Everything hurt, her body burned and joints ached, even her gums and teeth felt as if they were being pulled from her body. A familiar ache filled her stomach, tightened and twisted, until she bucked herself free of the blanket tangled about her legs.
Desperately Gabriela scrambled off the bed, only to fall as her muscles gave out beneath her weight. Gorge rose in her throat and she made a hurried crawl to the master bathroom.
Fingers fumbled in blind desperation to lift the lid and seat before a final knotting of her stomach had her emptying the contents into the water; turning it a disturbing diluted red.
Sweat beaded across her brow as she pressed her cheek against the cool porcelain. The burning didn't end, it continued in her stomach like a blowtorch; twisting and knotting until she found herself leaning over the bowl again as her stomach tightened up on itself leaving her heaving with nothing to empty.
Each violent wracking enough to leave her cheeks dampened from tears summoned by force gripping her body. A soft moan escaped her in the lull as she sagged against the toilet, letting it support her weight.
"Gabriela?" Callum's voice reached her across the bedroom and into the bathroom. She could hear the sound of his footsteps approaching.
Desperately she kicked a foot out to try and close the door to the bathroom. Her toes just grazed the wood and the exertion left her panting.
Resigned to the door remaining open, Gabriela smacked the flush handle, sending the visible evidence of her illness down the drain.
"I'm fine.. don't come in here." Her reply was desperate as she tried to heave herself to her feet. Her hands braced against the floor as she tried to climb back to her feet.
The effort earned another whimper as every bit of her body protested and all she managed to do was rock back onto her heels to at least a more dignified position as a pair of two very familiar slippers and slacks came into view.
She focused on those slacks as he knelt down to be on the same level as her. Gabriela closed her eyes as she felt his fingers so carefully smooth her hair back from her face.
"Please just leave." She pleaded, trying to hide her face. No doubt she was a mess, she always was when she was sick, at least that is what she heard from every ex boyfriend.
Gabriela could feel how puffy her eyes were, could feel the tears that dampened her cheeks and no doubt made her eyes red.
"I have seen worse, Gabriela." His tone was bemused as he brushed a hand through her hair, further smoothing the tangled curls back.
His hands wandered to slip around her, lifting her as if she weighed nothing, the angle rocking her closer against his chest as he took smooth gliding steps back to the bed. Despite the care he took in moving her, Gabriela still had to fight back the urge to whimper.
"I don't want you catching what I have. Or at least risking it." She whispered as he settled her back on the pristine white sheets.
The softness of the mattress cradled her and supported her aching body. Her jaw clenched to fight to keep from chattering her teeth in the sudden cold that seemed to chase through her.
In reaction she curled up on herself, rolling to her side as she tried to ease away the aches and chill that chased through her.
"I can't get what is afflicting you. Here now." He shifted to sit beside her, guiding her to roll over to face him instead of away.
His fingers continued to stroke through the mess of her hair, soothing away the snarls, as he waited for her to uncoil enough to look at him.
"It is an affliction of your kind. You cannot be away from your sire for long and it seems we have reached the end of that tolerance." His sigh was heavy, weighted, as Callum delivered the news that she had dreaded hearing.
"Oh... So there is no escaping them is there?" The dread in her voice was tangible. Gabriela saw her vain plans of escape dissipate with the news he delivered.
Her teeth chewed at her lower lip as her fingers kneaded against the sheets, plucking at them as a way to distract her physical senses from the misery of her body. "I have to go back.."
"I am afraid so." Callum leaned back. A sigh escaped him as he leaned back against the headboard.
Politely Gabriela managed to shift enough to allow him to stretch out on the bed, mildly surprised when he pulled her close to rest her cheek against his chest.
His hand continued to pet through her hair. The soft scent of rain, grass, and sunshine pervaded her senses as she leaned against him, breathing in the combination that was his own personal odor.
"I can ease this discomfort, but it will only ease it enough for you to return."
