Marcus’s face slacked just as Kendra’s had when Hector took control. His body jerked as if he were fighting his own muscles. With a frustrated groan, he bowed in front of Hector.
“Do you see now how this works? You are bound to my darlin’ Kendra here. You will obey her just as she obeys me. Once she turns you, you’ll both be mine to do with as I please... for eternity.” He laughed again. “Kendra, if you please, the second blood exchange.”
Her free will gone, she took hold of Marcus and sank her teeth deep into his neck. She drank instinctively, not feeling the pleasure of his hot blood flooding her mouth or hearing the frantic thump of his heart. It was only at Hector’s command that she stopped draining him and opened up her wrist to give Marcus back the blood she had taken.
The haze receded as he drank from her, and Kendra was able to realize what she had just done. She cursed herself for not being strong enough to fight back.
Hector appeared above her. “Finish the third exchange once he regains consciousness,” Hector commanded as he walked toward the door. “I’m going for a drink. I expect it to be done when I return.”
Kendra held Marcus in her arms as he twitched and convulsed in her lap. Two full blood exchanges had passed between them now, and after one more, he would be like her, and under the eternal control of Hector. If she’d been a stronger woman she would have killed Marcus to spare him this fate, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
“Just relax,” she said soothingly, brushing his hair from his sweat-covered brow. “You’ll feel better soon.” Their first blood exchange had been a pleasurable sensation, but the second was intense, bordering on pain, altering his very organs. Even if she refused him another exchange, the damage done by the first two would affect him forever. His teeth were already reshaping, his jaw expanding slightly to accommodate the thicker incisors. His skin and eyes were fading; he’d be more light-sensitive now than he had been before, and he’d sunburn more easily. He’d start to crave blood too, and not just Kendra’s; but it wouldn’t be until the third exchange that blood would become the only thing he could ingest.
“Why is he doing this to us?” Marcus asked through a panted breath.
“He wants to destroy you.”
“Why not just kill me then?”
“That’s too easy. He has to ruin everything you hold dear. He’ll break you down until you have nothing left.”
“What about the band?”
Kendra let out a deep sigh. “Do they know where you are?”
“I doubt it. Er… I hope not.”
“I doubt that will matter much.” She couldn’t hide her defeated tone. “If Hector is after them, he’ll find them.”
“He’s gonna kill them, isn’t he?”
“Probably.”
Through their connection, both Kendra and Marcus shared in the gut-wrenching sensation of worry. Troy, Mikey, Chad, and even Gary were almost certainly marked for death. The only question was, how would Hector do it?
Kendra wanted to apologize for the millionth time but knew it wouldn’t do any good. All she could do was hold Marcus tightly to her and comfort him through the changes until Hector imposed his control on her again, stealing her consciousness and willpower.
“Kendra, you have to stop him. You can’t let him destroy everything. You can’t let him kill my friends.”
“How?” Helpless and desperate tears flooded her eyes. “He’s too strong. I can’t fight him.”
“But I felt you fighting. I felt your repulsion for him when he commanded you to kiss him.” Marcus moved as if he were trying to get up.
“Stay still, you need to regain your strength.” Kendra pushed him back down in her lap. “It doesn’t matter. I can hate him all I want. I still lose my free will when he controls me.”
“You were fighting. I saw it. You just have to try harder.”
Kendra sobbed and bent her head to Marcus’s forehead. “It took me ten years to manage one escape.” Tears choked her voice. “All those years I was his servant, his slave. No more than a mindless puppet. I never once broke his control. I’m just not strong enough.”
“You have to be.”
“Could you fight me, when I made you bow to him?”
“I’m not like you,” Marcus said. “You’re a vampire.”
“You don’t understand.” Kendra sobbed. “I’m nothing. Hector destroyed me years ago. And now, he’s going to do it to you too.”
“You haven’t been destroyed, and neither have I. Not yet, at least. Kendra, pull yourself together. We can beat this. We can beat him. I’m not losing you again, but I can’t fight this guy alone.” Marcus groaned as a wave of nausea rolled through him.
