by M. J. O'Shea
I was turning to smile at him when I saw the flash of pale-blond hair out of the corner of my eye. At first I thought it was Noah, but the man was much bigger and was wearing a black leather jacket instead of a hooded sweatshirt.
“Zack!” I whispered, poking him in the side.
He looked up and froze. He pulled me behind him just as the vampire noticed us standing in the shadows.
“You shouldn’t be here. This has nothing to do with you.” The vampire’s voice was low and menacing. I backed even farther behind Zack, knowing that if he came after us, there wasn’t a whole lot I could do.
“Enough with the drama. What’s the deal with all the dead humans? Have you and whoever else is doing this lost your minds?” Zack growled.
The vampire walked closer, his hair glowing in the moonlight, sinister and pale. He ignored Zack’s question and sniffed the air, as if he were trying to figure us out.
“Ah, you’re a young one, aren’t you? Still have the scent of fresh blood about you—fresh blood and sex.” He laughed. “I love the smell of a satisfied little vampire.”
Zack went to lunge, but I held his arm. He was far stronger than me and could have easily wrenched free but must have realized that I was right. There was no point starting a fight when we needed answers.
“I asked you a question, asshole.”
The vampire laughed. “This? This is just a warning, and not for you. Stay out of it, little boy. And stay away from the puppy.” He gestured at me. “Friends like him will only get you killed.”
Puppy?
PC, get back here!
Zack opened his mouth to speak, but the vampire heard Noah and PC’s footsteps coming around the corner and bolted before any of us could even react. Zack took off running in the same direction as the vampire. I waited, feeling useless, until PC and Noah returned. Noah charged after Zack while PC stood by me, fur up, ready to shred anyone who came near me to pieces.
Finally, Zack and Noah returned, looking irritated and only slightly winded.
“The bastard disappeared,” Zack grumbled.
Noah reached for his hand. “Babe, that vamp was probably hundreds of years old. He can do things that we haven’t even dreamed of yet.”
“Still doesn’t mean I liked his ass getting away. He called me little!”
“Well, he called me a puppy. That’s gotta be worse.”
Noah looked at me sharply. “Why would he call you that?”
“Probably smelled PC on me. Could he have possibly thought I was an actual lycan?”
“Maybe. The smell is a lycan’s only distinguishing characteristic in human form,” Noah told me. “Hey, listen. We’d better get back. Did the vampire say anything else?”
“Only that this had nothing to do with us and we should mind our own business,” Zack answered.
“And that being friends with a lycan was dangerous,” I added quietly.
PC’s fur bristled under my fingers.
“Damn” was Noah’s tersely worded response. “How exactly did he word it?”
“Babe, Miles is exhausted and there’s nothing we can do about any of this standing on the street corner. Let’s get him home and then you and I can examine the entire conversation until my ears bleed, okay?”
Noah nodded and squeezed Zack’s hand.
“Okay, let’s go home.”
We all met back at Zack and Noah’s apartment for a short debriefing of the night’s events. Everyone else was as mystified by the conversation as we’d been, but they decided to look into it as best as they could. There probably wasn’t much to look into since cryptic messages didn’t often have concrete evidence to back them up. The others planned to stay and talk it over for a while longer, but I was so tired I was nearly delirious. The adrenaline had worn off, and all I wanted to do was sleep. PC took one look at my face and stood.
“Night, guys, we’re going to go. Please let me know what the next step is, okay?”
Noah nodded and stood to walk us to the door.
“You okay, Miles?” he asked quietly when we were in the hallway, turning to leave.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired. Thanks, though.”
“Of course. Just making sure.” He smiled. “Talk to you guys tomorrow.”
“Night, dude,” PC answered.
It took more energy than I thought I had to get into a cab and ride the short distance to my apartment. Crawling up the stairs was even less fun on legs that were tired and feet that felt like cement blocks. When we were finally through the door, I shucked my jacket, relieved, and dropped down onto my couch.
