BloodPledge

by Tima Maria Lacoba

  ‘Alec, I hope you’re not expecting....’

  I stuck my head in the fridge. ‘There’s nothing in here.’

  ‘Of course there isn’t. I haven’t had time to restock. Everything happened so suddenly. We just have the basics—tea, coffee, dried milk, biscuits.’

  Something spectacular, Laura had warned. Now what?

  ‘Try this,’ she said and handed me a glossy pamphlet. ‘This is one of my favourite restaurants, and they deliver. When your order arrives, arrange it nicely on a tray and take it up to her.’

  ‘You’re getting to be as bossy as Luc.’

  ‘Am I?’

  ‘Yes.’ I smiled and waved the pamphlet. ‘But thanks for this.’

  ‘Good luck,’ she said, picked up her tray and left.

  I scanned the menu, chose something that hopefully Laura would like and gave them a call.

  Chapter 19 - Tease

  LAURA

  When Alec left, I bounced off the bed and headed straight for the shower. Thanks to him, I smelled of seawater. After standing beneath the multi-jet showerhead for nearly twenty minutes – I figured I had time, being convinced he was going to order something rather than cook it – I wrapped a fluffy towel around myself, plaited my hair and draped it over one shoulder. Now, should I dress or get back into bed, naked, and wait for him? The latter idea sounded more fun.

  I straightened the bed, rearranged the pillows and climbed back in, with the summer sheet barely covering my breasts. To make them more prominent, I rubbed my nipples till they stood erect and peeked through the thin coverlet. I made myself comfortable and waited for the door to open.

  I didn’t need to wait long. I’d timed it perfectly.

  ‘Your brunch, my lady.’ He bowed as he entered but nearly dropped the metal tray he carried when he looked up.

  I smiled and exposed one leg from beneath the cover.

  Alec stood there, staring, but I could feel the burning path his gaze left as it travelled over me.

  ‘Smells yum’ I said.

  ‘It certainly does,’ he said at last. I knew he wasn’t referring to my breakfast ... or was it brunch?

  He stalked toward me like a panther, placed the food on the table and ran his hand along the inside of my leg. As he reached my thigh I withdrew it beneath the covers, glanced at the tray and patted my lap.

  His eyes narrowed and a smile lifted the corners of his mouth. Without a word, he put the tray on my lap. There were three separate dishes. My stomach growled in anticipation, completely ruining my little tease act. From the corner of my eye, I glimpsed his smile widen.

  I lifted the first silver lid and viewed the array, my senses seduced by the mouth-watering aromas. The first dish contained half-a-dozen king prawns barbequed in – I sniffed – mango and lime sauce. The largest dish had a pair of quails in aspic arranged on a bed of barley with cashews, mushrooms and various greens. The last – dessert – was rich, dark and velvety chocolate mousse topped with a black cherry.

  No way he cooked this. But I appreciated the effort it took to order it. A solitary red rose finished the ensemble. I inhaled its delicate scent. ‘Thank you.’

  Alec took my hand and kissed it. ‘My pleasure.’ He pulled up a chair and leaned it back against the wall. With his arms behind his head, each taut muscle accentuated, he was the image of every woman’s dream centrefold. My centrefold.

  Time to have some fun.

  I picked up a prawn, tipped my head back, lowered it into my mouth then slowly withdrew it. ‘Mmmm!’ As he stared, I bit it off at the tail. I did the same to the next and the one after, until they were all gone.

  His eyes turned a deep, dark purple.

  I pushed aside the empty plate and lifted the lid from the quail. Steaming, a delicious aroma wafting up, I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply and slowly licked my lips.

  ‘Laura.’

  I looked up. Alec’s eyes were burning. I smiled, bit my lip and picked up the tender meat, letting the sweet juices run down my fingers.

  ‘This is delicious,’ I said as I savoured each piece before languidly licking the sauce that had trickled down the side of my hand.

  Alec swallowed.

  I wanted to see what would happen if I sucked each finger clean instead of using the napkin.

  Alec’s eyes widened, and he inhaled sharply.

  Never in my life had I played a man in such a way. I loved it.

  ‘Laura.’

  ‘Mmmm?’

