by Elena Lawson
I was at war with myself, too.
My morals and conscious appalled what I was doing. After so many years spend living in a certain way, the adjustment was going to be difficult. But it was a necessary change if I was going to be able to keep my guys with me this time.
If I rejected them—and their proposal—I had no doubt they would leave me be. If I asked them to go, I knew they would. Though after a few nights spent on the road with Frost and a few more days spent in his bed, with him awakening the parts of me I thought were long dead—I realized leaving them behind was the last thing I wanted.
No matter how wrong a part of me still liked to think all of this was—I couldn’t deny there was a rightness there, too.
“You’re going to chip a tooth doing that,” Frost said, and I loosened my grip on the steering wheel, wincing as I leaned back, my muscles tense and sore. I took my foot off the gas for a moment, stretching out my leg—my thigh burning from overuse. I hadn’t ever driven as much as I had in the past few weeks.
I’d have a limp by the time we reached Atlanta.
“What?” I asked, confused and coming back to the present.
“That grinding. You’ve always done that when you’re thinking about something real hard.”
I made a non-committal sound and shrugged, turning my attention back to the road.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” I said, maybe a little too quickly. Snapping.
“Okay,” he said, elongating the word into several syllables.
It wasn’t just the inner turmoil over what was happening between me and Frost that was bothering me. I wondered at how safe they would be if there were actually vampires out there right now—trying to find me. To kill me.
And I worried what Ethan and Blake would think when they saw me.
With my scar and my stakes. Battle hardened and weathered. I wasn’t the same as I was.
Sure, Frost had accepted the new me quickly, but that was because, if anything, we were even more alike than we ever were. Bad boy Camden Frost and huntress Rose Ward. We just fit.
But would sweet, smart, and witty Ethan feel the same? Would Blake? He’d always liked my softer parts. Drawn to the girls in class who were quiet and pretty rather than sassy and loud. He respected me—that much I knew. And I was sure he still would. But could Ethan ever feel for me the way Frost did?
I hadn’t even seen him yet and I already knew that I wanted him to want me that way. I wanted them all to want me that way. I wanted to be like we once were—inseparable friends. Except now that we’d grown—were no longer teenagers—I wanted more.
Would they give it to me?
“Don’t worry about it,” Frost said, reeling me back to the present again.
“Hmm?”
“You have nothing to worry about. They’re going to be even happier to see you than you are to see them.” Frost rubbed his hands together, a cheeky grin pinning up one corner of his mouth. “I can’t wait to see their faces.”
I hoped he was right.
We drove on in the moonlight, along a road that grew busier nearer towns and were all but abandoned everywhere else. As though people were afraid to be out in the dark during the witching hours. I pulled up to a gas station about an hour outside of Atlanta—still a few hours until dawn.
Though Frost was now well-fed, and I’d eaten back in St. Louis, I wanted to keep my strength up. I didn’t like how weak I’d been when that vampire attacked in my old front yard. Or how weak I’d been after all the adrenaline finally wore off a couple days ago after Frost…
I shivered, the thought igniting a need that slinked down my spine and curled deep in my belly like a sleeping dragon goddess stretching from a long slumber. I couldn’t believe I was admitting it—but I wanted him to bite me again. And, honestly? I was a bit ticked off that he wouldn’t.
The gas station was a 24hr joint, but by the look of the place as well pulled up to one of the pumps, we were the only people here. Inside the fluorescent light lit store within the main building, it didn’t even look like there was someone behind the counter.
Annoyingly, though, there were cameras peering down at us from above the pumps—if I left without paying for Bett’s fuel, we could have another incident like the one with the cop from a few nights ago.
“I’ll gas up,” I told Frost. “You go pay.”
I’d paid for the last two fuel-ups. The money I’d gotten from the dead vamp in the dumpster was all but gone already. I’d have to get back to work soon, or I’d need to start dipping into my inheritance and I was trying my best to save that. I didn’t like spending it.
