The Blood Bargain (Book 1)

by Macaela Reeves

  sound. So why was she struck with a case of amnesia?

  I admit I have a history with sitting around stewing about things, even prior to the outbreak I was known for this trait. Grades, dates, organization, you name it. I’d seen my fair share of horror movies, in those the mind wipe was a recurring theme. I wondered what else was true to their nature. I read Bram Stokers Dracula when I was twelve. Now that I knew what was real, was it

  possible that was a non-fiction story? If that one, then what about the others? Did the snow contain Yeti’s doing a kick line? Werewolves run through the Dakotas? Mermaids take over Carnival Cruise? Sick of the theories and unknowns that spun in my head, there was only one current place I could vent my troubles. That poor number eight ball didn’t know what

  was coming.

  Needless to say my winning streak against poor Candice continued. It wasn.t a total loss though, before I headed home for the night she had gained the attention of an incredibly cute older guy who had pledged to take her under his tutelage in the arts of all things pool.

  No one was awake when I got home. I slipped in as quietly as possible and meandered up to my room.

  What I did not expect was what was waiting for me.

  On my bed was the little stuffed polar bear from my old home, with his little smile he welcomed me like he always had. I stumbled over to him. Beneath his feet was a little card, one of those ones you get with the flowers at the supermarket. It had been signed with a single letter.

  D.

  Chapter 6

  The next morning I went through a barrage of emotions. I was pissed. I was touched. I was creeped out. I was confused. Then I went through them all again in multiple combinations like a set of accessories. No matter how I tried, I couldn.t find just the right ones to go with my outfit. The gesture itself was sweet, if I ignored the fact that he was in two of the rooms I claimed as my

  bedroom. A complete violation of my privacy.

  The day went by in a mundane whirlwind of housekeeping, giving me more than enough time to dwell on this little gesture.

  When I got to their house that night I didn.t wait for the door to magically swing open with the now mind broken Anna and the creepy blood addict who’s name I couldn’t remember.

  I stormed up the stairs and turned the knob.

  Unlocked. Of course it would be unlocked, what would they hide from?

  I barreled inside like a bull looking for china slamming the door behind me, right in the face of the blond guy who was screaming at me like I set him on fire.

  Screw him. Screw all of this.

  This guy was going to start explaining pretty damn fast. Not a guy, a vampire.

  I had just barged into a house full of vampires.

  I was unarmed and I was food.

  Shit.

  Well, all things considered it was only the second worst decision I’ve made in the last month.

  I turned around and took a deep breath. Lemony air, like pre-outbreak pledge. There was no one in the entryway. Nor anyone seated in the living room to the right. I walked down the floral papered hall to the kitchen, the only room I’d seen in my previous visit. My flip flops made too much sound, giving homage to their namesake.

  Not that I should worry about sound after my door slamming routine. Kitchen was empty. Maybe I’d try upstairs there had to be...

  Cold hands grabbed me from behind and spun me around, slamming me back first into the wall. I hit my head hard enough to get stars in my vision.

  “Just what the hell do we have here?” That was not a male voice. I blinked fast waiting for the blur in front of me to reshape into someone.

  “I...” I couldn.t think. The ringing in my ears replacing all logic.

  “Sorry, I don’t do excuses.” My vision cleared just in time to get a full look at the blond vixen I had seen years before. Her beauty turning demonic as she opened her mouth and her fangs elongated. Grabbing me by my hair she turned my head sideways.

  Her head bent. No no no no. A sharp point on my skin...

  “Antonia!” A baritone voice boomed in the hallway. A voice that belonged to Dimitri. Her slick pale hair spun left. “You are being rude to my guest.”

  She responded in a long diatribe in a language I didn’t know, pulling on my hair as she trilled. Sounded almost Italian.

  Then he growled. A sound that should have come from a lion, not a five eight once-man in jeans. Stalking up to her his eyes were narrow, hands curled into fists, he even seemed to exude an aura of don’t screw with me.

