Bite Me (10 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY

     I promised Jack I would help pack away Donnie's things. The storm outside added to the glumness of the chore. We'd been at it most of the afternoon and were getting hungry and thirsty. Jack volunteered to go out and get us beer and food. I continued packing; every little thing bringing back some memory of more pleasant days. As I packed things in boxes it was hard to believe my friend was gone. For he was no longer the Donnie I knew. I suddenly got a tingling through my body. Something was wrong! I couldn't shake the feeling.

     The door burst open and Jack staggered through, minus the beer and food, covered in blood.

     "Jack!" I sprang to my feet and helped him slide down and lean against the wall.

     "Donnie." He feebly whispered.

     I heard the savage growl and looked up in time to catch Donnie lunge at me. I cried out, backing away, trying to find something to hit him with. I grabbed a wooden kitchen chair and with a strength I didn't know I had, I tore off the leg. As Donnie rushed at me, fangs bared and bloody, I screamed and rammed the point of the leg into his heart. He howled, stumbling backwards and crashed through the window, plummeting nine floors.

    I ran to the broken window and looked down. Through the heavy sheets of rain, and, beneath the yellow conical of the street lamp, Donnie lay sprawled on the ground. Jack groaned and I turned to him, stooping down beside him.

    A hand clamped down on my shoulder, pushing me away. I looked up at Draco; his eyes glowing red, his fangs bared.

    "We have to get him to a hospital." I declared. "He's losing a lot of blood."

    Draco sunk his fangs into his wrist and stooped beside Jack. He took him by the hair, yanking back his head, pressing his bloody wrist to his mouth, forcing him to drink. I watched, in astonishment, as Jack grabbed hold of Draco's wrist and greedily sucked the nourishment.

I also saw Draco become aroused by it.

    When he knew that Jack had his fill, he pulled away and laid a hand on the wounds on Jack's neck. They immediately began to close. I involuntarily put a hand to my wounds. They were and had been pin points for some time but they would always remain.

    Jack groaned and rolled his head against the wall.

    "He'll be okay." Draco matter-of-factly stated. He got up and went to the window, looking down at Donnie's inert body. I stood beside him.

     "Is he dead?"

     Draco shook his head. "Only paralyzed and unconscious. He could remain that way for hundreds of years."

      "Good, because I can't behead him or set him on fire."

     "Then, leave it to me. I'll put him in a coffin with chains and set him in an old cemetery we use."

     I looked back at Jack, sleeping fitfully against the wall. "Will he turn into a vampire now?"

     "No. I gave him my blood, flushing out what Donnie did to him. But he and I will be bonded and he will notice many symptoms as you did." He sighed. "I'll go and take care of the body."

     "Is that the last of the vampire murders?"

      "There will always be a rogue. Not all vampires, especially the young ones, know how to properly turn a human. Some vampires just get sloppy."

      "Why do you seem to be in control?"

      "I'm an old vampire. That's why I'm the ruler of our underworld."

     He took my hand and kissed it. "Soon, my luv." He promised and I found myself actually flushing from his touch and sensual voice.

     I pulled my hand free. He subtly smiled.

    "What about Jack? Is there anything to do for him?"

    Draco shrugged. "Feed him." He replied and vanished out the door.

    I closed the splintered door and bolted it. I pulled out my cell and ordered us food. We would most likely spend the night in Donnie's flat; much as I didn't like it, but with the weather, all that happened, it was best Jack didn't do any moving.

    "Lucy."

    I put my cell away and went to him, stooping down. "How are you feeling?"

    He nodded and then suddenly sat up, eyes wide, "Donnie!"

    "He's gone for good; or at least a few hundred years." I muttered the latter. "Can you get up?"

    "I believe so." He sat up, running his fingers through his mussed hair. He noticed the blood on his hand and groaned.

     "Why don't you go in the bathroom and get cleaned up. I'll continue packing things away."

     He stood and started for the hallway to the bathroom. He paused and looked around at me. "How is it I'm still standing? In fact, I never felt stronger."

     "You really don't want to know." I warned.

     He frowned and went down the hall.

