I wanted to say something sarcastic about having blood on the menu, but I couldn’t. He was being nice. Saying thank you was appropriate and probably expected. Keep it professional.
“Thanks, I’ll be out in a minute,” I said, dropping my head in my palms.
This was going to be so hard. With Logan it was easy. I could feel however I wanted without judgment. I wouldn’t have that with Braden. Stupid fricking elementals, all of them. I never asked for all this and certainly didn’t want it. Could I crawl in a hole and hide when this was done? Yes. I could and would as soon as we convinced Jack’s allies this was a bad idea and imprison the elder. Especially that. I couldn’t let Jack die.
As much as I hated my life, I didn’t want it to end. There were so many things I wanted to do, like spending an entire week, maybe even a whole month, at the beach. How many other wonders existed in the world that I’d never seen? Millions, because the Seven Wonders of the World weren’t the only ones. If I had to stay tied to Braden, I’d at least use his money to find them all.
I swallowed hard. It was obvious the elementals thought he could love me and giving him a soul was the first step. Manipulating bastards. I honestly didn’t think I could love him. He’d made it very clear that love was inconvenient and he’d use it against me. Professional and nothing more. I had to learn how to control my emotions. He was already better at it than me, which was unacceptable.
A faint knock followed by a woman’s voice was my cue for breakfast. I pushed myself off the floor and went into the living area. Braden just finished putting two plates on the counter of the small kitchenette, and the delivery lady was already closing the door behind her. He wore a similar terrycloth robe but didn’t keep his as tightly wrapped as mine. If he moved wrong, everything would be showing. No wonder the poor woman ran away. She was probably afraid she’d get reported if she lingered.
“Pancakes with extra syrup and black coffee,” he said, handing me a covered dish and ceramic coffee cup filled with caffeine goodness.
I eyed him suspiciously. Did he know I had an aversion to eggs? Possibly. He knew way too much about me.
“Thank you.” I took them both and sat down on the sofa.
He joined me, lacing his long fingers together and leaning his elbows on his knees. “There is also a plate of bacon and eggs,” he said. “I wasn’t sure which you preferred.”
I felt his eyes on me but couldn’t bring myself to look at him. “Either is fine,” I said, immediately regretting it. He would feel the lie.
“Good.” He stood, and I didn’t need to see his face to know his smug grin spread across it. “Gordon will be joining us with passports and other necessities.”
“That reminds me. The front desk said we would have a delivery before noon,” I said, stuffing a bite of pancake in my mouth.
“Wonderful!” Braden exclaimed. “Gordon must have ordered clothes. I need something to make me feel normal.”
A wave of resentment drifted over me. Should I ask if he wanted to talk about it? Probably, but I wasn’t. Damn, of course I was.
“Is there anything you need to get off your chest before Gordon arrives?” I asked, pulling my eyes away from my breakfast and finding Braden staring back at me.
“No.”
I winced at the lie.
“Damn. That’s inconvenient,” he sneered.
“Yep.” I took a bite of my pancakes. He could decide if he wanted to vent or not.
He dropped into the chair across from me and pulled the robe over his thighs. I pretended not to notice.
“Why did they do this me?” he asked.
“Which part?”
He frowned. “All of it. Do you know how hard it will be for me to conduct business with emotions?”
I laughed. “You poor thing. To have to deal with people while having a conscience. Forgive me if I don’t feel sorry for you.” I took another bite. It was really good.
“You really do dislike me,” he stated, leaning forward again. “I can feel it through this thing.”
“You haven’t given me any reasons to do otherwise,” I snapped. “You’ve threatened to use my love against me, you’ve manipulated me into thinking you are my ally, and made an oath with ‘the bitch’ to kill me.” My voice raised with each point and I forced myself to remain seated. “Why would I like you?”
Anger bloomed between us, and I could feel my little demon emerging. Deep breaths. There was nothing I could do about it in a hotel room. Braden’s jaw clenched several times, his frustration undoing my breathing technique.
