Bite Me (17 page)

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

     I found my prey just outside the church. A middle age woman who was standing on the corner, smoking. She smelled like stale whiskey and perfume and well, I was hungry. I approached her by asking her if she was ever in the church and she scoffed me. That was the last she laughed before I thrust her against the wall and punctured her vein with the points of my fangs. She was too immobilized by the bite to move. This time, I drank carefully, not taking too much blood; I didn't care how greedy the baby was for it. When I finished, I stepped away, swiping the back of my hand across my bloody mouth and she stumbled away, not sure about what happened to her. I then went around the corner and up the steps to the church doors that I managed to push open.

     I looked in the font, expecting blood but it was water. The flickering candles held my attention for a moment before I decided to light one. Foolish, I know, but I couldn't resist. I wanted to see if my request would be acknowledged by a deity.

     I sat down on the pew by the wall of votive candles and stared up at the crucifix. I regretted not having spent more time in church over the years. Now I missed any chance of redemption.

     "What is your fascination with this place?"

     His shoulders brushed against mine as he sat beside me. His cologne mingled with the waxy scent of the burning candles.

     "You wouldn't understand."

     "Regret from childhood?" Draco asked.

     "Maybe."

     "It's too late for redemption now."

     "Thanks to you." I bitterly replied.

     "We have a church." He reminded.

     "You told me to stay away from it."

     "I meant with that human."

     I sighed and looked up at the figure on the cross. "I like this place better."

     Draco shrugged. "Suit yourself." He slipped out of the bench. "Coming?"

     "Not with you."

     He pressed his hands on the back of the pew and leaned to my ear. "There's no getting away from me, my luv. Now, come along." He ordered.

     "If I don't?"

     "Fighting me is useless, my luv. Haven't you figured that out by now?"

     "Fine." I huffed and stood.

     Taking my arm, we exited the church.

     We wound up back at my flat. And it was inevitable that we have sex. I could never call it love making with Draco as I could have with Aiden, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it. One of the perks of being a vampire.

      He held my hips as I straddled his phallus and rocked back and forth hard and fast. Nearly in climax, I leaned down and bit his neck. He moaned with intense pleasure I started to lick the blood that pumped from his vein. The closer we came to orgasm, the rougher we got until we both explosively released. I fell limp in his arms and he held me close, kissing me on the crown of my head.

      "We are meant for one another, Lucy, my luv. You can't deny it. You may have enjoyed sex with your human but can't describe the ecstasy you have with me."

     He was right; as narcissistic as he sounded. Of course, I wouldn't admit it to him. I lifted my torso.

     "I'm hungry for food." I pushed myself to sitting beside him. "I'm going to order some Chinese. Do you want some?"

     "Most vampires don't get very hungry for food. I guess, it's the pregnancy."

     "Maybe but I'm not most vampires or women." I confidently added.

     He gripped my hand and kissed it. "No, you are not. That's why I chose you."

     I don't know why but I leaned down and tenderly kissed him on his lips. We smiled at each other as I got up. I gathered my clothes and got dressed. As Draco got up to dress, I called the restaurant for our order.

     Draco sat on the side of the bed and turned on the telly. A news reporter was talking how a young man was found in the dumpster behind the club Sinister Nights. I sharply turned to the TV. Draco sprang to his feet.

     "Grace!" we declared in unison.

     He turned to me. "Dinner will have to wait. I've got to go and straighten this out."

     "Go." I replied, still holding the phone.

     Draco whooshed out the door.

    I wearily sighed and set the phone on the counter. I went in the living room to continue listening to the report. I sat, hard, on the side of the sofa bed, shaking my head. I told Draco not to let her go to the dungeon. She, like Donnie, was too excitable.

    I groaned when Aiden's face appeared on camera. I swore he was looking straight at me when he declared he would catch the one behind this. I dreaded to think what Draco and Aiden would do when confronted with each other.

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE

     It was nearly dawn when I was roused from sleep. The television was still on. Draco sat on the side of the bed. I peered up at him through thickly veiled red lashes.

    "What happened? Did you find Grace?" I sleepily mumbled, now pushing myself up against the pillows.

     "No. But the body's been taken to the morgue. And, I don't think she turned her."

     "Did you see Aiden?"

     He furrowed his brow. "No. Why was he there?"

     "I saw him on the news boasting how he knew the killer---me."

     "So you think he's going to come after you?"

     "He might."

     "Then I'll have to have a little talk with our friend." He sneered.

      "Hmm, I know what one of your so-called little talks will turn into."

      "I won't let him take you. Meanwhile, you must do something about Grace."

      "Me?"

      "She's your creation."

      "And you're the one that took her to the dungeon. I told you she wasn't ready for it. She's too young and immature."

        "There's no sense arguing about it now. I'm tired. It's been a long night. You've got to find Grace and bring her to the club where she can be watched."

        Draco got undressed and slid under the covers beside me.

       "I don't intend to babysit this girl. I have enough going on in my life. I don't need another child to worry about."

       "We'll talk about it later." He made himself comfortable and closed his eyes. It amazed me how quickly the man could fall asleep.

