Bite Me: A Vampire Anthology

by Cain, Addison

  The left corner of his lip curved up in a smirk. An arrogant expression of confidence passed over his features and I hissed low in response.

  “Who the fuck are you?” I demanded. I pulled back my shoulders, doing my best to cover up any hint of the rising fear that was boiling in the pit of my belly.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you, little human. How you’ve been killing my soldiers. How you’ve been thwarting my efforts to turn the tide in today’s world. You’ve been killing my monsters for a long time, haven’t you,” he murmured.

  The more he spoke, the more uneasy I began to feel. I shouldn’t have come out here alone. Logan had insisted I take a partner many times, but I always found that another slowed me down. I was stronger and faster on my own, but right now, I was questioning that decision. Shit. What would I do now?

  Gritting my teeth, I stared back at him, preparing my body to go on the defensive should he make a move toward me. He lifted his arm and turned his palm right side up. His fingers flicked upward and then a small red flame appeared just above his skin.

  “That’s not possible,” I whispered in shock. Witches couldn’t access their magical skills when they took over another human’s mind, let alone this strange demonic possession I was witnessing. I lifted my eyes up to those terrifying dark red and gray ones and took another step back. I had a distinct feeling that the longer I was in this man’s presence, the less I would understand.

  “You’d be surprised at what is possible for me, Ruby,” he answered, his gaze appraising me up and down. He flicked the fingers on his opposite hand toward me and then a wave of desire rolled over my body from the very tips of my toes.

  What the fuck was that?

  The feeling passed quickly, coming and going in under a few seconds and the distinct metallic taste of magic washed over my tongue. He’d done that. He’d made my body react to him like that. I rolled my upper lip, preparing myself to fight. Or run. At this point, I was ready to do either.

  He simply laughed at me. His smug arrogance was astounding but I was beginning to understand that he had earned that right. I was also figuring out that I was in more trouble that I realized.

  “Who are you?” I demanded once more. I narrowed my eyes, studying his mysteriously dark expression but I could garner no clues from him.

  “My name is Cain,” he answered, and I froze. Shit, this was far more than I bargained for. This was even more ancient than I had even thought possible.

  “As in the one referred to in Genesis. In the Bible?” I whispered, my voice beginning to shake with fear.

  “One and the same,” he replied, his voice strong and far more confident than mine.

  The Demon Hunters had thought that the recent rise in vampire activity was due to an older vampire, but none of us had any idea that the vampire was actually this ancient. Cain was mentioned in the Bible, one of the oldest texts of man. In the stories, he’d murdered his brother and then lied about it to God. There were clues that this initiated a blood curse that led to the creation of the very first vampires. Certain texts and scrolls mentioned his name throughout history and in every instance, it described him as a monster to be feared. He was the reason vampires existed in the first place. He was the very first one.

  Cain snapped his fingers and spread them wide, dark red electrical pulses radiating outward from his fingertips. All at once, the graveyard came alive. One vampire rose after another, emerging from the dirt of freshly dug graves. Then, older graves started to turn, and even more demons rose from their eternal slumbers.

  Holy fuck. This was really, really bad.

  In moments, I was surrounded by freshly turned vampires and demons alike, at least thirty of them. I took a deep breath and brought my fists up, blocking my face from their advance. I started to fight, kicking and punching in order to find my way out of this mess, but it was no use. Even as I took out one vampire, ultimately another would take its place. The cycle occurred over and over, and my muscles started to burn from the exertion of it. I started to lose hope, but still I looked for an escape route. Grisly hands grabbed at me and before long, I was quickly overwhelmed. Strong hands held each one of my limbs, lifting me up off the ground and holding me captive. Several feet away, Cain appraised my capture, his gaze shadowed, and my blood ran cold.

  Even I knew I wouldn’t be able to escape this with my life.

  “Bring her to me,” Cain ordered.

  He cast his fingers in my direction and after that, all I knew was blackness.

