by L. C White
She pushes my face back, and takes a step away from me in a strop. “It will happen, your sweet Liz will get hurt. And Adrien will be the one to do it to her. You want that?”
I lean over the snooker table with my hands pressed against the corner pocket. I’ve been looking for a reason to have it out with Adrien for months. I’ve learnt a lot about vampires, and since awakening, there has been a question that has poisoned my mind. Why Liz? He could have fucked any girl he wanted, but chose her. A human girl to marry. It’s not normal or accepted in this world. Love doesn’t count for jack-shit as an Executive. Duty comes first.
“And you haven’t done any digging yourself?” I ask.
Leanna puckers her lips at me, then huffs. “Yes, I called a council meeting but it was called off. I had a message from the great Selene. She dropped the price of our quarter order, and warned me away from Adrien, or unaffordable blood prices would be set permanently. Bitch.”
“I thought he was retiring, giving the Executive role up?” I frown, unsure what to believe anymore.
“Have you asked yourself why?” She moves to the end of the table. “He’s been given the rare right to marry a warm blood. He’s been given the freedom to leave, and live as he chooses. Why would Selene agree to let her prince go?” she snarls, pacing. “No one gets privileges like that for nothing in return.”
God, she’s right. He’s been making deals, and Liz knows absolutely nothing about it. I know myself that you can’t escape what you are. Once you’re given a role, it is set in stone. I’m Vigore. I’m tied to the council. Knight is a Demi, an Executive Sang, ordained to serve the Order, and given the ultimate control over all vampire.
“I bet your pretty little friend is not aware of what he once was,” Gerrard adds.
I scowl. “What?”
“He’s the wealthiest Executive there has ever been. He has contacts everywhere, and properties in every city. He’s feared for a reason,” Gerrard says.
“You sound jealous Gerrard,” I nearly laugh out loud. “You scared of Knight?”
“Am I hell, but many are,” he replies. “And he knows it.”
“Let’s just say, his past is jaded,” Leanna adds. “He may have only a handful of human deaths under his belt, but vampire blood on his hands, goes into the hundreds.”
I let out a sceptical breath, unable to absorb what I’m being told. Liz has no idea who she’s married to, and I’m more than worried for her.
“Nathan, Adrien Knight was the top paid assassin for the Sange Pentru when he was a new blood,” Leanna pauses, watching my face anger. “If he has a blade in his hand and a cause to fight for, you stay the hell away from him.”
I can’t believe it. I don’t fear him. I never have. All he is to me is some arrogant asshole, who thinks he’s better than all.
“You’re kidding?” I laugh, but stop, watching Leanna nod an honest no. “Fine… I’ll do it,” I utter. “But if you decide to take Adrien out, you promise me Liz doesn’t get hurt.”
“We’re not interested in her,” Leanna replies.
“I’ll do your dirty work.” I begin to walk to the stairwell, a rage flowing through my cold blood. “But if one hair on Liz’s head is touched by any one of you… even your father, I’ll hunt you down myself.”
“Call me,” Leanna yells as I go through the door. “I’ll be waiting, Nathan.”
***
I slam the door of my BMW shut. The need to punch someone is overpowering me. I reverse at speed out onto the wet road. How can I dig around in Liz’s head again, looking for dirt on Adrien? I trained myself not to, for obvious reasons. The few times I have been in there, it tears me up. I felt the care she still has for me as a friend, even though I treated her like shit. I also saw them together. The pure sexual desire. The love she feels for him. It wrecked me at the time, and I spent weeks trying to erase those images. The damn torch I held for her is still burning strong. It’s like she’s the light of what I used to be. But I need to know if she’s in danger. I have to protect that human side of me. So taking a trip through my hell, is a must.
I step out of the car and peer up at Cate’s flat. It’s late, but there’s no one else who can tell me where Liz now lives.
It all floods back to me, beating inside my head like a jackhammer. I rush through the lobby, replaying it all, seeing her fear as I attacked her on the night I was turned. I nearly drank her. I have never wanted anything as much. Her smell was so fragrant, and I virtually had no control over myself. The horror of that night, what I did, will stick with me forever.