      I opened the door on Grace, standing humbly in the hallway.

     "How did you find me?"

     "You're my creator. I just followed the scent." She stated matter-of-factly and strolled into the flat.

     Draco sat up in bed, stopping Grace in her tracks. "Oh, I didn't know…"

     "What are you doing here?" he demanded. He glanced at the clock on the wall. He didn't appreciate being woken before dark. "And, what were you thinking last night at the club? And, dumping the body in the dumpster. I had to be quite convincing for the cops to keep the club opened as they investigated—which is another thing I don't appreciate. I thought you could be trusted in that dungeon."

      She shrugged. "I guess not."

      "You foolish child!" he scolded. "You're banned from the dungeon. And, you're not to hunt alone anymore."

      "But."

      "You're too young and wild to hunt alone. I don't need you to be making anymore rogue vampires. It gives the rest of us a bad name."

       She pursed her lips in a pout. She lifted violet eyes on me. "I guess, you're stuck with me from now on."

     "No. Draco will find someone else to babysit you."

     "Lucy, we talked about this." Draco warned.

     My green eyes flashed fury. "No,
you
talked about it. I told you I was not going to babysit anyone. I have my own life to live."

     Draco narrowed his gray eyes at me, then shifted his gaze to Grace. "You will meet Lucy here before you go on the hunt and when you're done feeding, you'll come and sit at the club. But, like I said, no dungeon."

     Grace glanced at me, fuming. "Sorry." She mumbled.

     I only groaned and rolled my eyes. I went in the kitchen and poured myself a glass of wine.

    "Do you have any beer?" Grace queried.

    I nodded. I learned to always keep it stocked for such occasions. I opened the fridge and retrieved one for her. I unscrewed the cap and handed her the bottle.

    Draco flung the covers from his legs and stood—naked. He grabbed his clothes and started for the bathroom. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to take a shower." He pointed at Grace. "You, don't go anywhere."

    She stared, in awe, at his naked body. "Uh, huh."  And watched him go in the bathroom.

    Grace turned to me with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes and a sly grin on her painted red lips. "You are one lucky girl!"

    I rolled my eyes and poured another glass of wine.

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

     After feeding, I took Grace to the church. She balked at the doors. "Are we really going in there?"

     "Do you believe in God?"

     "I guess. But, vampires in a church is unheard of."

      "A myth." I replied and opened the doors.

      We crossed the dark vestibule and stepped into the candle lit sanctuary. Grace dipped her hand in the water font and pulled back with a cry. I turned. Her fingers were burned. I guess it's not all a myth. I thought.

       I took her arm. "You'll heal." I assured the pouting girl.

     We sat down in the last pew on the aisle. She glanced around the interior.

     "This place is creepy." She whispered.

     I side-glanced her. "This, coming from a vampire."

     She shrugged and then asked, "Why are we here?"

     "I find solace here. I did when I was young."

     She furrowed her brow. "You're a strange vampire."

     "So I've been told." I looked her in the eyes. "Look, I learned that when we cross over, we bring most of our personality with us."

     "And, you were religious?"

     "No. But I used to go to church with my grandmother. I stopped when I became a teen. It seems, since I became a vampire, I turned back to my roots. Oh, I know nothing could save me now but I like coming here."

      "Can we leave now? I really don't like this place."

      I sighed and stood. "Come on. Draco will be waiting for us at the club."

     "This is more like it." Grace beamed as we sat at my usual table with our drinks.

     "It's okay." I shrugged. I would have liked it a whole lot better, if not for Draco.

     "It's about time you two got here."

      And speaking of the ass!

      "Lucy took me to church."

      "Yes, she's the only vampire with spiritual morals." He snidely replied.

      I curled my lip of disdain at him as I stood with my empty glass. I pushed him aside, "Excuse me." I sneered and walked past him.

      Grace curiously looked at Draco. He raised questioning dark brows. She shrugged. "I find it odd the way she talks to you and gets away with it."

       "And, she's the
only
one that can get away with it."

      "Because you're sleeping together?"

       "Because I made her my queen."

        "Really? She has as much authority and power as you do?"

        "Yes."

        She frowned. "She sure doesn't act like she enjoys it. In fact, it seems to me, that she despises you and being a vampire."

        "She's getting accustomed to it all." He firmly stated. "And, as for you; no dungeon."

         She pouted but drank her bourbon.       

     A young woman approached her table. I heard her ask Grace to dance. I saw her glance at Draco for permission. He nodded and she smiled and stood up. Taking the girl's hand, they went through the tables on the second floor and down the steps to the dance floor.

          "So, how are you feeling?" a voice stole into my reverie. I turned to Jack now putting my Scotch on the counter.

       I picked up the glass and took a sip. I shrugged. "Fine, I suppose."

       "Do vampires carry as long as human females?" he queried.

      "I don't know. I don't know much about pregnancies; human or vampire. I just know, I don't like it."

     "How's Grace doing?"

      "She's a little pain who enjoys being a vampire way too much."

