Escape: A Vampire Blood Courtesans Romance

by Michaels, A K

  ~ Chapter 12 ~

  Max cursed, pushing me behind him, whispering urgently, “First chance you get, go to the office and barricade yourself in.”

  I didn’t answer. My focus on the man that was supposed to care for me, cherish me, love me: my father. He’d obviously not looked up the meaning of the word in a dictionary because all he’d ever done was mistreat me, and worse, allow the entire Pack to follow suit. I hated him with every fiber of my being and as I glared at him, my eyes squinted and a snarl erupted from my throat.

  The sound was like nothing I’d heard before. More animal than human and it caused Max to spin around to glance at me. “You might have more wolf in you than you thought.” He winked.

  My father smirked. “I always had my doubts about you but it seems you are indeed my halfbreed.”

  “Fuck off,” I spat out viciously. All my pent up hatred spilling out of me in those two words.

  “Fuck off?” he asked, hands on his hips and grinning like the psychopath he clearly was. “You’re a stupid bitch talking big like that with my wolves surrounding this place. Do you really think you’ll get away?”

  “I don’t care if I do or not,” I sneered. “All I care about right now is that I will never, and I mean never, be your whipping bitch again. I’ll die before going with you and I’m telling you, fuckwit, I’ll die happy.”

  Max inhaled sharply, his eyes searching for mine. I raised an eyebrow and whispered, “It’s the truth, Max. I won’t go with him, not after I’ve seen how things can be away from the Pack. Away from him and with you.”

  His eyes bored into mine as he whispered, “Back up the stairs.”

  I did as I was told, watching as Max turned to face my father. “Alpha, you know I employed Flora to meet my needs and those aren’t sated yet. You’ll have her when I’m done.”

  My father snarled viciously. “You have five minutes before I signal the Pack to attack.”

  “More than enough time,” Max sneered.

  I’d managed to get almost to the top of the stairs as Max leaped up toward me. He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear as he breathed, “I love you, Flora. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before but that’s a discussion for another day. What I need to know right now, this second, is . . . do you trust me?”

  I couldn’t stop my heart soaring at his words and quickly nodded. “Yes, Max, I trust you.”

  “And you’re certain you won’t go back to the Pack?”

  “No.” I shuddered at the thought. “I honestly would rather die.”

  “All right then.” He leaned back, giving me a strange look. “I’ll make it look as good as I can.”

  With that he drew his lips back, revealing his razor sharp fangs, then darted forward to sink them deep within my throat. He drunk hungrily, like a man possessed, and soon my head started to swim as my eyes lost focus and I felt myself slipping into unconsciousness.

  What the hell was he doing? Terror filled me as I realized this was the end. He had indeed believed me when I said I’d rather die and he was taking matters into his own hands and not leaving the decision to me, or my father.

