Drawn to a Vampire (8 page)

The following night
I returned to the club, but saw someone from one of my college classes, so I left in a hurry.  Instead I skulked the streets nearby, for hours, thinking about everything that was going on.  It occurred to me that it was a long time since I’d thought about Luca.  Huh.  And thinking about him didn’t bring back that sense of longing anymore.  Which was a good job, too, as he was not a good vampire. 

He killed me. 

All this was his fault.  Why had I had feelings for him after I turned?  Adam had obviously had feelings for me as a human, but after he turned into a vampire he had left me.  Just goes to show how those feelings weren’t real at all.  I wondered if it would have been the same for me.  Had I seen Luca after I’d turned maybe I would have realised this … but seeing as I didn’t see him maybe I’d idealised his memory?  No longer.  I got it now, and I’d be happy if I never saw him again.

Adam didn’t show. 

The next night was the same, so I went in search of more newspapers and discovered the night before there had been killings near another club.  The following night I went there.  I hadn’t seen Peter since that night, and I missed him, but I wasn’t about to search for him, not until I’d tackled the Adam problem. 

The new club was smaller, only one room, in a basement.  It was dark with low ceilings and a thumping beat.  I spotted Adam the second I walked in, my eyes drawn to his scruffy hair.  He had his back to me, and was kissing a girl’s neck.  She looked as though she was in bliss.

I didn’t approach him, instead I tried to stay hidden, keeping other people between me and him, but always aware of his location.  Until, and I didn’t have to wait long, he decided to leave, taking the girl with him.  I followed.  He was too wrapped up in his seduction to notice me.

Outside I trailed him down a dark alley, past an area cordoned off with police tape, the evidence of a previous victim, and into another alley.  They started kissing, then fucking.

I lurked.  I didn’t want to wait, did not want to watch this, but I knew if I could catch him while feeding it was my best chance.  Not very noble, I know, but what choice did I have?

Then he bit her, and I soared in, taking a stake from my coat.  He had barely started to react by the time I was behind him, and slamming it into his back.  I drove it through his t-shirt, through his skin, and into his heart (or so I thought).

He roared, rearing back from, and out of, the girl, who stumbled away, shocked, crying.  Adam twisted, trying to see what had happened, who was there.  When his eyes fixed on mine they flashed red.  He paused for a calculated moment, and zipped up his fly.  And then he charged, the stake still protruding from his back. 

I didn’t have time to think.  I leapt aside, and he flew past me, only just becoming aware of my movement at the last moment, and swerving back towards me.  He looked savage, with blood dripping from his chin, his eyes still red, and his face was screwed up in rage.  And I’d had a part in creating this monster.  It made me want to vomit. 

He charged me again and this time hit his target.

I crashed back onto the ground, shouting, “Hey,” as I fell.  My back jarred against the street, and then my head cracked against it, too.  Pain seared through my body.  A rage kicked in and I roared – and lifted my knee at the perfect moment – hitting him in the ballocks. 

He jumped back, arching forwards to deal with the pain.  “You bitch!” he shot at me. 

He recovered fast, and I edged away, panicking – he was so much stronger!

Then I noticed movement behind him.  I looked up, and met Peter’s eye.  I smiled involuntarily, and my expression gave him away, and Adam swung to face him.  I jumped to my feet and pulled the other stake from my jacket, and I rushed at Adam, pushing the stake forwards, driving it through his clothes, his skin, next to the other stake.  I heard it go through his flesh.  He gasped, then clutched at his heart, staggering to the side.

“Push it in further!” Peter shouted.

Taking a move from the movies, I aimed a flying kick at the stake.  My foot impacted the wood, but it barely went in another millimetre.  Adam took the impact and hit the ground.

Peter ran forwards and pushed Adam, who was still groaning, onto his front.  “Drive it in harder,” he said, through gritted teeth, as Adam struggled.

This time I stamped on the stake, using all my weight, and it sank deeper into his body.  It was like all the air just went out of Adam.  And he was still.

Silent.

