"Safe for the moment. But, if you plan to keep her that way, I suggest you come to me—alone. If I so much as whiff another being, she's dead. I'll enjoy ripping her limbs from her body and picking the flesh from her bones.” He licked his lips for emphasis.
"You're a monster,” I said through clenched teeth.
"Tsk. Tsk. You are no different than me. You just hide behind domestic guises."
"If you harm her, I swear I'll—"
"You'll what, little
Vanator
?” He laughed, egging me on.
"I'll kill you,” I threatened. I didn't know how, but I would.
"You make such threats. ‘Tis a shame you can't follow through."
The truth of his statement hit me right in the solar plexus. I clenched my hands into fists. I wouldn't allow him to psych me out. Not now. “Go to hell."
"As much as I enjoy your company, I must be on my way. I have
guests
to attend to."
He shifted into a bat and flew off, his laughter trailing after him.
I snatched the keys from the ground and unlocked Mandy's car, then threw in her stuff. I had to get to Mandy and fast.
The night was quiet and eerily calm as I approached the outer entrance of the cave. Nothing stirred, not even a bat. No breeze, no rustle of leaves, no chirping crickets—nothing. It was crazy silent and more than disturbing.
A deep foreboding crept across my skin like the caress of death. I knew I probably wouldn't make it out alive, but I had no choice. Mandy needed me, and I wouldn't abandon her. Even if it cost me my life.
After taking my flashlight from my back pocket and clicking it on, I crept down the steep incline that led into the cave. I'd have to thank my dad for making me keep a ‘safety kit’ in the car. Without a light, I'd never have found my way down into the cave, even with my heightened vision.
The gate had been cracked open as if they anticipated and more than welcomed my appearance. Of course they knew I'd come. Constantine had taunted me into making an appearance. He held my best friend captive and threatened to rip her limbs from her body and feast upon her carcass. I prayed Mandy wouldn't do anything stupid. If she'd just keep her mouth shut and let me deal with it, she'd be fine. They didn't want her. They wanted
me
.
The gate creaked as I slipped through the opening, shattering the unnatural silence. I sucked in a breath, knowing I had just announced my presence like a huge neon sign. So much for taking them by surprise.
As usual, the horrid screeching in my head started as soon as I entered the Introductory Room. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to accustom myself to the invasion.
"Fill the dark void in my soul,” I whispered, hoping my passwords would repel any evil and protect me.
My mark heated and my pendant vibrated. I had no idea what effect my words would have in this situation, but I figured it couldn't hurt.
The echoes in my head intensified. Pain shattered through my brain. I dropped to my knees, the flashlight crashing to the ground, and cradled my head in my hands. Acid settled in the back of my throat and I gagged. I swallowed hard, trying to keep from hurling due to the unbearable torment. I must have really ticked them off to provoke such a reaction.
Mental note—don't do that again.
I guess I'd have to rely on something other than my secret passwords. When the screeching subsided to a tolerable level, I stood and tried to collect myself. No time to fall apart. I picked my light back up. It flickered, then went off, leaving me in darkness. With hardly any light filtering into the cave, even my vampire vision couldn't make up for the complete black-out. Trying not to panic, I smacked the flashlight against my palm. It flickered again and stayed on. I exhaled, releasing a slow relieved breath.
I followed the path toward the Crap Room, instinct and experience telling me that's where they waited for me.
You just can't keep away from me, can you?
"Constantine, it's always a pleasure.” I gritted my teeth.
Oh, you have no idea what pleasure is, but I'd be happy to show you.
"Where's Mandy, you ass?"
Tsk. Tsk. Such language. She's fine as long as you do what I tell you.
"I'm here, aren't I? Now, where is she?"
Follow your instincts, little Vanator.
Laughter rang throughout the hollow area, bouncing from one side to the other in creepy stereo. Constantine derived great pleasure from teasing me, but I'd get the last laugh. This I promised myself ... and Mandy.
