by Mary Abshire
Reality came to me some time later and I discovered I was on my back. Drake and Nassar stood over me. I didn't see Jeremy.
"Can't breathe," I whispered.
"The knife may have punctured her lung," Nassar said.
Drake tore open my shirt. The cool air pleased my burning, wet skin.
"You will have to remove it," Nassar said.
Drake faced him. "Her lungs will fill with blood the moment I pull it out."
Nassar placed his hand on his shoulder. "They already are."
Drake lowered his eyes and head. "I will not lose her."
"Suck the blood out of her. Try to heal it as quick as you can. Then share your blood with her. I will keep watch."
I took in a short breath. Intense pain spread through my chest. Unable to breathe, I felt like a heavy weight sinking in quicksand. Tears escaped my eyes. I needed more air desperately.
Drake's concerned gaze fell upon me. "This will hurt."
I would've laughed if I could. I doubted it could be any worse than how I already felt.
He wrapped his fingers around the handle of the knife, then jerked it out of me. I gasped, arching my back. Fire burned from the wound and spread fast. The searing pain was worse.
Drake pushed me down with one hand splayed across my stomach. With his other wrapped under my neck, he closed his mouth around the hole in my chest.
My torso blazed hotter than an inferno. I held my breath, too afraid to breathe. Blood rushed up my throat. The coppery fluid filled my mouth. I swallowed it and a sharp pain stabbed at my heart.
Nassar placed his hand across my forehead. "You will be fine." His cool touch soothed me. He wasn't as cold as Dimitry, yet his energy was stronger than Drake's.
My head became heavy and a shadow formed behind Nassar.
"It's coming," I said softly.
Nassar scrunched his dark brows. "Fight it."
"Jessie," a voice said. I'd heard the familiar voice before in dreams.
"He calls," I said.
The shadow grew bigger, darkening the room. My head ached and I had zero strength to fight. I wanted air. I wanted rest. I wanted the suffering to end and to feel at peace.
"Fight it, Jessie," Nassar said, his voice distant.
Darkness overcame my vision and I got everything I wanted.
"Jessie," he called again.
Cold air froze me while pitch black surrounded me. Through the silence, I heard a faint sound of waves hitting rocks.
“Go to him. Trust him.”
Strong heat warmed my icy skin.
“Who? Drake?” I searched for the owner of the voice, though I knew it belonged to my real father, the devil.
“Not the vampire.”
The voice sounded as if it were hovering above me. I searched in the air. “Who then?”
In the black void, red eyes glowed. “The demon you belong with. He will protect you.”
A surge of panic and fear rushed through me. I turned away as a loud boom startled me. The darkness turned to light as I opened my eyes and gasped.
"Shh, calm down." Drake pressed his hand to my face. "You are safe with me."
My vision cleared and I surveyed my surroundings. I was in the bedroom, on the bed, lying next to Drake. Bright light flashed from the small windows followed by a thunderous rumble.
"What time is it? How long have I been out?" I licked my lips and tasted the metallic tang of blood.
He brushed my bangs off my forehead. "Hours. You needed to rest. Sunrise is coming, though I doubt we will see it with the storm passing through."
A deep throb jabbed at my head. Did I remember to bring aspirin with me?
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
As I breathed in a deep breath, my chest ached. "Sore and my head hurts." I glanced down and noticed a bra and skirt still covered me.
"I had no idea that the dancer planned to attack you. Nassar and I will seek immediate action."
I touched Drake's cheek. His soft skin felt cool under my fingertips. Loving eyes twinkled at me. "You saved me again."
As I gazed back at him, I considered my visit thus far. Coming to meet the VETOV had turned disastrous. They tempted me with money, tested my anger by sending an exotic dancer to seduce Drake and Jeremy, and attempted to kill me. I thought they would question me with words, not test me in such devilish ways. And this organization claimed to be a group of good vampires policing bad ones? I had serious doubts.
He gently gripped my hand and pressed my fingers to his lips, kissing them. "I will always protect you."
