Chapter 11: Blood
The evening air clung to their skin as they entered her house, the porch light casting long shadows across the weathered welcome mat. He reached behind her to lock the door, the metallic click echoing in the quiet foyer. His hands, warm and gentle, cupped her face, thumbs brushing against her cheekbones as he drew her closer. The kiss tasted of summer honey and promises, his signature vanilla scent wrapping around her like a familiar embrace. She breathed him in deeply, losing herself in the passionate dance of their lips. “I love you, my beautiful girl,” he whispered, his breath tickling the sensitive skin beneath her ear. “I love you too,” she murmured, her arms finding their way around his broad shoulders, fingers tracing patterns against his shirt. He threaded his fingers through her hair. Trying to comfort her.
“I can’t stay tonight, though I want to,” he said, regret heavy in his voice. “My brother needs help with something. One of us will pick you up in the morning. Call if you need anything, okay?” His lips pressed against her forehead, lingering there like a prayer. “Goodbye, honey.” “Goodbye, baby,” she replied, watching his retreating form until the door closed between them. The lock slid into place with a decisive click.
The moment she went into the bedroom an unnatural chill raised goosebumps along her arms. Despite the summer heat outside, the room felt like a December morning, an inexplicable breeze stirring the curtains though no windows were open. After double-checking every latch, she slipped into a pink silk nightgown that whispered against her skin. “You look stunning, my love,” Aleczander’s voice materialized beside her, along with his ethereal form.
“Hi honey,” she said, exhaustion weighing down her words. “I haven’t felt well all day. Can we just rest tonight? I’m sorry.” “But I’ve missed you all day,” he murmured, pressing his glacial lips against hers. “Mmm,” she moaned, the stark contrast between his cold touch and her feverish skin sending shivers down her spine. “Now baby, don’t be frightened, but I’ve brought a friend.” As if summoned by his words, a figure materialized from the shadows – a man dressed in midnight black, his presence bringing with it the scent of grave dirt and ancient magic.
His smile revealed gleaming fangs, sharp as needles in the dim light. “A vampire?” she whispered, tremors wracking her body. “He’s also a necromancer. I made a deal with him to bring me back to life.” “What does he want in exchange?” she asked, her eyes fixed on the floor, afraid to meet the creature’s predatory gaze. “Some of your blood… and a few other things.” “No! I won’t let him feed on me. I love you, but we can find another way to be together. This isn’t right!” “I’m afraid, sweetie, this is the only way.” Aleczander’s grip turned to iron as he held her down, while the vampire glided toward her with unnatural grace. His fingers, like icicles against her throat, pulsed with dark magic that froze her in place.
Paralysis gripped her body like invisible chains, her muscles froze. Even her tears remained trapped, burning behind eyes she couldn’t close. The air grew thick with the metallic scent of fear as Niko leaned down, his cold lips brushing against her neck . When his fangs pierced her flesh, the pain was sharp and electric, drawing a silent scream she couldn’t voice. Her life force drained away, each pull of blood making her consciousness flutter like a dying flame. Above her, Niko’s growl rumbled with primal satisfaction, the sound of a predator savoring its prey. The silver glint of a syringe caught the dim light as he drew more of her blood, the crimson liquid filling the chamber before disappearing into his pocket.
His weight shifted as he straddled her, his arctic lips claiming hers in a mockery of intimacy. Revulsion crawled through her veins like poison, her mind screaming in silent protest. “I want to take you, worthless human,” he purred, the words dripping with dark desire. Aleczander’s voice cut through the horror: “That’s enough, you got what you wanted.” Niko snarled in response, his hands roughly claiming her breast as he returned to drink deeply from her neck, each pull of blood drawing her closer to the edge of consciousness.
Darkness crept at the edges of her vision, her mind threatening to shatter from the violation. “Ok now I’m satisfied,” Niko’s voice echoed distantly. “We will do the ceremony tomorrow. She will be able to move again in a few minutes.” His presence vanished leaving behind only the lingering scent of death and decay. Aleczander’s words floated through the haze: “Soon we will be married, my love.”
