Her stiff shoulders drooped as she closed her eyes, her sigh slithering through my skull like a silk scarf.
“I’ll have to feed before I can pay my respects to Xandrie. Bull?” Kat held her hand out to him, her fingers sliding over his decorated flesh as she wrapped her arm around his elbow.
Bull led Kat out into the bar, leaving me in the hallway, screaming music, and throbbing bass spilling through the open door. The bond drew me forward, my feet dragging in protest as I exhaled my frustration. Welcome to my new life… which sucks!
Chapter 6
Watching Kat feed left me in awe. She ordered me to sit on the plush super-king sized bed in the dismal warehouse loft, the sparse furnishings lavish and out of place where they sat in the center of the cavernous space.
“Watch and learn, young one.” Kat purred, as she circled an expectant man who appeared to be in his mid-fifties, her fingers trailing over his shoulders. His glittering eyes followed her, his hands hanging at the front of his satin shorts, one folded inside the other as the muscles in his arms jumped underneath his dark skin.
Leading the man to a chaise lounge, Kat pressed him back to lay on it, gently tilting his head so his eyes watched me. A small smile played on his lips as Kat stretched her lithe body over his, her knees straddling his legs, her tongue gliding up his collarbone to his neck.
Sharp upper canines grew in length as Kat arched back, peering over at me with irises shining like violet gemstones, pinpoint pupils nailing me in place. A wall lowered between us, one I hadn’t noticed before, as if a garage door opened the opposite way, leaving only a small gap at the top allowing a peek of what lay beyond.
A feeling of hunger flowed through my mind, restrained, tame, unlike the wild, ravenous need that had flooded my soul before. Underneath that, something else emanated from Kat, something tender and warm, a kindness I hadn’t felt from her in the hours I’d known her. I truly didn’t know this woman—this vampire. She’d done nothing but take from me, treating me like an unwanted pet.
A hiss snapped my focus back to her, the violet flashing as her eyes narrowed and the distant hunger covered that glimpse of compassion, a clear sense of irritation edging around the gap in her wall. Why is she even showing me this?
Kat’s head jerked forward, her teeth sinking into the man’s artery, his face already slack from euphoric coercion. Waves of contentment, pleasure, satiation, and gratitude flowed through the connection, my body relaxing as Kat lowered her full body to drape over the man, like a satisfied cat after a bowl of cream.
I fell back on the bed, the luxuriant duvet cradling me as I reveled in the glow of Kat’s emotions, dizzy with the heat cascading through my body, pooling between my legs. Oh my fuck, this is amazing! Add a man, and this would be heaven. Or, maybe now I’m a vamp, a woman would be just as good. The wall between us slammed shut, cutting me off, but the after-effects still radiated through me.
The clip-clop of stiletto heels approached as Kat towered over my prone form, her tongue sliding over sensuous lips, licking away the crimson staining the corners of her mouth. With a snort and an eye-roll, she kicked the bed, jarring me as I felt her dampen the lingering afterglow, erasing my fantasies of sexual exploration.
“Why…?” I propped myself up on my elbows to gaze at her with unfocused eyes.
“Why what?” She snapped at me half-heartedly. “Why did I share? Or, why did I take it away?”
“Yes…”
“Because you need to know what a feeding should be like, without the hunger ruling your mind. The other because you have no shielding, and I’m getting bombarded with your emotions. Since I’m not gay or bisexual, I would rather not partake in your sexual imaginings.”
“You do recall,” I said, my words slurring slightly, “you did this to me, not the other way around. You can’t be a bitch to me because I’m new to all this and don’t have your centuries of experience at controlling these things.”
“Yes, well,” she said, spinning away to hide her face, a drop of frustration and anger leaking through her wall, “you will control yourself when you meet the queen.”
“Why are you so angry with me?”
Kat’s back stiffened, her head falling back as she growled. “I’m not angry with you!”
“If you say so, Kat.” I pushed myself up off the bed, looking around the loft for a bathroom. Spotting a grungy door, I headed that way, wishing I had my duffel bag. “I’m just along for the ride, you know. You get to hold my leash for the rest of my undead life.”