"How?" Gabriela tipped her head up, finally meeting his gaze. Her own expression concerned as he appeared uncertain, perhaps even slightly hesitant.
Without answering Callum stopped petting her hair and instead unbuttoned the cuff of his shirt before rolling the sleeve up. The pristine white a perfect counter to the pale tan of his skin; flawless and perfect as he was.
At least until he ran his exposed forearm across his sharpened teeth.
"Drink." He didn't give her room to protest, using his free hand to hold her steady while pressing the wounded arm against her mouth until instinct had her parting her lips to lave her tongue over the wound.
The first taste of his blood was heaven, ambrosia, a sweet rich wine filled with nuances and depth that the bagged could not compete with; a taste that even her singular experience of drinking directly from the vein could not compare with.
He tasted of life, of sunlight, of all the things she had lost in life. Gabriela barely managed to keep herself from grasping his arm, unwilling to let him draw away and take away the amazing liquid that coated her tongue and throat.
She felt the pain ease, still there aching and sore, but manageable. Her body no longer shook with cold. Her tongue ran over her lips, taking the last tastes of him in.
Gabriela looked up prepared to thank him for the gift only to find his mouth on hers. Hungry and searching.
His fingers, formerly so gentle, curled roughly in her hair as he pinned her in place. His mouth devoured hers, leading the kiss in a tantalizing dance that was both forceful and coy.
Without thought her hands lifted to press against his cheek and jawline, tender as she traced fingertips along features she had only marveled at.
Impulse had her pressing closer, shifting in a smooth motion to straddle him, uncaring if her robe parted and flashed more flesh than she would normally be comfortable with.
The sensation of his linen slacks against her bare thighs drew a soft moan from her as she rocked against him, some instinct driving her desire higher as she felt the evidence of his attraction trapped between them.
Callum's hands dropped from her hair, to cup around her hips, stilling the slight rocking as a little chuckle escaped him.
His mouth continued to explore her skin, nipping and teasing as his lips glided over her chin, neck, and down to her collar bones, all the while licking and laving memorizing every gasp and moan that he elicited.
Gabriela's hands stroked down his chest and stomach, fingers carefully worked buttons loose as she exposed more of his smooth flesh to her hungry gaze.
"Shhh.. easy kitten" Callum was the first to find his reason again; despite the protest of his body against stopping where this led.
"Slow breaths, there is no need to rush things between us." He subtly shifted, doing his best to remove the temptation she presented. Lush, her skin warmed and blooming with life, her every curve part of a beauty standard he had been raised to appreciate before the emaciated models had taken over the media.
"No? I go back to that living hell tonight. Please give me something, anything to hold on to." She whimpered, her hips rocked slightly, rolling as she tried to tempt him into losing his control; tempt him away from the sudden sense of honor that gripped him.
A gasp escaped her as she found her back trapped between him and the bed. Her thighs still parted as his still clothed hips nestled between them.
Strong hands held her wrists together and above her head as his hungry gaze drank in the tight tips of her nipples against the soft roundness of her breasts; the expanse of her bared flesh where the robe she wore parted, exposing most of her torso to his inspection.
"I won't sully what we have started, Gabriela, by rushing the physical." He released her wrists to run a fingertip along the thin ragged silvery scar that ran from beneath her breastbone to where it disappeared at the belted waist of the robe.
"As tempting as you are, we have time. That is a promise to hold to." Slowly he leaned down, until Gabriela was certain he would give her another one of those amazing kisses; instead his lips brushed the tip of her nose.
"You don't have to promise anything, if all we had was tonight..." She whispered, the ache in her core begged for something to ease it.
Something she could feel so firmly trapped behind the zipper of his slacks. Something that only continued to taunt her with each little wiggle she gave, trying to ease herself and only adding to her frustration.
His soft chuckle should have mortified her; instead all it did was drive up her determination.
"I know I do not, however I will and tonight will be a passing memory." He searched his left pocket before pulling out a dangling necklace.
