Chapter Ten
A hand appeared out of nowhere and dragged him from the tree, dropping him to the ground. Max! A kick to the side had him screaming out and he wanted to curl up, but Max had told him to always stand when facing a vampire. Rolling, he pushed up from the ground and stood.
I met you at a club. You’re gay. I brought you here. You don’t know I’m a vampire. Act scared.
Rex didn’t need to act scared. He actually was scared. He struggled to breathe, his body shaking. Swallowing, he jumped when Max and another vampire appeared to his left, and he watched them approach. Ask what’s going on. You’ve just seen two men appear in front of you.
“What the fuck is going on? What are you?”
The vampire with Max slapped him across the back. “He’s cute. I’ll give you that.”
Max grinned at the vampire but as soon as the vampire looked away the smile fell from his face. ‘What’s going on? Who’s Max? Is that your real name?”
The vampire laughed. “I’d do him if it got me what I needed.”
“Shut up, Keef,” the vampire who’d pulled Rex from the tree snapped.
“Sorry Fletcher.”
Rex didn’t want to look at Max, but he couldn’t help glance at him. Max looked like he’d been in a fight, covered in dirt and scratches, with blood on his body. “What do you want from me?”
“First, Keef here wants to fuck you.” Fletcher pointed to Keef. “After that I think we should have some fun. I’ll like it but you won’t.”
“He’s Peter’s son.”
“Well, shit.” Keef glanced over his shoulder at Max. “Now why did you have to spoil my fun like that?”
“This is Peter’s son? Peter, who is mated to Minho?” Fletcher looked Rex up and down.
“Yes. I’ve been tracking him. Found him in a club and brought him here. He was my way in.” Max eyes flickered to Rex then back to Fletcher. “Until you all arrived. Why are you here?”
“Pure luck. We were hunting some humans who were here hunting deer. Saw the cabin. Thought we’d investigate.” Keef rocked on his feet. “Then you decided to take all the fun away.”
“And Chuck? He mentioned intel?”
Keef shrugged. “Chuck wasn’t with us. Maybe he heard something and knew to come here. You know the bastard wouldn’t let anyone know. He wants to be Maxim’s right-hand man.”
As soon as I go for Keef, I need you to run.
No! I won’t leave you.
Rex. You’re no match for a fully grown vampire. You haven’t had any training. I have.
Rex didn’t respond, but moved back to the tree, placing his back against it. “What do you want from me and my dad?”
“We want Minho and you’re going to get him for us.” Fletcher tilted his head. “And Reef’s going to fuck you.”
“No! Stay the fuck away from me.”
“Or?” Fletcher chuckled. “You can’t do shit because you’re a weak pathetic human. We can do whatever we want to you. You let Max here touch you. Now Reef gets to as well.”
“No and I didn’t know what he was.” Rex pointed at Max, who was moving behind Reef. “Do you think I’d have let him near me if I knew he was a vampire? Fuck. Vampires actually exist?”
“We’re standing right in front of you.” Fletcher smiled, showing fangs. “Once you’ve been fucked, we’ll drain you, but first you call Peter and get Minho here.”
“Why would I call my dad when you’re going to rape and kill me?”
“We won’t make it painful.” Fletcher shrugged. “I don’t care. My dick won’t be going anywhere near you. You’re human. Fuck knows how many dicks you’ve had in your ass, passing all those diseases around. I’d need a bucket of bleach to disinfect myself after touching you.”
“Call Peter.” Reef flexed his muscles. “I want to fuck you and you’re making me wait.”
“I’m not letting you anywhere near me.”
Reef grabbed his crotch and leered at Rex. “You don’t get a choice in this. Drop ‘em.”
“Fuck you.”
“Nah. I do the fucking, bitch.”
Fletcher hissed at Reef. “Just fucking do it already. I’m tired of waiting.”
Reef whooped and jumped at Rex, grabbing him around the throat and throwing him to the ground. Rex caught Max’s eyes just as he vanished. Rex tried to roll away, but Reef’s heavy weight landed on his back. He bucked and shoved until he managed to get an arm free, then he swung it back, connecting with something and hearing a loud groan.
A second later he heard a scream as he shoved at Reef, twisting around as he kicked and punched at the vampire. He managed to smack the heel of his hand against Reef’s nose and kick him off. Jumping up, he saw Max fighting Fletcher and ran.
“Get back here!”
Rex ran, struggling to get his phone out of his sweats. He had to call Peter and get help. Before he managed to reach it, he was flung through the air, landing in a heap on the ground. Stunned, he lay groaning as he was dragged up then rolled onto his back.
Reef glared down at him, his eyes glowing, blood smeared across his face. “You bitch. Now you’re gonna pay.”
Reef straddled Rex and he took advantage, kneeing him in the nuts. Reef’s mouth fell open and Rex pushed him off. Scrambling backwards, he got up and ran again, leaving Reef on the ground. He could hear him screaming at him, but he didn’t stop or slow. He knew the second Reef recovered; he’d be after him again.
Max!
Keep running.
Rex pumped his arms, going as fast as he could. His phone bounced in his pocket, and he reached for it again. Running and trying to place a call diverted his attention from listening out for Reef, but he needed to make the call. Glancing behind him, he slowed when he didn’t see Reef.
