Usually he had his fill, they passed out for an hour or two and then he sent them on their way. This time, he hoped he would wake to still have her in his arms. He was anxious to see those dark blue eyes fluttering open and recognize him out of the fog of slumber. He held her close as he allowed himself to put down his guard and drift to sleep with another person for the first time in several hundred years.
* * *
Tara lay naked on the cold metal surface. The uncomfortable yellow-green hue of the fluorescent lights caused her eyes to immediately want to shut, but as much as she tried, they wouldn’t move. She opened her mouth to call out, feeling the pressures of panic beginning to build in her chest. Her mouth wouldn’t open, no noise would come out.
She could faintly hear the low mumblings of people in conversation. The urge to shiver tingled along her skin, skin exposed to the cool air, naked and uncovered. The build-up of tears behind her eyes and the scream in her throat was nearly unbearable, like an itch she couldn’t scratch. She couldn’t move anything, everything was frozen as if encased in concrete.
“It’s a sad case, really. I mean, the cancer ate her up. She was a pretty girl. I think she actually used to work here.”
Tara strained to catch everything that was being said. She realized she couldn’t even hear the low thumping of her heart or slight whooshing of her own breath. She was dead, but she wasn’t. Somehow she was still alive, could still hear and feel, but she couldn’t move. They had to know. They would see her eyes open, see the fear in them and know that she was still alive.
“Did he completely drain her?”
“Nah, took enough for the cancer to finish her off, though.”
“Damn. At least, from what I hear, that would have made it feel pretty good. They say it’s euphoric, the way their saliva or something makes you feel. So she was feeling good before she went out.”
“Yeah, probably. I would like to think that, at least. So young. She did have some of his blood in her, though. I don’t think he was trying to change her. Maybe just give her a little boost or high or something.”
“Yeah.”
Tara’s mind was racing. She didn’t remember him biting her. He nibbled here and there, but she never felt him break the skin. She did feel his mouth on her neck, close to her pulse, right after he came. But he didn’t bite, not that she could remember. She doubted those few drops of blood would have done much anyways.
As she tried to remember as much as possible, torn between the amazing pleasure of her last memories before waking up here and the utter fear of what was happening, she saw one of the people lean over her. His hair and lower face were hidden behind the surgical scrubs. His gloved hands raised, a scalpel gleaming in his right hand as he moved it closer to her chest. He was doing an autopsy. He was going to cut her open. Just as the cool edge of the blade touched her chest, she screamed.
Dru grunted as he jerked up in alarm. Her wide eyed gaze darted around as her hands ran over the bed beneath her and grabbed Dru’s arm.
“What happened? Are you hurt? Are you okay?”
Dru could smell the fear rolling off her. Sweat speckled her brow, her breathing labored. She reached for him and clung to his waist, shaking uncontrollably.
“Tara?”
“It’s okay. It’ll be okay. Just, a dream, I think.”
“Okay,” Dru relaxed and pulled her closer to him.
“I’m sorry to wake you. I didn’t mean to finally scream like that.”
“Finally scream?”
“They were doing an autopsy on me.” Her voice cracked as she tried holding it together.
“Oh, no. Oh, I’m so sorry, Tara.”
“It’s okay. A stupid dream.”
Tara groaned in frustration and then started giggling.
“What a terrible way to wake up!”
Dru smiled hesitantly, his eyes still showing concern. He didn’t know what to do and was worried he would scare her or she would start crying again. Instead, she surprised him by crawling further into his lap and reaching up to pull his face down to hers. Her kisses were gentle at first and then rougher.
Dru fell back on the pillows as she continued to devour his mouth. He felt himself harden just as he felt her grab for him. She slid down his body and guided him back into her. She pulled back from his mouth just as she moaned in pleasure. Impaling herself on him, she began to ride him, pushed by the adrenaline still coursing through her body from the horrible nightmare. She pushed it away, rode it away. The dream faded and disappeared as she filled herself once more with Dru.
