Red Night (Vampire Files Trilogy Book 1)

by RK Close

  I feel like I’m in a horror movie.

  I’m doing everything I can to not think or ask about Adam. I’m afraid it will give me away. I know the only reason my knees haven’t given out is the feeling of the dagger strapped to my thigh, and the bizarre behavior of my captor.

  I did not miss that he plans to turn me into a vampire. Over my dead body! Although, that would suit his purpose.

  “I need to use the lady’s room. Where should I go?” I ask, looking around the great room with its sunken area and double-sided fireplace.

  He studies me for a moment.

  “It’s the first door on the right,” he says, pointing toward a hallway.

  I look at him with my eyebrows raised. I don’t know the game he’s playing, but it’s making me nervous. All I know is that I’m the mouse in his game.

  When he plops himself down on the sofa and opens a magazine, I stare at him a moment longer before heading for the hall. My eyes are wandering everywhere, taking in every little detail. I’m also looking for a security system. He didn’t turn one off when we arrived, but if I can find it, there is usually a panic button to press.

  Being this far out it won’t save me, but it could make him abandon his idea of turning me. I’m assuming it’s a lengthy process, and requires some amount of time, at least more time than it would take for the police or fire department to arrive.

  Once inside the bathroom, I lock the door and turn on the water at the sink. I start opening drawers and cabinets, looking for anything that could help me. An extra cell phone would be great, but I’m not that lucky, ever. I do need to use the bathroom, and don’t know if I’ll have another chance so I do.

  I walk out and Zac is waiting for me. I pause, then start to move past him in the direction of the living room. He gently grabs my arm, and gestures down the other end of the hall. He leads me into what I assume is the master bedroom. It’s almost as large as the great room with a double-sided fireplace as well. One side faces the bed, and the other is open into the bathroom.

  Once we enter, Zac releases me. He pushes a button on the wall and a fire comes to life in the fireplace.

  “Zac, I don’t want to be a vampire.” I stand in the middle of the bedroom with my heart racing, and fear threatening to choke off my voice. I manage to keep my words steady. I put my hands on my hips in a defiant posture.

  “I’m not giving you a choice, Sam. This is more for me than for you, I’m afraid. You see, I have few friends, and mine is a rather lonely existence. With you by my side, I’ll have new life, a new purpose. In time, I will make you forget Adam. I’m not as awful as you may think, and I am a skilled lover,” he says, giving me what is most likely his most seductive look.

  My panic has reached a new all-time high. My face grows hot, and I fight a wave of dizziness. I refuse to lose my virginity to this monster. He will have to kill me first. I did not wait all this time and put up with serious teasing, endless cold showers, and even adult peer-pressure to have my choice taken from me by a manipulating, sadistic killer. I will avenge Adam, and all Zac’s other victims, or die trying.

  Oh, that’s good. I feel my fear morphing into something akin to rage, and it feels…powerful!

  “Just how do you plan to turn me when you can’t even bite me without puking black blood?” I ask defiantly.

  He has taken notice of the change in my attitude. Zac’s face is a bit more cautious. He walks over and sits on the bed, giving me a wicked smile. That’s when I notice the silk neckties tied to the head and foot of the bed. That bastard! More fuel for my fire. I feel different somehow. There is energy radiating from me. I feel it in waves, getting stronger, and stronger. I’m a nuclear bomb that’s about to explode.

  He has the nerve to start removing his shoes and slowly unbuttoning his shirt while talking to me. “My dear Samantha. The Hunter’s blood is gone from you. I can smell it. I could smell it that night, but I assumed it was because you were spending time with him. I acted hastily. Live and learn.” He’s undoing the last two buttons of his shirt.

  “What about Adam’s blood? That stays with me for life, right?” I ask.

  My voice doesn’t even sound like mine. I’m an ice princess. He’s too busy undressing me with his eyes to notice the cold edge in my voice now.

  “His blood is merely an annoyance. I’ll know it’s there, but it holds no power over me. It’s more of a lawful dispute among vampires. We will usually kill one another for such a trespass. Do you think I have anything to worry about regarding Adam?” He smiles confidently as he moves toward me slowly—seductively.

