by K. M. Raya
“Please don’t go,” he pleaded in a desperate whisper against her lips.
She shushed him with deeper kisses as his hips rose off the bed of their own volition. Peeling his shirt off was easy and quick. She dragged her hands over the hardness of his chest and kissed her way down the side of his neck, counting the tattoos as she went. Jasper had not a single ounce of fat on his body but was quite a bit more muscular than she’d originally thought. His nipples were pierced, as was his tongue—she quickly found out. She shivered as the cold metal dragged across her overheated skin. Reaching down, she pulled his cock free from his pants and ran her palm along his pulsing length. Jasper moaned, once again rolling his hips.
Shimmying out of her leathers, bra and underwear, Blue crawled up his delectable body until they were lined up. Slowly, she seated herself on his lap, never breaking their kiss. Her hips swiveled, allowing his thick cock to spread her wide. She desperately hoped that Ronnie wouldn't walk in on them, but that errant thought was shoved from her brain when Jasper thrust up into her deeper than before. Blue shuddered as she ground her clit against his pelvic bone. The room was stiflingly hot and his skin against hers was hotter and slick with their mingling sweat. Her fingers gripped his hair so tight, she wondered if it was painful for him, but the noises he made told her he was beyond pain.
Jasper pulled back, looking into her eyes as she moved in his lap. His pupils were blown out now, heated and dark with want. She could see something else there in his eyes too, though she tried her hardest to ignore it. Peppering kisses over his face, she picked up her pace. She was becoming desperate. She wanted to own this man in every way possible. She wanted to leave a lingering impression, no matter the outcome of tonight. Suddenly, Jasper flipped her over, slamming her back against the mattress and burying his face in the crook of her shoulder. He was breathing heavily and panting her name between every kiss and every thrust. The bed rocked into the wall as he gripped the headboard with one hand. The other pressed firmly into her hip, holding her steady as he fucked her.
For a brief moment, Cole and Dresden’s faces flitted through her mind, but for some reason it didn't bring pain or guilt. What she felt for Dresden matched what she felt for the other two completely, regardless of how he felt about her. The other night in that training room solidified something inside of her. Hearing his confession in the kitchen sealed it. She also knew there was a big chance she’d never see any of them ever again. Sadness washed over her, driving her wild with desperation. She was in a frenzy as Jasper expertly brought her to the very height of pleasure.
His thrusts were hurried and wild. He moaned and cursed every time he bottomed out. Leaning backwards, he gripped her thigh and brought it over one shoulder, angling his cock deeper inside of her. He sat up straight, looking straight into her eyes as he pounded harder. Her leg bent up towards her head while the other stayed put. His sweaty body leaned over, pressing on her thigh as he held her there in a firm grip. The slap of their skin spurred them on. Harder and harder, he fucked into her with desperation as she screamed. She wasn’t even trying to mask her moans anymore and neither was he. A few more long, hard thrusts and he was there with her, moaning her name as he came inside of her.
When it was all over, they were both exhausted. Her chest heaved and her eyelids fought to stay open. It took about twenty minutes for Jasper to fall into a deep sleep beside her. She let herself lay there for a few long moments, just staring at his relaxed face as he slept soundly. She thought back to when she’d first seen him, back before she knew his heart. That’s when she realized she was in love. She loved Jasper Knightly, and she didn’t quite know when that had happened.
Blue slipped out of bed silently and cleaned up in her bathroom. Dressing in her leathers, she strapped her weapons back on before glancing back at him one last time. She wanted to kiss him again, but she couldn’t risk him waking up and trying to stop her. She walked swiftly through the halls of the school, realizing now that the sun had already set and most of the students were settled in for the night. Every now and then though, she’d pass someone lingering in the hallway. They’d watch her pass with curiosity and barely veiled remnants of their initial distrust.
