Page 84 of Eternal Obsession

Orpheus turned his attention once more to Gill, who stood at the doorway ready to bolt.

“Gill, come here,” Orpheus said.

She approached, taking the key he offered her.

“Go and lock the door. I can’t have him thinking this is normal.”

“What are you going to do?” She swayed uneasily.

“A lesson is required, to ensure that . . .”

“He can’t attack people for real.”

“Good point.”

“Fuck you, Orpheus.” Gill peered down at the large key. “You better pay me more.”

“Of course,” he said, smiling; a glint of fang.

She was too high to notice. I rallied my fading strength. “Gillian, you must leave this room now.”

“What? And miss all the fun?” Orpheus glared at her. “I’m waiting.”

Nervously, she did as he requested.

Orpheus pulled the hair away from Gill’s throat. “Good girl. Let me see your neck again. I really cannot believe⁠—”

“Orpheus, you left me in here with a complete psycho.”

“Did you finish the coke I gave you?”

“I had to have something to keep me sane,” she said.

“So right now your blood is laced with . . .”

“Yeah, so?”

“Come closer.” He ran his fingers over the puncture wounds. “You have such beautiful skin, it’s a shame. Still, your friends will be impressed.”

She pushed his hand away. “I just hope it doesn’t leave a fucking scar!”

“Oh, those marks won’t. Jadeon’s far too much of a gentleman, but that’s where he and I differ. I am his polar opposite, and my bite always leaves a mark.”

Helpless, I witnessed her shocking attack.

Orpheus possessed her. Gill’s gaze locked with mine, a pleading stare that went unanswered.

It was as tender as it was terrible. The scene in this dark chamber unfolding with a dreadful beauty. Orpheus enfolded his prey with a lover’s care, an inescapable hold. She trembled, yielding as though thankful to be devoured. Gillian gave herself over in a sacrament of surrender.

Then she struggled, wrestling against the silken shroud of life slipping away. Her moan, once sharp with terror, dwindled into a pitiful whisper.

Then silence.

My tears welled and blurred the vision of her slipping to the floor, dead.

Orpheus overpowered me.

He bit his wrist and pressed it against my lips. The taste of blood offered no comfort. Instinctively I sucked, lost in needed rapture.