Once they were spent again, she lay against his chest. Sighing in contentment, she pulled back to look into his eyes.
“That was better and more like what I was expecting.”
“I agree. Much better.”
“But I am starving. I guess I need to go, get out of your hair for a bit. I need to get home and take my meds anyway.”
Tara got up and began gathering her clothes. Dru watched as she dressed, sad to see her covering up that magnificent body again.
“You don’t have to, you know.”
Tara turned to look at him, unsure of how to respond.
“I mean, if you would like to, that’s fine and I understand. But, you did see the kitchen. If you want, I can call in someone to do some cooking. Maybe you can enjoy the library or the exterior gardens, go back into the atrium, whatever you wish.”
Tara smiled as she walked back towards the bed.
“Are you sure?”
“Do you want to go back home?”
“To my shitty little apartment with the view of other apartments? No pets, no people, nothing waiting for me but a bunch of orange plastic bottles? Although, I do need to get my medicine sometime soon so I don’t end up sick to my stomach or in agony.”
“I have some, if you would like to take it.”
Tara arched her brow, unsure of how to respond to him.
“My blood?”
“Oh, yeah, that makes sense. I was confused for a moment.”
“It doesn’t hurt me and it makes you feel better, if only for a bit. You are welcome to it, if you would like.”
Tara watched his face, his sincerity was clear. She was wondering how long he wanted her here. What was he expecting? Was she wrong? Would a vampire gain the same emotional attachments as a human and suffer just as bad when she passed?
“I’ll stay, if you want. I may need some of your…medicine. And yes, food would be delightful.”
Dru smiled as he reached out and grabbed her, dragging her back into the bed. He grabbed a phone on an ornately carved nightstand near the side and made a call. She could hear him speaking in French and smiled. Of course he knew a few more languages.
“Katia will be here in an hour or so and will make you whatever you wish. She can also go fetch you your medicine or change of clothing or whatever you want from your apartment, if you would like as well.”
“Well, I mean, I do have to go back eventually.”
“Why?”
“Um, well,” Tara stuttered as she looked around, “I live there. I mean, and we did just meet yesterday.”
“But you trust me, and we are both alone, and I think if you want to enjoy all you can, you shouldn’t be in a tiny apartment alone.”
“That makes sense, but I mean, I dunno. This seems really, really fast.”
“Imagine how fast it seems to me, and yet I feel as if I have known you for decades. Every moment more with you makes another ten years fade away. There is something refreshing, beautiful, and enticing about you.”
“I will stay, for a bit, but I will need to eventually go home. And I do have to call my friend, Cyndi. She usually checks in on me once a day to make sure I’m not dead yet.”
“Wow that is surprisingly morbid.”
“Well, that’s not what she says, but I think it’s the truth.”
“Okay, well, you are not my prisoner; you may do as you wish. I am just inviting you to enjoy any and all
of my home as much as you would like. I want to share some of this with someone and want to enjoy every moment I can while I am sharing it with you.”
Tara felt the tears in her eyes as she smiled and nodded. He kissed her on the forehead and then dressed. Dru showed her where his bathroom was so she could freshen up and told her he would meet her in the library.
Her face was still flushed from the sex, as she rinsed off the sweat from her nightmare in the sink. As she finished in the green marble and cast iron room, she eyed the deep claw tub. That was definitely getting a use before she left. Walking down the stairs, she thought about what she was doing. The old, logical part of her said to go home, and wrap this up to a crazy sporadic night.
The new her, the sad and dying her, said “stay and enjoy it, hold on to it, smile and laugh until you cry.” She nodded to herself. She would stay as long as she was welcome and as long as she felt so comfortable and safe, unless it got weird or scary or she got worse.
Tara followed the hall to the best of her knowledge and was happy when she came to the open door of the library. The fire was already lit and a steaming cup of tea sat on the table by the empty chair. Dru was sitting in the seat he had occupied earlier, and was now reading an old book in a tattered dark red cover.
