by B. N. Toler
“I tried. You just wouldn’t wake up so I thought if I could find you and your brothers in person, I could somehow wake you up. I didn’t realize I wasn’t the only one in your subconscious!” he yells back. Tears are rolling down my face now and I can’t seem to stop them.
The balcony door opens and Kaitlynn peeks her head out and darts her eyes back and forth between us, taking in the scene.
“There you are, Thomas. I was looking for you,” she smiles.
“Jesus Christ, Kaitlynn. Let the man up for air sometime, why don’t you?” I barrel by her pushing her out of my way as I head to the refrigerator and grab another beer. I shut the refrigerator door and stop when a thought hits me. The night of my prom, he said he watched me in my dream and left. He didn’t say anything about us making love. As my body trembles, I return to the balcony. Could I have created that scene? I reflect trying to rationalize it. I remember his energy. He had to have been there. Then I stop in my tracks.
The tattoo on his arm.
I didn’t see it that night.
“Thomas, that night you came to my dream, you said you watched me and left, right?”
He nods. “I know what you’re about to ask me.”
“Say it,” I order.
“You already know, Aldo.” He hangs his head.
“Lucas,” The name rolls off of my tongue with disgust. He nods indicating yes. I sit back down in my chair and sip my beer. How could that have happened? How could I have not known it wasn’t Thomas? “Why didn’t you tell me he could dream walk?”
“I wanted to protect him.”
“From me?”
“I never told him about your gift.”
Trying to gauge which emotion to allow myself to implode with first, I turn this information over in my head. I made love to Lucas, Thomas’s brother, that night. I remember thinking how odd Thomas was acting and how hurt I was when he wanted me to leave my family.
“You left with him after that, Thomas?” I ask in disbelief, the hurt stinging at my eyes.
“I didn’t know that happened until I came back to your dreams months later to check on you. That’s when I figured out you weren’t waking up. When I found out what he did, I left him.”
“So his attempt to sell me to your nest to be raped and impregnated against my will wasn’t enough, but his pretending to be you in my dreams and making love to me was?” His lips press into a thin line as he digs his hands in his pockets. “Why did you tell me Lucy kidnapped us to sell us?”
He turns away again. “It wasn’t me. Not that time anyway.”
“Wow,” I mumble. Lucas really duped me and in essence he raped me, well mind raped me, I guess. How could I have stumbled upon four dream walkers? I mean Sarah isn’t a full-fledged walker, but she can do it if Rhett moves her.
“What about your father? I mean your biological one. Was he a dream walker too?”
“I have no idea. I only got a last name, Aldo. I never met him.”
“How is that possible?” I question.
“The donors are either turned or used for feedings. Some are allowed to leave once they have fulfilled their quota. My biological father chose to remain human and they let him leave. I never met him.”
“What was his last name?” I sip my beer.
“Mason.” He shrugs. My heart wrenches and I feel my energy plunge. I quickly do the math in my head, trying to add and subtract years.
“What’s wrong Aldo?” he asks, kneeling before me, concern on his face. My mind is lost in thought. Thomas’s biological father has the same last name as Rhett. My stomach is tied up in knots. Could Rhett be Thomas’s father? Or could they be brothers? Rhett never told me his father’s name. He actually never told me anything about his father other than the limited information he shared about how he bailed on him when he was fifteen.
I stare into Thomas’s eyes realizing if what I’m thinking is true, however screwed up Thomas may be, it’s not his fault. I think I can see a slight resemblance, but I’m not sure if it’s because there is one or if it’s because I’m trying to see one. My emotions and the revelations of the night consume me and destroy the fortress I have built around my heart when it comes to Thomas.
Giving into a moment of weakness, I set aside my hate and anger for him. I grab him, hugging him as tightly as I can, and sob. I slide off of my chair onto my knees, wishing I could bury myself inside of him. He holds me tightly, but doesn’t speak. After I calm down, we sit on the balcony in silence, both trying to absorb the magnitude of what was revealed tonight.
