Not too many things scare me, but even now, I wanted more Brew. I had just drained a woman of her blood and thoughts of getting more kept running through my head.
“This usually happens the first time,” Louis said, resting his hand on my shoulder. I shrugged him off and grew angry with his comforting tone.
“You invited her in here knowing what would happen?”
Louis shrugged. “She knew the risks when I hired her. It never works out well when one addict enables another, especially when one addiction is stronger than the other.”
My eyes fell to the woman. “She was a vamp tramp?” While the term was derogatory, it was what we called those addicted to the bite of my kind. In some ways our venom served as a drug, one that hooked most donors. Our venom was in no way as strong the magic in witches blood, but addictive nonetheless.
The woman didn’t look like the typical vamp tramp, though. Imagine the difference between high price call girls and prostitutes on street corners. Long time donors resembled the streetwalkers while this woman resembled a classy escort.
“Should we discuss business now?”
My eyes slowly lifted to Louis’ face. Not an ounce of remorse showed itself on his features, but then, why would it? She’d been a product to him, an employee he used to entice other vampires to buy Brew. I was the one who killed her, who’d allowed the addictive properties in her blood overwhelm me. Gwen would never forgive me for this. Out of everything, this was the one thing that bothered me. While I was remorseful about killing the woman, betraying Gwen’s trust was like a stake through my heart. She’d hate me.
***
A day had passed since I killed the witch. Louis left with his entourage and promised the boss would be contacting me by tonight. Before he left, Louis gave me a black business card with a phone number. No other information was on the card, just the white text of numbers. I was to call when I needed more Brew. As a new client, Louis said it was his gift to me.
I told myself I’d call Gwen once I learned who was behind the Brew distribution, but in reality, I was hesitating because I had no clue how to confess to what I’d done. One night was all it took for me to become the Aiden she loved, to the Aiden addicted to Brew. I couldn’t handle the look on her face once she realized I’d let her down.
I wish I could say I was stronger than the addiction, but I wasn’t. Killing a woman did not hinder me from wanting more witch’s blood. Today I had laid in bed but sleep eluded me. My thoughts raced from fear of Gwen finding out to tracking down a witch and feeding again. I could feel the magical buzz waning through my veins. I quickly realized that I was also afraid to be around Gwen. I’d rather walk into the sun than harm her. She’d been wrong when she told me it only affected younger vampires. I’d been counting on that, hoping it would save me from falling prey to the addictive properties of witch’s blood.
I sat on my sofa with my head tipped back against the cushions when a knock sounded at my door. My body stiffened. Gwen had tried calling me but I sent her to voicemail. If she showed up on my doorstep, there was no telling what I would do. I needed more Brew and I knew her veins were full of it, just waiting for me.
The knock sounded again. I jumped up from the sofa and raced toward the door. Placing my hand against the wood, I listened. A sluggish heartbeat greeted me. A vampire, not Gwen. Turning the locks, I swung the door open and was greeted with a blonde haired man. The corners of his mouth bent up as he pushed past me and entered my foyer. He wore a black suit with a silver button down and blood red tie. Clasping his hands behind his back, his head swiveled as he took in my home.
“I take it you’re the boss?” The man’s shoulders lifted in a subtle shrug, but the smile on his face was answer enough for me.
“And you’re the man dating Gwen Sparks?” He had an English accent. I hadn’t been expecting that.
Taken aback, I just stared at him. Fear wound itself through my body, squeezing my heart. “How do you know her name?”
A half smile. “I know many things,” he said. “Such as the fact that she’s working with Detective Micah Reynolds to capture the one responsible for Amy Harper and Bridget Downing’s murders. She also is different than other witches with the ability to speak to the dead. You two have known each other for two years, but only recently became an item.” The man walked further into my home, and then spun and faced me. “How am I doing so far?”