Ignoring them, she found herself slipping into Zion’s classroom, creeping on her tiptoes, desperately hoping the gangly man would be off somewhere else at that hour. Luck seemed to be on her side because all of the lights were off. Her eyes latched onto the weapons wall, locating the whips easily. She knew it was a crime to steal something that didn’t belong to her, but the custom ones Zion promised her hadn't come in yet. She’d feel better though, having silver whips in her arsenal.
“What are you doing?” a voice cut through the silence of the room, startling Blue so badly that she dropped a whip to the floor, letting it clatter and echo. Jewel stood there at the doorway, arms crossed, dressed like she’d only just left the gym. Blue gathered herself and picked the whip up off the floor and hooked it with the other one on her hip before securing her jacket over them for concealment.
“You’d think it'd be obvious,” she grumbled, trying her best to be as nonchalant as possible. She’d been caught, she needed to tread lightly.
“You're going to Portland, aren’t you?”
“What's it to you, JJ? You wanted me out of here right, well congratulations, you got your wish.” She tried to push past her.
Jewel spun around as their arms brushed. “You're going to die, you know. I’ve seen the reports, it's a mess over there.”
“I think I can handle myself, now let me pass,” she snapped, trying to step around her.
Jewel got in her way once more and Blue had the urge to punch her right in her cute, upturned little nose. The girl had been nothing but annoyance since she’d gotten back and now wasn’t the time for this shit. “Move, Jewel, before I make you.” Blue warned, but the girl only laughed.
“But what will I tell my cousin? How am I supposed to explain that I let his girlfriend run off to commit suicide?”
“I’m not his girlfriend,” Blue grumbled.
“Oh yeah? Then why does he look like a wounded puppy every time he watches you while you ignore him? Why did I see him tackle Cole Harlan to the ground in the kitchens fighting over you?” She tapped her chin with her finger. “Speaking of, does Dresden know you're cheating on him with both Jasper and the Wolf?”
“Get out of my way, bitch, I don’t have time for this.”
Jewel was not deterred. “Then again, your family never was very trustworthy, just ask my dad… oh wait,” she sneered.
“Don't you ever get tired of this? What happened was a horrible accident…”
“No!” Jewel interrupted. “Stop lying—”
They stared at each other through the darkness, eyes blazing.“On second thought…” said Jewel with a humorless laugh. “Maybe you should go to Portland. Let the problem take care of itself for once.” She moved aside.
Blue wanted to stay and defend herself, but there was no time. It was approaching the ten hour mark, but she didn’t plan on letting it get to twelve. With one final look into her childhood friend’s sad green eyes, Blue smiled softly, causing Jewel’s eyes to widen a fraction.
“Goodbye, JJ. Stay away from Portland.” She gave her no opportunity to respond before fleeing into the night.
Chapter Fifteen
It didn’t take long to reach the city, especially after sneaking into the student lot, grabbing her car and doing ninety all the way from the forest to Portland.
She drove to their apartment, but as expected, it was empty. Instead of heading straight for the school, Blue decided to pay a quick visit to Greg at ‘One For The Birds.’ She had no real idea where to begin her search. Harlow could be anywhere and the city was a pretty big place. She needed to be smart.
Greg's place looked just as run down as ever, but for some reason, Blue’s body was suddenly flooded with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. She hadn’t been gone very long, but the homesickness she f
elt every day at Arcane had been something that surprised her. Knocking on the door five times swiftly and one time three seconds later, Blue tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for Greg.
“Hold your horses, I’m comin!” he grumbled from the other side.
Blue smiled to herself as she listened for the familiar clicking of Greg’s many locks. The door swung open and she was greeted with a familiar head of bright hair and a pudgy face that hadn't seen a razor in weeks. Greg's eyes widened. “Blue Jay, is that you?” he asked, pulling her into a tight hug.
Outstretching his hands, he held her at arm's length, looking her over as if for some invisible injury. “What the hell er’ ya doin here, girl?” he grumbled as he pulled her into the shop.
