Due to compliants in the last two books, I'm no longer making a rated R section. If you see *** it probably shouldn't be here. :) Skip it until the next ***.
Oh and, CONGRATS, YOU GUYS BEAT EVERYONE WITH 10% VOTES. HOUSE PET 2 WAS SECOND PLACE WITH ONLY 3.8%.
Chapter 5
Ethan
The meeting went smoother than I expected. McKayla and both the kids paid attention for once. Unfortunately, since they didn’t yesterday, they missed the point of this one. I could see the questions brewing in their minds, through their eyes.
Once the meeting was over, I decided to give them the summary to hush them up. I wanted to visit with those I haven’t seen in a while and it wouldn’t hurt for McKayla, Michael and Alexis to mingle with those of the same class as them. “The slayers have been caught poisoning the people they stay with. When they’re ready to move on, they set up the people they stayed with to be caught doing the crime they were known for doing.”
“Some kings want to lessen the laws, making it so only major crimes, like murder, rape and child molestation gets slavery. Other kings, like myself, want the laws to remain the same and make it mandatory for each human to be tested upon booking. The problem with mandatory testing is the smaller kingdoms can’t afford it. So instead, a wait time for the poison to work its way out of their system was suggested.”
“King Anthony has the first slave spotted with the poison and four months later, the slave is still testing positive. However, some slaves tested negative only a few weeks later. We have no limit to go off of.”
“The final decision is all the bigger kingdoms have agreed to donate to the smaller kingdoms to have every slave tested until clean. Once we find the longest case of the poison staying in a human, we’ll switch to the mandatory wait time.”
“It took that long to come up with that?” Michael and Alexis said half whining and half shocked like the little brats they are.
“There are 153 kings here and 153 different points of views. Be happy that’s all it took. Go pretend to be angels,” I said, shooing the kids away with my hand and then catching McKayla, playfully pulling her back down into me.
“How are you feeling?” I asked sincerely. Her cold was beginning to make me concerned.
“I’m fine,” she smiled.
I could feel a sense of relief and happiness coming from her. Then I realized, I haven’t shown any affection or love to her since night after she was poisoned. And even before that I was mostly cranky toward her. I haven’t even made love to her since I’ve been back. All I’ve done is yelling at her and the kids, and made her my slave again.
“I’m fine,” she said again as her smile was growing weaker.
“You’re not cold?”
“A little, but it’s getting better.” Her answer was spoken nervously. I have officially terrified her over the last four days.
“I love you.” She needed to know I still loved her. I cradled her to me for a few minutes, trying to show her affection, but I was too late. I would slowly have to earn her trust again.
“You want to go wonder around?” I asked her not wanting to let her go any more. Building her trust again meant more to me than mingling with people I haven’t seen in a while.
She nodded in my chest. I kissed the top of her head, enjoying her scent before whispering, “If you need me, call and I mean it. Don’t be afraid.”
She nodded. “McKayla I want to hear your answer.” It was more like I needed to hear her voice.
“Yes,” she answered quietly.
I reluctantly released her, watching her walk out and disappear into the crowd. Ever since I had gone feral on Alex and her, I haven’t been able to convince her even when I’m mad I’d protect and love her. When I did go feral that night my instincts protected her by throwing her out of the way. I was going for the kill and Alex was my target. She so happened to be in the middle.
“King Ethan, your fledglings are adorable. But I must ask how do you keep track of the two little ones in a crowd like this? Their so tiny.”
“Thank you Queen Marie. It’s simple, I have a pull to my queen and for my princess I just look for her care taker, Serena. It’s kind of hard not to notice Serena’s red hair.” I answered politely, even though all the comments on how small McKayla and Alexis were were getting annoying. “Besides, they’re all very good at calling me if they need me.” I threw that last bit in just in case. They better call me, especially Michael. He better never try to outwit or out fight one of these vampires.