Kendra winced as she felt the echoes of his pain. “Shhhh.” She held him close and rubbed his back to comfort him.
Hector’s words echoed in her mind. I’ll expect it to be done when I return. The weight of their situation crushed her very soul. Finish the job, turn him. Create a new slave. Destroy a new life. She couldn’t do it. Not to Marcus, not to anyone. Suddenly, amid the creeping blackness of her thoughts, she was struck with inspiration. Perhaps there was some small way she and Marcus could fight back.
Marcus’s breathing relaxed. He rolled over on his back and looked up at Kendra. “Why don’t you just turn me, and maybe between the two of us, we can fight him?”
She could already see the changes in his face. His beautiful hazel eyes were fading, the greens and browns washing out as blue became the dominating color. She mourned the loss of his mortal life, knowing that eventually she would have to take it. “Not now. You’ll be too weak to begin with, and so will I, from blood loss. We won’t be able to fight anything that way.”
“So, do you have a plan, or do we just wait until he orders you to kill my buddies?”
She grimaced at his veiled criticism. “Your tone has certainly changed.”
“Their lives are on the line.”
“I know this.” She sighed in frustration. “I’m thinking of something, okay?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t attack you.”
“No, you’re right to attack me. It’s my fault you’re all in this mess.”
“I’m just as much to blame for following,”
“Not really. It’s the bond—” Another flash of inspiration struck Kendra. A smile tugged at her lips. “The bond is too strong to break.”
“What… we know that already. How do we fight it?”
“Not sure yet. I need a second to think.”
“Can we fight it?”
“Maybe… well… I dunno.”
Marcus rolled over and propped himself on his elbows. “If you know how, tell me.”
“There’s something to what you said earlier. I’m not strong enough to fight him head on. He controls me because of our bond. No one has ever been able to break the bond.”
Marcus let out a defeated sigh.
“But there might still be a chance to save the band. If we’re lucky, we might even get away with our lives.”
“Okay…” His eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “I’m not following… What you’re saying? Can we fight it or not?”
“We’re powerless against the bond, but maybe we shouldn’t fight it.”
“You’ve lost me.”
“We should use it.”
“What?” His voice was strained with disbelief.
“Don’t worry. Just let me work it out.” Kendra closed her eyes and tried to quiet her thoughts to let the plan take shape in her mind.
“You’re not gonna tell me what you’re planning?”
“I don’t have an actual plan yet.”
“How can you have a plan without a plan?”
“I’m winging it.”
“That’s not very reassuring.”
“It may not be, but at least I’m trying.” Kendra tried to sound hopeful. It was a long shot, but any plan, even a half-baked one was better than nothing.
“Is there anything I can d
o?”
“Yes.” Kendra opened her eyes and looked down. She locked onto Marcus’s eyes and focused as hard as she could, sending all her power and strength outward, seeking the deep recesses of his mind. “You won’t have any memory of me telling you this, but the instructions will remain in your mind. The moment we step onto the bus, you will do exactly as I say, no matter what. You will obey me and only me. I am your master. You won’t flinch if your friends are attacked. You will not defend me if I’m attacked. When I say Hector’s name, you will find, and use the sword Troy bought at the swap meet. It’s somewhere in the bus. Cut off Hector’s head to kill him.”
Kendra broke the connection, and blinked away the momentary weakness; her energy was already low from sharing blood with Marcus, and without a fresh source, she would soon have no strength left.
Marcus screwed up his face in confusion, “You’re not gonna tell me how I can help are you?”
“As soon as I figure out something, I’ll let you know.”
Marcus rolled back on to his back, resting his head in Kendra’s lap. He closed his eyes and sighed. “I hope you figure out something soon.”
The door opened. Kendra covered Marcus’s face with her hand and whispered, “Just go with whatever I say.” She looked up weakly as Hector entered the room. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t strong enough to complete the third transfusion,” she blurted out apologetically. “He’s weak, and I need fresh blood.”
