My Beloved (23 page)

*****

The next day was such a blur anyone could hear both Vincent and Wendy's screams. Finally though, it was time. Anya pumped Vincent with enough silver to not kill him, but have him be extremely weak. His eyes were now completely red and unwavering even with the silver in his system. Wendy was beyond words as she now just screamed. Darcy helped drag Vincent into her room where he was able to lift his head. The sane part of him wanted to cry. She was thrashing on the bed as if she was possessed and blood smeared the sheets, making the monster try to jump and take control, but with the amount of the crippling metal in him, he could finally think a little clearer.

"Go ahead," Darcy encouraged him and had to lay him down next to her. When Wendy saw him, she went crazier, trying to get to him. He was so weak that Darcy had to place his head on her neck.

Vincent let his fangs come out... and gave her the final bite.

Wendy

Coolness, that was what she was feeling. The feeling was like popping a peppermint piece of gum in your mouth, except it was her whole body. It was so relieving she nearly sighed. Wendy knew she was lying on a bed, that much was clear. Everything else was a blur as she tried to remember where she was and why. Her mind replayed everything that happened in such clarity it startled her! She snapped her eyes open and had to gasp.

"Wendy?"

Her head snapped to the side so quick it would have put a crick in her neck.

"Vi-ow!" she shrieked when something bit into her lower lip. Her fingers touched her lip and brought it back to see dark blood. Her finger very carefully felt her mouth and had to scream when she felt two very sharp points bite into the skin on her finger pads. Jerking them away, she sat up and looked around and when her eyes rested on Vincent's, she felt a little better. He reached out to her slowly, almost as if he were afraid to startle her.

"Breathe, Firefly. Try and calm your mind." His voice soothed her like never before. Almost like a soft lullaby.

Her eyes closed as she did what he asked. The buzzing in her mind almost immediately receded to the background of her head, making her feel more peaceful. Her eyes darted around the room and noted they were alone. "V-Vincent? Am I... am I a..." she trailed off, trying to feel what was different from her human self. She did feel a little cold, but that was normal for her anyway. Her vision has improved to the point she didn't think she needed her contacts or glasses ever again. Everything else felt normal though. It was strange; something was missing. With a gasp, her hand flew to her heart and felt no thudding.

"Yes, Firefly. You're now a vampire. You blacked out after I bit you. Now here we are. I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

Something in her wanted to almost purr at the sound of his voice. It unnerved her and made her want to check herself into a mental institution. Her feelings for him seemed to have magnified instantaneously. It stole the breath from her lungs and nearly had her topple over. Was this how he felt for her all the time? Shaking her head to clear the startling new revelations, she looked at him.

"I feel strong," she uttered in surprise.

He let out what sounded like a relieved chuckle and walked up to her. Slowly he cupped her jaw with both hands and this time she did let out a slight purr of contentment. She felt only the very subtle hint of heat grace her cheeks of embarrassment and wondered why it wasn't more since something like that would have made her entire face flush. "You need blood to feel more alive, if you will."

The thought of drinking blood did not appeal to her in the slightest but, when the door opened and Darcy came in with a small, maybe five-ounce glass filled with the red substance, she felt hunger possess her.

"Good evening, sleeping beauty. So glad you're not screaming your head off anymore." He winked at her and handed the glass into her awaiting hands.

She paid no mind to his little quip as her eyes looked over the red, thick liquid in her palms. Her nose and head told her it smelled good, while the logical sense in her told her it was gross and vile. Vincent rubbed her arm up and down to try and encourage her. Squeezing her eyes shut, she downed it like the shot it was and had to gasp as the taste flooded her taste buds.

Everything about it was exotic and new. It still had that metallic twinge but she found she rather liked that part now. It made her palette explode with new awakenings of flavors that had never been discovered. Opening her eyes, she let out a blissful sigh.

"Good, right?" Darcy joked before backing off when Vincent gave him a look. "Okay, okay! I'll leave," he grumbled and walked out with slow exaggerated movements.