  ‘You keep doing that and I doubt you’ll finish that meal.’ His eyes had darkened further.

  I feigned innocence. ‘Doing what?’

  He smiled wickedly, and my stomach flipped as the memory of the heights to which he could bring me.

  He breathed hard. ‘What a tease.’

  ‘Oh?’ This time, I picked up a small, round potato and popped it into my mouth. ‘You’ll taste this later.’

  Alec’s eyes blazed. ‘How about now.’

  He leaned forward, grabbed the tray off my lap and dumped it on the bedside table. ‘My turn to eat,’ he said, and dragged me further down the bed, threw aside the sheet and parted my legs.

  Now I swallowed.

  Keeping his eyes on me, he lowered his head between my thighs.

  I bucked as his tongue tasted and savoured me and his hands stroked my already sensitive skin. I grabbed the rails of the bedhead behind me and held tight as he took me to new heights of ecstasy.

  ‘Who’s teasing now?’ He chuckled and went back to his delicious torture. He drove me on and on, until I cried out in pleasure, and he bit down and fed from my inner thigh.

  A sense of tranquility suffused my body, and my breathing evened out. I let go of the railing and ran my hands through his soft, raven hair. Never had I been so thoroughly sated, so utterly content, and so at one with a man – and he was drawing blood from me.

  I closed my eyes and basked in the afterglow while he drank. When he lifted his head and gazed at me, his eyes were glazed and a drop of blood stained his lower lip. I was transfixed as his tongue slid across his lip and drew it into his mouth. Alec’s gaze remained riveted on me as he sucked my finger, his tongue laved the tip, exciting me once more.

  He stood and removed his clothes. Moving slowly, he kissed his way up my body, interlaced his fingers with mine and surged deep into me.

  A moan escaped my lips as my body surrendered to the passion, and the ecstasy of being utterly possessed.

  We spent the day making love; making the most of the brief time we could come together before nightfall, and the dangers that brought with it. Somewhere in between I managed to finish my dessert, and afterwards Alec held me to him and gently stroked my face.

  I must have fallen asleep. A noise woke me. My pearl mesh pouch was buzzing. Or rather, the mobile phone inside it. I glanced at Alec but he was asleep. I picked up the phone and checked the caller, but no name appeared. I pressed the answer button. ‘Hello, Laura here.’ My voice was croaky.

  ‘Miss Dantonville? I thought it best to ring you—’

  ‘I’m sorry, who is this?’

  Alec stirred.

  ‘Mrs Henderson, love. I think you may have had an intruder in your flat last night. I wasn’t sure whether to call you. It was early in the morning, well late last night actually, four a.m. Salieri woke me up. Perhaps I should have called the police.’

  I was suddenly wide awake. ‘No, it’s okay, Mrs Henderson. If the police need to be called, I’ll do it.’

  Alec sat up, alert.

  ‘He scared the life out of me.’ She went on. ‘I was fast asleep, you see. To see what the fuss was about, I went to the window and had a look. There was no one out there; no car, only motorbikes. Three big black ones.’

  It was like a brick had settled in my stomach – the group of rebels who had attacked Alec had been on motorbikes. I glanced his way. His mouth was set in a tight line. ‘Tell her someone’s on the way,’ he whispered.

  ‘Mrs Henderson, I’m on my way.�
� I hung up.

  ‘No! You can’t come. It’s too dangerous.’ He bounded off the bed.

  ‘It’s them, isn’t it? The ones who attacked you last night?’

  ‘Stockton.’ Alec looked dangerous as he grabbed his clothes off the floor and threw them on.

  ‘He’s one of them?’

  ‘Rasputin’s henchman.’

  ‘I’m coming with you.’ Not waiting for his reply I leapt out of bed and headed for the built-in wardrobe.

  ‘No, you’re not.’

  ‘Alec, it’s my flat. I’ll know if anything is missing or been moved or ... whatever.’ I found my underwear and put them on.

  Alec was silent. I turned my head to look at him.

  ‘All right, but the moment I say, we have to leave.’

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘Five minutes, Laura,’ he said as he headed out the door.

