Blood Bound Page 10

  I blinked, turning from her to her blonde friend, who had suddenly took over the place of our waiter. She smiled, but looked at Tessa a little nervously as she set down the glasses. I took the bottle from her hand, gesturing that it was okay to go.

  “I don’t know what you mean. I’m the same as I’ve been since we left.”

  “I can’t believe I didn’t notice. Do you think you’re back for good?”

  There it was again. Annoyance. “I’m the same as I was hours ago. I’m not the Marko you’re looking for, ma minette. Let it go. I’m here to stay.”

  “But…”

  She stayed quiet, grabbing the glass of wine I offered and sipping from it. The taste as I mimicked her actions was pure heaven and I leaned back against the chair as she drifted deep into her thoughts. Ones I blocked out intentionally. I didn’t want to hear the comparison of myself. Let her worry over it, I wasn’t going to bother.

  “What do you like to do for fun? Do you have any hobbies? Do you like music?”

  The questions weren’t what I was expecting. My eyes took in her curious expression and I took another sip of the wine while I thought over what I could remember from my past. “I like music. Mainly classical, but I guess there are some songs I’ve heard over time that I enjoy. I like to read. I think I used to do that a lot. Well, obviously before you came along.”

  “Read? What do you like?”

  I turned to face more toward her, unable to help but wonder what she was up to. “Why don’t you tell me more about you?”

  A sarcastic laugh filled the space between us. “You already know everything there is to know about me.”

  Did I? I supposed I did, subconsciously, but I still wanted to hear it. “Enlighten me.”

  “Alright. You know I sing. It’s my passion. I’ve always enjoyed it, but I’ve never had the courage to really do it in public before. I read, also, but I guarantee you it isn’t the same genre as you. I sometimes go on baking sprees, even though I barely touch what I make. I’m downright boring,” she said, laughing.

  “Will you bake for me so I can taste it?” The smile surfacing on my face couldn’t be held in. Even knowing what she spoke was the truth, it was different to hear her tell it. It was almost like I was learning about her for the first time.

  “If you’d like.”

  “I think I would very much like to see you do it. Tell me more.”

  Tessa and I both lifted our glass of wine and the same time, the actions coming so natural. My body just responded to her innermost thoughts automatically. As she began to talk again, I stayed transfixed. I even found myself laughing harder than I could ever remember. As the blonde placed the food on our table, we both grabbed our forks. She never wavered from the flow of our conversation, and I never wanted her to stop.

  “So, that was my first and last time to ever try water skiing and I don’t regret the decision one bit.”

  I laughed, bringing the steak to my lips as she did. At the flavor bursting over my tongue, my eyes rolled back and I moaned through the new experience. God, how had I forgotten how amazing this was? It was unbelievably rich and juicy. And so tender. And once again, I had her to thank.

  “Good, right?”

  I swallowed, pulling her to me and crushing my lips into hers. Food had suddenly become the biggest aphrodisiac ever to exist and I was dying for more. More of it and more of her.

  “Again,” I said, licking across her bottom lip.

  The fork rose between us and the moment it hit her mouth, I licked my lips, bringing my own piece up to eat.

  Over and over, we took in more. Each plate was paradise and Tessa was so full by the time we were finished, I felt bad for making her continue. I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to taste everything. Bask in what I’d been missing for centuries.

  “One more drink.” The small giggle wasn’t from amusement, but from her being drunk. And her intoxication was my own. Although I wasn’t feeling it as much, there was slight hesitation that kept me in a lighter mood. Hell, who was I kidding? I was once again on top of the world and loving every second of it.

  “There. Can we go now?”

  “Yes. But tomorrow, we try something new. Every day.”

  Her nod had me grabbing her hand and I stood, helping her to join me. For the first time since I’d taken her, it almost felt like things were finally falling into place. Tessa was a hell of a slave, but she could be more. We could talk, enjoy our time together. I wanted that. I wanted her like this, right here.

