Page 936 of One More Kiss

Odessa

Pain coursesthrough my body as I try to get myself under control. I needed to get away from them. All that delicious blood, and the smells of arousal, were too much. I take a deep breath to control myself. My senses were so overwhelmed. Every light makes me squint and sounds bombard me with their screeches. I shake my head to find some balance while holding onto a wall. The feel under my palms is rough and worn. I reach the front door and out into the cold air.

My sight allows me to see all the different things around me, in ways I never had before. My hearing, allowing me to hear even the quietest of noises, including all the delicious blood pumping inside the people near me, which is sending a tingle through my body and causing me to salivate.

I turn down a side street, but I have no clear direction in mind. I could go home, but what if I run into a neighbor? Would I be able to hide what I am? I’m so ashamed.

The nightmares turned into reality, and I couldn’t stop it. For years, they have plagued me with the notion that this could happen, but a small part of me didn’t want to believe it. That part had faith that I could outrun this. To outrun my fate.

“Odessa,” I hear from behind me. I whirl around and find the vampire running up to me. It’s the one with the icy feeling. His beautiful eyes capture mine, and for a moment, I’m lost. Shaking it off, I turn around and continue walking. I have nothing to say to him. They stole my life, and for what? Some curse. It wasn’t my problem.

“Go away. I don’t need you. You ruined everything I’ve worked so hard for. I’m a monster now,” I say, trying to pick up enough speed so he won’t follow me. But the persistent ass continues to chase me.

“I can’t. You’ve inherited our bloodlust. I have to show you how to control it,” he explains, grabbing my arm. I look down at his hand and then right into his eyes. Shrugging him off, I kick out, aiming straight for his dick. He howls in pain and doubles over.

“Leave me the fuck alone!” I scream, running away even faster than before. I don’t care if anyone sees my speed. Let them know they need to stay away. I’d only kill them now.

I make it about three long blocks before he’s on me, pushing me against a wall in an alley. He pins me at the hips. Struggling, I try to get out of his grasp. I can only move us so much before I’m bested.

“It’s not safe for you out here, Odessa. You need to come back with me. Learn how to control it. If not, the Vampire Council will come after you and kill you,” he explains, voice cracking a bit.

It seems like he cares. It’s almost touching, but then I remember they took my life from me. They made me this way.

“I don’t give a fuck about any council. If they want to kill me, fine. It’s better than being a monster. I feel horrible, hungry, and uncomfortable in my skin. I can’t live like this. I can’t go on,” I say, my voice cracking.

Tears fall down onto my shirt. I wipe them away, only to find my hand covered in blood. I’m horrified at it, but I feel the pangs of need inside me, and the only thing I can think about is putting the blood to my lips. It’s disgusting, yet all-consuming. He grabs my hand before I can taste it, leaning in to whisper in my ear.

“You need to control it, Odessa. Think of something else besides the blood. Concentrate on my voice. Don’t let it consume you.”

A chill of desire races through me as my focus shifts from the blood to the vampire before me. His neck is glorious and I want nothing more than to run my tongue up his jugular and bite down. A pang of need presses into my core and it takes all of me not to jump him right there.

“I can’t stop the urges pulsing through me.”

“You can. Think about something else. Think about when you were happy, or a time when you could totally relax. Go there and imagine your body calming down.”

Closing my eyes, I try to ignore the sensations in me. I turn to the one happy memory I have. My mother and her voice. She always sang to me before bed. Those were the times when I didn’t have nightmares about blood and death. Her gentle touch moving hair from my face and her sweet voice soothing my fears.

“Do you feel better?” He asks, watching my eyes pop open. I can feel my body returning to normal and my teeth retract.

“Yes.. It’s still there, hovering at the surface, but I think I can control it,” I confess.

He removes himself from me, and I slump to the floor. Cradling my face in my hands, I draw up my knees. Sorrow and grief consume me as I mourn the life I once had.

“It will get better. You can do this. You’re strong, and we’ll help you.”

“What’s your name?”

It’s the only thing I can think about besides the blood. Maybe if I know them, it will make it better. All the fight leaves me and I cradle my head in between my knees.

“Draven Collins,” he utters, extending his hand towards me. I take it and pull myself up off the floor. The contact makes a pang of desire run through me, but I think of my mother’s singing and I calm a bit once more.

“Odessa McBride,” I say, introducing myself because we missed this part. I didn’t even know them. All I saw every night were monsters. I let go of his hand and wipe it on my pants.

“I know. We looked at your driver’s license when we brought you to the apartment,” he responds, looking a little sheepish.

“What about the other guys? What are their names?”

“The tall one is Theron Brown, and the other is Julius Marks.”

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