Jeremy froze. It was so horribly similar to that other night - the night he’d seen the demon slit his beloved’s throat. He battled with the panic that rose in him, struggling for control. He snuck toward the pair, his eyes glued to Anna’s prone body. She lay on top of a grave, her beautiful face in the shadow of the headstone. It wasn’t until he was close enough to smell the stink of the demon that he saw the dark stain that marred the far side of her dress. It was blood - her blood - and it was spilling rapidly from a wound her side in a way that made Jeremy’s breath seize in his lungs.
“No - “ His voice sounded strangled. Airless.
The demon turned to face Jeremy, an amused disdain dancing in the fire of his eyes. He laughed. It was a short, bitter sound.
“Well, you’ve arrived at the last possible second. There’s nothing to be done, of course. She’ll move out of this incarnation any moment now, but if you’re quick, there might be time to say goodbye. Again. Go ahead.” The demon raised a knife that seemed to materialize in his hand. It’s edge shone red with blood, but without even bothering to wipe it, the demon started to clean beneath his broken fingernails with the tip, utterly unconcerned by the despair in front of him.
Jeremy dropped to his knees, crawling the last few feet to Anna’s side. He reached out a shaking hand and brushed the hair from her forehead. With a finger, he gently traced the shape of her unnaturally cold lips.
“Oh, my love,” his whispered. “Why?”
He turned to the demon, the question still on his lips. “Why?” he demanded. “It wasn’t enough to kill her once?”
The demon shrugged. “What good was she to me after that? Your . . .kind. . . . claimed her as their own.” The fire in his eyes became redder, hotter. “Which made it all the more complicated to make her mine. Finally and eternallymine.” He glanced down at Anna’s bleeding form. “With her as a vampire, I need not just my blood, but the blood of another vampire to create my little demon companion.Your blood will make it that much sweeter - the strength of the bond you shared with her still lurks in her veins. It will mingle with mine, strengthening her when she transforms.” He grinned. “She’ll be a marvelous companion to me. Now. Are you going to give me your arm willingly, or shall I cut you by force?”
Jeremy’s head swam. He’d thought he’d lost Anna forever, but he hadn’t. Not yet, at least, but if he couldn’t find some sort of solution, she really would slip though his fingers. His nightmare would come true. Again.
Be sure to go to Good Books and Good Wine TOMORROW (Friday) for the final chapter in this story, written by Heather Brewer here http://www.goodbooksandgoodwine.com/
Don't miss the part 12 of Story 2 on Reading Teen http://www.readingteen.net/ by Jennifer Murgia