  Chapter 2

  The next time I woke, I found myself in a dark room, lit only by a small window that was too high up for me to peer out of. I blinked several times, allowing my eyes to adjust as I pushed myself up and off the floor. Rampant muscle soreness radiated up and down my limbs, making the transition from lying down to sitting up much more difficult than it should have been. Behind me was a cool stone wall and I used it for support, leaning against it as I began to study my surroundings.

  “What the fuck happened to me?” I whispered into the dark.

  Distinct shapes began to form in the shadows and a cold chill raced over my skin. I realized I was in a cell of some kind, with thick metal bars. I narrowed my eyes and blinked again, trying to see beyond into the darkness, but I couldn’t make anything out. Sluggishly, I pushed myself up to my feet and groaned low as my achy body protested my movements. At least my t-shirt and stretchy jeans still covered my body.

  I moved toward the bars and wrapped my fingers around the thick metal. It was cold, possibly steel and likely strong enough to contain any evil creature in existence. The probability of breaking through any one of them was unlikely and undoubtedly impossible. I sighed.

  Where the hell was I?

  The events from the night before came rushing back to me and I pressed my forehead against one of the chilled bars, trying to figure out what my next move would be. All around me, I could hear sounds of rancid breathing of other beings stuck inside cells similar to mine, the pangs of death rattling in some and groans of pain from others. Whatever dungeon I’d been thrown in, it was likely that its inhabitants never saw the light of day ever again. Absentmindedly, I wondered if I would die here, all alone in this cool, dank cell.

  Shivering from the numbing cold, I backed away from the bars. Even the icy stone beneath my feet crept through the bottoms of my sneakers. I shivered, thankful to at least still have my clothes. On the right side of the cell was some sort of foldup cot and I curled up on top of it. Once I was no longer standing on the bare stone floor, I found some semblance of warmth by curling my arms around my legs. I laid my right cheek on my knees and closed my eyes, hoping that this was just a nightmare and I’d wake up soon.

  I slept for some time, but I didn’t know how long. When I was awake, the hours crept by and the only way I could determine at least an estimate of how much time had passed was the light of the sun peeking in through the small window in my cell. For a little while, the brightness allowed me to see more of the prison that held me captive and I was grateful for it. It appeared as though my cell was in a hallway that was closed off by another barred door. There were additional cells beyond that held others, but I couldn’t see enough to make out who was inside them. My cell was far enough away from them that I couldn’t ask them where we were either. At least, I didn’t dare without seeing who they were first.

  One day passed. And then two. At one point, a hooded figure stopped by and pushed a rather large glass of water inside between the bars, but other than that, no one came to me. In my thirst, I drank it all, not caring if I lived or died. If it was poisoned, better I perish now rather than suffer later. My stomach growled and I pressed my fingers to it, trying to ignore the twisting of hunger pains.

  I was so tired. So hungry. Eventually, I closed my eyes and just slept, trying to conserve both my mind and my energy for whatever was to come.

  On the morning of the third day of my imprisonment, the screams of someone in the distance woke me from my s
lumber. Whatever was happening to what sounded like a man, it likely wasn’t pleasant. I crinkled my nose as his screams intensified. Nope. Definitely not.

  The squeal of the door opening outside of my cell made me lift my head. A single large male figure moved inside toward me. He was hooded in a black cape that just brushed the ground, made of what appeared to be expensive black velvet fabric. I gritted my teeth and steeled myself for whatever torture was about to come. He stood just outside the bars, maybe six feet away from me and just stared in my direction for a long few minutes. It was wholly unsettling.

  In the dim light, I could hardly make out his features, but something about his presence made my stomach churn with anxiety. He felt powerful, like someone who was used to giving orders and receiving instant obedience. I worried my bottom lip as he opened the door to my cell and made his way into my prison with me.

