Elemental's Domain

by Yvette Bostic

“You think toying with her emotions like that doesn’t hurt her?” Braden growled.

  Aviur glanced at me, then Braden, his smile widening. “You should call Kellen before you leave.” He disappeared with a puff of smoke.

  The vampire didn’t relax but continued staring at the now empty chair. The muscles across his bare shoulders flexed and his clawed fingers clenched methodically.

  I understood immediately what Aviur had done and wondered if Dusha asked him to. Braden was quickly embracing his soul and letting himself get attached to me. He’d just proved it to the damn elemental. Stupid vampire.

  “He was testing me,” Braden slurred past his fangs.

  “Sort of looked like it,” I mumbled. “Maybe both of us.”

  He turned around; his eyes consumed by the blood raging through him. “What gives him the right to toy with my life?”

  I bit back my flippant remark. They did it to me all the time and probably him, too. He just didn’t notice it until now.

  “They say it’s their responsibility to keep peace and balance in our world,” I replied. “I imagine they toy with everyone in order to do that.”

  I slid my feet to the floor, turning my back on his marvelous body. Even in full vampire form, Braden looked amazing. It took everything I had not to think about the way he defended me. Aviur could’ve lit him up and ended his life within seconds, but the vampire threatened him anyway. Braden’s emotions from a few minutes earlier still rolled through me and I didn’t want to accept what was becoming obvious.

  “And that doesn’t bother you?” he asked, his voice sliding back to normal. He must have pulled back the fangs.

  “It doesn’t matter,” I replied. “I tried to tell you that earlier. I have no control over anything in my life. I’m just a pawn in their game of chess.”

  The mattress shifted beside me, and I avoided looking at the muscular thigh touching my skinny leg.

  “Were those your desires or his?” he asked.

  “I don’t know,” I lied, knowing he would feel it. “I can’t talk about it.”

  “I’ll assume they were yours, just to satisfy my own ego.”

  “Wow, thanks.” I stood and tried to push past him, but he grabbed my waist. “Don’t look at me with pity,” I hissed, twisting away from him. “It’s ugly on you.”

  “Yet you find my monster alluring.” He laughed, and I scowled at him, trying to pick up my suitcase and put it on the bed.

  “The monster is who you are.” I waved a hand at him. “Pity is not natural for you, and it doesn’t help me.”

  He rose and grabbed my luggage, tossing it on the bed. “It’s a little insulting that my vampire doesn’t scare you,” he said, brushing past me.

  “I’ve seen enough of the rest of you to know better,” I mumbled, digging through my pile of clothes. Silk and cashmere shirts, followed by those same comfy slacks, piled up on the bed as I pulled them from the suitcase. I needed something I could fight in, that I wouldn’t feel bad about destroying. Like blue jeans. “I can’t wear any of this tonight. It’ll get ruined.” I made the mistake of glancing up just as he pulled a pair of tan trousers over his hips.

  “And we’ll buy more,” he said.

  I glared at him. “No, we won’t. I already owe you a ton of money for the last two wardrobes.”

  “We’ve already had this discussion,” he stated, pulling a white t-shirt over his head. “You owe me nothing.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” I grumbled. “Why would you buy me all these things and expect nothing in return?” I planted my hands on my hips and cursed. I was still standing there in a camisole and panties.

  Braden paused with one arm in his dress shirt, giving me his full attention. Indecision wavered between us, and I thought about my conversation with Dusha regarding the answer to that question. It weighed heavily with Braden’s bite.

  “Never mind. Don’t tell me,” I said. I pulled another pair of my new favorite pants off the bed, along with a three-quarter sleeve shirt and clean under clothes. “I’ll be in the bathroom with the door locked. That means I want privacy.”

  He threaded his other arm into his shirt, his eyes not leaving me as I made my way to the bathroom. “I’m going out,” he said. “Make sure you lock the door when I leave.”

  “Sure thing.” I hoped he was going to find dinner for himself. I wasn’t sure how often he needed to eat but had a feeling he would need to be in top form for tonight’s meeting. “Bring normal food back for me.”

