Royal Blood Complete Series Box Set

by August Davies

  The waiting room inside was filled with empty chairs. Getting people to donate blood wasn't the easiest thing in the world. An opening in the wall revealed the receptionist desk. A door with a locked keypad was next to it preventing me from just waltzing in the back.

  A curious man at the desk tapped a pen.

  “Can I help you?” he asked.

  I approached the desk and put my hands on the edge to keep myself steady. I put on my glare and stared into his eyes.

  He immediately blushed. I still had it even though it didn't work with Henry last night. And I looked like death right now.

  “I'd like to donate some blood today.”

  The guy fumbled around for a piece of paper. “Have you donated here before?”

  “A couple times but it's been awhile.”

  He attached the paper to a clipboard and handed it to me. “Fill this out and we'll get you out quick. “Have you gotten an tattoos recently?”

  I shook my head as I sat down with the clipboard. I quickly wrote in a bunch of false information. They wouldn't be able to figure out it was fake until I was long gone.

  The electronic lock beeped as the the security door opened. A nurse with chestnut skin and short brown hair greeted me with a smile. I got up and handed her the clipboard. She flushed when we locked eyes.

  The nurse looked down at the paper. “I see we have Kyle here, is that right?”

  I nodded and she led me through the door and down a hallway. The easy part was getting in. Now the hard part was getting out.

  We came to a room with a single chair with a silver tray sitting beside it. I stood in the doorway and acted nervous, not moving a step further. “Do you mind if I go to the bathroom before we begin?”

  The nurse gave me a smile with kind eyes. She probably dealt with people that didn't like needles all day long. “Of course, it's just down the hall and on the right.”

  I thanked her and left down the hall. But I didn't go right. To the left is where they stored the blood until it was shipped off to hospitals.

  A security door with a keypad like the one in the waiting room blocked my way. I pulled out a keycard from my pocket. A picture of the nurse with chestnut hair was on it. It was easy enough of to pick her pocket when she wasn't looking. That was the last thing on her mind.

  I slid the card through the pad and it beeped with a green light. The refrigerated room was foggy and cold. My stomach grumbled at the sight before me. Bags of dark red blood hung on the wall with different designations denoting what type it was.

  The rare types like AB Negative were a fine wine but were rarely seen at small blood banks. I wouldn't want to steal those anyways. It would be like drinking wine from a box. It was better to get the nice types straight from the source.

  O Positive was my bread and butter and there was plenty of it. Backpacks or big bags were not allowed inside in case of someone trying to steal. Which was exactly what I was trying to do. I had to get creative.

  I took my coat off and unbuttoned my shirt. I took out a small roll of duct tape from my pocket and began sticking blood to my chest, back and stomach. With my coat on, you could tell that something was off with the bulges in different spots. But nobody would notice if I walked out fast enough.

  I took a deep breath and opened the door. The nurse was standing at the opposite end of the hallway in front of the bathroom door. She didn't notice me at first and I quickly went back inside the room and tried to close the door quietly.

  But before I could get it closed, she called out, “Kyle you're not allowed in there.”

  I opened the door back up and waltzed out. “Sorry I'm so nervous. I thought this was the bathroom for a second.”

  The nurse peeked over my shoulder at the security door that was still ajar. She cocked an eye at me. “How did you get in there?”

  I looked behind me. “The door was already open. I didn't really look at where I was going until I was already in there.”

  It only took her one glance down at my coat to realize what was going on. “Security!” Her scream echoed through the hallways.

  I took off in a sprint, feeling the duct tape stretch and tear at my bare skin. The hallway with the door to the outside was within my grasp. A chubby security guard with no hair left came into view, blocking my path. He tugged at a nightstick on his belt but couldn't get it loose in time as I barreled over him.

  I fumbled through my pockets and pulled out the nurse's keycard. But I didn't need it.

  A buff security guard opened the door. “Stop right there!” The nightstick in his hand wasn't very intimidating but a whack to my midsection might blow up some of the blood bags taped to my chest.

  There was only one exit and I wasn't going to let this old guy stop me. I charged at him, screaming my head off. The guard backed out of the doorway which gave me just enough room to slip past him.

  His night stick came swinging down at my shoulder. I lifted my arm to block and heard a crack. I didn't feel any pain but I also couldn't feel my left arm anymore. I made it outside and ran to my car. The security guard was close behind.

  Good thing I didn't lock the car doors and the keys were already in the ignition. I watched in the rear-view mirror as the guard made it to the sidewalk and doubled over in exhaustion.