“Only a century or two,” Kat said, her melodic voice trailing behind me, “until the bond fades enough for us to be apart.”
“Whatever. It’s still your fault.” I slammed the bathroom door shut as a wisp of exasperation tickled the back of my brain.
Even in the pitch-black windowless room, my eyes could still make out the shapes of everything, as if soft beams of light shined out of my pupils. Flicking on the switch, the glare of the bare bulbs nearly blinded me, forcing me to squint as I peered at the mirror and my unfamiliar reflection.
Staring back at me was someone who appeared a distant relation, a cousin maybe, or a half-sister at best. My long, black hair, which used to be thin and oily, flowed in thick, luscious waves, contrasting beautifully with my smooth, milky skin. Dark, dense eyelashes fringed glittering, lavender eyes, a softer shade than Kat’s violet, but just as dazzling.
Leaning in close, I inspected my nose, turning right then left, searching for the large pores I’d always hated so much, having spent way too much money on stupid pore strips. My skin didn’t shine anymore, as if I’d found the perfect concealing powder, no blemishes or bumps, only a faint pink tint coloring my cheeks.
Plump, almost pillowy lips completed the new me, a hint of crimson made them stand out, attracting the eye to my newly alluring mouth. Giving myself a half-smile, I peered down at my body, gasping at the change. I knew I’d gotten thinner—hello, skinny clothes—but damn! At least I got something good out of this fucked up situation.
“I’m fucking hot now,” I muttered to myself, my mind reeling at the changes.
“Evolution, Mercy,” Kat said, her voice muffled through the door. “You can’t attract victims if you’re ugly.”
“I thought they volunteered to be bitten.” I ran my hands down the front of my corset, my firm breasts heaving with excitement and shock. I couldn’t remember ever being this thin.
“It wasn’t always this easy. We had to kill to feed before we evolved enough to restrain ourselves. Mainstream society allows for us to more easily find our food sources, and willing donors search the internet for us these days. We don’t have to attract our food, give in to our base instincts, and kill our victims anymore.”
With one last impressed glance at myself in the mirror, I turned to the door, reaching to unlock it when it slowly swung inwards, the knob coming to rest in my hand. I did lock it, didn’t I?
“Interesting…” Kat’s face peered through the gap, her eyebrow arched as she chewed the corner of her lip, contemplating me as she probed at my mind through the bond.
“Why the fuck are you invading my head now?”
“You don’t know?”
“Know what?” I asked, as I yanked the door open and stepped into her bubble, causing her to bristle before straightening her shoulders and exerting her ever-present control over me.
“Step. Away. Now.” Violet eyes flared, piercing my brain, sending me staggering back against the bathroom door, clutching my head.
“Stop fucking with my head!” I shrieked at her, my brain throbbing, pounding against the confines of my skull.
“You will show me the respect I deserve.” Her voice scraped through me, hollowing me out.
“How can you expect me to respect you when you stole my life from me?” I yelled at her, but the words only came out in a harsh, raspy whisper. Invisible fingers squeezed my brain, dropping me to my knees. “Fine! Fine, I’ll be better! Let me go, please…” I coul
d barely get those last words out before my vision blackened, and I fell to the cement floor.
Chapter 7
“Get up!” Kat hissed, as I lay on the cold floor, staring up at the rafters of the warehouse loft.
Everything felt numb. The assault on my senses ended when I hit the floor, but the ghost pain kept me still, unwilling to move or say something wrong. A brand-new body is not worth this shit. How the hell am I supposed to live with her like this?
“I said get up,” Kat said, as she leaned over me, glaring into my unfocused eyes. “We must visit the queen now, so I hope you’ve learned this lesson because Xandrie won’t stand for any disrespect.” She popped up and stalked away.
“I hurt too much to move,” I said with a groan, which turned into a sigh as a soothing breeze danced through my entire body, sweeping away all traces of pain.
“Fix yourself in the restroom. I can’t take you in front of the queen in your disheveled state.”