  He is actually going to attempt to seduce me. I’ll let him think he has a chance, and then kill him.

  He stops in front of me and searches my face. He has a puzzled look as he studies me.

  “There is something different about you, Sam. I’m not sure what it is, but I know you are a prize. I can be your friend and more, if you let me. If not, I will stop at nothing to bring you to your knees before me, and you will beg for my touch before I’m through with you. How our arrangement goes forward is all up to you. I can give you the world, Samantha, or I can give you pain like nothing you can imagine. Either way, I’ll have what I want.”

  When I don’t respond, he places his hands on my arms and looks into my eyes. Still I say and do nothing. I see the moment he takes my silence as compliance. His eyes focus on my lips and he kisses me.

  In my mind’s eye, I’m an observer, hovering around the ceiling. I watch his mouth claim mine more than feel it. His hands slide up my arms, and cup my head as he deepens the kiss. My eyes are closed, and I watch as my hands move to his chest, and then slide down his abdomen, to his hips.

  He is literally vibrating with energy as he pulls his head back to look into my eyes. Disbelief, mingled with a wild frenzied passion shines in his gaze. He looks almost insane with desire. His hands become rougher as he moves them to my breasts. I move us toward the bed, and he is encouraged. In front of the bed he grabs my waist and begins kissing my neck. I leave one hand on his forearm, and run the other through his almost white hair.

  I feel his sharp teeth at my neck, and I realize he’s going to bite me. I don’t even tense. Bring it. I need him drunk on my blood to do what I’m going to do.

  I don’t know who this cold detached person is that has taken over my body, but she seems to know what to do, so I observe from my safe place above it all.

  I feel the sharp stab of pain as his teeth sink into my flesh. I gasp and he moans. At first the pain is almost more than I can bear, but then a slow warmth begins to spread throughout my body. It feels good, and I realize that the old Sam would have no strength to fight this wave.

  Good thing she’s not here.

  With each draw on my neck I feel Zac’s focus slip. It’s like I thought. It’s not only erotic and intoxicating to the one being bit, it has a similar effect on the vampire. His hand is in my hair that has fallen out of its carefully styled bun. His other hand holds my back, pressing me to him. I use one hand to work the buttons of his jeans while the other fumbles with my skirt as though I’m trying to pull it up for access.

  My movements draw another deep moan from Zac. It’s a little tricky to reach the dagger, but once it’s in my hand I carefully slide it out while working my other hand on his zipper. I give a moan of my own because even though I’m focused on my goal the sensations being pulled through me are incredibly erotic.

  I visualize the knife in Adam’s chest, and I can breathe once again.

  I slide the hand that was fighting with his jeans up to his chest, and raise the dagger in the other. Zac senses the subtle change in activity, and releases my neck from his bite. The moment he does I push him back from my body with a strength I didn’t know I had.

  His drunken eyes don’t register the dagger until I’ve plunged it deep into his heart.

  Chapter 31

  I wake underneath the most beautiful tree I’ve ever seen. It’s much like a cherry tree in full bloom
, except it’s not a cherry tree. It sparkles like glitter. I could stare at its unnatural beauty forever. That word forever echoes in my mind like someone is trying to tell me something.

  There is a soft breeze blowing through the tree, and it sounds like wind-chimes as it moves the leaves and flowers. Some of the flowers break free and float around me like balloons on the wind. Everything has a soft blur about it, slightly out of focus. My mind wants to sharpen the view, but my heart likes the softness of everything here.

  On closer observation, the flowers that float around me seem to have faces. They are moving like they have a will of their own. I try to lazily reach for one. It moves beyond my fingertips. I grow bored of trying to catch them and force myself into a sitting position to look around.

  This must be the most gorgeous place on Earth. Is this Earth? Is this real? Am I dreaming?