His pulse was quiet.

I realised I was holding my breath, and let it out, stumbling away from Adam’s body.  Peter was at my side in a second, his blue eyes piercing me.

“Marilyn,” he said, he sounded breathless and panicked.  “We have to get out of here.”

I nodded, my heart racing, and glanced down at Adam.

“Leave him,” Peter said.

For a second I hesitated.  Could I leave him there like that?  But after all he had done.…  And what would they find when they examined his body?  Would he be biologically different?  Would it lead to the discovery of our kind?  Did it matter?

I nodded again, and Peter took my hand, and together we raced away from the scene, until we were back by the canal.

I stopped, and Peter stopped with me.  We stood together, me breathing hard.  It was not so much because of the exertion, after all, that kind of race didn’t knacker me like it would have done as a human, but from the shock.

“I did it,” I said, between breaths.  “We did it.”

I met Peter’s eye, and he smiled.  It was a good smile – just what I needed.

“Not that I want to sound unthankful, or anything, but, umm, what were you doing there?” I asked.

He motioned for me to sit next to him on the steps, so I did.

“I hope this doesn’t freak you out.…”

I eyed him warily.

“I was worried about you … worried I’d lose you.  I like you … and … I followed you.”

I nodded, trying to coax him to continue, but he looked uncertain, and when he stayed silent I said, “Each night, since the last time we saw each other?”

He nodded, looking at me like he was worried.

I laughed.  “Thank you,” I said.  “I was a fool to refuse your help before.  You just saved my life.”

He smiled, then laughed too, the worry falling from his face.  “Anytime.”

I leaned back, putting my elbows on the step behind us, and he mirrored my motion.

“So … Adam is dead,” I said, shaking my head.  “I can’t believe it.”

“How does it feel?” he said, looking into my eyes.

I hesitated, trying to think it through.  “I don’t know … it’s weird.  I do feel bad that I did it – but worse that I had a part in turning him in the first place.  It feels like I’ve done the right thing.”

“A relief?”

I nodded.  “A relief it’s over.  Now I can get out of this city … if …” and I looked into Peter’s stunning eyes, taking in his caring expression, “… if you’ll come with me?”

His face split into a huge smile.  “You couldn’t stop me.”

And then he kissed me.  On the lips.  It felt like my life – my post life – was finally back on track.

“Hi,” I said
, as I peered out from under my blanket, and Peter turned to face me, a book in one hand, a torch in the other, and gave me his characteristic, and much loved by me, smile.

“Good evening my lovely,” he said, and he leaned over and gave me a soft kiss on the lips.  I wiped away sleep dust and then grinned back, feeling all loved up.

An owl hooted right outside, and we both jumped, then he laughed and I giggled.  We hadn’t returned to the same woods I’d been living in before.  Instead we went up north, right into the depths of Scotland, and found a forest that was mammoth in comparison to the forests back home.  It had turned out that Peter was pretty crafty, and together we built ourselves a tree house, which was completely and perfectly in the middle of no-where.  And since then we’d been free to hunt, to talk, and to get to know each other in all sorts of other ways….

“Peter?”

“Yes Marilyn?” he said, a tease on his tongue.

“I think you should put that book down….”

“And the torch?” he teased.

“Yep, and that,” I said.

“And then what should I do?”

“Then you should climb on top of me….”

“And I should kiss your lips?”

“Yes, and kiss me here,” I said, touching my neck.

Peter chuckled, and joined me under the blanket….

THE END

Read on for a sample of ‘The Two Vampires’ by M.D. Bowden…

A DARK TALE OF BLOOD, POWER AND MAGIC

Romantic, compelling and brimming with sexual tension, ‘The Two Vampires’ will imprint on your mind and leave you with a thirst for more.

Sarah lives in a small Canadian town with her two daughters.  When her husband disappears the same night she meets a beautiful and charismatic man her world is thrown into turmoil.  What has happened to Jo?  Who is this sexy mysterious man?  As Sarah tries to answer these questions her life takes a dangerous turn…

The Two Vampires: Books 1-5 (The Complete Series!)

