Lure (15 page)

Knocking at the door had his head turning. “That’s Marie. The other members are gathering as well. As is the rest of the community.” A grin pulled at his mouth. “It’s good to be leader. I’ve been wanting to make this call now for what feels like forever.” He searched my eyes and took a deep breath. “You’re so sure and I’m relieved. I promise you’re making the right decision. This time, I’ll be better. This time, I’ll show you how much I really love you.”

He stepped back, placing himself in the threshold. “I have to go and get everything organized. I’ll see you out there.”

I nodded, swallowing hard as he continued to retreat. I didn’t want him to leave. This moment was right, but if he left, what if it disappeared?

“Smile, my soon-to-be concubine. You’re going to make the most beautiful bride a leader has ever had.”

The sincerity and love in his words had me obeying, but I couldn’t shake the fear beginning to settle in the pit of my stomach. Maybe it was only jitters, but I wasn’t so sure.

Chapter 20

Hunter

Shifting on the mattress left my body swaying even more in the dark emptiness I floated in. I tried turning to face Tessa, but I felt heavy despite being so free. My mind tugged, reminding me I had been thinking something, but for the life of me, I couldn’t bring back those thoughts. I felt tired; too exhausted to try to force them to return. They weren’t very good ones anyway—at least, from what I could remember.

Fabric rustled and cool air brushed down my side as the covers were pulled back. Again, I tried to open my eyes, but they refused. At this point, Tessa could just drink my blood. She’d probably kill me and I suddenly didn’t care about that either.

Kill. Death.

Like a wave, the memories came flooding back. She couldn’t kill me, I had to kill her first. That way, I could assure we were both dead. Then we could be together again, like we were meant to. She wouldn’t be a vampire and we’d be free of this nightmare.

My hand jolted into a fist and surprisingly, my eyes fluttered open. Blond hair hanging toward me had me sobering immediately. My hand jerked up to the rosary only to realize it was gone. Marko had broken it when he’d pulled it free of my neck.

“Did you miss me, pet? I have to say, I missed you
a lot
. So much more than I thought possible.”

My hands backtracked, shooting to his chest, but Sayer’s strength easily pinned them down. Tessa’s name exploded in my mind and I turned my head quickly, feeling my heart sink.

“Where’s Tessa?”

His lip peeled back, exposing his fangs. “Probably fucking her precious Marko. But it makes this perfect for us, doesn’t it? Just me, you, the entire bed to ourselves, no screams in the background. Well, not hers anyway.”

A smile appeared and I bucked my hips, thrashing my body to try to break him free.

“That’s not going to happen again, Sayer. No more.”

“You’re wrong. It’ll happen every day now for as long as I allow you to live. You see, I might not have won in getting Tessa to come back with me, but I petitioned Axis on letting me keep you. And they’ve agreed. You’re mine now, Hunter, and there’s nothing you, Marko, or even Tessa, can do about it.”

Fear turned my blood cold and I refused to believe this was how things were going to end.

“I’ll kill you first. You’re not taking me anywhere.”

Sayer put both of my hands in one of his as if my struggles were nothing. It left my breaths shallow. Sweat began to collect over my skin regardless that my insides felt like ice.

“Someone forgot their place. It’s okay though, I’ll retrain you.”

My eyes jerked to the bedside table where my belt rested. He followed my gaze, laughing.

“Not going to happen, pet. Face your fate. You’re mine now.” Like I was nothing, he forced me over, grasping to the gym shorts I wore and jerking them down. A fire exploded within me while I felt my muscles tear at the strength I used to try to fight my way away from him. Still, it wasn’t enough.

“Perfect. Keep going. I love your determination.”

Pressure landed in the middle of my back, cementing me to the mattress as I felt him jerk at his belt and pants. Tears stung my eyes and I refused to believe this was happening again. At least, this time, Tessa wouldn’t have to witness my humiliation. But she wouldn’t be here to buffer my pain either.

Sayer’s arm wrapped around my neck in a chokehold and I went still, panting through the fury that left me trembling. But this wasn’t over. My belt may have been on the table, but my dagger was with me, right here under my pillow. All I had to do was let him drop his guard and I’d finish this once and for all.

“Your smell. I can’t tell you how much I missed it.” Sayer’s face lowered. The room tilted from my panic, but I focused on his movements, trying not to allow what was about to happen enter into my mind.

