Bite Me I'm Yours

by Stacy McKitrick

  “What are you going to do to him?” Sarah asked.

  “What does it look like? I’m going to execute him.”

  “But why? He’s never hurt anyone.”

  “Danielle doesn’t care about anyone but herself,” he said as he struggled for breath.

  “Now John, is that any way to treat me? If it weren’t for me, you’d be an old man by now, if not dead, wouldn’t you? I gave you the greatest gift anyone could give and all I asked in return was for you to love me. Instead, you sentence me to death and fall in love with that freak. That whore.” She stood and ambled over to Sarah. “That’s why I’m doing this, dear Sarah. Revenge.”

  “But he wasn’t involved in your sentencing,” Sarah said. “You have to know that.”

  “He was the reason behind it all. That’s what I know.”

  “So how did you escape?” John made sure he sounded weak, although his raspy voice was real enough. His lung was most likely punctured. But the more he could get her talking the better his chances of getting him and Sarah out of here. He just needed time. Time for Barnet to arrive. Time to heal. Time for the stake to completely dislodge from his heart. Unfortunately, he didn’t think he could get Danielle to give him an hour. Or three.

  Danielle strolled back to John. “Luck, pure luck. My guard took pity on me and freed me. We stole the cremated remains of a human and put them in my place. In return, I gave him sexual pleasures. However, I got bored with him and he became belligerent. The risk of him blabbing everything became too high, so I made sure he met with a fatal accident.”

  “But now your secret’s out.”

  “No thanks to you. You just couldn’t keep it in your pants, could you? As long as you were miserable, I was happy. And I made sure you were miserable, if not downright frustrated. Did you have fun with those steps?”

  “That was you?”

  “I really thought when she stabbed you, that would be the end of it, especially when you were forced to tell her the truth, but no. You had to go and make up.” Danielle puckered her lips in an evil sneer and made kissy noises. “You two make me sick. I want to be happy. So if I have to come out to be happy again, well, then…” She shrugged. “I got away once, I can do it again. It’s not like the Committee has all these resources to find me, you know.”

  “But they know you’re alive now. You don’t think they’ll catch you?”

  She tipped her head back and laughed. “They’ll try, I’m sure. But you see, I don’t have any problem manipulating humans like they do, and human lackeys come in very handy during the daylight hours, especially when they’re…pliable. When the human wants to do what you suggest, it makes it less problematic. And downright fun.” She walked over to Sarah. “I have to say, Sarah, Steven is quite the lover. Although he’s not nearly as endowed as our dear John, he did show me a trick or two. I’m amazed you ever left him. But then, he never beat me. Of course I never gave him reason to.”

  Sarah winced. “Is that how you always knew where we were? You made Steven follow me?”

  “That was part of it,” Danielle answered. “The bug I put in your apartment helped. Steven only made it more interesting. I sure did enjoy your expression when he kissed you at the hockey game. I only wish I could have seen what he did to you in your apartment. Did I hear you moan in pleasure?”

  “Stop it,” John said.

  “Or what, John? Hmm? You going to come to her defense?” Danielle paced between John and Sarah. “You know, I didn’t make you for her. I made you for me.”

  “And what I wanted never came into play?”

  “If you had given me a chance, you would have come around. But nooo. What was it about me you didn’t like, huh? You seemed to enjoy everything I gave you up until the bite.”

  “The truth would have been good.”

  “Fine. Then I’ll give you the truth. You broke my heart, John. First when you rejected my love and again when you started loving her.” She pointed at Sarah. “Now I want you to feel the pain you’ve caused me. To suffer as I’ve suffered all these years. And what better way to make you suffer than for you to know Sarah will be with Ray until her final breath and that there’s nothing you can do about it.”

  “What?” Sarah yelled.

  Ray emerged from the barn.

  “No!” Oh, God. Not Ray. John’s chest tightened. “You’re the reason he never turned himself in?”

  “Dear John, I intercepted in all your do-goodings. He’s just the first you noticed.” Danielle wagged her finger back and forth. “Don’t you know you’re not supposed to interfere?”

