Chapter

Sixteen

OWEN

I haven’t been this happy in years. When I chose to transfer to Creepin U, a bonafide monster school, I had goals in mind.

I wanted to do monster-focused pre-med, but deep down, I actually wanted to hook up with monsters.

My parents thought it was an awful idea, but the results speak for themselves: I’m passing Monster Anatomy class with flying colors.

Oh, and I’m dating Clay. My heart wants to take off like a firework.

This hot vampire jock is so sweet and gentlemanly.

When I’m with him, he lavishes attention on me.

It’s like no one else exists. I adore his fangs and tight body, but the moments when we’re just taking care of BN make him just as attractive.

He’s a great dad to our little guy. Of course, the thrilling anal sex is a fun bonus, too.

We’ve gone out twice, and slept together each time.

My heart grows and grows, and a small part of me wants to tell the world he’s mine.

Another part of me is afraid of how my parents will react when they find out I’m in a budding relationship with a fanged flying dude.

You would think brown folks in America would be more accepting of people who are different, but unfortunately, conservatism is oftentimes illogical.

I’ve made it clear to Clay that during class we have to be strictly platonic.

But I already informed him that, based on how we’ve nailed our projects and quizzes so far, the lowest we can get is a C, and that’s assuming we fail the final.

So in short, we’re coasting for the rest of the semester.

Anatomy class may be essentially over, but I have no intention of letting Clay go.

I’m waiting for him in the corner of Mummy Mocha while patrons mull about.

He claims he has a surprise for me since we did so well on our recent anatomy project on the cremasteric reflex.

I sip my coffee and check under the towel of the pet carrier on the table.

The ambient noise doesn’t appear to be bothering Bat Nathanson.

I’m handing him off for the week, but I can’t imagine not caring for my little pet bat—yet another reason why Clay and I should be together.

But are we official boyfriends? I scroll through my tablet, reading several articles about modern vampire anthropology.

Anatomy class didn’t touch upon the act of feeding off of a regular human.

Every article I’ve read details that sucking blood is such an intimate process.

Like sex, consent is mandatory—in fact, according to hundreds of anecdotes, feeding often occurs during or after sex with the partner they care for the most.

I shut off my tablet and frown at my coffee cup.

Maybe it’s too soon? We only started doing anal two weeks ago.

We haven’t discussed labels. The other—overthinking, paranoid—part of my brain postulates that Clay doesn’t want me long term, hence his forbearance from biting me.

We’ve been intimate for weeks now, surely he would have at least broached the topic, right?

I tap my cup and sigh. My insecurities are flaring up.

A few moments later, when I spot my guy strolling in, all my fear fades away. His smile is dazzling, and my heart continues to fall for him.

“Hey, you,” he says. He steals a kiss with superhuman speed, and I’ll never get over his casual displays of affection.

I can’t keep a giggle from slipping out of my mouth. “Clay. What’s up?”

“I brought you a surprise.” He holds up his hand and I peer at the towel-wrapped object.

“Usually I detest unknown variables.” I stroke his arm. “But since you’re good-looking, I’ll allow it.”

He snickers and opens the towel. “Well, it’s not really a gift for you. But, um…”

I take in the object—it’s a tiny piece of pink fabric, and in dark marker, it reads Bat Nathanson .

My smile falls. “Is this…?”

Clay shrugs. “Yuki helped me crochet it. I figured since he’s no ordinary bat, we could put this little bandana on him. Let the whole world know who he is, kind of like a dog tag.”

My heart bounces around my chest like a ping pong. “You…made this for our baby?”

“Of course.” He beams and flashes his fangs. “Do you like it?”

“Oh, it’s splendiferous!” I gush, holding up the small fabric. “You should put it on him tonight when he’s awake. Bat Nathanson is snoring right now.”

“That’s fair.” Clay pockets the crocheted bandana and pulls the carrier closer to him. He’s so thoughtful that I can’t take it. So, I lean in and hug him.

“You’re the best,” I whisper. The best thing I’ve ever let into my life. I don’t say those last words, but they’re throbbing in my soul.

“You flatter me, Bhat,” he replies, squeezing me tightly.

