by Anjela Renee
***
Brian just returned from taking Lizzy home to find a hungry looking Maurice. Brian knew what that meant. He dreaded being bitten. When he first came to live with Maurice, the feedings were gentle and pleasurable. Maurice would caress his back and afterward tell him how much he meant to him, and how he would make a wonderful companion as a Vampire. Now it was rather violent, like being raped each time.
“Where were you, Brian?” Maurice asked angrily.
“I was taking the skank home.”
“I wanted her for breakfast.”
“You already took enough. We don’t need the attention of another death.”
“Very well.” In an instant, Maurice was on Brian and pinning him to the floor. Maurice violently pierced his neck, ferociously drinking down his blood. Brian held back a whimper as he felt the pain and violence of the feeding. Maurice retracted his fangs, not bothering to seal the wound.
“When you are done crying like a bitch, I want you to go find that female of Javon’s and bring her to me. It’s time to put my plan into motion.”
Maurice left Brian on the floor in a weakened state. All he could do was remain on the ground, unable to do much of anything. His phone rang and he barely had enough energy to answer.
“Hello?”
“Brian?”
“Who is this? How did you get this number?”
“This is Lizzy.”
Oh great, just what I need—a Vamp whore clinging on.
“Lizzy, you shouldn’t be calling me. Just forget you ever met me or Maurice. It’s for your own good.”
“I was worried about you. I had a bad feeling, and I just needed to be sure.”
“I’m fine; just a little depleted of my blood, that’s all. Maurice was very hungry this morning.”
“Do you need help? I can come and help you.”
“No,” Brian shouted over the phone. “I just need a nap. I will be fine. I’ve been through this plenty of times.”
“Okay, but I’m calling every hour until I know you’re okay.”
“Fine, whatever.”
Brian hung up. He thought about what it would be like to have a girl like Lizzy—someone who would care for him, someone to love him. It had been so long since he’d had anything like it. It was almost foreign to him now.
Chapter 13
Brian watched Abby’s apartment. He had to be sure she was alone so he waited in the car for an hour and then walked over to the fire escape and quietly climbed up until he was outside her window. He peaked through the crack in the thick curtains of her bedroom window. He could see movement in the next room and knew she wasn’t in her bedroom. He tried opening the window and, luckily, it wasn’t locked. He pushed against the glass and finally it opened a little. He used his hands to open the window the rest of the way. Brian carefully crawled into the bedroom, trying not to make any noise. He closed the window after him and walked over to the closet. On his way, he stepped onto some shopping bags and they made a distinctive rustling sound. He swore under his breath and hoped she didn’t hear the noise. He got inside the closet and closed it all but a crack and waited.
***
Abby froze in the hallway to her bedroom. She heard a noise and saw something go into her closet. She backed away from her closet and grabbed her pepper spray. She slipped on her shoes and grabbed her purse. She was scared and wanted to know who was in her room, but thought the best course of action would be retreat. She ran out the door and slammed it behind her and ran as fast as she could run. She kept checking behind her but didn’t see anyone. She ran what seemed like forever, but in reality was only about a mile, until she reached a nearby bar. She rushed inside and closed the door. She breathed deeply and then calmed as she noticed everyone looking at her. She smiled and made her way to the bar and sat. She pulled out her phone and called Javon.
“Javon, it’s me, Abby.”
“I am so happy you called. I missed you.”
Abby tried to sound strong but her voice betrayed her by quivering over the phone. “Javon, someone broke into my apartment,” she cried.
“Where are you?”
“At a bar down the road from my apartment.”
“Stay put; I’m coming to get you.”
“Maybe I should just call Jenny; no need for you to come all the way here.”
“No! I’m glad you called. Just sit tight. I can be there in twenty minutes.”
Abby hung up the phone as she saw the bartender approach. She ordered a beer and took it over to a table.
Abby was taking a sip of her beer when someone sat across from her at the table.
“Killer—Um, Pierre, right?”
“You are Javon's woman! Why are you drinking alone?” He gave Abby a flirtatious smile. At the club, he looked scary, like a bouncer should, but here he looked like a guy she would enjoy meeting. He had a blue button down shirt and jeans, and the tattoo on his arm gave him an edge without being too intimidating.
“Javon is on his way.”
“A man should never keep a pretty lady waiting.”
“He isn't. It was a last minute date but he should be here soon.” Abby wasn't sure if she should tell Pierre anything else. Javon knew him, but she had just met him.
“Wanna tell me what happened? I can tell this isn’t a last minute date.”
“I think I'll just wait for Javon.”
Abby stared at Pierre. Even after everything that had happened, she refused to break down and cry again. She would be strong. Besides, nothing really happened. A creep broke in and she ran—it could have been worse.
“I like you. I can tell something happened. Do you know what else I can tell about you?”
“Please, all powerful seer, tell me,” she joked.
“You’re tough, a lot tougher than you even know you are. Whatever happened, you won’t let it get you down. I can respect that.”
Pierre handed Abby a card with his cell phone number on it. She smiled, knowing that she had made a new friend.
