by Pepper Pace
“Tats, biker, muscles-”
She leaned forward. “Will you be serious?”
“I’m sorry. What’s up?”
She licked her lips nervously. Rarely did you see the Angel of Death nervous so I got serious.
“His name is Jason. I met him at the safe house on Rockdale. His sister’s been hiding out from this Vampire creep that maimed her. It seems that he likes his blood to spurt from an open wound. He cut off her finger to achieve it.”
My eyes flashed but Tyler couldn’t see them past my sun glasses. She knew what I was thinking, though.
“Don’t worry. I already took care of him. I didn’t kill him but he’ll never grow his right hand back.”
I nodded my approval.
“Well Jason just recently joined our kind,” her kind being a willing blood donor. She smiled again. “I’ve never met anyone who reminds me so much of myself.” She glanced at me quickly. “I just mean that we think alike, we want the same things.” She chuckled. “And he’s fucking sexy.”
I could see what was coming next and I waited patiently.
“Kim, we want you to make him one of your regular donors.” She hurried on before I could speak. “I know that you don’t like taking blood from too many different people because of the whole lust thing but its something we both want.”
“Tyler, you know what the risks are. I haven’t had a true male donor since Paul and…” I paused. “The lust was immediate with us. It happened with Alexis and it happened with Tony. How do you know it won’t happen with Jason?”
She smiled slightly. “Kim, why do you think I want you to take his blood?”
I gave her a confused look.
“It’s fucking sexy with you, but neither of us are lesbians so we can’t do anything about it.” I laughed, and then I howled, then we were both breathless with laughter.
“Tyler-” I tried to speak past my laughter. I wanted to be serious but the idea of it was so funny. “Oh shit, Tyler. What if Jason gets the hots for me?”
She thought about it wiping away tears of laughter from her eyes and checking her finger to make sure her eye liner hadn’t smudged.
“Kim, he probably will a little but honestly…who doesn’t? It has nothing to do with being gay…you’re a succubus vampire and there’s always some sexiness to it. But we’re going to channel it at each other. Jason isn’t new at this and he knows that if you agree to do this he’s going to get the best fucking rush. He understands that it’s succubae and he’s not going to get it confused—and if he does…he gets kicked to the curb.”
I tilted my head at her. “You know I’m not going to say no. Of course I’ll drink your boyfriend’s blood.” My unlife was definitely not boring.
She nodded and removed her choker. “You have a Council meeting tonight?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah.” I grunted.
We both stood and Tyler tilted her head to expose the long line of her neck. I placed my hands on her shoulder and I put up a mental wall.
The mental wall helped to shield me from unwanted feelings or sensations. Vampires could do this naturally but being made as a Third, this was a talent I had to learn in a different way.
Paul, my confidante, my protector and my friend taught me the trick. It works really well for me. But Paul was not someone that I wanted to think about when I was trying not to think about lust.
I concentrated on Tyler’s neck. I first sensed and then saw the pulse there. Hers always beat rapidly. My teeth lowered because the desire to eat was present. And there lies the source of the control. You didn’t really make the teeth do what you want. It was like looking at your hand and saying ‘flex’. You had to have a desire that would bring the teeth, like a desire to eat, a desire to fight, a desire to intimidate…That was the big secret that took me so long to understand.
When my teeth dropped I drooled and now I also understand that as undignified as it appeared, it was also necessary. It was what gave her the rush. The more I wanted it, the deeper the rush. Of course when the neck was right beneath me, tender and succulent I always wanted it.
My belly twisted in a desire to be filled with her hot fluid. I bit cleanly. Tyler’s shoulders went limp immediately. She was like a crackhead that had taken their first hit…Not that I’m trying to pass judgment. I was worse. I was like a starving person that had a feast set before them.
Her blood squirted into my mouth in a thin, fast, stream. Immediately I felt myself awaken, become more alert. Feeding made me stronger as well.
Tyler’s breath came out in a fast huff. She was going to have to sit down after this one. What could I expect, she was just a human. When I took blood from Tony it always knocked him off his feet—of course I never had to shield with him.
I concentrated on what I was doing and I stopped thinking about my boyfriend; again not a good idea when you’re trying not to feel lust. My fists had been gripping the material of her shirt and I relaxed them. I could feel myself tightening down low and I relaxed there, too. It was a lot of work doing this with women; trying to make sure that it didn’t turn into some porn movie.
I could sense when I needed to stop, the way the pulse slowed. I pressed my tongue to the marks, exploring it until I no longer tasted the coppery, sweetness of an open bite. Like a puppy greeting his owner I lapped at her neck. I’d learned to do this for my humans to stop the bruising, although Tyler was suped up enough that her body healed any bruising quickly on its own.
She was giggling. She always did when I licked her neck. Yeah. I’m not completely human anymore so it’s not as freaky to me as it may seem to you.
We both plopped down. She threw her head back and closed her eyes enjoying the rush. I just grinned and watched her, shaking my head. Even though I bite Tony-and believe me, it feels and tastes damn good, I don’t really know what she’s feeling. You see, there’s only one other Vampire with Succubae that I know and it’s Tige; my sire. Even when I was healing he avoided feeding me because two succubae together would be…well, Tige and I will never find out how powerful it could be between us.
