Chapter 68
The Guy Who Hurt Nix
“Yeah, that’s right,” I grit out between my teeth, watching my reflection as sweat rolls down my bare chest.
I look so fucking good.
One more biceps curl, then I switch the weight to my left hand.
“You got this. Keep pumping.”
I curl my arm, eyes glued on the way my muscles bulge in the mirror.
My voice is a muffled sound inside my skull, since music is blaring through my headphones.
Fucking neighbors.
Whatever. I do another curl.
Better to keep the neighbors happy about my music and ignorant about everything else.
Idiots.
At least these headphones are legit. The bass in this song is better than I remember. It’s like I can feel it.
Another curl.
I drag my tongue over my top lip and swallow the taste of my sweat, clenching my stomach as the saltiness makes me hard.
Another curl. The burn in my arm intensifies.
One more.
I set the dumbbell on the garage floor and roll my shoulders back. Then I flex.
Installing these mirrors this summer was worth it.
Fucking women at the gym.
Claiming I was making them uncomfortable. Bunch of fucking bitches. They shouldn’t be there, dressed like that, if they don’t want a little attention.
I shift into another pose.
Fucking gym owner kicking me out. Pussy-whipped asshole. I bet he’s fucking all of them.
Whatever. My home gym is better anyway. I just need to work on the lighting next.
The lamp in the corner is good enough to see what I’m doing, but I need it brighter in here to truly appreciate how I look.
Pulling up the bottom of my shorts, I tense my thigh muscles and shift my leg side to side.
The definition isn’t there because it’s arm day.
I shake my arms out.
The bass rolls all the way through my body, and I nod with the beat.
Next set.
Bending, I grip the dumbbell in my right hand.
“Gonna look so hot for next summer.”
I stand.
And something in the mirror moves.
I narrow my eyes.
But the other side of the garage is dark, and I can’t see anything.
Blinking, I focus back on myself.
Slowly, controlled, I do a curl.
Movement jerks my gaze back up to the corner of the mirror.
Nothing—
My brows lower.
The music continues to blare in my ears, but the vibrations of the bass aren’t matching the beat.
What the fuck?
I blink.
Something in the shadows shifts.
This guy came into the wrong house.
I spin. “Who—”
A man is standing at the edge of the light.
Only feet away.
And he’s… big.
Defined abs. Impressive pecs. Rounded shoulders.
Bigger than I’ve ever seen.
I start to lift my eyes just as the man takes a step closer.
The floor shakes.
That bass feeling surrounds my body, rattling my bones.
I keep lifting my gaze.
Higher.
He’s impossibly tall.
His eyes…
I take a step back.
His eyes are pure black.
I shake my head.
That’s not possible.
It’s a trick.
He takes another step toward me.
The light reaches his face.
And there’s a glint.
I don’t want to look up.
I don’t want to see.
But my gaze jerks higher. And the air in my lungs disappears.
Horns.
Black eyes and horns.
And that’s when I get it. Why I recognize him.
Fear coats my skin, making my sweat feel like ice.
Fighting to inhale, I lower my eyes from his horns.
The vampire stares back at me.
Volik.
Slowly, I reach up and pull my headphones off, the song fading to a muffled noise as I toss them to the floor.
“H-hey man, I don’t know what you’re looking for. But I can hook you up.” My voice trembles embarrassingly.
He tilts his head to the side. And my knees almost buckle.
“O-oxy. Juice. Whatever.”
His lip lifts in a sneer. And… his fangs…
“I did not come here for drugs.” The vampire’s voice is low. Rough.
Sweat drips down my forehead.
When did it get so hot in here?
But I still feel cold.
Scared.
I try to swallow. “Then wh-what did you come here for?”
Something presses against me. An invisible force.
Is that him? Is that what his power feels like?
Jealousy cracks through my fear.
I want that.
“I came for you.”
Fear smothers all other emotions.
This ancient vampire came here for me.
“Wh-why?”
Is this a recruitment?
That pressure in the air increases, and the free weights start to rattle in their rack.
This feels… bad.
I slide my foot back.
Volik takes a step forward. “Tibi dolet, Mea Unica. Oportet te mori.”
Every hair on my body lifts. “What does that mean?” My question comes out weak.
“It means.” The vampire shifts his stance, making him appear even larger. “You hurt, My Only. You must die.”
Terror blazes through me.
I swing my arm and throw the dumbbell at Volik.
It bounces off… nothing and drops to the floor.
I turn and run for the door.
But my leg catches on… nothing, and I slam onto the concrete.
“Get up.”
I squeeze my eyes shut.
This isn’t happening. This isn’t happening.
“Get. Up.” Volik’s voice shakes the garage.
My sweaty palms slip against the concrete as I push myself up.
“Look at me.”
The music is still playing quietly from my headphones, and I wish it was louder. I wish it was my old speaker system. Then I wouldn’t have to hear myself whimper as I turn to face the vampire.
I lift my hands, surrendering. “I-I’m s-sorry.”
“Nyet. Not yet.”
My lip starts to tremble.
“Remove your clothing.”
Dread twists with my fear.
I can’t have heard that right.
“Wh-what?”
“Now.”
I shake my head.
The pressure in the room spikes. And it’s hard to breathe.
My ribs are going to crack.
I can’t fucking breathe.
The pressure lessens.
And I do it.
I shove my workout shorts down.
I’m not wearing anything else.
Shame pushes tears into my eyes as I stand before this more impressive male, with my soft dick visible.
“Walk to me.”
I shake my head.
I can’t.
Then I watch as blackness seeps from his eyes. Down his cheeks.
I shake my head again as I reach up and grip the pendant on my necklace. “Please, God, I—”
Volik holds his hand out toward me. “The gods are extinct.”
And then something pulls me forward.