I dive the power through their mouths; snuffing out their shrieks. My body is alive and on fire all at once, I feel my power tunnel through every cell in the creatures. Destroying everything it touches. The two life forces begin to flicker out.
I grip my fists together; all I had to do was want it.
Kill them.
One by one the creature’s heads explode, their bodies sagging against their blue prison. Already my power is searching for its next victim, it grabs onto the one behind Kal. There were only two left.
I snap my eyes to one, snuffing out its existence as I squeeze the blue tendrils tight around its body. Black blood and white flesh ooze to the ground from the bottom of the tendrils. They fall to the floor and swim towards the last one, before they reach it Kal finishes it off with one swift movement, ripping its head from its body.
Kal turns to me; the blue tendrils grow closer to him; curious. His shadows seep out of him and mix with my own, calming the call for blood. Slowly his shadows push them back towards me, into me. My mind is exhausted; I don’t have much pull over them.
Kal takes slow steps towards me, his shadows coaxing and relaxing me. A foot away from me he gives a final push and the blue tendrils spiral back into me, filling me up once again. They sit under the surface of my skin, swimming around. My arms fall in front of me as I cough and heave and vomit up every morsel of food I can manage.
I wipe my mouth with a shaky hand and look up to Kal, my hair had fallen out of its bun during the fight and is hanging around me like a damp curtain.
Without hesitation he helps me stand, allowing me to lean against him as I turn to see Dominic.
The bleeding has stopped but he is still covered in cuts of all sizes. I wobble out of Kals reach as I collapse against his side, stroking the coarse hair along his neck.
“It is okay boy, we’re here now.” I whisper, shutting my eyes. He takes a deep breath and supports my weight, shuddering against me. The fog in my mind is slowly clearing; I can now control my own body. I am not strong enough to push my power any deeper so I let it enjoy its time on the surface. I open my eyes, my arms are covered in thin blue moving veins; swimming under my skin. I imagine all of my body currently looks like that.
“I don’t even know what the fuck just happened.” I say, looking back to Kal. He’s watching me with a closed expression, not giving anything away.
“First thing we need to do is get someone down here to tend to Dominic’s wounds, the second thing we need to do is figure out what these creatures are and how they managed to get down here.” He pauses and looks towards my mouth. I frown, now wasn’t the time to think about kissing.
“What?” I step away from Dominic and towards Kal.
“You might want to feel your mouth.” He says softly, nothing but kindness in his eyes. I reach up hesitantly, on each side where my human canines should have been are two long fangs, indenting my bottom lip.
I gasp as I drop my hand away, running my tongue over them; their sharpness nearly drawing blood.
“How do I get rid of them?” My voice is shrill as I stand there, afraid to move. Kal comes closer and takes my face gently in his soft hands. He tips my face towards him; I hold my mouth open as he looks at them.
“You need to relax.”
“Sorry it’s kind of hard after what just happened,” I growl, narrowing my eyes at him.
“Take a few deep breaths; you need to call them back into you. It won’t work if you’re not relaxed.” Relaxing seems impossible at this point but it is the only option I have.
I take a few deep shaky breaths as I focus on my fangs. Distantly I’m well aware of how close my body is to Kal’s, I’m more than aware of it as my pulse picks up at the thought of it. I push those dangerous thoughts from my mind.
“Now just ask them to recede.” His voice is soft, his breath hits my cheek. He was far closer now than he was before.
Come back to me.
Slowly and very painfully my fangs begin to retract, finding their home hidden in my gums once again. Once they’ve finished, my mouth aches from the force of them, it was like getting a sore tooth pulled out.
I open my eyes and shut my mouth, quickly running my tongue over my teeth to make sure they are back to normal again. Kal is still holding onto my face.
“Thank you,” I whisper. He blinks slowly as his eyes study my face; much to my dismay slowly heat begins to rise to my cheeks.
He clears his throat and steps back, the moment lost.
