“Have you checked the cellphone?” I asked.
Julius pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen with a small shrug. “Nothing. It could be hours before she calls. Or days. Who knows how long it takes a new paras- I mean, vampire to think of anything other than blood?”
I tried to ignore the fact that he’d nearly just referred to Montana as a parasite but the sting of his words drove deep into my chest.
“Then we need to find shelter,” Magnar said, pulling me against him so that I could feel the warmth of his skin and hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. “Is there anywhere that we can go which will be safe from the vampires without taking us too far away?”
Julius pursed his lips as he considered it. “We could head north of the city. Maybe find somewhere along the coast to hole up so that we can use this boat to escape again if necessary. I don’t think many vampires live outside of the city limits so it should be safe enough.”
“Let’s go then. We need to find fresh supplies and get some rest. Who knows what trials we’re going to have to face next?” Magnar replied.
Julius nodded and got to his feet, heading for the wheel. I let Magnar guide me down onto the leather chairs at the back of the craft and he pulled me into his lap as Julius started the boat up.
I curled myself against him, the ache in my chest lessening slightly as he wrapped his strong arms around me and the heat of his body banished a little of the cold from my limbs.
The boat wheeled about in the inky water as Julius turned it north and loosed the throttle.
Icy droplets sprayed around us as the powerful vessel carved a path through the sea and we bounced over the waves as our speed increased.
I closed my eyes, letting my thoughts drift to memories of my sister and I as children. I’d always been the reckless one, getting myself into all kinds of messes through boredom or sheer stupidity. But she’d been right by my side. Getting me out of trouble and fixing the problems I’d created. She’d always been able to solve every issue and I’d relied on her to help me in every way imaginable.
If anyone stood a chance of solving this riddle and ending the vampires’ curse it was her. It had to be. Because I refused to believe it had all been for nothing. I refused to accept that this was our fate: to stand on opposite sides of a war we’d never chosen to take part in. No. We’d never been divided in anything in our entire lives. So the gods had drawn battle lines and set us apart? I didn’t care. I didn’t dance to their tune anymore. Perhaps vampires and slayers had been created to destroy each other but that would never define us. Because we had something so much purer than hate. We had love.
A thousand scents found me in the chasm of darkness I’d fallen into. The fresh scent of grass, the sweetness of fir trees, the crispness of the air. Sounds were near and far away at once. I could pick each of them out, honing in on it until it was all I could hear. The twitter of birdsong, the rumble of a distant engine, the wind shifting branches and rustling leaves.
My tongue was swollen, heavy. At the base of my throat a fresh rawness started to grow. It expanded from a nagging ache to a persistent, screaming burn.
My eyes flew open and a starlit sky stared down at me. The bulbous moon hung above, surveying and impossibly bright. The more I focused, the more the sky lightened and a million pinpricks filled the heavens, more stars than I'd ever seen before.
I'm dead. This is death. And it's not so bad.
Apart from the pain in my throat. That was something else. Was I still teetering on the edge of life, about to die? But if I was, why didn't my body ache from the fall from the statue?
I scraped my tongue against the roof of my mouth and sucked in a breath as I brushed something sharp. My canines were pointed and longer than usual.
No...wait. This isn't right.
The pain in my throat increased and I sat upright with a gasp, suddenly drowning in the need to end this agony.
A garden sprawled out before me ending in a group of trees; on the horizon sat the glittering skyscrapers of New York City.
I knew exactly where I was and yet it wasn't possible. Not unless....
“Erik!” I cried, my voice somehow softer, more musical.
No no no no no.
The sound of a door opening punctured my ear drums. I blinked heavily as I tried to adjust to the swarm of sound around me. If I concentrated, I could dial it down and keep it at bay.
Erik appeared before me, falling to his knees in the grass. He was dressed in sweatpants and a white t-shirt, a stark contrast to the last time I'd seen him. Bloodied and bruised...
