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  My stomach turned when I came close to home and remembered the vampires who kept a constant eye on my building. When I turned onto my street, I saw two of them and stiffened, goose bumps rising on my arms. Neither of them approached, but I couldn’t relax until I had made it within the safety line of the magic surrounding my apartment. Relief flooded through me when each vampire looked a little puzzled as I disappeared before them.

  Feeling lucky, I trudged up the stairs. Being away from home at night wasn’t doing me any favours. If I could find a way to leave Daimhín’s workforce, then I’d be right on it. The vampires outside could attack me any night, but they didn’t. The anticipation kept me on edge.

  I caught his scent a half-second before I noticed him. Carl rose when I approached. With a bag at his feet and a solemn look on his face, it seemed like he had been waiting there for a while.

  “Carl? What’s wrong?”

  His eyes were red-rimmed and unhappy. I felt sick, expecting the worst. It hadn’t been that long ago when Carl was compelled to follow me around, going so far as to wait outside my door all night. This was all too familiar.

  “I’m sorry, Ava, but can I stay with you for a few days?”

  Chapter Three

  “Spill,” I said, and took a sip of coffee.

  Carl stared at his cup and acted like he hadn’t heard me. We sat in my living room with me waiting for him to tell me what was going on. He definitely wasn’t enthralled, but I couldn’t help feeling nervous. I sniffed the air a little too much. A little too appreciatively.

  “This is embarrassing,” he said, avoiding my eyes. “You spent all that time trying to get me out of here, and I come running back first chance I get.”

  “Carl, why are you here?”

  He looked at me with pleading eyes. “Don’t get mad. Look, before I… I have to explain something, confess something, actually.”

  I felt a chill and shivered; he looked so worried, it couldn’t be good.

  He ran his fingers through his hair, cleared his throat, and gathered himself together. “Okay, here’s the thing. When everything was going on, you know, me being bound to you and all, I think I… well, I know I had these moments of clarity.”

  “What do you mean?” Don’t say it.

  “I think maybe, sometimes, I could probably have… controlled myself a little better. Around you, I mean. A couple of times, I think I knew what I was doing and didn’t try to stop it. There were times when I fought against the magic to get my own way. I made it harder for you. On purpose.”

  I bit my lip. It wasn’t anything I hadn’t suspected, but hearing him say it made me angry. I had gone through hell, I didn’t want him to say he could have prevented it.

  “Not the really bad stuff,” he added hurriedly when he saw my expression. “I mean things like when you would tell me to leave, I could have done it.”

  “So why didn’t you?”

  “I didn’t want to go home. You have to understand, Ava. I didn’t plan any of this. None of my life, really. Nothing is how I expected it to be, and I know I’ll never do anything worth mentioning. I’m an accountant in my girlfriend’s—sorry, my fiancée’s—father’s business. I’ve been working there for years, but I’m still not any good at it. I don’t even care. I mean, I never wanted to be an accountant; he just gave me an easy option, so I took it.”

  I shrugged. “It’s just a job, Carl. You can still do other things.”

  “It’s not just that,” he said, his voice getting louder. “I’m getting married to someone I’m not even sure I’m attracted to. I’m just plodding along, letting everyone else take care of the big decisions. And I’m bored. Of everything. This isn’t how it was supposed to be.”

  He took a sip of his coffee, but still refused to look at me. I had no idea what to say. Where did I start?

  “Anyway, I went on a lad’s night out until Maria rang me to come home for some work emergency. What kind of accounting emergency can’t wait until Monday? You know?”

  He gazed up at me, looking like a little boy who needs to be reassured. Resisting the urge to slap some sense into him, I gave a quick nod, and he carried on, “So I leave, start walking home while I look out for a taxi, and this guy attacks me. He’s crazy strong, and I’m thinking, ‘Wow!’ Not, ‘this is weird.’ Not, ‘I’m scared.’ But, ‘Wow.’” He shook his head, looking surprised by the memory.