  He chuckled as I closed the bathroom door. I glanced at myself in the enormous mirror covering the entire wall above the dual sinks. Blood stained my lips, and I shivered. He couldn’t love me. It had to be something else. Or someone else. Yep, that was it. He was using my emotions as a spring board for his vampire lover. He had to have one or three. I frowned at myself in the mirror. She’d never love him back, but neither would I. It wasn’t my concern.

  “Will life ever go back to normal?” I asked the blonde woman in the mirror.

  “Nope, not for you,” she replied.

  “Fricking lovely,” I mumbled.

  “Lock the door,” Braden said.

  As soon as I heard him leave, I left the bathroom and locked the main door. Should I call Kellen while Braden was out? Duh, of course, I thought.

  I skipped across the room and dug my phone out of my purse. My hand shook as I swiped the screen and entered the password to unlock it. It dawned on me that Gordon programmed my old password. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

  I pushed the thought away and opened my message app. Two new texts from Kellen flashed at me and I quickly tapped it. Both said, ‘call me.’ I tapped his contact number and listened to it ring.

  “Where are you?” he said. Not ’hello’ or ‘are you alright.’

  “Are you okay?” I asked, refusing to answer his question.

  “No, I’m not okay,” he replied, his voice rising. “Everything is out of control.”

  “Tell me what’s happened.”

  “Really? You’ve been off carousing with the vampire council and you want to know what happened?”

  I took a deep breath and sat on the bed. Surely he didn’t believe that. “Didn’t your elementals tell you what I’ve been through?”

  “Oh yes, I heard all about the fight at Jonathan’s compound, even got to watch the video.”

  I held out the phone and stared at it like it suddenly turned into a turnip, something I knew I didn’t like. What the hell was wrong with Kellen?

  “You know what, I don’t have time for your petty judgment,” I said, bringing my phone back to my ear and trying not to yell at him. “I’ve lost the only person who ever truly loved me and now I’m tied to one who hates me. Tell me that Victor has united the shifters. I also want to know if the other mages are siding with you or the dumbass king.”

  Kellen’s deep breaths swept across the phone for several seconds. “They said we’re no longer mage partners,” he replied, not answering my questions.

  “Yeah, they took that from me, too,” I muttered. “All I have left is an elder vampire who wants a weapon.” Silence fell between us, and I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. “Please tell me we have an army to fight against Jack.” My voice squeaked with my effort not to cry. I refused to let my emotions take over.

  “We do,” he replied, his own voice shaking. “Victor and Matt have been great. We have about a thousand shifters at our disposal.” He cleared his voice and continued. “Jim convinced the Asian mages to ignore King William, with the help of my cousin. Jonathan has recruited small pockets of goblins and trolls who agreed to fight as long as it’s not out in the open.”

  Relief flooded me, and I let out the breath I’d been holding. “Who does that leave unaccounted for?” I asked, pulling my legs beneath me.

  “The European mages, but Jonathan’s hearing rumors of a revolt against the king. Our little field trip had a pretty big impact on a lot of them. Dozens found their partners that
night, and they know it wouldn’t have happened without you.”

  A door closed in the background and I heard Kellen’s footsteps clapping against stone. “I haven’t heard from the South American group. I’ve tried contacting them several times but haven’t been able to get any response.”

  It was a good start. If all we had to worry about was one group of mages, we might be okay. “What about the other supernatural families?” I asked. “Are all the ogres controlled by the vampires? Are there any other species who would also be at risk?”

  “Yes and yes,” he replied. “Jonathan said the small pockets of goblins and trolls are the exceptions, the ones who refused to cooperate with Jack. I don’t see the vampire allowing it. I worry he’ll kill them before he lets them fight with us.”

  “You’re probably right,” I agreed.

  Silence filled space again. There was so much I wanted to say, but his earlier accusations stung.

  “I’m glad you’re safe,” I finally said. “Jack sent me a text saying he had you.”

