by Isabella
Clarissa’s fangs popped, her body convulsed as she seized Jax’s hand, peeling it off her arm and twisting it back. Her first impulse was to break his wrist. He would not prevent her from doing what she came to do. Feeling his hand crumple under her grasp, she threw it back at him and sneered. “Back the fuck off, Jax. This isn’t a social call.”
“Fuck, I think you broke my wrist.”
She wasn’t feeling apologetic, so she didn’t pretend to be sorry. Her only mission was to find out where AJ was and help her. Her stride matched her intent as she made her way back to Selene’s office. A pale woman passed her in the hall, reeking of sex and blood. Confusion from the woman buffeted Clarissa and she hesitated briefly focusing on the platinum blonde in the dark passage. Oh, Selene was busy was she? Clarissa turned her fear into anger and directed it towards the woman in the office. She banged through the door, slamming it against the wall, and caught Selene off guard. Before she could say anything Selene had her pinned to the wall by her throat. The smell of more blood flooded her senses and she reacted. With a strong shove against Selene’s chest that knocked her to the floor.
“What the fuck, Clarissa?”
Selene stood and launched herself again towards Clarissa. The two women clashed, each with their own agenda. They gripped each other’s neck, fangs bared and ready to duel. Clarissa used Selene’s moving body against her, slinging her over her hip and sending her crashing to the floor with a thud. Landing on top, she went for Selene’s neck without another thought. Instinct took over and survival was her only goal, the person under her didn’t matter in the eternal quest to survive. Clarissa felt the urge to feed, guttural in its nature. She embraced it. Inhaling she scent of saliva and blood, mixed with sex and something else—aggression—permeated the air. A vampire’s worst vices, all in one hot, small space.
“STOP!” Selene commanded. Her nails dug deeper, sinking closer to the bone.
Clarissa’s fangs pierced her skin, and her tongue slid against the wet trail of blood running down Selene’s neck. Before she could take another swipe with her tongue, Selene heaved her off and threw Clarissa back onto the couch. Clarissa raked her nails against Selene’s arms, trails of destruction evidence of her rage.
“STOP, Clarissa. What the fuck is wrong with you?” Selene pinned her against the couch with a knee in her ribs and fingers driving into her hair, jerking her head back. “If you don’t stop, I’ll kill you.” Their gazes locked, each woman competing for dominance.
Clarissa tried to take a deep breath, her body burning with each inhale. “Off.”
“Are you done?”
“OFF, Selene. I can’t breathe.”
Selene hesitated then lifted herself off Clarissa. Standing before her, the square set of Selene’s jaw bunched each time she clenched. Clarissa felt her blood vibrate through her body. She couldn’t answer for her behavior, the aggression wasn’t something she couldn’t relate to. It had been decades since she’d felt so helpless and lashed out.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Clarissa?” Selene ran her palm across her neck, fingering the still oozing puncture wounds.
Clarissa fought against a wave of dizziness. She cradled her face in her palms and tried to control her breathing. It was hot in the tight confines of the office. Tossing the drapes back, she flung open the window and swayed against the sash, bracing herself on the frame. The coolness of the night felt good. The darkness felt better. Staring out past the cars, her ears perked when she heard something groaning.
“Is someone in the basement?” Clarissa said into the darkness.
“Answer my question — what the hell is wrong with you?”
Leaning against the sill, Clarissa stared at Selene. She noticed Selene’s jaw bunching as she clamped it shut. How could she lose control like that? She was a pacifist, unheard of in the vampire ranks, but she’d had enough violence to last a lifetime. That was until tonight.
“I don’t know. I mean…I came here to ask for help, but…that girl who just left…who is she? You’re girlfriend?”
Selene threw herself into the desk chair and slouched down. Her long lanky frame stretched out reminded Clarissa of a gazelle, quick, lean and ready to run.
“It’s complicated.”
“It always is, isn’t it?”
“Why did you come here? Shouldn’t you be home with AJ having meatloaf or something?” Selene sneered at the domesticity of their situation.
