With a few easy neck-snaps, he cleaned up the room. Might not be fully changed, but the power coursing through him? The speed, the pure sensation of even the air on his skin… invigorating.
When the last of them hit the floor, Blayk stood with his hands on his hips, waiting.
Bennett rolled his shoulders and sauntered toward him. “So sweet of you, offering me a little drink to tuck me in for another nap.”
The corners of Blayk’s lips drew up. “Looky you. Not a trace of thrall for your sires, huh? He’ll be so disappointed. Hate to spoil your plans, but you’re not going to last long without another infusion.”
Hands on his hips, Bennett snorted, “Infusion? Is that what you call it? I’ve survived worse than vampire blood shoved down my throat. Nasty business.” While his words decried the revolt he should be feeling, his throat lurched with a yearning. Exhilaration rushed through him as he felt the vampire’s pulse pounding, the need for the relief nothing else would provide.
“Sure. Try going without. Let me know how you feel in a few hours.” Blayk shrugged. “I mean, you’re pretty tough, but I can feel it. It’s too late. Ignore it now, and you’ll be dead within hours. Although maybe a day or two, for you. Let me finish it, and I can show you how powerful you can be.”
Instinct pounded in Bennett’s brain, that sharp vampire survivalism battling with the bullheaded demon hunter. “When it’s done, do you really think I’ll let you live?”
“You will if you want to know whose idea this was and why. He seems to think there’s some grand prophecy you’ll fulfill for him.” Blayk pulled down the neck of his shirt, revealing his pulse bounding under his skin. “Some people don’t know how to appreciate what they have.”
Furious, desperate, knowing the choice was already taken from him, he moved in. Jerking Blayk’s head back, he sunk his razor-sharp canines into his jugular.
Warm and tangy, like an ancient wine, the blood filled his mouth, his veins, clearing his mind. Rushing through him, a desperation to complete the change, he squeezed, sucking what wouldn’t come fast enough.
Laughing, his voice hoarse as Bennett drained him, Blayk whispered in his ear, “Company’s coming.” A pair of heavy-duty engines revved as they neared.
Eyes heavy, the intoxicating vampire blood too much to handle, Bennett dropped Blayk and fought the impending sleep that had held him comatose for days. Stumbling backward, he blinked and shook his head. Fuck; no wonder vampires didn’t feed off each other.
Ears still ringing from the ironic gratification, Bennett took off. Legs pumping at full speed as he battled the sandbags filling his limbs, he sprinted into the night. Blayk’s laughter transitioned to a pissed-off trail of expletives, his footsteps fading in the distance as he realized he was too slow, too late, and too drained to catch Bennett.
As headlights rounded the corner, drawing closer, Bennett ducked into the alley. As if lead weights filled his eyelids, his eyes fluttered shut, and he shook away the drugging effects of the vampire blood as he struggled to stay awake.
A few more blocks and he’d be home.
He wasn’t going to make it that far.
Limbs growing heavier by the second, Bennett turned into Tent City. Passing through, he stole an unattended blanket and crossed into the next alley. Legs about to collapse beneath him, he dove behind a dumpster. Pulling the blanket over his body, he succumbed to the exhaustion.
***
The sun threatened on the horizon. She knew she was too late to save him. But there might still be time to stop him.
Bennett as a vampire? He was already stronger and more stubborn than most. Add vampire speed and senses? He’d be unstoppable.
She pulled out her phone and crossed her fingers that he might answer this time. Nope. Straight to voicemail. Her stomach sunk in her abdomen like deadweight. Dammit. If he’d changed his number, some poor soul had a dozen messages to call her back immediately. With other fun tips, likedon’t eat anyone, andlock yourself up and I’ll find you.
She dove into her Porsche and fired up the engine. Windows tinted, including the windshield. A doctor’s note in the glove box claimed the skin allergy she often used to fit in amongst humans. Came in handy.
Pinstriped roads warned the temperature was well below freezing, and the de-icers had been at work all night. After uselessly sweeping the area around the club, she drove to Bennett’s old apartment in Belltown. A long shot, but it was a starting point.
She skipped the elevator and tore up the stairs. Outside his door, or what used to be his door anyway, she tried to catch his scent, but demon hunters were impossible to smell. Handy for them, but damned inconvenient for her.
Nothing, but she caught scent of a woman that wore too much perfume.
Ignoring the annoying ache in her chest that Bennett might be dating some annoying perfumy bitch, she knocked. As the door opened, the sun glared into the hall. Adair stepped back and sported her chipperest smile. “Hi, is, uh, is Bennett around?”
The tall brunette’s face scrunched. “I think you have the wrong apartment.”
“An old friend of mine used to live here. You wouldn’t happen to remember a prior tenant by that name?”
The woman shook her head. “No, but I’ve only lived here a few months.” She glanced up and down the hall to the other units. “I think Mrs. Sanderson in 702 has been here the longest.”
“Thanks. Have a good day.” Adair gave her sweetest smile and hurried to 702.
