Chapter 9

“James!” Ryan shouted, his eyes wide. “I-I didn’t see you there.”

James simply folded his arms against his chest. And continued to scowl.

“We were just… Hmm.” Ryan’s eyebrows scrunched together. He walked closer to James. “You know, I was just thinking back to our first kill together. Remember those twins? It was perfect.”

James laughed. “Yeah, they tasted fine.”

Ryan half-smiled and then charged at him. He tackled James to the ground, and comically sat on his chest, pinning him to the floor.

“There were no twins,” Ryan yelled, and then added, “Teddy.”

“Okay, I give, now get off me!” The man who I thought was James morphed into a smaller, younger, stockier dude with bright red hair. He slithered out from under Ryan. “I so had you fooled!”

“Where you been, man?” Ryan asked him, as they did a combo handshake/hug.

“Here and there. Just got back this morning.”

“Only animals, right?” It was funny how Ryan’s voice automatically changed into a deeper, more parental mode.

“Of course, always.”

I made my way over to where they were, and Ryan introduced me. I noticed Teddy try to subtlety sniff me, failing miserably.

“Man, you better keep her away from James.” Teddy shook his head. “This ain’t gonna end well.”

Ryan laughed. “Good advice.” He squeezed Teddy’s shoulder. “See you around, brother.”

“Catch ya later.”

Ryan and I walked off toward the huge staircase, and I wondered about Teddy and his powers. “So different vampires have different abilities?”

“Yes, if they had an inkling of that ability as a human. Take me, I was a quick healer. So when I got turned, that power amplified itself in my vampire form.”

“How interesting.” My brain was classifying, categorizing and speculating on all the beautiful possibilities of this strange new condition. I would never want for another project—with their blood, I could solve all sorts of ailments. But then I remembered it wasn’t the only question I had…

“What did you mean in the car about my intoxicating scent?”

When Ryan continued on up the staircase without a word, I added, “Teddy was all sniffing me too. What’s up with that?”

“Oh that, well, uh...”

Did he just blush?

In one of the smaller rooms on the right, I heard what sounded like a moan. Was that Amy’s voice?

I quietly opened the door and peered inside. On a small bed, one of the servants from the dinner last night lay naked on her back, her large breasts squeezed by her own hands. A man I didn’t recognize was buried deep between her thighs, licking her with such intensity, I felt my own body come alive. An ache began to form, an unfortunate reminder that it had been too long since I’d experienced that kind of exquisite pleasure.

I quickly backed out again, closing the door behind me. My cheeks had turned a shade of dark crimson, and Ryan seemed as uncomfortable as I.

“This is their, uh… time off,” he explained. “When the rest of us are asleep.”

I nodded, moving on to the next room. From behind the door, I heard snoring. Since snoring was a safer bet than moaning, I tried that one. It was locked.

“Do you have a key?” I asked Ryan.

He shook his head no, but then proceeded to snap off the doorknob. I guess super strength is another perk to vampirism. Good to know.

Amy lay curled up on the floor in a fetal position, a light blanket draped across her as if someone had placed it there at some point.

“Amy!” I ran in and kneeled down by her side. I shook her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

She seemed groggy, unable to wake up. I shook her harder, but there was no change.

“What’s wrong with her?” I asked Ryan. “What did they… do to her?”

He joined me and pushed aside her hair blocking the view of her neck. Two small puncture wounds were there, right in line with her carotid artery.

“I think they’ve only fed on her. But she may be following James’ order to sleep.” He lifted her in his arms. “If that’s the case, then she’ll wake up this evening, after the sun goes down.”

I followed him back out to his car, where he placed Amy in the back seat. She still didn’t wake up, and that had me worried. I checked her pulse, and it seemed normal, so that set my mind at ease a little.

On the ride back to my house, it was quiet. I was still trying to come to terms with everything I’d just seen. And wondering about what James would do once he discovered Amy was gone.

“Thank you,” I said softly. “You didn’t have to help me.”

Ryan took hold of my hand. At first the cold temperature of his skin startled me, but the warmth of my hand soon made it bearable. “I wanted to help. You didn’t ask to be accosted by Galen.”

“Do you think she’ll be all right?”

“Yeah, if she stays away from James. Without his continued presence, his control over her will fade. And the physiological effects are similar to giving blood.”

I nodded.

“How about you?” he asked. “This is a lot to process.”

“I can’t stop thinking about all the applications, all the diseases that could be cured…”

“You mean with our blood?” He frowned.

“Yes, and especially yours, with your advanced healing properties. If I could develop a serum that taps into that, it would cure this horrible virus. And who knows how many other diseases—”

“I’m sorry, Liz. It’s forbidden.”

Forbidden? The word conjured an image of older times in my mind, when magic was feared and knights fought battles in armor.

“James won’t allow it?” I asked.

“We try not to interfere in the affairs of humans.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Okay, I realize this could be construed as interfering, but I was correcting Galen’s mistake.”