“Go and get cleaned up, Dominic will be okay. We’ll discuss this later.” I walk past him, willing my leaden legs to move. I struggle up the stairs, leaving Kal alone.
Now I wouldn’t have a choice in learning to control my power, not after what Kal had just witnessed.
Chapter 8
Allison
I pull on a pair of black tights and a black singlet, Kal would be here any minute to drag me to training. I had prayed to every God I could think of last night before bed that Cassidy wouldn’t be there.
I shove my feet into a pair of black sneakers and open my door. May as well meet him half way. I reach the hallway that leads to the sitting room and kitchen, Kal has just turned from the sitting room and is striding towards me.
His figure is wrapped in his black fighting uniform, his long raven hair tied back in a high ponytail. I’d managed to pull my hair back into a low bun; I wasn’t phased with my appearance. I had no one to impress here. Kal pauses once he sees me, his eyes quickly check over me.
I struggle to hide my scowl; the blue veins had long faded. So had the power I felt with them, I’d pushed it down once again. I was horrified with myself; I couldn’t even begin to fathom what I had done.
“It’s good to see you’re ready.” He says evenly. I cast my eyes down as he walks past me. I fall into step behind him and follow.
“Well, I didn’t have a choice,” I say quietly. I had one focus and that was to get my own apartment. I was sick of being on house arrest.
“Good observation. How are you feeling?” Pine and vanilla waft off him and smother my senses, I crinkle my nose up. Why did he have to smell so damn good all the time?
“I feel fine.” I pick up the pace and fall into step beside him; he towers over me, his ponytail swinging across his shoulders with ease.
“Good.”
“Will it just be us in there?” I ask, watching him out of the corner of my eye. We’d just finished walking through the garden; I was not ready for whatever he had in mind for me.
“Mmm. I’m not sure; they come and go as they please most times.” He looks down at me, raising an eyebrow. “Why, does it bother you if someone else is here?”
I make eye contact, raising my chin sightly.
“No. Just wouldn’t want to embarrass you with my strength and all.” He grins wickedly, amused.
“Now that’s the girl I know.” He strides ahead of me, I watch him. He didn’t know me. I didn’t want to know him. Why did he have to be so nice? Why couldn’t he have chained me in a dungeon?
He holds open the door for me. The training room is empty, perfect. No one would see me embarrass myself.
“It’s good to see you’re still a gentleman.” I call, walking over to the wall of weapons. I hear the door shut, trapping us in.
“Oh please, I’m still a lot of things.” His voice is warm and a lot closer than I anticipate. The mats mute our footsteps. I turn and catch myself. His obsidian eyes gaze down at me, his body mere centimetres away. I suck on the bottom of my lip; it’s suddenly too warm in here. I take a step back.
“Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to sneak up on strangers?” I growl, collecting myself. He shrugs vaguely.
“Here and there. Are you ready to begin?” I eye him warily but nod. He walks back into the centre of the room.
“Okay, the first thing you need to learn is how to defend yourself. We’ll go through the first basic steps.” My body locks up; Xavier had taught me to defend myself an
d taught me how to fight. I already knew what to do.
“I…I already know.” I mumble, I cross my arms over my chest. He raises an eyebrow at me.
“Well come and show me then.” He doesn’t back down. I slowly approach him, doing this would mean remembering Xavier.
It would mean remembering the friendship we had, that I broke.
That I ruined.
“Okay let’s begin, I’ll attack and you defend.” As soon as the words leave his lips he’s upon me, gentle and slow to begin with. My limbs are slow and choppy, earning me a soft blow to the stomach. I grunt and spin out of the way of his next hit.
“Xavier, is this really necessary?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. He puffs his chest out at me, his loose hair sticking to his neck from the sweat of our ongoing session.
“Yes it is Ali, now I’m going to defend and you attack.” He gestures towards himself and grins, I roll my eyes and get into position; ignoring the way my legs burn in protest.
