by Raven Steele
She jerked her hand free. "I was scared and alone. You promised never to leave me.”
“I know.”
“I had to learn to take care of myself.”
“I’d say you’ve done an excellent job.” I touched my head, remnants of electricity pulsing through it.
She blinked, a single teardrop escaping her watery eyes. “I’m a different person now, harder. I’m not sure I like who I’ve become.”
I lifted my hand and wiped at her cheek. It felt so good to touch her again. My fingertips slid down her jaw onto her neck. Air escaped her lips. My palm settled over her throat, heat burning in my core. I brushed my thumb over the racing pulse in her carotid artery.
I sucked in a quick breath through my teeth and stepped away from her. "I shouldn't have come.”
"What do you mean you shouldn't have come? You should never have left! The whole city went to shit because of stupid vampires. You abandoned the people you once saved, and you abandoned me." Her chest heaved up and down. “I can’t tell you how much I hate those monsters! I hope every last one of them dies.”
I swallowed through the thickness in my throat. Her hatred for vampires ran deep. “I’m here now, and I plan on making things right.”
“My heart shattered into a thousand pieces when I thought you were dead. There was so much I needed to tell you, but then you were just gone.” She moved closer and stared intensely into my eyes. “I've loved you since we were children, and I always will. But now that you’re back, well, it pisses me off and makes me happy all at the same time, you know?”
My heart warmed to hear her words. I had waited so long to hear them.
She reached for me, but I backed away again. I wasn't sure I could trust myself around her quite yet.
"What is it?"
"A lot has changed," I said and lowered my head. Could I tell her I was a vampire, the very creature she hated? Do I want the woman I've always loved to think of me as a monster?
Her expression pained again. "Where have you been?"
I peered out her bedroom window, wondering what to tell her. I didn’t want to reveal too much, as I wasn’t sure yet what would put her in further danger. I wanted what was best for her, and as it was right now, I was not the best thing for her. "After I was shot, a good friend of mine saved me. He took me to a place where I could heal."
"How is that possible? You must've been hit with at least thirty bullets. And how come you were so strong and fast? I mean, I always knew you were special and that there was something different about you, but I'd never seen the full potential of it until that night. I know you're not a vampire because I've seen you walk in the day, so what then?"
I rubbed the back of my neck, scanning the streets again. All was quiet. I turned around, deciding to tell her part of the truth. "Long story short? My father, Jonas Crow, found vampire blood on an excavation trip to Romania and gave it to my mother, who was a scientist, for testing. She broke the blood down until she had engineered a working formula. My father injected himself with it, and that’s what gave him his abilities. Those traits were handed down to me. Not a full vampire, but a man with some of their abilities."
She dropped into a nearby chair, as she considered my words. "That wasn’t one of the scenarios I had considered at all. That would explain how you were able to heal then too, right?"
I nodded reluctantly.
She sat there, stunned, taking a moment to process it all.
“Victor has been good to you?" I met her eyes, hoping for the right answer.
"He has. Every day I ask myself why, but truth is, I don’t care about the answer. I wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for him. At first, I resisted his help, but then I realized for me to survive all the changes in the city, letting Victor into my life was necessary.”
She continued after a long breath. “He's never asked me to do anything questionable, and he's kept me out of his business. Sometimes I wonder if he's only kind to me, because of you.” She looked up at me, but I averted my gaze. The thought of Victor anywhere near her made me sick, and yet, he was there for her when I couldn’t be.
“He thought you were dead too,” she said, her voice quiet. “More so than I ever did. A small part of me always believed you were alive.”
"I'm sorry I wasn’t here to protect you myself." I should’ve been, but those first several weeks had been difficult transitioning to a vampire. I could barely take care of myself. Had it not been for Samira’s strict training schedule and feeding every two hours, I would’ve been a danger to everyone around me.
"Don’t be sorry. I've gotten pretty good at defending myself, especially against vampires, thanks to Victor.” She shook her head. “It's crazy how much vampires have taken over, and yet half the city still doesn't believe they exist. They keep saying it’s a new gang who’s hopped up on some new drug, something far worse than rhino dust. By the time everyone finally wakes up, it will be too late."
"Not if I can help it. I will stop what's happening."
"Things are different now, Aris. This isn't Victor or his men you’re fighting. These monsters are completely different. I've experienced firsthand how ruthless they can be."
I peered out the window again. Nothing looked amiss, but that could change rapidly. "That's actually why I came here tonight. I'm worried for your safety, and so is Victor. You need to leave town."
"I thought a lot about this. I could leave and start a new life, but it always comes back to this question: how can I go, knowing what I know? Innocent people are suffering. Besides, I can help. I've already killed several vampires."
My breathing hitched. “I don’t doubt your skills, but do you know how dangerous that is? What if you met an older vampire? You wouldn’t stand a chance.”
She rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache. "My point is, I think I can help. Nothing big like what you do, but I can make a difference. I won't leave the city, not when I know I could do more."
"And if I beg?"