I was lost in thought, while pretending to listen to Queen Marie. She was one of the many women here tonight who have tried to get my commitment. Like all the rest, she found a king dumb enough to fall for her. Something about her told me she wanted me or my kingdom. She would leave her king without a second thought for the chance, if it was at all possible. I hated her type, she was committed, but that didn’t stop her from trying.
“Want to go somewhere more private?” Well that answered the question me or my kingdom, I guess she wanted me.
“No,” I said bluntly, pushing her away from me. I could have sex with her and with the way our laws are made up, her king or McKayla couldn’t say or do anything about it. I find women who act like that repulsive. If McKayla isn’t physically up for it, I could easily make her mentally up for it. I would rather have her over anyone else.
I do have sex with other women, but it’s only sex. I only do it when McKayla isn’t physically capable or if I’m out of town and I need to keep a level head. McKayla knows all about it, I’ve even given her permission to have sex with someone else when I’m gone. We just wouldn’t talk about it, but she’s too insecure about herself and also afraid. I most definitely will not push her into it. There are plenty of female sluts, like Queen Marie, to reward male slaves. And so help me, if I ever caught McKayla throwing herself at another king like that, especially if I was around, I would beat the living shit out of her. There’s a loop hole, if there was a higher king. I may not be able to get her for having sex with him, but with the action beforehand I could.
“King Joseph, you may want to get a leash for your queen. The next time she comes at me like that, I won’t be so nice.” I paused looking over my shoulder. “I think King Dracula’s had just about enough of her too.” I watched as King Joseph took his queen forcefully by the arm and dragged her from the room.
King Dracula mouthed the words, ’thank you.’
“King Ethan, are you leaving?”
I sighed deeply before answering. “McKayla, call me Ethan and no, why?”
“Michael said you were about to get some action from a hot blonde babe.” Fu**ing Michael.
“I’ve already taken care of it. She was removed from the room. Don’t worry, have fun.”
“All I keep hearing is how adorable and tiny I am,” McKayla complained.
“Me too,” Alexis added, annoyed.
“I keep hearing about how much of stud muffin I am.” I had to laugh at Michael’s overly confident comment. If he only knew they were mostly after his position.
“Michael, if you leave this room, I’ll kick your ass.” I laughed through my thoughts.
“Who said I had to leave.” Michael came back deceivingly.
“You better not so much as even kiss a girl in here or a man for that matter.”
“Dad, your gross. So does that exclude sex?” He actually managed to leave me speechless for a few seconds.
“I am your father. You don’t tell me you’re planning on having sex. Keep every part of your body to yourself for the next month.” Since when did I and Michael go from son and dad to friends that share everything?
“Ethan, someone’s looking for you.” McKayla jumped in right after me, nervous and scared. I spotted her immediately and smiled. “He,”
I cut her off placing a hand on her shoulder and the other out in front of her to shake hands. “King Julius, how are you?” I couldn’t let her fear him. I had to show her I’d be there to protect her on a dime.
“I am doing great,” he said shaking my hand. “I must say I am impressed on how respectful and well behaved your fledglings are.” It took a lot not to laugh at his compliment.
“Thank you, I try my best.” I dropped my hand pulling McKayla back and to my side, brushing my thumb in a soothing manner over her the side of her waist. “My Queen said you wanted to see me.”
“Yes, I was hoping for the Circle of life and Death party in a few days, I could bring my queen and princess’ guards. They’re very young and with everything going on, I’d feel safer.”
I tightly held McKayla to my side, smiling and adoringly looking down at her. “I completely understand. How old are they now?”
“About the same age yours I’m guessing, two and two and half.”
“Precisely, of course, I don’t mind. Please don’t tell anyone though. I don’t want it getting out I’m allowing more guards. I’ll let my guards know you’re bringing four more.” It’s nice to see other kings who love and worry for their fledglings like I do. Most of the kings here their queens and fledglings are old enough to protect themselves. But there are kings here, like me, which will never see it that way. Then there are the kings, like King Anthony and King Joseph, who keep theirs locked up, only to bring them out to show them off. Hence, the reason they have such a hard time with them. Their queens and fledglings will do anything for attention.
