“It’s either now or three hours from now when we land,” he said. “I’ve already read through the rest of your love letters. It hardly matters if I see this one, too.”
“You ass,” I hissed. “Those were not for you to see.”
He chuckled, the fake, irritating laugh that grated my nerves. I unlocked the screen and blinked several times. What was I looking at? I turned my phone sideways and tilted my head. A face? If so, dark purple bruises covered it completely and blood pooled around the cut on his neck.
“Oh my God,” I gasped, clamping my hand over my mouth. “No, no, no. Tell me it’s not…”
But it was. Blood coated Logan’s thick eyelashes, but I’d recognize those hazel eyes anywhere. Only now, a milky haze covered the green flecks that should’ve been there.
Bile rose in my throat and I gagged several times, scratching desperately at my seat belt. I needed to get off the plane. I needed to save my vampire. I needed to unlatch the damn seatbelt keeping me prisoner. “No! Let go of me dammit!” I cried. I was going to kill Jack right now, regardless of the consequences. Braden’s life no longer mattered to me, only Logan’s. If I died killing Jack, then so be it. He would not take the one person who loved me and get away with it.
I finally released the buckle and jumped to my feet.
Braden’s arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me into his lap. “Alisandra, stop.”
“No!” I yelled. “I have to go to him.” I kicked his shins and tried to twist away, but he gripped me tighter. Angry tears rolled down my cheeks. Not my vampire. “Let me go dammit! Jack will die for this. He will not take Logan from me!”
I froze, remembering another vampire who tried to take Logan from me.
“You’re no different,” I hissed. “You had his throat cut, knowing one or both of us would die.”
“I wasn’t trying to kill either of you,” he argued, tightening his grip on me. “I needed to confirm the elementals were with us in this fight.”
“And forcing Logan to bleed out in front of me sounded like the best way?” I grunted, trying to suck in enough air to speak beneath his crushing arms.
“In hindsight, no,” he replied. “At the time, it seemed like the only way to force the water elemental to reveal his dedication. I’d already met your air elemental in the front yard of that lovely cabin.”
My anger surged again. “You hateful bastard. Why didn’t you just ask if they supported me?”
“You weren’t exactly sharing information,” he retorted.
I didn’t care that he was right as I bruised my knuckles hammering on his chest. He let me. If he got any enjoyment from it, I couldn’t feel it past the choking pain beneath my ribs. My heart thundered, and a red haze crept over my vision.
“You have to calm down, Alisandra,” Braden hissed. “There are normal humans on this plane who cannot see you like this.”
He was right but I didn’t want to accept it. “I don’t care.”
“Yes, you do.” He pulled me tighter against him, stopping my assault. “Look at me.”
I turned my face to his but didn’t meet his gaze.
“I needed to know I was on the right side,” Braden whispered. “If the elementals are truly dedicated to you, we cannot lose. They won’t let us be revealed. My existence as a vampire…what they did to me… is the only proof you need of that fact.” His grip loosened, allowing a gush of air into my lungs. “This is exactly how Jack wants you. Broken and incapable of making a stand against Ernesto. Don’t let him win.”
“But he took the only person who ever loved me,” I sobbed. My anger faded, and the pain in my chest flared. “Can you at least try to understand? I grew up unwanted by everyone. I spent my entire childhood an outcast, hated because of my appearance.” I dropped my head on his shoulder and took a long, shuddering breath. “Logan was the only one to ever see me as a real person and not a freak.”
Braden softened his grasp, rubbing circles on my back as painful sobs assaulted my body. It shouldn’t hurt this bad. I’d hadn’t known him long enough for this much pain. Was it because of our connected spirits? Dusha said he severed that connection, but had he? He must have or I’d be dead, too. Or maybe Logan was still alive.
My thoughts went to my other elementals and rage replaced my sorrow.
“Göksu,” I hissed, trying to push away from Braden. “You were supposed to protect him.”
“We cannot have this discussion right now,” my elemental’s voice whispered, but he didn’t show himself.