  “Stand up,” he ordered. His tone was strong, determined, and held an air of confidence that was deeply unsettling. His voice sounded familiar, but in my current state of exhaustion, I was having trouble connecting the dots.

  I didn’t obey. Not at first. I expected him to hit me, but he didn’t. Instead, he just waited and in the low light, I caught just a glimpse of a flash of dark red eyes. Vampire then.

  He said it again and still I ignored him.

  A long moment of silence passed between us before he sighed with disappointment.

  “I can force you, but I promise you it won’t be pleasant,” he said softly, the threat in his tone blatantly obvious. The air crackled with his power, tiny red bolts of lightning emanating from his fingertips. I realized then why the voice sounded vaguely familiar.

  “Cain,” I whispered, understanding finally dawning over me.

  He didn’t answer, but I knew my assertion was correct. I lowered my gaze and finally stood up, figuring that I would give in to him until I could understand more about his powers and capabilities. He lifted his arm toward me, and I flinched, just before his bare skin caressed mine. His fingers grazed across the bareness of my arms, just glancing upon the fabric of my t-shirt before he took my wrists and held them behind my back. He spoke a low chant that sounded like Latin under his breath and I felt his magic form a rope around my wrists. I knew that my arms would stay bound indefinitely, holding me prisoner until he decided to release me. He turned me toward him and traced his palm up my neck until it rested beneath my chin. I could feel his power crackling just under my skin and I licked my lips nervously.

  “Such a pretty face on such a destructive little package,” he mused, his blazing eyes staring down into mine. I tensed, but he dropped his hand into his pocket and pulled out what appeared to be a thick black leather band. He lifted it to my throat and clipped it into place. It was then I realized it was a collar. I could feel his power through it and knew it was endowed with his magic. Cold fear brewed in the pit of my belly.

  He took another length of black leather from his belt and fastened it to the collar around my throat.

  “You can’t leash me like a dog,” I snapped, and he ignored my outburst.

  “Come along then. I have plans for you,” he said.

  “What the fuck does that mean?” I retorted, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he turned away and roughly pulled me along after him. Initially, I stumbled but eventually found my footing as I fumbled along behind him. He led me out of my cell and into the dark dungeons, through the piercing catcalls; when extended hands from the cells threatened to touch me, he pulled me back and kept me safe. Even though I was terrified, I was grateful for that small kindness.

  Finally, I followed him up a flight of stairs out of the prison. He closed the door behind us and led me up a few more stairwells before we made our way out onto the ground floor of what appeared to be a mansion of sorts. I looked around, seeing a grand foyer with a massive chandelier made of what appeared to be a thousand brightly burning candles. The walls were lined with thick, dark wooden beams and painted in a lovely gray color. A grand stairway climbed up either side and a rich red plush carpet ran the length of the room. Expensive-looking hardwood floors ran vertically throughout the room.

  “Where are we?” I finally whispered as I let out a nervous breath.

  “You’re a guest in my home, Ruby,” he answered.

  I looked out the front windows and saw nothing but woods beyond. Wherever we were, it was far away from where I had come from and I probably wouldn’t find my way away from here. Sadness permeated through my heart as I reluctantly said goodbye to my former life. In all likelihood, I’d probably die here by this man’s hand. I’d fought against his plans. Killed demons he had risen. I was his enemy and I had a distinct feeling that I was soon going to pay for it.

  I shivered and returned my eyes back to the floor when he began moving again. He led me up the grand staircase and down a long hallway, before maneuvering me into a room at the end of it. When I finally dared to lift my head, I realized he’d brought me into a rather opulent bedroom. A massive, decadent king-sized poster bed sat in the center of the room up against the back wall. The walls were draped with crushed red velvet fabric and gold filigree laid into wooden beams spaced at even intervals throughout the room. Comfortable-looking couches and a large mahogany desk lined the other walls. He paused and shrugged off his hooded cape, hanging it on a hook beside the door.

