Bound by Blood (Vampire Romance)

by Tara Manderino

  Lisa was immediately grasped from behind, a steel band in the guise of an arm grasped her elbows so she could not move her arms. Her assailant’s other hand seized her head, forcing it to one side so her neck was exposed. She tried to kick, but immediately, her legs were trapped between his. This was not good.

  She heard a growl to her right and just knew it had to be Alex.

  Just as she was sure she would feel teeth rip into her skin, she heard Janelle’s voice over the pounding of her heart. “Jaques is not very hungry,” she addressed Lisa. “But I’m sure he could use a snack, but that would not be fitting. I think, since you – and Alessandro,” she turned to face him, then back to Lisa, “are my uninvited guests, and it is only because of Alessandro it can even come to pass, I believe he should be the one do to the honors. No?”

  Lisa could only follow her with her eyes as the woman made her way back to the dais. She could still hear Sandy whimpering in the background, but no one had said what they intended to do with her, and she certainly didn’t want to draw attention to that fact.

  In a moment, she felt Alex’s hard body crash into hers. If she had not been held she would have flown across the room.

  “Sorry,” his voice grumbled in her ear.

  “So solicitous, Alessandro. As ever,” Janelle said.

  Alex turned his head toward her, but his arms were still bound by the vampire behind him. He held him with one hand, using the other to push his head toward Lisa’s.

  “I think I can do this without assistance,” Alex said dryly, his eyes holding Janelle’s. “Although a free hand does help.”

  “I hardly think I can trust you, Alessandro.”

  Alex looked around, at least as much as his captor would allow him to move his head. “Where could I go?”

  Janelle looked at him considering his options. “It would please me to watch you,” she finally said before indicating his captor should still hold him, but allow him one hand free.

  Immediately, Alex slipped his arm to Lisa’s waist, steadying her against him.

  She closed her eyes. He was really going to do this! She had thought he would find some way out. He moved her hair aside, nudging it with his nose, almost a caress. Then she felt his tongue rasp along vein in her neck and she shivered.

  It took a moment for her to realize he was feeling her pockets with one hand, then her back, as he laved her neck with his tongue while working the stakes free from her waistband. It must have all been a ruse. She wriggled, as if trying to get away from him while allowing him easier access to the weapons.

  Janelle instructed the other man to let him go, which surprised Lisa, but reasoned it must have looked as if he was cooperating. Lisa expected to be released too. Instead, Alex pulled her even closer, freeing her from the other vampire’s hold. Was that intentional? Surely he would let her go now. He had the stakes, she had practically put them in his hand. Even now, his hand remained closed over hers, with the stakes in them.

  Then she felt his teeth sink into her neck. Her eyes widened in shock. She had trusted him! She tried to pull away, but he held her immobile. Would he kill her? He pulled her even closer; every muscle of his body imprinted on hers. She could hear her blood rushing through her veins. Then she began to feel light headed, and knew it wouldn’t be long before he completely drained her. She tried to call his name, but even though her lips moved, no sound issued forth.

  Then she heard it – the words Alex had told her would signify the end. If she heard those words, it was too late, he had said. And it was. Too late for her, and for him. And now, according to him, the world as she knew it. Then in one swift move, she was propelled away from him in the direction of the table, of Sandy. And through a haze she saw Alex leap for Janelle. She didn’t actually see him thrust the stake into her, but the words suddenly stopped. Everything halted. The tableau froze.

  She was leaning over Sandy now and could feel the child’s body heave as she sobbed, but there was nothing she could do, she had no strength. She fumbled as reached out one hand, trying to untie the bindings.

  “What have you done?” Barbara’s voice pierced the air. Instantly, the area around her became alive with angry vampires. Unleashing Sandy, Lisa dragged the girl from the table, pulling her to the ground, and making them both as small as possible. The blood seemed to be slowing, not running as freely down her neck. She didn’t know if it was a good sign or not. Alex appeared surrounded, though he hadn’t relinquished his spot in front of the stricken Janelle. He only had two stakes left, but he didn’t seem in a hurry to use them. Instead, he used his body to deflect the blows coming at him.

