Her Vampire Temptation (Midnight Doms Book 8) Page 20

  I scream a little, startled, my muscles locking up, my heartbeat so fast I think I’ll pass out.

  But I squeeze through the opening.

  I don’t have a flashlight, but my phone has a flashlight app. I hold it up and use it to guide my way around the dim interior.

  Disappointment hits me hard. It’s a one room shack, and it’s empty, with just a broken chair and garbage. There’s an old tarp, the kind you might use to wrap furniture during transport, lying on the floor. Lots of dust.

  I imagine thousands of black widows and scorpions—and then I hear a sound. A sort of mechanical hum coming from below my feet, like a generator.

  There must be a way down to some kind of basement! I scan the area, and then kick aside the tarp with my foot. And there I see the handle to a trap door.

  I stare at the outline. I should leave, drive away, call the police to come—but by then it will be nightfall. If I want to find the women before any more vampires come here, I need to do it now.

  With a shaking hand, I reach out and pull the handle of the door. It opens silently, on hinges that slide smooth. There’s a ladder that leads down, and the room is lit up with cool fluorescent light. The sound of the generator is louder now, and there’s a rhythmic hiss and pop, too, like machinery. Medical machinery.

  I stick my phone back into my pocket and wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans, and then swing down onto the ladder.

  When my boots hit the ground, I whirl around and cry out. Because in front of me are three cots, the kind you’d find in a hospital. And in them, tied down with multiple restraints on arms and legs, bands across their bodies, mouths gagged, lie the three missing women, the ones I’ve seen on the news.

  There’s a fourth cot. This one is empty and has an IV pole next to it.

  For a split second I feel jubilation because I was right! I did it! They're here, and I found them, and I was right! Then the horror of the situation sinks in.

  “Oh my God.” My vision goes spotty, and I sway. I think my blood pressure must be spiking. “Oh, Jesus. Oh my God.”

  The fourth cot could have been for me. Karl said, “You will be my number four.”

  I lean back against the ladder for a second. The odor in the room is horrific and makes my eyes water. I gag and fight the urge to vomit. Bend down, then force myself to stand up.

  The women are wearing what clothes they had when taken, I assume, although the sleeves of whatever shirts they had have been cut off, ragged. Each woman has an IV running into her arm, and plenty of bruising and marks.

  A plastic bin in the corner holds stacks of gauze bandage rolls, one of them unspooled like a party streamer. A pile of wrapped needles lies haphazardly on the lid of the bin, which is on the floor too, and there are other things that I assume are equipment for blood donation bags. Glass vials catch the light like icicles in another bin, and for a horrible second, I think they look like Christmas tree ornaments.

  The closest woman makes eye contact with me and lurches her body as much as she can in her restraints. “Mmmm!” “Eeeeeeelll!” she wails through her gag. Her eyes are wide and terrified, and her body looks frail. All three of them look sick, like death isn’t far.

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” I rasp, my voice sticking in my throat. “I’ll help you. We’ll get out of here.”

  “Mmmm, mmmm!” She seems frantic. I think this woman is Margaret Bly, the one I Googled while I sat in the blood draw office. How different she looks now from the pretty graduation picture shown in the article.

  I rush over, the smell making it hard to focus. How are they alive in this foul air? I bend over her body, gasping for breath, eyes watering. My fingers are so trembly that even if I knew how to undo the ties holding her down, I doubt I’d be able to loosen them effectively.

  “Are you Margaret? I’m here to help. My name is Bri. I’m going to help you, okay?”

  I pull at the gag on her mouth, but it’s so tight it’s cutting into the sides of her mouth. I can see dried blood there and some fresh drops oozing. I reach behind her head to loosen the gag but can’t figure out the knot.

  “Mmmmm!” she looks to the left. “Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm.”

  Frantic, I follow her gaze. Oh! Scissors! Small and sharp, probably medical grade. I grab them and use my index finger to try and pull up the fabric away from her cheek, so I can insert the smooth blade and cut. She winces as the fabric pulls tighter at her bleeding mouth.

