Sparkle

chapter 9

Coles Pov back at Crucifix

A flower for every time I thought of you. Reading those words lit a fire in the pit of my stomach

“Damian Black” I spat his name in clear discuss. How dare this mutt flirt with her go as far as finding where she lives? I crumpled the note in my hand. Distasteful. I looked up at Ayame her arms crossed looking impatient.

“you know him?” she asked

“He’s the alpha of the wolf pack we where supposed to sign a treaty with last night” her brow raised at me then she blinked as if she was confused

“we didn’t finish because somebody skipped out on work early” I shot her a pointed look and crossed my arms over my chest. She shrugged her shoulders indifference was infuriating to me. Every single women I have come across I had no problem getting what I wanted. But not her. Relentlessly, for a whole year she turned me down. Until one day, she gave in. I had no idea what finally changed her mind but the moment she did she changed. The way her blood tasted changed Noone else's tasted as sweet as hers. The way she smelled changed I didn’t want to smell anything else. Thinking of it caused my throat to burn. I was suddenly hit with all the effects of my brief encounter with the sun. I begin to tremble slightly

“So why is he sending me flowers? That’s not part of the treaty is it?”

Her sent filled my nostrils I had to take a second before responding

“No” I sighed when I finally recomposed myself,” I’ll look into it” I assured her. I clenched my hand into a fist and ran the other through my hair. Her sent was mesmerizing I had a hard time even remembering the other human was here but the hammering of her heart was hard to ignore.

“Why don’t you drive yourself to work.” Ayame’s voice was slow and deliberate as she threw the keys to her ‘girlfriend’ who missed letting the keys slip through her fingers and on to the floor. She dropped down to snatch them then stood up quickly looking at Ayame confused. Her eyes fluttered to me and then nodded slowly before turning and running away. My instinct to chase kicked in for half a second. But a soft warm hand caught my arm before I could react I could feel the pulse faintly under the warm skin. I snapped my head to her using all my strength to keep my thirst under control. Ayame’s sapphire blue eyes laced with concern she lifted her other hand slowly to touch my chest ever so gently. One second of feeling her pulse next to my skin was too much. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand away from me.

“You need to feed” her voice hid no fear. Her eyes never left mine I can see my reflection in them. My eyes black as night showing blood lust. My eyes flicked to her wrist and back at her. Her features unchanging I lifted her wrist to my lips slowly so she can back out at any time. I licked the blue vain allowing my venom to numb the area before biting the tender flesh. The second her blood touched my Tongue the burning in my throat stopped. The warmth dripping down my throat caused my body to relax. I felt my strength returning and then some. My body tingled with euphoria from her blood. Her body however was starting to go limp and her knees gave out beneath her. I snaked my arm around her waist pulled her close to my chest before she could fall. I guess this is my cue to release her but…. She tastes… so…good…

 No! I quickly retracted my fangs while I still was n my better state of mind. Licking the wound closed I let out a sigh and a breathy chuckle relived I was able to stop myself in time.

Ayame looked at me her head c****d the side like a confused puppy. Her eyes where hooded from the loss of blood but you can see the confusion behind them. Instead of telling her how dangerously close I came to losing my control I deferred the subject to her obvious lie earlier.

“so girlfriend huh?” I asked smiling at her. I couldn’t help but smile at her every time she was this close to me. Her warmth lit a since of calm I haven't felt in centuries.

“yes” she hissed snatching away her arm attempting to pull away from me. The second with out her warmth caused a dull pain so I tightened my grip on her pulling her back into my embrace.

“easy there. I took a lot of blood from you. Its best you stayed with me a bit.” I couldn’t hide the joy that brought me.

“I have to get Nick’s car back to him and he’s watching the twins I don’t want to leave them for too long.” She scrambled to explain why she needed to leave me but I cared not for her excuses. But, her offspring was important to her, so reluctantly I lessened my hold on her. The color immediately drained from her face as she leaned against the table stopping herself from falling. I laughed at her.

“You cant even stand and you are trying to drive?” I said in-between my chuckles. She glared at me with her hands holding on to the table her knuckles turning white.

“Sit down I'll get you something to eat you can go home after the dizziness stops” I started to walk away when I heard a frustrated humph.