  That was a close call but worth every ounce of blood. I needed to get home as quickly as possible because there would be cops out looking for a car fitting my description.

  But I couldn't wait any longer to taste the sweet nectar hidden under my shirt. I ripped off a pack and sunk my teeth right into the plastic bag. It was like drinking right out of a juice box.

  The blood tasted like spoiled milk. I winced as I sucked more down.

  I could feel my strength returning, my hunger dissipating. All but two blood bags were emptied by the time I returned to my apartment.

  Chapter Eight

  Henry

  I deserved a nice break after all the hard work I'd put into the house so far.

  Going out with Fiona would be a nice reward. Deep down I knew going out with Fiona was only my secondary motivation.

  My true reason was to see Spencer again. I couldn't get him out of my head. That night at Titan was crazy in so many different ways and it mostly had to do with that mystery man. I thought I could resist him. And I did. But only for that night. My mind was his prisoner ever since.

  I could only hope that he would be there again tonight.

  The shirt I wore the last time wouldn't work again but that was all I had. I didn't have much money in my bank account and my parent's had all their money tied up in the house. I would have to find a job soon or sell the house just to survive.

  There was one long shot but I wasn't sure my dad was still all crazy about banks. Henry, you need to be careful about where you put your money. The government and banks are conspiring to take all our money.

  Because of that my dad always kept loose cash around the house. In the cookie jar, inside tool drawers, and used bills as bookmarks.

  I went first to the bookshelf in the hallway leading to the family room. I'd never seen either of my parents crack open a book before yet they had hundreds filling the shelves. I began combing through each one, flipping through the pages and shaking them for any loose cash.

  When I finished, two flat one dollar bills were left on the wood floor. Not even enough for a cup of coffee.

  I scoured the kitchen but came up empty-handed. The old cookie jar in the shape of a pumpkin wasn't even there anymore. My mom must've gotten rid of it during the move.

  I went to their bedroom and assessed where the most likely hiding places would be. The closet was filled with my mom's shoeboxes but they were all empty. I was about to give up when I thought to check under the mattress.

  Sure enough, stacks of small bills were bound with rubber bands. After all was said and done, I found fifty dollars. Not a fortune but I would be able to find something from a thrift store at least.

  Spending my las
t bit of money on a new shirt and pants didn't seem crazy at the time. All I could think about was seeing Spencer again. I didn't think about needing money for food in a couple of weeks or how I would even finish renovating the house if I didn't have any funds.

  Looking good for the club was the priority.

  Fiona was all alone when I met her outside the Club Titan. A long line stretched around the corner of the building. Last time we just walked right in.

  Her eyes scanned my figure. “New clothes?”

  “Oh this? I've had this for awhile now,” I replied.

  She nodded with satisfaction. “You look good tonight.”

  “Thanks!” I'd hoped I looked better.

  We both took our place in line. “Hoping to see him again?” Fiona asked.

  “Who's him?” I tried to act aloof like he wasn't the sole reason I was there.

  “Don't bullshit me, Henry. We might not of been that close during college but don't forget we grew up together.”

  Fiona could always see right through me. “Well it wouldn't be terrible if he showed up tonight.”

  Fiona poked me with her elbow. “Yeah I knew it. You wouldn't have dressed up like this unless it was for a boy.”

  “A boy? What are we freshmen in high school again?”

  “Remember Johnny Kingston?”

  A flood of memories hit me. Johnny Kingston. Quarterback of the football team. That red letterman's jacket. I was absolutely obsessed with him all through high school. I couldn't even get a word out whenever he entered the room. It was unfortunate that he wasn't gay.

  But I had grown a lot since then. Men didn't have that hold on me anymore.

  “Whatever happened to him?” I asked.

  “Designed some phone app that made him millions. I think he married a model and has a couple kids now.”

  “Shit. I thought small town quarterbacks were supposed to work at the supermarket for the rest of their lives.”

  “Yeah not this time.”

  We inched our way through the line. I kept my eyes on the lookout in case Spencer was in line or maybe passing by. I didn't want to miss my chance.

  “Where are your friends?” I asked.

  “From last time?” Fiona replied.

  I nodded.

  “They weren't really my friends. Just a few girls I met earlier in the night.” Fiona looked at her feet. “To be honest, I haven't really met a good friend since you.”

  I couldn't believe the popular girl wasn't popular anymore. Nothing made sense anymore. “Well I never really had a friend in college either.”

  After what seemed like hours in line, we finally made it past the bouncer after we showed him our I.D.

