by J. N. Colon
“I’m so sorry Aspen,” he murmured between broken sobs, stroking her auburn hair tenderly. “I’m so sorry.”
Mac kneeled beside me, gripping my hand tightly as tears shimmered in his own eyes.
“What happened Brant?” I asked, talking through the massive lump in my throat.
He rocked back and forth. “We were going back to her room. She left her purse so I went and got it.” His voice cracked with emotion. “When I came back that thing had a hold of Aspen, ripping her throat out.” His sobbing grew more frantic.
My insides twisted into painful knots. I wasn’t always Aspen and Brant’s biggest fan, but they wormed their way into my heart and now they were getting ripped apart like Mac and I had almost been—several times.
This can’t be happening, I thought staring at the two of them. This can’t be the end. “Turn her,” I whispered. I wasn’t sure what the rules on making new vampires were, but the rules be damned to hell and back. “Brant.” My voice grew louder. “Turn her!”
He slowly glanced up to meet my eyes, his rimmed with redness. “I can’t.” He shook his head. “What if she doesn’t want that?”
If anyone could make it as a vampire it was Aspen. Brant was made so he was already stuck as a teenager. And she loved him.
“Do you love her?” I knew the answer.
Brant nodded.
“Then do it.”
He looked at Mac with uncertainty. “Brant, do it. She’ll make it.”
Whitmore appeared next to us, looking down at Brant with sympathy in his gray eyes. “If you are going to turn her Brantly, do it now because she’s fading fast.”
He examined her again. “What if it doesn’t work?”
“You’ve been exchanging blood for months,” Mac hissed, urgency lacing his words. “It’ll work.”
Brant’s jaw clenched as he struggled with the decision. Finally he swallowed the doubt and leaned over to bite the other side of her neck. It was only for a moment, barely taking more than a sip of blood. He bit his wrist and pressed it to her mouth.
We all waited on pins and needles, the silence of the night deafening. Nothing happened at first. Then her limp, pale hand twitched. It slowly came up and grasped Brant’s wrist against her mouth. Her amber eyes fluttered open as she began to drink deeply from him.
“That’s it Aspen,” Brant whispered. “Take all you need. Just don’t leave me. I love you.”
I wasn’t sure if she heard his words, but it seemed like her eyes reacted, shining brightly at him.
After a few minutes Aspen’s eyes fluttered closed and her hand slide away from Brant’s. Her breathing was slow and steady, no longer shallow and ragged with death.
“What now?” I asked, gripping Mac’s hand so tight it would hurt if he wasn’t a vampire.
“We wait.” Brant’s gaze was glued to Aspen, afraid to look away. His face was startlingly pale and dark circles bruised his eyes.
“Take her to a room downstairs,” Whitmore commanded. “We need to clean this up before any humans see.” He motioned toward Mac. “Stay with Rubi tonight. Rufus and Daedalus will be close.”
Mac nodded and pulled me up as Brant lifted Aspen, cradling her against his chest. I never saw her look so frail.
We followed Brant down another hall in the hidden underground space. The majority of people were gone except for some guards and a few other vampires. Demy accompanied Vera to escort Jackson to his dorm.
“We’ll stay in your room tonight,” Mac said, stopping in the stone hallway lit by antique scones along the walls. “I need to grab something. Wait here.” He disappeared through a door a few feet away.
My curiosity was piqued. Before shit hit the fan I had a suspicion Mac was up to something.
I tiptoed across the red carpet running the length of the hall and peered through the door. A tiny gasp escaped my mouth when I saw the extravagant bedroom.
A giant canopied bed rested in the center with white gossamer curtains tied back. Tons of red and white rose petals were spread across the ivory comforter, spilling down across the cream and gold rug spanning the floor. White candles were lit, dowsing the room in a soft, golden glow. A fire was burning in a hearth, throwing more light and shadows across the room.
This is what Mac had been doing while I was dancing with Demy.