 I turned to look at her with a confused eyebrow raised. Seeing her in a defensive position her arms crossed over her chest

 “What's your problem?” I asked

“Why where you waiting for the sun?” her question caught me by surprise but I recomposed my face to one of nonchalance

“Who said I was waiting for it? I was simply lost in thought and didn’t notice the sun came up” I shrugged making the hole ordeal seem unimportant

“You mean you where high and didn’t feel the sun burning your skin” her voice was sharp as she spoke. Her glare deepening. How could she not understand that I was thinking of her the whole time?

I shrugged again “Call it what you will either way its you fault” that’s right. It’s all her fault. Her taste, her smell, her clear distaste for me yet her actions that say otherwise. After she left last night I waited by my window for her return. I didn’t even know the sun had come up till I smelled my flesh beginning to burn from the inside out.

“Nobody told you to drink as much blood as you did its not my fault you cant handle it.” She spat. I snapped out of my though and with one step I was in front of her. Her eyes bulged at my speed but I ignored her shock

“Your blood dose not make the drug it’s you” I spoke slowly and softly unsure if I even wanted her to hear it. But she did. Blood rushed to her face turning it pink and she darted under her purple hair, brushing it agents my face. She was so intoxicating. So perfect.

 “I wont let anyone take you from me” the moment those words came out of my mouth I meant it. No man, women, or Child. No mortal or immortal. I will declare her as mine.

She spun back around with a scowl and took a step back putting agonizing distance between us.

“I don’t belong to you Cole.” She snapped crossing her arms over her chest defensively. I took a step closer closing the distance

“Not yet but you will” I took her chin and lifted so that her eyes saw the Ernest in mine.

“But sooner or later you’ll give in and I will not give up, I’m quite competitive you see and I always win.” I smiled thinking of my new game. Who will win her heart first? I was positive that I would win. She closed her eyes and exhaled her sent made my mouth water. Her eyelids shot open the green surrounding her iris took over the blue showing her anger.

“ah” I hissed. She stomped on my foot! I removed my hand from her face and stepped back looking down. That actually hurt? I didn’t realize how strong she was. When I looked back up she was across the room.

“You would have had a better chance if you kept your thoughts to your self. I’m not a toy for you boys to fight over.” Her tone was cold and emotionless she turned and took a few steps before hesitating and turning her head back

“See you at work tonight” she turned and disappeared into the shadows of the dark entrance hall.

I was stunned.  You would think I was used to her rejection by now. I heard the heavy squeak of the metal doors to the outside. Without thinking my feet moved after her. I caught her arm when she had just made it into the sunlight.

“Don’t leave like that, Aya please” I begged. The thought of her upset with me was maddening. I barley felt the sting of the sun as it started to warm my insides.

“COLE! Are you crazy?” she jerked open the door and pushed us inside.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” she snapped. Unable to take the distance I wrapped my arms around her pulling her to me in a strong embrace. I inhaled her scent. My throat burned. I inhaled again and this caused me to let out a hungry growl.

“Cole, no—you already took too much.” she tried to push me away but my body stopped listing to my mind. I tightened my hold and inhaled deeply again. As if I was a Spector watching the scene I had no control of my actions. My throat burned with the intensity of a thousand suns the only relief was the life giving thick liquid that pumped through her veins. My fangs elongated and pierced her tender flesh on her neck.

“COLE STOP!”  she punched and scratched me but I barley felt them each punch weaker then the last.. Her body began to go limp in my arms.

But.

 I.

couldn’t.

 stop.

She exhaled sharply. Was she giving up?

She placed one hand weakly on my chest she whispered

 “Pyro Flemenza”

A sudden burning sensation filled my chest and I was propelled backwards back into the club I fell on my back and hit the back of my head agents the floor. I took this moment to recompose myself.

“Cole?” she called from the doorway her voice laced with concern. The smell of her blood was stronger than before. The her sent like fresh fruit with a sort of warm sweetness wafted into the room as she inched closer.

I turned to my side and groaned. It was too much too scrumptious , my mouth watered.

“Cole?” her worried voice got louder as she approached the table between us. It was all I needed to snap myself back in control. I sat up feeling the pain my chest my hand reached for the culprit. More pain shot through me and  I hissed and retreated it quickly.

“I’m fine, I’m ok now” I said breathless waving my hand motioning her to come over. She hesitantly inched  around the table and sat nest to me her hand holding her neck. I reached for her arm but she flinched, smacking my hand away.