  I could feel my heart slowing and I suddenly felt at peace. There were far worse ways to go so I didn’t struggle against his grip, allowing myself to fall into darkness willingly.

  ~~~~~

  When Flora uttered those words, “I’d rather die,” I thought I would shatter into a thousand pieces. I couldn’t allow her father to get his hands on her. I’d do anything, anything at all, to keep her from that fate.

  However, with a full pack of wolves to deal with, I knew the outcome would not be on our side. I was willing to fight for her, indeed, I intended to end the Alpha for his treatment of her, albeit that would need to be another day, another time. In this moment, I could think of only one way to save my Flora.

  And mine she definitely was.

  I’d been slow to realize the depth of my feelings for her, but with the imminent threat against her, it forced me to admit I was in love with her and I couldn’t let her go. Ever.

  My mind raced to think of a solution and only one presented itself. But would she hate me afterward? Only time would tell and I had one shot only to make this happen.

  As Flora stared into my eyes and told me she trusted me I dreaded the fear I knew my actions would result in. She wouldn’t know what was happening but I could think of no other way to get rid of the Alpha and his entire pack.

  Drinking deeply, I continued on, almost draining my dear love, until I heard her heart stutter. I wrenched my fangs away, blood covering my entire face and turned to face the Alpha, sneering viciously, “Oops, looks like I drained my Courtesan, sorry about that, Alpha.”

  Releasing my hold on her, Flora’s body sank limply to the floor as her father stormed up the stairs. “What? You fucking bastard! I’ve been looking forward to that for weeks.”

  “As I said, sorry, but she was mine to do with as I pleased and her blood was so sweet I couldn’t let her leave without taking it. All of it.”

  I watched as he prodded her with his boot and then he turned, pushing me out of the way roughly. Oh yes, I’d take great pleasure in dealing with him when he didn’t have a pack at his back. I’d savor the moment I ripped him to shreds. For now, I needed to get his ass out of my house so I could tend to Flora and hope to fuck that I wasn’t too late.

  “Now, Alpha, I suggest you and your wolves leave my property or I’ll be forced to contact the Council and report your actions.”

  He glared at me one last time before descending the stairs and motioning the wolves to follow him. Stopping at the broken door he turned one last time. “And don’t think I’m taking that piece of shit off your hands for a burial. You killed her so you can get rid of her.”

  Gritting my teeth, I fought the urge to rush down and wipe the smirk from his face, but I did. I remained silent until they were gone. As soon as they were, Graham and Isa rushed out from the corridor, Graham quickly slamming the doors as Isa rushed up toward Flora.

  “Oh no!” Isa’s hand shot to her chest. “She’s not dead, is she?”

  I leaped forward, picking Flora up in my arms and running toward our bedroom. “She will be if I don’t turn her soon.”

  “Hurry,” Isa shouted shrilly.

  I finally reached our room, placing Flora on the bed and starting the process of turning her into one of us. I had to ensure she ingested copious amounts of my blood in these vital moments and sliced open my wrist quickly then held it over her mouth. She was unresponsive so I opened her mouth and held the flowing blood so that it ran into her mouth, massaging her throat to ensure she swallowed. The wound healed several times over but I merely opened it again so that she could ingest as much as possible to give her the best chance at surviving the change. Only when I felt lightheaded did I stop, allowing my wrist to heal and lying down next to her. I gazed at her pale face and for the first time in my life, I prayed to every god in existence to allow her to survive.

  Then the enormity of what I’d done hit: I’d turned her into a vampire. Would she hate me for evermore because I’d done this? Even if she did, it was the price I’d willingly pay. I’d beg on my knees for the next millennia for her forgiveness.

  I cradled her in my arms, hoping and praying I wasn’t too late, her heartbeat almost non-existent and causing me to doubt my actions. But what else could I have done? Hand her over to the father that would most probably have tortured her before finally killing her? No. I could never have allowed that to happen. I’d done the only thing I could think of and if it didn’t work I wasn’t quite sure what I would do.

  The thought of my life continuing without her next to me was inconceivable. I was certain I could not carry on alone.

  As the hours passed, I continued to keep her in my embrace until finally my eyes drooped and exhaustion pulled me into slumber.

  ~~~~~

  I stared at Flora as she slept. Well, sleep wasn’t the cor
rect term, more like a coma. She’d be like this for some time yet and I hated to leave her, but I had no other choice. As hatred surged through me again, I knew I wouldn’t rest until I went to deal with a matter that had plagued me for weeks.

  I double checked that she was still out for the count, tucking the comforter around her, then locked the doors behind me as I went in search of Isa. I didn’t have far to go. She was pacing back and forth at the bottom of the stairs, her face white with worry.

  As soon as she saw me she babbled. “Is she all right, Sir? Is there anything I can do?”

  “She’s resting.” I tried to assuage her obvious concern. “I had no choice, Isa. It was the only thing I could come up with that would save her.”

  “I know that,” Isa stated, wringing her hands.

  “However, when she does awaken, she’ll be . . . out of sorts, so it’s best you stay away until I tell you it’s safe. All right?”

  Isa’s head bobbed up and down. “Certainly, whatever you think’s best, Sir.”

