Awakened (Vampire Awakenings) (24 page)

“I don’t know.”

“You’re not being helpful!”

“I don’t see you putting forth any ideas!” he retorted sharply.

“We’re not going to figure it out now,” Doug intervened. “And he will shred us to pieces if we even try to interfere.”

“Yes, he will,” Mike said softly.

“Maybe it just needs to work itself out,” Jack muttered.

“Well it’s going to have too, or he’s going to lose it, and the consequences of that will be devastating. Come on, let’s go.”

They followed Mike out of the kitchen and into the living room. Candles had been set out around the room. Their tiny flames cast shadows over the walls and added a cozy aura of warmth to the room. Kathleen and Sera were pulling the cushions off the couches and plopping them around the coffee table. They settled in as Danielle began to shuffle and deal out the cards. “Five card draw,” she announced. “Nothing wild.”

Sera poured herself a glass of peach tree schnapps and orange juice. Everyone gathered drinks and sat back to stare at their cards. Liam slipped his hand onto her leg and squeezed her thigh.

Liam stared silently at his cards as everyone laughed and joked around him. His thoughts were tumultuous and wild. He was tumultuous and wild. He couldn’t get a handle on himself. Sitting this close to Sera, he could smell her temptingly sweet blood; hear it pounding in her veins. He had always been able to smell blood, and hear it, but not like this. Before, he had always been able to shut it out. Before, it had never pulsed inside of him in an answering rhythm that enhanced his hunger. It had never called to him like this.

It took every ounce of control he had not to take her again. Not to brand her again.

Time seemed to drag at an excruciating pace. Every second was pure torture. His hands tightened upon his cards. Sera placed her hand on his thigh and gently stroked his leg. He shifted slightly as he instantly became hard. Seizing hold of her hand, he forced it to remain still. The smile she sent him was completely knowing, and utterly enticing.

“Witch,” he murmured.

“Yep,” she agreed happily.

“Okay,” Kathleen announced. “Let’s see what we’ve got.”

He laid his cards on the table as a knock on the door resounded through the living room. “I’ll get it,” Sera volunteered as she hopped to her feet. She had already lost most of her change, and she knew that she stood no chance of regaining it.

“Who the hell could that possibly be?” Kathleen pondered as she scooped her winnings up, again.

Liam turned to watch as Sera disappeared into the foyer. The minute she stepped out of his sight, he wanted to go and make sure that she was safe. “Hi,” she greeted. “Sure, come on in, you must be freezing. Have you been out there all day?” 

“Yeah,” a girl replied. “I got lost. I just found this place again.”

“That’s awful,” Sera said. “Come on in, we were just playing a game. I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

Liam frowned as he stood slowly. There was something familiar about the girl’s voice. Mike, Jack, and Doug rose as Sera entered the room, followed by a small girl. Liam’s heart began to jack hammer rapidly, the breath froze in his lungs as he gaped in disbelief at the beautiful woman behind Sera. “Guys this is...”

“Beth,” Mike breathed, silencing Sera in mid-sentence.

“Hello everyone,” Beth said, a sly smile on her face. “Am I interrupting something? Dinner perhaps?”

Liam’s breath slowly returned to him. Jack and Doug remained frozen, staring in awe. Kathleen’s eyes were wide as she looked everyone over. Danielle stood beside her, her eyes narrowed as she stared intently at Beth. Beth moved slowly forward, scanning the room as she idly trailed her hand across the back of the couch.

“Nice place,” she said softly as she moved closer to Liam. “How are you doing Liam?”

Liam glanced over at Sera. She was only ten feet away, but it suddenly seemed like a mile. She stared at him in confusion, her eyes wide and startlingly violet in the candlelight. “You know each other?” Kathleen asked in disbelief.

“Yeah,” Mike said. “We do.”

“You could say that,” Beth responded as she glanced around the room. “I see you four are back together, but where’s David?”

Sera gasped as her hand flew to her mouth. Liam’s head snapped to her as panic flared through him. He took an instinctive step toward her as Beth turned toward her with gleaming eyes. “Who’s David?” Danielle asked.

