Blood Haze

by L. R. Potter

  “This one’s mine!” the younger vampire spat.

  “Like hell!” Lynx roared.

  Lynx lunged toward the vampire at the same time he jumped forward and they collided together. Lynx grabbed the vampire and by the throat, at the same time the vampire pressed his distended canines into his neck. Lynx shrieked and threw the vampire away from him. The vampire slammed into a china hutch, causing pieces of china and glass to fly in every direction. Stunned, the vampire lay there for several seconds before jumping to his feet. Pointing a finger at Lynx, he snarled, “This isn’t over.” Turning, the vampire sprinted out the back door.

  Lynx took several deep breaths to calm his enraged senses. When he felt calm enough, he turned back to Arabella. She lay sprawled where she’d fallen. She looked like a broken china-doll. She stared up at him sightlessly, not even blinking. He knelt beside her and tenderly gathered her up and held her against his body.

  He pressed his lips against her temple. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. I’ll take care of you. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  She stared up at him with that same blank stare. He shifted his gaze to glance quickly around the room. Spotting her purse, he lifted her in his arms and rummaged through her purse for her keys. Finding them, he moved quickly to her garage and placed her carefully down in the front seat. He climbed into the driver’s side and pulled her head onto his lap. He hit the garage opener and gently brushed the hair away from her face as he waited for it to lift.

  Placing the car in reverse, he held her close to him as he drove smoothly through the dark streets, praying, he’d gotten to her in time. Fury rolled through him at the thought of the other vampire drinking her nectar. He should have been with her, then this would never have happened. This thought made him angry all over. She was NOT his concern. She was NOT!

  He pulled up to Night Shade and carried the comatose woman up the stone stairs. He swung open the heavy door and bellowed for Karmyl. She appeared quickly from the library. It was apparent she’d been waiting for him.

  “What happened? What’s wrong with her,” she asked.

  “It was a vamp that broke in. He… he bit her,” he answered grimly.

  Karmyl stopped in her tracks. “Is she infected?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know, I just don’t know. Go up to my room and turn down the bed.”

  “Your room?” she questioned softly.

  “Yes!” he growled. “Just do it!”

  She nodded and swept up the stairs with him close on her heels. After she pulled back the gold silk sheets, she stepped aside to allow him to place Arabella in the bed. With extreme gentleness, he pulled the duvet over her and tucked it snuggly around her.

  “Get me a basin of warm water and a cloth,” he said to Karmyl.

  She went swiftly to get what he needed.

  Lynx sat down beside the incoherent woman and brushed his fingers against her cheekbones. “Oh, Arabella. What have you done?” he whispered.

  A lone tear slid down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb. “Can you hear me? You’re okay now. You’re safe here. I’ll protect you,” he promised.

  Karmyl returned with a white basin and cloth. Lynx took the cloth and dipped it into the warm water. With gently swipes, he brushed against the punctures on her neck. She whimpered at the touch.

  “Shhh. Arabella,” he crooned to her in his lusciously-accented voice. He continued to speak in this same soft voice and stared down into her liquid blue-eyes until he watched her body relax and her amazing eyes slowly close.

  “Well?” Karmyl asked, apprehensively.

  His lips thinned. “I just don’t know. It can take several hours to totally infect someone.”

  After he finished wiping her wounds and cleaning up her face, he handed the cloth back to Karmyl. “I’ll stay with her tonight. You go on and get some rest.”

  “I’d rather stay.”

  Noting the worry in the other woman’s eyes, he slowly nodded his head. “Okay.”

  They pulled chairs up to the side of the bed and sat quietly together… watching… and waiting.

  ~X~

  The dreams were endless… they were nonsensical… they were freeing… they were constricting… they were joyous… they were tear-jerking… they were comforting… but mostly they were confusing, frightening, chilling, and often petrifying. They were filled with brilliant colors which continuously swirled for the backdrop of the scenes played out behind her eyelids.