I make it through the memories, and up the stairs. I knock quietly, hoping she’s not in bed, but there’s no answer. She’s here. She has to be. Beryl is parked up outside. Unless she’s gone out on the beer.
This time I pound on the door, hearing a movement inside. Great, now I’ve got her in my skull. No Vigore can block out Cate. Even her subconscious is larger than life. Her thoughts are so loud, I’m wincing.
“Whoever’s banging at this time, is going to fuckin die!” She thinks, opening the door enough to peep through. “Nathan… what the hell?” I smile, while listening to her ranting brainwaves. “Is he hammered? It’s one in the morning for fuck sake.” She pulls the chain off the door to allow me through.
I wait behind the sofa as she staggers by, rubbing her sleepy eyes and scruffy hair.
“I just came to say bye,” I break the ice, trying to block out her constant waffle.
“Eh… thought your plane was like…” She looks at the clock.
“I missed it. Got another flight in the morning.”
“So,” she howls in a yawn. “Two goodbyes?”
I smile again. “Well what can I say; I’m going to miss you.”
“Yeah well, you could have told me that over the phone.”
“Sorry it’s so late,” I say. “I haven’t had the chance to see Liz yet. You know, busy-busy-busy. How is she?”
She wanders by me and sits on the arm of the sofa. “Don’t know… been ringing her and her phone is off. Must still be enjoying her honeymoon.”
“Do you have her new address?” I ask. “I’ve packed my iPad and it’s in my address book.” God, even as a vampire I’m shit at lying.
“Sure.” She gets up and takes a notebook and pen off the phone unit, ripping out a page to scribble down on. “Here… but don’t be disturbing them at this time. Wait until morning. Last thing they need to hear, is you knocking on the door when they’re enjoying….”
I snatch the paper quick to shut her up. I don’t need the image of Mr Prick banging Liz, burning my eyelids. I’m angry enough.
“Thanks.” I stuff it into my jacket pocket, kiss her head, and dash to the door.
“Hold on,” she barks. “Is that it?”
“Yeah… I’ll call you next week.”
Chapter 22: Screwed-up
Nathan
It’s not as pretentious as The Shard, but still it’s a statement. An upper-class renovated Victorian building, which says ‘I’m richer than you.’
I pull up next to St James Park, and cut out the engine, screwing the address up in my hand. I’m not sure how to do this. It’s 2.30am, not the greatest time to pay a friendly visit. Adrien, he’ll be up, like me he doesn’t need sleep. But Liz, well, her little human body will probably be away with the fairies, so hopefully I might get some answers without upsetting her.
I make my way to the black door, seeing one of the apartments lit up. That has to be the place.
It starts to drizzle as I press the intercom for apartment two. I roll up my shirt sleeves, noticing the surveillance camera over my head. He’s probably watching me right now. I don’t care if he’s pissed at me; I’ve always liked winding the dick up. Maybe if I push him, I’ll get some answers, and Liz will see the real Adrien Knight.
He doesn’t answer, so I buzz again. He’ll be waiting for me to walk away, but it isn’t going to happen. He should know by now I don’t give in easy.
> I look up at the camera again, holding out my arms to tell him I’m staying put, until he opens the door.
A guy staggers my way. He’s wasted and can see me standing here, but the asshole falls by, and budges right into me.
“Watch it,” I bark.
“Watch what… fuckin nob-head.”
I have my hands gripping his collar before the next insult is thrown at me. I could hear his remark before it left his festering mouth. I lift him off the ground, easily. He’s around two hundred and fifty pound. Way too heavy for the old me.
“Name’s Stevens, right?” I read him as I use my elbows to launch him across the street. “Wrong place, wrong time mate.” I flit across to him as he pleads not to be hurt. “Sobered up now have we?”
“Sorry,” he cowers. “Look….I’m pissed-up… a mess.”
“You want to be careful,” I grin, kind of enjoying this too much. “Lots of sinister creatures out at this time.” I’m trying not to laugh, but damn, it’s hard. “Give me one good reason…”
“Look,” he cuts me off, shaking some keys at me. “I live just over there.” He’s pointing to the black door I need to get through.
