Chapter 2: 2: Tango With a Vampire

Rowan

In the nick of time, my brother arrived, giving me a fleeting opportunity to glance at Fiona. As she cradled her wounded friend, I marveled at the glossy black hair cascading over her shoulder. Despite my shock, I knew who Fiona was before I ever laid eyes on her. I smelled her essence across the bar. The heady scent of jasmine, lilac, earth, and musk affirmed the fact. However, it was strange that she appeared human—a mundane or mortal, as we called them. Regardless, she was my destined mate and would leave with me tonight after we defeated the vampire.

Now that I’d finally found my luna, I refused to let her die. Amidst my contemplation, a chilling scream echoed through the air, diverting my attention. I whirled around to witness the blood-sucker hurl my brother, Rian, onto the unforgiving concrete.

“I could use a hand!” he yelled.

I gripped the beast’s jacket, feeling the rough fabric dig into my palms as I exerted all my human strength. While suppressing the primal urge to shift into werewolf form, I propelled us both toward the solid brick wall. The sound of the creature’s snarls reverberated in my ears, echoing off the cold, hard surface. In a desperate struggle, he tried to resist, but our overpowering velocity proved too much. Fiona’s piercing shriek lent the air, mingling with the sickening thud of his face colliding with the unyielding wall. Determined, I blocked out her cries, focusing only on the task at hand. After I pried the vampire off Rian, he wasted no time sprinting toward the girls, ensuring their safety. Once freed from that distraction, I could concentrate on dealing with the relentless enemy.

The bloodthirsty demon slid down the bricked wall face first, falling with a grunt. From experience, I knew he wouldn’t stay down for long.

“Need a hand?” Rian rushed toward me. “The dark-haired beauty will be fine, but I hope you rescued her friend in time.”

My brother calling Fiona a ‘beauty’ made my inner werewolf growl in frustration. I had to inhale deep breaths to calm the beast within. The last thing I needed was to shapeshift before Fiona in the middle of Dublin. “I’ve got this. Take the girls to the SUV, and I’ll meet up with you when I finish him.”

“What?” Rian’s brows lifted. “Have you gone mad? Why would I take them to our vehicle?”

Before I could answer, the nocturnal predator was on his feet, charging at us. “Rowan!” Fiona screamed.

As the alpha of our pack, I narrowed my eyes at Rian. “Get the girls out of here now!”

Rian comprehended the message conveyed by my gaze and frosty tone. He turned with remarkable speed and kicked the monster in the chest. “Aye, he’s all yours.”

In the dark, cramped alleyway, I stood my ground, locked in a tense standoff with my adversary. His pale complexion and intense, obsidian gaze revealed his vampiric nature. As a werewolf in my human guise, I sensed the eerie stillness of the night, the faint rustle of distant leaves, and the metallic scent of anticipation in the air.

The bloody-faced creature lunged forward. His speed and agility surprised me. But I was quick to react, dodging his attack and launching my own. I swung my fist. The impact reverberated through my bones as it connected with his jaw, causing him to stagger backward. He let out a low growl and lunged at me again. This time, I was ready, and I blocked his fist with my forearm.

We fought back and forth, exchanging blows and dodging each other’s attacks. The vampire’s strength was formidable, but I was faster and more agile. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, and I knew I had to finish this fight fast.

As the predator swung his arm, I evaded his fist, countering with a powerful punch to his gut. He doubled over and I delivered a kick to his face. He went down hard, landing with a loud thud, and I noticed his dazed expression.

My thoughts returned to Fiona before kicking him once more in the ribs, leaving him howling in pain. “We’ll meet again, bastard. And next time, you won’t be so lucky.”

He looked up from his fetal position and whispered, “Who are you?”

I beamed down at him, my grayish-green irises turning a bright glowing crimson. “Your worst nightmare.”

It was time to end this. I danced forward and launched a powerful blow to his throat. He let out a gurgling noise before going limp. A sense of satisfaction washed over me as I stood above him. I had won the battle, but the urgency to escape grew as I realized the risk of being spotted or found by his allies.

As I hurried out of the now tranquil alley, my heart raced and adrenaline still coursed through me. The fight had zapped me, even though I had come out triumphant. I headed to the SUV, ready to recuperate and heal from my injuries.

In the silence, I couldn’t help but think about the vampire I had just defeated. He was a formidable opponent, but in the end, I prevailed. There would be more battles to come, but for now, I was content to be alive. The fight was over, but the war had just begun.

“You’re both safe!” I heard Rian say as I approached. He stood illuminated by the moon beside the parked SUV, still cradling Fiona’s friend in his arms. “We won’t harm you. Please, lass. Get in the vehicle. Your friend needs help.”

Fiona showed her upset and confusion by crossing her arms and shaking her head no. “We don’t hop in vehicles with strange men! And what w-was… that thing in the alley? How are we still alive?” She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes rounded with fear, as if expecting the creature to reappear.

I realized she might be in shock, and I needed to intervene. “Fiona,” I said in a placating tone. “I’ll explain everything soon, but we must go now before that thing’s friends realize he’s missing. If that happens, we may not make it out alive. Now please get in. We must get her help.” I gestured toward the moaning woman in Rian’s arms.