Tara smiled at him as she sat. She picked up the tea and inhaled the sweet aroma. This had something else added, other herbs or spices. She sipped the tea and felt the liquid revitalize her. She could almost feel her cells coming to life under the flow of the infused warmth. The flavor of honey and a light citrus along with a spicy clove and cinnamon undertone was delicious. Dru watched her, his mouth opened partially and hand up as if he was going to speak before she began drinking.
“My blood is in that.”
Tara gulped the last bit in her mouth and stared down in the shadowed depths of the mug. She felt the similar feeling of energy that burst through her earlier. The ache in her stomach receding and the nausea was pulling back. The sharp spikes in her head began to lessen. Her mind processed what she had just consumed and the nightmare came back in sharp focus. But she felt so good, so wonderful. She smiled at Dru.
“Well, I think you should try warning me before you feed me your blood from now on. But it is much appreciated, I feel wonderful.”
She sighed and sat back, picked up the mug, and finished her herbal tea infused with vampire.
CHAPTER SEVEN
How are you doing today, girl?
Tara looked at her phone and tried to think of the shortest answer possible, but also one which wouldn’t cause Cyndi to panic.
I’m actually doing okay. I met someone…
Tara’s stomach knotted as we waited for the onslaught.
Really?? Wow, I didn’t expect that. Like “someone” someone or a new friend?
Like, I slept in his bed last night.
OMG! Wow….where are you now?
Still at his house, sitting in the indoor gardens, waiting for the food to be done.
Indoor gardens? Is he loaded?
A bit. Yeah.
Tara jumped as her phone trilled. Cyndi was calling her. Smiling, she answered.
“Too much for text?”
“Uh, yeah! So when did you meet this dude?”
“Actually,” Tara didn’t want to lie to her friend, but she also didn’t want her freaking out, “The other day. We started talking online and then text messages and then we met at an art gallery.”
“I am almost speechless! I’m also surprised, really. I thought you had this whole distance-myself-from-people thing going on?”
“Well, I did, in a way, but I kind of decided to look into meeting someone who was used to people dying before them all the time.”
“Uh, I think you lost me, this sounds weird…”
“A vampire. I met a vampire.”
“Oh.” Tara felt the nerves building up in her stomach, “So, I don’t know, I mean, did he bite you or is it just sex?”
“No, nothing like that. I don’t know, Cyndi, I mean, I wanted to have fun and enjoy things, you know, before this pans out. But, I don’t want someone to start falling for me or depending on me or anything like that when I’m not going to be around very long.”
“Tara,” Tara felt a pang of anger, she was so tired of pity, “You know what, I love you and I want you to be happy and to enjoy everything that comes your way. If you’re sure about this, then have fun and please be safe. And if you don’t mind, just tell me where you are, in case you disappear. And….well, I want him to have my number in case anything happens to you. I don’t want you disappearing on me, Tara.”
“I know, I know, and believe me, that’s the last thing I want too.” Tara wiped away her tears as she nodded to herself, “I’ll do that. I promise.”
“Ok, well, have fun and take care and I want to hear from you tomorrow. Will you be home later?”
“Um, I’m not really sure. This place is huge and amazing and honestly, it’s nice to just walk into a garden or library or wherever I want. He wants me to stay as long as I want...”
“Ugh, this makes me so uncomfortable. But, it’s not my comfort that matters. So, OK, just be safe! And talk to you tomorrow.”
“Alright, girl. Love ya.”
“Love ya too.”
Tara pushed the end button and stared at her phone before sliding into her pocket. She felt bad; she knew Cyndi was just worried about her. Lately, though, Cyndi was always tearing up around her, crying, and was expressing nothing but constant pity or sadness, and it had really begun to get to Tara.
Brushing the last stray drops of moisture, Tara stood up and left the gorgeous gardens to see how Katia was faring in the kitchen. The woman was older than Tara expected, late 50s or so, and had a warm and pleasant demeanor. Her words were heavily accented in French, but she knew English well enough to say what she needed to and to understand Tara.
