Virgin Blood Bundle

by Riley, Alexa

  Over the years I’ve become cold and distant, which is why I’ve never been able to form a relationship with anyone. Maybe that’s the difference between my father and me? He loved what he did and he was able to have a family. When my mother died, I was all he had left. I can’t help but wonder if she had lived, would I have been given a choice to find my own way?

  When I get to the city I park my truck downtown and pull out my phone. I check over the coded messages that were sent to me from my slayer informant and see what information they have for me. He says that there have been rumors of a coven living nearby and recently there was a string of murders close to the area. I listened to the news on the way in and it seems like it could be a vampire, but it could also easily be a psycho human on a killing spree.

  I took out two vampires close to here a few weeks ago. They were picking off random humans and torturing them for sport. I killed both of them without a hint of guilt, but the murders in the city didn’t stop.

  When I get out of the truck I’m knocked back against it as a couple of kids in costumes run by. It puzzles me for a second until I remember the date. I never got to celebrate Halloween as a kid. My father thought it was a foolish holiday and only romanticized the monsters around us. He was a cold man who didn’t believe in coddling children, but he was kind to me.

  I pull my leather coat closed and zip it up as the cold night air begins to blow. One thing that I adapted well to is living in the night. I have to be awake when vampires are, and that means sleeping when the sun comes up.

  My boots are heavy on the pavement as I tuck my hands into my jacket pockets. My jeans are dark as well so it’s easier for me to blend in. The jacket also helps hide the long blade I have strapped to my back. There’s another at my ankle and one at my waist. I don’t like guns and I prefer to be as silent as possible when killing vampires.

  The plan tonight is to scout the area and some of the houses. One of the bodies was found last month near the woods at the park, so I’ll go there first. I want to look with my own eyes at the place and not just at crime scene photos. I hacked into the city’s system and pulled as much information as I could from there, but the cops have nothing so far, so it wasn’t exactly helpful.

  There are crowds of people walking around and downtown is alive with excitement. I see a family crossing the street and each of the parents carry sleeping kids as they grip tight onto their buckets of candy. Something in seeing them makes me turn my eyes away quickly. It’s almost as if my brain doesn’t want to see what I can’t have so I don’t allow myself to linger on it. The thought of loving a woman and having a child with her is something I don’t dwell on, and there’s no time for it tonight.

  The edge of the park is dense with trees and the place where the body was discovered is no different. There’s a small path off to the side that leads away from the park and away from town, but I don’t follow it. Instead I remain at the edge of the trees and watch the park, looking for anything suspicious. In the distance I see a dark-haired woman sitting on a bench. She’s facing away from me, but her wavy hair is over one shoulder and her pale neck is shining in the moonlight. She’s watching the children near her as they run and play in their Halloween costumes. I should be doing the same, but my eyes stay on her. Before I realize it, I’ve taken a step in her direction. I’m still at the edge of the woods and I’m surprised I moved without conscious thought.

  I watch her without blinking and with complete focus as she sits there quietly. After a moment she reaches up and it looks like she’s wiping away a tear. Suddenly I’m taking another step towards her and I’m wondering what’s wrong. I want to call out to her and ask her if she’s okay. I want to go over and sit down beside her and give her comfort. I’ve never had this ridiculous pull to someone before and I don’t understand where this urge is coming from.

  Abruptly she stands from the bench and I expect her to walk away from me and into the city. But she surprises me by coming towards where I’m standing and into the woods. She’s trim, with strong arms and legs and she moves like a tiger. Doesn’t she know about the murder that was committed in almost this exact spot? It’s too dangerous for a woman like her to be coming into the woods.

  I’m just about to take a step out from the trees and in front of her when the moonlight shines on her face, and for the first time I truly see her. I have to hold back the hiss in my throat when I realize that she’s a vampire. Nothing on earth so beautiful could be human. Her skin is like silk and her eyes are so blue they shine in the light. Her lips are blood red, and even from here I can see that she is absolute perfection.

  I’ve killed more vampires than most slayers see in a lifetime, but this one is special. This vampire is unlike any I’ve seen before her and I know that I’ll never see another like her again. She walks as if she’s gliding through the air, her dark hair flowing behind her. She is elegant in every movement and I can’t look away. I’m mesmerized as she moves and comes closer to where I am.

  I hold my breath when she stops just beyond the edge of the trees and looks around. Can she somehow sense me? My heart is racing and I feel the blood in my body heat as it sears through my veins. Am I having a heart attack?

  Her phone buzzes and she answers it. The sound of her voice is like a punch in the gut. It’s soft and melodic with a touch of anger as she talks to the person on the other end of the phone. I listen to her conversation and for some reason I’m irritated. I don’t like not knowing who she’s talking to.

  Before I can get any closer, she’s tucking the phone away and takes off almost at a run. She’s quick, but I’m not far behind as I follow her down the small trail. Once she’s to the clearing I see a house surrounded by a wrought-iron gate in the distance. Without missing a beat, she leaps over it and I stop at the edge of the trees to keep in the shadows. She doesn’t turn around or catch me following her, but instead goes into the house like it’s another normal night.

