Prick of A Finger
Eva's eyes widened at the name written under the bottom of the paragraph.
Author: Eva Wright
She dropped the book.
“I-I didn’t write that.”
“Didn't write what?” Her publicist Tamara said from behind her scaring her. Eva placed her fingers to her lips as she watched Tamara pick up the book.
“Ohh he’s sexy. Mysterious and dark,” her brow arched in excitement. “Something Wicked? Oh my God, are you writing dark romance again?”
“T-Tamara…I didn’t write that.”
She thumbed through the pages, “Well duh, it’s empty.” Eva snatched the book from her flipping past the first page. Blank page after black page filled her vision. “I like the title, the picture, and the little blurb. You think you can get a couple chapters done by the end of the month? I can present this as your next book.” She clapped her hands together excitedly, “I told you this was your lane, Eva. You’re funny, witty and your mind is certainly twisted- no offense.”
Eva could hardly hear her.
I didn’t write that
Tamara placed the book back into her hands, it’s cover seeming to scorch Eva’s fingers. “Get to work,” she said winking to her, before leaving her alone in the office.
Eva stumbled back to her desk and stared at the book before lunging it into the trash. She didn’t like the way any of it made her feel, it was like the thing was calling to her. Clicking her computer back on, she pulled up the word tab and eyed the blinking cursor.
Come on…come on, you can do this
She beckoned herself, but no words filled the pages. Sighing, she placed her head in her hands trying her best to control her tears. “What have you done to me, Charles?” She muttered, her breath quickening as her heart rate increased.
Not now…not now
She struggled to breathe and gripped onto the edge of the desk. Breath heavy and ragged, she looked to the ceiling and began to count.
30…29…28…
It was something her therapist had told her to try whenever she felt a panic attack coming on. Closing her eyes, she waited for her breathing to return to normal. She turned off the monitor knowing if she tried to write it would just all start over again. Her dream was slipping right from her fingers and there was nothing she could do about it.
Try as she might, Eva couldn’t stop the tears falling down her cheek. Grabbing a tissue, she wicked them away quickly before throwing it in the trash. Her eyes darted to the book it landed on, the hazel eyes of the man still following her. Before she could catch herself, she reached into the bin and placed the book on her desk. The threatening feeling returned, almost like a warning, and at the same time, almost as if it was pulling her to open it once again. Taking a deep breath, she flipped back the cover, and turned to the first blank page, only it was no longer blank.
“Wha-the… ” Her breath caught in her throat, as she read the new words.
Chapter 1: Reunion
Eva stared at the words burning into the paper. The longer she looked at them, the more the fog of her mind seemed to clear. She picked up a pen and under the title, she let the word on her mind reach the paper.
Alaric stared at his sleeping bride, irritated at the man lying on her other side. He was a brute who deserved to be dead, but his death wasn’t the mission for tonight. He ran his long nail gently against her face, entranced at how she managed to look beautiful even as she slept. She stirred slightly, her hand covering her face blocking it from his view. He tilted his head and smirked before laying down beside her. Watching the beat of her neck vein, he imagined her blood dripping down the sides of his mouth. Intoxicated by her scent, he wanted to taste what smelled so delicious. Careful as not to wake her, he grabbed her hand bringing a finger to his lips. He softly pricked her finger with his fang, relishing in the tang of her blood as it drops onto his tongue.
“And where do you think you’re running off to?”
Alaric grinned as he dug his nails deeper into Drusilla’s back. She moaned pushing herself back onto him, her eyes rolling as the girth of his manhood hit every spot inside.
“Nowhere…”
She bit her bottom lip to keep from screaming, as another orgasm pulsated through her. Digging her nails deep into the sheets, she felt herself convulse. Alaric retched his head back feeding off her sexual energy. Eyes reddened, he growled under his breath almost satisfied. Exposing his fangs, he thrust deeper inside her. He licked his lips and arched forward and sank his teeth deep into the back of her shoulder.
“Fuckkkk-” She screamed out as he drained blood from her very body causing her to climax again.
The combination sent him over the edge, closing his eyes, he released. Retracting his fangs, the two collapsed to the bed. The thick red liquid stained the sheets, its metallic smell wisped through his nose. Lifting her head, Drusilla planted her fangs deep into his chest.