Chapter 1

Jo stepped out
of his house.  He found himself momentarily dazzled by a bright violet sky as the sun appeared from behind fuzzy clouds.  Glimpsing a flash of dark, he turned towards it, his heart racing.  He was met by a searing pain as fangs sank into his exposed neck. 

Jo passed out. 

When he awoke he found himself lying on his living room floor, on the pink spotted rug Sarah had bought for his girls.  The curtains were drawn; a little light peeked through casting shadows across the room.  Jo’s head spun as he pulled himself up onto the black leather sofa and reached for the reading light.  He wasn’t scared, he was confused – what the hell just happened?  As he clicked the light switch the room illuminated.  Nothing looked odd; it was the same room he and his family had lived in for five years.  Toys over flowed from the toy box, books and DVDs were crammed onto bookshelves. 

Looking towards the clock he saw it was seven, time to go to his sisters.  She had called earlier and invited him over for dinner, and Jo had agreed this time, as he wasn’t meeting anyone more appealing after work, and his wife and kids were out visiting the parents in law. 

Jo reached for his neck, feeling the skin, searching for damage.  It felt fine.  Tentatively standing up, he walked across the room to the large ornate mirror above the fireplace.  His neck looked completely normal.  No bite marks – just the first traces of stubble around his jaw.  Jo inspected his appearance more closely.  He did look a little haggard.  His short, dark hair was messy, probably from lying on the floor in a heap.  His eyes, normally deep brown and clear, looked bloodshot and were shadowed.  He took a deep breath and put his fingers on the mantel piece as he looked into tired eyes and studied his memories. 

He remembered bright light dazzling him.  The sun must have been about to set behind the scruffy conifers lining the horizon.  He remembered seeing movement.  Something undefined had approached him, it had been incredible, so fast.  He hadn’t even seen what it was, but he had felt two sharp points pierce his neck.  And, at the time, he had known they were fangs.  Vampire fangs.  But, seriously, vampire fangs?  What on earth had happened to cause him to have such a stupid delusion? 

But, he thought, allowing himself to be swept up in his stupidity, if he’d stepped out of the front door and been bitten by a vampire, what had he been doing lying on the living room floor?  Why was he OK, or pretty much OK?  Why were there no bite marks?  More to the point, why was he not dead? 

He continued to peer at himself in the mirror.  Did I get bitten by a vampire?  And if I did, how did I end up unconscious on the floor?  Is it possible the vampire bit me, then healed me?  

But . . . why would a vampire do this, and why wouldn’t it take away his memory of the bite?  If he had been healed by vampire blood it would mean that, if he died now, he himself would turn into a vampire.  He shuddered.  He felt a sickening feeling creeping up his body, into his throat. 

Of course, there was no reason for him to die now.  It seemed pretty unlikely.  He would probably be fine.  But then, if he
had
been bitten by a vampire, and been healed, could he unknowingly be part of some bigger plan?  What if the vampire planned for him to die?  Shit, what if he was already dead? 

Jo’s breathing quickened, and then he paused, taking a deep breath and gathering his thoughts.  What the hell was wrong with him?  He was getting ridiculously carried away. 

Taking another deep breath he tried to pull himself together.  OK, think logically, he told himself
.  
It’s ridiculous to think that I was bitten by a vampire.  I wasn’t.  Vampires DO NOT EXIST. There
must
be another explanation. 

I was on the living room floor.  I remember I was going to my sisters, in fact, she’s going to be pretty annoyed when I’m late, which I definitely am thanks to whatever craziness is going on in my mind.  I must have passed out, I was pretty knackered out – maybe I just quickly lay down and zonked out, then had a vivid dream, inspired by the onslaught of horror movies that have recently been on the TV.  Weird I don’t remember lying down, but hey, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve forgotten falling asleep.  He smirked, thinking of a woman from work and his escapades with her, all while Sarah thought he was being the good husband.  What a fool Sarah was, he thought, then laughed.  Sometimes Jo had been so knackered out after such occasions he had actually fallen asleep at his desk the following day.
     

