Craving: The Willow Creek Vampires Series

by Stephanie Summers

  While waiting, she began to think of ways to stretch the money she had until she could get a job. She’d squirreled away almost every penny she’d made over the last two years. Willow Creek was small, but her customers tipped well. Maybe it was their strange way of thanking her for what she would be forced to do. Her saving had allowed her to not only buy a plane ticket, but also afford a cheap hotel for at least a couple of weeks once she got there. Finding a job was priority number one so she could find a more permanent place to live.

  Finally, the announcement to board arrived. She breathed a sigh of relief once she was seated at the window seat she chose when the ticket was reserved. It had been ages since she’d been on an airplane, but she loved sitting by the window so she could look out at the land and lights below.

  The plane filled up quickly with passengers. She opened the book she bought at the airport, and settled into her seat. The flight would only take an hour or so, and reading would make the time pass quickly. She was anxious to get off the ground and to her new life.

  Something moved beside her, and she quickly realized the passenger in the aisle seat had finally shown up. She didn’t look up from her book because she was never one to gawk at people. It was something she felt was incredibly rude, and she tried not to do it. But when the man sat down and leaned into her personal space, staring right at her, she was forced. She slowly looked over, and, to her horror, Remy stared back at her with the right corner of his mouth turned up.

  “Going somewhere fun?”

  “I was…Now, not so much.”

  “Did you really think you could get away so easily?”

  “No, but I had to try.”

  “I certainly can’t blame you for trying.” He tapped one long index finger against his chin.

  “How did you find me, and how the hell do I remember everything now that you’re here? I’ve had to keep reminding myself why I was leaving.” She held up her hand, exposing the words she’d written before she left Willow Creek.

  He turned to face her full on and spoke just loud enough for her to hear. “You remember because I’m here. It’s weird, I know, but apparently if you see one of us you know from Willow Creek, then the fog is lifted from your mind. And as for finding you…Funny thing about those of my species, we can see really well from really far away. I could easily read your computer screen from where I sat in that old willow tree outside your bedroom. I saw the exact reservations you made for this flight, even down to the seat you chose, and, now,” he sat back and laced his fingers together, “here I am.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “You spied on me?”

  “Yes. I was ordered to watch you.”

  “But I thought you left me alone after I freaked out on you.”

  “I decided not to bug you, but I was always near.”

  “You make me sick. Watching me like a deranged psycho. All the times I got dressed in my room, not knowing someone was watching me. I want to puke.” Her skin turned ghostly white, and her stomach did flips.

  “Nothing I haven’t seen before.”

  “I don’t care how many women you’ve seen naked! You had no right to watch me like that.”

  “Oh, but I did. It was my responsibility to make sure you didn’t run and to keep you safe from those who would try to hurt you because of who you are. I had to watch for signs that you were planning something, and I had to make sure no outside vampire was stalking you. How else could I do that, other than watch you when you were alone in your room?”

  “So you ended up being the one to stalk me. You disgust me.”

  “I’ve heard worse. You’ll get over it, and you should be thanking me. To date, I’ve taken care of six vampires who would’ve devoured you before you knew what hit you.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “You can choose to believe I’m lying to you, but that doesn’t make what I’m saying not true.”

  “Wait, if you knew I was leaving, why didn’t you stop me before I left the concert? Or before I even left my house?”

  “Because I’ve been stuck in Willow Creek for two years. If I let you get this far, then I could at least get a trip to New York for my troubles. I’ve spoken to Bastian already. He knows you’re with me, and that we will be taking our time getting back.”

  “He knows I tried to run. Great. Now I will probably be locked up in that room for the rest of my life.”

  “Oh, no, he doesn’t know you tried to run. I told him that I had some business to tend to that would take some time, and that I planned to bring you with me after the concert.”

  Her eyes widened as her gaze darted away from him. She didn’t know he was capable of being nice. “Thanks for not telling him, I guess. What happens once we get to New York?”

  “We’ll go to my apartment tonight. I suppose I can get you something to eat, and you’ll stay there while I go out and get myself a bite to eat. We’ll stay in Manhattan for a few days until it’s time to move on.”

  “I’m a little impressed that you have an apartment in New York. How long has it been since you were there last if you’ve been in Willow Creek for two years?”

  “Ten, maybe 15 years…”

  She raised her eyebrows in disbelief. “You have an apartment in New York City, and you haven’t even been there in over a decade? Don’t you think that’s a huge waste of money?”

  “No. I have a place in London, too, that I haven’t been to in two years. It doesn’t mean I won’t ever go back, and I like things the way I have them.”

  “Alright, then. I don’t see the point in paying the outrageous cost of an apartment and not living there full-time.”

  “I have more money than I know what to do with. I pay a man to stay there and take care of it. He knows I’m on my way, and he will stay gone while I’m there. I put him up in a 5-star hotel in the meantime. It’s really quite a nice set up for him.”

  “I bet it is.” She shook her head and watched the ground get further and further away.

  They were mostly quiet during the flight. She was sure he could hear her just fine if she spoke, but she wasn’t so lucky. She couldn’t hear anything over the sound of the engines.