  I’m looking out over a small garden of sorts, with lush trees of various colors that aren’t even possible. Long floral vines hang from the trees like curtains. Sunlight shines on the blue-green grass, but I can’t find the sun itself. Odd. It’s all so odd. It’s completely relaxing, and incredibly beautiful. No. Exquisite. Beautiful does not do it justice. It’s exquisite perfection. I giggle at how stuck I am on trying to describe this place.

  I feel somewhat drunk. I don’t remember drinking. I don’t remember anything. Again, that word floats through my head. Forever. Why does that word keep buzzing around my head like an annoying fly? I just want to relax and enjoy this peace. Maybe I should be doing something, but what?

  I notice some eyes peeking through a shrub. Someone is watching me. I decide to investigate, and lazily get to my feet. Walking toward the purple shrub, I hear other things scurrying around in the underbrush, and I stop in the middle of the meadow and look around. From somewhere I hear soft flute-like music. I can’t determine where it’s coming from.

  Suddenly, the wind becomes stronger, and the atmosphere less inviting and enchanting. One of the walls of vines starts to part, apparently of its own accord. A blue mist creeps along the floor, emanating from the darkness that lies beyond the trees and the curtain of vines.

  Hairs on the back of my neck rise as I feel the presence of something coming. I have the distinct feeling that it means me harm.

  I am no longer feeling drugged and relaxed. My senses are as sharp as broken glass, and I turn to run in the opposite direction, but when I turn there are only colors with no form. I feel as though I’ve jumped into an abstract watercolor, only the colors are moving, living things, and they swirl in and out of each other. There is no longer the exotic garden, only colors. And voices. I hear voices whispering to me, but I don’t know what they’re saying. There is an urgency to the words being spoken, so I strain to hear what they says.

  Samantha…Sam…please…come back…wake up…

  Smack!

  What the…! Who hit me?

  I open my eyes to see Dayna with her hand pulled back, ready to hit me again. Without a thought I reach out and grab her wrist before she can strike me again. Shock registers on her face before I even realize that I moved. We both look at her wrist grasped in my hand, and I slowly release it, feeling embarrassed. I should be pissed.

  Why is she hitting me?

  I realize I’m lying on the floor of a room I don’t recognize. Dayna is crouched next to me. Jacob and Gabe are hovering behind her with obvious concern on their faces. I look back at Dayna, and tears start to spill from her eyes as she reaches down and hugs me until I can’t breathe. I pat her back, unsure as to why I’m here, or why she’s crying.

  “I was so scared when you wouldn’t wake up,” she cries as she pulls back from me.

  She moves back from me, and then Gabe is on his knees beside me, taking my face in his hands and searching it. I’m not sure what he’s looking for.

  “I think she’s in shock,” he says over his shoulder. He turns back to me. “Sam, can you tell us what happened? Do you know why you were unconscious?” I blink at him, trying to put all the pieces together.

  I start looking around the room, and slowly recognize the bedroom. Memories flood back to me, and I scoot quickly away from Gabe and jump to my feet, looking around the room. Gabe, Jacob, and Dayna step back and give me space. They wear looks of apprehension as they watch me.

  My eyes wander the room. My line of sight settles on a large gray pile of ash next to the bed. It looks like ashes from the fireplace, except for the dagger lying on top. I know what happened. I can see myself raising the dagger to stab into Zac’s heart with cold, deliberate determination, but I don’t remember actually doing it.

  I look from the ash to Gabe, a question in my eyes.

  “He’s dead, Sam. You did it. You’re safe. He can’t hurt you or anyone else ever again,” he says, concern still in his eyes.

  Why don’t I feel anything? I should feel sad, or relief, or something, but then I look around the room and know what’s missing.

  Adam.

  And the ice in my veins begins to melt. I feel the veil of something lifting from me, and I feel loss, pain, and regret. A single tear rolls down my cheek, and I see relief in Gabe’s face. He comes toward me and takes me in his arms. I sob quietly against his chest. I see Jacob holding Dayna, and she’s crying as well.

  Now that I feel like myself again I want to comfort her, and tell her it’s all going to be okay, but is it? Will it ever be right, again?

  I look toward Jacob, and my mouth trembles when I say, “Adam…in the alley…Zac stabbed him—” I can’t seem to get the words out.