I lunge and throw my weight at him, he easily side steps and wraps his arms around my torso. He swings me through the air, laughter bubbles from my lips and soon his chest erupts as he joins in.
He lowers me to the ground and I look over my shoulder at him, the warmth in his eyes knocks the breath from me—
I spiral back to the present, I’m lying on my back staring at the high ceiling and the golden lights above me. I wasn’t sure how I got here.
“Ali, you need to try better than that. You didn’t even defend the hit.” Kal swarms my vision as he looks down at me, frowning and puffing his lips out. I growl as I pull myself up, my stomach throbs slightly. I turn and face him, not quite ready for more memories to surface. If I could just push it down a little longer.
He comes towards me again, his movements a blur. He wants me to use my vampire abilities. I twirl out of his way effortlessly; my body is finally remembering the moves Xavier had shown me. How to dance around your opponent and dance with them. It was a beautiful thing, being in sync with your competitor.
After taking a graze to my arm I let my body take over, it dances around Kal happily; avoiding each fist and swing and kick he sends my way. We move around the open space, it’s a lucky thing no one else is here otherwise they’d be caught in the carnage.
Slowly my limbs begin to burn; I wasn’t sure how long we’d been going at it. It was time to show Kal I wasn’t as helpless as he thought. As we had danced, I realised he had a pattern; an attack strategy.
I counter the swing from his right fist and move into it instead of away. I slam my back into his solid chest and wrap my hands around his neck; in a swift movement I swing him and myself forward. His surprise is apparent as we roll through the air before connecting with the ground.
He cushions the collision, his breath whooshing out of him. Before I have a chance to claim victory he rolls us over; every part of him presses against my backside. His breath is hot and heavy in my right ear as my cheek is squished against the ground, my breathing is just as unchecked. I keep my eyes trained on the door in the distance; not daring to meet his eyes. My heart slams wildly in my chest.
“That was a cheap shot,” he growls softly, the vibrations send a chill through me; the good kind. I bite down on my bottom lip, hard. I won’t let him have that power over me. I know he is attractive, he knows it too.
“Don’t be so predictable next time,” I hiss. His body is a solid and heavy weight. If I could just…
“I’m far from predictable.” I see the moment of vulnerability and take it, I anchor my body to the left and slam my right shoulder back; rolling him off me. With a blur I’m straddling him, gripping his wrists above his head. His eyes darken as they wander over my body.
Sweat clings to my skin, filling the air with a hint of salt. My chest heaves and my limbs shake, I still don’t give up.
“Everyone is predictable if you pay enough attention.” My voice is low and comes out softer than intended. I swallow the lump in my throat. My face is only inches away from his, my chest nearly pressing against his. Yet he makes no move to dismantle me.
Beads of sweat pool on his forehead, at least I know I’d given him a work out. Stray bits of black hair cling to his cheeks and neck, his lips are parted and moist as he takes voluntary breaths. His skin is flawless, apart from the thin white scar that runs along his right jaw.
I divert my eyes back to his, and am taken back by the intensity of them. I should move. I should let him go, climb off. I was too close.
As if the universe is answering my silent prayer the door swings open and black night pools in. My senses tingle as I pick up their scents, sandalwood and cherry. I didn’t need to turn my head to know Cassidy and Zeke just walked in.
Kal gives me a lazy smile, as if this was his plan all along. A feminine growl echoes around the large space. I snarl as I’m pulled out of whatever trance I’d trapped myself in. I stand swiftly and brush myself off. I keep my eyes down cast as I stalk out of the training area, earning a more threatening growl as I pass Cassidy.
My cheeks burn with embarrassment. Foolish. I was a God’s damned fool. What on earth happened back there? What was he trying to play at?
I storm my way through the castle, I needed fresh air. Screw waiting a week, I was going to Dafria.