“Yes we can,” I argued. “Braden, put the stewardess to sleep so we can talk.”
“What makes you think I can do that?” he asked, loosening his grip on me a little more.
“Logan did it to me twice,” I snapped. “Now take care of it.”
He let me stand and scooted by me. I was a little shocked that he complied without his, ‘You can’t command me, I’m doing it because I want to,’ speech. I’d commanded him without even thinking about it, which was awful. This was an elder vampire in charge of a financial empire. As much as I didn’t like him, I didn’t want to take that away. He wasn’t Jack, whom I would gladly destroy.
The plane hit a patch of turbulence as it gained altitude, tossing me into my seat. Unlike me, Braden gracefully made his way to the front. I tried to ignore his whispered conversation with the blonde but failed.
“Hello, beautiful,” Braden purred.
“You should be in your seat, Mr. Black.” She giggled and I rolled my eyes. “But I won’t tell if you don’t.”
“Seriously?” I mumbled. “Göksu, I want to see you now.”
“Shh, sleep pretty lady,” Braden’s voice hummed.
My elemental appeared in the seat across from me and my angry tears returned. “What happened?” I demanded.
“They took him after we balanced your elements,” he replied, his body solidifying and sending spiderwebs of ice across the seat. Was he as angry as I? I hadn’t seen him react that way before.
Niyol materialized in the seat next to him, and Braden retook his own chair at my side.
“What are you saying?” I asked, the memory of my fight with Braden, then Jack’s guards racing through my mind. “That can’t be right. Aviur said Kellen and Logan viewed the video from the compound together. I’ve talked to Dusha since then as well.”
“Apparently, half of Jack’s guard followed Logan from the compound to Kellen’s,” Niyol replied. “They tried to take both men.”
I gasped. Surely, Aviur would have told me if Kellen had been taken, but why hadn’t my own elements come to me as soon as Logan was abducted? Why did they keep it from me?
“Logan convinced Kellen to escape through the portal,” Göksu said. “Your vampire thought he could outrun them.”
“And you’re just now telling me?” I hissed. “I have to find out from my worst enemy when I should’ve heard it from my best friends.”
My anger continued to build and that familiar red haze crowded my vision. Braden’s fingers wrapped around mine and squeezed.
“Not here, little mage,” he said.
I glared at him, hating that my anger subsided. He was supposed to be the one to take my abuse, not make it go away.
“We didn’t know where he was,” Niyol said defensively. “Dusha was able to follow his spirit to Jack’s dungeon.”
Silence fell between us. That’s what I saw in the text. The results of being in Jack’s dungeon. Tears threatened to fall again, and I wiped them away. I needed anger, not grief. Sorrow accomplished nothing. An ugly thought reared its head, and no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn’t go away.
“Logan knew he couldn’t outrun them,” I whispered. “He led them away willingly so Kellen could survive.” I looked up at the water elemental, anger warring with my grief. “You severed our bond and he knew immediately that his life was no longer tied to mine. My vampire put his life on the line as soon as he knew I wouldn’t die with him.”
“If Dusha ha
d not severed that bond, you would likely be dead,” Göksu said. “I’m not sure we would’ve found him in time.” He leaned forward and placed his hand on my knee. “He loved you. Don’t ever doubt that.”
He was really gone. I turned to the small window, drawing in a deep breath and trying to beat back the guilt. He died thinking I abandoned him. How could he not? I would never know.
I sucked in another gulp of air. There would be no more tears. I would give them what they wanted, and then I’d find someplace to hide from everyone. I hated being their pawn, hated the thought of not being able to love anyone without putting their life at risk, and hated not having control over any of it.
“Don’t let him steal your compassion as well,” Göksu whispered, seeming to notice my resolve. “Your love makes you strong, not weak.”
“No, it makes those I love a target. If I never loved Logan, he would still be alive.” I swallowed the lump in my throat with effort. “He would not have endured the torture Jack put him through.”
The plane tilted with another fit of turbulence, and I grabbed the armrest with my free hand. Mr. Universe with wings appeared next to Niyol. Maybe it wasn’t turbulence after all. The pilots must be totally confused.
