“Derrick. Are you all right?”
“It’s over Anna. Torke’s body has been destroyed. His coven wiped out. How is Susie?”
“Stable, but she looks dreadful. She lost a lot of blood.”
“She’s strong. We’ll be there to help her through this, you and I. Are you still at the hospital?”
“Leaving now. Would it be all right if I came to your place? I don’t want to be alone tonight.” It didn’t make sense. Why did she still feel the presence of evil?
“Stay there and I’ll come get you.”
“No. Don’t be silly. I have my car here. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“You really are a stubborn little fire cracker. Fine, have it your way. I’ll be waiting, rather impatiently I might add.”
“Good. Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” she teased. A smile curled her lips.
“Not possible.” He told her as he hung up the phone.
The elevator doors opened and before Anna had stepped completely in, a hand reached out and covered her mouth, pulling her inside. She struggled, but the more she did, the harder her attacker forced the gag across her mouth and nose. The sickly sweet, almost chemical odor overpowered her. Her head swam and the last thing she remembered before losing consciousness was a familiar voice.
“Sweet dreams, Angel.”
****
The fog in her head was beginning to lift. Anna opened her eyes and took a moment to allow them to adjust to the darkness of the room. This wasn’t the hospital. Where was she? Struggling to think, she remembered being carried from the elevator and placed in the back seat of a car but after that … nothing. Whatever had been on the gag had given her a migraine and the sound of someone approaching sent bolts of pain to her temples. The door flung open.
“It’s about time you woke up.”
“Patrick? Why did take me from the hospital?”
“Relax, babe. Here, drink this coffee.” He placed the cup on the bedside table. “You had a fainting spell in the elevator. I brought you here to recover.”
Fainting spell? Could she have imagined the attack?
“I thought it would be the safest place. No one would expect to find you here.”
“Why would someone be looking for me?” Anna knew Torke was dead and there was no way Patrick would have known about him. Her head throbbed as though it would split in two. She cupped her forehead in her palm and winced.
Patrick kept his head turned from her as he said, “I was told that you and Susie were attacked. I was worried that whoever did it would come after you.”
“Thanks for the concern but the danger is over.” Bile rose in her throat and with it, the taste of the chloroform. Someone drugged me. She had not imagined the attack.
“What do you mean, babe? Has he been arrested?”
“No, but he won’t be bothering me again, or Susie for that matter.” Anna sipped the coffee, hoping to dilute the sickly taste in her mouth. Her throat felt dry from the medication and she needed the caffeine to kick start her brain. Everything seemed weird … hazy, dangerous.
“Oh.” Patrick gave the impression of being surprised but more than that … disappointed. “I guess that changes things.”
“Yes.” Anna agreed finishing her coffee and swinging her feet over the side of the bed. Her instincts warned her to get as far away from Patrick as possible. “Although I appreciate your concern, there’s no need to worry about me anymore. I’ll just call a taxi and—”
He reached out and grabbed her wrist. “There’s no hurry. I want to know more about what happened.” He edged Anna back into the bed and sat down close beside her, his grip on her wrist tightening.
Pain scorched the back of her eyes and she instinctively closed them. “Derrick’s waiting for me. He’ll come looking for me.”
She held her free palm to her forehead and winced. The pain was getting stronger by the moment making it harder to think. She wanted to run but couldn’t understand the compulsion. Her legs began to shake violently, she wondered if she would even be able to stand. A voice in her head told her it was time to leave, run, and get away as fast as she could but she was paralyzed with pain.
“Let him wait.” The tone in his voice frightened her. So much anger.
“I heard that the vampire who took Susie wanted to lure you to him so he could drain your blood or force you to become part of his coven.”
Auras flashed behind Anna’s eyes. A rainbow of colors exploded in her head, the blasts of light blinded her, mesmerized her, turned her stomach.
“Who told you that?” Anna knew that Derrick would never speak with Patrick unless it was to order him away. How did Patrick know?
“It must have been Susie. Yes—I think … no I’m sure. Susie told me. Patrick’s eyes glanced up at the ceiling, a habit that had formed back in their relationship when he was trying to lie.
“How did you know Susie was attacked?”
“What is this, fifty questions?” He released her hand and walked over to his desk. “I don’t remember how I knew but I just knew … okay?”
Anna rubbed her wrist. It had already begun to bruise and swell. “How did you know she was in danger? As a matter of fact, how do you know Susie at all?”
“We met on a blind date last week. She seemed like a nice girl so—”
Anna edged along the bed and away from Patrick, steadying herself to bolt for the door the moment she had the opportunity.
“You were Susie’s blind date?” Susie had told her that all she knew about her blind date was that he had green eyes. Patrick had green eyes. She raised her head to face him and gasped. Her vision had not been impaired by blood-shot eyes. His eyes had actually turned red. Suddenly everything was beginning to make sense.
Patrick smiled, baring his newly acquired fangs. “Are you jealous?” He closed the distance between them. Anna noticed that he was wearing a cravat to cover his neck. “There is no need to be jealous,” he told her. “I only have eyes for you, babe.”
