“Hello, doll face.” The sound of his voice immediately had my blood running hot. I couldn’t believe I was hearing it. Maybe I was going crazy already, and I’d only been here for two minutes. Slowly, I turned on my heel and looked at the person in the cell across from me.
“Talon.” I sneered, gripping jail bars hard. I wanted to pry them open just to get to this maniac.
“Nice to see you too.” He teased. Talon slowly got to his feet, but he was clutching his stomach. I caught of a whiff of blood and knew he was seriously injured; an injury he most likely earned. “Welcome to hell.”
***
Cassius was in his room, enjoying last night’s shindig—two sexy blondes. He had a thing for blondes. Currently, the two naked girls were on top of him, feeding from each other. Blood sharing was so sexually thrilling. Cassius enjoyed it, but he never let anyone taste his blood, for personal reasons.
A hard knock on his door interrupted the fun. He ignored it and sank his fangs into the side of one of the vampires’ neck. The other began to lick down his chest. Suddenly, the door burst open and in strode his number one headache: Gwyndolyn .
Her honey complexion mixed with platinum blonde hair would look ridiculous on any other woman but not her. She was cold and intimidating
What Gwyndolyn wanted, she got. What did she want now? He thought as he gave a mental sigh on the situation.
The princes’ hand in marriage. That was what she wanted. Everyone knew her motives. Even though she was already a respected council member, she wanted to be the next queen.
“Get out.” She demanded to the nude vampires Cassius was playing with. The weaker vamps didn’t dare question her and left the room in a flash.
“Must you always ruin my fun, Gwyn.” Cassius remarked.
“All you do is have fun and sleep with whores. It’s time to grow up and settle down.” She snapped, placing her hand on her hips. Cassius gazed at her perfect figure engulfed in a tight white blouse and black pencil skirt. He licked his lips. She was the only vampire he couldn’t bed. But he understood why she was holding out; she wanted more than just to be bedded by him.
“I’m four hundred years young! It’s time you have some fun and join me.” He replied, allowing his eyes to brighten. Vampire women loved the red eyes of the royals. It was so rare That was usually all he had to do to get anyone he wanted.
“There’s only one way I’m getting into that bed.” She countered with a smirk.
Cassius rolled his eyes
“You’re not my mate, Gwyn. What makes you think I will marry you? It’s been two hundred years. Give up already.” Cassius stood up from his master bed and walked to his dresser, not bothering with clothes. He then poured himself a glass of whisky.
“Trust me when I say fate wouldn’t dare give you a mate.” Gwyn sniped. What she didn’t say was if his mate did ever magically appear, she would kill her.
Cassius threw the glass with lightning speed. It shattered against the wall beside her head. His eyes were pulsed with anger at her words.
“You may be part of the council, but I am your Prince, and you will respect me or I will make you,” Cassius said, using his power and forcing her to her knees. Gwyn tried to fight it, but she stood no chance. No one could resist his commands. It was part of his ability. Like a brick, Gwyndolyn crashed down on her knees.
“Apologize.” He ordered.
“I-I’m sorry, your majesty, for my lack of respect.” Gwyn obliged.
The force he used to hold her down was painful. The longer he held her, the more it felt like cement was being stacked on her shoulders.
“Good girl” he said, petting her head like a dog. “Now why are you here?” he asked as he finally released her. Gwyn instantly began taking deep breaths once the pressure was gone.
“The final traitor has been captured and is ready to be interrogated.” She informed him, getting back to her feet.
Cassius walked back and poured another drink.
“Why should I care? I don’t interrogate. My sister does.” He stated simply, downing another shot.
“King Ferox and Princess Catalina haven’t returned from Nexus,” Gwyn said.
Cassius laughed.
“My father is still in no man’s land searching for something that will never be found? Unbelievable.” He continued to chuckle while pouring another drink.
“Yes, and in his absence, it is your duty…”
“Screw duty!” He laughed as he downed another drink. Last night he fed from some extremely intoxicated humans, including a couple that was high on drugs. Clearly, he was still feeling its effects.
“I’ve already had the guards remove her from her cell and take her to the interrogation chamber. Are you giving me permission to question her alone?” Gwyn asked carefully.
Cassius spun around sloppily to face her.
“Her? The traitor is a woman? Is she hot?” he asked. His attention was now caught.
“Yes. it is a woman; one that is being accused of plotting to kill your father.” She replied, almost reprimanding him for asking such useless questions.
“Yeah, but is it worth my time to see her?” Cassius was curious.
There hadn’t been a female traitor since Cassandra tried to help Marcos abduct his mother. He wondered what other woman had the balls to go against the crown. She had to be hot.
“I haven’t seen her yet, Prince.” Gwyn snapped. Her fangs almost came out. She was getting irritated. She may not love Cassius, but she sure did have a jealous streak.
“I’m in! Let’s go!” He declared, throwing his hands in the air.
Gwyndolyn pointed down to his bare body. The wild, bad boy prince only shrugged and tossed back another drink. She gave him a stern look. He finally caved and put on some clothes. Cassius chose to wear black dress pants with a black button-down dress shirt. He knew he looked good in black.
