My burning desire

Chapter 1 - Plans

Turn right over I-60 then I make a sudden left turn…. I debated with myself wondering where to take my coven-my family-next. Then it hit me. No it really hit me. Something hard and wet, but I knew exactly who threw it at me. "Damn it Skylar! What the hell was that for?" I yelled at him because I knew he was still smiling. Skylar could really get on my nerves. I turned to face him and sure enough his bronze eyes were looking at me and he was smiling like always when he got me mad. In that split second I threw it back at him and it hit him right smack in his face. I was too fast for him to dodge. I smiled showing my teeth. He shook the blood out of his dark brown hair. Something about his expression stopped me from starting a fight right there.

He held up his hands and had a sheepish grin on his face. "Ok Claire I just thought you would want a drink." He jumped back about twenty steps knowing I was gonna hit him.

"You of all people should know that I don't like animal blood. We have been over this a million times today. Just give it a rest, Skylar!" My bell like voice ripped through two whole octaves. I had to calm myself down before our fighting woke up Sam. "Skylar I'm trying to think so I would appreciate it if you could let me." I tried to sound sincere, but there was a hint of acid in my tone.

"Sorry." He said apologetically. He looked down then came back to sit next to me. He hesitated before he spoke again. "So what are you thinking about?" he asked puzzled.

"Wondering where I'm going to drag you guys next." I answered smiling. I couldn't stay mad at Skylar. He was practically my brother. "I think were going to a school up in northern Oregon. Syd could use some more information before we hit another country." I said while I sighed. We may not all be human, except Sam who is half-human, but we still hate school like everyone else. I love school though; the rest of them say I like it because I have the most experience then anyone, but I just like it. I sighed because I didn't feel like arguing with the others.

My vampire family. Me, Claire, the leader, Skylar, Taylor, Syd, Ben, Nick, Angel, Keith, and Samantha, the werewolf. I know that werewolves are our enemies, but Sam saved my life and she is a member of my family. I lead this family for I have the most experience on how to survive.

In this family we have our pairs or as we call them, mates. Skylar, who is my second in command, is a mate to Taylor, my best friend. Skylar saved Taylor and after that it was love at first sight. Nick is a mate to Angel, the gentle one in this family. Nick rescued Angel from death as did Ben rescuing Syd, our newest member. Syd is a new vampire or a newborn vampire. Sam hasn't imprinted on anyone (imprint is a werewolf thing to where you fall in love with no say in it at all.). Keith had a mate, but she was murdered by another vampire before I could step in to help. Her name was Sierra. Now I have to look into Keith's eyes for the rest of his existence and see the agony he goes through every day. For me I haven't found a mate yet, nor am I really looking for one. A leader needs to have no distractions and a mate can certainly cause some.

"Since were thinking of them, would you mind telling me where they all went, Skylar?" I asked while looking around. I wasn't panicking, but I was a little afraid.

Suddenly Nick, who was holding hands with Angel, appeared with Ben and Syd trailing behind them. Sam was next to come out of the night and Keith, who was still in pain, following sulking after her. Taylor was the last one to emerge from the trees.

"Sorry that took so long, Claire. Our little hunting trip had to go out farther to get enough blood." She smiled with and apology in her eyes.

"That's ok, Taylor." I said while I got up and looked at each of their eyes to make sure nothing had gone wrong during the hunt.

"Was that you two yelling? We heard you guys from all the way back. What did Skylar do this time? Did you tackle him?" Nick asked eagerly. He never wanted to miss a good fight, but he wanted to see if I got a few good swipes. I'm the only one who can take him down. His gift has a slight advantage, but I'm too good to get beat by a boy.

"Yah that was us." I said with a wide grin. "He threw some meat at me so I tackled him." There was nothing wrong with being proud over beating a boy. "Guys I have some news for you and I don't know how your gonna take it." I looked at each face some smiles some frowns. Mainly Syd was frowning for she new what I was going to say. She has a special gift of her own. "I have decided were all going to go up to school at Oregon High school. Up more north. Syd, for one, needs more knowledge and experience with humans. Other than that I think we should stick around here for a while." I finished. Some of those faces looked excited, well actually all of them, but Syd, were smiling. I guess I made the right decision here. Now I have to make another one. Its time for me to hunt tonight. "I'll be back in about 2 hours." I said. They needed no other explanation. They knew what I needed to do. "Skylar is in charge like always." I said skeptical. Who knew what Skylar could do to their brains in 2 short hours? I sighed and ran off.

