Till the Break of Dawn

by Tracey H. Kitts

  When I entered the kitchen I found him rummaging through the cabinets. I was hesitant to let someone who couldn’t taste seasonings go through my spice rack. But I was so hungry I figured what the hell?

  “So, what’s for breakfast? Wait, it’s too late for breakfast. Hell, it doesn’t matter. What are you cooking?”

  He laughed as he turned back to the stove, sprinkling more seasonings over something on the back burner.

  “Steak and eggs. You need protein and iron.”

  “That sounds good, but how come I suddenly need protein and iron?”

  He looked up at me and winked. “Because I drank your blood more than once. If you won’t remember to take care of yourself then I will. Oh, I almost forgot.” He tossed a bottle of vitamins to me and I caught them as I sat down. “You should continue taking these. Right now would be good.”

  “I’m not going to dry up and die because you took some of my blood.”

  “Maybe not, but I’m surprised you’re still standing. Most people can’t take being bitten and having vigorous sex several times on an empty stomach.”

  I shrugged. “I try to keep in shape.”

  I poured myself a glass of orange juice and took the vitamins. It was nice to have someone take care of me for a change. I was forever having to nurse Jamie’s hangovers or talk Terry out of beating someone’s ass or breaking up arguments between him and Earl. How refreshing to have someone who cared for me. I loved my friends. They were my family. But having Marcus take over and all I had to do was sit? That was fantastic!

  I loved the way he looked in those snug-fitting black pants and the way his shirt showed off his tattoos along with all his muscles. I also loved the sound his bare feet made when he walked across my hardwood floor.

  “You know, Marc, I think you misunderstood something I said at the bar yesterday.”

  “About what?” He didn’t look up, but proceeded to flip the steak.

  “About me not being twenty-three anymore. Like I told you last night, I was afraid of what I felt, because of what you are. But I want you to know I’m not that woman anymore.”

  He sighed as he broke some eggs into a mixing bowl. “Don’t spend the rest of your life regretting the last seven years. Those years apart have made you who you are.”

  “And who is that?”

  Marcus stopped what he was doing and turned to face me. “A woman in love with me who is willing to give forever a chance.”

  He was right, there was no denying it. “I do love you,” I said softly.

  “Good. Because if forever is what you want, I might be able to make that happen.”

  “But your contract says—”

  “I know. I can’t explain now, because I haven’t got the details worked out. I just wanted you to know it’s a possibility. I didn’t want my immortality to be what kept us apart.”

  I rose and embraced him. All this time he had been working out a way to get over what I most feared.

  “How long have you been working on this idea of yours?”

  “A while.” He turned back to flip the steak, but kept one arm around my shoulders. “Seven years is not that long when you’re facing eternity. I wanted you to have enough time to be sure of what you wanted.”

  I didn’t know what to say. I’d never known anyone so considerate or patient.

  “What about you?”

  Marcus looked down at me and brushed the hair back from my face before kissing my forehead. “I was always sure.”

  Tears stung my eyes. “What have you been doing?”

  “I’ve been waiting.”

  Right then I stopped beating myself up over lost time. He was right. Our time apart had made me who I am, who I needed to be. If Marcus wasn’t going to hold the time that took against me, then neither was I.

  I was seriously considering hopping up onto the counter and seducing him again when the doorbell rang.

  “I’d better get that.”

  Jamie was standing on my front porch looking like something the cat dragged in. Her hair was a mess, her makeup was smeared, plus she was wearing sweatpants and a ratty old shirt. This was not the way Jamie went out in public. My first thought was that something else terrible had happened. Someone else must have been hurt and I couldn’t stop screwing Marcus long enough to notice.

  “Girl, you better be glad you answered that door.”

  “Huh?”

  “Where the hell have you been? I came by here last night after closing up and you know what I found? A bottle of tequila, all your clothes on the damn grass by the lake and a machete. What the fuck?”

