The Soldier's Hostage

Chapter Two

After a little while, I stopped noticing the tense silence between us and started noticing something else instead. I wasn't feeling good. It might have been the coffee but I was pretty sure it was because it had been a while since my last bite. I jumped when Arthur spoke up, breaking the silence that had reigned for hours.

"You don't look good."

I struggled to focus, shaking my head. "No." I registered him getting up and moving around the couch, until he was standing behind me. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled in fear. I clutched at my wrists, linking them together to keep myself grounded.

"Stay still."

I shuddered as he laid a hand on my shoulder and the other on the back of my neck, pressing with his thumb to make me open up my throat. I shut my eyes and waited for the pain. For the fangs to rip through my flesh and let my blood well up to be feasted on.

I jerked when he leaned over my shoulder. He inhaled my fear and let his exhale feather over my shoulder. I chanced a look and found him staring at my neck, eyes glowing red. That glowing gaze flicked up to bore into me and I squeezed my eyes shut again.

"Exhale."

I obeyed the order instinctively. Then blinked when I realized his mouth was on my neck, his fangs in my pulse. I felt the strange sense of chill as blood left my throat. Then an indescribable warmth replaced it. The warm feeling spread down onto my chest and up into my head, easing the worst of the cravings.

That strange give and take repeated, sending me into a hazy sort of relaxation. I gasped when the fangs slid out of my neck and Arthur disappeared. He moved back around the couch and sat down, getting comfortable like nothing had happened.

I sank further into my seat, basking in the pheromones drifting through my system. I was positive that had been the best experience in feeding a Vampire I had ever had. I sighed and closed my eyes, feeling like I should just drift. Enjoy it while I could.

Time slipped away from me. Enough of it that the show had changed when I tuned into reality again. Arthur's phone chirped and I opened one eye to watch him read what was on the screen. He snorted and put the phone away. "Way ahead of you Emilio." Then he was glancing at me.

I slowly blinked at him, examining his expression. My eyes slid closed as I realized he was thinking of inquiring about my health. "I'm fine." I grimaced when the words came out slurred. I also wasn't entirely certain I had spoken in English. I tried again just to be sure the meaning was clear. "I'm fine."

I levered one eye open to make sure he had gotten it and found him satisfied. We passed the time much more comfortably now that I had a sedative in my system. And even once the pheromones began to wear off and I regained some control, things were easier. More amicable.

I tried not to think about that one too much. It was just the bite talking. And the fact that he had been gentle instead of vicious. The not thinking got easier when there was a knock on the door. Arthur got up to answer it.

I jumped up and grinned when Max came in, followed by Katty. I moved around the couch towards my friend and glanced at Arthur as he pulled out a chair for Katty, wondering if they would be opposed to Max and I talking in private. He seemed to know what I wanted because he gave me a slight nod of permission. I quickly hauled Max towards my bedroom. "How are you? Do you know what's going on with the rest of us?"

Max nodded and switched to French. "Henri is fine. Isaac is hanging on but I'm worried about him. We haven't been to see Jake yet."

I nodded, responding in our native tongue. "Good. And the other Vampires? Nothing...abusive?"

Max shook his head. He seemed about as surprised as I was about the whole situation. He glanced back at the door, like he was worried someone might be listening in. "Katty has been fairly straight forward so far. She hasn't touched me or my blood, except for when it became a threat to my health. Hasn't let anyone else touch me either. The other two said the same."

I gave him a half smile. "So it's all of them then. I thought it was just the one I was yoked with that was completely disinterested in me. It feels strange. Being allowed to actually exist as a person rather than a toy."

Max was silent for a moment. "I still don't trust them. It could very well be they just want to keep us in good condition before we go back to Sophia." He sneered her name.

I almost shushed him before realizing none of her loyal dogs were around to punish us for it. I shrugged instead. "I'm not going to argue it. May as well enjoy this break while we can."

Max nodded. "For however long it lasts." He looked me over. "You'll be okay with this guy biting you for as long as you need it?"

I smiled. "Do I really have a choice?" I put an arm around his shoulders affectionately. "If I can handle Pierre, I can handle this guy. He was actually gentle about it. I was kind of surprised. I expected ripping and pain. Instead it was just a rush of heat under my skin and relief."

Max didn't say anything, but the faraway look told me he had received similar treatment. We talked for a bit more until Max stood anxiously. "I've still gotta look in on Jake. Try to see how much freedom you can get. If we can get a chance to all get together, we may just have a chance."

I nodded and followed him back out to the front of the apartment. Katty and Arthur looked up at us and quickly said goodbye to each other. Katty gave him an apologetic look. "Sorry again. I really didn't mean to mess with your privacy."

Arthur stood to see her out and shook his head. "It's alright. I live to serve." She gave him a fond smile and led Max towards the door. I was surprised when she looked at me with a grin.

"Nice to see you're doing well Tucker. Maybe we can actually get introduced next time."

Then they were gone. I stared at the door, a little longingly.

"An interesting choice of word. Yoked."

I stiffened and stared at Arthur. He didn't look at me as he cleared the table of his mug and placed it in the sink. Cold dread filled me. They had heard. Or he had anyways.

"Out of all the terms you could have used, you pick the one that makes us bound together as equals, striving for a common goal." He turned to look at me and I realized he was waiting for a response.

I shook my head helplessly. "You want me out of here. I'm not really fond of strange Vampires." I swallowed hard. "You understood us?"

Arthur shook his head. "I speak German, not French. Katty was translating for me." He left it at that. And I didn't dare ask him his opinion of our intention to plan an escape. He would undoubtedly do whatever Katty told him to. Which was likely along the lines of 'stay vigilant'.