52: Strange Bedfellows – Pt. 4

“Victoria?” Derrick shouted as he rushed through the house in search of her. “Victoria!” The sounds of her yelling in distress over the phone frightened him beyond belief and he just knew she was in the fight of her life. Heavy footsteps pounded up the stairs as he ran to check the bedroom and back down again. The scent of blood moved him towards the kitchen and he took in the scene, stepping over shards of broken glass and blood. 

Kneeling down, Derrick got a better smell of the crimson liquid and bellowed in anger; it wasn’t Victoria’s but it meant someone was out to do her harm at the cost of their own safety. Dark scorch marks smudged the walls and floors, places where she’d apparently set off energy balls and were very telling of a struggle that took place in the kitchen. “She fought back,” he sighed with small relief at the fact that she didn’t go down easily. 

Hades limped from around the counter and collapsed onto the floor beside him. His left side was slightly crushed; he had at least three broken ribs. Blood oozed from his mouth, much of which Derrick determined belonged to Victoria’s attacker. A flap of skin fell from his jowls with a partial ink stain on it, a tattoo. Derrick lifted the chewed flesh and got a better look at it. “Good boy. You got a piece of him!” 

Splitting his wrist, he held his trickling arm over Hades’ mouth and watched as the protective canine fully healed and sprang to his feet, ready for action. He whimpered over his lost master and Derrick scratched his furry head. “Don’t worry, Boy. I’ll get her back.” There was a familiar scent of Alfred Dunhill cigars lingering in the air and he knew immediately who had taken her. 

The doors to Rowan’s vacation manor swung open with force as Derrick waltzed inside, ignoring the three vampires posted at the desk as security. Noticing Cort, another of Rowan’s sired, sitting in the den he quickly started for him. “Derrick? Long time no see buddy how’s it b…?”

“Where is she?” Derrick growled, throwing the vampire against the wall. Closing his hand around his throat, he extended his claws until they sank beneath the man’s skin drawing blood and making him scream at the burning the venom in his nails caused. “I will rip out your fucking throat if you don’t tell me.”

“What the hell do you think you’re going to accomplish huh? If you think for a minute you’re going to get anyone to talk you’re crazy. Everyone knows what Rowan would do if we did.”

“Rowan,” Derrick scoffed and tightened his grip until his claws dug deeper into the skin of his throat. The man yelled again as Derrick’s right hook found his jaw, bouncing it off the wall with a hollow smack. “Forget Rowan, think about what I’m going to do to you right here, right now if you don’t tell me what I want to know!” 

“Why do you care so much huh? You know Rowan! He’s only doing what he needs to with the girl you promised him. Besides, by the time you get to her, he’ll have her so turned out she’ll be begging to only satisfy his every whim. Hell she’s probably already forgotten about you.”

Derrick’s fist rammed into Cort’s face again and again until the man’s nose was twisted and his eyes were rolling into the back of his head. Bits of broken teeth fell to the floor at Derrick’s feet and he shook Cort within his grasp, bashing his head violently into the wall. “Say another fucking thing about Victoria and I’ll feed you your fucking tongue you got me? WHERE IS HE HOLDING HER?” 

Victoria absently ran her hand across her face as she sat up. The sound of music in the background alerted her to the fact that she was in a public building and not a dank basement somewhere. The plush pillows folded under her body as she moved and the coils in the mattress groaned beneath her weight. The air around her smelled of cigars and cologne with a hint of cinnamon. Candles burned nearby, an obvious attempt to mask the scent of the heavy indicators that this was not a normal bedroom.

“Welcome back, Luv,” a familiar voice with a heavy English accent croaked and she struggled to open her eyes to see his face. “I wasn’t sure if you’d planned to grace me with your presence tonight or not. I guess Marcel hit you a little harder than I’d hoped.” The throbbing between her ears pounded harder as blood rushed from her beating heart once memories of how she came to be here flashed through her mind. 

Victoria stumbled over her own feet as she tried to force herself to stand and the large vampire who had attacked her moved quickly towards her. “No!” Rowan waved the man off, making him back away from the detective. “That won’t be necessary. Given the fact that she has yet to regain her faculties the witch is no threat to us at this point. You can go.” Marcel grunted at the blonde but did as he was told and abruptly started for the door. More light and music flooded in as did a cloud of smoke as the man made his exit and by the sound of it Victoria believed she was in a nightclub of some kind but definitely not Dante’s.

Her eyes shot to Rowan’s face and the twisted grin on his lips. And suddenly a surge of fear rippled through her as the room became deathly quiet with just the sound of her own heart beating wildly in her chest. Neither of them said a word but Victoria’s curiosity of why they’d come for her was piqued. And as her mind slowly became more lucid, she watched him closely waiting for him to show signs of aggression or some cause for her to cast on him, a spell…a spell…a spell.