  A couple stood before us as we weaved through and I calmly held her, waiting for them to make their way out. As we left, I didn’t miss the stares coming from a group of people toward the back. The blonde girl was amongst them and I figured it to be her family. Their odd gazes sparked a level of discomfort I hadn’t expected. Tessa was so focused ahead, her cheek resting on my chest, she stayed oblivious. The weight took me from my suspicions and I hugged to her tightly while I walked her through the main doors of the building.

  “Marko!”

  The voice had my body tensing and I turned toward it, hearing Hunter’s name scream through Tessa’s thoughts in a panicked repeat. Before I could focus enough to spot him, her fingers locked onto my lapels and she threw her body into mine. The fire that exploded in my upper torso was so intense, my knees locked up, even as I held her sides, trying to keep us balanced. Shock from the pain had the air leaving me. Nothing made sense as I tried to get my mind to work. The confusion had me looking down to see blood soaking through the back of the white silk shirt she wore. My heart stopped at seeing the end of a thin wooden stake protruding from her back.

  “Tessa?” Hunter’s voice cracked into a sob and my eyes cut up with rage, fixed on Hunter’s frozen expression of horror. Ma minette’s weight fell into my hold and her small cry was the only thing tearing my gaze from the man I was ready to destroy.

  Chapter 13

  Hunter

  Thoughts. Words. Nothing would come as I watched the love of my life go limp in Marko’s arms. The crossbow fell from my hand and I couldn’t breathe as the vampire I had every intention of killing pulled the inch-wide stake from her back. I knew with the force, it had to have gone deep. Possibly all the way through to her chest. At the blood that dripped in a steady stream to the ground, panic and pain laced my heart.

  How had she known? What had she been thinking, throwing herself in front of him? She’d seen what I had pointed at him. Yet…she protected him.

  Sickness swarmed within me and I fought my way forward as he swung her legs into his arms. I couldn’t speak and I was torn on what to do. How did this go so wrong? When Tom had called and informed me Tessa was at Chloe’s parents’ restaurant, I’d thought this was it. I’d kill him and take her back home with me. We could run off or start over somewhere else. I’d had so many high hopes, pushing away the bad possibilities, but now…

  “Let me take her to the hospital.” My words were strained and Marko didn’t even seem to hear me as he rushed for the limo door that was opened and waiting for them. People moved around panicked, but I couldn’t focus on anyone but Tessa. “Please,” I pushed out, “let me take her to get help.”

  A roar poured from his mouth, igniting what felt like scratches to race over my skin. He spun the two of them around, panting. The evil behind his eyes had my legs coming to a stop, feet away from them.

  “You. Get in the car.” His voice was so deep, it was almost unrecognizable. Demonic.

  Even as his eyes searched the area, I knew he was debating on how to kill me. Blood seeped through my shirt in so many locations and dripped from my arms from his yell alone, all I could do was shake my head and step back.

  “Let me have Tessa so I can take her to get help.”

  “You want her, come get her.” Fangs were visible as he spoke and I felt myself lock up. The tuning fork was going crazy inside of me, making me shake and sweat. I’d never felt it this bad before. Even from Marko. This was worse. Unreal, with the frequenc
y it carried.

  “What are you…afraid?”

  “Afraid for her. Please. I didn’t mean to hurt Tessa. It was you I was aiming for.”

  Blood dripped from Marko’s forearm, splashing onto the ground from her back and my features drew in in regret. I walked closer and didn’t even see him move. His hand grasped my arm and he threw me in the limo, pushing in after me.

  “Home, and make it fast,” he said, his voice booming.

  The car took off with enough speed to jolt me back. A scream exploded from Tessa as she came to. It left the hair rising on the back of my neck and arms. I reached out involuntarily as his bloody fingers brushed back her hair.

  God, what had I done?

  “It’s okay. Calm, ma minette, I’ve got you.”

  “Marko?”

  Her scared voice drew me forward. I couldn’t help but call out to her.

  “Tessa?”

  I was slammed back into the side of the limo with such force, I had to fight for breath at the pressure holding me immobile.

  “Don’t talk, love. I’m going to make you all better. Just, don’t move.”