Smiling, I pat his back and pull him up to his feet. “Well, looks like it’s your lucky night Stevens, because that’s exactly the building I need to get into.”
“But…”
“No buts, okay?” I say, crystal clear.
He doesn’t question or speak further. He hurries across the street, opens the black door for me, and scurries up a staircase.
I take a look around, trying to tune into Liz, but I pick up nothing, which means she must be asleep.
I knock on the white door. There’s light shining through the bottom, and I can hear movement, so I bang again. The latch clicks and the door opens slightly.
I scowl. “Sara?” She slinks out into the hall, and closes the door behind her. “Do you live here too?” I snigger. “Oh shit, not disturbed some kinky ménage à trois have I?”
“What are you doing here?” she hisses in an aggressive tone.
She’s wiping her hands on something behind her back. It’s no good trying to break her shield. She is what we Vigore call a blank. In other words, her shield is permanent and solid.
“Is that blood?” I frown.
“Yeah… I dropped my lunch,” she says, sarcastically.
“I need to see Adrien.”
“Well tough, you’ll have to come back tomorrow.” She looks like she’s going to pounce on me. “Adrien is dealing with business. Urgent business.”
“My flight is tomorrow, and I need to see him now.”
“Well call him when you land then,” she yaps.
“Do you know about him being an assassin for The Order?” I hum, watching her nostrils flare in annoyance. “My best friend is in there, and I want to know she’s safe. Adrien has fucked up her life enough.”
Sara grabs my arm and starts to yank me to the front door. I peel her fingers off me, smiling. I think she forgot that I’m no longer human for a moment.
“Had my Weetabix with blood today,” I say in spite.
I hear a loud crash come from inside the apartment. I glare at Sara, then I hear a low cry. I charge to the door. That was Liz, and it wasn’t a normal sound, it was painful.
I stride through the door to see bloody towels and needles all over the kitchen. What the fuck are they doing to her?
My fangs are out and my vision heightens to maximum, ready to rip him apart. Sara is now clinging to my damn back, so I flick her off, and make my way toward the strong odour of Liz’s blood.
I hear her screams as I burst through the door, growling with a protective instinct. The prick is bent over her, and she’s chained to the fucking bed. I flit and grab at his throat.
“Nathan… Nathan!” Sara shouts. “Stop.” I hesitate, hearing Liz moaning in pain.
Adrien gets free of my hold and tackles me to the floor. He punches me hard, over and over, but I don’t care. He’s giving me his all and it pales in comparison with what I’m going to do to him.
“Adrien!” Liz screams out, rattling the chains.
As Adrien turns his head to look at her, I grip him and roll. Now he will feel my rage before I tear his throat out. I lift my hand, fist tight and ready. Liz calls out my name in a loud terrified gasp. With my hand an inch from his face, prepared to pound down, I stop. This doesn’t feel right. Something is so off in this room. I can’t hear Liz’s thoughts, and she’s by no means an expert at shielding.
Adrien pushes me away and returns to the bed. My teeth retract as I jump up to my feet. I gaze across the room at Liz to see her eyes are pure black. Vampire black. He’s fuckin turned her. I hang my head down with my eyes closed. The one thing I didn’t want for her was this. She’s that part of my life, I needed to remain the same. I’m furious. Adrien swore to me he wouldn’t do it.
“Liz, you need to push hard now,” Sara yells over Liz’s cries.
I look up to see Adrien on one side of the bed, and Sara on the other. Oh god, her legs are spread and there’s blood everywhere. If I were human, I’d be curled up in a ball right now, trying not to vomit.
Liz expels an agonising growl. The darkness of her eyes hit me as my view moves down to her belly. Her fuckin pregnant belly. This is not possible.
“Push Liz… push!” Sara brushes Liz’s hair from her face.
“Push what?” I demand, but I’m ignored. “Push what!” I shout as loud as my voice box goes.
“Shut up, or get out!” Adrien warns.