     The rain and wind were blowing through the broken window. I had to do something about it. I looked at the cardboard boxes and immediately rent off the panels. Searching the cabinets, I found the duct tape and scissors. Pulling up a chair, I struggled against the elements and the blowing curtains in my face but I managed to temporarily board it up. I just prayed it stayed up in this storm.

     Jack was just coming out of the bathroom, changed into one of Donnie's shirts, when the doorbell rang. The two of us looked at each other and then I scoffed. "I seriously doubt Donnie or a vampire would ring the doorbell."

     Jack chortled. "You're right." He pulled out the money for the food and answered the door.

     We sat, cross-legged in the middle of all the crates and boxes, and ate.

     "I didn't realize he had so much stuff." Jack commented, looking around.

     "He lived here at least eight years. Plenty of time to accumulate stuff."

     "Thing is, we have two days to get it all out of here. We'll be up all night packing." Jack lamented.

      "We'll take shifts sleeping. We should be done by tomorrow afternoon."

      "You can take Donnie's bed. I'll sleep out here on the sofa." Jack offered.

      "Since we're taking shifts, we can both sleep on the sofa."

      "I guess it'll be safe to walk the streets again."

      "I hope so." I said. I really missed my beer. I had to drink iced tea instead.

      "What? You think there are more vampires?"

      "More than we know."

      Jack took the last swig of tea, stuffed his dirty paper plate in the bag the food came in and sighed, saying. "Well, we best get back to work."

      I agreed, gathering up the trash. I put it in the bin in the kitchen and started working on the cabinets. Neither one of us talked anymore about what happened but the ordeal brought Jack and I closer together.

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

     We finished packing by noon the following day and drove the boxes to a Good Will. Thankfully, it was still cloudy from yesterday because lately, the sun hurt my eyes.

      By the time Jack dropped me off at home, I was exhausted. I didn't get much sleep. When I got in, after dropping my keys on the table and tossing my coat and bag over a chair, I headed for the kitchen and opened the fridge, retrieving a bottle of beer. It felt and tasted so good. Taking my bottle, I went in the living room and flopped on the sofa. I laid my head back. I started to doze and was startled awake by the flashes of blood in my drifting dream.

     When I finished the beer, I set the empty container on the coffee table and scrunching a pillow and pulling the afghan over me, I closed my eyes, immediately falling asleep.

     I don't know how long I was asleep when the knock on the door woke me but dusky shadows covered the flat. I tossed the afghan aside and trudged to the door. I barely got it opened that Donnie forced himself inside and took me by the throat, holding me in mid-air.

     "Did you think you could get rid of me that easily?" he snarled and squeezed his hand tighter.

     I grabbed his hand, unable to breath. I felt my life slipping away from me…And then, I woke up with a start. By the shadows across the living room, I knew I'd slept quite a few hours. I then realized, someone really was knocking on the door. I cautiously got up to answer it. I was relieved it was Aiden.

     He kissed me as he entered and closed the door behind him. He followed me into the kitchen.

    "Want a beer?" I offered.

    "Sure."

    I handed him a bottle and removed the cap on mine.

    "How did the packing go?" he asked.

    I nodded, swallowing. "It went well." I partially lied. "We finished early this afternoon and drove to a Good Will shop in town. Then Jack drove me home and I took a nap. I woke now when you knocked on the door." I shrugged. "I know, exciting life I lead."

    Aiden laughed and downed a few mouthfuls of beer.

    "Are you in the mood for some pizza?" I queried, retrieving my cell from the kitchen counter.

    "Sure."

    "Onions and sausage?"

    He nodded and went in the living room. He made himself comfortable on the sofa and turned on the TV. A news reporter was talking.

    "It seems our rampant killer has taken a break again. No killings overnight."

    "Maybe it will be the end of his rampages."

    "Hopefully. Still, it bothers me we never caught the guy."

    "Just like The Ripper." I joined him on the couch. "Can we change the channel? I'm so tired of hearing bad news."

    He clicked the remote. "Sorry."

   We watched a sitcom until the pizza arrived.

     After dinner, we fooled around in the shower and continued it on the bed. We laid quietly for a while. All the while thinking, I can't keep going like this. I could sense things getting intense between us and I couldn't let it go any further.

