B008GMVYA4 EBOK

by Drake, Rebecca Ann

  The door opened wider and muffled voices sounded in the corridor once again. Her eyes widened in fear and she held her breath as the voices came into focus.

  Suddenly another quieter click of a door opening sounded and both Andy and Madison were both pulled sideways through the doorway. The pressure on Madison’s shoulder and stomach was instantly released and she felt lightness as she fell through the air once again. Her left arm broke her fall as she impacted with the thick carpet of an office floor. The carpet burnt her elbow causing a tingling sensation. Andy was also pulled sideways, but instead of being thrown on the floor, he was whirled around so he was stood to the right of Madison just inside the office door.

  Trace clutched Andy’s shirt, the same fiery anger burning brightly in his eyes and his posture ridged towards Andy - almost threatening.

  Andy stared helplessly at Trace, fear equally burning brightly in his eyes. His hands were raised slightly in a surrendering manner and his posture cowling away from Trace.

  Alex silently closed the door before the voices moved out into the corridor. Vampires are experts at moving unnoticed, invisible creatures of the night that there is no hiding from.

  Madison remained led on the carpet, her body curled up and her mind spinning from the motion.

  The office was pitch black, the only figures she could make out were Andy’s, Trace, Alex and Gabby’s silhouettes. The two boys were almost invisible in the thick darkness, their dark clothes hiding them almost completely.

  Gabby towered over Madison and her green eyes cutting the darkness like a knife. Their eyes made contact, she held her gaze – threatening Madison with her eyes. She knew that if Madison chose to scream at that precise moment, she would give the game away. Each of the Vampires looked from one another, not saying a word, but their facial expressions said a thousand.

  Either way Madison knew she was going to die tonight, the only reason she chose not to scream now was in hope that the Vampires might let their guard down sooner or later. Madison knew Brendan would come for and she just had to bide her time until then.

  Another click sounded in the corridor and the voices disappeared into another office room.

  “Where have you been?” Trace snapped clenching his fist around Andy’s shirt and pulling him closer.

  “It was Madison; she was causing me some problems!” Andy said in defense, his voice low.

  Trace’s eyes flickered over towards Madison and her eyes widened as they flickered from Gabby to Trace. Her body trembled causing her hands to violently shake; sweat trickled down the sides of her face onto the black t-shirt Fred had given her back at The Lodge. There was something about Trace’s expression that made Madison instantly nervous and fearful. She watched in suspension for the repercussions of her actions earlier.

  Trace’s fingers relaxed, allowing Andy’s shirt to slowly fall away from his grip. Andy eyes now directed to Madison, relief flooding onto his face.

  Trace held her stare, his hands falling to his side as he turned in her direction.

  “I’ll kill her!” Gabby sneered, her body rocking eagerly.

  “Not yet! When we have the scroll! We can’t get it without the help of the Black Orchid. You made the deal Gabby; you have to live with the conditions of it!” Trace said his eyes still focused on Madison.

  “If I knew getting a stupid old scroll was going to be this much trouble, I would have never bothered” Gabby said frustrated.

  “Well, why the hell did you then? You obviously thought risking your place within The Coven and our places was worth it, just to bleed this pathetic human dry?!” Trace spat, his voice angry and excusing.

  Gabby stared at Trace, a spark of hurt and guilt in her eyes. Her mouth hung open in shock and she was unsure how to reply to Trace’s honest but hurtful words. She straightened her jaw and closed her mouth regaining her composure.

  “You wouldn’t understand...” she muttered, her eyes lowered to the floor.

  “No, I guess you’re right. I wouldn’t know what it’s like to love someone that doesn’t love you back!” Trace said sarcastically. However, his eyes were soft and truthful even though his words were bitter and sarcastic. He stared at Gabby his face calm, almost innocent. Gabby held Trace’s gaze, but she frowned at him in confusion.

  Hiding the true meaning of his statement – Trace’s expression quickly flickered back to anger.

  “What’s that meant to mean?” Gabby whispered, turning slightly embarrassed.

  “Forget it!” Trace snapped his voice cold and hard.

