Your Red Always (31 page)

I fling my body so I bounce, recoiling and clawing. The female wraps the black cable tie around my skin. I twist, grab, and pull her hand to my mouth. I’m no vampire, but I will bite a chunk out of the bitch. This is fight or flight, and the latter isn’t an option now. 

She squeals as I clamp down my jaw, trying to break through her cold skin. Sara yells at me not to let go, egging me on as Laurie appears over the Vampire’s shoulder. He grasps my face with his thumb and finger so my teeth penetrate my cheeks, and blood pours into my mouth. I have to release. He waves his finger with a taut hold of my chin.

“You’re not the one who’s supposed to be feeding.” He nods evilly. “I’m going to enjoy you very slowly.” He kisses and bites my lip. “I have a very special piece I shall introduce you to.”

“Fuck you,” I splutter.

“Or I will you.” His tongue sweeps across his lips.

“Adrien will come and he won’t be alone,” Sara yells.

He swaggers to the door. “I know exactly what he will do. After all, I am his trusted second,” he says coolly. “Right now he’s chasing down some very hungry new bloods running around the city. They’ll be keeping him busy. And if he does make it, and comes in all guns blazing.” He turns to me. “He will see just how much I have enjoyed Miss Lovell here, and my job will be done.”

“He will rip your head off,” Sara barks

He flounces to the doorway. “Sara, now-now, you should be a little nicer. You know what I can do to your body,” he says. “Now, don’t try to leave will you. I’ll be back real soon.”

I tug at the cable ties that are carving into my skin. To think of him touching me again is abhorrent. I curse and cringe in awful pain.

“It’s no good,” Sara sighs. “You won’t get free.”

Wow, the most stanch vamp I know is giving up. Well I’m not. Even if I lose a finger or two, I can’t have him near me again.

“So,” I grunt. “Is he going to kill me… and where the hell is Adrien?”

“He might not even come here. Laurie wasn’t supposed to know about this place, only me,” she answers quietly. “And as for dying tonight, Laurie sees us as meat, nothing more,” she utters, ailing with blood loss. “All this is his god complex. To prove he is greater than Adrien.”

“We can’t give up Sara… come on,” I shout.

“Maybe if I let go the last time,” she growls. “I wouldn’t be facing the same death twice.”

I see her fangs enlarge and eyes darken. She needs to heal. She needs blood now.

“Sara, Adrien will come, just hang on.” I pull on my arms until my shoulders cracks. “Argh, shit!”

Laurie saunters back in. He’s removed his jacket, undone the top buttons of his shirt, and has rolled up his sleeves. I draw up my knees as far as the ties will allow. Every single muscle in my body stiffens in terror. He stands between my open feet, tapping on Sara’s drooped head.

“Stay awake now… wouldn’t want you to miss the show.” He stoops over, positioning his knees between mine.

“Please, please don’t,” I yelp, unable to breathe.

His fingers reach for the button on my jeans. He undoes me as I retch and turn my head sideways, needing to vomit.

“Shush now, this is what a Red’s duty is.”

Sara shakes her frail body, but not even she can help me now. I immobilise, trapped in horror as his thumb brushes over my breast, searching for the best spot to start.

“Laurie,” Sara gasps. “Finish me… first.”

I open my eyes. She’s trying to gain me a few more seconds. He ignores her, and focuses wholly on me.

“Please don’t… please,” I wail.

He takes a large ring out from his pocket, and slips it over the knuckle of his index finger. It is no ordinary Ditale ring. It’s silver, and has two thick razor sharp hooks protruding, at least an inch in length. Shit, he going to cut me with that.

“Laurie,” Sara yells. “Answer me.”

He growls. “Shut up Sara… you’ll get yours soon. I always have the best first.”

He lowers right over my body and places his lips to my ear. “Do you know, I know every vein, artery, and place, to get the most out of my feed so they remain alive.” He swirls the cool metal on my abdomen. “This is the spot. Most fertile. Most fruitful.”