While running I caught the scent of a hiker and turned in that direction. I found the spot where he was sitting on the ground resting and getting a few drinks. He was bulky with red hair that was thinning. I could see he was a normal hiker from the gear that looked like it was years old. I stepped out into the open and he looked up and I saw his eyes pop out and his mouth open wide from looking at my stunning beauty. We were beautiful to our intended prey.

"Can I-I-help y-you?" I heard him stutter. I felt really bad. He didn't deserve to die, but I had to hunt and I was too thirsty to deny it any longer.

"Yes you can." My bell like voice answered. "You see I'm very hungry and I have food right in front of me." I said while growling. His smile disappeared as my words finally clicked together. I got down into a hunting crouch "I do promise this though. It will be quick and painless. It will all be over soon. I am so very sorry for having to do this as well." I smiled showing my full sharp teeth. If he was terrified he probably peed his pants by now. I could see the terror in his eyes.

"What are you? No, forget about that. Please? Please don't kill me. I don't want to die not now at least." He begged. No he pleaded with me.

I looked down and I felt him relax. "I'm so very sorry for this." He didn't even have time to react to my words this time for I lunged for his throat. I sucked him dry and my eyes now pulsed with a crimson color. I was full and my hunting was done.

I walked home thinking about my family and glad they didn't follow my example. Now all of their eyes, except from Sam, were all gold. Syd's was a deep amber color from being a newborn and all.

This wasn't what I was thinking about that though. I was thinking how my vampire family is talented in many ways. Earlier when nick asked me if I tackled Skylar and I am the only one who can take him down in an unfair fight. Skylar has a very interesting talent. Skylar can turn invisible, but I can sense his life even though I can't see him. Syd can read minds, but only from a little distance until she practices it more. This is why she was frowning when she came back from the hunt. She knew what I was going to say before I said it. Syd read my thoughts. Taylor is a physical shield. If there is a physical attack coming near us Taylor can sense it and put a stop to it. Angel, my little fragile Angel, can transport to places, but only to places that she has been. After working on it she learned she can take people with her. My gift is the most unique gift ever given to a vampire. I can cause life or death to a person or vampire. If someone is dead I can bring him or her to life. When I am angry or the person, vampire, or werewolf poses a threat to my family that I can kill them all at once. I have learned how to cause pain on the inflicted victim that I wish to kill. It's a very monstrous gift, but most of the time it can be very helpful. This is how I killed the hiker with no pain. It was all over soon.

I made my way to our cave in the woods. Skylar, who was sitting by Taylor, was the first to look at me. They all knew I didn't like killing humans and it usually left me in a bad mood, but today I was fine. Angel popped out of nowhere, as expected, with Nick beside her. Keith sat in the cave with Sam and Ben and Syd walked out to greet me.

"You ok, Claire?" Ben asked. He was always my little trooper of the group.

"Yes. I think I have decided which school. So in the morning Skylar and me will go register our names in. I'm pretty sure we'll get in." I said smiling. We always get in. "So that means while Skylar and me are gone Taylor is in charge." Everyone nodded. They knew that if they argued with me they would lose. I was the most responsible person in this group.

When dawn broke through Skylar and me set off running through the forest. In about 30 seconds we made it to the towns edge. Traveling the world and saving money has its advantages, though money means little to us when you have billions. We compromised that if I got to go shopping real quick he got to go get us some cars and maybe a nice big house out in the forest. I agreed.

I looked through rack after rack and I got over $2000 in clothes. That was actually less than what I thought I would spend. I walked out of the store and waited for Skylar to come get me. Then a shiny black viper pulled out in front of me. He rolled down the window. "This car is yours, Claire. I know how much you wanted one." He said with a grin. He was so nice to me sometimes. That was the thing about him and me. We had our fights, but we really did care about each other. Brother and sister wise. I never had any feelings for him like Taylor does, so it never got awkward for us.