  “He tried to take me with Logan,” Kellen whispered.

  “I know. I’m glad he didn’t.” I swallowed hard. “I can’t lose both of you.”

  “When are you coming home?” he asked.

  “Hopefully tomorrow,” I replied. I didn’t want to tell him where I was but knew I would if he asked.

  “I know you’re in Mexico,” he said suddenly, as if reading my mind. “Please be careful and come home in one piece.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “So, your planning skills have improved?” He chuckled, and I let a smile turn my lips.

  “What do you think?”

  “A guy can hope,” he responded. “I’m sorry about Logan.”

  His change in direction caught me off guard, pulling my heart strings tight.

  “Me too,” I mumbled.

  “We’ll make him pay.”

  I would make Jack pay. Kellen needed to stay away from him. “I need to ask a favor.”

  “Sure, anything.”

  “Jack killed Logan because of me. He sent me a picture after they beat the hell outta him and took his head.” I swallowed a sob and breathed in through my nose. “He told me you were next. Please, don’t go after him. Protect our mages and honor our alliance with Victor, but don’t go after him.”

  “He sent you a picture?” The disbelief in his voice was hard to miss.

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah. I don’t want a picture of you, too.”

  The hotel room door opened, and Braden filled the frame with a takeout food container in one hand. His eyes roamed my body and he frowned. I almost felt guilty for not getting dressed while he was gone. In my defense, I thought it’d take him longer.

  “I gotta go,” I said. “Stay safe and keep me updated.”

  “I love you, AJ.”

  “I love you, too.”

  I ended the call as Braden closed the door with his foot and set my food on the desk. “You’ve been on the phone the entire time?”

  “Not the entire time,” I replied. “I spent a few minutes in the bathroom.” A tiny bit of indignation slipped into my voice, but even I knew it wasn’t justified. “Did you get what you needed?”

  “Yes, and I brought something for you, as well,” he replied, sitting on the arm of the chair. “Can you be ready in ten minutes?”

  “Yeah.” I went back to the bathroom and got dressed. I should’ve had a little guilt, but I didn’t. I needed that conversation with Kellen without an audience. Within a few minutes, I emerged from the bathroom in my new favorite outfit. It was shameful it’d be ruined before midnight. I repacked my suitcase and closed everything up, then turned to my food. A hamburger and french-fries.

  “I’m going to have our luggage shipped back,” Braden said, lining our suitcases up at the door. “What address do you want yours going to?”

  I gave him a questioning look as I popped a fried potato in my mouth.

  “I don’t expect us to return here. I’ve already reserved the plane to leave at midnight,” he responded to my silent question. “It’s much easier to get through customs without luggage.”

  “Oh. I guess I should’ve thought of that,” I grumbled. “I just assumed we’d come back here first.”

  “I’m not sure we’ll be able to. Jack knows we’re here, and he lied about his bargaining chip. If we’re unsuccessful, we’ll need to leave in a hurry.”

  “What about all of Sergey’s people and yours?” I asked, taking a bite of my burger. It was good, or maybe I was hungry. Maybe both. I took another bite.

  “They’ll have instructions before I leave,” he answered. “Someone has to make sure you get home.”

  “I can do the realm jumping thing,” I said. “Well, maybe.”

  “Have you done it before?”

  “A couple times, I’m just not very good at it. Cedric says it’s because I don’t know where I want to be.”

  “There’s truth in that.” He took a pen from the drawer of the small desk, along with a note pad with the hotel’s logo. “What address are we sending this to?”

  I hesitated, a french fry still in my hand. I didn’t know the address at the palace or Kellen’s, only Logan’s mailbox store address. A knot swelled in my throat as I rattled it off to Braden. He eyed me suspiciously.

  “Why would you send this to Logan’s?”

  “It’s the only address I know,” I replied. How did he know it was Logan’s address?

  “I’d rather they sit at my home than some warehouse,” he huffed. “You can pick it up whenever you like.”

