The Vampire's Prey

by Vivian Murdoch

  It’s a lie. All of it. But surely there’s some truth. There has to be a nest out there doing the same exact thing Adrian is. Satisfied, I toss my phone onto the nightstand and go to sleep.

  10

  Evangeline

  My eyes flutter open, and I'm hit with both lust and soreness. Last night was like a dream. Until this moment, I never knew I could be so happy. The fact that it's with a vampire is all the more shocking. I stretch out my arms and roll my shoulders as memories flood my brain. Adrian had me weightless above him. It was so disorienting at first. I kept trying to make sense of it all, but when he touched me, everything righted itself.

  Smiling to myself, I hop out of bed and get dressed for the day. Marion is due to arrive in a few minutes, and I don't want to waste any time getting the day started. As I’m pulling out my clothes, I reach under the stack to grab my phone. As I do every morning, I check the messages, social media, and such before putting it back in the drawer. At first, I thought Adrian was harsh to only let me have my phone during the day, but truthfully, it's been freeing.

  I punch in my code, expecting to see a blank screen; however, my brother's code name flashes up at me. Guilt swamps me hard. For the last several days, I've been able to live in this fairy tale world with just Adrian and me. It was the best days I've had in my life. But real life is knocking at my door.

  As I read his text, I feel the blood drain from my face. Ropes. Is this a thing then? Is this how the vampires are luring their victims? Surly not. He actually cares for me. Right? I think back through the times we've had. Sure he's hurt me and drunk from me, but he has never harmed me. And I liked it. All of it. My face heats up. I shouldn't have liked it, but I did.

  My fingers pause over the buttons, unsure of what to say. I look closer at the time when it was sent. If my calculations were correct, I was out on the rocks with Adrian at that point. He could have killed me, and no one would know. I look around the room, really seeing the missing windows and mirrors. No one would know, even here. Does anyone even realize that I'm missing? This is crazy, I chide myself. Adrian has done nothing to make me question him. Even though he is a vampire.

  Sighing, I quickly text back. I need to get some air or something before I go completely crazy.

  I'm okay. No signs of bogies. I was mistaken with my earlier report to Father.

  I will stay until mission end to confirm before going home.

  I click the button to turn the screen blank and finish getting dressed. Maybe today, Adrian will have something for me to do instead of just sitting around and twiddling my thumbs. Even Marion has been busy the last few times she's come over. Maybe today will be different. Maybe she'll have time to play some games with me. Looking back over to the bed, I see the small, stuffed bunny Adrian gave me, and my stomach flips. Simon has to be wrong. He just has to be.

  11

  Simon

  So she can text. I scan back over her words and scowl. The little liar. Even someone just newly trained could tell that fanger is a vampire. There's no way she didn't notice all of them crawling over the bar she works at. Great. Now I have to kill several more hours before sunset. Luckily, what this hotel lacks in good food, it makes up for with a decent gym. Maybe I can work off some of this frustration before going back to the bar tonight. If she isn’t going to do her job, I sure as hell will.

  My hands are still sore from the abrasions I got last night, but the pain helps amp up my resolve. By the end of the week, all the vamps will be dead, and little miss Evangeline will be begging me for my cock. That's right. I’ll make it to where her only comfort is while servicing me. Maybe that will get her head back on straight. I punch the punching bag a few times, jabbing hard. If she likes pain, I can give her pain. Jab, jab. Make no mistake about that.

  About thirty minutes later, I head back up to my room to shower. As I pass my pants from last night, I see the cum stains crusted on the inside. Disgusted, I kick them away. Oh God! I wasn't thinking at all last night. Maybe I left some evidence at the scene. I can’t let them know I’m here before I’m ready to kill them. Jumping into the shower, I wash down quickly and yank my clothes on. Luckily the road to the scene last night is a straight shot from the mansion; otherwise, I might not have been able to find it. Pulling into the small alcove I parked in last night, I begin to retrace my steps. It’s very obvious where I came on the rocks, but other than that, nothing seems out of place. I'm pretty sure lots of people have used this spot as a sex or jack-off place before, so that shouldn't be an issue.