“I would stay, but I really need to get back to them,” King Julius said, glancing back at his Queen and princess. They were standing in the corner terrified of the vampires surrounding them. “Have a nice night. I’ll see you in a few days.”
“You too and have a safe trip.”
King Julius quickly made his way out back to his fledglings. McKayla looked up to me full of confusion. “Go ahead, ask.” I wanted to hear her voice out loud.
“Is he a friend?” The curiosity was a pleasant change compared to the shyness lately.
“Yes,” I paused watching her reaction and she looked to the floor. The list of friends, acquaintances, and enemies was part of her studies. “You did well. You did exactly what you were supposed to,” I said with pride, raising her chin back up to me. “Friends can change in a flash.” I softly kissed her, speaking into her lips, “Continue,” before backing away to look her in the eyes.
“How did he know how old I was?”
I chuckled, something else she should’ve known. “By studying and your fangs.” She tried secretly running her tongue across her fangs. “Yes, they fully out and your eyes are red. You get so worked up, you forget your hunger.” I moved my arm around the small of her back and leading her back to our thrones.
We walked past the caterer and she slowed, but I kept her moving. “We just passed the blood.” She stated confused and concerned.
“You would rather have the stale stuff over the fresh?” I questioned, teasingly. She only gave my question a more confusing look. I rolled my eyes, picking her up as I sat down with her in my throne. “I would rather have you drink from me.” She nuzzled into my neck, inhaling my scent, before biting down.
On schedule, thirty minutes later, with full stomachs, she and the kids naturally fell asleep for their naps. An hour after they fell asleep the after meeting party died down enough to leave. Unfortunately, an hour of sleep is enough to wake them with any subtle movement, but not enough to prevent crabbiness.
I didn’t stand up smoothly enough, neither did Serena or Brady. We all instantly tried to get them back to sleep as we rushed from the noise of the room. Brady and I were successful as soon as we hit the quietness of the hallway. Serena, on the other hand, had Alexis half awake and growling. Out of all of my fledglings, Alexis was the worst when awakened.
I smiled at Serena, “Alexis, go back to sleep,” I said softly, putting her back to sleep.
“Thank you,” Serena sent through truly appreciative.
“Anytime, I know how exactly how much of a beast she can be when she doesn’t get her full beauty rest.” I laughed silently.
“You want me to take her back with me?” Serena suggested.
“That would be nice.” I responded thankfully. Serena and Brady took off past me in the direction of our rooms. “Hey, guys don’t forget they’re grounded.” They didn’t need to respond, I knew they heard me.
Between McKayla’s nap and her not talking to me, I managed to get a month’s worth of work caught up in a matter of three hours. After the twins fell asleep, I sat in my chair in the living area, glancing back at McKayla from time to time. Her depressed and quiet state on the bed was driving me crazy. “McKayla, come here.” She got up slowly and moped over to me.
“I love you.” That was all I wanted to say.
She curled into me. Her petite body was so fragile and vulnerable. She was cute and adorable, all the qualities that made her sexy. She was mine and there was nothing she could do about it.
***
I carried her to the bed with lust in my eyes. Her eyes grew large in fear as I slipped her dress off over her head. Her breath caught in fear as I moved down removing her underwear. Slowly, I crept back up, biting my tongue and then kissing her passionately, sending sensations of lust through her as I undressed myself. I slowly slid into her rocking back and forth, entwining my fingers in hers and pinning her hands to the bed. I left the kiss allowing a quiet and uncontrollable moan to escape from her.