I bit my tongue, clamping down on my rebellious thoughts, pushing myself up off the floor. Standing in front of the bathroom door, the overflowing rage inside me rushed out in a hot gust, blasting it open until it slammed against the inner wall, bouncing back to nearly closed again.
“What the…” I bit my lips together, taking in a deep, sighing breath, slowly turning towards the target of my ire.
“I was trying to tell you this before you became insolent,” she said, casually inspecting her nails. “It appears one of your powers has manifested, most likely due to your first feeding.”
“One of?”
“Well, it may be your only one, but there could be more, eventually. It’s hard to say. The first feeding can sometimes trigger abilities.”
“How many do you have?” My aching mind reeled at the events of the last few minutes. I didn’t even know how I was sane at this point, after everything that had happened since I woke up.
“Never mind that now. We have an appointment to keep. Go freshen up. Now!”
Clenching my teeth, I quickly smoothed my hair in place and straightened my clothes as I considered this new power. Is it telekinesis? It felt like a wind coming out of my body. Maybe I have some sort of power over air…
“Let’s go, Mercy.” Kat’s voice grated across my skin, no longer the reminder of velvety chocolate. Fuck! I can’t eat chocolate anymore. How sad is that?
My new plump, firm breasts rose and fell as I sighed deeply before exiting the bathroom to follow Kat, her nose in the air. Up two floors and down another long hallway, I slowed to glance around at the walls, painted a royal blue with pearly white sconces. One white door occupied this hallway, at the end, gleaming with a platinum crown placard in place where the peephole should have been.
As we approached the extravagant door, a strange force beat against my skin, weighing heavy on my mind. Almost like a wind pushing against me, the pressure sank into my bones, though not quite unpleasant.
“What is that feeling?” I gasped as the pressure built, making me feel edgy.
“That,” Kat said sharply, “is the queen. She’s nearly two thousand years old, young for a queen, actually.”
“Two thousand is young?” I balked, scrubbing my hands up and down my arms, rubbing away the goosebumps.
“Do not speak unless spoken to. Do you understand?” Kat gripped my upper arm, her fingers digging into my skin. Wish I’d worn my jacket.
“Yes,” I said, my voice tight and my words sharp, “I understand.”
She released my arm and lightly knocked on the door. As it began to open, Kat gave me a quick, stern glance before lifting her chin and gliding inside. Stepping over the threshold, my ankle boot sunk into a thick, blue quilted rug. In fact, almost everything in the room was some shade of blue, mostly royal blue like the hallway.
A ginormous canopy bed of rich mahogany wood perched on a platform in the center of the room, covered in luxurious bedding. Silk banners hung from the rafters creating walls, blocking out the light from the dirty warehouse windows, and a sitting area opposite the bed held similar mahogany furniture.
Lounging on the sofa, a petite woman smiled at us with ruby lips and obscenely long lashes framing sapphire eyes. A silk sheath gown accentuated skin so white Kat and I looked as if we’d been sunbathing recently. Piled atop her head, royal blue hair balanced as if obeying a direct order. Long spiral strands hung down the sides of her face and along the nape of her delicate neck.
My eyebrows shot up. Sheesh, someone’s got a thing for coordinating colors…
“Kat! Come sit with me. I’ve missed you.” The queen’s ruby lips pushed out in a cute pout, stirring something inside me, a feeling that felt like a faint echo of the connection I shared with Kat. “Who did you bring with you, darling?”
“Xandrie, this is Mercy, my new fledgling.” Kat waved me over from her position next to the queen.
“You’re joking,” Queen Xandrie said, laughing under her breath. “I thought you swore you’d never turn someone, that Edgar was the only bond you desired.”
“Unfortunately, I drained myself running from the hunters while searching for Edgar and had to take shelter at Mercy’s home. I’m ashamed to say I lost control of the hunger in my exhaustion and drained her dry. Guilt made me turn her.”
Just my fucking luck. I stayed awake too long, got drained by a vamp with a guilty conscience, and turned into a bloodsucker because of it. This was not what I imagined during slayer marathons.
