Page 3 of The Curse of Eternity
This one wasfast, and a sinking realization left me woozy. I wouldn’t be able to take this one down on my own. Terrifying peace settled in at the thought, and I forced my focus not to waver while the vampire eluded my every strike.
In a last-ditch effort, I extended my arm past my usual safeguards. The sudden reach struck true, and my blade made contact with the vampire’s throat. Dark red blood oozed from the nicked skin in clotted streams.Yes! Finally—oh fuck.
Inches separated us when the vampire glared down at me. Panic slowed my hurried retreat, and he suddenly grasped my right wrist. His grip tightened, forcing my fingers to loosen on my machete’s handle. At first, I figured he’d snap my tougher-than-average bones.
Then he yanked me forward and I stumbled, off balance, my chest nearly touching his. Fear pounded through my skull, and my lungs stilled while I stared into his eyes—so clear up close, almost as black as a raven’s wings.
His other hand rose in a flash, covering my mouth and nose. On instinct, I inhaled, breathing in a sweet, powdery texture. The edges of my vision turned foggy, darkness closing in with each thrum of my beating heart…
An ache pulsed through my forearms, and my awareness flickered to life. Stinging pain tightened my shoulders. My tongue felt thick, like it was wrapped in cotton, and I swallowed hard before forcing my eyes to open. Every flutter of my eyelashes was sluggish, and it took several blinks to figure out that I was staring down at my lap. Still clad in my bootleg jeans, and my gaze roamed to my black combat boots, the laces tied how I’d left them.
Cool air raised the hair along my upper arms, around the straps to my red halter top.Where did my denim jacket go?The loose ends of my hair tickled my collarbone, so my hair tie must not have made the trip here. With effort, I looked up. Iron shackles clamped around my wrists held my arms above my head. The chains connecting either side were slung unceremoniously over a wall sconce.Wait,my brow furrowed,where am I?
It wasn’t the warehouse, that was for sure. Cozy furniture surrounded me, with a writing desk on my left that stood opposite a row of bookshelves, and an antique dresser positioned against the right wall. Atop its sleek, solid oak beauty was a silver platter with a decanter, a bottle of red wine, and a single polished glass.What the hell?
When I tried to move my arms, pain iced through my veins. I bit back a scream. Holding completely still, I eyed the shacklesa little closer. Etched markings circled the iron—magick sigils. The discomfort ebbed the longer I stayed stationary, fading into pins and needles while the blood drained downward.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I opened up my other senses. Beyond the hum of an air conditioning unit pumping out dry air, voices were murmuring in the next room. One was strangely familiar, while the other came through hazy, like over the phone. Both of them sounded masculine.
“If anyone can do it, you can, Drake,” the deep, staticky voice said with a tinge of humor.
“Must you always taunt?” the other replied—and his accent rekindled my memory while goosebumps crawled over my flesh.
Startled, I pulled at my restraints only to be shot through with scorching agony. A groan passed my lips as my head bowed, trying to curl into myself. Except the shackles wouldn’t let me move far. After several deep breaths, my ears stopped ringing.
“Then I will handle it,” the vampire said from the next room, his tone flat.
Heart pumping in my chest, I listened close to hear the call-ended beep. Despite the vampire’s silent footfalls, I sensed his approach. The air conditioning switched off, and I stared at the only doorway in or out as the vampire’s tall figure entered the room.
− 2 −
DYING TO SURVIVE
“If you’re going to kill me, why don’t you just get it over with?” I demanded, but my false bravado was painfully obvious by the sweat on my brow. The vampire’s returning stare was unexpectedly miserable. Maybe he thought I’d beg for my life. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“This exchange need not be so hostile,” he replied, his accented voice as smooth as silk. Like the light poised before an angler fish’s fangs. “My intent was never to harm you.”
I glanced pointedly at my restrained arms above me.
“This—” He gestured at my aching arms. “Is merely a precaution for communication.”
“You want totalkto me?” My voice hitched up an octave, and I cleared my throat. “Is that part of your sick fantasy, or something? Have a chat before you drain me dry?”
“There will be no ‘draining’ of anyone this evening. The other hunters you were with saw to that,” he answered, apparently unbothered.
I straightened my spine the best I could.
“My family’s going to find us, you know.” I glanced at the doorway, like they might bust in unannounced. The vampire’sstare never wavered from my face, and I schooled my features firm. “They won’t let you get away with whatever you’re planning.”
“You act as if you know me, and I assure you that you do not—Miss..?”
I snorted. “Go to hell where you belong.”
The vampire approached, faster than I’d anticipated, bringing his striking pale features into sharper focus. His straight black hair barely shifted with his smooth stride. Eyes almost as dark stared down into mine, mere feet away, and I swallowed. It wasn’t unusual for vampires to be attractive, but it sure was annoying.
He’d removed his leather jacket at some point, and the light gray T-shirt he’d worn beneath was now on full display. Stretched taut across his built shoulders, which I definitely wasn’t noticing while I glanced from his face to the hem of his dark-wash jeans. My brow pinched.This guy seriously wore dress shoes with denim?
When he shifted on his feet, I looked up. Bruise-like circles beneath his eyes shimmered in the room’s dim candlelight, evidence of his living human facade. The whole thing was an illusion. Like a mirage, trying to convince the mind that all was fine and dandy despite the obvious threat. I knew better. I’d seen them in the sun.