  In less than a minute I had thrown on a belted T-shirt dress, slipped on a pair of sandals and re-plaited my hair. I grabbed my phone and dropped it into the front pocket of my dress on the way out.

  Alec was pacing the floor in the corridor, talking on his mobile phone. He ended the call when I came out and dropped it into his back pocket. As he looked at me, his eyes softened. ‘Pity the day couldn’t end on a better note.’

  ‘We had the best part.’ I reached up and kissed him. The taste of my blood still lingered on his tongue.

  He returned the kiss with equal fervour. ‘Let’s go.’

  With his arm around my waist, we dashed off the yacht and made our way along the jetty, dread settling in my stomach at what I would find.

  Chapter 20 - Uninvited Guests

  LAURA

  I stared out the car window as Alec drove. It was Monday afternoon, and although it wasn’t peak hour, the traffic was heavy. What should have been a fifteen-minute trip took nearly double. I couldn’t keep my feet still, nor my knees from bouncing as Alec wove through the clogged streets.

  What would I find in my flat? I clenched my fists.

  We turned into my street, and everything seemed normal. But then, how many people knew what went on in their neighbours’ places?

  Alec parked the car in front of my unit block, came round the side of the car and opened the door for me. I practically ran to my front door.

  Alec caught up to me and grabbed my hand. ‘Careful.’ He lifted his head and took a deep breath before opening the main doors to the building.

  ‘Can you smell something?’ I asked.

  ‘Human and Brethren. They were here.’

  I tightened my grip on his hand.

  He raised his other hand and checked the serpent ring. Its eyes were red. No danger. I released a strangled breath and held out my key for him, but before he turned it, the door swung open – the lock was broken. He glanced at me, tucked me behind him and took a step in. Another deep breath. ‘Three of them,’ he said. ‘At least ten-to-twelve hours ago.’

  ‘Why would they come here?’

  Alec shook his head.

  My apartment looked as if a whirlwind had gone through it – furniture upturned, the stuffing from cushions torn out and strewn around the place, framed pictures lying on the floor, their glass coverings shattered. The vase in which I’d placed Alec’s flowers lay broken on the floor, the water soaked into the carpet. What was left of his note lay beside it, torn to shreds.

  They’re not going to make me cry.

  I released Alec’s hand and spun around. At least the cabinets hadn’t been touched. Perhaps they realised, sometime during their rampage, how much noise they were making. The kitchen appeared intact. There was no broken crockery or evidence of damage.

  ‘I’d better check my bedroom.’ The word “sickened” didn’t even come close to how I felt by this violation.

  ‘I’ll see what I can do here,’ he said, and as I raced for the bedroom, I heard him righting the furniture.

  I wasn’t prepared for what confronted me. Bits and pieces of fabric – all that was left of my clothes – were strewn on the floor. The bedcovers had met the same fate. The spilled contents of my jewellery cases littered my dressing table. Some of my framed photos were smashed, while others lay face down on the mess.

  It was too much. I let out a cry then covered my mouth with my shaking hands.

  Alec reached my side in an instant. ‘Laura ...Of all the madness.’ He looked stunned.

  ‘They cut up my clothes; shredded them!’ Amidst the rubble, I recognised the remains of one of my favourite dresses. I bent and picked it up. ‘Look! I bought this for my birthday and wore it the night we met at St Andrews. Oh, Alec.’

  He wrapped me in his arms. ‘I’m so sorry, darling.’

  I clutched the remains of my beautiful dress in one hand and the front of Alec’s T-shirt in the other, unable to hold back a sob.

  ‘I promise we’ll catch them.’

  ‘It’s not the things; it’s the memories. Why would they do this?’ My voice choked.

  ‘Sending a message, I suspect.’

  Something caught my eye. I left the security of Alec’s arms, stepped over one of the piles and picked up a framed photo I kept beside my bed. It was one of Jen and me, taken at the Melbourne Cup races. It was strange. The photo was missing, and I couldn’t see it anywhere among the piles of clothing remnants. What on earth would they want with it?

  I showed Alec. ‘Why would they take this?’

  He frowned, and then his eyes widened. ‘Is there anything here that would have Jenny’s scent on it?’