Having a nice cushion for emergencies made me feel better.
“Oh, and get snacks. And water.”
Frost raised a brow at me, but said nothing, slowly pulling on his jacket while I filled up the truck. He stepped out and closed the door behind himself, using both hands to push the white-blond hair from his face and back into place. I marveled at his glutes from the rear, biting my bottom lip as he made his way into the building. Nearly spilling gasoline all over my boots.
“Fuck,” I cursed, stepping away from the rapidly growing pool of oily liquid around my feet, figuring that was enough gas anyway. I shoved the nozzle back in shook my head to clear it, noticing a plaza on the other side of the road.
The windows of all the shops were dark—they’d long since closed for the night. But smack dab in the middle was a flower shop. I grinned. Perfect. I’d wanted to stop in Kansas City to replenish my stock, but we hadn’t had enough time. Leaning into the cab, I checked the clock. We had loads of time—and Atlanta was only an hour away.
The three roses I had left in my duffle were falling apart from all the jostling of the truck and wilting from too many days spent not being in the water-filled-vase I always brought with me into motels and the other places I stayed. That wouldn’t do. Couldn’t have my prey thinking the Black Rose was getting lazy, could we?
I glanced back to find Frost combing the aisles in the store. I still didn’t see the shop-keep, but Frost had a reusable black tote in his hand from a rack I saw near the counter and was dutifully filling it with snacks and bottles from the fridges. Good boy.
If I was fast, I’d be back before he was able to pay. I tugged off my thin sweater and pulled down the material of my skirt, wondering if I should grab my stakes from the back. I hadn’t worn them in a couple days. They’d become something of a pain to keep removing and putting back on and were uncomfortable to sit with between my thighs for long periods.
I’d have bruises there if I hadn’t taken them off by now.
Checking to make sure there were no other cars approaching, I darted across the street and ambled up to the window of the shop. For a small store in the butt-fuck nowhere, it looked to be well stocked and I saw a good number of roses in a small glass temperature-controlled room near the back.
I didn’t want to break in—this place was likely someone’s livelihood and I wouldn’t do that to a human family. But lucky for me most flower shops had a huge amount of floral waste. Stems sometimes broke, or the flowers were just a little too bloomed. People generally wanted the kind that were still just starting to bud so they could be admired longer.
I was no exception—but I wouldn’t be picky. There weren’t all that many flower shops over twenty-four hours and a girl had to sleep. On flower days, I’d have to stay up an extra two or three hours to make to one for opening time.
The building was long and thin, with small laneways on either side leading around back. That was where I’d find them. Looking over my shoulder, I saw a flicker of movement inside the store. Good, Frost was still inside.
Didn’t need him flipping out when he returned to the truck to see I’d gone.
My boots hit the concrete with muted thuds as I quietly ran around back, keeping an ear on my surroundings. There may not be vamps out here, but there could still be animals. And humans can just as dangerous.
&
nbsp; Guns are just as deadly as fangs.
When I rounded the corner of the brick wall, I saw a few petals scattered on the ground. Oddly enough, they were rose petals. After a cursory glance up, I saw a barren laneway, short fat green bits outside of steel gray doors lining all the way from one end of the building to the other.
And the petals, red as crimson in the moonlight, were scattered in a near-perfect trail all the way to the bin at the middle of the building. My blood flooded with energy at the same moment my sixth sense picked up on the change in the atmosphere.
Being with Frost for so many days, I’d grown accustomed to the feeling and almost hadn’t noticed it. But there it was in full force again, and somehow, I knew it wasn’t Frost.
No. This was someone else. Another vampire. And judging by the strength of the feeling—the itching like ants crawling over the surface of my skin—the roiling in my gut and sharpness of my focus—it was an older vampire.
The feeling was stronger when they were stronger.
Fuck.
I’d left my stakes in the car.
Where are you, fucker? Come out.
I felt the prickle of his eyes on me a second later but didn’t dare look up. He was on top of the building—probably thought this was the perfect trap for the Black Rose. A trail of the petals I was named for leading right to my prize. He probably thought he was so clever.