  “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I say, and cut as fast as I can. To my utter relief, I’m able to get through the material and pull it away from her skin.

  She gasps, and I swear, I see new color arise in her cheeks. It’s as if she was suffocating, and I helped her just in time.

  But her mouth is so dry, she can’t talk. “Heeeee,” she wheezes. Her lips are cracked and cut. “Geeee….coooooo.”

  “Is there any water here?” Water?” I cry out, turning in a circle.

  I cough again.

  She shakes her head and tries to speak. “Heee…coooo…sooooo.”

  “I don’t know what you’re trying to say!” Desperation hits me. I take her wrist. “How do I undo these?”

  There’s a half-filled bottle of water on the floor, so I grab it and hold it up to her lips. It spills over her face, so I try again. Finally get her a few drops. And a few more.

  She slumps back onto her filthy cot, and her eyes flutter shut. Her breathing is so rapid and shallow, I think she’s about going to die. I unwind layer after layer of cloth and finally free one wrist. But she’s out again, not responding to my voice.

  I grab my phone, but of course it still has zero bars. “Fuck!” I scream, wanting to toss the phone at the wall.

  The woman stirs, opens her eyes for a second. “eeee,” she mouths, lifting her head as much as she can, then falls back like a rag doll. “He’s taking the…last drops. Tonight.”

  “What is that?” I bend over.

  “Vampire coming. Going to drain our blood…and save the last drops of it for an auction. Said it’s the best.”

  Her body shakes with terror. “A real vampire. I’m not crazy. You have to believe me. Please get us out!” She wheezes into a cough, and her eyes sag shut once again.

  “Oh, Jesus. Oh God.”

  I’m in over my head. Each woman is tied down with at least eight or nine bonds, all different. Some are strips of cloth, some look like BDSM cuffs. There’s no more water, it’s hot, and I’m going to suffocate. Even if I could untie them, how the fuck do I undo the IVs and get them to my car?

  I need to get out of here, leave them, get to cell service and call 911. And I need to do it now.

  “I’m going to get help,” I say, bending over and touching her rank hair. It’s unclear if she can hear me, but I speak anyway. “I promise I’ll get help, the police and the medics, an ambulance, and we’ll get you out of here. I need to go call.”

  But when I turn around, it’s too late because someone is at the top of the ladder.

  “Who the hell are you?” It’s a human man.

  I stare, wide-eyed.

  He pulls a gun from his waistband and holds it on me while he calls on his phone, his voice oddly deferential. “I need help, Sir. Karl’s not answering, so you need to tell me what to do. I’ve got another human trapped with the first three.”

  He slams the trapdoor.

  I close my eyes. It’s obvious to me why Karl isn’t answering, but this man must not have heard the news. He must be talking to another vampire, Karl’s ally...and as soon as night falls, we’re all dead. I can try to attack him if he opens the trapdoor again, but I’m going to need help if I have any chance of real escape.

  I glance around the room, desperate—and then it hits me. I can call Alain. He can get into my mind, and he seems to hear me thoughts. It’s my only chance.

  Alain. Help me. I focus as hard as I can. Alain, I need you. Come to me. Help me.

  I flash images of me driving, this property, the house, the trapdoor. Th
e women.

  Please, come help me.

  I don’t know if it will work. But I remember how I wanted him to show up at the club, and somehow, he did; how we seem linked; and how he reads my mind during sex. Hears my thoughts. If he hasn’t locked himself up from me entirely, maybe he’ll still hear.

  It’s even harder to breathe now, and I gasp for air in this wretched place.

  Alain. I found them. Come help us. Come.

  I bring up the image of his face in my mind. Close my eyes again. Remember how it felt to be with him, the magic of our union.

  I love you.

  The thought is sent before I think twice. And then I realize it’s true.

  I never said it to him in person, but it’s true. I mean it with every fiber of my being. Despite our differences, despite the difficulties. Even if he was cruel to me, and I to him, I love him.

