by Zara Novak
It had been the briefest thing, the quickest five seconds of her life. The smooth brush of his lips against hers, the way his hands felt as he held her in his arms. The kiss had ignited a fire inside of her that she didn’t realize was there. It had sent sparks rippling across her entire body, right down to the center of her legs.
She would do anything to feel his lips on hers again, she’d do anything to be in his arms again, but yet she couldn’t. She was too shy and she’d never do a thing about it. Kat opened her mouth and it wavered as the tried to say something, anything.
“Ansel I-”
Fatigue caught up to her now, and a long and stifling yawn caught the end of her sentence in her mouth. She cursed the impractical timing of the thing, stretched it off as fast as possible and tried to save it.
“You should probably get some rest. You seem tired.” Ansel said.
Kat sighed at her own stupidity and half felt like scolding herself. She was alone with a beautiful man as he attempted to flirt with her, and all she could do was yawn.
“I think it’s just the stress of the night.” Kat said. “Ruth and I would probably still be up dancing at this point-”
She paused and jumped up from the couch immediately.
“What’s the matter?” Ansel rose to his feet too.
“Ruth.” Kat said in anxiousness. “I have to check if she’s okay. The shooting… she was at the club too. I haven’t so much as thought of her. How could I be so selfish?!”
Kat pulled her phone out of her purse. She was about to dial Ruth’s phone when Ansel snatched the phone from out of her hand.
“What are you doing?!” Kat said, trying to grab for the phone as Ansel pushed her back. “I need to call Ruth and make sure that she’s okay!”
“You’ll do no such thing.” Ansel said flatly. “You should have told me you still had this.”
Ansel snapped Kat’s phone clean in two, dropped it to the floor and twisted it underfoot. She could only stand there with her mouth open.
Her eyes widened in rage. “What is wrong with you?!”
“Your sister is fine.” Ansel said coldly. “The Red Circle agents weren’t at the club to shoot humans, they were there to shoot me, and they failed to do that.”
Kat’s eyes passed over the streaks of blood marring Ansel’s bullet ripped clothes and clenched her jaw. “She could have been hurt getting out of the club. I need to speak to her, I need to know that she’s okay!”
“I’m sorry Kat but that’s just not an option. The Circle have ways of tracing phones, if I’d realized you still had yours, I would have destroyed it earlier. We can’t risk taking any chances.”
Kat simply shook her head and scoffed. She crossed her arms in front of herself. “I have to go.” She said. “I can’t just stand here and hide with you in this fucking… castle! I need to make sure my sister is okay. She needs me.”
“You’re not going anywhere.” Ansel stepped forward and growled. “The Red Circle know that you’re with me now. Going back to the real world isn’t an option for you, not until I’ve destroyed Cairo Inai. I’m sorry Kat… but this isn’t up for debate.”
Mouth hanging open, a cold surge of dread began to pass over Kat’s body. “You can’t just keep me here! I’m not some fucking slave that you can lock up Ansel. I’m going and there’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t control me!”
Kat stormed past Ansel. She brushed her shoulder against his as she walked past to prove her point, but it’s solidity caught her by surprise and she rolled away from it like a stone pillar. She’d barely taken three steps when Ansel spoke.
“Stop.”
The word soared through the air and wrapped itself around her body like an iron lasso. Kat’s body froze mid step. She could only move from the neck up.
“What the fuck is this?!” Kat shouted in panic, glancing back to see the vampire walking to her.
“Come on Kat… you’re the big vampire fan.” Ansel circled in front of Kat and stopped to face her with his hands in his pockets. He slid his jacket off, placing it onto a couch next to him. Kat was surprised to see just how beat up Ansel was from the fight. His shirt was scored with dozens of long rips, underneath which she could see his skin was streaked with bloody grazes. “You know about the seduction of our voices…”
“You’re controlling me,” Kat’s breath raced as she realized what was happening. “But… that’s not fair!”
“You left me with no choice,” Ansel said gravely. “If I let you leave now Kat, the Circle will catch you and they will kill you.”