My heart squeezed with joy at the sight of him alive. I was in too much of a daze to move toward him, too confounded by this impossible situation. That I was actually, truly sitting here before the man I loved. The man I'd died for...
He held a silver bottle in his hand and the scent that sailed from it filled me with longing.
“Here, don't look, just drink,” he commanded.
My jaw ached and a groan escaped me, filled with so much desperation it was nearly impossible to resist. But I knew in the pit of my soul what was in that bottle and I couldn't – I wouldn't-
Erik cupped my cheek and I stilled in surprise. He didn't feel cold. He felt...not warm, but something in between. Something that didn't send a chill through me but instead made my skin tingle with desire. I took his wrist, turning his hand over and admiring the strangely different feel of our fingers touching. His scent was everywhere, invading my senses and making me weak. I eyed his face, able to see through the darkness of the night as easily as if it were day. I reached for him, brushing my thumb along the strong line of his cheekbone and into the stubble that grazed his jaw.
“Drink,” he insisted, handing me the bottle.
A lump swelled in my throat and I bit down on my lip, instantly drawing blood with my teeth.
Oh shit. I have fangs. And if I accept what that means, I'll scream.
The pain was nothing but a minor throb and in seconds, it departed and the welt on my lip healed over.
I shook my head, panic rising in me and Erik suddenly moved to straddle me, taking hold of the back of my neck.
“What are you doing?” I squeaked, leaning away from him.
He held me firmer, drawing me closer as he lifted the bottle.
My mind stopped working as the stronger scent hit my nostrils. I was reduced to one, primal need. A hungry wolf given a helpless lamb. Erik pressed the bottle to my lips but I battled my way out of the darkness trying to consume me and shoved him hard in the chest. He slammed back into the ground from the force of my attack and I stared at him in disbelief.
My gaze shifted to my outstretched hands in awe.
I’m strong. Like him. Like his kin.
He released a low chuckle as he sat up again and my senses realigned.
“Drink or you'll go mad,” he insisted.
“Then I'll go mad. I can't drink the blood of my own people!” I cried as emotion dug a deep pit in my chest. I reached for my heart and released a sob as it didn't beat, didn't even flutter with life.
I was dead. And yet not remotely in the way I'd imagined.
Panic crept into my gut and threatened to overwhelm me.
Erik rose to his feet with the bottle in his grip. “Rebel, you have to drink.”
I shook my head violently, springing upright, suddenly dizzy at how fast I'd moved. My eyes were trained on Erik as he advanced again and I held out a hand to keep him back.
Hell, he was beautiful. He seemed to glow under my heightened vision. The shadow of his cheekbones, the deep glittering iron of his gaze. He was like a comet tearing through the sky toward the Earth, growing brighter as he approached.
That salivating scent reached me again and I held my throat, willing the forceful need away.
“Please don't make me do this,” I begged, trembling as I eyed the bottle.
Erik frowned deeply, his gaze tinged with concern. “I don’t want to make you do an
ything, but you must drink or you'll go insane with hunger. It is only a matter of time before you cave and frankly it's a miracle you haven't drunk the whole stock in the house already.”
“There's more?” I breathed, my thoughts abandoning me again. I cursed myself for the desperation in my tone.
“As much as you need.” Erik nodded. “It's Realm A. No humans were harmed in the making of this blood,” he teased and I gaped at him, unable to believe he was joking about right now.
He gave me an apologetic look. “Alright maybe that was in poor taste, but you need to drink or it's only going to get worse.”
Tears seared my eyes as I stared at the bottle in his hand. He was waiting for me to take it. Waiting for me to break. But how could I?
When I'd thought about the possibility of becoming a vampire for the sake of the prophecy I had never even considered this. That I'd have to abandon my humanity and do the unthinkable.
It was damn cannibalism. Except it wasn't. Because I wasn't human anymore. I was one of them. The people who'd been my enemies my whole life.
Oh shit shit shit.
