32: F*ck You, You Undead Creep

The words slip out of my mouth. I know where Tessa is. Did I want to say it? Yes. No. Save myself or save her...save the world, because let’s face it, Phillip is crazy. I open my mouth to retract the statement, play dumb, give vague directions, but something else entirely comes out. “You let go.”

“Not intentionally,” he barks at me. “Your arms were flailing and your fists were swinging.” His thumb goes to gently dab at the corner of his mouth where a small speck of blood stains his lip. “I didn’t come away unscathed.”

“Well, I didn’t come away unscathed in there either.” A tremor runs through my body thinking about it. The hands grabbing me, the fangs sinking into my flesh, even the scraps from the pavement haunt me.

“You made it out, that's all that matters.”

“Is it?” I can’t help but to feel that isn’t all the matters. I’m sure Phillip would have cared less if I made it out if I didn’t get what I went in for.

“And that you found Tessa is a little extra incentive for celebration. I think this calls for that drink.” Gabriel shoots up to his feet and holds out his hand ready to help me stand up. “Phillip has an extraordinary bar downstairs.”

I debate about sitting, separating myself from the vampire world by ignoring his hand. “Where’s Phillip?” I ask as I don’t listen to better judgement and take his hand. He heaves me to my feet. “Shouldn’t we tell him right away, so I-”

Gabriel cuts my words short. “After dinner.” He tightens the grip he has on me and leads the way out into the hall.

I stay quiet and silently argue with myself in my head. After dinner? Did I really want to stay for dinner again? I’m sure I won’t be able to decline. When have I ever been able to decline Phillip or even Gabriel for that matter.

I’m still stuck in my head as we arrive at said bar. To Gabriel’s word the room is crafted perfectly. The gleaming bartop, the glass bottles lined up on lighted shelves, the plush bar stools. Everything looks similar to Rapid Pulse. I wouldn’t be surprised if Phillip owned Rapid Pulse. What I do find surprising is that I just thought of it now.

“So what will it be?” Gabriel stands behind the bar, a smile on his face, glass in hand. “If I recall you prefer shots.” He replaces the pint glass with a shot glass and fills it with an amber liquid. He pours one for himself and raises it into the air. “To the dream realm, may it never have to be visited again.” He waits until I have the small glass in my hand before he gently clicks his glass to mine and quickly downs it.

I feel a life lesson coming on. Something along the lines of ‘never drink with a vampire’. But I seem to not listen to these lessons. I tip back the glass and the liquid burns all the way down. Within a blink of my eyes the glass is refilled. I drink it without a care in the world and I drink the one after that, which is two more than I should've had.

I’m slightly tipsy and I blame Gabriel. That smile, those eyes. After one drink I’m hooked, after two I’m sinking and after the third all my hesitations are gone. I watch myself from what seems like an out of body experience. I’m almost a backseat driver as I catch the small cues and passes of Gabriel before he leans over the bartop and kisses me. And the backseat driver me stays quiet and lets him.

I’m nearly breathless as his lips press gently against mine. A hot flash creeps up my neck searing me in place. The rush of heat, the flutter of my heart and my numb brain is the worst mixture. I’m more than thankful for the whoosh of fresh air as he breaks the kiss and with his vampire speed, sprints around the bar to stand beside.

This time though he slows his movements down, which only makes me more aware of his eyes on me. His hand goes to cradle my head right at the base of my skull. His other hand rests on my knee. The amount of pressure he applies to each trap me in place, but as his golden eyes stare at me, I don’t care. I’m all too willing to be trapped here forever.

It’s all fun and games as his mouth trails from my lips to jaw to my neck. It’s exhilarating as he nestles his mouth in the crook of my neck until the scrap of fangs rack across my skin. I jolt away from him as if suddenly snapped back into my body, I nearly fall off the barstool.

The flashes of being ripped into in the dream realm paralyze me with fear. The sadistic whispers and the hungry gazes are still fresh in my mind and in this moment I’m not with Gabriel, I’m with a blood thirsty monster.