And maybe he was.
I was still going to kill him. I’d do it with my bare hands if I had to.
But wait…the glint of something metal poked out from underneath the flower bin. Please be a crowbar. Please be a crowbar.
I quieted my pulse, stooping low to lift a petal as though I’d only just noticed they were there. He had gravity on his side—if I ran, he would beat me to the dumpster. I’d have to play this cool and hope he would wait until I was right underneath him to attack.
With a steady pace, I moved, my boots grinding petals underfoot. I didn’t dare look up. Did my best to sooth the rush of adrenaline trying to coerce my heart into a canter the vamp would likely be able to hear.
Where are you, Frost?
This was his fault. If it weren’t for him, I’d have my stakes strapped to my thighs right now—or I’d at least have brought them with me. He was distracting me. Making my stakes less convenient to have between my legs when his cock kept finding its way there.
Godfuckingdamnit.
Swallowing, the muscles in my arms flexed and the tendons in my back pulled taut, forcing my spine erect as I reached out for the lid of the bin, planning to drop low and grab whatever makeshift weapon was beneath the bin before he could drop in on me.
I blew out a breath and my hand closed over the bin. I wrenched the lid up and dropped to the ground, yanking out the bit of metal at the same moment I heart the telltale thud of a vampire landing only a few yards away. I straightened my spine, wielding the slim bit of curved metal in my palm.
The vampire sneered, the glint of laughter in his dark eyes.
In my hand was a rusted silver spoon. The kind they used for soup at greasy diners. Still caked with a bit of browned cream if I wasn’t mistaken.
Oh fuck.
I gritted my teeth, wanting to laugh, too. How much more ridiculous could this get.
Ugh.
I chanced another glance at the vamp, finding him to be cool and collected. Paler than most. With eyes that spoke of an age far beyond my years. He was old. And old meant powerful.
There was a good chance this one’s compulsion would be stronger than mine—so that tactic was out, too.
“What’s the matter, pet,” the vampire crooned, taking a step nearer as I discarded the spoon—preferring the sharpness of my claws. “You seem surprised to see me.”
He stepped in and I stepped back, it was a dangerous dance, neither one of us closing the gap, but unable to move more than the seven feet of space between us. He could close the distance in a fraction of a second when he decided to, I’d have to be ready.
If only I could get him all the way to the edge of the building, I might be able to get Frost’s attention, but I doubted he’d let me go so far.
“The Black Rose, I presume?” he purred, and I saw in his expression a prideful gleam. He thinks he’s done it. That it’s over.
He obviously didn’t know who or what he was up against. The Black Rose wasn’t about to go down without a good cat fight. And kitty’s got claws.
I pouted my bottom lip, giving him a nod. “And you must be Vlad. A Pleasure. But if you don’t mind—I’ve got to be going. You know, vampires to kill and whatnot.”
The vampire shook his head incredulously, still advancing forward, backing me closer and closer to the laneway that could save me. “How?” he asked.
I knew what he meant right away. It was what Frost was wondering, too, I was sure. How did a human girl take down a vampire? And not just one—the number had risen close to triple digits now, if it hadn’t already surpassed that. I was a serial killer, but I didn’t think the local authorities would arrest me if they knew who—no—what I was killing. They’d thank me. If they believed me.
I preferred the term vigilante. It had a nicer ring to it.
The vamp had stopped walking and there were still several meters to go before I would be out in the open. I could see from the change in his stance that he meant to attack…any second now. I’d run out of time. Fuck.
“Like this,” I hissed and launched myself at him with everything I had.
The vampire was faster, he parried my advance, and, in a blur, I watched, unable to stop him as he drove the heel of his hand into my chest. The air rushed from my body and I flew, sailing through the air, choking, gasping, until my back smashed against brick, closely followed by the back of my head.
The brick cracked and crumbled, buckling at the force of my impact.
