Chapter 6

~Rien’s POV~

“Is that name supposed to mean something to us?” Tony had entered the room and stood with his back to the door, eyes planted on the patient as he waited for an answer to his question.

The man looked over at him, lips twitching and eyes crinkling in amusement and suddenly I found him a bit more interesting.

We all continued to watch as he looked away from Tony without a word, turning his gaze instead to the window to his right, then he shrugged; smile still glued in place.

“I guess not.”

He was a strange little man, if I could call someone bigger than Tony little. Here he lay, not fully healed, in a bed surrounded by three men he perceived to be his enemy; who he must know could end his life at any minute, yet he could smile such a genuine smile as if completely unaffected.

He was either very brave, very foolish or he knew something we didn’t; instinct told me it was the latter.

“Go on.” I prodded and the man shrugged; a gesture I’d always disliked.

“It is like he guessed…I’m nobody special. Grew up in a small town; my father a butcher, my mother a ...how do you say…dressmaker? My family was poor, I needed money, I joined the army.” He spoke smoothly, no hitch in his voice, steady heart rate, no change in his expression, yet I knew for a fact that he had just lied. Lied with a smile on his face.

Kaio shot me a look filled with trepidation, eyes pleading. I had warned the human yet he had the gall to insult me by lying. It only served to remind me why I disliked the human race so.

“Bullshit.” This came from Tony who had now advanced two steps closer to the bed; expression menacing.

“Kaio, take this time to remind your mate that the next time he defies me, he will not live to smile about it.” I said as I grabbed hold of Tony’s arm and pulled him through the door with me.

“Mate?” I heard the patient question in confusion. I tuned out to rest of the exchange as I continued to drag Tony down the hall; this action was of course not without his usual protestations and profanity.

When we got to his room, I lifted the hem of his shirt and pulled the kitchen knife from the waistband of his jeans, then I flung him into the chair by the door and when he made to get up I threw him a look that would have made even the fiercest warriors of my coven rethink his options.

He straightened himself in the seat and after a moment spent glaring at me, he looked away; jaw clenched and knuckles white where he gripped the arms of the chair.

“Do you remember that night you found a stranger in an alleyway, dead from a gunshot wound more than five years ago?” I asked after allowing a minute of silence to descend.

“In case you haven’t realized it, I’m only human, don’t expect me to remember every little thing that happens in my life.” He spat.

I grabbed another chair and dropped it directly in front of him, after which I sat. “It is unfortunate that you should consider that particular event “little.”

As expected he couldn’t avert his eyes for very long with me sitting directly before him and eventually, he glanced my way, eyes not quite meeting mine.

“Is there a point to this whole conversation?” he asked then, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. I could detect the faint flush of his cheeks and could feel the increased heat rising from his flesh.

Also another thing I had expected. He was affected my presence, the same way he had been years ago. At least that much had not changed.

“Do you remember what you said to me later that night?”

He looked away again feigning boredom, propping his elbow onto the chair arm and depositing his chin into his palm. He looked like a child sitting there trying to be ignore me and I found myself smiling at his actions.

“You told me that if you were a vampire, you would make sure that no one died, that you would heal everyone who needed your help. You told me you would only feed on the wicked, that you would be a good vampire.” I attempted to refresh his memory. Though it was clear he had accomplished that all on his own.

He did not move, nor did he show any sign of having heard my words so I went on.

“Do you see what is happening here?” I began, “You wished to become one of my own kind so that you could help humans, so that you could save them, yet you are still human and you are determined to end the life of another of your own kind whom you know absolutely nothing of. It is interesting how one changes do you not think so?”

I crossed my legs and settled into my seat, awaiting his response. It wasn’t immediate but it didn’t take very long for him to crack and when he did, for a brief moment I caught a glimpse of the person he had one been; I saw his shame, his guilt, but in no time at all, this was masked and he was looking at me as if he just wanted me to vanish.

“What I’ve come to understand from war is that both sides usually believe they are fighting for what is right, each warrior  has it in their minds, that they are in essence; good, while their enemy is the evil being that deserves to be struck down. “ I continued and his furrowed brows told me he was considering on my words.

“Think on that next time you decide you’d like to murder Kaio’s mate.”