“Logan didn’t suffer,” Dusha said, folding his wings against his back. “I took his spirit from his body before Jack’s guards even started their questioning.” A hint of sadness softened his eyes. “He never doubted your love.”
I choked on my next breath. Did the elemental really know Logan’s heart?
Braden’s fingers tightened around my hand, but the gesture wasn’t to support me. He was mad. “You took his spirit?” the elder asked. “You can end a life, just like that?”
“Yes.”
“Then why don’t you just kill Jack?” he demanded, his resentment igniting my ire once again.
A patronizing smile spread across Dusha’s face, and Braden’s anger peaked.
“If the elementals kill Jack, it will make him a martyr,” Dusha replied. “We need to convince the magical community to abandon him. Without a viable alternative to his plan, someone else will fill his shoes. You said the same thing just the other day.”
“Because I didn’t think I could kill him,” Braden declared, his honesty about his doubts surprising me. “And now that I know the queen’s true intentions, it’s not even an option.”
I glanced at Dusha, then quickly looked away, remembering our conversation about my human half. I’d decided then not to share with Braden, but maybe he needed to know. He must have felt my guilt for withholding it from him.
“What is it?” he asked, his eyes darting between me and my elementals.
“I’m half human,” I mumbled when no one else answered.
“I know that,” Braden hissed. “How does that change the queen’s…” he paused and turned in his seat to face me. “I can turn you into a vampire?”
I nodded. “According to Mr. Universe, yes. I can be turned.”
Dusha frowned with Braden, but obviously for different reasons.
“Are you sure?” he asked. “Does the queen know it’s possible?”
“We are almost certain,” Dusha replied, frowning at me. “And no, I don’t think the queen suspects it. She believes our princess’ fae blood will counteract your venom.”
“I know it’ll work,” I mumbled. “I was nearly turned during our first battle at Victor’s. Niyol was there. He can confirm it.”
“You weren’t going to tell me,” Braden accused, the pain of my deception clear on his face.
“I don’t want to be a parasite living off the blood of others,” I argued, almost feeling bad for my insensitive comment. “But if it looked like killing Jack was our only option, I wouldn’t have kept it from you.” I sighed and looked out the window. “I don’t know that it matters anyway. My life was forfeit the day I was born.”
“It matters because your life is tied to mine, you selfish little girl,” Braden hissed.
“Dusha can undo that and let me go once my destiny is fulfilled,” I said, not letting his anger change my sense of dejection. “The only thing that matters is Jack’s defeat.”
“Are you giving up already?” he asked. “You hit the first barricade and give up.”
I jumped to my feet and spun towards him. “Do not call his death a barricade!” I yelled. “I know you feel my pain. I will defeat Jack and bring the peace everyone says I’m supposed to. I just hope I die at the end.” I slapped him and pushed past Dusha. “I have no desire to feel this pain again, but I also know what it feels like to live without love. If I have to choose between one or the other, I’d rather just die.”
I stomped to the rear of the plane and locked myself in the bathroom. I didn’t really want to die any more than I wanted to live unloved, which meant Braden felt the lie. Did my elementals feel it too? Probably. Was I the only one stupid enough to think I’d even contemplate sacrificing myself? Yeah. I just wasn’t that brave or selfless. I had dreams of a husband and a family. Dreams that would never come true.
The bathroom door opened and I screamed. Not out of fear, but frustration at Braden’s lack of respect for my privacy. What the hell was wrong with him?
“How the hell do you keep unlocking my doors?” I bellowed. “And what if I was using the bathroom? That is beyond rude!”
“There’s a message with the photo,” he said, turning his back on me.
My anger deflated. Of course there was a message. I forced myself to leave the tiny bathroom, but I didn’t take my seat next to Braden.
“What does he want?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“He wants you to surrender yourself or he’ll kill Kellen,” the vampire replied.
Did he have to be so calloused? My eyes darted to the elementals. “Where’s my partner?”