He lays down on me as I quiver. I feel an intense sharp slice below my belly button. I scream out in agony. 

“Yes, this will do nicely.” 

He moves down me, skimming his growing fangs against my naked flesh, as his dark eyes show a malevolent thirst.

He latches onto the cut like a suckling young. He moves wildly on me. I’ve never felt so violated. I’m revolted by the way he wet’s me with his mouth. I feel so dirty. I’ll never be clean. If he kills me now, it would be a blessing.

A loud bang, like cupboard falling off the wall downstairs rumbles through the bed. Laurie hoists his head with my blood on his lips. He waits a second until the grim hush returns, and resumes feeding on me. I gulp and sob to the side as Sara scuffles frantically on her toes.

“GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HER.”

Suddenly, Laurie is hauled from my body and tossed across the room. Oh my god… he did come.

“Adrien,” I cry out.

“Liz… Come on.” Dom fumbles madly with the ties, simply snapping them apart with his bare hands.

I bolt up from the bed, squeezing the wound on my belly. I just want him to hold me. To tell me everything will be okay. He glances at me over his arm for a brief moment with a rage flashing across his eyes. He bends and drags Laurie up to his feet. His breathing is deep. He’s furious.

Laurie licks a small cut on his lip with huge arrogant grin on his face. “She taste good, can see why you lost your mind over her.”

Adrien punches him so hard, plaster and dust tumble from the roof as Laurie hits the wall.

“You seriously thought I wouldn’t find out what you’ve been doing… those new bloods can’t stop me.” Adrien clutches and shakes Laurie’s scruff, repeatedly beating him with his fist. 

Dom cuts Sara down and she drops limply onto him.

“Well, you are early,” Laurie replies, only to receive another blow. “And perhaps I underestimated the warrior you once were… girls will do that to you.” He sniggers. 

“You were my fuckin friend… and Connor… why?” He punches Laurie over and over. “I’ve stood by you all these years. Turned a blind eye, and fixed things when you’ve screwed up.” Adrien thrashes. “You tainted that blood and watched me sorting out your mess. Why… so you can take my place!”

Laurie nods his head slowly left to right, laughing scornfully.  “Ha… the most notorious Executive has no clue what’s been happening.” He spits the blood from his mouth at Adrien’s feet. “All those years, you have only done what suits you. You forgot you were the one who had us all turned,” he says. “Things are changing. And you, along with Miss Lovell, have set the wheels in motion.”

“So this is about Sange Pentru? You swore your allegiance to them… to me. I didn’t fuckin make you,” he yells. “And as for our mission, jeez Laurie, I was you commanding office and I had orders from above,” his tone pitches. “You would have done the same dammit.” Adrien shakes as his eyes blacken and jaw bulges.

“And here he is, Lieutenant Knight. Still thinking of himself as a glorified officer,” Laurie grunts. “Oh, I see you haven’t brought you prized blade with you… sir,” he sniggers. “You’ve given me orders for far too long.” He stabs Adrien above the hip with the knuckle ring.

I scramble off the bed as Adrien keels over. I have to help him. Dom holds me back and begins to drag me to the door, pulling on Sara’s hand. But both Sara and I refuse to move.

Laurie picks up a sword from behind an old chest of drawers. The evil bastard has prepared for this. 

Adrien straightens up and they both circle each other. Laurie swishes the sword in a figure of eight motion, then slices across Adrien’s arm. 

“Shame, I remember how good you once were with a blade. You’ve let yourself go,” Laurie toys. “Look, I don’t want to kill you my friend. I want you to see the future I’m going to help make.”

Adrien Flits right behind Laurie, clamping his elbow around his throat. Laurie turns, also using his ability to get free, and the sword cuts deep across the side of Adrien’s neck. He teeters, trying to keep upright with his hand pressed firm on the gash. His blood seeps through each finger, and he breathes out with a rattle.

