I shift sideways and hoist my hand over my head. I gently pull the drawer open and rummage blindly. I grab a weighty object. I’m not sure what it is, so pull it out. It’s quite large and cold to the touch. I look down, clutching it to my chest. It’s a cleaver knife, and it’s sharp. It will have to do.
I rotate onto my knees, lifting myself up so I can peek over the worktop. The dark figure is now standing there, as bold as brass, staring right in. I drop back down, my lungs feeling crushed with panic.
With the cleaver knife in my hand, I scuttle to the door and through to the lounge. I don’t want to die tonight. I have to find a way out, or somewhere to hide.
I manage to make it to the bottom of the stairs. “WHAT THE...” A cold damp hand wraps around my neck, wrenching me high until my feet are off the floor.
I can’t breathe or see. Fearful tears hinder my view as I fight to turn my head to the side. It’s not Laurie. Hell, I have no idea who this is. Apart from noting his wild black eyes, and his blood stained fangs about to attack me.
“Let me go,” I cry out as the tall vampire’s open mouth journeys to my neck.
Do it now Liz. Use the damn knife.
With my numb fingers holding onto the handle for dear life, I pull back my arm then swing the cleaver knife out with all my strength, wiggling my body. The blade penetrates and sticks an inch deep into the back of his neck. I’ve never heard a sound like it. A painful screech so high-pitched, my eardrums pop. He drops me to the floor, spinning around violently, trying to pull the cleaver knife out of his flesh.
I race to the door and fumble with the lock as he chases me, coated in his own runny blood. As I open, he reaches out for me with his dirty fingers and manages to catch the fabric of my blouse for a second. I quickly turn to run outside, but I come face to face with another. A female with a foul grin displayed.
My frantic eyes scan all around me as I slowly back up. I have nowhere else to go apart from up the stairs. The adrenalin is charging my muscles. It’s the only thing that’s keeping me scuttling fast up each step.
I scurry to the landing on my hands and knees, noticing that the vampires have vanished. Awkwardly, I rise up to my feet listening, but all I can hear is my own unpredictable breathing. I have no weapon, no phone, and if those vampires are sang, I have no chance of defending myself against their speed and strength.
My hands tremble against the wall as I sob. I open the first bedroom door on my right, praying for a place to hide.
“Oh god!” I gasp out.
Sara is right in front of me, half-naked and gagged. Her wrists are bound with rope that has been tied over a ceiling beam, stretching her body so she sways on her toes. Her eyes widen at the sight of me, and she begins to grunt aggressively. She’s been cut, over and over again. How the hell did I not hear this happening. I should have never allowed myself to fall asleep.
I hurry across to her, scouring the room for something to cut her down with. She hums loudly through the grey duct tape. I pick up a shard of mirror from the floor, then rip the tape from her raw mouth.
“Get... get out now!” she gasps. “Run fast, and don’t stop.” Her chin flops to her chest.
I can’t leave her like this, they’ll kill her. I elevate up on my toes and scrape the mirror across the toughened rope.
“Laurie,” she struggles to speak. “Is here... go!”
I continue to slice at the rope despite her warnings. Even if I did go, I don’t stand a chance on my own.
The stairs outside creak, making me cease all movements. Someone is coming, and they are in no rush. Sara jiggles away from me angrily, but I continue to scrape away frantically at the rope.
“Fuck. Hide,” she snarls at me. “This is all because he wants you. Don’t give him what he wants. You have to leave me!”
I keep hold of the mirror that’s now cutting into my hand, and bring it down by my thigh. I feel no pain because I’m brimming with a survival instinct. I’m looking for a way out, but can’t see one. The only place I can see that I might have time to get to, is behind the open door. I quickly race across the room and make it.
With every muscle tense and my chest full, I freeze in a static state in the corner with my nose pressed against the crumbling door. The floorboards beneath me shift with the weight of footsteps. I know it’s him, Laurie. I can sense his vile aura.
“Not too good at covering your tracks Miss Lovell,” he says. “I can hear you holding your breath.”
