Hunger: Volume 4 (3 page)

I
pulled into the warehouse and turned my car off. There wasn’t much going on due
to the time. I just sat there trying to decide what my next move would be. I
kind of wondered if anyone here even wanted me around. They could all feel the
same way Aubrey did.

Colin
stepped out of the warehouse and walked toward his car. He hesitated when he
saw me. He changed direction and walked toward my car. I sighed and climbed out
of my car.

“I
thought you were on lock down,” he said watching me.

“I
was, but I couldn’t stay there any longer.” I didn’t want to elaborate. I
didn’t want to say out loud what Aubrey said. The memory alone hurt enough.

“Well
you can’t stay on the street. You can come home with me,” he said softly. He
obviously sensed I didn’t want to talk about it which was a relief.

“Or
she can come home with me, her maker,” Cornelius said appearing out of nowhere.

Colin
moved to stand between Cornelius and me. “Leave her alone. You might have made
her, but you don’t own her just like you don’t own me.”

Cornelius
smiled. “Lillian is special. She is going to stay with me. I suggest you step
aside.”

“You
know I will fight you until the end,” Colin growled stepping forward.

Cornelius
raised a knife and smiled. “Before you do, you should know something about your
precious little Lillian.”

 We
watched as Cornelius ran the silver blade across his palm. I cried out startled
and looked at my hand. There was a cut across my palm; a cut identical to the
one Cornelius made on his own palm.

Colin
grasped my hand and examined it. He glared at Cornelius. “You son of a bitch.
You linked yourself to her!”

Cornelius
smiled. “I did. So if you are thinking about fighting know you will cause her
whatever pain you cause me.”

I
felt my stomach knot up. If Colin knew he would hurt me by hurting Cornelius,
he wouldn’t fight like he could because he would fear hurting me. Cornelius
would end up killing Colin.

“I
will go,” I said stepping past Colin.

Colin
caught my wrist. “You can’t,” he said worried.

“I
don’t have a choice. You aren’t going to die because of me,” I said softly then
pulled my wrist out of his grasp.

I
walked to Cornelius and stood in front of him. “Leave him alone. I will go with
you freely.”

He
smiled and offered his hand. I swallowed hard and put my hand in his. He kissed
the back of my hand. I wanted to pull away, but I fought the urge. He pulled me
into his arms. There was a sudden rush and we were back in Cornelius’s house. I
was back in hell.

“What
do you want from me Cornelius? Don’t you think you have taken enough from me?”
I asked angrily.

He
moved closer to me. I wanted to move away, but I was rooted in place. I knew he
was controlling me. Strong vampires had that ability over the vampires they
created. He leaned into me and breathed in my scent. “Perhaps I just enjoy your
company,” he whispered as he brushed his lips against my neck.

“You
can enjoy my company from a distance. Obviously you feel I will reject you and
that is why you are forcing me to stand here,” I growled.

His
eyes met mine and I couldn’t read his expression. He cupped my cheek. “You are
so defiant. It won’t be long before you will be able to break my hold over
you.” He turned and walked away from me. I felt his hold on me release.

I
relaxed a little, but not much. He walked over to the bar to make himself a
drink. I didn’t understand what his mission was. He made it so no one could
hurt him without hurting me. There had to be a reason. Suddenly it occurred to
me that the spell might go the other way as well. If I hurt myself maybe it would
hurt him. I looked around me to see if I could find some form of weapon. The
stair rails had a sharp post on the end. His back was turned to me so I walked
over to the rail. I took a breath to prepare myself for the pain. I pressed my
palm down onto the sharp point.

I
saw him freeze. He suddenly spun around and glared at me. “Yes, you can hurt me
if you hurt yourself,” he growled annoyed as he walked back toward me.

I
pressed my hand down onto the post further. “Stop and be still,” he ordered.

I
felt my body freeze. He was back in control of mu body and it was irritating.
“What is the point of linking us? What could you possibly gain?” I asked
angrily.

