Vampire's Surge

g{x itÅÑ|ÜxËá fâÜzx All rights reserved. Copyright © June 2007 Yvette A. Lynn Cover Art Copyright © June 2007 Yvette A. Lynn This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. ISBN: 978-1-934475-13-3 Publisher: Amira Press, LLC Baltimore, MD www.amirapress.com

Wxw|vtà|ÉÇ To my friend, J.R. Mitchell, for all her help and support.

Prologue Truth? I didn’t think he’d go through with it. I mean Jake was bold but not that bold. If you know what I mean. He would race his dad’s Porsche down highway 69, breaking all kinds of laws besides the speed limit. He’d bungee jump off the side of the Golden Gate and then outrun the police in a speedboat waiting at the bottom for him. But I did not believe that Jake was crazy enough to get himself turned by some woman who looked like she was already strung out on something other than the blood of her last victim. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. Jake was…Jake. My best friend from kindergarten. I never saw him as anything other than that for twenty years, though he’d told me often enough back then with his big old blue eyes and that platinum blond hair, wild all over his head. He told me “Grace, when I grow up, I’m going to marry you.” I usually just rolled my eyes and sucked my teeth because that idiot boy came up to my waist back then, if that much. I thought he was out of his mind and stupid to boot. But Jake was and is fun, so, I didn’t mind his occasional declarations. Shoot, we were five or six. What did boys know at that age anyway? None of Jake’s usual antics set me up to believe he’d take advantage of the change that was coming on our city, and nothing prepared me to join him. I wasn’t ready to lose my friend to the darkness, to a thirst that would have him trolling the streets for unsuspecting victims. Or for nearly ripping my own throat out. My mind just couldn’t have processed it, had I known before it happened. And now that I was living it, I didn’t know what I needed to do to hold on to Jake. I guess some things in life force you to make a choice…whether it’s good or bad.

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Chapter One “I’m going out there.” Jake’s baby blues sparkled with unsuppressed excitement. “I’ve got to be a part of that.” I was the cautious one, the one to say “Let’s think about this.” With weird creatures suddenly trolling our streets, I did not think it was a good idea to go out looking for trouble. But that’s what it looked like Jake wanted. I grasped his arm. “No, Jake. You could be killed. Look at that thing. What in the world is it?” He turned his attention back to the crack in the window, a small space left to see out between planks of wood nailed up to keep the whatever they were out. The thing passing by appeared half human, half dog. Or did they call them werewolves? No, this creature had protruding eyes that looked to be missing lids, a long snout not fully formed as if something had halted its transformation. Tufts of hair sprouted at odd places over its body, clearly visible through shredded clothing. I would have looked away except my horrified stare was glued to the hideous creature. “Oh that?” Jake chuckled. God, sometimes I wondered if he was still human at that point. None of it scared him. “That was supposed to be a werewolf, but something else tried to eat it in the throes of change. Now it’s a freak of nature.” I blinked, “Like they’re not all freaks of nature? Why do you want to go out there? The news report said to stay inside.” He shook his head. “Like hell I will.” He surged up off the couch and jogged around the apartment, stuffing his backpack with various items. “I don’t care what those cowards think. I’m going down to that crash site that started it all. I’m going to learn something about what’s causing it. And then maybe I’ll do a little experimenting on my own.” I followed him around like a puppet, wringing my hands. “What do you mean? Experimenting.” He paused in loading a gun. I didn’t even know he had one. “I’m going to get bitten.” “What!” I’d never fainted in my life, but I was perilously close right about then. “Bitten? Jake tell me you’re not going to do something stupid.” A grin spread across his face, and he learned toward me to mutter, “I’m not about to do something stupid.” “You’re lying.” A kiss on the cheek was his only reply and he turned back to his weapon. He tore open a drawer and scrounged around for something. When he pulled out a gun clip, loaded with bullets, I started to shake. “Jake.”

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My voice squeaked. I was near wetting my underwear. And I tried to twist my wrist skin off, if only I would wake up from this nightmare. I wasn’t as wild as Jake. That’s probably already apparent. But I was no prude either. I followed him into a lot of crazy schemes when we were coming up, stuff that should have landed us in jail. And though we were both twenty-five, the responsibilities of life still hadn’t gotten a hold of us enough to act like mature adults. But when a weird meteor crashes down just outside our city and begins to have weird affects on all the citizens of Bindmore, I have to draw the line. This kind of thing brings out the best or worse in you. You get to know if you’re destined for greatness, or more of a loser than your third grade teacher thought you were. Right then, I was agreeing with Ms. Lectin. I was too scared to follow Jake. Not at that time, anyway. Jake walked over to the door and called over his shoulder, “Lock up behind me. Don’t let anyone in. If I don’t come back…” He stopped with his hand on the doorknob. Then he turned back to face me. I know I looked like one of the cowards he always made fun of, but I couldn’t help it. He took my hands in his and pulled me close. His arms wrapped around me in a bear hug that nearly crushed my ribs. Jake was already big. The scrawny little kid had grown up and passed me in height by a good seven inches. My nose was buried in his wide chest. I remember thinking he smelled of Lever 2000, his favorite soap. It was crazy, I guess. I should have thought Jake was the hottest man in the city. His bright blond hair had darkened since he grew up, to a sandy color with blond streaks. His jaw was square with a perpetual five o’clock shadow and his eyes were the stuff to make girls drool. Yet, to me he was still Jake, my friend. After a few minutes he pulled back but still held on to my hands, “If I don’t come back, Grace…just know that I will always love you. I’ll always remember your sweet little face with your soft brown eyes, pug nose and rich caramel skin.” I felt like I was going to cry. My friend never stayed down though, “But if I do come back, I’ll be twice the man I am now and I’ll demand you as my wife.” It was a stupid declaration, made in jest with the tone of the times when knights rescued damsels in distress. I thought he sounded like a fool, but I didn’t tell him so. I was still a little choked up. There wasn’t much doubt in my mind that he was about to get his crazy behind killed. Then what would I do? I didn’t get to say all the things I wanted to. Jake kissed me again, snatched open the door and was gone.

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Chapter Two It had been a full day since I’d seen Jake. I’d gone out during the day, figuring it was safer, though there were day creatures about too. I kept a good sized stick in my hand, poised and ready to crack the skull of any mutant that came near me. Mostly, they just stayed to themselves, though I did see some weird sights out there. It was two in the afternoon before I got the nerve up to venture outside. I dressed like I was going to war in some old fatigues of Jake’s that were about five sizes too big. I pulled on scuffed black boots though it must have been eighty-five degrees out there, and then I found a couple of kitchen knives and shoved those in my pockets. Like I said, in my hands I carried a thick wooden stick. Figuring it would be overkill if I hammered a nail into it, I let it go and stepped into the hall. Jake’s apartment had been an upper middle class establishment once upon a time. He may not have held down a job more than a minute, but he was skilled in computers, and those type of jobs paid big time. Now after only three weeks of chaos, the apartment building looked like a crack house. Bodies littered the stairwell leading out to the street and the stench was near unbearable. We’d had to press towels at the bottom of the door and use almost a full roll of duct tape to seal all the gaps. Gingerly, I stepped out into the hall, making sure nothing was about to jump me. The vampires, werewolves and other creatures of the night were not patrolling at this time of day, but that didn’t stop the halfers—the things that hadn’t changed completely over and those who simply got sick of some dreaded disease. In some ways, they were more vicious, resentful of those of us who were unaffected so far, like me. Jake had warned me to stay inside, but I had to know one way or another what had become of him. I wanted to be sure that he was alive or to be resolved to him being dead. Spending the next couple of weeks cramped up inside his apartment until the food he’d stocked it with ran out, did not appeal. So I had to overcome my fears. I made it safely out to the street with no problems and turned toward First. That street would lead me all the way to the end of town and beyond to the site. This route was most likely the path that Jake took last night. As I walked along, I gripped the stick ahead of me, shoulder level, ready to swing. I surveyed the area around me constantly, suspecting everything, trusting nothing. It wasn’t until Argyle Avenue that things started going horribly wrong. “Hey, Grace.” Someone was calling my name, but I didn’t know who and I didn’t slow down to find out. I kept walking, though I picked up the pace. “Gracie. Jake needs you.”

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That stopped me. I looked around. There were few people on the street. The people not yet turned, knew better than to hang outside. Others were sick with the disease and couldn’t travel about much, even if they wanted to. Most of those out were strolling as if they had nowhere to go, and they were bent forward slightly, holding their heads. It was common knowledge by now that the sickness started with a headache that wouldn’t quit. I didn’t like to admit to myself that I had been suffering from a very mild one for about three days now. I put it down to stress. Across the street, an old man stood huddled weakly against a light post. His long grey trenchcoat had seen better days, and one shoe was missing. There he stood watching me with empty eyes and wearing one brown loafer and one holey sock. When I say empty eyes, I mean really empty. The balls of his eyes were missing, yet it seemed he could see me. Those barren spaces in his head were targeted on me. His mouth worked and I could hear my name from his direction though it was incongruent with his mouth. He’d mentioned Jake, so I figured I had to check it out. I drew up along side him and dropped my gaze to his chest, hoping I would feel less sickened by him. “Sir, do you know where my friend is? His name’s Jake. You said it before.” “Graciiiiieeee,” he chanted. Terror raced along my spine. It was broad daylight yet I felt as vulnerable as a child. My back itched feeling like someone would grab me any second. I took a step back from the man while swinging left to right to watch my back. “Where’s Jake,” I screamed. His mouth opened, revealing rotten teeth, giving off an odor as foul as death. My name emitted in a screech of hell and hatred, but it wasn’t this man’s voice speaking. I was sure of it. The voice came from somewhere beyond him. It terrified me so horribly, I spun on my heel and hightailed it out of there. I flew down First, not looking back and stopping my ears against the eerie laugh that followed me, as if it traveled along with me. I didn’t stop running until I arrived at the site, winded and my throat burning. I bent at the waist, struggling to catch my breath. I leaned against a rusted chicken wire fence and waited for my heartbeat to return to normal. It wasn’t until I’d regained some calm that I examined the area. I wasn’t alone. People in various stages of life—or death—stood around the crash site as if they were waiting for something. Women, men and children stood at the lip of the fifty foot crater the meteorite had made in the earth. Their transfixed eyes stared down into the fiery

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abyss which had been burning for three weeks straight. No amount of water or other chemical had been able to douse it. It raged on, and these people looked like they were ready to worship it. Looking up at the sky I noted that the sun was beginning to set. If I was to find Jake, I’d have to do it quickly. As it was, I didn’t think I could make it all the way back to his house before the sun set. Then I’d be in big trouble. I moved about the crowd, who ignored me on the whole, though some hideously deformed ones growled at me but didn’t attack. I was sure to waive the stick in their faces and they backed off. As I moved, I counted maybe eighty to a hundred people with more arriving constantly, all waiting for what? I weaved in and out of them, careful to keep myself from contact. I didn’t know if the disease was heightened with contact. If I was in the early stages, I didn’t want to hasten it. Moving around the bend of a man’s back, which was as wide as any wall and as tall as a giant, I spotted Jake some thirty feet away. I called to him, but he didn’t hear me. His back was turned. “Jake!” I called and was moving forward faster, almost at a run. I zipped around the creatures and the humans. Tears started in my eyes with thoughts that I wouldn’t catch him. Why would he stay here if he was ok? Why didn’t he come home to reassure me? He had to know I was scared out of my mind. Always we’d stuck by each other’s side. This was different, something I wasn’t used to. But then, I’d always followed him. I guess being here said I was still true to form. “Jake,” I called again. Something fuzzy and yet as staying as a steel chain around my wrist, grabbed me and held me back. I screamed and yanked at my arm, at first too afraid to look back. When I couldn’t free myself, I turned to face my captor. I was shocked to see Jake’s cousin, Lee. Relief washed over me and I threw myself in his arms. “Lee,” I cried. “Oh God, Lee. I’m so glad to see you. Please help me to convince Jake to come home with me.” He curled me gently into his arms and tangled fingers in my hair. Stroking my head, he shushed me quietly. “Oh, Gracie. Pretty Gracie. So long I was jealous of my cousin.” That made me feel uncomfortable. This wasn’t the time for confessions. It was--get to shelter because some dead thing is going to kill you if you don’t--time. I wriggled in his

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hold, experiencing that fuzzy feeling and the steel trap from before. Lee wasn’t prepared to let go. “Gracie, something’s wrong,” Lee whined. I fought against his hold and looked up into his face. His eyes were blank though not missing like the old man’s. He appeared to be the same scruffy, unshaven man like Jake. He’d been along for the ride with us when we were out stealing cars as teens and later holding down jobs long enough to make partying money. But right then when I looked up into his haunted green eyes, I didn’t see my friend. I don’t know what I saw, maybe the sickness. I don’t know. And then when the sun dipped down behind the Jessup Mountains, I knew I was in trouble. Lee’s eyes turned from vacant to tinted red. Veins popped along the whites so fast, I thought he must have gone blind and be in excruciating pain. Instead of crying out from the torment of burst veins, he threw back his head and howled at the rising moon. He seemed to sneeze and one minute he had that long thin nose that white men had and the next it thickened, grew hair and nearly slammed against my face as it grew out. I screamed and kneed him straight between the legs before stomping on his foot. His hold loosened and I made a break for it. I fell backward on the ground, flipped over and jetted for the place I’d last seen Jake. Before I could take two steps, I stopped like I’d been hit in the face with my own stick. There ahead of me was my best friend being mauled by a woman. Her inch long fangs were being driven deep into his neck and by the blood and mess of him, I judged my childhood buddy to be dead already.