“Adrien!” 

“Now see, look what you made me do,” Laurie whines.

I get free of Dom and race across the room, watching in complete horror as Adrien gazes hopelessly at me. He has this look on his face; a despairing valediction that petrifies me. He binds his arms securely around Laurie, and suddenly dives through the second story window with him.

I run. Everything has stopped moving apart from me. My feet don’t even touch the surface as I bound down the stairs in flight.

Large fragments of glass cut my feet as I charge across the wet dirt. But it doesn’t hurt. I’m numb to all pain now. I sprint toward his body. He’s only a foot from Laurie, strewed on his side. I get as far as Laurie’s hip, when I’m unexpectedly slashed across the forearm by the sword. But I don’t stop; not even he can harm me anymore.

I slide on my knees by Adrien’s body. My bloody hands stain the white t-shirt under his hoody as I tip him over onto his back. Again the sword appears. This time in front of my face, and instantly plunges right down into Adrien’s chest before I can stop it.

“No!” 

“Didn’t want to do that.” Laurie staggers behind me. “He was good stock.”

I cry into the night and acquire the strength to push a wounded Laurie away for Dom and Sara to deal with.

I hover my fingers over his face, while holding the artery that’s spitting out watery blood from his neck. I hear my muffled name begin called. I look ahead to see Nathan yelling in Adrien’s Land Rover, kicking at the door. I blink slowly at him. He knows what’s running through my mind. It’s the only way. I turn away in disarray.

“Adrien… Adrien, wake up,” I cry frantically. “You need to heal now. Shit Adrien!” He’s non-responsive.

I look at the handle of the blade. It is clear what I must do. I’ve seen it, and I’m not going to sit here and watch him die.

I wrap my fingers around the handle of the sword, stand, and pull it from his body. He makes no sound, no movement in pain, nothing. 

I drop down by his face. Using my thumb I push down on his chin so his mouth widens, and squeeze the blood from my wounded forearm. I watch as it drops onto his teeth. But there isn’t enough. It’s not going to work.

The sword lays on the ground next to me. I lift it, hearing Nathan banging on the car door, shouting at me because he knows my plan. I stay focused. I have to bring him back. 

I pierce my wrist further down, cutting from the base of my thumb right across. Whether it’s the cold air anesthetising me, or shock, I feel nothing at all. The cut is deep and now the blood is ample. 

Abruptly he twitches and jolts up with eyes of black, sealing his lips on my skin. He drinks me, clasping below my elbow with one hand, and the other caressing in and out of my tingling fingertips. I see the deep blue veins beneath his skin pulsing, taking in the healing benefits of my blood. God. This is a surreal sensation. It doesn’t hurt. It’s a pure unearthly experience, almost primitive. We’re alone, and nothing can break through this moment of strange peace we’re in.

My head is a little heavy; heavy but warm and content. I sigh loud as he slows in consuming me. I close my eyes. I’m weary and comfortable enough to sleep now. His lips leave my bloody slick skin. He can hold me now. I sway and collapse against his chest. 

“No!” He roars, as I drift away in his arms. “Help me!”

I smile up at him. “We’re okay…okay.” I let myself float away.  

The hot pale sand underneath my bare feet. The heat of the sunrays upon my skin. The silky breeze sweeping over my body. Nothing can beat this: sun, sea, and sand. With a JD and ice in one hand, and an ice-crushed cocktail in the other, I make my way across the beach, back to the two loungers beneath a large bowed palm tree. 

I’m wearing a deep red bikini. I wouldn’t normally wear something so scanty. But hell, if by some miracle, I’ve toned up real good. I’m not meaning to blow my own trumpet, but I look great, like I’ve been physically airbrushed.

I can’t remember getting here. I’m not even sure where I am. I’m thinking Adrien owns this private beach. There’s not a soul here, just the two beds overlooking the calm waves sweeping up against the shore.