His eyes flashed to mine. “Don’t sit there actin all high and mighty, like you’re some kinda saint, you’ve killed people, I’ve watched you kill hundreds of people without a second thought and you never care, you don’t give a shit what happens to them.” He accused.

I smiled. “Ah yes, but I have never professed to be anything but a blood drinker, it is simply my nature and not something I want to change. Have you professed to be more than a human being Tony? Is killing in your nature? Is that who you are? A killer?” I questioned. My tone neither judgmental nor curious. It was simply words he should think on, words he needed to hear.

I watched as they sunk in and seemed to hit him hard. He swallowed and if it were possible, his mouth turned even further down in a frown, his eyes mirroring the guilt of his very soul. There he was; my boy.

“Why do you care anyway? Didn’t you say you needed a warrior to bring home to you crew? Why do you suddenly give a damn if I’m a killer or not?”

“Coven.” I corrected. “…and a warrior without a heart is nothing more than his fists and his strength. I’ve lived many lifetimes surrounded by them and if that is what you become then you will be just as useless to me.” I explained and finally, I uncrossed my legs and pushed up from the seat.

I felt his hand wrap around my wrist just before I could turn to go. I felt the current rise throughout my body and the heat simmering just beneath the skin of my flesh. I turned to him and the instant our eyes met I saw his need, felt it in his very presence. That need of the mind, the need of the flesh. We stood that way, eyes locked for a while. He seems powerless to it and I stepped closer, the pull of our bodies difficult to deny.

When we were close enough so that only the wind could pass between us, I reached up to cup his cheek. It had been so long since I had had the chance to touch him like this. I could hear the pounding of his heart and the rushing of his hot blood through his veins. I smelled his need and the eventual press of his body to mine, allowed me to feel it.

“I knew you would come around.” I whispered when our lips were only mere inches apart. The change in him was instantaneous. The expression on his face was as if he’d been slapped. He pushed against my chest, eyes wide, passion replaced with anger and when his strength had failed to move me even an inch, he cursed and put some distance between us.

“You-” he began but I cut him off with my next words.

“We leave within the hour. I grow tired of this environment as I am sure you do too. Kaio will have your items packed and ready for our journey.” I told him and closed the door behind me as I left him room. When I had gotten to as far as down the hall I heard something shatter, then a thud.

Yes a change in environment would do us all some good.

…………………………………..

~Tony’s POV~

It wasn’t until we were all loaded up into some fancy chopper and flying high over the trees, that I realized how futile my previous attempt at escape had been. We had already been in the air for half an hour and staring ahead I could only see more trees for miles. On foot I wouldn’t have been able to make it out of the forestry, at least not without the proper equipment. That night I hadn’t even brought with me a bottle of water.

If anything, the thought made the entire day even shittier than it had been upon my discovery of prisoner; and that was exactly what I saw him as. It was the only thing keeping me from losing my cool and reaching over to slam his head into the metal frame. He was hiding something, the bastard and that only served to agitate me even more about, so thinking of him as a ‘travel buddy’ or even the vamp’s mate was out of the question.

I kept my eyes on the trees that dotted the land because every time my eyes skated across anyone else trapped in the chopper with me, it pissed me off. I found myself wondering quite a few times where it was that we were headed and what I would do once we got there.

I hadn’t thought up a game plan since I’d failed at my most recent escape attempt and I was completely at a loss. If our next stop was somewhere in civilization would I escape again? I thought once more about reporting in, but how did one explain my disappearance from the front? Vampires? That would surely get me thrown into prison or worse a madhouse and there was no way I’d be spending the rest of my life in either. Neither would I be spending it with these freaks.

 My other option would be to just escape, live my life hidden where neither the vamps nor the army could get to me and even that was plagued with issues. Number one being the fact that I hadn’t lived among civilians in years. With no real family ties, no friends and no real home I had opted out of every chance of leave I’d been offered. The thought then crossed my mind that it would have been in my best interest to have made a few more friends while in service.

I could go on and on but the bottom line was; I needed to have a plan of action before I made my move and currently I had none; so I was stuck here.

When we’d finally departed the chopper, I stood facing the private jet we were expected to continue our journey in and tried not to be impressed by it all. After all they’d probably been robbing banks for centuries without the fear of being caught, to amass this kind of wealth.

