He shoved his glasses on and rubbed his heavily stubbled jaw, studying his reflection. He really needed to shave, but he needed food worse than he needed a smooth jaw. His stomach growled again as though in agreement. Still, if he decided to stop into Haven, he didn’t want to look too disreputable.
Better to just get it done. He shoved in the stopper and filled the sink with water. He shaved quickly and managed to nick his jaw only once. Satisfied he looked better, he slapped some lotion on his skin, ignoring the slight burning sensation from the tiny cut.
Craig padded back to the bedroom and tossed the damp towel onto the hardwood floor. He pulled on clean boxer briefs, socks, jeans and a plain black T-shirt. He’d rather not have to get dressed and go out, but he also knew there was nothing edible left in his cupboards and he was starving. He almost left the towel on the floor, but at the last second, picked it up and carried it back into the bathroom to hang it over the rod to dry.
He grabbed his phone, wallet and keys off the dresser and stuffed them into his jeans pockets before heading for the front door. He pulled on a pair of boots and slipped on his leather jacket. Craig locked the door behind him and hurried down the stairs.
Haven was just down the road. He really should stop in and visit with Meredith and the rest of the crew. Or he could go see Damek. The fact that his best friend was a vampire still surprised him even after all this time. And not just any vampire, but an ancient, powerful one. Damek owned and ran Inhibitions—a club in the Fulton River District—and would be there tonight. He was there for a while every night.
Craig pushed open the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. The crisp evening air filled his lungs as he locked up the building. It was only a little past six, but it was already dark. He missed the long days of summer.
He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket and strode down the road. There were coffee shops and restaurants aplenty. Something for everyone.
“Hey, Craig.” Mr. Prentski was closing up his deli for the day.
“Hey, Mr. P. How’s business?”
“Good.” The older man studied him critically. “You don’t look so good.”
Craig laughed. “Working long hours. I’m getting something to eat and then heading back home to make an early night of it.”
Mr. Prentski nodded. “That is good. Do you want to come home with me for supper? Mama is cooking.”
Mrs. Prentski had to be almost eighty, but she was still spry and cooked like a dream. “Not tonight, but thanks.”
The older man nodded. “Okay, but come by the deli tomorrow. I’ll save some of Mama’s pastries for you.”
“It’s a deal.” Craig waved and kept walking down the sidewalk. The city was alive with people and lights and noise, but Wicker Park was a community and he was glad to be a part of it. Putting down roots here five years ago had been the right thing to do.
Craig nodded hello to several other folks he knew as he walked. Bean There was closed or he’d have stopped into the funky coffee shop for soup and a sandwich. He promised himself he’d come back for lunch tomorrow.
In the meantime, his stomach was beginning to complain rather loudly. Craig crossed at the light and headed up the sidewalk. Haven was only a few blocks away. Teague would be in the kitchen and would cook him up something delicious. Teague was a half-breed werewolf who looked more like a gang member or drug dealer than the amazing cook he was. Maybe he’d ask Teague to grill him up a steak with onions, mushrooms and fries on the side. Oh yeah. That was exactly what he wanted.
Foot traffic was getting lighter as the daytime crowd had all headed home and the evening patrons hadn’t come out yet. Craig didn’t mind. He enjoyed having the sidewalk almost all to himself. He could see the Haven sign in the distance and quickened his step. He was almost past the dark alleyway when he heard a whimper.
Craig stopped and went back a few steps, peering down the alley. The streetlights didn’t penetrate very far, making it difficult to see anything. “Anyone there?” It was probably nothing more than a stray cat or dog searching for scraps. It was an unfortunate fact that every city had a problem with stray animals.
He squinted, wishing not for the first time that he had the enhanced senses of his siblings. They’d had the same mother but different fathers, and Craig was fully human while his brother and sister were part werewolf. “Hello.”
He heard the whimpering sound again, but this time it sounded more human than animal. Cursing himself for a fool, he started down the alley. He really should go to Haven for help. Any one of the pack would come back with him to check this out. It was pure folly to go alone.
Still, he took another step into the darkness.
His eyes were adjusting a little better, but he couldn’t see where the noise was coming from. “I won’t hurt you,” he promised.
A skittering sound caught his attention. It was coming from the far side of the dumpster on the left side. “Who’s there?” He wished they’d say something.
Taking a deep breath, Craig inched carefully forward until he could see just beyond the dumpster. Curled up next to the nasty smelling metal was a small person. He couldn’t tell if it was a woman or a kid. It was too dark to see what the person was wearing or to make out any details. He squinted again and took a step forward. “Hey.”
A head came up and reddish-tinged eyes peered back at him. Crap. He was in big trouble. Whoever this person was, they were a paranormal creature of some kind. And if Craig was a betting man, he’d say she was a vampire, a young one, potentially unstable and very, very dangerous.
He backed up a step.
“Help me.” It was a woman’s voice and it stopped Craig in his tracks.
“What happened to you?” he asked.
She moaned and closed her eyes. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She panted heavily and Craig could sense her distress.
He reached into his pocket for his phone. “I know someone who can help you.”
