Bound Through Blood (12 page)

Rob and Salena were seated right away next to a huge fish tank, and Salena wondered if any of the fish were intended to be someone's dinner. She decided to order pork.

"So, are you feeling better?" Rob gave her an uneasy smile. "I know how upset you are about Jane. She talked about you all the time, so I figured you guys were close."

With all that had happened after the funeral today, Salena hadn't thought about Jane in a while. She didn't want to talk about her best friend with a stranger, though, and fresh tears sprung into her eyes. "Sorry, it's been a terrible day. I just hope they catch the guy responsible." She left it at that. She wasn't about to tell him about the other crazy things going on. The waitress had dropped off their drinks and two fortune cookies before taking their order. Salena was glad for the interruption to the uncomfortable conversation. Again, she wished she hadn't accepted his invite.

"Yeah, me too. Shall we see what our fortunes are?" Rob looked at her with childlike enthusiasm.

Salena mumbled, mostly to herself, "I've already seen it and it sucks."

"What?" Rob raised his eyebrows.

She shrugged, "Nothing." Nevertheless, she opened her cookie—it read, "Keep your eyes open to all possibilities." She crumpled it up and put it with her straw wrapper.

Rob didn't look too happy about his either; he read it to her. "Trouble is heading your way." He shrugged it off, "Whatever."

"Mine was dumb too," Salena agreed. She looked around the restaurant, trying to avoid conversation and eye contact. Why did she agree to go out with him? And, more importantly, how could she get out of it early? Just as she was thinking of a headache excuse, she saw their food coming—it figured she would pick a restaurant with fast service.

Devin, hidden among the other patrons, heard Rob's fortune and couldn't agree more; trouble was definitely heading the man's way. He was glad to see that Salena wasn't having a good time on her date, and he wished he could help her end it early. She should be there with him, not this character.

"So, how long have you known Jane?"

Salena put her fingertips to her temples, "I can't talk about her, Rob. It's just been too soon, and I'm not ready. It's just too hard to talk about. Can we go? I'm sorry, but I'm getting a migraine."

"Oh, sorry. Let me get the check," Rob stood up to find their waitress. There was an obvious look of disappointment on his face.

Salena felt bad for hurting his feelings; she could tell he was interested in her. She decided to tell him tonight that she just wanted to be friends. Then she wondered briefly, if he might be the one getting into her house. But that's absurd; Rob isn't a vampire.
Is he? Could Rob be a vampire? He isn't big enough, or attractive enough for that matter, to be the man from the phone booth.
The thought made her feel confused, terrified, and utterly helpless. So did believing in vampires. Who is the mysterious vampire, and how can she have both love and a vampire in her future? It is definitely an oxymoron.

Rob returned to the table and pulled her chair out for her. He'd brought her a container to wrap up her uneaten food, and while she put her leftovers away, he pulled a white daisy out of his pocket. "Sorry I meant to give this to you earlier," he told her sheepishly. I heard you like daisies.

"Thank you," she told him while grabbing her leftovers. "I think I have a new pet, a cat, who will like these leftovers." She didn't dare tell him about her new
boyfriend
.

Rob put his arm around her waist to escort her from the restaurant, and he was sure he heard a low growl from somewhere close by. Looking over his shoulder, he didn't see anyone suspicious though.

They headed out to the parking lot, and Salena shifted away from his hold.

Rob had the feeling that they were being followed, but when he looked around, he neither saw anyone leaving the restaurant nor going into it. As they walked toward his car, he told her, "Wow, it's really nice out tonight. Would you like to take a short walk?"

Salena thought about that, the fresh air might actually do her some good. "Sure."

Once again, Rob put his arm around her waist. And, once again, she pulled away. Now he was getting angry; she should not be so distant to him. He reached for her hand and took a firm hold on it. It felt cold and clammy, which he chalked up to nerves about the good night kiss. Again, he thought he heard a low growl somewhere close by. In fact, he was certain of it, and he couldn't stop from shuddering. Salena must've heard it too because she looked around them.

Salena wished he would stop trying to make contact with her. She didn't want to lead him on, and she didn't want to date him. She also wished whatever she heard growl would head in a different direction. Spotting a bench nearby, she decided this was a good time to break the news. She pointed it out, and he agreed to go sit with her.

Salena sat down first, and then he sat so close to her, she had to scoot away; this appeared to make him mad. She began, "Rob, I think you expect more from me than I am willing to give. I have too much going on in my life to think about a relationship right now." Then, after seeing a hopeful look still lingering on his face, she added, "Or to even think about dating right now. I would like to be friends, though."

