Soul to Keep Read online

  “I want to meet more of those people. I want to get to know you, not Bridgette.”

  “We can do that. Luckily, Camila and Ginger only hate one of my friends.”

  “I don’t care what they think.”

  “And I love that about you too.”

  “Thanks for the picture.”

  “From last night? I thought it was a pretty great shot.”

  “It was. How long can you stay?”

  “Barring major catastrophe, until you get up for class.”

  “I’m walking to my first two classes with James and Josh, but Hollis and Skylar are in our walking group.”

  “I saw that. Just don’t talk to them. Talk to James. Or daydream about me.”

  “That won’t be hard, but you have to tell me one thing first.”

  “My real name is Miyoko. About twenty years ago, I had a feeder who went through this phase of calling everyone by where they were from. I’ve never even lived in Tokyo, but I didn’t correct him, and it just stuck.”

  “Where are you from?”

  “Nagasaki.”

  My stomach dropped as I did the mental math. The shock must have been plain on my face ’cause Tokyo smiled and wrapped her arm around my waist. “I’ll tell you about it some other time, okay?”

  “Okay. I think we should have sex. Since you’re here and demons are out to get us humans.”

  “Nothing’s going to get you, but I’ll take your desperate logic as a clear invite.”

  It took a little shuffling, but she took her jeans off without leaving the bed. My pajama shorts and underwear weren’t far behind, and then we were kissing. And then she was kissing my breasts. I never knew how sensitive my nipples were until Tokyo gently toyed with them. Just the tips of her fangs scraping across my skin. Her perfect tongue teasing and teasing.

  I wanted her inside me, but I had to work up the courage to say the words.

  “Fingers or something more?” she asked when I finally got the words out.

  “What does that entail exactly?”

  “I can shapeshift specific body parts.”

  “So you can grow a penis.”

  “Or just make my clit big enough to penetrate you.” She leaned down and licked my lips. “It’s up to you.”

  I watched her mouth, wanting her to lick me again, but I think she was holding back until I made a decision first.

  “Fingers first. Magic clit later.”

  “Sounds good to me. Put your hands above your head.”

  I followed her instructions and tried to remember to breathe as she climbed over me and gripped my wrists in her hand, pinning them to the bed.

  “Does that hurt?”

  “Yes,” I said honestly. “But I like it.” There was too much pressure or maybe just enough, but I didn’t want her to let me go.

  “Already a perfect little submissive and you didn’t even know it.”

  My response died on my lips, turning into a desperate moan and she slid two fingers inside me. I was already so wet, primed and ready, I squirmed uncontrollably, chasing the friction that I knew would make me come. But she shhh’d me. Told me to calm down, stopped the movements of her fingers and her palm against my clit. Told me to hold on, she would get me there soon enough.

  She moved a little more, still gripping my hands above me, still holding me in the grip of her other hand, but moved so her naked body was more firmly pressed against me. I could feel her wetness glide against my hips, feel her own sounds of pleasure vibrate against my bones.

  And then she started to move,

  Later, after I fell asleep in her arms and even later after she was gone and I stood alone under the hot spray of the shower, I could still feel her, hours later, my body still throbbed for her and I knew I was in trouble. Completely ruined. I couldn’t think about class, my project, or even this dark cloud of demon related danger looming over our heads. I just wanted Tokyo, all the time. I wanted her to touch me.

  ❖

  The week that followed was an absolute disaster. We had all grown so used to our routines and our true purpose for being in Alpha Beta Omega, that the second we were forced to spend time with people outside our own little cliques and clusters, I had to start wondering if anyone in my sorority or our brother fraternity even liked each other. I almost got in two fights with Hollis after she asked Van when he was going to come out to his parents.

  When she asked James if he was going to come out before the draft, in front of his brother, I had to keep James from killing her. Walking to class with Hollis lasted all of two days. I politely asked Ginger if she could walk with just Skylar, and she thought that was okay. It was a little awkward purposefully walking fifty yards behind them. But I couldn’t force myself to deal with more of what Hollis considered small talk.