  “And what the hell is this? Please don’t do it. Even you can’t be that cruel.”

  “Then you don’t know me very well. But to show you I’m not completely heartless, I’ll let you say goodbye. That’s more than you ever gave me.” Danielle headed for the barn. “Sarah dear, I plan on freeing you. Do be good and not run away or fight, because if you do, you’ll be leaving with Ray immediately and won’t be able to say goodbye to John. Do you understand?”

  Sarah nodded, “Yes, I understand.”

  Danielle zipped inside the barn and returned with small pruning shears. She snapped the ties that bound Sarah, who immediately started rubbing her wrists.

  Danielle kicked Sarah in the hip. “Go on. I don’t have all night. But you even touch that stake and you’re out of here.”

  Sarah nodded and crawled over to him, shaking her legs in the process. She knelt beside him, her face lined with worry and spotted with his blood. Damn. How much had he gotten on her?

  If only he could reassure her. Tell her not give up hope. Ask her to feed him. But not with Danielle hovering about. Why propel her to speed things up?

  “Oh, John.” Sarah reached out to touch him.

  “Don’t. I can’t hold back the pain for you.”

  Ignoring him, she cupped his cheek and winced, but when she closed her eyes, the pain dissipated. He took a long, painless breath.

  Danielle squatted beside them. “You must be a witch, dear Sarah. However did you do that?”

  “Sweetie, don’t tell her. Don’t tell her.” John closed his eyes. What he wouldn’t give to talk to Sarah freely.

  “I…I don’t know. John? Did I hear you in my head?”

  He opened his eyes. What the hell? “I don’t know. Did you?”

  Danielle frowned for a moment before her face lit up. “You know, there is this story about the Perfect Mate. Could it be possible? Oh, this is too delicious. Too perfect. Have you fed from her? I bet you did. Maybe I should sample her before I give her over to Ray.”

  “No!” John yelled. “Don’t you touch her, Danielle.”

  “Well, now you’ve made up my mind.”

  Danielle grabbed Sarah by the waist, disconnecting their link and the relief she brought him. The pain hit him anew and he gasped. Sarah struggled, but threats of Ray made her stop.

  Standing behind Sarah and holding her still, Danielle pulled Sarah’s hair back and yanked her neck to the side. The look of horror on Sarah’s face ate at John. In one swift movement, the vampire sank her teeth into Sarah’s neck. But before Sarah had a chance to cry out, Danielle pulled away and spit out the blood.

  “Oh yuck!” She threw Sarah to the ground and spit a few times before wiping her mouth. “That is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever tasted.”

  Blood oozed from Danielle’s mark, leaving two little trails down Sarah’s neck. It might have been disgusting to Danielle, but her sweet scent caused his fangs to extend.

  “That wasn’t any fun,” Danielle said. “I’m ready to end this now. Sarah, say your goodbyes. You have five minutes.”

  Sarah crawled over to him and held his face. “I love you.”

  She couldn’t erase his pain. Her fear was too strong. “Promise me you won’t give up.”

  “I’ll try. But John—”

  “No try. No buts. Just promise. You’re a smart woman. If anyon
e can escape Ray, it’ll be you.”

  “Okay.” She brought her lips to his and kissed him softly. “What about you? Will my blood help? Can you bite my lips, tongue, anything?”

  He still couldn’t get over communicating this way with her and tried to lighten the otherwise dour mood. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  She smiled against his mouth, and for a moment he thought he’d succeeded, but then a tear dripped onto his cheek. “Oh, John. I’m so scared.”

  “I know you are. I am too. Just know I’ll do everything I can to find you, okay? Now press your tongue against my fangs.”

  She did as he instructed and he bit down. Her sweet essence trickled in his mouth and sent a shocking jolt through his system. Damn. When had she gotten so potent? Energy rushed through him: healing him, giving him strength. The power that charged through him from the small amount he sucked made him wonder what it would be like if he struck a vein. He’d probably heal in minutes instead of hours.

