Page 19 of Ever Dark Academy: Vol. 1

CRAVING

Ryder felt Grayson tense against him. That lithe body was coiled like a spring now. He had stiffened whenever Ryder had touched him, but like a wild stallion who just wanted to be calmed by a steady hand, had relaxed after a time almost as if against his will. Though Grayson was smaller than Ryder was, the young man was nicely muscled. He had the body of a natural athlete, not one pumped up in a gym like an over-inflated balloon. But every one of those muscles had gone rock hard hearing the female Vampire’s voice.

Fight or flight. Yes, he’s met her before. He didn’t lie about her, Ryder thought.

Ryder turned his head and accidentally drew in the young man’s scent. There was the tart smell of fear. Some Vampires loved that scent. It was what every prey gave off when cornered. But it spoiled the blood in Ryder’s opinion. It made it acrid and bitter somehow.

But there was another scent beneath that coming from Grayson, a scent that began to overwhelm the one of fear. It was a cold, icy smell. It was one Ryder had smelled around true warriors before a battle. They turned their terror into fuel. They turned their rage into power. They turned their power into death for their enemies. It was not a scent he had expected to smell on this modern young man.

Grayson’s fierce response to Demos and Ryder himself, knowing they were Vampires also, pointed to a warrior spirit though he had thought it foolishness. But he had been wrong. Grayson was not a fool. And perhaps that and the warrior inside explained how he had survived an encounter with these other Vampires.

But Grayson was still a human, warrior or no. Fragile. Easy to break.

“How many?” Demos growled as Ryder’s senses were better than most anyone’s.

“Let’s hope there are only three still. She’s had time to bring some friends,” Ryder answered as he cocked his head to the side and unleashed his vampiric hearing.

At first, he could just hear their heartbeats in the hallway. Demos’ was steady and strong as always before a fight. His was a faster beat but still slow even as he prepared for battle. Grayson’s though sounded like the frantic beat of butterfly wings. He listened more closely to that delicate thump.

That was a mistake.

He must not have fed enough that night, spending more time flying than feeding, because his pupils expanded and his fangs ached. Grayson was beautiful. One would have to be blind not to notice that. But there were many beautiful young men in the world and they were about to be attacked. Now was not the time to be distracted, though the predator in him disagreed. Now was the perfect time, it seemed to think.

Almost against his will, it was like Grayson was the only person in existence. Ryder’s senses narrowed down to just him. The predator in him swarmed to the surface as he focused in on that human heart, the whoosh of rich blood through Grayson’s veins, and the rasp of his frenzied breathing.

Grayson was in full flight or fight mode. Perspiration coated his silky skin. There were scrapes on his right cheekbone. A delicate beading of blood which was the only kind of makeup that drew a Vampire like no other.

Draw away, he thought, but he didn’t.

Hunger for this young man was suddenly bright and blooming inside of him like fireworks. It was so unexpected that he was paralyzed by his own desire. They were about to fight! They did not need this distraction! But the predator within betrayed him again. He fisted his hands. He held himself very still. He needed to know how many more Vampires--competitors, his predator self snarled--were nearby.

“Phone suddenly has no signal. No backup is coming that way,” Demos grimaced as he slid his back in his pocket, waiting on Ryder’s report on what they were facing, not realizing the hunger was trying to take over. Demos nodded his head at Grayson. “Guess you weren’t lying about that.”

“I wasn’t lying about anything!” Grayson hissed. “What are we doing? If they’re out back then let’s go out front!”

“Ryder?” Demos asked, wanting to confirm that they weren’t heading into yet another trap.

Ryder felt his fangs come out as his gaze rested upon the pulse point on the right side of Grayson’s neck. It was such a lovely neck. Long and supple. He imagined how it would feel to let his fangs sink into that sweet flesh and taste the first, fresh draw of Grayson’s blood...

“Ryder!” Demos hissed as he saw where Ryder’s attention actually was and it was not on their enemies.

Demos struck Ryder’s left shoulder. It was a blow that would have crushed human bones, but just got Ryder’s attention. Ryder whipped his head around towards his Blood Brother, fangs bared, and… he stopped. This was Demos. They were in a church surrounded by enemies.

What am I doing?

The sound of Grayson’s heart was gone from his ears and he was free of its malign influence. Even as Demos stared at him in consternation his senses finally obeyed him and swung outwards.

“Can’t leave the front way either,” Ryder finally said. “Two more out there.”

He had heard one of them scraping his foot along the pavement, stubbing out a cigarette. The other was tapping a fingernail against their leg. He focused on where the woman’s voice had come from. For a moment, his hearing had once more flowed over Grayson, but he dragged his senses away from the young man. Sweat beaded his upper lip.

What is wrong with me?

“Three out back, including the woman,” Ryder got out and turned his head away from Grayson and Demos as he wiped the sweat from his face. It was cold and his hand trembled.

What the Hell happened? I haven’t lost control like that since I was the newest of fledglings on the hunt. Then another thought occurred to him. Maybe it isn’t me at all. Maybe Grayson is the cause of this.

He turned back to face them and some of his suspicion must have shown in his eyes as the young man retreated a step then, defiantly, crossed his arms over his chest and remained where he was. Ryder’s eyes narrowed further. While Grayson hadn’t been lying to them about the Vampires chasing him, he was definitely hiding something.

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