“No.” She came to her feet in one fluid motion and jumped at him.
Craig was thrown back several feet and smashed into the wall behind him. His head cracked against the brick and he saw stars. Something liquid trickled down his collar and he knew he was bleeding. Not good.
The creature came toward him. No, not a creature, a woman with long dark hair tangled around her face.
“Everything will be okay. I promise.” But Craig was no longer sure. He should have gone to Haven for help. Dealing with a vampire on his own, especially a young, unstable one wouldn’t be wise for a werewolf, let alone a human.
She licked her lips, grabbed him by the shoulders and dragged him into the shadows by the dumpster. She was incredibly strong.
“Let me help you.” Craig kept talking, trying to reach her human side before she was totally lost to the bloodlust. But it was too late.
Sharp fangs pierced his neck and strong arms held him. Not that he tried to pull away or struggle. That would only make her more determined to drain him dry, maybe even snap his neck. Physically, he was no match for her. Not yet. Maybe once she was drunk on his blood he could break away and make a run for it.
As she sucked his life’s blood out of him, Craig prayed she wouldn’t kill him. He wasn’t ready to die.
So good. He tasted like the finest chocolate and red wine. And she was hungry, so very hungry. She feasted on him, gorging herself until she was almost ill. Only then did she pull back and look down at him. Kind blue eyes stared back at her from behind wire-rimmed glasses. He was wheezing, his skin pale, but he made no move to fight her.
She frowned and studied him more closely. The gash on his neck caught her eye and she gasped. It looked as though an animal had taken a bite out of him.
What had she done?
It all came flooding back to her. The attack. The pain. The several days of agony. The hunger that tormented her constantly, driving her outside even when she knew it wasn’t safe for herself or anyone around her.
She
was a monster. Just like the one who’d attacked her. And now she’d killed this man who’d only tried to help her. She could remember his voice, low and calm and filled with empathy.
She’d wanted to reach out to him but had panicked and attacked instead.
“What have I done?” Her voice sounded rusty. It had been days since she’d said more than a word or two. It had been difficult to form thoughts, let alone speak.
“Damek,” he gasped. The man licked his lips and tried to speak again. She could hear his heartbeat slowing down and knew it would soon stop.
“Conserve your strength.” A hospital. She needed to get him some help.
He grabbed her arm with surprising strength. “No time.” He coughed once. “Call Damek. Phone.” His eyelids fluttered closed and his heartbeat stuttered.
“No.” She couldn’t let this happen. Even now, after everything she’d done, he was trying to help her. But even more than that, he wasn’t afraid of her. She’d smelled his fear briefly, but she’d sensed his determination as well. He truly had known what she was.
Maybe he had answers to the questions haunting her.
“You can’t die. I won’t let you.” Not knowing if what she was doing was right or wrong, she bit into her wrist. All she knew was she couldn’t let him die. Once the blood began to flow, she shoved it against his mouth just as his heart ceased to beat. “Drink,” she commanded.
Some innate instinct made her tilt his head back so her blood trickled down his throat. Nothing. “Please. Please. Please.” She started praying to a deity she wasn’t certain still existed. If there was a God, how could something like this happen? How could a creature like her exist?
She choked back a sob when the stranger continued to lie still in her arms. She rocked him and shook him lightly. “Please, come back to me. I didn’t mean to do this.”
Several long minutes past and she finally admitted defeat. She’d killed him. She was now a murderer. Tears flowed unchecked down her cheeks. She’d have to turn herself into the police. That was the right thing to do. The only thing she could do if she wanted to save what was left of her humanity.
She could no longer deny what she was. What she’d become.
Vampire.
The word sent a shiver down her spine.
Monster.
She pulled her wrist away and licked it to seal the wound.
The man coughed and suddenly sat upright before he rolled onto his side and vomited. Startled, she stared for a moment, unable to believe she’d done it. He was alive. She moved quickly, holding him while he was sick and watched in amazement as the gash in his neck slowly closed and healed itself.
When there was nothing left in his stomach, he rolled onto his back, eyes closed. He was sweating hard now like she’d done after the monster had attacked her. He was going to be sick just as she’d been.
Oh God, what had she done?
She’d only wanted to save his life. Instead, she’d changed him into the same kind of creature she’d become. Or maybe not. Maybe he was just ill because of all the blood she’d drained from him before replacing it with her own.
Maybe.
She wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Memories of her attack and the creature who’d bitten her surged to the forefront of her mind, but she shoved away the dark recollections. She couldn’t think about Vladimir Drake. Didn’t want to.
What little she knew about vampires came from the vague memories she had from the time just after her attack and what she’d managed to learn through trial and error since her escape.
Voices and footsteps hurried by the top of the alley. She pulled the man deeper into the shadows with her until the danger was past. There was no one she could trust.
Once again, she studied the unconscious man in her arms. Maybe there was one person.
She had to get them somewhere safe, somewhere away from the light. The sunlight, that she’d always loved, now burned her skin whenever it touched her. She’d learned that lesson the hard way.
She brushed his sandy-brown hair off his forehead. “I’ll take care of you.” She owed him that much and more than she could ever possibly repay.