  Relief washed over me as I burst out laughing. From the look on her face I could tell that Jamie wasn’t in on the joke and her patience was wearing thin.

  “The tequila was my fault,” Marcus called from the kitchen. “But she got naked all on her own.”

  Jamie’s eyes widened. “Is that Marcus?”

  “Yep. Come in. I was just about to eat.”

  Jamie looked around as if she expected someone to jump out at her. When I closed the door she exclaimed, “But it’s daylight!”

  “That’s why all the curtains are closed.”

  “You mean he can be out during the day?”

  “Yes, and he can hear you too,” Marcus answered.

  Jamie rounded the corner about that time and just stared at him open-mouthed. I have to admit the sight was devastating. Marcus standing there barefoot with nothing but a thin sleeveless top and those tight black pants. We’re talking about some serious eye candy.

  He smiled at Jamie’s shocked expression. “Have you eaten yet? I was just cooking Dawn some steak and eggs. You want some?”

  “Um, no. I’m fine.”

  Under most circumstances Jamie never turned down food. This meant she was either so shocked she couldn’t think straight or something bad really had happened.

  “I don’t mean to be bitchy, but you look like shit.” I pulled out a chair. “Here, sit down. Let me get you some coffee.”

  Marcus pointed toward my stainless steel coffee pot. “I’ve already made some. You do still like vanilla?”

  I smiled and patted his ass before I remembered we were not alone. “I love vanilla. Thanks.”

  “I like vanilla too,” Jamie said, sarcasm dripping from her every word.

  I sat a fresh cup in front of her. “You want me to pat your ass too?” I teased.

  She took the creamer I offered and poured a heaping spoonful into the coffee.

  “Bitch,” she said, laughing.

  “So, what’s wrong? You didn’t just come here to complain about me leaving some crazy shit in the yard last night. What were you doing here so late?”

  Her eyes widened again and she nearly choked on the coffee. “Oh shit, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Jesse came by the bar before we cleared out last night.”

  I dropped the coffee cup I’d been holding and Marcus caught it in mid-air. Luckily it was empty, but he kept me from breaking my favorite mug.

  “Sit down,” he said softly.

  He moved to pour me some coffee while I took a seat beside Jamie.

  “You and Marcus just missed him.”

  “What did he say?”

  Jamie cleared her throat and added more cream to her coffee before replying, “He said he was sorry he missed the funeral and asked where you were. When I closed up he came by here with me.”

  “Son of a bitch.” I felt so bad. I intended to end things with Jesse, but not like this.

  “I didn’t know where you were and the only person who might know was Marcus. David was the only one who knew where Marcus was staying and he was incoherent. I had Terry take him to his hotel.”

  “Thank you,” Marcus said.

  I put my head down on the table. “God, I hate this so bad. I never meant for anyone to get hurt.”

  “Shit happens. I just wanted to make sure you were getting laid and not getting your ass stabbed off last night.”

  I g
ave Jamie an incredulous look but before I could think of a sarcastic remark someone else rang the doorbell.

  “Grand Central Station,” I mumbled as I rose to answer.

  Nothing could have prepared me for what awaited. The second I opened the door Jesse thrust a newspaper into my hand.

  “When were you planning to tell me that you were fang bait?”

  I unfolded the paper, too stunned to respond to his insult. It was the photo that had been snapped of me and Marcus at the funeral and damn if it didn’t look pretty intimate. Marcus was holding me tight and my arms were around his waist. The picture had been taken the instant we both turned toward the camera, getting a good shot of our faces. Motherfucker.

  I calmly folded the paper in half and handed it back to Jesse.

  “Nothing I can say will make this better, Jesse. I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I didn’t want to add to what you were already going through.”

  “So, you were waiting till I got back, is that it?”

  “Yes.”

  He ran a hand through his hair, turning his back to me as he tossed the paper onto the porch.

  “Did you think this would be kinder?”