Things were just as she remembered, the red heat lamps stifling her, but lighting up the room with a dull glow. Weapons were strewn about the place, lying on table tops while mannequins held up the latest body armor. She couldn’t help but remember that final day before leaving for Arcane. She’d been so filled with excitement and wonder at the prospect of attending her dream school. She still was, to be honest. If she were to make it out of this mess, she planned on returning to school to finish out her studies. In the back of her mind, she knew there were three other reasons she longed to return… but she wouldn't let herself dwell on that now, not when Harlow needed her.
“Afraid this isn't a social call, Greggy, shits going down.” She plopped onto a rickety looking barstool.
Greg grumbled as he ambled over to a wooden table, knocking papers to the ground and grabbing a tankard of beer before plopping down in his chair. “This have anything to do with what's goin on with that nest?”
“Oh, for the love of…” she muttered. “Does everyone know about this? What's happening, Greg? Why now?”
“Hell if I know, kid, but if I were to hazard a guess, I’d say them bloodsuckers are gettin restless. Desperate, I tell you.”
“I'm heading to that nest,” she told him and he just shook his head as if it had been expected.
“Wouldn't have expected any less. Your sister was here just the day before last, lookin for a little somethin special.” He nodded towards the back wall holding various styles and types of stakes and daggers.
“Shit, I knew it… Greg, did she tell you where she was going?”
“Said somethin about checking out that school… you know, the one on the news?” He shook his head sadly. “Pity, all those kiddos… they didn’t stand a chance.”
“I need to go after her… I’ll start there, thanks Greg. I should be heading that way. I’ll swing by on my way back to Arcane, okay?” She stood to take her leave, but Greg stood abruptly.
“Now hold on just a second there, before you go all renegade Slayer on us, I have a little something for you…” She followed him to the back of the room.
“What are you talking about? I didn’t order anything.”
He waved her off. “Bah! This ain’t for sale; made it just for you, no charge.”
Even before she knew what he’d made, she couldn't help the tears that suddenly pricked her eyes. Her life had been a difficult one. People rarely did things without expecting something in return. She’d never really been gifted with anything just for the hell of it, so Greg had no idea just how touched she was by the gesture.
In the back of the dingy room, he led her to a free-standing mannequin. Her eyes widened as she stared at the outfit, handmade just for her. It was matte black, and the material looked like kevlar but as she reached out to stroke it, it was soft as silk to the touch. The sleeves were long and the pants were tight, the same material as the top. Two tactical belts wrapped around the waist, complete with slimmer stake holsters, and two small hooks on each leg, perfect for securing her silver whips. It came with a matching adjustable hood and face mask that left her eyes clear. Hanging off to the left on a small hook, was a brand new leather duster jacket to top it all off.
“How did you…” she tried to ask, but she was too choked up.
“Think nothin of it. I just want you to be safe out there. Gave one to Harlow as well before she left. You girls are like my own granddaughters, and I don’t know what I’d do if something were to happen.”
“I don't know what to say, Greg… Mind If I use your bathroom and get changed? I plan on being back at Arcane before the dawn,” she lied. She didn’t even know if she’d make it out of that school alive.
“Sure thing, just say bye to ole Greg before you leave, okay?”
Saluting him, Blue carefully removed the outfit from the mannequin, bringing it into the bathroom to change. She gently folded her clothing into a neat pile, settling it on the nearby shelf, promising herself she’d be back in no time to retrieve them.
Chapter Sixteen
Portland was chilly that night. She was thankful for her new mask and hood which protected her from the bite of wind whipping through the city streets.
She pulled up down the block from the high school where the massacre happened. The building was dark, and the parking lot was empty. She decided to go the rest of the way on foot, circling around to the back of the campus where she could see stadium lights rising high up into the clear night sky. The football field was torn up, surrounded by yellow and black caution tape. Blue could see the dark stains crusted into the grass, remnants of the massacre that had taken place only nights before.
Her chest ached as she pictured all those humans and the bone deep fear they must have felt in those moments. Only a handful of them were even aware that vampires actually existed, and not in the romanticized way that movies led them to believe. She didn't envy the humans their ignorance. They had no idea that death could come from any dark shadow at any moment in time.