“Mercy,” Kat said, snapping at me again, “bow to the queen, leader of the northwestern region.”
“Oh, uh, okay, sorry,” I mumbled, lowering myself into an awkward, unbalanced curtsy, staying there until I heard the two women giggle. My head throbbed with irritation as I glanced up to find the queen smiling at me as Kat sneered. Ugh, bitch!
“Stand up, please,” the queen said, gesturing to a nearby armchair. “You may sit here while I catch up with my good friend, Katherine.”
I obediently sat in the chair, staring at a kind-faced man who stood off to the side, watching over them as if guarding them. Maybe he’s part of her royal guard. Does she have that? Is that a thing with vampire royalty? Fuck, I’ve got a lot to learn, and Kat isn’t exactly helpful.
Chapter 8
Lynn Sheridan seemed to have a perpetual grin, his brown eyes bouncing between the three women in the room. Long, trunk-like arms hung behind his back as shaggy brown hair, framing his round, jovial face, bounced each time his head turned when he scanned the curtained space. His large ears literally perked up as he listened to the room beyond the silk banners.
“Lynn, darling,” Queen Xandrie said after an hour of chatting with Kat, “would you please escort these ladies back to their room, or the bar if they desire?”
“Our room will be fine,” Kat said, rising from the sofa. “It’s been a long day for us, and we still have many things to discuss.”
“Of course, your highness.” Lynn’s deep rumbling voice rolled through the space as he bowed his head. “Would you like me to call a replacement?”
“No, thank you. I have enough guards in this room.”
I glanced around, wondering what she meant. Duh, she probably has men on the other side of the banners. Shaking my head at myself, I stood to join Kat as Lynn went to the door.
“Xandrie, my queen, thank you for your time. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed catching up with you.” Kat looked at me sidelong, and I began another awkward curtsy, stopping when I noticed her smirking. Straightening, I bowed my head as Kat did.
“Mercy, darling, it was wonderful to meet you. You’re in good hands with Kat and the Martis clan.”
“Thank you, your highness,” I said, bowing my head again, wishing I could believe her.
“Ladies,” Lynn said, ushering us out and softly closing the door.
We followed the broad back of this man through the blue hallway and down two sets of stairs, stopping on the second floor where we were staying.
“Do you need anything before I g
o?” Lynn towered over us both by at least a foot, the girth of his body could’ve easily engulfed us.
“Have you heard from Edgar?” Kat asked, laying her hand on his enormous bicep. “I’ve been searching for him for days, and I can feel our blood bond, but I can’t quite pin him down.”
“Let’s talk in your room.” He held the stairwell door open, waving us ahead.
Kat practically dragged me to our room, shoving me in ahead of her with a funny growl that I nearly laughed at. Nope, not making that mistake. She’s in a decent mood, and I’d prefer her to stay that way.
Lynn shut the door as Kat sat on the chaise lounge, and I plopped onto the comfy bed.
“What do you know, Lynn?” A strange vibrating sensation emanated from Kat. She must be exceptionally nervous if she’s leaking that much through our connection.
“Seer Rose has been by here a few times for supplies.” Lynn slowly paced back and forth, gradually inching toward the bed. His big, brown eyes darted my way several times before turning to Kat. “She asked Bull for some muscle, so he had me go with her to assess the situation. They’re staying in the underground, in a section that’s been closed off so long, I think the city forgot about it.”
“What about the skylights in the sidewalks?” Kat squeezed her hands together until her knuckles turned white, the wall between us seeming to crumble by the second.
“The section they’re in only has a couple, but mostly the rooms are completely surrounded by earth, like a cozy den. I felt right at home.”
Huh. This guy must like small spaces. I caught him looking at me from the corner of his eye, and he quickly looked back at Kat who sat grinning at me. Awkward.
“You know, Mercy,” Kat said, an unusual amount of teasing in her voice, “Lynn’s a werebear.”
Oh! That explains it. “Cool.” I smiled at him, trying not to appear too interested, and failing horribly.
Along For The Ride (Vamp Tales (A Short Story Series) Book 1) Page 3