Salvation's Kiss (Tales Of Mython Book 1) by Kathryn Jayne (old books to read .TXT) 📗

“Since that night, I’ve not been able to get you out of my mind.” He stepped from the safety of darkness, hearing her gasp as he allowed the light to wash over him. Committing himself, he approached slowly, with what he imagined to be a sinister smile playing upon his lips as he thrust his shoulders back, advancing with confident steps that she mirrored in the opposite direction. Over the threshold, he continued his approach, his steps confident, driving her backwards as her fearful gaze remained fixed upon him. When she was but a few steps from being cornered, he spoke again. “I need more.”

“More what?”

“Blood.” He saw her back collide with the work surface, and a new fear cross her expression as she realised her retreat had granted him entry into her home. “It did something to me, something amazing. I need more.” Ashley opened her mouth as if to respond, the crease of her brow showing a renewed resistance building within her, but the cold glare he fixed her with stole any words that would have come. “Before you refuse, bear in mind that I saw what you can do. I’ve tasted your blood, and I know people who will be very interested to learn of your existence. I’m not being unreasonable. I saved your life, so the least you can do is repay me.”

“I…”

“You have a choice. You give me what I want, or I tell people, some very influential people, exactly what I saw and you’ll find yourself a favourite among the Elite.” He hadn’t wanted to threaten her. He had hoped she would simply comply, pay him for his favour. But he could see nothing about this would be easy, not unless he played to her fears.

Ashley only remembered feeling this helpless twice in her life. The first time had been as she heard the grinding boom of another car ploughing into her parents’ vehicle, sending them tumbling off the road as passers-by restrained her attempts to run to them just seconds before their car erupted into flames. The second time had been the night she had been attacked. The night this man had apparently saved her from death. It was only as she felt the small of her back pressing into the corner of the kitchen unit that she realised she was still trying to retreat from his piercing stare. Even had her legs been able to move, owing to the way he had herded her she had nowhere to run. He stood before her, a boyish smirk on his lips as he studied her in the same way he had done when delivering that envelope to her door just hours ago. Back then, she had thought his gaze lecherous, but now she saw it for what it truly was; hungry.

A chill passed through her as she leaned against the counter, praying she could keep herself upright. The sickening realisation that he knew her secret burnt like acid through her veins, sending a hot flush of colour to her cheeks. This man had feasted upon her when she had been at her most vulnerable. She was alive because of him, she owed him a debt, and now he had come to collect.

Her eyes bore into him hatefully, committing his every feature to memory. His dark, tousled hair framed his pale face, making his brown eyes seem darker than the honey shade they were. In another place, at another time, she may have found the sharp contours of his jaw attractive, but now all she could see was images of him in her mind, latched upon her flesh, drawing her life from her, a life he thought belonged to him. Through her shuddering breathing she tried to look inward, to locate the feeling of heat that had flooded her before. If she could summon whatever had brought forth that vampire-slaying power, she could free herself of him, of the danger he posed. She could save herself. But where that heat had once burned, she now found only the icy tendrils of fear.

“I know what you’re thinking. But if I don’t return, the video is set on a timed release to my contacts.”

Ashley felt herself trembling, willing the tears she felt forming to remain invisible. Tears only encouraged monsters like these. Selene had warned that if people knew about her blood, she would be in more danger than she could fathom. It left her with no choice. She either fed this monster or risked discovery, and something told her the creature before her wasn’t bluffing. If he didn’t get what he wanted from her, he would ensure she suffered.

With a resigned nod, she traced her hand across the work surface, using it for support as she crossed the kitchen to perch herself on the breakfast bar stool. She flinched as his firm hand grasped her shoulders and the tears she fought to restrain escaped. Pulling her hair aside, she tilted her head, exposing her neck and granting him the permission he sought.

“Don’t mark me.” Her demand came out as a strangled plea, and even with her eyes closed and her back to him, her mind conjured images of his twisted smile as he chuckled.

“I don’t intend to.” He grasped her hand, his fingers caressing her forearm tenderly, causing goose pimples to chase across her flesh before he removed the box she still clutched, from her vice-like grip, placing it on the counter. Within it, she once more caught sight of the unusual transparent creatures, questioning what purpose they had. “I’ll not bite you. Not yet, anyway,” he whispered, his breath tickling her ear as he fished one of the creatures from the box.

She flinched as its cold body made contact with the skin he had moments ago caressed. His hands returned to her shoulders, his fingers sliding across her bare shoulder as they weaved under the spaghetti-strapped pyjama top she had changed into after the