I try very hard not to let out the air, knowing he can hear everything. My heart rate is slow, forceful, and I feel lightheaded.
“Are you going to keep me waiting all night?” his cold tone asks. “I suggest you make this easy on yourself.”
I hang back in terror, thinking, sweating, and trembling. All I have is this shard of mirror to protect myself with, and any second he’s going to move the door to get to me.
I make a bold and probably foolish decision. Bit by bit I move the door, keeping the glass hidden behind my thigh. I peer out to see him standing before Sara, maliciously running his hand over her face. She spits at him, but he doesn’t react. He simply takes a tissue out from his grey blazer and wipes his cheek. I will myself to be brave while he’s not looking. I could just dive onto his back and stick him with the mirror.
He takes out a ditale ring, and slices deep across Sara’s breast.
“She doesn’t taste the same as before.” He bends over and sips her. “Pity your knight in shining armour turned her. Took her from me at her peak.”
I had no idea Adrien turned Sara into a vampire. And right now I don’t care. The only thing that is important, is getting the hell away from him.
As fast as my human body allows, I leap across the room and plunge the mirror between his shoulder blades. I thrust it so hard it slices deeper into the palm of my hand. I release it and trip backward, clenching my bloody hand before my waist. He doesn’t move, flinch, or wail in pain. He simply elevates his hand over his shoulder, and plucks the mirror out of his back with ease.
“Laurie,” Sara says in dread. “Don’t hurt her.”
He breathes out loudly through his nose, dropping the shard of mirror on the floor. “We wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for Adrien. He changed the plan.”
“What plan?” Sara yells.
“All will be revealed in time.” He hums. “But for now, duty calls, and I have a little wild cat to take care of.”
Oh god, he’s referring to me. It was a mistake thinking I could stop him. Sara can see his face, and she’s terrified.
I make a break for it, through the door and down the hallway. I get as far as the top step and see them waiting for me, the two vampires that attacked me downstairs. I have nowhere to go, and now they have hold of me again.
I cry in terror and battle to free my arms as the female yanks at me. I’m being dragged back to Laurie by my hair, aggressively. I scream and scream, in the hope someone outside will hear. It’s the only thing I can do now.
I twist, turn, and pull, but I can’t shake them off as they hold me prisoner in front of Laurie. He studies me, his expression reserved. He doesn’t blink, just stares straight into my fright like he’s feeding off my fear.
Sara’s becoming weaker, her body is deadweight and eyes are tired. She’s being bled out through at least thirty puncture wounds on her body, and needs blood to heal. She keeps trying to tussle with her bound wrists, but only manages a few feeble shudders.
“Leave her, Laurie,” she says faintly.
“Hmm, why would I resist such a perfect offering?” He squeezes my cheeks. “Warm, wet, and best of all, Adrien’s.” He pushes my face back. “It’s worked out well, me having to complete the task I set out for that idiot friend of yours.”
“Why are you doing this?” I weep.
“That is purely between Adrien and me. Oh, and a few others,” he says coolly. “Let’s just say, things are going to be changing around here, thanks to you.”
He presses his nose against my cheek and inhales. I angle my head but I can’t move away from him, and I see the meaning of pure evil in his eyes.
“You’re sick,” Sara growls in pain. “You’re a greedy son of a bitch. If the order find out you’ve been turning street trash into vampires, to use in your little power up mission, then...”
“Then what.” He spins to her sharply. “They’ll kill me? You have no idea what’s going to happen. What is the point in being so powerful if we have to hide in the dark like rats? You’re forgetting Sara, I deserve my time. I have stood by him since we were reborn. And before, when he took us into that battle, holding information from us. His rank came before his friends, and he was the one who got us all killed. I’m owed!”
“And Connor,” she yells.
“Hmm, yes, that was unfortunate,” he shrugs. “He wasn’t willing to see the bigger picture. Regrettable, but it had to be done.”
“You bastard,” Sara splutters.
He turns his attention back to me as pins and needles spread down my arms, caused by the vampire’s strong grip. I clamp my teeth down, trying to wrestle loose.
