Thicker Than Blood Chapter 10

Fred made his way to the solid oak door. He wasn’t used to visitors and this one was probably unwelcome. Unless it was…he rapped on his side of the door twice. The action was immediately answered by four impatient knocks. Fred smiled, and unlocked the deadbolt and swung open the door in one swift motion.
A flurry of pale skin and dark hair leaped into Fred’s arms.
“Welcome home, Jackie,” Fred greeted her.
She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, returning his greeting with a kiss.

Kayla walked into the hall just as the visitor’s lips pressed against Fred’s. The red-head’s eyes widened, and her jaw dropped without her consent. It appeared that she had wanted to speak, or perhaps scream, but the effort had somehow turned her into a statue. A rather shocked, soon to be angry and jealous, statue.
Three full seconds passed, before Kayla realized she was not an inanimate object. She blinked and raced back down the hallway she had just come from. A dark red eye followed her flight, its owner slightly distracted by the noise.
The visitor set her feet back on the ground and released the blond from her grasp. “Who’s the newbie?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Hmmm?” Fred replied, a bit dazed from the kiss.
Jackie laughed, though the sound would not have been entirely pleasant to some. Fred was an exception. “It’s been a while since I gave you one of those, hasn’t it?”
“Yes...I think it’s been a year,” Fred answered, slightly recovered.
The black-haired vampire chuckled. “Try six months.”
“Yes well…time always goes by more slowly when you’re not around.”
“I can’t help that,” she stated, walking past Fred into the room. She was short, a whole head shorter than Fred when she stood on her tiptoes. She was younger in appearance, around 16, but Fred’s elder in actuality. She sniffed the air with a small, delicate nose. “Did you leave me a snack?” she questioned, adding a pout for effect.
It took Fred a moment to realize that she was not referring to the lifeless body in the corner. He had completely forgotten about Brad. “No, that’s a friend,” Fred replied. It was a command, and Jackie knew it. That didn’t mean she had to obey.
“You’re going soft dear. I thought you had given up on the idea of befriending the humans?” Jackie stated, purposely trying to annoy Fred. He growled softly before calming his anger, and a smirk lifted the corners of the female’s lips. “It’s impolite to not introduce your guests,” she continued.
“He’s a friend of Kayla’s,” Fred responded stiffly.
“Oh, the girl? Is that her name? I have to say your tastes haven’t shifted-“
Fred cut her off with another growl. “Shut up Jacqueline!”
“Did I hit a nerve? I bet it’s nice having a girl you can control, someone you can force to do your bidding.”
Fred glared at her, his eyes livid with fury. Any other vampire might have shivered, but Jacqueline was unaffected. It took Fred a few minutes to calm down before he could open his mouth without using his fangs to attack her. “She’s the hunter’s daughter,” Fred managed to get out, between clenched teeth.
“Oh, this might be interesting to watch then,” Jackie decided. “Probably much more satisfying with a full stomach though.”
She grinned, revealing glistening fangs. Fred’s hard expression melted to match hers, thinking of the fun that lay ahead of them. “I thought you hated sitting back and doing nothing?” Fred raised an eyebrow.
“Either way, I’m thirsty,” Jackie responded, her pout returning.
“Fine. There’s blood in the fridge,” Fred informed her. She stepped towards the door. “Keep your fangs out of Brad though!” Fred added.
She nodded, feigning innocence.
I better follow her, Fred thought.