Claws And Fangs Part 19

It was as if she lost her will to do anything else. She was aware of swallowing the warm substance. It grossed her out but she didn't gag as she continued to do as he ordered. His voice sounded deeper and her daydream had turned into an entirely new nightmare.

"This will heal you. You've lost a lot of blood and some of your internal organs have begun to shut down. You're safe, Jasmine. You know me." His eyes narrowed. "I'm sorry I have to force you, but this is for the best."

He finally pulled his wrist away and licked it. The second he broke eye contact, she regained control of her body. She tried to twist away again but he held her firmly by the hair. She managed to swipe at the wetness on her mouth with her hand. Red blood smeared across her fingers. A soft gasp drew her attention from the sight of it.

A pretty woman with dark hair stood a few feet from the bed with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. "You're sharing your blood with her? You can't do that!"

Chase stared at the brunette. "Did you bring the blood?"

"Yes. It's on the table. I thought it was for you."

"This is none of your concern. Leave."

"How can you say that? You should have asked me first."

"This is my house." His voice deepened into a snarl. "You're welcome to move out if you have a problem."

The woman spun and fled the room. Jasmine stared at Chase when he met her gaze. Is that his girlfriend? Wife?

He seemed to guess her thoughts. "That's my sister. I just surprised her, but she'll adjust to you being here."

"What's going on?" Jasmine hated how soft her voice sounded, a near whisper.

"You were attacked by a rogue vampire, but you're safe now. This is my home." He picked up a warm, wet washcloth and dabbed gently at her fingers. He then cleaned away the blood on her face. "It's your home now too."

She wasn't sure what alarmed her the most. Did he say vampire? It would explain his fangs, and why he'd made her drink blood. What does he mean-it's my home too? Fear edged up her spine, but admittedly, it wasn't as bad as being chained inside a bas.e.m.e.nt with a homicidal madman.

"Your eyes..."

"Easy," Chase rasped, dropping the washcloth on a side table. He leaned in and cupped her cheek, brus.h.i.+ng his thumb along her hairline. "I know this is a lot to learn after what you've suffered. I'll answer all your questions."

The first one that came to mind popped out of her mouth. "What are you?"

"I'm a rarity." His hand dropped from her skin but he stayed close. "I'm a mixed breed-werewolf and vampire."

She wondered why all the really handsome men had such major flaws. Chase Woods was nuts. Of course it wasn't real. "Okay." There was no use arguing with a hallucination.

"That doesn't distress you?" He arched one eyebrow.

"It would if this were real."

He drew in a deep breath then sighed. "What would it take to convince you it is?"

"I'd be in a hospital if I'd survived and the police had found me. Your eyes would be totally brown, too."

"Humans aren't allowed to know about us. They usually scream, and then promptly attempt to kill us. We police our own. The vampire who took you was bad, and I was sent to kill him."

"So you're a vampire hunter?" She must have watched too many movies to create this fantasy. "With magical eyes?"

"I'm an enforcer."

"Nicer t.i.tle."

Chase really was a good-looking man when he grinned. "Yes."

"Okay."

"You're being very agreeable."

"This beats reality. It isn't the kind of dream I usually have about you though."

Interest sparked in his eyes. "You dream about me?"

"All the time. You're hot, Chase. I flirted but you ignored me. I don't blame you," she went on. "I drove by that Goth club you work at a few times and saw some of the women going inside. They all looked like strippers, lingerie models or p.o.r.n stars...and I don't."

"I don't date anyone I meet at Mooning." His hand returned and he stroked her cheek with his thumb. "You're much more attractive to me than any of those women."

Jasmine laughed. Her body didn't ache anymore and she felt good. "Now I know this is a dream. That's such a load of bulls.h.i.+t."

He grew solemn. "Never put yourself down."

"I'm not. My b.o.o.bs are real, I like to eat, and no one is ever going to want to pay me to be on film without my clothes. I'm more of the girl-next-door type."

"Exactly. There's a sweetness about you that I find very appealing. You fascinate me."

"I would say you must lead a very boring life but I know better. Your club has a reputation for being pretty wild."

"It's not technically my club. I just work there, running security."

"Ah. Do you get tired of patting down all those super-skinny girls? Are they too bony?"

He chuckled, his eye color fading to brown. "Let's just say I prefer someone with curves and a personality. Those women didn't last long the few times I attempted relations.h.i.+ps."

"You dumped them?"

He leaned back and stopped touching her. "No. They couldn't handle my lifestyle."

"Jealousy." She could understand that. "It would be tough knowing you were hanging around all those women with your looks. You must get hit on often." She paused, unable to resist. "You admitted to being part dog." She laughed at the joke. He didn't.

"You're almost fully recovered."

He took her hand to study her wrist. Jasmine looked too, and the ugly injuries from the shackles she'd fought were gone. Pink, healthy skin appeared unmarred.

"Very cool dream. I wonder if I can fly."

His gaze held hers. "No. That's one thing you can't do. You'll be a little bit stronger, faster, and you'll heal quickly from most injuries."

"Am I a vampire now?" The concept was intriguing.

"No."

"You're almost his mate!" The cold voice belonged to a rail-thin, tall blonde who stepped closer to the bed. Her eyes-fixed on Chase-resembled two chunks of jagged emeralds. "How could you?"

He rose to his feet. "How did you even find this place, Arry?"

"You were so worried about her that you didn't notice my car trailing yours." She glanced around. "Tell me you aren't completing the bond. She's human."

