Rednecks 'N' Roses (9 page)

Screaming with rage, Vincent grabbed Amber’s hair, wrenched her head back and buried his fangs in her throat.

“Amber!” In the blink of an eye, Rusty reached her side. Clasping the stick, he shoved it so far into Vincent’s heart the point slid all the way through his chest and out his back. Then he wrenched the dead man’s jaws apart and hurled him away from Amber.

She slowly sank to the ground, blood spurting from the mortal wound in her throat.

“Here, stanch the bleeding with this.”

Rusty took the wad of cloth Claude offered, a small part of his brain registering the fact that it was the blouse he’d stripped from Amber earlier. It quickly became soaked with her blood.

Rusty sank to the ground and cradled her in his arms. “Amber, sweetie. Look at me. Come on, love.

Open your eyes.”

“You can save her.”

Ignoring Claude, Rusty pulled Amber closer to his chest. Tears slid down his cheeks.

A weak voice reached his ears. “Vampires can’t cry.”

The light was fading in Amber’s eyes as she smiled at him. “I—love you.” Claude grabbed his shoulder. “Damn it, man. You can save her. Give her your blood. That and your saliva will heal even a wound such as hers.”

Rusty snapped his head around. “If you’re lying to me, I’ll tear you into little pieces.” Claude ignored the threat. “Open the vein in your wrist and make her drink it. You’ll have to alternate drinking her blood, too. You have to replace what she’ll take from you, and your saliva will help the cut in her throat heal.

Without a second thought, Rusty slashed his fangs across his wrist and held it to Amber’s lips. “Here, love. Take this. Drink it.”

Amber lay, surrounded by darkness and warmth. A bright light appeared. She smiled and began to float toward it. A buzzing in her ears stopped her. Irritated, she frowned.

The light began to dim.

Warm liquid seeped between her lips. She swallowed.

The light disappeared.

More liquid. She sucked greedily.

Someone nuzzled her throat. The sharp pain there eased then disappeared.

Darkness embraced her.

Tired and weak, Rusty leaned back against the wheel of a car, Amber cradled in his arms. “Are you sure she’ll live?”

Claude nodded. “As much as those such as we live.” He swung his head to the left and listened.

“Someone’s coming.”

Rusty groaned. “I can’t believe no one came out of the bar before this. Just isn’t normal.”

“It was Vincent. He coerced whoever was inside to stay there until he called them out. Too many humans wandering about can mean trouble.” Claude looked toward Vincent’s body and chuckled.

“Seems like you were more trouble than even Vincent could handle. A lot of vampires will sleep easier now that he’s dead. He gave our kind a bad name.” Gravel crunched under boots.

Claude looked over his shoulder. “Goodbye, Rusty. Again, thank you.” Claude faded into the darkness as Brad Keister emerged. He looked first at Rusty, then Amber.

Without saying a word, he stepped over to the body and shined his flashlight in its face. Fangs gleamed.

Brad looked back at Rusty. “This the one that bit you?” Rusty nodded. “He tried to kill both me and Amber.”

“She gonna be alright?”

Rusty nodded. “Yeah.”

“Okay, then. Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of everything.” He nudged the body with his toe.

“You sure he’s dead?”

Rusty sighed. “Brad, you stick a three-foot piece of broomstick into anything’s heart and it’s gonna die. But, if it will make you feel better, don’t pull it out.” Brad nodded. “I’ll borrow Josh’s truck and run the body down to Uncle Dan’s. He can cremate it and no one will ever know the difference.”

Rusty smiled. Sure was nice having a cousin who was the sheriff and an uncle who was not only the coroner but also owned the only crematorium in a three-county area.

Brad looked back at him. “You need any help?”

Rusty shook his head. “I’ll manage. Thanks.” Taking a deep breath, he rose slowly to his feet, Amber cuddled in his arms. Once he had her in her car, he drove them home. Deep, healing sleep would be good for both of them.

Amber woke suddenly.

Midnight was sitting on her chest staring down at her.

“Meoooow?”

Amber lifted her hand to her throat—nothing but smooth skin. She frowned. Vincent had bitten her.

She remembered that.

A rich, flowery scent enveloped her. Turning her head, she focused on the pale pink roses that lay on the pillow next to hers.

“Evening, sleepyhead. How do you feel?” Rusty sat down on the bed, a coffee mug in his hand.

She nudged Midnight from her chest and pushed herself up. “What’s that?”

“Blood.” He held it out.

The rich, coppery scent reached her nostrils.

Instead of the nausea she expected, her mouth immediately began to ache. A sharp pain stabbed both sides of upper gums. As she stared at her reflection in the dresser mirror, a pair of fangs slid from beneath her upper lip.

She stared. “What happened?”

Rusty set the mug on the nightstand and gathered her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I never would have done this to you if I’d had any other choice.” He slipped his finger under her chin and lifted it. “You were dying. I couldn’t lose you, not after I’d just found you. I love you too much.” Amber blinked. “You mean I’m a vampire now, too?”

He nodded. “Yes. Will you forgive me?”

“Forgive you?” Grabbing two handfuls of hair, she pulled his face down to hers and kissed him soundly. Then she sank her fangs into his chest.

As his hot, sweet blood hit her stomach, energy exploded through her veins.

“Wow!” she said, then bit him again.

“That’s enough,” he said with a laugh as he pulled her mouth away, “or you’ll be nursing me. You really don’t mind being a vampire?”

“Mind? Are you kidding? This is so cool!” She leaped from his lap and stretched. “I’ll be the only author with an intimate knowledge of vampires. I’ll write a best seller. I can’t wait to get started.” Throwing on a tee shirt and pair of jeans, she disappeared through the door.

Leaning back, Rusty grabbed the mug and sipped the deer blood. Life just kept getting better and better. Once she got over her initial excitement, he’d go down there, strip off his clothes, and let her have her evil way with him.

Midnight stared down her nose at him and meowed.

An angry bellow from downstairs interrupted his thoughts. In an instant, Amber was standing in the doorway with the silver urn in her hands.

“Damn it, Rusty! Where the hell is Aunt Ernestine?”