  “You looked scared,” I said, remembering his face in the alleyway when Arthur had him pinned against the wall.

  “It was scary. But mostly? It was exciting. Then you came along, and everything happened. A lot of it’s a blur until the bond broke, but then I stuck around and, Ava, kidnapping that vampire was probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever done in my life. I keep remembering how alive I felt.” With every word, he became more animated.

  “Almost dying made you feel alive?” I saw the look in his eyes and knew he believed it to be true, but I couldn’t understand it.

  “Yeah. Alive and excited and really… doing something for a change. No more plodding. But then I got home, and Maria and her Dad kept nagging me. My parents joined in. All I could think about was what I know, that vampires are real. If I told any of them, they wouldn’t believe me for a second. It’s like a really cool secret, but all I want to do is talk about it.”

  “Is that why you’re here? To talk?” That would be easy.

  His face flushed red. “Not exactly. I sort of walked out on my job. And Maria. Everyone’s pretty pissed at me.”

  I groaned. “Why on earth did you do something like that?”

  “I couldn’t handle how dead it made me feel. I’m not meant for that life, Ava; I’m not. When I was bound to you, I loved the excitement. That’s why I didn’t leave, even when I could have. I know it sounds crazy, but I had a taste of something amazing, and I can’t face going back. I need to change things. Can I stay for a bit? Just until I figure things out?”

  “I figured you had a death wish, but this is just stupid,” I said, but I couldn’t bear to dash the hopeful look in his eyes. Besides, it might be nice having some company again. I had to admit that breaking our bond had made me suffer; having him around eased the empty feeling a little. Perhaps he still felt the residual effects of the bond. The least I could do was give him some time to see if it wore off. “Maybe a few days then.”

  He tried to hug me, but I pushed him away and looked at him sternly. “If I start craving your blood again, you have to leave straight away. Okay?”

  He nodded, looking so confident I doubted he had even considered what he would do if I said no.

  “You’re going to have to sort yourself out, though. No more stupid shit. You have to go home sometime, and surely you realise that being in danger isn’t exactly a good route to happiness.” As if I knew anything about it.

  “Okay,” he said, but I had a feeling he wasn’t listening. I didn’t want to push it; I owed him for accidentally bonding him to me and nearly getting him killed.

  “Wait, you might not want to stay here. It’s not exactly safe right now,” I warned, remembering my night-time stalkers.

  Carl grinned. “What, from you?”

  I shook my head and tried to ignore the sick feeling in my gut. “For a few nights now, I’ve noticed some vampires hanging around outside.”

  “Outside?”

  “Yeah, look.” I led him to the window and pointed out the pair of the vampires keeping watch.

  “Who are they?” he asked.

  I stared out at them; I had no idea, and that scared me. “I’m not sure. Daimhín’s saying they aren’t any of her doing.”

  “You could always ask Peter or Eddie if they know anything,” he said.

  I ignored that. “They haven’t done anything yet. They just wait, and stare, and act creepy in general.”

  “Not exactly stealthy.” Carl frowned at the duo.

  “Which might be the point.”

  Carl glanced at me. “Think someone’s keeping an e
ye on you or trying to intimidate you?”

  I exhaled loudly. “Does it matter? Point is, be careful after dark.”

  “I will, don’t worry.” He smiled, bouncing back as always. “So, what now? Want to watch something with me?”

  “I have work to do,” I told him. “Make yourself at home.” I paused before I left the room. “Hey, Carl. You heard much from Peter?”

  “A little, why?”

  I shrugged. “No matter.” So, it was just me then.

  I hid in my room and tried to get some work done, but I couldn’t get my head straight. I pushed the laptop away in agitation. Peter had been in contact with Carl. Not me.

  I rang his mobile, unsurprised when he didn’t answer. I left a message for him to ring me back, this time because I needed his advice on Daimhín, Gabe, and the stalker vampires, or at least that’s what I told myself. Giving up any pretence of working, I gave Carl a blanket and went to bed.