  “Isa.” I cocked my head to the side, raising an eyebrow. “I’ve told you, no Sir is required.”

  “Sorry, force of habit. Is there anything you need?”

  “No . . .” I paused, my mind on the task at hand. “I have to go out but I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “What?” Her eyes popped open. “Will she be okay while you’re gone?”

  “Yes,” I assured her, striding to the door.

  “Wait, don’t you need Graham and the car?” she asked as I noticed the door had been repaired. I’d need to thank Graham when I saw him next.

  “No.” I opened the door, the damp air hitting me in the face as I did. “I’ll be back shortly.”

  I could see her confusion but I didn’t require a car for what I had in mind. All I needed was my vampire speed and stealth. Oh yeah, deadly intent was right up there, front and center.

  Darkness engulfed me as I sped away, my feet flying across the cobbles then the wet earth of the fields. I knew where I was going but I couldn’t be sure I’d get what I needed when I arrived. I hoped so because this was something I needed to finish before Flora woke up.

  The miles fell away as anger spurred me on, the scent of my prey burned into my senses. His smell was all around but there was one trail that seemed to scream at me to follow it. I allowed my abilities to lead me and not too long afterward I could smell smoke from multiple fires. The camp was close so I slowed to a jog and kept my ears and eyes open for any guards.

  There were a few dotted around the cabins, but they were no match for me. I slipped through easily and honed in on the target of my hatred.

  I saw him before he even knew I was there, strolling around the perimeter, a bottle of whisky in his hand. He took another slug of the amber liquid then padded over to the trees to take a piss. “Damn Neanderthal,” I thought as I slid up behind him.

  I poked him between his shoulders, hard, and he stumbled before spinning around. His face was scarlet with anger until he saw me, he’d obviously thought it was one of the Pack that had prodded him.

  “You!” he snarled. “What the fuck are you doing here? You got a death wish, or what?”

  “I’m only here to deal with you, asshole,” I spat out the words, full of disgust and anger. “You’re not fit to be a father. I thought wolves cherished their young?”

  “We do.” He smirked, actually smirked as he carried on. “When it’s a wolf, not a damn halfbreed!”

  “She’s your daughter and you treated her in the worst possible way.” I tried to stay calm but every time he opened his mouth my fury grew.

  “She was a mistake after a tumble or two with her mother, that’s all, and she was never a part of this Pack.” He shook his head before baring his teeth. “She wasn’t fit to be my daughter. She’s weak and . . .”

  I couldn’t allow him to continue. I really couldn’t. My fury took over and my hand moved without me thinking. The power behind the blow caused my fist to enter his chest, the sound of breaking bones had my lips tugging up in a cruel smile. The look of shock on his face was glorious to watch, especially when I removed my hand and held his heart within. A split second was all it took and the evil Alpha’s eyes saw what I’d done before he crumpled to the ground.

  I closed my fingers around the warm organ, crushing it completely before letting it fall to the ground.

  “I hope the Pack chooses better this time,” I mumbled before turning and speeding away.