“Just an old lover,” Beth replied lightly. “Like everyone else in this room.”

“Who the hell are you!?” Kathleen demanded. 

“Oh, I’m just an old friend, long forgotten.” Her eyes remained locked on Sera, her head tilted slowly to the side as she studied her. “Oh my,” she finally said as a slow grin spread over her face. “You’ve been tasted, and marked.”

Sera’s eyes widened slightly as she took a step back. Liam moved slowly and turned so that he faced Beth. “I can smell it on you. I can smell him on you.” Her eyes were filled with unbridled fury as she focused on Liam. “I never thought that I would see it happen, did you boys?” She began to circle the room as her gaze moved slowly over Mike, Doug, and Jack. “I never thought that Liam would settle down with someone, never mark his territory. But she does smell like you Liam, and her blood is very sweet. You reek of it.”

Liam’s eyes narrowed as his hands clenched into fists. He could feel the beast fighting to rip free. Beth was dangerous to all of them, but she was especially dangerous to Sera. “What do you want Beth?” His voice revealed his barely contained rage.

Beth’s eyes widened as she began to laugh. It was a clear, tinkling laugh that would have been beautiful if it wasn’t filled with ice. “I love it,” she hissed.

Liam glared at her as she smiled sweetly. She looked slowly away from him and back to Mike, Doug, and Jack. “Hello boys, how have you been?”

Doug looked extremely uncomfortable, but Jack and Mike glared at her. “Fine Beth,” Mike grated out. “You?”

“Oh, I’ve been better.”

“I don’t know what’s going on,” Kathleen said. “And I have a feeling that I don’t want too, but I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“So soon!” Beth cried in mock indignation. “No, I don’t think so. These guys owe me, and they’re going to pay up. Especially since I’m so hungry.”

“Well,” Sera said as her eyes locked on Beth’s. “There’s chicken and rice in the kitchen. I’ll get you some, if you want.”

“You think you’re cute, don’t you?” Beth’s eyes narrowed angrily. “Well, I don’t. Don’t push me sweetie, I won’t be as gentle as Liam here.”

Sera’s chin tilted in indignation as her eyes flared. Beth let out a false, hateful laugh, and turned back to Liam. “You picked a live one, literally.” She spun back around to Sera and forced a smile to her face. “You remind me of me, and I don’t like that.”

“Neither do I,” Sera replied.

Beth started to move around the room again, looking intently around. “I really like this place, very nice. I could live here.”

“That’s nice to know,” Kathleen said. “But, I don’t care. As a matter of fact, I would really appreciate it if you left.”

“But I’m just getting to know everyone.” Beth walked closer to Mike, Jack, and Doug. “Then again, I already know you three. Created you, made you what you are, and how do you repay me? How do you thank me? You leave me that’s how.” She ran her finger gently along Mike’s chest as she walked past him and moved on to Doug. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m not mean, and I’m not ugly.” She trailed a finger across Doug’s chest as she continued to ponder aloud. “Maybe it’s just because of what I am. What do you guys think?” She asked Jack as her finger trailed over his chin.

“I’ll agree with that,” Kathleen said.

Beth turned to her and smiled. “Sweetie, you don’t know what you’re involved with here, but I would suggest keeping quiet before I rip your throat out,” she hissed coldly.

Kathleen took a frightened step back. “I think it’s time for you to leave,” Liam growled.

Beth laughed and walked back to him. “Oh Liam, trying to get rid of me again? Why? Is it because of her?” she asked as she nodded to Sera.

“It’s time to go.”

Beth’s eyes flashed red with fury. She was very close to losing it. “I’m not ready!” she spat. “I think I might even stay awhile, now that I’ve been invited. Know what I mean?”

Anger boiled inside of him as he clenched his fists tightly. “I know what you mean. I think you had better figure out what I mean when I say that it’s time for you to leave.”

“Do you boys want me to leave?” she called over her shoulder.

“We didn’t leave you because we wanted to be around you,” Jack replied.

Liam raised an eyebrow at her and let out a snort of laughter. “It doesn’t look like you’re wanted Beth.”

