Because the Night (The Night Songs Collection) by Kristen Strassel Page B

over the city, all over the TV, even all over my apartment.
    “Is that what you think?” He rolled his eyes and threw his arm up over his head.
    I wanted to make sure I chose my words carefully. “I know he does. When he was alive, I was the only one who could talk sense into him. He’s not himself anymore. He’s awful now that he’s a vampire. Nothing has happened. I hate that he’s coming between us like this. I hate fighting with you. But I just can’t leave him there, all by himself like that.”
    “If his pull on you is that strong, Callie, it’s only a matter of time until something
does
happen.”
    I didn’t know what to say. He was right. My feelings for Tristan still pulled at me, even now. I couldn’t tell him about the pull Tristan had over me. Not now.
    “I’m in love with you Callie. I won’t share you.”
    I squeezed my eyes closed and put my head against his shoulder. Our little cocoon felt like home. This is what I wanted. This should be so easy. This should be such a wonderful moment. My heart swelled and my brain was doing cartwheels of happiness.
    Yet the devil on my shoulder was still there, demanding an audience.
    I picked my head up to look at him, a little worried I’d let too much time pass. “I love you too.”
    “Then you need to fight whatever this is that gives him power over you.”
    I was paralyzed. Blinking felt like an effort.
    “Please say something.” Blade broke the awkward silence.
    “I don’t know what to say.” It was honest. It was the best I could do.
    All the sunshine drained from Blade’s face. He rolled back on to the mattress, letting out a small defeated sigh. I could almost hear his heart break.
    I wanted to throw myself at his feet, beg for forgiveness. To make him understand what I still didn’t. That Tristan was a part of me. But nothing I said would take back the truth I hated myself for not being able to just say the words to fix this.
    I wasn’t going to lie to him. If I was going to hurt him, I’d rather hurt him with the truth.

Chapter Sixteen
    “Blade, come on. Please, just call me back. I know you’re listening to these messages. I hope you are, anyway. I love you. I miss you. Please, let’s just try to make this work.”
    I stared at the phone after I left the message. I’d lost count of what number it was. His silence swirled around me like some horrible nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.
    Tristan had succeeded in taking almost everything away from me. My family had disowned me, Blade wouldn’t talk to me, and Janelle and I weren’t on speaking terms after I blew up at her about putting me on her website. Her only defense was that so many people had sent her pictures of me and Tristan together there would have been uproar had she not put up something.
    I couldn’t look at her without seeing red. Who was more important, random people on the internet or her roommate? Somehow, I felt like she thought I got what I deserved.
    I needed to talk to someone. Lennon was busy at work. Keisha wasn’t returning my calls. Tristan might have ruined my life, but right now, he was all I had.
    A pass had been left for me at the box office. The fans in the lobby stared at me. Feeling self conscious already, I kept my head down and walked quickly towards were they were filming the TV show. Maybe this was a bad idea.
    A producer led me to something called Video Village and invited me to sit in Tristan’s tall director’s chair to watch the band while they taped the show.
    Being able to see behind the scenes fascinated me. The band rehearsed new material for their third album and the camera captured close ups of each member while they played. We had to stay perfectly silent during each take. Hair and makeup people rushed in between each scene to primp the band members. I giggled watching Tristan get his nose powdered.
    “Hey,” Tristan leaned against the director’s chair after they finished the scene. “I have a room down the hall and a little bit