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Chapter Three “No!” I screamed, panic and despair washing over me. It couldn’t be. Not Jake. He was so alive at every second of his life and everything he did. He couldn’t be dead. I stumbled to my feet, tears momentarily blinding me. While I was distracted, a chant rose up and rippled over the crowd. They swayed toward the hole as if they were performing an archaic dance in homage. Before I could take advantage of their diverted attention, someone else grabbed me, bloodied hands with torn flesh that exposed the bone beneath. I wrenched away, losing my footing yet again. Now several creatures dragged at me. Their faces were grotesque masks of hate, bent on my destruction. Their chant had changed to “Gracie, Gracie.” I didn’t recognize any of them, save a few vaguely familiar faces. How they knew my name, I don’t know. And then something happened that could only be the result of the site and its strange effect on everyone in our town. A surge of energy rushed through my veins. I’d never tried drugs, but I was sure this must be a feeling similar to getting high. Strength as I’d not experienced previously was pumping through every part of my being. My muscles almost pulsated with the force. I could only blame the meteorite for what was happening. It at least explained why the monsters all gathered at that spot, all waiting for the surge. If I was empowered with it, so were they. I had my work cut out for me if I was to survive and get to Jake. Without a second thought, I ripped the kitchen knives from my pants—the stick had been knocked away in my scuffle with Lee—and I began to hack at every hand grabbing at me. Howls of pain and anguish rippled across the night as I fought my way through. When they realized I was not going to be an easy kill, they began to back off, leaving the area in search of their dinner somewhere else. By then I was hiccupping in fear and relief that I was still alive and no teeth had sunk into me. I crawled on hands and knees to the spot where Jake lay as still as death. The witchy vampire looking woman who’d feasted on him stood some feet away watching me. Her eyes were half-closed, her scraggly black hair hung stringy about her head and blood still dripped form her chin. I wrapped an arm around Jake, heedless of his wounded neck, while still staring at her. Without warning, the white in her eyes seemed to leak and drain away leaving only black orbs, glassy like onyx. Her mouth opened while she pointed at me. “Graciiiieeee.” “Shut up. Shut up!” I screamed, stopping my ears with fingers coated with my friend’s blood. “What do you want from me? Who are you?”

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Who was I kidding? I didn’t really want to know. I just wanted to be free of whatever it is that was hunting me. It was becoming painfully obvious by now that this whole thing wasn’t an accident or a freak of nature. Something evil was out there, jumping from person to person it seemed, looking for me. Why? All I know is it was freaking me out so bad, I was starting to wish I was already dead like Jake. Then I wouldn’t feel the torment of knowing at some point, it was going to possess me. When the woman had called out my name, I buried my face in Jake’s chest, not able to look at her any longer. Now I looked up at the sound of snapping bones. Her arms seemed to come out of their sockets and bend backward behind at an awkward angle. Wings. Yes, oh my God, wings grew out from them—no behind them, on her back--and she bent her knees slightly before arrowing up into the night sky and disappearing around the side of the mountain. This could not be happening to me, I thought. It must be a bad dream, one that I would wake from soon. I think at that point I was half in a state of delirium. I hoisted Jake up over my shoulder—the odd surge still present in my blood—and walked all the way back to his house. I laid him on the couch, tossed the bloodied knives, with meat still hanging off them in places, onto the coffee table and then bolted the door. Retrieving a blanket from the closet, I tossed it over him and then crashed in his bed for the night. Maybe tomorrow would be better for me. **** I woke with a start, new fear and worry constricting my heart. For a second, I couldn’t figure out what had woke me, until I heard a cry of pain fit to wake the dead. I bolted out of the bed, landing on my butt, and then ran out to the living room. Before I reached the couch, I saw a small cloud of smoke and then the scent of something burning hit my nose. There on the couch was Jake, alive, and being burned by the morning rays of sun peaking through that boarded window. I stood there staring in shock. His neck looked like it had healed, though dried blood still remained. His movements were slow and tormented, as if he was trying to run underwater with no energy to do so. “Please, Grace,” he begged. I snapped out of my trance and stood in front of him to block the sunlight. He rolled with effort onto the floor and sort of slithered around to the back of the couch. I followed, still in shocked fascination. “Jake? Are you…?” Yes, I was about to ask a really dumb question. Are you a vampire? If so, what are you doing awake during the day?

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I guess I didn’t have to ask the second one. He was busy being cooked to death since it never occurred to me that he would turn. Well at least he wasn’t a halfer. I wasn’t sure I could deal with something like that. As if you can deal with this? “What do you need me to do?” I bent over him, staring since it looked like he’d stopped breathing again. A full minute and it occurred that he hadn’t actually been breathing before he stopped moving. His chest didn’t rise and fall and no sound of breath escaped his lips. He became animated, opening his eyes only halfway. I wondered if he was high on whatever that old woman had been smoking. “I’m so weak, Grace. I need to rest. Can you make the bedroom dark for me?” “Yes. Sure. Be right back.” How did one make ready for the dead? Did they really need to sleep in coffins like in the movies? Or have dirt under them? I’d read once that they needed reinforced walls because some form of light could always come through and hurt them. Hmm, I wasn’t up on vampire history, so I did the best I could. I tacked up three extra blankets over the windows in his bedroom to compensate for slits in the boards we’d already placed there three weeks previously. The room was plunged into almost total darkness. I could barely see in front of my face and hoped it would be good enough for Jake. When I went back out to the living room, he was still again. I leaned over him to check his breath from habit and then felt stupid for doing it not minutes after I’d learned he didn’t need to breathe anymore. Dragging him into the bedroom was hard work. The surge from the night before had worn off and I was back to the strength of a one hundred thirty-five pound woman of five foot seven and three quarter inches. Jake, if I remembered correctly, was two hundred thirty pounds of muscle, and from the looks of it, he’d amassed some more just from the transformation. “Jake, I need some help here,” I grunted. “You’re too heavy.” His eyes opened and he looked at me with the saddest puppy dog eyes. My heart skipped a beat before he kissed me and then stood, nearly knocking me over. After much fighting, I got him settled in his bed. I took the spare bedroom and crashed for the second time, not waking until I was jarred again from my sleep. This time, it wasn’t fear or pain that woke me, but pleasure.

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Chapter Four I came to consciousness slowly, my soft moans the only sound inside the quiet apartment. Still groggy, I caught my breath at the feeling of someone stroking me between my legs. The sensation was sending my body into overdrive. Pleasure had me arching my back and rocking my hips to his rhythm. And then I was alert. No one had any business touching me, and in this crazy time, it could be a monster. I stiffened and then began to fight against my would be rapist. Smacking his hand way, I swung out with my hand fisted, hoping to connect with a jaw. I hit air. A sudden breeze ruffled my hair and a rustle of cloth let me know the man was now behind me. He encircled me in his arms and covered my mouth with one of his hands. The smallest of tugs had my head back against his chest, exposing my throat. When his tongue curled along my neck, I screamed bloody murder and fought like a wild animal. My fists beat at his legs, his feet anything I could reach. With my nails, I tore at his hands and longed for the knives I’d used the night before. Then terror struck me so hard, I couldn’t move. It was like my heart had stopped. All sound had been sucked from the room, my heartbeat, my breath, everything. I was fair game for him. His fangs brushed my skin. I knew right then he was starving for blood, but what I didn’t get was why he was holding back. When he spoke I had my answer. “Grace, I’m so hungry, I could suck you dry right now.” It was Jake. I don’t know why I hadn’t figured it out before now. “I can smell it, your blood. It smells so sweet, like blueberry pie.” I didn’t figure my blood smelled exactly like blueberries, but that pie was Jake’s favorite before all this and anytime I wanted to convince him to do something, I’d used his guaranteed weakness to get it. He was telling me the smell of blood was his new weakness. It both disgusted and terrified me. “Jake, please don’t do this,” I begged. I know I was wimping out on him, but I didn’t want to be a member of the undead. I didn’t relish the thought of trolling for blood every night. Just think of all the nasty creatures out there, and diseased people. I could bite the wrong person and who knows what would happen. But what about Jake? “Jake, you have to fight this. Don’t bite anybody. Don’t suck any blood.” I stood and fumbled for the light, flicking it on. I pinched my eyes closed waiting for them to adjust. “I’ll go in the kitchen and heat something up for you to eat.” His laugh was rhythmic, rumbling in my chest like the sound did when a fire engine blared past or a large truck bounced along the road. I opened my eyes, finally over the pain of sudden light. My gaze focused on my friend and I gasped.

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His skin was pale, almost translucent. But it was smoother, newer, if that was possible. I moved to stand before him, staring up at him. The scar above his right eyebrow from when he’d fallen through a plate glass window and had to have stitches, was completely gone. I thought it might be an illusion, so I reached up to touch the area. His flesh was cool to my touch. Tracing down to his throat, I found no pulse in his neck. His heart wasn’t pumping blood. How did it work? How could he stand before me, alive? I didn’t understand. My gaze dropped to his chest, broader than it had been before. And there was an attitude in his stance, that of being more confident. Not like he was before. Like I said, Jake didn’t scare easily. This was more feral, more sensual. Jake gave off a sort of vibe, something that drew me to him, as if I was being lured to a trap he may not have been aware he was setting. Without realizing what I was doing, I put my head back and offered my throat. I whimpered, scared because I couldn’t stop myself from doing it. “Jake, please,” I begged again. My terrified gaze flew to his mouth, which had parted in anticipation. His canine teeth extended, long and sharp. He hissed like a cat, his eyes narrowing. His head dipped; I shut my eyes. The pierce of my skin was like twin needles plunging. I screamed. “No!” I nearly fell on the floor, a wind whipping my hair across my face. When I opened my eyes, the front door stood open and Jake was gone.

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Chapter Five Yet, again I found myself wandering the apartment, wondering what I would do. Jake’s father had been one of the first to be killed—permanently by some monster. Returning to my own place was out of the question. I thought I was living in the perfect spot before all this with beautiful French windows all around my studio. It had been heavenly painting. The sun was unobstructed in my rooftop abode. Unfortunately, it seemed all the artsy neighbors I’d once thought created the perfect environment to grow in my work, were all the first to be affected by the rock. That first day was not something I liked recalling to mind. Jake had played the real hero when he swooped in as people I’d called friends started smashing all my precious windows, climbing inside my home with looks of murder in their eyes. What I wanted to know was why did real life have to suddenly imitate art. Why did the people become monsters? Why couldn’t they become sweet and kind-hearted? I guess that wasn’t the nature of the universe or the nature of whatever rode in on that rock. I gasped. That gave me pause. It never occurred to me that something could have come in on that meteor, whether it be microscopic germ or some alien we couldn’t see with the naked eye. I’ll admit curiosity was eating me alive. I wanted to know the truth of what was happening around here. Feeling restless, I moved to the window and peeked out into the street. People still shuffled along, half dead, still changing. I wanted to know, I finally acknowledged as I watched them absently, what Jake was doing out there. Was he sucking on the neck of some woman, changing her to be like him, to be his companion? I slumped down on the couch, biting my nails to the quick. Remembering what I’d woken up to was torture. Jake had never touched me like that before. I mean he’d stolen kisses, and I didn’t mind. I cared about him and he never really crossed the line. It was no big deal since I only had off and on boyfriends. But this time, it was different. When he stroked me between the legs, I thought I would explode. I almost wish I didn’t wake up to spoil it. Jake gave off a strong sexuality that had me panting even now. I wanted to see what else had changed about him since he’d become a vampire. The image of his anatomy had me blushing and fanning myself, so I shoved the thought from my head. “This is Jake, Grace,” I reminded myself. “Your friend. Don’t forget it.” Well if he was my friend, then I needed to go out and find out if he was ok. I shoved off the chair and began to work much like Jake had done a couple days ago. I stuffed a backpack full of items—canned goods, a can opener, scissors, tape. Shoot, none of it made any sense, but I figured I’d be prepared for anything.