  I’m relieved I wasn’t caught, but I’m also intrigued that a vampire lives in this area. She looked to be in complete control of herself and obviously lives here in the city. Could she be the killer after all? The idea of a vampire with the control it would take to sit amongst all those people and children and not feel compelled to hurt them in any way is shocking. It goes against everything I’ve been taught. Vampires are evil and unable to control themselves; that’s always been the rule.

  But there she was, every inch of her perfection, and all I wanted to do was go to her. I can’t let this go, and I have to know more. I decide to watch her house for the night and see if there are any clues as to who she is and where she came from. Could this be part of the coven I was sent here to find?

  Out of all the things running through my mind, the loudest thing that I can’t control is one word over and over.

  Mine.

  Chapter 3

  Ravana

  “What do you think?” I ask Bishop as I smooth out my long red dress.

  I don’t know what it is about dressing up and going out but I love it. I enjoy looking nice and being around other people. Or maybe I enjoy that for a moment I can still feel human and pretend I’m just like everyone else around me.

  I took the time to style my hair and do my makeup. I have on heels that, before I was changed, would have killed my feet within an hour. That’s another perk of being a vampire. I can run in these things if I need to and it won't hurt my feet.

  “I thought we talked about this,” Bishop sighs.

  He’s agitated as he stuffs his hands into his slacks. He’s always in a three-piece suit and looks as if he’s about to go into a meeting. I wouldn’t be surprised if he just got off a conference call. Bishop is good with investing money and making sure none of us have to ever worry about anything. Lately work has been consuming him and I think it’s because he’s worried he won’t be around much longer. Fuck the money, it’s him I’m worried about.

  “No, you made a command and expected me to follow orders.” My voice
is firm because I refuse to stay locked away. I won’t let a man ever try to put me in a cage again.

  I walk over to the mirror in my entryway and make sure my lipstick still looks good. I can feel Bishop’s stare from behind me, but I ignore it, not wanting a fight. He’s like a father to me, and though I don’t want to give in, I can’t be disrespectful.

  “The dress draws too much attention.”

  I roll my eyes and turn around to face him. Maybe it does, but it makes me feel sexy.

  “It’s not like I’m going to get it on tonight. I need a mate for that, remember?” I smile at him, trying to lighten the mood.

  Although, as far as I know, it might not be true. Male vampires are the ones that can't get it up until they find their mates. It’s not as if I have that problem because I don't need to get anything up. That said, I’ve never felt anything close to desire, including the time before I was created.

  Bishop shakes his head at me with disappointment clear on his face.

  “You’re acting like a jealous lover or something. What does it matter what I wear?” I pick up my small purse and double check to make sure I have my tickets to the play.

  “I’m only watching out for you, Ravana. That’s my job.”

  He’s angry, but for some reason it doesn't work on me today; nothing has been lately. Life has felt so ordinary these last few weeks. What’s the point of getting to live so long if there’s nothing to live for?

  “You said I can’t go out alone and I’m not.” I click my clutch closed, and as if on cue the twins come walking in.

  I smile, seeing that they actually dressed up tonight. Their normal jeans and T-shirts have been exchanged for slacks and button-downs. They both give me identical smiles, and even after all these years it can be hard to tell the two of them apart.

  Women always have their eyes on the two of them, but they never pay much attention. They’re charming and funny so I can see why people would notice them. I don’t think I want to know what the two of them got into before they became vampires. Part of me thinks they might have been players, but another part of me isn't so sure. It will be interesting to watch each one of them find their mate. It will also be weird to see them no longer attached at the hip anymore since they’re always together.

  Ezra whistles when he sees me while Erik grabs my hand and makes me spin like we’re dancing.

  “We’re going to have to beat them off you tonight,” Erik says as he dips me and makes me laugh.

  “Knock it off. Both of you.”

  Bishop’s voice breaks through the fun we’re having and I can tell both Ezra and Erik want to make a smart-ass comment but decide to hold it in. Bishop’s been tense lately and I know at least part of it has to do with the slayer being near us. He’s starting to lose it and the darkness inside him is creeping in. He hasn't found his mate and his time is almost up. It’s something I don’t want to think about because I’m not ready to face it.

  “There is a slayer out there,” Bishop says for the millionth time as if we have all forgotten.

  “And there are three of us,” I say, clenching my fist. “I can’t stay cooped up in this house every hour of the day.” My shoulders drop because I don’t want to fight with him.

  I don’t know how he’s spent so many nights alone. I’m the youngest out of all of us and sometimes the loneliness is more than I can bear. It’s why I need to get out of here and be around people and do everyday things.

  Bishop runs his hands through his hair. “How did you even talk these two into taking you to the theater? Can they actually sit still that long?”

  I glance at the twins and wonder the same thing. Normally I would drag Kane with me, just so he would leave his home once in a while, but he could at least sit still.

  “I’m sure I’ll have fun no matter what,” I say and shrug. Even if they embarrass me it will end up being a good laugh.

  “We can behave,” Ezra says defensively, but the lie is clear on his face as Erik’s eyes dance with mischief.

