Even more annoying is that I can’t read his mind. It’s a buzzing blank of static. Like he has nothing but white noise between his ears. At any other time, I’d be intrigued. But right now, it’s adding to my frustrated fury.
Roused from his fog of fear at being abducted, the guy yells, ‘Pull over, you crazy woman!’ There’s a jolt on the back of my seat as he tries to crawl into the front. Attempting to stop a vampire driving a moving vehicle? That’s brave and kind of stupid. He’s going to get himself killed. I glance in the rear-view mirror and see his set jaw and determined expression.
‘What the fuck are you doing?’ he shouts right in my ear, and I flinch.
‘Teaching you a lesson in manners,’ I say calmly and slam my foot on the brake, so he shoots back with a yelp.Hmm, he’s going to hurt himself if he tries that again.There’s nothing for it. I bind him to the floor, so he’s safe until I can get him home and do unsafe things to him. He calls me names and struggles, and I smirk to myself.
Of course, I have no fixed plan for what I’m going to do when I get him back to the flat. I’m getting more impulsive, not less, in my old age. When you’re at the top of the food chain, you can get a little overconfident.
But it definitely feels good to use my powers again. I’ve had to keep them under wraps as I’ve been dating a human for the last six months. I’m now realising I’ve made a big mistake in doing that.
Typically, my flatmates and I don’t date humans, because as vampires, we need to keep a low profile. But sometimes you meet a man who makes you want to bend the rules. Tim Rhodes is that man. A couple of months ago, he moved into the top floor of our New Town tenement. It was a surprise to get an invite to a flat-warming party he was throwing for the neighbours.
Floss instantly pushed for us to go. Hester was less sure about it and thought it was wiser to stay home. I couldn’thave cared less. In the end, Floss twisted my arm, and Tim made a beeline for me as soon as we arrived. That night, we fell into bed and fell into a sort of relationship in the weeks after. I’m not sure how it even happened. But it’s probably because he’s handsome, charming, and a smart dresser. He owns a lot of tailored suits because he does something in finance. I forget what.
Anyway, I need to break up with him. It’s not because he suspects that there’s something strange about me, but more due to the fact that I read his mind the other night and discovered he wants to propose! He thinks he’s in love with me, but he’s not. He doesn’t even know me. If he’s expecting me to be his dutiful little wifey and give him children, he’s in for a big shock. So yes, I need to break up with him, but I haven’t found the right time to do it. It will be soon.
There’s muttering and cursing from the van floor behind me, and I grin. This guy is high-spirited, cute, and he knows Simon Le Bon. So that makes him extremely appealing. I’m not going to hurt him. I might just scare him a little. So he tells me which hotel the band is staying in ...
Chapter 5
Sadie | Edinburgh, present day
Hester and Floss stare at me blankly when I tell them that Elliott is alive and we’re going to rescue him. Or maybe it’s because I called them ‘bitches’. It’s a figure of speech. They’ll get over it. Damian just looks blank because he doesn’t get anything. He’s a liability.
‘So let me get this straight,’ says Hester. ‘You want us to go on a wild goose chase based on the fact that you’ve heardbuzzing?’
‘The buzzing is Elliott trying to contact me,’ I explain through gritted teeth. ‘He’s letting me know he’s alive.’
‘How come you can’t talk to each other telepathically?’ asks Damian, sounding interested. Do I deign to reply to him? Floss is giving me the evils, so I’d better. I need her help as she’s the one with the blood bond with Alexander. And for moral support, since we’ve been friends for over a century. I trust her like a sister, though I probably don’t give that impression. I know I’ve been acting cold and heartlessto her about Damian, but it’s only because I don’t want to see her get hurt. And as far as I know, he hasn’t agreed to being turned yet. He’s liable to fuck off and leave her like men do in my experience. I’ve always had a niggling fear that if I hadn’t compelled Elliott to do my bidding for all these years, he would have left me long ago.
I shrug. ‘I don’t know. It’s always been that way with us. I can compel him, but I can’t read his mind or project my thoughts to him. But at least we know Alexander’s keeping him alive. For now.’
‘What about trying hypnosis?’ suggests Damian. ‘I know it sounds a bit woo-woo, but with your heightened perceptions, you might be able to pick up on something. I did a self-hypnosis course last year to help with my anxiety, so I’m happy to put you under and supervise. It’s quite safe.’
‘That’s a great idea!’ says Floss, looking at him fondly. ‘You’re so clever.’ She squeezes his arm, and he gives her a quick kiss on the lips.
I’m annoyed at them having a PDA in front of me when I’m obviously distressed, but I have no better ideas. ‘OK, Doctor, you’re on. But I’m warning you, my mind is difficult to control when it comes to the power of suggestion.’
I tip the mug to my lips and swallow the rest of the blood to bolster my strength. And to satiate my appetite so I don’t accidentally bite him when I’m unconscious.
***
‘Listento my voice,’ intones Damian. ‘Your eyelids are starting to feel heavier.’
I crack open an eye from where I’m lying on the couch and look at him sitting beside me. ‘Seriously?’
‘Just try it, Sadie,’ pleads Floss, hovering behind him. ‘Do you want Elliott back or not?’
I snap my eye shut and try to relax, but my nerves feel like wire bands criss-crossing my body. But as he continues talking to me in a bland monotone, my fists unclench, and my shoulders lower from around my ears.
‘Good, Sadie, very good,’ Damian murmurs soothingly. ‘Allow yourself to yield, just for a bit, and think of Elliott. His face, his smell, his jokes ...’
A smile flits across my lips. He’s so funny, and he smells so good. ‘Imagine that he’s here with you now, and he’s holding your hand.’
My eyelids flutter, and my fingers curl instinctively. Elliott’s hands are warm and strong.
‘Now I’m going to count backwards from ten, and with each number, you’ll feel even more relaxed. Ten, nine ... Sinking deeper ... eight, seven ...’