“Also, the body in your cellar could be interpreted as…”

“Smart ass,” he said, a coy smile on his face.

“And this?” I raised our two hands intertwined.

His lips formed a straight line, as he released my hand. “You’re right. I just thought you could use the reassurance.”

I positioned myself away from him, looking out the window, suddenly feeling very stupid. He was never interested in me. And I was silly to even entertain the idea of being with someone so dangerous.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to—”

“No I get it, your kind doesn’t mix with ours,” I snapped. “It’s fine.”

He let out a frustrated sigh as we approached my apartment complex. Then as I stood outside of my door, Thundarr was going crazy, barking like I was in mortal danger.

Which I guess made sense, since I was with a vampire. As soon as I opened the door, the dog chomped down on Ryan’s leg. I yelled at Thundarr to let go, but he wasn’t having it.

It was kind of comical to watch the pained expression on Ryan’s face, as he walked with the dog attached to his leg, still carrying Amy, to my bedroom. After he gently placed her on my bed, he shook off Thundarr and then looked at him, saying the word, “sleep.” The dog collapsed on the floor.

“You can hypnotize animals too?” I knelt down, stroking Thundarr’s fur and feeling for a heartbeat.

“He’s fine, he’s just napping.” He lifted up his jeans to show his mangled leg. “It was the only way to get him to stop. You should’ve seen what he did last night.”

Seeing the large puncture wounds and blood had the opposite effect an injury usually produced. Instead of feeling empathy for him or regret for my dog’s actions, I was angry at Ryan. To be so close to a scientific healing breakthrough, and I just had to sit there and do nothing.

“Well, I guess we’re all good now, you can go,” I said as I stood.

“Liz, I didn’t mean for this to—”

“It’s okay. This isn’t the first time I’ve misread signals, trust me.”

He rested his hands on my shoulders. The chill that ran through my body was electric and oddly warming afterwards, as if to counter the cold. “You didn’t misread anything.”

I looked into his serene blue eyes, and I saw the desire there.

“I would give anything to kiss you right now,” he whispered. His hands left my shoulders, and they trembled as they rested on my jawline.

“James isn’t here…” I closed my eyes and relaxed into his cold touch, savoring it.

“It’s the bloodlust too,” he said quietly. “If I get too excited, it can take over. I could hurt you.”

My body reverberated with a warmth, a desire to be with him. I never wanted anyone so badly in my entire life.

But he was right, it was dangerous. He withdrew from me and looked down.

“I’ll come back later to check on you two.”

I nodded. “I hope James isn’t too hard on you.”

“Don’t worry about me, I can handle him.” A bittersweet smile appeared on his face when he moved his hands toward me, like he was going to touch me, but then he simply lowered them again. He left without another word.

I bit my lip, thinking about the things I wanted to do with him. To him. With my school and then career, I never really made the time for relationships. Never really fell in love before.

And now the one person I’m really into, and who’s into me, I can’t be with. How is that fair?

Thundarr was usually the one who would listen when I needed to whine. And of course he was still knocked out from Ryan.

I sighed. I wanted to get back to the lab, to observe the bats. But with Amy asleep in my bed, I couldn’t let her to wake up alone. Especially after the night she’d had.

I glanced at Thundarr sleeping so peacefully on the floor. So I curled up next to him and that warm, furry beast had me asleep in minutes.

***

I awoke to the sound of my phone ringing.

“Elizabeth?” My mother’s shaky voice said.

“Yeah, it’s me,” I said. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve got her on the phone now,” I heard her whisper in hushed tones. “No, I would want to know.” Then she returned to her normal voice. “Sweetie, I’ve got some bad news.”

Oh God, is Dad all right? Is he still alive? I got the worst feeling he was in trouble.

“It’s this virus going around. I’m afraid…” her voice cracked, and even though I didn’t know what was going on, I felt tears well up in my eyes. “…your father has it.”

From the number of deaths in the news to the research I personally did on survival rates, with his COPD condition, the outlook wasn’t good. I mean, it might as well have been a death sentence.

Muffled sobs sounded through the phone. “How is he going to survive this?” My mother whispered.

Everything I could think of to do had been tried. Everything except one thing. A forbidden thing.

I closed my eyes, wondering how I could get just a sample of their blood. And when I opened my eyes again, I was back at the mansion.

James was standing right behind me, too close. “You came back,” he whispered in my ear.

“I need your blood. Ryan said it was forbidden, but I need it. Please.”

I felt my hair being touched, gently placed to one side. My control slipped away from me, gliding slowly into nothingness, like a cloud on a summer day. I couldn’t remember why I was there or what I just asked him.

“You’re mine, now,” he purred. “Don’t fight it.”

His cold lips kissed the bend of my neck, but it was exactly what I wanted, what I desired more than anything else in the world. In the ornate mirror on the far wall, I saw his fangs elongate, right before they plunged into my neck.

I screamed myself awake, scaring the shit out of my dog. I felt so cheap, so used, so stupid. It was the worst feeling, being controlled.

