by Edith Warner
Not even a second later, the room became illuminated with a dull green light. It was only enough for Selene to make out the major shapes in the room, but this place seemed to be a private living quarters. They stood in front of a large island filled with liquor. The area was pristinely clean, but it still felt dirty somehow. Odd, antique looking paintings of demons, war scenes, and naked women hung on the wall. It certainly didn’t seem to be a place made for humans. There wasn’t a stove, microwave, or any cooking utensils in the room, only a large stainless steel refrigerator. Selene tried not to think about what may be inside.
“Can I get you something to drink?” For the first time, the vampire seemed a bit self-conscious.
Selene was so shaken up by everything; she just stood there. The change of his mood was unbelievable. What happened to the man who’d tied her up? Did he think things could just suddenly be okay after he’d had her in the trunk of his car for so long she’d almost passed out? And a man was dead. Holy shit.
“Well?” he asked again after she didn’t answer. Her throat was so dry she wanted nothing more than a drink, but was he going to give her alcohol? She didn’t like the idea of being out of her head in his presence. Plus, liquor is horrible for quenching thirst.
“I’d like some water please.”
“Good girl.” The words seemed natural coming from him, but they were more demeaning than anything she’d ever heard. Did he think she was a dog? Some kind of pet?
“You have a very beautiful singsong voice.” He smiled as he passed her a glass of water from the sink.
“Uh, thanks.” Selene’s eyes widened, first at the random compliment, then at how amazing the water felt going down her throat.
The vampire watched her. She didn’t let herself think about the way his blue eyes glistened in the low lighting or the fact that his toned body appeared close to her age. Everything about him was repulsive; he was a murderer. How could her mind even begin to think he was attractive? She suddenly became repulsed at herself.
In one large drink, the water disappeared. She walked toward the sink to fill her glass again. The vampire stood in her way. She looked up at him, unsure of what to do. Was he going to rape her now? Something told her that he might enjoy it if she struggled, and she coughed so hard she gagged.
“What are you going to do with me?”
The vampire snatched the glass from her. As soon as he’d filled it again, he had it back in her hands. How did he do that without spilling it?
“Are you going to hurt me?” She raised her voice this time.
The vampire just grinned. She felt a pain in her chest again as her heart rate accelerated. The corners of his mouth lifted to reveal a toothy grin; it was terrifying, like a shark about to sink its teeth into her.
“Yes.” His answer seemed to inhabit the room. “But you’ll thank me for it,” he added, just as she knew she couldn’t handle the fear any longer.
What?
She really couldn’t handle it anymore. The room was suddenly spinning.
“I feel funny,” she said when the raised parts of his dark hair began to grow as tall as the ceiling.
I’ve been drugged! No! This can’t be happeni…
~
The girl didn’t realize it, but she needed to sleep. The only way that would ever happen is if she had some help.
Shit! I forgot to ask her name again.
It seemed to be vital as he looked down at the innocent face in his arms. Another side of him didn’t want to know, though. She could just be ‘girl’ until he was sure that she would make it. Otherwise, he was definitely going to get attached.
Hell, he’d been attached since the moment she’d nestled herself up to him for security. It was the first time since Annabelle’s death that he’d felt the need to protect so strongly. He really probably should apologize to Abby. She was just jealous that he brought home another woman, but she’d never taken that much of a serious interest in him. Something about them just didn’t click outside of the bedroom. He was looking for a mate to share his life with, not just someone to fuck.
The sensation of a light breeze blowing alerted him to the fact that someone else was in the room. He turned; Christina was standing just behind him. His fangs felt extra sharp as he snarled at her, put the girl down on the floor, and snatched her by the throat.
“What have I told you about coming back here?” He was seconds away from ending her for good.
“Let her go.” Wren recognized the voice immediately. It was the voice of his sire, Clyde.
You little shit. He glared at Christina but released his grip. It was exceptionally hard, if not impossible, for any vampire to go against the orders of their sire.
Christina hunched over, coughing. “I just came here to talk.”
Act all innocent while he’s around why don’t you?
“Then spit it out!” Wren had lost his patience with her years ago when he’d turned her. She’d fought against the sire bond with all of her might. When she didn’t succeed at freeing herself from it, she’d found any way that she could to irritate him, including trying to turn Annabelle against him and still comply with his orders. It just wasn’t natural, and neither was her refusal to drink human blood from the source.
