by Mary Abshire
My rush clean up job would have to do. Purse and towel in hand, I strode to get my clothes. The mat was a mess with sweat and dark spots of blood. It wasn't my concern. I freed my hands, then dressed fast, shoving my legs into my pants and throwing on my tank top.
Jeremy twisted to his side before sitting up. "Where are you going?"
"I beat you. We're done."
"We aren't done," he said before he spat.
"I'm starving, sore, and in desperate need of a shower and sleep." I offered him a hand up.
Jeremy accepted my kindness and grunted as I helped him stand. "We still have an hour before sunrise."
"I don't care. In case you forgot, I have an investigation later with Dani."
My roommate and co-worker of three years was lead in our paranormal investigation team. I'd recently told her I was a half-demon and explained that I sent evil souls to Hell. She'd taken the news well and gave me her word she wouldn't blab my secret to the rest of the world. This afternoon would be a test to see if she could keep her promise.
"Your investigation is taking time away from training," Jeremy said. "You should stay now to make up for that lost time."
"You just can't accept that I beat you. Can you?"
He laughed and then winced as he gently rubbed his ribcage.
"You're not ready to fight anyway. Even the teacher needs a break."
"I'll heal," he said flatly.
"Yeah, well I'm going home after I get something to eat. And I doubt you can stop me." At least, not in his current condition.
"Give me a minute," he said.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Before he could say another word, I jogged to the door. If he needed a minute to finish healing, I had to hurry. Otherwise, he just might be able to stop me.
I pushed the glass door to exit. Fortunately, I was holding onto the handle or the door would've flown all the way back to the building. A piece of the metal lay on the sidewalk. It must have broken off the frame when Drake had slammed the door open. Jeremy would have to either fix it or pay the owner more money. Again, it wasn't my problem. I shut the door, then ran to my car.
Warm air filled my lungs and heated my skin as I hurried across the parking lot. The typical Indiana heat and humidity during the summer was a nuisance. Add my constant one-hundred degree body temperature—thanks to my demon blood—and I struggled to keep cool. Yet, I'd settle for Indiana's ninety degrees with humidity any day of the week versus one-hundred-twelve degree dry heat. The few days I'd spent in Arizona were brutal and a good reminder that a touch of moisture in the air wasn't such a bad thing.
I reached my car and quickly settled behind the wheel. As I started the engine, I stared at the entrance to the karate school, waiting to see if Jeremy might try and stop me. He never made an appearance. Cool air blasted my face and arms. I inhaled a relieving breath.
On my way home, I stopped at Taco Bell and ordered enough takeout to feed two. The fast food joint was one of two open in the wee hours of the morning. Although hamburgers appealed to my starving belly, I didn't want to wait twenty minutes at Steak-n-Shake. Besides, I got more food for my money at the Bell. I ordered so much food that the cashier gave me an odd look as he handed me the bags. I couldn't help it that my body craved sustenance after fighting Jeremy all night and morning.
After a quick and trafficless drive, I arrived at the apartment Dani and I shared. My hands were full with the bags of food, my purse, the towel, and keys. Unlocking the door wasn't easy, but I did it as quietly as I could so I wouldn't wake Dani or our new neighbors, Ashley and Jennifer. They were lesbian witches and had moved in before I left for Arizona. They kept to themselves for the most part, which made me happy.
I glanced at my neighbors’ door and wondered if they were watching me from their peephole. I didn't trust them. In fact, I disliked most supernatural creatures. Demons and witches had taken advantage of my mother when I was a child. After her suicide, she’d left a journal that warned me not to trust supernatural beings. I heeded her warning—most days—Drake being an exception. Aside from Sean, the warlock who'd taken care of me after my mother's death, Drake was the kindest, noblest, most caring supernatural I'd ever met. So what, he was a vampire. There were worse creatures to be leery of.
I pushed open the door and then shut it with my foot, leaving it unlocked for Jeremy. Part of our agreement was that he stayed with me during our two weeks of training. He slept on the sofa when he was here, and when he wasn't, I didn't ask.
