by J. N. Colon
“Well, I was going to simply ask Madison about her little hobby, but she never came back.” She ran the tip of the knife against my arm, puckering my skin. “Lucky for me I stole a book of telephone numbers before her stuff disappeared. I called the very first on the list and it put me in touch with the hunters.”
My stomach rolled, threatening to spew my dinner. Would Madison’s torture ever end? Even in her death she haunts my dreams and spreads her prejudice to Paisley.
Her eyes flickered toward the ceiling behind my head again. “I told them what I knew and left school to join them. I would eventually return to Highland to infiltrate as Madison’s replacement.” Her lips pursed in thought. “It was sooner than later since you returned so unexpectedly.”
“Yeah. The hunters couldn’t nab me in Florida so I guess they got desperate and resorted to you.”
Her laughter was hollow. “They could have sent someone else, but I rose quickly in the ranks. They are very impressed with me.” Her blade went to the tip of my throat pressing hard enough to feel, but not hard enough to draw blood. “I’m very good Rubi.”
“You’re very nuts Paisley.” I sighed, feeling yet another case of déjà vu settling over me.
Did someone put my most horrifying experiences on repeat?
“Why did you guys make such a stink about abducting me? Do you really need a lab to torture, maim, and kill me? Or are you just keeping me here before you trade me to some other supernatural group?”
She smirked. “All that good stuff in due time. We need the lab to test your blood.”
That blood of mine went cold. A pit of dread formed in my stomach. “For what?”
“We’re pretty sure it’s the key to this fancy new weapon we’ve been working on that can kill a vampire hella quicker and easier than shoving a silver stake through their heart.”
“W-What are you talking about?” I blubbered, panic building in me.
Paisley’s gaze flickered above my head again as she paced at the end of the table like a caged animal. “Imagine a serum we can dip bullets in or arrows or even knives.” She sliced her own knife through the air. “Just one knick and the vampire’s toast. Hell, we can even poison blood supplies.”
I swallowed hard and licked my cold, pale lips. Okay, this wasn’t quite like with Madison. Mine, Mac’s, and Whitmore’s weren’t the only lives at stake. They wanted to annihilate the entire vampire population—with my blood!
“What’s so special about my blood?” I squeaked, squirming on the table.
Paisley walked across the room to a small mini fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. “Well, the human blood the scientists mixed with the other components did nothing but make the vampires sick for a few days.” She twisted the cap off as she walked back to me and downed a large gulp as if her mouth was desert dry. Her gaze flickered above my head again. “The vampire blood we used didn’t do the trick either. At first we thought it worked, but after further study we were wrong.” She sat the bottle down by my sneaker. “It had adverse side effects. Actually, it had some really screwed up side effects.”
Holy shit no. I felt sick before. Now I was on the verge of being violently ill. The room spun every which way. Acid pooled in my mouth and my chest tightened with panic as I realized what she was saying. “The hunters are responsible for those freaky undead vampires!”
Her eyes darkened as if hiding a secret. “Yep.”
It was impossible to breathe and when I did I thought I’d puke. All the missing vampires were drugged and tortured before turning into those things. “You guys abducted vampires to perform experiments on and eventually kill, only now they’re undead killing people like crazy!”
Paisley shrugged emotionlessly, but something odd glinted in her eyes again. “Hopefully that’s all fixed now.” She motioned toward me. “Your blood should do the trick. According to the hunters your blood was altered when you were five and now Mac’s changed it again. You are apparently like no other human who’s on the verge of changing.” Her laughter was mocking. “It’s not quite human and not quite vampire. A happy median.”
I frantically struggled against the restraints until they were biting into my skin painfully. “Paisley, you can’t do this! This is wrong. So many innocent people have already died trying to make this weapon. Don’t hurt more.”
Paisley marched toward my head, leaned down, and clutched my shoulder to force me still. “Stop freaking out Rubi,” she whispered. “It’s not…” Her words were cut off as the door swung open to reveal two figures.