  It took a moment for me to realise what he meant. ‘Um, let me think. A book. She lent me a book. Believe it or not, about vampires.’ The book wasn’t on the bedside table where I’d left it, so I rummaged through the debris on my bedroom floor.

  ‘What does it look like?’ Alec asked.

  ‘White and red cover.’

  He and I searched every shelf and beneath every piece of furniture in the room without finding it.

  ‘Definitely not here,’ I said.

  ‘Ring her. Tell her to come and stay with you on the yacht for a few days.’

  ‘You think she could be in danger?’

  ‘I’m convinced of it. Ask her to come before nightfall.’

  ‘To stay on a boat full of vampires?’ I looked at him incredulously and the words tumbled out of me. ‘How am I going to hide the fact they only come out at night? And how on earth am I going to tell her about you? She still thinks I’m dating Matt. There’s no way I can reveal what you are, or the whole Ritual bit. And what about my real parents? Do I tell her? She’ll have to meet you eventually, I suppose. I was just hoping it wouldn’t come so soon. Give me time to think.’ I ran out of breath.

  ‘Laura, Laura darling,’ he said softy, gripping my upper arms and turning me to face him. ‘It’ll be fine.’ He sounded confident, assuring and strong. ‘Just tell her what you told the police. She doesn’t need to know my eating habits.’ His mouth turned up at the corners.

  I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ‘Okay. She knows I was treated at your hospital and the rest ....’

  ‘The rest is none of her business.’

  ‘I hate lying; you know that. We’ve never really had secrets from each other, and now I have this overwhelming one.’

  ‘If it’s any consolation, Judith couldn’t tell anyone about you,’ he said gently.

  Well, that one hit home. I couldn’t begin to imagine the pain my mother must have suffered having to keep my existence a secret, not just from friends but her own family. My dilemma paled in comparison. ‘You’re right.’

  ‘Maybe one day, just not right now, darling, although there’s no harm with revealing the truth about your parentage; if you want.’

  ‘I’m okay with that.’ Besides, Jenny’s safety is more important. It then occurred to me that Jenny might not have heard about the fire – I hope. If she had, I would’ve received a panicked phone call by now. We were on school summer holidays so the odds of her hearing it on the
daytime news – TV or radio – were high. I pressed speed dial and waited for her to answer.

  ‘Hey girlfriend. What’s up?’ She sounded relaxed.

  ‘Hi Jen. What are you doing the next few days?’ I thought it best to get straight to the point. Sunset wasn’t too far away.

  ‘Nothing in particular. Why?’

  Unlike me, Jenny had no family. She’d been orphaned as a child, raised by a great aunt, and was currently single. Her ex left when he found out she couldn’t have kids.

  ‘Come and stay a few days. Have Christmas with me and the family.’ An image of “my family” popped into my head – both the human and the non-human. I shook my head.

  ‘Oh Laura hon, that’d be great! I didn’t fancy spending Christmas with Aunty Dory at the nursing home. I was kind of, well, still working out what to do. Sure it’s okay?’

  ‘Of course it is, and we’ll be on a yacht.’

  ‘Wow! When can I come?’ She laughed.

  ‘I’ll pick you up now.’

  She laughed again. ‘Whoa, hon, I need to sort a few things first; I’m not as organised as you. Gimme a couple a hours and I’ll drive there.’

  I wasn’t happy but I couldn’t press her without explaining why. ‘Okay, but come as soon as you can. Drive to the front of Aunt Judy’s house, the address in Vaucluse, and text me when you get there.’ It felt strange referring to my mother as “aunty”, although that’s how I’d known her all my life. I much preferred “mum” now that I knew the truth, yet for all our sakes I had to maintain the pretence. If only I could tell Jenny everything.

  ‘I’ll see you then.’

  ‘Get there before dark,’ I insisted.

  ‘Will do.’ She hung up.

  I stared at the phone wondering how this was going to work.

  As if reading my mind, Alec said, ‘It’s not the best solution, but for now it’s all we have.’

  I looked around the remains of my apartment, and a tear slid down my cheek. I swiped it away. ‘How dare they! And now they’re threatening my friends.’

  ‘Not if we catch them first, darling.’ His arms around me were like a warm cocoon.

  ‘This is my place; my sanctuary.’