You’re always a little bit in love with the one that turns you and normally you would stay together with your sire feeding and teaching you as well as helping you to control your blood lust. I never had blood lust, what I had was sexual lust and no one knew to help me control it. Tige was on the run and when he was found he was to be put to death as a Rogue. My desire to protect Tige was overwhelming and I offered myself up in his stead. I won’t lie and say that it was all because of our bond. As a Vampire I hurt, I had to give up my human family and I was now just some DAMNED thing forced to live on human blood. I wanted out as much as I wanted to save him so the choice seemed clear.
But even Tige didn’t want me to relinquish my life for his.
Rehashing these memories caused a lot of the emotions that I had buried so deeply to resurface and I unconsciously rubbed my hands together and wished for my gloves to cover the sensitive skin. My clothes were like an armor plate for me…they were my security as well as my protection.
“You look so sad.”
I glanced at Tyler and forced a smile. “Sometimes I am.”
“But why? You have everything; the most successful territory in all the United States--probably the world. Other Councils are copying the safehouse idea. You have a fine-ass boyfriend, you’re a Council member, and nobodies trying to kill you.”
I smiled again then shrugged. “I really don’t know.”
“Is it…Alexis?”
The smile was still on my face when I burst into tears. I covered my face in surprise and shame. In the year since I had last seen Alexis I’ve never cried over him. It’s devastated me, hurt me, left me confused, I’ve agonized, but one thing I’m proud to say is that I had never cried—until now.
Tyler quickly pulled me into her arms. “Honey…shhh. I didn’t know that your feelings for him were so deep. I didn’t know...”
“I don’t know what I feel for him.”
I croaked, embarrassed. I was the Master. I was supposed to be the strong one. I pulled out of her arms. I didn’t want my tears on her because my tears were blood. She pulled me back to her and I was thankful.
“Kim…” She was shaking her head in deep thought.
“I thought Alexis loved me.” I’ve never talked about the place Alexis took us in the spirit world while my punishment was taking place in the real world. Now I did. I described to Tyler the little beach house nestled between the rocks on that beautiful, isolated beach. I described how he picked me up to carry me across the threshold by making up some story about how the rocks were sharp. I described how he had returned us to completely human while we were in the spirit world and how he revealed that we were married and that he was in love with me. He even told me something that I wasn’t ready to admit even to myself; that I was in love with three different men, but no one man had to possess me. I was my own master and it was my decision if I wanted to be with one, two, or all three. I told her about the weeks of playing in the ocean and barbecues on the beach and making love in front of the fire place. I even told her how he cooked breakfast for me and taught me to love scrambled goat brains and eggs. In the spirit world Alexis and I weren’t Vampires, we were humans that ate, went to the bathroom, needed to brush our teeth. It was a wonderful diversion from the days of running and dodging death attempts. Tyler just stared at me with wide eyes when I finished talking.
“I look at myself and think that he’s no longer interested in me because I’m not the same woman. I just thought…I thought it was deeper then some burn scars.”
I wiped my eyes and her eyes were still wide and staring.
“Tyler?” Why was she looking at me like that?
“He didn’t leave you sweetie…” She stood up and turned away.
My face went from question to awe to question again. I stared after her. “What are you talking about?”
“Tony is going to fucking kill me…”
I stood up on shaky legs. “No one’s going to kill you…except me if you don’t tell me what the hell you’re talking about.”
“Alexis is being punished.”
“Oh God…” My breath came out in a loud rush and I sat down heavily into the chair. “God…no.” I looked at her again. “What? Why?”
She threw up her hands. “No one knows except maybe the Council. We found out by accident when Malarias was assigned to the Council in place of Alexis. It was Kaniji that said Alexis was getting what he deserved.”
“But what does that mean?”
Tyler was shaking her head. She looked at me dead on. “Monica asked Tony where Alexis was. Tony never answered her. He just said that you were in no condition to save the world.”
I stood up again. I was cold. Out of respect I had never asked Tony where Alexis was. But I called him and called him and he never came. One time I followed the link that he had created in us. He saw me coming and turned to look at me. Then he turned away and shut a door cutting us off. After that I blocked my links to him…
I felt sick. I felt like the blood I’d just ingested was going to come right back up. I looked at Tyler who was regarding me cautiously. I cradled her face.
“Thank you. Thank you, Tyler. I will never tell anyone that you told me this.” I hugged her quickly. Then I turned around and whispered. “You might want to leave now…”
I could sense her spike of fear…because I was in her and she was in me…
“Kim-”
“GET OUT!” I screamed. “Get everyone out…” Tyler ran out of the room as I felt the duster tighten across my shoulders. I have never felt a rage like this. It was a red haze over my eyes and a thudding in my ears.
I pulled the duster of and tossed it on the chair. My teeth were turning into fangs. My hands were balled into tight fists and I felt my nails dig into my palms until my hands dripped blood.
I threw my head back and screamed. I screamed over and over again until my own ears hurt. It was primal and animal, but it was also demon and destructive. When the rage wouldn’t be contained inside the screams my shoulders tightened even more and I felt myself hunch over. I was turning…
…into a monster.
