Two weeks later, Grayson had a business meeting in Los Angeles. He had been gone for two nights already and still had one more before he’d be home. I had done my best not to ask if Chloe was going with him. I trusted him, but I couldn’t get on board with the fact that they were working together. Grayson had offered for me to come along, but I had too much going on with planning Damien’s extravaganza, not to mention that he had decided he wanted to throw a formal dinner party in a little over a month. So I was pretty busy these days. In the past, I had always had help when it came to planning, now with it just being me, I was getting a little overwhelmed.

I had been spending so much time with Damien that I was a little glad Grayson had the meeting out of town. It meant that I could get a little more work done without having to feel guilty about spending less time with him.

It was after dark when I was leaving The Angelo Tower. I decided to walk to a nearby restaurant and eat, since no one was waiting for me at home. I gave Shawn a ring. It had been a little while since I had seen him. I was glad things were going so well with Clive, and I was happy for them, but I missed my friend.

“Hey, It’s me,” I spoke to his voicemail. “Grayson’s out of town and I’m all alone. I miss you. Call me back.” I was just hanging up the phone when I was suddenly slammed into with such a force and speed, that one moment I had been walking along the sidewalk, the next I was halfway down an alley.

My head was a little foggy by the rapid movement. It was different when someone else did it to you, than when you moved that quickly yourself. As my eyes began to focus I saw four vampires surrounding me. The city lights reflected off of three of them, showing their pale skin, the other was dark enough that he could almost hide in the shadows. His black attire and bald head only helped matters. Two looked like they could be brothers with their matching light brown hair and cinnamon eyes. They stood in the middle, with a blonde vampire on one end and the bald one on the other. I could feel the power rolling off of them and I’d guess that they were all around two hundred years old, roughly. I didn’t know what they wanted. They obviously knew I was a vampire, so it wasn’t like I was easy prey. They all slowly came stalking towards me. I knew one on one I could take them; after all, I had taken on Anton who was twice any of their age. But having all four of them? I wasn’t so sure.

I peeked quickly over my shoulder and noticed that no one was guarding the exit that way. One of the brothers, noticed and came rushing towards me before I could make a move. I didn’t want to fight them. I didn’t even know them, but I was definitely going to defend myself.

I crouched down, shoving my fist to his chest meaning to send him flying, but I put too much strength behind it. My hand slid into his chest with such ease. Instinct took over and I gripped his heart, ripping it from his chest. I saw the look of shock cross his face before his eyes glazed over. As he folded to the ground, the other three watched until his body stilled then locked their fiery gazes on me. I threw the heart down preparing for the fight that I knew was coming. They rushed me. I slammed my fist into the first face I saw, feeling a distinct crunch under my knuckles followed by a deafening cry. I felt arms wrap around me from behind trying to lift me from the ground. I used this as an opportunity to kick the one in front of me before head butting the one behind me. He released me causing me to hit the ground on my knees scrapping them against the pavement. I tried to stand, but felt a hard kick to my stomach, knocking the air out of me. My hands slid out from under me and the man kicked me again to the face causing blood to spray from my mouth. The other two grabbed me and lifted me from the ground. I struggled against them until I managed to break free from one of them.

“Now!” Shouted the blonde one. I didn’t know what he meant, but it caused me to freeze for a moment when suddenly something heated, scorching hot, slammed against my neck. I screamed in agony before I lost control of my muscles, my body went limp. The vampire to my right was the only reason I was still vertical, then he let me go. I fell to the ground hard, landing on my side feeling the asphalt scrape my arm and a sharp sting in my head.

I felt drugged. I tried to move, but my limbs felt so heavy. I opened my eyes and everything was hazy making it difficult to focus. I could still feel the burning on my neck and tried reaching for it, but my hands wouldn’t obey the orders I was sending.