  “I can’t…breathe. Hunter is…here?”

  Marko’s eyes rose to mine and stayed there as he continued. “I know, I can feel how hard it is for you. And yes, I have Hunter.” His nails extended as he took off his jacket and ripped open the arm of his shirt. I fell to the seat, gasping for air, trying to blink past the spots covering my vision as he lifted the invisible force.

  Gasps from her lips fill the interior and her body spasmed as a louder cry rang out.

  “Drink and do not fear. You do not die today, ma minette. But you,” he said, looking back over at me, “you will die for what you’ve done.”

  “Oh—God!” Tessa thrashed in his lap, twisting from side to side. “Get it out,” she screamed. “Marko!”

  A hiss filled the air and his face tightened in pain as he spun her over, shredding her shirt beneath his claws.

  “Holy water?” he exploded. “Is that what you soaked the stakes in?”

  “It was supposed to be you!”

  “If I die, she dies. What part of that are you not understanding?” His fingers poked around the wound and he grimaced as Tessa screamed louder. “I think a piece broke off inside of you, mon chaton. I’m going to have to…” His breaths grew heavier as he sliced open his forearm, pushing it underneath her, to her mouth. My stomach twisted in knots as she clutched his wrist, crying out loudly in pain while trying to drink.

  “Fuck. Fuck. Squeeze as tight as you need to.” Marko shoved his finger into the wound and Tessa jerked in his lap, screaming in agony. Nausea waved through and nervousness pushed my adrenaline to soaring heights.

  “Marko, she needs to go to the hospital. She needs a surgeon or someone to open the wound. Stop prolonging this and have your driver turn us around.”

  Physical pain scorched over my pecs and my hand shot up to the new wounds marring my skin. I could feel their depth and it made me even more lightheaded. My shirt was covered in blood. The marks on my arms weren’t too deep, but deep enough to possibly leave scars. The new ones though, were deeper. If I didn’t get my own looked at soon, I might very well bleed out and lose consciousness before I could try to escape him. I didn’t have vampire blood, like Tessa, to keep me going.

  “I know it hurts, but I can’t get to it without causing a lot worse damage. Julius will help you. I’m sure he’s dealt with this sort of thing before. Just…” Marko spun her back around in his lap, pulling her close onto his chest as he rocked her sobbing form. She was crying so hard, her whole body was trembling.

  “I think I taste…blood. I…”

  Fingers weaved through her hair as he held her tighter. Even though the sight made me sick, I couldn’t overlook what I’d witnessed tonight. Tessa hadn’t been forced into that restaurant. She wasn’t under any spell. They’d been smiling…happy, when they exited the doors. And I’d hated it—especially after what I read. I’d never wanted him deader. And I’d shot, never expecting her to try to save him.

  “If I die—”

  Marko’s hand covered her mouth, cutting off her words. “You will not die.”

  Muffling had him removing it. “If I do—” New spasms had a sound coming from her.

  “I won’t let you die. I won’t.”

  Black eyes settled on me and I moved as close to the door as I could. Stinging covered almost every inch of me like fire, yet I could barely feel it when grounded by fear from the vampire’s stare. I couldn’t stay here. The thought of leaving Tessa killed me, but I would really be dead if I continued to remain in this limo.

  My fist clenched, waiting for the perfect opportunity. We were going too fast right now, but the car had to slow at some point and when it did, I’d bail.

  “Drink more.”

  The healed forearm was reopened and he lowered his head, turning hers to take in the crimson already starting to race down his skin. The limo was beginning to slow and I didn’t wait. My hand shot to the door handle and the fact that it was locked didn’t stop me. I slammed my elbow into the window as hard as I could, repeatedly, but I didn’t have time to keep trying. I grabbed the dagger, using the bottom to send glass shattering. I didn’t think as I stood and dove out. Even as I tucked my body to roll, the connection of the asphalt was like getting slammed with a burning torch packing the punch of a brick wall. Air locked in my chest as I rolled and I forced myself to brace down, causing the road to tear into my palms. Brakes from the car applied, but only for the briefest moment. It turned on the intersecting road and I didn’t wait to start running.