I entered the Crap Room unsure of what I'd find. The soft flicker of hundreds of candles lit the area, casting shadows against every wall. I turned off my light and tucked it back into my pocket. I needed both my hands free. No telling what Constantine had in mind.
Trussed like a pig to the slaughter with bright pink duct tape, Mandy lay belly down next to the huge flowstone formation, her eyes wide with fear. She twisted her head, signaling for me to look up. I slowly lifted my head.
Hundreds of bats clustered above. One by one, they dropped from the ceiling, morphing into humanoid looking creatures. They appeared like a bag of microwave popcorn exploding everywhere. Before long, they completely surrounded me.
Only two bats remained hanging from the ceiling. Apparently, they waited for their grand entrance. No doubt one of them was Constantine.
No one paid the least attention to Mandy—a good sign. All gazes concentrated on me.
One of the bats dropped, landing directly in front of me, and turned into Constantine. He smiled, revealing long, pointed fangs, then licked his lips as his glance roamed my body from top to bottom.
I repressed a shudder. No way would I give the bastard the satisfaction of knowing how he affected me. His smile grew wider as if he knew my thoughts.
"Welcome, little
Vanator.
So glad to have your esteemed self amongst us lowly
Liliacs."
He bowed, mocking me.
One side of my upper lip automatically curled in distaste. He walked around me, closing in the circle with each pass. Hot fetid breath spread across my skin. He stopped directly behind me, allowing me to feel his body heat seep into mine. He brushed my hair aside and nuzzled my neck, seeming to inhale my scent. Grabbing me around my waist, he pulled me against his hard body. A wet tongue snaked out and licked along my throbbing pulse.
I jerked around, pulling free of his hold, and cracked him across the face with my open palm. “Don't you dare touch me, you bastard."
He laughed. “That's not going to be possible. See, you belong to me. I will touch you when and how I choose.” All amusement left his expression.
"You do and you may draw back a nub,” I threatened.
"And how, pray tell, do you plan to do that?” He motioned around us, indicating all the other
Liliacs
standing guard. “You going to take us all out?” A cacophony of laughter echoed his amusement.
I lifted my lips into a slight smile. “No, just you."
All laughter stopped—like we had entered a vacuum of some sort—and all eyes firmly planted on me, mouths agape. I guess one didn't insult the mighty Constantine.
Not taking his blazing glance off me, he ordered, “Everyone get out. It seems the little
Vanator
wants some alone time with me. Make sure to closely watch the entrance. I don't want anyone or anything else getting in here."
In obvious confusion, the other
Liliacs
turned to each other looking for some insight to their leader's strange behavior.
"It wasn't a question to ponder. I said, get out,” he yelled. “Don't make me tell you again."
As quickly as the room had crowded earlier, it emptied, leaving me, Constantine, and Mandy alone in the Crap Room.
Not sure what to expect, I braced myself for the worst. Every nerve stood on alert, ready to react at the slightest provocation.
His expression softened. “Look, it doesn't have to be difficult. I don't want to hurt you. Consider joining us of your own free will, and everything will be fine."
Unable to process his words and the meaning behind them, I could only stare, my mouth open wide in shock.
He reached up and ran his long fingers down the side of my face and sighed. Instinct, not experience, told me it was desire that glistened bright in his eyes.
I stepped back, completely taken aback by his odd behavior. His hand fell to his side, but he continued to gaze into my eyes.
"I ... don't ... understand,” I managed to say.
"I want you as mine. Correction ... you
are
mine ... but I need for you to accept it and come to me willingly.” He started to reach out and touch me again, but stopped. “I want you to
choose
to be with me."
Glancing past Constantine, I caught a glimpse of Mandy working herself free of the pink duct tape. I quickly averted my gaze before he noticed where my attention centered.
"What does it matter to you if I come willingly or not? You plan to use me for the needs of your
clice
. I know what you're going to do ... try to do. You just want my blood. You need me."
He needed me to come to him willingly, so he could access my powers. I knew his purpose. Not that it would do him any good, because even I didn't know how to access my powers.
