My phone buzzed again for a quick reply, “Would it be shocking if I did? I’m offended…”
“I was joking baby. I loved your Alfredo that you made<3” I wrote back getting hungry at the thought.
“Haha, The only thing I can make. I got to go. Meeting…. I’ll see you tonight.”
I frowned sad that the conversation was over, “See you <3 xoxo”
I smiled at the thought of a date with James. Yeah we practically live together and see each other every night but we’ve both been so busy that I miss just being with him.
I heard a knock on my door as Sunny stuck her head into the office, “Hot guy here for you. I asked if he was your fiancé and he said no.”
“Hot guy that’s not my fiancé? Not possible.”
“You’re not a player, are you boss?”
I laughed, “Who is it?”
“David something?”
What is he doing here? “Let him in.”
David came in with a brown bag and I could smell food. I noticed David watch Sunny as she fluttered her eyelashes at him and go out of my office.
He brought his attention to me and lifted the bag, “Brought you lunch…figured you’d be hungry.” He said as if he didn’t care. David’s been talking to me a lot more lately, but won’t admit that we’re friends now.
“I um… got you a salad ‘cause you’re a girl and girls care about salads and stuff…” he mumbled.
I held back my laugh and tried to look offended, “Are you calling me fat?”
He looked surprised, “What? No! I think you’re good--- I mean… not that I’m looking or anything…” he looked like he was truly struggling and I was trying so hard not to laugh. “We can trade? I got myself a sandwich…”
I laughed, “No I’m good. I love salads.”
James was surprised that David was reaching out to me. I asked him about what Jenny was talking about and he told me his ex-girlfriend of five years turned him down after he told her about the curse. She called him a monster and run off leaving him broken hearted. He didn’t trust any women, besides his family.
We munched on our lunch together and chatted a bit. “Did James get you those roses? Did he buy out a florist or something?”
I laughed, “I know right? Yeah… we have a date tonight. Apparently he’s cooking so…”
David cringed, “Eat a burger before you go on the date or something.” He smiled. He actually smiled! His smile was so sweet too. I hoped that he could find a new girl to fill his heart. He deserved it.
“He’s not such a bad cook.” I said taking a bite of chicken that was in my salad.
“You really are in love.” He smirked, “So you two going to do a wedding or…no?”
“James won’t even see my parents anymore since the whole permanent curse thing. I don’t even think a wedding is going to happen at this rate…” I answered truthfully.
He looked at me surprised, “I’m truly shocked that you’re okay with him being like this. I mean… it’s hard enough for me finding a girl that’s okay with me being a monster sometimes and he’s like that all the time…”
“First of all; you two are not monsters. And second; you’ll find her.” I smiled as Sunny opened the door again to peek inside.
She stared at David and fluttered her lashes again before she brought her attention to me, “Mr. Smith is on line 1.”
“Okay thank you Sunny.” I smiled knowing she could have just told me on intercom. She smiled at me and looked back at David. David kept his attention to me and his sandwich completely avoiding Sunny.
Once the door closed and I finished my call with Mr. Smith, David looked back at door, “So…this Sunny girl…” he started, “What’s her story?”
I smiled, “She’s my intern-assistant. Goes to the University.”
“Oh…” he nodded as if he didn’t care.
“So you want me to introduce you to her?” I asked.
He looked at me surprised, “Nah… I give up on that.” He shrugged, “But um… you were saying. About the wedding?”
He’s totally changing the subject but I decided to let him get away with it. It wasn’t any of my business, “Yeah… could you help me convince James to have one and be okay with it. I want to officially marry him already but he’s hesitating on the wedding because of having to see people.”
“He goes to meetings and stuff for work though…” David pointed out.
“He doesn’t talk. He says he acts as the mean boss that stays quiet now.”
“I’ll try to talk to him.” David assured me.
***
I glanced outside as I shut down my computer and sighed. It’s half past five and it was already dark thanks to November.
“Boss lady? I’m going to head out now is that okay?” Sunny asked.
“Of course I was going to get going in a bit too. Drive safely.” I smiled.
She hesitated, “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” I waited knowing it’s most likely about David.
“That guy…David? How do you know him?” she asked nervously.
“Fiancé’s cousin.” I explained and noticed she calmed a little from my reply.
“Does he…have a girlfriend?” she asked again as her entire face turned red.
I smiled, “No he doesn’t.”
She looked up and smiled, “You think he’ll come back?”
“It’s possible.”
“Could you maybe… mention me or something?”
“Of course. I’ll get him to come visit more often too.” I winked.
She smiled big, “Thank you!”
After saying goodbye she skipped out of the office happily. I glanced at the clock and it was almost six. I was going to be late to Tiff’s. She wouldn’t mind but I’m on a schedule since I had a date with James that night too.
I quickly threw on my jacket and grabbed my purse and a single rose from the bouquet to have with me.
As I stepped out of the office I glanced around the dark and quiet parking lot. It was a chilly night. I wished I had worn a thicker jacket but California weather is impossible to predict.
