Read Vermilion Kiss Online

Authors: Elisabeth Morgan Popolow

Vermilion Kiss (7 page)

BOOK: Vermilion Kiss
12.25Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Darius kept the blueberry and dug into the bowl of them, dropped them onto the angel cake and sprayed them with whipped cream. He cut a slice of the cake and held it to my mouth. The aroma was heavy with buttery, creamy goodness and that tiny hint of delectable fruit that made my senses run feral. He pressed the end of the cake to my lips and I bit down, savored the sweet, sugary taste and detected just a hint of honey.

Once I finished eating the cake, Darius devoured the remaining drops of the Merlot and pressed his silky, plump cherry lips to mine. I eagerly responded, nipped at his lower lip and drove my mouth against his, letting our tongues play and waltz together in an exotic trill skirmish of heated passion.

More, more!
My thoughts screamed ferociously. I wanted him so horribly, so incredibly at that very moment. I wanted his hands to wander across my skin, wanted to feel his gentle and feathery touch. I loved this man before me, loved him more than I could ever put into words. But why, then, was my stomach clenching with hesitation, my chest feeling as if it might burst from the inside? I loved Darius, didn’t I? I did…but the question was, did he truly love me? Did he love me for who I am or did he just think he loved me because I was the reincarnation of his deceased wife? I made a mental note to ask him before I went to sleep.

While our mouths were locked in an intimate ballet, Darius slipped one hand down my shirt and the other beneath my ass. I moaned blissfully as he seized my right breast—still trapped in its cage of a bra—and pumped his fingers tenderly, massaged it lovingly, squeezed the malleable mound. His fingertips gently circled around the pebbly bud, stroked it, and revolved around and around slowly, slowly, temptingly. His blooming hardness pressed against my stomach as he lifted the hand cupping my ass and raked his fingers through my frizzy blonde tresses.

Then he broke the kiss and inched his mouth towards my ear. He encased the lobe within his teeth, suckled at that sensitive, delicate spot, and flicked his tongue behind my ear. My body quivered and shook as his wet, smooth tongue glided across that heavenly area, back arched, a loud moan escaped my lips. His left hand dipped inside my leggings and was almost there, almost to that divine fruit which screamed for attention when Sang skipped in front of the TV and greeted, “Hey, Lily, Dari! Um…we’re all out of milk and eggs.”

I knew that my face must’ve been beet red at that point. Darius was quick, too quick, as his hands returned to his sides and he sat upright next to me. I collected myself as best I could and said hello. Although Sang was familiar with Darius and I making out—, and all too eager to sometimes jump into the fray with us—this time I just didn’t feel right with him seeing us doing this when he was very upset and depressed over the whole crisis with Hira. I could tell that behind all his bright smiles and happy greetings that he was hurting deeply inside and I just couldn’t let him see me in that sexual position at this time.

Darius linked his fingers together and replied dryly, “Well then, my dear Sang, please go to the store and bring back milk and eggs.”

Sang beamed with happiness. “Hey, Lily, wanna go with me? Please?”

I stood up and slid my mocha-brown moccasins on. “Okay. Where to?”

He pulled his leather boots on and answered, “To that little convenience store close by. You don’t mind walking, do you?”

I swiped a stray strand of hair away from my eyes. “Nope.”

“All right, then let’s go.” He marched out the door and waited for me to exit.

I looked at Darius and his mouth was set into a wry, mischievous grin. I smirked, grabbed my pink jacket, and ran outside to Sang.

We immediately fell in step together and began our journey to the
7-Eleven
. Sang skipped along the edge of the sidewalk while I walked at a brisk pace, trying to keep up with his surprisingly long stride for being only a couple inches taller.

Sang turned his head to me and said, “Thanks for coming with me, Lil. I don’t like to go out alone at night. Ever since…ever since that night I was turned by Annabelle.”

I replied, empathy lacing my tone, “It’s okay. I understand. And I like how we’re getting to spend some time together.”

He blushed slightly and clasped my hand within his. “I’m really scared about this whole ‘letting the bad-guy into our rooms’ thing. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“I won’t get hurt. I can handle myself. Trust me.” I winked.

He sniffled as if to rope back the tears glimmering in those brilliant crimson orbs. “Really? You’re sure you’ll be okay?”

I scoffed. “Yeah! I’ll be totally fine. If it comes in my window, I’ll beat the motherfucking crap out of it!”

