Page 8 of Bloodstained Chrome

I can’t let it. I need to stay in control of myself, not just for the rest of my club, but for the woman lying in my arms.

For the first time in a long time, I find myself doing something I haven’t done before. I pray. Pray that she will open her eyes. Open her sassy little mouth and call me kitty again.

Chapter

Five

Sibley

The pain is surreal.

As a vampire, I thought my rebirth would be the most painful experience I’d ever endure, but what’s happening to me right now is definitely giving it a run for its money.

My entire body feels like it’s on fire, and I can’t stop shaking from the intensity of what’s happening.

It took me a few moments to realize I was having a vision. Usually, I’m in control no matter what, but this time I wasn’t. My vision didn’t come to me as it normally does. Where I can typically ride the wave of images and sights, this time it slammed into me like a sledgehammer.

I fear it will cause me lasting damage from whatever is going on.

I don’t just fear it will do this; I’m terrified. But I need to focus on the vision and heed what the gods are telling me.

The fringes of the vision sparkled as if lit by fireworks, but the light does nothing to clear the vision in my mind.

There are a few things I can make out. At least I think I can make them out. In my thousands of years, I’ve never had a vision quite like this one.

There’s blood. Not much, but enough to cause concern. I don’t see the source of the blood, but someone is hurt. A second later, the vision flashes, and instead of the blood, I see a broken wooden chair lying against what looks like a stone floor. I don’t know how this connects to the blood I saw only seconds ago.

Next, instead of just the broken chair, I see someone sitting in it. I don’t recognize them, and the vision contorts around their face. I can’t make out any distinguishing features to tell me who they are. I can’t even tell if the person in the chair is a man or a woman. Suddenly, the person in the chair looks up, and instead of normal eyes, they seem to be staring straight through me with golden eyes. Their eyes swirl with power.

A power so strong it stirs panic in me. I don’t know what they want or what I’m supposed to understand in this moment. Everything in me wants to close my eyes. I don’t want to see anymore.

Again, the vision shifts. Instead of the person in the chair, I now see only broken chains lying alone on the ground. The clasps on either wrist cuff are warped and popped open. I don’t have much time to observe that part of the vision before it snaps away, leaving me in what looks like a dense forest.

This part of the vision is completely different from what I’ve been seeing. This time, it doesn’t look like an image I’m on the outside of, but a place in time. I’m right in the middle of it. I swear I can reach out and touch the trees if I want to.

Unfortunately, I’m stuck in place. I can’t move a muscle. All I can do is watch. In the distance, I hear something rushing toward me. It’s not a person but a beast. I hear quick footfalls coming toward me, one set right after another.

I open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out. The ground trembles beneath my feet as whatever is behind me draws nearer.

It comes faster and faster.

My body wants to cringe and fall away from the danger, but I can’t move.

Then I feel the wind blow past me, and whatever was running behind me skids to a halt a few feet ahead of me. I blink a few times, trying to focus on what it is.

A lion?

It roars long and loud before taking off running again.

The next time I blink, all the pain I’ve been feeling evaporates, and it feels as if my body is gently falling to the ground.

What the hell was that?

The next time I open my eyes, I’m no longer caught in my vision but back in reality.

“Sibley. Can you hear me?” Primal asks, his face inches from mine. I can see other members of the Spiked Raiders behind him, but I can only focus on the man holding me. I blink at the unmistakable concern in his eyes.

“What happened?” I whisper.