Undying Thirst (Crimson Coven #2)

37. Catalina

THIRTY-SEVEN

catalina

I rubbed my arms frantically, trying to gain friction to warm me up. It was too cold for this. I shuffled on my bare feet. Asher was supposed to be keeping the heels and dress safe. Turned out, no I wasn’t running around through the middle of the forest in platform heels. I’d been handed a simple forest green A-line dress and told that shoes were not allowed.

“Quickly, quickly, blood bag.” Freya shooed me toward the group of humans congregated on the pavilion. I climbed up and the other people waiting around, six of us in total, looked as cold as me, but they seemed less bothered by it. They stood in a straight line, facing outward with their backs to me. Once I climbed onto the platform and shuffled next to a male dressed in the same A-line dress, I saw why. The lawn was decorated with fairy lights wound around the surrounding trees that created a sort of circular clearing. Scattered throughout were tall rectangular tables with white cloths draped over them.

Calliope stood at the base below the pavilion on the other side where I’d arrived.

“And our last human has arrived. Crimson Coven Sire’s precious Pet.” A smattering of applause echoed into the deep dark surroundings. Past the fairy lights, everything looked so ominous and dark. I licked my lips nervously.

Playthings. Entertainment. That was all humans were to vamps. And this game was stupid. I had to run through the dark forest, shoeless, and be chased by other vampires trying to kill me? Great.

Do not trust the other humans. And don’t be last. Asher warned me before he strode away.

I peeked to the side. A total of five girls and one guy. The others looked just as determined as I felt to win. I breathed out slow and steady. I couldn’t believe I was having to put my trust in Jax, the one I least trusted.

He would likely take the opportunity to off me himself.

Calliope faced us on the platform. With a sly, smarmy grin, she said, “Run.” I needed nothing more. I pounded down the steps, angling toward the edge of the forest. A tall, lean woman surpassed us all, the man right on her heels. They crossed the boundary of the forest, disappearing into the thick foliage.

I gritted my teeth, pushing my legs harder. I could do this!

A sudden pull against the back of my dress banded the neckline to my throat. Choking, I slowed and whoever grabbed my dress kicked the back of my knee, making them buckle. I hit the ground with a thud that vibrated through my bones.

Now on all fours, I watched the rest of the girls dash past me.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

I was last; exactly what Asher said not to do. Clawing my fingers into the grass until dirt caked the bottom of my nails, I dragged myself forward. A few steps further and leaves slapped my arms, scratching my skin.

Ignoring all of it was my only choice. I pushed forward. Running as hard as humanly possible. My feet ached, but I couldn’t afford to slow. I only had a moment to get as deep into the forest as I could. My chest pumped up and down, and the slightest pain banded my lungs. I hadn’t been able to run this hard since The Pale One took me. I smacked a branch out of my way and dipped through an unmarked path veering to the right.

A loud horn exploded through the forest. Treetops rustled and birds exploded from them in a flurry.

As soon as you hear the horn, hide. Don’t keep going forward, go left as soon as you’re in the forest. Another tidbit Asher offered. He didn’t have to tell me twice.

I wove to the left and hunkered lower, trying to find a hiding spot as I crept through. While at the same time slowing my panting breaths. Pressing on my chest, I focused on bringing down the volume of my panting. Adrenaline pumped through my veins. It was so dark out here . . .

I shivered. I hated this with a passion. My skin crawled and all I wanted to do was disappear. But this was about Peter’s survival. I would win because I needed to keep protecting him. Once I was gone, Crimson Coven could get rid of him.

A branch snapping cracked through the silent forest, echoing from all around.

An unfamiliar man hovered at the main path, well within view of the moonlight beaming down and turning his skin pale.

He slowed and he inhaled hard, smelling me? I gritted my teeth, fear riding me hard. Something tickled my arm. I lifted it closer to see a thin line of blood.

A scratch. I covered it with my mouth, licking the injury. Thank God, it didn’t keep bleeding. Upon lowering my arm, my elbow smacked a branch, rattling the leaves.

I froze.

The vampire whipped his head in the direction I hid. A scream rang out and he whirled toward the sound.

Bats exploded out of a nearby tree. The vampire disappeared. I contained the sob that begged to escape.