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Lastly, I grabbed my trusty knives. I’d cleaned them with a roiling stomach earlier. The only thing I could wish for at this point was a shotgun to blow away anything that looked at me funny. I guess it was pretty obvious, I was scared mindless. I was walking down Carlisle Avenue, asking random people who looked like they were at least halfway alert if they’d seen Jake. It was a small city, and Jake knew tons of people. I may not have known them but he did and they knew him. “Hey, have you seen Jake Moore?” I asked a teenage girl with thick black makeup surrounding her eyes and hot pink dress clinging to her curves. It seemed incongruent, but who was I to judge. She rolled her eyes and stuck a five inch tongue out at me. I jumped back and scooted around her. As I rushed away, I heard her laughter. I hated this city. As I contemplated who to risk approaching next, people started rushing past me. Someone yelled, “It’s fading, it’s fading. Hurry up.” I started running along with them. “What’s fading? What’s going on?” A guy my age pulled up along side me. His green eyes sparkled with excitement and I thought about Jake. He wore that same devil may care expression on a regular basis. This guy winked at me as if he noted my interest. “Hey beautiful, want to come with me?” I was doubtful. I didn’t know him, but he looked normal enough. He took my hand without waiting for an answer, “Come on. We can catch it before it fades.” I ran along side him, not pulling away my hand, “Before what fades? What are you talking about? Will somebody please tell me what’s going on?” “Before the surge fades, beautiful. If we don’t get down there, the increase will be over and we’ll have to wait until tomorrow night. Now put it in gear, hot stuff. I’ve got to get my fix.” All the compliments were kind of annoying and I wasn’t looking to get hooked on that surge like all these people obviously were. I mean who knew what was being inhaled so close to that thing. But as we ran, I could feel it. The closer we came to the site, the energy in my blood increased. Almost involuntarily, I breathed it in, feeling heady off the power that was airborne. It flowed into my nostrils and mouth. It filled my lungs and traveled along my veins.

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At the edge of the hole, my companion turned to me. I saw the look of lust in his eyes. I felt the same. Was it the surge? I wasn’t sure. He pulled me against him and kissed me. I resisted. “I don’t even know your name,” I told him accusingly. “Raymond. Ray,” he said before capturing my lips. At that moment, I forgot Jake. This guy was normal, sexy. I could feel his tight muscles rippling beneath my hands as I stroked them across his chest. His mouth moved from my lips to my cheek and down over my jaw to my neck. I was so turned on. I had to be to do this in public. I felt like I wanted him to take me right there. It was a while before I realized I was under some sort of spell, something to make me powerless to fight against him. That clued me in to the fact that though this guy looked human enough, with his green eyes and raven hair, he wasn’t. The second I knew what he was, was a second too late. “Graciiiieee,” he whispered. I screamed at the same instant he plunged his teeth hard into my neck. All the surge’s power was draining from me along with my life’s blood. Weakness stole over my limbs from my ankles to my legs, on up to my head. My legs gave and he held me up as he sucked at me relentlessly. My vision was going, my head dipping erratically. My call for Jake was a pitiful sound that wouldn’t be heard by the guy latched on to my throat, let alone my friend, wherever he was. But Jake must have heard. He was suddenly there, and tore Ray away from me, flinging him with superhuman strength across the field, against the chicken wire fence. I collapsed on the ground, unable to brace myself, so that my head slammed against the solidly packed dirt. Through slits, I watched the two vampires battle. If I weren’t so weak, I would have been sick to my stomach at them clawing at each other with long curved fingernails that hadn’t been there before. Bones cracked as one slammed the other over rocks and then vice versa. I wanted to cry out a warning to Jake when Ray, one arm looking like it had been torn from its socket, lifted a rock high above his head and brought it down on my friend. The last thing I saw before slipping into unconsciousness, was Jake lying in a pool of blood at Ray’s feet. A look of triumph spread across his face when he turned to me, his tongue slashing at my own blood still dripping from his mouth.

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Chapter Six When I woke up, pain shot through every inch of my body. I curled against it, whimpering. When a particularly sharp jolt subsided, I reached up to touch my eyes. I wasn’t imagining things. The room I was in was pitch black. There was no light anywhere, and the smell was of damp decay. It was up close and personal. I felt like someone had dipped an old rag in stinkweed and shoved it up my nose. It was so strong, I gagged and hacked on an empty stomach. My mouth was dry. I couldn’t produce spit to moisten it. When the ache eased enough, I reached a hand out before me and came into contact with a wall. The stone was cold and rough beneath my fingertips. I used it to climb to my feet on unsteady legs. When I was stable enough, I looked around again. Still nothing. Not a light, not a flicker. I moved like a zombie with my hands out before me, searching for something, a doorway, anything. A warm chest greeted me, clothes torn. Of their own accord, my hands traced it up to his neck. I grasped him there, holding on. “W-Who are you? Hello?” The man didn’t answer, though I know he was alive. “Please,” I whimpered. “Where are we? What is this place?” Still no answer. In fact, the man didn’t even move or give any indication that he heard me. I began to think someone had drugged him. Exhausted and afraid, I slumped against him. My head rested on his shoulder, with my lips pressed again his throat. I felt the beat of his pulse easily through my lips. It excited me. The surge, I decided. It must be the surge still affecting me. I wanted to tell myself that and believe it. But the truth of the matter was, already I could feel my gums expanding to allow thick long fangs to ease down. I cried out, not because it hurt. It actually felt natural. But because I knew what I was going to do, and it disgusted me. I latched on to his neck, sucking greedily. My tongue lapped at every drip that my teeth didn’t suck up like a straw. The blood was sweet and warm, so delicious. I pressed my entire body against the man, wrapping my arms around him. I was almost humming with the pleasure of feeding. When I felt my belly growing full, a hand reached through the darkness and snatched me back away from the man. “That’s enough, beautiful.”

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Hatred raged within me. I recognized Ray’s voice and I rounded on him. Nails extended, I tore at his face, a face I could suddenly see as clearly as if someone had turned on a light. I ripped and tore at his face again and again, yet he didn’t stop me. When I would have bitten him, he stilled me with just a hand about my neck. “Now, that’s enough.” I watched in horror as all scratches I’d just made in his face began to heal rapidly. The gashes closed, the blood dried. I wanted to cry, but no tears wet my eyes. “The first chance I get,” I told him sincerely, “I will kill you for what you did to Jake. Mark my words.” He grinned, “I look forward to your challenge, Mine. Should be interesting to see once you learn the ropes.” “Don’t call me that!” Struggling to free myself from his grip was pointless. His strength seemed to know no bounds. “I’m not yours.” “Aren’t you? I turned you. That makes you my slave.” “Says who?” He didn’t answer, but he did let me go and turned his back, walking across the room. I didn’t bother to attack again. He was right on one head. I needed to learn the rules. I wanted to learn what I needed to do to kill him. It was odd. I was a vampire now, like Jake. I knew there were physical enhancements to me, and on some level—the part that wasn’t worried about what would happen next to ruin my life, or in this case death—it was enjoyable. My sense of smell had intensified. I could pick out distinct scents throughout the room, like the rat beneath a cot in the corner. I could hear the heartbeat of the man chained to a pipe running across the ceiling, the same man I’d feasted from a few moments ago. On top of all that and my improved vision, I knew without trying that I could lift the hanging man with one hand. It was heady stuff. It was all very interesting, and yet vamps and other creatures still went down to the site nightly to get a refill on the surge. That convinced me that its power was addictive. I wasn’t planning on joining the junkies if I could help it. But I did want to claim Jake’s body, to give him a proper burial. “What did you do with him? I want to take care of him.” Ray didn’t ask who I meant. He knew. “Don’t worry about it. You and I have an appointment.”

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“An appointment.” I rolled my eyes and glowered, wishing I had a skill to roast him with a glare. “With who? I’m not going anywhere with you.” When did he move? One second he was across the room, the next he was right up on me, glaring down at me. Envy had me wondering if I’d be able to move that fast with practice. First chance I got, I was going to try it, to escape this murderer. Then I’d find a vamp to teach me the ropes, and how to kill one’s master. At that point, I figured if killing Ray meant I’d die too, so be it. What did I have in this life with no family of my own? Growing up an orphan had no positives in my eyes. “You will go,” he asserted, menace in his eyes. “The master wants you and he’ll get you. Case closed.” Master? “So you have a master too? But why does he want me? I’m nobody, just some fool that got sucked in to your spell. I won’t be stupid enough to do it again.” He laughed bitterly, “No? I beg to differ, Sexy.” Suddenly, I couldn’t move. Just like with Jake, my head went back and turned to the side. I was offering him my neck just as before. It pissed me off that they both learned to control me, but I had no idea how to retaliate. His tongue snaked out and he licked along my skin. Revulsion nearly had me gagging. I fought hard internally against his hold. With all the will I could muster, I lifted my arm, grew out my fingernails and then jabbed them hard into his eyes. He howled in pain, but I was loose. Not even knowing how I did it, I moved with lightening speed. I was across the room and ripping the door off its hinges in seconds. When I say I ripped the door open, I mean that literally. I didn’t know my own strength, as they say. Metal bent, screws flew and the knob popped off in my hand, but I was free. Like the demons of hell were on my tail, I ran along a hall, which eventually gave to a rough cave passage. It was instinct that led me to sniff my way out. I could smell the lake which was five miles from Bendmore. Instantly, I knew where I was and a few minutes later, I was running along the dark winding road that led back to my town. Tears spilled down my cheeks as I thought of my best friend, lost forever. I didn’t know what Ray had done with him, and it wasn’t likely that he’d share that information. The sense of loss weighed heavily on my heart. “Oh, Jake. Why? Please.” I don’t know what I pleaded for. I just needed my friend right then. I missed him, needed to hold him. Not being given the chance to grieve for more than a few moments, the flap of wings beating the air came to my ears. My heart leapt up into my throat, and I headed toward

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the trees, hopeful of losing him there. I was at a disadvantage being so new and so distracted with thoughts of Jake. I had to learn and learn fast. But it was hard to concentrate, and I lost the momentum I’d gained. Darting between the trees at top speed seemed impossible. I had to slow down. He was gaining on me. I heard him land with a hard thud, the sound of running steps close. And then strong arms engulfed me from behind. Wings took to the air again, and I was high in the sky, held prisoner by a man obsessed with me.

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Chapter Seven He flew me up to the Jessup Mountains, on the side of a cliff where there was another cave. I didn’t know there were so many in the area. It’s funny what you learn in an experience like this. When he let me go, I rounded on him, threw up my hands and was ready to fight. Imagine my surprise to find Jake standing before me, with wings! “Jake!” I fairly flew into his arms. He held me close, his arms nearly crushing me as usual. I didn’t even care. And I don’t know what came over me, but I was suddenly kissing him like he’d been my boyfriend all along. Mm, his mouth tasted incredible. Vampire aggression came over me and I extended my fangs, biting into his lower lip. I darted my tongue inside his mouth, tasting all his secrets and sucking on his tongue. Jake held nothing back. He lifted me against him, pulling my legs up around his waist and stroking my thighs. I dug my nails into his back and licked at his neck, a desire to drink his blood very strong. He nudged me away with a laugh. “Oh no you don’t, Gracie. You’re liable to drain me.” I pouted, “No I won’t, Jake. Give me a little taste.” He shook his head, “Maybe later. First, woman, explain to me why you came out of the safety of my home to get yourself turned.” I sighed, dropped down to the ground and folded my arms across my chest. “Maybe you need to explain to me why you left me there and didn’t come back.” He turned away and strolled to the edge of the cliff. For a second, I got nervous that he’d fall over the edge, but then remembered that he could fly. “And just how can you fly so quickly?” I accused. Blue eyes flashed excitedly, “Isn’t it great? You hang out at the site, absorbing the surge long enough and you not only get stronger for short periods, you learn faster too.” My own eyes widened. So all those monsters down there would develop at phenomenal speed. Soon there would be matured werewolves, vampires and who knows what else roaming our city, preying on the weak and unsuspecting. I wasn’t naïve enough to think they wouldn’t spread beyond our area as soon as the innocent meat was all used up. The thought of their kind taking over the world eventually was not far-fetched. Jake didn’t seem to be looking at the big picture. He just wanted to have fun.