She was uncertain how to act and I would take care of that. I would make her forget how to act and have her instincts taken over her. I began placing butterfly kisses across her jaw line to underneath her ear. She began squirming beneath me in anticipation. Continuing to tease her, moving in and out of her slowly, grazing my fangs, licking, sucking and kissing her neck, her moans grew louder. Waiting impatiently for the perfect moment to bite, I trailed my hand down her arm to her breast, cupping it, massaging and tugging her nipple gently. That did the trick, her walls closed around me, her hips bucked up, bringing me deeper inside her.
She screamed in pleasure as I buried my fangs into her soft neck, doubling the pleasure of her orgasm. I released her other hand and she wrapped her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist clinging to me. Her bliss kept multiplying as I sent more and more feelings of lust through her. By the sight of her enjoyment, I felt myself coming close, but I would not allow it. Not until she is about to pass out and sleep like the baby she is.
Her hips unbuckled and she started to squirm away as my touch became too much. I waited for her to almost succeed before slamming her back down onto me. I picked up the pace to an inhumanly speed, holding her in place. She held her breath, and for the first time, she bit me, and I lost all control.
She let go and exhaled as my body started moving roughly over hers. My hand tightened on her breast and she whimpered. She also bucked her hips back up to me again, but harder. I laughed to myself, forgetting about regaining control. She wanted to take this up another step. She learned a new trick. She bit down on my shoulder, stopping my laughter on the spot. All thoughts of finishing were gone, this felt way too nice to end so soon.
Her walls remained tight and massaging me. She moved in rhythm with me using all her strength. Her nails dug into my back. Her muscles tensed more than I have ever felt before. She froze in her position, her body completely stiff. She held her breath again as I continued to roughly thrust into her. Now was the time to finish and right as I did, her eyes closed and she passed out.
***
I kissed her forehead whispering “I wonder how long you’ll be out now, you crazy little shit.”
Laughing quietly, I pulled her protectively close to me. I felt great. Forgetting all my stress and problems. All I could think about was protecting her and making her happy. I haven’t been able to lose control like that in over a century. I always felt good after having sex with her, but this felt better. It’s like the difference between masturbating and the real thing.
The smell of her blood drew me away from my thoughts. I sat up raking my eyes over her body, ending at her thighs, I ripped her. I placed a hand gently between her legs, soaking up any pain she would feel and numbing her. She would heal quickly and at least I know she thoroughly enjoyed it. She was too far gone herself to even noticed being ripped. I chuckled again covering her up and laying down with her safely in my embrace.
A knock on the door woke me, I still had my hold on McKayla, not wanting to let go. I grumbled looking at the clock, “hang on.” Our fun early this morning must have taken its toll on me too. It was a little after nine. Three hours past when I would normally wake up. I reluctantly rolled out of bed, finding my boxers and pants in the same place I left them last night. Good, the maids must have noticed and kept going. “I’m dressed you two can uncover your faces now.” The twins must have noticed also. I opened the door to John, he was holding out tomorrow’s menu.
“Had a little fun this morning?” John asked, smirking.
“Yep.” I took the papers from him hastily, knowing I was glowing.
“Is that Queen McKayla’s blood I smell?” His tone turned serious.
“She started it,” I protested.
“You ripped her?” He asked, astonished.
“She started it.” I’m sticking to my story.
“King Ethan, she’s a baby. You need to take it easy with her.”
“She bit me.” I’ll add to my story, but she did start it.
“Are you seriously going to blame her for you losing control?” His shock was out of this world.
“Yep, and I promise to take care of her. Good bye, John,” I said proudly, shutting the door in his face. I wasn’t going to discuss how she screwed up.
I unlocked the girls’ cage and cheerfully strolled over to my desk to grab the list of names I picked for tomorrow night’s menu. I dove back into bed propping myself up with my elbow and resting my head in my hand. Stretching my other arm out over McKayla with papers in hand to read over her while waiting for her to wake up.
