Claudia D. Christian

Estimated reading time: 2 – 3 minutes

He’s going to kill me with soap. He’s going to shove it down my throat until I choke. Too late. It’s already in my throat. Lily Walker dead at the age of nineteen. Not by decapitation, incineration, or even gunshot wounds. Nope. Soap.

Lily’s fingers went limp. Her legs fell on either side of Julian. She swallowed and swallowed until she was sure her stomach would explode. Julian’s face crowded her vision so she closed her eyes. The instinct to continue to fight died an uneventful death. Lily’s thoughts followed.

“Misbehave again and I’ll gag you. Understand?” Julian smiled when she ignored him. “Lily, nod or I’ll gag you with a piece of this still in your mouth.”

Lily lay unresponsive.

Julian’s mouth compressed. “Ignore me at your risk, darling.” Nothing. He frowned and leaned closer. “Lily?” He removed the soap. A large chunk was missing. The remaining piece flew across the room before Julian shoved his fingers in her mouth. At the risk of wedging the murderous fragment further down her throat, the vampire let his claws extend. He carefully pulled until the soap cleared her mouth in an oozy mess.

Julian lifted her and shoved his head against Lily’s chest. He considered her mouth before realizing how idiotic his motions were. They were the actions of a human not a vampire.

I don’t have air for her.

He flung her over his shoulder and bounced a few times. Nothing. Julian knew what needed to be done. He had mocked Lily with imprisonment and found it amusing. Being on the other side—not so much.

Julian walked into the bedroom and considered the naked sleeping woman. Compelling her to provide air for his wounded prey was simple. Watching it, maybe not so much. “Nicole.”

She opened her eyes, seeing without thought.

He tossed Lily down. “Put your mouth on her and give her air. No kisses. Just air.”

Nicole sat up. She stared at the unresponsive girl next to her. Moments passed while she moved her blank stare from face to dress. Julian’s patience danced on razor blades. As if feeling his fury, Nicole finally placed her mouth over Lily’s and blew. Julian watched the repeated motions without expression. He supposed he should’ve been aroused at the sight of his plaything kissing his food. Instead, all his focus depended on when, if, Lily regained consciousness.

Wake up, you brat. You’re spiteful enough to just die on me, aren’t you?