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“Jake be reasonable,” I told him. “These monsters aren’t out having fun. Maybe you didn’t see. They were trying to eat me. I had to fight them off.” The expression that crossed his face was one of lust. “That’s not such a bad idea. I’m right in thinking your feelings for me have changed, aren’t I?” I sighed and then grinned, “You give off a certain something that is appealing. I’ll admit that.” I wanted to be the mature one, to think of others at a time like this. To get Jake to think beyond the moment should have been priority one, but looking at him with lust in his eyes and a body that I could ‘eat’ myself, I just couldn’t do it. Who knew if that monster after me would get me today or tomorrow. It was obvious that the thing was powerful. I decided right then that I was getting me some of Jake. Maybe, like I said, it was vampire aggression. He cocked his head to the side, the look of invitation clear. With a wink, “So? How about it?” Finding no need for further words, I just began to unbutton the army top I was still wearing. Under it, I wasn’t wearing anything—no t-shirt, no bra. My breasts were still firm enough and barely more than a handful to be able to get away with it. I watched Jake’s eyes flash and his fangs extended. Desire flamed inside me, knowing what he was going to do. I welcomed the pinch his bite would cause. I was so sadistic now that I was a vampire. I put my hands on my hips and tossed him a ‘well bring it on’ look. He advanced on me, lifted me up high enough in the air to sink his teeth into my breast. Pleasure and pain raged. He wrapped me against his body, drinking only a little of my blood. I whimpered and squirmed against him. I worked one boot off and used my toe against his hardening erection. His growl of pleasure echoed through the night. I was already near to climax myself, but I wanted much more. “Put me down, Jake.” It was a command. Boy, was I different. “I want it now. Right now.” He complied. In seconds, we were both naked and stretched out in the grass. When I looked down over Jake’s body—I was naturally on top of him—I was shocked at his size. Wow, was he that big before the change? A glance at his face, noting the male look of pride, told me he wasn’t. Jake was having all kinds of fun with this new experience. Briefly, I wondered what else he’d been up to out there, besides sucking blood. I began a slow trail of kisses and licks down across his chest, pausing at his nipples. A little nip had him almost howling as Lee had previously. I dipped my tongue inside his

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navel and then sunk my canines into belly. Mm, he tasted so good. I knew I was already addicted to Jake. The surge had nothing on him. I pulled back before I could make him weak from taking too much blood and then moved on to the real prize. Taking him into my mouth was tough. As I said, he was huge, but I could have feasted on his body for days. It wasn’t just Jake who’d become more sexually appealing. I was on fire. My body was so turned on, I could barely stand it. After only a few sucks, savoring his flavor, I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed him inside me. When I straddled him, it took Jake to the next level. His beautiful eyes glazed over and a low rumble sounded in his throat. He guided my hips, his nails digging in my flesh. I was moist and ready, but he shoved hard and almost cruelly. It was my turn to howl into the night. As one, we moved in a rhythm of pleasure and pain. My muscles hadn’t yet relaxed enough to take him, but we ground together anyway. We were desperate for that ultimate satisfaction. His strokes were long and fluid, filling me again and again. I pulled him to a sitting position so I could cover his mouth with mine, suck as his tongue and nip his shoulder. Blood seeped from the wound and I licked greedily at it before it healed. I offered him my throat, this time not under a spell, unless sexual pleasure was magic. He bit into my neck, licking and sucking at me. I could feel the blood leaving my body and it excited me more. “Oh God, Gracie. You’re so sweet. How can you taste this good?” he muttered against my neck. “I feel it doing something to me, almost like healing me.” “Then take all of me, Jake,” I said, so full of love for him right then. “Take all of me.” Maybe it was corny, but I’d always loved Jake. As my friend, now as my lover. Our bodies fit so perfectly. And while I enjoyed the taste of his blood, it did seem like his skin warmed somewhat when he drank from me. But I didn’t have time to ponder it, I was climaxing. Jake’s rhythm had increased. He stroked hard and fast in me, lifting me up and pulling me down against him. I was going to explode if I didn’t reach that pinnacle soon. “Jake!” We exploded together, each growling our satisfaction, our bodies bound together as tightly as we could get. Afterward, I lay my head on his shoulder, content to stay with him forever. He rocked me, soothing and stroking my back. Under his touch, I felt the claw marks he’d made healing. So I had that ability too. It was good to know.

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Jake lifted us up, not allowing himself to come out of me. “Come on. We need to get inside. It’ll be sun up soon.” I didn’t respond. I was content to let him carry me in the cave. I suppose that was my life now, to be nocturnal. Stuck in some cave all day, every day. It wasn’t all bad. What we could do was good and having Jake make love to me on a regular basis was a definite plus. As we settled in a clear area of the cave, deep enough so that no sunlight would reach us, I thought again of the innocent people out in the world who would soon be overrun with monsters. I wanted to discuss it with Jake, but knew this wasn’t the time. Already the call of sleep was overtaking me, and I felt my limbs becoming lethargic. The surge, the vampire energy, was seeping away to force me to take my rest. Jake tucked me on top of him, so that I wouldn’t have to lay on the hard ground, for which I was grateful. I was tougher, stronger, but still a woman. We’d talk later too about our accommodations. I wanted to sleep in a bed. Just as I was about to drift off, an explosion of sound ripped through my head. I grabbed my hair, screaming and Jake nearly tossed me in the air, he was so startled. “What’s wrong?” He looked around the cave as if he thought we were under attack. The pain pulsating across my skull was nearly unbearable. I couldn’t speak or open my eyes. I didn’t respond to Jake’s query, though I hardly heard it anyway above the rumble in my mind. Somehow, I knew what it was, or rather who it was. It didn’t take him long to speak to my mind. “How dare you sleep with another man!” He yelled. “You belong to me.” Go to hell! I said it inside my head, sure he could hear me. “When night falls again, I will find you and possess you. I am your master and it would do you well not to forget that fact.” I was trembling. It was so disconcerting to find that not only could this vampire speak to my mind, he could know what I was doing. Probably wouldn’t be that hard for him to find me wherever I was. Was there a master at all? Maybe it was just a ruse and he was the one searching for me. No, that didn’t seem right. Ray wasn’t the thing calling to me, chasing me. That person was someone way more evil, and Ray was evil enough himself. I don’t mind admitting that I was scared of him. “I just got a terrible headache, that’s all,” I mumbled into the darkness to Jake. I don’t know if he believed me, but he settled us back down to sleep. I curled against his body, loving his feel. He was still warm from drinking my blood. It comforted me enough to rest. Tomorrow would be soon enough to deal with Ray and his master.

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Chapter Eight I zipped along the road leading into town. That freak Jake had left me alone, rising sooner than I did. I guess there wasn’t anything to write a note with, but the least he could have done was wake me up. We could have fed together. I felt a twist of jealousy in my gut. Maybe he was getting an itch for something more than blood, and he was out hunting another woman. The thought hurt and irritated me, so I clamped it down. If I was going to start feeling insecure and jealous, I’d cut it off with him. There was just too much going on to deal with the fear that my boyfriend was cheating. Besides, I’d never gotten involved with a guy who was prone to it. I had a sixth sense to tell them apart. Course that’s as far as that sense went. I was blinded to their other faults like wanting to smack me around or lying, cheating and stealing. Which was why, as I said before, I was usually between boyfriends. “So what kind are you, Jake,” I muttered as I ran, “the abuser or the thief?” I didn’t expect to hear anything at all, being out here in the middle of nowhere, but I did keep looking over my shoulder in case Ray had discovered where I was. So far, tonight, he hadn’t contacted me. I wanted to keep it that way, at least until I’d had something to eat and could figure out what to do about this mess. Just as I finished processing that thought, Ray swooped down on me, knocking me to the ground. I rolled away and leapt to my feet. With more confidence, than I truly had, I whipped out my knives. The thought entered my head that I should get a better set, something more cool denoting I was not to be toyed with. Ray’s expression told me I hadn’t fooled anyone. “Foolish woman. You can’t think that you can fight me with those. Spending my time in the surge, a blessing offered by accident really, from the master, has allowed me to mature swiftly. Someone of your inexperience and obvious lack of skill couldn’t begin to stand against me.” I tried to bolster my courage thinking of how I’d fought off all those creatures at the site, even when I wasn’t a vampire. Ray seemed to anticipate me again. “There aren’t many who are as advanced as I am, especially since I’d obtained the cure for the sickness.” His eyes morphed to black as the woman who’d attacked Jake had. It sent shivers of terror along my spine. “Come to me, Gracie. I need you.” It was the voice of the master, coming from Ray’s mouth as it had done with the others. I trembled and the knives wavered in my hands. I felt a pull that led my feet toward him. When I was close, it took everything in me to slash out at him, cutting deep into his arm. Blood splashed on my hands and on my clothes. I remember thinking what a waste it was.

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Then Ray snapped out of it. He grabbed at me, ready to tear me from limb to limb. He raised a hand above his head, clawed fingernails extended. I was powerless to move out of his hold. From nowhere, something leapt through the night air and ripped into his face. I screamed and fell away, crawling on hands and knees to get away. Curiosity had me look over my shoulder as the beast and Ray fought. It took me a second to realize it was a wolf. They tumbled over each other, the animal seeming to be a good match for him. Before long, Ray took off through the air and the animal ran on foot after him. Fearing he’d come back to get me, I got to moving too—in the opposite direction. They had been headed back the way I came, back toward Ray’s cave. After some time of walking, I knew I was turned around, lost. It was the hunger. I hadn’t eaten for the night, and somehow my senses were screwed up because of it. I paused, listening, hoping for some indicate of where I needed to go. After all, the city hadn’t been that far from where Ray was holed. It seemed impossible that I should be so lost. A soft little mew in the distance caught my attention. I wondered what it could be. Closing my eyes, and concentrating helped my hearing to extend over the space between me and…a child. What was a child doing out here in the woods? I turned toward the sound and raced through the brush, which was much harder as I said, I still couldn’t navigate the trees at top speed. And I was starving. My belly was growling. The trees thinned and in the clearing I saw a small pale girl of about five or six, curled in defense against a wolf. Not another one! Instinct kicked in, I took a flying leap across the gap between us to land between the child and the hungry animal. Yanking my precious knives from my pockets, I held them ready, “Back off, wolf! You’re not eating here.” His growl increased. Slobber quivered and hung from his lips, teeth bared. Aggression fired up within me and I found I liked the confrontation. I wanted it to attack so I could fight. Where all this bravado was when I’d stood against Ray earlier, I don’t know. I hunkered down a little, grinning at its obvious anger at being challenged. And then it did something I never would have expected in a million years. It reared back on its hind legs and changed, right before my eyes. The legs grew out longer, the body elongated. Before I knew what was happening, it took on the appearance of a werewolf. I had no idea the werewolves could turn completely into a wolf. It shocked and scared me. “I don’t want to kill her, but I can’t help myself.” It spoke! I blinked a few times and shook my head. Perhaps I’d heard wrong. It couldn’t have. Well of course it did. It was man wasn’t it? Man beast.

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“And I don’t want to kill you, but I will if you touch her,” I told him confidently. “So we’re at an impasse. But then again, I’m itching for a fight.” It was brave of me. In were- form that thing was at least six-five. Its claws looked a whole lot longer than my fingernails had been when I’d suddenly grown them out. I still didn’t know how to do that on command, so I was stuck with only the knives. Not all bad. “What’s it going to be, wolf?” I demanded. He shook his head, howled once and turned away, “Another time, vampire. You’re little more than a pup yourself. And it’s obvious you haven’t fed. There would be no real challenge in a battle.” Its eyes glowed in the darkness. “Let’s see if you can resist feeding off the girl yourself.” With that, he disappeared in the trees, and I sagged down to the ground beside the crying girl. He had been right. My legs had been shaking, not for fear, but weakness. I’d used any reserve running down here. I had to find blood or I’d be wolf bait or any other creature’s food. For the thousandth time, I resented Jake for leaving me. By the time, I’d carried the little girl to her mother’s trailer, not far from where I’d found her, I had my nose buried against her neck, savoring the smell of her blood. Oh how I wanted to taste it. But I resisted. How awful it would have been if I was so starved that I drained this innocent and turned her. I couldn’t be responsible for that. It hurt not to eat, so much so that I could barely walk, but I did what I had to do. I was prepared to rail on her mother for letting her wander out alone when I got to her place, but my angry words died on my lips. Her mother, hunched over, head held to the side in a frilly concoction of feathers and lace, looked like death was knocking at her door. I almost laughed because I really was dead and I was knocking. She hadn’t turned to anything, nothing had bitten her, but the sickness was taking her life. Lillie, as I learned was her name, was in no frame of mind or body to care for a small child. Right then, not sure what might have been floating in this woman’s blood, I didn’t give a rat’s behind. I had to feed. I tossed her kid on the couch, shoved the mother inside backward and slammed the door behind me. My fangs were fully extended. “I won’t kill you, but I’m hungry.” Her words were slurred, her sunken eyes not fully meeting mine, “You have food?” “I can get it.” “Ok.”

