SURVIVAL

by Karen Payton Holt

  The thought still excited him. “Win, win,” he muttered as he rounded the last corner, appeared at her cavern doorway, and surveyed the scene.

  “Get out!” yelled Rebekah. Her face flushed in anger.

  Backing up against the wall, Leizle twisted her shoulders to protect her face as she held onto her arm. She felt a nudge to her side and the roughened stone surface snatched at her sweater as she was buffeted sideways. The world literally spun for a few seconds before she found herself standing outside in the tunnels, looking up into Connor’s impassive face, and she wished the eyes staring back at her were green, instead of gray.

  Connor was already thinking of Rebekah, but he read Leizle’s expressive face and in a low voice he said, “If he stayed away, he had no choice, be patient.” He, too, was impatient for Julian’s return. I need human blood, and my biggest problem today will be not helping myself to Rebekah’s.

  Leizle nodded, rubbing her bruised wrist as she muttered, “Longer sleeves next time.”

  But he had already gone.

  Leizle had been patient, and listening to the low seductive murmur of Connor’s voice as he closed in on Rebekah, all she felt was jealousy. She was a girl desperate to become a woman. She had promised to wait for Julian. But waiting hurts. And a worm of doubt was eating its way through her heart. Will he ever be brave enough to really love me?

  She inspected the darkening bruise on her wrist. She had asked Rebekah once about the marks on her body, and her joyful smile had stunned Leizle. I, too, would trade a body full of bruises to feel joy like that.

  <><><>

  Inside Rebekah’s cavern, Connor advanced slowly. He removed his shirt. It’s coming off, anyway. He thumbed the top button of his pants open as he walked forward. He was naked by the time he reached for her, but he had no qualms about that. He was here to offer himself to ease her hunger. And my own.

  Even her agitation was alluring to him. As anger boiled through her, Connor’s stride paused. Her aroma invaded his nostrils, and it shot through him as a knife thrust to his groin. His lust was more than equal to hers. Even sinking into revival-sleep could only dull the cutting edge of the compulsion to just close the distance and feel her soft heat close around him.

  These last few days had been the Rebekah of his lucid dreams come true. For fear of hurting her and his baby, he played the passive role which most men, vampire or human, had fantasized about for centuries.

  Stepping up behind her, Connor took Rebekah into his embrace, trapping her in his caged arms as he had done the night they first met. The frisson of alarm burned like wildfire through her veins, and heated his palms where they clung to her skin. Then, they had both fought the urge to press into each other, not so, now.

  As he spread his hands over her swelling stomach, she turned to him. The pinched anger on her face dropped away, and her eyes were drawn to his face. The brittle edge in her gaze dissolved to molten heat. She took his face in her hands and kissed him deeply, dragging her lips insistently over his until his smile let her in.

  Fascination overwhelmed her as she cooled her palms on his taut cheeks, feeling his muscles moving beneath the smooth silk of his skin. The hot ashen sparks of anger faded to a lava flow of desire. She kissed him again, slaking her thirst for his cool scent, like iced tea on a hot day.

  Rebekah sighed as Connor peeled away her clothing, his fingertips caressing her curves.

  “Connor,” she breathed, and it was that word which kept him sane. It resonated inside him and held the storm at bay. Restraint burned through his body, hungry for release, but his name on her lips held him still.

  As she clung to him, he effortlessly lifted her and wrapped her thighs around his body. Mindful of his child, he supported her as he walked to the bed and lowered himself onto the mattress with her straddling his lap. Every dream of Rebekah he had experienced when in rap-sleep rampaged through his mind as he laid back and his hooded gaze took in the radiance of her enraptured face.

  She breathed his name again. Her hot thighs framed his hips as she sank down onto him, taking his aroused body deep inside, her heat pooling as moisture on his thighs. He wanted to touch her rounded stomach and to mold his hands to her heavy breasts, but he took his pleasure from watching her take hers.

