Crimson Rush A Vampire Romance (Crimson Book 1) (14 page)

The vampire inside was just Marcus.

I had to keep reminding myself of that fact, or I’d never have the courage to open the coffin. Taking a deep breath, I placed my hands on the lid and lifted slowly. With the coffin only partly open, I couldn’t see much, but as the lamplight chased away the shadows within, I saw a deathly pale face - Marcus’s face.

At first I was frozen with fear, and then an overwhelming sense of sadness crept into my heart.

He was truly dead.

It was the first time this part of the vampire reality had managed to make its way into my head.

He looked no different than some of the bodies you’d see in a morgue. His lips were thin and nearly as pale as the rest of his face. His bare chest was also pale; not smooth and sexy as it had been last time I saw him shirtless.

There was no hint of life at all. What had once been Marcus, was now only a hollow corpse. 

I reached out to touch his face, but stopped just before my hand made contact with his skin.

What kind of monster would he be if I woke him prematurely from death’s slumber?

Again, I thought of Max and it was enough to spur me on. At first I softly brushed his cheek with my fingers, but there was no reaction.

Gently, I laid my hand on his face. Still there was nothing, no breathing - no eye movement. By all rights, he was actually dead.

Gasping, I backed away when his eyes opened without warning, startling me. Though he remained motionless, he stared up at me with eyes that radiated the unnatural light of the Immortal.

I would have screamed if I hadn’t have been in shock.

When I’d recovered enough to think, I managed to move a few steps further from the coffin, just as he sat up.

Growling, he pulled back his thin lips to reveal fangs - fangs that could be as deadly as they looked.

This had been such a stupid idea!

Marcus swung his head around to stare in my direction. The ravenous hunger I saw in his gaze, sent shards of fear straight into my heart.

Spinning on my heels, I made a dash for the crawl space, but no way was I fast enough.

Before I’d managed to take one step, he flew from the coffin and tackled me to the ground.

I tried to roll away from him, but was only able to get onto my back, which put me in a worse position. Now I had exposed the artery in my neck.

His eyes grew brighter. Growling, he went for my throat.

“Marcus! No!” I screamed.

He stopped, hesitating just long enough for recognition to break through his hunger. Jumping away from me, he yelled. “Get out of here!”

I didn’t have to be told twice. Before the last word left his mouth, I was already on my feet and running for the crawlspace, but his screams of agony stopped me dead in my tracks.

I chanced a look over my shoulder, and was stunned by what I saw.

Marcus was doubled over in obvious pain. I saw blood running from his ears and eyes.

“What’s wrong?” I cried.

He shook his head. “I said go.” His voice was weak, barely a whisper.

I was torn between my human instinct for self-preservation, and the need to help him. There was no way of telling if it was my Christian upbringing to be charitable, or my almost uncontrollable need to end his pain, but something pushed me to go to his side.

Withering in agony, he fell to the ground and curled up into a fetal position.

“What is it Marcus? What can I do?” I asked, kneeling beside him.

“Go.” The low growl tore from his throat.

I shook my head. “Let me help you.”

“I must feed,” he groaned.

I looked around the room, hoping there might be a fridge with a blood bag handy, but there was nothing.

“I’ll go get Aaron,” I told him.

He gave no response. Instead he went into convulsions.

Now I was really worried. I had no idea what you did for a vampire that went into convulsions.

I owed him and I knew it. The least I could do was return the favor.

Wincing, I held out my arm so that he could feed from me.

When he stopped trembling, he pushed my arm away. “I may kill you,” he said, his voice so hoarse it was difficult to understand his words.

As stubborn as I am, once I make up my mind about something, it’s hard to sway me in another direction. I put my wrist to his mouth.

This time I was prepared for the pain of fangs sinking into my flesh. It was his voracious hunger that alarmed me. As he fed, I felt as if I were spiraling through a dark tunnel. I saw no light at the end of that tunnel.