“The elementals seemed to think you were my best option for controlling my darkness,” I replied, giving him the answer he really wanted. “I argued against it, but as usual, my opinion means nothing.”
“I would’ve gladly done it without a bond,” he said.
I sighed. It seemed like I did that a lot lately. “They said I can’t beat the vampires without my vampire gifts,” I mumbled, not wanting to tell him about my connection to Logan. But I couldn’t see any way out of it, unless I didn’t answer the question.
“They took that gift from you?”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I replied. “I think I could’ve convinced Sergey’s men to stand down with just my fae magic. I didn’t need your speed, hearing, and sight to do that.”
“But you need it to fight Ernesto’s men, who will not stand down,” he said. “Sergey’s men won’t defend you. They may stay neutral, but they won’t attack their own.” His frown deepened, making my heart beat faster. He was working through the tiny bit of information I gave him. “You were bonded to Logan. Why did they take him from you?”
I stood and took my half empty plate into the kitchenette. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“I beg to differ,” he said, suddenly at my side. “I can feel the pain of your heartache.”
“That doesn’t mean you can understand it,” I mumbled.
“I wasn’t always a vampire.” He grabbed my shoulder with one hand and my plate with the other. “Now that I know the truth about my creation, everything else makes sense.”
He took the plate from me and set it on the counter. I backed away from his roiling emotions and his hand slid down my arm.
“I’m not talking about it,” I said. “We should try to find a way to block all these emotions. It’ll make it easier for both of us.”
“You don’t already know one?” he asked leaning against the counter. “I should think you and Logan would’ve come up with something.”
“I didn’t need it with Logan,” I snapped. “He accepted my emotional constipation without judgment, something you’re not capable of.”
I took a deep breath. He was pushing my buttons to get me to talk about it. Another deep breath calmed my anger, allowing me to feel his pain from my remark. Really? He was upset because I pointed out the obvious. Shit.
“This is exactly what I’m talking about,” I mumbled. “I need to talk to Dusha. There has to be some kind of mental barrier we can use to stop some of this.”
“He really loved you, even before your bond,” Braden said. “How?”
“Stop!” I screamed. “I can’t talk about this with you.”
“I need to know, dammit!” he bellowed back. “How does a vampire love?”
“Because Logan’s always had a soul!”
Braden’s eyes widened. He was too smart not to figure it out.
“Yes. You are now capable of that one emotion you despise,” I said. “I might even feel sorry for you because of it.”
I turned away from his confusion, not wanting to be there when it turned to resentment. I slammed the door to my room and sank to the floor. I couldn’t do this with him.
Dusha. I know you’re there listening. Tell me how to keep my emotions away from him.
You cannot, he replied. He must force himself to avoid reaching for you.
And I can do the same? I asked. I can make myself ignore his feelings?
Yes,
but it’s difficult.
Nothing is easy for me, thanks to you and your brothers. I didn’t even try to hide my contempt.
I’m sorry, Alisandra. I could feel his genuine apology, but it didn’t make me feel any better.
“Whatever,” I mumbled out loud. “Why me? There must be others who are more capable than I am.”
Mr. Universe with wings appeared before me, sitting crossed-legged like he’d been there the whole time. Maybe he had.
“We didn’t believe you were the one at first,” he whispered, “but your blend of magic is perfect. You’re not full fae and weren’t raised with them, so you lack their superiority complex.” He reached out and touched my ear, sending shivers down my neck. “But you still have so much of their magic. Your father did us a favor by teaching you in secret. The queen is completely unaware of your strength and so is Jack.”
“Does Jack know of my fae heritage?”
“I have to assume so,” Dusha replied. “He and Braden are the last elders. He would’ve recognized your special qualities the moment he saw you, just as your bonded did.”
I frowned. Thinking back on it, Jack had seen through my veil the first time we met. I’d assumed he saw my resemblance to my mother, but that wasn’t the case at all. He’d seen the fae in me.
