Page 5 of The Curse of Eternity
“Ow,” I groaned, blinking through the aches.
“Are you alright?” the vampire asked, holding me still beneath him. His needless breathing stayed even while I gulped down air.
“No,” I spat, abandoning both my pride and dignity.
“I would charm away your discomfort, however, if my charms worked on a descendant then I would not have bothered with such theatrics.” Figure hazy with speed, he released me and stood. This legacy was a bitch, but at least I would heal fast.
“I’ll take the pain over the mind violation, thanks.” I sat up, winced, and eyed the vampire—now at the other end of the room by the antique dresser.
“You truly despise me.”
“It’s nothing personal,” I replied through a huff. “I hate all murdering parasites.”
The vampire inclined his head, as if to say I had a point. Then he turned to the forgotten wine glass, and filled the decanter. Despite his vulnerable position, I figured I’d end up right back where I was if I scrambled for the door. I needed to play this smarter with less brawn, more brains—not my specialty.
“Drink this.” He turned around, offering a glass filled with dark liquid. “It may ‘take away the edge,’ as they say.”
Wary, and still on my ‘must stay sober at all costs’ step in the program, I shook my head. Annoyance oozed from him as he set the glass back down, but his brow pinched with curiosity.
Outmatched, and alone, I mustered up some anger of my own to keep from shutting down. “What?”
“Well, I can hardly allow you to simply walk out of here and discover my address.”
“You’re still talking about letting me leave?” I balked, and his head tilted.
“I said that I would, did I not?”
There wasn’t much I could say to that, so I changed gears. “What was your plan, anyway? Get me to hear you out and then walk me blindfolded to the bus stop?” To my surprise, the vampire’s eyes closed briefly before rolling. His posture shifted from one foot to the other.Was he…being sheepish?
“Unfortunately, I had not anticipated the effects of the faery dust. It was never my intention to abduct you, yet it would be dangerous to leave you incapacitated where we first fought…” The way he spoke, his apologetic timbre and serious demeanor, almost made me believe him.
“So this is…your house?” It felt strangely awkward when he nodded, especially since I desperately wanted to be anywhere else. Then I shook my head. I couldnotbe getting caught up in this vampire’s story. This place must belong to some long-dead owner the vampire murdered. That made more sense than— “Wait, you used faery dust on me?”
“Indeed.” The vampire scooped up a purple pouch from the floor near the wall.
His movements blurred until he stood before me, offering the bag and its contents. Hesitantly, I accepted it, and he retreated, giving me breathing room. The pouch’s material was velvety, but the silvery powder inside felt like a strange mixture between soap and sand.
“I thought perhaps, if you remained uncooperative, I might use it again and leave you at the local hospital this time.”
“No thank you.” Without thinking, I tossed the bag back to him.Damn my manners in returning people’s property!This wasn’t a casual chit-chat, even if the vampire kept acting like it was.
“Perhaps we ought to go with your idea, restricting your vision?” Leaning back against the wall, he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Not freaking likely,” I muttered. The vampire shrugged with a wave of his hand.
“I can, quite literally, do this forever,” he said politely. “I suggest you make the choice so we may end this stalemate.”
“Fine,” I snapped, out of options and losing faith in any backup arriving. “But if you try anything—”
“You will be quite as ineffective as before, yes,” he cut across. Chewing on my lower lip, I debated my options one last time. At least this way, I was free. Which was better than the chains, even if I couldn’t see.
“Throw a paper bag over my head and let’s get this over with,” I grumbled. Across the room, he opened the top drawer of the antique dresser to pull out something long and made of fabric,a scarf?“How kinky,” I murmured dryly.
Ignoring my crude remark, he offered me his hand, and said, “Now, please refrain from attempting to bite me.”
I eyed his pale fingers before hefting myself upright on my own. Except the sudden vertigo put me off balance, and I stumbled. The vampire’s hand took mine, steadying me, and I recoiled.
“I’ve got it,” I said, my eyes narrowing as the vampire took a step back before making a spinning motion with his pointer finger. Teeth clenched, I obeyed while every fiber of my being screameddon’t do it. Goosebumps cropped up all over my bodyas he placed the thick length of fabric across my eyes. I winced when he tied the knot in place, pulling at the roots of my loose shoulder-length hair.
