{Chapter 14}
The months passed and Shawn remained in a coma. There was very little change in his condition. Hunter came every day to sit by his friend’s side. In a way he blamed himself for Shawn’s condition. Had he taken the time to actually talk to him instead of blowing up at him maybe he would have figured out what had been bothering Shawn so much.
Hunter sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “How long have you been like this, Shawn,” he asked softly. “Nearly a year now, isn’t it?” He sighed again. “Why’d you do it, Shawn?”
Candice poked her head into the room. She smiled sadly at Hunter as she entered to take Shawn’s vitals. “How are you holding up, Hunter,” she asked as she took Shawn’s pulse.
“As good as can be expected,” Hunter replied gruffly.
She watched Shawn for a few minutes. “His eyes are moving behind the lids,” she said as she checked the IV line. “That means he’s dreaming. Dreaming means his brain is still working.”
“I’m starting to wonder,” Hunter replied sadly.
Candice finished what she was doing and placed a hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “You have to keep the faith, Hunter,” she said bringing her face down to his ear. Hunter closed his eyes as her breath tickled his neck. “Don’t give up on Shawn. He’s still in there. He’s a fighter and he’s just fighting to get back to you and the others.” With that she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
Hunter slipped an arm around her waist pulling her into his lap. He wasn’t quite sure how or when their relationship had begun, but he was grateful to have her in his life. She comforted him in ways that no one else could and he almost loved her for it. “When’s your break,” he asked nuzzling her neck.
She giggled disentangling herself from his arms. “Hunter,” she scolded with a smirk. “Only you could be horny while I’m trying to console you.”
“I can’t help it, baby,” he said smirking, though there was a sadness in his hazel eyes. “You’re just so damn sexy.”
Candice chuckled and headed out the door. She poked her head back in just seconds later. “Meet me in the nurses’ lounge in five minutes,” she said softly, winking at him.
Hunter smirked and nodded as she left. He turned his attention back to Shawn. “Sorry, buddy,” he said patting Shawn’s leg as he stood. “Duty calls. I know you understand.”
~~~~~
“You did real good tonight, Punk,” Lashley said patting the younger man on the shoulder. With Hunter more interested in checking in on Shawn Lashley had taken over command as the lead Hunter. He had taken it upon himself to train London and Kendrick, figuring they could use all the help they could get.
“Yeah and you only got mildly nauseous when we cremated the bodies,” London snickered. Punk smacked him upside the head for the comment. “Seriously though you were all badass when you killed that one vamp as it leapt at Brian.”
Kendrick looked down at his shirt and groaned seeing the blood spatter all over it. “Next time can Paul be the bait,” he whined. “This is the third shirt that’s been ruined this week.”
“You gotta learn to duck and cover,” Lashley chuckled as they neared a bar. “Come on. Let’s get a couple of rounds. My treat.”
~~~~~
“Ash,” Candice said entering the nurses’ lounge. “You have to get out of here.”
“What,” Ashley demanded. “Uh uh, this is my break and I’m fuckin’ tired.” She eyed Candice up and down suspiciously. “Why do you want me gone?” No sooner had she asked the question then Hunter entered the lounge. “Nevermind. I’m gone. If anyone comes looking for me I’ll be in the cafeteria.”
“Thanks Ash! I owe you one,” Candice called as she watched the blonde leave. She then turned her attention to Hunter. “Come here you.” With a smirk he pulled her into his arms, kissing her long and hard.
~~~~~
“Uncle Glen,” Rose whined. “Why did you drag me out here?”
“Your father wants you to learn how to hunt,” he replied. “I think you’re still too young, but he seems to think otherwise.”
She was nearly three years old now; the equivalent of being close to twelve for her. She had grown significantly standing tall at five feet ten inches. She was developing into quite a beautiful young woman with a soft porcelain complexion, which made her emerald green eyes stand out even more. Her hair hung in soft auburn ringlets down her back, though she often wore it in a loose braid with curls framing her face.
“Daddy’s been teaching me to fight,” she replied a smile curling her pouty rose red lips. “He’s says I’m an excellent student.”
“Good, now pay attention,” Glen said scanning the crowded street. It was nearly Christmas and the humans would be out in droves shopping and attending parties. “Find someone in the crowd. Make sure you get their scent. It’ll be easier for you not to lose them that way.”