“Someone told me you’re hunting again. You need to stop killing people, Wren!” If he didn’t know her better, he’d think the tears welling up in her eyes were real. But they were bound to be just another tool she could use to manipulate him. When would she learn that it didn’t work? Didn’t she know that she’d destroyed every ounce of trust he had in her? He looked to his sire for an explanation.
“I’m not going to tell you to deny one of your most basic instincts, but it’s true that we need to be more careful. A special agent took one of our newborns to a clinic yesterday. They are studying vampires more carefully now. It’s rumored they’re inventing a poison that could be introduced to the general population. It would reside in their blood serum, undetectable by our senses, and would cause sudden death if ingested. I’m not sure how or when they plan to do this, but it would only target mutated cells, meaning humans could ingest it without repercussion. Sadly, I have chosen to only drink blood from the bank. They’ve been filtering it for toxins, so it should remain safe.”
Wren couldn’t believe the words he was hearing. The one who’d taught him everything he knew about hunting humans was now drinking nasty bank blood? He could see the hurt in Clyde’s eyes; they didn’t shine as bright as they had before. That’s what bank blood did to vampires. The preservatives drained it of nutrients, and the cells became almost unidentifiable. Wren had drunk it for years before tonight and found it utterly repulsive. Even though it did help him keep some strength, there was no perceptible life force within it, only enough stuff to keep you going. It was almost as bad as drinking nothing at all, except you didn’t die and you had to swallow something gross. You’d still be numb enough to not enjoy life, and that was no way to live. He had the suspicion that the filtered kind would be even worse. He just began enjoying things again. There was no way he was going to give that up until he had to, especially since he had the new girl.
“Christina was afraid you wouldn’t listen if she came alone. I can hardly believe you’re back to it, but I’m glad to see that you’re finally doing better. What do you plan to do with the girl?” Clyde glanced down at the passed out woman on the floor. Wren could see that he was struggling to keep his restraint. It was the first time he ever remembered Clyde not having a firm grip on his hunger.
“I’m going to turn her.” As soon as Wren spoke, Clyde hunkered down on the floor. Wren shuffled to the girl’s side, in a defensive stance, until he realized Clyde was only lifting her eyelids to see her irises.
“She does look like a prime candidate. I wish you the best of luck.” A trace of a smile touched Clyde’s lips, but he was just a ghost of the man Wren once knew. It was hard for him to see his sire in such a condition. He missed his effervescent personali
ty. Is this how others had felt about him?
“Thanks.” Wren tried to hide any trace of emotion he was feeling.
“We best be going. We have a lot of traveling to do. I hope you don’t mind us warning the rest of your coven,” Clyde said.
“Of course not. They’re free to make their own choice.” Wren smiled, already knowing what that choice would be. His girls were addicted to human blood. They would band together and find a way to stay safe. He was already running ideas of filtering the blood on his own if it came to it. It would be a last resort, but at least it’d be fresh.
“Great. Take care of yourself.” Clyde left the room with Christina following close behind. Wren still didn’t know what her motive had been. She didn’t give a shit about him. Why would she want to warn him? He hoped that Clyde was smart enough to see her intentions because he was sure she’d be manipulating him next.
~
I reach for big strong, safe arms. But wait…they’re not really safe, are they?
Selene woke with a scream at the realization that a murderous vampire was holding her. Despite her efforts to move, her limbs felt heavy.
“Shh. Calm down. You’re alright. The medicine I gave you is just wearing off.” His finger was on her lips again. She tried to push it away, but her arm wasn’t strong enough. It whacked his chest instead.
One look at his face and she instantly regretted ever having moved. His brow furrowed; she knew he was contemplating whether or not to hurt her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It’s just hard for me to move.”
“I’m glad you apologized. You don’t want me to play rough with you, do you?” It was a statement, a warning, and—since he expected a response—a question all in the same sentence.
“No.”
“I didn’t think so, little girl.”
She knew better than to call him out on his chauvinistic ways, especially while she was still partially drugged. Something behind his head started to come into focus. She quickly realized that they were in his bedroom. Behind them was a large poster bed with red bedding, but that wasn’t the alarming part. A wooden x shaped cross, with attachment points for arms and legs, was leaned against the wall on the other side of the bed. Beside it, hooks jutted out that held numerous types of whips, paddles, and floggers.
Oh, god. He’s going to torture me.
Fear spiked in her chest as rumbling laughter erupted from his throat and vibrated her body.
He told me he was going to hurt me! Hot tears that had been held back for too long dripped down her cheeks. Is there any worse thing that could happen?
