#Chapter6

Ken touched the walls of the farmhouse as the memories rushed in. He walked up the creaking stairway admiring the wear and tear of the house. Like all things, the old house lived a full life and now it was able to rest in peace. Unlike vampires. Unlike him. Ken could never rest, but atleast he knew happiness, love, and the joy of becoming a father.

Life wasn’t as bad as it was back then. He was older and outgrew the bullshit. Killing Allen was the most satisfying thing he ever done. Maybe that made him a monster like Allen. Maybe at the end of it all, that’s what he wanted. Ken opened the door to see Salina sitting in a chair with a glass of blood in her hand.

Her back was turned, but she knew he was there. “About time you arrived.” She turned with a smile.

Ken wanted to attack her. He pictured himself grabbing her throat and squeezing but he only sat in the chair across from her. She picked up another glass handing it to him. He saw her face now with fake glasses and her hair in a bun. For the first time she looked refined and innocent. The Salina he wished to know before she was turned.

“Thirsty?” She gestured for him to drink as she took a long sip.

“Salina, stop it.” His voice was rasped from the thirst and the anger. “You know why I’m here.” She licked her lips seductively.

“It took you long enough to find me. I hate to say it, but you’re shit if your blood bag isn’t in danger.”

He scoffed. “Blood bag?”

Salina nodded. “Yes. That is what she is.”

“I don’t feed off her.”

“You should. I bet she would taste delicious.” She took another sip of her blood. “Drink it, Ken. It’s not like I’m going to hurt you.”

Ken stubbornly placed the glass on the table. “Why did you rescue Frederick? How do you know him?”

Salina laughed. “Aw so we finally get to the nitty gritty.”

Ken squeezed his fists annoyed. “Salina, I said stop this.” He stood with frustration. “I’m sick of your fucking games!”

She stood then leaning over to him. “Or what?” His hands twitched to punch her, but never moved as if under some spell.

“You can’t hurt me so why would I tell you any of my plans?” She sat again, crossing her legs as she did so.

“Now sit down.” She asked nicely, but Ken just stood with an angry look in his eyes.

She stood then with blurring speed that Ken didn’t see coming. She pushed him down on the chair with a force Ken didn’t know she possessed. The half breed blood must've enhanced her in more ways than one. He growled ready to attack again, but stuck in his intentions as his whole body froze at the thought of hurting her.

“I turned you into the strongest creature on earth and this is how you repay me!” She stepped on his thighs with her heel of her right shoe. Ken only stared at her deadly in her eyes.

“You make it sound like I asked you to.” He grabbed her ankle in attempt to control his thoughts to get around the curse of him being able not to hurt her. If Kenneth and Allen could do it so could he, fuck centuries. He needed her dead now.

He gently caressed her leg until he wanted to squeeze it until it broke. His body stiffened again which frustrated him even more. It was harder than it seemed to oppose his mind with gentle thoughts while his intentions were impure. She laughed at his struggles.

“I thought you would thank me.” She replied, releasing him as she walked around him touching all over his chest.

“You know I never wanted this.” He said, staring straight ahead as she kissed all over his cheeks.

“I said the same thing remember? You stayed there all night with me like a good boy, watching over me with your sad eyes. That was many years ago.”

“Tell me about Frederick Salina.” He gritted his teeth as he spoke trying to control his rage that was building more and more.

“Drink the blood and I will tell you whatever you want to know.”

Ken looked up at her then back at the table with the blood. Something was wrong with it for her to want him to drink it so bad. He knew her enough to not trust anything she said. Her hands started to slowly rub against his pecs as he noticed the ring on her finger. His eyes opened wide.

“Why do you have that?” He stood from the chair in shock. Salina looked at her finger. “Allen’s ring? He died so I took it again. Ironic right. I went through all that trouble to find it. I did enjoy killing those men though.”

“I’m sure it was killing your father too.”

Salina sighed. “Daddy needed to go. He thought he could stop me, blamed me for mother’s death. He hated me and he didn’t even know what I became. Didn’t know I could slice his throat with my finger nail.”

“Allen is dead. Burn all his shit with him.”

Salina shook her head. “I like it though.”

Ken shook his head then. “You are no better than him. Don’t you see that? Everything that has happened was because of him.”

