The Dark Proposal (The Claire McCormick Trilogy) (18 page)

They got back to their group. Carys and Yvette were sitting next to each other, looking amused to see a shaken Claire. Michel and Antonius stopped chatting with a couple of shirtless men, and Daniel was seated across from the two women, arms folded across his chest, looking very annoyed. He unfolded his arms and stood when he saw Hilde and Claire.

“How is she?” he asked.

“She’s a bit sick to her stomach, but she’ll survive,” Hilde smiled back at Claire before letting go and sitting down beside Carys and Yvette.

Claire and Daniel stood looking at each other. She could feel the eyes of not only the vampires, but the others - the wannabes if that’s what they were - heavy on her. It seemed like time rested on one of them making the next move.

Not wanting to cause any more problems, she lowered her head in near defeat. He squeezed her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. He then sat down again, and she alongside of him, resting her head on his shoulder. He patted her leg, right above her knee and left his hand there.

For the rest of the night, people of various ages - though mainly close to Claire’s age - came over to offer themselves to the vampires. When Claire wondered silently if those people knew for sure they were giving their blood to actual vampires, Daniel whispered in her ear that they often didn’t care. Being bitten and being sucked from was a form of sexual pleasure for these people. No wonder this was an exclusive club. She wondered who exactly owned this club, but Daniel didn’t respond.

The other vampires stayed to themselves, leaving Claire alone but chatting with Daniel from time to time. Sometimes they would speak in accented English, other times they would talk in strange tongues, probably the Latin, Greek, or the medieval French that he knew. Claire felt more isolated.

By 3 AM, everyone had had their fill and the crowd was thinning. Daniel had to nudge Claire awake as she had dozed off on his shoulder. She was stunned she had done so. Maybe it was mentally and emotional exhaustion that caused it.

Outside of the club, Daniel kissed everyone good-night. They simply hugged Claire and kissed her cheek, and told her they would see her soon. As if nothing had happened, and everything was natural and normal between them. But when Hilde approached her, Claire was the first to hug, not wanting a kiss from her. That would have meant accepting what happened or what was said this night, and she did not want that.

The vampire simply patted her back and kissed the side of her head. It was not a kind or friendly kiss. There was some snide laughter to it.

As The Black Roses headed for the subway, and Hilde and Michel began to walk home, Daniel hailed another cab. “We’ve got to talk,” he told her as he waved down a driver.

The ride to his apartment was quiet, with Claire staring down at her hands and Daniel with his hand on her knee. At least it wasn’t heavily across her shoulders, she thought with a hint of optimism.

At his place, Claire immediately sat on his couch, not removing her coat. He locked up, put his jacket on a dining room chair, and sat next to her, his body turned towards her. She took note that his skin was a normal, healthy color. By morning, it would wear off to that albino hue.

“Claire,” he said in his stern tone. She lifted her head, giving him a sideways look.

“You can’t go on like this.” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “This is getting ridiculous. What happened tonight was not necessary. I brought you there to get a feel for what life would be like once you agree to follow me. I wanted to show you how fun it is and how it is not as isolating as you think. Perhaps I should’ve done this earlier.”

She turned her whole body to him at this point and began to speak. “I would’ve had the same reaction anyway. What I saw scared me. You drank her blood, Daniel! You almost killed her!”

“Yes, I got carried away, but she wanted it. What’s the problem with that?”

“Nothing, just…its just…”

He shook his head. “You’ve got to detach yourself from everyday beliefs and see things from my point of view. Then everything would be all right.”

“No, Daniel. No!” she said. “I don’t want to see the world from your eyes. Based on what you’ve been telling me about your life and your ways, I know I do not want it. You know I do not want it! Why do you keep pressuring me?”

Disgusted, he got up and began to pace. He did it for a minute before turning and telling her, “Why do you keep refusing?”

“Because I have a right,” she said weakly. She could feel her will break more and more.

“Not to us, you don’t,” he spat out. “What scares you? Huh?”

“Killing people. Not seeing the sunlight ever again. “

“You would see the sunlight. It may take centuries, but in the meantime, you’ve got the beautiful starry night. What’s wrong with that?”