  Nothing else seems amiss. No weapons, no papertrail. Unless they’re willing to scrape off every bit of DNA from this place, there’s no way my cum will turn up anything. As I turn to leave, movement out of the corner of my eye catches my attention.

  Turning around, I noticed a strip of dark blue where Evangeline was tied up. I make my way over there and find a small coil of rope caught onto the rocks. As I turn it over in my hands and wrap it around my fists, an idea percolates in my head. This will work just perfectly.

  I make my way back to my car, a huge smile on my face. The hero is going to kill the monster and get the girl. Tossing the rope into the backseat, I begin whistling as I start the car up and make my way back into town. Now, all I have to do is wait again for sunset.

  The music begins to grate on my nerves as I hide away in one of the booths. I have perfect sight lines to all the major entrances and exits. Barbara is working again tonight, and she assured me that Evangeline is coming in. The way the simpering cow makes her way back and forth to my area confirms that she wants me. Well, why shouldn't I have her. Besides, it's not right for a man to abstain. It is our job to populate the earth with our seed. And what better way than with willing cunts, ready to spread their legs for any dick.

  She comes back over, a huge smile on her face, as she sets down my drink.

  "I have a break in ten minutes," she whispers, no doubt trying to be sultry.

  I’m not enticed. At this point, she’s nothing but a means to an end. Before I can answer, Evangeline and her monster stride in. Showtime.

  "I'd love nothing more," I reply, flashing her my killer smile. "I saw a private area out back if you're interested in being alone.” Winking, I pick up my drink and shoot it back.

  She smiles and nods. "I know just the place."

  As she walks back over to the bar, I slip out and wait for my prey.

  The air is stifling hot. Dry heat my ass. The minutes crawl by like hours. Every few seconds, I check my bag to make sure the rope is still there. It is, and I curse myself for being so stupid.

  "Yoohoo!"

  Finally.

  Looking up, I watch Barbara saunter over to me. Her white shirt is already partially unbuttoned, revealing her creamy curves underneath. A flare of arousal hits me, but I tamp it down. I’m here for a job. Besides, she isn’t going to live long enough to make my sperm count. It would just be another way of wasting it. I’ve done that too many times already. I can’t keep tempting God like this.

  "Come here, gorgeous. You've left me waiting for far too long."

  She giggles and makes her way over. "For someone who doesn't even know me, you haven't been waiting long enough."

  Great. She’s going to make me work for it. Internally, I roll my eyes. Plastering on my best smile, I lean against the building and motion her towards me with a crook of my finger.

  "Don't be like that. There will be plenty of time to get to know me. What I want to know is why you have me thinking about those luscious lips of yours when I should be working."

  A cute blush pinks her cheeks, but she remains silent as she makes her way closer. Smirking, she tilts her lips up to me, begging to be kissed. I brush across her lower lip with my thumb and electricity shoots down my hand and straight to my groin. Oh, what the hell. At least I'll come in her instead of on the rocks. Pulling her closer, I let my lips skim over hers. God it’s been way too long since I’ve been with a woman, stupidly waiting for Evangeline to make the
right choice. Anger fills me, and I grab Barbara and hold her tightly in my grasp. My lips go from tender to brutal in the span of a second.

  Her small frame fights against me, but I’m having none of it. I’m done with women. Nothing but lying, cheating bitches. Running my hand up her scalp, I yank back on her hair, so she’s forced to look at me. "Is this what you want? Tell me."

  Her eyes are wide and round; her breaths come in harried gasps. I get harder the more she fights me, the more she fears me. I’m a god, and she’s my mortal. Just begging to be crushed. She can’t answer me. She just stares up at me, her eyes pleading. I don’t care. I’m beyond women. It’s time they learned their place and stayed there. The music drowns out her gasps and whimpers, but I’m not taking any chance with vamps nearby. I never got to interrogate one, but studies show that they can hear a butterfly flap its wings from several miles away.

