Page 16 of Prey

I glanced behind, watching shadows play off the creature’s face as he leaned further down. The black hood he wore concealed everything but his features and even those were hard to distinguish. The large open area wasn’t lit very well. The shops held most of the brightness, but not as much an aboveground home would. Outside of the businesses, one could easily find areas to hide.

A dark tunnel stood ahead and I wanted to double back to where all the humans were. It had to be safer there. Why were my feet refusing to let me? Again, I stared back, noticing his lip curling higher. The man was gaining on me. If I went any faster, I’d be running. Should I run?

I didn’t think. I pushed from the balls of my feet and raced for the tunnel ahead. My flats slapped against the cement and I held in the scream that wanted to come at the man breaking into a quick run. The speed was so fast, it was shocking. He’d catch me and I knew what he was capable of.

Light disappeared as I broke through the tunnel entrance. I had no idea where I was going. But, I didn’t have to. One minute, I was running, and the next, a door opened and an arm shot out, wrapping around my waist. Air exploded from my lungs at the impact and I was dropped to the ground roughly. My body locked up at the speed he displayed as he reached back in and slammed the vampire down right next to me. There was no gentleness in his actions. Crunching from the vampire’s skull connecting with the floor left me scooting back. Blood sprayed out as Marko’s fingernails extended out, shredding the monster’s neck.

“She is not to be touched. Ever,” he roared. “You be sure to spread the word to all of your little friends. If any of you so much as think about coming near her, I’ll kill you myself.” The vampire was thrown from the door, bouncing off the far wall. I crawled back even more as Marko slammed the barrier closed behind him. My head shook continually as I took in the new side to the man who now stood before me. Fangs, I knew he had those. Razor sharp nails, inhuman speed…power?

“Stand up, mon chaton. Come to me.”

My head kept shaking, even though I somehow managed to get to my feet. Dark circles rested under Marko’s eyes and there was a tinge of paleness to his full lips. His bare chest heaved, the lean muscles tightening as he glared in my direction.

“Your blood has made me sick. Look at me. I’m a God damn mess.” The words were spat and I couldn’t help the joy, yet offense, I got out of his statement. I moved more toward the door, only to stop at what lay outside. Was the injured vampire still there? Was he even hurt anymore?

“If I’m making you sick, why do you want more? You should let me go.”

In four large strides, Marko made it to me, jerking my arm, causing the contents of my purse to scatter across his floor. I didn’t even have time to scream as he tossed me on the large bed.

“I’m sick because I’ve put off taking more from you. Do you know what that’s done? I should have never of given you my blood. Had I known this was what would happen, I would have avoided it at all costs. I’m not weak.”

The heel of my shoes pushed into the firmness underneath me while I made it to the large wooden headboard. “You’re not weak.” I managed.

“Oh, but, mon chaton, right now, I am. I haven’t slept in days. You blood will not allow me to. Each drop taunts me to take more. I crave nothing but your taste on my tongue. And you’re going to give it to me.”

“No.” My throat closed, not allowing me to say any more. Vibrations from his agitation and anger left me looking for an escape even though I knew there wasn’t a way out. Not from what had to be done.

Marko’s legs hit the edge of the mattress and his eyes cut right into my very soul.

“I’m going to sit on the bed and you’re going to straddle me. And you’re not going to move. If you do, I will kill you and that time isn’t here yet.”

I gripped the pillow melded against my hips. His knee came down and he crawled forward. I couldn’t stop myself from watching his shoulders flex with each lift of his hand. My foot pushed in more and I moved my head back as his face came in, pausing before he rubbed his nose along my neck.

A deep groan sounded and his palms wrapped along my waist, spinning me to fit on his lap as he settled against the headboard. Pressure pushed to the middle of my back while he drew me in.

“I don’t want this,” I whispered through the fear. I knew the pain would be excruciating and with how bad he looked, accompanied with his warning, there was a chance he wouldn’t stop drinking until I was dead.

“Shh.” My hair was brushed back while he adjusted my neck. “You may not want it now, but you’re about to be begging me for more. The first time was the worst. Your body rebelled against the unknown. Now, it longs for nothing more than my bite. You can deny it all you want, but you know I speak the truth. My blood calls you back to me, as yours does with me. We’ll never be the same, even if I did let you go. The only way to stop the connection is through death. Yours…or mine.”

My eyes closed and I lowered my chin to rest on the top his shoulder. Coolness swept down the side of my throat and I couldn’t remember feeling the marked difference in his temperature before. He’d always felt cooler, but never this much.

“I’m sick because of what you’re feeling, aren’t I?”

“Yes, and had we been bonded, I would have never gotten so bad. You would have known when I needed you. I could have told you without having to speak a word.”

My eyes opened, but I didn’t see the headboard before me. “Bonded?”

“Three times ingesting my blood. It’s something you’re never going to have to worry about. Now, relax and embrace what I’m about to do. The acceptance will help.”

I slammed my fist against his chest, but didn’t move. “I don’t want to accept. I want to go home.”

Pain exploded at my hair being pulled and I felt my back connect to the mattress. The force knocked the air from me and still, he pushed into my chest until I was sure my bones would crack. Air refused to come while he made sounds full of pain. My hands continued to beat against him as my own agony took over. The humming of his voice eased as he lifted and pinned my wrists with one of his hands.

“Your aggression is only going to make it worse, but I’m afraid it’s too late.”

The burning in my throat was undeniable and I knew it was his pain. My face turned to the side just as the bite caused my legs to kick out. Stinging brought tears falling free and his thighs pushed mine further apart while he ground his hard cock into me. The pleasure that exploded within sent my hands flying up against his hold. Surprisingly, he let go. Even more shocking was when I moved my hands to his back. For the first time since I’d met him, the fear dissipated completely. My hips arched and I felt myself move against him, suddenly needing more.

Vibrations from his moans intensified the passion that swept through me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, lacing my fingers in his hair, drawing him in deeper. Tugging against the button of my slacks pulled me from the bliss, but I didn’t dwell on it or fight as I let him work them free. My hips even lifted to help him move them down. Marko broke away, meeting my eyes. What lurked deep within the depths pulled at me, but it had nothing to do with the trance I knew he could have put me in. There was something else. Something more that I couldn’t even begin to grasp.

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