I’ve seen it happen to Alexis and to a limited degree to Tony when they were enraged. Now it was happening to me. I kept screaming and distantly I could hear Monica and Karen trying to come into the room…I think I would kill them if they did…
But Tyler had a hold of them and she was stronger then both of them. I could hear her tell them that she had told me about Alexis. I dug my claws into the wing chair nearest me and threw it against the wall until it shattered like a house of matchsticks. With super human speed I ran around the room striking and throwing and smashing anything in my reach, and then I was howling and screaming again and again.
When I sensed that the house was empty I stormed out of the room and unleashed my rage on everything in my path as I headed out the door. I wanted to be outside, to find something to rip and to shred.
I decided to find Tony.
CHAPTER 2
I centered my focus on zeroing in on Tony. He was at Gigi’s home; one of his own blood donors. I had never met Gigi but she was his newest donor.
He had recently fed and I could sense that he was relaxed. I had learned long ago to block; block my pain, my yearning, from those that I love. When I zeroed in on him I sensed him come to attention. Swiftly I materialized and with claws ready I slapped him, slashing his face.
Tony went flying off the couch that he had been sitting in. Gigi immediately started screaming. She hadn’t seen my approach. I ignored her.
Tony leaped up his claws ready and fangs showing, and then he recognized me and paused in confusion.
I took that moment to go for his throat with both fangs and talons. The claws ran cleanly into his chest. It would have been lethal to a human. My snapping fangs were inches from his throat and he was gripping my head with a look of total shock in his eyes. I was screaming again over and over as I tried to bite. I couldn’t and it was really pissing me off.
Tony’s muscles hunched together and he pushed me away. I went flying backwards a few feet which gave him enough time to look down at the claw marks on his chest in surprise.
I leaped at him again but this time he was prepared and he gripped both of my wrists.
“Kim!” The crucifix that had been tucked into my shirt slipped out with all of the struggling. Tony grimaced with a growl and turned away. I took that opportunity to knee him in the balls and he doubled over still holding on to my wrists, but only just barely.
Gigi reached for the exposed crucifix dangling from around my neck and snatched it off. Stupid, stupid move. I swung my attention to her and leaped for her throat.
Tony’s hand suddenly went around my neck and squeezed. My tender skin there instantly split and blood ran in fast streams. Ignoring the discomfort I struggled to get out of his grip. If I succeeded it would have probably ripped out my throat but Tony rolled me roughly onto my side. He wrapped me in a tight grip that was like iron. It only made me more enraged and I bucked and writhed. Tony clamped down on my neck from behind. I was held taut with my back against his chest and Tony was trying to mesmerize me into submission. Gigi was sobbing and trying to catch her breath. My eyes lids lowered and my breathing slowed some.
We stayed that way for a few minutes and every time I tried to move, Tony would bite me harder. We were both covered in blood. Slowly the rage died away and I was no longer bucked up. I lay beneath him limp.
Slowly he removed his teeth from the base of my spine and I could think again. Still, he didn’t loosen his grip. Gigi was now quiet and no one moved. I stared at her blankly. I was tired. Tony lapped at the blood on my neck to heal it and I tensed and tried to get away from him. He strengthened his hold on me.
“Gigi. Get out of here!” Tony barked to her. She ran out of the room. He fucking lied. Gigi didn’t look like she was in her fifties. Gigi looked like she was no olde
r then thirty and she was drop dead gorgeous. Lying son of a bitch!
When the house was empty Tony loosened his grip on me.
“What the hell just happened?”
I tried to turn to look at him. He released me and I sat up slowly. His face was slashed from his temple to his lip. The skin was angry and raw and blood was streaming from it.
I stared at him coldly. I know my eyes were still red.
“Where is my husband?”
Tony froze.
“Where is he?” I asked again.
He was shaking his head.
“Don’t lie to me anymore-”
“I never lied to you about Alexis!” He was staring at me hurt.
“You let me believe that he had just left me. That’s not a lie?!”
“No. It’s not. Not when going to him was an impossibility. You were a lump of melted flesh! What were you going to do?!”
“Where is he?” I asked tensely. “And whether I go to him or not is none of your business! Alexis is my business and whatever needs to be done is my decision to make!”
Tony stood up and walked away from me.
“Where is he?!” I could feel myself panic that he might not tell me.
He turned to look at me as if I were a mystery to him. “Alexis no more wants to see you hurt again then I do, Kim-”
I leaped to my feet and Tony braced himself. “You’re not going to tell me are you?”
“No. I’d rather see you…hate me then dead. So no.”
I felt a spark of the rage again and my muscles immediately tensed…but just as suddenly I relaxed. I glared at him.
“Then I guess you get your wish.” I swung around and disappeared.
I went home. My front door was standing wide open but the house was still vacant. I shut the door and took a silent appraisal of the damage I’d done.
The front room wasn’t so bad but the living room was trashed. There were even holes in the wall!
I went to my bedroom and slammed the door shut. It shattered the frame. I went to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. The way I looked shocked me into calmness more than anything else ever could.