"Oh, I see. I really like you though." He started to reach for her hand one more time, as a last effort, but she quickly pulled away, and then he was sure he heard a deep and terrifying growl from somewhere behind them. Once again, he looked around, but didn't see anyone or anything. Nevertheless, it was definitely time to leave. "Um, are you ready to go now, Salena?"

She nodded, and he led the way back to his car at a fast pace that she found difficult to keep up with.

Salena assumed his hurry was just from his embarrassment at her rejection, so she didn't say anything. She was ready to get far away from that growling noise anyway.

They reached his car in record time, and he was quiet all the way back to hers. She was glad to avoid uncomfortable conversation, but the silence was awkward too. She wondered how angry he was with her, and, at her car, she got her answer; Rob turned into a different person—one she didn't expect and one she didn't like.

"Look, why did you agree to go out with me if you didn't want to date me?" he demanded. Yes, he was definitely upset with her.

Startled, she jumped back a little. "I'm sorry, Rob, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"You led me on!" then, shocking her even further, he grabbed her and pressed his mouth to hers with painful force while grabbing her breasts with even more gusto.

"Stop it!" Salena struggled and tried to scream, but the sound was lost in his disgusting mouth. She could hear her top ripping, and her flesh was burning from his roaming, squeezing hands.

"You even dressed like a slut for me tonight; I know you want me."

"You're crazy!" she screamed just as he was forcing her jeans open against her struggling hands and her attempts to punch him. For a slender man, he was surprisingly strong. He slapped her and tried to climb on top of her in the small seat. She could feel her nose bleeding, and she could feel his erection pressing against her, which brought on a wave of nausea.

Just as he was undoing his pants, there was a loud sound of steel grinding against metal and a rush of air, then, the weight of Rob was suddenly gone. Not caring how, Salena clutched her torn top up over her exposed breasts, grabbed her purse, and fled. Once in her car, she sped down Esplanade Avenue like her life depended on it—and she was fairly certain it did.

Rob had no idea what was happening to him. One minute he was showing that tease, Salena, he had every intention of being more than her "friend," and the next minute, he feels like a train is running him over. He heard the crunching of steel, too, and then felt his limbs being ripped out of socket as he was flying through the air. He had no time to respond to the searing, fiery pain torturing his body as, over the sound of vicious growling and snarling, his bones were crushed, ligaments were torn, flesh was ripped, and his blood was spilling out. He couldn't see who or what was attacking him through his tear soaked eyes; he only knew his life was over, but he had no idea why. Finally, with one more torrid laceration, the torment ended and brought about the peaceful blackness of death.

Devin, still furious, shape-shifted into a black wolf and ran non-stop after Salena, who made it difficult for him to catch up. He was almost hoping Gabriel would show up tonight, too, so he could bring down his blazing wrath upon him as well—he almost got his chance.

Gabriel had finally found Salena again. He'd been amused to see she was dating a mortal instead of succumbing to his brother's charms; he must not be at the top of his game anymore. It was even more amusing when he watched the puny mortal man accost her. Then Devin had to show up and ruin it just as Gabriel was starting to have respect for that man.

He stayed to watch the punishment inflicted by Devin, which was unequivocally gruesome—just the way he, himself, liked it. He also watched Salena rush off. It was too bad, he thought, that the man didn't get to finish what he had started—maybe he should track her down and finish it himself—the wicked thought made Gabriel's lip curl up. Then again, a confrontation with Devin right now might not be wise. It would be in his best interest to try to surprise Devin when he isn't already enraged. Instead, he'd go scrounge up some entertainment and dinner. Sniffing the air, he found out he needn't travel far—he headed to a nearby park.

There was a young blonde sitting on the park bench, and she was playing around on her smart phone. "Good evening," he flashed her a smile.

Looking up at a gorgeous hunk of man, which were few and far between these days, the woman instantly smiled back. "Hi." Then she shyly looked away and went back to her phone.

Gabriel sat down next to her and made small talk before dining on her. He didn't have time for sex, even though she was an easy target for sure; he had to go check on Salena. She's, after all, the prize.

Salena ran up the stairs and unlocked the door with trembling hands. She couldn't help but keep looking over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't followed. What was into Rob and—though thankful he was gone—where did he go?