“AJ didn’t come over tonight and she isn’t home. I think something’s happened.”
“What makes you think something happened?”
“I felt it in a dream.”
“A dream.”
“Don’t make fun of me Selene. You know vampires form a connection to their mates. We can communicate without saying a thing. She knows me better than I know myself. She wouldn’t go an hour without calling me, or sending me a text, communicate with me in some way.” Clarissa sniffed the air. Another vampire was close by.
“So, maybe she got caught up at work.” Selene cleaned a nail, trying to act as uninterested as possible. It was all a bluff and Clarissa knew it, AJ was Selene’s only friend in this world all the others long dead by now.
“Who’s in the basement?” Clarissa asked, knowing Selene could handle the verbal whiplash with such a sudden subject change. “I can smell them from up here.” She spread her hand out as if doing so would bring them forward.
“It’s that asshole from your job. I stuck him in the basement until I can figure out what to do with him.”
“You kidnapped him? Oh shit.” Clarissa ran her fingers through her hair. What had Selene done? They could go to jail for kidnapping. Hell they’d kill them for just being vampires, kidnapping was only an excuse. Times were changing and every vampire needed to stay two steps to the right side of the law.
“Relax, he’s a vampire, too.” Selene nursed the bloody streaks along her arm. Flinching as she applied a wet rag, wiping the drips of blood from her arms. “God, Clarissa. What’s come over you? You’re not usually the violent one in the relationship.”
“I had a dream. AJ’s in danger. She never came over for dinner or called.”
“Came over?”
“It’s a long story— well not really, but I’ve moved back to my place.” Clarissa took the rag from Selene and dabbed at the scratches. She’d dug deep, leaving long furrows. They’d heal, but it didn’t stop Clarissa from feeling stupid. She’d let her emotions control her actions. Stupid. Her mind was racing with thoughts of AJ being in danger and her aggression levels were off the chart. Selene confirming Carol’s substitute was a vampire only added to her agitation.
“What was your dream about?” Selene grasped Clarissa’s chin and lifted her face to see her eyes. “What about AJ?”
Clarissa was sure Selene had experienced her own dream state that gave her warning about an impending danger. She understood the affects dreams had on a person’s mental state. You were always waiting for the other shoe to fall. Dreams were rarely wrong.
“She’s in danger, Selene. I need your help to find her.”
“Did you call her at home? I’m sure she’s sitting at the penthouse waiting for you to call her. Why don’t you give her a ring?” Selene pulled her arms back from Clarissa’s ministrations so she could call.
“I already tried, she doesn’t answer. See for yourself.” Clarissa passed the ringing phone to Selene.
They waited, each woman hoping for the same outcome. Staring down at the phone, AJ’s picture taking up the whole screen, she watched the moving phone as it rang, and rang again, then to voice mail. Stopping the call, Clarissa stuffed it into her pocket and sat back on the couch, burying her head in her hands.
“I’m scared, Selene.”
Nothing.
“Didn’t you hear me? I had a dream and she’s in danger. I’m scared.”
“I’ll make a few phone calls and see what I can find out.”
“Do you know where she is?” Clarissa st
ared at Selene with eyes red from crying. Her mind went somewhere she didn’t want to follow and right now she felt Selene was her only hope in finding AJ.
“Is there something you’re not telling me Selene?”
Chapter Twenty
Francesca ran to her car and threw the remnants of her torn clothing inside. She leaned against the door and bent over trying to catch her breath. She hurt in a way she never expected it would when she’d imagined having sex for the first time. Her body shivered through the remnants if an orgasm. If she were honest with herself, she’d give anything to be wrapped around Selene right now, experiencing a repeat performance with those skilled hands.