“I believe he’s at his uncle’s,” Göksu replied, his body shifting as he stood. The plane dipped with him, and I briefly wondered how safe it was to have them onboard.
“You believe?” I turned to Dusha. “What about you?”
“It’ll take time to track his spirit,” he replied, flaring his wings.
I shared my piercing glare with all my elementals. How could they let this happen? There was no way I’d have Kellen’s death on my conscience, too.
Aviur? Qeb? I forced the question through my mind, seeking their presence. They didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure if that was normal or not. My elementals always answered, but fire and earth weren’t mine. “Did Jack give us a deadline?” I asked.
“Midnight tonight,” Braden replied, offering me the smartphone. Could I take it? Could I bear to see Logan’s face?
“Is that enough time for us to deal with Ernesto, first?” I asked.
“Yes, but you won’t get back to Vegas before midnight.”
I took the phone from him, my shaking hand barely able to grip it. I tried my best to ignore those hazel eyes as I read through the message that followed.
“give yourself to me or your partner is next”
I couldn’t let Jack kill Kellen too. I just couldn’t, and not just because I’d forgiven my partner. The mages needed him. He was right that the council wasn’t ready. They would be eventually, but not yet.
“You cannot give yourself up,” Braden said, standing.
“Yes, I can,” I replied, not backing down as he closed in on me. “There are several people who are extremely important in this, all of them for different reasons.” I pressed my fingers against his chest, but it didn’t keep him out of my personal space. “Kellen needs to lead the North American mages. I can’t be that person and he is more than qualified. You need to fill the void left by Jack. The queen’s consent to have me trained only lasts long enough to ensure peace. She’ll get my death, which eliminates my rogue magic.”
His blue eyes narrowed at me, and I swallowed hard. “I’m here to make sure it all happens. Jack must know that he cannot hold me, and I’m not stupid enough to enter a blood oath with him. My surre
nder is a distraction to pull me from another fight. You need to find out what that is.”
“He’s not expecting an immediate reply from you,” Braden said, “So don’t give him one. We’ll wait to find out if he really has your partner.” He growled at me, but frustration surpassed any anger. “Besides, I’m not the only one with an oath to fulfill.”
“I’ll make sure you’re able to complete yours,” I conceded. Yes, that meant I’d be a vampire, but I couldn’t see a way to stay alive long enough for it to matter. “How much time do you have if Jack dies?”
“A year,” he replied. Did he just blush?
“A whole year?” I asked, not even trying to suppress my irritation. He’d left me believing it would be immediate.
“At the time, I didn’t realize we’d be linked to one another,” he said defensively. “I needed time to convince you to trust me.”
“We’ll just make a plan to kill the damn queen, then,” I spat. “I can’t believe she gave you a year.”
“I was rather convincing.” He reached up and ran a finger along the point of my ear, sending waves of pleasure down my neck. I shivered and grabbed his hand. There would be no more love for me. He could use that on anyone else, not me.
“You know what happens if you don’t complete your oath,” he said, but the question lingered in his eyes. “I’m not willing to give that up, even if Mr. Universe can sever this bond and keep me alive.”
His desire pressed against me through our bond and I pushed my reluctance back. He frowned.
“You’ve seen what happens to those I care about,” I whispered. “Don’t put yourself in the same place.”
The plane bumped and tilted, tossing me against the vampire. He caught me, apparently unphased by the erratic movement. I looked around him to find empty seats. I scowled. The elements knew way more than they claimed, but there was nothing I could do except play their little game.
“That’s my decision to make, not yours,” he stated. “While your emotions are erratic and somewhat overwhelming, they’re also…” He paused, pulling me closer to him. I couldn’t fight against his strength and didn’t try. I needed comfort, and he was the only one available, even if it was confusing. “The depth of your love for Logan is intoxicating. Your compassion for Kellen, despite everything he did to you, fills me with something I can’t describe.” He cupped my face with his palm and made me look up at him. “Even your anger and hatred for me is magnificent. Vampires don’t have the capacity for self-sacrifice and feeling it from you... I refuse to let that go.”
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