  It took a moment for her to realize he was not only shielding Janelle’s body with his own, he was moving her toward a corner where the walls would provide protection on two sides. Whispering to the terrified Sandy that she was to stay put, Lisa crawled out from under the table, and tried to slide around the perimeter of the room. Knowing her freshly spilled blood would be a beacon for the vampires in the room, she hoped they were too distracted at the moment to care.

  Making her way behind Janelle, she grabbed the woman under her arms and pulled her in the direction Alex intended. Barbara launched herself at her, trying to pull Lisa away from the fallen vampire until, in a blinding flash move, Alex turned and used his forearm to send Barbara flying against the wall where she hit and slid into an untidy heap. Lisa glanced in Sandy’s direction, sincerely hoping the child was well enough hidden not t have seen what happened. She didn’t know how long Alex could hold the remaining vampires off, or how long he would have to. Instinctively she looked at the sky, as if trying to gauge the position of the planets, but she had had no idea where they were to be, and then she gasped. Louis was perched on the edge of the roof, as were several other men—vampires?—she had never seen. Since they were with Louis, she was going to hope they were the cavalry as such.

  With a whoosh of air, the group descended. Dropping Janelle, Lisa scurried under the table to Sandy’s side, wrapping the girl in her arms and tucking the child’s head between her shoulder and chin, trying to offer comfort. It hadn’t been a pretty scene so far, and she couldn’t anticipate it getting any better.

  As soon as Louis had Alex’s back, and tossed him the spare sword he carried, Lisa shut her eyes. Swords? They used swords? This definitely could not be good. You’re the adult here, she reminded herself when a slight whimper escaped her throat. She looked down at Sandy, whose eyes were tightly closed. Tucked into a tight ball, the child had managed to maneuver her hands over her ears. Lisa prayed she stayed that way. Whatever happened at this point would be a massacre one way or another. She sincerely hoped she was on the team to remain standing but had serious doubts.

  Following Sandy’s example, she tucked into herself and started to recite the Lord’s Prayer, progressively getting louder without realizing it. Then she felt a swish of air, the swing of the sword. She looked up and nearly died of fright as Janelle’s head was separated from her body.

  Looking up at Alex’s grim face, Lisa promptly turned to the side and was sick.

  With one hand, Alex pulled her up from her place and held her in the crook of his arm, letting her look around before he tossed the sword down near Janelle. She let him push her head into his shoulder as he shushed her

  “Sandy.” She finally managed to croak out.

  “Louis has her,” he said, running his hand down her hair. “We’re leaving now.”

  She nodded without totally comprehending what he was saying. In the next minute, they had leaped to the top of the warehouse, and were outside, waiting for Louis and Sandy to join them.

  Moments later they were at Alex’s, where Philip greeted them. She hadn’t expected to see him there. He appeared so normal she burst into tears.

  Alex let her cry for a few moments, and then told her she would have to see to Sandy since she was the only female in the lot. When she would have gone for the child lying on the sofa, Philip stopped her. “She’s sleeping.”


  Lisa stared at him. “How could she be? She was just awake a moment ago. She’s going to be terrified.”

  “I gave her something,” Louis said.

  She hadn’t heard him come up behind her. “She’ll be all right, but she will sleep through the rest of this night.” He turned to address Alex, “Do you want me to put her in the guest room?”

  “I think it would be best if she remained out here,” Philip answered. “If she awakes it will be better if there are lights on and someone is about.”

  “You?” Louis asked.

  “More than likely both of us,” Philip said. He found a throw and tucked it around Sandy where she lay, and put a pillow under her head. Once she was settled, he made himself comfortable on the sofa near her and patted the chair beside him. “Tell me what you found, Louis, while Alex tends to Lisa.”