“Don’t bother trying to conjure up one of your tricks. I’ve warded this place to ensure my safety,” he spoke, motioning towards the arcane crystals placed strategically along the walls as he read her mind. 

“Why am I here?”

“She speaks!” he exclaimed and withdrew from his chair, stepping closer to where she stood. Victoria did her best to clear her mind of all thoughts as she eyed the room, visually formulating a plan.

“What do you want with me?”

“Well now, that’s a very loaded question, Little Witch,” he smirked noticing her inch backwards as he gave her a predatory look. “But, Victoria, to answer your question, I want what Derrick promised me.”

“And what’s that?” Rowan pointed at Victoria and she backed closer towards the window.

Stepping back and away from the bed, Rowan grinned, running his hand over his chin as he thought. “I figured my chum hadn’t told you. You see…” he turned his back to her and the moment he took another step Victoria shot forward, darting over the bed and headed for the door.

“Closet,” he stated without turning around, causing Victoria to falter in her step. Like a flash, Rowan was behind her, pinning her against the wall with his body while his hands gripped her wrists tightly. “Don’t scream!” he purred against her cheek, gently rolling his forehead along it as he moved to make eye contact with her. Victoria nodded compliantly as his liquid blue eyes peered into hers and he smiled a sexy, seductive smile. 

“Good girl. And ok, I lied. That is the door to the outside. You’re a clever one; get me talking and comfortable whilst you were plotting on me. Maybe we do have more in common.” Victoria’s chest heaved deeply as she stood in front of him and Rowan allowed his eyes to pore over every inch of her before they came to a complete stop on the pulse thumping in her neck. He could smell her, the sweet and intense aroma of her blood and it was arousing. 

Rowan dragged himself away from thoughts of compelling her into a calm but aware state that would allow him to feed from her and make love to her if she submitted. Just one word or encouraging motion could make him rip off her clothes and take her until her body was sore and she was reeling in a state of pleasure that would keep her coming back for more. “My apologies for hurting you,” he responded, finally finding balance on his bloodlust…for the moment. He gently unhooked his fingers from around her wrists and backed away.

“Please, allow me to properly introduce myself.” Bringing her hand up to meet his lips, he kissed the visible vein between her middle and ring fingers with a tenderness that sent chills through her body, “Count Rowan Grafton and I am very pleased to make your acquaintance!” The quivering of her body excited him and the scent of her fear enhanced her already alluring smell. “Please, understand that you have no reason to be afraid. I admit that my methods may seem a bit aggressive but I truly mean you no harm.”  

“Then why send a man like Marcel to my home? You anticipated some sort of resistance otherwise you wouldn’t need someone like him working for you,” Victoria abruptly responded determined not to blink as she stood her ground. Rowan grinned at her veracity, taking note of her anxiety as he moved back again giving her room to relax.

“As I said, I was ensuring Derrick came through on his promise,” he shrugged as if Marcel’s actions were of no consequence. “I cannot be held responsible if the men in my employ become a little anxious whilst executing a command. We are demons; it’s in the nature of the beast. But I gave specific instructions no harm was to come to you. Marcel will be dealt with accordingly I assure you, Luv.” 

“Yeah right,” she huffed, folding her arms into her chest. It was an act of stubbornness that drew an appreciative smile from Rowan. She was tenacious; it was easy to see why his old friend was so drawn to her.

“Please,” he bowed courteously and Victoria found herself stepping away from the door without further coercion. “Like Derrick, I find you a remarkable creature. And in due time I’m sure you’ll come to see my intentions are the same as his. We both want to guarantee our survival and you’re the key to doing that. The only difference is I know you to be ready for the days ahead while Derrick continues to doubt your ability for reasons of his own.” 

Rowan grinned knowingly, a smirk she’d seen on Derrick’s face many times. His tongue moved across his lips as he looked at her with expectation, making her uneasy. But she ignored the way his eyes skirted up her body again before speaking. “Derrick’s helped me through everything that’s happened over the past year and a half. He knows me and what I can handle and if he thinks I’m not ready for whatever it is you’re talking about then I trust his decision.”

“Trust? Yes that’s a word I’ve heard him utter in relation to you once or twice before as well. Trust; that’s very important. But, how can you be certain that everything he’s told you is the truth? For all you know he could have been manipulating you from the start, Princess.” The delivery of his words brushed her the wrong way. Maybe it was the prestige in his voice, his English accent resonating in her head with nefarious undertones. Or maybe it was just his personality, cavalier and entitled; reminiscent of his days in the royal court. Either way Victoria did not like the way he spoke about Derrick or his implications about her.