The wild terror that ran through me in that moment was overwhelming.

Hadn’t Luke told me that the experience could be different, depending on the vampire that was doing the feeding?

As quickly as the memory of Luke’s words entered my thoughts, I was no longer in the tunnel. I was lying on a bed of snow with Marcus staring down at me. His eyes were beautiful, like shining sapphires. I could feel his breathing, and the beat of his heart, but what surprised me the most, was that I could feel his body heat.

He wasn’t dead!

The vision faded and I was now looking at the vampire Marcus. His color had returned to normal, but there were still droplets of my blood on his chin. I reached up and wiped the blood away.

Marcus grabbed my hand and held it in his. Leaning into me, his lips covered mine and as his tongue explored my mouth, I could still taste my blood.

I knew I should pull away, but it was as if my brain were no longer in control. Now it was my soul that was in control, and it was that part of me that thirsted for his kiss - his touch.

His lips left my mouth and set a trail of fire, as he kissed his way to my neck.

I found myself imprisoned by the weight of his body and my growing arousal. A groan escaped my lips when I felt his cool hands slip beneath my shirt and bra, to roam intimately over my breasts.

“I want you and I don’t care who you belong to,” he growled in my ear.

As badly as I wanted to voice my own need, I couldn’t find the words. Instead, I let my hands glide over his broad back.

My common sense had dwindled to next to nothing. I was now a woman possessed by an all-consuming need I couldn’t even begin to understand. I knew what lust was, and what I was feeling went far beyond primal instinct.

“Well aren’t we in a compromising position?” It was Grace’s sugar coated voice.

The spell was broken.

Marcus rolled away from me. That’s when I saw Grace sitting up in her coffin, watching us like she’d just been witness to a delectable scandal.

It took a minute for my mind and body to recover from what I’d just experienced with Marcus, but as soon as I could, I jumped to my feet.

“I have to talk to Marcus. That’s why I woke him,” I told her, hoping that we could just skip over the making out and foreplay she’d just witnessed.

I needn’t have worried. Grace completely ignored me and looked over at Marcus. “You are looking much better now. Did you manage to find a feeder with blood that doesn’t make you ill?”

It slowly dawned on me why Marcus had appeared so dead, and why he’d attacked me. It wasn’t just that I’d woken him, but that he hadn’t been feeding.

Marcus’s eyes locked with mine, sending me a silent warning. “I did, and yes I’m feeling much better.”

“I told you it wasn’t anything serious,” Grace said with a shrug of her shoulders. “But y’all are making so much ruckus … I’m not going to look my best tonight.”

“Go back to sleep,” he told her. “Everything is fine.”

Her lips spread into a wicked smile. “Yes I saw that. Luke won’t miss your scent on her. That should be fun to watch.”

“Go back to sleep Grace.” This time his voice held a note of warning.

Grace disappeared into the coffin and the lid closed.

I wasn’t foolish enough to think we could now talk freely, so I said nothing.

Marcus motioned with his head to go through the crawlspace, which is exactly what I did. He followed behind me.

When we were in the outer room, he pulled me into his arms and started kissing me again. This time I didn’t allow myself to lose my head. I brought up one hand and gently pushed him back.

“What did she mean about blood that doesn’t make you ill?” I asked.

“It’s nothing,” he brushed aside my question. “But I’d like to kiss you at least once more,” he told me.

I couldn’t let myself go there again, so I ignored his words. “I need to ask you for something.”

He studied me thoughtfully for a moment. “Okay, tell me what it is I can do for you,” he said.

“I found out that Max may be some kind of werewolf or shifter … and that only the blood of an old vampire can cure him. Luke says you’re the oldest vampire around here. Will you try?”

He stared at me, his eyes thoughtful - speculative. “Right now we are even, but if I do this … you will owe me. What do you think I want most from you?”

I shook my head. “You know it’s not right.”

He brushed my cheek with his finger, his touch almost unbearable in its gentleness. “But you want it too.”