“I’d rather take my chances out there,” Kat hissed. “I’d rather die free, then live as your prisoner. You can’t control what I want!”
Another smile passed over Ansel’s face. “Oh you silly girl. But I can. You want me don’t you?”
“You’re full of yourself.” Kat lied. “Get over it.”
“Come on Kat.” Ansel laughed and stepped toward her. “Even you can’t deny there was a…”
He wrapped a hand around Kat’s body and traced his fingers slowly down her back. She felt her body relax in his grasp. She could move again now - but she was still rooted to the spot. He traced his fingers down to the small of her back, squeezed her gently and pulled her body into his. Kat let out an involuntary whimper.
“Even you can’t deny there is a blossoming sexual attraction between us.” He finished.
He leaned forward, his blood red eyes twinkling into hers all the while. She looked up into those beautiful, yet cold eyes, and hated that she was melted in his grasp.
“I’m ashamed to admit I’m attracted to you.” She whispered defiantly. “But that doesn’t make me want you. Keeping me here won’t make me want you any more.”
“I can make you want anything I desire.”
He brushed a hand down her face and leaned even closer. She could feel his breath on her lips now, sending tingles down her skin and making her nipples harder than diamonds. She swallowed.
“Just like I froze your body. I can freeze your mind and bend it to my will. But why do that when I already know that you want me too?”
He leaned forward and pushed his lips against hers, giving her the second kiss that she had long been desiring. Kat’s mind wanted to step out of her body and slap her stupid.
You need to leave! He’s threatening to keep you here as a prisoner!
Her hands wanted to shake the sense back into her, but they were having too much fun brushing over his body and feeling the hard lines of his pecs underneath. His arms were wrapped tight around her, making her feel like a blade of grass smothered by mighty oak branches on all sides.
He pulled his lips away from hers and started kissing down her throat. She moaned in pleasure and moved her hands down to trace the pattern of the abs under his shirt. She hated how much she was enjoying this, she hated how much control he had over her… but she wanted him, and it felt so good.
“Ah!” Ansel winced and pulled back from Kat sharply.
“What’s wrong?” Kat stood up straight and pulled her arms back. “Did I hurt you?”
“It’s okay,” Ansel pulled his black t-shirt up to reveal a bullet wound just to the side of his abs. “I think you just caught it with your fingers, that’s all.”
Kat’s mouth dropped in shock. “Ansel you have a bullet in you! We have to get help immediately! We have to get you to a hospital!”
“I can’t do that,” Ansel winced. “Hospitals are way too public. We’d be spotted by a Circle member almost immediately.”
“But we have to do something,” Kat protested. “We can’t leave you like this. Do you have a first aid kit anywhere in the house?”
Ansel’s legs gave out and he fell back onto the couch behind him.
“Ansel!” Kat dropped down next to him. “Are you okay?”
Opening his eyes, he flashed his cheeky smile at her. “You ever had a cut that hurt only after you notice it? I didn’t realize those bastards got me so good. Silver bullets… they�
��re draining my strength. You need to get me upstairs and help take them out. There’s a medical kit in the bathroom on the third floor. Get me up there. Grab the matches too. It’s dark up there.”
Kat helped Ansel to his feet and escorted him up the stone stairs sheepishly. They paused at the top of each staircase and Kat would run ahead to light the candles. She found the bathroom, illuminated it and returned with Ansel a moment later. The room was well decorated, with a bronze footed tub and rows of polished black tile covering the walls and floor. There was a mirror in an elaborate frame above a fancy looking sink on the wall opposite to the tub. There were four candles on the wall and Kat had lit them all, filling the room with warm and flickering light.
“Hey, take it slow.” Ansel winced in laughter as Kat undressed him. “We barely know each other.”
Kat peeled Ansel’s blood soaked shirt off his muscled torso, and pulled his trousers off too. She pulled a stool next to the bronze footed tub and set Ansel on it.
“Where’s the medical supply kit?”