I crumpled to the ground. Dazed, still struggling for air, spots of light and darkness gyrating in my line of sight, making everything hazy and unfocused. So, I didn’t see him when he stepped in, his cold hand closing around my throat, lifting me up—pressing me back.
He squeezed, but not so much that I had no airflow, just enough to hold me there. Why wasn’t he ending it? It didn’t matter. I still had time.
I’m still alive.
I could still fight him. My vision came back in specks first and then blotches and then a few more blinks and I was staring into the eyes of the predator. The blue eyes. Damn. Not the right one.
My feet dangled in the air, and I feigned weakness as he leaned in. I thought he was going to bite me, and my body tensed, ready to kick out at him. Trying to discern where his dick was beneath his long coat. Not even a vampire was impervious to a good kick in the nuts.
“You’re the Black Rose?” he spat. “And he said I’d have trouble bringing you in…how pathetic.”
I saw red.
He drew back and I knew if I looked into his eyes, he’d have me. He was older and stronger. He would compel me to go with him. Or to sit idly while he bled me dry and there would be nothing, I could do about it. I had to do something now before it was too late.
Hauling in as much air as I could with his hand clamped around my neck, I used the wall as a springboard against my back and heel kicked him in the middle with both heeled feet. His hand roughly broke from my neck and it seemed I’d landed at least one good blow to his nether regions because the poor sap hunched over, a choked noise coming from his throat. Blood soaked his hand from where the five-inch heels had punctured his abdomen—and hopefully—his dick, too.
Now who’s pathetic?
My advantage wouldn’t last long, and though the daze from being tossed into a motherfucking brick wall hadn’t totally subsided, I was coherent enough to know that and act on it.
A glimmer of silver in the light snagged my eye and I saw the spoon I’d discarded a few feet away and smiled. A weapon was a weapon. This time I wouldn’t be picky. The vampire made an attempt to stand, half-assed if you a
sked me, but I’d already gotten the spoon and I didn’t hesitate this time. When he opened his mouth in a feral snarl and launched for the attack, I used his own momentum against him with a well-placed greasy ass silver dining utensil.
It plunged into his eye socket, stunning him while I twirled around his prone form and landed a drove the heel of my boot into his back—six ribs up—a little to the left. It was no metal stake or Katana, but it would have to do.
I wasn’t fully confident in the placement of my blow until he fell to his knees, gurgling his last breaths. The heel broke off with the pull of his fall and my foot landed back on the gravel, the boot ruined, leaving me with a duck-footed walk as I limped, one leg higher up than the other to the bastard.
“I’m sorry,” I said, a bit breathless—more from the high than the blow he delivered now. “What was that you were saying?” I taunted, relishing in how he paled. How blood leaked in a steady stream from his mouth. “Something about me being…pathetic, was it?”
Motherfucker.
“Here,” I said, tearing the heel from my other boot. I knelt down and rammed it into his chest, hearing the one I’d hit him with from the back clatter to the ground. He sputtered, his clawed hands trying to reach for me—to fight. His spooned eye looked gruesome and dark with clotted blood. Nasty. “You might as well have the other one,” I snapped. “Pathetic? Fucking dick.”
With a furious heat sizzling down my back, I hobbled over to the dumpster in the middle of the building on my fucked-up shoes. I probably looked like a damned deranged duck. I tore open the lid, the tiny metal lock holding it shut snapped off with a small chink and scattered to the ground.
Inside the bit were lilies, azaleas, some other colorful shit I didn’t know the name of and ah…yes. Roses. I grabbed a few and threw one in the general direction of the vampire. “There,” I called out to him. “A souvenir!”
He fell onto his face, landing with his one still functional eye almost perpendicular to the flower. Good, let that be the last thing he sees.
I left him there to die slow, hobbling on my duck feet out to the side of the building and around to the front, where a few cars passed by—the first I’d heard since going around the plaza. Of course, now there were people. If I’d heard cars, I might have tried to make a break for it.