  Knowing them though, they probably have a harem they’re fucking and won’t be able to tell the difference. Still, I don’t want my plan to be spoiled too soon.

  "Don't you fucking making a sound," I growl into her ear before reaching into my bag. I let go of her for just a moment to tie the fabric around her mouth. Now, she can moan and whimper all she wants. No one will hear her. She writhes and struggles in my arms as I bind the rope over her wrists before tying the other end off onto an exposed pipe. I can’t tell what it is, but I don’t care. The more she fights the bonds, the more my brain becomes fuzzy. My cock thumps against my pants, demanding I set it free and show this bitch who’s boss.

  Looking around, I see a few objects sticking out of the ground. Those will do. I grab one leg and tied it to one and the other to the opposite one. Finally. Just where I want her. I start to unzip my pants when I hear the doors opening around the corner. Fuck. I have to just get this over with and play later with Evangeline.

  Stalking over to Barbara, I hold my hand over her mouth and pinch her nose shut. Her whole body bucks beneath me, but I hold on. Lowering my hips, I groan as her body writhes against me. If she keeps that up, I'll be getting off after all.

  After a few minutes, her body goes limp underneath me. I hold on for just a bit more, making sure she’s actually dead. I don’t need her waking up and turning me in. Quickly, I hop off of her, trying to ignore my insistent erection. Soon. I have every plan of unleashing hell against the one woman who caused all of this to happen.

  Turning Barbara's face, I feel for her jugular and make two puncture marks. From what I surmise, they’re as close a distance to actual fangs as possible. I take the gag off and rub around her face, trying to get rid of the marks as best I can. Pausing, I listen for anyone coming. Still good. I undo her pants and pull both underwear and pants down to her ankles. After stuffing the knife and gag back into the bag, I run it to my car before going back into the club.

  I scan the area for a moment and see Evangeline at the bar, but luckily, Adrian is not next to her. He’s towards the back, in a booth, his head buried in his phone. Keeping one eye out for Evangeline, I slip my way through the people and make my way back to Adrian.

  "Do you work here?" I whisper, trying not to alert anyone.

  He sighs and looks up at me. Hatred fills my vision for a moment. It takes every ounce of willpower not to pummel him right then and there. But I can’t. I have to keep my eyes on the end game.

  "Why would you think I work here?"

  I gesture to his clothing and shrug. "You're wearing a suit and aren't a bouncer.” I look around before leaning back in. "Look, even if you don't work here, something really bad went down. I think someone was attacking this woman. She was on the ground and struggling—I think he did something to her neck. I couldn't quite see."

  Adrian looks at me sharply. "Where?"

  "Behind the club. I went out for some air. As soon as I saw something going down, I felt like I had to tell someone."

  "Actually, helping might have been better," he grumbles. "Stay here."

  I watch him head out, thankfully not alerting anyone else. Perfect. Watching the time, I wait a minute or so before grabbing one of the waitresses.

  "Adrian wanted me to pass on to Evangeline to meet him outside. Are you Evangeline?"

  The cute brunette shakes her head and laughs. "Not even close. But I'll tell her."

  Everything is going according to plan. Now, to leave and watch the fireworks.

  12

  Adrian

  Dear gods. At first, I thought the man who approached me was crazy or trying to create trouble, but now I can see that trouble hit. As I get closer to the body, the smell of blood hits me hard. It's fresh and still sluggishly flowing from the wound. A vampire didn’t do this. Even the crazy ones wouldn't leave that much blood.

  Someone killed her and staged it as a vampire attack. But why? Who would do this? Hunching down, I peer closer at the body, then my blood freezes. Ropes crisscross about her wrists and ankles in a very amateur way but enough to get the job done. But, it isn’t the fact that it’s rope that gives me pause. I know that rope like I know my very own hand. It is not someone targeting vampires but targeting me specifically. The rope I use is a special blend of jute and cotton. Very exclusive. To my knowledge, I am the only one in at least one hundred miles to have it.