The wetness I heard as he took his free hand from his mouth to stroke down his cock was enough to make me gag. My eyes shut, trying to ignore how his bicep was tightening, cutting off my air.

“You’re going to like it in Dallas. I’m going to make you my slave and you’ll be the envy of every vampire and human there. I’m a God and soon, you’ll see just how lucky you are. You’re going to want me all the time and I’m going to fuck you everywhere. Maybe right there in front of everyone. They’ll love seeing you. They’ll love tasting you, too, if I allow them.”

The head of dick pushed against my opening and I grunted, unable to stop myself from swinging my shoulders back and forth.

“You want it the other way? All you had to do was say so.”

Once again, he rolled me over so I was on my back. My hand shot under the pillow and I left it there, being still as he stared at me.

“So, you’re going to give me your blood then? To make me your slave?”

Sayer cocked his head to the side. “Is that what you want? After my bite, I thought you might want to taste me. I should have tied you to me long ago.” He got quiet. “You hold Tessa’s blood, but no tie. I bet her bite didn’t compare to mine. Mine was phenomenal, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” I forced myself to say. I flinched as he reached down, grasping my cock. My fingers touched the hilt of the dagger and I brought my hand up even more as I rocked my hips, pretending to enjoy the way he stroked me. Sayer never took his eyes off me and I knew I was probably throwing red flags. My brain scrambled and I felt even sicker as I continued. “It…did feel good,” I admitted. “I hate that I liked it. But rape, beatings...Hell is waiting for you, Sayer, and I’m your one-way ticket. Did you really think I'd let you get away with what you've done? What you made me do?" I shook my head. “Tell the devil he needs to prepare for my arrival. I’ll be there shortly.”

Sayer laughed under his breath, dismissing my words as he positioned himself again.

“Lord Jesus, I ask in Your Holy Name…”

Sayer’s body jolted above me and his eyes turned black as they shot to mine. Louder, I began the prayer, using the delay I noticed with Marie and Bufar to lung forward, thrusting the dagger right through his heart as he dove toward me. Blood dripped over my face and into my mouth as his hands shot down to try to grasp around my throat. But he didn’t have the strength he did before. I broke his hold and his weight collapsed into me. I bolted out from underneath, pushing his body to the side and withdrawing the dagger, repeatedly stabbing it into where I knew his heart was. This time, I wouldn’t miss.

Grunts and deep sounds filled the room and he repeatedly gasped. I didn’t think as I pulled up my shorts and scrambled away, grabbing my large knife from the sheath attached to my belt.

The mattress shifted under my weight and I crawled up, moving in next to the man who’d fucked up my life more than anyone had. The side of his neck was exposed and I immediately thrust down the thick blade, piercing his skin. The loud cry quickly died and his body spasmed as I sawed through the toughness of his neck, severing his head. He wouldn’t come back. He couldn’t. I wasn’t going to let him hurt anyone else.

Cramps sparked in my stomach so strong, for minutes, I couldn’t move. I wasn’t sure what was happening. I’d taken his blood when he’d hovered above me, but he was dead. Surely it had to do with that. Regardless, I couldn’t think about possible repercussions. I wasn’t done. I still had one more person to kill. Maybe two, and I knew just where to find her.

I removed the dagger and grabbed my gun from my belt, checking the ammunition. It had a full clip, but I’d only need one bullet. One shot for me to finally end this thing once and for all. I’d save Tessa. We’d finally be together again. We’d be happy, and she’d be free from the hell that was her life now. After all, Marie was right. If I couldn’t have the Tessa I was meant for, Marko wouldn’t have this version of her either. I’d make sure of it. If I had to kill him in the process, so be it. I’d be doing him a favor, too. Hell, I’d be doing the world a service. With both Sayer and Marko gone, humans might possibly stand a chance.

Blood covered my chest and I could feel it sticking to my face. If someone saw me like this…if they smelled the blood on me…

I raced to the bathroom, grabbing a towel and wetting it. Hard, I scrubbed, but I didn’t have the time I needed to make sure I was completely free of the dark red substance. I had to go. To get to Tessa before someone came here first.