He clenches her hand as the sweet girl I knew lies in blood and chains, with vamp eyes, and god knows what else is happening to her.
Sara moves to the base of the bed, and looks between Liz’s legs. Holy shit, there is no way this is happening.
“The head is nearly out Liz,” Sara yells. “A few more big pushes.”
Liz’s teeth suddenly latch onto Adrien’s forearm. Even when I was going through it, I wouldn’t drink vamp blood.
“Sara… another bag,” Adrien roars.
With real slow steps I move closer to the bed as Sara tosses a blood bag to Adrien. Immediately Liz’s teeth lock onto the bag. As soon as the blood is gone, she calms and her eyes become that pretty green again.
Her human eyes find me, and in distress, tears flood down her cheeks.
I look at Adrien. “You’re going to pay for this,” I threaten.
Liz’s eyes blacken again, and she starts to writhe around in pain, bouncing on the bloody mattress like she’s been possessed. Sara is crouched between her open legs, and I can see it all unfolding. This is horror show fucked-up.
“I… I can’t do this Adrien!” Liz screams in agony.
“Yes you can,” he yells.
I have to help her, so hurry to her side and take her hand. She’s crying, gasping, and panting. Her hand is dead cold, stained with dry blood, squeezing my fingers hard.
“Liz, remember when you got to the final in the trampoline competition at school,” I sigh and smile as her petrified view looks to me. “And just before, in your practise, you went flying across the gym like a bird.” She hangs her head to her chest, grunting deep. “And you didn’t want to do it. What were my words of advice?” I wince as she grips and claws my fingers. “Man up Liz… do or die.”
She screams, roars, and pushes.
“That’s it Liz… one more,” Sara yells.
Her fingers snap away from me suddenly and she drops back onto the bed, wheezing in exhaustion. I look at Adrien, he’s fixated on Sara. Shit, there’s a real baby in her arms. She snips the cord as I stand gawping at the wiggling bundle.
“What the hell is going on?” I guess I’m asking myself, because no one will tell me in this room.
I’m desperate now, feel like I’m having some wacked-out dream. I know I don’t dream, but perhaps I had an out of date feed or something, and now I’m having some kind of very realistic hallucination.
Sara wraps the baby in
a towel and hands the child to Adrien. He gazes down into his arms with a strange look. Not a look of love or care, but distance and disbelief.
Sara rushes around the bed and tends to Liz.
“Elizabeth.” Adrien holds the baby out to her.
She shuffles up, her eyes now green and she’s forcing a smile on her lips. How can she be happy about this?
“Daniel Nathan Knight.” She kisses his head. “Hello my beautiful boy.”
It’s very sweet, naming her secret baby after me. But the fact she’s a vampire, and has just popped out a kid, when it’s impossible, is kind of outweighing my glee right now.
Adrien kisses Liz’s hair as she stares into her son’s eyes. Is that supposed to be an apology for fucking her up?
“You turned her?” I say through my teeth.
“Sara, see to Elizabeth and… and Daniel,” he orders, handing her the baby. “You, out of here now.” He waltzes by me, and I gladly follow.
I glance around the place as Adrien takes a bottle of bourbon, and two glasses out from a cupboard. He fills them both to the rim and demolishes one, before pouring another.
“Here.” He slips a glass my way.
I should be ripping his limbs off, but I’ll have a quick drink before I do it. I glug down the fine whisky, and slam down the empty glass. He pours me another.
“What was that?” I ask.
He finishes the last drop, then ejects the glass across the room so it shatters against the wall. The piece of shit is genuinely screwed up about this. He rubs his chin, face, and hair, as I wait for his explanation.
“You were right Nathan,” he eyeballs me. “I regret it all. Pursuing her. Loving her. God dammit, marrying her!”
“So you turned her, then got her up the duff.” I frown. “How the hell does that happen when you’re dead?”
“That child would have killed her. I had to do it… Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” He strides the length of the kitchen.
He’s really pissing me off. There is always a choice, and he made the wrong one the moment he met her.
“The child, we both know it’s impossible,” he snaps. “That is down to Selene.”