  And I think I always will.

  Chapter 24

  Alain

  It’s two nights after I killed Karl. We’re sitting in Lucius’ private office just after sundown, discussing the events, with a million-dollar bottle of McCallan 1926 whiskey and two crystal shot glasses on his wooden desk.

  “So you visited Bri at night to help cure her wound?” Lucius pours the amber liquid into the glasses and passes one to me.

  “How do you know that?” I stare at him. “That was a secret.”

  He smiles. “I don’t disapprove. It’s a nasty bite he gave her.”

  “She was injured by a vampire. She needs a vampire to heal her.” I snap, then temper my voice. “She doesn’t know because I come in her sleep. If she sees anything, she thinks it’s a dream.”

  I take the glass and swallow the shot. Forty thousand dollars in one swallow, but it means nothing compared to what I’ve spent emotionally. “You don’t need to worry about her talking.”

  “It’s not her I’m worried about.” Lucius’ voice is mild. “In fact, I’m pleased...Karl’s reign of terror is over.” He pauses. “He will no longer rile up the vampire community. Well done.” He raises his glass, and it catches the light, sending sparkles across the room.

  “I thought you were displeased with me.” There is no emotion in my voice.

  “You took care of things, even if it got messy. It could have been worse.” Lucius raises his glass. “Under the circumstances, you did a fine job. Extraordinary, even.”

  “Thank you.” I don’t touch my glass. Don’t look at him.

  “Are you well?” Lucius studies me.

  I chuckle without humor. “No.”

  He nods. “It’s not easy to kill one of your own, no matter how right it is.”

  “I’m not upset about killing Karl.” I pour myself a second shot and swig the whiskey in one swallow.

  “Oh?” Lucius raises a brow.

  “It felt good to drive the stake through his chest, feel it go through muscle and bone and sinew. To see his eyes widen and glaze over. To watch him drain of essence until he was a hollow husk.” I pour another shot and drain it, the alcohol giving me one splendid second of inebriation before it equalizes.

  “That’s the anger talking.”

  “That’s the truth talking.” I pour a fourth shot. “Fuck, I wish I could still get drunk.”

  He tilts his head. “If you’re not upset about Karl, then what is it?”

  “The human women are still out there, and they could be dying as we speak. And Karl’s allies are probably going to hold the Last Drop auction without him. We don’t know how many vampires he convinced to join his auction. Those are vampires we need to watch or eliminate.”

  “I agree.” Lucius taps his fingers together. “Which is why I’ve forbidden anyone from speaking of Karl’s death, yet. That way we can still rout them out if we hear chatter about the auction or anyone curious about his whereabouts.”

  I nod. “So far I’ve heard nothing, but I’m digging.”

  “Do you need anything from me?” His face is somber.

  “Slash is on it. And a few others. We’re working every possibility.”

  “Good.” He nods. We all know Slash is the best. “When you find out, let me know. I will have my team support you in eliminating the chaff.”

  “I hope we can still find the three missing women.”

  Lucius nods. “Yes.”

  At least Bri is safe. Karl didn’t get to take her, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.

  Lucius either reads my thoughts or feels the emotion. “It’s Bri. That’s what’s bothering you.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You miss her.”

  “I had to protect her. I am a liability to her.” I don’t tell him: Yes. I miss her so much I can’t stand it. I wish we were still together. I made a huge mistake.

  “Most humans and vampires are better off without each other in the long term. Yet there are exceptions.” He tilts his head.

  I examine my glass. “Not only am I a danger to her, but also—caring about her made me lose focus. I almost let Karl get away.”

  Suddenly something occurs to me. “But actually–” I break off, my heart pounding.

  “What?” Lucius leans in.

  “I need a minute.” I close my eyes. Focus.

  Remember exactly what happened.

  Everything went down so fast that I may have suppressed some of the actions. Specifically, the part about Bri. It was too painful, so I pushed it away.

  But now that I allow my memories full range, I realize something.