“Are you stalking her?” I asked, taking a step forward. “If you lay one finger on—”
The man held up a hand. “My intentions for her do not revolve around Brew. I have no plans to kill her.” Removing his jacket, he folded it over his arm and disappeared into my living room. I watched as he walked toward my built-in bookshelves and studied the items on the shelves.
“Your Gwen,” he started, his back to me, “she’s rare. She’s not like the other witches who can commune with the spirits.”
“Who told you about her and what she can do?” I asked. I blinked a few times, trying to shake my mind off of my dwindling high. This man was a threat to Gwen but in the back of my thoughts I kept thinking about calling the number to have a witch delivered to my house. Sticking my hand in my pocket, I fingered the business card while trying to pay attention to the English man. The need to protect Gwen and my need for more Brew competed with each other, which pissed me off. Gwen should have been my only focus. I was going to kill Louis for urging me to try the ‘product’.
“How I came by this information is not important,” the man said, spinning to face me. “But I have information about her that may interest you.”
“What information?”
The man walked toward me with a small smile on his face, one that was more cunning than friendly. I watched as he slipped his hand into his pants pocket and pulled out a medium sized bottle, the liquid inside an incandescent red. I could smell that it was blood, but I’d never seen blood emanate a subtle glow before.
“Brew?” The awe in my voice disgusted me.
“I will take you on as a client, but in return you will keep me updated on Gwen Sparks. Do we have a deal?”
“Why are you interested in her?”
The man cocked his head to the side and studied me. My eyes kept darting between him and the bottle he held between his thumb and forefinger.
“I plan to use her to kill someone.”
Surprised, I focused on his face. “She’s not in the business of killing people, and after she learns who you are, she’ll be even less inclined to help.”
“Ah, but she will not learn who I am until I’m ready for her to.” He didn’t phrase it as a question. “What I have planned for her will benefit you too.”
Despite how concerned I was for Gwen’s wellbeing, my eyes traveled back to the bottle of Brew. “How?”
The man uncorked the bottle and lifted it to his nose, inhaling deep. My gums ached as my fangs dropped. I knew he was chumming the waters, so to speak, enticing my focus off Gwen and onto the Brew. I hated that it was working. As soon as the scent of blood hit the air, my concern for Gwen was pushed to the back of my mind. If she ever found out about this she would have every right to hate me. I hated myself. I never thought my love for her would be overthrown by something as simple as blood.
It didn’t take me long to figure out this was Louis’ plan all along; get me addicted to Brew so that his boss could waltz in and manipulate me. Even though I figured it out, it didn’t stop their plan from working. That’s how fast the addiction to Brew worked.
The man held out the bottle to me. I think he said something but I was too fixated on the blood to hear him. As soon as my fingers wrapped around the bottle, I brought it to my mouth and poured the liquid into my mouth. My eyes closed on a long blink as the magical essence slid down my throat. The energy I’d experienced last night rushed through my veins and renewed my high, and it was glorious.
The man walked over and sat in one of my chairs, crossing his legs. I took a seat on the sofa while the Brew too
k over my senses.
“There’s a myth,” he began. “It is believed that a select few supernaturals can accept the vampire virus.”
I snorted. “Like you said, it’s a myth. Our virus only affects humans.”
“And why is that?”
As a vampire he knew as well as I did why, but I’d entertain his idea. “Because humans are God’s original children. They are what caused the rift between him and Lucifer. After being cast out of heaven and changed into the devil, Satan took his anger and jealousy out on humans, infecting them with his demonic virus—vampirism. The magical properties in every other species rejects the virus.”
The man smiled, his fingers tapping along the armrest of the chair. “Yes, but the key word in everything you just said is demonic virus. There are a select few witches known as spirit walkers. They can interact with and control the dead, but ghosts aren’t the only beings they can interact with. Demons exist within the realm of the dead, another dimension only spirit walkers are able to penetrate. Their connection to this realm links them to the demons.”
Pieces started clicking into place. “You think Gwen is a spirit walker.”
“I don’t think,” he said. “I know she is, one of very few in existence.”