Dru was working in his office. Despite his carefree attitude, he told her that he did have to deal with a lot of political stuff. Apparently being a wealthy vampire with vast knowledge and investments meant that many people wanted to meet you. The government was always checking in on you, and you were constantly being requested for dinners and meetings by other vampires as well as many miscellaneous people in various places of high standing. He had left Tara in the hall to explore after introducing her to Katia.
“Bonjour, Katia.” Tara smiled as she sat on one of the stools, watching the woman bounce around the kitchen.
It looked like she was making a feat rather than just a dinner for one person. Dru had instructed Katia to make “très bien la darne.” Tara’s curiosity was peaked when she saw the plate. The center had a steaming, perfectly charred filet mignon. Katia was gently placing a few vibrant green beans on one side and quartered, seasoned roasted red potatoes on the other. Tara could feel her mouth watering in anticipation. Katia gave her a big smile as she pushed the plate over to Tara.
“Bon appétit, mademoiselle!” Katia turned and began to clean up her mess as Tara stared at the plate, amazed.
Katia had the kitchen cleaned up before Tara made it halfway through the delectable dish. The steak was medium rare. Everything was perfectly cooked, seasoned, and tasted like something you would get at a high end restaurant. Tara felt like she should leave a tip or something,
“Katia, would you like to join me?” Tara noticed the woman had cooked enough to make a small portion for herself.
“Oui, merci. You are too kind.”
They sat eating, not saying much, and as awkward Tara worried it would be, it really wasn’t. Tara made random compliments on the food and Katia explained various ways she liked to cook “la darne.”
“I would pay a lot of money to have eaten this anywhere else!”
“Oh, merci beaucoup! Monsieur Kablarian was very kind in giving me this position. He pays me very well and is always so kind when he calls me in to work.”
“I bet! He would have to pay you well or some top gourmet place would
snatch you up.”
Katia’s laugh was warm and infectious. Neither of them noticed Dru come in until he was right beside Tara, startling her and causing a near catastrophe in her lap.
“Jeeze, you scared me!”
“I apologize, you ladies seemed to be having a good time and I couldn’t help but come see what the hilarity was about.”
“Monsieur, she is bien. Très unique than most.” Katia nodded at Tara as she stood to gather the dishes.
“Do you need help Katia?”
“Ah, non, non, this is my job, and I rarely have much to do. It’s fine.”
Tara felt guilty about not helping but had to relinquish her stubbornness and allow the woman to do her job. Dru nodded to Katia as he motioned for Tara to follow him. Tara was curious about his repartee with his help. The man seemed generous in more ways than she thought, and she didn’t know why. Maybe it was her preconceived notions about vampires or rich people or both. She felt somewhat embarrassed to have expected less and to be so surprised by generosity.
“Where are we going now?”
“I thought I would show you the third floor.”
Tara remembered him saying his older books were up here, protecting them from the sunlight and in a climate controlled environment. What she didn’t expect was a space as big as the entire floor of the house filled with shelves of antique books, glass displays of armor, jewelry, and artifacts probably as old as Druian. Her mouth hung open as she stared in bafflement, the words to express how she felt were absent, her mind blank.
“The door, is usually security locked, but I wanted you to see it, and I wanted to see what you thought when you did.” Dru loved the amazement and wonderment that she could portray with her eyes.
Tara walked to the nearest glass case, lit by an unseen source under the rim of the box. Sitting on the dark velvet cloth was an intricate dagger. The metal still gleamed, though somewhat dull in color compared to ones she had seen in the modern era. The handle was wooden, and deeply carved in old Celtic designs. A large emerald was set into the pummel. The detail was amazing and the state of the dagger stunned her. She was sure it had to be very old, but the fact the wood had not rotted was amazing.
Cured By Blood: A Vampire Pregnancy Romance Page 5