“And you want to take me away from my friends and family.” She stood up, using whatever strength she had left in her. “I love them and I want to be able to see them.”

“You love them,” he echoed and went back pacing. “You can always speak to them on video, have them come into the city during a cloudy day. You won’t be parted forever.”

“Yes, I would be. I want to able to see them without fearing the sunlight. Without having to explain my pale skin. And what about years from now? I’ll never age! How do I explain that? And I would like to see my niece Ava and whatever brothers and sisters she’ll have. I know I don’t see much of my family now, but I don’t want to see them through videos or photos. I like seeing them every few months for a few days. Dan, can’t you understand that?”

He was thinking, though not on what she’d just told him. He narrowed his eyes a bit before widening them with an idea. An idea that made a near cunning light to his face.

“You always speak about your niece. How much you love being an aunt. How much you can’t wait till she starts talking so you could talk to her. Oh, Claire, wouldn’t you be the good aunt and let her be?”

Claire felt dizzy. She started to shake her head. “No,” she muttered, then she got louder. “No! You wouldn’t!”

He put his hands up. “Why not? You say you love her.”

She jumped on top of the coffee table and began hitting Daniel. “You wouldn’t! I won’t let you!”

He grabbed her hands so tightly, she fell to the floor. She began heaving tears, knowing what could possibly happen.

He let her sob for a few minutes before squatting down and running his fingers threw her hair. She didn’t want to look at him, but knew she had to.

“Perhaps I should show you what life would be like as a slave to the Brothers,” he said calmly.

He took her arm, pulled up the coat sleeve. He flexed his upper lip.

“No, Daniel! No, please, don’t do it!” she began screaming.

His fangs appeared and he plunged them into her arm, near her elbow. She let out a cry of pain and fear.

He began licking and sucking at the two holes, his eyes shut with pleasure. Claire kept begging him to stop for what seemed like hours. She feared she was going to pass out like the waitress.

Finally, he dropped her arm and looked at her. His lips were smeared with her blood.

Claire thought she would die. She didn’t know how much blood she had just lost, but it felt like enough to make her faint. Or at least, she wanted to faint to escape her horror.

He then lifted his wrist, bit it and hovered over the two punctured holes on her arm. Drops of black blood fell on her arm, healing the wound in seconds.

She could have been impressed, but she wasn’t. Nothing about vampires amazed her.

“You should be thankful,” he pulled back his wrist and rubbed her arm. “I could have left that wound for your friends to see.” When she didn’t answer, he snapped, “Wake up, Claire. You’re at a crossroads in your life now. Either you become a slave to us or join us. I gave an idea of what both choices would be like, so you need to make a decision fast.”

She felt like throwing up again. Swallowing the bile, she felt as if Daniel’s words were spreading a sickness inside of her.

“All you have to do is give me your word. Do you become like me or do you go to the Brothers, never seeing your loves ones again? Knowing that they will die so they won’t go searching for you? Even Ava would be a victim.”

She heaved a sob. She wanted to ask how would he find Ava if he had no idea of Zachary’s address. But the look on his face told her all: he would simply read her mind or slither into her apartment and look through the contacts on her phone. Either way, all would be lost.

Lowering her head, she squeezed her eyes shut and slowly began to nod.

“Are you going to join me?” he said in a more gentle tone.

She coughed and then muttered, “Yes. I will.”

“Good. That’s all I needed to hear.” He leaned over and put his arms around her as she sobbed. He rocked her tenderly, kissing her hair, telling her everything was going to be okay.

But Claire wanted to vomit again. She fought to do so, but nothing came up. Her insides were still, as though she had already died.

CHAPTER NINE

Claire lay in Daniel’s bed the next morning, eyes closed trying to get whatever rest she could. She had spent the past several hours curled in a ball, nearly catatonic, dozing from time to time. What kept her from staying asleep were images of her family, particularly Ava. She kept seeing the little girl’s smile, hearing her baby talk and smelling her fresh scent. She also kept seeing the sinister gleam in Daniel’s eyes, how they shone with the thought of going after infant blood. How many babies had he drunk throughout the centuries? Did he even care that they were so young, barely aware of their own lives, especially when he was once a father himself? Or did he just care about nourishing himself? How could he forget what it was like being human?