I leaned over resting my chin on her shoulder when she began to stir awake. Her tossing was blocking the view of my papers. “What are you reading?” She asked, half-awake, and then gasped, catching herself talking out of turn.
I ignored her gasp and answered, “The menu for tomorrow night’s party.”
“Are my friends on there?” I could hear the sadness in her voice.
“No, this is the entrée list, or sacrifice list, whatever you want to call it. Your friends are not dying tomorrow night.” I playfully bit her ear then blew lightly on her neck, tickling her, and trying to lighten up her mood. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I just got hit by a train,” she complained, giggling.
I laid my papers down in front of her and started massaging her thigh. “I’ll give you a massage if you help me,” I whispered into the back of her neck.
“That depends on what you need help with,” she answered, cringing.
“Nothing physical, I highly doubt either of us could do that right now.”
“I hurt,” she complained.
“That’s what happens when you get crazy with a much older vampire. Are you going to help me?” I teased her.
“I didn’t know that was going to happen,” she protested weakly.
“Well now you do. Are you going to help me?” I’m not going to stop asking until she answers me.
“Anything to get rid of this pain,” she said.
“Good, make sure all the numbers and names match my list.” I separated my list from the pile of papers in front of her, handing it too her, and started rubbing her legs through the blanket.
By the time I made it up to her neck I was exhausted, but her muscles were finally relaxed. I would not be losing control on her again anytime soon.
Another knock at the door interrupted me. “Come in,” I mumbled quickly glancing down to make sure she was completely covered. I was determined that when whoever was at the door left, I was taking a nap with McKayla.
“King Ethan, you may want to un-wrap your hand from around her neck, before I say what I need to say.” Paul, my head guard suggested. I could see the nervousness in his brown eyes as he brushed his gray streaked brown hair out them. He may look old, but he was powerful and when a man like him is nervous it’s never good.
I slowly removed my hand from McKayla’s neck, thankful she was sleeping. “What is it?” I asked, taking a deep breath.
“We have reason to believe slayers got into the building during the day and released the other slayers.” His eyes never left the ground.
He was right to suggest me removing my hand from McKayla’s neck. It was now fisted up. “What reason do you have, and how did they get in?” I asked enraged, finding myself defensively leaning over McKayla.
“Only slayers were released, everyone else is accounted for. Plus, the cell doors were opened from the outside. This window in your joining room was open, that’s how we think they got in and out. Their scents are all over in there.”
“That’s Alexis’ room,” I stated with worry.
“She stayed with Serena yesterday.” Paul tried to reassure me.
“I know where she stayed, that’s beside the point. Why was her room not guarded?” I said through clenched teeth, trying to hold my voice down.
“Because she stayed with Serena.” Paul’s answer was shy.
“Her room is connected to mine,” I hissed looking down at McKayla. After this morning’s events I was as out of it as she was, anyone could have gotten in here and I wouldn’t have woken up until it was too late.
“I’m sorry; with everyone else who stayed here today we were stretched thin.” His excuse was horrible and he knew it.
I was about to come back when I heard a hanger in the closet slide against its wooden bar. It was too quiet for a human to hear, hopefully whoever did it, shrugged it off. I nodded to Paul in the direction of the closet while locating the twins on the couch and boosting myself high over McKayla. I was ready to lunge if need be. “Did you check on Michael?” I asked harshly pretending not to hear the swaying of hangers as Paul placed his hand on the door knob.
I raised my hand stopping Paul, I changed my mind. “Girls go two doors to the left. Tell Samantha-” I looked to Paul for confirmation. He nodded and held up four fingers, knowing what I wanted. “Tell her I have four slayers in here, I need her to watch you two. Have her send Eric.” The whole time I ordered the girls Paul continued to talk about the kids nonchalantly.
The girls jumped from the couch. “Quiet, we don’t want them to know we found them.” They quietly rushed from the room.
