It felt like my eyes had barely closed when they shot back open. With a gasp, I sat upright, confused, and instinctively putting a hand up to shield my face. Everything was too bright, too loud, the smells too strong. Salty ocean air, dirt, sweat, tears...blood. That smell did something to me, something utterly horrifying.
With a shuddering sigh, I tried to swallow down the saliva that had suddenly pooled in my mouth, desperately trying to soothe the parched ache in my throat. I had never been so thirsty before, as if every bit of moisture had been wrung from my body.
Well, not all the moisture.
It was then that I realized I was crying, the memory Gabriel had shown me of when he had first awoken as a vampire, replaying unbidden in my head. I remembered feeling his emotions, the alien sensations his new vampire form made him feel--and it was exactly how I was feeling now.
No, no I can't be...
My hands shook as I reached up to wipe my tears away. When I pulled them back into view, I was greeted by blood-tinged dampness, like red liquid that had been diluted with water.
Vampire tears.
My tears.
No!
I couldn't have been a vampire. I was supposed to die. I drank the elixir; it should have nullified the effects of the vampire blood I had drank the night before. Duke said it would work.
I started to mentally call out to him when a passing dark cloud blocked out enough sunlight to allow me to see. All of Lachlan Island's vampires were on the shore, on their knees with their heads bowed to the ground, a figure draped in a black cloak standing before them. I spotted Nero rising out of the ocean, and Linc--in demon form-- standing near the water's edge, both looking as confused as I felt.
Blood stained the cloaked figure's hands as he brought them up to pull back his hood, revealing a bald head. Realization hit me like lightning, forcing me to my feet in stunned terror.
"Master." I breathed, staring at the figure.
Child. I recognized his mental voice from Gabriel's memory. You've finally awakened.
He slowly turned to face me, revealing soft, dark-brown eyes, bushy, black eyebrows, and a benevolent smile. I took an involuntary step back.
"Do not be afraid, child. I mean you no ill will." He spoke kindly, voice breathy and soothing.
"Stay away from..." Linc's growled command was silenced by Master glancing in his direction before he could finish speaking. In seconds, he shifted back into his human form, eyes wide, before hitting his knees.
"Leave him alone!" I snapped, goosebumps rising to my skin. Influence emanated from me with ease, without my really trying, and Linc was instantly freed from whatever hold Master had over him.
"Fascinating," Master cooed, turning to face me once again. "It seems you are more powerful than I could have ever hoped."
He took a step toward me, and I took one back, something sticky splashing under my feet. Glancing down, I saw a puddle of blood--human blood--and instantly forgot everything else. I licked my lips, getting ready to get on all fours to lap up the blood, when someone tilted my chin upward.
"Come, child." Master smiled down at me. "Let us find you proper nourishment. I am sure we can find a human willing to open up a vein for you somewhere on this god-forsaken rock."
A faint whistle, one not meant for me, suddenly danced in the breeze. It caused Master to whip his head from left to right, like he was trying to shake off a fly. Then Master was on one knee, flawless face twisted in agony, and I was running. Much, much faster than I ever had before. In a blink, I'd made my way to Nero's arms, clinging to him like my life depended on it.
YOU ARE READING
Blood Ties (Blood Lust Sequel)--COMPLETED
Romance#1 in New guy Audrey has finally made it through her first semester at Lachlan University. Now it's Christmas break, and while other students are heading back to the States to be with their families, Audrey is forced to stay behind with the vampires...