Rose scanned the crowd and spotted a tall, thin blonde man across the street. He was alone and though he seemed to be waiting for someone no one seemed to ever join him. “I found my prey,” she said smiling wickedly.
Glen followed her eyes and took in the man she was staring at. “No, Rosie,” Glen said shaking his head. “He’s no good.”
Rose glared up at him, her eyes narrowing to slits. “I want HIM,” she said crossing her arms across her chest.
“Rosie,” Glen groaned, knowing that he was going to be unable to talk her out of it. “You CAN’T feed on him.”
“I want him,” she said adamantly. Without another word she headed toward the man. He seemed to sense her coming toward him and started walking toward an alley close by.
“Rosie,” Glen hissed, following close behind his headstrong niece.
“Go on,” the man said dropping to his knees and baring his neck for Rose.
“Good boy,” she purred as her fangs extended.
“Rosie, NO,” Glen yelled grabbing her before she could penetrate the man’s neck.
“What the fuck is your problem,” the man demanded his blue/gray eyes boring holes into Glen. “I want this.”
“Rosie, he’s sick,” Glen said not releasing his niece. “This man is very sick. He’s dying. If you drink from him you’ll be sick too.”
“How did you know,” the man asked getting to his feet. “Yes, I’m dying. Cancer.” He scoffed. “Guess I should have listened when my mom said the cigarettes would kill me.”
“You poor thing,” Rose said taking the man’s hand. “I can make you better.”
“Rosie, don’t you dare,” Glen growled. She pulled free of his grip.
“Don’t you see, Uncle Glen,” Rose asked, tears in her eyes. “He’s suffering. I can ease his pain. Make him better.”
“Please,” the man begged. “I’ll do anything.”
Rose made him kneel again. She pulled a small knife from her belt and sliced her wrist. The crimson blood began to dribble down her arm.
“Rosie, no,” Glen groaned, but he knew there was no stopping her. If he prevented her from doing this now she’d only sneak out and do it when he wasn’t around.
“You’ll feel a little pinch in your neck,” she said soothingly to the man. He nodded, gulping past the knot in his throat. “Soon you’ll feel all better.” She stroked his blonde locks with one hand before bringing her face down to his neck and burying it there. The man groaned as he felt her teeth penetrate his skin and closed his eyes.
“You have to drink from her,” Glen said to the man. “Do it now before you poison her.”
The man opened his eyes and pulled Rose’s slender wrist to his mouth, lapping at the blood that was now flowing freely. The blood made him feel heady and he wanted more the more he lapped at it. Soon Rose pulled her mouth from his neck and wrenched her arm free from him.
“How do you feel,” she gasped, wiping away a trickle of blood from her chin.
“I don’t feel any different,” the man replied moments before he felt excruciating pain in his chest. “What…have…you…done…to…me?”
“It’s your body dying,” Glen replied helping the younger man to his feet. “The pain will subside soon.”
As he had promised the pain stopped and the man felt more alive than he had ever. He could smell so many new aromas on the wind. The world seemed so much brighter despite the darkness of night. “This is wonderful,” he said smiling.
He approached Rose, who was leaning on Glen for support, and kneeled at her feet. “You saved me from a slow painful death,” he said. “For that you will always have my allegiance.” He took her hand in his and placed a kiss to the back of it.
Rose smiled down at him, her eyes losing focus. The world began to swim and her eyes rolled up in her head. She pitched forward falling into the new vampire’s arms.
“Rosie,” Glen groaned. “Give me her.”
“I can carry her,” the man said effortlessly scooping her up into his arms. “Just show me where to bring her.”
“Fine,” Glen growled. “I knew this would happen.”
“She’s not going to die is she,” the man asked as he followed Glen out of the alley.
“No,” Glen replied. “Your cancer was quite advanced. You were sicker than you looked.” The man nodded. “She’ll be sick for a little while, but she will live.”
“Then I’ll stay by her side until she’s well,” the blonde replied. “It’s the least I can do for the woman who saved my life. Rosie, is her name? What a beautiful name for such a beautiful creature.”
“She’s a child,” Glen grumbled. “Don’t get any ideas. Yes, her name is Rose. What will we be calling you?”
“Adam is fine,” the blonde replied smiling. “Adam Copeland. What do I call you?”
“You don’t,” Glen replied as he led the way back to the mansion. “You better pray that her father is still away or your ass will be in the dungeons.”
|
