by Ashley Nemer
“I, uh, I came to see…” He was unsure of what to say. She was just lying on the bed in white cotton top and cut-off jeans.
“Sire, did you need something?” Zayn’s attention snapped to the side. One of the servant girls was standing in the bathroom. He adjusted his body language and moved his hand to hide his erection from the view of the servant. “No, I just needed to see Adara for a moment. I’ll come back later.” He nodded to her and turned to leave.
“Wait, Zayn, can you stay a minute?” He turned at the sound of Adara’s voice. Slowly he moved forward. He looked over at the servant and motioned her out of the room. He waited to speak until she left.
“I hope that you slept well. Is there anything I can get you, Adara?” Zayn moved to the end of the bed, taking a seat at the foot and resting his back against the bedpost. Adara sat up, folding her legs underneath her body.
“I didn’t get much sleep. My mind kept, well, drifting.” She looked him over, trying to decide if she wanted to speak with him about what she thought about all night. Zayn could tell she was holding something back, but what?
“I thought I heard Nikole’s voice last night. Actually, it woke me up. Clearly I was dreaming, but it seemed so real. She seemed scared. I just didn’t want to be alone after waking up to that,” he told her, hoping if he opened up she would too. “I panicked this morning when it all happened. It seemed so real, like she was here. I just keep thinking, what if she is right around the corner and we keep missing her? I could never live with myself if I found out that was true.”
“I’m sorry, I am sure that was very hard waking up like that. Are you okay, do you need anything, Zayn?” Looking at him with worry in her eyes, she moved to the middle of the bed, reaching her hand out to touch his face lightly. He leaned into her touch, her soft fingers on his cheek. “I know you love her, and I know you need her home. We will find her and bring her back.”
“I just wanted to wake up with someone to lean on. I woke up and looked around and felt completely alone.”
“You don’t have to be alone, Zayn. I’m here for you through all of this. I won’t leave your side. I promise.”
He took her hand in his, stroking her soft skin with his thumb. “That means a lot to me, that you would do that, stay here with me. Are you sure that you don’t need anything. More clothes maybe?”
She shook her head. “No, someone already brought me a couple changes of clothes, but thank you. Have you eaten, Zayn? You look a bit pale…”
He felt his need grow at the mention of eating. “I am a bit hungry.”
Adara looked at his complexion and took a breath before speaking. “May I offer myself to you, my liege?”
His eyes met hers; he could feel the pounding in his fangs as they extended down his gums. “Are you sure? I mean, we have people for that, you don’t have to.”
Adara pulled back. “You don’t have to. I was just…”
Zayn cut her off before she finished her thought. “I would love to feed from you.” Her golden eyes looked at him, desire evident.
He moved up the bed to her, inhaling her scent. His hand rose to her cheek, the pad of his thumb skating over her soft skin. He could feel his heart rate speed up. Opening his mouth as she tilted her head to the right, leaning onto his hand, he dropped to her neck and licked her vein. He could hear the blood running under her skin. His fangs scrapped along her flesh and in one swift movement he penetrated. Her blood spilled into his mouth, the warm sweet taste of her mixing with him. His eyes rolled back in his head as he savoured every drop of her. Adara’s hands traveled up his arms and down his back, pulling him to her, holding him tight. She let out small moans as he pulled from her. Her body wanted her to respond to the desire he was causing. Closing her eyes, she pictured them together, becoming one. Feeling him retract his fangs and licking the wound shut, she sighed.
With his lips covered in her blood, she couldn’t resist kissing him. Tasting herself in their kiss made her mad with need. Her tongue pushed in, and finding his, they danced together. Zayn wrapped his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap. They both got lost in the moment, lost in the need and companionship. She finally broke the kiss after seconds turned to moments and moments turned to minutes. “Zayn … I…”
There was a loud knock at the door and they both jumped back. Wiping his mouth, he looked at the door. Adara let her hair down and covered her neck with it.
“Come in”
Nasir opened the door and took in the scene just for a second. “Sire, we need you downstairs. Please, if you could come.”