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I lunged at her, digging nails into her arm and heedless of her cry of pain. The only thing that kept me from sinking my fangs into her was the little girl watching wide-eyed. I scooped the mother up like so much baggage and headed toward the back of the narrow trailer. When I was sure we were unobserved, I fed—greedily and noisily. She slumped down, but I yanked her up again, shaking her as a dog would do a bone. Even as I sucked, I fought the desire to tear at her neck, feasting as if it was my last meal. It took Herculean strength to stop. But even then, I realized what I’d done. I’d taken too much. She was nearly unconscious, skin pale. Behind me, through the doorway, I heard cartoons playing on the TV. That little girl would be motherless. Shame washed over me. I had no idea what to do. I’d never turned anyone and couldn’t be sure of the process. If I left this woman this way, she’d surely die from loss of blood. Lifting her to the bed, I placed her gently and then paced the four or five steps back and forth in front of her. “This can’t be happening. I promised I wouldn’t kill her.” Panic washed over me and I knelt in front of her, bit my wrist and held it to her mouth. “Eat, damn it!” She whimpered and began to suck at my blood. A look of disgust came over her features. I thought she must be nuts because blood was the most delicious thing I’d ever tasted. It was better than chocolate. After a little while, I shoved her away roughly. Her skin had warmed to the touch and was less pale. I didn’t know if I’d turned her into a vampire or what, but she certainly looked healthier. Just to be on the safe side, I sat in a chair in the corner to watch her. She fell asleep and seemed to be healing normally. The twin holes in her neck were easily patched and had stopped bleeding. Finally, I took my leave, promising the girl I’d stop by again to check on them. Right now, I had another urge for Jake and maybe just a little of the surge.

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Chapter Nine Flames lit my veins, strength coursed through me. The beautiful, beautiful surge. Ah it satisfied something else inside. I was still cautious, still suspicious of it, but like everyone, I wanted to suck it in, feed on it. When I first arrived, Jake wasn’t at the hole, and looking around, I was relieved that neither was Ray. Hopefully, his master was punishing him severely for letting me escape. I hoped he was being tormented. Even though Jake wasn’t dead, I still felt I owed it to Jake to put him out of my misery. As I lay in a lounge chair next to the flames—yes, we behaved like it was any day at the beach—I contemplated all the ways I might kill Ray. For a time, it was entertaining. Looking around, there weren’t any vamps who were more experienced than I was. They all appeared new and ignorant. I figured I’d hang out until a mature one happened along that I could bum a lesson in vampire 101 from. Unfortunately, I feared they’d all taken their fill of the surge and moved on for the night. No telling what they were up to. I thought maybe later going down to the old drive in movie theatre. I hadn’t been that way in a long time since only teens hung out there. I wanted to see if there were any more innocents in our little city. Earlier I had the notion that I could smell untainted blood, but I didn’t have a chance to test out the theory. A growl to the left and slightly behind me, caught my attention. I turned in time to see Lee facing off against another wolf. God, was this life going to be nothing but fights? I stood and moved to a better vantage point to watch the confrontation. As Lee transformed, bending at the waste until his hands touched the ground and became paws, I remembered that he was a werewolf. He was about to fight his own kind. But then the werewolves did seem more apt to tear anything apart that moved. But the other wolf barked and growled. Even being ignorant of their language, I could tell it was a command. Lee bared his canine teeth in anger a while longer, before whining and then giving way. He stepped aside and let the other wolf pass. I admit I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t a fight. It would have been entertaining. Lee turned toward the trees and disappeared. The other wolf made his way toward me, his yellow eyes never leaving mine. Oh boy. Did he prefer to battle me? With a sniff of the air, I identified the familiar scent. It was the same wolf I’d seen in the woods with the little girl. Because I’d been so afraid and disoriented, I couldn’t tell if he was also the one who’d attacked Ray. I took a defensive stance, “Well?” His laugh was gravelly and he became human. “Well what, little pup?” The aspersion on my abilities rankled, “I can take you.” Earth to Grace. Get a grip You cannot take him.

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He laughed again and folded his arms across his chest. “Ok, pup. Let’s see what you’ve got.” I was angry. I should walk away, tell him what to kiss, but I couldn’t. He challenged me and it didn’t seem like I had the ability to let it go. Besides, there were other monsters present who had chuckled at my expense when he called me little pup. I wanted to prove a point. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be proving his point. I slipped open the flap on the leg of my army pants and withdrew one of my knives. Holding it defensively, I charged him. He didn’t even unfold his arms when he sidestepped my attack and I found myself flat on my face, having nearly driven my own weapon into my chest. Humiliation had me on my feet again, coming at him. This time, he lifted his hands, caught my arms, crossed them somehow and had me pinned against him with my one hand bent at an awkward angle. I couldn’t help myself. My fingers became limp and I dropped the weapon. If I could have cried, I would have. Again, and again, he made subtle movements that landed me on my butt or on my face. Eventually, I realized he wasn’t trying to humiliate me, but to train me. Though it took a huge effort to tame my pride enough to learn, I did. Soon, probably with the help of the surge, I began to parry his moves almost as well as he did mine. There were even a few cheers from the onlookers now and then when I got the drop on him. It was in the midst of a fancy move on my part, that I heard the flap of wings and I looked up into the sky to see Jake. If my heart was beating, it would have skipped a beat as I leapt to my feet. A tick after and it would have stopped. A beautiful young vamp flew next to him and when they landed, she latched on to his arm. Pulling in a hefty dose of surge, I moved on the wind to cross to where they stood. My fingers were clawed and wrapped around her throat, squeezing. She flapped about, yanking ineffectively at my hand. I didn’t even know her. I squeezed harder and then threw her as hard as my amped strength could toss her. She bumped along the hard ground like a skipped stone. It wasn’t enough for me. I moved to go after her again, but Jake grabbed my arm. “Get off of me! She’s dying tonight,” I screamed. Jake held on, “No, Grace. Come on. Nothing’s going on. She just needed my help, that’s all. She’s new.” “So am I,” I screeched. “Why did you leave? You know what? Never mind. Doesn’t matter.” I didn’t want to hear that I was just a lay. It sounds silly after years of Jake telling me he loved me, but he and I were different now. Our characters were much more of take what

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you want, damn the consequences. I’d felt that in me so much and resisted. I didn’t know if Jake fought it, but I guessed he didn’t with that tramp hanging from his arm. I shook him loose and went after her again. Jake tried to grab me, but I was getting the hang of speed. He’d been right that one learned faster here. All I’d needed was motivation. Thanks, Jake, I thought sarcastically. I swooped down on her again, this time pinning her to the ground. I bit into her neck, but promptly pulled back, spitting out her blood. I was wrong. Not all blood was sweet. Hers tasted like sour apples, something I loathed. “Well I’ll just have to kill you with my hands,” I told her. Jake wrapped an arm around me and hoisted me up. I fought, kicking at him trying to bite him. “Calm down, wild woman. Let me talk to you.” “No!” I fought hard, getting a few bites in on Jake. I know he must have been fighting hard not to slap some sense into me. Rage was boiling higher and I don’t know why. I couldn’t control my anger toward this woman. I just knew I wanted her dead. “Gracie, stop!” Jake yelled again. I elbowed him in the ribs and stomped his foot before pivoting and driving my fist into his face. “You sleep with her again and you better not ever come back to me, you loser!” With that I turned around in the opposite direction of him and a pain so sharp burned across my back, I thought Jake had stabbed me. The skin split, blood dripping, staining my clothes. Of their own accord, wings grew out of my back and I was soaring above the crowd at the hole. Freedom. That’s the only way I could describe it. I felt free of the confines of all that had held me back in the past. I could go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I didn’t have to follow Jake, or be hidden in the shadow of his magnetic personality. As I flew above the tree tops toward the mountain, I wasn’t fooling myself. I wanted to cry. Jake had hurt me. Maybe I’d blown the whole thing out of proportion, but he had allowed that girl to cling to him. He had left me alone this evening after he’d gotten what he’d been wanting from me all these years. And I was supposed to just accept it because we were vampires. No, I wasn’t buying. Jake knew what he could kiss. “Come here.” My winged rhythm faltered. I dropped low enough to hit a few branches, leaves getting caught between my lips. As I spit them out, I heard it again. “Come here, Gracie.”

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Terror knocked me to the ground. As quickly as I’d learned to fly, that’s how quickly I forgot. Ray was calling me, and the most terrifying thing about it was that I was powerless to resist. Stumbling through the brush, my feet led me forward with no conscious thought. They knew the way to his lair. I guessed that I was about to die. Ray would take me to his master who I suspected wanted to kill me, or Ray would beat me for sleeping with Jake. Either outcome wasn’t something I wanted to have happen. This time, the wolf wasn’t out here to help me. As hard as I fought to free myself, to walk another direction, my feet kept carrying me forward. Like it or not, I was going to meet my maker.

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Chapter Nine Cords? They were thick and binding. They sprung out from my chest, red and black. But the ethereal glow that emanated from them told me they weren’t physical. Ray had ties to me, that kept me bound to him, making it possible for him to control me from wherever he was. I wondered why he didn’t just come and get me again, take me by force. He was powerful. That thing he worked for obviously was. Why did they both hide out somewhere instead of facing me head on? How I wished I knew all the answers, could stop flying around blind. Well, I wasn’t actually flying now. I was sort of dragging along, fighting against those cords. My feet slid in the dirt. I couldn’t get a tight enough grip on anything to keep me from beating a path to his doorstep. A sound above me caught my attention. I forgot to resist and jetted forward a little ways before Jake was suddenly ahead of me. I smashed into his chest, hurting my nose. His arms came around me, and I looked up into the determination on his face. “We’re talking, Grace. That’s all there is to it.” I rolled my eyes at him, prepared to ignore his demand. But then I realized the pull had lessened. I stood on tiptop to peer over his shoulder. One of the cords had snapped loose. Odd. “Are you listening to me, Grace? What are you looking at?” I watched Jake look back behind him and was amazed that he couldn’t see them. “You’re telling me you can’t see that?” “See what?” “Nothing.” I still wasn’t ready to share with him what I was dealing with. I wasn’t sure I trusted him anymore. Why couldn’t I get past the feeling of being abandoned? He shook me slightly to gain my attention. “Look, Grace. As I said before, there’s nothing between me and that other vamp. You’ve got to believe me. Remember, it’s you I—” I covered his lips with my fingers, “Spare me, Jake. The declarations are getting old. Things are different now. You have your priorities; I have mine. And mine include saving normal society.” He grunted, looking like he was about to defend himself again. I cut him off.

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“It doesn’t matter, my friend. She’s dead. It’s simple. I catch her alone, and that’s it.” He was angry, “That’s it? You talk about saving society and you can so easily declare someone’s death? You were never like this, Grace. You were the soft and cuddly type, loving animals. You’re a protector of nature, for pete’s sake.” I laughed. He knew me well…then. I still cared about those things. I would still fight for what was right. But I battled the beast within too. And that beast wanted blood spilled, that vamp’s blood. What’s more, I didn’t feel like I wanted to fight against that particular urge. It didn’t bear explaining to Jake. I was still pissed at him. “I’ll still defend the underdog. You can count on that. I’ll do what I can to stop this sickness, this spreading of mutations, though I haven’t the slightest idea where to start. But I’m also fighting urges, feelings I’d be stupid to think you aren’t, Jake. So go peddle it to someone else when you tell me there’s nothing there.” He dropped his arms to his sides, “Fine. You want the truth? I turned her. Ok? I was starved. I fed. Now she’s reliant on me. I’m responsible. That doesn’t mean I slept with her or that I will.” As I stood there, looking up into his beautiful face, feeling desire stir within me, desire that was never far, even when I wasn’t with him, I had to admit the truth to myself. Jake was important. I wanted to dismiss him as I’d done every guy who thought he could do me wrong. I had never stuck around when the first slap came or the first time the guy bummed money from me with some lame excuse offered. But as much as I wanted to walk away I couldn’t. As I stood there, the truth of it hit me. I walked around Jake and stared off into the dark trees. I tugged weary fingers through my short cropped hair, then turned back to him. The truth was, Jake had broken every one of those cords attached to me, just by being there. My conclusion was, Jake weakened Ray’s hold just by me sleeping with him. Maybe we’d formed a new bond. I began to suspect that, that was why Ray and his master didn’t come after me directly if he was near. Jake was sort of my protector. It made me want to hurl. “You’re right, Jake. We need to talk,” I told him, watching a smile spread across his face. “But not about her. We need to talk about the creature that’s after me.” “Ray?” He waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about him. I can take him now that I’m stronger and have learned a thing or two.” I shook my head, “No, not just him. There’s someone else. Someone he works for. This person has been chasing me, trying to lure me to him. I don’t know why he doesn’t just come out of hiding, why he uses Ray. I do know he’s powerful, or I suspect it and it scares me. I think he’s responsible for all this and I want to kill him.” Jake grinned, “Gosh, give you a couple fangs and you want everybody dead.”

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“I’m serious,” I snapped. “I know. I know.” He embraced me. “So are we cool for now? You believe me.” I kissed him, enjoying his flavor. “Do you believe me?” My eyes indicated everything I’d declared to him—the monster, Ray, the vamp and saving the innocents. He seemed to understand and nodded. “Well, I will help you. I will be there for you. I promise, Grace, but I can’t allow you to kill Jen.” I turned on my heel and sauntered away, calling over my shoulder, “Oh, I wasn’t getting your permission, baby. I was just warning you. I’ve learned a few things myself.” With that, I released my wings and flew up into the sky. A beat after, Jake followed.