  Chapter 27

  Lisa held on to his firm grip. She still didn’t know how she could close her eyes; banish the images she had seen. Right now, Alex was a rock. Guiding her into his suite, he closed the door behind them. She was startled at the absolute darkness, but he made no move to turn on the light.

  The silence was broken only by her harsh breathing. “You bit me,” she finally rounded on him accusingly. No way could she dismiss that. And here she had blindly followed him into his lair, or whatever it was. She really did need to have her head examined, if she lived long enough.

  Alex pulled her closer to him, practically supporting her weight. Did he plan to finish what he started? Until now she would have said she trusted him. He kept one arm around her while he ran his hand over her head. “I had little choice.”

  She braced her free arm against his chest. “You didn’t have to actually drink, you know.”

  He held he by the shoulders. She knew he could see her quite clearly in the dark, but she did not have the same advantage. “I was terrified you were going to kill me.” Her voice was not nearly as strong as she would have liked.

  “I would have done so rather than let them get to you,” he assured her, his voice deliberate. She shivered in his hold.

  “Drinking your blood, feeding so close to the battle on something so pure…”

  She felt him shrug. Was he talking about her blood?

  “That is what gave me the strength to fight, Lisa. If there had been another way, I would have done it. The odds were enormous against us and I had no idea if Louis would arrive in time. If he even knew where we were.”

  “So that’s it. One huge fight, people slaughtered, vampires losing their heads and it’s done. Is it really over now?”

  “Would Philip look so unconcerned if it were not so?”

  “I guess not,” she agreed. “Alex, did you know what could happen? I mean, that Janelle thought she could become immortal?”

  His forehead rested against hers and she felt him nod. It was another moment before he spoke. His grip went from an almost punishing hold to a near caress as he looped his arms around her waist. Sighing, she nestled into him. This was where she wanted to be.

  “I told you it would be a new order, didn’t I?” His voice rumbled in her ear. “Can you imagine what would happen if the world would be ruled by those who were evil with no way to curtail them? There would be no balance.”

  “I think there would always be balance.”

  “There should be, he agreed, but not always. You yourself know from your history books what happened when the world was out of kilter, yet any of those -- all of those combined, would be nothing compared to Janelle and the likes. Their invulnerability and immortality would have made them unstoppable.”

  She pulled back, looking at him from instinct, but still unable to actually see him. “I’m curious though, didn’t you ever want that for yourself?”

  He shook his head. “That much power is a frightening thing,” he told her, “whether it’s used for good or for evil. Some things are not meant to be disturbed, and the order of the universe is one of them.”

  Leaning away from him, she looked into his clear blue eyes. “How can you believe that, Alex? You, I mean vampires, are not in the normal order of the universe.”

  Chuckling, he agreed, but he didn’t answer immediately. “That is precisely one of the reasons some of us desperately want to become mortal. There are other reasons, but that is one.”

  “Louis doesn’t seem to mind.”

  “No, he doesn’t, but he has the gift of being happy with whatever situation he finds himself. And so far, he has been delighted with the twentieth and now the twenty-first century.”

  “You’re not?”

  “I am,” he assured her, giving her a slight hug, “but it doesn’t change the reality of my existence.”

  He stood in silence, letting his cheek rest on her head as he spoke. “You know this cannot be kept a secret. The world will know of the night’s events.”

  She struggled to step away from him, but he held fast. Finally, she just remained where she was. “Is that true? Does everyone have to know?”

  “We can hope they do not learn the entire truth, but we have no way of knowing until the news is out.” Suddenly, he stopped. Fire alarms from different areas of the city pealed through the night. She felt him relax against her. “I think it is safe to say not much will get about.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  He straightened and pushed her an arm’s length away. “Those alarms.”

  She shook her head. What did fire alarms have to do with anything? Slowly, it dawned on her. “You mean someone set fire to the warehouse.”

  “Yes. Barbara’s remains will be found there, as will any other mortals, but the vampires will…vanish.”

