Page 135 of Cursed Lifeline

Vampires are attracted to the same things as normal humans.

Money. Fame. Fancy or expensive things.

Beauty.

I’m not vain, but I’m not ignorant to think I don’t have assets either. As my senses tune into my surroundings, it’s obvious whoever is watching me is male. A woman vampire is more of a sleuth. Preying on the sexual appetite of the living and flaunting what she knows they desire. Male vampires, on the other hand, are attracted to the sexual curves of their next kill.

Turning my back on the dark alley, I drop my bag and bend forward, searching for something I know I won’t bother to find. Not yet, anyway. With my ass sticking out from under my tennis skirt, a distant clatter of metal across the street echoes to me on a sinister breeze as the air around me becomes electric with hungry energy.

Straightening up, I reach around my back, under my shirt, and unclasp my bra. Looking up at the lonely street lamp overhead, the one perfectly illuminating the show for whoever is watching, I reach back between my breasts and pull the bra free. Bending once again, swaying my hips from side to side, and placing it in my bag, the night’s cold breeze caresses my bare nipples, making them sharp enough to cut glass.

As the energy in the night escalates, an electric static increases its shrill, piercing frequency. I grab the stake in my bag and stand tall. When the pulsing current spikes its sharp climax, I turn quickly and kick as hard as I can to my right. The vampire who was in mid-flight stumbles back and hits the lamppost next to us with a hard metallic thud that rings throughout the empty street and reverberates with an alarming rhythm through my soul.

“Pretty curves I’d love to sink my teeth into,” he hisses, eyeing me up and down like I’m a steak dinner he’s been thinking about devouring for weeks.

Eagerly, he pushes off the metal pole and quickly starts to come closer.

“It’ll come at a price,” I breathe heavily, taking a fighting stance and trying to read which way he’ll attack next.

“No price you haven’t paid before, slayer.”

He lunges for me, but I’m quick to react, and his face connects with my foot as I backflip twice to safety. He howls out in pain before angrily finding me in the shadows and running full speed in my direction. His stupidity is my gain as I raise the stake before he makes impact and plunge it quickly into his heart. He staggers back with wide hysterical eyes.

“You bitch.”

Raising an eyebrow, I smirk. “Like a fine wine, I’ve found I get better with each life.”

Turning slightly, I raise my right leg and kick the stake into his heart as deep as it will go. He screams out maniacally and drops to his knees. I catch my breath as he falls face up on the concrete and quickly perishes into a pile of dust.

All too soon, the sensation I’m being watched washes over me yet again. I’m in no shape to fight off multiples. One was enough to call from the shadows, but if it had been four or five, I’m not sure I could’ve come out victorious. A despondent shiver rises up my spine as I turn, take in the deserted street, and glance around quickly for any clue of where they might be hiding. But whoever is watching is happy to stay hidden.

Kneeling, I pick up my stake from the floor and quickly return to my bag. Stashing the bloody weapon away, I gather my things and hurry off in the direction of my apartment.

Forty Eight

Esme

song: blood sport | Sleep token

My door bangsloudly against the wall as I rush quickly inside and slam it shut. Locking both deadbolts, sweat pools on my brow as I rest my head against the wood. Breathing out a small sigh of relief, I immediately slump to the floor. Glancing up, I study the slider door to the back patio across the room just as a figure emerges from the shadows.

Felix.

We watch each other for a moment through the glass, saying so much and yet nothing at all as the moon illuminates our fated meeting.

Pushing slowly to my feet, I hesitantly make my way to the door. Each step I take, Felix takes one closer. When there is only glass that separates us, I raise my hand to the cold barrier and place my palm timidly against it. He gives me a sad smile and does the same, placing his palm over mine on the opposite side.

When can we be together? -my mind asks his.

My heart breaks when he mouths one word.

Soon.

The wait is killing me,I tell him through my thoughts. His eyes grow sad. His hand flexes angrily against the glass and presses harsher into mine.I don’t think I can take it one more time, Felix. To die and come back to life. Wait for you to find me. To have such little time together before it ends and like a nightmare, it starts all over again.

His forehead falls softly against the sliding door and he lets out a deep sigh that fogs up the glass.

“Esme,” he whispers. “What do you think all this does to me? I’m alive for decades, centuries, before you ever come back to me.”

---