Chapter 8
Felicity and Kennedy became friends after an awkward conversation in which Kennedy explained her relationship to the male vampire. Recently Kennedy convinced Felicity to get her hair cut. Felicity was skeptical at first, especially since Kennedy would be the one doing the cutting, but after being bothered by Kennedy she agreed. Kennedy woke Felicity up so they could look at fashion magazines together. Demitri found them sprawled out on the floor surrounded by magazines.
"So you finally convinced her?" Demitri asked Kennedy, crouching down so he could better see the two women.
"Yep. We just picked something too. I'll get to work after you feed her breakfast." Kennedy said, awkwardly pulling herself to her feet. Felicity's stomach growled in agreement. Felicity and Kennedy looked at each other and laughed.
Kennedy pulled herself to her feet. "Well I'd better go get dressed. I'll leave you two alone." she said with a wink.
Those were exactly the words Demitri was waiting to hear.
After feeding Felicity, Demitri was told by both women to stay downstairs while Felicity had her hair cut. Felicity wanted to surprise him.
Felicity cleared her throat when she reached the bottom of the stairs. "What do you think?" she asked, running her fingers through her now much shorter hair.
"It looks nice." Demitri said, standing.
"It looks nice." Demitri said, standing.
Suddenly Felicity stiffened, staring out one of the windows with wide eyes. Lately she hadn't been able to shake the feeling that she was being watched. It scared her. The last time she'd had this feeling was the week before Jackson took her.
Sensing her discomfort, Demitri took Felicity's hands. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern etched onto his face. Felicity just shook her head, surprised to find she was holding back tears. Demitri's mouth tightened into a thin line. This was about Jackson. It always was. Felicity had been doing so well lately. Sometimes Demitri forgot how unnatural this life was for her, how much danger she was still in. Demitri held Felicity close, offering comfort in the best way he could.
Time had never seemed to go by so quickly for Felicity. She spent much of her time painting. When she painted everything else seemed to melt away. Fall was quickly turning to winter. Kennedy was in and out. Demitri left only to hunt or shop, cooking, messing with the plumbing, and reading when he was home. Things were fairly peaceful. The feeling of being watched was still there sometimes, but Felicity was able to ignore it.
She paused when Demitri came in, her eyes flicking over to his face. He had on his "I'm contemplating" face. It was an expression he wore often. After a minute or two of silence, Demitri spoke. "That monster guy isn't supposed to be me, is it?"
Laughing, Felicity tackled Demitri. Once he was on the floor she climbed into his lap so he couldn't stand up. "What was that for?" Demitri asked, feigning hurt.
"No, that 'monster guy' is not supposed to be you. But I think you knew that. And you're a horrible actor. If you really didn't want me to push you down I wouldn't have been able to."
Demitri laughed. "Alright, you've got me. But now you've got to let me up. I have to go out for a few hours, so you'll be by yourself. Will you be okay?" Felicity nodded, standing and pulling Demitri until he was standing. They both knew that going out really meant he was going to feed.
"No, that 'monster guy' is not supposed to be you. But I think you knew that. And you're a horrible actor. If you really didn't want me to push you down I wouldn't have been able to."
Demitri laughed. "Alright, you've got me. But now you've got to let me up. I have to go out for a few hours, so you'll be by yourself. Will you be okay?" Felicity nodded, standing and pulling Demitri until he was standing. They both knew that going out really meant he was going to feed.
SAs soon as Demitri left, Felicity resumed her painting. It kept her from thinking too much about what Demitri was doing. It wasn't until she was standing in front of a completed painting that Felicity realized hours had passed and Demitri was still gone. Sometimes he drove to the city, but usually he told her beforehand. He must have forgotten. Felicity washed the paint from her hands and got dressed. Maybe she could convince Demitri to go on a walk with her later.
Felicity stepped out onto the second floor balcony, breathing the cool air in deeply. The paint fumes were starting to bother her. She decided to go downstairs to wait for Demitri.
As she moved to sit on the couch, a chill ran up Felicity's spine. She frowned, refusing to let the uneasiness she felt to settle in her stomach. She was just being silly. No one was watching her. She pressed her face against the glass of the french doors, determined to prove herself wrong.
Felicity's eyes widened, fear cousring through her veins. She was right.
Someone was watching her.
Jackson.