She could smell the coppery tang of congealing blood, but it did nothing to lessen the scent of rotted flesh. The smell was too familiar for her to mistake it for human carnage. She knew she was smelling a nearby nest. It was eerily quiet as she stood still, sniffing the air. Her senses were trained to hone in on her one and only prey with relative ease. Vampires were like a beacon to her, the thing she was born to hunt. She could smell one from a long distance if she was looking for it, and because of that she knew she was getting close.
She walked in circles through the campus for what felt like hours, sniffing the air like a crazy person. She desperately hoped that the school didn't have cameras, or she’d probably end up on a list somewhere. She spotted a large building just to the left of the parking lot, and when nothing turned up near the field, she knew she needed to move in. As she crept through the parking lot, she spotted an open door on the side of that building. It led into what looked like a gym.
Inside the gymnasium, Blue closed the door behind her, letting the metal slam loudly in the silence. She was experienced enough to know that the loud noise would startle any human or beastie in the vicinity, making it easy for her to clear a room before venturing further in. It was dark and the emergency lights reflected off of the hardwood floor of the basketball court. She bypassed the bleachers and headed straight for the locker room where the scent grew more pungent. Searching the hallways and offices inside the locker room, she came up empty, until she reached a small alcove near the very back hallway. The boiler room.
She knew she was heading in the right direction because the smell of rot was only growing stronger. The smell was so potent that she could tell the nest was new. The vamps had massacred the students and cleared out the school for the time being, and now it seemed like they’d taken up residence beneath the grounds.
*
She found the boiler room down a long set of stairs made of soggy wood and rot. It was hot and humid, filled with the smell of gym socks and grease. But underneath that was then scent of decaying flesh. ‘Bingo,’ she thought triumphantly.
She took the stairs three at a time, sinking lower beneath the high school. A manhole cover lay in the center of the cement floor and Blue quickly opened it up and without hesitation, dropped down into
what was unmistakably, the sewers.
She fought a gag as she slogged through the muck. Vamp smell, she could handle but human excrement made her heave. She had the urge to call out to Harlow, but experience told her to shut up and keep the element of surprise on her side. The tunnels were long and dark and her footsteps echoed soggily against the cement walls. To human eyes, it would be pitch black down there, but she could see perfectly. After about thirty minutes of searching and finding nothing, a low screech bounced off the cavernous halls and her adrenaline spiked. ‘Gotcha, fuckers.’
She took off in the direction of the screech, making sure to be light on her feet the entire way. It wasn’t until she rounded a corner that she came to an abrupt stop. Clasping her hands over her mouth to keep the scream in, Blue stared at the macabre scene before her in utter horror. She gagged, heaving as silently as possible into the sewage below. Bodies upon mangled bodies were stacked atop one another like piles of discarded laundry. Each one was covered in blood, excrement and torn rags that used to be clothing.
There had to be at least a hundred bodies within her direct line of sight, and she fought a wave of tears that she could feel brimming behind her eyes. She blinked them away, refusing to break because she had a job to do, an older sister to locate. Picking her way from pile to pile, Blue fought her gag reflex as she flipped over corpses, searching out her sister’s familiar face. Every time she saw a head of blonde hair, her heart would leap into her throat only to crash back into her stomach when she discovered it wasn't Harlow.
The further she went, the more disorienting the place became. It was a mass tomb, filled practically to the ceiling with the dead and clogging the air with decay. So many lives had been lost to these monsters and Blue couldn’t help but feel responsible. Logically she knew it wasn’t her fault. One Slayer couldn't be held responsible for this amount of carnage.
One moment she was standing upright, and the next, she was knocked into a pile of bodies. She steadied herself, but a heavy weight fell down on her shoulders as she clawed at the vamp who'd just ambushed her. The thing screeched and swiped at her face, all the while its teeth snapped at her like a rabid, salivating dog.