  Things with Ginger hadn’t gotten any better either. She wasn’t mean to me or anything, but she was just…bitter maybe. Or pissed. I had to chalk it up to our blood bond and the possessive jealousy it bred. I understood. A possessive vampire meant their humans were safe. I couldn’t imagine being bound to a vampire who didn’t give a care about me or what I did or who I was with. But in the end, it really just felt like some petty middle school drama.

  Tokyo had my attention and Ginger simply didn’t like it, but I didn’t care. When I saw Ginger again, to talk about maiming Hollis, she agreed that she wouldn’t tell the girls, had already made that decision not to say anything based on the sheer fact that Tokyo’s feeders were just as possessive as her, and would throw a minor tantrum if they knew their sister-queen was carrying on a full romantic relationship with a human she had no blood claims to right under their noses. D’Monique and Chelsea knew how to argue, and I was no match for them.

  Wednesday, I asked Ava to hand out some surveys at the University Greek Association meeting. I only got about half of the surveys back and half of those were filled with joke answers like “Just how illegal is bestiality?” and “In how many states can I give it to Phil’s mom?” Brayley had hit some roadblocks too. Her English professor changed his mind and wouldn’t let their class fill out our “sex survey.” It was apparently rude and improper, and he didn’t want to be reprimanded by the chancellor’s office if any parents found out. She had better luck in her astronomy lecture, but still I felt we were thousands of samples short.

  Thursday, while I was waiting for Taylor to get her HRT shot so we could walk to class together, Beth sent me a text saying that she was leaving without us to walk with one of the guys from OBA. Turns out she just went by herself to campus and she, Taylor, and I all got chewed out for not being more vigilant. I kept my comments to Beth to myself, but Taylor let her have it and rightfully so.

  I saw Tokyo whenever I could, but the tension in the house was so high, every second we got together was spent rehashing whatever drama had unfolded while we’d been apart. Portia and her boyfriend were fighting so she was wonderful to be around, when she wasn’t crying. Yazmeen got jealous that the walking schedule had Kait spending way more time with Tierra. I didn’t even know Yazmeen and Kait were a thing, but that all came out in front of everyone Thursday night while we were trying to watch TV.

  I heard a rumor that Camila and Ginger were thinking about cancelling the Friday night movie night just to give us a break from each other, but that was just a rumor. I went down and gave my blood donation and went right back up to my room. Three other girls followed me. Yeah, things were not good. I didn’t see Tokyo at all that night, but I woke up to a text from her, and more flowers.

  Tonight, just me and you.

  I made reservations of sorts.

  Dress comfortably.

  I had never been so relieved to receive a text in my life.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jill

  Tokyo was picking me up at eight. Most of the girls were getting ready to go out to another party on the Row. The rest had picked their factions and taken up residence with their sister-queens or in front of various screens around the ho
use. I was ready to get the heck out of there. Portia was still fighting with her boyfriend so I didn’t say anything about having a date while I was getting ready, but she guessed that I was headed out with Bridgette and insisted on giving me pointers on what to do with my hair even though I was just settling on a bun.

  I needed some alone time with Tokyo. And some sex. I didn’t care what my hair looked like. I ignored her too when she had something to say about the jeans and sneakers I was wearing. I grabbed my jacket and walked out of the room before she could dispense any more of her opinions. I really hoped our sister-queens figured out this evil demon problem soon. I didn’t think our peaceful slice of Greekdom could handle much more infighting.

  Tokyo showed up right on time, as Bridgette just in case anyone saw her. I didn’t even bother telling the girls where I was going or asking one of them to come along. I’d lied and told Portia we were going to the movies and James was coming with us.

  When I climbed in the car, I sent Ginger a text.

  Going out with Miyoko.