I’m in and out of the shower as quick as my vampire speed allows me; I dress nicely, opting for the same red skirt and crop top I’d worn yesterday. It didn’t take long to wash the blood out of it, leaving the faint hint of lavender. I let my wet silver hair swirl around me; it’d grown down to my belly button now. I think it was time for a change.
I knew in a matter of time Kal would be back in the castle, I hurry to my room and slip on a pair of black flats. In a blur I’m out the front of the castle and rushing towards and through the forest that was keeping me from freedom.
The cool breeze kisses my bare skin as I run along with ease, I manoeuvre through the forest easily enough; my vampire sight clearer than it was yesterday. My hair whips at my back, slowly beginning to dry.
Animals in the forest scuttle and bound away as they hear my approach; vaguely in the distance I can sense a larger animal than the others.
What I can only hope is an animal.
I push myself forward more, not wanting to dwell in this forest any longer. My steps are too loud, my movements not swift enough. The large animal begins to hurtle towards me, its large body crashes through the forest behind me; a growl rips through the night.
I will not be afraid. I will not be afraid.
Fear will only get me killed.
With each step I take, the creature takes two. It will be upon me before I reach the forest edge. I can’t let that happen. I won’t.
My fear turns to adrenaline as the city lights begin to ebb into the forest, I am nearly safe. Nearly free of its grasp.
The hot breath of the creature seems to be right at the back of my neck, a scream begins to bubble in my throat.
No. No. No. No—
In an explosion of leaves I leap from the forest and into the path of an oncoming tuk-tuk. I slam my hands into the ground to stop myself from falling over; the tuk-tuk driver slams his breaks on. The ground beneath my hands cracks.
“Are you stupid!” he yells. His black hair is shaggy and hangs limply around his face. A few weeks’ worth of stubble shadows his narrow jaw. His crooked nose draws attention to his angry eyes. I push myself off the ground and step out of his way.
“I’m sorry!” I yell as he continues past me, which causes him to scowl at me. I move off the road and onto the crowded footpath. The city looms hauntingly over me, its bright lights a sore sight to my sensitive eyes. I hadn’t seen anything as bright since I first arrived.
The vampires on the street make a point of glaring at me, some with hate in their eyes and the others with amazement. They move out of my way as I walk down the path, the cobblestone footpath is spotless. Kal must really like to keep his city in check.
The overcro
wded streets teem with chatter and laughter, a faint hint of blood is hanging in the air like an invisible veil, so faint my vampire senses nearly miss it. Tuk-tuk taxis move up and down the streets, I figure I’m on a main street because of the traffic build up. I wonder where Nardia lives, which tall building she calls her home.
I try and tug on our bond, letting her know I am close. I don’t receive anything back, maybe she’s just busy. I brush the thought off and cross a main intersection.
I stop and peer into one of the many hair salons, a female vampire with dark skin and pastel pink braided hair is working away at another female in the seat. She moves with ease and grace, and a part of me believes she would be able to do this in her sleep.
Her loose white crop top swirls around her, her high waisted blue denim jeans are covered in little black skulls.
I like her.
Two other female vampires work away at their clients; I don’t pay them much attention. I want her to do my hair.
I hesitantly walk into the shop; the bell chimes on the door and makes my presence known. Hairspray and lavender waft towards me, shrouding me in a cloak. She looks towards me but continues to work, her hands never pausing.
She grins a wide, white dazzling smile. Her golden nose ring glints from the light.
“Well, hello sweets. How may I be of service to you?” Her kindness takes me back, I smile shyly.
“I was … um wanting something different.” I tug at the ends of my hair and shrug. She sucks her bottom lip as her eyes wander about my hair.
“Mmm, yes I can work with that. Anything in particular?” the vampire female she’s working watches me warily. She must know who I am. What my purpose being in this city is.
“I’m not sure, whatever would suit me.” I say softly. She nods once and looks back to her client. She’d styled her hair in black waves, with slivers of bright blue running through it.
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