“Samantha, I’m sending my twins to you. Hide and protect them. I’ve got slayers in my closet.” I sent to her hoping she was listening. “Eric, get up here and be ready to fight slayers.” I sent to him, hoping he was listening.
“They’re here, Eric’s on his way. Where’s McKayla?” Samantha answered my call.
“Under me.” It was then I realized she was still naked.
“Hey Paul, toss me my shirt,” I said casually, “then turn around.”
He tossed me my shirt and turned around. I quickly, not being careful at all not to wake her, I put it on her. Her eyes popped open in surprise. I clamped my hand over her mouth before she could make a sound, putting one finger over my lips, signaling for her to keep quiet. I knew anything she would say would be panicked and I didn’t need her screwing up my plan. I needed to wait for Eric. “There are four slayers in the closet. I need you to stay here, unless I tell you to move. You’re going to be okay, I promise.” I silently sent to her watching the tears form in her eyes. Hopefully they were waiting for sunrise to attack us. They had have knives then, but I couldn’t read their minds. That only meant one thing, they were well-trained slayers. The last thing I needed was for McKayla to cross into the possible fight trying to leave. They could have weapons that shoot stakes and, or, razor disks.
I positioned myself over her again defensively. Whispering in an inaudible tone to a human, the word, “Stay” sternly, as Eric entered the room. McKayla moved further under me, cowering and trying to make herself smaller.
“Jay, Kevin, and Isaac are in Alexis’ room. Michael is in Brady’s room with him and Isabelle. Alexis is in Serena’s room with her and Lucas. The twins are in Elizabeth’s room with her, Samantha and Marcus. Samantha and Marcus moved them further away.” Eric said silently, positioning himself in front of the closet door.
“Where is Sarah and Aleena?” Sarah better not be with Jay.
“Aleena is with Lucas and Sarah’s with Brady.” Eric’s answer settled my mind of having to worry about two more fledglings. Jay has been known to make stupid decisions. Being protective of Sarah, I wouldn’t doubt it if he would have brought her with, not trusting anyone else with her. I would have moved McKayla, but she was too weak to make it to Samantha’s room. My worry for her was indescribable. Even if she had to escape, I didn’t know if she could. If all goes to plan, my two strongest fighters should be able to handle these slayers. Now that Jay, Kevin, and Isaac are in the other room to help, I was almost positive I wouldn’t have to leave her side.
I nodded to Eric to open the door, impossibly tucking McKayla under me even further. At the same time I sent to Jay, Kevin, and Isaac, “Get ready the door is opening.” Soon after my door opened, the door on the other side of the closet opened.
A razor disk flew out of the closet grazing Eric’s throat as he dodged it. The disk sliced into the wall across the room, getting stuck in the steel plate between the walls. The worse scenario was playing out in front of us. “There’s eight!” Paul shouted. I looked down at McKayla, fearing for her and praying for the best.
“I need guards now!” I ordered for everyone to hear, including McKayla, and the kids. I was not about to waste time on blocking them out. “We’re outnumbered by slayers and they’re heavily armed.”
“Jay’s down,” Isaac yelled through openly not blocking anyone out immediately after me. McKayla started to panic, trembling under me.
Isaac’s announcement distracted Paul. A slayer caught him off guard running a sword and cutting half way through his thigh, knocking him to the ground. A stake flew into his stomach, driving straight through him and into the floor. A sledge hammer hit him in the head, knocking him out. “Paul’s down,” I sent out sadly.
The slayers broke through the closet coming toward the bed. Isaac, Kevin, and Eric fought with everything they had to hold them back. One, with a disk thrower, got past them. Standing only five or six feet away he raised his weapon. I lunged over McKayla landing as he shot. Fast as lightening, I caught the disk between my hands only inches from McKayla’s neck.
Looking up at the man, the guards piled in, knocking his weapon from his hands. McKayla screamed from behind me. I whipped around and she was halfway up the wall her stare set on the slayer behind me. A sense of déjà vu came crashing back. I turned around, instantly recognizing the slayer, who was now a vampire.