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Chapter Ten The first thing Jake and I found out was how special I was. When I knew, I wish I didn’t. I gathered some groceries from a small market that opened only at night. The owner happened to be a halfer. He looked normal enough, but couldn’t take the sunlight. Go figure. After gathering everything I could think of, we stepped from the cramped store, past two lycan battling it out on the sidewalk, and took to the air. I needed to keep my promise to Lillie and her daughter. Who knew how long it had been since they’d eaten. When we arrived, it was to find Lillie in perfect health. In fact she looked so refreshed, it was as if she’d come back from a two week vacation in the Bahamas. Briefly, I wondered if my wings could carry me that far without getting too tired. “How are you Lillie? You look well,” I told her. She nodded, “Oh Gracie. I am! Look at me. No headaches, no pains. I’m a new woman and it’s all because of you.” I frowned as I sat the groceries on the table. “What do you mean? Are you a vampire now?” She shook her head. “Nope. I can go out in the day and everything. In fact this morning I went down to the school to see if they were still open so that Beth could go back. Unfortunately, the teacher died of the sickness a couple days ago.” When did we get to a place that people died and it was so commonplace, we could mention it without adding the obligatory, “Oh no. I’m sorry to hear that”? Lillie continued excitedly, “So I began to think about it, and I remember that I started feeling better as soon as I swallowed your blood. In fact, the minute it touched my tongue, it was like the headache broke.” That was freaky. I didn’t believe it. “Coincidence.” Jake broke in, “You tasted Grace’s blood? When was this and why?” I rolled my eyes at my Johnny-come-lately boyfriend, “Jake. Lillie. Lillie, this is Jake. I got a little carried away when I fed on her. I didn’t know what else to do when she was dying. So I bit myself and fed the blood to her.” I turned back to Lillie. “It was basically your blood I’d just drank.” She wasn’t buying. This was my new cheerleader. “No way, Gracie.” Ever notice how everyone called me Gracie, except Jake?

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“I know it was your blood,” Lillie continued. “See, I still had some in my mouth. Really foul-tasting by the way.” “Says you,” Jake defended. I winked at him. “Well I spit some in a cup and thought I’d give it to Beth since she’d had that headache for days too. Wouldn’t you know that she’s all better? It’s a miracle.” By this time, I was good and freaked out. She was saying my blood had some kind of healing properties that was warding off the sickness that flew in on the meteor, the thing that caused us to become monsters. But why me? And how extensive was it? Could I reverse the change? I looked at Jake and remembered that he had drunk my blood too. He said it felt like it healed him. And his dead man’s cool skin warmed for a period afterward. I wondered if he had had the headache since then. I hadn’t experienced it since my change, but like I said, I put mine down to stress. No other symptoms had ever manifested. I was getting nervous. Jake read my mind, “I haven’t had the headache since I drank from you.” Shoot, this was really getting scary. I didn’t want to face it. I didn’t want to be the cure. And what did that mean anyway? Would I now be hunted if word got out that my blood was that potent? Vamps and lycan would drain me in less than a night, never mind the zombie like creatures and anyone who hadn’t changed yet. I turned and walked out the door, slamming it behind me. I hugged myself as I climbed atop a wooden picnic table. It was a relief when Jake didn’t follow me. I guessed he knew I needed some time alone, to process all this. And then hope sprang up in me. What if there were others like me, those who weren’t affected. I’d said I thought I could smell when a person wasn’t tainted. Maybe a few others held immunity and we could somehow draw up an antidote. We needed a scientist or doctor to do tests. “Not a mad scientist though,” I muttered with a laugh. “Hi.” I glanced up from my reverie into the face of a haggard guy who looked to be about late thirties and weighing in at no more than ninety pounds. His slacks had holes in both knees and his t-shirt didn’t look much better. I watched him suspiciously, sniffing at the air. Tainted.

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“What do you want?” He cupped his hands, a shy look on his face. “I’m a friend of Lillie’s and I just came by to say hi.” “Liar,” I accused. Without warning, he flew at me, fangs bared. He was hungry. I didn’t flinch or move beyond swiping him away with a force that landed him hard against the bark of a nearby tree. I stood and turned back to the trailer, “Amateur. Go spend some time down at the site. Maybe you’ll learn to recognize a vamp when you see one.” He ran off, probably embarrassed and as I put my hand on the trailer door, the pain I’d felt before overshadowed all thoughts. “Come here, Gracie.” “No! Go to hell!” I screamed, afraid. All my bravado with that puny vamp drained away at his voice. I ripped open the door and darted inside, slamming myself up against Jake’s back. With my eyes closed, it was a fight to calm down enough to get the trembles under control. He didn’t say anything to me. He must have known it was the same as last time. Jake spoke to Lillie, “Well we must be going. It will be daylight in just a few hours and we have things we need to take care of. It was nice meeting you and Beth.” I didn’t chime in my own sentiments. Jake turned himself and me, then headed us to the door. Flying at top speed, we made it in record time to our cave. My fears were momentarily forgotten when I saw the furnishings he’d added. There was actually a bed. “What? When did you do this?” I wondered aloud. He grinned, “See? I’m not all bad. I take care of you. Now, what kind of reward do I get for that?” I chucked and rolled my eyes, “You have a lot to make up for, Jake Moore.” “Really? Ok, let’s get started. I’m feeling really needy right about now.” He didn’t have to invite me twice. My body was already pulsating with need for his hands to explore every curve of me. Our clothes hit the floor and we hit the bed. This time, Jake wasn’t having any of my domination of him. He flipped me to my back and

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straddled me while pinning my arms above my head. This was not necessarily a bad thing. His hand hovered above one bare breast before I arched to meet it, greedy for his touch. He flicked at my nipple sending shivers of delight dancing across my exposed skin. I lifted my hips toward him, while opening my legs in an obvious invitation. “Not so fast, woman. I’m taking my time to enjoy this.” “Jake!” He wasn’t to be commanded tonight. I mewled at the tiny nips and flicks of his tongue as he traced a path down over my breasts to my belly and lower to my center. I was nearly climbing the walls of that rocky cave when his tongue met my nub. I was howling like my lycan brethren when he dipped inside, his tongue lapping and feasting at me. It was so good, I wanted to chant his name over and over. By the time, Jake filled me, I’d lost all awareness of anything but him, his body, his touch. I lifted my hips again to be sure his stroke went as deep as my body could take him. Our thrusts met inches above the bed as I couldn’t wait for him to come down to me. I needed him deep inside as many times as would satisfy my desperate craving. When we were both ready to explode, Jake grasped my heels, shoved both my legs high in the air and stroked faster and deeper. I wiggled beneath him, crying out for him not to stop—ever. When we came together, Jake bit deep into my neck. I threw back my head, screaming in delight. The loss of blood and reaching climax left me weak, and finally I was like a docile kitten in his arms. “So that’s what I need to do to get you to obey me?” Jake chuckled in my ear. “Don’t fool yourself,” I muttered as I turned to push back against him for a spooning. “I can still take you.” “We’ll see about that tomorrow night.” And we slept peacefully in each others arms, undisturbed.

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Chapter Eleven Lillie really did have a friend, though not the little scamp of a vampire. It was convenient too since Jake waited for me to wake this time. While Beth was tucked away watching cartoons, Jake and I were slurping away at Lillie and her beau’s neck. The funny part was I didn’t have a problem with drinking from Lillie’s neck, but Jake drew the line at Joe. “If you’re hungry enough,” I told him. “Not.” He lifted me bodily away from Lillie and placed me next to Joe. “Excuse me, baby.” Before I could protest, he’d latched on and was feeding. The pain in my own empty belly had me jealous for a drink and I resigned myself to Joe. Jake always did have to have the best, even when we were kids. He got the bigger piece of cake when his mom made it for us, before she died in a fire. “Pig!” I kicked him and then sank my fangs into Joe. It wasn’t until we were finished and our human meals were resting quietly that we could think clearly about what we needed to do. “So, this master of Ray’s,” Jake began. “Tell me more about him.” I shrugged, “I don’t know anymore. He’s after me. That day when I started looking for you, he was jumping from person to person, trying to lure me to him. He knew where I was and he knew about you.” “What is he a freakin’ magician with a crystal ball?” I trembled. I wish I could have pretended the guy didn’t exist. If I could forget about everything except containing the monsters, then it would have been fine. Then another thought struck me. “Jake, why hasn’t the government found out about us and swooped in to contain the site? We aren’t we all on quarantine or something?” He considered it, “Well in my own wanderings, I noticed this sort of…like an energy, out past Route One. I didn’t go further because I heard someone being attacked, but I think maybe that energy is keeping us in and holding them out. Maybe it’s even blocking radio waves. Who knows, they might not even know about us.” “But surely someone would have come to visit their family members and found out they couldn’t get through. And we get tourists here all the time. The lake draws crowds every year.” He shrugged, “The tourists stuck here now have either been turned or are on the menu soon.”

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A new worry struck me since there wasn’t the fear of the monsters getting out. What happened when the fresh meat was gone? Would the monsters all turn on each other? So far, we co-existed fine just as if a community of freaks was natural. I was about to voice my concern to Jake, when someone knocked on the trailer door. Instantly, I was on the alert, fangs bared, fingernails grown out with knives in my hands. Jake was similarly at the ready. There was no reason for anyone to be visiting this time of night. “You’ve got two seconds to get out of here, before I rip your head from your shoulders,” Jake called through the door. A low growl, followed by a gravelly voice that was quite familiar was the response, “No harm intended, my friend. I just need to talk to the female.” And then as if in afterthought, “You can come too if you wish.” I didn’t miss the look of jealousy that flashed in Jake’s eyes. Good. It was payback. He’d not brought up that other girl, but I was still smarting over that and still fully intending on ending her the moment I set eyes on her again. Stepping out of the trailer in the cool night air, I was still on alert. My lycan friend from whom I’d learned to fight better, was leaning against the picnic table, arms folded. As I watched him, he changed to a fully human form. If I could have caught my breath, he was really hot. Wonder why I didn’t notice before. Cool green eyes, long midnight hair, bulging muscles. Yum! Jake passed in front of me to block my view, a growl in his throat, “What do you want?” I grinned and crossed to the table to hoist myself on it while they circled each other. With a laugh, I realized the testosterone was really flying between the two of them. Some part of me wanted to watch them fight, ripping at each other for me. Though truth be told, I didn’t think the lycan had any real interest in me. He just wanted to provoke Jake. And it was working. Finally, I spoke up. “You wanted me…um…what’s your name?” His eyes left Jake’s for an instant, “Seth. Seth Parker. And you’re Gracie Levi.” I did a little half curtsey from my sitting position. “I’m famous.” “You are.” Seth dropped his pretense of interest, which allowed Jake to quit sizing him up for a kill. “Word at the site is that someone’s looking for you. Someone who could be the cause of all this mess. Word’s also out that you can stop what’s happening.”

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I froze. So it had started. How could it have happened so fast? We just figured it out ourselves. Had Lillie told someone else about me curing her? “I see it’s true,” Seth watched me intently, probably seeing all kinds of emotions cross my face. “Can you really cure the sickness?” “No!” Both Jake and I yelled it the same time, which of course meant I could. Damn. This was getting complicated. “Forget about me. What have you heard about this person looking for me? Did you hear that his name was Ray?” He shook his head, “Ray is nothing. Easily killed. I can do it myself if you’d like.” Hmm, favors. “The one to worry about is his master.” He sneered. “Master. You vampires and your order.” Jake interjected, “Better than killing each other to figure out who should be in charge. Better than being little more than an untamed dog.” “Watch yourself, friend,” Seth growled. “I’ve sworn to protect the girl, not you.” “Why’s that?” I hadn’t noticed any great loyalty of the lycan to vampires before now. “Jake and I can take care of ourselves. What makes you think I need you?” He strode across the space between us to stand inches from me. There was no hair covering his smooth tanned skin, but I still caught the animal scent in my nose. And I don’t mind telling you I was somewhat intimidated by his size. Even in human form, he towered way above me. “For one thing, I watched him kill a young vampire woman tonight just channeling another monster at the site.” My eyes widened. He’d only called through another person before. Was he so powerful he could control others from a distance? Oh God, the thought of it terrified me. Jake rushed over, “The female vampire he killed. What did she look like?” My stomach turned. I hoped it wasn’t the girl Jake had turned. Not because of the guilt he would feel at not protecting her properly, but because I wanted the satisfaction. I did feel guilty for feeling that way and I blamed the aggression on the change. I liked to think I wasn’t that dark of a person by nature. I did after all care about the safety of innocents.