“How do you know?”
“I have my sources.”
I stared at the man, pondering his idea. “And you think that because she can walk within the realm where demons reside that she can accept the vampire virus, turn into some hybrid? It’s an insane theory, one that puts her life at risk.” It was very difficult to concentrate on the conversation, but I forced myself to focus. What this man was suggesting was dangerous.
“People once thought flying was impossible,” he stated. “What if I told you that I’ve seen proof, that I’ve seen a hybrid?”
“And I’m just supposed to take you at your word?”
The man shrugged. “I would not risk killing one of the few spirit walkers still in existence for some pipedream. Gwen is very important to me.”
“Why not track down another spirit walker? Gwen’s not the only one left.”
“No, but she’s the strongest.”
“If you know all of this about Gwen then you must know I would do anything to keep her safe. Why tell me your intentions?”
A slow smile spread across his face. “Because you love her. Out of everyone you’ll understand. I am not the only vampire interested in the hybrid theory. Once word gets out that there’s a powerful spirit walker residing in Flora, many will come for her. She’s vulnerable.” He sat forward and rested his arms on his knees. “As vampires we’re not strangers to loss. Though witches live long lives, Gwen will not. She’s too rare not to gain the notice of those wishing to harm her. Imagine if her body accepted the vampire virus and you wouldn’t have to outlive another person you love? Her future could be as long as yours. Together you could see the world shift and change. All I ask is that she kill one person for me, and then I’ll release her.”
“Why not kill this person yourself?”
“Believe me,” he started, his tone bitter, “if I could, I would.” Standing, he put on his coat and walked toward the living room doorways, pausing. “You will not mention any of this to Gwen, understand?”
Standing, my fingers curled into fists at my sides. “I won’t betray her.”
A smug smile crossed his features. “You already have. Sooner or later she’ll find out about your new addiction. Whether she learns of the witch you drained…” He headed toward the foyer, and I followed. Just before he reached the door, he spun around.
“I will escort her to the gala tonight, claim to be an old friend of yours.”
Fuck. I had forgotten all about the gala. After asking Gwen to go and buying her a dress, I had completely forgotten about even taking her. There was no way I could show up twitchy from my Brew consumption.
“If you lay a finger on her—”
“Your threats are as empty as your loyalty toward her.” And with that, he left my house.
***
I spent the night going through all the worst possible scenarios of the man escorting Gwen to the gala. Surely she’d wondered why I hadn’t called her in the past two days, and then stood her up. Right now she may be pissed with me, but it wouldn’t compare to how she’d feel once she learned the reason behind my distance.
I took the man’s threat seriously. I knew if I told Gwen about his plan, he’d divulge that I had killed a witch. While Gwen had been working with Micah to save witches, I had killed one. In the face of desperation people do deplorable things. The fear of losing her rendered me useless. I could not risk her leaving me. Not having her as mine was unthinkable.
I spent all night thinking and found my thoughts lingering toward the hybrid myth. If Gwen could accept the vampire virus, we could live a very long life. Even though witches had a lifespan of around three-hundred years, that wasn’t enough time. When you live as long as a vampire it’s amazing how quickly time goes. I wanted to spend the rest of my existence loving Gwen. I was being selfish, I knew, but it was in the name of love. That had to mean something, right? I was just so enamored with Gwen, and had finally just gotten her to give into me. If the mysterious man hurt her in anyway, I could track him down easily and kill him. I would make sure to keep an eye on Gwen, protect her while hiding my secrets. Still, the fact that the man behind the Brew distribution was interested in Gwen gnawed at me. I had no idea why I was entertaining his ideas instead of calling Gwen and telling her everything. It was the fear of her reaction upon learning what happened that stopped me, I realized. I could not lose her.