He was a slayer from Bruce’s men. A slayer I had sentenced to be turned into vampire as punishment after whipping him half to death. The same slayer she acted this way with the last time I brought him in here. The same one who raped her on stakes that were pounded into her body. And now he just tried to kill her again. Anger raged through me.
The guards pinned his hands behind his back, bringing back more memories. “Wait, I want him,” I said, pointing at the slayer as they began to drag him out. My guards disarmed and captured all eight slayers within a matter of seconds.
I smiled, wondering if I could talk McKayla down this time. I turned back to her slowly approaching her. Using the same technique as last time. “McKayla sweetie, you’re okay, come down.” I crooned reassuringly, yet demanding. I took a step closer and she climbed higher. “McKayla, I will catch you.” I warned, smiling. I wouldn’t get mad at her, not for acting out of instinct. This was a very good fear. She wasn’t afraid of me, she wasn’t running from me, she was afraid, and running from the slayer.
I reached out my hand for her to take, or to catch her with, as I took another step closer. She hesitated staring at the slayer. “McKayla,” I said, drawing her attention back to me. I prepared myself to catch her and then, she slowly began to creep back down the wall.
When her cold hand reached mine, I grasped it tightly, pulling her into me, and picking her up. She hid her face in the crook of my neck, her whole body trembling in fear. For her size and age, her hold on me was unbelievable.
“Good girl,” I whispered with pride, while running my fingers through her hair.
I carried her back over to the slayer, stopping inches in front of him. “Stake,” was all he needed to say to set her off again.
I turned around, away from the slayer. My hold on her tightened, I was not letting her go until she calmed down. She struggled against me for a couple of minutes, until her rational thinking kicked in. Tightening her arms and legs around me again, my grip loosened. “I will never let him hurt you again, no matter what. No strings attached, because I love you.”
Turning back around again, I stopped in front of Kevin this time, which was standing next to the slayer. “McKayla, I want you to go by Kevin and close your eyes. Kevin, hold her head to your chest and shield her ears.” I ordered handing her to him. She doesn’t need to see or hear clearly what I’m about to do.
“Going to kill him?” Kevin asked silently.
I nodded, and he reached out for McKayla. She started to go, but whipped back to me when she saw how close the slayer was to Kevin. “I will not kill him with you in my arms. Please go to Kevin, I promise you’ll be safe.”
Pulling her head from my neck she looked into my eyes with cloudy eyes, analyzing me. “But you tortured with me in your arms.” I couldn’t tell if she was asking or begging. If we were talking out loud I may have caught it, but she was too scared to talk in front him.
“Torturing is nothing compared to what I’m going to do.” She continued to stare at me with those damn begging eyes. “Baby, I’m doing this with my bare hands. Please, go to Kevin and don’t listen or watch.” I have worked too hard for her trust and she was giving it to me now, saying no was difficult. I didn’t want to tell her anymore, I didn’t want her to fear me anymore.
She reluctantly let go of me, and wrapped her little arms around Kevin’s neck securely. The slayer jerked toward her and she squirmed as Kevin quickly grabbed her. I let go of her instantly, lashing out at the slayer, grabbing his throat and lifting him off the ground. The guards lost grip of his hands. He grabbed at my hand, trying to pry it off with no success.
Kevin cradled McKayla’s head tightly to his chest, muffling her hearing. He turned to block her view, but not his. Her body violently shook in Kevin’s grip. Her eyes were squeezed shut. She never even saw me grab the slayer, everything happened too fast. “Baby, I’ve got him, calm down.” I sent too late. She beyond calming with words. I’m sure if I could see her eyes, they would be white as a sheet from fear. She was petrified.
“Are you sure he can’t get me?” Maybe I wasn’t too late.
“Positive, he’s as good as dead.” I sent back full of confidence.