Protect me. The words brought back the image of the red eyes. My father wanted me to go to Jeremy. Why would I listen to the devil when the man who loved me more than anything lay next to me?
"Where's Jeremy?" I asked.
"He hasn't returned."
If he hadn't come back, he was with Sophia. The bastard. And my father wanted me to trust him? Yeah, right.
Soft taps of shoes patted the hardwood floor, moving closer.
"They are bringing her here," the soft male voice said.
Drake rolled over and sat up.
I lifted my head. Deep pain punched my brain and I thought it would burst. I fell back to the bed.
"Stay in bed," Drake said. "You need to rest."
I pressed my palms to my eyes, hoping the spinning sensation would stop soon. "Who is she and why are they bringing her here?"
"Serena," Drake said. "They will ask what you want her punishment to be."
"Ask me? Now?" Why me and why now? The timing seemed odd. I wondered why it couldn't wait.
"Do you have a means of retribution in mind?" Nassar asked.
My head stopped spinning. I lowered my hands and stared at Drake, dumbfounded. First of all, I didn't feel up to par yet. Second, how could I decide the woman's punishment? I suspected someone had forced her to attack me since I had never met her before. Whoever made her stab me should pay the penalty, not her.
"Is she human?" I asked.
Nassar stepped into the room. "Yes. Serena was an acquaintance of mine. I met her several years ago in Saudi Arabia."
Drake rose. "Why did she attack Jessie?"
"I don't know. Someone must have manipulated her mind," Nassar replied.
"Find out who did," I said. "That person should be held accountable."
Both men turned their eyes on me and stared with blank expressions.
I looked between them. "What?"
"If it is a member of the VETOV, your request might be difficult to honor," Drake said.
"Who else could it be?" I asked. Call me crazy, but I'd bet money Dimitry was the guilty party. "There are only vampires and humans here, aside from Jeremy and me. Right?"
Drake nodded.
"Yes, you are correct," Nassar said, then faced Drake. "Whoever tampered with Serena's mind and compelled her to act should receive the punishment. We should interrogate her and bring the information to the meeting tonight."
"Every member will have to support her request," Drake said.
A knock rapped at the front door.
Nassar headed for the exit. "If we can prove who it was, we may only need a majority vote."
Drake leaned over me. His hair fell forward and tickled my face as he pressed his lips to mine. He kissed me tenderly.
I tucked his soft hair behind his ear. "I trust you."
He pecked my forehead. "Sleep. I will send someone to check on you."
I watched him walk away. The front door opened and I heard the patter of rain smack against the hard ground. The noise didn't last long. Then, there was silence.
I rolled on my side and closed my eyes. The pounding in my head continued while my weakened body begged for rest. Taking in steady breaths, I shut down all thoughts and drifted off to sleep.
****
A warm and wet hand on my arm woke me. I rubbed the sleepiness from my eyes and found Jeremy sitting near me, on the side of the bed. Water glistened on his face and arms.
/> "You’re wet," I said.
"It's raining." He removed his hand before he stood. "How do you feel?"
I swallowed and tasted blood. Did the taste ever go away? "Tired and thirsty."
He snapped his fingers. "I brought something that can help." He strode to the far end of the room where his suitcase sat near the corner.
I slowly pushed myself into a sitting position. "Where have you been?" The room slanted as the words left my mouth. I focused on Jeremy bent over near the luggage. Slowly, my vision righted itself.
The sound of a zipper and rustle of a paper bag roused my curiosity. He straightened and headed toward me with something brown in his hands. The long shape led me to believe he'd packed a bottle of liquor.
"I was with Sophia," he said.
I pressed my lips together to prevent saying something mean. While I was on the brink of death, he was fucking a vamp for money. What was my father thinking when he told me to go to Jeremy? I had to have misunderstood him.
"Did you fuck her?" I had to ask.
He stopped on the side of my bed, removed the bag, then twisted the plastic cap off the clear bottle. "No. I didn't." He pressed the bottle to his lips and imbibed several big gulps.