  After filing these details away, I finally look up at the face. Regret and guilt slam into me. For just a moment, my vision blurs as I take in Barbara’s sweet face. Why her? She was the kindest soul that ever worked at Club Toxic. Never once did she say anything bad or wrong about anyone. The fact that someone did this to her was even more unforgivable.

  I crouch down low to her hips and scent the air. Her clothes are disheveled and mussed, but no one came inside her. There is not even a whiff of latex. Either they were interrupted or had no intention of pleasuring themselves at all. I crawl back over to her neck to examine the puncture wounds.

  "I was told you wanted to see—"

  Evangeline's face goes white as a sheet as she takes in the scene. Her eyes quickly scan the areas and lock on to the rope at her wrists before slowly turning to me. Damn.

  "Now love, —"

  "What the hell happened here?" She looks back down and stares at the face for a moment. Frantic anger vibrates through her body.

  "Barbara? You killed Barbara?"

  "Now wait a minute.”

  This is quite enough. Exhaustion flows through me for a moment, but I can’t give in to it. This is the same battle our kind has fought for years. I just didn’t realize Evangeline thought so low of me. Well, I guess, now I know.

  “I can understand the horrific nature of walking in on something like this, but to blame me for it? Why? Because I just happen to be a vampire, and she happens to be dead?”

  Frowning, I stand up and make my way over to her, if nothing else but to reason with her. I thought she was more level-headed than this.

  She begins pacing back and forth, rambling so fast I cannot understand her. Fuck, she must be in shock. I try to wrap my arms around her and calm her, but she flings her arms out, blocking me from touching her.

  "He was right—Simon was right."

  "Who's Simon?"

  I growl. Now is not the time to get angry. I need to stay calm and show her that I am still in control.

  "How could you do this?" she responds, completely ignoring my question. "Was my blood not enough? I…I gave you my blood. Oh God. Oh God!"

  She starts pacing again. The only way I know how to calm a woman in hysterics is to hold them close, but every time I get near, her eyes go wild, and she moves further from me.

  "Listen pet—."

  "I am not your pet," she spits out, spearing me with a glare. "You tricked and used me.” Looking back down she gestures to the rope. "Who else could this have been? I'm not stupid. You're the only freak I know who uses rope."

  "Freak?" My anger flairs, and I stalk towards her. "Enough of this. You sure didn’t think I was a freak when you orgasmed in my ropes."

  "Get away from me, y
ou monster. I swear, you'll regret it!"

  "Monster?"

  I stop for a moment, hurt at the insults she is hurling at me. The pain of her words opens up wounds in me I thought to be long gone. Monster. It’s an epithet that’s followed me wherever I go. But from her? This woman who holds way more of my heart than she even knows is most effectively trampling it with her careless words.

  This is why I don’t tangle with humans. This is why I don’t let them close. Sighing, I stop for a moment, trying to assess the situation, trying to see if from her point of view. We still don’t know each other that well, and with the evidence being what it is, it’s no doubt that she thinks I’m the killer.

  However, her insults, though they’re killing me, don’t cancel out the love I feel for her. Tragedy may have struck here tonight, but if there’s any hope in us going forward, I have to show her that I’m still the one in charge. I’m still the one she can count on and depend on.

  Without stopping to think anymore, I barrel my way towards her. Her fingers frantically claw at the bracelet she is always wearing. Let her pray and see if that saves her from a sound spanking. It’s not until I hear her gasp that I realize there is a stinging pain in my left pec. Looking down, I see a steady flow of liquid silver spreading across my shirt.

  "Now you won't hurt anyone else.”

  Tears glisten in her eyes as she looks at me closely. Confusion swirls in my brain. What is all this mess? It smears under my fingertips. The wound is an ache at best and an irritant at worse; however, a night of sleep will heal it right up.

  "Because I have a stain on my shirt?"

  Then her words register. She did this on purpose. This wasn’t an accident. What exactly is her game?