  He locked an iron band of control across his chest. His tight throat trapped his breath inside as he fought the desire which flooded him every time she moved, seeking out the release she needed. As she traced her fingers over his abdomen, stroking the muscles framing his pelvis, his control crumbled. His hips twitched as, unable to rein in his response any longer, his fingers closed over her thighs in a gentle grip and his own climax washed through him.

  Rebekah’s world was draped in a haze of contentment as she finally relaxed into Connor and passed out. Shifting to fit his body to hers, he pulled her into his chest. At last he got to touch her, and experience the endless movement of his child rolling beneath his palms.

  “Go to sleep little one,” he murmured as he pulled the blanket over them both.

  He molded his hands gently to her swollen belly and immersed himself in the battle of the two heartbeats inside her. In one moment they were in accord, forming part of the same melody, but then one raced on ahead in an impatient scamper, pattering faster every time the tiny unborn body tumbled over beneath Connor’s fingertips. What lies ahead? How long will this volatile coupling of anger and passion, last?

  Touching his nose to her shoulder, he breathed her in, and venom flooded his mouth, pooling in his throat. The urge to bite burned as a cavernous yawn aching for release. Her warm skin was a siren call inviting him to take a deep draft of the warm nectar pulsing underneath.

  Connor closed his eyes and embraced the torture. She was too pale. She needs all the blood she has to get through this. My time’s running out, where the hell is Julian?

  His wakeful hours were spent wrestling with the unknown. The baby is larger than it should be at this stage. They only had her missed periods to go on. This should be her third, maybe fourth month, but her size indicates six months, or more. And the rate of growth seems to be accelerating like a runaway train.

  Rebekah stirred in his arms as the baby struggled for comfort, bumping against his palm. Connor thought of the heavy duty cot he had already built and smiled. It had taken him less than an hour to turn branches of oak tree into sturdy bars and to weave rods of metal into a sprung chainmaille base. If nothing else, the baby would have somewhere to sleep, whenever he was born. Connor’s gray eyes were bleak. That is... if the baby sleeps at all.

  The last few weeks had been tough. She’s gone from being almost comatose to this powder keg of emotion which keeps her from sleeping, so, what’s next?

  Staring into space illuminated by candlelight, Connor’s vision darkened when the fanciful shadows dancing over the walls of the cavern became the angel of death. The enticement of murderous hallucinations stroked over his dehydrating vampire brain. Where the hell is Julian? I’ll have to leave the eco-shelter if he does not turn up soon.

  Sebastian remained a loose cannon which made Julian’s visit to the eco-shelter fast and infrequent. Connor felt like a mole living in the dark – not knowing what the hell was going on frayed his nerves. But, more than that, he missed his friend.

  Chapter 18

  In the jurors’ anteroom at the council building, Julian shot a glance at his watch as he crossed to a brass framed mirror and straightened his white cravat. Lifting his chin and studying his reflection, his lowered lashes unveiled a blank stare of indifference.

  Councilor Serge had put in an application for an emergency hearing, and everything would unfold in the courtroom in a matter of minutes. He has the advantage of surprise, although, if I factor in Connor and Sebastian, I will not be far off the mark, I’m sure.

  It had taken longer than first thought for Sebastian’s memory to return. Being awake was only step one in the road to recovery, it seemed. It allowed Connor to focus on the pregnancy, for a while,
at least. Julian admitted to harboring a slim hope that Connor’s spike had caused permanent amnesia, but no such luck.

  Now, it was showtime.

  Julian had a reputation of shunning Serge to uphold. This was the performance he prepared for as, satisfied with his appearance, he turned back into the room.

  “Well, gentlemen, Councilor Serge demands our attention, again.” Julian cast an eye over Marius and Alexander. They both stood like statues, their heavy silence more fitting to a graveyard.

  Marius stirred. “It is our function.”

  “True, but let’s hope this latest application is worthy of our attention,” said Julian. He knew them both well. Boredom and eternity make for a dangerous cocktail. I have a bad feeling about this. Serge’s involvement in exposing Connor had given him a louder voice, and the jurors were, for now at least, inclined to hear him out.

