Page 15 of Saving Her Vampire

“Yes, I want to meet your boss,” I say. What I really want to do is threaten her boss.

“Bash, you don’t have to do that,” she sighs.

“I do. Will you let me?” I ask.

“Shit, when you ask nicely, I can’t resist,” she groans.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say.

“You are a contradiction,” she mutters.

“Don’t try to understand me. All you will do is frustrate yourself,” I advise. “Goodnight, Marie.” I leave, shutting the door on her confused expression.

I blur to the kitchen and empty two bags of blood. I had to leave her before I tasted what she hadn’t offered. I throw the bags in the trash and go to my room. I won’t sleep, but I change into black track pants anyway. I like being comfortable when I am at home. I pace my room, hearing Marie move around her room, open doors, and put away her clothes. When I hear the shower start, I blur downstairs. I can hear her as if she is right next to me.

Vampires can hear from miles away. It takes practice and time to block it out. It’s very disorienting when you are a newly turned vampire. My ears felt like they had been on fire for a year. I can just think of a location where I have been, and in a blink, I’m there. I don’t fear anything. On second thought, the only thing I fear now is losing Marie. At the same time, I fear that she will stay. Figure that one out.

I have never turned another. Unlike shifters, which should only turn their mate, vampires can make anyone a vampire. Our bite is lethal when we want it to be, but it also turns a human. We can’t turn shifters, only humans. If shifters try to turn humans that are not their mates, it usually leads to disaster. They can end up partially turned, not able to shift entirely. Becoming a wolf or lion takes a lot of faith and love. The body is changed from the inside out. The universe helps those that are meant to be a shifter.

I have never had the urge to turn another. Ryker was kind enough to stay with me through the process and the initial learning. I haven’t wanted the responsibility. With Marie, it’s all I can think about. Will she be willing?

I pour a whiskey and open the balcony doors. It runs the length of the living room. I have a half-dozen loungers, an outdoor couch, a table, and chairs. Most of it is useless. I don’t want anyone in my space, so I don’t have parties. I’m shocked it was so easy to offer my space to Marie. I had zero reservations about bringing her into my world. The universe knew what they were doing.

I thought it was a crock of shit, the whole universe thing, the idea that a higher power picked the perfect person for you. I was used to being alone, and had assumed I’d remain that way for however long I was on this earth. I had a plan. Continue to take out the worst men that prey on others—do some good to make up for all the bad shit I have done. I can’t deny that Marie is my mate, but I’m hesitant to letting her get too close, yet I can’t let her go.

It is tough to kill vampires because we are more powerful than anything else. Shifters are strong, but they don’t have the speed we have. Witches are different in that their bodies are from humans, but the spells they cast can protect them. I have never trusted them and have stayed as far away as possible. I am leery of a human that can cast a spell, cursing you forever with a few words—who wouldn’t be?

Dragons are a different story. I have only met three in my lifetime. The third recently. Bishop is a friend of River’s and seems to be a good one. Dragons are secretive, possessive of what’s theirs, and hard to kill. They indeed can fly and breathe fire. Bishop is a gold dragon which is extremely rare. We have had a drink together a few times and understand each other. We don’t share, but we are becoming friends of sorts.

I gaze out over the lights of the city. I was born at a different time. The world was different: simple, yet harder. Even I marvel over the changes and the things I have seen. I grew up in a suppressed world, where being different was not a good thing. I was so different from anyone else. I felt as if I didn’t belong then.

The apartment was silent, but I heard Marie’s feet padding across the floors from above. I thought she was asleep. I wait to see which way she will go. My hands clench on the arms of the chair as she comes in my direction. I turned all the lights off since I didn’t need them.

Her steps are hesitant as she travels closer. Her heart speeds up when she sees me. I can hear her blood flowing faster in her veins, and my mouth waters. She is appetizing.

“Can’t sleep?” I ask.

“No,” she says softly. I turn my head as she joins me. She pauses next to the chair beside me.

“Sit,” I say.

“You can’t sleep either?” she asks as she sits.

“No,” I say. She is wearing her hoodie. Her legs are bare. I wonder what she has underneath it? My eyes stray to the tattoo on her leg, wondering how far up it goes.

“Is something wrong? Are you regretting inviting me here?” she asks.

“Nothing is wrong. I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t want you here.” I take a drink.

“Sorry, I’m used to reading between the lines of what people say. It’s a refreshing change to know you say what you mean.” She sighs and leans back in her chair.

“It’s useless to lie. You won’t have to keep track of your half-truths if you don’t.” I shrug.

“I like how you think,” she says with a smile.

“That’s the first time anyone has said that,” I state, blinking.

“I bet.”

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