Promise Me Anthology

by Tara Fox Hall

  Devlin’s breathing became more ragged, his thrusts more rapid, each inward motion deep. Heather wavered, the climax nearing, then ebbing. She chased the teasing sensation, then pushed hard, feeling the beginnings of release wash over her, the cry tearing out of her throat with abandon. Devlin pulled her down into his arms as the orgasm ebbed. Then it blossomed anew as a second orgasm hit her with the penetration of his fangs into her skin, each pull of his mouth bringing fresh waves of pleasure. Too soon it was ending, as Devlin’s lips broke free to scream out his own release.

  He slumped beneath her, panting hard, then looked up with a lazy smile. “Did I fulfill your expectations?”

  “Not yet,” Heather lied, her tone wavering with post coital bliss. “But you will before I’m done with you, Devlin.”

  Devlin smiled, then pulled her down beside him, slipping out of her. “I’ll say it again; you’re just what I needed.” He hugged her. “And call me Dev, please.”

  Heather curled up beside him. “Do you mind if I rest before we do it again?”

  Devlin laughed. “You have a few moments.” He kissed her cheek. “But tonight, that’s all I’ll allow. I’ve got too much to show you, Bright Eyes. This night will be your revelation.”

  * * * *

  That night with Dev...nothing Heather had shared with her high school boyfriend Carl had come close. It had been a revelation, just as her vampire lover had promised. Devlin knew positions she’d never heard of, and had skill she’d only seen the like of in steamy erotic novels. Poor Carl had been bumbling by comparison. But then it really wasn’t fair to compare a hundred year old man with a sixteen-year-old boy. In addition, there had also been the blood donation part of their loveplay, something Heather had worried was going to be icky. Instead, the experience had turned out to be exhilarating. Devlin had bitten into Heather’s neck a second time later that same evening. She’d orgasmed almost immediately, the sensation surprising Heather as they hadn’t been engaged in sex at the time.

  “Is it always like this?” she’d asked tentatively afterwards, when she was lying in his arms. “I’d always thought that a woman swooning when being bitten in the movies was bunk.”

  “No,” Devlin said with a half-smile. He kissed her cheek. “You’re very sensitive to my bite.”

  Heather had raised herself up on one arm. “You can do better than that,” she chided. “Tell me the real reason.”

  “Apologies, my nurse in training,” Devlin said contritely. “A better answer would be that you’re sensitive to the virus that gives me my vampire attributes, specifically to the numbing component in my saliva.” He hugged her. “Most women enjoy the embrace and the blood donation doesn’t hurt; there’s a small pleasure. But some—like you—are very sensitive and feel a heady rush.”

  “And this virus in you also gives you the ability to heal me after you’re done drinking?”

  Devlin nodded. “Yes. You’ll have not a scratch from our times together.” He laughed. “No turtlenecks required.”

  “But what about exposure?” Heather asked, her brow furrowing. “You said the magic word: virus. Won’t I be vampire eventually?”

  Devlin shook his head. “No. I’d have to turn you for that to happen. Small amounts of the virus—such as in my saliva—are not infective.” He smiled. “Nor is the amount present in semen.”

  Heather was intrigued. “Tell me more. How do you turn someone?”

  “Don’t worry,” Devlin said persuasively, stroking her hair. “I won’t do it.”

  Heather lay in his arms, blissful. But what if I want you to?

  * * * *

  Weeks had passed, then months. Heather came to Devlin regularly, always meeting him in the Hilton. The lovemaking was mind-blowing, especially the moment when Devlin took her blood. But Heather was growing more and more obsessed with Devlin. She hated waiting for the two weeks to pass between visits, hated that she never talked to him except on the nights she saw him, hated that she couldn’t be with him all the time. She withdrew from her friends, spending more and more of her time alone, fantasizing about Devlin, about what she and he could have if he would turn her.

  She was lying on the grass daydreaming about Devlin one late July afternoon when she felt a nudge with a shoe. Startled, her eyes flew open to see a pair of sparking green ones looking down into hers.