“You have no idea what I’ve been through. I was trapped in my dreams for a year believing that I had made love to you in my dreams and gotten pregnant.”
“I know,” he nods.
“I can’t believe Lucas fooled me.” I take a long swig of my beer.
“He shifted to look like me.”
“His energy, it felt like you.” I wince disgusted at the thought of Lucas touching me.
“He’s my brother. Our energy is similar.”
“When he came to me in my dreams, when I thought I was a stripper, I threw myself at him because I thought he was you. I practically attacked him, I wanted you so badly. But he didn’t have sex with me.”
“He had to have known there were others there and he didn’t have much time or else I’m sure he would have.”
“I can’t believe all of this happened because I was so love-struck with you I couldn’t see what was in front of my own face,” I sigh.
“And now?” Thomas asks and I can hear a hint of hope in his voice.
“Now…” I pause as Rhett’s image followed by Daniel’s flashes across my mind.
“There’s someone else?” His tone is knowing, he’s already decided there’s someone else.
“It’s not important.” The truth is I’m torn between two men I could never really be with. I love Rhett. I always will. But he wants to hold me back to protect me. I have feelings for Daniel, but he isn’t who I thought he was. He’s allied with Andre, which means he must die. Of course, why wouldn’t he have told Andre right there on the spot what I am? He could’ve turned me in himself. Is there more to the story?
My mind plays back Daniel’s words as he left my hotel room the first night I met him. “I need people who can handle hard truths.” I cringe. I haven’t been the greatest at accepting reality. I did hide away in my subconscious for a year because the truth was too much. Not anymore though. I need to toughen up, like Sarah says. Stop getting emotional and wear a poker face like everyone else.
“This is unbelievable,” I manage. “How could you have…” I stop unsure of what I want to say. There are many ways to finish this question. How could you have left with Lucas, abandoned us, betrayed us, lied to me? Anger fills me once again, but I’m more surprised at how hurt I feel. I didn’t think Thomas could hurt me anymore and I decide I can no longer allow myself to be vulnerable around him.
“What?” he asks, waiting for me to finish my question.
“You betrayed me,” I state plainly. “Just leave me alone Thomas.” Exhaustion and emotion cause my voice to crack.
He stands up and watches me for a moment. “Happy Birthday,” he says softly, placing a small box on the table between the chairs. “I know it’s late, but I didn’t forget.” With that, he walks back into the apartment.
I defy direct orders from Carter to stay at the apartment and sneak out when Thomas isn’t looking. I just can’t be around him right now. Taking a taxi to my hotel, I lock myself in my room. While I run my bath, I strip down and eye the burn on my hand. It looks pretty bad. The skin is blistered and numb to the touch with the exception of the edges which hurt like hell. After soaking in my hot bath making sure to let my arm hang out over the edge, I climb out and dry off, leaving my towel hanging on the rack above the toilet. Parched from drinking beer all night, I grab a bottled water from the mini fridge, enjoying the comfort of being alone and naked. Holding a Styrofoam cup the hotel provides for the in
room coffee maker, I pour the water into it. Suddenly the flow freezes. I tip the bottle more, but nothing happens. My stomach flips as I drop the bottle and whirl around.
Daniel stands directly behind me, his body only inches from mine, his scent intoxicating me, sending chills through me.
“W-what are you doing here?” I stutter, scared and turned on all at once.
“You don’t ask questions. I ask the questions,” he growls. My body immediately reacts to him, aching in all of my sensual places. God, he smells good and even though the look on his face reads murder, I’m instantly aroused.
My senses finally return and anger surges. “I don’t have to answer anything, Daniel. You’re working with Andre? Are you here to take me in and turn me over?” In that moment I realize I’m buck-naked. I turn to search for something to cover myself with, but Daniel pushes me back against the desk, not so much with physical force, more with his proximity. His gray eyes scale my body and something rumbles in his chest causing my legs to weaken as my gaze locks on his.