There was no way I could look him in the eyes and outright lie.

I did want him!

His kiss had awakened something in me that others had only scratched the surface of, but how could I trust my heart to someone, who would shatter it?

“Please.” It was the only thing I could think of to say, but my lack of denial was a dead giveaway.

Now he knew what his touch could do to me, though there was little doubt that he’d known before. After all, he’d given me his blood. He would always know how I felt.

Dipping his head, he said. “As you wish … but I will call on a favor in return … at some point.”

It was the best I could ask, considering I had nothing to bargain with but my body, which just happened to come along with my heart. I couldn’t risk that.

A convoy of vehicles followed behind my cousin’s truck. It was a bit crowded with Dusty, Basile and myself packed in the cab of the truck like sardines, but it was easier than driving three vehicles. 

Dusty turned off the highway onto a dirt road. By now I knew we were headed for the Springs - the same springs that gave the town of Cookson Springs its name.

Near the springs there was a large clearing that was frequently used by local teens as party central. Tonight there was a bonfire burning in the clearing, and there would be a party, but not quite the same kind of party usually held at the Springs.

The clearing was already becoming crowded with people. It was a little strange that I suddenly seemed to have so many friends and relatives. If I had to take a wild guess, I’d say that half the town was there.

A large canopy had been erected with folding chairs and tables placed beneath it. Balloons of almost every color were tied to the poles and chairs.

Turning to Uncle Basile, I asked, “Why here? And who are all these people?”

“They’re just a few acquaintances from town. We set our sights on the Springs for your party, on account of the legends about its powers. Thought it be a fitting place to have your special party.”

I had already gotten out of the truck and was trying to smooth my outfit. It wasn’t fancy, just a pink sundress and sandals, but then again, I hadn’t expected so many guests. “Why is this birthday so special?” I asked.

Uncle Basile stretched, groaning as he did. “Well this birthday be special on account of your Great Aunt Astor Lavelle is gonna be here. This is your big twenty-five birthday right?”

I nodded. “But …”

I was rudely interrupted by an old woman wearing a long black dress, with matching feathers tucked tightly in her bun of gray hair. “Look at you child! You are just as beautiful as I imagined.”

“Let me guess. Great Aunt Astor … right?”

“Of course.  I know we’ve never met, but I couldn’t miss your big day,” she said, hooking her arm in mine so she could guide me to the canopy.

Coming to a sudden halt, I forced her to stop. “Wait a minute here! I keep hearing about this being some kind of special birthday, but I don’t have a clue what y’all are talking about. Last I checked … turning twenty-five isn’t that big a deal.”

Astor raised her index finger, motioning me to stop. “Unless you are a Lavelle witch … born during the Harvest Moon - with a ring of blood around it,” she responded, before adding. “In that case your twenty-fifth birthday means you have reached the zenith of your power. Now you are the most powerful witch among the Lavelles. There hasn’t been another like you for the last two hundred years.”

Well who was I to argue with these people. If they wanted to think I was some kind of all-powerful witch, I wasn’t going to set them straight. At least I was getting a mega cool birthday party out of it, but I sure did wish I had some of that power they kept talking about.

Without further resistance, I let the old Aunt lead me to the canopy. The setup was lavish compared to what I was used to for my birthdays. Usually it was banana splits in the morning, an afternoon swim in the creek, then cake and ice cream with friends and family.

For this birthday there were dozens of people and a table full of gifts. Instead of the usual quarter-sheet cake from the supermarket, it was a large round cake, topped with white frosting and sparkling sugar. The sugar really did seem to sparkle, as if it were magically charged.

So this year I got a moon cake. That was interesting. Instead of a MoonPie, which was a favorite of mine, I was getting a moon cake.

Looking around I saw that there were a few people I knew. Andrea and Jacob from Westland’s was there, and Justice too. What the heck was my prom date doing at my birthday party?

That was just irritating.