  Gabby stared at him, her forehead creased and her eyes narrowed further in confusion.

  Madison watched as Gabby tried to piece together what Trace’s statement meant and why he had become so defensive when she questioned it.

  Sharp fingernails pitched the skin on Madison’s chest, she became weightless again as she was pulled up quickly onto her feet. She had been so caught up in the drama between Trace and Gabby, she hadn’t noticed Trace approaching - grabbed her t-shirt and pulling her up to her feet.

  Madison gasped. Even after all the times the Vampire’s and Demons had thrown her around, she was still shocked by their strength and speed.

  Her eyes widened as Trace lifted her off her feet and pulled her down closer to his face. Her heart jumped up into her throat and she held her breath in fright.

  “What Brendan doesn’t seem to understand is that we don’t all feel remorse and guilt for the people we’ve killed? We don’t all feel pity towards the families we’re taken from, or the poor excuses for human’s that have suffered because of us! Some of us enjoy killing... Some of us are too old to evolve like Brendan and the others! Some of us can’t go into the light… Some of us will always dwell within the shadows… Some of us still possess the killing gene, the gene that keeps us a Vampire, that hasn’t been washed out with this evolution crap! The biggest mistake was turning centuries of newborn vampires with weak blood! The human gene’s has infected the vampire gene, killing it off, making it weak! All of these ‘new aged’ evolved Vampires are a pathetic excuse of the real species of Vampire! Brendan’s just lucky we like him!

  Not all of us can be brainwashed by the coven’s insulting rules, we were born to hunt, to kill. Not to spend our lives in the basement - serving them, following them around like little dogs! You see… we’re the better ones, the stronger breed! Brendan’s generation are the weaker ones, luckily there are only a few of the evolved type. The best thing The Coven ever did was put a stop to them breeding, infecting us all with their diluted human filth! So don’t you for one moment…think…that I am like him!

  The only thing that is keeping you alive right now is the Black Orchid and that won’t be forever, once they have what they want, they won’t give you a seconds thought when I snap your neck. You’re dead!” Trace spat angrily.

  “And when that time comes you can scream and shout all you want. I might even enjoy it, but until that time you keep it shut! If I hear you causing any more problems, that time will be coming a lot quicker than you think! Scroll or no scroll…Do you understand?” Trace continued.

  Madison’s bottom lip quivered in fear and she could feel Trace’s cold, bitter breath against the soft skin of her face. Her finger nail’s scratched the skin of his knuckles as I tried to prize his hand away from the fabric of her t-shirt.

  Trace shook her slightly, urging her to agree with his demands.

  Madison nodded reluctantly, her teeth chattering together loudly.

  “Good.” Trace said, slowly lowering Madison back down to her feet.

  Trace turned towards Alex who was stood with his back against the closed office door. Up until now he had been listening intently to Trace’s demands and threats that he hardly noticed when Trace began to eye him in frustration.

  “Is the corridor clear?” Trace asked Alex.

  Alex jumped up from where he was lent, quickly turning to his side and lent his ear against the solid wooden door. Alex listened for a few seconds,
his eyes staring into the space.

  “They’ve gone” he whispered, lifting his ear away from the door.

  “Gabby, take Madison. I trust you to keep her quiet” Trace said, staring at Alex as he gave Gabby orders.

  Gabby suddenly looked hurt by Trace’s unwillingness to look directly at her when he spoke, but her features quickly changed at the prospect of being close to Madison. A satisfied smile crept from the corners of Gabby’s lips, her eyes flashing with adrenaline. Madison met Gabby’s eyes and worry spread across her face which seemed to satisfy Gabby greatly.

  Gabby stepped towards Madison and the smile on her face grew larger as she approached. Her bright green eyes flashed through the darkness in the room. She raised a hand in front of Madison, stopping a few feet away. Gabby gently grassed her fingertips over the naked skin of Madison’s upper arm.

  “You’ll be good for me, won’t you, Madison?” she purred, her cold finger lips running down towards Madison’s wrist.