The distant hum of her cell phone ringing caught her attention. She peered into the car. Somewhere in that mess of clothing, paper and books was her purse and her lifeline buried inside. Leaning in, she shuffled through the mess, but the phone stopped before she could find it. Undeterred she tossed a few items on the floorboard and finally found her small clutch. Why couldn’t she carry one of those big, reflective, gaudy gold-chained purses like all her friends did? They stuck out like sore thumbs and no missed them, even in a blizzard. That’s why she didn’t carry one, she didn’t need the “look at my overpriced piece of crap that I paid way too much for” attention. If it wasn’t for butt-packs being out of style she’d be wearing one right now and she would have her phone in her hands and not looking at another missed call.
Success. Her purse had landed between the door and the seat and it was ringing off the hook again. Without looking at the number she slid it open and answered.
“Yeah.”
“Yeah, you’re gone for hours and all you got is yeah?” The voice on the other end scolded.
“Daph, sorry. I was busy and I couldn’t get to the phone when you called.”
“Whadda ya mean, when I called?”
“You didn’t call me a second ago?”
“Nope, wasn’t me. But that doesn’t answer my question, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick. It’s late, there weren’t any lights on in the apartment, and you’ve been gone for hours. Where are you?”
“I…I…uhm, I worked late at the lab tonight. You know what a slave driver my boss is, phew. I’m glad today’s over,” Francesca lied, it killed her but she needed time to think about what happened tonight, digest everything and analyze it before she was given the third degree by Daphne. Once she’d told her roommate where she had been the grilling would start and she wasn’t ready, not yet.
“So are you coming home then?”
“On my way.”
“Good, can you pick-up Chinese on the way home?”
“Sure, the usual?”
“Sounds good to me, don’t forget the hot mustard and fortune cookies.”
“I wouldn’t think of it.”
“Good and be ready to talk about what really happened tonight,” Daphne said before ending the call.
“Shit.”
Francesca leaned against the headrest. Why did she have to hesitate with her answer? Daphne knew her better than anyone else. Her moods, her mannerisms and she knew Francesca stuttered when she was nervous.
“Problems?”
Francesca practically jumped out of her skin when the someone pulled the door handle, so engrossed in her replay of her phone conversation, she didn’t hear anyone walk up to her open car door. She should have closed it, but once again, her mind wasn’t where it should have been.
“No, no it’s fine thanks.” She tried to shut the car door but met resistance. Oh god, please don’t let this be happening.
“I’m not going to hurt you. I just saw you sitting here while I walked my friend to her car. I thought I better check in and make sure you’re all right.”
Realization sunk in with the familiar voice. Selene. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Of all people she didn’t want to see. Shielding her eyes from the streetlight, she could barely make out Selene’s features. The woman who had passed her in the hallway parked a few cars over and was now leaving. Shit.
“I’m good, thanks.” Tucking her other leg into the car, Francesca wished to be anywhere but here with Selene.
Silence.
“I’m sorry about what happened back in there. I mean, you did all the right things and I took advantage of the power dynamic. That should never have happened. I hope you’ll accept my apology.”
“Nothing ttto apologize for…for…really. It’s all good, I…I…I’m…ffffine. Really.” Shit, she was stuttering again. She could keep it under control her whole life, but for some reason being around Selene made her lose all restraint. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath, let it out slowly and opened them to find Selene kneeling down getting ready to touch her. Jerking away, Francesca cringed at her reaction when she saw Selene’s face. She doubted the woman ever showed any emotion, but the pained, apologetic expression practically sunk Francesca’s heart.
“Sorry. I’m just a little…I mean…I’m…oh fuck I don’t know what I mean.” Francesca offered a pathetic half smile and looked away. Shame was surely written all over her face. She was ashamed for liking what had happened back in the club, ashamed for wanted a replay of the events. But most of all the shame that all Selene would have to do was invite her back in and she was certain she would follow like a puppy dog happily wagging its tail behind her owner. Did she just refer to Selene as her owner? Oh she was in worse shape than she thought. She shook her head.
“Would you like to come back in–”
“No, no I need to go pick up Chinese food for my roommate. She’s waiting at home for me, and I need to go, now.” Francesca mumbled as she fumbled for her keys.