"You've been gone all this time and you didn't even have sex with her?" The bastard had to be lying.
He handed the liquor bottle to me. As I poured the clear fluid into my mouth, he lifted his wet shirt over his head and then tossed it on the floor.
"Nope." He unbuttoned his jeans. "I demanded the deposit into my bank account first." He unzipped his pants, then pushed them down. His skin seemed paler than normal, but he was still damn fine to look at.
Wearing only his red boxers, he took the bottle from my hand, then sat next to me.
"If you took her money, then you agreed to her deal," I said.
He gulped the vodka, then handed it back to me. "What I do and don't do is not your concern."
I shook my head in frustration before I took another drink. Clear to me, no matter what I said to him, he had already made his choice. I didn't have the strength to argue.
I sipped more liquor before handing it back. "You know how I feel."
Glad to have the taste of metal out of my mouth, I laid my head on the pillow. Warmth filled me from the liquor. My thoughts floated blissfully.
Jeremy sauntered to the dresser as he finished off the bottle. He discarded it in the trash, then crawled into bed behind me. In my current state of mind, I welcomed the warm company.
He stretched out, pressing his heated, damp body against mine. He glided his hand down my arm, tickling me. "Your body feels cool."
I rolled onto my back. "I think I almost died."
"I knew Drake would save you."
"Is that another reason why you went with her?" I asked a bit harshly, then looked away from him. Yes, I was a tad upset that he didn't check on me and make sure I was being cared for. We were among a bunch of vampires and one of them wanted me harmed. Wasn't that excuse alone enough to stay with me? Where was his compassion or sympathy? Again, I questioned my father's words.
He took hold of my chin, then forced my attention back on him. "Don't think for a second I wasn't concerned about you. I would've sacrificed myself to protect you." His strong voice hinted at anger, leaving out any uncertainty about his feelings.
"I believe you."
"Don't ever think I don't care about you," he said in a steadfast tone. "You're always in my thoughts. You should know that by now."
Maybe I was being a little overly upset. I just didn't want him to get hurt or into any trouble, no matter how small.
His gaze drifted to my lips and stayed there. "You're weak. Let me make you stronger."
His hand slipped down to my throat. Warmth spread over my flesh. I remembered how he’d shared his energy with me the last time, how good it felt, how much stronger and more alive it made me feel. A small amount of his energy would relieve my aches and weariness.
"Just a little," I said.
His lips twitched just before they claimed mine in a melting kiss. His power flowed into me while he slipped his tongue into my mouth. As if my body was a spring flower, it awakened and thirsted for more. Every cell tingled. Every muscle tightened. His kiss gave me strength and energized me. He slid his hand lower to my breast and an all too familiar desire intensified. The demon in me screamed for his touch, but my heart said no.
I lifted his hand away from my chest and ended the kiss. "That's enough."
"Are you sure?" He pressed his body against my side and his solid cock touched my thigh. "You know you want it. You know how good it feels. Imagine what sex would be like."
He moved his erection along the upper part of my leg, encouraging the demon in me to come out and play. She wanted to, especially after he shared his power with me. My body hummed and tingled as if awakened from a deep sleep. But I refused to give in to his temptation.
"Stop, Jeremy." I nudged him away.
He groaned and rolled over on his back. "You are such a fucking tease."
I turned onto my side. "Go take a cold shower."
He reached around and squeezed his body to mine. His cock poked my ass. "Come on, at least give me a blow job."
"No." I lifted his arm and shoved it away.
"A hand job?"
"No!" I said louder. "Take a cold shower."
Since he refused to leave, I tossed the covers off me and then rose. Fortunately, the room had two beds. I pried back the blankets on the other before I slid under them.
Jeremy groaned loudly. He got up, then stomped his bare feet as he left the room. Seconds later, I heard the bathroom door close.
Smiling and full of new strength, I shut my eyes. Tomorrow had to be better and I would be ready for it.
