Then that suddenly falling sensation jolted my body, and I woke up screaming. My eyes darted around my bedroom and saw I’d been snuggling my blanket instead of the sofa where I’d fallen asleep. The vampire was nowhere to be found, and I tried exceedingly hard to come up with any explanation as to how I got to my bed. The thought that Tatsou carried me and gently laid me down so I wouldn’t wake up was too much for my brain to handle.
“Tatsou?” I called out and he didn’t answer. Instead of searching for him like last time, I slowly walked from the bedroom to the sewing room and let my fingers do the thinking for me.
I’d been asleep for two hours and sewing for an hour when I glanced out the slider door and saw him gingerly tending to the flowers in my garden.
Chapter Twelve
Tatsou
Katsumi made a decent point about her mental health in the grand scheme of my plans. If she was nearing emotional anguish, she would not be useful to me. She’d also be likely to make a mistake. As a warrior, you had to take time to rest your body and mind before fighting. So I let her rest and take her time to ease her mind and spirit.
I’d walked around, looking the part of the dutiful guard to anyone who watched and thought of my time long ago in the very same forest. I’d worked in the fields, digging holes and planting the seeds that grew to feed the bellies of my people. I trained nearly nonstop on honing control and pushing my immortal body to its physical limits. I basked in the silence of the night and endured the chaos of the day. I knew this earth, its familiar hills and rivers, yet it was still a stranger. Tall trees now covered the paths I’d walked every morning. Even the mountain itself eroded the shape I knew. This world confused me, and I hated it. The sounds and brightness ached my head and wearied my soul. I didn’t know where a monster like me would fit in. Going back to sleep seemed like a plausible idea, but I did not enjoy the petrified state of my body. Movement was key to living—movement of mind and body. Botan would have disagreed to say the living was the key to living, but monsters didn’t have that luxury. Unless you found love with another vampire, everyone around you died.
Life passed like a leaf on the river, short and pointlessly. Eventually the leaf would deteriorate into nothing. I glanced at my old home and the repairs Katsumi had made. In a way, she had brought the broken-down house back to life. My quiet steps walked into her silly attempt at a garden and chuckled. She lacked skills working with plants. They needed water and guidance. I’d tended to the flowers around my home as a way to calm my vampire urges at Bohan’s request. He thought by giving me something to nurture, it would bring me closer to inner peace. My birth family had worked on a farm with beautiful gardens. I’d been brought up to be one with the earth and appreciate the beauty around me. After becoming the monster, I’d quickly forgotten the notion, thinking it impossible to see beauty in a world full of blood.
Katsumi’s tattoo caught me by surprise today, as well as her admission to its meaning. She sought to see the beauty I’d long forgotten existed. Curiosity urged me to know what beauty she saw in her current circumstances. Images of her naked form crept into my mind, and my fangs dropped lower. I’d been with many women in my long-lived life. Hers was not even the best in appearance, but I couldn’t stop staring. She was unlike the women of my time. She had a strong will and did not hold her tongue. Her little speech was admirable, and every time she mentioned sex, images of bending her over or hauling her up against the wall and thrusting inside her consumed my mind. She was a woman who knew what she wanted and didn’t apologize for it. Who knew such a woman besides the whores in my day existed? Their jobs were needed, but now it seemed like women were open to lust like men.
Once the darkness covered the woods like a thick blanket, I strode inside the studio and followed Katsumi’s sweet, flowery scent. She’d worked on a dress for hours, then finally laid down for bed. Without anything else to do at the moment, I sat in her room and inhaled deeply. I did not need sleep, but clearing the mind was as good for me as it was her.
I meditated until the morning sun rose and opened my eyes to see Katsumi watching me.
Chapter Thirteen
Katsumi
I’d woken up to see the vampire in residence sitting near the window with his eyes closed and breathing deeply. One would think he was meditating, but I wasn’t so convinced.
Still, he hadn’t noticed me after I woke up, and I scanned his features. I’d noticed his sex appeal at the mall. Then there was the attention of his nightmarish eyes upon meeting him. I wanted to know more about his past and his life as a vampire. He could fight without breaking a sweat, he could murder countless men just because he wanted to, but there was a tenderness in him I swore I saw yesterday. It could have been my imagination, but I bet even with his terrifying fangs that descended at will, he had a dazzling smile. It was those lips I couldn’t take my gaze from, and unfortunately, he caught me staring at them.
“How did you become a vampire?” I pried again, hopeful he would answer me this time.
“No.”
I sighed and rolled onto my back.
“What’s on the agenda today? Kill a bunch of people?” It was a smart-ass remark but something about this vampire made me sassy. The birds tweeted their good morning song outside, and I tried to focus on the beauty of being alive despite the circumstances.
The vampire stood so quickly, I didn’t hear him move.
“I could kill you today?” he offered and before I could speak, his body hovered over me, my head tilted to the side by his tight grip. I squeaked and tried to move my head, but my body froze with fear. My life might end this very moment.
“You could.” I bit back the tears and waited for the monster to either rip my throat or not.
“Tempting.” He leaned in and sniffed my neck, like he was sniffing wine at a vineyard. I trembled beneath his hold but I refused to cry for my life. He didn’t deserve the satisfaction.
“Just do it or get off me. I actually have things I’d like to get done today.” I attempted to snarl at him, and his body suddenly shook. His release softened the slightest and I was able to look up and see his lips tilted upward and laughter rolling through him.
“What are you laughing at?” I tried to move. His body was like an iron cage over me, completely immovable. Finally, once he stopped his ill-timed chuckle, his gaze collided with my stare. Too close! His face was too handsome to be inches away from. His eyes looked like molten gold, and those lips were still lifted into a grin. I needed to escape before I did something stupid like kiss him.
“Your claws entertain me, Kat.”
He said my real name. Before self-preservation reeled me in, I lifted my head and pressed my lips to his. He was hard against my soft, and I watched as his eyes widened. Seconds later, my head was pushed to the side and an excruciating sharp pain tore through my neck. I screamed as the vampire dug his sharp teeth into my skin and pulled at the blood coursing through me. My toes and fingers turned cold and tears finally flowed from my eyes. I begged for him to stop with each violent pull of my life force. I hurt so badly, I wanted him to end me. Surely my neck was torn apart in ribbons of flesh. If I managed to survive, I’d never be able to cover it up. After what felt like hours, the pain numbed and the vampire was off me, licking the red blood from his lips. What a messy eater.
I wiggled my toes and fingers, surprised at their movement. I attempted to shift my head and it too turned. My hands flew to my neck, to feel the damaged caused by this monster and was only met with blood and solid skin.
“What the fuck?” I sat up and with shaky legs ran to the bathroom mirror. I scanned my neck over and over and not one bite mark marred my flesh. Was it all just a trick of the mind?
“I healed you. Can’t have people seeing my perfect little kitten all marked by a vampire. It would give me away before I’m ready.” He smirked, his eyes shining brighter, and his cheeks flushed with new blood in his system. I cried from the hate for him and myself in my reflection. I can’t believe I kissed him. His bite shouldn’t have come as a surprise being what he is, but somehow I had felt safe. Stupid, stupid girl.