To her surprise, he stepped out of the room, slamming the door shut behind them. He didn’t say anything, and she was too afraid to ask any questions. In a matter of seconds, he sat her down on the couch behind a tray that held a box of pizza and a glass of clear soda. The bubbles in the soda made her uncomfortable. Was he going to drug her again? Her stomach ached for food, but she was too afraid to eat it.
“Go ahead.” He stood across the room and stared at her. She suddenly understood the expression, ‘eyes are windows to the soul.’ His were light blue in color, but there was a dark force behind them that threatened to erupt at any second.
Selene grabbed a slice of pizza and started nibbling at it. The fizz in the soda continued to taunt her; she waited to take a drink. Even after eating three slices, she couldn’t bring herself to take a sip.
The vampire moved closer, fumbling around in his pocket. Without warning, his breath was hot in her ear. “If you don’t want that, I have something else you can drink.”
His hands were on her throat, pressing her back into the sofa. She heard the liquid spill onto the carpet before he placed the empty glass in her hands.
“Don’t move.” The sound of a switchblade sliced through the air. He touched the cold metal to her neck, then slid it down her arms. A sharp sensation rose from the pit of her stomach. She fought to remain still as her muscles tensed.
“Good girl. You didn’t make me cut you. What I’m about to ask you to do isn’t pleasant, but it’s in your best interest to obey.”
Selene gasped as something wet touched her leg. One look and she wished she wouldn’t have. Blood dripped from the vampire’s arm onto her lap and into the glass. She slammed her eyes shut, wishing she could disappear into the couch cushions.
“Tip it back. It only takes a sip.” The vampire placed his hand on hers and lifted the glass to her lips. Blood dripped onto her chest from his arm; he’d made a deep gash.
Her stomach twisted into a knot. The pleading look she gave was met with a glare. She had to do it, or else. She pinched the bridge of her nose and gulped down the liquid as fast as she could. It slowly slid down her throat, leaving behind a copper aftertaste.
What have I done?
The vampire petted her head, rubbing more blood onto her skin, while a warm sensation began to radiate from her chest.
“If you make it, things will be better. I promise.”
That was the last thing she heard before the heat engulfed her.
~
The girl’s eyes rolled back in her head. Wren sat her on the floor in preparation for the convulsions that were to come. The last thing she needed was to hit her head. He grabbed a wet washcloth and placed it on her forehead. She was already sweating.
Her fate would be decided within the next eight hours. He’d done her a favor by forcing her to eat something beforehand. If she woke up, her humanity wouldn’t be obliterated; it would just evolve into something better, something superior. She would be stronger, not age as quickly, and possess more acute senses. But best of all, she would be his.
The girl would enjoy things she’d never thought possible before. As a mutated being, she would see the fine line between pleasure and pain, life and death. And she would beg him to explore it with her over and over again. His cock twitched in his pants at the thought. He was more than ready to let go of the control he’d been having to exercise over himself.
A foamy liquid dripped from the girl’s lips. Wren raised her head so she wouldn’t choke. Her eyes stared off at nothing; she was unconscious but still breathing, though her breath sounded shallow. He sat on the floor behind her and pulled her up against his chest. Even when she started convulsing, he didn’t let go; he weathered the storm with her. It was all right until she lost control of her bladder. The warm liquid soaked through his pant legs. He cursed under his breath for not making her go to the bathroom first.
It was a long wait from then on. She just lay there, barely breathing. For hours he watched over her, making sure she displayed signs of life. Even in such a wretched state, she was beautiful. He sat and pondered about what she would be like when she woke up. He hoped that they would be a good match for one another.
To his delight, she began to stir after nightfall. Her body had been quite strong; he didn’t even need to perform CPR like he’d done for some of the others. She would be bursting with new energy soon. He decided to begin getting her cleaned up for the night to come. He had a lot to teach her, and it was well past time for them to get acquainted.
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This concludes Sire Bound Part 1. If you enjoyed this free sample, click here to get the rest of the novella.You can also sign up for the author’s mailing list to get information on new releases here.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Aside from brief quotations for media coverage and reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any form without the author’s permission. Thank you for supporting authors and a diverse, creative culture by purchasing this book and complying with copyright laws.
Copyright © 2017 by Edith Warner
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Published by Heartcore Press
Interior design by Pronoun
Cover Photograph by Irina Alexandrovna
ISBN: 9781537827827