  “I didn’t think this would happen. Look, we dated a long time ago, way before I met you. I’d already decided that I was going to try to get in touch with him again. The decision was made almost as soon as you left.”

  He snorted. “Oh, you mean as soon as he showed up. Tell me, how long did you plan to keep fucking Marcus before you broke up with me?”

  Chapter Eighteen

  My hand moved so fast I’m not sure how hard I would have hit Jesse if Marcus hadn’t caught me. I wasn’t planning to slap him either, I’d balled my fist and intended to punch him as hard as I possibly could.

  I’m sure his shocked expression had more to do with the vampire standing behind me than my violent reaction.

  “It’s daylight,” Jesse gasped.

  Marcus stepped in front of me, his long cloak brushing past my face as he put it back on.

  “Get out of here,” he growled.

  “Who the fuck do you think you are? You can’t just go around in the light like this.”

  Marcus took a step out onto the porch and smoke began to rise from underneath his cloak. “I could kick your ass before I even start to burn,” he said. “You will not talk to Dawn that way in my presence. Now get the fuck out of here.”

  Jesse backed down the steps, never taking his eyes from the smoking vampire on my porch. I was furious at what he’d said, but I still hated so much for things to end this way between us. Even if our romantic efforts hadn’t worked out, I had still liked Jesse, a lot. That is until he showed up and made an ass of himself. Marcus waited until Jesse’s truck was out of sight before slumping forward. I ran to his side, putting his arm around me.

  “Lean on me as much as you can,” I said. “I’m stronger than I look.”

  He laughed as smoke continued to rise from underneath his cloak. “I just got a little hot under the collar. I’ll be fine.”

  “That was awesome,” Jamie said, moving to put Marcus’ other arm around her.

  “I appreciate the kindness, ladies, but that burning smell isn’t me.” Jamie and I gave each other a confused look. “Someone should go turn the steak.”

  “Oh, shit.”

  Jamie hurried over to the stove while I helped Marcus to the table. He looked like the Grim Reaper again, sitting there with no part of his skin visible, slumped forward, with smoke rising from underneath his cloak. The sight was a little unnerving.

  “I’ll do the eggs,” Jamie volunteered.

  I wanted to touch him, but was afraid it might hurt. “Can I get you anything?”

  “I could use a cup of coffee.”

  I almost laughed, thinking he was making a joke. Vampires can’t ingest any kind of food, including beverages. Well, they can, but it’ll make them really sick. When I hesitated he added, “Seriously, there’s some in my bag. Would you get it for me, please?”

  I was confused as hell, but did as he asked. It didn’t take long to find the red package with its black label.

  “Life Blood?”

  Marcus laughed. Steam still rose from underneath his cloak as he stood. When he reached for the package his hand looked like he had a bad sunburn.

  “Isn’t that what everybody calls coffee anyway?” he teased.

  Jamie laughed then too. “What is it then, coffee for vampires?”

  “Yep.”

  Marcus took a step toward the cabinet and I stopped him. “I can make it, just tell me how.”

  “That’s sweet of you, but I’m really not that hurt. Have a seat, you should be tired.”

  His meaning wasn’t lost on Jamie. She almost dropped the bowl as she poured the eggs into a pan. Marcus heated some water then he mixed it with a spoonful of whatever was in the red bag. It smelled like coffee. But then he turned the package over and opened a little slot on the back I hadn’t previously noticed. From this he took a small bottle and added a drop of red liquid to the mixture. The last ingredient must have been blood. He sat down beside me and stirred the coffee, turning it a medium shade of red. It still smelled like coffee. I was fascinated.

  “I’m sorry about Jesse,” he said softly, “but the guy acted like an asshole.”

  “Don’t be sorry. You can’t control other people. I’m sorry you had to get involved. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I should have just ended things over the phone, then none of this would have happened.”

  “You were trying to be kind. Your intentions were good.” Marcus took a sip of his coffee and within a few seconds he’d stopped smoking.