He grabbed me by the arms, desperation coloring his expression. “No, that's just it. I want more than your blood.” He hung his head. “I want you."
"For what?” I asked before thinking.
He lifted his head and released the pressure on my arms, his features softening into sincere need. “For my
lifemate
. You're so different than any other of our kind. You don't cower before me. Or seem to fear me. It's refreshing."
I scrunched my eyes and shook my head repeatedly from side to side. He wasn't making any sense at all. One moment he's vicious and disgustingly vile, then the next he's ... vulnerable and tender. He must be trying to throw me off—to take me by surprise. But, there was that something in his eyes that told me I might be wrong. That he meant what he said.
"I'm sixteen. And you're ... you're ... not sixteen, and you're my enemy. My
clice
expects me to help wipe out your
clice
. What do you expect? Is this some kind of
Romeo and Juliet
joke at my expense?"
"It's no joke. I think we could be good together. You would never want for anything. I could show you such things that would set your wild spirit free."
"I can't leave my
clice.
It's not an option. Besides, how could you even expect me to care for you? After all you've done to me, to my friend?” Oh, God! I didn't mean to draw attention to Mandy. I had to keep his attention on me. “You are evil incarnate. I could never be with you."
His puppy dog eyes now blazed red. Powerful vibrations ripped through me as his anger exploded. “I'm evil, huh? You could never be with
me
? What about your little
boyfriend
?"
"What about him?” Had he done something to Ryan, too?
"You didn't seem to mind
his
evil nature.” He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me roughly against him, knocking the breath from my lungs. “You didn't even mind his evil lips as they covered yours.” He sneered down into my face. “What else did his evil self do to you?"
I brought my hands up between our bodies and pushed hard against his chest. “You aren't making any sense. Let go of me."
"Oh, I'm not making any sense? Why don't you ask your
boyfriend
. I'm sure he'll love to fill you in."
The last bat still clinging to the ceiling—the one I had completely forgotten about—dropped and morphed into ... Ryan.
The breath whooshed from my lungs like a sucker punch to the gut—deflated, an empty shell of leftover betrayal.
He's a
Liliac
.
My stomach roiled and threatened to spew its contents. How could I be so stupid?
"Let her go,” Ryan demanded.
Constantine responded by squeezing me tighter. “Oh, good, you're here. Now, you can explain to her exactly what you are."
"You're a
Liliac
,” I spat out in disgust.
"Something tells me she's not happy with the news. Tsk. Tsk.” Constantine chuckled low in his throat. “You accepted him with no problem, so you should have no problem accepting me."
"I said, let her go.” Ryan stepped forward, his stance wide and threatening.
Constantine released me and turned toward Ryan. “I suggest you lose the tone with me. You're not exactly on good terms with the
clice
. All it would take is one word from me and you're ... dead.” He smiled, showing his elongated fangs. “So is your family. And we could start with your little sister. The blood of an innocent is ever so tasty. Wouldn't you agree?"
Ryan balled his fingers into tight fists and started to lunge for Constantine, then stopped. His chest heaved and his eyes glowed an eerie golden yellow. Fangs appeared, pushing into the soft flesh of his full lips.
Oh, my God! He really was a vampire and from the
Liliac clice
. No denying it now, but my mind couldn't handle the revelation.
Ryan was one of them.
In my peripheral vision, I noticed Mandy had freed herself from the tape and had begun to crawl away from the flowstone. I had to keep the attention off of her, so I slowly started backing away from the soon to be full out confrontation between Ryan and Constantine.
An arm snaked out and grabbed me by the wrist. I yelped in surprise.
"You're not going anywhere. You belong to me,” Constantine snarled under his breath.
Ryan grabbed my other wrist and yanked me from his grasp. “Leave her out of it."
"You seem to forget who I am. I give the orders. I could have you killed for much less."
"Then bring on your zombie goons and get on with it, because you can't do it yourself,” Ryan taunted. “Instead of fighting your own battles you send in a substitute to do your dirty work. In my book, that's a coward."