The apartment was quiet as I strolled past the living room and into the kitchen. I carefully set everything in my hands on the dining room table. The apartment was quiet and dark. Dani hadn't heard me. After I flipped on the light, I took a seat at the table.
The strong odor of tacos was making me hungrier by the second. I rummaged through the bags and pulled out a soft taco. Tossing the paper aside, I took a bite. My teeth ached, and my bottom lip hurt, but the food tasted better than chocolate. I finished three more within a few short minutes. My stomach still grumbled at me. I was reaching for another taco when the hairs on the back of my neck twitched. I stopped and waited. A gentle wave of coolness caressed my skin. That kind of feeling only came from one person I knew.
The chair scraped over the vinyl flooring as I rose. I strode to the patio door, then pushed aside the blinds. Drake stood in front of the glass. Immediately, my heart leaped with new life. After unlatching the lock, I slid the patio door open. He brushed past me without saying a word and headed into the living room.
"What are you doing?" I asked in a soft voice while I sealed the room off from the heat outside.
He stopped in front of the main door to the apartment. I hovered at the dividing line of the rooms, watching with curiosity. He slid the dead bolt home and it made a light clicking sound.
"Drake?" I gave him a questioning look with my brows closing in near my nose.
He approached me, threading his fingers through his long brown hair. His face was tight, his lips pressed together in a thin line. Dark eyes pierced me. "We need to talk."
The tension claiming him had to be a result from my less than appropriate appearance with Jeremy at the karate school.
"Is it about earlier?" I asked.
He stopped in front of me and gripped my shoulders. "What in God's name were you doing without your clothes on?" His tone was deep, full of anger and concern.
"We were fighting. After he broke my neck—"
He growled, and he tightened his grip. "He broke your neck?"
"I made a stupid move—and that gave him time to remove my clothes. But when my bones healed, I beat the shit out of him. For once, I actually beat him." I smiled, hoping Drake would find my accomplishment as worthy as I did.
The tightness in his face ebbed. "You created that bloody mess on his face?"
I lifted a shoulder. "He made me angry when he tried to take advantage of me."
A smile spread across Drake's face. "I hope I never make you that angry."
"Don't give me a reason, and you won't have to worry." Grinning, I recalled times when he had made me angry. After we'd first met, the ancient vamp and I had many communication issues. Add my lack of trust and our relationship went beyond tense. Yet, somehow, we worked out our problems and fell madly in love, a feat I never would have thought possible two months ago.
Drake's gaze honed in on my mouth. He touched my chin and gently glided his thumb over my bottom lip, the repeatedly busted one. "I can heal this for you." His voice was as soft as his touch and made my insides quiver.
My eyes drooped. "No, he'll know."
Slowly, he slid his hand down my arm, spawning an increase of goose flesh. "Are you saying we can't even kiss now?"
Oh, I wanted to kiss his soft lips, enjoy the touch of his playful tongue, and feel his cool embrace wrapped around me. I hated we had to pretend we weren't lovers. "Maybe when the cut is healed." Denying a simple kiss felt worse than any hit or broken bone.
Drake wrapped his arm
s around me and crushed me to him. His energy passed through me in a peaceful wave. "My heart and soul long to be with you."
I hugged him with all the strength I had while I breathed in his rosemary cedar wood scent. On the outside, his body was cool and solid, pleasing to my feverish flesh. Inside, passionate love filled him. I wanted to hold onto him and his love forever. "You have no idea how much I want to forget about everything and just be alone with you."
He took my face into his hands and pressed his forehead to mine. His full, black eyes gazed deep into mine. "I trust you. I always will."
I bit into my sore lip to stop the tears from welling in my eyes. I didn't want him to leave. I hated the situation I was in, having to stand in front of a bunch of vampires and convince them I wasn't a threat. What if I couldn't? Drake vowed to help me, but doubt still chiseled at my brain. I wanted everything to be the way it was when we'd first met. Damn Kuri for ruining my life.