  It was only the depth of my feelings for Bri that allowed me to overwhelm and attack Karl, ultimately. It was because of my care for her that I was able to stop him with my energy and then kill him. Instead of being a liability, she was an asset.

  Lucius seems to pick up on my emotions. “Tell me.”

  “She helped me.” The words come along with the realization. “When I was fighting Karl. I was stuck against his anger and power. Then she joined my mind. It’s a thing we can do, just the two of us. I can’t do it with other humans. She gave me some of her strength. And then I found mine, and I beat him.”

  I’m frozen. “I don’t know why I didn’t realize it. I think I blocked it out because I was so bent on pushing her away. But she helped me, Lucius.” I shake my head. “I didn’t give her enough credit. She got information all along, and then—at the most critical moment—she was there with me.”

  Lucius doesn’t say anything for a long time. Finally, he speaks. “You underestimated the depth of your feelings for her.”

  “We’re over.”

  “Alain, if you’re rethinking what you said to her, you need to speak to her. And soon.”

  “I said things that are a one-way road, Lucius.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “I was cruel to her. You heard me. And I deliberately wasn’t there for her these past few days, when she needed me more than ever. She’s probably been terrified. I wanted her to hate me and prefer to be without me.”

  That didn’t stop me from coming to her at night. Holding her for hours while she slept, whispering songs to her from centuries ago, until her body eased into dreams.

  “I see.”

  “I’m immortal. She’s not. It’s impossible.”

  He taps his fingers together and seems to ignore all of my arguments. “Truth? Stranger pairs exist.”

  The truth is that I love her. Maybe she’s a fragile mortal and losing her someday will devastate me. But not having the chance to spend what time we have? That’s worse. I’ll regret it for the rest of my existence.

  This realization makes my whole body feel numb. I’ve fucked up the best thing that’s happened to me in a hundred years.

  Lucius notes my expression. “Maybe you should talk to her again. Listen to what she says, underneath the words.”

  I would love the chance to listen to Bri again. One last time.

  Of course, it’s far too late for that. She hates me now, rightfully so. As I wanted her to. I was so angry.

>   “I thought she was better alone, as was I. But maybe we’re better together.” After centuries alone, it’s terrifying to think about actually committing to someone—especially a creature who isn’t immortal. I love her enough to try.”

  “If that’s how you feel, then honor it.” His tone is solemn. “It’s what I felt with Selene.” He smiles. “And that worked out, despite the odds. Sometimes when a vampire feels this way about another creature, it means that fate plans success for you.” He shrugs. “Something I’ve seen time and again over my many centuries.”

  “I don’t know if she’d give me a second chance. She shouldn’t.” I’m disgusted with myself. “I was awful to her.”

  Something tugs at my mind. “Did you say something?”

  He shakes his head.

  I feel it again. Like I’m trying to remember something forgotten. But it’s coming from outside of me—

  I feel electric shock down my spine because it’s her—Bri! I can hear her voice in my head. She’s calling me!

  Alain.

  I focus hard, and her words gain strength.

  Come help me.

  My whole body aches with the effort.

  I found them. Help me.

  And

  I love you. Then she goes silent.

  My whole body goes numb. “It’s Bri. She’s in danger.” I take a breath. “She’s found the missing women, Lucius. But she’s in trouble.”

  And she loves me! She still loves me, even though I was a complete asshole—

  But I can’t focus on that just yet.

  Suddenly my phone buzzes with a text. It’s from Bri! And it’s old—the satellite must be delayed. I hate when technology fails because this text is critical. And it matches what she’s telling me in my mind.

  “Fuck, Lucius, she’s trying to find the women! She’s in danger at this place.” I show him the address.

  I process the staticky images she sent, like flashes from an old TV. I frown, trying to make them out. My head aches. “There’s a human there holding her hostage. We need to go!”

  Lucius is already in action. “I can get us there faster than you can alone,” he says. I know he has powers beyond mine.

  I quickly call Martin and tell him to come with reinforcements. Then I turn to Lucius. “Do it.”