I glanced at my bed and noticed Amy stirring.

“What…” She glanced around. “Where am I?”

I joined her on the bed, sitting at the foot. “Ryan and I brought you back here.”

“Ryan?” She rubbed her forehead. “It feels like a hangover. But we didn’t drink that much, did we?”

I wondered how much blood they took from her. And which of those assholes fed off her.

“So, where to begin…” I smiled awkwardly. “Remember when you were talking about vampires?”

She nodded.

“Funny thing, it…it turns out you were right.”

Her eyes got big. “Oh my God, were you bitten?”

“Well no, but…”

She stared at me a few seconds more, until her face suddenly relaxed and her eyes grew large. “Oh hell no!”

With a start, she jumped out of bed, which only caused her to sway and nearly fall.

“Whoa, slow down there,” I said. “I don’t know how much blood you lost. You might feel a little woozy. Let me bring you something to eat.”

I brought a few different kinds of fruit and a glass of juice. As I re-entered the room, I discovered she’d stripped to only her bra and panties.

I couldn’t help but admire how perfectly toned she was, especially her legs. She must be taking kickboxing or something, I thought.

Amy frantically searched her body, looking in the full-length mirror on the wall. “Do you see anything on my back?”

I shook my head. “Look, I got you some food, you should—”

“So it’s just these two.” She pointed to her neck and upper thigh. Then she stopped. “Oh shit.”

I waited for her to continue, afraid to interrupt her freak out.

“Does this mean I’m one of them?” She started hyper-ventilating.

I placed the bowl of fruit and drink on the nightstand. “I’m so sorry this happened, but please try to calm down.”

“Calm down? I could be undead for all I know! And you want me to take it easy?”

“Ryan said they very rarely turn anyone.” I picked up her clothes and handed them back to her. “I’m sure you’re still human.”

The panic on her face didn’t dissipate. “That’s not very comforting.”

“Well, do you feel any different? Have any cravings for blood?”

She seemed to calm down enough to consider it. “No, I can’t say that I do.” She finally slipped on her shirt and pulled up her jeans. I was relieved. It was a little strange talking to her unclothed.

“Ryan also said there would have to be an exchange of blood to become a vampire. Do you remember what happened last night?”

“I was with James in the drawing room, we were waiting for you.” She slowly tapped her chin. “Someone else joined us after a while. He had a weird name—Gabe, Gale…”

“Galen?” I stumbled back, knocking over the lamp on my nightstand. How could I let this happen?

“Damn, I feel so sore…” she said, her hands near her groin area.

I felt sick to my stomach, thinking about what he could have done to her.

“You don’t think…” she said slowly. “I mean it feels the same kinda sore after…”

I gasped. “Oh my God.” Why did I ever agree to go to that stupid mansion?

“But how? I don’t remember a thing!” Amy crossed her arms over her chest, hugging her waist.

“I… I don’t think you were supposed to,” I said softly. “I think we both were supposed to still be there.” I reached out and touched her shoulder. “Maybe you should see a doctor.”

“Pfft. Why? So he can tell me I was violated?” She shrugged off my hand. “I can feel it, Liz.”

I felt a tear roll down my cheek. This was all my fault. I could only imagine what sick, twisted games Galen played with her. Games he intended to play with me. But then Ryan saved me. I choked back the tears and wiped my face. “Will you please eat a little food?”

“Look, I know this isn’t your fault, but I am pissed off.” She pushed up the sleeves of her shirt. “Who do these dickheads think they are, anyway?”

“Not to state the obvious, but vampires. They can control minds. And they’re also super strong. You couldn’t have fought back if you wanted to.”

“Well, we’ll just see about that,” she said, her eyes narrowed. “Nobody controls me.”

And then she stomped out of my bedroom. I was almost afraid to follow her, but I had to be sure she was okay to drive. I grabbed the bowl and stopped her before she left my apartment.

“I know you’re mad and I am too. Galen is a prick. But if you lost a lot of blood, it could be dangerous to drive.” I handed her a banana and apple. “Please eat something before you turn on your car.”

She nodded, taking the fruit.

“And please promise you won’t do anything dangerous, like going back to the mansion.”

“I’m not making any promises. That dude will pay for what he did to me.”

I agreed with her that Galen needed to pay, but I was genuinely concerned for her safety. “Consider this logically. You’re outnumbered. And they’ve got superpowers. Plus a taste for your blood. If you go back there alone, you’re a goner.”

“Not if I burn that motherfucker down!”

I realized it was futile talking to her when she was all worked up like this. “Okay, just call me before you do anything. Maybe I can help.”

“Fine.”

I went to hug her, but she just turned and left. She said it wasn’t my fault, but I couldn’t help but feel deep down she was harboring resentment towards me. Maybe because I was okay, and she was bitten and God knows what else. I shivered, thinking about Galen. His dark eyes, snide remarks, and bad intentions. Would he still stalk me? Or was violating Amy enough to satiate his sick desires?