“Please let me get dressed,” I say with a steady voice trying to hide any indication of being scared or embarrassed.
“No.” He steps closer to me and I tremble.
“Why not?”
“You want me to see you naked.”
“Excuse me?”
The side of his mouth curves. “Even right now. You’re scared of me, but you want me.”
“You’re out of your damn mind if you think I would want anyone that’s working with Andre,” I hiss as I try to push past him, but he grasps my shoulders moving me back.
“You move again and I’ll bend you over this desk and take you right now.” My nipples harden with his words. Traitor nipples! What is wrong with me? I hate him. He’s a traitor to our cause—or rather my cause, and here I am, getting aroused by him.
I muster up what’s left of my self-control and rational thinking. “Oh, you’d do me on a desk? Not a dinner table? Do you mind if I run out real quick? I’m all out of hooker red lipstick,” I bark, reminding him of the woman I almost witnessed him screwing the last night we saw each other.
His eyes flicker with amusement. “Is that why you ran away, kitten? You saw another woman with what you deemed as yours?”
Wow. What a dick.
“Don’t flatter yourself. You are not mine and I could care less what you do with any woman.”
He makes a thoughtful expression. “Fine. Just tell me you haven’t fantasized about how my mouth would feel on your body.” He steps toward me, our bodies almost touching. His breath tickles my neck as he says, “I know you would taste so sweet. It makes my mouth water just thinking about your come on my tongue.”
Squeezing my legs together I try to ignore how wet his words just made me. My inner self lies on her bed in surrender, spreading her legs for him. I can’t speak because I’m afraid if I open my mouth I’ll beg him to take me, right here and now.
“Once I have you, you will be mine. That’s why I didn’t have you, kitten. I’ll want to own you, possess you, mark your body and soul. Ruin you for anyone else. Is that what you want?” His voice vibrates within me, making my sex clench, begging for his touch. My brain keeps telling my mouth to move, to form words, to stop him, but my body won’t obey. Instead, my body torques to his, pressing against him. His hands slide around my waist, touching my bare skin.
“That’s what I thought,” he growls as he pulls me up so my legs wrap around him. He turns me and lays me on the bed. His body towers over mine as our mouths collide. His kisses are hard, demanding, and unforgiving. One hand gropes my breast while his thumb rubs over my nipple and I whimper as the touch sends shocks of pain and pleasure through me simultaneously.
My mind pounds with orders to stop this. He’s a traitor. He’s working with Andre, but my body refuses to hear it. I need him. I need him inside of me. My hands run up and down his back frantically, pulling him to me.
“I’m not sure how gentle I can be this time. I’ve wanted you for too long.”
His words only fuel my lust more, but my mind provides one valid thought that my body seems willing to allow me to communicate. I’m a virgin, in the physical sense anyway, and having rough sex might not be the best idea, at least not my first time.
Daniel’s mouth is everywhere, kissing my lips, nipping my skin, licking my sensitive nipples so he doesn’t hear me the first time I say his name.
“Daniel,” I gasp, but it comes out as a moan, driving his actions further. His hand slips down between my legs and his fingers graze my sex.
“Fuck, you are so wet,” he hisses and my hips buck up toward him at his touch.
“Daniel, wait,” I moan.
“What is it?” He pulls back and removes his leather jacket and T-shirt with super speed, then his mouth is on me again, licking, kissing, sucking.
“I’m a virgin.”
He immediately pulls back from me, his eyes staring down on me in horror. My body tenses, the weight of his gaze so heavy.
I’m mortified by his look. Maybe he’s disappointed I don’t have more experience. Desperate to break the deafening silence I add, “I just wanted you to know in case it seemed painful for me or it got messy.” Heat flushes my cheeks.
