Page 67 of Love Bites
Ignacio opened his eyes and glanced at his surroundings. Bodies littered the floors around him. The smell of blood overpowered his senses.
It hurt to stand, but he had to do so even though he felt the hole in his heart tear open wider. He grimaced and fought to steady himself, getting his feet. It hurt to move, to walk. But he desperately needed blood. Fresh blood would help his body expel the bullets, help his wounds to heal.
Wobbly on his feet, he glanced down at his naked body. If he was going to go out in the night, he’d have to put on some clothing. He made his way to the bathroom where his discarded clothes lay on the floor. He tugged them on, wincing as he did so.
A knock on the door distracted his hazy thoughts. "Housekeeping!" A muffled voice called from the other side. His brain fought to remember. Right. He was supposed to check out to check out of the hotel. He was supposed to have left with Katheryn on the plane and back to Spain.
The door opened and a maid stepped through. Her gasp was stifled behind her palms. She looked at Ignacio, and the bodies on the floor. He swayed where he stood.
"Help me!" he demanded.
The woman took a cautious step back.
"Please!" He dug deep inside himself and willed the hypnotism to work. The maid seemed to freeze for a brief second, and Ignacio wobbled before her. "I need you," he commanded. Silently, she held out her wrist and he took it. Already, his fangs lengthened and throbbed and without preamble, he sunk them into her flesh.
He felt his energy start to peak. But he was still weak, and he couldn't drink a lot from her, lest he kill her. He pulled away, sealing the wound closed, and looked into her eyes.
"You won't remember this," he ordered. "You'll tell them we are staying another day."
She nodded and left. He followed behind, closing the hotel room door behind him. He put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the handle and ventured out into the night.
Harsh wind slapped his body, but he ignored it. He needed to find another donor. He needed to feed then make his way to Katheryn. Just as he thought this, a man passed by his side.
“Wait,” Ignacio called out. “I need help,” he said, as he drew closer.
Instinctively, the man assumed a defensive stance.
“What’s wrong? Should I call an ambulance?” he asked, eying Ignacio’s limp.
Ignacio shook his head.
“I just need you,” he said and lunged for the man’s throat.
He screamed but Ignacio calmed his fears by sending him pleasurable thoughts. He hated to attack like a madman, but he needed the blood. He drank as much as he dared then sent him away without any memory of being attacked.
The blood made him a little stronger, but he still needed more.
He found more donors as he walked along the street. He drank a little from each one he encountered, so as not to harm them. Doing so made the healing process take longer than he would have liked. However, his body got stronger after each person. Ignacio’s muscles knit back together. His body expelled the bullets that had hit him. It was a painful process, but the worst was the agonizing repair of hole near his heart. He groaned and fell to his knees, as the last of the healing took place.
When it finished, and Ignacio felt rejuvenated. He stood then stilled himself, listening for the connection that would lead him to Katheryn. He heard the familiar strumming of the cord, pulling him in the direction of his Soul Mate.
“I’m coming for you, love,” he whispered in the night and headed toward Katheryn, with a new, deadly gleam in his eyes.
35
Nighttime came, and Katheryn woke.
She dreaded the moment Hunter would return. She knew what was in store for her, and she wished she could get drunk enough to not feel what Hunter would do to her. But her bodyguard had forbid any more champagne or alcohol. The only beverages she was allowed were water or orange juice.
Nervously, Katheryn watched the clock that hung above the TV, counting the seconds as they passed. When the front door opened, Katheryn bolted up like lightning and turned to face whatever, or whoever, awaited her.
Hunter walked in, carefully closing the door behind him. He eyed Katheryn, from head to toe, then gave a slight smile and pulled off his jacket.
Katheryn took a step back, even though the whole couch was between them.
“What a day!” Hunter exclaimed. “Quite stressful.”
He tossed his coat on the rack by the door then made his way toward Katheryn, stepping around the couch. She felt her stomach twist as he smiled. “Aren’t you going to welcome me home?”