  “It has come to my attention that you’ve been making trouble for me, Ruby, for some time and I cannot allow it any longer,” Cain began, and he turned to me. I lifted my head and for the first time, I got a really good look at him.

  His skin was like pale alabaster, with only the slightest hint of color. His eyes shone a deep blood red, flecked with gray and black that spoke of how ancient he really was. His lips were set in a firm line, but that’s where my expectations ended, and my surprise began.

  Dressed in a finely pressed suit, he looked like a businessman in his early forties. His jawline was lined with the dark hint of stubble, just enough to make him look dignified. The top of his head was covered in dark hair, thick and purposefully messy, but it only served to make him an even finer male specimen. If I had run into him in normal life, I would have thought him attractive.

  My body pulsed with unwelcome desire and I stilled in surprise. I drew in a startled breath.

  No. That couldn’t be right.

  His eyebrows lowered in suspicion and his eyes darkened dangerously. Then, his lips curled up in a grin, highlighting his high cheekbones and square jawline. It was almost like he knew what had just happened. Quickly, I steeled myself against the feeling that had just come over me, resolving to never let it happen again.

  “You see, North America is my domain. It always has been, but it’s time I began to expand my reach. That’s why I’ve been building an army, which you’ve been so kind to intercept at every turn,” he continued, his tone a bit aggravated.

  “Ruby… do you have anything to say for yourself?” he asked, his blood-red eyes searching mine. His tone angered me. I should have looked away. I should have asked for mercy, but I couldn’t. Instead, I wanted to fight. I wouldn’t give in without at least trying. I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t.

  “Fuck. You,” I answered, my voice low and dangerous. My body seethed with fury, unnerved by the sudden betrayal of my body and the loss of everything I held dear. No longer would I be able to go home to the Demon Hunters. No longer would I be able to protect the innocent from evil. Instead, I had been taken by the worst of them all.

  A vampire that would prove more powerful than I could have ever known.

  “Oh, little human… You’re going to regret that,” he answered, his voice lowering treacherously.

  Slowly, he unbuttoned his cuffs, one by one, before he began to roll up his sleeves. I watched him anxiously, ready to bolt at a moment’s notice. Just by baring his forearms, I knew that he was strong. Corded muscles stretched and strained as he gazed at me, preparing himself for whatever he was about to do to me.

  He sn
apped his fingers and the magical bonds around my wrists released. I rolled my shoulders, relieving the strain I felt there and curled my fingers into fists. He lifted his palm and pushed it slowly back toward me, causing a rush of air to force me backwards until my ass pressed against the wall behind me.

  Electricity buzzed around my wrists and ankles, forcing me to spread myself for him. My legs opened and my arms lifted over my head. Power hummed through the air, holding me captive as he approached me. His demeanor was dark, ominous even and I began to regret even opening my mouth in the first place.

  Logan had always called me impulsive. In this moment, I realized he was right.

  My upper lip curled, and I struggled against his magic, but I couldn’t escape it. His sorcery was far too strong, and I didn’t even budge a single inch, even when I forced every ounce of my strength into my attempt. He came closer and extended his hand to me. I watched in horror as his nails extended into dangerously sharp claws and then he reached toward my chest. The serrated edge caught the cotton fabric collar of my t-shirt and I watched in horror as he dragged it down, the ripping sound echoing through the room. He tore through my shirt with calculated precision, shearing it in two in a matter of seconds. The chilly air caressed my skin underneath as he tore the rest of the fabric from my body with just his bare hands. I watched in almost a fascinated sense of horror.

  Almost gently, he traced a single claw across my throat, staring down at my skin with an intensity that unnerved me. Then, he flicked his finger up, slicing straight through my bra with no effort at all. My bra popped open and my breasts sprang free. I pulled in a breath and my nipples hardened into tight little peaks.

  A rush of warmth bloomed out from my core and I wondered if it was my own body or his magic at play. I didn’t know.