Bloody Little Secrets by Karly Kirkpatrick

  *

  I was ripped from a dead slumber by a groan and then a shout. I blinked and sat up, Drake frantically trying to free Callie from Monty’s grip.

  “Monty.” She cried and her voice quaked in fear. “It’s me, Callie! Please don’t do this!”

  “Monty, let go!” Drake shouted, trying to pry Monty’s fingers from Callie’s hair. He had nearly pulled her neck to his mouth, his new fangs shining in his mouth, sharp and deadly. His fingers were entwined in Callie’s long, blond hair.

  I sprang to action and grabbed one of his arms, snapping his wrist back. Monty screeched in pain and his hand pulled away. His eyes were blank, glazed over, staring at Callie like she was a fine pork roast. I knew the feeling. I grabbed his other wrist and with one twist snapped it as well. Drake was able to pull him back from Callie and I pulled her free.

  “Monty!” She sobbed as I put myself between her and Monty.

  Ernie blinked his eyes and looked at us from his chair before bolting to his feet. He was groggy and slow to move. Lauryn’s eyes fluttered as well.

  “Ernie, take them upstairs,” I shouted, thrusting Callie into his arms. Lauryn ran ahead and took the steps two at a time. The door slammed of the door, assuring me they were safely out of reach.

  I sprinted to the bar and fixed a glass of blood. Drake had managed to wrestle Monty to the couch and was perched on his broad chest.

  “Just chill out man!” he growled.

  I handed him the cup and he attempted to give it to Monty, but noticed that his wrists were still flopping slightly and bent at an odd angle. We watched as they twisted back into a normal shape, and he was able to move it once again.

  Monty hissed and I handed him the cup.

  He gulped it down and I promptly refilled it. After five cups of blood, he handed me the cup back and his head sank back into the couch. He blinked his eyes a few times and looked quizzically at Drake.

  “Dude, why are you sitting on me?” Monty rumbled.

  “Are you okay?” Drake looked down into his face. “Is he okay, Vicky?”

  I bent over, looking into his face. “He looks all right, but if he heads for the stairs, tackle him.”

  “Whoa! A little violent this morning. I see our rescue was successful.” He smiled but his eyes widened suddenly. “Wait, the last thing I remember was being in that office building with three bloodsuckers closing in on us. What happened?”

  “You died. And then you came back and tried to eat Callie,” Drake said, peering down into his face. “And while I’m glad you’re back, I’m just a little nervous to let you up.”

  “I did what?” His face fell. “No, tell me I didn’t.”

  “Yep, you most definitely did.” I nodded.

  He sighed and sank back into the couch. “Is she okay?”

  “Probably more than a little traumatized, but physically I think she’s just fine. Vicky broke your wrists though to get her free.”

  “Yeah, sorry about that.” I sat down on the arm of the couch as Drake rose from Monty’s chest.

  “Are you good man? Let’s just have you sit up first,” Drake said, moving over to give Monty some room.

  “I think I’m good. I honestly don’t remember anything until after I gave you the cup.”

  “That’s not good. That means you had no control until after you had five bags of blood. We’re going to have to be really careful with you around the others, Monty.” I met Drake with worried eyes.

  “I need to see Callie. I hope this didn’t screw everything up.” Monty rubbed his face with both hands. His skin was already smoother and his neck must have healed while we all slept. There was no trace of the mangled mess that the vampire had left except for some smears of dried blood.

  “Screw what up?” I looked at Drake as he exchanged an understanding glance with Monty.

  “I dig her, always have. But I doubt she’ll want to be with me now. I tried to eat her. I’m a monster!” He buried his face in his hands and I heard a sob escape.

  “It’s okay Monty, I’ll go talk to her. We’ve just got to take everything slow. No worries. Drake still liked me even though I had to try really hard not to eat him,” I said with a smile at Drake.

  “She was a hot vampire though, that did help.” He laughed. “Hey, maybe you’re all beefcakeified now that you’re like us,” Drake added, pulling Monty’s arm out. “Jeez, look at those guns, my man!”

  Monty wiped his eyes and looked over, flexing his new enormous bicep. He pulled up his shirt to expose rippling abs and a perfectly chiseled chest.

  “Now what chick wouldn’t want that body?” Drake asked, patting Monty on the back.

  I jumped up and headed for the stairs. “We’ll be back in a few.”