His hold on my hand tightened. “This is what I love about you, Lily.” He kissed the back of my hand. “You’re so positive and can stand up for yourself. I—I want to be more like you. All assertive and not taking anyone’s shit.”

I giggled. “I love you just the way you are. You’re so cute and sweet.”

We halted as the
7-Eleven’s
neon lights and tall metallic gas pumps loomed over us. Hordes of mayflies swarmed and buzzed around the lights like a static TV screen. Sang fished inside his jacket pocket, took out his sunglasses, and put them on. His right hand rested on the arc of my jaw and he bent into me. His satin carmine lips locked onto mine and I tasted the richness of dark chocolate mixed with saccharine plum wine. Then he slowly moved his head back and smiled broadly as if he’d won the lottery jackpot.

He entered the store first and held the door ajar for me. “Ladies first,” he uttered.

I hissed, “I’m fully capable of opening a door myself.”

“I know, but I had the chance and I took it.”

We quickly located a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs. Sang told me to wait by the entrance as he paid at the counter. There were at least six people ahead of him so I figured I’d wander around the store for a bit.

As I scanned the candy aisle, the back of a woman with long, luminous red hair caught my attention. Was it Dana, my friend who I hadn’t spoken to since I was turned? Did I really want to speak to her right now? This instant?

My elbow jabbed into a shelf of
M&M’s
and a few bags scattered onto the polished gray floor. The woman turned around at the sound and stared straight into my face.

It was Dana.

It was Dana, my friend.

I swallowed hard and smoothed out my skirt as she examined my appearance.

“Lily?” She dropped the packet of gum she was carrying, a shocked, wide-eyed look plastered her face.

I became very stiff and managed to respond, “He—hey, Dana, long time no see.”

Her arms encircled my stomach and she buried her head in the hollow of my neck. “Oh, Lily, did you just get back from your vacation? How was it? Did you get to relax?”

I was puzzled. Vacation? What vacation? Did Darius “tell” her that I took a vacation sometime after I went to the movies with her? Maybe while I was at the mercy of Annabelle? If that was true, then my “vacation” was more like am extended trip that took at least three months and here she was acting as if it had only been two or three weeks. Was this the true effect of Darius’s powers? He could mess with someone’s memories and manipulate their perception of time for his own benefit? I was amazed but frightened at the thought of what he could possibly do or be doing to me.

“It was really nice,” I blatantly lied. “The water was so warm and the air was so refreshing. I had a really amazing time.”

Her breath was like a warming fire against me. “That’s great! I’m glad to hear you had a nice time. Hey, would you like to go to the bar with me tomorrow night?”

She smelled good. Really good. Like vanilla perfume with a hint of honeysuckle and the aroma of her blood pumping through her was sweet as sugar but coppery and rich. My mouth watered at the thought of slurping that marvelous treat, but I quickly sucked it back in and reminded myself that this was not the time.
Anytime
was not the time.

I beamed. “Sure. I’ll meet you at nine, then? At the Siren’s Song?”

She nodded vigorously. “Okay! Let’s do that.”

Dana peeled away from me and planted her hands on my shoulders. “I’m so happy to see you, Lil. Already excited about tomorrow.”

I nodded. “Me too.”

She started to walk away and then stopped. “Oh, and Lily?”

“Yeah?”

“You might want to put on a heavier jacket or maybe a coat. Your skin is ice-cold.”

Sang’s yell penetrated the entire store. “Lily! There you are! I had to go through the whole place to find you. And after I said to stay by the door,
oy vey
.”

Dana gazed at Sang practically drooling, “Lily, who is that?”

I stuttered, “Hi-him? H-he’s my boyfriend, Sang.”

She nudged my ribs with her elbow. “Oh, good catch! Where’d you meet him?”

I rolled my eyes so I was looking at the floor. “I, um, I met him at a…at a farmer’s market. Yeah.”

She clapped me on the back. “Well then, you two have a
good
night.” She trotted to the next aisle.

“Come on, Lily, let’s go,” Sang whined.

“Coming.” I quickly joined him and we went back to the sidewalk from which we came.

“Was that your friend?” he asked.

“Yeah, her name’s Dana. I’ve been friends with her for like five years now.”

“That’s cute.” He chuckled.

“Well, thank you for pointing that out, mister…” The words perished in my throat. An intense, throbbing pain bloomed in the center of my stomach and I peered down to see a splash of vivid red blood dripping onto the cement and a strange clawed arm ripping right through my mid-section.