  She whimpered and thrashed about as she both ran toward those she loved, and away from things that frightened her. She dreamt of familiar things like past memories of her mother, father, Ian, and Drew. She dreamt of things she hadn’t known – her mother on the stage as a young girl, and her father’s sad face right before he pulled the trigger that ended his life.

  She tried to turn away when she saw the familiar dream of who, she now knew to be, Drew and Maggie in the backseat of his car. And she whimpered as she watched Drew’s car tumble over and over, then cried when she saw her poor brother with his face mangled by the force of slamming into the windshield. She was comforted when she saw her beautiful brother walking toward her, whole and unbroken, flipping his dark hair away from his face, in that familiar trait of his, his face breaking into a timeless grin. He saluted her before fading slowly away.

  Her dream began to shimmer and change. She shivered when she saw Lynx Rogan strolling toward her, his devilish grin, sultry and warm. She struggled to catch her breath, mesmerized by him with his dark looks, dressed in a fashionable tuxedo. He offered her his hand, and she took it. He twirled her around the dance floor, her long, red gown swirling around her legs. She calmed as she stared into his fathomless, pitch-black eyes. Desire flowed through her when he lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers.

  The scene changed once more and now creatures in the darkness of the night began to chase her and she ran and ran, and she’d almost lose them, then she’d turn a corner and there they’d be with their long, fanged-teeth, and garishly-painted fingernails. She found herself running down long, white halls of a hospital trying to outrun a monster she couldn’t see, but could feel breathing on her neck. She felt the lash of its tongue against her skin, but when she turned around it wasn’t there.

  She calmed and saw gold flowing material draped over a bed. She felt it slide smooth and cool, over her skin. The aroma of rose petals rose up as they were crushed underneath the bodies intertwined on the bed. She shivered at the sensual slide of heated skin against cool skin. She closed her eyes, when Lynx above her, intertwined their hands and raised them over her head.

  A familiar metallic scent permeated her nose and she wrinkled her nose at the smell. She felt the familiar roil of her stomach at the thought of blood, that the smell brought on. Then the smooth, cool feel of the silk changed to something thick and sticky. Without opening her eyes, she knew she was no longer covered with a sheet, but coated in blood. She was both afraid to open her eyes, and terrified not to.

  Finally, opening her eyes in her dream, she saw bodies lying everywhere, their eyes opened, staring sightlessly upward. She clawed at the bindings that held her hands and screamed… and screamed… and screamed.

  She woke to Lynx grasping her shoulders. She screamed again and struggled to break away from him, the images of the dream so poignant and real, blood running in a stream down her face.

  “Arabella! Arabella! Wake up! You’re safe. Wake up!” Lynx demanded as he shook her gently but firmly, while trying to ignore the tempting allure of her blood.

  Arabella glanced around the unfamiliar room frantically, striving to make sense of where she was and how’d she come to be there. Breathing rapidly, her body felt numb with fear. She shifted her gaze back to the only anchor she had: Lynx Rogan.

  “Lynx?” she whimpered.

  He captured her cheek in one hand and met her gaze steadily. Almost immediately, she began to feel better. “Hi,” he said softly. “How are you feeling?”


  Her mind seemed to war within its lobes. On one side, she was drawn to the calmness in his eyes; but on the other, her mind quaked in fear… fear of what, she wasn’t sure. She just knew whatever it was, it was bad. She swallowed hard and blinked rapidly, trying to have a meeting of the minds - within her own head.

  He gasped softly and dropped his hand away from her and stepped back, a strange look darkening his face. It was then she became aware of the blood dripping from her nose. She wiped a hand against it and her stomach roiled at the sight of the blood, and her head felt swimmy.

  She glanced away from him, embarrassed, “I’m sorry,” she said, indicating the blood. “I’m confused. I don’t understand what I’m doing here… what you’re doing here.”

  His lips were grim when he said, “You were attacked in your house. Do you remember?” he asked softly.

  She blinked rapidly at his words. A torrid of emotions and memories flooded her… of her sitting up in her bed… of hiding in the closet… of calling Karmyl. “Karmyl sent you?”