I backed up and my bare feet pressed into the soft grass. I glanced down to find I'd been dressed in a black vest and matching sweatpants. I should have been freezing standing out here in the winter air. But the breeze was the same temperature as me. Although, I wasn't quite sure what temperature that was. I wasn't cold, but I wasn't warm either.
I glanced toward the trees at the base of the garden, energy burning through me and urging me toward them.
I'll run. I'll hide. He can't make me do this.
“Rebel,” Erik warned, sensing the decision I was about to make.
I ran, darting through the grass so fast I was sure I would fall. But my legs were sturdy, incredibly strong and able to carry me as far as I wanted to go. I slipped between the trunks and expected darkness to swallow me, but my eyes adjusted and the world brightened so I could see the winding path that led deeper into the woodland.
A rush of air sounded before a weight slammed into me. I toppled, but no pain found me as I hit the ground and Erik pinned me in place, his thighs clamping my legs together. He rolled me over beneath him and tilted his head, surveying me with the kind of hunger which lit a fire in my belly.
The rune on my left palm scorched with the need to be closer to him. My lips parted as I reached up to him, skating my fingers across his skin in admiration. My eyes picked out every straight hair on his jaw, the way his mouth moved and his throat bobbed. “You're so-”
“Blood. Drink. Now.”
“Bossy,” I finished my sentence and the strength of my feral tone took me by surprise.
Erik laughed, seeming so at ease with this entirely world-altering situation. He held the bottle out once more with a roguish grin. “Fine, I propose a deal. You drink this and I'll give you a phone to call your sister.”
“Callie?” I gasped. “She's okay, right?” Shit, this thirst was stealing away my thoughts. I had to know she was safe. That the slayers were too. But then...what if they hated me? What if they couldn’t bear to face what had happened to me? What if my sister could never look me in the eye again without wanting to plunge her blade into my heart?
“Yes, she left with the other slayers. I gave them the speedboat.”
I lurched upward, unable to gain any control over how fast I moved as I wrapped my arms around Erik. “Thank you.” Relief spilled through me like a never-ending fountain of hot water.
He pulled me into the tightest hug I'd ever had and I fell still in his hold, drinking in the moment with all my heart, knowing I had almost lost the chance at ever being this close to him again.
“So?” he asked, pressing me back.
I tentatively took the bottle, shutting my eyes as a wave of disgust mixed with the thirst that clawed at my insides. I pressed it to my lips then pushed it back with every ounce of strength I had left.
I groaned with longing as a ravenous creature hollowed out my stomach. My hand shook as I tried to keep the blood away, but my traitorous arm moved closer and tilted the bottle to my lips.
The moment the first drop touched my tongue, I fell into a frenzy. I poured the bottle up, drinking deeply, intoxicated as the sweet, metallic liquid rolled down my throat. I couldn't stop until it was all gone and my body reacted with an explosion of ecstasy which seeped into my veins. I wanted more. So much more, but Erik held me in place as if he was waiting for something. Slowly, the pain died away entirely and bliss took its place. I bathed in the moment of satisfaction like I was standing in the aftermath of an earthquake.
I placed the bottle down and guilt crept into my gut. Erik slid a hand into my hair, leaning down to place a kiss on my forehead. I lifted my head so his lips met mine instead and he released a feral noise against my mouth.
Love swelled in my heart and the mark of partnership on my palm sung with joy. Everything felt heightened, my mouth tingled from his kiss and I couldn't get enough as I gripped his neck, devouring the feel of his lips against mine.
“Please,” I moaned and I didn't know where my begging came from or what I really wanted. I just needed him closer. In the aftermath of the blood, a primal part of myself had awoken and she was a predator with one target in mind.
“Please what?” Erik chuckled, his fingers skating up my sides and sending a fire burning along my flesh.
I tilted my head back, pulling him toward my neck with a desperate groan.
“Rebel,” he growled against my throat. “We should really talk-”
I clawed his shirt apart, silencing him as I slashed the material to shreds. He cocked an eyebrow at me, lifting his head long enough to take in my yearning expression.