“So who are all these folks?” I asked Astor.

“They are the descendants of the original Coven of Luna. This is everyone’s special day … not just yours,” she informed me.

“How’s that?” I asked, not so sure I wanted to share my special day with so many people.

“When a Moon Witch is born, she or he brings good fortune and power to the entire coven.”

Suddenly I felt like a good luck charm, instead of the birthday girl.

“Come on,” Astor said, as she was grabbing my hand. “This is the most important part. After we take care of business, it will be all fun and games.”

This time I didn’t resist as she was dragging me along behind her. We were headed in the direction of the springs, which is where everyone was gathering. I felt a little left out of the inner circle, seeing how everyone seemed to know what was happening before I did.

This wasn’t something new. In fact, being left out was the pattern lately. Everyone had known I was a Moon Witch before I did. Just like they’d known about the vampires.

There was a stone altar next to the springs. As we approached it, Astor motioned for me to kneel in front of the altar. Although I was completely unsure of what to expect, I did as she wanted.

It couldn’t be too bad, I reasoned. Basile would never allow it.

Astor stood on the other side of the altar. The crowd became silent as she began speaking in a strange language that almost sounded Latin. Holding a wreath of moonflowers in her hands, she lifted them to the sky.

As she did this, she said some more strange words and the crowd began to chant, “The power of the one, is the power of the many.”

Astor leaned down and placed the wreath of flowers on my head.

There was no warning of what was about to happen. One minute the clearing was illuminated by nothing more than dancing firelight, and the next minute, night became as light as day. The clearing was bathed in the most amazing - glowing moonlight I’d ever seen. As I was covered head to toe with its magical silver light, I felt my skin tingle. I was completely submersed in the moon’s mystical energy - a power that I had not really believed in, until that moment.

It was all very enchanting and wonderful, up until the instant I felt the fear crawling up my spine. The clearing filled with misty black smoke, so thick I thought I would choke.

Murky fingers of darkness reached out to caress me - coaxing me to succumb to its alluring chill. It was alive, and it was everywhere. As I breathed, the darkness crept into my mouth - my nose - into every fiber of my being.

Suddenly, the shadows oozed a strange - rhythmic chanting that slowly morphed into music. It was a haunting music - music that pulsated through my skull, taking possession of me until I became one with that strange - seductive melody.

A soft - alluring voice seemed to come from everywhere, but yet it was nowhere. His words of eternal darkness and merciless torment, wrapped around me like a blanket - tempting me to plunge further into the darkness of my soul.

The dense - black mist slowly gave way, revealing a sinister figure. At first I could only make out his bare chest and the locks of golden hair around his face and shoulders.

When he lifted his head to look at me, I found myself staring into the eyes of immortality. Those beautiful - radiant eyes promised sinful pleasure that went far beyond my wildest dreams, but there was something else in those eyes, something so ominous that it shook me to the core. I saw hunger - unrelenting hunger that wouldn’t stop until it had consumed the very essence of my being.

They were Marcus’s eyes!

Just as my brain began to grasp at the fact that it was Marcus I was seeing, everything changed. Suddenly, I was in someone else’s body. I could see what they were seeing - feel what they were feeling.

As the scene before me unfolded, I became my ancestress. I could see through her eyes, but at the same time, it was as if I were watching the scene unfold from some distant place.

Shaking with rage, Adriana stared down at the lifeless body of her youngest daughter. “Foolish girl!” she screamed, blind to everything but the pain of her loss, and the fury eating away at her soul.

How many times had she warned Cassandra to stay away from them?

If only the girl would have listened.

Tears of anguish sprang to her eyes, blurring the horrific image of her baby’s pale face. Not a drop of blood remained in her daughter’s body. They’d drained her dry.

Lifting her eyes to the moon, Adriana summoned its power.

“Dea lunae. Affer mihi vindictam. Ut malediceres lamia et mala sanguinem belli in aeternum infundatur.”

