Chapter 39 #2
Until now, I’d not wanted to turn anyone.
I still needed time to come to terms with my own transformation, though if neither of us helped his sister soon by doing the dark deed, she would die.
In my hands, I held the key to eternal life.
If I went through with it, she’d be my first. And likely my last.
No time for such indulgence or unselfish acts of kindness, which Sunaria would never approve. The walls were closing in and I badly wanted out of here. A sense of relief came as my preternatural inner rhythm hinted that day had faded.
Benjamin squinted my way. “How do I know you aren’t tricking me?”
Because in half an hour, I’ll be gone.
Rachel stirred.
“If you don’t help her, she’ll die,” he whispered.
I gave him a sympathetic smile, and my gaze roamed the chamber.
“Please help us.” Benjamin shifted closer.
“How do you want me to help you?”
“To understand.”
I slid off the coffin.
“These cravings,” he murmured.
Soon, I’d be outside and the night air would be cool. Even though an unpleasant city aroma would greet me, I’d welcome it. Thoughts of relief came with the idea that soon this place would be an annoying memory.
His stare was vacant now. “I’m so hungry.”
I reached into my pocket. “Here.” I offered him several coins.
“What’s that for?”
“Get your sister to a doctor.” As I handed over the money, it dawned on me that if a physician examined either of them, a stake through the heart may be the treatment of choice.
“My thirst is driving me to do terrible things,” he confessed.
“You must learn to control it.”
Benjamin fell to his knees. “I’m craving rats.”
“Think of something else.”
“Like what?”
“Your future.”
“See, you can help me, you know what ails us.” Benjamin threw himself at my feet and wrapped his arms around my legs.
I regained my balance.
“I’m so afraid,” he sobbed.
“Please let go.” I pushed him away. “Just stay clear of daylight.”
“Don’t leave us like this.”
I sat back on the edge of a casket. “Just give her some of your blood.”
“What?”
“You’re special now.”
“I’m damned.”
“I was also confused when I was first turned. Like you, I struggled to understand my desires.”
He leaned against my legs.
“Benjamin, there’s no going back. You must come to terms with what you are.” My teeth pierced my wrist and blood trickled. Benjamin leaned in and followed the scarlet trail, pressing his lips up against the gash.
Thoughts of Jacob came to mind, how I’d enjoyed taking care of him. Now I bestowed a different kind of nurturing. After all that had unraveled in my life, I’d managed to hold onto the last remnants of kindness, bestowing it now to this sweet, frightened boy.
He let go and stared at me in awe, his mouth and chin covered in red smudges.
“Feel better?” I asked.
He gave a nod. I ran my fingers through his hair and Benjamin swooned.
I pulled away from him. “Let me give some to Rachel.”
“It’s all my fault.”
“Life takes us down roads that we are unprepared for.”
“Your son?”
Despite trying to lock him out, he’d glimpsed images. “You’ll need to feed like that once every night,” I said. “Take criminals. It’ll be easier. Just take a few sips and let them drink a little back and they’ll remember nothing.”
“But you’ve not done that for a while?”
He’d done more than glimpse. “Just don’t get caught.” I emphasized the importance of that statement with a pointed finger.
There was truth in his words, that I’d far from taken my own advice. Over the last few weeks, I’d been so crazed that I hadn’t taken small drinks, rather I’d sucked my victims dry. “I need to go back to my old ways.”
Even though I’d taken thieves and murderers, I couldn’t shake the guilt and, when least expected, the memory of their faces revisited me.
As though full of wonder, his eyes widened. “Such a life you’ve had.”
An unfamiliar sense of affection filled me. I’d been so distracted lately that I’d forgotten how kindness felt. As soon as I saw Sunaria, I’d remind her how much she meant to me. Her patience had been extraordinary. Despite the fact that I’d pushed her away, she’d stayed. I missed her.
“Perhaps you should turn away.” I encouraged him.
“What are you going to do?”
“Save her.” I pulled Rachel into my arms. Her soft, spiraling curls tumbled over my forearm.
She gazed up and I smiled at her and gestured to Benjamin. She turned her head to look at him and gave a frown.
“Please hurry.” Benjamin placed a hand over her eyes. “It’s best she doesn’t look.”
“And you,” I said. “Turn away.”
I leaned into her neck and kissed her milky, soft skin. Rachel shuddered. Flawless pleasure, the purest claret stolen from an innocent. Images so perfect that I hesitated to cease, indulging in the moment, aware enough that it wasn’t mine.
Another bite into my wrist and blood flowed again, dropping onto her grey lips and trickling into her dry mouth.
Rachel’s tongue greeted the bloody drops, her breasts rising and falling.
A hint of lavender wafted. Rachel and I shared the lull.
She quivered again as she swallowed, and death’s scent dissipated.
Her cheeks, once a dusky hue, were now flushed.
The door flew open.
The silhouette of a large man loomed, and he neared us with lightning speed. A vampire of regal status with a haunting, evocative face, transformed in his late forties, or so. He had a heavy-lidded gaze that bestowed a seductive quality. Dressed lavishly, he emanated wealth.
From Benjamin’s expression, I assumed I’d just met Count Delacroix. He didn’t blink as he traced Rachel’s curves with a lustful stare and then his gaze fell onto Benjamin.
“Stay where you are, Benjamin.” I shot him a look of insistence.
Benjamin prodded Rachel’s arm.
With an iron-clad grip, Delacroix clutched my wrist. A strange hypnosis ensued. He still hadn’t blinked. A familiar trance-like sensation filled me, one that Sunaria had tried on me once. I hadn’t liked it then, hating the powerlessness it wrought. With all my will, I fought it.
Rachel tugged on my trouser leg and broke the spell.
“The Manor, Belgravia,” the count commanded. “Bring her.”
Rachel reached for me, and I interlocked my fingers through hers.
“If I’m not mistaken,” he said, his crooked smile widening, “you’ll see a fair exchange in Rachel for Sunaria.”
Delacroix vanished.
“Who’s Sunaria?” Benjamin asked.