Page 9 of Prey

My lips separated and I lowered my head. This vampire, Marko….this killer, knew every detail of my life. Had seen it. Twisting in my stomach had me feeling sick. The thought of his blood in me had me spinning to race to the restroom. I gagged as an arm looped around my waist, holding me while I started to fight against him.

“You’re just in shock. It’ll pass. And when it does, it’ll be of little consequence. You’ll want nothing more than to taste me, just like I already want to taste you.” I thrashed again, unable to help it. “I’ll be back tomorrow night.” His hand came around, grasping my throat. “You will be more compliant then. You will wait for me at the door and you will let me in, or you won’t like the consequences that come with me forcing my way inside.”

Fear engulfed me and the trembling came back in full force. “Please don’t come back. Please. I’ll pretend none of this ever happened. I won’t say a word.” My voice cracked as the tears finally broke free and streamed down my cheeks. A laugh filled the room and I was tossed to the ground, as if I were nothing.

“I’ll be back. And don’t think about running. You won’t make it far.” He grabbed his jacket, sliding it on as he surged from my door, slamming it behind him. Sobs wracked my body so hard, I fell forward, resting my forehead on hands that seemed to try to claw their way into the carpeted flooring. For minutes, I felt myself fall apart. I was confused, scared. Fear had sunk its claws just as deep as Marko’s fangs and I had no idea what I was supposed to do now.

Chapter 5

Hunter

“Tessa?”

I looked down at the knob, confused as I pushed the door closed. Hadn’t I told her to lock it? I knew I had. I turned the dead bolt, shaking my head. Women. Didn’t last night teach her anything? A stranger could show up at any time. With the phantom knocker, I would have thought she’d have taken the scare a little more seriously. One time would have been odd. Three times, throughout the span of a few hours...it wasn’t natural. Hell, had she not convinced me that kids had done this before, I probably wouldn’t have left to begin with. A bad feeling was in the pit of my stomach and I couldn’t shake the weird sensation. Even under heavy fire overseas, I never once felt the fear I did last night. It rocked me and I didn’t like it. I wasn’t one to get spooked easily, but anyone that hid themselves from the view of others wasn’t right in my book.

“Tessa?”

The house was dead quiet, causing me to walk faster. I pushed open the bathroom door, moving my head back as a wave of steam rolled out. She’d just gotten out of the shower. And a damn hot one at that. My shirt was suddenly too tight against my neck and I pulled at it as teasing images of her body underneath mine played out. Damn. How many times had I fantasized about making up for our first time? Too many. And it wasn’t just correcting my mistake that made me want her again. I loved her. Always had.

My arm rose to knock when I paused at the sniffling. Was she crying? I moved in closer, tilting my head to give myself a better angle to hear. The sob had my hand rapping against the wooden divider that separated us.

“Tessa? Can I come in?”

“One minute.” Shuffling was followed by another sniff. My lips tightened with uncertainty and I knocked again.

“Tessa, are you okay?” I grabbed the knob and paused, debating whether I should risk getting her even more upset.

I drew my hand back just as it swung open. Her dark hair was wet, hanging down in loose curls that stopped just above her waist. She hugged the white, thick robe she wore tightly to her body as she moved back. It was a silent admittance into her room and I stepped inside, feeling my heart break at the anguish that pulled her features in. She was on the verge of completely breaking in front of me and I had no idea what had caused it or how to help.

“What happened?” My voice was quiet, almost too afraid to increase in volume for fear of pushing her too far.

Tessa’s foot rose, as if she were going to step forward, only to drop. Her fists clenched, but reached toward me. I didn’t need her asking for me to know what she wanted. My arms lifted and she rushed into them, throwing herself into me with enough force to almost push me back. Sobs shook her body violently and I held tightly, trying to swallow past the tightness in my throat.

“God, Tessa,” I breathed out. “Jesus.” My knees felt weak, yet rage rushed through me. I couldn’t stop myself from scanning her bedroom for some sort of explanation. Her bed was stripped completely and I felt myself stiffen, trying to imagine what would cause her to be suffering as she was.

Fingers dug into my back while she tried to move into me closer.

“Tessa, you have to talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong. What happened?”

The crying got harder and I pulled at her arms, trying to unwrap her from me. It hurt worse than seeing her break down, but if I didn’t find out soon, I’d snap. Someone had obviously hurt her in some way, whether it was physically or mentally, and I wanted to know who.

“Please,” she begged, pulling against me even firmer.

“No. Look at me,” I said, angling her face up. “I’m here now. You’re okay. Just talk to me. Tell me what happened. I won’t let anyone hurt you, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

When she continued reaching out to hold me, I swept her in my arms, bringing her toward the bed. Screams had her thrashing in my arms and I nearly dropped her at the violent outburst. Dots of blood soaked into the mattress had my arms nearly giving out. The yelling disappeared, drowned out from my pulse as I let go of her legs and reached forward, pressing my fingers into the half-dollar sized amount. Crimson stained my fingertip and bile pushed at my throat as I realized how fresh it was. God, if I hadn’t left…If I…

“Hunter, we have to leave. Hunter.” The sobs came back and I looked down into her red-rimmed eyes, numb from the fury within.

“Where are you hurt?” My hand came out to tear at the robe but I closed my fist just as I connected. I didn’t want to imagine my biggest fear. It was wrong that I prayed she’d been merely injured over my assumption.

“We have to go,” she said, dragging it out.

“Who?” I exploded.

Tessa’s mouth opened and a rush of air came out, but nothing in the form of a word. Her eyes darted back and forth and the panic resurfaced. “Ah….” Again, she seemed to struggle with her words.

“Speak. What happened? Did someone…rape you?”

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