  With a laugh like an drunk sorority girl she let me go, giving me a once over that made me not only feel the full difference in our height, but made me also question my choice in clothing. My jeans and ratty tee shirt didn’t hold a candle to the little black dress and stiletto combo.

  Not to mention she still seemed to have an endless supply of high end cosmetics and perfumes. She smirked, like I had acknowledged my inferiority non-verbally.

  Then was gone in a blur.

  He spoke first. “You should have waited outside.” Statement of fact, not a complaint. I wasn.t surprised he forgot to lead with the ‘are you alright? I’m sorry this crazy blond tried to eat you’. He was completely casual despite what had just happened, lounging in the kitchen in grey

  camo pants and a white tank. I noticed he was paler than when I had left him, but not as near as bad as the first time I’d been over.

  I didn’t waste any pleasantries either. I don’t know what kind of game he thought he was playing with me, but it was ending. I’m not a toy. Time to get this out in the open right here, right now.

  “You barged into my house uninvited, what’s the difference?” I stared at him, arms crossed.

  Dimitri shrugged, walking over to the counter he plucked a granny smith out of the basket. The muscles thick on his arms curled as he brought it to his lips. “I felt like we got off on the wrong foot.” He took a bite. Funny I didn.t know they could eat. I waited for him to elaborate.

  Behind us the front door opened and the loony ran in and up the stairs, followed by a sober looking Anna. When the theatrics had concluded I returned my gaze to Dimitri, who was still waiting for me to respond. When the stony look on my face didn.t change he kept talking.

  “I am sorry my actions offended you, that was not my intent. I merely wished to bestow upon you a token of introduction as was once custom.”

  “How did you know about my bear?”

  “It was strong with your scent. Obviously the item was of value to you.” Damn it. I wanted to yell at him. I wanted to kick and scream and punch him in the face. Instead I wrapped my arms around myself and offered up some honesty.

  “My mother got it for me when I was a kid.” Nice over share Liv, now I wanted to punch myself in the face.

  “She met her end in the plague?”

  I shook my head. “No, years before. In a way, I’m glad she didn.t live through all this. She passed knowing there was still hope for the world.”

  “I know what that is like, losing someone you care for.” He was silent for a moment, staring at the chuck taylor’s on his feet. “The loss never passes, but your love for them plants a seed in your heart. Love will bloom anew as though they never left you, blossom at sights

  never seen and share in the joy of future generations that take root.”

  Now didn’t that just make me feel like the worst person on the planet. For the first time I thought of him as more than a monster. He had saved my life. Twice now. He had not harmed me when he could easily do so. He had not been aggressive at all really. And me? I’d trespassed into some one's home, obviously caused some family drama with blondiebitch and have succeeded in

  being generally belligerent in all aspects of our interaction.

  It was I who had really been the monster between the two of us.

  I sat down in the chair next to him. “Thank you. For my bear, thank you.”

  He smiled; he looked almost human when he smiled. For some rea
son, when he looked at me like that what I was doing here didn.t seem so bad. I hadn’t realized before how close to ice his blue irises were. The shade celebrities would have paid hundreds for in contacts. I’m not sure if my thoughts were being manipulated by his beautiful eyes or if I had sorted out my feelings in my

  head.

  Either way, here we were.

  “And now I guess I have one for you.” I set my arm up on the table. He face seemed to turn although his smile persisted. There was no joy in his eyes, instead they were filled with something primal.

  Hunger, pure and simple.

  Any trace of humanity I had thought I saw just moments before was long gone. I fought the fear that rose in my chest with logic; he had brought me no harm. That became my mantra as he reached for my extended limb.

  I didn’t flinch this time when he touched my arm.

  Dimitri wasn’t as aggressive as he was last time. He turned my wrist over slowly, running a thumb over my veins.

  I turned my head as he lowered his, studying the refinished cabinetry the homeowners had abandoned. No harm. No harm. No harm.

  It stung less than I had remembered, although no worse than a tetanus shot. As he fed, my gaze landed on his thick dark locks. I resisted the urge to run my fingers through his hair, not out of attraction just out of curiosity.