Drake pressed his mouth to mine. The kiss was gentle and quick. It took all my willpower not to lock my arms around his neck and claim him.
He took my hands into his and squeezed them. "Call me tonight after your investigation."
With a heavy sigh, I nodded. "I will."
He slipped away and left out the patio.
Silence once again filled the room, making me feel deeply lonely. I slumped in my chair. Food no longer appealed to me. Damn it, why couldn't I just live the way I wanted to live? I leaned my elbows on the table and hid my face in my hands. Tears escaped my eyes.
"Jessie?" Dani asked.
I wiped my face. "In here."
She scraped her slippers over the carpet as she drew near. I straightened and tried to shake the sadness from my thoughts. She rounded the corner and headed toward the table. Her long blonde hair was a tangled mess, and she wore an oversized t-shirt with pink, fluffy slippers hiding her feet.
"I thought I heard voices," she said as she scooted a chair out to sit on.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"Who were you talking to?" She rubbed her eyes, then looked at me. "Are you all right?"
I nodded. "Drake stopped by."
She peered her tired eyes closer at me. "What's on your face and hands?"
"It's just blood," I said casually. "I was in a hurry and tried to wipe it off as best I could."
"It's smeared on your neck and cheeks." Dani rose, then strolled into the kitchen. She snatched a paper towel, then wet it down under the faucet.
"I'm going to shower in a bit," I said as she squeezed the water from the towel. Her concern for me was heartwarming.
She returned to the chair next to me with the dampened towel and handed it to me. "Here."
I scrubbed my cheeks and neck with the damp towel.
"Are you going to tell me what happened with Drake?" she asked as she pinched one of the food bags open and peeked inside.
"Just the usual. He said hello and left." I rose, tossed the crumpled towel in the trash, then returned to my seat.
Dani let go of the bag, then faced me with her inquisitive, bluish-gray eyes. "So what's wrong? Something isn't right. I can tell."
I shook my head and turned away. "I miss him so much, Dani." I swallowed the lump crawling up my throat. "He loves me, and I love him, but we can't even fucking spend time together, kiss, or do anything."
"And this is because of your deal with Jeremy?"
I nodded.
She placed her hand on top of mine. "So kiss the man you love. What's Jeremy going to do if he finds out? What's the worst that could happen?"
"Well, I would be bound to a new deal of Jeremy's choosing."
"And who is going to hold you to it?"
"He will. Trust me, he'd find a way." God help me, I'd never let Jeremy have such tight control over me.
She chuckled. "That sounds ridiculous. Just tell him the truth and do what you want. What's so difficult about that?"
I shook my head. "I already have told him repeatedly that I love Drake. He knows how difficult it was for me to break up with him."
"So do what you want to do."
"You don't understand. I can't break my deal." I refused to give Jeremy the opportunity to suck me into another one.
She crossed her arms. "Well, I think your bargain with Jeremy is ridiculous. You shouldn't have agreed to break up with Drake just so Jeremy can teach you how to fight."
"And go with me to meet the VETOV. He volunteered to help protect me."
She gave me a knowing glare. "Drake can protect you just as much as Jeremy."
True, but at the time I had made the deal, I lacked confidence Drake would defend me against his own kind.
"I just have to get through this week and the meeting. Then my deal with Jeremy is over."
"Why can't Drake get you out of this deal?"
I unwrapped the paper around a soft taco and picked out the lettuce. "Drake would love to see Jeremy dead, and Jeremy would love for Drake to disappear. The two would kill each other if they had to talk for more than a minute."
"Really? How?" She dug in one of the bags and took out a wrapped burrito.
"Drake has ten times the strength Jeremy does, but Jeremy can set people on fire with his touch." I squished my taco together, then picked it up. It didn't look appetizing, but my stomach reminded me it needed something.
She set the burrito on the table. "Jeremy can set people on fire?" Her eyes were big.
"Yep. All demons have some unique talent," I said with my mouth full.
"Wow. That's a bit scary. You really think they'd kill each other?"