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But this girl was no longer an innocent. She would prey upon them, and if she wasn’t careful as I had not been, she’d kill them. Seth spared Jake a glance, “Small, young, red hair.” An exclamation of remorse was all Jake said before flying off at top speed toward the site. “Some protector,” Seth muttered. “Shut up,” I defended him. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He shrugged. I struggled to calm myself. “So what is the other thing? You said “for one thing” when you were explaining why I would need your help.” He was watching me silently without saying a word for a few moments. When he spoke, he wasn’t addressing my question. “I was one of the first to be turned. I spent a lot of time taking in the surge. One night, in a rage, I killed my family.” I covered my mouth, shock and empathy for his actions, obviously not meant. How he must hate himself now. Yet he seemed kind. In that moment, I realized how hard it must have been for him not to kill Beth the night I met him, or me for that matter. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. His green eyes full of anguish, he turned away, “Yes, so am I. What I see in you is love.” I squeaked. He couldn’t mean to get me as a replacement for his wife. He was certainly barking up the wrong tree. I almost laughed at the pun, though unintentional. He did laugh, “Don’t look so disgusted. You hurt my sensibilities.” I flicked up an eyebrow at him. “I have no interest in you. I only said that to say I can see your bond with your boyfriend. Well, not see. Smell. You love him, more than you’re ready to admit to him. You don’t want to need him, because you’re afraid he’ll leave you.” “You don’t know me.” Easier to get angry than to admit that what he was saying was true. My own parents had abandoned me to foster care years ago. How could I think Jake would be any different?

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He ignored my outburst. “But don’t worry. He won’t leave you. If there’s anything I’ve learned about your kind since the change, it’s that vampires become bondmates when they have sex. You have mated with him, after the change?” I crossed my arms and turned away, “None of your business.” He chuckled. “Well that answers my question. Anyway, you two are bound together for all time unless he or you sleeps with another. He could no more leave you than drive a stake through his own heart.” I worried my thumb nail, “But he’s not my master. He didn’t make me.” Seth rounded on me, eyes wide. “I assumed…” I could have cried, “Does that take back what you just said? He could leave me?” He considered it, not saying anything. I could have jumped up and shook the words from him. Didn’t he know my life depended on… Forcibly, I calmed myself to wait. None of it mattered if the master killed me. “It stands. But, your master will have to be killed. I will do it.” “Again why?” I demanded. “Why are you so loyal to me?” He grinned, “Isn’t it obvious? You need me because lycan are not affected by the charms of vampires. We can’t get snared by that voodoo you do to make your victim do what you want. And more importantly, I need the cure.”

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Chapter Twelve “What! Are you crazy?” I sprung up from the table, standing on it like a crazy woman. “You can’t drink my blood. Have you even seen the nasty stuff walking around here from creatures eating off of others? You’ll get twisted into something grotesque and I’m not being responsible for that.” “Who asked you to?” he frowned. “I need the cure; you’ve got it. I will take full responsibility for what affect it has on me.” “And then what?” I paced back and forth across the table. “What happens next, Seth? You tell all your buddies. They tell all theirs. Then I’m the hunted. I can’t reproduce blood you know. I have to drink it from somewhere. And if all those who need the cure come after me, I’m dead.” “I said I’ll protect you.” “You can’t protect me against every creature in Bendmore. Even if you don’t consider vampires a threat, there are other lycan who I’m sure wouldn’t mind taking you down, especially with that arrogance of yours.” He cast innocent eyes on me, “Who me?” I frowned. “There must be some better way to handle all this.” Suddenly, Jake was back, landing in front of me and yanking me into his arms, to plant a hot kiss on my lips. I knew it was to show Seth who I belonged to and I didn’t mind at all. I climbed up to wrap my legs around him, while sticking my tongue inside his mouth. It was some minutes, with Seth clearing his throat, before we parted. I brushed past Jake, rubbing against him, and jumped to the ground. “As you can see, I have my protector. But.” I bit into my arm. “If you want to risk your life, you can drink my blood. However, if you bite me, Jake will kill you where you stand.” He nodded and Jake moved to stand at the ready. Seth’s mouth closed over my bleeding wrist and he sucked. I knew from the look on his that he found my blood tasty and hoped he wasn’t tempted to chew my arm like a bone. He sucked hard and fast. My knees gave way, Jake caught me and he kicked Seth away. “That’s more than enough for your cure. And if you tell one person about Grace, I will kill you.” Seth was busy licking the last few drops from his lips, before answering. “Don’t worry, I won’t. But I can tell you, I wasn’t the only one who heard that vampire admit the truth about Gracie. Others will realize and come after her. That’s why we have to make a plan and move on it.”

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“How did she know?” I demanded, looking up at Jake. He shook his head, “We’re just finding out remember?” Seth interrupted, “Not the girl, the one who killed her. The one who was being channeled by the master. He wanted her to get Jake away from you, so they could ensnare you again. She told him that Jake wouldn’t like that, so she couldn’t do it.” I clenched my fists but didn’t address that little tidbit. “Now what? I guess…” “We find the master and kill him. You find Ray,” Jake commanded. I thought Seth was about to tell Jake he wasn’t the boss of him, which would have had me laughing, but I intercepted. “Great idea. We’ve been delaying long enough. It’s time I met the beast responsible for all of this and put him out of all of our miseries.” “I’m not sure if you’re ready.” Seth told me. “You’re still very inexperienced and you have spent less time at the site than most of us.” “Which is probably a good thing. Who’s to say the master isn’t using some kind of poison on all of you and that’s why I’m not affected.” Seth shook his head. His contradictory attitude was plucking my nerves. “I considered that, except there are people who’ve never been anywhere near the site, yet they are dying all the same. And despite the fact that my stomach feels like it’s on fire, my headache is gone. Thank you.” “Don’t mention it.” So we parted ways, with Seth promising to contact us again soon. Different from us, he wasn’t always able to transform into a werewolf. I did think it could only happen during a full moon, but he had shared that he could at any time if even a hint of the moon showed. But he was at his strongest during a full moon. I did feel somewhat jealous though. He could still enjoy sunshine. I missed the warm breeze early in the morning at sunrise. I loved the lake and swimming in it at that time of the morning had brought me years of pleasure. Now I could only swim at night, and lately I had no time between feeding, having sex with Jake and steering clear of Ray and his master. Now there would be no more hiding, no more running. We would meet the beast in his lair and kill him or die trying. It brought a thought to mind as Jake and I flew to the place I remembered being held. “Jake,” I called across to him. “Hmm?”

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He seemed distracted and I wondered if he was thinking of Jen. Should I offer my condolences? I didn’t want to be false with Jake, but I didn’t want him to hurt either. “Was-was it Jen who died?” I asked finally. “Yes.” “Are you hurting over it?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Seth knew about my love for Jake, but did he return it still? “D-did you love her, Jake?” He looked surprised and then flew across to me, pulling me against him as we landed gently on the ground. He tipped up my chin and stroked my cheek. “Oh Grace, it’s been so many years. I don’t know the number of times I’ve told you how much I love you. Maybe you thought I was some kind of nerd to be so open with my feelings, huh?” I shrugged. He laughed, “Well I wasn’t just saying it to be saying it. I love you, woman. From the first moment I saw you, so lonely, so sweet with your two pig tails and your white shirt and plaid skirt.” I groaned, “Don’t remind me of school uniform days.” He chuckled, “You were cute. Gosh, how I craved you. I don’t mean in a sexual way.” He winked. “Not then. I mean I just wanted to be near you, to hear you laugh and see you smile. I couldn’t help myself and I’m at a loss to say why. Maybe we were meant to be together in life and in death. All I know is that I love you Gracie Levi, with all my heart. And when the master is dead, you and I will settle down together forever.” “Settle down? Not you, Jake Moore.” I nuzzled into his chest, holding on for dear life. “Oh Jake, I can finally admit that I love you too. You have been my life a long time. And you still are. I didn’t want to admit it, didn’t know it really, but I cannot imagine my life without you. If the master kills me—” “Don’t. He’s not going to kill you, or anyone else. Together, we’ll take him out. That’s a promise.” I nodded and we kissed long and meaningfully before taking to the air again. Our battle was not going to be easy, but at least for now I had my best friend and my lover right by my side. I could face the fears that had kept me bound for so long, and hopefully what I’d learned would be enough to win.

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Chapter Thirteen I’d forgotten how dank, how grimy Ray’s cave was. Spending nights in a cave with Jake, I’d grown used to the dark and dusty atmosphere, but this place stank of evil—pure, unadulterated evil. Something was in here alright, waiting in the shadows to attack us. Had Seth not informed us that he’d received word that Ray was on the south side of the city tonight, I would have been sure it was he who waited. I didn’t lay claim to having a sixth sense as a vamp, but my skin was crawling with some warning. Jake insisted on moving ahead of me, to scope out the tunnel. I didn’t remember which way I needed to go to reach that room I’d been held in. There were passages leading to the left, right and ahead. “Should we split up?” I wondered aloud. “No,” he grabbed my hand. “We can’t protect each other if we’re separated. I frowned, pulling my hand from his, “You mean you can’t protect me. Jake, I’m a vampire, remember? I don’t need babysitting. Besides, you didn’t see fit to do it before, why now?” He had this weird look on his face which I couldn’t interpret, but he let the matter drop. Still, he kept walking by my side. Suddenly, the blood left in my body ran cold. A hideous laugh echoed through the cavern, bouncing off the walls, the ceiling and the floor. It was almost deafening. Jake and I fell to our knees, screaming and stopping our ears. I felt the strength draining from me as pain pulsated across my skull. By the time I hit the floor, I was retching uncontrollably. My body jerked as I choked and struggled against what I realized was the master’s control over me. As then, just as quickly as it began, it ended. I lay there whimpering, wanting to check on Jake, but too weak to do so. He being stronger, moved to me. His hands came around my waist and he hoisted me to my feet. I sagged against him as he wiped my mouth with a torn strip from his shirt. “D-did that affect you?” I croaked. He nodded, seeming to struggle to put together two words as I was. “Yeah, my ears are bleeding. He’s extremely powerful, Grace. I want you to go back outside and wait for me. If I’m not back in a half hour, leave this area. Get as far out of town as possible.” I pulled back, falling against the wall, blowing blood from my nose. “No, Jake. We stay together. Always. From the day I put dirt in your sandwich when I was five, to now. I’m not leaving you.”

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He grinned at me, stroking my cheek. “Ugh, why do you have to be so stubborn? I don’t remember you being this hard-headed when you were alive.” I turned to walk forward, deeper into the cave. “That’s because you didn’t have a problem dragging me into your hair-brained schemes then. Now it’s different, I guess. This is for keeps.” I was acting all brave and strong. In reality, I was shaking from head to toe. I wanted to be missish and run back outside. I wanted to let my man do the battling for me. But I refused to give in to it. I didn’t want to think about the master ripping him apart. The last time I saw him battle, it was with Ray, a lesser vamp. If he’d lost the fight then, what would happen now? Of course, I knew he was stronger now, after gaining experience, but was it enough? That sounds like I didn’t have faith in the man I loved. But it was more like fear. Jake had been spending a good amount of time at the site. I knew now he was cured. He hadn’t been then. He was stronger, more clear headed. The master was not. I had come up with my own theory about what was happening around here. The master had the sickness and knew that I had the cure, though I don’t know how he knew. He was after me. If we could kill him before he could get a taste, then hopefully we would have a chance. It was worth a shot. Jake stopped, sniffing the air. “Something more foul to the right, Grace.” He pointed with his chin to a darker cave. We could see clear enough to make our way, but there was something else clouding the path than mere absence of light. Jake was right. The master was this way and he was waiting. Bastard. Waiting for us to come to him. My mind was conjuring all kinds of hideous monstrosities that would make up this thing. Maybe he had thick black claws for fingers and fangs that curved beneath his chin. His eyes must be bloodshot, possibly all red from holing up in the dark so long. I considered that he could be thousands of years old. Then I wondered how long he’d been here in our time. Had he been sleeping? What did he have to do with the meteorite? “I will gladly answer all your questions, my love.” I jumped at hearing the voice. It was gravelly and ancient as I supposed, but there was nothing of the lover in it. And where did he get off calling me his love? I opened my mouth to tell him about himself when I heard a cry behind me. I turned back and found Jake flat against the wall, two feet up from the floor. I ran back to help him. “Jake, get down. What’s wrong?” I was really freaking out now.

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His eyes were wide with shock. His lips moved, but no sound came out. Soon blood trickled from his lips, his nose, his eyes and his ears. “Stop, stop! Please, you’re killing him!” I screamed ahead in the cave, though I saw nothing. “Come here to me, Gracie!” The master called. I was crying, making the sounds but not producing the tears. “You’ll let him go? You won’t kill him?” “No.” “Promise!” I yelled. Ok, how stupid is that? This thing was evil. He kept humans barely alive so he could feed off them whenever he wanted and I was expecting him to keep a promise not to kill Jake. This was not the movies, but I didn’t know what else to do. The master found it funny too. “Ok, my dear. But come to me quickly. I’m hungry.” My stomach turned. When I would have moved forward again, Jake grasped my hand. “Don’t.” I drew his hand to my lips, nuzzling my face into his palm. “I love you, Jake. Remember that always. I love you so much. I have to go to him if it’s possible to save your life. I will come back for you.” The look of loss in his eyes nearly buckled my knees, but I forged ahead, ready to meet the challenge ahead of me.

