A Mark in Scarlet

Summer break wasn't off to a good start. Yesterday's date had ended with me alone at a table with the most expensive glass of water of my life. Worst of all, the rash on my hands had been especially bad over the past few days. And especially ugly.

But because I was me, I didn't just feel it; I knew the day still had bad luck left in it. So I wasn't even slightly surprised when she stepped into my path on my way home from painting lessons.

Eva looked like my complete opposite. Everything about her was a lot. And people said I didn't exactly stand out, with my small nose, straight brown hair, and eyes to match. My height didn't help either.

I smiled the way you smile when you're trying not to look vain and jealous.

"Lea." Eva smiled. "How's your sister? I haven't seen you two together lately."

She looked at my hands. I hid them. I was the world champion at hiding my hands.

"I think I can guess why," she said. "I can recommend a good specialist."

"I know you can."

She stopped smiling. I moved to go around her.

She grabbed my hand. I tried, not very convincingly, to pull free.

"Wait." Her smile came back. "I wanted to ask how yesterday's date went."

I took a closer look. Her painfully unsubtle smile gave away the trap, so I said nothing.

"Actually, I guess you don't have to answer," she added a moment later, looking at my hand again. "Are you sure that's not contagious?"

"It was great," I lied, and started walking away before I could give her the satisfaction.

"Funny you should say that, because Peter spent the whole afternoon at my place yesterday. Maybe you confused him with someone else?"

My stomach clenched.

"Your sister's better at acting, you know," she added.

For one second, I was twelve again.

I turned back to her.

"Actually, your sister is better at everything."

"You know what?" I walked toward her. "Let's find out if it's contagious."

Before she could react, I shoved her with all my strength.

Something red flared between us.

Suddenly there was only pain. I groaned and looked down. Scarlet fire blazed over my hands, brighter than ever.

I looked at Eva. She was clutching the spot I had touched.

"It burns!" she cried. Her friends rushed over to help her.

I ran before I could think.

Once I was sure they weren't chasing me, I stopped and looked at my hands again.

I kicked the first thing in my path: a tree. The pain was almost therapeutic.

"Not a fan of greenery, I take it?"

I jumped and spun around.

He was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, watching me intently.

His black hair looked messy, but not by accident.

He was tall, but somehow he seemed even taller. Maybe because of the way he looked at me.

And although he was probably around my age, the exhaustion on his face made him look older.

"I have to get back to my friends," I said, putting on a performance. As an aspiring actress, I should have sounded convincing. I didn't.

"It's been getting worse," he said. It wasn't a question.

I turned back. He was looking at my hands.

"Excuse me?"

He uncrossed his arms. Slowly, he took off his gloves and showed me a mark identical to mine.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

"Who are you?" I finally managed, though my voice shook in a deeply inconvenient way.

For a moment he studied me. Then he did something unexpected: he parted his lips slightly.

Fangs. Like a monster's.

"Lea!" I heard behind me. All I could see ahead was the nearest house.

I almost tripped, but kept running.

Then something stopped me. My head spun. He was in front of me now, gripping my shoulders.

Up close, his eyes looked as if they were veiled in fog.

He held me until I found my balance. Then he let go.

I stumbled back, lost my balance, and fell.

"I want to help you."

I tried to catch my breath.

"But you have to come with me."

I scrambled up and threw myself at him, hoping the mark on my hands would work the way it had before. Hoping it would hurt him.

He caught me before I managed to touch him.

"Who are you?" I shouted, struggling.

"You know what I am."

He let go.

"You'll come with me. You'll find out what's happening to you. And then you'll do whatever you want."

I stared at him. At my own thoughts. At my fear.

I heard myself laugh. Quietly at first, then louder. He didn't move, but his face changed.

A vampire. Perfect ending to this damn day.

I looked at my hands. The mark had spread everywhere now.

"My name is Caedmon Ashthorn. Cade."

"So what now?" I locked eyes with him. "Are you going to turn into a bat and take me to your castle?"

His lip twitched.

"Tempting, but I'm afraid of heights. I have a better idea."

He pointed to a car parked a little way off.

Well, my dad had been telling me since I was little not to get into cars with strangers. He had never said anything about vampires.