Zayn stood quickly and followed Nasir, but before he stepped through the door, he turned, looking over his shoulder at Adara, and bowed his head before shutting the door behind him
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Dominic left his hotel and pulled into the parking lot of Impact, noticing only two vehicles sitting out front. That was a good sign. He needed alone time for what he had planned with this new person. Exiting his car, he grabbed his black bag from the trunk and walked around to the back of the building. Finding the employee entrance shut, he jiggled the handle, locked. Setting his bag down he unzipped it. Reaching inside he fumbled though the items, moving past the rope and tape. He pulled out a leather pouch. Kneeling on the ground, he took the lock-picking set and started working on the door. Hearing the pins release inside, he turned the handle, and the door slowly opened. Putting his kit back in his bag, he picked up his things and stepped inside.
Softly shutting the door, he took a pair of gloves out of the bag and slid his hands into the tight fitting leather. He reached into his side pocket and pulled out his knife. Walking down the hallway into the back of the club, he slipped through the kitchen and around the wine storage. Hearing footsteps approach, he hid in the shadows as a big man walked in carrying a case of beer. He watched as the man opened the cooler and started putting in the bottles. Dominic quietly snuck up on the man, taking the knife and unsheathing it along the way. He could smell the man’s sweat from working in the heat. Disgust built inside Dominic from being that close to filth. Three feet behind him, Dominic stood, ready to strike. He took his left hand and stepped closer, then, covered the man’s mouth with his hand. As he pulled him tight to his body, the man started to resist, striking his elbows into Dominic’s ribs. Kneeing his victim’s right leg, hitting the common peroneal nerve with his right knee, the man buckled. Dominic’s right hand came up to the guy’s throat with the knife. In one fluid motion the knife penetrated his skin, as Dominic slit his throat from left to right. He lowered the body to the ground, blood spilling out from the neck. He patted the man down, looking for a weapon. Finding a colt .45 stored at the small of his back, he grabbed it. Putting the man’s shirt back in place, he noticed the lightning bolt on his arms.
“Fools, always trying to play God.”
He grabbed his bag and headed out onto the main floor. Looking up the stairwell, he decided to start there. Taking two steps at a time, he climbed in silence. His two hundred and thirty pounds of muscle swiftly gliding through the air. Looking over the lip of the stairs, he saw the man behind the bar. The same man Zayn brought to the building. Waiting for him to turn his back, he moved to the bar and hopped over the counter. Pulling out the Colt .45, he pointed it at the man’s head and pulled back the hammer. The sound echoing in the silence
“Do as I say or you die. Turn around slowly.”
Kevin’s body stiffened before he started to turn, his mind racing, trying to figure out how to get out of this situation. “What do you want?”
Dominic took his right hand, gun in his grip, and struck Kevin across the face. “Did I say speak? Now move to a chair. NOW!”
Kevin started to back up out of the bar area till he found a chair at the nearest table and looked up at the dark man. Dominic dropped the bag on the floor next to Kevin’s feet. “Open the bag and get out the tape.”
Kevin moved his head down to stare at the bag then back up to the man. Hesitantly, he
reached down, opening the bag. He fumbled around until he found the roll of duct tape. The sight of the other items made him sick to his stomach. Setting the duct tape on his lap, he looked back up at Dominic.
“Wrap your legs and one arm to the chair with the tape.” Dominic instructed. Kevin did as he was told, taking his time trying to think of a plan. While Kevin was busy taping himself to the chair, Dominic reached for the bag and pulled out the rope, knives, and gag. Dominic looked back to Kevin. Seeing his body semi-secured, he grabbed the rope and tied down Kevin’s free arm then wrapped the rope around his body and chair, securing him in place.
“What is your name, and how do you know the King?” Dominic asked as he moved back to the bar where he spread out his knife collection.
The clinking of them sent chills down Kevin’s spine. With his heart racing, panic set in. “My name is Kevin, and the King’s okht is a customer of my bar. That’s it.”