There would be no answer to those questions, especially the ones Claire wanted. Daniel would just say it was part of his nature and that someday she would get used to it herself. He was a monster.

 
She didn’t want to open her eyes that morning, but knew she had to face him sooner or later. Especially when she realized he was sitting on the small arm chair in the corner, watching her. He must have stayed there all night, trying to make sure she didn’t leave. How could this be love? Did he ever know what love was?

There was no time to be questioning everything; she couldn’t lie there forever, even if she wanted to. She made her decision last night; she now had to face the consequences.

She opened her eyes and stretched her body. Daniel went over to sit beside her. He patted her arm and wished her a good morning.

She was about to answer back but was shocked to see that the curtains were pulled back from the windows, something that had never happened before. It was always dark in the apartment during the day.

“It’s going to be raining all day,” he said, seeing her reaction. “There is no sun to affect me.”

She nodded and sat up, smoothing the black pants she still wore. Sleeping in her clothes was becoming common being around him. She asked for the time.

“It’s after ten,” he told her. “Guess you’ll be going home?”

“Yeah, I guess,” she stood up and began leaving the bedroom.
 

He followed her. “Would you like to grab some coffee? Remember, I can go around in this.”

“No, I’ll be fine.” She put on her coat, which she’d left on the couch. Turning to face him, she asked, “Are you going to take me home?”

Looking pleased, he said, “How about I take you to the ferry? Is that good?”

She nodded. There was a pause before he walked over and put his arms around her, lowering her head onto his shoulder. “I know none of this is easy. But I hope you realize this is for the best. Not just for everyone around you, but for us. I mean, there was no other way for us to go forward.”

When Claire nodded, he pulled back and examined her face. Seeing no expression, he simply tucked some hair behind her ear and kissed her.
 

During the cab ride to the ferry terminal, they held hands but didn’t look at each other. Claire could feel her stomach turn from emptiness, but she felt no will to put something in it.

Arriving at the terminal, they kissed good-bye and Daniel told her to meet with him after class the next night. “I’ll make plans for our trip to Paris today, kay? Don’t worry, I’ll cover all the costs.”

“Sounds good,” she replied and got out of the cab.

The ferry ride home was the longest Claire ever took. She stared out the window, not looking at anything, not noticing the man sitting across from her, talking loudly into his phone. If she was holding her breath, she didn’t know it. If she was pinching herself, she didn’t know that either. One thing she did know, she was fighting back tears.

She got back at the apartment at about noon. Walking up the pathway to the door, she mentally told herself to remain calm and put on a big smile. If she believed everything was all right, then her friends would too.

She found her keys, unlocked the front door and walked in. At the kitchen table in front of her laptop was Samantha. Sitting on the couch watching TV was Monica. Both had big question marks on their faces.

Taking a deep breath and putting on a smile, Claire announced all was well with her and Daniel. “We’re going to move in together, later this week.”

Her roommates stared at her. Samantha looked flabbergasted as she stood up while Monica put the TV on mute.
 

 
“What the…?” Samantha said. “So soon?! Are you sure you want to do this?”

Claire nodded. “I know this isn’t easy to take, but it would be best to do it then.”

“Best? How?” Monica frowned.

Claire told them about the trip to Paris the coming weekend, and how he was paying for everything.
 

“Okay, sounds romantic,” Samantha said, not sounding convinced. She studied Claire’s face closely. “You look exhausted. Did you get any sleep last night?”

“Not much. We were out most of the night. In fact, I’m going to take a nap soon.”

“Where did you two go?” Monica asked.
 

The memory of Daniel sucking at the waitress’s leg flashed in Claire’s mind and she nearly lost her composure. Fortunately, her back was turned as she placed her coat on the hook near the door. Turning around, she brightened her eyes and told them about dinner and dancing at a club.