Jo refocused on his face in the mirror.  He was still looking pasty and drawn out, but it must just be tiredness.

There is nothing seriously wrong, he thought.  Nothing wrong at all.  I did not get bitten by a vampire, and I am seriously late – I had better get going.  Suddenly, the thought of going outside made his pulse quicken.  What if there really was a vampire out there? 

God, he was becoming completely and utterly deluded.  Insane.  Taking a deep breath, he strode out of the room, down the dimly lit hall, into the white bathroom.  He splashed his face with ice cold water and dried himself on a soft white towel from the rack.  He took yet another deep breath, preparing himself for action.

Jo grabbed his jacket and put on a scarf; not much protection from vampires, but it would protect him from the cold at least, he thought wryly.  He picked his keys off the hook and headed for the door.  

***

Sarah pulled up at her parents’ house.  The large, detached timber structure radiated warmth in the early evening light.  Bea and Megan were chattering in the back.

‘Me out first.’

‘No.  Me out first,’ they argued.

Megan, the oldest, undid her own straps and pushed out first, as soon as Sarah opened the door.  They owned a typical minivan.  Lots of space, lots of mess.  Sarah stuck her foot in the foot well and leant in to unstrap Bea.  Bea pulled out her little arms and Sarah gave her a quick hug before letting her climb down on her own.  Megan had already run off ahead and was pounding on the door.

‘Grandma, Granddad, we’re here!’ she shouted, before they’d even had time to open it.

Sarah looked up and walked up the steps holding Bea’s hand. 

The door opened to Grandma and Granddad with big smiles.  Megan immediately threw herself at their legs in a big hug.  As Sarah and Bea reached them they exchanged greetings and Grandma lifted up Bea, giving her a hug, while her Granddad ruffled her hair and gave her a kiss.

Grandma pulled Sarah aside.

‘We have company,’ she said.  ‘He’s in the kitchen.’

Sarah raised her eyebrows at her mother, wondering about her tone of excitement, her secret whispers.  Who could this man be?  And why was her mother flustered?

Feeling a little nervous, the familiarity of the situation gone with the addition of a guest, Sarah walked through the cozy living room, where welcoming sofas and a warm live fire tempted her, into the kitchen.  Her mother was at the stove, Bea on her hip.  Leaning against the worktop, glass of wine in hand, was the unfamiliar guest. 

Sarah caught her breath.  Oh my God, he’s unbelievable!  Unbelievably beautiful.  His eyes, warm and dark with long eyelashes.  His jaw, rugged and defined.  His lips.  Sarah quickly looked away from those, feeling her cheeks redden.  Dark hair falling around his eyes.  Mmm.  Her blush deepened and she tried not to look too shy as her father came in and introduced them.

‘This is my daughter, Sarah, and her two children, Megan and Bea.’

Megan had followed her granddad in but she was staying close to his legs, unsure of the intimidating new man.  Yes, that’s it, he’s definitely intimidating.
  
And he looks powerful, I bet he’s quite muscular under that shirt and leather jacket.  Dressed entirely in black too, that definitely adds to his mystique.

Stop thinking this way.
  
Remember Jo?

Feeling guilty she smiled at the man.

Then, as he smiled back, her heart skipped.  No.  It melted.   This is not happening.

‘And this is Daniel,’ he continued.

Daniel put down his glass and stepped forward, holding out his hand.  As Sarah took it a shock, like electricity, went up her arm.  She felt the urge to pull away, surprised at her reaction.  But his eyes and his smile held her in place.  When he let her go she stepped back and turned away to pour herself some wine, to get her breath, and to not let her parents see her reaction.  Her mother sent her a knowing look though, which just made Sarah’s cheeks feel even hotter.

‘Daniel has just moved here, he’s staying in The Woodman - that old hotel just out of town, till he can get a place.’

Sarah took a gulp of wine before speaking, ‘So, how did you meet my father?’