  “She did.”

  “You… you saved me?” she said, grasping to remember.

  I. Want. Your. Blood. She began to tremble as she remembered the intruder’s words, said from behind her ear… the feel of his lips and tongue against her neck. “Oh, God,” she gasped, as she wrapped her arms around her middle. “Oh, God,” she repeated as she rocked herself, having to repeatedly lift a hand to swipe at the blood at her nose.

  “Shh, you’re safe here, Arabella,” he murmured, as he wrapped his arms around her. The words spoken in his smooth, accent-lilted voice helped to soothe her jagged edges.

  “I was so frightened,” she whispered into the crook of his neck. Still not believing her memory, she lifted a hand to her neck and flinched when her fingers brushed against the bite marks still apparent on her neck. “He bit me… he actually bit me,” she said incredulously. Blinking rapidly again as she tried to understand what had happened, she pulled back and asked, “Who was it? Was he just some crazy?”

  He brushed her hair away from her face. “I don’t know who it was. He got away. I’m sorry.”

  She stared up into his eyes for a long time. “The police didn’t find him?”

  He traced the line of her jaw with his forefinger. “I’m sorry, I didn’t call the police. My concern was for you. Taking care of you, was much more important to me,” he murmured.

  Her insides quivered at his words and his tone. “Where am I?” Lifting her hand once again to her nose, she asked, “Can I get a tissue or something,” embarrassed at the mess she must look.

  “Night Shade, my home,” he replied as he rose, opened a drawer in a beautiful, antique dresser, and produced a stark, white handkerchief.

  “How long have I been here?” she asked, struggling to hold onto her scattered thoughts, as she thankfully accepted the handkerchief from him, and tilted her head back slightly.

  He glanced down at his thin, gold watch. “About twelve hours.”

  “Twelve hours! What time is it now?”

  “A little after noon,” he replied.

  “What?!” I have to get up,” she said frantically.

  He pressed her back down. “You aren’t going anywhere. You’ve been through a terrible ordeal. You need to take it easy for a bit longer,” he said in a logical tone.

  “You don’t understand. I have to make… arrangements… funeral arrangements today… for Ian.” With those words, she allowed her body to willingly sink back onto the bed and her head onto the pillow. She lifted a shaky arm and placed it over her eyes. She shook her head at the pain of loss and the injustice of someone breaking into her house and attacking her at this time. Life was so unfair, she thought in the midst of her pity-party.

  “What is it?” she heard Lynx question.

  She didn’t answer for several moments. “I… I just didn’t need this right now.”

  “What can I do?” he asked.

  She exhaled. “Nothing… there’s nothing anyone can do,” she murmured with her eyes closed.

  “How about some juice… or coffee?”

  She peeked at him beneath her arm. He looked amazing as always. She cringed at what a fright she must look right now. But what did it matter, anyway? She wasn’t looking to become involved with Lynx Rogan… or any man, for that matter. Her jaw tightened at the thought of Drew and Maggie. “Both, would be wonderful. Then, I really do need to go. How did I get here?”

  He studied her as she lay against his gold sheets, her arm still covering her eyes, the handkerchief still pressed against her nose – all defenseless and vulnerable - and all he could think about was gathering her close and protecting her. He gave a quick shake of his head and tightened his jaw. No! He wasn’t doing this with this woman. Putting much needed distance between them, he sat back in his chair. “I drove you in your car.”

  She nodded and sat up, and struggled to remain upright, her head swimming again.

  Leaning forward once more, he pushed her gently back down. “Careful,” he said.

  “God! What’s wrong with me? I feel so weak.”

  He stared at her for a long moment as if choosing his words. “Probably the shock,” was all he ended up saying. “Or maybe the nose bleed.”

  “I don’t have time for this today,” she lamented.

  Karmyl walked in at her words. “I know she’s not trying to get out of that bed!” she said furiously to Lynx.

  “I’m afraid so,” he replied.

  “Young lady, you need to stay right where you are,” she said fiercely.