Dominic picked up a knife and a sharpener. He ran the knife over the sharpener as he enjoyed the sound that the metal on metal was creating. He stalked toward Kevin with a menacing look in his eyes. “You know how I know that you are lying to me?” Dominic brought the knife up to Kevin’s face, running it over the sharpener before pointing it at his nose. “I have video footage of you and the King in the building where the Princess was being tortured. Now, what would the King be doing with a little bar owner if you were not someone important?” The knife sliced across Kevin’s left cheek as Dominic laughed.
“Let’s try this again, Kevin. How do you know the King? And remember, I’m the one with the knife.”
Kevin stared at the end of the knife, beads of sweat running down his forehead. Kevin shifted his eyes to the stairwell, praying for Zeus to come up. Dominic looked over his shoulder then back to Kevin. “Looking for your friend? Well, he is dead on the floor in your storage room. It’s just you and me. Now talk!” Pressing the knife to his cheek, causing blood to drip onto the knife, Dominic gave a mad grin.
“Nikole and I have exchanged blood. The King was hoping I could track her, but since it had been too long I was useless.” Kevin lowered his head in shame. He had just betrayed his king and his friend and his lover.
“Now, are you sure that’s all? You’re not keeping something else from me?”
Kevin shook his head no. He felt sick to his stomach. “Good.” Kevin looked up at him, trying to figure out what he is going to do with him. “Will you let me go? I gave you what you want.”
Annoyed with the situation, Dominic laughed at Kevin and lowered his head to Kevin’s eye level. “You people really are fools. No, I’m not going to let you live.” Kevin made a noise of protest when he felt the blade on the right side of his neck, being pulled across. His mind flashed to Nikole, her taste, her smell, and her touch. “I’m so sorry Nikole.” He felt his death coming; he didn’t get to die a hero, a lover, an abb. He died alone, as a coward, his greatest fear. Kevin’s head fell forward, the blood pouring from his throat.
Dominic searched Kevin’s pockets and found his cell phone. Opening it and checking out the call history, he saw Zayn’s name and sent a text message to the King.
“Kevin’s dead. You’re next.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
She opened her mouth, trying to speak. Nothing came out; her eyes were showing her panic. Turning her head, she saw she was hooked up to an IV. Taking a moment for her skin to feel her clothing, she realized she had nothing on from the waist down. Her eyes shot back to the man’s, narrowing. She felt her face flush at the realization he must have stripped her. She started trying to move, but felt a rush of an extraordinary amount of pain. Alec realized she was starting to panic. He placed his left hand on her right shoulder. “Please calm down. I really am not going to hurt you.”
Alec took his fingers and placed them on her wrist checking for her pulse rate. “Your pulse is much stronger than it was. This is a good sign.” He checked the dressings on her arms then turned and left. She watched him, unsure of what had happened. Why wasn’t she home if she was saved? Was he good or bad? She watched him come back in the room with gauze and what looked to be ointment. Alec sat on the edge of the bed, his body facing hers. She looked into his eyes and didn’t see evil, but she still didn’t trust him. Watching his hands move to her arms and removing the dressings, her eyes got wide when she saw all of her stitches. Looking from her arms to him frantically, she tried to make noise.
“Please calm down, I’ll explain everything. I used to be an EMT in the military, so I have had training on taking care of the injured. I stitched up your wounds and dressed them. I’ve been tending you for about 24 hours. I started giving you blood about four hours ago when your pulse didn’t raise over time.” He noticed her eyes dilate in fear. “Don’t worry; I know you are one of the Algula.” Her heart slowed down and she closed her eyes in relief. “I have given you, so far, one pint of my blood. I will be replacing this bag when I am done tending to all of the wounds. Hopefully tomorrow you will feel like yourself again.”