“Derrick’s not like that!”

“Oh no? Has he told you about the Monster of Manchester?” Rowan growled as he closed the small gap between them silently enjoying the obvious change in her breathing as he approached her. “Why are you so scared? Surely my good friend Derrick must have told you about me and how I saved his life! And if you can trust him, as you say, you should know there’s certainly no cause for alarm,” he chuckled before walking across the room. “You know, Derrick is not the man you think he is, my dear. And it’s only a matter of time before you learn that.” Rowan peered out of the window, taking note of the stillness and checking for any signs of change. Derrick was expected soon, if he followed the clues he’d left that is. And when he came, Rowan wanted to be ready. 

“Well if you’re so sure he’s lying to me then why don’t you set the record straight?”

“Because, Luv, it’s more fun this way,” his eyebrows wiggled and a wicked smile curved his lips.

“Sure. Seems to me, you’re the evil and manipulative one.” Without a word, Rowan turned and made slow strides towards her. He locked eyes with Victoria, slowly backing her into the wall. It had been long enough and he was tired of waiting to get what he desired.

From the moment he first laid eyes on her, he knew they would be here, alone together. There was a dangerous feeling; warning bells telling him to stay away. But he needed this; he wanted to taste the blood that had been calling his name since first seeing her in that bar. And now, finally alone with her, he weighed his next move carefully, mulling over the risks of not being able to control himself after sinking his teeth into her warm, soft flesh. He feared the outcome of such an action; weakening her severely or draining her completely. But her scent was too sweet, too powerful not to succumb to it. 

And with no one around to stop him, he could give in to the need but only take enough to dull the intense feelings of desire that pushed him closer towards her. Looking down at her, Rowan compelled her again as he gazed into her eyes, silently warning her as he told her what he was preparing to do. Victoria trembled within his arms but her eyes remained fixed on his as he slid his cold hand along her stomach. 

Goosebumps followed in the path of his icy fingers sending a fiery, cold sensation all over her body. Roughly Rowan pulled the soft cotton top she wore over her head, tossing it to the floor. Victoria shivered once more as her breathing intensified with anticipation. No longer afraid of him or worried about his closeness she couldn’t think of anything she wanted more in this moment than what he was doing. Rowan looked into her consciousness and just as he’d planned Derrick was not there and a sinister smile grew on his face. Running his hand along her left breast, he traced the outline of her bra before following the vein leading towards her nipple. 

In one swift motion, he ripped her bra from her then lowered himself, his eyes remaining focused on hers until he reached the desired vein. Sucking the tender flesh of her breast into his mouth, she released a loud gasp and her head fell back against the wall. Rowan pulled at her skin until a bright red hickey formed beneath his mouth.

Releasing his lips, he straightened his back, forcing her to look him in the eyes; eyes that had lost their normal beautiful blue becoming deep red, lustful, and hungry. Moving again to the bruised skin he smiled provocatively, allowing one of his fangs to graze the red spot. Blood seeped onto his tongue through the small puncture wound that had appeared, sparking an instant reaction. And like a thirsty man given just a single drop of water, he became ravenous, pressing his lips against her breast harder bringing more blood to the surface. 

Rowan forced himself not to bite her, a battle he was quickly losing at this point. His body ached for her; hot blood pounding through his loins. Using the hand that wasn’t holding her against the wall, he squeezed her breast to release more blood onto his tongue licking it up with frenzied haste. Each moan she released fueled him more, Victoria was practically begging him not to stop and he craved her reaction; to him feeding and sex went hand-in-hand. 

Every time she pressed her lips together to form the most feminine moan he’d ever heard he felt his cock ache and grow harder against his jeans and it made him cringe at the thought of Derrick having her. Someone so delicate and sweet should not be wasted on one of his protégés. He wanted her for himself, all of her; uncompelled as Derrick had accomplished.

Reluctantly Rowan pulled away from her breast to taste another part of her body. His eyes dropped to her mouth analyzing the two plush lips that curved just right, both full, pink, and soft. Anxiously he drew them into a rough kiss and with her bottom lip tucked between his teeth, he bit into it; too aroused to see passed the pain it might cause her. Pressing her deeper into the wall, she screamed from the stinging as heavy footsteps thundered up the stairs towards them.

Rowan pulled away, licking the remaining drops of blood from her mouth as the door swung open and he grinned at the vampire that entered. Derrick’s eyes instantly fell on Victoria’s bare chest and the bright red mark on her breast. His fingers curled tightly into his palms and he lunged forward with the intention of killing Rowan where he stood. “You son of a bitch!” Victoria finally found herself able to move and bent down for her shirt as the two men wrestled on the ground in front of her. 