“Over there.” Ansel raised a heavy arm and pointed at an ornate cupboard underneath the marble topped sink.
She was back a second later setting an ancient looking case onto the floor. “This thing must be older than the house.” Kat opened it up and started rifling through the supplies. There were long metal prongs, curious looking straps, small glass vials with black crosses on them. “What is this?”
“It’s an old vampire hunting kit,” Ansel laughed and slumped over the bath, his energy draining still. “I stole it from Vesper when I left. It amuses me. There are some tongs just there,” Ansel pointed at a set of long metal tongs. “Use them.”
Kat grabbed the tools, sterilized them over a candle flame and set to work pulling the bullets from Ansel’s body. She was surprised at his silence during the brief operation.
“These tools must be hundreds of years old, but I must admit they work great,” Kat said. “You say these were used for Vampire hunting?”
“It’s novelty mostly. There are things that exist today that are much more effective. You’ve just reminded me actually… I need to pick up some vampire hunting supplies tomorrow.”
“You need to rest up first,” Kat said, shaking her head. “Hold still.”
As she moved over his body she found four bullets in total. She dropped each of them into the bronze tub next to them and they pinged with a satisfying ‘clink!’.
“There,” Kat said as she pulled the last bullet out. “I believe that’s the last one. I just need something to sew you up now. Is there thread and alcohol gel in here?”
“No need.” Ansel winced and rose to his feet shakily. “Now the silver is gone my body should start healing itself again.”
Kat jumped to her feet after Ansel and put her hands on his body. He was only wearing a pair of black underwear, and despite the seriousness of the situation, she had been having a lot of fun with this chance to explore his body. She was about to protest Ansel’s eagerness to get back to it, when she saw the wounds on his body were in fact healing.
“This is amazing.” Kat said, shaking her head as Ansel’s body restored itself to normality. She took a chance to drag her eyes up and down his exquisite muscle and not feel guilty about it. His wounds closed themselves, leaving only a trace of dried blood on the surface.
“Perks of being a vampire,” Ansel smiled. “I have to thank you though Kat. Without you, I might have been in trouble there.”
He stepped towards her and before Kat could realize what was happening, she was in his arms again, glowing as his lips brushed over hers. He pulled away after a few seconds, she stood there for a moment wishing he hadn’t - then she remembered - Ruth.
“It’s okay.” Kat stepped back out of Ansel’s grasp and stood with an arm crossed over herself. “Ansel listen…”
“You still want to leave.” He said. “I understand Kat.”
Kat nodded her solemnly. “It’s not that I’m not having a good time with you, it’s just - I need to know that Ruth is okay.”
“What does your cognizance tell you?” Ansel said.
“My future vision?”
Ansel nodded. “It’s not just for the future. You can seek out things. Try and feel them. Try it. Just close your eyes and think of her.”
Kat closed her eyes and thought of Ruth. Nothing came however.
“I don’t think I can do that just yet. If you don’t mind Ansel… I’d just like to go. Please.”
Ansel shook his head. “That’s not an option Kat. I’m sorry. You have to stay here… for a few days at least. It’s up to you to decide what that means. You can stay here of your own volition… or I can force you to stay here.”
Kat gasped. “You’d change my mind to make me want to stay here?”
“No. I’d never make you a mind slave.” Ansel said. “I appreciate your mind far too much. I will place you in a room though and lock it, if that’s what I have to do to keep you safe.”
Kat’s heart thundered in her chest at the suggestion. She took a step back from Ansel, realizing that this intoxicating man before her wasn’t a man, he was a vampire. She had to keep reminding herself that he was dangerous - if she wanted to get out of here… she’d have to play along for now.
“There’s no need for locks or anything of that sort.” Kat said in a reluctant whisper. “I’ll stay here for now. But I will not hide in the shadows with you forever Ansel. I have a life that I need to return to.”
“That’s fine.” Ansel said. “But until it’s safe, you will stay here with me. Otherwise you may not have a life to return to at all.”