  The club was packed to the seams with dancing bodies. There was barely any space to move about. There was no way I would get through the crowd to the bar. But it didn't matter because I was all out of cash.

  My head swiveled from side to side, searching for him. My eyes fell on each man and moved on when I realized he wasn't my target.

  There were too many people. My mission was seeming more and more hopeless.

  “Think he's here?” Fiona screamed over the music.”

  I shook my head. “I have no idea.”

  We slipped through the mass of people and made it to the middle of the dance floor. I didn't want the night to be ruined just because I couldn't find Spencer.

  Fiona was lost in the music instantly. She danced with reckless abandon and didn't care how she looked. But I couldn't find my rhythm. I'd never been good at dancing but I could usually fake it.

  Tonight was a different story. There were too many people. Every movement I made bumped into another person. I spent the night apologizing to everyone including Fiona.

  After an hour of nonstop dancing, I needed a break. The club was so hot and I needed some air. Deep down I thought that if I went outside I might run into Spencer.

  I told Fiona that I'd be back but she didn't hear me. I was amazed at her stamina. She was going to dance all night and nobody was going to stop her.

  I worked my way outside and took in a deep breath of fresh air. The night air was cold and it didn't take long for goosebumps to form on my bare arms. I wanted Spencer to put a coat around me and warm me up.

  But he wasn't here.

  As the night grew on, I knew he wasn't going to show up. That one chance encounter with him was going to be my last.

  I went to the bathroom to wash my hands and check my appearance before going out on the dance floor again.

  Chapter Nine

  Spencer

  I could sense him here. Even through the all the people. I could feel his presence pulsing through me.

  I needed to find Henry.

  A busy club was something I never liked. Too many eye witnesses. And I never went to the same club two times in a row. I was breaking a lot of rules for her.

  Henry.

  He was imprinted in my mind. Days after our meeting, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I had to find him and my only lead was Club Titan. I had asked the bartenders if they knew who he was but they weren't very helpful.

  I'd find him even if it took the rest of my eternal life.

  I searched the dance floor but came up empty-handed. If only I had paid more attention to Henry's friends. I might've been able to recognize them but Henry was all consuming. I couldn't even tell you how many friends Henry had with him last time.

  But I could describe every inch of his beautiful face. Those blue eyes that flooded over me. The way his lips parted ever so slightly when he smiled.

  He made me forget about my hunger.

  I was down to my last bag of blood and I'd either have to go back to my old ways or rob another blood bank.

  Robbing blood banks was an impossibility so close after I robbed the first one. All the other banks would be on high alert with a description of me. I always needed to wait for the heat to wear off before trying that again.

  The other way wasn't pretty. It was difficult and dangerous. Draining someone almost to the point of death was risky. But the rush you felt afterwards was undeniable.

  It wasn't sustainable though. Soon the clubs would close early because a predator was on the loose. I'd have to move to a new city and start all over again. It was a routine that I was all too familiar with. And I didn't want to do it anymore.

  Henry was the key.

  The mass of bodies began to thin out as it grew later. I stood by the bar and watched the door. I could still feel Henry somewhere in here but I couldn't pinpoint where.

  I took a sip of whiskey and scanned the remaining people in the club. He wasn't there.

  Then why could I feel his presence?

  The female bartender with a short plaid skirt yelled out, “Last call!”

  Something was wrong.

  A woman nudged next to me and called over the bartender. “Have you seen my friend? He's wearing a blue shirt, short brown hair and blue eyes.

  The bartender shook her head and went back to cleaning glasses.

  “Are you looking for Henry?”

  The woman spun around and I recognized her from the last time. It was one of Henry's friends.

  “You're that guy,” she replied.

  I stood up and threw down a wad of cash to pay off my bar tab. “What happened to Henry?”

  “We were dancing and I kind of lost track of him. I don't think it's anything to worry about. He probably just went home.”

  I knew that wasn't true. When I closed my eyes I could see the clearest image of him. He was close. “No, Henry didn't go home. He's still here.”

  “How do you know?” the woman asked me.

  I ignored her and went straight to the men's bathroom. Something must've happened to Henry. The worst-case scenarios ran through my head. I didn't want to picture all the possible bad things that could happen to him. My chest felt like it was going to explode.

  I kicked open the bathroom door and there he was. Henry stood in front of the sink,
washing his hands. My heartbeat slowly returned to normal.

  He dropped a paper towel when he noticed me. “Spencer? What are you doing in here?”

  Henry's friend rushed past me. “Where were you, Henry? I was worried about you.”