Chapter 9

The paper bag slipped through Sang’s hand as he cried, “Lily!” and he became rigid as he just stood there and gawked at me. I was pretty pissed that the eggs and milk had splattered in an oozing mess onto the sidewalk, but then the arm thrust through me, twisted to the right and I shrieked in agony. A curtain of blood spurted from my mouth. My legs were trembling, knees to the edge of buckling as I tried to comprehend what was happening. There was someone behind me, someone attached to the arm that was impaling my stomach, but I refused to turn my head in fear that they might inflict more pain. I bit my lower lip to stop from screaming, the pain was so intense, so fiery, so unexpected. It sang throughout my body in pulsing spasms that made tears leak from my eyes.

“Wh-who are you? Why are you hurting Lily?” Sang’s lips quaked as he spoke to whatever was behind me.

The deep rumbling of a male’s voice answered, “This is punishment for what your kind has done to Hira. He was going to try and become Regis when you let that thing into his room to steal his soul! I’m only reciprocating the damage.”

I clutched at the guy’s arm and dug my nails into his flesh. The arm was sagging with chestnut hair and the claw looked as if it belonged to a bear. Nausea bubbled in my throat and I vomited out the cake and blueberries from earlier, leaving a nasty, putrid taste lingering in my mouth.

Sang’s crimson eyes were swirling and hazy with a strange blackness as he threw his hands in the air and snapped, “Stop it, please! Just stop it! We’re sorry about what happened to Hira and trust me; we’re trying our best to fix it!”

The man scoffed. “If you’re so sorry, then let me finish what I’m doing.”

A low growl hummed from Sang and in an abrupt whirlwind, he was in the air, punching the man behind me. His clawed arm tore from my stomach and a gush of blood followed him in arcing ribbons. I screamed and collapsed to the ground, vision shaky and blurred. A foot connected with my chest and sent me scraping against the hard cement until I crashed into a wall.

The thwacks of punches and kicks were so loud that I was afraid that someone would hear and alert the police. But there wasn’t anyone out. No one to witness what was happening. It was so weird, so eerie, that I began to think that maybe this man had done something to make the people unconcerned.

My eyes finally adjusted and I weakly looked up to see Sang and the man exchanging blows. The man had piercing green eyes, short ruffled brown hair, and a body that would put even the best bodybuilder to shame. He was built like a tank, and now his body was morphing into something else, bones creaking and rearranging, flesh shifting, sprouting a wiry pelt. He was now a gigantic bear, much taller and brawnier than the regular animal. He swung his arm and his claws raked across Sang’s face, blew him backward from the brute force like a tennis ball.

Before hitting the concrete, Sang flipped onto his feet and dashed toward the bear. His hands contorted into sleek ebony claws, eyes gleaming dark obsidian, a wide grin on his face showing his ivory fangs glinting from the streetlight.

His laugh was dark and sinister as he kicked the bear so hard that it hit hurtled back and smashed onto the road a good distance away.

I blinked once and then Sang was on top of the bear—his claws wrapped around both its arms—pushed his feet against the ground for support, and began to pull.

“Don’t you ever hurt Lily again! Don’t you ever hurt Lily again!” Sang bellowed, and then a sickening tearing sound and the bursting of blood and some strange clear liquid rained from the raw arm sockets like a fountain. The bear quickly changed back into a man, screeching and bawling as Sang threw his severed arms beside him and approached the man from the side.

He knelt down and let out a crazed chuckle, then lowered his mouth to the base of the man’s neck, and clamped down. He drank with a smirk gracing his lips, slurped, and swallowed his prize like a carnivore devouring its prey.

This wasn’t the Sang I knew. The happy, singing, baking Sang that wrote books and worked part-time as a friendly waiter. This wasn’t the Sang that was scared for his friend’s well-being, or the Sang that abhorred violence and knitted me a pink scarf while he was sick. No, this wasn’t him at all. This was a completely different person.

A blood-ravaged creature that relished in the breaking of another living being. I knew that the man had done a terrible thing by hurting me, that he was probably going to hurt me more, but this, this was taking it too far. It was gruesome and horrible to even watch. I wanted Sang back. I wanted
my
Sang back.

BOOK: Vermilion Kiss
12.25Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Don't Touch by Elise VanCise
Iron Eyes Must Die by Rory Black
Many Lives by Stephanie Beacham
The Adversary by Michael Walters
Courting Carolina by Chapman, Janet
Bury Me With Barbie by Wyborn Senna
What Binds Us by Benjamin, Larry