Page 59 of Prey

From the depths of the underground he came, a monster moving amongst the shadows, stalking every living thing like the predator he was. The dark suit or fedora couldn’t hide what anyone who got within a ten foot radius would feel. And he could have had them. Could have torn them to pieces with his razor sharp fangs. He wanted to. But they wouldn’t be his meal tonight.

I would.

Even lying in bed, the covers pulled up to my neck, I saw him getting closer. Shared his vision. His thoughts. He was coming for me. I could feel it in my bones and not just because his arrival was my greatest fear. My blood was literally calling him. Every beat of my heart was like the sweet bells of a church, luring in the faithful servants of the Lord. Luring in him. I was Marko Delacroix’s salvation. His continuation amongst the living dead. But I wouldn’t be for much longer. Tonight, I would die. He’d kill me. And then, I’d be replaced.

Or so he thought…

I gripped the blanket tighter, holding on for dear life. I wouldn’t die tonight. Julius said I wouldn’t. So why was I so afraid? I knew why. Because Marko wasn’t himself. He was the epitome of evil and I was his target. I didn’t want him to die at my hands, or at all. I knew the man inside, who I’d fallen in love with was somewhere underneath the surface. The one that protected me, even from himself when he could help it. But no matter what I did tonight, he wouldn’t be present. In a sense, Julius had been right. Marko was dead. I’d killed him when they locked him away. To think that was what the leader meant only had me shaking worse. I held to the fact that he promised to change me when I returned. That meant I would live, or so I hoped. Little did he know, I wasn’t going back. I’d run—now. I’d leave and pray to God every day that they wouldn’t find me. Let them think Marko killed me. I didn’t care. As long as I didn’t have to become part of them.

My eyes closed, trying to feel him. I couldn’t anymore. It was like our bond was already broken. If it weren’t for the feeling in my heart, I might have just believed that. But I knew the truth. Marko was on his way to me and somehow, he’d managed to turn himself off completely. Would he use the front door? Burst through my window like the evil creature I knew he was at the moment? His state of mind left me absolutely terrified beyond comprehension. My situation had scared me straight and I just hoped it would continue to last long enough to allow me to end his life. It was him or me.

Images began to filter through my mind and I saw my house come into view. A sound left me as I felt under my pillow. My cry increased at the slight sting against my fingertip and I went back to clutching at the blanket, shaking violently.

Flashes of blood splattered over my vision and I nearly screamed at how real it looked. As if the red substance had gotten in my eyes and blurred everything together. I pushed to sit up and flipped on my bedside lamp. My whole body locked up at seeing Marko in my doorway. I’d never heard it open. Never heard a sound except my own racing pulse.

The fedora fell to the ground and he let his trench coat follow. He was so calm…it scared me even more. I kept my hand under the blankets as he began taking off his suit jacket and shirt. The crazed look in his black eyes left me feeling even more nauseas. The fire in my throat was so intense, swallowing was impossible.

“Mon chaton, I’m disappointed. You make this too easy.”

The demonic voice was back and I clutched the white nightgown that pooled in my lap. My knees drew up as he neared. I took in the muscles flexing on his bloodstained chest as his movements changed. He was waiting for me to try to run. Prepared in case I had plotted a last minute escape. Maybe that’s what he wanted, but I refused to give in to him. I stayed still as his hand connected with the mattress, trying my best to stop the nerves that wracked my body. Like the animal he was, he graceful prowled over me, until his forehead was pushing mine down into my pillow—hard.

“You’re so afraid. I can smell your fear. It’s so thick and sweet. But it’s not enough.” His black eyes opened and connected with mine. I refused to hold his stare for long. Couldn’t, as my whole body jolted through another wave of terror. The reaction left me angry and my palm shot straight up into to his cheek as I tried to put distance between us. He didn’t even budge.

“You will not get from me what you want. Now, get off.”

A deep inhale was followed by him ignoring me. He let out a sound, somewhere between a moan and a sigh as he flattened his hand against the side of my face and sucked against my jawline. Slowly, I moved my fingers underneath my pillow while he pulled the covers back to climb underneath.

“Marko?”

There was no response as he continue to suck his way down my skin. Long nails brushed against my outer thigh while he eased the side of my nightgown higher up my hip. Pleasure sparked, but I pushed the fake sensation away.

“Marko.”

More of his weight lowered and his hard cock moved along my pussy. The temptation to close my eyes and give in was overwhelming. His fixation influenced my thoughts and I fought the bond as best as I could. I had to find some way to distract him.

“I’ve thought of nothing but this moment now for hours. Moan for me. Let me hear your voice.” The hand on my head slid higher as fingers weaved through my hair. At his other thumb pressing into my lower stomach, I exhaled through the change in emotions.

“I’m going to kill you,” I whispered. “You think you’re going to win, but you won’t.”

There was a hesitation as he jerked on my hair, making me face him. An evil smile was on his face and with each shake of his head, he glared even more. “Spread your legs and let me fuck what’s mine one last time. I’ll love you to death, mon chaton. Just like you want. Love you to death,” he repeated, twice more.

My fingers rose a little higher under my pillow and he yanked hard, turning and exposing my neck completely. If he sunk his fangs into me, it was over with. I’d lose my fight. I’d die. He’d kill me and I wouldn’t even fight back.

“I will,” I whispered. “God, I will. I’ll love you to your last breath and then I’ll hate you for eternity. Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you seal this place from all evil. That you—”

Marko’s head came up and his hand slammed over my mouth. He looked uneasy and I couldn’t stop now. My insides were burning just as the mere words and my throat felt like it was closing, but it was working.

That you…ah….

My fingernail brushed against the dagger resting under my pillow as I fought to make more words appear in my mind. It was as if my brain was shutting down, trying to protect Marko. But I couldn’t stop now. If I could distract him just a little longer…if I could pierce his heart…I knew this would be over. He’d die. The pain of touching it left my skin on fire. I tried my best to get as close I as could without warning him, but I knew my time had run out.

“Lord Jesus, in your Holy Name, I ask…”

The beast within him flared as he pushed up higher from my chest and his lips peeled back to reveal his fangs. The internal scream at how terrifying he looked broke off my thoughts and my hand shot up to grip the dagger tightly.

Like a blur, I saw him coming down for my throat. I didn’t even have time to think as I extended my arm up to meet him in his quick advance. The double sided hilt that overhung the handle pushed back against my hand from the force and a gasp broke through the loud roaring in my ears. I wasn’t sure if it was mine or his. My chest exploded in an inferno, burning from the inside as if someone had dropped a torch down my throat and let it settle deep within the center of my being.

Gargling was followed by a groan as Marko lifted off me, staring down at the buried blade. His eyes weren’t black anymore. And he was blinking…confused.

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