“C’mon, baby. Let’s go to bed. You don’t want to fall asleep on the couch.” PC’s voice was gentle, and he held out his hand to haul me up.
I stripped my clothes off silently, barely able to keep my eyes open, until I was standing shivering in my boxers. Usually, I’d have put my clothes in my laundry bin, or away, but I was so tired that I left them on the floor where they landed. I didn’t bother with pajamas either, since PC always managed to worm them off in a matter of minutes anyway. It felt amazing to crawl between my cool sheets and get off my feet. It felt even better to have PC wrap his body around me and kiss the back of my neck.
“I liked it when you called me ‘babe’ back there,” he whispered.
“I like it, too, when you do. I mean, I didn’t at first, but now, since we’re together―”
“Mmmm… together. S’nice.” His voice was mumbly and sleepy. I smiled into the darkness.
“Night, babe,” I whispered, trying it out.
“Sounds even better out loud. Goodnight, baby.” He kissed my neck again, and the groove between my shoulder blades.
I love you.
I was glad he couldn’t hear my thoughts. I wasn’t sure if PC would ever be ready for those three words, but they were becoming truer every day.
Chapter 12: Vampire
WE WERE finally in the place where I’d longed to be for weeks and weeks. Naked and sweaty and so agonizingly close; hovering on the edge of bliss but still not quite there. It was insanely frustrating and it made me want to scream and―I groaned. I couldn’t even think when he sucked love bites into the flesh of my upper thighs.
I nearly did scream when his tongue delved into me. He’d been teasing me with his fingertips; always circling, pushing gently, massaging, but I wanted him inside, damn it! And then he was. Licking and pressing with the gentle wet pressure of his tongue, and I thought I might just rocket off the bed and out the window.
“It feels…. I want…. God, don’t stop doing that ever!” I didn’t have the brainpower to care if I made sense. He knew what I meant.
“You want more, baby?” He licked the sensitive skin again before pushing his tongue inside.
“Yes. No. I just―” I broke off with a scream as his fingers delved deep and rubbed up against that perfect place again and again and again. I was unraveling.
PC licked his way up my spine, breathing on the wet trail and making me shiver, all the while fucking me relentlessly with his fingers, giving me everything I needed, but not what I wanted so desperately.
I cried out and arched my back….
“Miles? Wake up!”
PC’s concerned voice drifted through my bliss and I noticed that his hands had somehow moved to my shoulders, where he was shaking me gently.
“Huh?” I lifted my face from where it had gotten stuck by drool to the page of one of my textbooks. Oh God, embarrassing. When did I fall asleep?
My heart was still pounding, sending waves of lust pounding through me. Was that what it would be like with him? I tried to act nonchalant, let my raging pulse and overheated skin calm themselves down.
“You passed out a little bit ago, maybe a half an hour or so. You looked so exhausted that I let you sleep, but then you started moaning. I thought you might be having a nightmare. What were you dreaming about?”
My face heated to bonfire level in less than a second. “Nothing,” I mumbled but wa
s thankfully saved from explanation by the chiming ring of PC’s cell phone.
He rooted around the rumpled bedcovers until he found it, hiding beneath one of my open textbooks.
“Hey, Mom, any news?” PC asked without preamble. His eyes widened. “Tonight? Yeah, of course. I’ll be there in an hour.”
He flipped his phone shut and flopped onto the bed and me, kissing my face and my neck. My heart started thundering in my chest. It was impossible not to think of that insane dream.
“What’s tonight?” I asked. I wasn’t sure what I wanted the answer to be.
“Oh, don’t freak out. It’s my last evaluation meeting. I guess they decided tonight was a good night for it. The elders want to be sure that I’m serious about mating with you before they approve the change. It’s just a formality, even more of one than usual in our case.”
“So after tonight, when do I get… changed?”
“Any time. Tomorrow, if we want.”
Any chance I had of keeping my heart calm disappeared with that one short answer: Tomorrow? “Do I need to come with you?
