Page 107 of Twice Bitten
Either way, I was in deep shit if one of them showed up this evening.
I grabbed the broom and focused on sweeping the floor, grimacing at all the gross things people left behind.When that was done, I did a thorough mop job, getting in all the nooks and crannies the other baristas failed to clean.
I straightened, wiped the sweat off my brow, and put the mop back into the bucket. Everything after that became methodical, all done with muscle memory. Restock all the cups, wipe down all the machines, refill the milk and cream, etc., etc., etc.
Half an hour later, I stood in the middle of the shop, grinning at a job well done. I don’t think I’d ever been so efficient in my life.
Amazing what a healthy dose of fear could do for one’s productivity.
I took off my apron, tucked it inside my bag, and grabbed my keys and purse.
Weak daylight still cast an orange glow through the parking lot. I had enough light left to hurry to my car and maybe even get home before full night fell.
Keys in hand, I came out from behind the counter.
The spell let out a loud shriek and flared red. A dark shadow slammed against the window. Once. Twice.
The third time, the glass shattered.
I dropped my keys and bag and whirled around, desperately flinging myself toward the back door, but Beckett was there, blocking my way.
He looked awful. Whatever I’d done to him the last time had ruined his face, turning his once beautiful countenance into a melted mess of skin and cartilage.
He should have healed by now. Vampires could heal even a mortal wound if they got blood in time. The only thing sure to kill them was a rowan stake through the heart (in most cases) and beheading. But Beckett hadn’t healed. If anything, he looked worse.
On the day of the attack, he’d fled before I could see the damageI’d done. I never would have expected this. Half his face looked like the ruins of a melted candle.
His eye sagged, sitting two inches lower than his other. His mouth dragged downward on one side, the sight sending an image of a sad, creepy clown straight to my brain. The damage flowed to his neck, the smooth flesh now a map of scars and rough edges.
“What, Alex?” he hissed, his voice a sibilant slur. “You don’t think I’m pretty anymore?”
I took a step back. “You can leave. You don’t have to do this.”
His chuckle gurgled in his throat. “We both know I can’t.”
“You can. Turn around and walk out the door. Leave this town. Go somewhere the Prime can’t find you.”
He scoffed, the sound a hissing rasp in his ruined throat. “The Prime won’t get close enough to do anything to me. He’s afraid of what I am. What I can do.”
“And what is that? Spread your contagion?”
The words hit him like a dagger. “I’m different now. Faster, more powerful. Whatever this is burns through my blood like fire. But ever since you…it doesn’t hurt as much.” Malice and greed glittered in his eyes. “One little sip, Alex. That’s all I’m asking for.”
Lies. I could see it in his face. He wanted to drink me down and only stop when I had no more left to give.
Beckett had lost all semblance of humanity. Vamps could be cold bastards on a normal day, but they still felt emotions. I wasn’t so sure about Beckett. His eyes were flat and cold, and while his voice burned with emotion, the only thing he seemed to care about was himself and his supposed power.
And me. At least for the next few moments. I had to stall.
I licked my lips. “Then why don’t you face him? Take over for him? If you think you can rule, take the Hive.”
Beckett’s eyes narrowed. “No vampire, no matter how powerful, can take a Hive alone.”
“Then get the other vampires on your side.”
Greed flickered over his face. “I have to show them how powerful I am first. They’d never follow me otherwise.”
“Then start there. You’re powerful. Charismatic. Humans and other kind flock to people with those qualities.” The last thing I wanted was for him to gain more power, but Beckett proved delusional and like most delusional men, he probably loved flattery. And saying pretty things to him might gain me more time.