She stared at me, her expression serious. "There’s nothing you can say to get me to leave, especially now that you’re back."
I tightened my eyes then opened them again. "You are stubborn."
"I call it determined."
She left me no choice. Inviting her to Ironwood was the only solution. "Would you consider moving to a new location within the city?"
"Victor already offered me his place, but I don't fully trust his men, so I think I'm better off here."
"I don't want you moving in with Victor. I want you to move in with me." I stared into her eyes, both passion and bloodlust rising inside me. The thought of her being where I was made all my nerve endings come alive.
She rose to her feet. "And where exactly is that?"
I glanced around the room. "It's nothing like this, but you will be safe."
She slowly stepped toward me. "And you will be there?"
"I will."
She stopped in front of me, her body an inch away. Her fingers touched my hand and slid up my arm slowly, making me hard. I sucked in a quick breath. Her eyes slowly locked with mine. "I may not understand what’s going on with you, but I trust you. And I hope, in time, you can trust me enough to tell me everything. We belong together, Aris. I’ve always known it."
My insides trembled, and I crushed the air between us, unable to ignore my growing heat. I lowered my head to hers, and her lips parted in anticipation. A warm breath escaped her mouth. My tongue snaked out and licked her lips, and I tasted everything about her. I moaned, hunger swelling within me.
That's when I smelled her blood, the scent I had been trying to ignore, and my eyeteeth elongated. It smelled like summer: lemonade, cotton candy, and flowers. I knew if I tasted her blood it would be like I had entered a new season. Out from the winter cold and into a warm summer. I wanted it so bad, but I didn't want to hurt her. Ever.
I gripped her arms and gently pushed her back, reminding myself not to breathe so I couldn’t smell her blood. I turn
ed away from her. "Pack a bag. We leave immediately."
My voice sounded sharp, and she would probably mistake it for anger, but I couldn't explain to her what I was. Not yet, anyway. I needed time to think about what was best for her.
"Have I done something wrong?"
“Of course not, but,” I couldn’t look at her, "things are different now. Please pack. It's not safe here."
I felt the weight of her gaze on my back before she finally left the room. While she rummaged around in her closet, I texted Oz.
Please move my coffin to the rear of my home. I'm bringing Emma to Ironwood. I don't want her to know what I am. Tell the others.
A moment later a text returned: She should know.
I typed back: Not until I think it’s safe. Besides, I’m not sure she’d go with me if she knew. Her hatred ran deep for vampires.
He answered: Got you, Bro.
I pocketed the phone and paced her room while I waited for her to finish packing. Occasionally, I peeked out the windows to make sure we had no unexpected visitors. Victor’s men were still parked outside as if nothing was amiss.
Emma took her time, and I had a sneaking suspicion part of that was deliberate. She had walked into the bathroom and was slamming cupboards, huffing as she went. She was clearly pissed.
"You need to hurry," I called.
"I'll take my damn time," she called back.
I chuckled to myself. Even though she could be frustrating at times, I would never want her any other way. Her fighting spirit was one of the main reasons why I loved her.
I was about to call for her again when I heard a familiar sound. It wasn't loud. No human would've heard it, but I detected a slight whooshing in the air on the first floor. A vampire was inside. I cocked my head listening closer while holding my breath. Make that two. Now three.
Time to go.
Chapter 18
I hurried into Emma's closet where she was back to cramming clothes into a suitcase. I zipped it and grabbed her arm. "We’re leaving."
"But I don't have everything."
"You don’t need it." I pulled her into the bedroom and stuck my head out the door to peer down the hallway. If we went downstairs, there would be a fight. I glanced the other way toward a door. Behind it was stairs leading to an attic. We could go up there and out a window, where I could carry her along the rooftops, but the vampires could follow us. Better to kill them now.
Emma tugged on me. "What are we doing?"
I looked back at her and motioned for her to be quiet. Her eyes grew big in understanding.
"Wait here," I whispered. I pushed her back and closed the door as I crept down the hall. I would have to be mindful to listen to her if she tried to come out. I needed to end this fight quickly and make sure she wasn’t watching, should I happen to use any of my vampire abilities.
I reached into my jacket and removed two wooden daggers, one for each hand. Just as I reached the bottom of the stairs, a vampire rushed me and tackled me to the ground. I shoved his body upward with such force, he crashed into the ceiling. Plaster and debris rained down on me. As soon as the vampire’s body fell to the floor, I rammed the wooden dagger into his heart. He exploded before I had a chance to fully submerge it into his body. Another new vampire.
Two vampires in the entryway crouched low, fangs and claws extended. I concentrated on each of them and focused on the ground beneath me. My consciousness pushed through my body and into the wooden floor until it reached them. In an instant, I knew one of these vampires was at least a hundred years old. The other, only a few decades.
"If you want to live, leave now," I said.
The younger vampire shook his head. "You’re worth too much."
"The odds are not in your favor." I took a step toward them, bearing my own fangs.
"You're young," the older one said. "And cocky. I can sense it in you. It is you who will pay the price tonight. I suggest you come with us peacefully. And bring the girl."