“I’m ok now, I promise.” I tried to reassure her but she  looked at  me with skepticism. I couldn’t blame her. I tried to reach again slower this time as to not frightened her again this time she allowed. A bit of blood tickled out of the puncture marks the smell filling my nostrils again. Uncertain I could control myself any more I licked my thumb and ran it across her wound making it close.

“Well I Definitely cant drive now.” She chuckled humorously

“I’m Sorry” I averted my gaze from her looking at the gray floor.

“hmm?”

OfCourse she wouldn’t make this easy. No matter she will be sure I meant it. I clasped her hands around mine.

“I am so sorry I don’t know what came over me… I--“she snatched her hands away before letting me finish. She stood abruptly. But the color quickly drained from her face as she fell back down

“Ayame” I caught her just before her body hit the ground.

No! This can't be happening I killed her!

To my relief her heart started to beat again but was so faint and slow. She wasn’t dead yet, but she will be soon.  Who could take her to the hospital? The closest person that would be able to get her there quickly would be…

Anger filled my chest when I thought of him I'd rather take her my self. I thought of the look ln her face when I stepped into sunlight after her. Angry and shocked and I wasn’t sure I'd live long enough to get her there. She looked so pale and mangled in my arms. Her body temperature dropping. I don’t have enough time.

I reached for my phone In my pocket and made the call to Damian Black.

“Lord Cole?” he answered after two short rings.

“I need you help the witch—Ayame, she had an accident I cant take her to the hospital…” I made no effort to hide the anguish in my voice as I spoke quickly. A growl erupted from the other end and he had hung up. I assumed he was already on his way. If he cared for her like the note suggested he would come to her rescue.

I looked down at her face. All color was devoid even the freckles that scattered across her nose and cheeks where a pale brown that was barley noticeable at this point. Her breathing was shallow uneven. She was barley hanging on.

I'm so stupid! how could I lose control like that? I have been walking this earth for 979 years and in that time I have never killed anyone by accident. Each one of those deaths had a purpose and I felt no remorse for any of them but her?

Her death had no purpose. It would only make the world duller. Her death would drain the light out of everything around me. I cant even drink anyone else's blood anymore hers has ruined me. Everyone else’s tasted like bile compared to her.

A snarl snapped me from my thoughts I looked up to see a large brown wolf. Almost 7ft on all fours his eyes full of emotion as he looked at the mangled girl in my arms. The beast howled in pain as if he was feeling hers. I stood up carefully with her in my arms. I draped her on her stomach over Damians back.

“will you be able to run without dropping her?” I asked. he growled in response and rolled his eyes. I nodded and he took off bolting out the doors he had already broken to get in letting in sunlight half way down the hallway. I’m going to have to call someone to fix that but now I'm tired. All this drama today has warn me out not to mention being exposed to the light twice in one day. No amount of fae blood would fix that. Well, that’s a lie, but I'm not willing to kill her over such a thing. I winced at that. I almost did.

In over 900 years no one has made me feel… anything. Not even Roxxane had brought out the emotions I felt when I was around her. That day it got physical the day she finally gave in everything changed. My view of the world was much more vibrant I had the energy and giddiness of a new born vampire. Her touch made my cold skin feel warm. Her taste gave me strength and her smell made me addicted. Her tough and one-sided attitude towards me infuriated me at first. But the more she resisted the more the hunter in me got excited. I frowned thinking of the game I made in my head. Who will win her heart?

Well now I’m not so confident it would be me.

 I will go see her tonight. She has to know that I’m still not giving up.

She is mine.

Hours passed and I didn't sleep I layed in my coffin hidden in a large walk in closet of my pent house upstairs. It wasn’t until Roxane had removed the cover had I realized if was finally night fall. Her face was contorted into a panic but relaxed when I blinked to see her more clearly.

“That girls blood is everywhere and I smell wet dog” her face scrunched up at the mention of the wolf but her eyes dilatated and a smile spread across her face

“did you kill her finally?” she asked excitement brimming off her tone.

“No!” I growled sitting up quickly. She stumbled back and looked down in shame.

 “I'm sorry Sire, I know you care for her, I just worry what she is doing to you "I growled again and jumped out of my coffin grabbing her face tightly in my hand.