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Chapter Fourteen There he was. The beast. The thing that had surely brought a plague to my people and held my love hostage. He sat in an open area, on a throne-like chair. What a surprise there. His “throne room” was a hovel, full of small quivering vampires and other creatures. And if my nose didn’t deceive me, there was at least one human there. Must be lunch. At the sight of all this, my courage left me. I didn’t want to be a part of his harem or worse dead like some that were being carried out through another tunnel. All this I took in while avoiding direct eye contact with the master. I thought it would help me to keep clear of his powers. At that moment, I’d forgotten that he’d sent his power down the hall and nearly deafened Jake and I, and left Jake hanging against a wall. “Don’t be shy, my love. Come to me.” When he said that, my feet moved. No, correction, my feet didn’t move. I was floating through the air, straight toward him. My wings were not out and I was not under my own power. I was helpless to resist. When I was inches from him, he curved a nail beneath my chin and turned me to face him. I had to look. I couldn’t help it. If I could have gasped! The master was not ugly or hideous or even hard on the eyes. He was incredibly gorgeous. His skin was smooth and tanned. His hair was thick and black, tumbling over his forehead in a boy next door way that was incredibly appealing. His shoulders were wide, his chest broad. For a split second, I forgot everything except what it would be like to climb up on his lap and let him take me. And then I realized I was under another spell. He must look like death, I thought. I shook my head; I pulled my hair. Desperate to snap out of it, I even bit into my arm. At the sight of my blood, he barked like a dog, leapt out at me and began to lick up the excess. With effort, I shoved him hard away from me, and then dragged my nails down his handsome face. He healed more slowly than Ray did, and beneath the gorgeous exterior, I glimpsed grey death. It frightened me more. Yet, the experience left me stronger. He needed me. I didn’t need him. I decided it was time to stand up to this creature. “How about you tell me what’s going on here. And maybe I’ll let you live.” He laughed. His eyes growing colder, if that was even possible. I saw a flash of the grey again, but he seemed determined that I only see this appealing man before me. I began to make a plan.

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“I suppose it can’t hurt,” he chuckled again. “I’ll tell you.” So he couldn’t make that nasty voice sound deep and sexy? For pete’s sake! “As you might have guessed, I am not from your world. Where I am from is not important, because it doesn’t exist anymore. Destroyed by a curse. The same curse that has plagued me for thousands of years.” He sounded bitter. No wonder. I wanted to know exactly what this curse was, but he continued without me asking. “A woman. It’s always a woman. I didn’t love her enough for her taste, so she cursed me with a disease destined to kill me. While it would be thousands of years as I said, I am coming to the end. And I must find a mate to save me.” Mate! My body threatened to wretch again, but I tamped it down. “You’re telling me in all these years you haven’t found a woman to share your bed?” “It’s not as simple as that,” he boomed, making me and those around us jump. “You don’t understand, Gracie. She left me an out, this woman. She left me a cure. One in a million. No. One in a million million. One person who could cure me, and that, my darling, is you.” I needed to keep him talking. “So, um. Why me? And how did you know I had the cure?” As he spoke, I looked around the room for someone who might lend me some assistance. All the vamps there looked defeated. They were all scrawny, like this beast had been feasting on them too. It made me wonder just how often he needed to feed. He continued, “First I will tell you about the curse, my dear. Then I will drink from you. Then I will make love to you when my strength is back.” I thought about saying “the hell you will” but figured it wasn’t quite time to provoke him. He was still very strong and I couldn’t battle him now. He’d just take over my body and force me to him. If I kept him talking, it would be better. I was still seeing flashes of the grey. The master was growing tired. My guess was, he had used up a lot of his strength with that trick he pulled back in the passage. He was still using more holding Jake outside this room. I had to tire him out. “So tell me what this disease is and why there are people in my city who are dying. Is it contagious? Is it airborne?” He turned to face me, having stood and walked to examine one of the vampires. “Airborne? Yes, that’s it. It’s airborne. It floats around me always. It travels where I travel. It spreads like a plague upon all. Those especially who are the undead, as we are,

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begin to die. You’ve seen the symptoms. Those who are human, turn, become assorted creatures—whatever this dread disease chooses. Maybe it’s set by their DNA. But it’s yours that I’m interested in. “Just as I have found one single person per galaxy who could feed me the cure, I have found you. Sensed you across thousands and thousands of miles. They all died. Not pure enough. But you, Gracie. I know you are. I can almost see it flowing through you. And for that, I will make you my queen. I won’t kill you, though I will feed until I am full. Then I will allow you to eat from this fellow.” He indicated a frightened human being held between two vampires. I tried to send him a message that everything would be ok, with my eyes. But I knew, if the master drained me, I would eat from him and probably drink him dry without a qualm to satisfy the hunger. It made me hate myself and all these creatures. “So you brought death and destruction to us, killing our children, our families. You cared only for yourself and no one else. No wonder the woman cursed you. You’re a selfish loser. Given half a chance, I’d betray you too. In fact, the moment I learn to pass on curses, I’ll curse you!” His eyes flared, his jaws quivered. Grey pulsed over his body, the handsome man of before fading. Before I could get sick or too scared to act, I looked away and stomped over to one of the vampires. I yanked him up by his neck and sniffed. No taint. I bit into my arm again and shoved it against his mouth. Without pausing, he began to drink. “No! Stop that!” The master yelled. His power sent me flying across the room, crashing into the opposite wall. But the move weakened him still more. His steps toward me were labored and shuffling. I crawled across to the next vamp and shoved my arm to him too. He drank greedily and I had to force him away before he took too much. The master was raging, tossing me around without touching me, like I was a simple airbag. By the time I’d allowed a fourth vampire to drink some of my blood, I was growing weak. I could barely stand, let alone defend myself against his attacks. The evil beast began to drag me closer to him, licking his lips in preparation for taking the last of my blood. All semblance of sexy human had faded away. He was now a shell of a man, grey-skinned and sunken eyes. His hair was wispy and missing in places. Damn, she did a number on him. I fought hard against his pull. I made little headway, unable to break from him. It had been a stupid move of his earlier to toss me around in punishment for giving my blood to others rather than to him. But I was glad he did. It meant that I had one chance. I remembered that because Ray was my master, he could speak inside my head. I was now

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hoping that because I was bonded to Jake, I could do the same. If I didn’t get some help soon, I was dead.

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Chapter Fifteen “Jake. Please, Jake. Help me.” I called out into what I hoped was Jake’s mind. I didn’t even know if he could hear me or if I was getting beyond my own mental processes. I needed him so much and I hoped willing him to be strong enough to get me would break him free of the hold the master had on him. The creature held me in his arms now. His fangs, just as I imagined, were long and curved. They were yellowed with age, and his breath smelled foul like the destruction of a thousand communities. I could only imagine the disease and death he’d left in his wake as he traveled across space. The thought sickened me more than his person. Just as his teeth began their decent, slow and excruciating, he paused and howled in pain. I opened my eyes, which I’d closed in preparation of my death. There stood my beautiful Jake with a knife plunged deep into the neck of the beast. Blood splashed across my face, and I welcomed it knowing I was saved. I wiggled free, shoving away the master and yanked out my own knives from my pockets to add to his death. He was not going down easy. Spurts of strength sent us flying backward, rolling across the stone and dirt floor. His nails grew out and sliced at my clothes, scraping my skin. It burned like someone had set a hot poker to me, but I ignored it as I continued to hack at him. Soon the cured vampires joined the fight and I fell backward, still weak from loss of blood. With four vampires attacking the master, Jake dropped back to my side. “Grace, are you ok? Oh, you need blood. Here.” He offered his neck, but I shook my head. “He’s not dead yet. You need to stay strong.” I struggled to stay conscious. “Bring me to the human. The least he can do is feed me since we’re saving his life. A look of surprise crossed Jake’s face and then he smelled him too. He picked me up and carried me across the room, to lay me beside the human. Then he jumped back into the fray. I glanced over to the man beside me. If I wasn’t so exhausted, I could have laughed at the look of repulsion on his face. “Get over yourself,” I growled, having no patience and no courtesy. “I’m hungry and I need to eat. If you want to get out of here alive, you’ll lend me a little blood.” He looked ready to deny me, but when the master strung up yet again to push off five vampires, he curved his pale white neck to me and I latched on. It was rich and warm. The only time we vampires enjoyed warmth was when we were sucking the blood of a

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live person. There was nothing more satisfying. Well, except sex, or maybe that was a close second. When I finished, energy surged through me. I had left the man with enough life to sustain him until the battle was over—I hoped. The master was proving very tough to kill. But with all of us together, and Seth too, since I saw him enter a moment or two before I finished feeding, we would win. The beast would die and hopefully his nasty curse with him. All told it took until after sunrise. It was then that the master was at his weakest, but then so were us vampires. We were dropping off like flies, as if someone had shot us down to sleep. But Seth had at some point sent for backup. More werewolves arrived to continue the fight. Jake, knowing it was not safe for me to stay, grabbed me about four-thirty in the morning and we high-tailed it out of there. By the time the sun was coming up over the horizon, I was curled up on Jake’s chest ready to sleep until nightfall. Every muscle in my body was aching. Some cuts still hadn’t healed completely and I was a little scared about what the next night would bring. I wondered whether the werewolves would be able to finish the job Jake and I started, despite the good fortune that this was a day when the moon would still be visible during the day. It took effort to trust that Seth would get the job done. And when I wouldn’t keep still and stay asleep, Jake was frustrated into commanding, “Sleep!” I dropped like lead and was asleep in seconds. As I began to dream, I reminded myself to tell him off for commanding me while also demanding that he show me how he did that to me. Life was certainly going to be an adventure with him.

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Epilogue The master was dead. The werewolves had succeeded in killing him. While there was some debate between the arrogant creatures as to who landed the final blow that drove a stake through his heart, and for good measure, separating his head from his neck, I was just happy that he was gone for good. The odd thing is that the fire blazing in the site finally burned itself out. The field of energy that had trapped us inside Bendmore, and its surrounding area, was gone. While people still had the disease, no new cases seemed to be popping up. I was slowly—very slowly, over weeks—healing everyone. Seth was true to his word in protecting me, of course with Jake by my side, reminding the “dog man” that I belonged to him. But I knew our work was not over. None of the creatures turned back to human. We were all still stuck as the undead, the deranged, the howling mutt. Don’t tell Seth I said that. But at least Ray was dead. Seth had taken Jake and I to the place where he was laid to rest. Now I was truly free. I could live my life with the man I loved, knowing I was no longer the hunted. The curse was a thing of the past. “So Jake,” I called to my lover, with naked lust in my eyes, “how about we go back to our cave? I’m a little tired.” Seth snorted, “God, is that all you two do? Have sex?” Jake laughed, “What’s wrong? Jealous?” The look in Seth’s eyes had me wondering, but he didn’t address Jake’s question. He bowed formally before me. “Thank you for saving my life and my family’s lives.” He indicated with a wave of his arm all the werewolves over his shoulder. They gave me the creeps, in their varied stages of transformation. I knew by then that they had a lot more aggression than I could ever hope to have, and it kept me on the alert. But never mind about Seth. I dragged on Jake’s arm and soon we flew through the air to our hideout. I suppose we could have made up a house to live in, but something in me preferred roughing it. I was content to stay on Jessup Mountain with Jake, at least for the time being. “So what was that about being tired, Gracie?” I grinned, “You’re calling me Gracie now?” He shrugged, “If you don’t like it…”

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“Come here!” I was practicing my powers to command. Jake was still more advanced than I was, which would probably continue since the surge was over. That smarted. I’d have to learn the old fashioned way—slowly. But Jake moved as if in a trance toward me. I giggled with delight and grabbed the front of his pants. He snapped out of it quickly, when his shaft hardened under my stroking fingers. “Mm, that’s good. Why don’t you take off my pants?” I suspected he had been faking all along, but when I opened his pants and pushed them down over his taut hips, all I could think about was how much I wanted his thick long erection stuffed in every place I could get it, for as long as I could get it. Dropping to my knees, I took him into my mouth, lathing him with my tongue. Yes, this life was definitely going to have its perks. THE END

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TuÉâà à{x Tâà{ÉÜ Yvette A. Lynn is the mother of two boys and lives in Baltimore, Maryland. She’s loved reading since before she knew how. She finds that writing gives voice to all the stories just floating around in her head, demanding an outlet. She’s loved to write since middle school and though she gave it up for many years, the heroes and heroines never stopped pushing her to come back. Yvette’s favorite types of books to read are fantasy, paranormal, vampire/werewolf and some types of contemporary. She’s a softy for a romance and loves when it’s both sensual and action packed. To learn more about the author, you may visit her website at www.yvettelynn.com. She loves hearing from both readers and authors.