I spotted a bandage over his shoulder and frowned deeply. “You're hurt,” I gasped.
“Your sister drove a slayer blade into me. But she can hardly be blamed. Andvari took control of me...I lost myself for a while. If anything, she saved me.”
My mouth parted as I ran my thumb close to the bandage. “Does it hurt?”
“Nothing will ever hurt like the fear of losing you.” He broke a roguish smile. “Don't worry about it.”
His pupils dilated and his mirth fell away into a look that was utterly animal. He dipped his head again, branding my skin with fierce kisses that set my soul alight. I couldn't think straight. I couldn't gain control of myself as my body starved for something else entirely.
I pushed my hand beneath the torn material of his shirt to feel the hard plain of his muscles. His throat rose and fell as he watched me explore his body and liquid magma burst through my veins.
“I've got one ounce of self control right now. You'd better tell me to use it,” he said with a smirk and I caught him by the neck, yanking him down to kiss me.
His tongue met mine and I nearly died all over again with how good it felt to be this close to him. But I needed so much more.
I clawed at his back and he arched above me, snatching the front of my vest and ripping it off in one clean swipe. I was bare beneath it, but I didn't care. I wanted him to have me like this. I needed it.
His hands pressed into the soft earth as he dropped his mouth to my ear, grazing his teeth across the shell of it. A thousand volts of electricity coursed down my spine in response and I released a shameless moan.
His palm slid between us and I inhaled deeply, my lungs swelling even though they didn't need air. I could taste the trees on the night air, but most of all I could taste him and it sent me spiralling into madness.
He brushed his nose against mine, toying with the edge of my waistband as he sucked on his lower lip. I could see the question he was going to ask building in his gaze. But whatever hesitation I'd felt towards this in the past had thoroughly abandoned me. I loved Erik. Wholly, deeply, profoundly. Nothing could change that. Nothing could unwrite it. We were made for each other. And even though my dad would have hated me for this, I was far beyond following the path he might have chosen for me. I was Erik's kin now. His blood
flowed in my veins. His venom had changed me in more ways than one. But it was the leap I'd taken from the statue that had really changed me. In that moment, I'd proven my love beyond any reasoning. No one would deny me of it. And no one would want to if they knew how fiercely I adored him.
I pressed two fingers to Erik's lips with a slow smile spreading across my face. “I'm yours tonight.”
“What about tomorrow?” he asked beneath my fingers, his tone undoing me.
I brushed my knuckles across his coarse stubble with a grin. “If you behave.”
He snorted a laugh, pushing my hand aside and slamming it into the mud. He didn't need to be gentle with my newly made body. And I didn't want him to be.
He captured my lower lip between his teeth and I gasped as he bit down, a flare of excitement rearing in my chest.
“No deal,” he growled, pushing his hand beneath my waistband and I sucked in a sharp breath.
My back arched as his fingers moved between my thighs and warmth spread right down to my toes from his electric touch. Erik raked his mouth across my throat and I lost myself to his hands, his tongue, even his teeth. Of all the things I'd wanted from Erik, his fangs had been the last on that list. But as his canines grazed my skin, I came apart from the sensations pouring through me.
Erik released a low noise against my lips and I knew he was as desperate as I was for this to go further. I dug my fingers into his hips and he pressed his weight down on me, forcing me deeper into the earth. His fingers stopped their sweet torment, but seconds later, he tore my sweatpants to shreds. I hooked my thumbs beneath his waistband, pushing his pants down and he didn’t hesitate to claim me fully.
I cried out, scraping my fingers through his hair as I drew him down onto me, our skin velvet on velvet. I could hardly withstand the powerful feelings he caused in me, clawing and scratching, marking his body with my desire.
His hands scored through the earth beside my head, gouging great craters in the mud. We were filthy, desperate and without dignity. But I didn't care about anything but his weight on me and the way our souls seemed to inch closer, screaming to be joined as one.
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