  Tossing and turning, it took me hours to fall asleep. Yet again, I dreamt of Maximus. This time I was back in his torture chamber, screaming, watching my blood paint the walls. He kept laughing as he sliced my skin with his nails. Nobody came, I was on my own. Then Maximus grabbed me and whispered my name over and over. I struggled helplessly until the walls weren’t red anymore, and I realised it was Carl who held me.

  I tried to push him away, but he wrapped his arms around me until I stopped gasping for air. Whispering to me, he stroked my hair, but the rapid thudding of my heart drowned out his words. I counted until the room stopped closing in, and I could breathe easier. I realised I’d been counting aloud and hid my face in my hands, mortified.

  “Ava, look at me. Does that happen often?”

  “Not really,” I said, my throat aching with each word.

  “You were screaming your head off. I thought you were never going to stop.”

  “I’m sorry.” My voice was dull and low with shame that he had seen me at my weakest.

  “There’s nothing to be sorry about, I’m worried for you. Talk to me, what’s going on?”

  I saw how earnest his eyes were and knew he wouldn’t judge me, but I wanted to contain everything I felt, to push it down where I wouldn’t have to deal with it.

  “Nothing,” I said.

  “Nothing. Look at you! You’re shaking.”

  I shook my head and moved further away, suddenly aware of how close we were sitting. His eyes only held concern; since we had broken the bond, he treated me like a sister.

  “I’m fine,” I repeated, hiding my trembling hands behind me.

  “You’re obviously not fine. What’s happening?” His voice soothed, broke down that defensive streak, made me feel like maybe it would be okay if I talked about it.

  I wrapped my arms around my waist, mentally counting his heartbeat this time. “It’s just… I can’t let it go. I thought once the job was done, that’d be it, I’d be fine. But he’s in my dreams every night. Maximus. It feels so real, and I can’t escape. I can’t look after myself; I just lie there and wait for someone to rescue me. But no one ever does.”

  I shook my head, not entirely sure what I was trying to say. I had never vocalised my fears before. “I thought it was over, but they’re still out there, waiting for me. Every single night. And I can’t stop them.”

  “You’ve gotten the better of lots of vampires, Ava. You’ve nothing to be scared about,” he said.

  A shudder ran through my body. They always won in the end. “You don’t get it,” I said. “I’m not as strong as them, and I’m outnumbered. It’s like, I have to be like them just to survive. I have to drink blood to take care of myself, to be strong enough to defend myself, but that makes me the same as them. To scare off the monster under the bed, I have to be the monster under the bed. That’s sick, right?”

  I saw his pity again. I hated it. He came toward me, but I held out my hands, ready to push him away. He backed off. “We’ll help you. Me, Peter, everyone.”

  “Peter? He won’t even talk to me. I saw him, and he totally avoided me. He won’t answer his phone either. I’m not even going to get into the crap with Eddie, Daimhín, and my grandmother. I can’t trust anyone.”

  “You can trust me,” Carl said, and I could tell he believed it. “And Nancy was beside herself when Maximus had you. I know Peter’s tough to read sometimes, but he cares. I’m sure he does. Even Eddie, why would they beg Daimhín for help if they didn’t?”

  I gave him a wry smile. “To get me working for her. All part of their master plan.” I felt better, angry rather than scared. I liked angry me best. Carl looked confused, so I shook my head. “Never mind, I’m tired. Thanks and all, but I need some sleep.”

  He hesitated, but I turned my back to him, and he left me alone.

  ***

  Two days later, Peter still hadn’t called, so I decided I was done with him, no more trying. The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became, and the more Carl seemed to get in my way. The flat felt tiny again, just like before, except this time, Carl was determined to talk to me. About everything.

  Question after question about how I was feeling, my night terrors, what we could do to make it better, why the vampires stood outside every night, what we were going to do about them—it drove me mad because all I wanted to do was forget about all of it. Finally, I told him through tightly clenched teeth that he should go visit Peter or Eddie, or anyone that wasn’t me.