  Madison snapped her hand back in disgust, taking a step back from Gabby. She winced as Gabby’s smoky burnt scent filled her nostrils, causing a sick feeling at the pit of her stomach. Gabby chuckled at her reaction. She liked that she scared Madison and she found great pleasure in causing her as much discomfort as possible.

  Gabby lunged for her, grabbing her forearm and pulling her towards her body. Madison whimpered as her back pressed against Gabby’s cold torso - her breasts pushed up against her back. This was a little too close for comfort for her and she had never intended to be this close to Gabby.

  Madison stood rigidly against her, catching her breath every time she felt her move against her back. Gabby’s finger nails dug into Madison’s pink flesh and Gabby hummed quietly with the sound of Madison’s heart beat as it thudded against her chest. Her heart beat echoed through Gabby’s empty body, Madison imagined it probably felt strange to her to feel the beating of a heart so close to her still heart once again.

  “Don’t be scared” Gabby whispered, using her free hand to sweep away the many strains of hair that hung down over Madison’s shoulder. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as the cool chill from Gabby’s breath tickled them.

  Gabby pushed her fingers against Madison’s temple, causing her head to tilt to the side. Madison did not react, she allowed her to manipulate her movement without any protest. She took shallow gasps of air; her whole body trembled against Gabby’s small cold frame. Gabby’s fingers stroked the delicate skin on Madison’s neck and she traced the jugular vein with her fingertips. Madison whimpered, flinching at Gabby’s touch. The urge to scream began to build inside her, a bubble of air formed in my throat - she swallowed it down hard. She wanted Gabby off her - she didn’t want her anywhere near her. Goosebumps prickled up on the delicate skin of her neck where Gabby’s cold, smoky breath grew closer to her skin. Gabby pressed her head against Madison’s neck and ran her tongue the whole length of Madison’s neck up to her jaw line.

  Gabby’s body was tight against Madison’s and she quivered at the taste of Madison’s flesh – slowly pulling her head away. She sighed in pleasure as she took in the taste of her soft, smooth skin.

  Madison screwed her eyes shut, waiting for the sharp pain of Gabby’s razor sharp teeth to pierce her skin.

  “Gabby, stop messing around!” Trace ordered, suddenly aware of Gabby’s attempt to intimidate Madison.

  Madison opened her eyes to Trace who was staring at Gabby from beside the office entrance, his features stern. Considering Gabby had pulled this plan together herself and made all the important (and somewhat stupid) decisions up until now – Trace had taken the role of leader quite well. He was more tactful, focused and thoughtful than Gabby and he thought things out – looking at every angle. Gabby tended to run at things head first and then hope she didn’t get knocked over along the way.

  Gabby’s relaxed and huffed a little in frustration but she did not argue with him.

  Madison relaxed a little, but her whole body began to shake slightly with the terror of being paired with Gabby.

  “Let’s get to the elevator before they come back” Trace muttered turning towards the office door.

  Gabby pushed Madison towards Trace. She stumbled forwards a few feet in front of him. Gabby clutched her forearm, her soft cold skin grazing against Madison’s rougher, warmer skin.

  Madison paused as Alex turned and quietly twisted the door handle, slowly pulling the door open. Alex peered around the corner of the door and then slowly nodded and gestured towards Trace.

  Trace joined him, peering out into the corridor and then edging forwards, opening the door wider and stepping out into the corridor. Alex quickly followed, who was followed reluctantly by Andy – who seemed more lifeless than usual.

  Gabby nudged Madison forwards again from where they had been stationary, anticipatively awaiting the ‘all clear’. Madison stumbled again, slowly walking towards the open door. She paused once she had reached the foot of the door and staring up and down the corridor. Madison ached to see anything that resembled Brendan - a dark silhouette that would offer her some light within the darkness.

  Gabby pushed Madison towards the elevator. Her rib ached with Gabby’s force, but she didn’t have time to nurse her broken rib now.

  Trace stopped outside the gold elevator doors, his eyes focused on the join in the center of the two doors.

  Alex sped up to meet Trace, stretching out his hand and pressing the gold button to the left of the elevator. The arrow above the elevator doors began to flash red as the elevator began to descend towards them.

  Andy crept around to Trace’s right side, his features lowered to the ground – like a moody teenager.