He
smiled. “I can gain you, and to make things even sweeter if my brother kills
me; he kills you the love of his life,” he said dramatically.

I
swallowed the pain his words caused. He really had no idea. I wasn’t Aubrey’s
love, not anymore. Cornelius had already won, he just didn’t know it yet. “It
won’t work,” I said softly.

He
smiled like he was pretty confident. “I am pretty sure Aubrey won’t like the
fact that you are in my care. It has been a long time since he was fond of me.
Go sit on the couch so you are comfortable,” he ordered.

I
didn’t have a choice. I walked to the couch and sat down. He was controlling me
and it was an incredibly odd feeling. I felt like my movements weren’t my own
even thought I was making them.

“Would
you like a drink?” he asked as he walked back to the bar.

“That
depends on whether you are going to drug me. Or is that just something my uncle
does for you?” I asked trying to be difficult.

He
smiled. “As you can see I don’t need drugs to encourage you to do as I wish.”

I
scowled. “I will have one,” I said relenting.

He
turned back toward what he was doing. “I thought so. So are you going to tell
me what the look of loss was for when I mentioned your dear Aubrey?”

I
scoffed. “I am not telling you anything.”

He
laughed. “You know I could make you, but I don’t think I will. I believe one
day we will be friends. You and I are not as different as you think.”

“I
am nothing like you!” I said angrily. I attempted to fight his control, but it
was useless. I didn’t even know what I was fighting.

“Calm
down, and keep your voice down. Not yet you aren’t,” he said amused as he set
my drink on the coffee table in front of me. He took a seat in the chair next
to the couch I was on. “Once all your friends turn their back on you, and your
true colors start to come out. You will become like me, I can assure you.”

“I
will never kill anyone. Colin said I can fight it just like he did!” I said
angrily. I wanted to yell and scream, but I was stuck motionless. All I could
do was talk.

He
started laughing like I said something funny. “Colin is a liar and a weakling.
I should have known he would feed you lies to make himself look better. Colin
killed four young women his first day as a vampire. Frankly I am shocked you
haven’t killed anyone yet. Hunters seem to have more of a bloodlust then human
fledglings.”

I
watched him for a second. “You’re a liar,” I said softly even though I wasn’t
completely convinced he was lying.

“I
was there. I think I would know,” he said amused.

“If
he did kill like that it was your fault. You were his maker you should have
controlled him,” I countered.

He
laughed. “I didn’t care if he killed humans. That is what they are there for.
How do you think vampires learn control? They learn by gorging themselves until
they eventually level out.”

“I
know I will never be like you. I don’t dismiss life so easily,” I said softly.

“Correction
love, you do not dismiss human life so easily. Humans to me are like vampires
to you. You didn’t mind putting a stake through as many vampires as you could
find, but you call me a monster for surviving by feeding on humans. That is a
little hypocritical don’t you think?” he asked amused.

I
didn’t reply. He was technically right, but I wasn’t going to give him the
satisfaction of admitting it. “What are you going to do with me?” I asked
tiredly.

H
smiled. “That is completely up to you. I could tell you what I would like to
do, but I do not think you will be very agreeable,” he said suggestively.

I
scoffed. “I figured you would force me just like you have been.”

“You
can have your drink,” he said as he nodded toward the glass on the table. “I am
not going to force you to be with me because I know you will come to me on your
own one day.”

It
was my turn to laugh. “That will never happen.”

“Never
say never dear,” he said amused. “Why don’t you go up to your room, and do not
leave without my permission.”

I
sighed and downed my drink. Then I walked up the stairs and back to the room he
had me in when he originally turned me. I was glad to be away from him, but I
was still in his house.

I
woke up when my bedroom door opened. I didn’t even realize I fell asleep. I was
guessing it was another one of Cornelius’s tricks. I straightened when a human
man walked into the room. He smiled at me. It was a lazy smile. I could tell he
was under a trance.