Rian appeared to struggle, so I opened the back door and settled the girl on his lap. Fiona stared at me with something akin to dread in her eyes and held her arms across her body. She looked so small and innocent. I felt guilty knowing I was going to turn her world upside down. As a human, she wouldn’t understand the bond we shared. I prepared myself for the worst.

She would despise me at first, oblivious to the predestined nature of our encounter, and I would have to weather her vehement hatred. I’d been searching for my mate for too long to let her slip away. Perhaps I should have called them a taxi and never thought of Fiona again. She was a mundane! A human, for feck’s sake. No! As alpha, I needed my mate… mortal or not.

What a cruel twist of fate.

Most mere mortals feared our kind or didn’t believe in any form of the supernatural. The ones that did were different. If they believed, they never understood or were driven by fear or greed. Then there were the ones who hunted us, their presence lurking in every shadow. The story was timeless: humans attempting to slay the terrifying creatures that wandered the night.

But this wasn’t a Gothic Tale from yonder years gone by. This was my life. A life that just got more complicated by a beautiful human named Fiona.

“It’s okay, love. Get in the car with Rowan. My brother is harmless.” Rian’s eyes seemed to plead from the backseat.

She glanced around the deserted parking lot, frowning while rubbing her arms as the biting wind whipped her hair around. “Come on, lass.” Rian gestured with his hand for her to get in. I didn’t like how he flirted with Fiona, but I remained calm. I was on a mission and realized I couldn’t admit the truth while Rian coaxed her into the car.

She’s mine, but I can’t claim her yet.

After a moment, she narrowed her eyes. “Fine. But my father is well-known in the community. If anything happens to us, you’ll pay the price!” The sound of her voice was soft but fierce, awakening a need in me I found hard to ignore.

With a broad smile, I opened the door to usher her inside. “Your chariot, my lady…” I held my grin, hoping to bring some levity to the situation, but only received a blank stare. She then rolled her eyes and climbed in. I jogged around to the driver’s side before she changed her mind.

“What’s your friend’s name?” Rian asked as I brought the engine to life, ready to speed away from the desolate parking lot.

“Katrina, but everyone calls her Kat,” Fiona said, turning to look at her. “Is she going to be okay? Please check her neck.”

Rian turned Kat’s head. “Blimey, the bastard bit her.”

“Jaysus!” I slapped the steering wheel with my palm. “How bad? Is it enough to transform her?”

“No, I don’t think. But she’s unconscious,” Rian replied.

“What in the fuck is going on? What was that thing and what’s gonna happen to Kat?” urged Fiona, alarm sounding in her quivering voice.

Noticing Fiona shivering, I turned up the heat and exited the parking lot. I forgot humans got cold. As a werewolf, the winter temperatures were a relief to my kind.

“I asked a question…” The sound of Fiona’s voice severed my thoughts. I couldn’t believe my brother hadn’t jumped at the chance to answer. Perhaps he was getting the hints I’d been throwing.

“Sorry. Your drug-pushing buddy was a dangerous supernatural creature,” I explained, not wanting to scare her.

“L-Like… a monster?” Fiona shuddered.

“Like a vampire,” Rian corrected.

And there it was. I knew he couldn’t resist.

I peered at him through the rearview mirror, making my displeasure known. He shrugged. “She needs to know the truth so she can protect herself from now on.”

“Fine,” I conceded. “You can explain while I drive us home.”

“Home!” Fiona stared at me, her mouth agape. “Just where the fuck do you get off? Please, just take us home. To our home… not yours!”

She was a tiny spit-fire but instead of getting angry; I preferred her outspoken attitude. “Listen, Fiona… how would you explain Kat’s injuries? You are both coming to our house. My sister can help care for your friend and then we will get her home when she’s safe. We’re offering our help!” I sighed, staring at the naked trees rushing past.

I hoped she didn’t notice that I only mentioned getting Katrina home. Fiona was staying with me for life. The thought occurred to me I could outlive Fiona for hundreds of years, unless the dangerous drug war or hunter claimed my life.

Rian reached over the seat and patted Fiona’s shoulder to calm her. “It’s okay. I swear we’re not serial killers.”

He had a way with people. Rian could put everyone at ease while I was the broody one. But Rian wasn’t the alpha with the weight of the pack on his shoulders.

“And you’re not vampires?” she asked without humor.

“No.” Rian laughed, a touch of nervousness laced the word. He changed the subject and said, “The pill he offered… the one Katrina took…”

“Sexflex,” she responded, and I nodded.

“It’s not your normal date rape drug,” Rian continued. “If you consume too much of it, you lose control of your mind and senses.”

“I can see that…” She grimaced, staring at Kat, who was groaning.

“That’s not the danger of the drug… It gets worse.” Rian sighed, shaking his head. “Too much will transform a human into a dangerous creature like that vampire who bit Katrina.”

Fiona inhaled a sharp breath and covered her face. She rocked back and forth as a sob reverberated through the vehicle. My instinct screamed to pull over and comfort her—or do something. My inner werewolf called for me to take her in my arms, kiss her lips, and mark her as mine.

Instead, I reached over and stroked her glossy hair. Fiona’s tiny hand came up and grabbed mine. I felt my insides ready to burst as I held back a feral howl trying to leave my chest. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you both.”

I sensed Rian’s gaze lingering on me, and I peeked at him through the rearview mirror. A look passed between us that said, ‘This will not end well for any of us.’