A flash of hurt crosses Gabriel’s eyes, but he speaks. “I’m sorry, I didn’t-”

“It’s fine.” Is it? “I think I’m going to go sleep off my buzz before dinner tonight.” I leave him in the bar and head straight back to my room without looking back.

I might be thinking too highly of myself and my importance here at Phillip’s manor. I’m only assuming that the room I had previously stayed in is currently empty...I’m hoping it's empty.

The halls suddenly feel eerie as if they know I fear them. With every turn I expect to run into someone, but as I conquer the maze like halls no one is in sight. In fact the manor seems like a ghost town. I brush off the thought as I come to a familiar door. Cautiously, I knock and wait a few seconds before gripping the doorknob. My heart beats once before stopping completely as I twist it.

It opens with a small creek. Peeking inside, a breath of relief rushes out of my lungs and my heart lurches back to life. No one and it doesn’t appear as if someone is staying in it and is currently gone.

A mixture of emotions come over me. I’m confused about how I should feel, because both sides are unappealing. Overlooked and forgotten or remembered and needed. A job done or one that will never be completed.

I plop down on the corner of the bed and think. Being left alone with nothing more than my own thoughts isn’t the best thing right now. Self pity and loathing are beating out relief and excitement. My oath to Phillip is almost to a completion, I should be ecstatic, but giving Tessa over, being a key part in the end of the world and the hurt that was visible on Gabriel’s face keeps flashing through my mind. It eats at me.

I can only torture myself to save Tessa and if I can gather my courage before then, I just might do it, choose Tessa safety over my own. But I can apologize to Gabriel right now. I freaked out and it was the wrong moment to do it. I’ve been so caught up in how I’ve been thrown into a situation against my will that I didn’t truly see someone there willing to help me.

I stand up from the bed with a new sense of determination. I remember where his room is located, not that far from mine. I may not remember my crawl through the halls that very first night, but I remember the door. It hasn't been that long, he could be there or still in the bar or with Phillip.

The walk to Gabriel’s room is short and the closer I get the more I begin to second guess myself. Is this a desperate move? Am I admitting something I shouldn’t be? What about Caleb? It’s not like we haven’t done things to intentionally hurt each in the past. Is this any different? I hesitate outside his door, nervous. For some stupid reason I don’t knock, I just enter.

My held breath slowly releases from my pursed lips as I stare into his empty room. Damn it. Option one, down. Two more to go.

I retrace my steps back to the bar. The closer I get the more distinct two voices become. Found him. Gabriel and another vampire bicker inside. It doesn’t take eavesdropping on the conversation long to figure out that they’re arguing about me.

I waltz inside pretending to be unaware of their squabble, which comes to an immediate halt. Both sets of eyes turn to land on me. “Gabriel, I-” My throat closes up as my eyes land on the other vampire.

It’s him. One of them that attacked me in the dream realm. The first one, the one that actually sank his fangs into my flesh. The one that broke Gabriel’s and I connection. the one that sent me spiralling into the dream realm’s depths.

“I’ll leave you to your little witch.” It’s deja vu as he calls me ‘little witch’. Just like in the dream realm. The two of them echoing each other’s words is beyond eerie and unsettling.

My tongue feels thick and heavy in my mouth and I become rooted in place. Stuck just watching two worlds collide together.

The blood thirsty vampire that I become unwillingly acquainted with whips around turning his back on Gabriel and struts past me, but not without a jab. “Nice black eye, I’m sure you deserved it.” He mutters under his breath.

My anger loosens my lips. “Fuck you, you undead creep.”

All he does is scuff at me as he leaves the room. A quick farewell to Gabriel, “Good luck with that one,” he hollers before exiting the room.

Gabriel stands there staring at me dumbfoundedly. Surprised almost. I’m not sure with who, that jackass or me. “You know what. How about we go out for dinner.” He says ignoring everything that just took place. “The market is open, shall we get some of that amazing food from your friend?”

“Sure.” I reply breathily.

He knows all too well that at this moment I would agree to anything to get out of having dinner here and to get away from everyone inside this hell house.