“Leave,”
I ordered when I felt the hunger hit me.

“I
am here to feed you. I can’t leave,” he said softly.

Something
glinted in his hand and I realized he was holding a knife. I stood watching
him. He slid the knife across his wrist. He didn’t even act like it hurt as
blood poured from his wound. The scent of fresh blood overwhelmed me, but I
refused to give in. He went to cut his other wrist and I lunged at him. I
snatched the knife out of his hand and he looked at me confused.

“You
are supposed to eat. He said not to stop cutting until you did,” he said
sounding out of it. He was definitely in a trance and Cornelius sent him
knowing I wouldn’t give in easy. He was going to let the guy cut himself up.

The
hunger was still there, but my anger was quickly overriding it. I looked down
at the knife trying to decide what to do. I was going to retaliate. It may not
last long, but it would hurt Cornelius a little. I closed my eyes and plunged
the knife into my stomach. The pain was excruciating. I was comforted slightly
by knowing Cornelius would feel it as well.

I
fell to my knees as I cried out in agony. The man came to me and offered me his
wrist, but I shoved him away. I knew if I fed then I would heal. I was afraid
Cornelius would heal as well. I twisted the knife deeper causing more pain. It
wouldn’t kill me or him, it just hurt like hell.

The
door slammed opened and a female vampire rushed in. She hauled me to my feet
and ripped the knife from my abdomen. “You are a stupid girl,” she growled, then
threw me against the wall; then marched out. The human followed her out. I was
losing a lot of blood fast. Everything slowly went dark. I couldn’t help but
feel a small amount of satisfaction. Obviously he sent the female vampire
because he was in too much pain to come after me himself.

I
woke up choking on something cold and disgusting. Someone put their hand over
my mouth to keep me from spitting.

“You
are going to drink cold blood out of a bag since you refuse to feed like a
normal vampire,” Cornelius growled.

He
dumped more of the cold blood into my mouth and clamped his hand over my mouth.
I tried to pull his hand off my mouth, but it was impossible. The blood was
disgusting, but I was starting to feel my strength come back and my wound heal.
He was force feeding me because I wasn’t cooperating. He forced me to drain the
entire bag.

He
released me and I rolled off the bed away from him coughing and sputtering. The
stuff was disgusting, but it worked. I landed on my knees on the opposite side
of the bed.

“I
hope you feel better, this was donated blood. No one died for this,” he said
amused. He had to know how nasty it was.

I
just glared at him. “I didn’t need any blood.”

“Yes,
you did. I can tell by the amount you lost on my Persian rug. Thank you for
that by the way. That rug was one of my favorites and now it is garbage,” he
said sounding annoyed as he climbed off the bed and stood.

“You
look a little pale yourself,” I said smiling slightly.

He
watched me amused. “I am sure you thought your little stunt was amusing. Just
remember I don’t mind killing a few innocent humans to heal.” He turned and
walked out before I had a chance to reply. I wasn’t really sure what to reply
with.

I
stood slowly and looked down at myself. My clothes were covered in dried blood.
I needed a shower and a change of clothes. I looked around the room for
clothes, but all that was in the closet was the stupid dress he brought me the
first night I was here. It was a beautiful blue velvet. I was sure it would be
stunning on me, but I didn’t want to wear it. It didn’t really look like I had
a choice now I ruined the only other clothes I had.

I
stood in front of the mirror. I looked like a vampire and I hated it. It was my
eyes. My eyes betrayed what I was. The door opened and the female vampire that
ripped the knife out of me walked in the room.

She
looked me over, and she didn’t look happy. “He requests your presence
downstairs. If you say no he has given me permission to make you. I really would
enjoy making you,” she said snidely.

I
rolled my eyes and marched out past her. I wasn’t going to give her the
satisfaction of making me do anything. I walked down the stairs and waited at
the bottom for her.

