Page 53 of Prey

“What does that mean?”

Her touch was making me even foggier in my mind. I bit my lip as she brought her thumb down to tease my hard nipple.

“Holding two vampires’ blood doesn’t fare well for humans. Unless the vampire who exchanges the second time is stronger, they’ll die. If I tried to win your blood and failed, your death would be mine. Marko will not have it.”

The roll of her thumb had a moan coming from my mouth. Blindly, I reached for the chair behind me as she stepped in even closer, adding just the smallest increase in pressure to the tight nub she now pinched between her fingers.

“I wish I were stronger. I keep thinking that maybe if I tasted your blood, took Marko inside of me, too, I might be able to defeat his marks on you. God, it’s so tempting, Tessa. I’d love to taste you.”

Her lips moved toward mine and I jumped as someone pounded against the door. “Marie!” The name was said threateningly and I knew whose voice it was. She pulled back and dropped her hands, sighing. I quickly put on the strapless bra as she made her way to the door. It was swung open wide and although I felt the need to conceal my body, seeing Marko’s lips part was enough to have me not moving.

“Yes, Marko?”

He didn’t answer her. Didn’t move as he stared at me.

In heavy breaths, I tried to prepare myself for what would happen. I knew that look. Knew where it was going to lead. He wasn’t quite himself. His vampire was taking him over. I could already see his fangs coming down.

“No—”

Before I could finish, he was through the door and on me.

“You like her touch? You want her as your Master instead of me?” Fingers buried in my hair as he trapped my arms with one of his, wrapping it around my waist. I thrashed, but it didn’t stop him from slamming me into the wall to try to get closer. Not once did he break his stare from my eyes as he glared. Through it all, I saw his lust. He wanted me just as much as he fought the need to end my life.

“You will not kill her in my room!” Marie’s words had the arm around me loosing and him pulling back just the smallest amount.

“You,” he said, spinning us around, “I should kill you right now. You know better.”

Marie’s head shook. “Don’t you preach to me about what I know. You gave her your blood, damn well aware of the purpose. You don’t want her. I do. Now, let her down and go before I have you thrown out.”

“Oh, I’m going, but not without her. I won’t have her head filled with things that could very well kill me. And you’d tell her.” His head shook. “Not happening, Marie. You want my chair and you’ll do anything to get it. I won’t die because of your schemes.”

My legs kicked against him as I pulled at his hold. “I don’t want to go with you, Marko. The man said I could explore the city. I know he’s the leader. Do I need to find him and tell him that you’re denying me of what he said I could do?”

Anger turned to rage as he looked down. One minute, I was within his grasp, the next, I hit the ground hard.

“Wednesday is no more. You will not make it out of this city alive. I won’t let you.”

The words induced an anger I couldn’t stop myself from feeling. They ate at my sanity. Twisted my psyche until I couldn’t even process what I was doing. I was over this. Done with the threats.

“No.” I pushed to my feet, my eyes wildly searching the room. A pair of scissors sat on the vanity and I grabbed them, immediately slashing them in his direction. The pressure from his hand catching my wrist was crushing and I screamed as I went wild to get out of his hold. My leg kicked against him and at the swing of my free arm, I felt the blade connect against my forearm, slicing through my skin. A scream forced its way out, but I couldn’t focus on the pain. Not when all I knew was ending the man’s life before me. Love or hate, it made no difference. Just freedom from his threats.

“Stop it,” he growled as I pounded into his chest and neck. The scissors fell free from my grasp as he squeezed tighter and I barely noticed all the blood covering his white button-up shirt from my hits.

Movement from Marie had my gaze flashing over and I could feel myself stop mid-swing. Her eyes were wide and devoid of any color. The black center had completely taken over everything but the white. Fear had my pulse exploding. One second, Marko was holding onto me, the next, he was spinning for Marie’s neck as she shot in our direction.

“Get to my room, mon chaton, now!” Marko slammed her to the ground, forcing her over and placing his knee to the middle of her back. Growls came from her mouth and I grabbed my dress, terrified. But I didn’t go to his room. Couldn’t.

I pulled my sundress over my head and raced through the door. Darkness swallowed me up and I let it as I ran through the tunnel. I couldn’t remember ever feeling so afraid. Marie hadn’t been herself. Hadn’t even looked like I’d seen Marko when he was at his worst. Had he been holding back with me the entire time? I knew he had.

Light met me as I broke into the heart of the city, but I saw nothing as I sprinted past the still occupied tables. Large crashes erupted behind me and fear left me moving at a faster speed than I could imagine. But it wasn’t fast enough. Weight crashed into my back and I yelled in pain as I slid against the floor. Stinging flared over my chest at the cement burning my skin, leaving behind a heat so intense that I feared the damage it had caused.

I was rolled over by a vampire with light colored hair, but the room spun so fast. Whoever was on me was pulled off, only for more hands to start clawing at me. Faces appeared all above, crowding me while I kicked and swung. It didn’t stop the long nails from lacerating my side as I tried to fight them off. Cement tore into my exposed shoulders, pulling my dress high on my waist as someone grabbed my foot, freeing me, but only for themselves.

My screams echoed around and I twisted, able to make it to my knees before someone else grabbed at my dress. I was ripped up to stand and I sobbed as a loud roar vibrated my skin, leaving it feeling as if it were melting beneath the voice. God, I really was going to die tonight. Just not by who I thought.

Chapter 24

Marko

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