Page 27 of Prey

Air refused to come as tears burned my eyes. My nails clawed into his wrists and I thrashed against his hold, trying my best to break it before I became too weak. With the force he held, it wouldn’t be long.

“God, your heart calls to me. Such a beautiful melody it sings when you’re so close to death. Will it sound just as sweet when the rhythm stops?”

Pressure built in my face and a gurgling sound came from my mouth. My legs were getting so heavy. My ankle twisted to the side as numbness started to sink in. Still, I clawed against him, even though my fingers almost refused to obey.

“Please,” I begged in my head. “Don’t do this.”

“I’m sorry, mon chaton.” Something flickered behind his eyes and he eased his grip, allowing me the smallest amount of air as he drew my face closer with his hands and pressed his lips against mine. “God, I really am.”

A silent sob left me and I closed my eyes, trying to face my death while he still allowed me enough oxygen to stay conscious. As I went over my life and mindlessly fought, it only made me cry harder. Nothing. I’d accomplished nothing worth anyone remembering. Hunter would be heartbroken, but other than him and my parents, no one was going to miss me. The closest I’d ever gotten to being in love was to the man who wanted me dead. And that didn’t even count. It wasn’t real love. Like Marko had said, it was an illusion.

“Part of it is real,” Marko said, interrupting my thoughts. My eyes opened, but it had been almost impossible. I was so tired.

None of it’s real. I don’t love you and I’m sure not going to die thinking I do.

His hands loosened even more and air rushed in, burning my throat. What looked to be sadness filled his face, but I wasn’t sure with the anger that kept coming back.

“You do love me. At least a small amount.”

“No,” I forced out through the rawness.

“Yes,” he said, tightening his hands. “I’m not feeling this for nothing. You love me.”

I closed my eyes, clearing my thoughts. I would not give him the satisfaction of killing me for the reasons he held to.

“Tessa.” He shook me hard, choking me even more. The urge to gag was automatic and my knees gave out. Spots appeared, even in the darkness. Panic set in, but I fought to surrender to his will.

I hit the ground hard as he let go. My limbs were tingly and numb and coughing wracked my chest. Loud popping had my eyes subconsciously flying open. Blood webbed out, soaking through Marko’s white button up shirt. Somehow, I managed to turn my head. Hunter was standing at the door, a gun held out in front of him and he was gaping. Marko stepped over me slowly.

“I told Tessa I wouldn’t kill you today. You are so fucking lucky.”

More popping had Marko jerking the smallest amount. I pushed against the floor, trying my hardest to get to my feet. Bullets fell at Marko’s feet within seconds and his ability to heal was faster than before. Whether it was because he’d been expecting the shots Hunter fired at him, I wasn’t sure.

“Impossible,” Hunter breathed out, moving to the side. More rounds were fired until he was pulling against an empty clip.

“You can’t kill me,” Marko said, reaching out and snatching him by the throat with only one of his hands. Hunter was lifted off the ground while he held the vampire’s wrist. Red filled his face as he kicked against the vampire’s thigh and thrashed.

“I could put you through the brick exterior of this home right now if I wanted to. Maybe I’ll just settle for the floor. A broken back isn’t death, right?” A smile came to his face and I forced a scream that had him pausing.

“Don’t. Just name it.” I stumbled, falling, but managing to make it to his feet. Hesitantly, I reached forward, wrapping my hands around his thigh and placing my forehead against it. It took every ounce of energy I possessed, but I could feel myself getting slowly stronger. “Anything. Just don’t hurt him.” The plea was almost silent, but I knew he heard it.

Hunter went flying across the room, landing hard and sliding through the small dining room area. Marko had me around the waist, carrying me through the front door immediately as I watched Hunter try to stand.

“Tessa, don’t!”

Darkness cloaked around us as my house faded in the distance. I knew we were going at a fast pace, but it all blurred together while I watched Hunter race outside. We were right there, just past the lawn, but he acted as though he never saw us. Maybe he didn’t. Maybe he had pretended not to. It wasn’t like there was anything he could do anyway.

I swallowed constantly as we continued, disappearing from my street and coming to a grate resting on the side of the road. Marko reached down, removing it. He never let go as he turned and climbed down the ladder. As he replaced the grate, we were face to face. I shouldn’t have been able to see in pitch black, but I could, which told me it was due to Marko’s blood.

“Don’t look at me like that. He shot me and all he got was tossed around. He’s lucky I didn’t crush his windpipe.”

Bars pressed into my back, but I barely felt them as we kept each other’s stare. My mouth opened to speak, but I knew it would hurt too badly. Instead, I used my thoughts.

“Thank you for not hurting him worse. But you can’t believe that’s the only reason I’m upset. God, look what you did to me. You just fucking...” My body shook as fear left me wanting to get far away from him. “Why are you bringing me here?”

Marko took a deep breath and leaned his forehead against mine, trapping me between him and the bar behind my head.

“I shouldn’t. I…fuck, how did things go so wrong? Do you see what you’re doing to me? The deep growl left me shaking even worse.

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