I tucked the rose inside my jacket and hugged my purse as I walked towards my car. I was happy James finally let me go to work on my own but I was suddenly getting a bad feeling.
Like I was being watched.
I glanced behind me and saw nothing. I must just be paranoid again. But just in case I took out my phone to call James. His voice always made me feel safe.
But before I could dial it. I heard a footstep close behind me. Just as I wanted to turn around a hand came around me with a cloth to cover my mouth. Whoever it was pulled me against him making me drop my purse and phone. The cloth smelled horrible. It was strong and I felt my body get weak. I lost all my strength and everything… turned black.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
My shoulders ached. I woke up in the stupid warehouse or factory or whatever it once was but now abandoned place.
The man had tied my arms behind my back and my legs together. I was sitting on the concrete floor against a cold wall with water dripping somewhere. The dripping sound is getting annoying but I didn’t care about anything. I just wanted to go home to James.
It was so cold.
I’m scared… I wanted to see James. Was this morning the last time I would see him? Was our last conversation in person, “Good morning, I’ll see you after work.” I told him I loved him in person this morning right? I couldn’t remember.
I cringed as I heard a painful yell from a distance and a door slam.
Soon after a door from a distance opened showing some light into the big concrete room. Windows were boarded up so I didn’t have a good look at it before. Now that I saw it better … I knew for sure it was the same building Collin took me to. Was it Collin who brought me here? I felt that it was a man when I saw a glimpse of the hand, but I didn’t see a face. I blacked out before I could.
I saw the silhouette step t
owards me and judging by the figure it wasn’t Collin. He has a different built. The man had a chair in his hand as he walked towards me. Is he going to hit me with it?
He was in front of me sooner than I would care for him to be and was staring at me with a look of disgust. He had messy hair, an unshaven face, a ripped up t-shirt and dirty jeans. He twisted the chair and sat in front of me.
He smiled, “Hello Karina.”
“Who are you?” I asked.
“How rude of me, my name is Tamas Kasparov.”
Kasparov… Kasparov…
“Yes Andrea Kasparov is my grandmother.” He smiled, “Heard you were looking for her. She passed away unfortunately. Old age. But some of my cousins said you were looking for her.” he studied my face, “I knew of you and your vampire boyfriend before that though.”
“He’s not a vampire.” I mumbled.
He laughed, “You’re right. The sharp teeth and blood cravings are totally normal for a human.” He said sarcastically, “He’s a monster… a vampire to be specific. If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, it probably is a duck.” He shrugged as I glared at him.
I decided not to talk. No point in being pissed off before I die.
“You’re really pretty.” He said leaning forward and lifting my chin up, “Too bad your contaminated by a filthy blood sucking vampire.” He said as he backhanded my face. I was too shocked to feel pain. I glared at him.
“There are so much of them too.” he said staring at the ceiling, “There are…well there was…even children vampires. Vampire celebrities…Vampire millionaires... Vampire gypsies… they even contaminated my people.” He laughed, “Not anymore. Anything to make it that filthy humans like you don’t fall in love with one of them and have their vampire babies.”
I heard the yell again, “Who is that?”
He laughed again, “The other idiot vampire you associate yourself with. Collin is his name right? I’m surprised you’re okay with James after that idiot upstairs bit you. That’s when I knew for sure those two were monsters. I followed Collin to this very building and made it just in time as your lover and the other fought. I saw the bleeding from your neck and knew for sure what happened. What about the other one?”
David…
“Where is he?” he asked.
I remained quiet.
His laugh changed to an expression of anger and he back handed me again. “Answer me when I fucking talk to you!”
“He’s not one of them.”
“Bull shit I saw him run you out of here like a fucking cheetah.” He stood up and kicked my left shoulder so I would fall on the floor. My body hurt so badly.
“Your lover vampire should be joining us anytime now. I left an ‘accidental’ address under your purse.”
This is a trap for him?! James please do not come…
“Hopefully he brings the other one with him so I won’t have to look for him after I’m done killing you three.” He said as he started walking away.
“Did Andrea really die of old age?” I asked making him stop.
“She was old when I killed her. That’s what she gets for helping your demon friends. I’ll see you later sexy.” He said as he opened the door and disappeared outside the building again.
***
I laid on the cold floor staring at the direction of the door.
Please don’t come James…
I missed him. And if I were to die tonight I want to see his face… but if he comes…
I heard Collin yell again. What was he doing to him? Maybe I can try to open this stupid tie and go up to him. He sounded like he was in such agony.
I struggled with the knot behind me but felt it getting tighter. I stopped struggling once I heard the door crack open slowly. The light slowly enlightened the room as it opened.
I saw a familiar silhouette. Heat prickled into my body and I knew it was James.
“James, no go away, it’s a trap!” I whispered knowing he would hear me. But he ignored and dashed towards me.
“Baby!” he said and got on his knees in front of me. He sat me up straight and cupped my face. He kissed me and studied me, “Where are you hurt? I smell blood …” he said as he started undoing the knot on my ankles and my arms.