"That was unexpected," she uttered, but let out a squeak when she flitted into Vincent's arms without meaning to. "H-How do you control this?" she asked with a slight stutter. She wasn't sure if she liked the speed yet, as her mind was still getting used to having these abilities.

"It's like you’re learning how to walk again. Take one step at a time, and eventually you will get the hang of it."

It did make sense, she thought with a slight mental shrug. "How come I feel strong, yet tired at the same time?" Confusion seeped into her voice as she peered up at him.

"Of course you're tired, Firefly. Think about it. Your body is now completely changed, and with that you will feel like you've run around the world and back again." He turned around and began to massage her neck, making her moan out loud. Wendy was now only just feeling how tense and wound up her entire body was.

"What now?" she asked when they moved to the bed as he continued to relax her.

He paused slightly before massaging the middle of her back. "Now you rest. I don't want to hear any buts either," he said quickly at the end when she opened her mouth. Huffing, she rested her head back down. A mischievous thought bloomed in her head as she flipped over so quickly it even startled Vincent as he was now straddling her. "What is that look for, Firefly?" he asked with an accusing smirk.

She crooked her finger to motion him closer, making him bend down and listen to what she was going to say. Her warm breath graced his ear, making him shudder. "Catch me!" She giggled and pushed him off before flitting out of the room with a giggle. Yes, she felt tired, but she also felt awake. It was an odd feeling, but what better way to run off the small bout of energy than running?

It felt exhilarating to run this fast! The cool breeze running through her hair was amazing, and it made her laugh. She flitted past Anya, making the Russian drop her book and scowl at her, but she had a small smile on her face so Wendy wasn't worried.

"Looks like someone is enjoying their speed," Anya muttered even when Wendy was now far away from her, but she still heard her.

It was all so incredible, but she laughed when Vincent caught her. He kissed her neck with a slight chuckle. "You're going to wish you didn't do that," he warned her.

She looked at him in confusion before her body sagged against his when a wave of fatigue fell over her. It was almost as if her energy was never there! Groaning, she let him pick her up. His soft chuckle met her ears and she fought the urge to stick her tongue out like a child.

"How come I feel so juvenile?" she asked with a twist of her lips. It was almost as if she reverted back to being twelve! She always did hate that age.

He smiled down at her and flitted back to the bed. "Your brain is trying to process everything, so in a sense it's kind of out of order. Don't worry though, you'll feel more like yourself in a couple of days."

She nodded against him and slowly fell asleep.

Vincent

Laying her down, he kissed her forehead with a sigh. There was going to be a lot of ups and downs for the next few days. Leaving her to sleep peacefully, he went out of the room. Truth be told, he was tired himself, but he didn't need to sleep as much as his Firefly did. He could go another couple of days without it.

Asher paused beside him and inclined his head to Wendy's sleeping form just on the other side of the door. "How is she?" he asked, making Vincent glare in turn. He still wasn't fond of the little hunter. The irrational part of Vincent wanted to rip Asher's head off for ever flirting with his Wendy, but knew his Firefly would be upset if he did that.

"Fine." His answer was curt, showing his feelings for Asher.

The hunter rolled his eyes and huffed. "Oh, relax, would you? So I called her cute, so what? Get over it and realize that I don't like her like that and even if I did, she only has eyes for you."

Vincent knew he made sense, but his possessive side wanted to annihilate him. "Just stay out of my way," he muttered and stalked past him.

"Wow, if I knew you'd be this big of a baby, I would've called her ugly," Asher remarked with a teasing glint in his eyes.

Vincent spun around and shoved him against the wall. "What did you say?" he growled dangerously. He knew he was acting petty and childish, but his emotions were already high-strung with what happened the last few days. This cocky hunter took the last straw.

Asher was suddenly looking angry, which was a first for Vincent to see. "Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me," he said with a slight snarl.

Smirking dangerously at him, Vincent took him by the throat and hurled him down the hall into the living room.

"What the hell?!" Anya shouted in outrage as she walked in from the door.

Both men ignored her as Asher quickly got to his feet and they began to slowly circle each other. "You know what? I think Wendy is hot! In fact, I'd love to have her in my bed, screaming my-"

Vincent cut him off as he flitted to him with an enraged growl. He went to punch him quickly, but Asher dodged and punched Vincent in the stomach, and although Asher put a good amount of strength behind it, Vincent was stronger.

