Bite Me (9 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

     "You're not going to find him here."

     I lifted my eyes on Draco as he sat across from me at the table in the vampire club.

     "He's a rogue. He wanders the night from kill-to-kill."

     "I still believe there's something of Donnie left." I argued.

     "There isn't and don't think you can face him alone to try and bring him around. The friend you knew is gone. Something went terribly wrong during his transformation. Weston was careless. I don't think he meant to turn him."

      "I've got to try." I persisted.

      Draco gripped my hand. "Listen to me. It's too dangerous. The best thing you can do for him is to stake him and behead him."

       "Will you do that for me when I turn?"

       He looked surprised. "Why would I? Your transformation is coming along fine. Your senses will stay intact."

       "That's what I mean. I don't want to know what I've become."

       "You'll think differently once you're completely turned."

       "Why are you dragging this out?"

       "I want you to become accustomed to it. Turning is often a shock to the human body and it takes weeks, even months to adjust to the new life. I'm doing you a favor."

       "Gee, thanks." I jeered.

       Draco subtly grinned. "Already, you're drawn to this world. Together, you and I can rule it."

       I finished off my drink and put the glass down on the table with a thud. "I don't want to rule anything with you. I don't want any part of you."

      "And yet, here you are."

      "I told you, I do it for research."

       "And now, you'll have first-hand information."

       I rolled my eyes and stood. Grabbing my coat, I stuffed my arms into the sleeves and slung my bag over my shoulder. As I turned to leave, he grabbed my arm, pulling me against him.

      "Do not do anything foolish." He warned.

      "The only foolish thing I've done was knowing you." I spat, jerked my arm free and strode away.

       He suddenly appeared in front of me on the stairway to the exit. "You're not equipped to handle your friend."

      "You don't seem to get it. I don't care what happens to me anymore. I'll do anything to escape the nightmare you've got for me." I pushed him aside and tread out the door.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

     The news reported another male killing in the East End behind a pub. I knew it was Donnie. He was lost, and alone and needed my help. It would have to wait because Aiden showed up at my door. He kissed me as he entered and closed the door behind him.

      He saw the reporter on the television screen talking about the murder. "I just came from there." He stated. He turned off the TV and frowned at me, standing in the kitchen, my arms folded tightly around my mid-riff. "Hey Baby, what's wrong?"' 

      "Nothing." I shrugged dismissively.

      He walked over to me, slipping his arms around my waist. "You're obviously upset."

     "It's just the murders started all over again." I stated, worried more about Donnie than the victims.

      "Okay. Maybe you should stop watching the news for a while."

      "Or until you catch him?"

      His hands slid over my bent elbows and took my hands. "Baby, you're hands are like ice."

       So were my feet, but I didn't feel cold. It was all part of my transformation.

      He squeezed my hands and smiled, putting his forehead to mine. "I know what will help relieve your stress."

      "Oh, do you?" I salaciously replied.

      "I'm going to fix us a hot bubble bath and then order us dinner and have a relaxing night."

      "Sounds nice." I agreed.

       He kissed me and went in the bathroom. I immediately heard the water running. A night of passion might just be the thing to relax me.

        Aiden was already undressed when I entered the bathroom. Just seeing his sculpted, nude body aroused me, as he obviously was. He slowly undressed me and together we stepped into the tub, submerging ourselves in the steamy bubbles. He kissed my hands, slightly warmed by the hot water and then pulled me closer to him. His hardness touched me in the right spot and I nearly had an orgasm right then. I wrapped my arms around his neck and caressed his sensuous lips. I moaned as he fondled me beneath the water. His head bent back with a groan as I ministered to him. I was soon sitting on his large shaft and rocking against him. Orgasm quickly followed for both of us and I went limp in his arms.

       Being in his arms, at this moment, brought a sense of peace and security that I don't normally feel. He kissed the crown of my head.

      "Feeling better?" he asked in that molten, drizzly chocolate voice.

      I remained with my head on his broad chest, listening to the rapid pounding of his heart. "Much." I lifted my head, "Thank you."

     He smiled. "I always aim to please."

     "You certainly do." I always got so mushy being with him. It was a feeling that scared me. I couldn't afford to fall in love with anyone.

      He picked up the loofa and suds it with the body wash. "Now for the fun part."

      I laughed as he scrubbed me down, arousing me all over again.

      By the time I came out of the bathroom, Aiden told me he ordered dinner. I slipped into his arms. Why now? I wondered. Now, that there was a potential love in my life. It made me hate Draco all the more. The phone rang, spoiling the moment between me and Aiden. I snatched the cell from the counter.

     "Hello?"