“Stupid bitch!” Someone spat before sending a swift kick to my stomach. I tried to scream but nothing came out. I opened my eyes to see the blonde vampire hovering over me. “It’s about time, Marty. She already took out Trevor.” The blonde one explained. Just then I saw a redheaded man with gray lining his changing hair move from the shadows. I hadn’t seen him before.

“Trevor was an idiot. He knew who she was and what she was capable of,” the bald one explained.

“At least we got her. Now his death isn’t meaningless,” the one with light brown hair spoke leaning against the wall. His gaze stayed on me, almost as if he was afraid that even in my current state I was still going to escape and kill them all. Then it hit me. No one knew where I was. Grayson wasn’t coming home until tomorrow evening. That would be the earliest that anyone would notice I was missing.

I tried to fight, but the harder I fought the more my consciousness tried slipping away. “Yeah, sweetheart. That ain’t gonna work.” The blonde squatted down in front of me. “You see Marty over there?” He pointed to the redheaded man. “He’s a warlock. He’s cursed you. So you’re going to stay like this as long as we want.” He pushed my hair from my face. I tried to swat him away, but I don’t think my hand even got airborne. “You are a pretty little thing, aren’t you? I bet daddy would be real sad if anything bad happened to you.”

“Jim…” The bald vampire warned.

“What? We ain’t sending her back anytime soon, might as well have a little fun with the little bitch.”

His words made my skin crawl and a layer of goose bumps broke across my arms showing it. The blonde noticed.

“Do you like that, baby? Does the idea of being with a real vampire turn you on?” He ran his finger up my arm. Grabbing me by the shoulder, he rolled me onto my back. “You been with that human you turned for too long. Time to remember what you’ve been missing.” My eyes shifted to the others standing around, but none of them looked at me. They were all looking away. They all thought this was wrong, but wouldn’t stop him. I felt his hands on my shirt. He pulled it out from where it was tucked in my pants and ripped in open sending the buttons scattering. I closed my eyes using all my strength to fight against what was about to happen next as I braced myself for the feel of his hands on my skin, but nothing happened. I opened my eyes and he was no longer there. Did I do it? I wondered to myself as I felt my energy wane. I looked to where I had seen the others just moments ago, but my hazy vision must have been bad because I could no longer make them out either.

I tried harder to focus, but I couldn’t make anything out and it only drained me more. Then I saw the blonde approach. I tried fighting when his hand came towards me, but he reached for my neck and pulled what had been burning me off. I winced when it detached.

“Gaby? Are you okay?” I looked to the blonde before me and wondered why he was being kind. “Did they hurt you?” They? I did my best to focus on him. As his image became clear, I realized that the blonde in front of me wasn’t a vampire, but an angel. Sebastian. I couldn’t help but let a tear escape. Never had I been so glad to see him.

“It’s okay, Gaby. I got you,” he insisted gently before pressing something warm against my mouth. Instinctively I opened and felt the warm rush of fresh blood, but the lingering effects from the spell were even more powerful than blood. Blackness swallowed me and I felt like I was being lifted into the air.

 

 

“Gaby?” I heard my name called through the fog. It was like a lighthouse directing me through the haze.

“Grayson?” I mumbled as I opened my eyes.

“Sorry, no.” I looked up and saw Sebastian staring back at me. I turned my head taking in the room. I had been here before, but only once. Sebastian’s scent surrounded me. I realized I was lying in his room, but I asked anyways.

“Where am I?”

“You’re at The Angelo Tower. In my room.”

“You’re room?” I asked as I tried to sit up then immediately regretted it.

“Lie back down,” he coaxed easing me back.

“What happened?” I demanded while holding my head.

“You don’t remember?” I shook my head just barely feeling it throb. “You were attacked after you left here.”

That rung a bell. I gasped as it all came flashing back. I reached up instinctively making sure my shirt was in place and felt soft cotton instead of the silk.

“You’re okay,” he reached over grabbing my hand. I saw that blood still stained my arm. I couldn’t look at him. I felt if I did, I’d break down in tears over what happened and what almost did. “I got to you in time,” he whispered reassuringly.