  It looked so soft, like he had a leave in conditioner made out of baby butts. Who knows, maybe he did. I honestly didn.t know anything about them in that regard. Did they sweat? Did they even need to shower? Hell, did they even have to step foot in a bathroom?

  His head lifted, but his hand stayed intertwined with mine. While his coloring improved, I took the opportunity to ask him the million dollar question. “Why did you pick me?”

  “I saved you. In old laws you would owe me a debt.”

  “So I’m paying a bill here?” Basic enough.

  Those pale eyes studied my own. “And you remind me of someone.”

  “Whom would that be?” Last week's buffet? A long lost love? Some sibling?

  “Pallas Athene.” I smiled slightly, history had always been my favorite subject. Especially when it came to the various ancient gods/goddesses. Roman, Greek, Norse. I knew them all. His reference was a favorite. Athena, the Greek goddess of military strategy, city protector of Athens. Athens which has stood for over 3,400 years. Was he?

  “How old are you?” I mumbled.

  Dimitri smirked. “Your inquiry contains its own response.”

  “I suppose that's right.” I fidgeted a little bit, my captain obvious question made me feel foolish. He didn’t seem to notice, or if he noticed he didn.t seem to care. “So why Athena?”

  “You have her bravery in here.” He put his free hand over his heart; he was still holding my other hand that he had fed from. I tried not to focus on the fact that his amazingly soft skin was caressing mine. “I’ve watched you fight. You excel although you carry it with disdain of the act.” I had to change the topic quickly; the blood was rushing to my cheeks. Another minute and I’d be a

  tomato. When I opened my mouth the first thing in my brain flew out.

  “Thought you couldn.t be out in the sun?”

  “So your mythos says.” He spat out mythos like a curse word. “Your kind assumes much and truly knows nothing.”

  “Wait. You can be out in the daylight.” Then why did we patrol at all?

  “It is...not a good idea.”

  I persisted. “Burst into flames?” He frowned, like he was deciding whether or not to answer me. Even a frown looked good on his face, like an old magazine add where the man was trying to choose between a Porsche and a Ferrari. He looked like a Ferrari kind of guy to me.

  “I...weaken. Exposure increases my need to feed. It is dangerous to be mortal. This is why we go to ground when the sun rises.” Yeah no shit it was dangerous being mortal. I kept my mouth shut before I uttered that little piece however, instead I simply let out an mmhmm.

  “Can I ask you something else?” He nodded.

  “Why haven.t you cleared the city? Deadheads were everywhere.” He opened his mouth but I talked right on over him. “and don’t even think of giving me some migration BS. Those things aren’t a flock of birds for cryin out loud.” His eyes widened at my tone, fearing I had pushed too hard I lowered my eyes. Rather than answer me, he dropped my hand and went back to eating

  his apple.

  So I waited. Through every bite. When he was finished he stood and sauntered over to the wastebasket.

  Then took his sweet time returning to the table.

  Where he sat, staring at me in silence.

  “Well?”

  “Do you wish me to speak? It seemed like you did not wish for me to elaborate.” A vampire with manner issues. Wonderful.

  “Look.” I let out a huff and tucked my brown hair behind my ears. I stood and talked with my hands. “I’m sorry I cut you off. I’m just...stressed.”

  “Our agreement was to protect this colony.” I raised an eyebrow.

  “I thought part of that was to wipe out the threat?”

  “Have your walls been threatened?” Technically not since we had „walls..

  “So you just do the bare minimum? Wow.” I couldn.t help it, I laughed. “I never thought vampires could be lazy.” At that he bared his fangs and hissed. Okay he was scary as hell when he did that. I immediately lost my levity.

  “I am not lazy.” He crossed his arms. “I am simply putting forth the level of effort agreed upon.” That tone, he couldn’t possibly be pouting because vampires didn’t pout. I had so many other questions, fear gave way to curiosity. It helped immensely that he was amicable. Still, telling me even a little about his kind made me wonder if I had a fate in store for me like another friendly girl I had met. Running my fingers through my hair I tried to find a non-combative way to say what I was thinking.