  As though he read Julian’s mind, with resignation, Alexander said, “Julian, we are obliged to listen. He is a councilor.” The newest juror had served four decades, and he felt as Julian did, that far too many hearings revolved around Councilor Serge. “Unless he has something new to say, we will dispatch him quickly and move on.”

  “Well, let us proceed.” Julian shrugged into his principal’s robe and walked to the door. And therein lies the problem, I’m certain he will have something new to say.

  He walked along the corridor towing Marius and Alexander in his wake, feeling their presence like a hand resting on each of his shoulders. They were a daunting sight in their juror’s garb.

  They entered the courtroom, and within three strides, Julian reached his chair and inspected the assembled vampires lining the gallery. They rose at his entrance with barely a rustle of disturbed cloth. A full house, Serge has been lobbying, it would seem.

  Julian took his seat and struck the bench with his gavel. “Court is in session.” He latched onto Serge’s tight smile. “Councilor, you have the floor.”

  “Principal Julian. Jurors.” Serge bobbed his head. “I have come to report the discovery of a nest of humans.”

  “Nest?” Julian asked. The shadow boxing is over, then, but is Connor ready? “Exactly how many is a nest?”

  “My information puts the number at forty humans.”

  “I find it hard to believe that we could have overlooked a nest of forty.” Julian raised a brow in genuine surprise. Who is lying, I wonder? Julian was intrigued. Has Sebastian exaggerated his hand? Or is Serge trying to make his case more compelling? No matter. “Information, you say. So, you have not seen the nest first hand. Who supplied this information?”

  “My protégé, Sebastian.”

  “And he is here to explain himself?” said Julian. At Serge’s nod, Julian raised his voice. “I call Sebastian to bear witness.”

  Clearly waiting in the wings, Sebastian materialized at Serge’s side. Assessing the jurors with his one good eye, he dipped his chin. “Principal Julian. Jurors.” He reached up to push back the hair falling onto his brow, and then abandoned the gesture, letting it hang to partly obscure the view of the milk-colored pupil of his dead eye.

  The prominent reminder of Sebastian’s failure brought Julian pleasure. It will give Connor some satisfaction, at least. “Sebastian. If we accept that you know the location of this nest, why then, did you not come forward earlier?” Julian enjoyed twisting the knife.

  Sebastian’s good eye sharpened with annoyance.

  “And the numbers.” Julian glanced at Marius and Alexander as he said, “Are you sure you are thinking straight?” The claim of forty humans is ridiculous.

  When Sebastian bristled, Julian suppressed a smile. Will he crack, I wonder?

  “Sebastian located the nest before his... accident.” Serge met Julian’s eye, defying him to comment. They both knew Serge was breaking their agreement. He believed Connor to be in the late stages of locked-in syndrome, and that Julian could not argue against his proposal without revealing his own collusion to release a human pet.

  Serge thinks my hands are tied, and he’s right. Julian waited.

  “I will vouch for Sebastian.” Serge added quietly, “My word as a councilor holds weight here, surely?”

  Marius raised a hand, requesting Julian’s permission to comment. “You are proposing we mobilize the council guardsmen to capture the nest as farm stock, correct?”

  Serge nodded.

  “If there are forty humans, Principal Julian, then I consider it worthwhile,” Marius said thoughtfully. “Let us allow Councilor Serge a little latitude. I am sure he would not support an application he knew to be false. He’s aware the court would not countenance such deception.” The threat was clear. Serge could make history as the first councilor to be stripped of his title.

  “Very well, we will mobilize the guardsmen.” Julian uttered the words knowing, that he would have to move fast and warn Connor. I have lost this argument. Further objection will raise suspicion.

  “While I have the council’s ear, may I propose Sebastian as a hive councilor?” Serge’s eyes skittered to Sebastian as he spoke.