“Then he had to be all noble and take my red from me.” He rips open my shirt with one sweep of his hand and the buttons roll across the floorboards. “He took the one thing I had for myself, like he was some god. He had me kneeling before him, begging for his forgiveness. And all because Sara and I had a connection he couldn’t understand.” He eyeballs Sara briefly. “Believe me Miss Lovell, there was once a time when Sara was a lot less vocal. A sweet young thing who fulfilled me.”
I watch as Sara lowers her head. “You drank me dry,” she murmurs.
“Oh, that was just a bit of fun,” he says, while repulsively fingering my face. “Before Adrien charged in, there were great plans for you. Now it looks like you will have to do instead.”
He stares and reaches for my torso, nearly drooling over me. I wince at his cold wicked touch. He places the silver ring on his thumb as I compress my lips together, scrunching my eyes tight. I cannot bear to see. His touch on me is hideous, each finger insistent on fumbling and slinking around my back.
My lungs inflate rapidly as a sharp painful sensation suddenly digs into my skin, just below my ribs. Sara screams at him as I cry out in pain.
Stupidly, I look to see him on his knees, his mouth nearing my ribs. He laps up my blood with his tongue in indulgence. I gag violently, but nothing comes up. I feel sickened and my skin is swarming with aversion.
God please help. I’d rather die than have to go through this.
He looks up at me. “Hmm, you have a distinctive flavour. Young, fertile, and sweet. You’ll do nicely.” He stands up, licking me from his lips. “Tie her to the bed. Be careful not to damage her. We need her in good shape.” The vampires drag me across the room.
“GET OFF ME.” I kick and scream, using all the energy I can muster as I’m pushed down hard onto the mattress.
“Laurie, I’m going to kill you,” Sara shouts. “I’m going to do it the same way you killed me. Slowly!”
He laughs at her. “You’ve always been a sexy minx, Sara. But you must conduct yourself in an appropriate manner. You know how I like to punish a red. You know what tools I have to do so. You’re going to have a front row seat. And if you’re on your best behaviour, I might even let you sample Miss Lovell here.”
“You twisted sick fuck,” Sara grunts as I’m pinned down.
My boots have been yanked from my feet, and my left wrist and ankle have been secured tightly to the bed frame. So screw this, I’m going to make it impossible for them to do my right side. Laurie observes, getting off on seeing me struggling. He glowers and rubs himself briefly. I look away. He disgusts me.
I fling my body around so I bounce, recoiling and clawing at whatever I can reach. The female wraps the black cable tie around my skin. I twist, grab, and pull her hand to my mouth. I’m no vampire, but I will bite a chunk out of the bitch. This is fight or flight, and the latter isn’t an option now.
She squeals as I clamp down my jaw, trying to break through her cold toughened skin. Sara yells at me not to let go, egging me on as Laurie appears over the vampire’s shoulder. He grasps my face with his thumb and finger so my teeth penetrate my cheeks, and blood pours into my mouth. I have to release her. The pain in my mouth is too much to take. He waves his finger at me with a tight hold on my chin.
“You’re not the one who’s supposed to be biting.” He nods wickedly. “I’m going to enjoy you, very, very, slowly.” He kisses and bites my lip. “I have a very special piece I shall introduce you to.”
“Fuck you,” I splutter, choking on my blood.
“Or I will you.” His tongue sweeps across his lips.
“Adrien will come and he won’t be alone,” Sara yells.
He swaggers toward the door. “I know exactly what he will do. After all, I am his trusted second,” he says coolly. “Right now he’s chasing down some very hungry new bloods running around the city. They’ll be keeping him busy. And if he does make it, and comes in all guns blazing.” He turns to me. “He will see just how much I have enjoyed Miss Lovell here, and my job will be done. I am immortal. I cannot die. Things have finally been set into motion.”
“He will rip your head off,” Sara barks.
He flounces through the doorway and turns back. “Sara, now-now, you should be a little nicer. You know exactly what I can do to your body,” he says with a smile. “Now, don’t try to leave will you. I’ll be back real soon.” He and the vampires disappear.