Finding a bush, he ducked behind it and messaged Peter. He couldn’t risk talking in case Reef heard him. He kept the phone low to make sure the light wouldn’t be seen, but he knew it was only a matter of time before Reef found him.
Dad! I’m in trouble. Maxim’s vampires have found me. Send help!
Shit. He hadn’t put location on his phone. His hands shook so much he almost dropped his phone as he tried to put it on, then froze when he heard movement. “Where are you? I can smell you.”
Rex slapped a hand over his mouth. Reef has found me.
There was no response from Max, and Rex whimpered softly. Max was in trouble and Rex couldn’t help. He knew there was a road nearby, so he shot up from his hiding spot and ran as fast as he could. He heard a whoop then the sounds of pursuit. His phone rang and he tried to answer it, but the phone was sent flying from his hand. “No help coming for you.”
Reef lifted him off his feet and threw him to the ground. Rex lay on his back staring up at him, watching Reef undo his jeans. “I’m going to fuck you then feed from you. No one gets to do what you’ve done to me.”
“Get fucked,” Rex spat. “You couldn’t find your dick with tweezers and a magnifying glass.”
Reef scowled at him then snarled, “Your ass is mine, bitch, whether you want it or not.”
Rex scurried backward, but Reef kicked him in the ribs, causing him to gasp in pain. “Leave me alone.”
“Not so brave now, are you?” Reef grinned. “I can’t wait to fuck your ass. I want to be there when Minho sees your dead, drained body.”
“Not gonna happen.” Rex scanned the ground, trying to find his phone. The screen lit up and he saw it, but it was too far away. Reef spotted it too, and laughed.
“That’s not gonna help you now.” His wide leer slowly dropped from his face. “What?”
Rex shoved him off, seeing Max behind him, holding a bloody knife. A second later, Max flew through the air, landing in a crumpled heap on the ground. Fletcher staggered closer, his face covered in blood. He glanced at Rex, then Reef who was curled up, moaning softly. He kicked at Reef, causing Reef to cry out.
“Pathetic. Call yourself a vampire.”
“He stabbed me.”
“He fucking stabbed me, too. You don’t see me bitching about it. Get up. We need to finish this job. Kill them both. Max is nothing but a traitor.”
Max.
Go. Get out of here. I love you.
No! I won’t leave you.
Max lifted his bloody face to him. Go. Standing, Max wobbled but straightened, his hand tightening on the handle of the blade he still had hold of. “Leave him alone.”
Fletcher glanced between Max and Rex, then chuckled. “He’s your mate, isn’t he? I should have seen it, but I wanted to believe you.”
“Now I’m definitely fucking him.” Reef coughed, a dribble of blood running from the corner of his mouth. He wiped it with the back of his hand, frowning when he saw it. “You bastard, Max. I’m going to make you watch as I fuck his ass, tearing him up. Make you listen to his screams.”
“Just fucking do it already. I’ll deal with Max here. He won’t last much longer; he can barely stand as it is.”
I messaged Dad. He knows.
Max nodded. His eyes remained fixed on Fletcher, and as soon as Fletcher moved, so did Max. Rex watched Max slide underneath Fletcher as he jumped to where he was and faster than Rex could almost see, stab him several times. Fletcher landed on his feet then dropped to his knees, his hands holding his stomach. Max didn’t hesitate. He came behind Fletcher and stabbed him in the side of the head. As Fletcher fell forward, Reef slammed Max from the side.
Rex got up and ran to where he’d seen his phone, almost falling over several times. He could hear them fighting behind him and looked over, seeing Reef on top of Max, punching him in the face. Rex shoved the phone in his pocket, picked up a large, heavy branch and ran over to Reef, whacking him on the back of the head with it.
Reef grunted, then slowly turned his head to glare at Rex. He picked up the knife and stalked Rex, holding the knife in front of him. Rex watched, moving with him, trying keep some distance between them, swinging the branch.
A grin, then Reef moved, shoving the branch away. Rex gasped, the punch to his stomach knocking the air from him. He looked down and saw the handle of the knife protruding from his body, and staggered back. Another punch to the left side of his chest had him crying out in pain.
A scream filled the air and then sounds of fighting. Rex fell to his knees, his hands covering his wounds. Blood leaked from between his fingers as pain so intense rushed through him. He opened his mouth to scream but fell back instead. Everything was going dark, his vision blurring. It was hard to breathe, like he was drowning.
Suddenly there was pressure on his chest, and Max’s voice in the distance calling his name. “Rex!”
Rex blinked and tried to lick his dry lips. Something warm dropped over them. “Drink it.” He licked his lips, his face screwing up at the taste. More drops followed, with Max telling him to keep taking it. Each time it hurt, and he felt a tear slip from his eye, rolling down the side of his face. “Max…”
“Stay with me. I’m calling Peter. Don’t pass out on me. Please don’t leave me, Rex.”
The harsh sobs from Max tore at Rex, and he tried to keep his eyes open, but they refused to cooperate. The pressure on his chest intensified and he moaned, a wet sound he couldn’t understand. He felt a hand pat him down then pull at his pocket. I love you.
“No!” Max screamed. “I’m not letting you die.”
Rex tried to smile but he wasn’t sure if he managed it. The light dimmed, the blackness creeping closer, and he sighed as his body stopped.
“Rex!”