  They landed at JFK and were soon on their way into Manhattan.

  “I need to get some things before we go to your apartment.”

  “Such as?”

  “I didn’t bring anything with me. I have to get some personal care stuff, and preferably a set of pajamas or something comfortable to sleep in. I’ll have to get some clothes somewhere, too.”

  “Why don’t you wait until we get there, and see what I have? The guy that looks after the place is supposed to keep it well stocked in case I ever show up unexpectedly or allow someone to use the place while they’re in the city.”

  “Alright, but I don’t want to sleep in what I’ve got on. Just sayin’.”

  “Sleeping in the nude is always an option.”

  “Swine.”

  Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the skyline lighting up the night. She and her parents had visited the city a few times when she was younger, but this was the first time she was there as an adult. Whether or not she got to actually enjoy the city this time was a whole other subject. She doubted she’d be seeing much other than what she could maybe see from a window.

  The taxi pulled up to a building directly across from Central Park on the Upper East Side. She followed Remy inside and onto the elevator where he pulled out a key. He inserted the key into a keyhole at the top of the buttons and pushed the one next to “PH.” Holy shit. This guy is unbelievable. Not only does he have an apartment in Manhattan he hasn’t been to in over a decade, but his apartment is on the friggin’ top floor. What the hell?

  The elevator doors opened to a sprawling living room with windows overlooking the park. It was breathtaking. Much nicer than any flea bag hotel room she would have been staying in, and at least she wouldn’t be sharing a bathroom with complete strangers.

  “Follow me, and I’l
l show you where you will be sleeping.”

  She followed him down a narrow hallway until they reached a closed door on the left. He opened the door, reached in, and flipped on a light. The room - much larger than she expected - also overlooked the park.

  “The bathroom is right across the hall, and my room is right next door. You might as well make yourself at home, because we will be here at least a few days. You can look in the bathroom to see if I have the things you require. I’ll look in the closet in here and see what I have in the way of something for you to sleep in, since you’ve objected to sleeping naked.”

  The bathroom was immaculate. Her fingers glided over the cool marble countertops as she looked around. She opened the closet to find a stockpile of tooth brushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizer, razors, and really anything else you could possibly need to achieve the highest quality hygiene.

  She walked back to the room that was to be hers and flopped down on the bed. She was exhausted and needed to sleep soon. Remy walked in, and she sat up. He had taken his shirt off. Her eyes immediately landed on his well-defined chest and abs, and she quickly looked away. He tossed her the black t-shirt he’d been wearing only moments before.

  “I don’t have anything for you to sleep in, but you can sleep in that. It might not cover your ass all the way, but then I’ve already seen it, so…”

  It was strange to her that instead of being warm from just leaving his body, the black t-shirt was oddly cool. “You’re so hilarious. You know I have to go somewhere and get some clothes to wear, though, right? I can’t just wear your shirt out. It’ll be way too big.”

  “Yes. We’ll get you something tomorrow. What should I get you for dinner?”

  “Nothing. I’m not hungry. I just want to go to sleep.”

  “Suit yourself.” He walked out of the room. A moment later, she heard his bedroom door shut.

  Sabine pulled the blanket and top sheet back. Just before she got into bed, she stripped off her jeans and the form fitting Ferrum t-shirt she’d been wearing. She pulled on Remy’s black V-neck t-shirt. The soft material caressed her skin and hung comfortably just below her bottom. A hint of something masculine smelling tickled her nose. It was a scent she had never smelled before, and wondered if it was some exotic cologne from some exotic land she’d never see. Under normal circumstances, the thought of sleeping in a man’s shirt and being bathed in his scent would have been one of the sexiest things she could imagine. She would not let herself be intoxicated by anything Remy, though. Even if he did invade her dreams a few, or 50, times too many.

  Just as she got under the covers, the bedroom door cracked open, and he stepped through. He was now dressed in a dark button down shirt, dark jeans, and a leather jacket that looked like it cost a couple grand. His hair was pulled back, which exposed the angular cut of his face. His green eyes almost looked as if they were glowing at her. The sight of him made her feel something stirring deep inside that she tried like hell to ignore.

  “I am headed out for a bite to eat. Don’t try to leave. It’ll do you no good. I’ll be back in less than an hour. Not enough time for the scent of your trail to disappear, so stay put. Before I go, would you like me to tuck you in?”

  “Just get out, you perv!” She yanked the blankets up over her and rolled to her side away from him.

  She did contemplate leaving, but it would only be a matter of time before he caught her. Maybe he wouldn’t be so accommodating next time, so she decided not to press her luck. She settled down into the bed, and fell asleep quickly.

  ***

  He moved swiftly down 7th Avenue toward Times Square. It wasn’t the most discreet place to feed, but he could work around that. He’d found a pretty, young girl to flatter in Times Square so many times he couldn’t remember them all. Tourists were all the same, though. So caught up in the moment that they let their inhibitions go, and would inevitably follow him wherever he asked them to. He didn’t even have to use his gift of influence to coerce them into going away with a complete stranger.