Slowly, I pulled the door open, not even bothering to put on a shirt or find shoes. The cool air bit into my bare limbs and feet, but I kept a fast pace toward the end of the tunnel. Loud voices and noise had me slowing until I eased to face the city head on. Masses of people were gathered around. At the head of them, with his back to me, was the male vampire I wished I could kill. My eyes scanned the surroundings, spotting Marie heading in Marko’s direction, but Tessa was nowhere to be found. Quietly, I eased out, racing not ten feet away to his tunnel. I didn’t stop running through the darkness until I got to where his door was. A small sliver of light was my only clue to the location and I prayed I was right. I clenched to my gun harder before I tucked it into the back of my shorts and thrust the door open.

“I’ll be right there, Marie.”

Tessa voice rang out weakly in the distance and I walked in, shutting the barrier behind me. A mass of white and black silk billowed out around her as she staggered from a door in the back. The paleness she’d been before didn’t compare to the ghostly appearance she held now. Tessa came to an abrupt stop, separating her lips as she stared at me.

“Hunter…I…” Sadness etched into her features, but I didn’t care. Didn’t feel anything but justification for what I was doing.

“Wow, look at you.” I clutched the dagger tighter, holding it at my side as I stepped forward. “You look beautiful. Something you want to tell me?”

She didn’t have to say a word. I knew what she was doing. With the mass of people gathering, it was all too clear. And I'd come at the perfect time.
Fate.

“I’m sorry. I…” Again, she was at a loss for words. Her hand rose to her head and she swayed a little. “I love him,” she said lowly. “I see that now.”

I nodded, leisurely, twisting my mouth and shrugging. “I know you do. This is for the best, I think. You and I would have never worked in this life. We’re too different. Incompatible, I guess you could say.”

“Yes,” Tessa breathed out, heavily. “I’m so glad you see it that way. You don’t know how relieved I am to hear you say that.” Tessa reached up, pulling back the black silk hood, revealing beautifully decorated hair. Diamond pins glistened throughout the mass of curls sitting on top of her head. She looked every bit the Princess and ruler she was meant to be.

“Marko and I are going to make sure you’re happy here. We’ll take care of you. Maybe you can find a vampire who will treat you well. Who you can love and who can love you.”

Her enthusiasm was so fake. So forced. She knew it was just as impossible as I did. I’d never love one of these monsters. They didn’t deserve love, they deserved death.

“I’m sure everything will work out just as it should. Here, come to me. You don’t look like you’re feeling very well.” I let my free hand rise, but her attention went to the dagger I held. Her features pulled in and she returned her stare to mine.

“Hunter…there’s blood on your dagger. Did you hurt someone?”

Closer, I got, but she didn’t move away. She barely looked able to stand. “Sayer. He’s back. But he’s not going to hurt anyone anymore. I made sure of that.”

“You…killed him?” Tessa’s hand shot out to the open air and her eyes rolled back as she began to fall. I knew what she was feeling was linked to his death and although fear for her safety was present way back in the distance of my mind, I didn’t let myself think about it. I rushed forward, catching her just before she connected with the hard floor. Her body was limp in my arms as I lowered us both. White silk from the skirt of her wedding dress pooled around us and the fact that she was wearing one for him and never me pushed me over the edge. She was meant to be
my
wife.
My
partner and soulmate. I couldn’t have the first two in this life, but I’d make the third a reality. Our souls would belong together. We’d be forever tied in a place far, far away from here.

“I made a promise to take care of you and I’m going to do that now. No more pain, Tessa. I’m going to save us. We’re going to be together again. That’s how much I love you.” My voice cracked as I brought up the dagger. Tears raced down my cheeks and a sob escaped as I focused on her chest. The silk top was beaded with more diamonds and I hated how beautiful she looked. This could have been what she would have worn for me had Marko not came along.

Bile tried to push free, but I held it in, using the focus to force my hand down as hard as I could. The dagger pierced through the material, burying deep inside of her chest. A gasp had her eyes flying open wide, connecting right with mine.

“No, shh,” I whispered, hurriedly. “Go back to sleep, baby. This is only a dream. Only a dream,” I repeated. “I love you. See?” I took the gun out of the back of my shorts, flashing it before I moved further down to lay beside her. Horror masked her flawless face while I pulled her in closer to face me. My hand was trembling as I brought the barrel to my mouth. The metal was cold against my tongue and I bit into it hard to stop the chattering of my teeth. Tessa’s whimpers were growing louder, but definitely weaker.