I stand beside my lounger. Adrien’s gone. He must have gone back to the car; if we came by car. I fall into thought. I must have had a lot to drink last night and it’s killed off some memory cells, because I can’t recall a thing, other than the here and now. I shrug it off. I’m in the most perfect place, with Mr Perfect (when he gets back) enjoy it Liz, I tell myself.

The soft sand goes in-between my toes as I sit, taking a sip of my refreshing cocktail. I’m not entirely sure what’s in it. I can’t even see the bar I got it from. There’s definitely gin and raspberries, and I think even a dash of lime. Hmm, it’s very nice whatever it is. I pop it into the cup holder, swing my legs upon the brown padded cushion, and shimmy into a comfortable spot. 

As I lounge back I slip in my earphones. I close my eyes and move my foot to the beat of Mt Eden. I sigh a relaxed breath. This is a dream. The perfect setting, the smell of coconut oil on my skin, and the fiery thoughts in my head of making love to Adrien on this beach when he gets back.
Hmmm
. I know he avoids the sun. I guess that’s why I’m now bathing in shade alone. He probably needed a break from it. It’s so sweet, the way he’s indulging me on exotic vacation.

I exhale as a large drip lands in my belly button. Rain. Only I would bring the rain to a tropical climate. I pull the earphone from my right ear to take a peek, and see a shadowy figure stood at the foot of my lounger.

“Adrien?” I peel open both lids and squint in the sun.

“Oh shit.”

My heart stops and starts with a jolt as I scramble up in panic, falling from the bed. I’m trying to shout for Adrien, but not a sound comes from my mouth. I’m completely mute. Laurie stands within an arms-reach, his face full of oozing blisters. He has Adrien’s decapitated head in his hands. It wasn’t rain that fell on me, it was blood. Silently screaming, I sink with each movement into the sand as I tear my way backward. 

“Elizabeth, what’s wrong.” Laurie speaks, but its Adrien’s voice coming from his mouth.

I stare, panting with my lips agape as he steps closer to me.

“Elizabeth.” He drops Adrien’s head on my lounger. “Wake up now.”

I’m dreaming, I think. Shit. This has to be some screwed up delirious nightmare. 

Laurie holds his hands out to me, laced in Adrien’s blood. I squeal, locking my eyes tight in sheer-fear.

“Elizabeth,” a distant voice echoes. “I don’t know if this will work Adrien. She’s lost a lot of blood.” It’s Sara, I’m sure of it.

I try to open my eyes, but I can still feel the warmth of the sun, and if I look I know Laurie will get me.

“Just do what you can Sara,” Adrien’s voice carries in the wind.

I groan and fidget, awkwardly. The summer breeze has suddenly been replaced by a cooler temperature, and I feel a cool cotton sheet over my feet. 

Queasiness surges through my gut and my mouth is as dry as the sand I was trying to escape from. I blink, seeing a dim light beside me. I blink again, this time forcing my lids to remain open. If I drift away, I might end up back on that beach. 

Using my hands, I heave my sensitive body upright to see wires emerging from each of my arms. Hospital drips. But which hospital is this? I have my own room, which very spacious. And the deco is something you’d find in a luxury hotel; all neutral shades with subtle opulent fabrics. I can’t smell cheap hospital disinfectant, just a sweet floral scent. This most definitely isn’t the standard national health facility.  

I note the drip stands to each side of me, both transfusing blood into my veins. Did Adrien turn me; is this a way of feeding me so I don’t go stark raving bonkers? But then I see the cuts on my wrist and hand all bandaged up. If I were now a Vampire, they would have healed.

There’s a slight shuffle noise ahead of me. I squint into the dark corner to see Adrien’s shadow slumped right back, with his head against his hand.

“Adrien,” I croak.

He shifts to the edge of the chair so I can see him clearly. He’s wearing a blue V-neck sweater with grey trousers. I smile, I’m glad to see him, so much so I become teary. I wait for him to say something or smile back, but he doesn’t. He’s unshaven and very despondent.

