by J. N. Colon
Finally a sharp pinprick resonated on my skin, alerting me moments before his fangs sank into my pliable flesh.
I gasped and my whole body went up in flames. Sparks ignited in dangerous, uncharted places, places I wanted Mac to touch. Colors of the rainbow exploded across my vision and I clutched him harder, trying to disappear into him. A ragged whimper escaped my lips as my back arched to give him more access, more of me. I could feel his pleasure pulsating from him, wrapping around me, doubling over on mine and I wanted to cry out it felt so good. In fact I was pretty sure I did.
I’d never been this close to anyone, but now that I had experienced it with Mac, I’d always want it with him. It was as if our souls were touching, irrevocably connecting and no one could tear us apart.
When Mac pulled back we were both trembling and breathless, still gripping onto each other as if our hands couldn’t bare to part.
“No,” I panted. “More. I want more.” I was greedy, my body aching to give him so more.
Mac reluctantly shook his head as he licked crimson from his lips. “I don’t want to hurt you Rubi.” His midnight hair was wild around his face, hanging in his glowing silver and jade eyes.
“More,” I pleaded. One bite and I was an addict. I needed more.
Mac hesitated as if mulling something over. “Well, there’s something else we can do.”
My brows shot up, assuming he was talking about sex. As tempting as it sounded, especially with Mac lying on top of me, our limbs tangled together, I wasn’t ready for that. Yet.
“You can take some of my blood.”
Not sex.
My eyes lit up, excitement thrumming through my veins. “Yes,” I breathed, letting him roll me until I was hovering over him.
A slow, sexy smile spread across Mac’s face while he slipped a pocket knife from his jeans, putting the blade to his neck. My pulse quickened as I watched crimson liquid slide across his pale throat and my mouth actually watered, a craving so strong bringing fire to my insides. A strangely familiar ache pulsed through my body, my heart thundering with it. I was only human, but I could imagine the thirst a vampire would experience at the sight of that salty red substance.
My head dipped down and I closed my mouth around the wound, sucking hard. Mac gasped under me, not expecting my zeal.
Filet mignon had nothing on him.
The warm, intoxicating liquid burned going down my throat in a good way. Both our bodies were engulfed in flames, heat licking every place we touched and where we didn’t I felt the need screaming for it. His strong hands glided under my shirt and pressed into my back almost bruising me. He called out my name, pleading and desperate.
I greedily lapped up Mac’s life elixir, connecting our souls again. He tasted like the crisp air in autumn and like the burnt orange of the leaves. He tasted like the night.
And when Mac groaned in pleasure—he tasted like surrender.
He was mine.
Chapter 28
“Rubi get up!” Aspen slammed me in the head with a silk pillow.
I groaned and rolled over, burying my face in the covers on my new mattress. After our room had been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, Headmaster Norrington assured us it was fine to return, but I was still a little uneasy knowing a puddle of human blood had been beside my bed.
“It’s twelve o’clock and I’m starving.” Aspen’s voice was particularly annoying today, filled with a whiny edged she usually reserved for Brant.
“Then go eat.” The headmaster cancelled classes for one more day.
She yanked hard, prying the covers from my fingers and tossing them at the foot of the bed. “Mac told me to make sure you’re always with someone.”
Mmm. Mac.
“So I can’t go without you. Aren’t you hungry anyways? You’re, like, always hungry.”
No. Actually I wasn’t hungry. But I was a little thirsty.
My eyes squinted against the dim afternoon sky over Highland Academy, thinking it had to be one of the brightest Salem had ever seen. The trees also swayed with the wind, branches creaking and leaves rustling loudly.
There was no reprieve in the dining hall either.
“You’re not sitting with us?” Aspen asked when I headed for Madison.
“No.”
She puckered her lips as if offended. “Whatever. Just make sure someone walks you back to the dorm or I’ll never hear the end of it from Mac.”
I nodded. My eyes flickered around the dining hall, noting the lack of vampires. Maybe they were all at a secret meeting.
“Hey Rubi,” Madison chirped as I sat down.
“Hi.”
She flipped her eggplant scarf that clashed horribly with her crimson blouse before scooting her plate closer. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
I shook my head.
She blinked her dark eyes in confusion. “What?”
“I’m not hungry,” I admitted, squinting against the lights. “Did they get new bulbs?”
She ignored my question. “Rubi. They’re serving steak for lunch.” She pointed to hers. “Filet mignon prepared to perfection.”
I shrugged having no desire to go anywhere near that thing.
Madison blanched. She picked up a huge bite, precariously dangling it off the edge of her fork. “It’s yummy and juicy. It’s meat! The thing you love the most to eat.”
I grimaced and shook my head, my appetite not quite there. “Not today.”
Her brow furrowed in concern. “Are you feeling okay?”
I nodded.
“Still a little freaked about what happened in your room?”
I shivered remembering all the slick red blood. We still had no idea who or why someone targeted me hence Mac’s overprotectiveness.
“Where’s Jackson?” I asked, attempting to change the subject.
Madison averted her gaze, her fork scraping the plate as she moved steamed vegetables around. “I think he’s playing basketball in the gym.”
