Forever Young

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Colt whipped into the driveway, not bothering to park in the garage, and dashed into the house. Richard, who’d been able to travel much faster on foot, was already inside with Robbie. Colt flew across the living room and bounded the staircase, in a single leap sailing to the second floor. He whipped open the bedroom door and then came to an abrupt stop as he saw the innocent young man lying limply on Richard’s bed. Robbie’s shirt was soaked with blood, and his hair was wet and sticky, but otherwise he appeared angelic, as if sleeping peacefully.

“Is he going to be all right?” Colt cried. “Will he survive?”

Brendan, who’d been following him, stepped behind Colt and placed a hand on his shoulder. Whether a gesture of support or warning, Colt didn’t know. Nor did he care; Robbie was all that mattered.

Richard, kneeling at the bedside, looked up at Colt and shook his head. “He’s lost so much blood.”

“I didn’t mean it!” Colt cried. “I swear to God, Richard.”

Richard stood up, still looking at the boy, and calmly replied. “Colton, it’s not your fault. I never should have let you—”

“No,” Brendan interrupted, shoving past Colt into the center of the room. “You warned him. We both did.” He jabbed his finger accusingly in Colt’s direction.

Of course, Brendan was right. Colt had known the risks. He’d known how helpless he was at times to his hunger. It was so strong, so overpowering, he was a slave to it, and he never should have placed Robbie at risk. The horrible irony was that he really cared about him. He felt something for Robbie, something he’d not experienced in over a century. He hung his head in shame. “What can we do?”

“If he doesn’t get blood—human blood—very soon, he’ll die.”

“But how? Richard, we can’t just drop him off at a hospital.”

“Make it look like an accident,” Brendan suggested.

“And when he wakes up?”

“I’ll say we were together in the woods when an animal attacked. A wolf or bear, and I called you for help.” Colt was desperate, and they were wasting time arguing. He had to get Robbie to a doctor. He needed medical attention, and he needed it now.

“No, Colt, that won’t work. I’ve healed the wound in his neck, and there’s not a scratch on him. Not only that, but he’ll remember. He’ll remember you feeding from him.”

Colt sighed as he moved closer to the bed. “I’ll change him!” he blurted out. “I’ll save him that way, make him one of us, as you did to Brendan. And me.”

“This town is too small.” Richard stepped over to Colt and grabbed hold of his shoulders. “It would never work, not here.”

“Richard, please! We’ll start over like we’ve done so many times before. We can’t let him die.”

“Either way, he dies,” Brendan observed. “You’ve already killed him.”

“Shut up, will you!” Colt spun around to face him. “What is wrong with you? Can’t you see how precious, how utterly flawless he is? His life is just beginning, and we can’t…we can’t just let him go.”

Brendan’s eyes grew dark, and Colt could sense his anger, but he held his tongue.

They both looked to Richard expectantly.

Richard retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and began to dial a number. “I know someone who might be able to help…if I can find him.”

Robbie thought he must’ve died and gone to heaven. The last thing he remembered was swooning in the arms of the most gorgeous guy he’d ever known. Colt’s strength surrounding him, Robbie surrendered completely to him until he couldn’t control himself a second longer. That’s when Robbie reached for him, pressing his hand against Colt’s throbbing manhood.

He was obviously very experienced, the way he was handling Robbie. When Robbie felt him bury his face into his neck, he quickly learned the meaning of the term

“erogenous zone.” As Colt had nipped at him, then skillfully lapped and sucked on that spot that seemed to send him straight to heaven, Robbie’s pulse had quickened and his c**k grew rock hard. He began to feel lightheaded but couldn’t pull himself away. He never wanted the blissful feeling to end. Robbie was soaring, on cloud nine.

Then instantly it stopped. He heard the whooshing sound followed by a loud thud, and the pain tore through his neck as his lover was ripped away from him. Instinctively he cried out, reaching up to his wound only to discover it was wet and sticky. He pulled his hand back and saw the bright red blood, visible only by moonlight, and his feet gave way beneath him. As the world around him began to spin, his body crashed into the ground, and his vision faded to black.

He had no idea how long he’d been out, and when at last his eyes fluttered open, he couldn’t immediately focus. He was no longer outside but now lying on a comfortable bed. There were people around him, staring down, but he didn’t know who they were.

“Colt?”

“I’m right here.” Colt took hold of his hand, kneeling beside him.

“What happened?”

“There was an accident, and you passed out, but you’re gonna be fine. You’re gonna be okay, I promise.” His voice was so soothing and reassuring.

“I’m sorry,” Robbie whispered. “I should…” Why was he so cold? He was trembling, though covered by a thick quilt.

“Just rest, little one. Help is on the way.”

“It was…” he remembered at least some of what had happened, but it didn’t all make sense. “There was blood on my hand. I can’t…I should have told you. I can’t stand the sight of blood. It makes me…weak.”

“It’s okay. Just rest.”

“I’m so cold.” He shivered in the bed as Colt scurried to add another blanket.

“I won’t leave you,” Colt assured him. “I’m so sorry. I’m so terribly sorry.”

Robbie didn’t have the strength to question him, but as sleep overtook him again, he wondered why on earth Colt was apologizing. He should be the one asking Colt for forgiveness. He’d ruined their first date, and he feared there might not ever be a second chance.