  “You’d better sleep inside if you’re going to moan aloud like that.”

  “Ulysses!” She pulled her brother down next to her, then shoved him. “Jerk! You scared me.”

  Ulysses caught her hands in his. “I’m here because you’ve scared me. What’s going on with you? You got an incomplete in one of your classes last semester, and a C in another.”

  “They were hard,” Heather mumbled. “Especially Cell Biology.” And the night before the final was one of Devlin’s nights.

  “But you always used to come home over the summer,” her brother said, worried.

  “I planned to take a summer course to make up the incomplete.” But I couldn’t concentrate on it, so I dropped it after the first week.

  “What are you into,” Ulysses asked gently. “You can tell your older brother. I only want to help. Is it drugs? Drinking?”

  Heather shook her head emphatically. “I’m fine.”

  Ulysses’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not fine. Even mom and dad are worried about you—”

  Her guilt intensified. “Will you lay off me,” Heather said angrily. “I worked my ass off for the last five years. Hell, before that, in high school! I got high honors and did everything I was supposed to! I want to have some fun for a change! Everyone else gets to. It’s my turn!”

  Ulysses drew back in shock, his expression apologetic. “I’m sorry. I know you’ve been working hard. I just know how much this meant to you.”

  Meant was the right word. Heather kept silent, unwilling to share her new doubts about her proposed nursing career.

  “I want you to know that there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” Ulysses murmured, laying his hand on her shoulder. “I’m always here if you want to talk, sis. And so is Diana.”

  Diana, her little sister. “How she doing?”

  “Taking the high school drama club by storm. In fact, that’s another reason I’m here. She’s giving a performance this weekend as Juliet, and she wanted both of us to see her.”

  Saturday was Devlin’s next night. But Heather hadn’t seen Diana since she’d left to return to school after Christmas. “I’ll come,” she said slowly.

  * * * *

  Heather shifted in the plastic auditorium seat. Only a few more minutes to intermission. Not that Diana hadn’t been excellent as Juliet. But she’d also been the only teen with talent in the play; Romeo was sadly lacking in looks as well as talent. Heather was eager to escape her parents’ and brother’s company to check her messages. Dev had never replied about her cancelling their appointment for later tonight.

  Heather made her way outside, then checked. To her delight, there was a new voice message from Devlin. But it was disappointingly short. “Call me when you get this.”

  Heather clicked to her contacts, calling his cell. Devlin answered right away. “Are you all right?” he said immediately.

  The concern in his tone made her warm all over. “I’m fine,” she said. “I just had to attend a play.”

  “When will it be done?” Devlin pressed. “I can send someone for you after, if you like.”

  There was no question that she wanted to see him. But Heather also liked that he was so eager to see her, and wanted it to last. “I’m not sure. Do you want to come to the theater and wait for me?”

  “That’s not wise,” Devlin said gently. “For either of us. Go back to your dorm, and I’ll send a car like usual.”

  Heather was torn. “I might not be back until dawn,” she said. “I’m with my family, and they mentioned something about a late dinner out, then my brother talked about taking Diana out for her first drink—”

  “Call,�
�� Devlin interrupted, his tone making it an order. “I don’t care if it is noon. I do not have to sleep in the daytime, and can afford to face tomorrow night a little sleepy.” He laughed, the seductive sound giving Heather a delicious shiver. “We can put those hours to better use, my Bright Eyes. I want to see you.” He paused, then sang seductively, “I need you now, tonight.”

  Whatever resistance remained evaporated. “I will.” Heather assured him.

  * * * *

  Heather didn’t get to the Hilton until daybreak. Instead of Devlin opening the door as he usually did, a small man dressed in black answered the door after Heather knocked. His expression was cold, but he opened the door, gesturing for her to come in.

  “Come in,” Devlin called from inside.

  The man in black nodded to her, then closed the door after she was inside. “I’ll be outside,” he said gruffly, then left, shutting the door behind him.

  “I’m in the tub,” Devlin called. “Come in and join me, Bright Eyes.”

