Craving

Chapter 7

Billy ran through the city. Dodging anyone that came his way and continually looking back to see if he was being followed. He made it to his street as he realized all his stuff was being removed. He saw his landlord as he ran over to him.

"Mr. Dubois. I've paid my rent. Please." Billy came to him. His heart raced in his chest, his eyes red and teary. His nose watered.

"I am sorry. Someone has paid for your belongings to be moved to Royal Street and has paid handsomely to veto your lease. I am sorry. My hands are tied." Mr. Dubois stated.

Billy scoffed. "You greedy son of a bitch." Billy mumbled under his breath as he began to walk along the street. He looked over at Colette's building as he ran over to it. He got to the front desk.

"Is Madam Colette available to see me?" He asked.

"One moment." The woman spoke as she left the desk. Some time later Colette came to the front.

"Billy, what is going on?" She asked confused.

"I need help." Billy begged as Colette nodded her head. She gestured to him to follow her to her office.

They sat in her office as Billy began to tell her everything. "What do you mean?" Colette asked.

"It was either allow him to take my blood or he was going to kill me. He was telling me I looked like one of his dead lovers. I don't know what to do!" Billy insisted.

"He let you leave?" Colette asked.

"I can't go back home; he's paid Mr. Dubois to rent it back out. My belongings are currently being moved to his home." Billy admitted.

Colette sat in her chair, back straight from her corset.

"What do I do?" Billy asked.

"Come with me to Esme. Maybe there is a way of revoking his invitation to your body. You can stay here. Don't worry about paying." Colette spoke.

"You are too kind to me Colette." Billy said.

"You're a good friend." Colette insisted.

Near the evening, they went off to Esme's home. The night was quiet; it was not a ceremony night. "You gave permission to a vampire to take sustenance from your body. You can't revoke that. He owns you. You are marked." Esme stated.

"There has to be a way." Billy begged.

"You are cursed! You better be careful at night, these other vampires around here, they aren't going to like the scent of you. An apex predator in their territory has marked you. They will kill you. You better go back to him." Esme demanded.

Billy felt defeated as he turned and went to leave. "Adhere to this warning Mr. Villeneuve. You keep running and he will come after you. You bring him here; you bring that death upon us, and we will burn you. Do I make myself clear?" Esme demanded as Billy nodded his head. Billy left with nothing left to say.

He stayed the night at Colette's and hatched a plan. In the morning, he bought a horse with the coin he had found and went to ride away. He could sell it at the next town over and use the money to get onto the steamboat.

He could continue to head north. He rode the streets as he kept his distance away from Royal Street. He was soon stopped by a familiar face.

"Where are you going?" Rowan called out to him.

"I'm leaving. I can't stay here." Billy insisted.

"Please you can't leave. You're my favorite." Rowan spoke.