“I could have told you that,” Kathleen said coldly.

Beth’s eyes flashed again, and then she smiled. “Yes, but it was your lover that invited me in.” Her head tilted back to gaze at him as she stopped before him. There was a wealth of fury in her eyes as her hand rested on his chest. Hungry and ferocious, her gaze traveled slowly to Sera. The sight brought the beast within him surging to the front. “Ah, so it has begun,” she whispered.

Her words managed to suppress the monster within him. She knew what was going on, knew what was happening to him. “What has begun?” She grinned as her hand stroked his chest. He seized hold of it and squeezed painfully. Her eyes flared with pain as she struggled to pull free. “What has begun?” he demanded harshly.

She finally managed to rip her hand free. Her jaw clenched as her eyes burned a brilliant, blood red. Then, she smiled sweetly as she took a step closer to place her hands on his chest again. “I’ll never tell,” she taunted.

Liam shoved her back as rage ripped through him. Beth stumbled, regained her balance, and came up spitting. He braced himself for her attack, but it didn’t come. Instead, she took a deep breath, and smiled chillingly. “Get out of here!” he hissed.

“Yes, I think I will go,” she said softly. “But I will be back.” She turned to walk away. Liam launched forward to block Sera before Beth could get near her. Beth’s eyes blazed as he seized hold of Sera’s arms and pushed her firmly behind him. Mike and Doug moved forward to stand beside him, while Jack stood behind Sera.

“She’s dead, Liam. I will get her,” Beth hissed. “I’ll get the other two too.”

Her words ripped the beast out of him. His eyes blazed as his teeth instantly sprang forward. “I’ll kill you if you ever come near her again Beth. Do you hear me?”

Beth’s eyes widened slightly. “I’m older and stronger than you.”

“Not all of us though,” Mike said quietly.

Beth’s eyes flickered toward him before settling on Liam again. “I will get to her, and I will drain her dry.”

The room suddenly became a shade of red as the bloodlust tore from him. Sera’s hand seized hold of his arm as he surged forward. “Liam no!” she cried as she pulled him back. “Not here! Please!”

Mike and Doug moved swiftly forward. They were certain that there was going to be a bloodbath, certain that in his fury he was going to go after Sera, as well as Beth. Mike had never seen him so enraged, so far out of control. Jack seized hold of Sera’s shoulders, ready to rip her out of the way if Liam spun on her. They were all stunned when he froze in mid-launch, and took a shuddery breath to try and control himself. Beth’s eyes widened in surprise as her gaze flicked to Sera.

“Don’t even look at her!” he hissed.

Beth’s eyes flew back to his. “I’ll see you soon,” she vowed.

Liam’s jaw clenched but he made no move to go after her. Sera’s hand kept him grounded as it soothed the raging demon struggling to break free. Beth turned away from them and headed to the door.

Liam waited for it to open and close before turning to Sera. Fresh anger blazed through him at the sight of Jack’s hands upon her shoulders. “Get your hands off her!” he hissed.

Jack’s eyes widened as his hands fell limply to his sides. Sera tilted her head to look at him. There was a wealth of pain, confusion, and love blazing out of her. “Are you okay?” he demanded.

She nodded slowly as she stepped forward to wrap her arms around his waist and bury herself in the security of his chest. He enfolded her, drawing her tight. Slowly the beast within him began to ease as he clung to her. After a few moments he lifted his head to gaze at his friends. They stared at him in amazement, their eyes wide and their mouths slightly open.

He knew exactly how they felt, because he felt the same way. His control was slipping further and further away. Sera could reach him now, but he wasn’t sure that she would be able to reach him for much longer, and he didn’t want to think about what would happen if he lost complete control.

What if next time he turned on her in his rage? He couldn’t bear the thought of that happening, but even thinking about letting her go made him want to destroy everything around him. If the thought was enough to make him almost crazed, what would the reality do to him? He didn’t know what was going on, what was happening to him, but he knew that he had to figure it out soon, before it was too late. And Beth knew the answer.

“I want to know who that was, and what the hell is going on!” Kathleen demanded from the other side of the room. “And I want to know now!”