Daniel looked at her steadily but Sarah couldn’t maintain his gaze.  Feeling like a silly teenager she kept looking away and had to remember to breathe.

‘I just started working at his office,’ he replied in a smooth southern drawl, ‘selling the cabins in the woods.’

This sounded like an entirely ordinary thing to say, it was almost unbelievable. - How could someone with such an extraordinary presence do something so ordinary? 

As her father started talking about work Sarah helped her mom, Alice.  Alice had made a chicken casserole; Sarah lifted the lid and it smelt delicious.  She opened the oven to check the potatoes.  They were done and just keeping warm, so she busied herself with setting the table.  Alice had gone into the living room to entertain Megan and Bea.  They were pulling numerous toys and games off the shelves onto the wooden floor and being very noisy - as per usual.

Alone in the dining room Sarah sat down and drank some more wine.  I’m crazy, how can someone affect me so much?  I’m hardly going to be able to eat!  Poor Jo, at least he’s not here to see me act like this. 

Sarah got up and poked her head around the door, ‘Hey mom, can we stay tonight so I can drink?’

Megan and Bea proceeded to jump up and down echoing - ‘Stay night.  Stay night.  Stay night.’

Alice laughed and said that it was fine, then silently mouthed, ‘Gorgeous isn’t he?’ and winked, making Sarah feel even guiltier. 

She mouthed back, ‘That’s not the reason.’  But her mother just laughed and went back to playing with the kids.

***

Jo opened his front door.  It was now dark and his way was lit by Victorian style street lights.  He walked down the path, as quickly as he dared without actually running, and rounded the corner where his car was parked.  Fumbling to find his car key he inserted it into the lock and climbed inside.  Once inside he immediately reached for the internal lock, pressed it down and all four doors locked simultaneously.  Jo sighed in relief, heart still pounding. 

Something caught his attention - a dark shape materializing to his left.  He felt nausea threatening to rise and swallowed.  Then he realized what he was seeing was a bat.  It flew down then swooped up towards the roof.  There it landed and hung upside down.  Jo could have sworn it was looking at him.  Its eyes glinted in the lamp light.  It was the largest bat he had ever seen, not that he saw them often.  This new presence calmed him; he felt like he wasn’t alone.  This gave him the confidence to insert his key in the ignition and turn, starting the engine.  Jo eased off the clutch as he accelerated and drove up the drive to the main road.  Here he paused, wondering which way to go.  He had two options.  He could either drive through town, or go via Quarry Bridge where the road would be more precarious, and more fun.  As he took the second route he saw the bat swoop down behind him and felt comfort in the knowledge it would stay with him.

***

Sarah finished setting the table and opened another bottle of red wine.  She breathed in the scent before heading to the bathroom to refresh herself.  In there she looked herself over critically.  At least she’d put on something half decent before heading out.  She was wearing her nicest skinny jeans which showed off how toned her legs were from all that hiking in the woods, Bea and Megan in toe.  Well, she tended to carry Bea in a big rambling backpack especially designed for the purpose.  It kept her fit, and kept Bea and Megan occupied during long hours when Jo was working.  It allowed her space to breathe in fresh air. 

On top she was wearing an antique cream top with a floaty Pre-Raphaelite vibe.  She felt tired though and was wearing minimal makeup.  Ferreting in her bag she dug out some tinted lip-balm and a little eyeliner, and set to work.  She also put on some perfume she found at the back of the cupboard - probably a gift her mother had never bothered to wear.  Sarah smoothed her naturally blond hair with her fingers to tame fly-aways and finally felt a little happier about her appearance.  She hoped it wasn’t too obvious she’d made the extra effort.  She headed back to the dining room, lit some candles and put on some classical music.

Taking a deep breath she wiped her clammy hands on her jeans and shouted, ‘Dinner’s ready’.  She did not want to behave like this was a special occasion.  She would try to act normal. 

Her kids ran in, Megan first, and started organizing the seating arrangements.

‘Me sit here, Grandma sit there.’