  “He managed to call me before passing out. He’s…resting. He insisted—” Jacob starts to say.

  “He’s resting—but I thought—I watched him die.” My legs fail me, and Gabe holds me up.

  He’s alive!

  “Where is he?” I’m already pulling away from Gabe and moving toward the door.

  Jacob is suddenly blocking my way.

  “He’s in a safe place so he can heal. That blade did a great deal of damage, and he will need a couple of days to repair. He insisted I find you, but before I could look, Dayna called me and said that you phoned her and gave her this address before hanging up,” he says, looking at me with a puzzled look.

  “Do you remember calling her?” Jacob asks.

  I don’t have time to register my relief that Adam is alive, because a feeling of panic washes through me. I don’t remember calling Dayna. I don’t remember anything after raising the dagger. And much of what happened with Zac seems more like watching someone else.

  That Sam was cold, calculating…a Hunter. She felt savage, and wild…and powerful. I shiver and cross my arms over my chest for warmth. Gabe notices and comes up beside me to slip an arm around me. He feels warm, strong, and secure.

  “I must have been in shock. I don’t remember doing that. When you arrived, was I in here passed out?” I ask, concerned that a small chunk of my memory isn’t there.

  Adam is alive. Adam is alive. Adam is alive.

  This thought keeps interrupting all others—even my fear of what happened to me before and after stabbing Zac. I don’t remember stabbing him, but logic suggests I did. I’m still alive, and there is a large pile of gray ash on the floor with a dagger in the middle. Why was I unconscious, and having that strange dream that didn’t feel like a dream at all? It was different from any of the other dreams I’ve had. It felt like I was in that garden.

  “We need to leave,” Jacob says, looking at the others.

  Gabe walks over to the pile of ash and retrieves his mother’s dagger. He walks over to me and reaches out to give it to me. I take it, slowly searching his face.

  “You deserve to carry this weapon. My mother would want you to have it,” Gabe says, smiling at me with what I believe may be pride in his eyes.

  “But I never knew your mother. Are you certain?” I ask, prepared to hand it back.

  “You didn’t know her, but I did,” he says, stepping back.

  I turn awa
y to tuck the dagger into the sheath without flashing everyone. Dayna comes from behind and puts her arm around my back as we walk out of the bedroom.

  ***

  The drive home is an odd one. I’m lost in my thoughts and Gabe keeps stealing glances at me, a look of concern on his face. Most of the ride is quiet. Jacob and Dayna arrived in Dayna’s car so Gabe and I drive most of the way in silence.

  “You did well tonight. I’m not sure how you pulled it off, but maybe you’ll feel like telling me someday,” Gabe says, while stealing more glances at me.

  I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile and turn back toward the window and the darkness beyond. My dream, or whatever it was, plays like an unwelcome memory in my head.

  What happened to me? How did I manage to kill a ruthless, sadistic, cunning, five-hundred-year-old vampire and live to tell about it? And where is my memory of the deed? The last thing I remember is raising the dagger and then nothing but the dream.

  Gabe’s comment about my not being entirely human is currently pounding like a drum through my thoughts as well. I didn’t give it much thought or attention at the time. I mean, I’m as normal or ordinary as they come. And I feel normal, well, maybe not now. But after tonight, I can’t deny that something strange happened. And losing some time is the least of my concerns.

  Prior to my memory failing me, I felt like I’d been hijacked by someone else, someone who was much stronger, and way more vicious than me. Possession comes to mind, but I can’t say that all the thoughts and feelings weren’t mine. I wanted to destroy Zac for all the evil he’s done, but mostly I wanted vengeance for Zac killing Adam, or at least that’s what I believed. And I hated him for it. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that much rage for anyone, ever. Thinking about the pile of gray ash on the ground, maybe it’s best that I don’t remember. Maybe my mind is protecting me from the horrible memory.

  I can reason most of it away, but not the dream. I think it may have been a real place, as unbelievable as it seems. The part that has me most worried is that it felt familiar to me.