In my thoughts to everyone and out loud I announced, “Eli Andrew Johnstone, I sentence you to death.”
Staring Eli in the eyes with hate, I began to squeeze the life from him. The loud cracking and popping of bones in his neck filled the room. Pain and fear filled his eyes as his trachea collapsed and crushed under my grip. The remaining rings of his windpipe intertwined in my fingers as his skin and flesh ripped and tore away. His spinal cord was the last to snap completely in half. It was all over. My hands were empty except for the blood that dripped from them and a very small amount of flesh and bone remnants. His body crashed to the floor with a loud thud.
Eric showed up to my side handing me a towel. I wiped my hand off quickly, going to Kevin. McKayla was terrified, her eyes still tightly closed, her body shaking in fear and her head tucked securely in Kevin’s chest. Smiling, and noticing for the first time since this all began, how lucky we were that my shirt she wore, came down to her knees.
Reaching out to her and touching her sides, she panicked, clutching a hold of Kevin even tighter. Caressing my hand over her back, I softly spoke, “McKayla, it’s me and it’s all over.”
She suddenly let go of Kevin, twisting around and grabbing a hold of me. I nipped her shoulder, sending calmness throughout her. Her body relaxed, however, it didn’t relax long. It tensed back up, although, not as bad as before, and she gasped, “you did that?”
I was so worried about calming her down, I forgot the body. “Yes,” it was pointless to lie.
Glancing over to the guards, it was evident they all wanted to hear how I was going to get myself out of this one. The remaining slayers relaxed a little, thinking they were off the hook.
“Get Jay and Paul to a doctor, and those damn slayers out of my sight,” I commanded annoyed. McKayla fidgeted in my arms. “Get somebody to clean this up.” I finished speaking to Isaac with despair.
Everyone fled from the room, leaving me, McKayla and the decapitated body with its shredded neck and head a few feet away. I wandered over to the couch, using it’s back to shield McKayla’s view of the body and head.
“I would and could never do that to you or the kids.”
“But you can,” she was stunned.
I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “Yes, I can, but not to you or the kids.”
“You’re that strong.” She was beginning to talk to herself.
“McKayla, look at me.” I took her face in both hands. “This is why I didn’t want you to watch or listen. I’m strong enough to rip a vampires head off with my bare hands. But I cannot do it to you or the kids. I love you guys too much. I promise I will never use my full strength on any of you, not even if I’m feral.” I pleaded with her while debating on telling her that wasn’t my full strength. That ripping his head off was like ripping a human’s head off. To get everything out in the open, but I decided against it. I’ll let her figure that out on her own at different time.
I finished rubbing out her back and neck while the maids cleaned up the mess. I finished matching the names and numbers on the menu for tomorrow night while watching the news. Rocking McKayla gently, she fell back to sleep with her legs circled around me and her head on my chest. Samantha agreed to take the twins for the day, and Brady offered to teach Michael how to organize the throne room for tonight. Serena said she’d watch Alexis again today. It was only me and McKayla and between the night’s busy occurrences and yesterday morning I was exhausted.
As I went to lie down in bed next to her, calling it an early morning, she asked quietly and shy. “Can you check the closet?” Normally, I would have teased her about the monsters in the closet. Maybe even put on that old children’s cartoon where the monsters come out the closet to collect screams from the children. But instead, after the night we just had I found myself checking it without thinking. Just in case one was left behind, even though there was no chance of that happening. I had been listening all night for any movement in there, no human can sit still that long. However, there were vampires in that closet. I checked the closet thoroughly from ceiling to floor, even checked Alexis’ room, before locking the door leading into her room. I locked the closet door on our side, before climbing back in bed.
She nuzzled into my chest whispering half-awake, “thank you.”
I kissed the top of her head good morning then smiling, and whispering, “Anytime.” I had feeling I was going to be checking the closet every morning for a long time