Blood Debt Bound

Excerpt: ~~“Look into my eyes Nadine, behold, all of me.” My mind fogs over. I gaze into his eyes as he speaks, not really hearing him as I answer his questions. Our bodies tangle around each other’s causing mine to heat up. The next thing I remember is standing where we were when I entered blinking as my mind clears. Baxter shakes me, his face contorts with irritation. “Did you hear me Nadine? You are free of me and the debt. Tonight is Rick’s lucky night. His slate is clear.” I shake my head not quite believing what he said. “I don’t understand. What changed?” Baxter strokes my cheek, but then twists away from me. “I like you Nadine, but you are weak and I can’t feed from you anymore.” I don’t know why I say what I do next, but I know his words have maimed me. “Are you saying I’m not good enough, that you don’t want me?” I feel a sense of déjà vu. I wasn’t good enough for Rick and now Baxter spurns me. Still with his back to me Baxter answers my question. “I’m not saying that at all. Take this opportunity I’m giving Rick. I’m only offering it once.” I didn’t think my heart could take any more pain, yet it aches away in my chest. This would mean I would never see him again and my heart is torn about that. My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. I jump out of my skin as Baxter spins back around his eyes flashing red. “Go Nadine before I change my mind.” I dry wash my hands together slightly shaking my head. He was trying to scare me and it was working. I turn away, pacing towards the exit confused to why he is dismissing me. I stop dead when he calls my name. “I have a message I want you to replay to Rick. Tell him to never enter Diomed’s again. His money isn’t welcome here anymore. Neither are you. We will have no contact after tonight.” Silence fills the air and I start to move again. A sense of loss comes over me as the distance between us grows. I should be relieved, I know Rick will be. Yet Baxter had been part of my life for months and now I have to say goodbye to him too. I have lost two men in a short space of time out of no fault of my own.

Baxter                               Nadine