  “Which home would that be?” I finished the last bite of my burger and picked up the can of soda Braden brought with it.

  He smiled. “I’ll take you there when we’re done.”

  Done with what? Confronting Ernesto? Defeating Jack? I wasn’t sure what he meant and was equally doubtful I wanted to know. I pushed the thought away and emptied my soda.

  “Let’s go find Ernesto and get this over with.”

  Chapter 15

  I collapsed into the dirt on a low rise just inside a group of thick trees, stretching my hands over my head. I’d insisted on running the whole way myself, rather than being carried. I should’ve swallowed my pride and let Braden carry me.

  He sat down next to me, resting his forearms on his knees not even breathing hard. Damn vampire. The setting sun cast long shadows among the trees, the shade providing a welcome relief. The humidity was only slightly better than it was in the city.

  “How far away are we?”

  “They are just beyond this rise,” Braden whispered, twisting around to look at me. “I suspect they will have scouts on the road watching for us.”

  “And not out here?”

  We’d followed the line of trees along the road for the first half of the run, then delved deeper into the woods, trying to avoid detection. Braden wanted to see what we were facing, which made sense. I would’ve waltzed in, then tried to make a plan.

  “I don’t feel anyone here, but that doesn’t mean they won’t show up,” he replied. “You should be able to do the same.” He raised an eyebrow at me and I sat up.

  “Really?”

  “You seem to have all the rest of my vampire traits.”

  “Except super strength,” I corrected. “But I suspect that comes from drinking blood.” My nose wrinkled at the thought.

  “What makes you think that?” Braden asked, his curiosity pressing against me.

  “Well, when I found you in that little cell, you were pretty weak,” I replied, trying not to twist my fingers around the end of my really expensive shirt. “After you raided the fridge at Jonathan’s, that was no longer true.”

  Braden blinked several times, then a smile spread across his face. “You really dislike my form of nourishment.”

  He didn’t phrase it as a question, but obviously it was. “How can I not?”

  “You realize we don�
�t kill our chosen donor, right? Most of them don’t even realize they’ve provided a meal,” he replied.

  I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to feel the lie in his words. “I’ve had too many encounters with other vampires to believe that’s true for everyone.”

  “Unfortunately, you’re right. Some of my people enjoy the fear and aggression, but most realize it’s counterproductive.” He rose and held his hand out to me. I eyed it suspiciously. “Let’s look over the hill and see who’s waiting.”

  I took his hand and let him pull me to my feet. When he released my fingers, I followed him through the trees, the incline growing steeper as we went. Just before we reached the top, Braden stopped and dropped to his hands and knees, creeping forward. I looked down at my super expensive clothes and grimaced but followed his lead.

  We lay flat on our bellies on the top of the hill and looked down into the valley below. I bit my cheek to stifle my gasp. Hundreds of men and women gathered, mingling in small groups. There was no way I could trap all of them. And how in the world could we fight them? My idea of showing up alone suddenly sounded really stupid.

  A wave of delight drifted from Braden, and I looked over to see a smile plastered on his face.

  “How can you be happy about that?” I barely breathed.

  “Look closely at the tattoos on their forearms,” he whispered back.

  I squinted at the field below in the dying sunlight. Most of the people wore t-shirts or tank tops, displaying the large cross on their arms.

  “They’re your people,” I said, barely speaking loud enough for even Braden to hear.

  “Some are mine, but most are Sergey’s.”

  They must have picked a side. Had Gordon contacted Sergey’s people to let them know about their leader’s fate? He must have. Or maybe Braden contacted them when I took one of my numerous naps in the car. Did they know Braden would be here with me? They had to, which would explain the large number. But that didn’t make sense either. Why would Ernesto bring them here knowing they would revolt against him? Unless he won their loyalty after the tattoo session. So, what was he holding over them to keep them from turning against him?

  I looked over at Braden and a dark thought crossed my mind. Had he delivered me into their clutches? Did he play me like a fool all this time? It sort of looked like it, even though I’d begun to trust him.