A delicate golden chain that suspended a simple teardrop shaped diamond set in gold. The clarity and size spoke of the expense even as the simplicity of the jewelry told of refined taste. The lack of embellishment allowed the diamond to remain the star, the cut catching even the low room lights until it sparkled and glinted like a tiny captured star as it dangled between them.
"And this can be a physical reminder." Reluctantly Callum slipped off her. His dick protested at his restraint as it ached and pressed against the suddenly too tight fabric.
To give himself something else to focus on, Callum unrolled his shirt sleeve to refasten the cuff again, hiding away any evidence of her impromptu meal.
Gabriela managed to collect herself well enough to pull the robe closed as she shifted, whimpering slightly as the press of her legs together only agitated nerves that had been begging for a different sort of pressure.
Somehow she found the strength of will to sit upright and attempt to at least appear calm and collected.
"We don't have much time to get you back, Gabriela." Callum whispered as he leaned forward and fastened the necklace around her throat. He didn't miss the slight shiver that escaped her at the brush of his hand across her nape.
The scent of fear that briefly pierced the air before fading only further cooled his ardor and made him want Vincent's head.
"Perfect." His fingers gently stroked against the hollow of her neck, soothing over her skin as a reward for not pulling away; of holding steady despite the instilled fear.
"It is. Thank you." She touched the cool stone that nestled against her skin. As he drew away she felt oddly bereft; as if part of her soul recognized him as a missing piece.
Her hand dropped to clench against the soft fabric of the robe swathed around her, the events still not having processed enough for her to wonder how she went from dressed on the couch to on the bed and dressed in only a robe.
"Do you need help dressing?" He motioned towards the neatly laid out outfit she had been wearing before falling asleep on the couch.
Each article there and tidily draped to avoid wrinkles. Her brow furrowed as she tried to piece things together.
Callum had undressed her before, but that was to treat wounds. He seemed to respect her modesty since waking; outside of their lapse a moment ago.
"I think I can manage." She replied softly, still working through the puzzle as Shiro walked into the room. Her two tails swayed with the tips each twitching a different direction.
The little fox's ears were perked forward as she gave a chirping bark before jumping onto the bed to nestle against Gabriela's side with a little huff. Shiro looked towards Callum before giving a slow blink in his direction before placing her delicately pointed muzzle against her paws.
"I won't be far, call if you need help." Callum backed out of the doorway before his footsteps placed him as moving towards the living room.
Once assured that she was mostly alone Gabriela drug the clothing closer. The skirt and matching sweater blouse combo slid on easily enough with her only having to stand long enough to zip up the side. The hem fell in full pleats around her ankles and the top while snug over her breasts was flattering. A more modest rendition of the school girl look made popular by Brittany Spears and several other pop icons.
Soft cotton knee highs covered her feet offering a semblance of civility. Dressed and her hair roughly braided back, bound with a bit of stray thread, she felt a bit less like roadkill.
Gabriela fell backwards onto the soft bed with a little groan, resting her aching body as the effects of Callum's blood slowly leached from her system. Shiro hopped up, pressing her feet against Gabriela's chest as she pressed her muzzle against the woman's cheek.
A sharp lick turned into a high pitched yipping squeal that summoned Callum back into the room.
"Gabriela?" He crossed the room, pausing only a moment at the lifted wave of her hand.
It had been easily a century since he had been a slave to his species' faults, but he remembered well enough the exhaustion that came when needs were not met while he first adjusted to this shell he occupied.
"I'm fine, just resting." She sighed, turning her head to look at him, offering a faint half smile as she pushed herself up into a seated position.
Her jaw clenched as she refused to voice the little moan as her hips and back screamed at the movement. Her libido, it seemed, had been more optimistic than the rest of her body. A squeak escaped Gabriela as he scooped her up, carrying her from the room.
"I can see that. I have arranged a meet up with Eli, to return you to their fold." His face lowered, pressing his nose into her hair as he paused for a moment. His arms tightened around her, holding her closer before continuing from the apartment towards the parking lot and his modest sedan.