  “I appreciate both your concerns, but I have things I have to take care of today,” Arabella told them.

  “Lynx?” Karmly questioned. “Tell her she has to stay!”

  He met Karmyl’s eyes evenly, a veil seeming to close off his face. “She’s a grown woman, Karmyl. As such, can make her own decisions.” He glanced at his watch. “I have things to take care of today. I’ve placed your car-keys on the nightstand. I hope you feel better,” he said to Arabella as he rose smoothly from the chair. He was instantly both distant and remote.

  Both women watched him leave. Karmyl turned back to Arabella, giving her an apologetic smile. “He’s… well, he’s very busy,” she said lamely.

  Already feeling vulnerable and trampled upon, Arabella couldn’t help but feel rejected by Lynx’s abrupt departure. Her already fledgling confidence plummeted. “Of course, and I’ve inconvenienced him enough. I really need to get going,” she said with forced brightness. She rose from the bed, and swayed unsteadily on her feet.

  “You can barely stand,” Karmyl exclaimed.

  Turning slowly, she bent in the pretense of straightening the covers, but really, to lean against the bed to help stabilize herself. “I’m fine. I appreciate all you’ve done for me. But I have arrangements to make for Ian and… and I have to go check on Drew…” she trailed off, as the thought of seeing him inspired so many emotions, and none good.

  “I’d think he’d be the last one you’d want to see,” Karmyl said, as she moved to the other side to assist with making the bed.

  “It’s… complicated.”

  Karmyl clucked her tongue. “It’s so not complicated! He’s a jerk and brought this on himself.”

  Arabella tensed at the words before turning to sit on the edge of the bed and clutched the pillow she’d been plumping against her chest. Quietly, she said, “No, Ian did this.”

  Coming around the bed, Karmyl sat down heavily next to the dark-haired woman and wrapped a cool arm around her. “I’m sorry, that was thoughtless.”

  Arabella lifted a shaky hand and pushed the heavy weight of her hair away from her face. “It’s alright. No matter what, Drew and I have been friends for a long time. I have to make this right… for Ian.”

  Karmyl nodded her head. “I guess I get that. Well, you’re not going alone. I’m coming with you.”

  “You don’t…” she began to protest before Karmyl raised a hand to cut her off.

&nb
sp; “No, I don’t, but I’m gonna. Just let me changed. I’ll be quick,” Karmyl promised.

  Once Karmyl left, Arabella glanced about the room with its four-poster bed draped in gold sheets. Had that part of her dream been a glimpsing? Of her and Lynx intertwined on top of these sheets with rose petals underneath them? Or had she’d seen the bed when he’d brought her here and she’d subconsciously infiltrated it into her dream? It’d seemed so real… just as real as the blood and all those bodies. She shuddered once again at the memory. God, she hoped that was a dream.

  Chapter 7

  “Tragedy has fallen heavily upon the shoulders of the Marks’ family of late…” The minister’s words bounced around Arabella’s tired mind. While she kept her eyes firmly placed on the tissue clutched within her stiff, cold hands, in her mind, she could still see every element of the church. She could see the high, white walls; narrow, arched stained-glass windows; mauve-colored padded chairs in the choir-loft; the shiny, black baby-grand piano; Reverend Cosgrove, with his somber black suit, and neatly trimmed graying hair; and of course, the pièce de résistance - the rectangular, wooden box, which held her brother’s cold, dead body. She could see the smattering of people that had filed into the church – some to pay their last respects; most to feed their own morose curiosity. She glanced to her right and saw the hem of Karmyl’s stylish, black dress hitting the tops of her knees. Karmyl reached over and placed a cool hand over the both of hers. Her gaze followed the movement.

  In her periphery to her left, she saw Drew’s leg cast jutting out as he sat next to her pew in his wheelchair. Cold anger flashed through her body, which immediately made her feel guilty at having that emotion. She couldn’t help but blame Drew for them being here today. She was so very angry at him for betraying her, for not taking care of Ian… mostly for taking away the last strong-hold she had in her life, the last one she could depend upon.