Chapter 4: Last Night

Kal opened her eyes, trying to see anything through the surrounding darkness. There was a soft glow a short distance away, a candle flickering in the chill night air. She took a deep breath. The scent of trees, grass, and damp earth was overwhelming. Wherever this was, it was outside.

Not too far away, she could make out voices, soft rhythmic chanting. The flame on the candle began to dance, twisting this way and that. Its subtle movements kept tempo with the voices. She tried to get a better look but couldn't move from the cold stone slab beneath her. As hard as she struggled, her arms and legs wouldn't respond.

The chanting grew louder and faster until it crescendoed, stopping abruptly—the final word punctuated by the candle flame bursting. The clearing illuminated. No bigger than twenty feet, the small area was completely ringed by trees. Kal was at the center of the clearing, surrounded by hundreds of lit candles.

To her right, Kal saw a petite figure standing at an altar where the first light had been. The petite woman's attention was focused on a metal cup. As she moved her hands over its lip, colors swirled around it. A second figure appeared at her side, this one taller with dark skin. Or was that fur?

With the tall figure in the way, Kal couldn't see what the woman was doing. She tried to call out, to ask what was going on, but like her body, her voice wouldn't respond. Suddenly, the tall man turned and stared straight at Kal, his eyes glowing red. His gaze moved from her face to something behind her. He smiled a big wolfish grin, teeth bright white in the darkness.

Cold hands brush the hair from Kal's face. She hadn't noticed the third person standing near her. He sat beside her and helped her sit up, his arms around her shoulders and waist. Dark hair fell over his bright green eyes. There was something about his soft smile that seemed sad. 

She tried to look back at the tall man and the woman, but he turned her face to his. His brilliant eyes turned red, glowing in the darkness. Pale lips parted to reveal sharp, white fangs. He held her chin, gently tilting her head to the side. There was a dull pain as his fangs pierced her throat.

"Nooo!" Kal screamed as she sat straight up. 

She was in a bed, in a room she'd never seen. Pulled over her were soft sheets that smelled like lavender. Not too far away, on the nightstand, a lamp shone. Its warm glow was almost comforting. Gently she touched her neck. Nothing there.

"I'm alive?" She whispered.

"Not technically." His voice was flat.

That same guy sat on the edge of the bed. It wasn't a dream but a memory. He put his book down and turned to look at her. She remembered last night how easily he'd overwhelmed her. What does he want? Why'd he bring me here? Why not back to the compound? She backed up as far as she could until she hit the headboard and pulled the covers up.

"You're safe here." He smiled gently.

"Safe!? With you? Doubtful." She pulled the covers in tighter.

He stood and stared at her as if she were some absurd creature. "I guess I deserve that." He sighed softly before turning and walking to the stairs. "If you don't want my help, that's fine. I only hope your brother survives your next encounter."

"How do you know about that?" She snarled.

"You talk in your sleep." He paused at the stairwell and turned to look at her. His eyes warm for a second. "You don't trust me; I get it. But I can help you if you let me." 

She thought back to last night. Seth's face as she attacked him. No matter how she'd tried, she couldn't maintain control, couldn't stop. She'd need all the help she could get. "Why would you help me anyway?"

"Having an unhinged vampire running around the city draws unnecessary attention." He pushed his hands into his pockets and leaned back against the wall.

"I'm not unhinged. And I wouldn't be this if it wasn't for you." She shot back.

"Well yeah, that too." The corner of his lips twisted up slightly, just for a second.

"This isn't some trick to take me back to your master?" She asked.

"My master?" He asked, the tone of his voice indignant.

"Yeah. The redhead." She held up one hand to show the petite woman's height.

He laughed. Kal couldn't believe he was laughing at her. She scrunched up her face and turned away, pouting.

"Oh? You're serious?" He frowned. "I don't know where you got that idea, but she is not my master. She threatened to hurt someone I care about if I didn't do what she wanted."

"So you hurt me instead?" 

"Would you not have done the same? A stranger over a loved one?" He closed his eyes momentarily before looking back at her.

She knew she would have made the same choice. In a heartbeat. If forced to choose between Seth or Cherry and someone she'd never met. 

"Let's start over." He walked over to the bed, leaned forward, and offered his hand.

"Ok?" She let the covers fall and leaned forward slightly.

"I'm Devin. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Kaleigh...Kal, call me Kal."

She shook his hand. He did not attempt to show his power. It was very gentle, delicate even. She wasn't sure if she could trust him. At this point, what other options did she have?