     "Hey, you're drifting on me again. Thinking of Donnie?"

     "No, actually, about us." I replied, my head on his brawny mocha chest.

     He arched his brows. "Us? What about us?"

     I sighed and rolled back onto my elbows. "Remember, two months ago, when all of this started I said I didn't want to get serious about anyone?"

     "Yeah, and I respected that. We're having fun, aren't we?"

      "Too much, I'm afraid."

      "Wait, what are you saying? You want to end this? Us?"

      "Well, you have to admit, things moved faster than expected."

      "I was following your lead, Baby."

      I ran my hand over my hair, brushing it from my face. "I think, we need to stop seeing each other for a while."

      "Baby, where is all of this coming from? Especially after tonight. I thought things were going well."

      "Yeah, too well. I told you before, I'm not the type to have a serious relationship." The words were killing me. I didn't want to let him go, but for both of our sakes, I had to.

       He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "You picked one hell of a night to kiss me good bye."

       "I'm sorry." I tried to sound indifferent.

       He stood up, gathering his clothes. "So am I. We had a good thing going here, Lucy."

      Ouch, he used my name!

      I watched him cover up his delicious body. The body I wouldn't be privy to any longer. I missed him already but it was for the best, knowing what I was going to change into. Doubt he'd want a vampire for a girlfriend.

      He leaned over and kissed me. I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down on me. "I'm sorry this didn't work out, Baby." He caressed my cheek. "Take care of yourself and if you ever need me, you know how to reach me."

      Aiden straightened, grabbed his black leather jacket and I watched him walk out the door and my life. I dashed at the tears that threatened to fall. No, I wasn't going to cry. I had no right getting involved with him or any guy.

      I got out of bed, put on my panties and matching tank top and went in the kitchen. I opened the fridge for a beer but stopped and glanced back at the cabinet. I closed the door and reached into the cabinet for the bottle of Scotch. Grabbing the bottle and a glass, I sat at the kitchen table and poured myself a few drinks during the course of the night. I knew I could drink myself into oblivion with no consequences in the morning. In fact, it took a good while before I even felt the effects. Another indicator of my change to the other world.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

     I woke the next morning with head on the table and glass in hand. Although I didn't feel the effects of the alcohol consumption, I felt drained. The knock on the door didn't help my headache. I stumbled around for my pants and hitched them up as I headed for the door. Jack frowned at me.

     "What's wrong?"

     "Bad night." I grumbled and walked away.

     He closed the door behind him and followed me into the kitchen. "What happened?"

     I put the kettle on the burner to boil and heavily sighed as I turned to Jack, now seated. "I ended it with Aiden."

     His jaw slacked. "But why?"

     "I had to."

     "Donnie told me the same thing right before he died."

      "I'm afraid the same thing is going to happen to me."

      "You're not involved with the same vampire bondage, are you?"

      "No, but I'm somewhat involved with a vampire."

      Jack tried not to look judgmental but I sensed it. Hell, I could read it on his mind. It was time to tell him the truth.

      Leaning against the counter, arms folded over my midriff, I sighed and expounded. "Two months ago, while coming home from Tasmania, I was attacked and bitten. Not once did it happen, but three times. I've been infected by a vampire. I'm gradually going through the transformation from human to vampire. It won't be long before I'm made a full-fledged monster."

      Jack remained, slack-jawed.

      "You see why I can't stay with Aiden?"

     "Maybe if you tell him, he'll understand."

     "Understand what? That his girlfriend drinks blood? Don't think that will go over so well. Let alone, he won't believe me. He'll think I'm crazy."

      "It's just, I understood what Donnie had done and was still willing to forgive him."

      "And, do you think you'd be able to have a relationship with him? You saw what he turned into."

       Jack remained silent a moment. The kettle whistled and I poured the scalding water into the prepared mugs. I placed them on the table and sat down.

      "What did happen the other night? You said Donnie was gone but you never told me what really happened."

      "I staked him in the heart and he fell out the window. The vampire who's turning me took his body and buried it in a vampire cemetery."

      "And me? What happened to me?"