I heard the faintest sound of a door creaking open upstairs. So did the other vampires.
I rushed them before Emma appeared. I took out the youngest one first, shoving the stake upward into his heart before he realized what was happening. The older vampire kicked at me from behind, pushing me through the younger’s ashes, as they polluted the air.
My face crashed into the edge of the doorjamb. I spun out of the way just as the vampire kicked again, his foot kicking through the wall. I dropped to the ground and swiped my dagger catching him across the back of both calf muscles. The thick, fibrous cords flayed wide open.
He fell onto his back, howling, but as I swung my dagger toward his chest, he rolled out of the way. The blade embedded itself into the wooden floor. I jerked the handle to pull it free, while the older vampire came to his feet, his wounds probably already healing. He drove his elbow into my back, dropping me to the floor. I barely missed hitting my own dagger.
I gasped for air but couldn't catch a full breath before he kicked me in the side. I flipped up several feet. As soon as I touched the ground, I heard footsteps rush toward us. I turned just in time to catch Emma shoving a stake into the other vampire’s chest, barely missing his heart. He snarled and punched his hand forward into her shoulder. The motion twisted her around, and she collapsed onto the ground hard.
Rage, far purer and darker than anything I had ever felt, ignited inside me. I lunged forward, snatched the dagger, and swung my arm in a high and wide arc. I slammed the tip into his face and slashed it down through his body until it tore through his heart. Parts of him exploded into ash, but other parts melted and bubbled to the floor leaving a mess of body fluids and fat.
I rushed to Emma's side and knelt beside her. She was holding her shoulder and grimacing in pain.
"Let me see," I said and attempted to move her hand, but she pushed me away.
"I’m fine."
My nostrils flared in frustration. Maybe I could heal her with my blood if it wasn't too serious. I'd seen it done back on the islands. Later, when she was asleep, I would try.
"Can you walk? We need to leave as soon as possible."
"Just lead the way." With her good arm, she pushed herself off the floor.
I kept my hand on her back to help steady her and carried her bag. She stayed close behind me, nearly touching me as if she was afraid to stray too far.
I glanced over my shoulder and said in a quiet voice, "I won't let anything happen to you."
Leading the way out the back of the house, we walked quickly down the sidewalk. The streets were quiet and darker than usual, not a hint of moonlight. The cold air felt good to me but probably chilled for Emma.
“Do you want my jacket?”
She shook her head. Always so brave and tough.
"This way," I said and turned down an alley.
"Where we going?"
"We’re close."
"You live near me?"
"No."
"I don't understand."
I remained silent as I approached a manhole that led underground. I still couldn't believe I was going to take her to Ironwood. If only there were another way.
I turned abruptly and looked her in the eyes, pleading. "Please. Leave the city. You have an incredible future ahead of you, but right now, Coast City cannot be a part of that. You can return when things are better.”
She rubbed at her shoulder. I noticed the edges of a dark bruise forming at the collar of her shirt. I focused on keeping my fangs from growing long in anger.
"I'm not leaving," she said.
I lowered my head, feeling certain this was the wrong course of action, but I didn't know what else to do.
"What are we doing here?" she asked.
I bent down and slid my fingers into the holes of the circular metal covering. I lifted it and set it to the side. "I'm taking you to my home."
She stared down into the black pit. "You have got to be kidding."
"I wish I were. I was raised down there by my mother's fri
end. He kept me safe from Victor."
She looked up at me. "I know he has done a lot of terrible things, but I’m not sure he’s your enemy anymore. Maybe he never was."
"He protected you while I was gone, which I’m grateful for, but don’t think for a second there isn’t some angle to it that benefits him. The man is dangerous and power-hungry.”
She rubbed at her shoulder again and grimaced. "You should sit down and talk with him. Like really talk and listen. He doesn't tell me everything, but I think there's goodness in him that's being repressed because of the situation. Sometimes, he seems almost … sad, and will say things that make me think he wishes he were living a different life. If you two could somehow work together, you might turn this city around."
A clanking sound rang out at the end of the alley. "We'll discuss it later. Climb in."
She turned on the flashlight on her cell phone and peered into the hole. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
She stepped onto the latter and climbed to the bottom. I came in after her and covered the opening.
"It smells terrible down here," she said.
"It gets better soon. These tunnels are old." I was careful not to breathe. The scent of her blood would be strong in this tight area.
She walked forward, brushing the slimy walls of the concrete with her fingers briefly. "I can't imagine what it must've been like to live down here. I'm so sorry."
"My home is nothing like this." I glanced at her sideways, wanting to change the subject. "How is school?"
She sighed. "Last semester was great. I received a scholarship, which really helped, but I’m pretty sure I won’t get one for the fall. That’s why I’ve been working so much.”
She continued to talk to me about work and school, as we made our way toward Ironwood. After a few minutes, she became unaware of our awkward surroundings and strolled casually, as if we were walking in a park and not a dirty tunnel. Had we been in any other setting, this would've been a very normal situation between two friends.