She stood and easily lifted him into her arms, still surprised by her newfound strength. At the back of the alley was a building with a fire escape. It would take her longer to get him to her temporary home in an abandoned building, but it was safer to keep to the back alleys and darkness.
Letting her senses flare wide open, she listened hard and sniffed the air. She could sense the heartbeats of the people walking down the sidewalk, hear the rustling of the rats in the dumpster and the murmur of voices from the various apartments and businesses surrounding her. For a moment, it almost overwhelmed her. Then he moaned and her focus sharpened, allowing her to push back the other sounds. All that mattered was his safety and survival.
If he lived and would help her after what she’d done, maybe he knew a way to change them back. And if that wasn’t possible, maybe he would know how she could track down the beast who’d done this to her so she could kill it before she faced the sunlight one final time.
Chapter Two
Craig came awake slowly. His entire body ached and his mouth was dry and pasty, like it had been stuffed with cotton. His head pounded as though someone was trying to break into his skull with a jackhammer and his stomach was none to steady. It felt as though he’d been on a two-day drinking binge, which was impossible because he never drank to excess. He’d probably had yet another marathon work session where he’d mainlined coffee for days. It was more likely eye strain and caffeine overload making his head throb so incessantly and his stomach churn, and sleeping at his desk that was making his back and shoulders complain.
He tried to open his eyes, but it was too difficult. Instead of pushing things, he took a slow, thorough inventory of his body. He frowned. He wasn’t slumped over his desk because he was lying on his back. It took an effort, but he moved one hand and felt a scratchy blanket beneath him.
His stomach ached like he’d been violently ill. A not-so-nice memory popped into his head. He had been sick. He had a vague memory of running a fever and then shaking with the cold. He’d been sweating and vomiting too. Had he caught some kind of stomach bug? And where the heck was he?
Frowning, Craig forced his eyes open and immediately closed them. The light was bright and hurt. He tried again, squinting slightly. Much better.
“You’re awake.” The female voice startled him. Why was there a woman with him? He didn’t have a girlfriend. Rarely dated for that matter. He couldn’t afford to bring another human into his world. It was much too risky for his siblings’ safety. It was better for them and the Haven pack if no other humans knew about them. Sure, he was lonely at times, but having his family safe was worth the sacrifice.
Had he picked up a woman somewhere? One-night stands weren’t his speed, but right now he couldn’t remember a damn thing. “Who?” He wanted to ask more but his mouth was too dry.
“Here, drink this.” Soft, strong hands helped him into a sitting position and a bottle was put to his mouth. Craig drank, gratefully gulping the water. “Easy. Not too fast,” she cautioned.
Heeding her warning, Craig stopped. Now that he was sitting, he took a better look around. It shocked him to realize he was lying in the corner of an empty room. There was no light source other than ambient streetlight coming in through the shuttered windows. What then had blinded him when he’d opened his eyes?
He turned his head slowly and got his first look at the woman. In spite of the dim light, he could see her as easily as if she were standing beneath a spotlight. She had long, straight black hair that was tangled around her face. Worry filled her green eyes before she glanced away. Her skin was fair, her lips full and lush.
In spite of his aches and pains, his cock sprang to life. He almost laughed. At least that part of him was still working. “Who are you?” He took a deep breath, pushed himself up against the wall and leaned against it. The floor
was hard beneath him in spite of the blanket she’d put under him. “Where are we?”
When she turned back toward him, her eyes were no longer green, but tinged with red. Memory came flooding back. The alley. The attack. He touched his neck, but the skin wasn’t torn or scarred, it was smooth.
“What have you done?” he whispered. Shit, this was bad. This was very bad.
She flinched and moved away from him. “I’m sorry.” She wrapped her arms around her torso and began to pace. She wasn’t very big, maybe five-two or five-three with a petite build. She didn’t look strong enough to have carried him here, but Craig knew she had. She was a vampire and that made her incredibly strong.
“I didn’t mean for that to happen. I took too much blood. You were dying. I had to do something.” She faced him and he could see the anguish in her face and his budding anger died. This wasn’t her fault any more than it was his for going down that alley.
“Come here.” He was weak but he needed answers. There was no telling how long he’d been here. Could be hours or days. He patted the spot next to him on the rough blanket. “Talk to me.”
She crept over cautiously but stopped a few feet away as though she didn’t trust herself. Or maybe it was him she didn’t trust. After all, she didn’t know if he might suddenly attack her.
Vampire. If the situation wasn’t so dire, he might find it funny. Historically speaking, vampires and werewolves were enemies. Considering his siblings were half-breed werewolves, he wasn’t quite sure how they were going to take this latest development.
“How long have I been here?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Two days.”
Crap. That wasn’t good. By now someone would have missed him. He only hoped they hadn’t sent for Quinn and Chrissten. He needed time to come to grips with his new reality before facing his family.
“I’m sorry.” Her whispered words sounded like a shout. Suddenly, the world was alive with sound—the pigeons roosting on the roof, the blare of the traffic, the sound of a hundred voices. He slapped his hands over his ears but the sound didn’t abate.
Craig's Heart Page 2
