Chapter 36

Jon set foot on the patio. He had his fill for the night and although he had this intense craving for sex he hadn’t killed tonight.  His body was still too weak to do anything more but hunt down his prey and feed on it, or was he finally gaining control?

Slipping his leatherjacket from his shoulders, he walked over to the bar, helping himself to a healthy shot of Jack Daniels. A tiny frame of a girl invaded his mind, huge green eyes burned into his brain. He’ll have to get her soon or it might be too late for the poor thing. What Richie saw in her was beyond him but…

“Everything went well I suppose? You look well fed. ” Richie was leaning against the doorframe. A towel hung loosely on his hips, the satisfied look in his eyes confirming the fact that there was some girl in his bedroom, not that Jon needed to see his face. The scent of sex hung thickly in the air. That and some sickly sweet perfume.

“I take it yours went well too?” he nodded towards the dark room.

Ignoring his question he made his way towards the bar, pouring himself a glass of Jack Daniels.

“Do you feel any different? You look stronger.” Richie swallowed another sip.

“I think so. I haven’t killed, if that’s what you’re all nosey about but shit Richie I need a serious fuck man. I’m just too damn weak yet.”

“Just one more treatment for now, you will gain your strength soon. When we are back home you can fuck anything on two legs.”

A shadow crossed Jon’s face.

“You miss Dot don’t ya?”

“More than you can imagine….and the kids…the kids. Do you think I’ll ever be able to see them again? Hold them without thinking how their blood will taste?”

Richie shrugged his shoulders.

“Your guess is as good as mine bro’. Let’s just give this time, get this tour over with and see what happens after this. If your body gets use to the potion you might get what you ask for.”

“I hope you are right. Well don’t sit here and sulk with me. You have a girl in there.” Jon slapped him playfully on the back.

“She is not Ksenia.” Hurt, dark eyes stared at him.

“We’ll get her soon my brother, I made you a promise. I will keep it.”

~~

Ksenia fought her way towards consciousness. Ever muscle in her body was aching, screaming in distress as she shifted on bed. Her stomach growled noisily, she had never felt hunger as she did these last few weeks. The water, stale bread and salty broth carelessly shoved at her daily was just not enough to keep even her slight form alive. Pulsing pain stabbed into her skin, infection was setting in, Ksenia was sure of it.

Sliding from the bed, she cried out as she brushed her legs against the covers. Fighting her way towards the mirror she gasped in horror.

Would she survive this? Would the professor’s fury cool down enough to forgive her before it was too late for her? A tiny voice inside answered it for her and she crumbled towards the floor, her face cradled in her hands, her soft wails lost in the bruised, bloody fingers.

Richie…..

Steering her thoughts to the smiling, tall, stranger and their night of passion, she curled into the fetal position on the icy floor. Closing her eyes, she pictured him in her mind, letting all the pain and hunger drift away.

~~

“Do your thing professor.” Jon offered the other arm this time, clenching his teeth as the professor stuck the needle into his vein, the fluid starting its acid burn.

“You look well Jon. Have you fed recently?”

Jon couldn’t answer, holding his breath to keep him from screaming like a girl, he nodded.

“Oh here we go!” Richie’s voice was the last thing he heard as he felt himself crash.

Heavy lids flickered.

“You did better this time round bro’. No tongue biting and no fits, maybe we are getting somewhere. No…don’t get up yet. The professor is drawing some blood.”

Jon turned his head to find a tiny container filling up with blood.

“Ok all done. How are you feeling?”

“Like a shitload of horses trampled over me, how do you think I feel?” Jon gritted through his teeth, taking care not to nick his lips with his fangs.

The old man had gotten used to the men’s funny way of expressing themselves, he smiled at the almost spitting vampire on the bed.

“So I guess this is goodbye for now? I prepared a couple of doses for you. I want you to drink this once a week unless you feel a sudden surge of unwanted urges. If you do, take it immediately and lay down for a while.”

“Drink? Have you changed it?”

“The first three treatments I prefer to inject. Because you wont be here for the remainder of the course, I thought to make it easier for you.”

“Now that is mighty nice of you prof.”

He handed him a tiny case with a dozen tiny containers.

“Handle it with care.”

Jon handed the case over to Richie with shaky hands. Digging his hand into his pocket, he handed over the cheque.

“I trust this is enough for a few more treatments in the future?” The old man’s greedy eyes almost choked Jon with disgust.

We can’t leave? What about Ksenia?!!

Keep your cool Richie. Trust me, don’t mention her. For once in your life, listen to me for fuck’s sake.

Tiredness swept over Jon and he turned towards the door.

Get me outta here before I kiss the damn floor.

Richie joined his side, hurriedly saying their goodbyes, they left.

Safely in the taxi, Richie turned towards Jon, fury burning in the dark eyes.

“We are leaving tomorrow. When are we supposed to get her, huh? Is she still alive or are you just fucking with me? Fuck it Jon, you don’t understand the earnest of this all! The girl’s life is in danger.”

“Yeah, I know…stop bitching. I’m tired. I’ll discuss this with you later. Sambora…trust me ok, asshole?”

“I trusted you once and what did it bring me?” he flashed him a glimpse of raw chest.

“Oh fuck off. I’m working on my problem what are you doing about your bitchin’? You sound like a woman. Damn!”

Richie didn’t answer; Jon’s eyes had fluttered close.

~~

Jon crouched lower as he came to a standstill at the window. He knew she was in there. He knew her scent by now. His nightly visits guaranteed that he knew her pale, sickly thin features too.

He had to wait until the professor went out for his weekly hunt before he could make his move. His strength wasn’t up to par, so he didn’t want to risk running into shit when he came for the girl. 

Focusing on the window, he heard the faint click as the handle flicked open. Ksenia heard it too and at the same time saw the glowing blue orbs in the dark.

She opened her mouth to scream, but suddenly a pair of hands clamped down on her mouth, a body pressing into her back.

“Ssssshhhhhh, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here to help you. You remember Richie? I’m his friend, Jon.”

The girl’s tightly coiled body immediately softened.

“No screaming ok?” Her nod loosened his grip from her mouth and he stepped back. She reeked of blood. Jon swallowed tightly.

“You…you haven’t fed tonight.” Her soft voice stated the fact but there was no fear, no accusation.

“I wanted to get you first, I’ll feed after.”

Huge green eyes, stared at him. Her knowledgeable eyes knew how his thirst pounded into him. She knew too much about vampires and their way of living.

“What do you mean, come and get me? I cannot go with you. Your lives will be in danger.”

Breathing hard through his nostrils, he stepped closer.

“Listen little lady. Richie wants you, he is gonna get you. I don’t want any arguing, you come willingly or I’ll take you by force. You decide.  What the hell are you hanging onto anyway? Are you some kind of martyr? Damn woman. You have about 5 seconds to think it through.” Jon glanced at his watch.

“Ok.” Her lips curled into a hesitant smile.

“Let’s get out of this hellhole.”

It was the first time Ksenia had ever experienced travelling to another destination, the vampire way. The one moment she was in the room, in his arms, next her whole world was swirling and she found herself on a patio. Her head was spinning, her body so disorientated.

A click and a swift swish as the patio door opened had Richie turn towards the sound.

He felt his knees buckle as he saw the picture in front of him.

A girl, even skinnier as before, was cradled in Jon’s arms. Her eyes were flickering as if she fought for consciousness.

Richie felt his heart jerk in his chest, her name slipped from his lips.

“Ksenia.”

Her head moved from Jon’s chest as she heard her name…or rather…that voice. The voice she had heard so many a lonely night in her dreams.