Minutes stretched like hours until sensation finally returned to her limbs. The moment control returned to her body, rage and betrayal exploded from her chest. "Get away from me! You let him hurt me!” Tears finally broke free, hot trails of anguish down her cheeks. Aleczander’s attempt at comfort only stoked her fury: “I’m sorry baby, it had to be done.” Her voice cracked with venom: “Get out! I never want to see you again!” She pushed against him with trembling arms, her newfound strength fueled by pure hatred.
“I got killed because I wanted to marry you and this is the thanks I get?” His words hung in the air like a poisoned dagger. Confusion pierced through her anger: “What do you mean you got killed because of me? I just met you a few days ago.”
“I’m Aleczander, the son of Ivan – the head of the Russian Mafia. I tried to woo you with the diner charade, but you still ran away.” The revelation hit her like a physical blow. “You lied to me. If I had known who you were, I would have had Fernando get rid of you.” Her words were sharp, meant to wound. His response came with a cruel smile: “It’s too late for that. Once I’m alive again, you will never get rid of me. Go ahead, call your filthy Fae for help. How are they going to treat you once they realize you’ve been cheating on your precious king with his dead enemy?”
Fury rendered her speechless, and his triumphant smirk lingered in the air even after he vanished like morning mist. Her hands trembled as she reached for her phone, dialing Terri. The thought of involving the brothers now made her stomach churn with dread. The betrayal cut deeper than Niko’s fangs – Aleczander, her supposed savior from Fernando, had become her newest nightmare. Every moment of trust between them now felt like a noose tightening around her neck.
Her voice quavered as she spoke into the phone: “Terri, I’m in trouble. Don’t tell the brothers, just come over. The door is locked – you need your key.” The last of her strength evaporated like water in desert heat, and darkness claimed her consciousness. Terri raced through the night, his hands shaking so badly he could barely unlock the door. The sight of her unconscious form on the bedroom sheets, punctured neck marked with telltale fang wounds, drew a broken sound from his throat. “No, no sweetie,” he whispered, voice cracking like thin ice as his trembling hands sought to channel healing magic into her still form.
When she remained motionless, panic clawed at his chest. He grabbed his phone, fingers fumbling: “Ribero, I need you. She was bitten by a vampire.” Ribero’s arrival was swift and silent, his presence filling the room with protective energy. “Why was a vampire after her? They should know better than to mess with us.”
Their combined magic finally pulled her back to consciousness, her lungs heaving for air as her heart thundered against her ribs. “Sweetie, calm down, it’s us.” Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to breathe, her panic a living thing. “Baby, focus on me,” Ribero murmured, wrapping her in his embrace as he settled beside her. Terri joined them, their combined presence forming a protective cocoon around her trembling form. They pressed gentle, comforting kisses to her neck, washing away the memory of Niko’s violation until her rigid muscles finally began to relax. She turned to Terri, burrowing into his chest like a wounded animal seeking shelter. “Aww,” he breathed, a tender smile gracing his features. “What about me?” Ribero’s playful complaint drew her around, earning him a soft kiss on the cheek. “Our baby looks a little better.”
The peaceful moment shattered as Aleczander manifested in the mirror, his image rippling like dark water. “She’s my wife. Get away from her.” Ribero’s face transformed with shocked recognition. “Aleczander… my brother killed you. How dare you go after Violet?” “She agreed to help me. The necromancer was a vampire. I'm going to be coming back.” Ribero’s gaze cut to her like a blade: “Did you agree to help this scum?” Her response burst forth, raw with desperation: “No, I didn’t! He forced the vampire on me. I couldn’t move!” “You’re dead!” Ribero’s roar accompanied the brush he hurled at the mirror, the glass exploding into a thousand glittering shards as Aleczander’s image dissolved into nothingness.
“When you feel better, you need to tell us exactly what is going on,” they insisted, their voices gentle but firm. “Just get some rest for now though. We will stay with you.” She nodded weakly, finding comfort in the warmth of their bodies as she nestled between them, their presence a shield against the darkness that threatened to consume her world.