He was bending over a candle to blow it out, shooting me an incredulous expression. “I didn’t want you to see this.”
My heart was trembling in my chest. “What is all this?” I whispered in awe.
Mac stood and nervously fumbled with his ring. “Well, I thought… I wanted this to be a special night.”
Holy filet mignon. He wanted to have sex tonight. “Oh.” It was all I could manage as my nerve endings sizzled through my body. I shouldn’t be surprised. We’ve been heading in this direction in a steady, straight line. And tonight we promised ourselves to each other heart, soul, and body.
Mac threw his hands up defensively. “It would have been your decision. I wouldn’t have pressured you.” He motioned around the room. “I wanted tonight to be special whether we did that our not.” His face was deeply flushed.
Oh man he was adorable when he was nervous.
I slowly walked closer, running my fingers over the rose petals that spilled onto a bench in front of the bed. “It’s perfect.” I smiled sadly. “Well, was perfect,” I corrected. With the attack and Aspen’s life hanging by a thread tonight wasn’t the right time.
Mac nodded in understanding. “Yeah.”
Sadness tugged at my heartstrings. He worked hard to make this room so beautiful for us. We shouldn’t waste his efforts. I gripped his hands. “I still want to stay here.”
His brows lifted questioningly. “You do?”
I nodded. “This was still a special night for us.”
A gentle smile played on his lips. “Okay.” He squeezed my hands before letting go. “I’ll tell Rufus.” He disappeared out the door.
My eyes wondered the room, surveying the candles, silk bedding, and delicate flowers that permeated the air with a sweet, fragrant aroma. I opened a dark armoire to find an array of pretty pajamas in silk, satin, and lace. They were all my size. Another drawer held colorful panties in my size and another held bras. My lips pursed and I pulled open another to find sweat pants and tank tops.
Where did all these clothes come from?
A matching armoire stood to the left, holding male clothes in Mac’s size.
Is this our room? Just ours?
A shelf in the corner caught my eye, displaying several framed pictures of us, our parents, and friends. My throat tightened as I lifted a picture of Mac and me smiling in front of the dining hall a few months ago.
Warmth spread through my insides, swathing my heart with the love Mac had poured into this room.
I returned the picture and examined the new ring on my finger, twisting it around. So much has happened these past few months, good and bad. But where I am now—with Mac, with this ring, in the direction my future is headed—feels so right.
I didn’t feel sixteen at all.
Or maybe I just didn’t feel like the awkward loner girl anymore.
I’m who I’m supposed to be—or on my way at least.
Mac returned and shut the door behind him. He closed the distance between us and brushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek. “By the look on your face I’m guessing you’ve been looking around.”
“You did all this?” I whispered.
He nodded. “It’s our room. We met here.”
My mouth nearly hit the floor. I took another glance around and realized it was the same room we shared when we were five only with different furniture.
My heart shuddered and I buried my face against his chest. “Thank you Mac.” I was at a loss for words. We’ve been searching for each other since then without even realizing it. My whole life I never really belonged anywhere until I met Mac again. I belonged with him. Always.
“You’re welcome Rubi.” He squeezed my shoulders and started to pull away, but I clutched his shirt.
Too much happened tonight and I needed him suddenly and desperately. I needed to wash away the terror and panic from earlier. And the fact we had a bedroom that was ours sent hot shivers through my insides.
I reached up and started unbuttoning his shirt. “Just because we aren’t going to do that doesn’t mean we can’t do other things.”
Mac’s hands caught mine, his breathing already quickening. “Are you sure?”
“I need you now.”
His forehead rested on mine, his warm breath blowing across my skin. “I’ll do whatever you want Rubi.” He released my hands.
My pulse quivered and I continued unbuttoning his shirt, revealing a pale, muscled torso. His muscles jumped under my fingertips as I slowly stroked his abs. I pushed the rest of his shirt off, letting it flutter to the floor. My lips found the center of his chest, tasting his flesh.