  Julian’s jaw dropped open in disbelief, and he snapped it audibly shut, drawing Sebastian’s narrowed gaze. He has cards that I don’t know about. But I’m sure he will show his hand soon enough. “We will take it under consideration,” Julian replied. “I’m not sure Sebastian’s commitment to the hive is proven, he has only been with us a few months, after all.”

  “Surely, contributing forty humans shows commitment,” smiled Serge.

  Touché. Julian inclined his head. “If indeed, that proves to be the case.”

  Sebastian’s innocent expression irritated Julian. They both knew this was about Rebekah and revenge.

  “You must be relieved, Serge. The council guardsmen are of a better caliber than your own.” Julian’s smile was condescending, driving the jibe home. “Is there anything further?”

  Serge shook his head.

  “Sebastian, you will give the council a written account that substantiates your claims here today, and then the council will plan the strategy. We will convene in one week. At which time the date will be set for the gathering of the forty humans.” A raised brow gave the court the message that Julian considered it a waste of time.

  “Court adjourned.” Julian rose as the gavel dropped from his hand, and headed out of the door.

  In the jurors’ anteroom, Julian changed into street clothes with disguised urgency, and like a flow of quicksilver, each action led effortlessly onto the next.

  Marius appeared, interrupting the flow and demanding Julian’s full attention as he said, “Principal Julian, if there is a nest of forty humans I see no reason to wait a week before we move.”

  “Go on.” Julian clenched a fist behind his back.

  “The guardsmen should be despatched as soon as Sebastian gives us the coordinates. It makes no sense to delay.” Marius frowned.

  “Four days then,” Julian said decisively as he pushed his arms into his jacket.

  Alexander raised a brow in silent inquiry.

  “Cerebral reboot causes temporary psychosis. I will not waste time chasing down Sebastian’s distorted perceptions of reality. We will wait four days.” I have no idea if that is true, and neither do they. Julian consulted his watch and said, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m expected at the blood dispensary.” He exited the room at a sedate pace which surged to breakneck speed as soon as the door closed behind him.

  <><><>

  Outside the council building, Julian paused on the wet sidewalk. The downpour of cold rain soaked his hair and flowed along the grooves bracketing his tight mouth. Four days is enough time. He set off for the hospital. His reassurance faded as he calculated that keeping Connor fed for four days could be a big problem.

  Julian shouldered aside the thick glass door at the main entrance of the hospital, intent on collecting his vials of human blood, the higher allocation due to him as principal. The first time he took advantage of it was when hatching the plan to have
Connor condemned to Storage Facility Eight. It had literally been a lifesaver.

  Now I have Connor to feed, I use my full quota as a matter of course. On each visit, he took and signed for the same number of vials. Julian smiled. Of course, it meant regular trips to the eco-shelter, and the chance to see Leizle was a lure he indulged, despite the guilt he felt.

  Pushing through the jellied-plastic sheets of the dispensary doors, the sound of them slapping closed made him focus and drove Leizle from his mind.

  Connor hunts for animal blood, but the vital ten percent of human... Rebekah would offer it in a heartbeat, but he would die rather than feed from her, right now.

  As a doctor, Connor knew the early symptoms of human blood deficiency in vampires, altered consciousness preceded by blurring vision. But once delirium set in, he would be past self-diagnosis. The state of altered consciousness would make the thought process needed to unlock the individual brain centers impossible. Connor’s living on the edge.

  Julian’s expression lightened as he remembered the levity Connor brought to his predicament. How did he put it? ‘I won’t feed from Rebekah. Harry’s neck looks about as appetizing as a dry twig, and I’d rather not wrestle Oscar or Greg into submission, so, if you could bring me enough to keep the hallucinations at bay, then life’s looking up’. A full blown smile flickered over Julian’s face for a moment.

  He had been away from the eco-shelter longer than he planned. And now, a visit is urgent. The silent throng of vampires queuing for blood stepped aside at Principal Julian’s approach.

  He stopped opposite the young vampire at the dispensary desk. “Charles.”

  Charles looked up from his modest height. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Principal.” He darted around to pull a tray out of the refrigerator behind him, clearly trying to impress with his efficiency.