“Says the man who enjoyed killing him. And don’t say you didn’t because I watched you Ken Santanna. I know you did.” She walked over to him rubbing on his chest again. “That’s why I know you will come to me willingly. That blood bag you call a woman will never understand you like I do.”

Ken laughed then hysterically. “Is that what all this is? Your sick twisted fantasy of us being together a vampire Bonnie and Clyde?” He grabbed her throat pushing her against the wall.

She moaned from the exoticness of the touch. “You have me four ways fucked up if you think I ever wanted you or this?” He gestured to himself as he released her. “You don’t know me at all.” He began to walk out as she screamed for him to come back.

“I can find you anywhere at anytime of day remember that!” She screamed, but Ken continued on his way without looking back.

The next morning Teya woke in a bed alone. She couldn’t really sleep with Ken being out trying to find her worse enemy. It was nerve wrecking. She got up to take a shower hoping he would be sleeping downstairs, but she knew better. He wasn’t there.

A flutter starting happening in her stomach as a warmth of love overcame her thoughts. The baby was kicking and moving around. Sadness then overcame joy as she realized she was alone. She was having a vampire’s baby alone. She wasn’t sure what she expected.

Things changed once Ken became full blooded. All the things he promised her in the car at her old job, to take her out more, to be together without the dark cloud looming over their heads, that he would always be there and love her seemed to be all for nothing and just lies. Their relationship was suffering. Just like Salina wanted. She finished showering and grabbed an apple to eat before heading out, grabbing the car keys on her way. Teya didn’t bother waiting for Markees.

Having him around made her feel crippled anyways. Even though the danger was unavoidable she knew Markees would also be busy with the VA. Nowhere would be safe for her. Not even her own home until nightfall. She thought about all these things as she drove the tinted car to town.

Ross’s words had played heavily on her mind. Her scent was only made for mating for Ken and he didn’t really love her. The thoughts hurt more than anything, but she chanted to herself. “I won't cry.” As she pulled up to the small hospital. Her hormones had to get in check if she was to make anything work for herself.

“Morning.” Sia waved happily.

Teya secretly wished she was that happy. She gave a polite wave and smile. “I’m ready to start my day. What do I need to do?”

Sia opened her mouth to speak, but the doctor came into the room. Doctor Dean definitely had a glow about him with his dimpled smile and solid chin. Again, her head warned her to not get to close.

“Miss Daniels I see you made it in. Follow me.” He smiled, gesturing for her to come with him to his office. “How are we feeling today?” He asked, as Teya looked away from him.

“Not sure. Kind of had a rough night.” She replied, truthfully.

“Rough? Did the baby keep you up?” Teya stopped in her tracks.

“How did you…” She didn’t remember telling him she was pregnant.

“I am a doctor Teya. It wasn’t very hard to figure out.” She bit her bottom lip feeling dumb for her reaction.

“Is that why you gave me this job? I am not looking for a handout.”

Dean laughed. The sound caressed her body like silk. It was a strange sensation. “Trust me Miss Daniels that isn’t why I wanted you here.”

Teya caught glimpse of a little hidden agenda in the twinkle in his eyes, but dismissed it as they continued to walk to the office.

“Tell me a little bit about yourself.” Doctor Dean broke the silence once they were safely in the enclosed walls of the office. She sat down trying not to be uncomfortable.

“I am twenty-one. I worked at Nations Hospital for a year as an intern.” Dean nodded as she explained about herself. Flashes of her and Leslie pierced her mind as she had to breathe in and out to control her emotions.

“Why did you leave Nation’s?”

“Just moved and needed a new start is all.” She replied, simply.

“Tell me about your family.”

“Excuse me?” The question took her of guard. “Your mom and dad. You do have parents don’t you?” He asked half joking.

She turned looking down. “Is it relevant for the job?” Dean folded his hands as he leaned over on his desk.

“I just asked seeing as though you are pregnant family must be important.”

Teya’s thoughts went into a dark place. She had only told Ken about her grandmother. She really didn’t know to much about her mother and father. She was giving up for adoption was all she knew.

“I was raised by my grandmother who passed not so long ago.”

Dean became sympathic as his eyes averted downwards to his desk.

“Sorry to hear that.” He said softly. “What about your mate? The father of the baby? He in the picture?”

Teya’s eyebrows rose with curiosity.