It was silent for a few minutes as I looked at the wall, then I gripped his hand. “Thank you,” I breathed.

“You’re welcome.”

I took a moment just absorbing the simple comfort he was offering before pulling my hand away. Slowly I tried to sit up, but when I struggled Sebastian helped me to the edge.

“Why am I here, Sebastian?” I wondered.

He looked bashfully away. “I didn’t know where else to take you. I didn’t know what kind of questions would be asked.”

“You mean about the attack?”

“Yes and no.”

That got me curious. “Not that I’m not grateful, but how did you find me?” He looked away, embarrassed. “Sebastian?” He still didn’t answer me. “Were you following me?” It seemed like a ridiculous notion, but when he didn’t answer, I became slightly outraged. “How long?”

“Since the night on the balcony.”

What? I couldn’t believe it. He had been following me around for weeks. Before I let my temper get carried away, I reminded myself that if he hadn’t been following me around that something much worse than an invasion of privacy would have happened.

“Why?”

His green eyes narrowed, almost studying me. The way he looked at me made me feel like he thought I knew the answer, but his response surprised me. “I didn’t think Damien throwing the party was such a great idea. The resemblance… Well, let’s just say that it doesn’t take a genius to realize you two are related. Everyone at the party knew that you had to be of his blood and there’s only really one way for that to be.”

“So you’ve been following me to keep me safe?”

“Yes. Your father has many enemies. They resent him for some reason. You’re the quickest way to get to him and now the world knows it.”

“Those men, are they…?”

“They’re all dead.”

I nodded, seeming okay with that. “What time is it?”

Sebastian grabbed his phone. “Five.”

“In the morning?” I had been out almost all night.

“It’s five in the afternoon.”

“Oh, god. Where’s my phone? Grayson’s flight lands in half an hour.”

“I’m sorry Gaby, but your phone didn’t make it,” Sebastian handed it to me.

“Great,” I groaned trying to stand, but immediately fumbled.

“You have to take it easy, Gaby. That coin they cursed you with, fed off your strength. It’s going to be a few days before you get it back, not to mention you need blood.”

“I gotta get home. He can’t see me like this.”

“You’re not going to tell him?” His tone sounded judgmental.

“Look, we’ve been through a lot lately. First Anton, then his vampirism, now all my father’s enemies coming out of the woodworks? Call me crazy, but I’d like to not lay another issue on his plate right now.” Not to mention the crazy serial killer looking letters. I had just received the third one the previous morning. This one said,

 

One of you will die. Leave before it is too late.

 

It looked the same as its two predecessors with its cut out letters from newspapers and magazines. I was still keeping them a secret though.

“Well, I think you should. It’s his life that this affects too.”

“I appreciate your concern.”

“Just think about it, okay Gaby?” Sebastian spoke grabbing my shoulder so I’d look at him.

“Alright,” I answered skeptical if he was right. I looked down noticing my ripped shirt was gone replaced by a cotton t-shirt. I felt my cheeks flush when I realized Sebastian saw me in my bra. I tried to stand, but fell back again. Great… I was racing against a clock and couldn’t even stand.

“I told you, you need blood. I can track some down for you.”

“I don’t have time to wait.” I don’t know why I said the next part; I shocked myself a little after hearing the words escape my mouth. “So unless you’re offering.” I was trying to stand when I heard the words and fell back to the bed a little astonished I had been so brazen. I didn’t look at Sebastian feeling that if I did my face would redden. Blood exchange between the opposite sex tended to be a little intimate and could turn sexual, saying those words made it sound like I wanted that. I heard him shift followed by a quick burst of air. When I looked up, I saw Sebastian standing there bare-chested with his shirt in his hands. He tossed it on the bed and moved towards me. I hoped he wasn’t thinking that I wanted to feed from him followed by sex. Not only did I not have time, but he knew I was in love with Grayson.

