Excerpt
Chapter 9
When my eyes opened, I could not feel my body. The light of a dying fire licked the ceiling above me. Moaning to myself, I had a few moments of mindless confusion only to realize I was completely wrapped in linens, shrouded, and ready for burial.
My hands were perched on top of my thighs. I pressed down where Simon had bitten near my groin. I flinched when a dull inner soreness spread through out the area and I quit pressing. My thigh, I could sense, was wrapped tighter there.
The thermal blankets enveloping my entire body were heavy and restricted any movement I dared make. My lips were dry, parted, and quivering. My head twitched as if from a chill that was not there. Then little pockets of blood like tiny golf balls shot up the sides of my neck. The bindings held me in place as my muscles convulsed blood began flooding my limbs.
I had to get free.
The pockets started in a sick race around my body, first in my legs, then arms, across my hands, and finally pounding in my stomach. They raced each other through the core of my body. One jolted to my cheek crossing over my face.
My muscles began contracting and releasing uncontrollably. Nothing was binding my head so I turned to the left. Alex was looking back. He was leaning on the banister seemingly watching over me. His reflective eyes held no sympathy. I hoped he wasnt thinking about death - my death.
Whats happening? I garbled. The words were drowning in my throat.
Your body is changing. He stroked my hair back.
Am I dying?
No, dont be scared. Your father will be here soon.
I thought of my father in Texas. He would be so mad. I didnt want him to come in and see me like that, but then I realized he was talking about Simon. Will he now be my father forever?
He has such a strong lineage and youre so small. This must be hard on your body. You must have a hundred more years in your creation age than I did when he turned me.
The blood pockets raced through me, merciless in their pursuit of a finish line they would never cross. Or would they?
My breathing became shallow, as if air could no longer penetrate my lungs.
Then Alexs dark eyes moved closer, overshadowing my view. His hand embraced my cheek, his fingers sliding back and forth over my skin. Then he leaned in and kissed first my quivering bottom lip, then the top one, holding it for just an extra second so that I could sense his lust.
His tongue pushed into my mouth. I tried closing my mouth to stop his disloyalty to Simon, but almost immediately a pain resonated from where Simon had bit me. I pressed my fingers against the area of discomfort and my head jerked back sending his tongue a farewell. I closed my eyes waiting for the pain to subside.
Whats wrong?
Pain, I groaned.
Simon never wanted me! He led me on to get more blood down there. Bastard!
I moaned some more, trying to understand what my body was destined for. I wanted to scream and banish him to the pits of hell.
Damn, I whispered.
Hell be back to see you. Try not to . . ."
Can I see your bite marks?
He pulled his collar down and on the left side of his neck were two white spots where Simon had marked him.
He didnt bite me there, I disappointingly said.
I know, he remarked. We wrapped you. Its to help you adjust to the change.
My torso trembled. Simon was somewhere, somewhere close. Now I wanted him by my side. Alex could not help me anymore.
Then I heard creaking in the house footsteps. Someone was coming. The door opened and I saw Simon. He sat down on the bed and placed his hand on my middle. Burning into mine, his eyes were fiery like the devil himself.
How is my newest child? he asked. You must be scared. Dont be.
I . . . think . . . Im . . . dying.
No, no. They call us the undead but were not. Parts of you are dying, while others are being created. A creation. He kissed my temple.
I still couldnt grasp what he was saying. I didnt want to live like them.
Shes doing well. Shes talking, Alex said to Simon.
Claire, youre doing well, Simon echoed. Just relax and let it flow through you. He looked me over, nodding to Alex and smiling. Open your mouth.
I opened it a little and I felt his thumb pushing up my incisors and then pulling down my chin. Push down with your teeth. You can feel your canines. Go on.
I tried to obey by pushing my upper teeth against his thumb. I didnt know what to expect. I tried several times and then it felt like someone pulled my canines right out of my head. It was like losing a tooth with an invisible string.
Beautiful, Simon said.
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