Marcus moaned in her lap.
“I’m happy to see your tone has changed. Do not think, however, that I will give him to you for pleasure when this is done.”
Kendra hung her head shamefully. “I know, master. I don’t expect that.”
“We’ve yet to deal with your punishment.”
“I’m sorry,” she pleaded. “I was wrong. I’ve been thinking of ways to make it up to you.”
“Really?” Hector’s voice was filled with distrust.
“Yes. I thought I might convince Marcus to lead us to the band. I could drink from them and gain strength. Once I’m stronger, I could finish the task you’ve assigned to me.”
“Foolish girl. You’ll convince Marcus to tell me where his friends are? Do you think I would believe anything you or he told me willingly?” He laughed. “You will still feed from them though. And Marcus will watch.”
“But… how?”
“I know exactly where his friends are,” Hector said as he turned and held the door open. “Bring our guest along will you, darlin’? We’re going to pay them a little visit.”
CHAPTER 11
LOVE’S WORTH FIGHTING FOR
Kendra let out a heavy sigh as they approached the tour bus parked behind the band’s hotel. Her plan was little more than a suicide mission, and if it didn’t work out, they’d all be dead, or worse.
“Okay, do or die time… you have a plan yet?” Marcus whispered in her ear.
So far her memory trick had worked. He hadn’t shown any signs of remembering her instructions.
“Stay alive,” Kendra said and squeezed Marcus’s arm. He nodded and walked forward with her.
Gary stepped out of the bus to greet them. Behind his glasses, Kendra could see the vacant stare and wondered how long ago Hector had gotten to him. Was it the night she sent them away? He must have done it when they thought Gary was sleeping. If he was under Hector’s control, she wouldn’t be able to snap him out of it. She only hoped the others still had their minds intact.
Gary waved them into the bus with a dull smile. Kendra expected the worst, but was pleasantly surprised to find the place empty. “Where are they?”
Gary walked in after them. “Boys will be boys. They’re out and about somewhere, I suppose.”
Hector grabbed Gary by the shirt and pulled him close. “I told you to have them here waiting for me.”
“They’re probably out looking for Marcus,” Kendra blurted out. “Gary, give me your phone. I’ll text them to come back here.”
Hector’s grip lessened. He nodded to Gary. “Be quick about it.”
Gary, still held in Hector’s thrall, immediately dug into his pocket and fished out a small cell phone. “Sorry sir. The boys don’t always listen to me.” He handed it to Kendra with shaky hands.
Kendra tried to catch Gary’s eyes, but he wouldn’t meet her gaze. Whether it was Hector’s influence or his own real nerves, she couldn’t tell. Either way, he wasn’t going to be a good candidate to use for her plan.
She flipped open the phone and found Troy’s number. “What do you want me to tell him?” she asked Hector in her most pleasing voice.
“Marcus is back. That should be enough to bring them here,” Hector said as he took a seat on the couch along the wall.
Kendra tapped the note into the phone. ‘Marcus and Kendra are back.’ She hoped that they would suspect something was up after their last parting. She had been so adamant about warning them of Hector and how important it was that she never see them again.
“Bring me the phone,” Hector said suspiciously.
“Of course,” Kendra replied as reverently as she could. She smiled and handed it to Hector. He scrutinized the message on the screen as if trying to decipher any hidden meanings. After a moment of silence, he snapped the phone shut and set it at his side.
“You still need to feed, Kendra. Take Gary and then finish the job with Marcus. While we wait.”
“Are you sure we shouldn’t hold off until they get here?” Kendra asked nervously, looking around the room. She focused in on the open sleeping bays and then on the sitting space in the very back of the bus. “You said you wanted Marcus to see his friends’ deaths.” She spotted it hung on the wall—the sword Troy had bought at the swap meet. “If he’s in the change, he won’t be aware of what’s happening around him.”