Paisley shot up. “Declan, Liz, what are you doing here?”
A girl about nineteen who was a little shorter and stockier than Paisley marched into the room. She wore a black thermal shirt with black cargo pants and combat boots. A pale blonde braid ran down her back. Her blue eyes were like ice and lips thinned into a hard line. Her face reminded me of a kitten, but I was certain there was more rabid dog than cutesy house pet in her. “We’re here to prep the subject for the blood donation.”
“This subject has a name,” I spat, annoyed and scared at the same time.
“Yes. Her name is Rubi.” The male voice was slightly familiar, but I couldn’t place it until I saw his dark, impenetrable eyes.
Icy terror clutched my heart, stealing my breath. I never, never wanted to see this particular hunter again.
Oh crap. Mr. Creepy. Or Declan I guess.
He sauntered through the room with arrogance while a dark smile laced his lips. He was wearing the same attire as Liz, the shirt stretching tightly to reveal sleek muscles in his arms and shoulders. The florescent lights caught the blonde highlights in his chestnut hair, turning his skin golden. He was attractive, but the dark, shadowed look in his gaze sent shivers across my spine.
Liz grabbed an IV stand, rolling it toward me. High-pitched squeaks ominously echoed through the room from the wheels, sending goose bumps across my flesh. She elbowed Paisley out of the way who wore an angry scowl.
“What is that for?” My mouth was dry as sand.
Liz’s small nose crinkled in disdain as she glanced down at me. “We don’t want you dying on us. Yet.” She hooked a bag of clear liquid on the stand. “We want to at least keep you hydrated while we bleed you this time.”
I gulped. This time? How many times were they planning on draining me?
The words from my last dream with Madison unexpectedly punched me in the gut. ‘Don’t bleed too much.’
Now I understand what she meant, but a lot of good it does me now!
Her other cryptic message was, ‘Dead things don’t always stay dead.’ Had she simply been referring to the undead vampires the hunters created? Or were her words meant for something entirely different.
I swallowed the lump of trepidation down, trying hard not to choke on it.
On my other side Declan brought out a tray of needles with clear tubing and bags. “I’ll be drawing your blood.” He didn’t look at me with disgust like Liz. His expression was more intrigue and interest.
I think I preferred Liz’s attitude.
“I thought Clyde wasn’t sending you guys in until later,” Paisley said from her position at the end of the table. Her body was stiff, arms crossed against her chest, and jaw tight.
Liz shrugged. “He told us to go ahead. Why wait anyways?”
Paisley didn’t respond.
A little sting penetrated my hand as Liz stuck the IV into my vein. She taped it down and loosened the filter on the bag to start releasing fluid into my body. She was very quick and precise.
Declan’s calloused fingers clenched my arm to wrap a rubber band around my bicep. Panic sank in again as he tightened it to bring my veins in bend of my elbow to the surface. My chest started heaving as I struggled to breathe.
“Don’t be afraid,” he crooned. “I won’t hurt you.”
I had my doubts.
With a prick the needle slid into my arm and red liquid oozed out. He linked a tube that was connected to a bag. “There,
there. Almost done.” He pulled the needle out and taped down the small insert left to keep drawing blood.
The room spun sickening. Why didn’t I stay in bed curled up with Mac? Why did I have to be so damn stupid? My gaze fell on the ruby ring on my right hand, bringing tears to my eyes.
“Awe, don’t cry.” Declan brushed my tears away with his fingers, causing my body to tremble in protest.
“Stop interacting with her like that,” Liz hissed. “You’re being weird.”
Declan rolled his eyes and waved her away. “Don’t you have some combat training to do Liz?” He motioned toward Paisley. “The new girl has kicked your ass more than I can count.”
Liz’s pale face burned red and her eyes glanced at Paisley to catch the smirk before she hid it. “I was born into this life Paisley. Don’t think for one second your rank is permanent.” She turned heel like a soldier and strode out the door, slamming it.