He leaned closer. Anna sprung to her feet. He pushed her down, leaning heavily on her shoulders, preventing her from moving despite her desperate attempt to fight. She was no match for his supernatural strength.
“What do you want from me Patrick? You know that I can’t sell you my share of the business without Derrick’s approval.”
“Things have changed, Angel. I don’t want the business anymore, actually I never did.”
“I don’t understand. You said that Derrick wouldn’t help you, you wanted in.”
“I wanted him to turn me. Make me an immortal! I wanted all the money, the lifestyle, the women, and especially the power that Derrick and his brother have. But that bastard boyfriend of yours wouldn’t do it. He’s always been jealous of my looks and talent. It must have really pissed him off to know that I screwed you before he did.”
Anna felt her blood run cold. To think that she had allowed this man to take her virginity, her happiness and now, more than likely, he would also take her life. She shook her head. As if Derrick would envy Patrick for anything. Derrick was more handsome, had more class, more composure, more … everything. No matter what she may have once felt for Patrick, Anna’s love for Derrick was epic by comparison.
“Let me go, Patrick.” She struggled against his grip but he didn’t budge. “You have what you wanted. You don’t need me anymore.”
“But I do need you, Anna. Together we could build a great coven of vampires. With your powers and my knowhow, we could rule this town.”
“No Patrick. I can’t be with you… I don’t love you, and besides, I have no interest in becoming a vampire.”
“Why do you still hate me?”
“I don’t hate you Patrick. I never did.” If Patrick was the man who lured Susie to Torke, she doubted if she could ever find it in her heart to forgive him, but … she did pity him for his stupidity. “I just don’t understand why you would choose such a life. Never to walk in the sun again. Feeding off humans. Why wo
uld you want that?”
“Grow up Anna. Power is everything. I want it all. The money, the women, and the lifestyle.”
Anna shook her head. Derrick had been right to refuse Patrick’s demands, but someone had not been so wise.
“Who turned you?”
“Our mutual friend, Torke.”
“Torke! That doesn’t make sense. He could just kill you and take your blood anyway. How did you convince him?”
“I offered him you.” Patrick’s triumphant smile turned Anna’s stomach. This was the man she had once loved … had intended to marry. “I told him I could draw you to him.”
“Well you don’t owe him anything now he’s dead. You can let me go. I will keep your secret if you leave town without hurting anyone.”
“It isn’t that simple, love.” Patrick shook his head, his lips thinned as he stared into her eyes. “You see, I want the power that Torke saw in you. Whatever it is, it should be mine. You—should be mine.”
“Torke had a vendetta against my family. The antidote was draining my blood. He didn’t want me for any powers, Patrick, he just wanted me dead.”
Patrick shook his head. “I don’t believe that for a minute. You have Derrick and his whole coven of vampires doting on you and now you tell me you also have powerful blood? You belong to me. I claim first dibs.”
Tears brimmed Anna’s eyes. “If I mean anything to you at all, Patrick. Please … let me go.”
“Can’t do that, Angel. Don’t get me wrong … you don’t mean that much to me, not that the idea of screwing you hasn’t crossed my mind since Derrick Corel started showing an interest…” He leaned down and licked a trail from her chin to her forehead. “It’s just that while I have you, and by that I mean in every sense of the meaning, I hold the power. You will be tied to me by a sire bond. Linked to me forever on a telepathic level. With your powers, I can rule the whole town, maybe even the country.”
Anna pulled away and wiped the saliva from her face with the back of her hand, squirming in disgust. “I won’t do anything to help you, sire bond or not and you can’t force me. I don’t even understand what it is I am supposed to be able to do.”
“You won’t be able to fight it, Angel. Once I turn you, I will always be able to locate you. I will be your sire and you will be my magical concubine. We’ll make a powerful couple.”
“Never!” This can’t be happening. This was the second time she had been made to feel as if she was a prize to be won. First Torke saying they would make a beautiful couple, and now Patrick. If she had no choice in becoming a vampire, why couldn’t she have been bound to Derrick? Now it appeared as though she would be calling on Sofie’s magic after all. She would need Sofie to help her die.
She pushed herself off the bed, and her sudden movement caught Patrick unaware as she raced towards the door. Patrick passed her in a blur of speed, blocking her exit. He lunged. She ducked and drove her fist into his groin before diving for the bathroom door.
“You’ll pay for that love.” He hissed, the points of his razor sharp fangs glistening with saliva. He closed the distance easily and grabbed her hair, pulling her towards the bed as she kicked out and swung at him with her fists.
Patrick spun her around and grabbed her wrists, clutching both hands tightly together over her head as he pushing her down onto her back, forcing his body between her legs as she lay, pinned under him on the bed. “This will only hurt for a minute, Angel.”
Defiant to the end, she baited him. “You don’t have to tell me that I’ll only feel a little prick because we’ve had sex before.”
Patrick leaned down, his cold cheek resting against hers as he whispered into her ear, “You’ll pay for that one, Anna … over, and over, and over.”
****
“Where are you?” Derrick screamed at the speaker of his hands-free mobile phone as he raced his car down the main street of town.
“I’m with Sofie at her shop. She hasn’t heard from Anna either,” David told him.
