Yesterday's Ashes

by Kim Faulks

Natalie snarled through the strands of her damp hair. The shackles of the white jacket strained, binding her arms tight against her body. The harsh overhead light burned like sand in her eyes. She wrenched her head away and glared.

  The animal inside her snarled, she held her breath, muffling the sound. Come on, get this over with. The piece-of-shit paramedic moved against her, shoving his groin into her side before moving away. Her breast throbbed. This bastard's touch left a lasting effect. Calm down, you don't wanna go to the lock-up instead. Paper tore as the ambulance hit a bump on the road. She inhaled the sharp smell of alcohol and waited for the sting.

  Steel punctured the flesh on her arm. She dared not move. She caught sight of the plunger as it drew back, then the black line raced toward the end, flooding her system with the drug. The paramedic wiped the bead of blood from his mouth. "You gonna calm the fuck down now, you crazy bitch?"

  The animal inside raced for the surface. She was thirsty... so unbelievably thirsty and this guy had it coming. The paramedic leaned in. His shirt was open at the collar. Her gaze trailed over his skin. The pulse in his neck called to her, tempting her. Her eyes locked on his. "Touch me like that again, and see what else I can do."

  His tongue snaked out, caressing his lower lip as he moved closer. "No one's gonna believe you anyway. You're just some crazy slut who's headed for the psych ward."

  Teeth and claws raked her resolve. Hold on... just a little longer.She followed the movement of his hand as he reached for her leg. The touch was far from reassuring. "You must be getting sleepy. I gave you a little extra, just to make the trip worthwhile—for the both of us."

  "You guys okay back there?" A woman called from the front of the vehicle.

  She wanted to yell, no... get me out of here! But like the man said, she was just a crazy bitch and this was a means to an end. His hand on her leg tightened. "Everything's fine. Just keep your eyes on the damn road, Lisa."

  She prayed for the sedative to work, knowing it never would. Her blood would dissolve the tranquilizer within seconds, leaving her pissed off and very, very awake. There wasn't a drug alive that could touch her now—the animal inside her reigned.

  The ambulance took a sharp turn and the paramedic gripped the steel bar above her and leaned into the sway. Natalie closed her eyes, slowed her breaths, and squeezed the dead muscle inside her chest. The heartbeat monitor kept the rhythm, beep... beep... beep...beep.

  "That's the way, nice and slow." His hand skirted the inside of her knee. She could hear his heart beat spike, and feel the heat of his breath her face. The bastard was getting turned on. "Nice... and slow."

  Beep... beep... beep.

  His fingers inched over the muscles of her thigh and she fought to keep the pretense. "You've got a nice body under those baggy clothes. Very, very nice."

  She swallowed as his fingers dipped to the soft flesh of her inner thigh. Cold, she was cold. Her flesh crawled with his touch and for just one moment she wished Alexander was here to save her. He would tear this guy from limb to limb and coat the cabin with his blood.

  But, Alexander wasn't here and neither was Malik. She was on her own. She thought of the end game and not the long road before her. She thought of safety of those she loved, and those who loved her—this was what she held onto as the probing fingers of the fucking paramedic slid between her thighs.

  Beep... beep... beep.

  "Mmm, so soft. I bet you're a little hell cat in bed."

  She clamped her mouth closed, suffocating a whimper and caught the slow rasp of her zipper as it lowered. His chest pressed against her, his heart fluttered against her breast, racing, conjuring dangerous thoughts. Her fangs lengthened in response. Hold on, just a little longer, this will be all over soon. She moaned and tried to turn away, but his body pinned her down.

  The carriage jolted, digging his fingers into her flesh as he reached under her panties. "You won't even know." He whispered in her ear as he ground his excitement against her. Her animal raged. Snarling and hissing and her hold was slipping.

  Beep... beep... beep.

  "Not so tough now are you? You're gonna be helpless and alone when I shove this inside." His hip rode her leg in a frenzy.

  Beep... beep...beeeeeeeeeeeppppppp.

  The monitor beside her flatlined. Her eyes snapped open. The animal was free. His eyes widened, black pupils covered the blue as he saw her now. Saw what she was and then it was too late.