  “Fuck that,” Jamie said. “I can’t believe the way Jesse acted. He had no right. It would have served him right if you’d pounded him into dog meat.”

  “Well, someone’s having a bad day,” Marcus teased. “And here I thought almost getting set on fire would qualify me as having the worst day so far.”

  “Sorry,” Jamie said. “I’ve been hanging around Terry too much.”

  “Speaking of Terry, why did he want to talk to you last night?”

  Marcus took another sip of coffee before answering. “It’s about his leg.”

  While Jamie and I ate he explained. The P.F.C. has a minor league where hopefuls can compete for a chance to join the organization. The top pick gets to choose whether to join as a werewolf or a vampire.

  “What it comes down to is Terry wants a chance to regenerate his right leg,” Marcus finished.

  “But will they let him wrestle with a missing body part?” I asked.

  Marcus shrugged out of his cloak. His skin looked perfect again. “It’s possible, but I’m not sure. Besides, there may be another option.”

  “What’s that?” Jamie asked.

  “Turns out he knows a werewolf, but he doesn’t know he knows a werewolf.”

  “Huh?” Jamie and I said together.

  Marcus waved off our comment and finished his coffee. “I’ll explain later once I get it all sorted out. See, becoming a werewolf is his only choice anyway. Vampires can regenerate, but only from the injuries they receive as a vampire. If you’ve got a scar on your face before you’re turned, well, you’re gonna always have that scar.”

  “What if you have the area re-injured? Will it heal properly then?” I asked.

  “It will. But it works differently with limbs than with skin. Skin injuries can sometimes be fixed. But if Terry had someone cut off another section of his leg in the hopes of re-growing the whole thing, then that would only work if he was a werewolf.”

  “That’s awful. Could David turn him or does his contract forbid it?” I asked.

  I knew Marcus wasn’t allowed to make any new vampires, but had no idea if the same rules applied to his furry co-workers.

  “Surprisingly, no. But he is forbidden to attack or kill a human which significantly lessens the chance of turning anyone.”

  Jamie and I finished eating and p
ut the plates in the sink. While I started to do the dishes she asked, “What’s the consequences of breaking your contract?”

  “Death.” He rose and walked to the door before Jamie could react. I already knew the consequences of a breach of contract, but that didn’t mean I enjoyed hearing it again. “If you’ll excuse me, this coffee is running right through me.”

  “Do vampires pee?” Jamie asked.

  I was just about to scold her when Marcus answered patiently, “Yes. It’s kind of like our tears, like watered down blood.”

  “Gross.”

  “Hey, you asked,” he called, already halfway down the hall.

  All of the sudden Jamie looked really tired. “Now that I know you’re all right, I’d better get going. I figured I’d open the bar tonight since you guys probably need to check on David.”

  “Yeah, that’s what we’re planning to do as soon as the sun sets. I’ll come by later and close up so you can go home early.”

  “Sounds good.”

  When I walked back in the living room I found Marcus stretched out down the length of my sofa. I’d never seen anyone tall enough to rest their head on one end and hang their feet off the other.

  “Where’s Jamie?”

  “She was tired. It’s her night to open. I told her I’d come by later so she doesn’t have to close up.”

  He reached for me and I stretched out down the length of his body. Marcus held me tight and I snuggled my face against the side of his throat.

  “I know we never talked about it much before, but how did you end up becoming a vampire? With Terry, he’s interested in getting his leg back. I know you were hurt really bad.” I paused before lifting up enough to look at him. “How bad was it?”

  “Not a lot of people know this,” Marcus said, stroking my hair. “I was famous, finally made it to the top. And as soon as I got there I could see it all slipping away. I was still young by most standards, but not in a physical sport like wrestling. Thirty-six is usually time to be on your way out. Even though I was young, I didn’t heal as fast as I used to. I could feel the years of punishment catching up with me.” He paused. It was obvious that what he was about to say was painful. “I was thrown off of a steel cage and through a table. It broke my back and left me paralyzed.”