***
The next night I gave into the addiction again and called the number on the business card. I had just gotten out of the shower when a buxom woman with auburn hair showed up at my door. I left her in the foyer and made my way back upstairs to get dressed. When I exited the restroom, she was sitting in my bedroom, on my bed—naked. I stood in the door, an eyebrow cocked at her boldness. Her breasts were as fake as her lips and eyelashes, but my eyes took a journey down her body. I had betrayed Gwen twice already; I didn’t plan to do it a third time.
“I didn’t call you here for sex,” I told the woman, walking into my room. I didn’t like that she was sitting on my bed.
“It enhances the experience for both of us,” she replied with a smile. Her bluntness didn’t stop at her naked display. She positioned her feet onto the bedrails and spread her thighs, giving me a clear view of her shaved pussy. As she leaned back on her hands, it caused her breasts to push forward. I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to rip this woman’s head off for assuming I would fuck her. I knew my rage stemmed from my own self-loathing, but at the moment, the woman seemed like a good outlet for it.
I walked further into the room, grabbed her throat and tugged her forward. She stood up awkwardly, her smile still in place. Jesus, this woman was lecherous. My cock stirred for a moment, and then fell limp. Despite all my misgivings, Gwen really was the only woman I wanted, had wanted for the past two years. You might say my obsession.
Much to her chagrin, I only fed from her. She tried to stroke me through my pants, but I brushed her hand away. She moaned against my body, her fingers wandering along my body. The taste of her magical blood fueled my high, invigorated me. Only, I had only been drinking from her for a minute when someone knocked on my door. Annoyed, I told her to wait for me and headed downstairs to tell the intruder to leave. My mind was focused on getting more Brew, so I was a little shocked when I opened the door and came face to face with Gwen.
My God she was beautiful. As my eyes took in her short skirt, halter top, and stilettos, my cock fully hardened.
“Well, hello, my Gwen,” I said as lusty thoughts took over my focus on Brew. I stepped onto the porch and wrapped my arms around her waist. She felt so good in my arms, her body pressed against mine. Leaning forward, I trailed my nose up the length of her throat, groaning at how good she smelled.
And
then I was carrying her through my house and setting her on my sofa. I didn’t know how many times I’d envisioned fucking her throughout the two years we’d known each other.
“What the hell has gotten into you?” Gwen asked, her eyes suspicious. It’d been days since I talked to her. She probably came over here expecting me to be cold toward her, maybe break things off. If I were a better man, I would have.
My eyes fixated on her bare legs, how the material of her skin fell against her skin. My cock twitched in anticipation to between her thighs.
“I find myself craving you,” I told her
She stood up and I slid up behind her, gripping her hips. Drawing her hair to the side, I kissed a path up her throat. Fuck, she smelled good. I was instantly hard for her, almost uncomfortably so. Leaning down, I trailed my hand along the bareness of his leg, moving up under her skirt. Her body softened against mine as breathy moans left her lips. She was an aphrodisiac all by herself, turning me on just being herself.
My fingers wandered to her sex, pressing lighting against her panties. It caused her moan to deepen and my cock to twitch. Everything that had happened up to this point disappeared. It was only Gwen and me, her wanting moans and my hands on her body. She was everything, eradicating everything else from my mind.
Frantic with need for her, I bent her over the armrest of the chair and ripped her panties away. The piece of black lace fell in a tatter heap at her feet. Moving my hand over the globe of her ass, I slowly trailed my hand between to the junction of her legs. I used one finger to slide along the slit of her pussy, groaning at finding her so wet. I added a finger to the mix and pushed them forward, burying them into her slick folds. Her muscles tightened around my fingers as I worked them in and out.
When I looked back on this moment I may come to realize my rash reaction stemmed from fear of losing her. I needed her to feel the connection between us, the unadulterated sexual attraction we’d been denying for two years. I wanted her mindless for me, begging for me, because I knew sooner or later she would hate me. Once she found out what I’d done she’d stop begging me to please, and start begging me to leave her alone. I couldn’t.
Hexed (The Gwen Sparks Series Book 4) Page 25