  She snapped her head forward, brow hit brow. The impact stunned the paramedic. He slumped against her, veins exposed. The squeal of the monitor muffled his cry as her fangs pierced his neck and the blood flowed.

  Warm, she was so warm and for a moment it felt like she was alive once more. The sweet, metallic liquid filled her stomach. She licked the puncture of his neck and watched as the wound closed. The ambulance pitched forward and then slowed. Natalie shoved the paramedic off. He hit the floor with a thump and was still. The animal was sated now, calm and controlled she lay back down and closed her eyes, waiting for the vehicle to stop.

  Beep... beep... beep.

  Tires crunched and glass vials rattled as the ambulance braked. The groan of the driver's door was followed by a slam, reverberating through the cabin. Natalie followed the light steps of the paramedic as she rounded the vehicle and stopped at the back door.

  "Luke, you ready?" The soft voice called before the doors jerked open. "Holy shit. Luke...Luke."

  Natalie remained still, her eyes remained closed, breathing slow and controlled. She was supposed to be sedated.

  "Unit 401 to dispatch, we have a problem."

  "Go ahead unit 401, what is it?"

  The voice of the paramedic shook as she moved around the cabin. "Luke's collapsed on the ground. He's not moving... he's not...."

  "Remember your training unit 401, check for a pulse and his breathing."

  Natalie could hear her tearing at the equipment, then dragging the already dead paramedic upright. "Hold on Luke. Hold on buddy."

  Muffled voices came from the back of the ambulance. "Is everything okay, what's taking you guys so long?"

  "Get. Her. Schedule two. I think she's been sedated. Luke's collapsed. I can't... I can't find a damn heartbeat."

  Natalie had to force herself not to smile.

  "Jack will grab her. Give me a hand and let's move Luke into the foyer, grab the defibrillator Lisa... Lisa!"

  The gurney jerked forward. She kept her eyes closed, fighting the need to see the paramedic one last time. The wheels slipped and bounced over the pebbled drive until one jolt smoothed out the ride.

  "What do we have here?" A smooth voice filled her ears.

  Her stomach strained, she kept her breath, swallowing the air while her revulsion bloomed like decaying rose. Her salvation was somewhere. She was so damn close.

  "Schedule two. There's a hold-up with the paperwork, but it's coming."

  "What's the hold-up out there?"

  "There's some kind of problem with one of the paramedics, I don't really know...."

  She kept her breaths slow while she opened herself up to the sounds of the hospital. He was hiding somewhere here, she could taste the vile air and feel the shadows on her skin. Come on... come and find me.

  "... take care of this one. If you can help me get her into a wheelchair, I'll take her through to Dr Monroe. He'll get this one settled in, so I can go on home and get some sleep."

  "Sure Doctor, no problem... I sure hope everything's okay out there."

  "Me too, Jarrath. Come on, let's get this one sorted."

  The bed jolted as the snap of the brakes sounded. She could hear a low squeak of a wheel grinding over, and over, heading toward her.

  "Wait until I'm ready. I'm gonna have to hold her tight. This one's heavily sedated. I don't expect her to wake up until sometime tomorrow at least. I dunno what the damn paramedic was thinking giving her that much Valium."

  Someone touched her head. She held herself still, determined not to flinch. His finge
rs smoothed back her hair. The gentleness took her by surprise.

  "Some people shouldn't have a damn job treating people, they're not animals... this is someone's daughter, someone's friend. If I ever catch you treating our patients with anything other than kindness and respect, you won't have a job here. Do you understand me, Jarrath?"

  "Yes, Sir. I understand completely."

  She was swallowed by an embrace. Warm, his body was warm. She could hear his heavy heart and underneath the suffocating scent of cologne she smelled fried onions and stale sweat. The clink of the buckle at her back was sudden, the release of her arms felt like freedom. Here was a man who stood against the system, who fought for those who needed it the most. As much as she wanted to open her eyes and know him fully, she realized it didn't really matter. Just to know someone like this existed was enough.

  He gripped her tight and wrestled with the jacket one side at a time. "It's okay, I got you."