     It was Jack. I understood what he was going through but he was becoming annoying and cloying. "Did you see the news?"

     "I did."

     "That pub is only a few blocks from the club."

     "Look, Jack, I can't talk right now."

     "Is Aiden there?"

     I looked at Aiden, "He is."

     "Is he any closer to catching Donnie?"

     "No. I have to go, Jack." I said and hung up before he could say anymore. I tossed the phone on the counter.

     "You were kind of abrupt with him." He commented as he set the table.

     "I had to be or I'd still be on the phone listening to him whine about the murders. And, we're not supposed to be talking about that tonight, right?"

     Aiden smiled. "Right."

     I helped him set the table. The good mood was quickly vanishing.

     "Hey." Aiden's voice broke into my musing.

     I arched red brows.

     "I'm losing you."

     "What?"

     "I can tell you're drifting; thinking of Donnie or the murders."

     "I'm sorry."

     He put his hands on my shoulders, "I know it's hard, what you're going through but we will find your friend's body and catch this killer."

     That's what I was afraid of.

     There was a knock on the door. Aiden shoved his hand in his pocket as he went to answer it. I heard him talk to the delivery guy and close the door. He set the bag on the table and we began to sort it out. We were soon sitting down to eat. I purposely pushed Donnie and the murders to the back of my mind, trying to enjoy the rest of the evening.

     Aiden rolled on his back, taking me with him. I rode on his hardness; both of us moaning and panting. I then leaned down, and, from my mouth emerged fangs. I growled and sunk them into his neck. He gasped, immobile as I suckled the blood from his vein. When I picked up my head, blood pooled in my mouth.

     I woke in a cold sweat, gasping for air. I involuntarily felt my teeth, wiped my hand across my mouth to see if I pulled away blood. I jumped when Aiden touched my arm. He sat up.

     "Hey, hey, it was only a bad dream." He consoled.

     I expelled a breath of air. "Very bad." I mumbled and swung my legs over the side of the bed, standing. "Want a beer?" I asked as I headed for the kitchen.

     "I'm good." He replied and laid back down.

      I opened the fridge, pulling out a bottle, unscrewed the cap, tossed it in the bin and tilt the bottle to my lips. It felt good trickling past my parched throat. My hand slightly trembled mostly with rage towards Draco who did this to me. Finishing the beer, I tossed the bottle in the bin and climbed back into bed. I flicked on the television, changing channels until I found a decent movie.

    Aiden opened his eyes and squinted at the brightness of the screen. He glanced at the clock on the lamp table. "Really?" he wryly remarked.

    "I'm sorry. I can't go back to sleep just yet."

    "Fine." He muttered, turned his back to me and pulled the covers to his bald head.

    I settled back against the pillows and tried concentrating on the movie but my mind kept drifting to my dream, to Draco and Donnie. Eventually, I fell asleep sitting up with the TV on.

Aiden must have gotten up at some point, and, seeing me asleep, turned off the set because when I woke again, the television was off. I snuggled down into the pillows, deep under the covers up against Aiden and fell into a deep sleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

     I was walking home from the library when I saw two men going down the side street. It wasn't until they passed under the stream of the yellow street lamp I realized it was Donnie.

     I called out to him.

     He turned with a growling hiss. I don't know if he reacted to his name or the interruption. The young man, leaning against the wall, witnessing Donnie's fangs, fled the scene. This angered Donnie and he came towards me.

     I held up a hand. "Donnie, it's me, Lucy. Remember me? Please tell me there's something of you left inside."

     He snatched my hand, peering at me with glaring red eyes. "I remember you."

    "I knew you would."

    His brows wickedly pointed. "You did this to me."

    I tried to pull my hand back but he was too strong. "No, I didn't. Weston did this to you."

    Donnie yanked my hand to his mouth and was about to sink his fangs into my wrist when Draco showed up, asserting himself between us. He broke Donnie's hold on me and hissed at him. Donnie growled, baring his gleaming fangs. Draco snarled. They sounded like two feral dogs.

     After a moment of alpha posturing, Donnie fled into the night. Draco whirled on me. He grabbed me by the shoulders.

     "I told you to stay away from him."

     "Stop stalking me."

     "I'm not stalking you; I can sense when you're in trouble and where you're at. But I'm not always going to be able to get to you in time."

     "I told you, I don't care what happens to me."

     He peered into my defiant green eyes. "And, what about your boyfriend?"

     "He isn't my boyfriend. And, we won't be able to stay together after I turn into a monster."

     "That's when you'll come to me. That's when you'll be my queen."

     I pushed away from him. "Leave me alone."