      "Donnie started to tear your throat. The same vampire saved your life."

      "Did he turn me?" he asked, horrified.

      "No. He gave you his blood. That's why you feel stronger."

      "He gave it to me, how?"

      "He made you drink it." I flatly told him.

      He stared at me a moment, and then got up and retched in the sink. I casually sipped my tea.

When he finished, he sat down.

      "I suddenly don't feel so well."

     "Do you see why I had to break it off with Aiden? I'm going to be a totally different person. It wouldn't be fair to him. Besides, he's an inspector and it wouldn't bode well with his job having a girlfriend who's undead."

      "So, who is this vampire? And why didn't he turn you right away?"

       "His name is Draco. He's an elder, though he looks younger than both of us, and he rules and runs the vampire world and the club Sinister Nights. And why he didn't turn me right away; he said he wants me to change gradually so I'll adjust to the final transformation."

       "So, you won't be like Donnie?"

       "No."

       "What's the change feel like?"

       "In the beginning, if felt like a bad viral infection. In fact, Donnie took me to the doctor then, and he confirmed it a virus. I refused to believe I was bitten by a vampire. I thought it was some psycho vampire wannabe that did infect me."

         "When did you finally believe?"

         "By the constant changes. My improved hearing, eyesight, the aversion to daylight and my inability to have a hangover. And, as I found out last night, my tolerance to it is greater. Soon it won't have any effect on me."

          "This, by far, has had to change your writing."

       "It has."

      Jack slipped his hand over mine. "I'll always think of you as my friend. You were there for me at my darkest hours."

      "Thanks." His sincere declaration and the fact I lost Aiden; probably the best guy I'd ever meet; that gave me a chance at a normal life, made me hate and despise Draco and all vampires.

       Jack sighed and stood, "Well, I have to get going. How long until you change completely?"

      I shrugged. "I don't know. It's out of my hands."

     "What if you go away? You know, before he could complete the transformation. Get out of England all together."

     "I thought of it, but he'll find me. We're bonded through our blood." I didn't want to tell Jack the same went for him; that Draco could find and change him whenever he wanted but I doubted he would.

      "Is there anything you can do to stop it?"

      "No. I thought of getting myself killed but since he knows where I'm at all times, he can stop any harm coming to me." I smiled at Jack. "Don't worry about me. I'm a fighter. I'll survive whatever this Draco can throw at me."

       He sadly smiled. "So, will you be coming to the club tonight?"

       "I don't know."

      "I'll talk to you later then."

      I nodded and he exited the flat.

      As I went in the kitchen to clean off the table, I felt a great burden had been lifted from me in my telling Jack the truth. If only, I could have done that with Aiden. I could still see the hurt in his eyes, hear it in his voice, as he said good-bye.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

    "I haven't seen you in a while. Your boyfriend keeping you busy?"

    My knuckles whitened around the glass holding my Scotch. "I came to learn where you buried Donnie."

     "Why?"

     "So I can visit his grave and finally pay my respects to a lost friend."

     "It's a vampire graveyard, no one goes to pay respects."

     "Well, I am! I'll find the place myself if I have to."

      "No, it's too dangerous for you to go alone. I'll take you."

      "Well, if you finish the transformation, you won't have to be watching over me all of the time."

      "I will always watch over you. You are my creation. My future queen."

       "Why do you delay the inevitable? Why not get this over? I've given up so much, there's nothing left of my life now."

      "You gave up your boyfriend, didn't you?"

      "You knew I would. Look, are you going to help me or not?"

       "I'll take you to your friend's grave but no leaving flowers or candles. And, as for your final transformation; in due time. You aren't quite ready."

      "How ready must I be?"

      "When I say so. Now, come on," he stood, taking my coat. "Let's go to the grave site." He wanted to help me with my coat but I snatched it from him, casting him a dark glare.

       He subtly smiled, and led me out of the club.

     The moon was the only light as we stepped into the vampire graveyard but with my newfound eyesight, I didn't have a problem seeing where we were going. We weaved around the different unmarked graves until Draco finally stopped.

      "This is it?" I asked.

      He bowed his head.

      "How can you tell?"

      "I'm the one that buried him, remember?"