“I appreciate that. Pierre, you look scary but you're a really nice guy. Thanks for sitting with me.” Abby spotted Javon entering the bar with a worried look on his face that made him look sexy as hell. “Javon!” Abby yelled and waved him over. He rushed over to her table and gave her a toe-curling kiss, not holding back one bit.
“Are you okay?”
“I am, now that you're here.”
“Pierre, what are you doing here?” asked Javon.
“Just having a drink. I saw Abby so I thought I would join her until you got here.”
“Thanks for keeping an eye on her for me.”
“No problem. I’ll catch you at the club sometime. Later!” Pierre walked away with his drink, leaving Abby and Javon to themselves. Pierre smirked at Javon as he saw the way he looked at Abby.
“Abby, let me take you back to my house. We can talk on the way.”
“I'm not going to your house; I don’t even know you.”
“Abby, be reasonable; it's not safe at your place.”
“Just take me to the police station. I'll report it and then I'm going home,” Abby responded. She liked Javon but there was no way she was sleeping at his house tonight.
***
Javon took Abby to the police station and they sent a patrol car to check out her place and let her file a report, but she didn’t even see the guy so there wasn’t much she could do.
He stopped the car at her apartment complex and got out of the car. He decided if she wouldn't come with him, he would have to just stay at her place.
Javon walked with Abby to her door; he knew he couldn't just let her go on her way. Without protection. From her earlier reaction, he didn't think she would agree to an overnight guest easily, but he thought he could be convincing.
“Thank you, for taking me to the police station, and for, you know, helping me.”
“I think I should stay just to keep an eye on things.”
“As much as I appreciate the offer, I don't
think that's a good idea.”
Javon interrupted her as she tried to persuade him it would be a bad idea. “I will stay on the couch, or the floor in your room to be closer.”
“Javon, no. My answer is no. I like you, but this is just too much.”
***
Abby grumbled to herself as she gave Javon a set of sheets and blankets for the couch. One minute she was giving him a very firm no, the next he was on her couch settling in. He was just too charming; she couldn't hold her ground.
“I have a bit of a sun allergy. Is it okay if I put down the blinds?”
“Really? You can't go in the sun at all?” Abby asked.
“No, I can go out. It just makes me quite weak and requires medication. I just try to stay out of the sun for convenience.”
“My blinds are darkening blinds, but it won't keep out all the sun.”
“I'm sure it will be fine.”
Javon made himself a bed on the couch and had taken off his jacket and shirt and was now barefoot.
Abby had gotten into a pink tank top and matching pajama pants. She walked to the living room to see that he was settled. Abby stopped and looked at Javon's bare chest. It was going to be very difficult not jumping his bones in the middle of the night.
“Do you have everything you need?” Abby asked.
Javon looked over and smiled at her cute pajamas.
“I'm great. Are you sure I can't sleep in your room? I could sleep on the floor and I promise to behave.”
“Not a chance,” she replied.
“How about a goodnight kiss?” he asked.
Abby nodded and Javon got up from the couch and took her in his arms. He kissed her softly at first, and then it became more forceful and passionate. Abby could feel her whole body charge with pleasure. She wanted him, and she wanted him bad.
Javon's hands wandered down her body as they kissed. He cupped her ass and squeezed slightly. Abby let out a small moan at the welcomed sensation. It took all her willpower to break away. She wanted him, but it was too soon and she wanted this to work and didn’t think it would if she gave in to him too soon.
“Good night,” she said, out of breath.
“Good night, Abby. Just yell if you need anything. And I mean anything.”
Chapter 14
Mary was trying to occupy herself after Maurice left so she sent word to her friend, Sally, to come to tea. Two hours later, Sally had arrived.
“It was so kind of you to drop by, Sally. It has been ages since we have had a chance to catch up.” Mary was dressed for tea and was looking her best, like always. Her golden brown hair was in an upsweep, with a few brown curls down around her face. She had on her favorite blue dress with white lace. It had a rounded neckline that showed some cleavage, but wasn't too scandalous.
“So tell me, Mary, I have heard that Maurice is courting you,” Sally said. She was an exotic beauty with dark cocoa skin. She wore a red velvet dress with a lower neckline than Mary, and her hair was all done up in a ribbon.
“Oh, Sally, he's wonderful! He's a perfect gentleman, and he loves me. I just know it!” Mary blushed as she spoke.
“You are glowing, Mary. He must be something special. What family is he from?”
“He isn't exactly of noble birth. He won my heart so I don't care about anything else.”
“My dear, how scandalous. That just isn’t done. Your father must be spitting nails.”
“He isn’t thrilled, but Mother is helping him learn to accept. Sally, you look a little pale. Are you okay?”
“It's my sun allergy. Could we perhaps pull the curtains?”
“Certainly.” Mary took the bell that was on the table and rang it. Two servants entered the room.
“You rang, My Lady?”
“Sally has a sun allergy. Please close all the curtains to block as much sun as possible.”
The servants scattered and the room became much darker. They lit candles to help brighten the darkened room.
“So, about Maurice?”