Hector tapped his foot impatiently. “Gary, how long ago did they leave?”
“No more than five minutes,” he answered. “I tried to keep them here. I swear.”
The phone buzzed next to Hector. He looked down at it and smiled. “I guess we can wait five more minutes. Gary, I would like you to wait in the driver’s seat. When they come in, lock the door behind them.”
Kendra looked to Gary. The vacant stare had crossed his face again. Hector had full control of him. He would no doubt try the same thing when the rest of the band showed up: make them stand there and wait for death, like some ride at an amusement park.
Kendra grabbed Marcus and turned him toward the back room. “Sword,” she whispered as quietly as she could.
Marcus nodded, but said nothing else in response.
“Where are you taking him?” Hector asked.
“I was putting him in the back. Once the others arrive, it will be packed up here. I can lay him out back there.”
“He’s fine where he is. In fact, I want him right here, next to me. He’ll have a front row seat for the action.”
Kendra nodded and sat Marcus on the couch.
“You should feel honored I haven’t killed you yet.” Hector smiled and laughed. “You’re a singer, correct?”
“Yes. I sing.” His voice warbled, giving away his nervousness.
“Entertain us with a song then. Maybe if I like you, I’ll keep you around longer.”
Marcus looked up to Kendra with “help” written all over his face. She shrugged at first, not knowing what to tell him, and then an idea struck her. She said a silent prayer that her instructions to Marcus had stuck. “Why don’t you sing him that new song?
Confusion furrowed Marcus’s brow. “‘Creative Mysticism’?”
“No, the duet. We’ll sing it together. You’d like that, wouldn’t you… Hector?”
Without a word, Marcus nodded, stood and headed toward the back room.
“He’s just grabbing the sheet music,” Kendra supplied when Hector eyed her suspiciously.
Chad and Mike arrived suddenly, rushing up the steps into the bus. As soon as they cleared the door, Gary closed it. Hector sent out a wave of
calm and instantly took charge of their minds. Mike and Chad blanked of all visible thoughts or emotions. They stood rigidly, awaiting Hector’s orders. Kendra too was affected by Hector’s influence. The haze rolled through her mind, drawing the curtain closed on her consciousness.
“Now, please, Kendra, if you will do the honors. Take the large one first.” Hector’s deep, rich voice rolled through her mind, the only clear thing among the haze. She nodded and walked toward Chad, who neither smiled nor flinched.
Just as Kendra’s fangs brushed the surface of Chad’s skin, a loud banging began, echoing all around her. She focused on it as it grew louder. The haze in her mind receded a little. She heard Marcus and Hector both yelling but couldn’t see what they were doing. The bus rocked and she swayed with the motion, holding onto Chad to keep herself steady.
From the corner of her eye she saw Gary open the door and then Troy rushing inside.
Chad remained still, awaiting her bite, his face blank and emotionless. Hector’s whispering voice spoke in her mind telling her to strike, but she felt his control slipping with all of the commotion. The fog rolled away, and she remembered her plan. She needed to give Marcus the chance to strike. Kendra turned away from Chad as Troy barreled towards her.
Troy knocked Mike over as he streaked past them, making a beeline for the spice rack filled with his broken drumsticks.
She turned to follow Troy’s movements, watching as he snatched a handful of the sharp sticks. Behind him, she saw Marcus, acting on previous orders, running toward them with sword in hand. Hope sparked within her, breaking the last shred of control Hector had over her. With her mind clear, Kendra pushed Chad out of the way as Marcus swung wide, aiming for Hector’s head.
Hector ducked away from the wild swing, almost toppling over onto the kitchenette table.
As he righted himself, Troy struck, plunging one of the broken drum sticks into Hector’s chest.
Hector’s cry of pain shook the walls of the bus. He shoved Troy, sending him skidding across the floor into Marcus.
The two men toppled to the ground. The sword fell, clanging loudly.
Forever Mine Page 8
