Part 20 (1/2)

He walked to the door. Outside, he could see his three bodyguards. He opened the door and gave them a c.o.c.ky smile. ”Where have you guys been?” he mocked.

He turned back to Carter. ”Don't let anything leak out about this right now. I'll get back to you with the information tomorrow. Put extra patrols on at night. Inst.i.tute a mandatory curfew...no one on the streets after dark until we get to the bottom of this.”

”That will not please the proprietors of the bars and...” she began.

”It's my order,” Tyler replied. ”Have the media announce that it is due to atmospheric conditions that Ruby scientists need to regulate. Put it into place for a week. We'll extend it if we need to.”

”Sir,” she said.

”Goodbye, Commander,” he said and walked out to meet the guards.

Finally in the safety of his bed, Tyler snuggled down into the pillow. ”Dino...” he whispered. He hadn't had s.e.x with anyone since he'd been back here in Ruby City. He missed him so much. ”Come to me,” he moaned. ”I need you desperately.”

Outside his window, in the deep dark night, he waited, his eyes blazing. ”So you are desperate, are you?” he whispered, ”me too, desperate for blood.”

ENCOUNTERS IN THE NIGHT

Tyler was moaning. He felt the blanket being removed from his naked body, felt the hot breath upon his cheek. Hands moved over the length of him, stroking his flesh, setting it on fire. He tried to open his eyes but he couldn't. He attempted to sit up but it was as if he were pinned to the mattress.

Lips ma.s.saged his chest, encircled his nipples, moved down to his s.e.x and nibbled at it playfully. Then he felt fingers impale him, moving deep into the crevice of his a.n.u.s. An o.r.g.a.s.m shot through him, then another, his entire body going into spasm.

”Bryce,” he whispered. ”Oh yes, take me...take me...”

”Not Bryce,” a voice floated to his ears, ”Dino. He is Dino now.”

He felt his body being turned over, than lifted into the air. Something sharp grazed his throat, like two needles. It began to pierce through him as a hard s.e.x brushed his b.u.t.tocks.

He began to struggle, the pain in his throat intensifying.

”I'm going to drain you dry. I came here for that, for the moment when I...”

Suddenly, he felt himself falling. He landed with a thud on his mattress. Pus.h.i.+ng himself up into a sitting position, he raised a hand to his neck. It came away sticky.

Submerged in total darkness, he could only see shadows as they whirled around in front of his eyes with lightning speed. Throwing his legs over the bed, he reached over to switch on the light. The window was wide open, the sheer lace curtains flapping wildly in the breeze. The night stand and his chair were thrown half way across the room but the room was empty.

He ran across the room to the mirror and examined his neck. Blood oozed around what looked like the beginning of two puncture wounds in his throat. He closed his eyes. Bryce. Bryce had come back here to kill him. But for some reason, he had changed his mind. Or someone had changed it for him. Why would Bryce want to hurt him? But then he had to remember, he wasn't Bryce anymore. He was Dino and he was a vampire.

The following night just after sundown, Dino sat atop of one of the tall buildings in the center of Ruby City and surveyed the scene. The Military and the Sky Police were out in full force, doing patrols every half hour.

Early this morning, the neon signs had flashed the announcement of a temporary curfew. It was a smart move, but unfortunately redundant. The sudden rash of murders that had been visited on this fair city had ended.

Thor and the others had been invited to leave Ruby City for greener pastures. He would do the same as soon as he took care of Tyler Rose.

REUNIONS

Dino jumped down to the pavement and walked out into the parking lot when he saw Seth Murdock land his police vehicle. When Seth saw him, he did a double take. For a minute, he couldn't speak.

”h.e.l.lo, Murdock,” Dino said. Aside from the fact that his hair was now much longer and thicker, and his skin more radiant, he pretty well looked the same as he always had. He was even wearing the black leather pants and jacket.

Murdock wrapped his arms around him and hugged him. It felt good. In fact, it felt more than good. It made him hungry. He could get away without killing anyone. He just had to drink a little here and there. It was time to drink.

He hugged him back, then looking deep into his eyes, he said, ”I'm just going to take a little bit. You won't miss it. And you won't remember a thing.”

Murdock's head went back.

Umm, he thought, Murdock was a nice looking specimen. He ran his fingers along his throat. Since he was technically a free spirit...why not give Murdock what he'd always wanted from Donovan? Dino picked him up in his arms and skirted him in the back of his vehicle.

Slowly he opened the s.h.i.+rt of his uniform and ran his tongue over his chest. He dipped his tongue over each nipple.

Murdock's body twitched some and then lay still.

First, he'd take care of his thirst. Rearing back his head, he brought his mouth down on Seth's throat, sinking his sharp teeth into the vein there. He drank deeply for a minute or two, then pulled back. Sliding his tongue over the wounds, they instantly healed over.

Now it was time to wake him up. ”Seth,” he said, snapping his fingers. ”Wake up, lover.”

Seth opened his eyes. He looked up into his face with surprise, then noticed his s.h.i.+rt was spread open.

”Do you want me?” He asked him softly, looking down into his eyes.

Seth's chest heaved suddenly. ”Yes.”

Dino smiled at him. The taste of his blood lingered in his mouth. He lowered his mouth again to his throat, kissing him there then bringing his lips down to his nipples again. He tasted each one, than reached for his pants. Undoing them, he lifted his hips and slid them down to his knees. His gaze ran over his s.e.x.