“Adrien,” I call again. “Where am I?” 

He buffs his stubble with his fingers. “You’re at Sara’s,” he utters low. 

“Oh… Laurie?”

“He’s been dealt with accordingly.” His tone is very off with me.

“By you?”

“Yes Elizabeth, by me.”

“So the Voax… are they still hunting me?”

He nods. “There was no Voax… all Laurie’s concoction.” He hangs his head.

“Nathan?”

“He’s fine… for now.” 

I clasp my hands over the white cotton sheet covering lap. He’s really mad with me for some reason. I’m so confused and apprehensive, that I can’t look at him for more than a second.

“Why did you do that, Elizabeth? You nearly died,” he glares. “It was stupid.”

Wow. I thought what I did was right. Everything in me screamed do it. I don’t understand why he’s so cross.

“I had to do it, I wasn’t going to let you die,” I utter in defence.

He gets up and begins to pace back and forth. He’s creating an awful unease in me as I witness him striding and grunting, jerking his neck sharply. I take the white blanket and slip it from my legs. I’m wearing black pyjama pants and a tight white t-shirt.

I fumble around, looking for a route. I need to get off this bed and hold him. But because of the drips attached to my veins, I can’t move anywhere.

“You should have let me die.” He continues to pace. “How could you be so brash with your life?” 

My cheeks heat with anger. “I don’t understand. I mean that little to you you’d rather die?” I snap.

“I could have killed you. Hell, I nearly did.” His eyes strike me with a hard uncompromising passion. “There’s always been one thing about you, the thing that has always lessened the thirst. The way you have somehow got beneath my skin and made me human,” he swallows. “I nearly took you all,” he stresses.

“So that’s all I am,” I frown. “My mortality is just as necessary to you as a bag of blood?”

He hovers at the foot of the bed. “No Elizabeth.”

“So if I did die, you wouldn’t have brought me back; made me the same as you?” I question.

He laughs cynically and begins his angry pacing ritual again. My eyes are finding it hard to keep up with his frustrated movements.

“I’ll do everything in my power to save a life rather than take it,” he states clearly. “It’s not something I’ll inflict on purpose. Especially on you.” He pauses. “Becoming a slave to the thirst… jeez, I may has well roll up your sleeve and inject you with heroin.”

“Then what about Sara… Dom?”

He holds his head very still, visibly not liking my argument. “Don’t compare yourself to them,” he nearly yells. “You know Dom’s story. And as for Sara,” he huffs. “Laurie beat and cut her so bad she stopped breathing; what the hell was I supposed to do? I had to clean up his mess, and at the time it was the only thing I could do,” he emphasises. “Maybe I should have left her, let her die. I guess I’m just a god damn fool.”

My eyes start to water. I’d rather be back in that freaky nightmare with Laurie, than have him reprimanding me this way. I’m in love with him. Does he not realise, that when you love someone lines are crossed when it comes to losing them. 

“Would you,” I snivel. “Not have done the same in my shoes? I let you drink me because I care enough about you not to let you die,” I snap. “We’ve already been through this whole I’m not good for you nonsense, and I’ve accepted what you are. It has no relevance or impact, other than your incessant need to keep bringing it up,” I yell, breathlessly. “I did not do a thing to instigate any of this, only try to save you.”

“Don’t!”

“Don’t what?” I wipe my cool cheek.

“Cry… fuck it… Elizabeth,” he growls.

In frustration, I yank the wire and needle out of my right arm so I can get out of bed. A bulb of blood swells from the puncture site. He rushes across and holds down my shoulders, to stop me pulling out the left. He’s in my face, nose to nose, eyeing me angrily. I weep; I can’t stop it. His serious lines soften and he lays his hands on my cheeks. I gaze at him, noticing the gleam across his pupils. He places his head on mine, bracing down his jaw.