  “Good Lord.” Danielle yanked Sarah up by her collar. “I’d tell you to get a room except I don’t want you two together. Now say night-night.” She stuck a needle in Sarah’s neck.

  “I love you,” were the last words Sarah spoke before passing out. Danielle flung Sarah to the ground. She landed beside him, her hand limp on his chest.

  “Sarah? Sarah!” Silence greeted him. “No!” He couldn’t lose her, not like this.

  “How touching—not. Okay, Ray. You can have her, now.”

  If John was to save Sarah, this was his only chance. Her blood was working wonders through his system. Once Danielle left, he’d be able to remove the damn stake on his own and go after the killer. Danielle’s death would come later. Of course, it all hinged on Danielle; if she kept control, he was sunk.

  As Ray approached Sarah, John said, “You lay a hand on her and you’re dead, do you hear me?”

  Ray bent close and laughed in John’s face. “I don’t think you’re in any position to threaten me.”

  John couldn’t have planned it any better than if he’d commanded it. He spit in Ray’s face and—praying it worked—sent a verbal command. “Grab my throat and tell me to go to Hell.”

  Ray followed the orders, but with that zombie look. Wouldn’t take long before Danielle noticed.

  “Where are you taking her?” An address flashed across his vision. Yes, he’d been there. “You will not harm Sarah. You will release—”

  Danielle slapped his face, cutting off his connection. “You don’t think I’ve noticed how you’ve been moving? And how you controlled Ray? Seems I missed a vital organ.”

  She held another stake. As she brought her arm down, he shot his up and grabbed her by the wrist. Her eyes widened in shock. He sat up and reached for the weapon, but a punch to the jaw—courtesy of Ray—distracted him, giving Danielle the advantage. She wrenched free and plunged the stake into his chest. Excruciating pain exploded as his heart split in two. He cried out and collapsed to the ground, no longer able to move his arms or legs. Damn her!

  She spoke to Ray. “You will do to Sarah whatever brings you pleasure. Now take her and leave.”

  Ray slung Sarah over his shoulder like a sack of grain and walked out of sight.

  John used everything inside him to get Ray to stop, but either Danielle was controlling him or that stake had done its job. The rage inside overtook the pain and John roared. “This isn’t over Danielle. Barnet is on his way.”

  Danielle knelt beside his head. “I hate to break it to you, but it is over. I really don’t care if you’re saved or not because you’ll never find her in time, if at all. Sarah will be dead in a most unpleasant way and I’ll have my revenge. Now forgive me, but I must gag you. Don’t want the neighbors hearing you scream when you’re frying in the sun. You understand, don’t you?”

  Holding his head still, she shoved a ball into his mouth and secured it in place with a leather strap, clamping his jaw in place. He couldn’t bite the ball free and loosening the straps would be impossible without the use of his hands.

  “Bye-bye, John.” She waited as Steven emerged from the barn and together they walked away.

  This wasn’t over. Barnet would arrive in time and John would find Sarah. She was strong, she would survive. Hope was all he had left. He looked to the sky and prayed.

  Chapter 35

  Sarah awoke with one monster of a headache. She was getting downright pissed at being knocked out all the time. Certainly couldn’t be good for her brain. Of course, her brain was the least of her worries. Ray lurked around here somewhere.

  The basement stunk of mildew and other unpleasant odors she’d rather not identify and the cold floor penetrated through the thin mattress. Her coat and shoes were missing, but she still wore her clothes. She thanked the Lord for that small favor.

  No sign of Ray, though. She moved to sit up, but two foot-long straps attached to the wall and secured around her wrists kept her arms above her head. Damn it. She reached for one of the knots, but couldn’t get her hands to meet. At least her feet were free. Using the straps for leverage, she hoisted up into a sitting position. The knot holding her left wrist loosened and her heart skipped a beat with hope. If she could only get her mouth on the stupid thing, she could grab the knot with her teeth, but no such luck there, either. Instead, she worked at making her hand as small as possible so she could slip it free. With Ray out of sight, now would be the best chance to escape.