"Well since it's my car I get to drive. And I need you to pop the trunk for me, then you can go get your car and then we can fit all these bags in here." I said while holding them up. There were a lot of them. Skylar just stared at me

"Girls and their shopping." He mumbled. He got out of the car and went to go get his. I stepped in mine after putting most of the bags in it. That's when Skylar pulled up in his Mercedes guardian. It was a glossy red. Before I could react to it he was already putting the rest of the bags in. I hit 40 before I got to the road. 40, I hit 90 before I got around the corner. I raced through a trail in the park when I finally got back to them. Their jaws dropped open when they saw our cars.

Syd came racing toward us. "Where did you get it? Can we get new cars? You went shopping?" she shrieked at me half the time.

After unloading both cars Skylar got in the passenger seat of my car while I got into the drivers. I drove off weaving through the cars in the road when I made it to the school I was looking for. As I parked I could hear the whispers around us. "Whoa who is that…Nice ride…Wonder who's in it." I got out of the car and I could hear some of the hearts speed up and they saw the two of us. Naturally beautiful, and perfect looking. My eyes were the only things that can scare them. Crimson eyes don't normally say welcome. "Look at her eyes." I heard one kid whisper. "I've never seen anything like it. Their beautiful yet scary looking…" He trailed off as I looked at him. With a hasty passe we made it to the administration office. There was an old looking lady maybe in her forties. Her black hair didn't match anything of her body. I was guessing she might have dyed it. I stepped to the desk with Skylar, like my shadow, behind me.

She looked up at me and I could see myself in her eyes, a monster to me, but beautiful to them. "M-may I-I help y-you?" she stuttered. It took all of Skylar's will not to laugh at her.

"Yes you can." My musical voice responded. "My family and I would like to enroll in this high school." I tried to be as persuasive without ruining it. I was careful not to show all of my teeth as I smiled.

"Sure." She answered quickly. I couldn't tell if it was out of fright or not. Some students were at the window still looking at us, but we tried to pay no attention. "I just need names, ages, and grades." She was polite, but there was an edge to her voice. I couldn't understand why.

"Skylar," I motioned to him next to me. "Is a senior along with Taylor, Sam, Ben, and me. Angel, Syd, Nick, and Keith are all juniors." There was an impatient tone in my voice that she took notice of and sped up in her typing.

"Thank-you. Here are your schedules for each of the students and we expect you to be here in class tomorrow." She handed them to us and we walked out very quickly. Most of the students had gone to class, but some still lingered around my car.

"Excuse me." I said while my voice was probably ringing in their ears by now. They stepped aside and I got in with Skylar scooting to the passenger side. Whispers began again, but I left them in the dust as I sped off.

When we got back I noticed they were all gone besides Sam. She didn't seem worried or at the least bit surprised when my anger flared up in my face. "They went to get some cars, Claire. Just calm down I'm sure if I can hear them coming so can you." She finished right as 6 more cars pulled into the trees. 2 BMW's, one pink and one blue, a dark blue monster jeep, a Ferrari with some flames on the side, which must be Ben's, a Volvo, and a Porsche. Nothing like being conspicuous.

I shook my head as I handed out the papers and schedules. Most of them were giggling. All, but one. Our werewolf, my friend. "Sam?" I called knowing she could hear me. She looked up and walked over to me.

"Yes, Claire?" she asked confused. Her position told me otherwise. She knew what I wanted, but she decided to play dumb. That was one thing I don't understand. Sam and me are always close. There are no secrets between us. There was something she didn't want me to know so it must be bad.

"What are you keeping from me." I said skipping the 'Are you ok?' question. She knew what I was getting at. I cold see it in her eyes.

"I'm keeping nothing from you, Claire. Just keep out of my business." She said. Her voice like ice razors. I looked at her in shock. She never kept secrets from me let alone talk to me like that. She walked away leaving me standing there. Just give her till morning. Maybe she just needs rest. Syd are you there I need to talk to you? I thought to myself, but then again our thoughts are never private. Syd came out at once. By the look on her face I knew she was eaves dropping on our conversation. Do you know what's wrong with Sam? I asked her in my head.

"No." was all she answered and walked away. I knew when she was telling the truth and when she was lying. She was always a terrible liar and she just told me a big fat lie. What was going on here?