     "I can't, Lucy, you know that."

     "I know, I hate you." I spat.

     "No, you don't. Even when you're in boyfriend's arms, you're wondering how it would be with me."

      I grunted in frustration, turned and quickly walked away. I heard his wicked snicker in my head. "You can only run so far and for so long, my love." I heard him think to me.

     I was grateful, when I got to the bus stop, the bus pulled up. I got on and plopped by a window seat. Glancing out, I saw Draco standing on the pavement. The bus pulled away. If only I could pull so easily away from my fate.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

     "I can't believe you can work like that in this place."

      I lifted my green gaze on Jack putting my pint on the table. I shrugged, my fingers continuing to fly over the keys.

      He sat across from me. "Have you seen anymore of Donnie?" he asked in a low voice; as if anyone in that club would hear us.

      I paused in my writing and looked at him over the top of the laptop. "I did."

      Jack looked expectant.

      "He recognized me."

      "He's coming around."

      "Not exactly. He thinks I'm the cause for his monstrous state."

      "How could he think that?"

      "Weston messed him up when he turned him. He's confused and very angry."

      "Do you think he'll ever remember us the way we were?"

       "I don't know." Maybe he would be better off staked. I thought.

       Someone called his name. Jack turned his head and saw that person waving him down from the bar. He started to stand. "I've got to get back to work."

       "Jack, don't find yourself alone. Especially here." I warned.

       He pressed a sad smile. "I won't." He walked away and I went back to work.

      A little while later, I was interrupted by a young man. He brazenly sat across from me. "Hello, luv."

       Not pausing in my work, I glared at him from over the laptop.

       He half stood, looking over the screen. "What are you working on?"

       I peered up at him. "Your epitaph if you don't leave me alone." I snarled.

       He gave me a queer look and stood, indignant. With a huff, he strode from my table. I rolled my eyes with a groan and went back to typing.

     It seemed to be a night of interruptions so I closed up shop and departed for home. As I walked along the quiet, nearly deserted, street for the tube, I got the prickly feeling I was being followed. I quickened my footsteps. The feeling remained. As I headed down the steps of the tube, my cell rang. I snatched it from my coat pocket. It was Aiden.

      "Hey." I greeted, rushing down the steps.

      "You sound out of breath. You okay?"

      "I'm heading down the steps of the tube."

      "So you'll be home in about ten, fifteen minutes?"

      "Yeah. You coming over?"

       "If you want me to, Baby." He seductively said.

       "Of course." I replied, not having the time to play along. "I've got to go."

       "Okay. See you soon."

       "Bye." I replied and ended the call, stuffing my phone in my pocket.

       As I waited on the platform, I discreetly observed the few people with me. My skin prickled. He was down here. I could feel him. I was relieved when I saw the light of the train barreling through the tunnel. It whisked past me and came to a gradual stop. The doors opened and I quickly stepped through. When I sat down and looked out the window, I saw him; his face pressed against the pane. I jumped, with a gasp. A few people turned and looked at me. I cleared my throat and slunk down in the seat. The train pulled away, leaving Donnie in the dark.

     "You seem miles away tonight." Aiden commented as I lay in his arms.

     We just finished having hot, passionate sex and were quietly laying in the aftermath. "You got your mind on Donnie?"

      "A little. I got the feeling I was being followed tonight on the way home."

      "Why didn't you tell me on the phone?"

      "There was nothing you could have done. I was already in the train station."

      "The next time you feel like that, please, give me a call. Especially with that maniac running around tearing out people's throats."

       I pulled myself up on his chest. "Hey, you want a beer?" I changed the subject.

       "Nah. I really have to get going. Got an early call in the morning."

       I glanced at the clock. "It is morning."

      Aiden looked at his watch. The hands pointed to three o'clock. "Okay, so I'll get a few hours of sleep." He got up and started to dress as I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood, going in the kitchen.

      Dressed, he came over to me, slipping his arms around my bare waist. "You look so sexy naked and drinking beer."

      I lowered the bottle, swallowed and gave him a light shove. "Go." I told him.

      He laughed, kissed me, turned, picked up his coat and headed for the door. "Talk to you later."

      I nodded and he departed. Sighing, I finished off my beer and proceeded to bolt the door before putting on my pajamas. I climbed into bed and snuggled deep under the covers but every time I closed my eyes, I kept seeing Donnie's twisted face.

     After tossing and turning for nearly an hour, I finally succumbed to the fact I wasn't going to sleep anytime soon and got out of bed. Grabbing my laptop, I went in the kitchen and put on the kettle for tea. Writing seemed to be my only outlet for all that was happening to me.