Twenty minutes later, he was walking behind Gwyndolyn on their way to the interrogation room. Vampire interrogations were unlike any other. They were brutal. Before the questioning, prisoners were stripped to their undergarments and whipped with platinum chains. It was barbaric to say the least, but it was there way. It made the prisoner more willing to talk by the time they came to question. Princess Catalina was usually the one handling these things. His evil little sister had a thing for torture. Cassius preferred the finer things in life that came with being royal.
Once they entered the room, the beating had clearly already begun. The prisoner was chained; hands to the ceiling and feet to the ground in the center of the room. Her perfect body was covered in healable wounds and blood. Her head was hung, so he couldn’t see her face. Her long black hair flowed down around her shoulders. Something didn’t feel right to him all of a sudden. He had seen vampires being beated before, but the sight of her made him uneasy for some reason. Cassius stood back by the door as Gwyn walked deeper into the room. Her heels clicking hard on the tile floor.
“State your name!” She ordered the girl.
The mysterious vamp didn’t lift head but laughed.
“Kiss my ass.”
Cassius was stunned by her boldness. Gwyn, on the other hand, was pissed. She motioned to both the guards to whip her some more. The elite members gathered their chains and swiftly struck her. One cut across her stomach and the other on her back. She threw her head up and howled in pain.
It was the first time Cassius caught a glance of her face.
For him, froze.
Everything in his undead body began to hum.
Beautiful. Stunning. Perfection.
Even covered in blood and healing cuts, she took his nonbreath away. He would lay down his heart for her right now. The beautiful vampire finally turned her head and locked eyes with him. Sparks flew through the air, and it pulled him to her. Her crystal blue eyes held him captive. From the look in her eyes, she felt it too. Cassius hadn’t realized he had been taking slow steps from the door. The guards struck her again, and this time, wh
en she screamed, he felt it in his core. Red hot rage washed over him.
How dare they hit her! Without thinking twice, Cassius snatched the nearest guard by his throat and then ripped his heart out! He dropped the lifeless body to the ground and turned his rage on the other one. The vampire dropped his whip and held his hands up in surrender, but it was too late. In a second, he shoved the other vamp’s black heart down his throat and then picked up his whip and strangled him with it until his head torn off.
No one would ever hurt her again. After he was done with the men, he slowly walked back to his beautiful creature. She was staring at him with shock and confusion. Cassius gently ran his bloody finger down her smooth perfect face and whispered the word the word he longed to hear.
“Mate.”
Chapter 32
He’s Not Prince Charming
Jace
It had been twenty minutes since I watched the men took Ana. I was behind the relative safety of the country house window. I hadn’t once moved to tell the others, mainly because I feared I made the wrong choice by not fighting. There was no guarantee that she would get a trial. The King could have her killed on sight. My stomach knotted with anxiety. The laughs from the kitchen grew closer, and the rest of crew came bouncing into the living room.
“Why the sour face? Someone poop in your cereal?” Lily mockingly asked as she pinched my cheek. I slapped her hand away and scowled at her idiotic question.
Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself to tell them the truth. Better to get it over with sooner rather than later. But before I could get a word out, the basement door went flying off its hinges! Standing there in a sweaty rage was Seb. And boy did he look pissed. I had no time to wonder how he got the cuffs off because Seb came hurtling at me. The larger man tackled me hard into Cora’s coffee table that shattered under our weight.
“What’s going on?!” Simon yelled.
“Seb, stop it!” Marie shouted at her brother.
Seb didn’t listen and swung his fist, connecting to the side of my face. Seb was about to hit me again when I called on my natural magic. I held up my palm and Seb went flying across the room.
All witches were born with what was known as natural magic. It varied on degrees by how powerful the bloodline was. It was very addicting and the number one cause why light witches go dark. That was why witches normally used spells and call on the earth for power.
I quickly got to my feet and began chanting a restraint spell instead. Once Seb shook off the impact of the crash, he attempted to attack again, but the invisible tendrils wrapped around him, holding him tightly in place.
“Let me go, witch! Where did they take her?!” Seb bellowed. He was fighting very hard against his barrier and I was surprised at the amount of power I had to use to hold him.
“Someone please tell me what’s going on?” Simon shouted, exchanging looks between the two
“I’m guessing it has something to do with Ana considering she’s absent from this party.” Lily jumped in in her usual Lily way.
“Let my brother go.” Marie demanded, stepping up to me. I wanted to, but I couldn’t risk Seb attacking me again.
“He needs to calm down first.” I bit out. My body was almost shaking from the amount of force it was requiring to restrain Seb. Not even Ana fought it this hard. Seb had a dangerous look in his eye, and they appeared to be changing in color. Marie stepped in front of Seb and placed her small hand on his large chest.
“Brother, please, calm down.” Marie coaxed.
“NO! They took her! I felt it! And he let them!” Seb stared at me with his accusing eyes. The spell was breaking, and I was afraid that, soon, I would have to use more natural magic to hold him. How on earth was a human this strong?