Chapter Sixteen
I flew toward the wall and smacked it hard, breaking my shoulder bone and then dropping to the ground. My body ached and burned as various bones fused themselves back together. Blood streamed from my nose and into my mouth. The sound of footsteps drew closer. I pushed myself up. Cold fingers wrapped around my arm, then I was tossed clear across the room again.
"Jessie, wake up!"
I opened my eyes and found Jeremy leaning over me. He was gripping my arms and had a tense, concerned look on his face.
"Are you awake?" he asked me.
"Yeah," I said softly.
He let go of me as he straightened. His exquisite bare chest faced me. "Jesus, you were scaring me."
I rubbed my forehead and my hand came away with moisture. Pressing my elbows into the bed, I leaned up. My damp hair stuck to my face and neck. "What happened?"
"You were dreaming. I heard you moaning and breathing heavy. I thought you were having some wild sex until your body started jerking violently." He separated strands of my hair clinging to my face. "What were you dreaming?"
I closed my eyes and recalled the images. "I was fighting someone. I think they were kicking my ass."
"Do you know who you were fighting?"
I searched for a face. Though I couldn't find one, I remembered one important feature about the person. I opened my eyes and lifted my gaze to Jeremy. "No, but it had to be a vampire. His touch was cold."
"Do you know what time of day it was? Or where you were? Was it outside?"
I glanced around the room, taking in small details. The white walls were not similar to the ones in my dream.
"I was in a room with stone walls. I don't know the time of day."
Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck as he ambled in the room. The muscles in his arms and chest bulged beautifully. When he stopped and our eyes met, I knew exactly what his thoughts were.
"It might be a premonition," I said. Whenever something bad or good was about to happen, the events popped up in my dreams.
"We can't take a chance it wasn't."
I brought my knees up from under the blanket. "I'll be careful. But I don't know why one of them would want to fight me. It doesn't make
sense. If they wanted to get rid of me, just do it or vote against me."
Jeremy sat on the bed across from me. "You’re right. It doesn't make sense, but neither did that dancer attacking you. And, by the way, you do have bigger tits."
I chuckled. "Did you enjoy the show?"
"Sure I did." His lips stretched into a devilish smile. "I just pretended it was you."
I took the pillow from behind me, then threw it at him. He caught it with no trouble.
Tossing the covers aside, I slipped out of bed.
"Where are you going?" Jeremy asked.
I dug through the dresser drawers, searching for clean underwear and clothes. "I'm going to clean up. And then I'd like to get something to eat. I'm starving."
"What do you want? I'll order it."
"Your steak looked good last night."
"Oh, it was delicious."
I slammed the drawer shut and held fresh, clean clothes. "Order one for me and a small salad. Mashed potatoes, some kind of vegetable, and whatever else sounds good."
"I'll get it ordered," he said before I walked out the door.
The light in the bathroom blinded me when I flipped the switch. Slowly, my eyes adjusted to the brightness. One glance at my reflection in the mirror and I laughed silently. My dark hair was a hideous mess, but my eyes were a brilliant shade of blue. My shirt was torn in half and stained with blood. After I stripped, I tossed the blouse in the trash and then stepped into the tub.
Warm water cascaded over my skin, washing away the sweat and small remnants of dried blood. Standing under the shower, my thoughts wandered. Why would one of the VETOV members use the dancer to kill me? Why not wait until the meeting and show their disapproval then? They couldn't be afraid of me. I was a mere human with a beating heart. Vampires were ten times stronger and faster—at least. What did they have to be afraid of besides my ability to send souls to Hell? Unless they're hiding something.
I thought about the dancer. She was a pawn in someone's game. One of the members took control of her mind and forced her to attack me. She didn't deserve the punishment. Whoever planted the seed in her head should be the one held accountable. I hoped Drake and Nassar discovered who that person was.
After my bath, I took twice as long drying and dressing. The skirt I'd selected fit snugger than the one I had worn the night before and the red top hugged my breasts. Maybe I was a little overdressed, but I felt comfortable. Besides, I wanted to give a nice impression at tonight's informal meeting.
