Chapter 6 #2
Vampires didn’t seem to be much better when it came to their own kind, but they at least gathered together in clans. New vampires could learn from other vampires in their clans. The werewolves had their packs and taught their knowledge to the next generation.
But witches? It was a big “Fuck you! You’re on your own, buddy.”
How could you treat kids that way? Why weren’t other witches invested in handing down their knowledge? Why wasn’t there any kind of pride in their race overall? No, the few witches he knew all kept to themselves and didn’t give a shit if anyone learned anything.
If just one of them had taken a little time, given him a little training, Fox was sure he could have used magic to escape Damon’s place.
Hell, he might have escaped the initial kidnapping attempt completely.
The old rage and feelings of injustice bubbled up, and Fox rubbed his eyes before pressing his fingers into his temples to massage the emotions. They weren’t going to help him now.
He’d tried to tell his first captors that he had no magical skills, but they’d completely ignored him.
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell Big Sexy behind the wheel, but the vamp looked like he was about to drop.
Definitely not the best time to have that conversation.
The man wasn’t likely to listen to him right now.
Maybe after the fanger got some sleep, they could have a civilized conversation.
Of course, he really doubted he’d listen to him at all.
That was why he needed to have his escape plan in place.
The sun was starting to lighten the sky when they pulled into the parking lot of a nice hotel.
Along the highway, they’d passed enough signs for Fox to figure out they were now in Maryland and heading northeast. There was no point in asking where they were going.
He had no intention of being around long enough to reach their ultimate destination.
Turning off the engine, the vampire sat for a second, rubbing his watering eyes. The sun was likely getting to him already. They’d cut this escape pretty damn close, but at least he felt sure they hadn’t been followed. It gave Fox a better chance of escaping completely.
“Let’s go,” the vamp muttered before sliding out of the SUV.
Fox hesitated, his eyes darting around the parking lot, taking in the other cars and collection of businesses close by.
Could he make it? If he just jumped out of the car and starting running, could he make it somewhere he could at least call for help?
His heart sped up as he weighed his options.
They’d left his sneakers back at Damon’s.
His sock-covered feet weren’t going to provide much in the way of protection.
But the vampire looked exhausted and daybreak was so very close. If he—
His new captor stepped in front of his door, a dark look on his face as he jerked it open, effectively ending Fox’s internal debate. He’d hesitated way too long. He wasn’t just useless. He was also a fucking coward.
Fox took a deep breath as the vampire grabbed his arm and marched him through the automatic doors and to the elevator just past the oppressively silent lobby. He thought he’d smelled it earlier in their mad escape from Damon’s, but some kind of mint drifted from the vampire.
Not that he wanted to lean too close, because he was pretty sure he reeked of eau de rotten ass.
His former captors hadn’t let him shower in a few days.
He was lucky they’d let him empty his bladder a few times a day.
Big Sexy didn’t need to get more of a whiff of him than necessary.
Of course, smelling like ass might keep the vampire from using him as a snack.
Halfway through the winding hall on the fifth floor, the vampire swiped a little card and let them into an average hotel room with the most beautiful king-sized bed Fox had ever seen.
Days on that stupid thin mattress had left most of his body aching.
But that great big beauty with its fluffy pillow and goose down comforter looked like a wet dream.
If he was trapped for a little bit longer, he could at least appreciate the improvement in comfort.
Fox looked back to see the vampire put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the outside of the door before locking it.
The guy looked dead on his feet—no pun intended.
And in truth, Fox was starting to crash from his own adrenaline rush as well.
Big Sexy, his magic, and the escape from the evil fucks had been enough to get his heart racing, but that run had already started to come to an end.
Standing there now, body trembling from a lack of food, sleep, and an overdose of fear, Fox had to wonder if he’d have had any kind of shot if he’d run in the parking lot. It was looking more like not.
“Man, I really hate to ask, but you got any food?” Fox asked. He stood in the middle of the room, his shaking hand on his empty stomach. “They didn’t feed me much over the past few days. Threw me an apple here and there like it was supposed to be a full meal.”