      I stared down at the fresh mound of dirt. "You just didn't dump him in the earth, did you?"

     "He's in a coffin and it's chained."

      "Is he aware of what's happening to him?"

      "No. He's in a vampire slumber. He can only be awakened if he's dug up, unchained and the stake pulled from his heart. It's that way for all of the vampires here who were staked at one point of their undead life."

       "So, anyone can come in here and dig them up?"

       "No human knows where this place is."

       "And now that I know do I have to die?" I wryly asked.

       He caressed my cheek, "You must learn patience, my luv."

       I pushed his hand away and turned to the grave. A gut wrenching sigh heaved from my chest. "I'm so sorry, Donnie. I never meant for any of this to happen. You can't even rest at peace."

     "Actually, this is the most peace a vampire will have. When he's truly dead, what do you think happens to him?"

     After a moment, I quietly said, "He goes to Hell."

     He peered at me. "Still anxious to die?"

     I never thought about it. After all, none of this was my fault. I didn't ask to get bitten.

     Reading my thoughts, Draco said, "Nonetheless, you will be one of us."

    I leered into his gray eyes that I saw so clearly, "I loathe you."

    "Yet, you can't resist me." He softly chortled. "In fact, right now, you're wondering what it would be like to have sex with me."

      "You truly are delusional."

       He stepped close to me. His musky scent and nearness did arouse me. I stepped back.

       "Thank you for taking me here." I snipped. "Now, I must be going."

       "You won't find your way out of here without me." He reminded.

        "You forget, my eyesight and sense of location has greatly improved." I jeered and started to walk past him.

        He grabbed my arm, jerking me back and turning me to face him. He crushed me in his arms and hard pressed his lips against mine. I could feel the points of his fangs; taste the trickle of blood from my bottom lip. It enticed me. I found myself responding to his passion.

        Within moments, we were on the ground, half naked and entwined in one another's arms. I thought sex with Aiden was great; I couldn't describe the depths of intense passion and orgasm I shared with Draco. I guess, being around a few centuries taught him how to please a woman.

        "You're thinking of Aiden." He sneered. "He didn't compare to me." He boasted.

        "I was thinking of what a sacrilege this was, screwing in a graveyard."

        "A vampire graveyard." He reminded. "This isn't sacred ground."

        "Still, it didn't seem right." I argued as I dressed. I stood up, dusting the dirt off of my clothes and hands.

        "It seemed right to you a moment ago."

        "It was a mistake." I snipped, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "And, I'm going home now."

       "It wasn't a mistake." He snarled. "I told you, you belong to me."

       I scoffed, "Just because we copulated?"

      He snatched my shoulders. "No, because of this." And before I could protest or move, he had the points of his fangs in my neck, sucking hard at my blood. I felt it pumping through my veins. It was different this time. My heart was pounding so rapidly, I thought it would burst from my chest and then it began to slow down. My head spun, my sharp eyesight began to dull, and my hearing was nothing but a loud whistle in my ears. My body turned to ice. I was dying. This was it! My final transformation. I was becoming a full-fledged vampire. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

      When it was over, I woke cradled in Draco's arms. My eyesight was sharp again, my senses were sharper than ever. I could hear the rustle of every bare tree branch. I sharply pulled myself from his arms and stood.

      "How do you feel?" he asked, looking up from his stooped position.

       I never felt better! I thought as I looked around at the world from my new eyes.

       Draco stood, proudly smiling at his new creation. "You are now my mate and no other will come between us."

       "I'm nobody's mate!" I retorted. "No male will ever rule me." I pushed him aside and bolted from the cemetery.

        I was amazed at the speed which I could run and I was home in record time. I came through my flat door, nearly pulling it off of its hinges. I had to remember my newfound strength. I closed and locked the door. Not as though anyone breaking in could think to hurt me now. I did it out of habit.

      I removed my coat, tossed it aside and went in the fridge for a beer. I spat the first mouthful out in the sink. It lost its flavor. I might as well had been drinking water. I needed something stronger. I poured myself a glass of Scotch. It was better but I didn't feel that tingly buzz I normally get when drinking strong alcohol.