The Latin incantation rolled from her tongue - shattering the silence like thunder on a hot summer night.

As Cassandra’s yearning for love destroyed her, so too would the vampire’s yearning for the witch’s blood.

The vampire would be cursed with an insatiable craving for the witch’s blood, until it drove him to madness.

Any witch who dare give her heart to the vampire - will know true darkness of the soul. Any vampire that would seduce a Lavelle Witch will perish without her blood. He will kill to possess her - die without her, and bring to her soul only darkness and suffering. That would be the punishment to the witch and vampire who dare reach for a love forbidden.

“You have been warned!” Adriana’s ghostly voice echoed in my head as the vision faded.

Startled, I looked around as if I’d just woken from some strange nightmare. Everyone was staring at me in expectation.

I remained silent. What I’d seen in my vision wasn’t something I could explain. It wasn’t even something I understood.

A low murmuring of voices filled the night air, but soon the tone changed to cries of alarm. Still on my knees in front of the altar, I looked around to see if I could discover what all the fuss was about.

It didn’t take long. As soon as the people began to scatter, I knew what was wrong.

Marcus was standing in the clearing - his eyes fixed on me. The stricken look on his face was not just unsettling, but downright frightening. I’d never seen him look so shocked.

“You are not welcome here vampire!” It was Astor’s tough as steel voice.

His smile was menacing, especially after his fangs were fully extended. “Your power is no match for me witch!”

Astor lifted her hand, extending it toward Marcus. There was no telling if she did have the power to overcome a thousand year old vampire or not, but I didn’t really want to find out.

Jumping to my feet, I yelled, “Don’t! He’s my friend … and my employer.”

Astor stared at me in stunned astonishment. “You can’t be serious?”

Nodding, I told her, “He is my friend, so please … let’s keep this civil.”

Without waiting for her reply, I turned my attention to Marcus, who was still staring at me, as if I were some kind of poisonous snake.

“The Moon Witch,” he muttered in a voice so low, I almost didn’t hear his words.

“I’m surprised you didn’t know … everyone else seemed to.”

Marcus recovered quickly from whatever had shaken him. “Not half as surprised as I am, though I guess I shouldn’t have been,” he said.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked, drawing my brows together.

Ignoring my question, he turned to look behind him, motioning to someone who had been waiting, just out of reach of the firelight.

Max stepped forward. When I saw him, tears of relief and joy sprang to my eyes. He looked just like the old Max, right down to the beanie hat on his head.

“Max!” I called out, rushing into his waiting arms. “You’re okay now?”

He nodded. “Thanks to Marcus … and you for figuring it out,” he said with a hint of a smile.

I knew he was talking about my dream. He was aware of the contact we’d had while I was in a dream state.

Turning back to Marcus, I said, “Thank you so much.”

When he smiled at me, there was a spark of eroticism that sent my pulse racing. “It is my parting gift to you.”

With that he turned to leave, but stopped suddenly to look back at me. “Oh and happy birthday Moon Witch.”

“Wait!” I called after him, but he’d already disappeared into the night.

Was he saying goodbye?

Just the thought of never seeing him again, made me feel as if my heart were as heavy as lead.

* * *

Time passed slower than molasses during a January freeze. The birthday celebration was awesome, but I really wanted to spend some time with Max, though that wasn’t my only reason for being impatience. I also wanted to find Marcus, and ask him what he meant. No sooner had the last guest pulled out of my yard, and Max pounced.

“Star Lavelle … have you been smoking too much dope?” he asked, pulling his beanie down closer to his eyes. A habit of his when he was feeling particularly agitated.

Confused, all I could do was stare at him.

“That vampire … the one who gave me his blood. You’re all hot for him. What the hell is wrong with you? He’s a vampire!”

Shocked, my mouth fell open.

Damn that Max!

He seemed to be able to pick up on my feelings faster than I did.

Max shook his head. “Falling for a vampire. Don’t you think that’s a little bizarre?”