      "You know, for someone who was so into vampires, you surprise me that you don't like being one."

     "There's a big difference." I drank more of the Scotch. "How are you? How are things with Bobby?"

      Jack glanced over at his new boyfriend serving a customer. He smiled, "Things couldn't be better." He then grew serious. "You know I miss Donnie but I'm glad, in a way, that I found a new love. He's so different from Donnie."

     "He cares about you and treats you like you're his one and only." I stated.

     Jack nodded.

     "Excuse me," Draco interrupted. I rolled my eyes. "Come, I want to talk."

     "Later." I grumbled.

     He gripped my arm. "Now."

     I wearily sighed and stood. I looked at Jack and said, "Appreciate Bobby. Men like him are rare."

     "What was that about?" Draco asked as we walked away.

     "You mean, you weren't listening in on our conversation?" I snidely asked.

     "I was busy."

     "Right." I mumbled and took a few gulps of my drink.

     I sat down. "What did you want to talk about that couldn't wait?" I impatiently asked.

     "I have business I must attend to. I need you to keep an eye on Grace." He looked out over at the dance floor.

      "And, I couldn't do that talking to Jack at the bar?"

      "No. She needs your undivided attention. I don't trust her. Do you sense that she's thinking of taking that girl in the dungeon?"

     "I wasn't paying much attention."

     "Even though that girl she's dancing with is a vampire, I don't want her down there."

     "All of this is your fault. You're the one that introduced her to it." I reminded.

     "Fine. Blame me. I've got to go." He leaned over and kissed me on the lips. "I'll see you later. I want you to come to the penthouse after closing."

     I didn't reply. He assumed I would obey and he departed. With a disgruntled sigh, I glanced down at Grace. She was gone!

     Cussing, I finished off my drink and went after her.

     The dungeon was hot, steamy, smelled like sweat and blood. Howls, growls, screams and the rattle of chains filled the room. The smells and sounds were affecting me. I had to find Grace and get us both out of there.

     It didn't take long to find her. I stepped into the cage and yanked her free from the grips of her partner. "Get dressed!" I shouted.

    Both hissed and growled at me. Grace's partner lunged at me with bared fangs. I rammed my fist in her face. The impact sent her reeling back into the cage, bumping her head and falling in a heap on the floor. I jumped down out of the cage, grabbed Grace's arm and dragged her alongside the wall to the door.

    She struggled and hissed and growled.

    "Stop it!" I hollered.

    "What about Amelia?" she looked back over my shoulder.\

    I glanced back and then, grabbing Grace, moved along. "She's unconscious. She'll be fine. Now, come on."

    "Why should I leave? Draco should never had brought me down here if he didn't want me to enjoy myself."

    "You're right. This is his fault. But he's come to realize you were too young for this room."

    She jerked free of my hold, flashing her violet eyes. "This is your fault as well. If you hadn't turned me, I'd be happy carousing pubs at Canary Wharf."

    I stopped short. "You're right. But there's nothing to be done about it now; other than to get you away from here."

    "No! You can't tell me what to do! I ran away from a nagging mother like you."

    I gnashed my teeth. "You want to stay here. Go ahead!" I retorted and stomped out the door.

    "You left her there?" Draco scolded as I undressed for bed.

   "I told you, I'm not her sitter. You introduced her to the dungeon, now she's your problem." I climbed naked into bed.

    "Fine, I'll take care of it." He sat on the side of the bed.

    "What will you do to her?"

    His eyebrows arched. "I thought you didn't care." He teased.

    "I don't want you to hurt her. She's just a mixed up vampire youth." I found myself defending the girl.

    "You seemed to adjust okay in a short time." He stated. He was now caressing my cheeks. I could see he was aroused.

    "I told you, I'm not most women."

    "And, that's why I chose you." He slid on top of me and sparks ignited at the mere touch of our skin on one another.

    We frenetically rolled around the bed, moving into different positions, growling and snarling as we satisfied each other. After multiple orgasms, I finally collapsed under his body; his phallus still inside of me. It took vampire males longer to deflate so I enjoyed the sensation of the hardness.

     It took a while for the two of us to come down to some semblance of normalcy before Draco lifted his torso with his elbows beside each of my hips. "Marry me, Lucy."

     I scoffed a laugh, pushing him over. "Right." I snipped and sat up.

     He lay on his back, taking my hand.  "You know, we belong to each other. You're already my mate. Let's make it official."

     "Should I wear a white wedding gown?" I wryly asked.

     "Actually a black robe. We'd be married in the vampire church."

     "No."

     "You're still hoping to get back with that human." He snarled.

     "No. I just don't want to be married. I will not be subject to any man."

     "You're already subject to me."

     "Another one of your delusions?" I jeered.

     He pulled me down to him, holding me by the back of my hair. "Our blood has mingled. Our bodies are no longer our own. It's time to make it legally binding."

     "No. I want my freedom." I decreed and pulled away from him. I rolled over on my side, my back to him.

     I heard him huffing and grunting as he turned his back to me, tugging at the covers. I didn't care how angry he got, I was not marrying him—or anybody!