying haphazardly around him, he moved towards her as well.

The killer couldn't keep,himself from breathing deep as the music danced in his mind and her scent filled him. As he let the breath out through parted lips, smoke spilled out along with the words, "And you smell divine."

This close, he was sure that she was a vampire and he racked his brain trying to place her. For the most part, he either knew or knew everyone of their kind in the city. At least, he thought he did. Obviously he had kept himself cooped up for far too long.

He reached for her face to cup her cheek as he spoke, "I have to ask, where have you been hiding that I haven't found you before now?" Before he touched her though, the reality of his words and actions broke through the haze the music was causing in his brain. What was he doing? He didn't know this girl. This wasn't his how he acted...

But oh those eyes... he thought to himself as the music picked up its pace, drawing him back in to her beauty. He started to ask her if she wanted to go somewhere but...something felt wrong about that. They needed to stay here. He needed to stay with her and with the music.

The relief that she felt, when she realized her words had not caused him to laugh in her face, quickly morphed into giddiness the moment his supple lips parted and her sentiment was returned; he liked her smell. She felt like she could do just about anything in that moment.

Then as if that deep rough voice wasn't enough to make her toes curl, his large hand reached up towards her face while he asked her where she had been hiding. There was a little more to what he had said, but all that she could really focus on were the tips of his fingers . Without hesitation or even a thought, she leaned into his outstretched hand. Astrid's cheek pressed against his palm and like a cat, she rubbed up against it. The feeling of his hand against her cheek was divine.

The moment only lasted for a second or two, for it ended with Astrid's eyes widening and the clearing of her throat. Did she just nuzzle him? This stranger...Man....hunk? Hunk of a man. This amazing specimen of what all men should be - God he smells good.

Her blue eyes twinkled while her lips parted slightly into a coquettish smile. "If I had known that you were looking for me, I would have left a breadcrumb trail." Astrid swayed ever so slightly to the music that played softly in the background.

It felt like a fire coursed through his body as soon as her cheek touched his hand and the pad of his thumb traced her cheek. Feeling her sway, his free hand moved to her side and he did his best to match her motions. A part of him deep inside wanted to pull her tight to him and dance slowly like you would see in the movies but he had enough control about him to stop that from happening...for now.

"Good idea. Be sure to keep that in mind for next time...assuming I ever let you out of my sight again."

The big killer smiled down at her in what he thought was a friendly and flirtatious way, but his lips drew over his teeth and he was reminded of the fangs that filled his mouth permanently. Sure that she had seen and that this wonderful woman that had been dropped in to his life so suddenly would abhor him as a monster, he started to let his hands fall from her as he looked down at his boots.

"I'm sorry...I don't know what came over me. I know that a woman as...perfect as you could do far better than...a monster like me." He looked up slightly, enough to see the title of the book she had been looking at. "Feel free to take it, and any others you might need. They're on the house."

The way that he swayed along with her, gave cause for the newly turned vampire to believe that he would make an excellent dance partner. Images began to flood her mind; the two in each other's arms close up against each other, moving to the rhythm of the music. His powerful muscles, rippling beneath the surface of his skin as his hips roused to the music. Just the thought of it, brought a smile to her lips and she nuzzled his hand just a little more. If only time could stop. Couldn't it?

Then she heard the seductive cadence of his voice as he spoke of his approval to her breadcrumbs and she thought she was going to melt when he mentioned not letting her go. Could he be any more amazing? Sure I don't know his name or anything about him...but oh his smile.Those big fangs. Of course, he is a vampire. How did I not pick up on it before?

Her eyes locked with his as he gave her a fleeting smile; it was too short lived. She desperately craved more. No no no, don't pull away.

The corners of her lips dropped and she pouted the moment she felt his hand fall from her. As if that wasn't wounding enough, he immediately apologized and called himself a monster. All of the other words were received by deaf ears. She started to reach for his hand, wanting to press her palm in against his.


Monster? How could he even consider such a crime, calling himself a monster?

"If you are a Monster, then I must be blind, for any woman would be doubly lucky to get a chance at someone like you." This time, it was her fangs that were peeking out as the tip of her tongue ran along the top row of her teeth. Thanks to her bloodline curse, she could never hide them.

"I mean just look at your hands." Her eyes had taken on a dreamy state and her lips puckered, ever so slightly. "They seem so powerful...so lovely...so wonderful..." Her words trailed off just as her mind deviated into her previous thought. Wait. I don't even know his name. Oh, this needs to be fixed.

"So do you have a name? Or shall I be left to make one up for you?"

His heart would have quivered when he saw her tongue move along her fangs if it could have. Oh she was perfection. "I'm called Jonah, but if that doesn't suit you, you're more than welcome to call me whatever you would like."

"I'm the lucky one though, to have the opportunity to meet someone as wonderful as you." Where he had been hesitant to smile previously, he could not stop now, and his eyes could not move from hers.

Stepping closer, he reached for her hands once again. "And what about you? Should I continue to think of you as only an angel or can I call you something you'd prefer?"

His hands moved further up her arms, feeling her smooth skin under his own roughness, the nails dragging ever so slightly across them. With a bit of hesitation in his voice, he asked, "Would I be guessing correctly if I said you weren't...averse to that power you see?"