  Gabby pulled Madison along, her finger nails pitching her skin.

  Madison looked around worriedly; her head was spinning back and forth, up and down the corridor searching for some sign of hope. She guessed it had to be a good forty minutes since they had left the nightclub, if Brendan was hot on their heels, then he had to be close. If Gabby had been right about Leon, that he could see things, then he would be able to see Madison now and inform Brendan of her location – that if he could get reception at The Lodge and The Black Orchid hadn’t cloaked Madison’s location.

  Gabby stopped between Trace and Alex, Madison stood awkwardly behind her.

  The palms of her hands began to sweat as she realised she was about to be forced down into the depths of The Coven, the most dangerous part.

  Madison peered over Gabby’s shoulder at the elevator, her eyes widened as the elevator binged and the doors slowly slid open.

  She jumped, startled by the two black figures that stood in the center of the elevator – awaiting them.

  The two boys stood side by side, their heads lowered towards the red carpet on the elevator floor. Their backs hunched over, their body’s motionless, their postures reflecting each other as if the other boy had been nothing more than a reflection in a mirror.

  Madison hadn’t been the only one who had been startled by the appearance of the two hooded boys, Gabby, Alex and Andy had all jumped at the sight of them. However, Trace has remained perfectly still and at ease, completely unfazed by the appearance of the two boys.

  “Where did you two go? You were right behind us?” Alex asked confused.

  Both boys remained silent, their faces shadowed by the darkness of their black hooded jumpers.

  Both boys took a step backwards, their movement mimicking each other – unnaturally in time, like a rehearsed play.

  Alex stepped into the elevator followed closely by Andy. The twins stood side by side in front of the two boys.

  Trace stepped into the elevator, standing in front of Andy and stared at Gabby as she pulled Madison into the elevator behind her.

  Madison squeezed in between the left wall of the elevator, alongside Gabby. Her heart raced as the doors of the elevator slowly slid shut and the elevator jolted to life.

  Her legs went light as the elevator began to descend
into the depths of the coven. Panic began to erupt in Madison’s mind, she was anxious, her thoughts unstable and erratic.

  “Please… I don’t need to come with you. I can stay in one of the offices. I promise I won’t move. Please, I don’t need to come with you!” Madison whispered to Gabby, tears beginning to streak her cheeks.

  “But I thought you wanted to play with the big boys” Gabby smirked.

  “Please……” she wailed unable to control her emotions any longer.

  “Keep her quiet, Gabby!” Trace spat, his voice low and gusty.

  Gabby moved her hand down Madison’s arm to her hand and she held it up in Madison’s line of sight.

  “You see this here?” Gabby asked grabbing a hold of Madison’s little finger with her free hand.

  Madison nodded wearily.

  “If you don’t keep quiet I’m going to start breaking these off!” she spat, pushing her finger backwards.

  The pain was excoriating, tears ran down Madison’s face fast and heavy. She whimpered, not wanting to make a sound. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself not to wail in pain.

  “Please, stop!” Madison whispered, her face turning red with pain.

  “Then keep it shut!” Gabby demanded, letting go of her finger and throwing her hand down to her side.

  Madison nodded, grabbing her hand and smoothing it better. The skin on her finger was white from Gabby’s strength and the pressure she had put the small finger under.

  Her finger throbbed as the pain subsided and she began to regain some feeling back. She stared helplessly towards the two golden doors of the elevator, Brendan’s face floated about in her mind. Madison would have given her soul just to see him again and take comfort in his cold arms, to feel his waxy skin against her cheeks.

  The elevator was small and crowed, Alex and Andy shifted nervously behind. The two hooded boys and Trace remained calm and collected, standing motionless towards the doors of the elevator. Gabby seemed calm but her face was full of uncertainness and confusion, her consciousness was beginning to play doubt in her mind. Trace dismissed that older Vampires had any humanity, but it was becoming clear this wasn’t true – Gabby, Andy and Alex had all shown human emotions. Sorrow, confusion, doubt, hate, hurt and jealousy. It appeared that only Trace showed only one human emotion, anger. Other than anger, Trace was numb.