  “I saw Anna after the last time I came here, she didn.t know me though. Will I remember you again after tonight?”

  In a blur he was at my side, looming over me. His strong scent of pine surrounding me in an invisible fog. Man, he smelled amazing.

  Dimitri tilted my chin up with his index finger. “Do you want to?” Okay that look in his eye was a lot more than just a friendly question. There was something primal about that look. He was tensed like a cat ready to pounce, but at the same time was as gentle in his touch like a butterfly.

  I thought about it for a fraction of a second. I had learned more in the hour at his home than I had in the last decade about his kind. The old scholar in me craved knowledge. I wanted to lose it about as much as I had wanted to lose my bow. Ripped of my defenses, the only thing I had left was my mind. To have that taken as well was not on the agenda.

  “I think...yes I would like to.” He smiled wide, apparently that was the right answer.

  In the corner of my eye I saw the front door open and shut quickly. I turned my head in the direction of the sound, while Dimitri took a step back. There was this feeling that started in my gut, it was that deep foreboding aura that crept up when someone was about to be confronted with a flight or fight situation. The air seemed colder, the hairs on my neck stood up. Something was definitely off.

  “It is time for you to go Liv.” His voice, once soulful was flat as a golf announcer.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked him as he corralled me toward the door. Practically shoving me out of the house without touching me.

  “Just...family matters to address.” He mumbled as he shut the door tightly behind me. The lights inside dimmed, no footfalls faded. Just silence beyond the wooden portal.

  I sighed taking the steps two at a time down to the curb. The evening winds had picked up, I wrapped my arms around myself for warmth. I usually loved the breeze, but tonight it cut me to the bone. Maybe it was the blood loss. Further I walked the more I admitted to myself I was feeling a little woozy.

  When I crossed the main street junction toward fourth someone fell in step beside me. The heavy
soles of steel toed boots made a far different noise than my flip flops.

  My eyes shifted to the familiar thin silhouette of an old friend. He spoke first.

  “Tomorrow afternoon, Smittys. Three o’clock okay?” The words were barely an audible whisper.

  “Adam what the?”

  “You didn’t see me.” Without another word he pivoted down the closest driveway, then disappeared into the dark night.

  The next morning the house was quiet, eerily so. It put me on edge as I came down the stairs. Zoe wasn’t in the kitchen, neither was Candice. Mark and the boys unaccounted for. Dad was there however, sitting at the dining table, nursing a coffee and surrounded in paper

  work.

  “Dad.”

  “Evelyn.” He addressed me the same way he used to talk to his coworkers when they’d call the house. Professional; one hundred and ten percent. Subconsciously I grasped Mom’s little angel that hung around my neck. I don’t know why, perhaps channeling her would make him snap out of jerk mode.

  “Where is everyone?” I tried to keep the same professional tone that he held, but my voice cracked a bit.

  “Mark is at work, the girls took the twins for a walk.” Which meant us being alone was either coincidence or planned for a talk. Fine. I can go first.

  “How much longer are you going to give me the cold shoulder?” I murmured while I took a seat at the far end of the table.

  “I’m not. I’m just busy.” He didn.t even look up from what he was writing.

  “I meant it when I said I was sorry.”

  Dad huffed, his wide shoulders sagging just slightly. “What in the devil were you up there for anyway?” He asked me, continuing to scrawl numbers on his little notepad.

  “I picked up a distress signal on my radio, from a convoy. At least I think it was a convoy.” His pen stopped moving.

  “That's impossible.”

  “No Dad...Listen to me. I…I saw a scav too.”

  “That is enough of that!” He slammed his fist on the table, causing his coffee to slosh out the edges of its mug. “I will no longer tolerate your insane babbling and nonsense! There are no scavengers left. There are no convoys that are not scheduled, there is nothing but the colonies and the wilds!” He took a deep breath, then lowered his voice. “Go change, we have lunch with the