  The door to the basement squeaked. Sarah froze.

  As Ray descended into the hellhole—wearing only jeans—each step of the wooden staircase squealed in protest. He took a bite of an apple and the juices ran down his chest. Was he just showing off his muscular body—he apparently hit the weights on a daily basis—or getting a start on things? She didn’t want to think of what things he might have in mind.

  He looked her way when he arrived at the bottom, stopped, and raised his eyebrows. “Did you enjoy your nap?”

  She refused to answer. Maybe if she didn’t play his games, he’d lose interest.

  Taking another bite from his apple, he strolled toward her and sat on the mattress. He extended his free hand. She looked away, but he held her chin and forced her to face him. Her hammering heart nearly punched a hole through her ribs.

  “Do I disgust you?” he asked.

  Looking at him, she’d say no. His body wasn’t disfigured in any way and his smile probably charmed many a girl. Unfortunately for his victims, this package was deceiving.

  “Do you want a bite?” He offered the apple.

  Did he really expect her to take the bait, or was it part of his game? Either way, she wasn’t falling for it.

  “Not hungry, huh?” He released her and laughed as he stood. “Are you going to be this quiet all night? Maybe if I found something to talk about.” He spun around and searched, as if unfamiliar with the room, but he probably knew exactly where everything was kept.

  “Ah!” He approached the workbench on the far wall. The room was darker on that end, but she could still make out his movements. He put his apple down and picked something else up. When he turned around, he held something large and shiny. A knife! She gasped.

  “Hey, a reaction, that’s great. Are you scared?”

  Maybe her silence was the wrong approach. Forcing a smile, she said, “Of course not. I’m just not fond of knives.”

  “You’re not? Don’t you use them in the kitchen? How could you even cook without one?” He returned, knelt beside the mattress, and brought the blade to her face. “Or did you have an unfortunate accident with one?”

  Her reflection flashed off the shiny metal and her throat constricted. “Please don’t.”

  He smiled. “Don’t what?”

  She didn’t want to look at the knife, but when he moved it down to her chest, her gaze was glued to the weapon. Was he going to cut her? He brought the tip down to the top button of her blouse and popped it off with ease.

  “
Oops, looks like you lost a button.” With his free hand, he caressed her face.

  Okay, so he was trying to make her afraid. She looked him in the eyes, determined not to show her fear, but the knife made it damn hard.

  “You’re pretty, you know that?” He ran his index finger down her throat, across her collarbone until he reached the next button. “But something’s missing.”

  He brought the knife-wielding hand up and ripped her blouse open. Clink, clink, clink. Buttons ricocheted off the wall and floor. The blade scraped across her cheek and she jerked back, hitting the wall. Shit.

  He took a deep breath and nodded. “That’s better,” he said. “You look scared now.”

  Well, duh. Her tremors could probably set off a Richter scale and the neighbors could probably hear the pounding of her heart. But John had told her not to give up, so she wouldn’t. His life depended on it, too. So how the hell could she get free without being cut to shreds?

  Ray stared at her chest. “You have a lot of scars. What happened to you?”

  When she didn’t answer in the amount of time he allotted, he stuck his hand inside her bra and squeezed her breast. Pain shot through her, bringing tears to her eyes, and she shrieked. She longed to zone out, to go to that special place she’d gone whenever Steven had abused her, but if she went there, she might not come back.

  He let up on the pressure. “Answer me or I do it again.”

  “Pushed.” She gasped for breath. “Down the stairs. Broke mirror.”

  “Pushed? And you survived. Wow.” He pinched her nipple and leaned in close to her face, the scent of apple strong on his breath. “I sure hope you survive the night. I could use the challenge.”

  She gritted her teeth against the pain he inflicted. She’d suffered enough at Steven’s hands, but he’d never used a knife and he’d always apologized afterward. Somehow she didn’t think Ray cared that much.

  “Why don’t we take a look and see what you have to offer.” He took the tip of the knife and sliced her bra apart, nicking her skin in the process. She inhaled through the sting.