Daniel closes his eyes briefly and then turns away from me, seating himself on the edge of the bed. I’ve never felt colder than I do right now, lying naked and exposed after having the heat wave that is Daniel on top of me. I sit up and swallow the lump in my throat.
Daniel’s back is to me and I scan the tattooed initials that cover his muscles.
“Are we done?” I ask.
“We should’ve never gotten started. You deserve better than some guy being rough with you your first time.”
“I just wanted you to know.” I’m surprised at how emotional I sound.
“I’m glad you told me,” he answers simply.
“I guess this means you don’t want me now, huh?” I ask feeling like a fool. Rejected, once again.
When he doesn’t speak after a moment, I move to stand, but he grabs my hand right where the burn is. I cry out in pain and he jerks around to see what he’s done.
“From your dance tonight?”
“Yes,” I whimper as he holds my arm gently, inspecting the burn.
He shakes his head as his jaw tenses. “You need to feed.” Before I know it he’s pulled me on top of him so I’m straddling him. My body trembles, the intimate position, the look in his eyes, and my nakedness all fueling my lust for him.
Gray eyes search mine, but his hands grasp me at my ribs, one of his thumbs touching the under swell of my breast. His erection presses against me as his fangs elongate causing mine to follow suit.
“Feed,” he orders.
“No.” I try to push off of him, but he slams my body against his, pressing our bare chests together. The contact is almost too much to bear. Self-combustion feels possible at this point. He kisses my shoulder working his way up to my neck, licking and sucking, grazing his teeth across my skin.
“When is the last time you fed?” His words vibrate against me and I shiver.
The last time I fed on you. “It’s been a while.”
“You need to feed. Take from me.” He tilts his head, exposing his neck for me.
My mouth waters as the burn devours my stomach. I want blood so badly, not just any blood. His blood. But there are too many questions that need answering. My lust for him got in the way of finding those answers.
“What are you doing with Andre?” I ask.
“Feed first, and then we’ll talk.”
“I’m not feeding from you.” I push off of him and this time he lets me. I move to the bathroom and grab my bath towel, wrapping it around me.
“Why? Because I wouldn’t have sex with you?” he chuckles. I’m not going to lie; his words sting because that is part of the reason.
“Answer me, Daniel.”
“I’m undercover. That’s all you need to know for now.”
Suddenly, anger surges through me and drives my actions like it’s a puppet master holding strings attached to my limbs. I lunge at Daniel, pushing him back on the bed. My towel unwraps bunching at my hips as I hold his shoulders to the bed. He could easily peel me off of him if he wanted to, but he doesn’t.
“You need to feed.” His gray eyes stare up at me. “The anger you feel right now will only get worse the longer you go without.”
“I want you to leave my room and leave me alone. Stay out of my way Daniel.” I hiss.
“Why don’t you tell me about your little boyfriend, Thomas?” He completely ignores my request and instead shocks the hell out of me. How does he know about Thomas? He saw us dancing the night I left, but Thomas never comes into Marshall’s unless well-disguised.
Attempting to appear confused, I ask, “Who?”
“Oh, kitten. You’re the worst liar I’ve ever met. I knew who he was the night I saw you with him on the dance floor at the club. You know, the night you completely disappeared without a fucking word.” There’s a bite in his tone, but I ignore it.
“I’m surprised you noticed I was gone. I figured that ho-bag you brought home that night was keeping you occupied.” I shrug casually trying to hide he has once again shocked me.
He ignores my jibe and snickers, “Thomas has been spelled not to recognize me or Bridge outside of the club. The other hybrids have never been seen by Andre or his followers. Corbin and George Carter have been spelled as well. I know all about your ‘undercover operation’ and the likes of George Carter.” He delicately traces his finger up and down my side. “Thomas has reported to me every day since you left with him.”
My jaw drops open. “You’ve known where I was all of this time?”
“I had hoped you would return on your own accord, but you remain stubborn and foolish as ever so I’ve made sure Mr. Watson keeps a close eye on you.”