  Marko would come looking for me, just as I had been for him. And when the time came, I’d be ready.

  Chapter 14

  Tessa

  Lights blurred above and turned to darkness as Marko raced with me down the stairs. The pain increased by the second, locking me into myself just as it’d done once before. I could feel the pressure of the wood inside of me and the damage it was doing was taking its toll.

  Was it melting my insides like before? Yes and no. The holy water didn’t seem as effective as the blessed dagger, but the results were the same. Just at a slow, torturous pace.

  Noise barely existed in the distance and I managed to push through the wall holding in my pain and cry out as I clung tightly to Marko. I knew we’d breached the heart of the city, but all I could concentrate on was the way my body felt like it was distorting on the inside. What had Hunter been thinking? Did he know if he killed Marko, I would die? I couldn’t think about it as Marko’s voice exploded throughout the room.

  “Julius!”

  The deep echo vibrated my skin and I screamed, flailing against the tight grip holding me down. A flurry of people blurred as Marko turned and seemed to change his mind. A table was suddenly before me and he placed me on my stomach, pushing his hand into the middle of my back as he thrust his finger back into the wound. The pain was so overwhelming, I fought not to pass out.

  “God dammit. You’re already healing, ma minette. This is going to hurt. Just…try to bear it.”

  To scream would have been somewhat of a release from the agony I was in, but at what I felt, no sound would leave. The room swayed, or I did, and unconsciousness beckoned. I dug my nails into the table, barely able to keep myself from falling to the side.

  Growling had my head turning and Marko was suddenly breaking his connection with my back and spinning to shred his nails down a dark skinned vampire’s throat as it rushed forward. I could see more vampires moving in and my heart jumped in fear at their bared fangs.

  “Get back!” A hiss brought Marie into view and I tried to focus on her as she rushed over. “Julius isn’t here. The Dallas Circle arrived early. He went to meet them. What happened?” Her hands were already reaching out to me when Marko slapped them away.

  “Go, Marie. Let me focus. I can barely fucking think and fight them off at the same time.”

  “You’re not rational
enough to take care of your slave. Just tell me what happened and I can help. You can hold a wall to protect us while I work on her.”

  My head fell into the table hard and I had no idea I had even been holding it up. Sight was fading and I felt on the verge of throwing up. The food pushed to the back of my throat and I tried swallowing past the scream from the new round of spasms.

  “She took a stake for me. It had been soaked in holy water. A piece broke off inside of her.”

  A low curse came from Marie. “You can hold the wall without seeing. Put her under for fuck’s sakes and let me help her. Do you really want her suffering?”

  “Don’t tell me what to do!” Marko’s threatening voice broke through and one of his hands cupped my cheek while he held the other toward the growling vampires. Worry clouded his gaze as it returned to me and I knew it was bad. “Mon chaton, look deep into my eyes. I’m going to make the pain go away. You’re going to get better.”

  If I obeyed, would I come back from this? What if I died while I was under and I never knew it was coming? Fear had me reaching for his hand. He grabbed onto it tight, bringing my fingers to his lips. The kiss was hard. Desperate. Another sign indicating how dire the situation was.

  “I love you. I do,” I whispered. The slave in me was afraid. Fearful to leave her Master.

  “And I, you. Now, look into my eyes and let yourself calm.”

  I blinked hard, locking with his stare. The darkness deep within sucked me forward like a slingshot and I could hear my heart beating loudly around me. Then…nothing.

  ****

  “Do it! Don’t you dare fucking stop!”

  Marko’s voice jolted me from what felt like a deep sleep and my eyes shot open from the excruciating pain deep within. What looked like a wall of vampires stood against an invisible force, clawing and tearing at each other, trying to get to me. The growls and yelling were so intense, they overpowered my roaring pulse.

  Sweat drenched Marko’s hair and the back of his white shirt stuck to him. The yell that came from his mouth was laced with pain and I knew he was feeling what I was. Combined with trying to keep his powers strong enough to hold them all back was wearing him down.