Inhale, Exhale
Fuck. I dig in my pockets, looking for my blood but am greeted with a hole instead. There’s no telling where it fell, and it’s probably someone else’s snack now. Fuck. How long until my next call from the Council? I pull out my phone and check the date.
“A week.”
I better find work somewhere. I can’t go into a blood frenzy. This so so embarrassing, so fucking embarrassing if my dumb ass “father” hadn’t dealt with the wrong crowd. I wouldn’t be in this situation, to begin with. If only I hadn’t met Ashton if only I didn’t reject him. My family would still be alive.
I walk down the alleyway and stop at the pink neon sign. I hate the boss here. I push open the door and head in the back.
“Mia! What brings you here? Oh wait, let me guess, you’re low on blood or need money?! Haha.”
I clench my fists at my side.
“Hey. You got any gigs for tonight?”
He strokes his chin and stares up and down my body.
“I got a complicated client coming in later. If you can appease him, then I’ll double your pay.”
He tosses me a vial of blood. “I don’t want you attacking him, he’s a huge client.”
I catch the vial. “Thanks, Vinny.”
As I uncork it, he speaks again.
“Go in the back to Lux, and you’ll need to get cleaned up. He has certain preferences. So glad you showed up. None of the other girls want to deal with him. Especially after Tracey…”
What? Who is that? I open my mouth to say something, but he leaves.
“Drink up sweet cheeks.”
I glare at his back as he goes. I chug the blood. Badump! I inhale deeply and then exhale as my strength returns.I go in the back.
“Mia. Hey, what’s up?”
I walk up to the little blond fairy and hug her.
“I’m here for a gig. Vinny says I have to take a complicated client.”
Her face freezes.
“With everything that’s happened, I can’t say no.”
Lux purses her lips. “You might want to say no to this client.”
I sit in the chair. “Why…?”
The doors open up, and Vinny comes in, smirking. “Mia, give me your hand.” Before I can do anything grabs my wrist and stamps it, and that’s when it hits. The snake, in the shape of sideways 8, Etched into my skin.
“No backing out now, sweet cheeks.”
Fucking Ashton.
“He doesn’t have to know it’s you. But given your history, you might let your identity slip.” Vinny laughs and leaves the room.
“No, I I I I can’t see him. He ruined my family. He set my father up and wiped my whole coven out.”
Lux clicks her teeth. “He doesn’t like being rejected.”
I can’t do this. “I’m going to the Council. They have ways to protect me. If he finds out, I’m here, and there’s no telling what he will do.”
Lux pulls my green hair out of its messy ponytail. “Stay, and sit. Make money, and don’t get caught. Do you know how many exes I’ve been able to avoid? I got you. He won’t even know it’s you.”
I sigh and sit back in the chair. “A little purple and you’ll be a whole nother whore.” She giggles, and this causes me to chuckle. If it’s one thing about Ashton, he doesn’t give up. He’s been radio silent for months. It’s had me on edge.
Lux worked the fuck out of her magic. “Now that you are all showered, shaved and sexy. Put this on and be ready. He doesn’t like to wait.”
She goes to leave, but I stop her. “What happened to Tracey?” Her face pales.
“I’m not certain on the specifics, but he asked for someone that literally mirrored you. Tracey was the closest we had. It took him less than a minute, and she was dead. He said, If we disrespect him like that again, he’ll burn this whole place to the ground.”
“Ripped her from limb to limb. Her screams…” she shivers. “He must really hate you or love you.” He knew I came here? Why did he wait until I was gone? Could it have been chance? “I’m sorry.” My wrist starts to itch where the stamp is. I put on the floral dress on top of my black-laced underwear. I don’t need a bra. Taking one last look at myself, I leave the dressing room and enter the dark hall. “He’s in VIP one. Good luck.” Inhale, exhale. I go up to the VIP rooms and stop at the last door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The door opens, and I nearly forget how to breathe. The air is thick and heavy. Ashton’s familiar scent enters my nostrils, making me slightly queasy. “Come in.” I keep my head down as I enter the dimly lit room. Please don’t recognize me. The door closes and locks with a click. Ashton walks over to the couch and sits. “Show me your wrist.” He demands, and it takes everything in me not to tuck tail and run. I meekly walk over to him and show him my wrist. My palms sweat as he touches me. He takes my hand and looks at it. “You’re scared.”