“Oh, a roommate, I didn’t know.” Selene stood and reached for the car door.
Francesca could hear something in her voice that made her alarms go off. She’d misunderstood the roommate comment.
“Oh, she’s not a roommate, roommate. Daphne is just a roommate. I mean, we’ve been roommates since college and she has a boyfriend, but she’s not ready to get married or anything and well I don’t have anyone or anything, I just…” She was rambling again. Hitting her head against the steering wheel she paused, wishing this night would finally end. Or, at least the forces at work could make sure she would die from painful embarrassment, thus ending her torment in front of this beautiful woman.
“I understand, I think. Well, I tried to call you to apologize, so if you check you’re messages and don’t recognize the number that would be me.”
“Oh, that was you earlier. I thought it was Daphne. Sorry. I mean you’re nothing like her or anything like that, but I just thought that it was her, since she’s the only person whoever calls me.” Francesca slapped her hands over her mouth to stop the info dump she was spewing all over Selene. God, she was an idiot. Would this night never end?
“Well, I should let you go. If you…well I mean…I left you a message. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Just curious, how did you get my number?”
“Your application.” Selene looked down at her, then gave her a lopsided grin. “Well you better get going, Daphne wants Chinese food.”
“Oh right, yeah, I…” Francesca pointed to her phone. “Yeah, I better get going. She gets cranky when she hasn’t eaten.”
“I know the feeling,” Selene said in a low sultry tone that made Francesca’s toes curl. “I know the feeling.”
Chapter Twenty-one
AJ slipped in and out of consciousness. She struggled to focus on the shaft of light that slid under the door into her dark cell.
AJ, get up, baby.
“I can’t, Clarissa. I want to, but I can’t.” AJ could barely whisper her answer.
Baby, you need to do something.
“What?”
Your pocket. Remember the pills Doctor Swartz gave you?
Her body was so dehydrated that she couldn’t produce tears as she started to cry. The tin containe
r had spilled out all over the floor, rubbing salt into the wound of her death. Her hand slid across her pants and abs, searching for just one of the pills that could mean the difference between life and death. If she could push herself back on to the floor, maybe she would find at least one. Trying to push to one side, she grabbed at the edge of the bench, trying to pull herself over. Her muscles shook with strain the harder she pulled on the bench. She held on desperately, sliding along the edge, until her grip gave out and she collapsed onto her back.
Get the fuck up, AJ Fight! Fight for us damnit.
AJ clenched her jaw. Her throat was almost closed tight, signaling how close she was to dying. She relaxed her body and with one final heave, she tossed herself on the floor. Hitting so hard she blacked out for a moment, the pain sliced across her skull from the point of impact to her forehead. Hematoma might be a problem if she had any blood in her body. Lucky for her she wasn’t going anywhere soon. The cold cement floor only added to her deathly discomfort. Searching the floor closest to her, she spotted something. Could it be one of her tablets? Stretching forward in desperation, she tried to reach the tiny red capsule. Her fingertips barely touched it enough to push it further away. Fuck.
She gasped for breath, the strain on her body evident as sweat coated her skin, cold and clammy. The beat of her heart barely registered, her breathing became labored, each effort strained beyond its limits. Staring straight ahead she lost focus, the sliver of light that seeped under the door was starting to dim. Her mind wandered to what it would be like to die. Would it hurt? She’s killed so many that taking a life without thought never crossed her mind. What did they think about when she drained them of life? Did they lie there wondering, why them? Perhaps, they thought of moments they lost, loves they’d miss, or the life they’d had. Her life wasn’t flashing before her eyes. In fact, she could scarcely keep a coherent thought, outside of trying to stay alive. She’d heard of people floating above themselves when they were in the throes of death and yet, here she sat on the cold, wet floor of a cell. No floating. Clarissa, she would miss Clarissa. What would Clarissa do without her? De Marcus had made it clear he would take her back, exert his master position over her. Everything she enjoyed would be taken from her and she would be his slave again. Her life would…her life…would end.