  “Right. Vampires and fire. I get it.” She couldn’t stop the shiver that ran up her spine. She certainly wasn’t mourning the loss of anyone in that group, but it was still a bit unnerving.

  “Come, you need to get a warm shower and call your father.”

  “Why would I need to call him now?”

  “Because he’s very aware of the dates too, and he will be worried. Ease his mind, Lisa and let him know you are fine.”

  Nodding, she let him lead her into the shower. When she was done, she found a large sweat suit waiting for her. The shirt was long enough to provide enough modesty to wear on its own, nevertheless she donned the pants and pulled them up, then rolled up the legs before making her way to the Great Room.

  They all looked up when she entered. Alex patted the spot next to him on the loveseat and she joined him there. Philip pressed a cup of hot chocolate into her hand. “Warm milk in any form is soothing,” he said. “Alex only has instant.”

  Yeah, she believed that.

  Shooting Philip a disgruntled look, Alex reached for his phone, dialed then handed it to her.

  “I’m fine, Dad. We’re all fine. She listened for a moment then answered. “No, we don’t know what really happened. It must have just been a myth after all. Besides, according to Philip, it can’t happen again for hundreds of years, so I think we’re safe.” And according to Alex, it would never happen again. “Perhaps you would like to talk to Philip,” she said, and handed the phone over.

  “Chicken.” Alex whispered in her ear as she settled back against him and he wrapped his arms about her.

  “Got that right.” She looked at the clock, startled at the time. It seemed they had been gone for the entire night, yet it was only two o’clock. “Do you need to go into work for a few hours?”

  “I’m good until tomorrow,” he assured her. “Speaking of which. I want you and Sandy to stay with Philip tomorrow until I come for you.”

  “Shouldn’t Sandy get back to her father? I mean, it’s safe now, isn’t it?”

  “Probably, but I want to make sure. I’ll have all of the reports by the time I go in tomorrow.”

  She raised her hand to her lips and gasped. “Barbara!”

  “Exactly. Now, do you want to sleep here with Sandy, or in one of the other rooms?”

  “Not her
e,” she said.

  Nodding, he led her to one of the guest rooms, but rather than leaving her, he closed the door and leaned against it, drawing her to him. “Do you want me to stay?”

  “Please. Just to be close, Alex.” She leaned into him and kissed his lips, savoring their smooth coolness beneath her own.

  She didn’t expect him to be attracted to a plain looking mortal, but she was attracted to him, and had been from almost the start. Once he returned to the office tomorrow, or more officially, to the Morgan’s house, they would have no reason to meet again. It was a sobering thought.

  When he used both hands to grasp her waist she was sure he meant to set her aside. She hooked one leg tightly around his. “Please stay,” she whispered between kisses.

  Alex chuckled as he walked her toward the bed. “And how did you think you were going to get me to leave?”

  “Never leave, Alex.” She bit her lip as soon as the word escaped, then bent forward to kiss his jaw, hoping he hadn’t heard, but of course he had.

  He framed her face with his strong hands, letting his forehead rest against hers. “I never make promises I can’t keep.”

  “I understand.” She reached her hands up to hold his in place. “I didn’t mean it; please just stay now, Alex. All I’m asking is for you to hold me, nothing more. That doesn’t require a promise, does it?”

  “No, but it is one I can make.” Turning, he sat at the top of the bed, his back against the headboard, and cradled her between his thighs.

  Turning on her side, she leaned into him, allowing herself to wrap her arms around his waist. Then she slid her hands up to his shoulders; touched his face. He kissed her hand, and dropped light kisses along the top of her head, but no more. His arms circled her ribcage and rested under her breasts, but she knew he wouldn’t move any closer. She had to be content with the present. He was a vampire for heaven’s sake, she would do well to remember it.

  She didn’t know when she had fallen asleep, but when she awoke, Alex was gone. Since it was full daylight, it didn’t surprise her. He would have had to seek darkness somewhere. No doubt he would need complete rest after the night’s events. Making her way to the Great Room, she found Louis gone too. Again, no surprise.