"I'm going to enjoy this," he said with a hiss then punched Asher in the face so hard, the hunter fell down onto the floor.

Swinging his legs around, Asher managed to cause Vincent to fall as well. They were about to lunge at each other from crouched positions when they froze as a distinctive click of a gun rang through the room. "If you don't stop acting like children, I'm going to treat you both like one by shooting both of you with wooden bullets. You may not be a vampire, Asher, but it will still hurt like a bitch," Anya spoke with an angry smirk.

They both slowly got up with their hands showing to show they meant no harm, well, more harm. "Asher, stop trying to rile him up! You're worse than a small boy! And Vincent! I know your emotions are everywhere at the moment, but damn it! Stop throwing temper tantrums! Ugh! It's like I'm living with two six-year-olds!" she exclaimed as she holstered her gun back into place by her ankle, under her pants.

"Sorry," they both muttered as Darcy walked in the room. Taking in the scene before him, he looked at Anya. "Anya? Can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked but didn't wait as he strode past her and walked into the study.

Vincent saw her roll her eyes before she followed silently, but just as she reached the door, she turned around. "If I come back out here and find you two are at it again, I will personally make sure neither of you can walk right," she warned and left them.

Anya

Her heart started to beat a little quicker as usual when she was alone with Darcy. She quietly cursed herself for her natural reaction. Darcy gazed at her, not saying a word, making her grow more and more frustrated. "Is this all you wanted? Because if it is, I'd rather be out there babysitting thing one and thing two." Her smartass reply was a cover-up and they both knew it.

Taking slow, deliberate steps, Darcy cornered Anya. "How long have we known each other?" he asked in a quiet voice. He wasn't that close but it was close enough to have her heart nearly beating out of its ribcage.

"Too long," was her curt reply. Oh, how she wanted to run from this room. It was too much to be alone with him now.

He smiled slightly and shook his head. "You don't mean that," he murmured and walked even closer to her.

Anya was frustrated with herself. She hated feeling weak and vulnerable! For crying out loud, she's fought with vampires before! And won! But with just one smile from Darcy, she turned into the helpless school girl she hated.

"Yes, I do. I think we've known each other too long."

He smiled even broader this time and now was only just a couple of feet away. Wanting to run from this room, Anya turned to do so, but suddenly he was there and she gasped. His warmth was radiating from his body into hers. Flashing a wicked grin, Darcy bent down. "I'm sorry I was treating you the way I was. Forgive me?" he asked with sincere eyes that made her want to close the last few inches and cover his lips with her own

They both knew she would forgive him. It was her curse in a sense. "N-No," she stuttered pathetically and let out a small whimper when his lips brushed against her own.

"Maybe this will help?" he suggested before closing the gap. She sucked in a surprised gasp as her world froze. Her eyes drifted closed before surrendering herself to him. She didn't know what changed his thinking, nor did she care. Even if this was some fluke, she was going to enjoy this sensation

His palms framed her face as he deepened their kiss. She surrendered herself completely to him, knowing most likely she'd kick herself for it later. The kiss was sweet, or at least it started out that way, but with one whimper from Anya, Darcy snapped. He brought her closer to him and ravished her in a way she only dreamed about. Her hands came up and delved into his thick white-blonde hair. She bit his bottom lip, making him groan. When they both broke away, they were panting pretty heavily.

"Please forgive me? These last few days have made me think. Of you. Of us. I was so stupid to treat you the way I did. Can we give this a go?" he asked, looking into her eyes with an almost desperate expression.

"I've waited my entire life to hear that from you," she whispered and kissed him again. Holding tightly to him, her heart soared with finally getting what it's been after for so long. After all those days and years fantasizing over what his lips would feel like, she finally had the real thing. It was even better than what she imagined. Now she knew though, with tasting him now, she would die if he decided to leave her now. It would slowly kill her. 'My life is yours,' she thought silently and enjoyed this incredible moment.