…………………………………………

~Rien’s POV~

“Tired?”

He was seated across from me, eyes red and lids drooping. He shot me what I could only describe as a ‘dirty’ look and I was just about disgusted by his behavior.

“As ridiculous as this will sound to you and as much as you cannot fathom to be in my presence right now, I propose that for this journey you at least try to be civil. What do you think? One very brief journey where we can have one decent conversation, where you can stop looking at me as if the thought of driving a stake through my heart would please you. What do you say? After that you can go back to your sulking and pretending to despise me.” I put it out there and it was up to him to accept or decline.

I had long since grown tired of the feeling of having to walk on eggshells around a human. No matter how much said human was worth such a treatment.

Tony still sat with his arms crossed, refusing to look at me and it was that moment that Kaio arrived, taking the seat beside Tony.

“He is resting.” He said with a whisper of a smile and I returned it.

I caught Tony’s scoff and I could just imagine what he was thinking. Knowing him, it would be something along the lines of “ …ridiculous, treating a full grown man as if he’s some fuc**** child.”

“He’s not very pleased to be referred to as my mate.” Kaio announced. He looked worried.

“It is nothing to be concerned about. As long as you feel the link between you both then so does he. It is only a matter of time before he relents.” I assured and it seemed to appease him.

I turned my attention back to Tony. “Well?”

He accepted grudgingly but it was an acceptance nonetheless. I watched as he let his crossed arms fall and he shifted to get more comfortable in his seat.

“I’m fine. When do we touch down and where are we going?” he asked.

“An hour and a half and as for where, you’ll see when we get there.”

He did not seem particularly pleased about that piece of information but he nodded regardless and silence descended once more.

“Do you mind telling us of your life as a marine?” Kaio asked, his complete attention set on Tony which I assumed was due to the fact that his mate was in a similar field.

Tony glanced his way and for a moment I imagined he wouldn’t answer, then he shook his head and began. “I’m not a marine; I enlisted in the army, not the marines.”

Kaio was confused.

“Then why does my Lord refer to you as a marine? I do not understand.”

He seemed to consider the words then took a breath and let it out slowly.

“I was friends with this guy in my unit. We were pretty close and for a while he was my only friend there. He was the best guy you could ever meet; honorable, loyal, just somebody who was worth anyone’s time.” He smiled, his gaze taking on a far way look as it travelled to the small window of the Jet.

“Every man in his family was a marine and he used to talk about them a lot. He said they were the bravest men you could find. They would sacrifice their lives for a friend in need; that they were good through and through…” he trailed off, the smile had turned to one of sadness.

“He used to tell me I had the heart of a marine, until he eventually started calling me that and pretty soon everyone in my unit was calling me that; Marine”

I had of course known it was nothing more than a nick name but it was the first time I had known of its origin.

“Did your friend perish in the explosion then?” Kaio continued to question. Mouth tight, Tony shook his head.

“He died years ago.”

“I’d say Malik has the heart of a marine as well.” Kaio announced with a grin. He looked like a proud mother.

Tony snorted and turned away.

“Your friend was right. You are a marine, even if it is just in your heart.” I told him and I reached over to touch his knee only to have him jerk away.

I smiled.

It would be a while yet before I had him exactly where I wanted him, but so far we were on track and once we landed it was time for me to take this to another level. Before the week was out Tony would be putty in my hands.

……………………………………….

~Tony’s POV~

It was just like before; the heat, the all-consuming need to just reach over and touch him, to feel his skin against mine to feel his lips- I shook my head, trying to clear it. To feel this way after just one bloody touch; it was pathetic. I took a breath, willing my body back to normal.

He was a vampire.

He was a bloodthirsty vamp and not just any vampire, but Rien; the bastard who had used me and let me go; I shouldn’t be feeling anything for him. He meant nothing to me.

I cursed under my breath, hating my body in that moment and the heat that still consumed me. I jerked the collar of my shirt, trying to cool down somehow but when I looked over and our eyes caught, I was lost.

The flesh was weak.

                                               AUTHOR'S NOTES

AS ALWAYS THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND ENJOY!

-DoUbLe.A

-unedited.