“Mmmmm,” He murmured closing his eyes feeling the blood leave from his body. She knew exactly what he liked, and he thoroughly enjoyed the pleasure received from inflicting pain on one another.
*“Alaric stared at his sleeping bride, irritated at the man lying on her other side."
His eyes popped open.
“Intoxicated by her scent, he wanted to taste what smelled so delicious”
Grabbing Drusilla by her hair, he pushed her from him. “What the hell!” She screamed.
“Hush.” Standing he wandered around his bedroom until he approached the painting of himself. Ripping it off the wall, he exposed the safe inside.
“He softly pricked her finger with his fang."
“They wouldn’t have!” He shouted, tearing open the metal encasement breaking the magic sealing with it. His eyes widened at the realization that its contents were gone. “ARGGGG!” Alaric tore the safe straight from the wall. “I’M GOING TO FUCKING KILL HIM.” He screamed dressing quickly and vanishing into the night.
“YOU GAVE THAT FUCKING HUMAN MY BOOK?!” Alaric fumed breaking into Raien office.
“Hello, Alaric.” He called to him, without bothering looking up.
“I’m not in the mood for your sarcasm.” He was infuriated. If he could kill Raien without suffering more consequences against him, he would. “When my father hears about this…”
“Your father is the one who gave it to me.” His words stopped Alaric in his tracks. Raien clasped his fingers together and stared into his depths. “I tried to warn you that he was serious about your penance.”
“And I told you I didn’t need to be married to her to fulfill my vow. Giving her the book to control me is low.” He cut his eyes. “She has no clue what the hell she’s doing!”
Raien smirked. “Oh, but I think she does. She may not know writing the story will control you, but she most certainly knows how to control you.”
His words sent Alaric into a rage. “NOBODY CONTROLS ME!”
“Including yourself, that’s the problem. Had you controlled yourself, Eva would still have her parents.” Alaric fumed quietly. “Seethe all you want, but the deal has been made. She WILL finish your book, you WILL take her as your wife and you WILL protect her as you so vowed or you WON’T have your wings returned.”
Leaning in close, Alaric's eyes reddened. “Keep them.” With that, he stormed from the office.
Eva laid in bed clad in the horrid lingerie Charles picked for her this evening. Nuzzled in her neck, he cooed to her. “Baby, you smell good.”
She wanted to vomit. She hated the way he tried to seduce her immediately after hitting her. Tonight’s infraction consisted of her forgetting to iron his clothes for work tomorrow. He ran his fingers over her breast while kissing her neck. “Charles…I’m tired.” She bit her bottom lip trying her best to hold in her cry.
“You’re always tired. Get a real fucking job and then complain to me about being tired.” He glared at her.
Closing her eyes, she breathed in deep. “You’re right…I’m sorry.”
He caressed her face roughly. “That’s more like it.” As he laid on top of her, her lip trembled, and she mentally started counting.
30…29…28
It was over before she’d gotten to one. It was one of the more merciful things she was thankful for in her marriage. That and the fact that Charles wasn’t perceptive enough to pay attention to certain things. Even though she made well over six figures, she wasn’t allowed to keep any of the money. So, little by little, she would take just enough money that he wouldn’t notice missing, and stash it away. She was almost close to her goal, one more book and she could get away. Eva heard Charles snoring, his back now turned to her. Closing her eyes tighter, she stifled her cries. Finally, the tears stopped and exhausted she drifted off to sleep.
Eva felt the sensation of being watched. Afraid to open her eyes, she stilled as she felt a body next to her. The scent unlike Charles, more of a touch of expensive cologne draped over something she couldn’t place. Body rigid, she allowed the person to remove her hand from her face. A pair of soft lips against her finger, they kissed the tip of her index.
At the prick of something sharp, Eva tried her best not to scream. She didn’t want to open her eyes, not knowing what she would see. Yet slowly, a burning set into her finger causing her eyes to shoot open. Hazel's eyes bore into her, sending a shiver up her spine. His chiseled face foreign yet familiar as he refused to break eye contact. Releasing her finger from his mouth, he licked his lips. Eva’s breathing quickened her chest tight at the realization of what she was seeing. The voice once gone from her throat returned in a fury. She parted her lips but, in an instant, the stranger's hand covered her mouth. Tapping his long nails against the side of her face, he shook his head no.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you Eva…unless you want me to kill you.”