Page 90 of Starved Until Sunset

“You’re a fighter,” Xavier said, moving up in front of Cody. He easily righted his chair and crouched down in front of him, lips spreading into a nightmarish smile that promised pain and death. “You tasted strong and full when I sampled you last night. I do enjoy good leftovers.”

“Stay the fuck away from⁠—”

Cody gasped as Xavier bent his head back and to the side, exposing his neck. The monster put his cold lips against Cody’s skin, making him shudder. Closing his eyes, Cody waited for pain of the bite, but it didn’t come. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and his whole body trembled. This was it. This would be the third bite, the one that would end his life and turn him into a vampire.

“Did you…?”

Xavier pulled away and released him. Cody lowered his head and drew in a shuddering breath. He had been close to losing the life he often complained about but quietly treasured. And if he was bitten once more, would he be able to see Demmy ever again? Touch him, love him? If he was turned, would he recall any of what Demmy meant to him? If he saw him again, would he attack and kill him?

Cody blinked and fought to keep his racing thoughts from getting too far off track. He needed to be present and in the moment in order to find a way out of this. Xavier stared down at him. Cody held his breath. Was he dragging this out like a cat playing with a mouse? Would he just suddenly swoop in and bite him like Aldrik had done the night before?

Xavier turned his head away slowly, and Cody followed his gaze to where Aldrik still had his mouth on Lucia’s neck. Her head was back, eyes closed and mouth open, skin pale and drawn. Now that he was more tuned into his surroundings, Cody could hear Tracey and Zenona shouting.

“Get off her!” Tracey said.

“You’re killing her!” Zenona shouted.

Cody was about to add his voice to the mix when Xavier moved. His movements were frighteningly fast and smooth as he stepped over and grabbed Aldrik by the arm, pulling him off Lucia. She rocked forward as his teeth caught in her neck, then her chin sagged to her chest when she was finally released.

“Don’t drain her,” Xavier said. He held on to Aldrik’s arm, looking like a nightmare version of a parent scolding a child. “I’ve told you, we need them alive for now.”

“Release me.” Aldrik scowled and attempted to pull free. But Xavier held him tight, long fingers wrapped around his upper arm.

“Did you drink from him?” Xavier pointed at Cody.

Aldrik glared. “No.”

In a flash, Cody saw his opportunity. “Yes, you did,” he said. “Last night, just before you left to confront Michael. You turned around and bit me without any warning.” He looked at Xavier. “He’s lying to you.”

“I am not!” Aldrik turned his red eyes on Cody. “He’s the liar. Look at him, sitting there lying. They all lie. You taught us that!”

“I could smell you on him,” Xavier said, his voice low and dangerous. “I could tell you’d bitten him. And you know I don’t like to share.”

“It must have been one of the others,” Aldrik said, waving a hand toward the shadows, where Cody could now see figures lingering, as if waiting to be called forth. “One of these idiots in town that I turned.”

“You have a very distinct scent,” Xavier said. “I should know, because I turned you.”

“You turned me.” Aldrik sneered and finally yanked his arm free. “Yes, yes, the almighty Father, the oldest vampire in all creation. You’re so all powerful. But you don’t know what I’ve been doing while you’ve been flying around town like some goddamn tourist, scooping up people for a nibble and a scare.”

Xavier’s wings moved back a bit, and Cody thought he might be preparing himself to attack. This could get interesting fast.

“Aldrik’s bitten each of us,” Cody said. “While you’ve not been around.”

“Liar!”

Aldrik launched himself at Cody, eyes blazing, hands reaching, mouth open to expose those terrible fangs. Cody flinched and started to turn away, but Xavier was faster than his child. He snagged the collar of Aldrik’s shirt with his left hand and hauled him back.

“You will follow my direction,” Xavier said.

“The time for your direction is over.”

With a terrifyingly fast move, Aldrik brought his hand down on the arm that restrained him. The snap of bone was like a gunshot, making Cody jump. Xavier’s arm dropped, and he raised his face to the ceiling as he let loose an ear-splitting shriek.

“It’s time for the son to take over his father’s mantle,” Aldrik said, then he rushed at Xavier.

But Xavier wasn’t about to lie down and die. The two came together in a blur of motion, followed by a wet and terrible cracking sound. The fast motion stopped, and Cody was able to see them once again. When he could make sense of what he saw, he jerked his head back in shock.

Xavier had driven his uninjured arm through Aldrik’s chest and out his back. The hand which had exited Aldrik’s back clutched a slick, black lump. It took a few moments for Cody to realize it was Aldrik’s heart.