“Paris.” He took a seat and pushed the headrest back. “After all this, I think I need a nap.” She looked at him incredulously, but sat and put her headphones back on.
The plane ride seemed to take forever. She'd never been known for patience, it was not necessarily something she did well. A headache was starting. She closed her eyes and woke to a soft kiss on her mouth. “Wake up, Cupcake. We will be there within the hour, the pilot says.” He handed her a cup of coffee. “It's the best I can do on the plane. I'll get you good coffee once we land.”
“And food.” She growled.
He laughed. “And food.” She sipped her coffee, grimacing at the horrible taste. The sunlight pouring in her window made her head hurt. A lot more than before. Like she was hung over, and she knew that was impossible.
“My head hurts.” She grumbled, pulling the shade down on the window. He looked at her curiously. She put her head back on the seat and closed her eyes. The plane taxied down the runway and he gently shook her shoulder to wake her. She sighed, but opened her eyes. “I guess we are here?”
“Yeah, we are here. Are you okay, Sasha?” He touched her shoulder gently.
She snapped, “I'm fine.” She stood and he opened the door of the plane. The stairs folded out and he stepped out into the sunshine, smiling at her. He held his hand out for her to take. She took one step out of the plane and screamed in pain. Her eyes felt like they were on fire.
“Sasha!” Jeremy caught her before she fell down the stairs. “What's wrong?”
She covered her eyes with both hands. It felt like she had been maced violently, then had ghost peppers smeared in her eyes. “My eyes hurt,” she sobbed out on a breath. “They feel like they are burning out.” Jeremy's eyes widened in panic. He knew that feeling all too well. “What is wrong with them, Jeremy?! They hurt!” Tears were streaming out of her eyes and through her fingers. Her skin was unbearably hot. He suddenly picked her up and took off at a dead run.
He was screaming for Jacques, screaming for the car. She felt like she was watching herself bounce in his arms as he ran. She felt like she was melting. Her skin was cracking in agony. She couldn't sob anymore. She slept.
***
“No, no damn it, Sasha, you can't leave me yet. Hold on, Cupcake.” He laid her in the back seat of the car, covering her with a blanket and climbing in quickly. He closed the door and bellowed to the driver, “Get me to Claudio. NOW!” He opened his phone and, with shaking hands, dialed. Trevor picked up immediately. “Trevor, something is wrong.”
“What do you mean something is wrong?” He could almost hear Trevor's pulse through the miles.
“Trevor, I bit her, twice, during sex. Now, she has passed out, is barely breathing, and saying her eyes are burning. She's so pale. Trevor, what the hell is wrong?” He rubbed his eyes and tried to take a few breaths.
“Shit, Jeremy. Shit,” he said on a sigh.
“What does that mean Trevor? What is wrong? What happened to her? She was fine. We got on the plane. She was fine. She slept. She woke up like this. Trevor, I think I'm in love with her.” He was bordering on hysteria. He kept touching her wrist, feeling for the faint pulse.
“Shit, Jeremy. You just hit the nail on the head.” Trevor said sadly.
“What do you mean? If you don't stop this bullshit, I swear I will fire you.” His breath was ragged.
“You love her. You bit her. You turned her.”
Jeremy's heart stopped for a few seconds. “God damn it.” He hung his head. “I didn't.. I shouldn't.. Shit. So, I am right in taking her to Claudio?”
“Yes, Jeremy.” He could picture Trevor pinching the bridge of his nose. “You have to take her to Claudio. Maybe there is still time to suck the venom out. I don't know. Depends on a lot of things. I should have warned you. I didn't think you'd get this deep this fast. I'm so sorry.”
“What happens if he can't get the venom out?” His heart skittered in his chest.
“I don't know, Man, I have never read anything like this.” Jeremy hung up on Trevor, tears running down his face. He had messed up so badly. What if she dies? Will she hate me if she's a vampire? Or will she be a wolf? Or will she be like me?
About an hour outside of Paris, the car stopped. Jeremy swallowed his pride and hate. He gently wrapped Sasha in the blanket, shielding her skin from the sun. He opened the car door and got out, gently picking her up in his arms. The massive gate slowly opened, revealing the Gothic architecture inside. He stepped into the compound and the gates closed behind him. The front door opened and Claudio stood framed in the door, black gauzy robes suffocating his gaunt frame. He stood at attention, proud nose in the air.
“I need help, Claudio...” He bowed his head.
“I don't know if I can help her, it may be too late.” In that instant a clap of thunder rolled overhead and the skies opened, as if they wanted to show their displeasure. Jeremy looked up to the sky and began praying like he'd never prayed before.
BOOK TWO AVAILABLE NOW!
Teaser from Book Two: Just a Little Taste: Once Bitten, Twice Shy. Available NOW on Amazon!
Jeremy carried her inside, his feet dragging with each step. He hated being here. He hated needing Claudio. He hated himself for hurting her. He would have never... Who are you kidding, you loved every minute with her. Every minute inside her... But, if I had known I would do this to her? I would have stopped long before it got to that point. He tried hard to convince himself even though he knew it was a total lie. Claudio floated through the halls, not looking back, not acknowledging Jeremy behind him. He opened a door and started downstairs, letting the door swing shut like no one was behind him. Jeremy had to almost run to catch the door, before it closed. He muttered a quiet curse and maneuvered them through the door, nervously looking into the darkness Claudio had gone down. The stairs were steep and slick with moisture.
He rushed down them as quickly as he dared, he'd already messed Sasha up, last thing she needed was a fall down the stairs. The stairway opened, abruptly, into a basement. The walls were as damp as the stairs were. The air was cool and he felt goose bumps come up on his skin. He could no longer see Claudio.
“Claudio, damn it, where are you?” His voice echoed off the stone.
Love at First Bite (Book 1 Just a Little Taste Series) Page 8