“All this is my fault, Laurie was right. I’ve been blinded by you. Now I’ll be forever on guard, unable to be with you the way I want to be… You deserve a life.” I can see he’s fighting hard not to shed a very rare tear.

“You didn’t do anything other than take what I gave you,” I implore. “You wouldn’t need to always be looking over your shoulder, if you made me like you,” I swallow.

He sits by my side. “You really are impossible.” He breaks a slight smile. “Let me tell you a few things before you carry on with this notion that me biting you, then letting you feed from me, is the best solution.”

“Okay,” I sigh.

“You will feel a pain that’s a whole lot worse than death. You will pray to your god to show mercy and take you.” He lifts my hand. “You will feed, vomit, feed, vomit, because your deceased body is in a state of turmoil, awakening, changing, adapting to a darker way,” he explains. “Your soul, your light, will never find peace, locked in a shell for eternity. And you’ll feel it inside, the abyss you’ll never escape from.” He threads his fingers over my knuckles. “So you want all that… you would sacrifice what you have to be with me?”

“Yes.”

I tilt my head and kiss his lips. I’ve needed his touch for too long. His skin is rough, so I nibble gently. I need to show him we can be together. That there is no greater thing than us.

“Turn me,” I gaze.

He begins to kiss my cheek then voyages slowly down my neck. I slant so he can find the best spot and close my eyes. I enjoy the passionate necking while waiting for his bite. But he moves back with a deep lengthy breath.

“I don’t need to… not now.” His hand trails under my hairline and squeezes. “You will do what you were set out on this earth for. To live life, Elizabeth.”

I’m kind of dissatisfied. I get that what he will essentially be doing is killing me. But I would be reborn in his image. It emerges, a deep disappointed sigh. Taking my bandaged arm to my chest, I think of what my existence as a Vampire would be like. I wouldn’t have this cut on my arm for a start. I’d be strong, and be able to Flit from one place to another with speed. God, I bet the sex would be astronomical and so worth it. Not needing sleep, what else would we get up to in the twilight hours?

“So, are we good?”

I’m wondering where he’s going with this. If he wants me to live as a human, how we’ll make it work. To be apart? My belly burns with an empty feeling at the thought of this being some final goodbye.

“Hmm,” he beams as the blood drains from my face. “Okay, I shall tell you exactly how I feel about you.” He stares, and I’m nervous about what’s going to come out of his mouth. “You asked for it,” he toys. “I let my whole dark existence, my duty, my authority, slide, because you have given me so much more. You make this heart do things only a human heart does. I’m alive with you, Elizabeth Lovell.”

“If I were a Vampire… would you not feel those things?” Oops, that should have stayed locked inside my head.

“I’ve just given you the best line ever, and still you push it. You should settle for my answer, Elizabeth.” He gently rocks my neck. “I told you no, and it will stand that way until you have reached all the goals you had before you met me.” His tone is soft yet firm. “Let’s be what we are… Okay?” He kisses my head. “Now please, will you rest?”   

I don’t want him to leave, not yet. This damn needle needs taking out of my arm. I’m okay now. I don’t need to be chained to this bed. I get up and hobble barefoot around the bed. I take hold of the drip stand and twiddle with the line.

“Where do you think you’re going… you need to rest,” he asserts. “Anaemia is a very serious illness.”

“I’m fine, and I need to see Nathan. To see if he’s okay.”

He holds the open door and rolls his eyes. “Get back into that bed,” he orders. “I’ll send Nathan in… if he’s ready. But you mustn’t push him Elizabeth, he’s finding all this hard.”

I do as I’m told and sit on the bed, waiting apprehensively. I pluck at the large white sticky band aid. It’s stuck to my arm hair and is beginning to itch like crazy. I manage to curl over a tiny section at the bottom. I can’t see much, other than dried blood and a few irritated spots. I want to rip the thing off and scratch the hell out of it.