PC shook his head. “I wish you were going to be there. I hate talking to the elders. But no, it’s only for the current lycan. My mother can’t even be a part of it. They want complete honesty, and it would be hard if other interested parties were there.”
“So I’ll go to work and then you call me when the meeting is over?”
“Yeah. Sounds about right. I’m glad we can finally get this show on the road.”
“You are?” Even though I knew he wanted more physically, just like I did, I was surprised he was so ready to jump into the commitment part.
He smiled at me and brushed my hair off my face. “I am. We’re together all the time anyway. I guess I just think it’ll be better if it’s official, you know. And maybe our bodies can calm down too. Stop freaking out if we’re more than five inches apart.”
“I like your body close to mine,” I teased softly and pulled him up against me.
He shoved my books aside and held the covers up so we could both slip under before pulling them back up over both of us. “I like it too. Feels nice. Mmmm, we can do this for a few minutes but then I really have to go, okay?”
Forty-five minutes later he was racing out the door.
THE NEW pile of books I was busily shelving was almost down to nothing. I’d been working constantly, trying to distract myself from how uncomfortable I still was without PC next to me. Being at the bookstore was way better than being in class, where I had to sit still when all I wanted to do was squirm, but I could still feel him, way on the other side of town. My body still leaned that way when I wasn’t actively concentrating on not wanting to be with him. I told myself over and over that it wasn’t a big deal and he’d be back soon. Still sucked.
I was in the middle of one of my intense “I can be alone, it’s fine” self-talks when I got a bit of a surprise.
Hi….
I looked up to see if he’d somehow managed to slip in the door without me noticing. I was the only one in the store.
PC?
Yep.
How are you doing this? Aren’t you still way across town?
Yeah, and I didn’t even shift. The elders were helping me with my technique. They said eventually we’ll be able to do this across oceans.
If we’re ever that far from each other. Aren’t you almost done?
Yeah, but my mom wants to talk to me. I’ll be a bit longer probably. I miss you.
I miss you too. Tell your mom you’ll talk tomorrow.
Can’t, baby. It’s important. About changing you. I want everything to go well.
I could feel the smile in his voice. I had no idea how that was possible, but I figured it was best just to take it in stride
I…. Oh, my mom’s here. I’ll see you soon, okay?
Okay. Hurry.
I wished his mother hadn’t shown up when she did. The way he said that one “I” made me think he was trying to tell me something. My heart picked up, but then I told myself not to be stupid. I figured I could add that to my little silent lecture. You’re fine on your own; he’ll be back soon. Don’t be stupid.
I was ringing up what had been one of my only customers on a boring, lonely night when the overhead bell jingled on the shop door. PC hadn’t called me yet, but I assumed he was out of the meeting with his mother and on his way back to the shop. I looked up, ready to tell whoever was walking in the door that I was closing, but was surprised to see Zack and Noah.
After I’d handed the customer her receipt and watched her walk out, I smiled at them, a little bewildered.
“Are you ready to lock up?” Zack asked.
“Uh, sure. But what are you two doing here? I thought PC was going to come after he talked with his mom.”
“He was, but she was taking forever and he’s already close to the theater. He said he’d meet us there and sent us to fetch you.” Zack smiled. “I don’t think he can stand the idea of you walking alone after the other night. It’s kind of cute how protective he gets over you.” He made a gagging noise.
“Shut up.” I smiled wryly. “I don’t need bodyguards, you know.”
“You don’t want to walk with us? Aren’t we your friends?” Noah teased.
I couldn’t even begin to say how good it felt to hear him say that, even if it was only in jest. “Of course you are. Give me a minute to clean up, then I’ll be ready.”
I shuffled around the store, putting books away and tidying the magazines on the tables so Ralph didn’t walk in on a mess in the morning. Then I closed my till and collected my coat.
“I can’t believe we’re going to see a vampire movie,” I groaned. “Don’t they drive you guys nuts?”