“Aww!” We pull apart at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. The two people standing near us holding coffee look vaguely familiar, but…

“I’m sorry, but you two are too cute,” the female remarks.

Clay looks wildly at them, then at me, then back at them.

“Um…” he says. I gaze at the duo and notice their skin has a bluish pallor.

“Bro, I didn’t know you had a feeder,” the male says.

They’re vampires! Of course, they were part of the Vampire Gliding Enthusiasts I saw that one time.

I shake my head as the words finally permeate my consciousness. “Feeder?” I whisper.

Clay continues to say nothing. “And he’s cute,” the girl says.

“We totally have feeder boyfriends and girlfriends who attend some of our field trips. They’re our biggest supporters.

” She smiles and looks up. “And of course, they keep our energy up. Don’t go on a trip without your blood-filled buddy, we always say. Ha!”

They laugh. “How rude of us to not invite your boy, Clay.” The guy exchanges a knowing glance with the girl. “Had we known you had a human of your own, we would have gladly made room for him on our trips.”

“He’s…not my human,” Clay replies.

“And I have never fed anyone.” My face feels numb, and I stand up abruptly. I ignore their confused looks and hike up my backpack. “I gotta run.”

“You do?” Clay asks.

“We’re off, too,” the girl vampire says. “We just wanted to say hi.”

“I have to, um, call my mom,” I mumble.

“Right this second?” I don’t miss the concern in Clay’s eyes, but I really can’t be here right now.

“Um, yeah. Bye.” I shake my head at the ground and power walk out of there, leaving the vampires behind. My body is on autopilot as I march to my room. I don’t dare look at my phone as I launch myself onto my bed and shut my eyes. I think a nap is in order.

He’s not my human. Clay’s words won’t stop echoing through my brain until I fall asleep. Maybe when I wake up, I’ll be worthy of being Clay’s feeder, but I doubt it.

The next morning, Anatomy class is fascinating. Well, not actually, but I listen and watch Octavia with stalwart scrutiny, anything to ignore Clay’s prying eyes next to me. I take notes and say nothing to him even though we’re already passing the class with flying colors.

It’s immature to feel so hurt, but tell that to my heart. Clay doesn’t owe me any sex or blood-sucking, and I have to accept that.

When I sense the lecture is almost over, I don’t wait for Octavia to stop talking before I haul ass out of there. Of course, I don’t make it far before Clay catches up to me—friggin’ vampire super-speed.

“Owen, would you wait up?”

I barge through the doors without stopping. The warm spring air greets my cheeks and I fixate on the blooming trees. “I’m kinda busy.”

“With what?”

“Studies, and uh, books.” I don’t slow down. We walk past three witches playing hackey sack. The campus is abuzz with stress-free happiness, and I wish I could join them.

“You didn’t answer my texts.”

“Oops, sorry,” I say with a flat tone .

“Would you stop for a second please?” He grabs my arm, and I have no choice but to stop. I turn around and notice we’re near the very busy parking lot.

“What is it?” I ask, not even looking at his face.

“Are you…are you angry at me?”

The hurt look on his face clenches my soul, but I need to be strong. I bite my lip and look away. “Why would I be angry?”

“Is it because I said you weren’t my human feeder?”

I hike up my backpack and look at the sky. “Why would that make me upset? It’s true.”

“Owen.” He touches my shoulders and I have no choice but to gaze into his precious eyes. “You know you mean more to me than being some random human.”

The fight in me deflates; for weeks now, Clay Cannon has been my ultimate weakness. “Do you…need a feeder?”

He lets go and rolls his neck. “We don’t need them, per se.”

“Is that why I’m not worthy enough for you to feed on me when we have sex?”

His eyes blow wide; it would be almost comical if we weren’t both upset.

“Owen, you?—”

The sounds of two car doors closing startles us both.

“Yoohoo! Owen!” Hearing that voice, the blood drains from my face so fast I almost faint. Before I can react, someone is gripping me tightly. I exchange a glance with Clay, but he’s frozen in shock as well.

“Mom! Dad!” I yelp, as my parents crowd me.