“What…what are you doing?” I sputtered nervously.

He kneeled down in front of me. “You need blood and I am offering.”

“Sebastian…” I tried to find the words to explain, but he began speaking.

“My blood is powerful Gaby, and it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve had it.”

“What? I never…”

“Last night, when I found you?” I remembered tasting fresh blood, but I had thought it was a dream. “Plus I recall you don’t have time to wait so then you shouldn’t have time to argue, so…” he gestured to his neck.

“Sebastian…” I tried again.

“I don’t know how you expect to leave without feeding when you can’t even stand, much less walk out this building. Stop being stubborn. It’s just a meal.” He stared at me with his strong green eyes. I knew he was right and the fact that it wasn’t the first time brought a little comfort to me. I couldn’t stand and even if I somehow got back to my apartment, Grayson would notice my weakness and it wasn’t something that I was eager to relive. Finally, I nodded. “Good so how do you want to do this?”

I looked at Sebastian. Even on his knees it would be difficult to get the right angle if I continued sitting, and I barely had the strength to sit there, much less stand. I relayed this to him. An idea flashed across his face followed by what I thought was a blush. “What?” I asked.

“Here,” He stood and sat next to me on the bed. I felt my cheeks blush, then noticed the time. I didn’t have long before Grayson returned and I wanted to be there, preferably showered. I needed to hurry.

Sebastian placed his hand on the mattress angling himself towards me, exposing his neck. I moved towards him trying to get on my knees, but fell against the mattress. He helped me up and into position by keeping his arm firmly wrapped around me. If the exchange had been strictly platonic before, it was walking a fine line to sexual now. I placed my hands on his shoulder feeling my fingers tingle at the contact, but tried my best to ignore it. I watched Sebastian close his eyes. It was almost as if he felt it too.

“Why did you take your shirt off?” I was trying to distract myself from my blood practically humming.

“I didn’t want to get blood on it,” he spoke like it was obvious. I positioned myself to strike his artery then hesitated. “Aren’t you in a hurry?”

I focused on the task at hand and struck. It was a clean hit. I heard Sebastian hiss then groan as his blood began pouring into my mouth. There was an edge to it that I had only ever tasted in Grayson’s and only since his transition. Thinking about Grayson had me pulling back. Even though I knew I needed it, it still felt wrong. Sebastian’s free hand weaved into my hair pressing me to his neck forcing me to take more. He knew how much I needed it. I conceded and let instinct take over letting my fangs slide back in place. I could feel his blood flow through me easing the pain and restoring my strength. It was magnificent. I didn’t know if it was amazing because it was angel blood or if it was because it was Sebastian’s. It wasn’t long until one hunger was being replaced by another. Using superhuman speed I climbed into Sebastian’s lap straddling him. I briefly retracted my fangs only to find a better angle in my new position. I felt his hands rub up and down my back. It only made my hunger worse. The feel of his hands, the taste of his blood, it made the feelings I had when I was around Sebastian magnify. Gripping me under my thighs, without warning he rolled us over. For a brief moment I felt his weight settle between my thighs, felt the hardness of his erection against me, before he was gone ripping me from his neck. I sat up in a frenzy still wanting more. I saw him standing across the room holding something against his neck. I blinked a few times and it helped me out of the blood lust I was in. I could feel my fangs retract and knew my eyes were returning to normal. I took a few deep breaths trying to calm myself. Blood lust turning sexual was why I didn’t like feeding from men, unless it was Grayson.

“Thank you,” I whispered shyly. I was a bit embarrassed by my actions, but was grateful all the same.

“You’re welcome.”

“Not just for the blood, but for…” Everything. Saving me, feeding me and especially pulling away. If he hadn’t, I’m not sure what would have happened or how far it would have gotten before I was able to pull myself out of the haze.

“I know what you meant.”