The vampire winced and shook his head. “Room service won’t be up and running for another few hours.” His eyes widened and he quickly crossed the room where he picked up a large basket filled with random junk food. “Can this hold you for two or three hours?”
Fox nearly whimpered. The damn thing was filled with every gloriously unhealthy food he could think of, and he wanted it all. “You sure? It’s a mini bar. This shit is expensive.”
“Kill it all. I don’t care. Just let me get a few hours of sleep; then we can order room service.”
Fox swallowed back a groan of relief. He did try to eat somewhat healthy, but after days of nothing more than fruit and the occasional granola bar, he was ready for empty calories, carbs, and so much sugar. He fucking earned this salt and chocolate heaven.
Accepting the basket from the vampire, he flopped down onto the bed. He should grab a shower, but he needed to put something in his stomach first.
Just as he was digging through it all, the vampire came to stand beside where he sat, and firmly grabbed his hand.
Fox froze in shock, air becoming trapped in his lungs.
The vampire lifted his arm to the light, turning it slightly as he inspected the rope burns on his wrists from where he’d tried to break free.
Releasing his hand, the vampire carefully touched his chin and tilted his face up, moving it to the left and then right.
Fox could only imagine what he was seeing.
He hadn’t seen his own reflection in a couple of days, but there were a few sore spots on his face.
“Do you hurt?” the vampire inquired.
“Headache,” Fox managed to whisper. He was lucky to get that word out. There was something so intense about the vampire standing over him. His expression was fierce and angry, but it didn’t feel like those emotions were directed at him necessarily. “But…but that could just be from hunger.”
The vampire grunted and released him. He walked across the room and picked up a black bag Fox hadn’t even noticed on the floor. Setting it on the end of the bed, the vampire dug through it before pulling out what looked to be a first aid kit.
“Really?” Fox said, feeling a little braver now that the vampire proved he wasn’t looking to tear his throat out for breakfast. “Vampires need first aid? I thought you healed fast.”
“We do. Just not as fast as the movies like to show it. Sometimes I need a Band-Aid to hold my guts in until I heal,” he muttered.
Fox gasped and tilted his head, trying to look into the vampire’s eyes. “Was that a joke? Did you just make a joke?” The vampire stopped and glared at Fox, making him chuckle. “It was an adorable joke. A good first attempt,” he teased.
The vampire ignored him as he tossed two new packets of aspirin at him. He added a small tube of ointment to the pile. “For the headache and the rope burns.” He straightened with a roll of gauze in his hand. “We should probably wrap your wrists, so they don’t get infected.”
“Uh, no. Thanks, but I’d rather not look like I tried to slit my wrists.”
The vampire narrowed his eyes at him. “But you’re comfortable looking like an escapee from a bad BDSM scene.”
For a heartbeat, Fox was rendered speechless by that assessment, but then a flood of questions and thoughts filled his brain if that was the vampire’s first thought when he looked at his wrists. A slow smile spread across Fox’s lips and the vampire looked very, very uncomfortable.
“I have soooo many questions now,” Fox said, almost purring.
“Eat,” the vampire barked. He shoved the gauze into the kit and returned it to the bag.
Fox watched the vampire as he resettled the bag and returned it to the floor. That was interesting. He’d had the audacity to tease his other captors once, and he’d gotten the shit knocked out of him.
But this vampire…he could take a joke, take a little teasing, and not beat him for it. He’d also bothered to ask about his injuries. Had even gotten him something to reduce his pain.
Maybe not a total bad guy.
“You know, you never told me your name. What the hell am I supposed to call my knight in shining armor?” Fox teased as he carefully popped the top off a mini can of Pringles.
He was already planning to alternate between salty and sweet until his stomach burst. With some food in him, he might be able to think more clearly, plan a better escape than just running.
The smirk was back on the vampire’s lips, and some secret part of Fox wanted to toss all his junk food aside just to taste that man’s mouth. At least, it looked more appealing until he spoke.
“Winter. Winter Varik.”