Jasmine could hear the insult in the other woman's tone and she looked to Chase for answers. "Who is she? What is she talking about?"

"Leave," Chase ordered the blonde coldly, ignoring the questions. "You aren't welcome here, Arry." He took a threatening step forward. "I told you it wouldn't happen when you showed up."

Arry planted her hands on her hips. "Everyone fears us and we're both alone. It's a given that we'll mate!"

"We're not feared. We're pitied. Vampires believe we're inferior and werewolves think we're unable to form tight bonds with others." He paused. "I chose her. There's nothing for you here."

Arry chewed on her bottom lip. "It's easier if we mate."

"I want to be happy."

"s.e.x would be good between us."

"It's not enough."

Arry glanced at Jasmine. "What can she give you that I can't?"

"Her thoughts are easy to read. She's sweet and funny." He paused. "Smart. Honest. She's everything I want in a mate."

Jasmine slid out of bed and walked to Chase. One glance down her body revealed a frumpy, faded nights.h.i.+rt that hit just above her knees. It was comfortable, covered her for the most part, though she'd never seen it before in her life. Her attention returned to Chase and she tapped his shoulder. He turned, peering down at her. His eyes were blue again.

"You read my mind?"

"It's a vampire trait. I can only read surface thoughts, but yes."

"She isn't even sure this is reality," Arry said. "It's too crazy to be real. That's what she's thinking. That, and something about infection from the bites..." She smirked. "I see the attraction is mutual. She thinks you're hot but your eyes are confusing her."

Jasmine was stunned as she looked at the blonde. The dream was becoming more than a little disconcerting. "Stay out of my head."

"It's real, honey. He saved you from that bas.e.m.e.nt and healed your wounds. Vampires and werewolves do exist. His eyes change color when he's angry, turned on, or using his special traits." Arry opened her mouth, wicked fangs extending. "See? The better to bite with. You're beginning to believe, aren't you? You're afraid now."

It was true. Everything seemed too real and denial was great, but it could only last for so long. Jasmine dropped her hand and backed away from Chase as fear crept up her spine until the hairs at the base of her neck stood on end. He reached for her but she jumped out of the way to avoid his touch.

"Trouble in paradise." The blonde snorted. "Wipe her memories and send her home." She approached Chase. "Mate me. We're the same!"

His head snapped forward. "We aren't. Leave, Arry. Return to wherever you came from. We'll never be mates."

"We're in a world that has no place for our kind," she argued. "Your vampire friends don't trust us completely, regardless of your faith in them. While your little wolf pack tempts me to try to find one of my own, you know you only rule them because they fear your strength. They'd chop you into pieces if given half the chance, because you aren't truly one of them. I catch some of their thoughts, the way you must too when their guards are down. It has to be tiring to always worry they might come after you. I'd have your back, and you'd have mine."

"My friends and pack are none of your business. I'd be more worried, if I were you, that they'll come after you. They swore allegiance to me. You're just a visitor who refuses to follow orders. Watch your own back-and get out of my house. Never return here or reveal the location. I'll hunt you down and kill you myself if you do."

Jasmine watched them stare at each other as more chills ran down her spine. It was obvious the two weren't friends, not even close, and the dangerous vibes pouring from Chase were strong enough for her to feel. The room seemed to grow colder as the seconds pa.s.sed.

The blonde raised her hands in defeat. "I'll go. But call me after this blows up in your face. No human is going to accept and love you for what you truly are. She's already frightened, and it hasn't even fully sunk in yet."

Arry spun around but hesitated by the open doorway, turning her head to peer at him. "Your den is safe. I'd never betray you, regardless of the stupid mistakes I believe you make." She glared at Jasmine, and then retreated.

Chase watched Arry go before facing Jasmine. She'd backed into the corner by the fireplace. He knew her thoughts centered on using the fire poker as a weapon if he attacked. He wanted to a.s.sure that wouldn't happen.

"I'd never hurt you."

"You're really part vampire and werewolf?"

"Yes."

"How?"

She was too cute. Part of her wanted to bolt but she was also very curious. Her strong attraction to him helped. She'd fantasized about him often since they'd met. He could read all that as he concentrated on her thoughts. It would be easy to force her to agree to mating him, but once the bond took, she'd have free will. It would be a bad way to start their future together. It was also forbidden.

"My parents had s.e.x."

She frowned, not appreciating his attempt at humor.

"My father was a vampire, my mother a werewolf and vampire half-breed."

"Vampires don't have kids. They can't."

"You read that in a book?"

"Yes."

"I don't sparkle or burst into flames in the sun. I bet you read that, too." He continued before she could voice her thoughts. "I don't s.h.i.+ft into a wolf. My bloodlines aren't pure enough. I don't have a tail, nor do I howl at the moon when it's full. I don't kill people to drink blood, but yes, I need it. Blood banks are willing to make some extra income by selling contaminated blood instead of destroying it."

"Contaminated?"

"We can't catch human diseases. Contaminated blood doesn't affect us. They can't use it on humans, so they believe they're helping medical research by selling it and reinvesting the profit."

Her lips parted.

"We set up a fake medical research company with a small office for deliveries. It avoids suspicion."

"You really drink blood?"

"Yes. You will too after we mate."

"That's gross."

He fought to hide his amus.e.m.e.nt when she purposely refused to acknowledge the part about mating. "You'd only drink mine. I promise you'll enjoy it." His d.i.c.k hardened thinking about her at his neck or chest, taking from him while he f.u.c.ked her.

"Why? I mean, if you want to turn me into a vampire, couldn't I drink anyone's blood?"