He walked past Kat and stopped in the doorway, turning back to face her.
Argument surged up inside of her again, but it was swallowed by another yawn - a reminder of the fatigue that was gripping her body.
“Come on,” He said, “I’ll show you to the room. You look like you could use some sleep.”
Kat followed Ansel through the dark hallways of the stone house and up to the top floor. All the while she couldn’t help but let her eyes wonder over the fine contours of his muscled body.
Walking just behind him, she tried to keep her mind on thoughts of escape, but there was only one thing that was really running through it.
The room - Is what he’d said.
Did that mean they would be sharing a bed?
10. Edmund
The sun had fallen, and it was now suitably dark enough for Edmund to venture into the world outside. He threw on his trousers, t-shirt and boots and headed down stairs. He took a look at himself in the mirror and approved. He liked to dress in all black, it was discrete and it was just his style. His clothes fit well, and they only accentuated the size and strength of his body.
Edmund ruffled a hand over his beard and nodded his approval at the reflection in the mirror. He was vain and he didn’t mind admitting it. Vanity could only be expected for a man as handsome as he.
He turned from the mirror and grabbed his heavy leather jacket from off the banister. Before he left, there was one last thing he had to do. Edmund walked toward the kitchen and stopped by the door under the stairs. He knocked twice and waited. A few seconds later he heard the sound of light footsteps coming up the basement steps. The door swung open and the teen girl peered out apprehensively. The girl was pretty, but had a slightly tired and malnourished look about her. She was wearing panties and a white vest. She smiled at Edmund and her eyes sparked.
“Josh! Hey. What can I do for you?”
“Hey Emily.” Edmund said quietly. He rubbed a hand over the back of his head. “I’m good thanks. I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to say it. Our arrangement can’t work anymore, I’m sorry. You have to leave.”
The glint disappeared from the young girl’s eyes and worry etched across her face instantly. “But why? I’ve been keeping to myself, I’ve been quiet. I can pay you if you want, I can find money.”
“I don’t need money.” Edmu
nd said softly. “I hate to turn you out like this, but you knew this was only temporary.”
“But I just need a few more days!” The girl cried desperately. “I can find a way to pay if you want. There are other ways…” She wrapped a hand around her vest and pulled it up to show the milky white flesh of her toned stomach underneath.
“No!” Edmund shot a hand out and stopped her. “You don’t have to do that. Stop - I told you already. It’s nothing personal Emily. My landlord found out I’m keeping you here somehow, and he’s threatening to evict me if I don’t kick you out.”
Edmund pulled his hand back and took a deep breath.
The girl’s hope had all but gone. “When do I need to leave?”
“I’ll give you one more night. But I can’t do anymore than that.” He stuck his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a roll of hundreds. He placed the roll into the girl’s hands and she stared down at it as if she’d just won the lottery. “That should tide you over for a few months, help keep you off the streets. I’m sorry I can’t do anything else for you.”
“Josh, I can’t take this.” The girl faltered. “There has to be at least ten thousand dollars here.”
“It’s yours.” Edmund said resolute. “Consider it payback for the shit that life has thrown at you so far. Take the money and make something of yourself Emily. You don’t need to go back to sleeping around for drug money. You’re a good person.”
The girl fought back the urge to sob and threw her arms around Edmund in a hug. “You’re a good person Josh. Thank you.” She pulled her face away from his chest, leaving a damp patch of tears half way down his t-shirt.
Emily dragged a finger down the fabric and looked up into his eyes. “Just once.” She asked. “I’d love to you show my gratitude.”
Edmund pulled his lips tight and took a step back while shaking his head. “I can’t Emily. Sorry. It just wouldn’t feel right.” He turned toward the door and took a couple heavy steps across the hallway tiles. “It’s been good knowing you Em, it really has.”
Edmund brought his bike to a stop directly outside the Black Font. He killed the engine and headed inside. It had been a good while since he’d last been in Dead Rest. It was a funny little town, but usually sleepy enough that it didn’t have much to hold his interest.