“He planned to make me a weapon, just like Braden. Just like Kellen and just like the queen.”
“You have the power to stop Jack,” Dusha said, “but you can’t do it alone.” He glanced at the door behind me. “You and the vampire don’t have to be together to make this work. He has connections that will help you. Your mages and shifters will stand behind you as well.”
I hadn’t thought about that. It would certainly make it easier to keep our emotions in check. “Thank you. What about this meeting in Mexico City?” I asked. “I thought about showing up and making a statement alone. Proving that my strength came from you, not the mages. If the mages are with me, the vampires will think they’re the ones summoning the elements.”
“It’s risky, but could be effective,” he replied. “You would put Braden’s life on the line along with yours.”
“I know.” I wrapped the ends of the terrycloth belt around my fingers. “I’ll ask him first. I can’t risk his life without his consent.”
“He is listening to our conversation.”
A hollow laugh escaped my lips and I made our conversation private.
I know. Why did he bargain with the queen for my life? I asked, staring into his swirling eyes.
That is not my secret to share, child.
Does it change the outcome of this nonsense if I know? I insisted.
Very possibly, he replied.
And not in a good way, I assume.
You can do this, he said, his non-answer saying what he wouldn’t.
Thank you for making time for me.
It’s in my best interest to make time for you, Alisandra. We cannot let Jack reveal us.
I untangled my fingers from the belt around my waist and frowned.
How do we not kill him? I asked.
I’m not sure, but it might be the only option, Dusha replied. And don’t forget you are not all fae. Humans can be turned.
But you told Braden the fae cannot be turned, implying it included me, I argued, my heart stuttering. And I don’t want to be a soulless monster!
I would never take your soul from you.
My mouth hung open as he shattered into thousands of tiny lights, a mix of emotions rolling over me. Did he just say I could be turned into a vampire? What was I thinking? I already knew that. I’d been bitten once and almost turned in my first fight at Victor’s. If it weren’t for Logan, I’d be sucking blood now.
Was that something I could tell Braden? Just in case we had to kill Jack? Probably, but could I? I didn’t want to be a vampire, even if I did keep my soul. The thought of living off human blood was revolting. I’d be a parasite for eternity. A shiver ran through my body and I forced the image away.
Hopefully Braden had been listening in, because I really didn’t want to repeat that conversation. Time to make a plan of attack, I thought as I stepped out into the living room.
Chapter 12
I left my room a second time that morning, feeling a little better than the first, but Braden wasn’t in the living area. I reached through our connection and found him in his room. His emotions were all over the place, most centering around disgust and resentment. I pulled away, not wanting to know what was going on in his head.
I crossed the space to my plate of pancakes and frowned. They were a gooey mess and not at all appetizing. Maybe the eggs and bacon were salvageable. I pulled the lid from plate and grimaced, picking up the bacon and toast but leaving the rest.
A sharp rap on the door caught me with my mouth full of cold pork. I pulled the robe tighter around my neck and answered the door.
“Delivery for Mr. Black,” the porter said. A rolling cart filled the space behind him with three large boxes.
“Bring it in, please.” I stepped away from the door, assuming Braden was using that last name. There couldn’t be too many people expecting three large FedEx boxes.
Braden met the man in the living room and signed a small slip of paper without saying thank you. I pushed my mind away from his, trying to practice avoiding his emotions. He started ripping open boxes before the porter even left.
The first contained luggage, which was kind of brilliant. He pulled a smaller suitcase from the larger one and handed it to me without a word.
“Thank you,” I muttered. “I believe I owe you a couple of those now.”
“You owe me nothing,” he said, pulling open the next box. “This is yours.” He pushed it towards me with his foot, then picked up the last box and the large suitcase. “Gordon is bringing new cell phones. I keep cutting my fingers on your broken screen.” Before I could respond, he disappeared into his room and slammed the door.