Definitely not a kitten.
I wasn’t sure if I was better with or without Liz. Now I was left with a hunter who wanted to torture and kill me and another hunter that looked like he wanted to study me—naked.
Declan rubbed his torso and winced. “Your boyfriend broke a few of my ribs that day in Florida.”
I remembered the nauseating crack that echoed as Mac punched him. “Good.” My voice—what little of it there was—shook with fear.
His mouth twitched. “And then that idiot human who was all over you at the beach the night before bruised the hell out of my knee.”
Paisley’s dark brow lifted, surprised a guy other than Mac had shown interest in me. Most of the time I was just as shocked.
Declan leaned near my face, surveying me with a crooked smile. “I’ve hated you for a long time, ever since my cousin told me it was your fault the king killed my aunt.”
My stomach clenched as a memory of Madison on her phone with her cousin from Spain flashed through my mind. “If you hate me so much why don’t you kill me and get it over with? Avenge me for your aunt’s death and now Madison’s.” I’d rather sacrifice myself than have my blood used for a weapon.
His fingers unexpectedly trailed into my hair. “Hated you. Past tense.” He continued stroking my strands, causing me to shiver. “Once I saw you on the beach up close and personal that hate started to turn into something else. Something much better.” He licked his lips suggestively.
Oh man.
Bile rose up my throat again and my hand itched to smack his fingers away. Of course I was a little tied up at the moment.
“Cut it out Declan,” Paisley hissed with her arms crossed, giving him the death glare.
He ignored her, dragging his fingers creepily down my face, jaw, neck, and all the way to my scar that was peeking out the top of my shirt. “I bet that hurt like hell.”
My skin was literally crawling now, covered in goose bumps. “Get away from me.”
Declan’s smile only deepened as his fingers dared to go lower.
“Stop!” Paisley had drawn her knife, clenching it tightly. “Get your hands off her perv. She isn’t a toy.”
He spared her a glance. “Jealous?”
She scoffed. “In your dreams.” She stepped closer, her body tensing for a fight.
If I had to pick, I’d bet on Paisley. There was just something unstable in her cobalt eyes and I doubt she fights fair.
“Relax.” He stood back and held his hands up in defense. “I’m only messing with her—kind of.” He looked down at me with hooded eyes.
“Get out Declan.”
“Fine,” he said, turning his back. “But before I do…” He produced a syringe filled with clear liquid. “I need to give our patient a little something.”
“What the hell is that…?” Paisley tried to reach for the needle, but Declan already jabbed it in my arm.
I gasped at his quickness.
“What was that for?” Paisley’s eyes were dark and lips thinned. “Did Clyde tell you to do that?”
I’m guessing Clyde is their leader.
Declan deposited the empty needle on the tray. “Yes. Just an extra precaution to keep Rubi docile.” He fluffed my hair like I was a dog.
Paisley clenched the knife in her hand so tight her knuckles were white. “And why wasn’t I informed?”
“You are still new Paisley. We don’t need to tell you everything.”
This is bad. This is soooo baaaaadddd.
My vision blurred along with their voices. I could only hope Paisley wouldn’t let Declan have some fun with my medicated, blood drained body.
It was probably a long shot. She is my arch nemesis.
Chapter 32
Glass popping and shattering, raining down on the tile floor like whimsical bells woke me. A heaviness pressed down on me, restraining my limbs.
Where am I?
It felt like someone shot my mind full of Highland fog. My brain was having trouble forming any coherent thought long enough to make sense out of my situation. Something tugged on one of my arms. I mumbled unintelligibly and footsteps trudged away.
Clattering echoed in the distance and the stinging smell of bleach penetrated my nose. I winced against it and finally pried my heavy lids open. A white room with medical supplies slowly came into focus.
What the…?
Memories flooded my mind, making my head spin. I groaned as dizziness overtook my body and closed my eyes. I was in the hunter’s lab where they were draining me. That wasn’t one of my horrific nightmares.