Chapter 36
Elizabeth
I tug at the cable ties. To think of him touching me again is abhorrent. I curse, hiss, and cringe in awful pain.
“It’s no good,” Sara sighs. “You won’t get free.”
Wow, the most tenacious vamp I know is giving up. Well I’m not. Even if I lose a finger or two. I can’t have him anywhere near me again.
“So,” I grunt and fidget. “Is he going to kill me... and where the hell is Adrien?”
“Laurie sees us as meat, nothing more,” she utters, ailing with blood loss. “All this is about his god complex. To prove he is greater than Adrien.”
“We can’t give up Sara. Come on,” I shout at her.
“Maybe if I let go the last time, I wouldn’t be facing the same death twice.” I see her fangs enlarge and eyes darken. She needs to heal. She needs blood, now.
“Sara, Adrien will come, just hang on.” I pull on my arms until my shoulders crack. “Argh, shit!”
Laurie saunters back in the room. He’s removed his jacket, undone the top buttons of his shirt, and has rolled up his sleeves. I draw up my knees as far as the cable ties will allow. Every single muscle in my body stiffens in terror. He stands between my open feet, tapping on Sara’s drooping head.
“Stay awake now Sara. Wouldn’t want you to miss the show.” He stoops over, positioning his knees between mine.
“Please... please don’t,” I yelp, unable to breathe.
His fingers reach for the button on my jeans. He undoes me as I retch and turn my head sideways, needing to vomit.
“Shush now. This is what a red’s duty is.”
Sara shakes her frail body, but not even she can help me now. I immobilise, trapped in the horror as his thumb brushes over my breast, searching for the best area to start.
“Laurie,” Sara gasps. “Finish me first.”
I open my eyes. She’s trying to gain me a few more seconds, but he ignores her and focuses solely on me.
“Please don’t... please,” I wail.
He takes a large ring out from his pocket, and slips it over the knuckle of his index finger. It is no ordinary ditale ring. It’s solid silver and has two thick razor sharp hooks protruding, at least an inch in length. Shit, he’s going to cut me with that.
“Laurie,” Sara yells. “Answer me.”
“Shut up Sara,” he barks. “You’ll get yours soon enough. I always have the best first.” He l
owers right over my body and places his lips to my ear. “Do you know, I know every vein, artery, and place, to get the most out of my feed so they remain warm and alive.” He swirls the cool metal on my abdomen. “This is the spot. The most ample. The most fruitful.” He lies down on me as I quiver, feeling an intense sharp slice below my belly button. I scream out in agony. “Yes, this will do nicely,” he adds in a fulfilled tone.
He moves down me, gliding his growing fangs against my naked flesh, his dark eyes showing a malevolent thirst. He latches onto the cut like a suckling young, and moves wildly on me. I’ve never felt so violated. I’m revolted by the way he wets me with his mouth. I feel so dirty, like I’ll never be clean again. If he kills me now, it would be a blessing.
A loud bang, like a cupboard falling off the wall downstairs rumbles through the bed. Laurie hoists his head a little with my blood on his lips. He waits for a second until the grim hush returns, and resumes feeding on me. I gulp and sob silently, as Sara scuffles desperately on her toes.
“GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HER!”
Suddenly, Laurie is hauled from my body, tossed across the room and into the wall. Oh my god, he’s here. He’s here thank god.
“Adrien,” I cry out, focusing through a haze of tears.
“Liz, come on.” Dom fumbles madly with the ties, simply snapping them apart with his bare hands to free me.
I bolt up from the bed, holding my hand over the wound on my belly. I just want Adrien to hold me. To tell me everything will be okay. He glances at me for a brief moment with an all-consuming fury coating his eyes.
“Elizabeth,” he murmurs softly, shaking his head down.
He strolls across the room and drags Laurie up to his feet. His breathing is deep and his body so tense.
Laurie licks a small cut on his lip with a huge conceited grin on his face. “She tastes good. I can see why you lost your mind over her.”
Adrien punches him so hard, plaster and dust tumble from the roof as Laurie lands against the wall again.
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