  He deserved to die and I probably had planned on that, but I wasn’t sure how Flora would take the news. Damn it. I’d turned her without her knowledge and now I’d gone and killed her father. I sincerely hoped she would be in a forgiving mood when she woke.

  ~~~~~

  My brain was in a fog so thick that I thought I was surely dreaming, or rather, in one of the Hammer House of Horror films I watched as a child. I couldn’t see anything, but my senses were on fire. I was certain there was a threat but I had no way of seeing it through the haze of my mind and add that to the searing heat that was encompassing my body, well, I came to one conclusion: I was dead and in Hell.

  For the life of me I couldn’t reason why I’d end up in Hell. Shoot, I didn’t even believe in Hell, well, not in the biblical sense, but that’s what my mind was telling me and that just didn’t make any sense at all. Sadness engulfed me as I thought of my mum. She’d never end up in Hell so it meant I’d never see her again. Shit, wasn’t that just the icing on the cake.

  I die, end up in Hell, and isn’t that just peachy! Not.

  Agony shot through me, every cell in my body screaming with pain and again I thought, this must be Hell. Either that or I was strapped down in a loony bin somewhere, lost in my own mind.

  Yeah, that was it. The last thing I remembered was my dear old dad coming for me. He must’ve gotten me and taken me back to carry out some punishment or other and my mind had finally gone gaga. He definitely wouldn’t keep me around if that happened. No way José, nope he’d soon get rid of me and so that’s where I was. In the nearest psych ward. Grand!

  “Flora,” an urgent voice made it through the pain so I tried to focus on that and that alone. “Flora, you have to fight, come on, baby, fight for me.”

  Max! That was Max’s voice so I tried my best to do that. Fight.

  A scream tore itself free as fire seared my skin and I felt strong arms circle me, my head falling on a hard chest. “I know you,” I mumbled as I leaned against the man I’d come to love.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, certain that we couldn’t both be in Hell. He was a vampire and wasn’t dying anytime soon, so why was he with me? Or maybe he was in the loony bin with me. Although I couldn’t visualize Mr. Suave vampire sitting in one of our run of the mill wards.

  “Just relax, let it happen, Flora,” Max coaxed as another round of agonizing pain ripped through me.

  “Max!” I shrieked, my body stiffening before I was lost to the torture and suffering that wracked my body. Shit, I wasn’t sure I could do this. Fight? This much pain? No, just let me die in peace, please.

  But I didn’t die. Didn’t lose consciousness again and lay in his arms as the torment continued. For how long? I don’t know. It seemed to last for days, weeks, but then finally it eased off. Not a lot, but enough for me to have a coherent thought and ask again, “What’s happening?”

  Max’s soft voice murmured, “It’s all right, you’ll be okay, just rest now. The worst is over, Flora. I promise.”

  “Okay,” I sighed, exhaustion pulling me under into oblivion.

  The next thing I felt was a raging hunger. My throat ached for something but I wasn’t quite sure what. Opening my eyes, I finally managed to focus and saw I was in bed, alone, and wondered where Max had gone. I’d felt him every time I had a lucid moment, so where was he now?

  “Max,” I shouted, pushing myself up into a sitting position and taking stock of my body. After all, I must’ve
been in some horrendous accident to have gone through what I had.

  There were no bandages, no sign of injury at all. In fact, I realized I felt . . . well . . . not fine exactly, but strong. Yes, that was the word. I felt strong and if it weren’t for this strange craving that was going on, I would be doing cartwheels. At that moment my stomach clenched with desire, and not the good kind. Oh no, this was something like I imagined a junkie would feel waiting on their next fix. It exploded inside me and I couldn’t help the moan that escaped.

  “Max!” I shouted again, much louder, and felt relieved when I heard running footsteps heading my way.

  A moment later he barreled through the door, rushing through and dropping onto the bed beside me. “Flora, it’s okay, I’m here.”

  “What’s going on?” I asked, confused with just about everything. From the way I remembered feeling, to the way I felt now, and then there was this ravenous hunger that was raging inside me.

  Max reached out to hold me in place as I tried to get up. “No, stay there. You’re not safe to be around humans just yet.”

  “What are you talking about?” I gasped, lying back down.

  “I’ll explain everything later, for now you need to feed.”

  “Now you’re talking,” I quipped. “I’m starving but it’s strange as every time I think of my favorite foods I feel queasy.”

  “That’s because this is what you need,” he said gently.

  My eyes widened in shock when he sank his fangs into his wrist and held it out to me. “What the hell are you doing?” I said at the same time the scent of his blood hit me and drove me almost insane with want.

  “I had to turn you, baby, it was the only way to save you from your father.” Max held his wrist closer and the overwhelming need inside me took over.

  I snatched his arm, tugging his wrist to my mouth and started to gulp from his open vein. All the while I thought how amazing it felt, and how freaking disgusting it was that I was drinking his blood. Talk about confused. I was way past confused.