She slowly breathed in and out, absorbing everything. His blood, she didn’t know how she felt about that. She thought she should just be grateful he’d saved her life. She watched him work methodically. His touch was light, and he wasn’t hurting her. He switched to the other arm and repeated the steps. Finishing up on her arm, Alec looked to her chest. “I need to work on the wound that is across your chest. May I please move the shirt?” Nikole slowly blinked, understanding that if he was going to attack her, he would have already.
He slowly lifted her up and pulled the tee shirt, making sure to keep the covers over her body. Nikole was nervous about exposing herself to him. Granted, she realized if he wanted to take advantage of her, he had plenty of opportunity to do so. The edge of the tee grazed up her back. She could feel the chill passing her skin as the cool air of the room touched it. He took his left hand and pulled the covers around her body, covering her as he pulled the shirt over her right shoulder exposing the wound. Laying her back down, he tended to the dressing. He never took his eyes off of the wound. She watched him, his demeanor. Once he was finished, he returned her arm to the sleeve and slowly lowered the shirt back down. He helped her adjust back into the bed, making sure she was comfortable.
“I suppose you want to know what happened and how you ended up with me.” Nikole nodded her head slowly, it hurt to move her muscles, but she was relieved that she still maintained some control. He kept talking, not even looking at her but putting away his supplies. “The people who took you captive were using my building, and when I saw they were trespassing, I went to investigate. That’s when I heard your screaming. I went to see what they were doing and I found you in the bloodiest state imaginable.” He stood up and went to retrieve the second pint of blood. Coming back into the room he swapped the empty blood bag for the full one and hooked it up to the IV.
“I took them out one by one. The one who was torturing you put up the biggest fight. He gave me the cut right here.” Alec pointed to his cheek, showing her the scar that was starting to form. “When they were dead, I got a blanket, wrapped you in it because your body was naked, and brought you back to my place. You were unconscious for the time you were with me. I gave you the blood I had in storage when I thought you were going to die. I hope that your wounds will be tolerable tomorrow. After two pints of my blood and rest, you should be able to start to move.” He looked down at her, lying there helpless and trusting. “I wish I knew your name. Then I could notify your family that you are okay.”
Alec moved the chair he was sleeping in closer to the bed so he could sit and give her some space. “Do you want to see if you can do any motor skills?” Again, she gave a slow nod of approval. Taking her right hand in his, he asked her, “Okay can you move your fingers?” Nikole focused on her hand, willing her fingers to move while praying to her inner self that she wasn’t damaged forever. She looked at him desperately; she couldn’t tell if they moved. “Come on, you can do it, move them.”
>
Nikole felt the tears start. She couldn’t move her fingers. He watched her eyes as she blinked and tears started to travel down her cheeks. He realized she couldn’t move. He put her hand back in the bed. “It’s okay; they will move tomorrow. Why don’t you go back to sleep? The blood will heal you faster if you’re asleep.” Looking into her tear filled eyes; he could feel her pain, the sadness she was expressing. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a better day.” He turned out the light and sat back in his chair, hoping she slept.
Nikole looked up at the ceiling, small shimmers of light flickering off it from the other room. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. Her mind raced, reliving the experience. What was it she heard before Hamza came in; Dominic and Derrik were akhs? A thought popped into her mind, Adara. Dominic knew where she lived. Oh dear Gods, what if he went after her next? She had to fix herself. She couldn’t stay like this forever. She had to warn someone. “ZAYN! ZAYN, HEAR ME! PLEASE GODS, PLEASE!!!” Over and over she screamed his name. Nothing, no response.
Opening her mouth to speak, nothing but air came out. She couldn’t even call out for help. She could feel the pillow she was laying on start to dampen from her tears. She laid there crying for an hour, wearing herself out enough to finally sleep. She just couldn’t understand why this man, Alec, would take care of her and risk his life to save her if he didn’t know who she was.
Getting out of his chair Alec checked on Nikole to make sure she was asleep. When he noticed that her crying had stopped, he made his way into the kitchen to pour himself a drink. He would wake her up tomorrow, hopefully after a better night’s sleep. The blood her body had received would have rejuvenated enough that she could start to move. That way he could get her out of here and back home.