“I’ve checked everywhere. Her car’s still in the hospital carpark but no-one here has seen her.” Where would she have gone?
“Derrick what do … hold on a minute— Derrick listened to the muffled voices of David and Sofie as he drove erratically through the streets with no particular direction in mind. Come on, come on. He was about to hang up the phone when David’s voice broke the silence.
“Sofie just had a vision of Anna. Miller has her and it doesn’t look good.”
Derrick swung the car into a 90 degree turn. If he has done anything to harm her—.
****
“Stop struggling and it will hurt less,” Patrick ordered as he positioned his fangs over Anna’s carotid artery. She continued in her attempt to push Patrick away, even after she felt the sting of his fangs puncturing her skin, even though she knew in her heart it was already too late. As the blood—and with it, her life force—drained away, Anna lost the strength to fight. Soon she had resigned herself to her fate. Today she would join her parents. Today she was going to die.
Suddenly, the front door flew off its hinges landing in the kitchen. In a blur of speed, Derrick grabbed Patrick by his collar and threw him against a wall. Anna tried to sit up but could barely open her eyes. She managed to turn her head slightly towards the commotion in the adjoining room and willed herself to focus. Derrick held Patrick off the ground, his fingers pressing into the rogue vampire’s throat. Patrick fought back, jabbing a fist into Derrick’s solar plexus, giving him the opportunity to squirm free and bolt towards Anna. Derrick dove through the air, grabbing Patrick’s legs and tackling him to the ground where he began pounding on his face. Raining punches down on Patrick’s face.
“You … will … pay … for … what … you … have … done … to … Anna.”
“You mean … because I beat you to her?” Patrick goaded as he blocked the next strike with his forearm. He looked in Anna’s direction and laughed. “Ah, well. Looks like no one gets her.”
****
Derrick turned his attention to Anna whose face was grayish-white, her lips turning blue. Her pale blue eyes stared lifelessly at him and his powerful hearing could only detect a faint heartbeat. She was dying.
Patrick took the opportunity to escape out of front door, leaving Derrick with the decision to either follow or go to Anna. It was an easy choice.
“Stop him,” Anna whispered as Derrick lifted her into his arms. “He’ll kill someone.”
“David will find him,” Derrick had no doubt that his brother would destroy the new vampire “I’m not leaving you.”
“Derrick?”
“Yes my love.”
“I’m dying … aren’t I? Please don’t lie”
“Yes, my little firecracker, you are.”
Anna blinked, releasing a single tear which trickled down her cheek. Derrick kissed it away.
“It’s kinda peaceful really. Doesn’t hurt much anymore, only the leaving part.” Anna’s voice was weaker.
Derrick’s blood-tinged tears trickled down on her face as he pleaded with the love of his life. “Anna, you still have a choice. I can save you.”
“You know how I feel about that. I couldn’t live like you.”
Anna was close to death, there wasn’t time to argue but, he had to try.
“So you would rather die than be with me?
“Of course not. I love you, you know I do.”
“Then if you really love me, I hope you will eventually find it in your heart to forgive me.”
“Forgive you? Forgive you for—”
Derrick fangs stole the question from her throat bringing her as close to the brink of death as he felt safe. Pulling away, he tore into his wrist with his teeth and forced his blood into Anna’s mouth.
****
Unable to find the strength to resist, she lay helplessly as the coppery-tasting liquid ran down her throat. The sensation was a mixture of pleasure and pain. The blood burned and yet tantalized her taste buds. She cou
ld feel her energy returning within moments of receiving the transfusion then, almost as suddenly, the pain hit her with a force that took her breath away. Convulsing on the bed, she barely noticed David arrive. He looked from her to Derrick and she heard Derrick protest.
“I had no choice. I arrived too late … she was already dying.”
They turned to her and she heard David say. “I’m sure she’ll understand.”
****
Derrick noticed the fire in Anna’s eyes. His hope for forgiveness fading as he watched her fight the transformation.
She turned her face from him. Obviously embarrassed as she made her one-word request for assistance.
“Bathroom.”
He swept her up into his arms and carried her into the en-suite. Once inside, she forced him to put her down and motioned for him to leave, locking the door behind him. Both he and David were forced to wait helplessly outside while Anna suffered through the last painful throes of her humanity alone.
Chapter Twenty-One
“She’s been in there for an hour.”
“You know these things can’t be hurried, Derrick.”
“But David … an hour? What if she’s…?”
David walked over to the bathroom door and softly rapped on the wood. “Anna, cherie? Are you okay?”
When his question went unanswered, Derrick pushed his brother aside and pounded on the door. “Anna!” He struggled with the locked door, breaking the handle before he gave up and kicked the door in. Anna was gone. He turned to his brother.
“How?”
David pointed to the open window.
“David, what if she’s still in the process of changing? She could get hurt.”
“In case you have forgotten brother, we’re five stories up. The only way she could have made that jump was if she has fully turned. I think we should be more worried about humans getting hurt … she is likely to be starving and confused.”
“Where do you think she would go?”
Kiss of Death (Blood Brothers Book 1) Page 19
