Eat Me

ChapterNine

JustinPOV

A lone tear slid down his face, exploding on my hand. I pressed harder on his chest, letting my fingers melt into his skin.

"Keep your eyes open for me. I want her to be the last thing you see," I whispered in his ear.

His muffled screams intensified as his warm liquid life force spilled over my fingers and soaked his shirt. I'd hoped he'd stay awake for the best part, but I guess some people aren't as strong as they try to make out.

A satisfying cracking sound emanated from his chest as my fingers reached bone.

It was calling me.

Bloodlust.

Deep inside my brain, I felt the charge. I wanted to tear him and every one around me apart. His muffled screams turned to lifeless gurgles. A deep crimson ran down his chin, and the struggling ceased. With a splash, I withdrew myself from him, ripping his heart out from beneath his shattered ribcage in the process.

In front of me, the fragile woman released a weak moan, deescalating the menacing evil building inside me.

I stood in front of her, up to my elbows in claret. Soon enough, the sun would be appearing and this wouldn't be something the living would ignore. Luckily, I knew a couple of demons ready to clean up my mess and devour the leftovers. I reached in my pocket and grabbed my phone, dialing a few numbers. On the third try, Tony, a Vulgar demon, answered. I'd explained my location and that he had a free meal ready and waiting. To him, it was a gift, and not a mess to clean up. Nothing would go to waste, and it was almost as if I had done him the favor.

Knowing that I could check that problem off my list, I moved to Cas, crouching in front of her. Even in the state she was in, I couldn't take my eyes off her. There was seriously something wrong with me.

Lifting her in my arms, she unconsciously nestled against me.

There wasn't enough time to make it back to my place before the sun rose.

"Cas," I shook her against my chest, "Cas, listen carefully. I need you to tell me where you live. Can you do that for me?"

"Mmm," my incessant shaking did nothing to wake her.

"Cas," I shouted, "tell me where you live, darlin'. Come on."

"Mm, I. It's... Downsway," she mumbled, keeping her eyes firmly closed.

It was about four roads over from where we were standing. Ten - fifteen minutes max if I walked fast enough.

"Got a number for your place or do I just try every door?" I sped off towards hers.

"Four-" she hiccuped. "Fourty-six."

Finally, we were getting somewhere.

***

We made it to her place as the sun began lighting the sky. The slight sizzle on my face I could deal with, but a few minutes more and I'd be dust. I fished around her skirt pocket, grabbing a set of two keys. The second attempt got us through the front door to the building. I carried her inside, eying the key that had '2A' engraved on the metal. Below us, the floor creaked as we took the stairs, two at a time, to the first floor. I wasn't sure how I'd explain this to her neighbors if any of them opened their doors. Chances are, I'd have to kill them.

The lock clicked, and I retrieved the key, using my leg to kick open the door.

"Cas, wake up, this parts important." I couldn't enter without an invitation. Going into the building was one thing. It wasn't a home for one person, more like a gateway, but to go into her home, it wasn't that easy. "I need you to invite me in."

"Hm?"

"Say you invite me in." It was too late for me to leave, I needed somewhere to stay until night came around. I needed her to-

"I in-" another hiccup, "invite you in."

Without hesitating, I carried her over the threshold. Her place was small. The kitchen was attached to the living room and separated only by a selection of cream tiled counter tops. In the middle of the room sat a cream sofa facing a television. A few nicknacks here and there were the only indication someone actually lived here, otherwise it was pretty bare.

With some reluctance on her part, I placed her down on the sofa, and moved to the curtains, enveloping us in darkness. Her small frame curled up in a ball like a kitten as I proceeded to wash the blood off my arms in the kitchen sink. Inevitably, Cas' living space was coated in her scent, and I was a man on a hunger strike at a buffet table.

I smoothed my now damp hands through my hair. I needed to get a grip.

She was nothing to me.

Just a girl who willingly invited a vampire into her home, unknowingly throwing herself to the wolves.

"Warren," she called out mindlessly in her slumber.

Who the f*ck was Warren?

Slowly, I paced over to her. The clothes she wore were adorned with the man from the car park's blood. Admiring my work, I stood over her. It was something I could appreciate, but not something that could be explained when she awoke. Moving her wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, her body seemed to move willingly with my touch. Starting with her skirt and tights, I carefully pulled them off her pale legs. All of this would have to be disposed of.

Her phone, keys and purse I moved to the kitchen counter, and when I returned, I finished removing her t-shirt.

Laying flat on her back in only a matching black bra and thong was a sight to behold. In all my years on this earth, I haven't been this mesmerized. Her full breasts were barely held captive. Her body was perfect. On her hip sat a small inking of a window with the grim reaper looking in.

Interesting.

I lifted her to her feet, getting ready to hoist her over my shoulder to put her to bed. Internally, I was at war with what I wanted to happen. My plan was to end my night with her. But not like this.

Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't notice the small beauty staring up at me, gently swaying, fists tightly gripping my shirt. I expected her to scream, to fight me. Not that it would have done any good. But no. Her eyes pierced into mine, imobilising me.

"You're not Warren."

I'd take that as a compliment. Whoever this Warren guy was, I'd be dealing with him sooner or later.

She didn't let go, just gazed up at me with those deep brown eyes. The slim daylight warming the curtains from the outside gave the room an orange glow, almost illuminating her like a goddess. That thin line between monster and man had been blurred, and in a moment of weakness, I caved.

My lips moved to her neck, slowly, but not slow enough for her to move away. Her skin was warm to the touch, smooth against my mouth. She arched her neck.

An invitation? I wouldn't wait to find out.

When my fangs broke through her flesh, I moaned. Never had I tasted anything so sweet. I held her tight, savoring every drop.

I knew I'd gone too far when her legs gave out. She slumped against me. I couldn't help myself though. I kept going. She was more than a drug, she tasted like life. Something I had been missing for hundreds of years.