  God, all she had to do is hear his voice. Heather moved as if a moth to a flame to the bathroom. Devlin was sitting in the Jacuzzi, smiling wickedly. And his voice is nothing next to the way he looks at me with those eyes. She quickly undressed and slipped into the tub. “Who was that?”

  “A guard, as its day,” Devlin answered, kissing her hand. “It’s normal procedure for me in daylight.”

  “I could have waited till tonight to come,” Heather said teasingly, her double meaning clear. “What was so urgent?”

  “The truth? That I enjoy our times together,” Devlin said easily. “I enjoy your desire for me, Heather. I wasn’t going to wait, given a choice.” He pulled her close, hugging her on his naked lap. “And I confess to being a little worried, too.” He kissed her forehead. “You’d never cancelled before.”

  “Family stuff,” Heather said vaguely, not wanting to tell him about her family’s concern for her, or their repeated urging for her to come home for the remainder of the summer to rest. “I hoped you could meet them.”

  “I think they would frown on our arrangement,” Devlin said with a chuckle. “Even if they thought I was mortal and that it was only sex.”

  Heather didn’t answer. How did Devlin view their relationship? He’d just admitted it was more than sex to him, too.

  “Do you want any breakfast?” Devlin offered. “I can have something sent up from room service.”

  “I want to go somewhere with you,” Heather said softly. “I love being with you, Dev. I want to see you more. I know you said we can’t be like this more than every two weeks. But we could do other things—”

  “No,” Devlin said gently. He kissed her cheek. “You’re my favorite donor, Bright Eyes. I’m risking enough by seeing you this much. Most donors I see only once a month at most.”

  “Why?” Heather asked boldly. “You’ve never really said why that is.”

  “You are mortal and I’m vampire,” Devlin said patiently. “That will change if I’m not very careful.”

  Heather sat up and looked at him angrily. “Don’t keep me in the dark. Tell me the truth!”

  Devlin looked momentarily irritated, then his patient expression resumed. “The vampire virus—for lack of a better label—will eventually cause a sickness in donors who donate too much blood too often. You’ve heard the vampire legends in stories, such as the death of maidens from repeated nightly vampire visits? They are based on that fact.”

  Heather moved to get out of bed, but Devlin grabbed her. “No, you wanted to hear it. Hear the ugly truth. Being with me too much will kill you, Heather. You have a good future mapped out, one I don’t want to screw with.” He leaned in close, lips within a hair’s breadth of hers. “Take what I have to give and don’t ask for more.”

  “I’m not afraid of turning into what you are,” she said, reaching out for him.

  “You should be,” Devlin said darkly, getting out of bed. “I think we need to take a break for a while, Heather.” He began getting dressed. “I’ll walk you downstairs.”

  Heather gathered her clothes, wiping back tears.

  * * * *

  Heather shut the door of the car, then stepped back as it pulled away from the curb. Unlike other times, Devlin hadn’t kissed her goodbye at his hotel door, or said he’d call.

  I should have told him I was in love with him. That it didn’t matter what he was or what I would need to become to share his life. Now it was too late.

  Heather went to her room, turned her ITunes onto Total Eclipse of the Heart, hit endless repeat, and dissolved into tears.

  * * * *

  “Wake up.”

  Heather sat up groggily. “Who?”

  “Your brother,” Ulysses said angrily. “And I don’t want any more lies. Who was that guy you went to see at that hotel?”

  Heather opened her mouth to say my boyfriend, but shut it. Devlin was not her boyfriend. He was a vampire, and she was just his donor, a thought that made her flush.

  Her brother took it for admission. “He’s married, isn’t he?”

  “No,” Heather insisted. “We meet there because it’s easy when he’s here on business.”

  “Oh really?” Ulysses said mockingly. “What business is he in?”

  Heather glared at him, saying nothing. Devlin never talked about where his money came from. He rarely talked about himself at all. They talked about songs and music and movies and current events, sang to one another—sometimes duets—and had sex. Her time with Devlin had been relaxing, a diversion from her schoolwork...until it had eclipsed her life.