  “Maybe you’ll find your mate,” I say, and both of the twins share a look between each other. I can’t tell if they like this idea or not.

  “Be careful with her,” Bishop warns both of them.

  “I can take care of myself.” I love that everyone wants to protect me, but it’s smothering at times. Their concern is out of true love, not out of obligation, which makes me so happy but also drives me up a wall.

  “You sound like a jealous lover,” Erik adds, repeating what I said before they got here.

  Bishop’s face turns deadly and the air in the room grows thick.

  “I’m not fucking around. If something happens to her it’s probably best you two don’t come back.” With that, he stomps out of the room.

  “What the fuck?” Ezra mutters as we look at each other in disbelief.

  “He’s losing it,” I say quietly. He’s being a dick, but I still love him like a father.

  “Are you sure you two aren't mates?” Erik eyes me.

  “No.” My face scrunches in disgust at the idea. Not only does that sound gross, it also sounds so wrong. I’d be lying if I didn't feel like I had a deeper connection with Bishop, but that’s because he’s my maker. “I just feel a stronger bond with him. He’s our maker, so I’m sure you guys feel it, too. It’s the thing that keeps us closer to him. It’s probably not the same way you feel about Kane and me, but with him it’s stronger. Right?”

  “Nope,” they both say in unison and without hesitation.

  “We feel the same about all of you,” Erik says, and Ezra nods in agreement.

  I watch them lock eyes with each other and I know their bond is deeper than it would ever be with any of us. While we are all a family, they are twins and that’s something special.

  “Let’s go, I don’t want to be late.” I want to go because I don’t want dwell on the connection I feel to Bishop. And I’m praying Bishop doesn’t have more than a family love for me.

  I laugh when I step outside and see a limo waiting outside for us.

  “You know we like to do things in style.” The driver comes around and opens the door for me. I slide in and the twins follow in after me.

  “Were you two players when you were human?” I ask, leaning back in my seat.

  “You’d never believe us if we told you,” Ezra mutters.

  “That bad, huh? I bet you left broken hearts everywhere,” I tease.

  I always avoided men like them, knowing they had heartbreak written all over them. When I was human my heart was too delicate for anything like that. To me anything sexual always felt like more than having a little bit of fun. I thought it was meant to be special, and so I wanted to wait for the perfect man. But look where that got me.

  “We were kind of loners, to be honest,” Erik admits.

  “I’m not buying it.” No way they weren’t the center of attention. They’re charming and can be the life of the party. “But you’re so…” I trail off, not sure how to describe how unbelievable that is.

  “Before Bishop found us, left for dead by our piece of shit father, it was always just the two of us. We were a team and always had each other’s backs. We didn't want anything coming between that.” He shrugs. “Some chicks would try and pull us apart. They’d get us to fight over them so we just stayed away from girls after that.”

  “That’s heartbreaking, and one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard.” The idea that they won’t let anything come between them is true loyalty.

  “Maybe there’s a girl out there who would want us both.” Ezra says, but he looks like he doesn’t believe the words coming out of his own mouth. Erik shakes his head in denial. I’ve never heard of two vampires sharing a mate before. Could that even be possible?

  “Kane found someone,” I offer.

  That’s shocking if you ask me. If I had to bet out of all of us who would be the last to find a mate it would had been him. Bishop and I would be a close second. At one time I wanted the fairy tale, bu
t I don’t think I could ever trust another man in that way again. You never know who people really are until they want to show you. Though with Kane, that worked out for the best. He'd gone from a grumpy giant man to a pile of sweetness.

  When we get to the theatre I’m surprised how well-behaved both the twins are. Except for the random added monologue that I have to say made the play even more enjoyable, they were a lot of fun. It isn't until the end of the play that the feeling from the day before starts to creep up my spine. Erik puts his arm behind my chair, feeling my mood shift.

  “What is it?” he asks me as his eyes track around the room.

  “I don't know. Probably nothing.” I take a breath, trying to calm my nerves, but the same smell from the night before fills my lungs. Maple syrup. “Do you smell that?” I lean into Erik, talking softly so no one else can hear us.

  “Only the cheap perfume two rows behind us.”

  I take deep breath, but strangely the scent is gone. Was it all in my mind? When the curtains drop I’m actually happy the play is over. It’s an uneasy feeling I’m having and I don’t like it.

  “Are we ready?” I ask as we all stand up. Both the twins are on either side of me, but they don’t move.

  “I smell it now. Damn, my mouth is watering. Is that cotton candy?” Erik’s voice is barely above a whisper.

  There’s a deep growl coming from Ezra and he nods. I smack his chest to remind him we’re in public.

  “I smell it, too,” he confirms, and they both look around.

  I follow their line of sight, unsure of what they’re looking for. That wasn’t the scent I was talking about, but they’re like dogs who have just smelled a steak.

  When my eyes scan the theater once again, the scent of maple syrup hits me hard. It’s then I see a man standing at the exit door of the theater. People are pushing past him and trying to leave, but he doesn't budge from his spot. Our eyes lock on one another and I have no idea how long I stand there lost in him.