I moved to stand, my muscles still stiff, but moving was not as difficult as I had before I fed. Removing the towel from his neck, Sebastian tossed it and moved to help me. I rested my hands on his arms to stead myself. My blue eyes met his green ones before asking, “Can you help me get home?  I’d rather not be caked in blood when he gets there.”

With a gentle smile, he agreed, “Sure.” He pulled me against him until our bodies were flushed and within a second we were gone.

 

 

Sebastian didn’t linger long after he dropped me into my apartment, just long enough to make sure I was alright after the effects of dissipating. It wasn’t a horrible experience, but it wasn’t exactly pleasant. His arms released me slowly to make sure I was steady.

Once I was left alone, I headed to the bathroom and started the shower. I was still a little wobbly, but made it there without falling. Steam filled the room as I peeled off my clothing. I knew I’d never wear any of it again. Not just because there was vampire blood, and a little angel blood from when Sebastian ripped away, but because anytime I looked at it, I’d remember what almost happened.

Stepping into the shower was heavenly, almost orgasmic. The hot water kneaded my muscles. It helped ease the ache I still felt in my neck from where the coin had burned. I checked myself in the mirror before I dressed, but there were no lingering marks from where the cursed object had been placed. It was just tender.

After I dressed, I bagged my tainted clothes and walked them to the trash chute. I didn’t want to ever see them again and I didn’t want any questions to arise. As much as Sebastian thought Grayson should know, I disagreed and the clothing’s presence would only make him ask questions.

I curled up on the couch with a cup of blood as I waited for Grayson to return. I thought maybe his flight was delayed, because he seemed to be running late and it wasn’t like I had a phone to call him with. As I flipped through the channels on the television, for the thousandth time, I heard the lock disengage. Panic shot through my system.

Grayson peeked around the doorframe, but the distress I felt didn’t vanish. When his eyes spotted me, he grinned. Walking through the door, I saw he was wearing a three piece dark gray suit, which would normally cause my body to tingle in all the right places, but the anxiety over what happened the night before weighed heavy on me, not to mention drinking Sebastian’s blood.

“Hey, beautiful,” he spoke holding something behind his back.

“Hey yourself, stranger,” I tried forcing a compelling smile on my face. I had missed him.

“Sorry I’m late, but I had to stop by and get you these,” he pulled a bouquet of white roses from behind him.

“They’re lovely,” I took them from him. “Thank you,” I spoke, looking him in the eye, hoping that he knew I meant it. A slight smirk passed over his face, suggesting that the act was no big deal. I took the roses to the kitchen to place them in water. As I sat the vase down, Grayson came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Do you have any idea how much I missed you?” He whispered against my ear.

“No,” I chuckled.

“I guess I’ll have to show you.”

Grayson started by nibbling on my ear. I tilted my head trying to welcome the act. When he started kissing down the side of my neck, his lips caressed the spot the cursed coin had been. I couldn’t help but wince even though his touch helped soothe the ache, it was still uncomfortable.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

He moved on to nibbling my shoulder. His fingers slipped under my shirt just ever so slightly, grazing my skin. In that moment, a moment that would normally be met with unquenchable lust, the night before came flashing back. Before I knew it, I had sped across the room like only a vampire could. My hand grasped my chest while the other gripped the wall. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. I felt like ice water was running through my veins.

“Gaby?” Grayson inquired, but I barely heard him over the pounding of my heart in my ear.

He moved quickly grabbing a paper bag from the kitchen. Rushing over to me, he placed the bag over my mouth, helping me gain control over my breathing. As it started to normalize, I let my eyes glance at him. Worry and fear covered his face. I had hoped that I would be able to lose myself in him like I always had since I met him, but this time was different. I had no idea how to explain what had just happened, or rather why it had. I still didn’t want to burden him or give him another thing to worry about.

“Gaby…?” he began.

“I’m sorry,” were the only words that escaped my lips before the tears started flowing. Grayson lifted me into his arms and I burrowed into him as much as I could. Even now, he was still my comfort.