Chapter 8

The room sputtered into clarity in fits and starts. Disoriented, she focused on the ceiling so the wavering sights wouldn’t make her sick. Antiseptic stung her throat with her first gasp and she hissed when something sharp stuck in her arm.

Russell withdrew a needle from the thin flesh on the inside of her elbow. “This should help with the pain.”

That’s what Charlie said. She let her head slump to the side and watched him wring out a rag in a bowl on the side table, already murky with what she could only assume was blood. He sat down on the edge of the bed and carefully cleaned her cheek. She shivered and he tugged the blanket draped over her up to her chin.

Hot. Much too hot. She tried to push the blanket away. Bone grated bone between her shoulder blades and she froze as her stomach lurched. Slow breaths kept her guts from emptying out of her mouth. “Why am I not dead yet?”

Russell dabbed her lips with the edge of the stained rag. “Charlie’s blood. It’s helping your body hold on while it feeds off your organs. There’s just enough to do some damage, but not enough to…”

The door swung open behind him and hit the wall. “Have you seen my bottle of Obsession, Russell?”

Floor boards creaked as Russell stood and turned to the door. She slid her head up the pillow to look around him. Her mouth hung open as she stared at the new arrival.

He was naked.

Face on fire, she swallowed and forced her gaze up. She’d never seen a fully naked man, and this one being her first—and possibly last—was no hardship. A quicker, kinder death—melting into a puddle on the bed.

Real people didn’t have bodies like this. Only statues did. And photoshopped pictures in magazines. And they didn't move like…

“God, Jack! Get some clothes on!” Russell stood and blocked her view of the other boy. If she’d had the strength, she would have found something to throw at him.

Jack peeked around him, rubbing a towel over his close cut, curly black hair. “Why?” He spotted her, and his bright green eyes sparkled. “Ah. Sorry about that.” He wrapped the towel around his waist and nudged Russell aside. “Damn, kid. None of my business, but whatever they’re paying you, it ain’t enough.” Before she could protest, he turned to Russell. “You’re a lot kinkier than I thought. David know about this?”

Russell did fish lips a few times, like he just couldn‘t figure out how to respond. Finally he groaned and turned to grab a tall bottle that was set beside the bowl on the side table. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

Jack grinned. “Yep. You know the woman across the street, the one that moved in last week…” He walked over to the window, pushed the curtain aside and peered out. “That’s my girl. Come take a look. She’s been giving me previews for the past few days, no time to put curtains up, thank god.”

Russell uncorked the bottle, fetched a little plastic cup from a big black bag near the door and went over to the window. He poured while he looked out. His eyes widened and he leaned forward, spilling most of the liquid on the floor. “You’re going out with her?”

“Nope. I’m going over to fix her plumbing.”

“You’re going over to fix her plumbing? Why do you need cologne?”

Jack turned away from the window and rolled his eyes. “Are you serious Russell? Jeez, no wonder you’re paying for it.”

Okay, he was hot. Very hot. If she hadn’t been stuck on the bed she’d have been tempted to go over and lick the little drops of water off his chest. But good looks obviously didn't equal brains.

“I’m not a hooker.”

“Not judging, kid. But honestly, maybe we should have a chat about how to up your profit.” He walked around the bed, leaned close to her and made a face. “When was the last time you washed? No offence, but you smell really bad.”

Humiliated and frustrated, she stopped ogling him and glared up at his face. “I’m not a hooker! I’m dying!” She closed her eyes and fought back the sob that wanted to follow the words. Groaned as another thought hit her. Wonderful time for hormones to kick in. “If you must know, I’m a virgin.” She turned her face against the pillow. “I’m going to die a virgin.”

Russell elbowed Jack away from the bed. “I told you kid, you’re not going to die.”

“And certainly not a virgin.” Jack elbowed Russell back, then gave him a sidelong glance. “How long does she have?”

She choked on a laugh, not sure why it came, it really wasn’t funny. The laugh made it hard to breathe. She struggled to draw in air and clawed the blankets when it wouldn‘t come. Russell pulled her close and leaned down. His mouth closed over hers as he forced air into her lungs.

She gasped when he backed away and let out a ragged sob. Not being able to breathe made the fact that she was dying a whole lot more real than the pain had. She jumped when Russell stumbled into the door. Eyes glowing, he lapped the smear of blood from his bottom lip. Her blood. Warm, wet, taunting and teasing it trailed around her lips from where his fangs had gouged the flesh over her mouth.

Jack stepped between them. “When’s the last time you fed, Russ?”

“Move. I’ll take care of her.” Russell crouched down, about to spring.

Jack braced for impact.

The door swung open and David grabbed Russell around the waist before he could pounce. He shoved him towards Tommy who was still in the hall. “Get him downstairs. Make him drink. He’s not old enough to regain control on his own…” He stepped into the room, reached out and brushed his finger over her bloody lip. “He’s never had fresh blood.”

Tommy nodded and muscled Russell out of sight. David closed the door and turned to Jack. She could see the ‘thanks’ about to come, as though it sat on the tip of his tongue. It stalled when he gave Jack a swift once over.

“I just got out of the shower.” Jack spoke fast, not so cocky now.

David ran his tongue over his teeth and gave a slow nod. “And you were about to get dressed?”

“Yeah.”

David reached back and pulled the door open. “Go ahead.”

When the door closed again, David turned her way, gaze fixed on the side of her face with the weight of a soft touch, resting there for what seemed a very long time.

“I guess it’s safe to assume you’ve got some idea of what we are.”

She nodded. She wouldn’t say how. She wouldn’t even think it.

Time to hedge.

“If you bring me to the hospital…”

David sat down next to her and took her hand. “I can’t do that. The blood in your system will draw too much attention and I can’t risk it. It’s already made enough changes…”

“Russell said it wasn’t enough.” She dropped her gaze to David’s hand around hers. It was strange, having this guy she hardly knew touch her like that. A touch that wanted nothing more than to offer comfort. Only Tar and her dad had ever shown such tender affection. “I don’t want to die.”

“Then you won’t, so long as you understand what I have to do.”

“I understand.”

David nodded and shifted closer. He pulled her up and she let out a rasp of pain. He changed positions so that she could rest on the pillows while he bent over her. “Are you comfortable?”

“No. Everything hurts.”

“It’ll be over soon.” He wrapped his arms around her and bent down, pressing his lips against her throat. “Damn him. You’re too young for this.”

She used what strength she had left to press against him. “I’m too young to die.”

“Yes.” He pressed his lips to her flesh, speaking in a whisper. “I have to fix this. Sum custodis mei fratris.”

“I don’t understand Japanese.”

“Shh…” David stroked his hand over her hair. “Just close your eyes. It’ll only hurt for a second.”