  For a second his voice was Alexander's. It's okay, Natalie... I've got you. I won't let you down. She relaxed in his arms while he pivoted and lowered her down. The seat caught her, and the spell was broken. He gripped her lower leg, gently lifting her foot, one after another and placing them against the footholds while the snap of the brakes beside her filled the void.

  "See you tomorrow, doctor." The gurney rattled as it moved away.

  "It's already tomorrow, Jarrath...." The sigh was heavy behind her.

  She could feel his exhaustion. The weighted feeling dragged her down. He's human. He's supposed to feel tired. She could change all that within an hour. She could take away all his problems all his worries and concerns and... give him immortality.

  Revulsion hit her like a slap. A hand pressed against her shoulder. "It's okay. I'm just going to take you upstairs to get settled in."

  How could she think like this? How could she even contemplate playing God with life like it was so fucking easy? The animal shifted under her skin. No one should have this much power.

  Her head lolled with the tilt as the doctor pushed the wheelchair up a ramp. The sterile smell of the hospital grew stronger the higher they went. She focused on finding her target but heart and head were in the way.

  "I have a late one for you, Leron."

  A wave of hate and horror hit her with a blast. She clenched her fist. Their muffled voices didn't filter through. She tried to push aside her revulsion, stilling her breath to ease the overwhelming urge to flee and to fight, because she needed him now.

  The room was silent. She detected no trace of the doctor, his aftershave lingered, but that was all there was.

  "You can open your eyes now."

  Darkness smothered her and then slowly receded. The man who sat across from her was no man. She saw through his appearance. Yellow eyes flickered. His presence invaded her like a disease. She'd planned this meeting for days now, leaving everyone behind to try and find a way through this mess.

  "Why are you here, Natalie?"

  She opened her mouth to speak, to voice the words that'd filled her mind. Words that would give her a life-line. Please, sounded too weak, to hopeless even though she knew hopeless is what this situation was.

  "I need your help."

  The words sounded false, even though this was far from the truth. She couldn't be more sincere, more desperate... she'd have to be to willingly put her future into the hands of a demon.

  He glared at her and eased back into his chair and crossed his legs. This seemed to be a perfect place for a demon to hide, somewhere he could feel at home amongst the tormented and insane. His tweed coat lay open, exposing pale shirt. Was there a heart inside that chest? She hoped so.

  "Go on." He whispered.

  The hair on the back of her neck stood. "I need your brother to help me. I want him to tell Kaige I want to make a deal."

  He looked at her strangely. "Are you sure about this. Whatever illusions you have about my brother helping you, forget it. It is in our nature to be cruel. It is in our nature to consume."

  She held her resolve tight like a wounded animal. Her voice was softer now that the heat of anger was gone. "Thank you, but I'm sure Leron. I only want one thing in return."

  He leaned forward, eyes sparkling with an intensity that made her shift in her seat. "And that is?"

  "That whatever happens, Alexander, Malik and everyone else I love will be okay. There will be no repercussions, there will be no revenge. A clean swap. Me for them.”

  "Do you really think that's going to happen?" He leaned forward, his stare cut through her like a razor, exposing her fear. "That Kaige will just let them walk out of there alive?"

  "Once she understands what I am, yes. She'll know that she can control me and I'll become another weapon for her to wield. But, I won't be used to hurt them. I refuse to let that happen."

  She was slammed and rocked back with the blow, until she stared at the ceiling. Her first reaction was to move, to crawl away from the danger surrounding her. But her body was no longer her own. She opened her mouth, the air hissed like a molten spring. Leron's sickly sweet voice called to her his hands gripped her shoulders. "Natalie... can you hear me? Natalie are you okay?"

  There was no escaping the attack. No blows came from the demon in front of her, or the darkened corners in the room. The assault came from within.

  Natalie. Come to me!

  Kaige's call was undeniable. Natalie whimpered and clawed at the floor as the blow came again, bowing her body back. Her muscles screamed. The ground cracked, tiles turned to dust. She tried to hold on a little more, but the unrelenting hell never ended.

  One choked whimper cut through the air as she called the only ones who could help her. "Alexander, Malik... help me."