Derrick slammed his fist into Rowan’s face and the man groaned beneath him before rolling and gaining the upper hand. Ramming one arm against Derrick’s trachea, he pushed him back and against the wall before rocking him with a few powerful punches of his own. “Is this what we’ve come to?” Rowan barked between blows, plowing his fist into Derrick's jaw. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m chuffed you’re so cheesed off but, do you really think you can take me? I MADE YOU!”

Derrick kicked his midsection with enough force to send Rowan flying across the room into the dresser leaning against the wall. He came down hard, holding his gut. Looking up he saw Derrick rushing towards him as he was still reeling from the impact of the blow. Another knock to the jaw and blood spilled from Rowan’s opened mouth as he fell back against the dresser once more. The scent of it made Derrick crazed and he hammered fist after fist into the man’s face drawing more. 

“You wanna know what I think, Ro’?” Derrick snarled, slamming his Sire’s head into the floor. “I…think…red…is…definitely…your…color.” More blood rushed to the surface of Rowan’s face and, determined to make him spill every drop, Derrick continued rocking him with one fist after the other.

“Derrick?” Victoria called for him trying to calm him enough to get him to back down but he was relentless. Rowan groaned with every blow as more of his blood covered the floor beneath him. “Derrick!” By the time he regained his senses and pulled away, his Sire’s face was a mangled mess.

“Is that it?” Rowan growled, spitting a mouthful of blood to the floor as Derrick climbed to his feet. “You have big balls coming in here!”

“Yeah, I’m amazed that I can even walk.” Derrick moved towards Victoria and she glanced up at him in shame. Wordlessly he pulled her into his arms, scanning her face and eyes to make sure she was ok. “You compelled her.”

“Well, I didn’t fancy her screaming her head off, Mate; at least not yet.” Derrick took a step forward and quickly felt Victoria’s hand against his chest, pushing him back. Rowan chuckled, spitting out another mouthful of blood as he propped himself against the fireplace. “Loosen up, Derrick. No need to get your knickers in a bunch. She’s your mission, not your property and don’t even get me started on this relationship of yours. You’re fooling yourself, Mate.”

Derrick looked down at Victoria and the concerned way she nibbled her bottom lip and slowly backed down. “Touch her again and I’ll shove my hand through your chest and rip out that dried up piece of beef jerky you call a heart and roast it over your burning corpse!”

Threading his fingers with Victoria’s, Derrick pulled her with him out the door. Stopping in the hallway he gripped her tightly in his arms and felt her body tense up. “Are you ok?” Derrick spoke to her for the first time since seeing her in Rowan’s arms. Rubbing her cheek tenderly as she nodded her answer, he growled in his throat thinking about that animal’s hands all over his girl.

“I’m sorry…”

“No, no, no there’s no need for that. You had no control over what you were doing, that’s what compulsion is. I’m sorry I didn’t get to you in time, Victoria. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me.” Pain was laced in his eyes as he looked at her, helpless and defenseless and yet refusing to cry.

“What does he want from me? What does he mean I’m your mission, Derrick? What is going on?” she asked, glancing back towards the bedroom door.

“We…can…talk about that later. Right now my only concern is you. Come on, let me get you home.”

Rowan watched from the bedroom window as Derrick escorted Victoria from his property and smiled to himself. Their first meeting hadn’t gone exactly as he’d planned but he was fairly pleased by the results. The witch’s blood was as potent in taste as he had hoped and best of all he knew how to get to his old friend if needed. “Do you want me to go after them?” Marcel asked, mindfully watching Derrick as he waited for the elder vampire to acknowledge him.

“No. Let them be for now. I got what I was after,” Rowan replied. Turning towards the door he was suddenly and violently overcome by a powerful seizure that knocked him to the ground.

Quickly Rowan turned on his back as the trembling in his body intensified. Eyes rolling to the back of his head, his tongue flopped from between his opened jaw as his head constantly pounded against the floor. The only sounds he made were the desperate, unintelligible cries of pain as the seizure tore through his body, paralyzing his muscles and wreaking havoc on his brain.

“Rowan? Ro’?” Marcel cried as he knelt beside him. He watched helplessly as his Master convulsed on the floor, flailing his arms and legs as vicious shudders jolted through him. And just as quickly as it had began it was over. Rowan sat up, gripping his head as terrible visions rushed through his mind telling of an all out bloody massacre to come. “What the hell was that?” Marcel asked once Rowan made it to his feet.

“That was a preview of what our new, little friend can do. Derrick may not know it yet but he’s in possession of a very powerful weapon. Put a call in to London. The Elders need to know this war may very well tip in our favor soon.”

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