“This
way,” she ordered as she walked past me. I could hear what sounded like a party
going on. There always seemed to be a party going on in Cornelius’s house. I
followed her into the room where the party was happening. I spotted Cornelius
first then my eyes landed on Aubrey. Aubrey wasn’t standing far from Cornelius.
Relief and excitement washed over me.

“Aubrey,”
I said excitedly and hurried to him.

He
wrapped his arms around me and I felt a little better. “Are you ok?” he asked
softly as he looked me over.

I
nodded. “I am fine.”

He
looked at Cornelius. “Let her go. You have had your fun.”

Cornelius
smiled. “No, I won’t let her go. Quite frankly brother I am surprised you even
still want the girl. I figured once she was turned you would lose interest.
Isn’t that right Charlotte?” Cornelius looked to the female vampire who
escorted me downstairs. She stiffened, but didn’t answer.

Aubrey
looked from Charlotte to Cornelius. “My relationships are none of your
business. Let her go,” he growled.

“No,
you can come see her, but she remains with me. She is my fledgling and I refuse
to turn such a beauty over to you,” Cornelius said amused as he sat down in a
chair. He was so arrogant it was irritating.

“I
don’t want to stay with you,” I growled stepping toward him.

“Ah,
ah, behave Lillian. I don’t want to make you in front of our guests,” he said
smiling.

I
balled my hands into fists and pressed my lips together. It was irritating that
he had power over me. I felt helpless when it came to him and I hated it.

“There
must be a reason for this. What do you want in exchange for her?” Aubrey asked
as he stepped up beside me.

Cornelius
looked from him to me. “Nothing. I want her, now enjoy your time with her and
stop irritating me or I’ll make you leave.”

Aubrey
muttered in annoyance. He grasped my hand and led me away from Cornelius. He
stopped on the other side of the room and turned to face me. “I can’t fight
him. I will end up hurting you if I do,” he said sounding upset.

I
looked away trying not to cry. I felt the tears right under the surface. I
didn’t want to cry. “I thought vampires didn’t cry,” I muttered in annoyance.

He
laughed softly and brushed my hair out of my face. “It will go away with time.
It takes a few years for us to lose most of our human emotion. I am kind of
glad you want to cry.”

I
smiled sadly and shook my head. “Why is he keeping me here? What does he have
to gain?”

“I
haven’t figured that out, but I will. I will find a way to break this link he
has created, so you can be free.” He moved closer to me as he spoke.

I
knew he was going to kiss me, and I was anticipating the feeling of his lips on
mine. He gently pressed his lips into mine. I closed my eyes and pressed my
body to his. The sudden searing pain on my hand, made me cry out and I pulled
away from him. I looked down at my hand and it had a burn. I looked over at
Cornelius and he smiled amused. He was sitting next to a candle. I knew he did
it and it infuriated me more. I moved to advance on him and Aubrey caught my
wrist.

“He
will only make you suffer more if you play his game,” Aubrey said softly.

“What
else am I supposed to do?” I asked angrily. “I am stuck here until he gets
bored.”

Aubrey
looked away then looked back at me. “Maybe you are safer here. At least you are
in control here.”

I
looked at him startled. “How could you say that after all he has done?”

Aubrey
shook his head and looked away. “He is a vampire. He is no different than me.
He can help you control yourself and learn yourself better than I can.”

I
pulled my hand out of his and glared at him angrily. “I can’t believe you would
say that. Obviously I am as important to you as I was beginning to think!” I
said angrily. When he didn’t respond I turned and walked away. I hurried back
up the stairs away from him and away from Cornelius. I didn’t want to be near
either of them. I would rather take my chances on my own at this point.

I
paced my room trying to decide what to do. I could try to run, but I had a
feeling I wouldn’t get far. Cornelius had a close watch on me. Not to mention
he could make me do whatever he wanted. I was trapped and Aubrey, my only hope
for escape, thought I should stay.