“She has done nothing but make me stronger. you on the other hand, I am starting to wonder what your usefulness is. Your jealousy is atrocious. Your acting like a human. Get it together” I spoke slowly and threw my teeth. Her puples shrank and she started to shake in fear. I released her face with a shove.

“call someone to fix the door and stay closed tonight I have errands to run” I said with no emotion and walked pass her. She stayed frozen in her spot she didn’t move until after I had gotten dressed and left the room.

I ran straight to the hospital my speed bringing a forceful gust of wind with me. It only took me two minutes to get to the hospital three miles away from me. From inside the hospital I continued my inhuman speed and followed her scent, so much stronger now, to her room. I had to stand outside her door for a moment to prepare myself. Her scent its… different. Her fruity smell was more potent. Fuller sweeter maybe. It was intoxicating, I felt my mouth water again. I thought of her lifeless body in my arms the sound of her faint heart beat and shallow breath and shook away the hunger. I went inside quietly.

Ayame was asleep but id didn’t look restful her purple hair spalled out on Pellow in a tangled mess, her brows where furrowed together and she had a look on anguish Platerd on her face.

I placed my hand gently on her cheek and her eyelids flew open. Her heart raced as she shot up in shock

” Cole!” she screamed her Non bandaged hand clutching her chest in a desperate attempt to calm her heart. My lip twitched up into a smirk. I didn’t mean to scare her but it was Kinda funny. Her eyes narrowed into daggers at me

“You almost kill me and you come here to finish it off by scaring me the rest of the way?” she snapped. I frowned. Her version of the joke wasn’t at all funny. In a flash I was kneeling on my knees next to her bed. “I wasn’t in control of myself and I cant begin to tell you how sorry I am.” My eyes and nose burned as I fought back tears from escaping. I looked into her beautiful blue eyes searching for a hint of forgiveness when I saw nothing but shock I clasped my hands together and put my head down. begging now. Begging for this mortal to find it in her fragile heart to forgive the monster that nearly killed her. How low I’ve become.

“please, please forgive me. I swore I’ll never lose control like that again! I cant….” I looked up to meet her eyes wide with shock and confusion  “I cant lose you….” Serval silent seconds went by. It was agonizing waiting for her response. Then she reached for my shirt cautiously. I stopped my breathing her touch electrifying my skin. I sat up slightly to let her continue her quest. I was coming undone with each button then she gently touched the now healed scar  she left. She let out a sigh as her shoulders relaxed.

“I'm sure you could find another employee as capable as me, I'm only one straw in the haystack” her tone was teasing as she flicked the scar I swiftly captured her hands before they left my skin.

“It disturbs me you see yourself that way. You're a Needle in that haystack. There are many like you but no one…. exactly like you. Sure I could find another employee that can serve, manage and entertain, but you are not just some employee.” I spoke carefully and slow  looking into her eyes trying to show her how honest I was being with her right now she eyed me up and down skepticism flickered in hers.

“Besides I have no intention on even trying to replace you.“ I  teased and smirked at her. She pulled her hands away and twisted her body away from me in anger.

Dammit I’m supposed to be sincere here. I'm only making this worse.

“ Aya” I said softly. She glanced at me from the corner of her eye but didn't move.

“Ayame please…”my voice cracked with more emotion than I knew I had. With a sigh she turned her body to look at me her eyes tight and untrusting.

“on my honor ill do whatever it takes to make it up to you. I meant it when I said I cant lose you.”

“why because my blood tastes too good?” she spat scowling at me. I didn’t know how to respond. I scrambled to find the words to assure her she was wrong but I didn’t know if she was.

Her blood didn't just taste good. It was like drinking in life itself.

“ I get it my blood makes you the most powerful vampire in the state and you cant lose that tittle. Ill keep letting you feed off me but your going to start having to pay an endangerment fee” she jabbed a finger in my direction. I started cracking up. She didn’t get it. And this whole thing was just so ridiculous I just kept laughing.

Me with emotions.

Me afraid of losing someone

Me apologizing

The whole thing was absurd.

“What’s so funny?” she grumbled

“you’re so… dance” I laughed through the sentence. She tilted her head to the side. Clearly obvious to the joke at my expense. But even with her messy hair, her pale skin that hasn’t recovered from the blood loss. Her dazzling blue eyes that gave away every emotion. She was mesmerizing

“And so adorable” I added under my breath. I stood and kissed the top of her head. I told her to take the next couple of days off and left without another word