  I’ll check in at nine. Be back by two.

  Her response was immediate and approximately fifty percent sincere.

  Have fun and call me if you need a ride.

  “Are you two okay?” I asked Tokyo as we drove away from the house. “You and Ginger? She’s never really completely mad at me, but I don’t like the idea of her being upset with you because of me.”

  She reached over and took my hand. “Don’t worry about me and Ginger. Without a time machine, there’s no way to fix this. Even if we stopped seeing each other now, she would be pissed that we were together at all, and then when she got over that, she’d find some other reason to be pissed off at me. The end.”

  “Well, that makes me upset. I…I don’t like the idea of people not liking you.”

  “That’s very sweet.”

  “Where are you taking me this time?”

  “Sex dungeon. I was going to tie you up and then let a bunch of vampires tickle you with feathers while I fuck you from behind.”

  “That sounds more weird than sexy.”

  “No, I’m taking you to my place.”

  “You have another house?”

  “Yup, I have several, but this is my primary, well, main secondary residence for now. I have a vacant place in Los Angeles and just outside of San Francisco, and feeders living in my other houses around our territory.”

  “So you can only live in Dalhem’s zone or whatever it’s called?”

  “Yeah, we can go anywhere we want, but we have to let the governing authority, so to speak, know that we are coming to visit. They don’t like random vampires walking among their human population unsupervised.”

  “It makes sense.”

  “Trust me, it does. Not all of us are as kind and sweet as me and my sister-queens.” It wasn’t hard for me to believe her.

  We drove for thirty minutes or so to a cute neighborhood on the water. Tokyo stopped at a larger, newly remodeled house, gray with white shutters. I followed her inside, taking in my surroundings as the lights flicked on as we moved deeper and deeper into the house. It looked like it was straight out of a design catalog, the perfect harbor home with perfect beach decor. The place was little and inviting. So different from the dark cave Tokyo called home under the ABO house.

  We walked into the kitchen, my dream kitchen, and I almost fainted. Large counter. Double ovens. Huge sink. And she had every tool I needed to make my favorite desserts right out on the counter. I just needed some ingredients.

  “Dinner is on its way, and I was hoping you would make dessert.”

  “I’d love to.” I pulled off my coat and tore open the fridge only to find it completely empty.

  “I don’t keep food here.”

  “Of course, um, should we go to the store or do we have to wait for the food?”

  “Tell me exactly what you need.” She handed me a pad of paper. Actually, it was stationery, fancy white stationery with two blue crabs and the initials MH at the top. Who was this woman?

  I wrote down everything I needed for the mixed berry lemon bars I loved to make with Dad, and since there was another oven, everything I needed for my cream-filled red velvet cupcakes.

  “This is a hefty list. So I’ll poof out to the store. Shouldn’t be gone more than five.”

  “And what if I’m kidnapped and possessed while you’re gone?”

  “That’s why I’m not leaving you alone. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

  A beautiful black woman appeared in the kitchen. She was dressed like a fifties starlet. Her hair was styled in elegant curls, but she was wearing pedal pushers and an oversized men’s button down. She had simple blue Keds on her feet. Her smile was pure warmth. And so were her wide brown eyes.

  “Jill, this is Henrietta Whitfield. Hattie for short. Hattie’s my primary. She’s my maker.”

  I tried to process that little bit of news with the dots my mind was suddenly connecting. That’s why she looked so familiar. Hattie Whitfield was the most famous black actress of the sixties, made even more famous by her early death during a motorcycle accident. The scandal was made even more scandalous because her lover at the wheel was her white, very married co-star.

  “It’s lovely to meet you, Jill.”

  “Likewise.”

  “I’ll be right back, Jill. I gave Hattie permission to spill all my business so ask away.” She kissed me on my cheek and then she vanished.

  I had no idea what to say.