As soon as my arms were free I wrapped them around him and started crying, “We have to get out of here it’s a trap…”
He lifted me and was about to run towards the door but I squeezed him to stop. Collin yelled again. I’m sure he hears it better than I can.
“Is that Collin?”
“Yeah… the wannabe slayer guy has caught him too…”
“I’m not a wannabe.” He said from behind the door. James heard his voice and growled, “Don’t even try opening the door it’s locked now.”
James ignored it and proceeded trying to open the heavy door. “It is locked…” He tried to pull it open using his strength but it wasn’t working.
“There’s no way out. Windows are bolted shut and are too high for you to jump anyways. Even for you vampire demon. See the plan is: I’m going to leave you two here to starve. Judging from what I have learned about vampires, should be only a few hours for James. Once he’s hungry he’ll eat you and get rid of you,” he said referring to me, “and soon after that James will be hungry again if he hasn’t killed himself from what he’s done and I’ll get rid of him too.”
James continued to growl. Tamas mumbled something I couldn’t hear making James even more angry.
“James…” I said and his expression quickly softened as he looked down at me. I rested my head on his chest just happy that I could see him one last time, as selfish as it was.
“I’d never hurt you…” he mumbled and kissed the top of my head.
“I know…” I said taking in the scent of his cologne, “Put me down…you’re going to need your strength.”
He glanced around and dashed us to the wall again. He sat with me on the floor and took me in his embrace. “I’m not letting you go again…” he mumbled.
We’re probably going to die here anyways… I thought.
“I’ll save us…somehow.” He mumbled studying the room and cringing every time we heard Collin scream.
“Is he being tortured?” I asked.
“Yeah… but not how you’re thinking. He’s having hunger pains. Hunger pains are way worse for us. For normal people hunger pains to this extreme don’t happen till at least a day of starving. For us…its five hours or so and only gets worse.” He said in thought, “Thankfully you aren’t around him. He wouldn’t be able to resist…”
“I thought he was the one that did this at first…” I admitted.
“I knew it couldn’t be him. Especially after what he did for us…”
“What did he do?” I asked curiously.
“He…went to Lana for help. He asked if he could somehow give up his freedom of one day being normal and being a monster permanently if it somehow made me change back to normal. She tricked him…and made him a monster permanently.” He explained.
“Oh my…” I said still hearing him yell. How did Jennifer not love him for real, “Tamas killed Andrea…”
“I figured… apparently Tamas and Lana are the only ones that still think this curse is a curse. The rest started helping us, especially Andrea. Once they heard of her murder they were too scared to help so they started acting like they know nothing.”
“Oh…” I said sadly thinking of all the lives we put in danger from meeting with them. Collin yelled again, the most painful sounding yell I had ever heard.
“He’ll pass out soon…” he said trying to comfort me. “This will be good for him and you. If he’s passed out…less of a chance he’d attack you. And he won’t be in pain.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Hours passed and I sensed him start to let go of me slowly. Before I realized it… He was at a good distance away from me. Far enough for my safety and close enough, for my safety yet again.
“James?” I asked
as he cringed. He’s in pain…I can feel it.
“Yeah?” he struggled.
“When did you eat last?”
“Around two…” he said, “I took bites of the food for taste when I was cooking around seven…”
“James…”
“I won’t hurt you…” he said reassuringly and accidently let out a painful groan.
“I know you won’t…” I said as I saw him cringe again. He’s hiding the pain from me. If Collin is…was… yelling like that before it must be way worse than what he’s acting out.
“James, maybe you could….you know…”
James glared at me, “I’m not going to bite you.”
“You’re in pain James…” I said getting closer to him.
“Please don’t get closer baby… I can’t do it.” He said struggling.
“You’re being stubborn…”I mumbled.
“And you’re being crazy… I’m not going to put you at risk.” He said then cringed not being able to hold back another yell.
I felt myself start to cry at the sight of seeing him in pain and I couldn’t do anything. I got closer to him and tried to sooth his pain the best I could.
He yelled again and held me tightly his fingers digging into my waist. He buried his face in my neck and I felt his lips on my skin before he pushed me back and pushed himself away from me. “I told you not to get closer.” He growled.
“You’re in pain James!” I yelled and was angry at myself for crying.
His expression softened, “I’m sorry…” he said, “I just…I can’t hurt you.”
He was soon next to me and he held me against his chest. His breath was staggered and a low growl was in his chest that he couldn’t control, “As soon as that bastard opens the door… he’ll regret even thinking about hurting you.” He mumbled.
A while later, maybe an hour or so later, I felt James’s grip on me loosen. I looked up and saw that he his head was bobbing back and forth. He was in and out of consciousness. He was losing it.
“James?”
“Mmmm…?” he mumbled.
“James…baby are you okay?” I said looking at his face. He struggled to open his eyes to look at me. I opened one of his eyes to check on him and he was still conscious. His eyes are redder than I’ve ever seen them as well as bloodshot. He’s starving.
In My Veins Page 23