He usually did in the afternoon after lunch. Not during. Guilt twisted my chest and I had a feeling this was a purposeful schedule change. “He’s avoiding me.”
A wry smile twisted her lips. “He did have a massive crush on you.”
And I crushed his heart.
Madison’s expression turned hopeful. “I’m sure he’ll get over it.”
I sighed and rested my chin in my hand, doubting it would be that easy.
“At least things didn’t go too far with Jackson before you chose Mac,” Madison said before sipping her coke. “You guys didn’t even kiss yet, right?”
“Right.” My gaze focused on her soda, watching the beads of condensation collect on the glass. My throat suddenly burned with thirst and I swallowed hard, attempting to wet my dry mouth.
Madison snapped her fingers in my face. “Earth to Rubi. Did you hear what I said?”
I shook my head and pointed to her cup. “Can I have a sip?”
She pushed it toward me, a shadow falling over her eyes. “You okay? You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine.”
“You sure are thirsty.” She motioned toward her drink.
I looked down and saw the now empty glass, the ice cubes tinkling against one another. “Oops. I’m sorry Madison.”
She waved her hand dismissively when I stood to get her another. “It’s okay. I’m almost done anyways.”
I sat again, biting my nails, wondering what the hell was wrong with me. Was I coming down with something?
A sharp intake of air echoed out of Madison, her face pinching in pain. “There’s something jagged underneath the table.” She held out her finger, motioning to a fresh wound. “I cut myself.” A thick line of crimson rolled down the tip, dripping on the table.
I licked my lips.
The droplet looked bright, slick, warm… salty… yummy.
Wait, what? Yummy? Blood?
“Look at this thing.” She brought her finger closer, practically sticking it in my face. “I could to
tally sue.”
My pulse was racing and something smelled more mouthwatering than a steak wrapped in bacon. I leaned closer, entranced by the glossy crimson beading on the tip of her finger again. If I bent a little closer I could flick my tongue out and take a taste…
I straightened up so fast Madison’s eyes widened and jaw nearly hit the wooden table top. “I got to go.” I jumped up and high-tailed it to the door without a second look, the autumn afternoon air a little less chilly than usual.
The leaves crunched under my feet too loud and voices from students ten yards away carried on the wind as if they were inches from my ears. Even though the sun was masked by clouds light reflected off the fog swirling between the trees. An old and musty scent riddled with a hint of sweetness as if it used to be good tickled my nose.
I walked trance-like to the origin of the scent, halting in front of a tree. My fingers reached out and touched a portion of the bark that appeared darker than the rest.
Realization hit me and my stomach heaved, threatening to force me to my knees.
This was where I found Sutton’s body.
This dark spot was her dried blood.
And that was the formerly delicious scent I smelled.
I ran.
My feet pounded against the ground, the sound along with my raging heart creating a violent, deafening drumbeat in my ears. A fist tightened in my lungs, making it difficult to breathe and my mouth was full of sand, the grains painfully running down my throat. Thirst burned within it, the scent of Sutton’s blood like pouring acid over it to fuel the flames.
Tears blurred my vision and I threw my hands over my ears to drown out the sound to no avail.
What’s happening to me?
But part of me knew. There was no other explanation. I simply didn’t want to admit it.
I froze and pressed my back into a tree, gasping for air and trembling. The slightest sound, even my own breathing was agony to my ears and head. The blood rushing through my veins was loud enough to add to the auditory torment.
There was only one person I not only wanted, but needed. My body ached for him, needing to be in his presence. I suddenly knew the desperation Patrick had felt that night looking for Tatum.
“Rubi?”
Someone shook me and I gasped, nearly jumping out of my skin.
Emmaline’s keen azure eyes searched mine, her face instantly paling as she found exactly what she didn’t want to. “Oh no.”
“Where’s Mac?” My words were barely discernable through the quaking of my voice.
She took my hand and peeled me from the tree. “Let’s find him.”
“I’m thirsty.”
Empathy spread across her expression and she squeezed my hand tighter. “I know.”
Emmaline burst into the headmaster’s office with me trailing behind, clutching her deceptively strong hand. I could feel the strength of her tendons and muscles under her porcelain skin.
Mac, Brant and the headmaster jumped at our sudden and unexpected arrival.
“Are you serious Mac?” Anger seethed from her voice and her presence was fearsome.
“What are you talking about?”
“Look at her,” she hissed.
When Mac’s eyes landed on me they widened, darkening with fear. He closed the distance between us and framed my cheeks in his hands. “Rubi?”
“What?”
A small sigh of relief emanated from his body and he released my face.
“How many times did you bite her?” Emmaline’s voice was barely a whisper and somehow I heard it loud and clear.
“Once.”
“And how many times did you give her your blood?”
“Once,” I said the same time Mac said, “Twice.”
Everyone’s eyes fell on me, but all I could see was Mac’s guilt ridden expression.
“Twice?” I asked.
Mac bit his lip, hesitating.
My mind flickered back to Halloween night in my room when Mac took care of me. He’d given me a glass of bourbon that was darker than usual and exceptionally tasty. I’d felt so warm and safe—just the way I felt with Mac. I had known he laced it with something. I just didn’t think it was his blood.
