Roses and Fangs: ch. 3. Convergence pt. 7.

Kara smiled as she rested her head against Sam’s shoulder. Her arms were currently looped around Sam’s neck, and his own were gently resting around her hips as they swayed gently. They had gone out with a group of friends to one of the very few dance clubs in the city, and Kara was enjoying the slow song the clubs dj was currently playing.
Kara smiled as she thought about how sharp Sam looked in his black shirt and dress pants, and how her own red cocktail dress complimented the crimson handkerchief that peaked from his breast pocket. With her heels on she was actually slightly taller than Sam, though if anyone noticed no one said anything. She knew from the looks and some of the whispered comments that she and Sam looked good together. Yet one thing still bothered her.
“I should have put on some hose,” Kara winced as her leg brushed against Sam’s as they danced.
“Why? You look fine,” Sam reassured her.
“I changed earlier,” Kara replied softly. “I’m always a little hairy afterwards.”
Sam chuckled lightly, “I wouldn’t have noticed if you didn’t say anything, and I don’t think anyone else could even tell.
Kara growled lightly, “It’s not funny. It’s itchy and gross.”
Sam quit laughing, but he kept his amused smile. “Sorry it itches.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re mocking me.”
“No,” he replied. “I just don’t get why girls make such a big deal about shaving.”
She smirked, “Yeah? Well, when our legs aren’t all smooth and shiny you guys seem to think it’s a big deal.”
“Ah I don’t know. I happen to think you’re quite pretty when you have hairy legs. Especially when you also have a busy tail to go with them.”
“Shush you.” Kara giggled and playfully hit him upside the back of his head, but she smiled as the music changed and she spun around to face away from him.
Her smile grew as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her gently back into him and he whispered into her ear, “I love you.”
There was no hesitation in her answer, nor was there anything but total and complete honesty when she answered. “I love you too, Sam.”

Roses and Fangs: ch. 3. Convergence pt. 6.

Sam met Shelly’s eyes. “What about you?” he asked.
The blonde vampire’s eyes flickered from Sam’s to Kara’s and back. “I don’t know,” she replied honestly, “but I don’t base my friends on who or what they are.”
She looked to Kara and tilted her head. “Jacqueline likes you and speaks highly of you. If she considers you friends, then I will too. Whether you decide to consider me one or not is up to the two of you.”
Jacqueline softly spoke up, “Kara, Sam, I know I don’t have the best track record when it comes to judging character, but I trust Shelly really wouldn’t have introduced her to you if I didn’t think she was a good person. I’m sorry I didn’t ask you first.”
Kara leaned over and patted Jacqueline’s hand reassuringly, “Now you know for next time, and it is nice to see you making friends.”
Something chirped and Shelly pulled out her phone looking at it. “I need to call my family,” she looked at Kara, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell them about you. Mom and Dad like to check in on me every week though.”
Kara shrugged. “It wouldn’t even matter if you did, it’s gonna get out eventually.”
Shelly shook her head. “Not from me. Especially not my family. As I said, I consider you a friend.”
She slid back her chair and slid away. “Sam, Kara, it was nice meeting you. I’ll see you around.”
“Nice meeting you too,” Sam said graciously. Kara echoed him.
“I’ll go with you, Shelly if that’s okay?” Jacqueline asked.
“Of course. I could use the support. I love my parents but they can be very… overbearing.” Shelly winced.
Jacqueline collected hugs from Sam and Kara, and then followed her roommate out the door.
Kara resumed eating, wincing as she realized her meal was now nearly room temperature. “Well, she seemed nice enough,” she said at last.
“For a vampire you mean,” Sam finished for her.
Kara shook her head. “Sam, I’m scared of vampires, but that doesn’t mean I hate them all.”
“Are you scared of me?” Sam asked softly.
Kara sighed sadly. “I try not to be, but it’s hard to fight instincts and twenty years of having my parents instilling in me that every vampire I meet will try to kill me.”
Sam wrapped his arm around her and they finished their meals in silence.
***
A couple of days later Jacqueline found herself walking up the hill toward Stuart hall with Trina, a beautiful half-Asian girl with soft brown eyes and dark hair. Though she often seemed very submissive and rarely met anyone’s eyes, or spoke up, Jacqueline found Trina to be a sweet, cheerful girl with a wicked since of humor and a penchant for mischief.
Trina had just finished a story about her latest prank on her roommate with whom Trina was in a good-natured prank war with, when Shelly came up from behind them. “Hey, girls,” Shelly greeted them brightly.
“Hey Shelly,” Jacqueline smiled.
“Hello Shelly,” Trina gave a wave then turned to Jacqueline. “I just remembered I have a report due Monday, and I want to get it done before the weekend. I’ll catch you later, okay?”
Jacqueline blinked, “Um okay.”
Shelly sighed as Trina hurried on ahead. “She’s definitely afraid of me.”
Jacqueline shrugged. “Maybe she just remembered the report.”
Shelly shook her head, “Even, if she does, she’s just using it as an excuse. She is terrified of me, though she hides it well. Most people wouldn’t notice.”
Jacqueline looked over at her friend. “I guess I am one of those people, then. She looked the same to me.”
Shelly bit her lip and lowered her voice slightly. “I’m not sure how much Kara and Sam have told you, but Weres have much better hearing and smell then humans. They can even see in the dark better humans. Vampires don’t have quite as good hearing or smell, though we do have better vision.” She paused and hesitated slightly. “Vampires and weres can smell fear really well. Vampires can also sense things like heart rate and muscle tension.”
Shelly kicked a rock on the pavement venting her frustration slightly. “She was relaxed while she was talking to you. The moment I said hi her heart rate went way up, she tensed up and grew afraid. Her voice changed slightly too.”
“Wow, you guys are like superheroes,” Jacqueline observed. “With all these awesome powers you have.”
Shelly stopped suddenly and grabbed Jacqueline’s arm spinning the girl around till they looked each other in the eyes. “We are not better than you Jackie. We may be stronger, faster, and have senses that are more sensitive then you, but that doesn’t make us better,” She spoke angerly.
“In fact, in many ways it makes us worse. Many of us have an enhanced brutality and savagery to go with those enhanced senses, speed and strength. And we have other weaknesses too. Never forget that Jackie. It just might save your life.” With that, she stalked on ahead while Jacqueline hurried to catch up.