“Yes, of course. Mother insisted Father let Maurice court me. She said since Father had no more money or class than Maurice had when they’d met, he couldn't say no.”
“I always liked your mother.”
***
Maurice lay on the ground, dying. He began to lose consciousness. He saw a dark figure approach. “Please, help me,” Maurice pleaded. His voice was barely above a whisper. The dark figure got closer and he bent down to Maurice.
“I will save you.” The man came closer, and then everything went black.
Maurice woke up in a strange room that was much nicer than anywhere he had ever stayed. He was in excruciating pain and every nerve in his body felt like it was on fire. His body was drenched with sweat, soaking through his clothes and the sheets on the bed. He started to scream. The door in the room opened. A man he didn't recognize entered the room. He thought he might be the man from the woods.
“Remember me?”
“Yes,” Maurice replied with a painful moan. “You were out there. I asked you for help.”
“I am Javon. What is your name, sir?” Javon asked.
“Maurice, Maurice Levarne.” He groaned in pain. “What is happening to me?”
“I'm sorry, Maurice, but in order to save you, I had to turn you. You will live, but you are now a Vampire. I am sorry, Maurice!
Maurice felt a pain throbbing and travel through his body. It was unlike any pain he had ever felt.
***
At this point of his own change, Javon became unconscious and was experiencing the most horrible nightmares ever. He sat by Maurice with a look of worry on his face. He never thought that he would change anyone without Sally's consent but he couldn't just let him die. The door opened and Sally entered the room.
“What the bloody hell?” Sally asked angrily.
“I found him in the woods, shot and left for dead. I didn't know what to do.” Javon ran his hands through his hair, in obvious distress and frustration.
“So you turned him. This is not good. Do you know who he is?”
“No, he said his name is Maurice.”
“Oh no, fuck! He's the one courting Mary! She'll be devastated.”
“He could always turn her later.”
“I don't think that would be a good idea.”
Maurice began to stir, his eyes opening slightly, still moaning in pain. “Mary, where is Mary?” He grabbed Sally's hand and pulled her toward him. “I kept my promise to you, Mary. I will always return to you.”
“Maurice, can you hear me? My name is Sally, not Mary. You will get through this. I promise. You will be healthy again,” Sally said as she freed herself from Maurice's grip. “Javon, he will need blood. Go get him some animal blood to start. I don't want him killing a human.”
“Yes, Sally. I will return swiftly.”
***
Maurice awoke in a cold stone room with a goat. He was disgusted with what Javon said he would need to do. He didn’t want to bite the goat but his hunger for blood was getting unbearable. The animal just looked at him with fear in its eyes. It bleated at him every few moments. Maurice could hear the blood flowing through its veins; he imagined what it would be like to feed from Mary, remembering how sweet their kisses were. He walked over to the goat and before he knew it, he was latched onto it, drinking down the blood. Slowly, his blood hunger vanished. He let go of the goat, horrified by what he had done, and the blood didn’t even taste good. His instinct just took over. The blood satisfied him but wasn’t at all what he craved. Javon walked into the room, inspecting the carnage of what was left of the goat.
“I see you’ve had your first meal. Do you feel better?”
“I am an evil monster; I cannot stand to live like this,” Maurice shouted.
“You will get over that. Soon, you will be feeling much better, and then you can feed from the locals.”
“I imagined it was my sweet Mary. I’m a monster”
“It’s just the blood hung
er. You will settle down in time. We are no different from the humans who eat animals, except we do not have to kill to eat.”
Sally entered the room with sadness in her eyes. It made Maurice uneasy; he hated to see a woman upset.
“I think it’s time to move on. Mary isn’t taking the loss of you very well. We can’t risk someone spotting you in the city. I have a home in Greece. We will go there for a time until things settle down. Then you may return if you wish.”
“I agree with Sally; it’s time to move on.”
“I have lived here my whole life. I don’t want to go,” said Maurice defiantly.
“Javon, I need you to make the travel arrangements. Take Maurice as soon as possible. I will tie up the loose ends here and meet you in Greece.”
“Right away, Sally.”
Chapter 15
Sally sat on the oversized chair and had her feet up on the footstool while reading. The first floor library was her favorite room to read and relax. She read a book she normally wouldn't read and she felt quite guilty. It was a Vampire Romance and not a very good one either. She knew the series was ridiculous but everyone was going crazy over the books and the movies. She’d finally given in and decided that it wouldn't hurt to just read a little bit. The phone rang in the study and it startled her. She answered to find Javon's voice.
“Hello?” Sally answered.
“Sally, it’s me. Javon”
“Hey, where are you?”
“I'm at Abby's. There was an incident. I think it's Maurice. I think he sent someone to grab her, but she got away. I tried to get her to come to our house but she refused so I'm staying with her tonight.”
“Alligator balls!” Sally cursed “Do you need me to come?”
“No, I'll be fine. Just be on alert in case he tries something with you.”
“He wouldn't dare. I would feed him his own balls. He must be trying to get back at you; he never forgave you for turning him. This is why turning should be carefully planned and not done on a whim.”
