The Vampire's Rival

When she consumes you

I buckled at the sudden blue haze that tarnished my vision as the Venom in my blood exploded into my consciousness. You have to understand, I have never been at the mercy of the Venom. Even centuries ago, when the Venom dictated more of my actions, it was always as a co-host, never in total control, as it was attempting to be this time. It was taking advantage of the crack in my psyche. Exploiting the breach created by the incomplete link between Hadley and I, which allowed for the seeping in of madness after my near-death experience.

This was as close as the blue rage had ever been in taking over me.

I wouldn't let it.

Balling my fists and focussing on my ragged breathes, I fought against it. Clawed my way back to control. Patiently waited as the blue patina colouring my vision cleared.

I caught the last of Hadley's and Jamila's conversation and focussed on that to ground myself.

"Do you trust me, Jay?" Hadley asked.

Jamila didn't skip a beat.

"Always."

Hadley paused. Even without using my telepathy, I could feel the poignancy in that pause through our link. Could feel how important that single word was to Hadley.

"I can take us to a place that's a million times better than here," Hadley said. "All I need is your trust."

"Okay." Jamila replied.

I raised my head and watched Jamila give Hadley a peck on the lips before walking away to what they kept referring to as the Harvest room.

Hadley was about to follow Jamila, but I grabbed her forearm and pulled her aside.

"This is a bad idea," I said.

Hadley stared at my mouth, and it was only then that I noticed my fangs were down. I pulled them back. If I was going to convince her that I was in control of my impulses, I was going to have to do better.

Her eyes went back to mine, iridescent blue penetrating right into my soul, as if seeking its kin.

"I can't force them to go back to the Compound," Hadley said, as a matter of fact.

True, but that didn't make this the right move. The jungle held no protection for them. Two New Age vampire fledglings, Dijal and Sejih, had just demonstrated that, killed by creatures that shouldn't even exist. What chance did mere Barn-bred humans have in that environment?

I wasn't going to let Hadley walk towards her death unchallenged.

I wasn't going to let her die, period.

"All I'm saying is that there is no way you can move through the jungle with this many people and not attract unwanted attention," I replied.

"You can leave if you want, Ruqwik," Hadley said, flippant and irritated. "I've got a map. I can lead us to the Wildlings without your help."

How did she think this could even work? I pointed at the main door to the warehouse.

"They couldn't even go out there and face just two of those things." I pointed out. "There're a lot more dogs outside this Barn, Hadley. You know it and I know it. They don't."

"In the Compound, we're stuck in a box," Hadley pushed back. "Out there, there's space. We can run and get lost before the dogs even notice."

"Then why don't you tell them the truth?" I called her out, pointing at the Harvest Room, where all the others were. "It's not you that I'm worried about, Hadley. I have no doubt that you'll get to where you're heading. It's them I'm concerned about. They can't fight like you. And the children? Be reasonable."