Mac’s breath hitched. “Rubi.” His hands traveled up my back, finding the zipper on my dress. He stopped, waiting for my go ahead.
His answer came in the form of me unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his pants.
He unzipped the dress and pulled it down my body, his scorching eyes roaming hungrily over my flesh. “You are so beautiful.” His fingers wove into my hair, pulling it free of the up-do until the dark brown strands cascaded down my back. My heart hammered in my chest and heat flushed my skin as his lips began trailing hot kisses down my neck and shoulder. “I love you so much Rubi.”
“I love you more,” I teased.
His laughter was deep and mischievous, sending vibrations through my chest. He stepped out of his pants and suddenly gripped me around the waist, hauling me up until I locked my legs around his waist. “We’ll see about that,” he whispered against my lips before claiming them.
The bed was suddenly under us and Mac let his weight slowly descend on me. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue forced mine open, sinking in. My fingers delved into his hair, keeping him against me.
He broke away and twirled the red flower that had been in my hair between his fingers with a wicked smile. “This is for driving me insane in that dress all damn night.” Before I could ask he smoothed the petals across my lips like a soft butterfly kiss. He trailed it all the way down my body in feather-light touches that made me gasp. My back arched, searching for him, but he was always a hair’s breadth away. He was teasing me and it was so unfair—and so very good.
Goose bumps of anticipation and desire spread across my skin and my hands ached to grab him, but he danced out of my reach every time. The only thing against me was the silken flower, tracing my curves.
After several minutes my senses went haywire and nerves exploded with need. My hand snaked out with lightning reflexes and gripped his shoulder so hard it caught him by surprise. “If you don’t kiss me right now I will Aspen dress me every day.”
With a dangerous smirk Mac tossed the flower aside and crushed his mouth against mine.
A sigh rippled through me accompanied with a strong crackle of electricity. I don’t know if it was because we shared blood tonight or if it was the promise we made to each other, but everything was intensified. So powerful I would have done anything he wanted.
Mac released my mouth and traveled down my jaw, my neck, across my collarbone, and lower. He kissed my star shaped scar and then down, down, down, to my belly where the scars from the undead vampire’s claws were barely visible. My entire body was scorching and pulse ragged. Need and desire, pleasure and longing wrapped around me with every kiss.
His body covered me again while his mouth devoured mine, driving me wild with every stroke of his tongue. His hips dug into mine, shooting sparks behind my eyelids. His hands were everywhere, going places they never have before. Fires ignited in me, consuming every nerve ending and cell I had. He pushed me over the edge into blissful insanity.
I forgot my name for a while. All I could remember was his—especially since I kept repeating. A lot.
***
A buzzing noise pulled me out of a heavy dreamless sleep. A smile tugged my lips and a blush dusted my cheeks as I looked over at Mac’s sleeping, shirtless form.
The buzzing noise erupted again and I turned over with a groan of annoyance to snatch my phone off the bedside table.
“Hello?” My voice was thick with sleep. I didn’t recognize the number, but it was from one of the dorms in Hampton Hall.
“Rubi, it’s Paisley.”
Why the hell is she calling me? And how did she know my cell number?
“I need to talk to you,” she said, urgency lacing her words.
“So talk,” I mumbled.
“I need to see you in person.” She paused. “I-It’s about Mac.”
My eyes popped open, anxiety leaking through my veins. “What exactly is it about?” I whispered not wanting to wake him
“He’s in danger.”
My breath caught and Mac stirred beside me. I eased out of bed, tiptoeing into the bathroom. “What the hell are you talking about Paisley?” I hissed. “What kind of game is this?” Has she gone nuts again?
“It’s not a game Rubi I swear. He’s in danger. I haven’t been completely honest about things. I-I need to come clean. I don’t want Mac to get hurt. Rubi, please just meet me.”
“What did you do?” I felt my face go cold remembering her words before I left. ‘I am going to get you back for this Rubiks. You and Mac. You just wait.’