“Look, we have to figure this out together, but we can’t do that if you kill him. So, look into my eyes, big brother, and relax.” Marie’s smooth, gentle coaching did the trick. Seb gazed into his sister’s, and some of the tension in his body eased. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. After a few more minutes of brother-sister time, Seb was no longer itching to hit me. I finally let him go and had to take a couple of deep breaths to regain his energy.
“Alright, now what’s going on? Where’s Ana?” Simon immediately questioned; his voice full of concern.
Now here was the really hard part. I glanced at each one of them before getting the courage to speak. I only hoped the rest of the group didn’t react the way Seb just did.
“The King’s army abducted her about a half hour ago.” I finally let it out.
“WHAT?!” Everyone but Seb shouted. No, the other man vying for Ana’s heart just stood back and shot death glares at me while the rest of them began ranting and yelling.
“Listen!” I interrupted all the chaos, standing in the center of the room next to the broken table. “Ana knew they were coming, and she asked me to help make sure she was taken alone—for the safety of everyone.” He explained
“What about her safety?” Seb addressed harshly.
I sighed, running my hands threw through hair. This was such a difficult place to be in, but I had to stand by my decision. All eyes were on me, looking desperate for answers.
“We will find her.” I spoke with confidence and determination.
Everyone was quiet; lost in their own thoughts and fear. I couldn’t allow that. Ana was depending on me to be the glue while she was gone. It was her that brought us all together, and I will not allow us to fall apart now. “Please have faith in me and each other. We will bring her back. This isn’t the end.”
“You want to lead us? You’re an inexperienced half-witch who can’t even conjure a flame.” Seb challenged him.
Breaking normal habits, I did something to throw Seb’s insults back to his face. Calling on my natural magic, I allowed a flame to burst to life in the center of my hand. Everyone around me gasped; not used to seeing me display magic like this.
But all I did was stare at the stone-faced Seb and pushed the flame to grow larger. If Seb thought he was the only one strong enough to protect Ana, he was in for a surprise.
“Enough, young one,” Cora said, gliding into the room. From the look in her eye, I knew she was worried about me. I quickly closed my fist and smothered the flame. What I just did wasn’t the approved of by light witches. Only dark witches show such blunt displays of power.
Seb, of course, had had enough and stormed out the house, slamming the door close behind him.
“Let me go after him.” Lily offered, following Seb out of the house. I wanted to punch a hole in the wall right now, but I contained my anger.
I was so tired of competing with Seb. It was making me crazy and irrational. If this was how it felt now, I could only pray the third mate never showed up.
“You know if she doesn’t choose you, you have let go.” Simon said, placing a hand on my shoulder. My friend must have sensed my frustration at all of this.
“What are you talking about, Sy” I responded; exhaustion clear in my voice. I then collapsed onto the plastic-covered loveseat that made loud crunching noises in response.
“I read in the book about the three loves of the pure one. Apparently, Celeste went through the same thing with three mates, but she ended up choosing a witch even though she had been married to a vampire for twenty years.” Simon explained
“Three mates? What do you mean?” Marie’s voice interrupted before I could ask the question.
“Uh, Ana has three mates. I thought everyone knew. Anyways, so did her real mother. Celeste found her first two mates and married the vampire one, but they never officially mated. It wasn’t for twenty years until that she found her third mate, which was a witch by the way. He ended up being her true love, so she dumped her husband and mated with the witch, got remarried and had two children; Arc and Ana.” Simon summed up his long read of the magical book and took a seat on the couch as well.
I raised a brow at him
“And?” I was clearly irritated, and this new inform
ation, if I my guess is correct, was going to make things more complicated for me. I rubbed my temples to soothe the building headache.
“My point is if Ana doesn’t choose you and fully mates with someone else, you’ll feel it. Something will happen and you’ll have the choice to let your bond go or keep it. If you let go, it’ll be like freeing yourself to find another mate. I just thought you should know.”
I thought it over for a moment. Could I actually let go if she didn’t choose me?
“What if I don’t let go?” I wondered aloud.
Simon’s expression changed to what I could only describe as mild sorrow.
“Then you would suffer. Physically, nothing will happen to you, but knowing she’s with someone else could make you crazy. I would hope if it came to that, you would let her go. Once she’s fully mated to another, it’s only broken if one of them dies.” Simon concluded, making sure his words sunk.
I pondered it for a moment.
With the way I was feeling now, I knew letting her go wasn’t going to be an option. But what if she didn’t choose me but Seb?
No, I wouldn’t cloud my mind with that nonsense. Seb may have a connection with her, but we had history. It was not the best history, but I knew that if I was given the opportunity, I could make it all better. Ana was mine, and I would bring her back.
I stood up, pushing all mate thoughts aside and began to think of how to find Ana. The King most likely took her to his kingdom. The problem was no one knew where that could be. Most people who went there never came back. I continued to pace the room knowing everyone was watching and waiting for what I would come up with. The one person that could tell me where they took Ana was Ana herself.
A light bulb went off in my head. I stopped pacing and turned back to my friends with a gleeful expression.
“I have an idea!” I proclaimed, nearly leaping in the air with excitement.
Pure: A Paranormal Romance Page 34