I swallowed. "Without a doubt. Demons and vampires do not get along."
"But you and Drake are fine together." She started unwrapping the burrito.
"I'm half-demon. And part of the problem is that vampires enjoy feeding off demons."
She paused and stared at me. "Like…drinking your blood?" She wrinkled her nose.
"I guess our blood gives them a boost, sort of like an energy drink." I took another bite of the taco.
"Are you kidding me?"
"I wish." The words came out mumbled.
She looked at the food in front of her, then back to me. "Do you let Drake feed from you?"
I stopped chewing and stared.
She held up her hand. "Never mind. I don't want to know."
I smiled and continued eating. Drake had to get his blood from somewhere. Did she think I'd let him feed from strangers when he could have me whenever he wanted? Well, just about whenever.
Dani lifted the burrito near her mouth. "If vampires feed from demons, aren't you nervous about going to that group? What if they try to feed from you?" She took a bite of her food.
I sucked on a bit of the taco stuck to my teeth, trying to remove it, while I thought about her words. She had a point I hadn't considered before. While I focused on fighting to protect myself, I'd completely forgotten the VETOV might think of me as their next glass of fine wine. The thought made my stomach churn. I didn't want anyone other than Drake feeding from me. I was suddenly more thankful I was acquiring defensive training with Jeremy's help.
A jiggle on the door handle stole our attention. We both turned to the door. Silence lasted only seconds before there was a soft knock.
Dani set down her food. "I'll get it."
I dropped the remaining portion of my taco on the paper. My appetite had disappeared.
Dani let Jeremy inside. He strolled in carrying a white paper bag in hand. He looked remarkably clean considering all the blood he'd had coating his face earlier.
He sat in Dani's vacated seat and scanned over the bags on the table. "That's a lot of food. Are you going to eat all that?"
"No, you can have what's left." My stomach wanted food, but my mind and heart couldn't handle any more, especially with Dani's question repeating in my head.
Dani reached between Jeremy and me and grabbed her burrito off the table. "I'm going back to bed. If you need anything, don't wake me." She took o
ff down the hall, food in hand.
I met Jeremy's gaze and sighed.
"What's wrong?" He set a wrapped sandwich on top of his paper bag.
I lowered my eyes. You, I thought. "Nothing."
"Well that's the worst lie ever. You can tell me what's wrong or I can beat it out of you." One of his brows was crooked.
Staring into his eyes, I considered telling him about Drake. But only for a few seconds. Jeremy didn't care how I felt toward Drake and he would never understand. Jeremy made it clear repeatedly he wanted me for himself. He was a selfish demon through and through. My best option was to play the role of distraught ex-girlfriend so Jeremy would teach and help protect me. After meeting the VETOV, things could change.
"I'm worried," I said.
"About the meeting?"
I nodded. "I was talking to Dani and she brought up something I hadn't thought about."
"Oh?" He spread his legs and leaned against the back of the chair.
"You know how vampires love our blood."
"Oh, that." He moved closer to the table, then unwrapped his burger.
"Yeah. So what's to stop them from draining us, besides Drake?"
"And besides me?" He lifted the large cheeseburger to his mouth. Ketchup fell and landed on his thigh. "Shit."
I took a napkin and wiped his leg. "I know you think you can handle them, but we are only two people walking into a nest. We'll be out numbered."
He held his food over the paper on the table. "True, but I'm confident I can defeat them. One touch is all I need to light them up."
His confidence didn't encourage me. I wanted to make it out of the meeting alive, all of us. I rolled the napkin in my taco paper. "Well, I'm worried."
Truthfully, I was concerned for the two of us. Sure, I hated him at times, but the demon vowed to protect me of his own free will. That stood for a lot in my book. And while his talent could destroy many, no way could Jeremy take out more than ten vampires at one time. They'd rip off his head. Regrettably, my strength didn't compare to his. My ability involved sending souls to Hell. My little talent couldn't help me fight a vampire.
I rose with my trash in hand. After I tossed paper in the can, I meandered back to the table.