“Meet me by the east building. Right next to those benches.”
I was currently under the east building and the benches were only around the corner. “Fine. I’ll be there in five minutes.”
I tossed on a pair of black jogging pants with a matching jacket and a white tank top. Luckily there was a pair of tennis shoes in the closet. I felt guilty leaving Mac so I left a note on my pillow in case he woke up. Hopefully he wouldn’t because he’d be pissed.
Okay, so my track record with getting mysterious calls to go somewhere when there’s danger around isn’t the best considering what happened with Madison. But this was different. Mac’s in danger and it’s my turn to protect him.
It was surprisingly easy sneaking past the guards. I thought they’d hear my pounding heart—I sure could—or smell my fear. Nope. Daedalus was leaning against the wall in the main room, fiddling with his phone until he put his index finger against his ear, listening to a message in his earpiece. Then he disappeared down another hall.
I tiptoed through the room, up the stairs, and out.
My breath clouded as I waited at the benches for Paisley. Anxiety twisted through my insides thicker than the fog rolling through the grounds. Second guessing myself, I was on the verge leaving when light footsteps resonated behind me. I whipped around and saw Paisley dressed similarly to me, but in blue and gray.
I laid my hand over my shaking heart. “You scared me.”
“Did I?” Her cobalt eyes were hostile and lips curled in a cruel smile.
Oh crap.
She lifted her hand that held a gun. Before I could say another word she pulled the trigger twice.
A gasp of confusion and shock echoed out of me. I expected to feel horrible pain, but it was only a two little sharp stings. When I glanced down I realized why. Two darts were sticking out of my stomach.
She shot me with a dart gun?
I’m an idiot, I thought as I felt my body falling backwards and darkness encompassing me.
Chapter 31
My eyes fluttered open, squinting against a bright light. I groaned and struggled uselessly to sit up. My legs and arms were bound to a cold, metal surgical table. Pristine white walls and tiled floors incased the room. Metal cabinets and counters lined one side while medical equipment took up the other.
“Not again,” I mumbled as my last memories before I blacked out slammed into me. Paisley shot me with a tranquilizer gun and now I’m lying in a freaking lab.
Will I ever learn not to trust a crazy phone call in the middle of the night?
“Hi there sleepy head.” Paisley’s image floated into my line of vision. She stared down at me with cold, distant eyes and a severe ponytail with her bangs pinned back. “I thought you’d never wake up.” She was balancing a knife in her hand.
Part of me was surprised not to be looking into the silver eyes of Madison again. “What the hell is going on?” I croaked, my voice still thick from the drugs.
“I know you aren’t that smart Rubi, but isn’t it obvious?”
My gaze traveled over her appearance, taking in her changed outfit of black cargo pants, gray tank top, combat boots, and the silver knife she continued to play with. Ice rolled down my spine, sinking dread through my veins.
Oh man.
I swallowed the hard lump in my throat. “How did you become a hunter?” I walked right into the arms of the enemy. I could only imagine the things they planned to do to me and I doubt it ended in an easy death.
Her mouth twitched. “Oh, look at that. You may be a little slow, but you’re finally getting it.” Paisley leaned her elbow on the table next to my head. “I told you I’d get you and Mac back.”
Acid clawed up my throat. “How did you find out about all this?”
She sighed and leaned her cheek in her hand. “One day I went looking around Madison’s room for some dirt on you and boy did I find it.” Her cobalt eyes flickered toward the ceiling behind my head out of my line of vision. “I saw these surveillance pictures of you and Mac with your faces scratched out. Some of the others too. I also found some pretty wicked weapons.” A humorless laugh slipped out her mouth, echoing through the hollow room. “I thought she was little freaky until I found a surplus of reference books on vampires and other inhuman monsters. It wasn’t hard to piece everything together.”
“And you just thought, ‘hey, let me go join this group of crazy hunters to kill and torture Rubi and Mac’. Is that it?”