I shake my head, unable to find my voice. “Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you.” What? The gentle tone in his voice has me on high alert. Ashton never speaks like this. I whip my head up to look at him, which was a mistake. Ashton’s eyes are glowing red, and he’s wearing the most malicious smile. I try to pull my hand back but he grips my wrist so tight it snaps. Fuck! My breathing skyrockets as his already wide smile widens.
“Hello, sweetheart. Are you happy to see me?”
I use my strength and pull my hand away. It snaps back in place painfully as I run to the door but he catches me before I can unlock it.
“Mia Mia Mia.” He whispers in my ear. “I’ve missed you so fucking much.” Ashton turns me and presses his body against me. “I bet you’re wondering, ‘How did he find me?’ Or ‘why is this happening?’ But you only have yourself to blame.”
His hand wraps around my throat. “Ashton, please. What do you want from me?” He squeezes a bit before releasing me.
“Nothing. I’ve taken everything from you already. You have nothing. You are nothing. You’re worthless.”
I bite back the urge to cry.“If I’m so worthless, why the fuck won’t you leave me alone? Is it your ego? Can’t get over the fact that I rejected you?”
Ashton scoffs. “You know Mia, I liked you, and then you just had to be a bitch. Too bad daddy’s not here to see the outcome of your choices.”
Smack! My hand connects to his face, and I gasp at my own actions.
“Just wait, I’m going to make you pay for everything you did to me.” He looks down at me. “I’d love to see you try.” Ashton pins my hands above my head with one hand. “Ashton, stop!” His eyes have turned dark.
“Mia. Mia. Mia. You’re going to eat those words right now.” I try to escape his grasp, but my lack of blood weakens me. “Ashton, don’t, please I’m begging you.”
He uses his free hand and grips my face before, kissing me. I try to keep my lips sealed, but his claws dig into my cheeks painfully. I open my mouth and he kisses me, diving his hot tongue into my mouth. I gasped as the sweet taste of his blood entered my mouth. Instinct takes over as I break free from his grasp and kiss him deeper, wanting to taste more of his blood.
Ashton pulls away and kisses my neck. “Say it, Mia!” He hisses. Tears fight to pour over. “No…” Fuck him fuck Ashton! “Mia, you can have all you want. You just have to say the word.” His tongue glides across my neck. “Don’t make me force it!”
I try to push him off but my body feels heavy and drunk off just a little taste of his blood. “Fuck you, Ashton.” Ashton takes his hand and covers my mouth. The smell and taste of his blood are on it. I lose control for a moment as I grip his hand and bite down at the same time Ashton bites down on my neck.
Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop! My body erupts in heat as his blood and venom course through me. Ashton groans as he drinks my blood for the first time and unknowingly sealing our fate. A few moments later, he pulls away. I slide down the wall and cry. “Why? Why can’t you leave me alone?” Ashton takes a few steps back.
“Let’s play a game. I want to see who is going to lose it first. I’m really good at holding back. What about you, Mia? How are you going to handle it?” I shakily stand. “It’s just blood. I’ll be fine.” Ashton shakes his head.
“No, not just any blood, sweetie. You just drank my blood.” I roll my eyes. “I’ve had vampire blood before, Ashton. I’ll be fine.” I stand up, ready to leave. Using the back of my hand I wipe my face. He laughs deeply, which confuses me. Ashton licks his lips and steps toward me again.
“You had your first taste of your mates' blood Mia.” Mate? “Ashton, what are you talking about?” He tucks his index finger under my chin. “Yes, I am your mate.” I shrug him off. “I rejected you.” Ashton shakes his head.
“At first, I thought so too. But tonight confirms you didn’t. You probably intended to but didn’t do it properly.” I tilt my head to the side. Mate or not, I rejected him. I feel nothing for him. “Never mind, just know that the time will come when you’ll need me. And when it does come, you’d better be on your knees.” I scoff. “I’d rather die,” Ashton smirks.
“Game on, Mia.”