No wonder I wanted another taste so bad last night.
“I’m sorry Rubi.” He slowly reached for my hand as if I might pull away. When I didn’t he laced his fingers through mine.
“Why’d you do it?”
Lines creased his forehead. “I was worried.” His gaze flicked toward Brant who lounged against a wall, his face bored. “I was afraid you might become attached to Brant.” Jealousy flashed in those liquid jade irises when he spoke his name. “I gave you my blood to hopefully offset it.”
So I was right. That could have been a possibility.
“Wait. What?” Brant left the wall, his arms crossed against his chest. “She’s not supposed to know about this,” he mumbled out the corner of his mouth to Mac. “You’ll have to make her forget all this.”
The tendons in Mac’s jaw flexed while his free hand curled into a tight fist as if he wanted to punch Brant like he had on Halloween night.
“All right.” The headmaster’s calm voice sliced through the tension. “Mac, do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
I met Mac’s worried eyes. “You might as well tell them.”
He shook his head. “No Rubi.”
“I’m tired of pretending all the time,” I admitted. And if that burning thirst I experienced in the presence of Madison’s bleeding finger was any indication of my future—meaning I was going to be a vampire—why would it matter I couldn’t be compelled.
“Yes Mac,” Emmaline said, tapping her foot impatiently. “Please tell us.”
Mac released my hand and pulled me closer, his arm snaking around my waist protectively. The planes of his face had gone incredibly hard and his lips thinned into a tight line. “No one will touch her.”
The three other vampires arched a brow and the tension in the room thickened, so palpable I could stir it with my hand. The hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention, anticipating the shock that would fill the air.
“Chill man.” Brant lifted his palms up, his hazel eyes wary. “She’s your girl now. Totally untouchable.”
Mac didn’t relax. In fact his eyes started to take on a silver sheen.
“I remember everything,” I blurted, ripping the metaphorical band aid off.
The other three vampires shared expressions of confusion, blinking rapidly in unison.
I swallowed hard, my heart elevating even though I knew Mac would protect me. “I can’t be compelled.”
“What?” Brant scoffed. “Yeah right.”
Mac mashed his teeth. “It’s true.”
***
“I can’t believe you let me think she didn’t remember all that stuff,” Brant muttered, his mouth frowning and cheeks lightly flushed. “I chased her and bit her. No wonder she doesn’t like me very much.”
I sat on a warm leather couch near the fireplace while the vampires discussed my situation. The brilliant flames flickering in the hearth appeared incredibly alive as if I could hold them in my palm. My lips puckered in thought, wondering if this was how vampires always saw the world.
“I just can’t believe it’s possible.” Headmaster Norrington sat on the edge of his desk, taking a puff from his pipe.
Mac jammed his fingers through his hair, mussing it up more. “I don’t know why Rubi can’t be compelled, but I didn’t want to tell any of you for obvious reasons.”
Emmaline scoffed. “Rubi’s with you now. That wouldn’t matter.” She crossed her arms against her chest, lines spreading across her forehead. “But it still doesn’t explain why she’s changing so fast.”
“I should have seen the signs.” Mac’s fists clenched in anger. “They were right in front of me since Halloween. Her emotions were all over the place.”
Brant nodded from the headmaster’s seat, kicking his legs up on the de
sk. “One night she was terrified of me then flipped the angry switch and hit me.”
“Good.” Mac shot him a dark, threatening glare. “You deserved it.”
It was good to know I wasn’t getting PMS for a whole month. My crazy emotions stemmed from changing.
“But she’s only exchanged blood twice.” Brant pointed toward me with a fountain pin from the desk. “She shouldn’t be anywhere near this close.”
You’d think drinking blood and growing fangs would scare me the most about changing yet my fear was something more normal. In pop culture the vampire was always a creature of solitude and isolation, fitting aspects for me. But in the real world vampires were social butterflies—at least at Highland Academy. They were the popular students and the brilliant leaders. How would I fit in with that?
My hands suddenly felt cold and clammy. “So I am turning into a vampire?”
Mac sat next to me and gently clutched my shoulders. “No Rubi. As long as we don’t share blood for a while you should go back to normal—I think.”
“And what if she doesn’t?” Emmaline flicked her golden locks behind her shoulder. “You know what will happen.”
The tension multiplied and was so heavy I could scarcely breathe.
“What?” My gaze flickered between the four vampires, their faces solemn. “What will happen?”
Mac sighed. “When a born vampire turns a human they stop aging. Both of us would be teenagers forever.”
My heart constricted inside my chest knowing Mac had fought so hard to push me away and maybe this was one of the reasons. I suddenly found myself wondering if he regretted his decision now that I was starting to change after only being together—officially—for a day.
“And it wouldn’t be good for Mac to stop aging so soon since he’s going to be our…” Brant’s words froze when Mac released a threatening growl.
“Mac,” the headmaster insisted. “Rubi should know. It’s pretty clear you’ve chosen her. She’s going to be…”
Mac’s eyes were full on silver now, his lips curling back to reveal those sharp, lethal fangs. “Enough.”