  “Miyoko must like you an awful lot. I’ve only met a few girls from the house before.” She hadn’t been in a film in almost fifty years, but she still sounded like a movie star. She oozed charisma.

  “I think we got together under strange circumstances.”

  “Didn’t we all. Do you drink?”

  “Some.”

  “Well, with that accent you can’t be a stranger to wine. I’ll get you a glass.”

  “Thank you.” I stood by the counter and accepted the healthy glass of Merlot she poured me. Then she hopped up on the marble surface and seemed to settle in for a chat.

  “So you belong to Ginger, but you and Miyoko are falling in love?”

  “Yes, that seems to be the case.”

  “I hate to play favorites. I have several who share my bloodline, but Miyoko is my favorite. She’s very special to me.”

  “Erm—how did you two meet?”

  “The same way most vampires meet their maker. Miyoko almost died.”

  “During World War II?”

  “Because of World War II. After they dropped the bombs, Paneo filled a plane with survivors and vampires to keep them alive during their journey, and sent them here to the U.S. They were made comfortable, but she wanted the government to see exactly what they had done. The regular civilians, children, grandparents, hardworking men and women who had nothing to do with the conflict.

  “The lives they’d destroyed. The men responsible…let’s just say the response was despicable. The survivors Dalhem was able to save from the government facilities were given a choice, a painless death or they could be made into one of us. Miyoko chose to be one of us.”

  “And the ones he wasn’t able to save?

  “Some died, even with the help of our blood. They were too badly injured. And the others…they did not make it back to Japan.” Years had passed, but I could see the blue tears lining Hattie’s eyes. A knot tied in my own throat. I reached for a paper towel near the sink and handed it to her.

  “Thank you. Many governments make it a business to hide the depths of their atrocities. The reason she’s okay with me telling you about her life and her past is because she doesn’t remember. The days leading up to her rebirth were so traumatic, Dalhem and I had to help her shield her mind so she could go on living.”

  It made sense. I’d heard of the minds of victims of trauma doing extraordinary things to protect them from the horrors of their reality. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to survive an at
omic blast.

  “How old was Tokyo when this happened? I mean Miyoko.”

  Hattie smiled and squeezed my hand. “She likes both names just fine. She had just celebrated her eightieth birthday, but after her rebirth, I had a teenager on my hands. We helped her hold on to certain memories, good memories and some bad, the pieces that made her who she was, but she pushed a lot of that away to make room for the present, I think.”

  “What’d I miss?” I almost spilled my wine when Tokyo reappeared right in front of the fridge, her arms loaded down with groceries.

  “Here, let me help you.” I reached for the bags, but she nudged me away with her hip.

  “You get the door.” Of course the doorbell rang. I ran to go get it realizing I didn’t have any cash to tip the driver.

  “Tip’s included!” Tokyo yelled after me before I could turn around.

  I returned to the kitchen and placed dinner on the center island while Tokyo was busy setting out my baking ingredients on the other counter.

  “We were just talking about you. Your life, before and after.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Tokyo looked over her shoulder at me. “I have PTSD wicked bad, but it’s been a nice little do over. Got to pick the bod I wanted. People forever think I’m twenty-five. I’ve got young college coeds hanging all over me. I think I’m doing all right. What do you think, Hattie?” My heart was pounding, but her laugh made me smile through the tears I could feel clouding my eyes.

  “You’re doing great and you always have,” Hattie said. I was instantly pissed at Ginger. Tokyo lived her life the way that was best for her, a way that made her happy, and Ginger or Camila had no right—

  Tokyo was in front of me taking my hands. “Hey, are you okay?” She reached up and wiped an errant tear from my face.

  “Yes. I’m sorry. I’m fine.” I shook my head, wiping my face again. She was fine. She was here, alive, with me. I didn’t know why I was so upset.

  “I know this stuff is kind of heavy.”

  “It is; it’s just—never mind.”

  “Miyoko tells me you’re an amazing baker.”