“I think they’re funny! Plus, Zack has the hots for the lead guy,” Noah faked a swoon before he leaned forward to open the shop’s door.
Zack looked outraged. “No I don’t, that’s you! Don’t you dare try to pin your ridiculous crushes on me.”
“What, so you think the girl’s hot? Figures, with your taste in blood….” Noah rolled his eyes and Zack swatted him on the shoulder.
I laughed at their good-natured arguing and ducked under Noah’s arm onto the shadowy sidewalk. Noah took a breath in. His head jerked up and he reached out his hand to stop me, but it was too late. The second I stepped past him, I felt a sharp stinging pain in the back of my neck.
“What the―” I went to reach up, slap away the bug or whatever was doing it, but instead felt the head of a man.
In moments the sharp sting turned into a burn rocketing through my bloodstream, fiery and painful. I tried to get away, to run or fight, but I was frozen. I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t do a single thing.
Everything seemed to be moving really strangely, fast then slow, then fast again―like someone had dropped me into one of those martial arts movies and I was floating in the air. The pain shooting from my neck, burning my insides, made me want to scream. But I couldn’t.
I could see Zack and Noah pulling the vampire off me and Noah chasing him down the street, but I could barely focus on what they were doing. My vision blurred at the edges, white with pain. I was acutely aware of my heart thrumming and pumping the burning heat of my blood through my body, spreading the agony until I couldn’t stand it any longer.
What’s happening to me?
Before the question could be answered, I blacked out.
WHEN I woke up, I felt… weird. My brain skittered around trying to think of another word for the way my skin and mouth and everything else felt, but weird was the only thing that could describe it. The air was oddly tangible and I could hear things, faraway things, like men arguing at the newsstand outside and Zack and Noah whispering in the next room.
“Have you told PC?” That was Zack’s voice. Clear as if they were right next to me.
“Yeah, but he already knew. Said something about a phone message. He’s on his way. I think he’d fly if he could. Poor guy is having a hear
t attack.”
“Should we check on Miles?”
“I think he’s still out. I’ll go back in a minute. God, what a mess.”
That last one got my attention. Mess? What happened?
I was in a room I’d never seen. As my head cleared and became less woozy, I started to remember, little painful flashes before the blackness. It took me a minute to begin put the pieces together. I stood to go find Zack and Noah. I had to talk to them.
The stinging bite… vampire fangs; the pain that burned through my system… vampire venom. I remembered them saying it was the venom that makes the change happen.
Oh no no no.
It couldn’t be happening…. I wasn’t…. I couldn’t be….
No no no! What a mess, what a mess, what a fucking, fucking mess! It didn’t take but a second for reality to strike. There was no way to fix it. I was stuck. I was a vampire. I squeezed my eyes shut.
PC!
I cried out for him in my mind, needing the touch of his consciousness, the reassurance that things would be okay.
Nothing.
Not even the subtle pulse of my body aligning itself toward him like it always did. It was that moment I realized I couldn’t feel him anymore. The vampire’s insidious venom had done what no lycan could or would ever do.
It was broken. PC was gone.
The scream came out of me, wild and from a place I never knew existed. One primal word that echoed in the emptiness I felt inside of me.
“No!”
And all on my own, with no help from burning, hateful venom, I crumpled to the floor and passed out.
Chapter 13: Broken
WHEN I came to, I was back on Zack’s bed with a pair of warm strong arms around me.
PC?
No, it wasn’t him. Wrong smell―pleasant and strangely delicious, but still wrong. Where was PC? I needed him.
“Miles, oh thank God you’re awake. You scared the hell out of me.” Zack brushed my hair off my forehead. His touch felt nice, tingly and electric. I decided that if I concentrated on Zack’s fingers brushing across my skin, gentle like my mother’s used to be when I was sick, then I wouldn’t panic. If I thought about how strangely fantastic he smelled, then I might be okay. No matter what, I couldn’t think about….