"Efficient, I can walk though" Gabriela sighed as he continued without reply, carrying her towards his vehicle, a nondescript gray Volkswagen Passat, before putting her down at the passenger side. Gabriela balanced herself carefully as he opened the door for her.
"I know. Inside you go now." He finally replied, giving her a roguish grin. His hands were gentle as he helped her settle inside the car before closing the door.
The seats were firm and supportive without being too stiff, and the soft leather added the right touch of stiffness to keep her from sinking fully into the seat.
Carefully she fastened the seatbelt more out of habit than any true need for it. Callum slid into the driver seat, the door closing with a solid sounding thud.
The engine started smoothly with a pleasant grumbling sound. The radio turned on, giving a faint whirring sound as the built in cd player switched through disks.
The song was in a language Gabriela couldn't understand, but the beat was close enough to the pop style she was familiar with, and the singer had a good voice.
That combined with the warmth of the seats heating themselves and the blast of warm air; it gave the ride a surreal sense of normalcy.
"Smells like crayons." Gabriela found herself breaking the silence between them with the inane observation. Callum chuckled at her random comment.
His hands were kept occupied driving, between steering and shifting the manual transmission, otherwise he would have been tempted to pet along her knee. To stroke his hand against skin he knew from experience to be silky soft.
"A known quality of this model." Callum grinned as he pulled into a parking lot. The meeting spot seemed pre-ordained at the nearly empty Denny's.
The rutted and pitted parking lot matched the run down interior of the restaurant. Once parked in a spot selected to be outside the weak yellow light of one of the lamposts.
"Gabriela, I know this is not what you desire. It is only temporary." He sighed rubbing at his face as he fought through the frustration of her being trapped by a quirk of biology.
As she stirred to reply, he shook his head sharply.
"I want you to listen. Whatever it is you must do to survive is not your fault." He reached over her, flipping open the glovebox to pull out a freshly charged black flip phone. He pressed the small device into her hands.
"Callum, you don't have to.." She stopped as his hands tightened around hers until she gripped the phone. Once assured she held the device his hand caressed along her cheek. Gabriela couldn't resist closing her eyes and nuzzling into the warmth of his touch.
"It is prepaid; for the minutes. Call or text if you need me. I will come, no matter the political fall out." The knocking rumble of another engine had him pulling away from her.
Gabriela carefully palmed the phone, slipping it into her bra cup as a hiding place. The bright flash of headlights blinded her, burning at her eyes causing her to give a pained hiss in response.
"Bastard." Callum grunted as he slid out of the driver's side to casually lean against the side of the sedan.
Gabriela could hear the sound of doors opening and shutting, the crunch of footsteps approaching, but her eyes remained closed and burning from the bright headlamps.
The exchange went smoothly, a few muttered words that Gabriela couldn't make out from the thundering beat of her heart, and it was done.
Cold air washed over her as the door opened and she was able to turn her head, taking in the leering face that peered in. Vincent looked no worse for the wear, and seemed ever gleeful to see her.
"Unbuckle yourself, Cupcake." He laughed as her fingers clumsily searched for the release button. Once the nylon strap had been released he pulled her from the car.
Gabriela tried to maintain her footing but her knees gave out and Vincent's grip on her upper arm wrenched that joint.
"Ahh yes, see this is how we keep baby vampires home and not out causing mischief." He paused long enough for Gabriela to regain her feet.
One final glance at Callum revealed his impassive expression; only the slight narrowing of his eyes was enough to give away his disapproval.
"Good doing business with you, Demon." Vincent gave a mock salute before he shoved Gabriela into the back of the sedan.
She managed to make the fall a semi-graceful descent and slid further into the backseat. Surprisingly Bridget was back there, sitting quietly, looking out the window nearest to her.
"So you are alive." They were cold and empty words as the car started and with a squeal of tires left the parking lot to head towards the farmhouse; her temporary prison.