Inside the house, she locked the door and pushed a nearby chair in front of it. Her wrist was already hurting from fighting against Rob's attack, so moving furniture wasn't a big help for the pain, but whatever it takes to keep the maniac out. Of course, what about keeping a vampire out? How do you do that? Apparently, there wasn't a way; nonetheless, she ran through the house checking all of the windows and doors. Everything was locked except the upstairs basement door; she really needed to get that fixed, not that one more lock in an already locked home would keep him out. It suddenly occurred to her that perhaps the vampire was getting in through the pet door. No, he was too large to be able to do that. Still, grabbing the largest kitchen knife she could find, she headed slowly and softly down the steps—really wishing they didn't creak. The single light she had flipped on at the top of the stairs only dimly lit the musty basement. Until the other day with Officer Marx, Salena hadn't gone down there since January, and that was just to put Christmas decorations away. She had always thought basements were creepy, which is why she insisted on a house with an upstairs laundry room. Now, as quickly as possible, she checked the locks on the patio door and windows, which were all intact, leaving only the pet door. She looked at the small door, still wondering, and then pushed a heavy crate in front of it, which would have to do until she could board it up. As she climbed back up the stairs, she had the eerie feeling of being watched. She looked behind her but couldn't see anyone outside the windows or door. Brushing it off as nerves, she stepped into the kitchen and grabbed a chair to prop up under the basement door handle. She wasn't taking any chances. Then, desperately needing to unwind, she made some chamomile tea and drew a candlelight bubble bath—it was the perfect way to relax.

She'd grabbed her phone to call the police about Rob, but then thought she'd wait a day. He did run off, after coming to his senses; maybe he was just grief stricken over Jane, and her rejection was more than he could handle. She'd wait to see if he apologized. But she would never go anywhere with him again, that's for sure.

Devin watched Salena nervously biting her nails and checking her locked doors and windows; he felt hurt over her trauma. He also felt hurt because he knew she was trying to keep him out as well.

He almost wished she'd seen the punishment inflicted on Rob, to put her at ease. She'll find out justice was done soon enough, but would she know he was the one who saved her, and that he did it out of love?

He was surprised when she blocked the pet door, but it wouldn't be a problem; there was always a way in. Now, shape-shifted as a black crow, he was perched on her windowsill watching her take a bath. Her body was so beautiful silhouetted by the candlelight, which shadowed her in a mysterious way, while at the same time, gave Devin enough of a look at her body to make his blood burn with desire. His wings started flapping and hit the window making her jump up in the tub.

Salena wasn't sure what was outside her window, but she wasn't going to wait to find out; she grabbed her towel and quickly blew out the candles.

Once in her bedroom, she locked the door behind herself and dressed as quickly as possible. Then she hid under the covers—like that would really help. She lay there shivering, from her fear, and thought about Eric. She wished he were there to protect her; she'd always felt safe with him around. But could he even protect her from a vampire?

When her cell phone chimed from the nightstand next to her, Salena jumped out of the covers and her skin. It was Heloise. "Hello?" Salena answered, nervous as to why she would be calling.

"Salena, I had a vision of you in trouble. Are you okay?" there was a deep concern in her voice.

Salena sniffled then wailed, "I'm not sure what happened and I'm really scared! One minute this guy, Rob, was going to rape me, then suddenly he was gone, and I left as fast as I could. And just now, there was something outside my bathroom window. What is going on?"

Heloise replied calmly, at least as calmly as she could, "I'm not sure. I saw you in a pool of darkness, but then there was a light, and I could see the light covering the darkness, then there was nothing. I was hoping to hear your truelove has saved you from the blackness." The last part definitely had a hopeful tone.

Salena groaned—enough with the truelove nonsense—"I don't know what happened, he was just gone all of a sudden, and I didn't care how. I got the hell out of there and didn't look back!"

"I think your soul mate rescued you," Heloise replied in a soothing tone. "You must allow yourself to yield to him and your destiny. You saw it in the cards, Salena. You can't deny what is meant to be; love is going to find its way."

"No, you saw it and Madame Marietta saw it, and Madame Zoyla did too, while Marie Laveau saw danger. I just see a bunch of nonsense meant to scare people. Rob is a human being—not a vampire or some fictitious monster. Or at least I didn't think he was a monster." She was almost shouting at this point.

"There is still that shadow to reckon with, Salena. That is the danger Marie Laveau warned you about, but trust your truelove to protect you from it. That's what my vision says to me—at all cost, he will protect you."

"A vampire will protect me? From what? The Easter Bunny?" Salena was shouting at this point. In fact, she sounded much like a stubborn child throwing a tantrum. She was embarrassed by her own behavior, but everyone had to admit—believers or not—this was all ridiculous.

Patiently Heloise bid her good night assuring her that, "all shall be revealed soon, my dear, so take heart you are safe now." The phone clicked and there was silence.

Salena set the phone back down and lay in her bed trying to close her eyes, which proved difficult—especially since she left her bedside lamp on, but there was no way she was turning it off. She kept looking around the room—in the corners, at the curtained window, at her locked bedroom door, at the closet door, which she'd tied shut with a scarf—until, finally, her eyes got too heavy, and she drifted off.