For some reason, his coldness hurt. I rubbed my chest, then bent over to pick up the box and grunted. How much stuff had he bought? That thing was heavy. I guess I didn’t get vampire strength, I thought. That sucks. I got everything else, well, except the blood-sucking thing. Maybe they were connected. The memory of Braden’s emaciated body popped in my head. Yeah, probably.
I rolled the suitcase into my room, then went back to the living area for my box. I scooted it across the carpet, mumbling the whole way, half expecting Braden to come out and help. He didn’t. Another sense of loss choked me. The elementals said I wasn’t alone, but it sure felt like it.
Twenty minutes later, I was packed and dressed. A soft long-sleeved shirt covered a silky camisole, made of some amazing material that must have cost a fortune. A pair of petite sized slacks hugged my legs. The most comfortable pair of slacks I’d ever worn. He’d even included brand new underclothes, which was sort of creepy. How did he know what size bra to buy? I slid my feet into the new leather ballet flats that wouldn’t need breaking in.
A reluctant gratitude pushed away my loneliness until I remembered he couldn’t have ordered anything. All he had was my broken cell phone. Gordon must have done all this, but only because Braden asked him to. Regardless, I needed to show my appreciation to both of them. My part of keeping it professional.
I left my room, walking into the empty living area, again. “Definitely alone,” I mumbled, dropping on to the sofa and glancing around for the television remote. I found it on the table next to me along with my cell phone, plugged into a charger. Where had he found a charger?
I cradled it in my hands, carefully sliding my fingers over the broken glass. As soon as I unlocked it, Gordon’s text popped up. He was in the lobby with several boxes. So that’s where Braden was. I scrolled up through their conversation, feeling a little guilty for snooping. It was my phone though.
They talked about Gordon’s successes and failures with their finances. Braden refused to talk about how he escaped. Interesting. Maybe they had a phone call rather than
texts. He’d had plenty of time during my ‘balancing’ with the elementals. The last thing before ‘I have your stuff in the lobby’ was a detailed list of clothing for me and an all caps command that said, ‘NO BLUE JEANS.’ I really liked blue jeans, although I had to admit I really liked the extremely comfortable pants I was wearing.
The door of the hotel room opened and Gordon walked in carrying two boxes. I dropped my phone on the table and stood. He smiled at me, warming my heart. Someone who was actually glad to see me felt good.
“My favorite little mage,” he said, dropping the boxes on the floor beside the sofa and flicking his long dreadlocks over his shoulder.
“I’m the only little mage you know,” I said, returning his smile.
“Not true. I know a couple.” He reached out and a ran a finger along the point of my ear, sending tingles down my neck. My face flushed with his touch. “I like the ears.”
“Why does everyone feel the need to touch them?” I asked, leaning back and looking away from him. The brief contact felt totally different than Dusha’s, which had been tender but not intimate.
“They’re cute,” he replied, either not noticing my embarrassment or not understanding what caused it. Probably the latter.
“Who else has touched them?” Braden growled. He stood in the open door with two more boxes. Was that jealousy? He needed to make up his damn mind.
“Just Dusha a few minutes ago,” I replied, trying to ignore his rising anger. “So, what other goodies have you brought us?” I asked Gordon.
“Whatever the boss had on the list,” he replied, opening one of the boxes. “To be honest, I thought you were lying when you said you’d get him away from Jack.” He leaned against the open box and grinned at me. “Tell me, did you walk up to him and demand Braden’s release?”
I laughed, making his smile widen.
“You didn’t?” he asked, laughing with me.
“No, I didn’t,” I replied. “It was actually a really stupid idea that somehow worked. Probably because Braden is smarter than me. All I had to do was get his door open.”
Gordon winked at me and started unpacking the box. “You’re a little naïve and totally unexpected, but not stupid.” He handed me a smartphone. “It’s already set up and has Braden’s number saved in the contact list.” He handed another phone to my new partner and his smile faded. “Her number is also pre-programmed.”
Elemental's Domain Page 12