I continued trekking to the left as I was directed. Rhythmic smacking brought me to a halt. A vampire had his pants around his ankles, knees in the dirt as he fucked a woman. His head was tipped back, neck straining. Her dress was around her neck, and he gripped the end of it, forcing her into a bent curve.

Bites and blood littered her body. Was she even alive?

I heaved and crept by while he kept fucking her. Once I was far enough, I allowed myself to breathe normally.

Hurry, Jax.

Trees rustled and a shadow moved within the trees. I squinted. Alistair.

I ducked behind a wide trunk, pressing my back to the bark, and holding my breath. Walk on by. Please, plea?—

“I wouldn’t hide here.”

A scream ripped from my throat. Terrified and loud. Too loud. He winced. “I wouldn’t scream either,” he drawled. I cringed against the tree.

The corner of his lips twitched.

“I’d hide there.” He tipped his chin toward a thick bush. I could only blink at him. Was he playing with me? His lips full on spread into a fang-y grin. He winked and disappeared. I exhaled and slumped against the tree.

The spot he’d told me to hide in looked inconspicuous. And If I kept walking, I was bound to run into another vampire.

I dashed into the dense bushes, hunkering down into a crouch and hugging my knees. Closing my eyes, I focused on breathing and listening.

A brief moment passed and then the sound of a whispered ‘hello’ echoed. I peeked through the brush.

The human male inched by. Sweeping his gaze from left to right. No way. I was staying right here. Even if he meant no harm, why was he walking around calling out. Too fishy.

I settled back in, closing my eyes and breathing slow. A snap of a branch forced my eyes open in time to see a hand plunge into the bush. The man grabbed my hair in a rough tug, dragging me from my hiding spot.

Screaming, I kicked at his calves, but he would not let go of my braid. From my peripheral, a rock came flying at me. Agony splintered through my temple, and I cried out.

He slammed a rock into my head.

I whimpered, clasping my jaw. The hit was so hard it radiated down. He tossed me down and I fell in an unceremonious pile.

“Why?” I croaked.

“I will win.” So emotionless.

I dug my fingers into the dirt, about to toss it into his face so I could take off running.

Then, a large fucking tiger with coloring I’d never seen before pounced on his back. Those large claws slashed into the back of his neck, severing it in one swipe.

I gawked.

Jax turned into his human form. He stood over the body with a sneer on his face.

I closed my eyes. It was fifty-fifty. He would kill me, or save me, and I had nothing to hope for either way.

Jax placed his bleeding wrist to my lips. My eyes flew open, and I stared into his shadowed, blue lapis-colored eyes. My tongue flicked out to collect the offering. I gripped his wrist, pressing his flesh to my lips. I swallowed down another mouthful.

Jax pulled away at the third drink.

I made a sound of complaint.

“I can’t have you drunk off blood.”

Already the pain in my head felt better.

“Thank you,” I croaked. He hadn’t killed me . . . and he’d given me his blood.

“Are you okay, Kitten?”

The soft question sprang tears to my eyes and my lip wobbled. I lowered my head to hide the vulnerability.

He gripped my jaw and forced my chin to face him. My eyes fell on his concerned one.

“Jax,” I sobbed and tossed myself in his arms. He stiffened and then his hand smoothed down my spine.

“Shh,” he murmured, continuing to pet me. “Kitten, we have to get out of here.”

I swiped the back of my hand across the dampness on my face.

“Okay,” I whispered.

“Climb onto my back.” He crouched. I stared down at the bare wide shoulders. Something moved within the brush to my right. I tossed myself on him, clinging like a monkey. He ran through the forest with ease. The loose strands of hair that had escaped my braid fluttered at my temples.

Jax slowed.

“What are you doing?” I whispered—no, croaked.

He turned his head. In a jerk to the side, he focused on a tree a few feet away. A slight form burst from the tree, running the opposite direction. He continued to stalk her until his fist went right through her chest. Blood gushed from the wound and spurted from her front. Jax had punched a hole right through her chest. In the same swift, no nonsense move, he yanked his arm out. Her flesh made the oddest suctioning sound and there were snaps of bones as he removed his arm. She fell facedown, still and with a hole in her back. Jax flicked his hand, and her blood splattered around. He swiped his hand over his thigh, removing the red layer on his palm.

My stomach heaved.

“Why?” I croaked.

It seemed so unnecessarily cruel.

“She should not have injured you.”

What . . .

She’d been the one to trip me.