Something tugged on my other hand, pulling the IV free. Hands gripped my shoulders, attempting to heave me up.
“Come on Rubi. Get up.”
My gaze focused on the person trying to lift me. A sleek black ponytail came into focus, sharp features, and finally cobalt eyes. Paisley. “What are you doing?” I slurred.
“I’m trying to save your stupid ass.” She yanked me off the table onto unsteady feet. “Hurry. We don’t have much time. I disconnected the cameras, but they’ll eventually notice.”
I surveyed the ceiling to find cameras in each corner and I remembered Paisley’s eyes continuously flickering toward them while she was confessing her part in my doom.
She slinked her arm around my waist, bringing me back to the present, and started dragging me out the room. “Why do you have to eat so much? I wish you were one of those salad girls.”
I ignored her comment as more confusion swirled through my muddled brain. “Are you screwing with me? Is this like an experiment? Make the lab rat thinks she’s escaping…” Her serious eyes had my mouth clamping tight.
Paisley dragged me down the hall and entered a code to open a heavy metal door leading to a maze of stark white halls.
“Why are you helping me?” The bright florescent lights reflected off the shiny, white floors, making me squint.
“I’m not with the hunters.” Footsteps echoed and she quickly ducked behind a corner, waiting for them to move along. “I’m working for someone else.”
“You were never a hunter?”
“No. I was. All that stuff about finding crap in Madison’s room and getting in contact with them was true.” She resumed tugging me down the hall. “I really did want revenge against you and Mac.” She shrugged. “But the hunter gig got old. I didn’t like being bossed around.”
Imagine that, I thought glibly.
“I realized what a bunch of nut jobs these hunters were. Then I met someone who could help me get out in return for my help.”
“So you’re like a spy for the vampires?”
“Yeah. I was supposed to protect you.” She grimaced. “Things went a little south and now I’m rescuing you.”
My head was spinning. “Who do you work for?” A giggle tumbled out my mouth, still hopped up on drugs.
Paisley’s hand covered my mouth as footsteps resonated down the hall again. “Shut up!” she hissed.
A sudden thought struck me. “What about my blood,” I mumbled through her hand. They can still make their weapon or i
f my blood doesn’t work maybe make even worse undead vampires testing it out.
“I got rid of it, even the containers they were in,” she whispered in my ear. “There’s not a drop left.”
Relief washed over me and I slumped against her for a moment.
“Oh no.” She pushed me back. “Don’t go passing out on me.” The footsteps were gone and she pulled me down another hall and through another door.
After the monotony of white halls we finally emerged through an underground door into a grove of trees. Cold night blanketed the forest, puckering my flesh and causing me to shiver violently. There wasn’t enough blood in my body to keep me warm.
“Come on.” Paisley tugged me toward the left. “I have a car waiting for us.”
I stumbled, my feet feeling like they were incased in cement. “Who’s this big boss getting you to rescue me… because I know you still hate me?”
“I don’t hate you. I just don’t like you very much.” She grunted and my knees wobbled. “There’s a difference.”
I laughed dryly. “What’s that?”
“I don’t want you to die or have your blood used to kill a bunch of other people.” She ducked us both under a low branch. “But no way in hell will we ever be friends.” Her eyes glanced at my ring. “No matter whose family you’re marrying into.”
I scoffed. “We’re not engaged.”
“Riiiight.”
“We’re not,” I argued. “It’s on my right hand anyways.”
“I don’t care.”
“Yeah right. You probably want Mac back…”
My words were cut off by her hand slapping over my mouth. I was getting real tired of that.
A twig echoed and Paisley tensed behind me.
Liz stepped out of the darkness followed by several hunters carrying weapons, forming a semi-circle around us.
Oh crap.
“I knew you smelled like a rat,” Liz said, aiming a crossbow at Paisley’s chest.
“I think you were smelling yourself Liz.” Paisley repositioned me so I was behind her.
How thoughtful?
“You think you can walk out of here with our little royal prisoner?”