  He was drawn to a certain type this night, and it wouldn’t take him long to choose. Petite and pale, with dark, wavy hair was what he craved. On the rare occasion Bastian allowed him to leave Willow Creek to feed, he usually tried to avoid anyone that resembled her, knowing he’d be stuck with her indefinitely. Why tonight was different he did not know.

  He scanned the crowd until he found a suitable woman, and easily caught her eye from the opposite side of the street. He never looked away from her as he crossed the busy intersection to where she stood. Walking right up to her, he smiled and she blushed. She was mesmerized by him instantly.

  “First time in New York?” he asked, flashing a devilish grin down at her. His gums ached in anticipation of releasing his fangs. It took all of his will to keep them in their place and not suck her dry right there at the corner of Broadway and 7th.

  “No. This is the third time I’ve been here.”

  “Surely you’re not alone?”

  “No. I’m here with a group of friends, but I got separated from them in the crowd. I thought maybe if I stayed here, I’d be able to spot them. You sound European. Are you visiting, too, or do you live here?”

  “I have an apartment uptown. It’s really too bad you’re busy. I was on my way to a party, and I don’t have a plus one.”

  “Oh… Well, if I could maybe borrow a cell phone, I could just text one of my friends and let them know. My battery died, and we haven’t been back to our hotel all day.”

  “Of course, but let’s get out of this crowd first. I don’t like pulling out my phone with so many people around. You never know who is waiting to steal it right out of your hands.”

  She looked at him, unsure if she should trust him or not. “Wow. I never would have thought someone would steal right out in the open like that.”

  “It’s happened to me. Believe me when I say thieves can be ruthless.”

  She nodded and smiled. “I can wait. Which way are we going?”

  He took her hand and led her back toward Central Park. “It’s uptown. As soon as we get a block or two up, I’ll let you use my phone and we can grab a taxi if you want.”

  “Your hand is so cold! It’s not even chilly tonight. Did you have them in a freezer or something?” The girl chuckled. “Kind of overkill with that jacket, too, isn’t it?”

  “I tend to be cold most of the time. Always have been. You can warm them, and me, if you like.”

  She took his hand and slid it into the back pocket of her jeans. Her left arm wrapped around his back and took his other hand in hers. They continued to walk away from Times Square.

  “You’re really hot. I can’t believe you don’t have anyone to go to a party with you.”

  “I know. Mind blowing, isn’t it?”

  “I don’t think I got your name.”

  “You didn’t get it, because I didn’t offer it.”

  “Well, what is it? Mine is Sasha.”

  He stopped to face her. Something about looking into a lust stricken woman’s eyes gave him great pleasure, especially when he was about to go in for the kill. Figuratively, of course. Killing was too much of a mess to clean up in today’s society where someone would inevitably notice a missing person right away. It was much easier to make them forget. “My name is Joseph. Do you really want to go to a lame party, or would you rather have a little fun?” Remy rarely gave his real name when he was about to feed, just in case his coercion didn’t hold up long term.

  “What do you mean by fun?” she purred.

  “I think you know what I mean.” He moved closer to her, bending down to brush his lips against her neck.

  “Is your apartment close?”

  “No. Let’s be adventurous. It’s quite thrilling with the possibility of getting caught in public.”

  “I’m down for anything you want. You’re too sexy to turn down. This is turning out to be the best vacation I’ve ever taken.”

  His ha
nd slid around her waist, and pulled her to a secluded area between buildings. “I think this will do.”

  He pressed her against the brick wall and smashed his body against hers. His tongue explored her mouth, and the familiar ache in his gums returned quickly. She dug her nails into his leather jacket as she tried to pull him closer. He grabbed her hair, pulling her head to the side, and ran his tongue along her neck, savoring every beat of her heart. So she wouldn’t scream, he exerted his power over her to lull her into a state of euphoria. His fangs descended and he sunk his teeth into her neck, letting her blood flow over his tongue and down his throat. She gasped as he drank deeply from her. Visions of Sabine in his embrace flashed through his mind, and he ravaged the girl even more.

  Careful not to take too much, he pulled himself away from her after only a minute or so. He nicked his fingertip with one fang and rubbed the two tiny holes on her neck. They began to close immediately. He caught her gaze, and put her in a trance as he spoke to her.

  “I did not bite you or drink your blood. All you know is that you got separated from your group of friends and tried to find them. Some nice guy named Joseph helped you, but you got separated from him, too. You will return to the corner you were standing on in Times Square and stay there until your friends find you.”

  The girl blinked, and looked around her. Not recognizing her surroundings and Joseph nowhere to be found, she headed for Times Square.

  Chapter 8

  “It’s about time you got up.” Remy’s gaze did not lift from the book he was reading.

  “I didn’t realize I was on a schedule. I’m starving, and I still need clothes,” said Sabine.

  “Yes. That happens to be one of my favorite shirts, and I’d like it back. We will go shopping in a little while. I took the liberty of ordering you a cheese omelet and bacon. It’s already set up for you in the dining room.”