  “Fine, don’t tell me,” Ulysses said, furious. “I’ll find out on my own.”

  A shiver of fear went through Heather. Devlin had never hurt her, never so much as yelled at her. Yet he had always set the rules of their relationship, right from the beginning. And the look of the man in black at Dev’s hotel room door had spoken volumes about the kind of people Devlin knew. “No. Leave it alone.”

  “No,” Ulysses said wrathfully. “You’re my kid sister and he’s taking advantage of you.”

  “It’s over, all right?” Heather burst out, blinking furiously to push back her tears. But they spilled out anyway. “We broke up last night. So just leave it alone! Get out!”

  Ulysses turned away from her and stormed out.

  Heather closed the door after him, shaking. Ulysses was in his first year of college now for computers, after returning from 2 tours abroad with the U.S. Army. He knew how to fight and kill people. But something told her that Dev and his guards had a lot more experience.

  * * * *

  Heather didn’t see Devlin for the next semester. With his absence, most of her old drive to excel returned. She threw herself into her schoolwork, bringing up her grades and ending the semester with solid As. Every time her friends asked her to go and sing karaoke at Eclipse with them, she agreed, desperately hoping Devlin would be there. She always made a point to sing Total Eclipse of the Heart, hoping the words would somehow magically call Dev back to her. But he never appeared.

  The phone rang just as she was walking in the door, exhausted from her last final exam.

  “Hi Sis,” Ulysses said.

  Something in his tone said there was trouble. “What is it? Tell me.”

  “I’m going for another tour,” he confessed. “We’re leaving in only a day at most. I’m going to miss your graduation. I’m sorry, but—”

  “You told me you were done,” Heather said, her throat suddenly dry. “You were lucky to come through two tours without a scratch! You can’t go back for another one!”

  “I don’t have a choice,” he said defensively. “I need more money for next semester. That job I’d lined up for next year I thought was a sure thing evaporated. This is the easiest way. It’s only another year.”

  “Mom and Dad—”

  “They allotted us equal funds for college,” Ulysses said lightly. “It’s not anyone’s fault that you’re smarter than me and got those scholarships
and I didn’t get any. I’ll be fine, sis. But I do want you to write me when you can. I’ll send an email as soon as I’m settled in—”

  “You could get a loan—”

  “I made myself promise not to go into debt, not for any reason. I’m not going to break it.”

  This couldn’t be happening. “Don’t go, please. I can help pay for your college, as soon as I get a job—”

  “In what, like another three years?” he teased, his falsely cheerful tone not quite concealing his sadness. “No, you’ve got your life on track, sis. Keep going. I can figure this out on my own. Take care, okay?”

  “Okay,” Heather replied automatically. Then she carefully replaced the receiver, hating the loud dial tone for its cold finality.

  * * * *

  Heather’s next semester was to be her last. She spent hours sending applications applying for internships for the coming summer, and working hard to maintain her GPA. But the day before graduation, Heather stood before the mirror wondering if this was what she really wanted. How did you ever know for sure what the right path was? Maybe no one ever did.

  The phone rang shrilly, the caller ID identifying her father. Heather knew it had to be serious, as he’d never called her before, only her mother had. “Hello?”

  “Heather, Ulysses...he’s been hurt. Pretty bad. They’re discharging him from the army. He’s coming home as soon as he’s stable enough to travel—”

  Panic seized her. “What happened?”

  “Shrapnel of some kind. He’ll walk again in time. That’s the early prognosis, at least. We can be happy about that—”

  Heather sat down, dizzy. This can’t be real.

  “Look, I have to go. Your sister’s waiting for me to pick her up at school, and your mother’s in no condition to drive—”

  “I understand. Keep me posted, Dad,” she responded hollowly, then hung up the phone. She sat there for several minutes, her thoughts more and more frantic. Then she called Devlin’s cell phone from memory, praying the number was still the same. The same voice mail message that she’d heard close to ten months ago clicked on, asking her to leave a message.