“Does this have to do with the job. I’m sorry Doctor Dean, but that is personal…” he held his hands up as he stood.

“Yes I suppose it isn’t any of business. I saw him the other day in here and I couldn’t help but to ask.”

“Oh no that wasn’t my boyfriend.” He handed her some papers to sign basic W2 forms and payment information.

“Well do you have any questions about the job? You will be working front desk with Sia checking patients in and taking medical insurance information. I need your school information as well to give you the credits for the last internship.”

She nodded as she sat there reading and signing. She was grateful he left her alone in his office. His questions began to overwhelm her. A notification from her phone interrupted her thoughts. She quickly checked seeing if it was about Ken or not.

Markees had messaged her with some capital letters obviously angry from his text that she left the safety of the house without his knowledge. Her eyes rolled as she sent a quick “I’m fine” text. Both the men were becoming unbearable, but she was thankful for them. She loved Ken with all her heart and Markees as a brother. Her best friend and protector in the day. Ken her lover and protector at night. She couldn’t imagine a life without either of them.

“Hey finished?” Sia’s cheerful voice sprang into the office with much life.

“Yeah do I give them to Doctor Dean or leave them?” She lifted up the papers gesturing.

“Leave them. Come with me. I will take you on a tour of the hospital.”

Teya stood, following the young girl as she hummed along the hallways.

“So tell me about you Sia. How old are you?”

“Nineteen.”

Teya’s eyes widen. “Wow so young. I thought you were atleast twenty one.” Sia laughed.

“I wish. Everyone says I have the mannerisms of an older woman.” She turned the corner down the hallway to her left to a small break room. “This is the break room in case you have lunch or whatever. Employees bathroom is through there.” She pointed down the hallway of the breakroom. “This hospital only has nine floors plus a basement. We are really small community.” Teya nodded agreeing.

“What about you?” Sia asked. “I’m twenty one. Not to much older than you.”

“Its good to have someone around my age work here for a change. Everyone tries and treats me like a kid.” Sia explained while they walked back to the front.

“I bet you hate that.” Teya replied.

“Oh I do.” They laughed.

Teya sat in the desk across from Sia feeling a range of emotions. Her worry for Ken never left. Her anger towards Salina grew. On her lunch break Teya sat outside talking with Sia as they joked about their names rhyming, Markees pulled up.

“Teya!” he was pissed.

“Markees what’s going on?” He walked up to her on the bench running a shaky hand through his hair.

“You are going to be the death of me. I can't believe you…” he paused as he looked over at Sia.

“I’m sorry hi.” He held his hand out for a hand shake. “I’m Teya’s friend, Markees.”

Sia accepted his hand with a laugh. “Pleasure. I’m her new coworker, Sia Jones.”

He nodded then folded his arms. “Can I speak with Teya for just a moment?” He grabbed her arm trying not to pull her towards the car.

“What the fuck are you thinking? Salina is out there trying to kill you remember.”

Teya sighed. “She won’t kill me. She can’t.”

“Is that going to stop her from trying?” Markees held his forehead.

“I have to bury several of my men. I have been making phone calls to their families explaining why their son, husband or brother is dead. Calls I wish Ross was here to make. Rest his evil soul.” Teya didn’t respond. “The point that I’m trying to make is I don’t want one of those calls to be to Ken or Kenneth telling him he lost you and the baby. You can't do this. You can't work here.” He grabbed her hand, but she snatched it away.

“I’m sorry you have to make those calls, Markees, but I told you I’m fine and I’m doing this with or without your permission or Ken’s.”

Her decision had already been made. Her life was nothing like this before she met Ken and now a little over half a year her life changed drastically. She needed her life back. With Ken also being so distant from her she was barely holding on to sanity. It was also hard to admit that something was drawing her to this place.

“If this how you want to play then fine.” Markees opened his car door with anger. “You are the one pregnant with a wanted vampire’s baby. It’s not my fault you need looking after, but if you feel so untouchable then go ahead.” He slammed it shut causing her to flinch from the sound.

“Markees…” he drove off in a hurry. Her hormones changed quickly to upset to now feeling guilty.

“Trouble in paradise?” Sia walked over unable to ignore the confrontation. Teya could only nod as she turned to the window of Doctor Dean’s office to see him staring at the scene.