  Once Carl left, I tried to get back to work, but he had completely distracted me. I paced up and down the room, trying in vain to come up with a long-term solution to Carl’s problems. I passed the window, paused, and looked back out, wondering if I was seeing things.

  I wasn’t. Becca. Outside my home—just like the vampires had been.

  “That’s it.” I ran down the stairs and hurtled toward Becca who was visibly startled by my sudden appearance. She held out her arm. Her hand was red, almost burned-looking, and it shook noticeably as she waved a crucifix in my direction.

  “Back off!” she screamed.

  I rolled my eyes and showed her the cross around my neck. The colour sapped from her face, and she backed away, letting the crucifix fall to the ground. I supposed she had a reason to fear me. After all, I had almost drained her dry the last time we met. She looked the same, still pale, blonde, and nasty with a freakishly young body and old face. Her eyes glinted red in the sunlight, a chilling reminder of the bagged blood in her fridge.

  “I see you’ve found a new vampy sugar daddy.” I gestured to the vicious-looking bites on her neck.

  She grinned, vacantly. I knew she faked her confidence; I did the same thing on a regular basis. “Now that Max is gone, Gideon’s taken me as his own.”

  “Who’s Gideon?”

  “He’s in charge of the coven now,” she said, her grin faltering.

  “Suppose that has to be an improvement.”

  She tried to slap me, but I dodged her hand easily. “Don’t talk about Max!” Pink tears slid down her cheek. “He was good to me, okay? This is all your fault anyway. If Max hadn’t been so obsessed—”

  “I don’t need to hear his life story, Becca,” I said, although I was surprised that she actually cared about Maximus; he had been severely unbalanced. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  She blinked fast. “I’m supposed to keep watch during the day. And make sure you know about it. He’s coming to get you.” She lowered her voice. “If you thought Max was bad, you know nothing. Gideon’s in a hurry, so you better watch out. I’m hoping he waits until I turn so I can come after you first.”

  “Scary. I take it this Gideon bloke is the one who’s been sending vampires to stalk me.” I tried to balls it out, but I was rattling inside.

  Becca laughed. “You’ve no clue what he’s sending after you.” She looked so satisfied, I knew I should start worrying.

  “And yet I don’t care,” I said. “But if I see you outside my home one more time, I might just get a little thirsty.” I looke
d around to see if the coast was clear then gave her a quick flash of my fangs. It kind of amused me that she was comfortable around the vampires yet feared me. I got a little thrill from the look of horror on her face, but as I strode back inside, I felt true panic. I didn’t know Gideon but, if he was worse than Maximus, then I was in trouble.

  I rang Carl briefly to warn him not to come home after dark. He promised he would be careful, but I obsessed about Gideon all evening. His vampires hadn’t attacked me yet, but they were making their presence known each and every night. I needed a plan of action for when they finally attacked. I had to do something, protect myself in some way.

  I decided to chance my arm and call Daimhín. She wouldn’t take the call, so one of her humans acted as a go-between. I asked for help, for some kind of protection because I worked for Daimhín, and a rival coven had it in for me. As soon as I heard her laughter in the background, I knew I was on my own. I had no clue what was coming, but I expected the worst. Evil was on its way, and I had no means to stop it.

  Chapter Four

  The following morning, I awoke to a text from Daimhín’s day assistant. After a night of terrifying dreams, the text was the last thing I needed. I had strict instructions to pick up a payment from Eddie at the close of working hours and bring it straight to Daimhín as quickly as possible. I knew Eddie was in debt to Daimhín, but it hadn’t occurred to me that she might involve me in his repayments. I didn’t want to face her after she’d refused to help me, not to mention, her trying to sell me, but I had little choice. I didn’t want two covens after me. Again.

  Carl wasn’t in the living room; the blanket I left out for him hadn’t been touched, and he hadn’t called. For all I knew, he had been taken by the vampires. Hopefully Eddie had seen him. If Carl was really interested in the supernatural world, then Eddie’s shop would be his first stop.