  Chapter 4

  Natalie, come to me!

  Alexander braced himself for the impact, but it was no use. His thoughts were lost, his body betrayed, and he fell to the floor. Jesus... Natalie... Natalie! He felt her power rise to take the blow. The gut-wrenching scream that ripped through their connection tore at his dead heart. Inside the woman he loved was a blood-sucking, fire controlling monster, something more powerful than he'd ever known and yet, it cruelly obeyed immortal laws. The call of her maker overpowered every thought, every desire, even love and survival. There was no escaping, no fighting. And the reason Natalie was like this, was all because of him.

  His fangs lengthened, the need for blood was overwhelming. "Alex... what the hell's wrong?"

  The Djinn was too close. Flames flickered around the concern in his eyes. Too hot... too hot. Malik reached for him and he shrank back. "Get away from me. I can't stop it... I can't hold back any longer."

  The shadows seem to morph into demons. They lunged at him reaching, clawing his face. Natalie come to me now! The call... sweet Jesus the call was too strong.

  The sound of savage rutting filled his head followed by a vision... a vision to cruel to endure. Huge beasts fucked and howled into the air. One massive Minotaur turned, its eyes gleamed with a sickening intensity. No... please sweet god, no....

  No more. He couldn't stand anymore. Laughter filled his mind, cruel laughter he knew all too well. Kaige's taunts shredded his heart. This is what's waiting for you Natalie. Come home to Momma.

  He braced himself against the ground. Natalie's pain and fury ripped through him like wildfire and he took it all, every lash of pain, and the burning need. He tried to voice the words she needed to hear—comforting words, but the screaming... oh, god the screaming.

  The blow rocked him back, severing their connection. Just like that, his Natalie was gone. The room melted away. There was nothing left but pain... not even anger held him here... he was too weak to protect her—he couldn't even protect himself. The floor and his wracking sobs were all he felt. He curled into a fetal position as hopelessness smothered him.

  "I'm sorry Alexander, I had to."

  He lifted his head. Fire eyes danced in front of him. "What did you do Malik? What... did... you...do!"

&nb
sp; "The only thing I could do." Malik answered and collapsed back on the ground beside him.

  The heaving sound of the Djinn's breaths filled the room. Alexander waited for the tremors to die down. She was lost to him now. His love was lost.

  "She's stronger than you think."

  Alexander turned away. "What the hell would you know?"

  "I know you love her. I know I love her, and I'm pretty sure the cop loves her too. But you can't protect her from everything, including herself."

  Alexander spun back, not caring that his fangs were out. Not caring that the Djinn could burn him alive. He lunged, knocking the bastard flat. "You. Don't. Understand. Anything!"

  "She was killing you! Look at yourself, Alex. Here, take a good fucking look!" Malik twisted, throwing him free with one swift move. There was no fight left in Alexander, there was nothing but emptiness and remorse.

  The Djinn grabbed the back of his shirt and dragged him across the floor. Fist against flesh, he struck. His fangs dug deep into Djinn and snarls filled the room. He didn't care. He'd kill anyone who stood in his way. Pain shot like a needle through his lifeless heart. He ached for her—his Natalie—he’d die for her.

  "Leave me alone!" He roared, aiming for the bastards groin, but his timing was off. His foot swung, hitting nothing but air. He was weak, too weak to fight. Alexander collapsed against the weight of his rival and together they crashed to the floor.

  The stainless squealed as his fangs gouged the steel. The Djinn smashed his face into the plate, his tone hard cold and very, very dangerous. But it was the reflection that scared him the most.

  He tried to turn away, tried to stop the agony of facing what he'd become but it was no use. His strength was tapped out and useless against the fury of the male who had hold of him.

  "Look at yourself Vampire. Look at what you have become."

  There was no denying the warped face that stared back at him. The dark circles under his eyes were nothing compared to the deep cracks in his ivory skin.

  "She loves me." The haunting reflection whispered back at him. "I love her and I would die for her."

  Malik snarled. His growl rebounded through the room. "This is not what Natalie would want. You know that this thing she's become isn't really her, right? Natalie's trapped in there somewhere, but what occupies her body isn't her."