“This is my father’s house,” he says, motioning behind us at the palatial estate, not much smaller than a castle. “My house is just beyond that hill. I thought I’d take you there.”
I want to ask him why, but the more I know the better.
It isn’t long before I’m so caught up in the beauty surrounding me that I quickly forget about my mission and take it all in. The lush landscape and vibrant colors of the flowers create a visual masterpiece. Hydrangea bushes of every color line the walkway, while beautiful pink and white roses stretch out in front of me where the sidewalk splits. The limbs of a large weeping willow tree hang loosely above the garden of roses, right at the center of where the cobblestone walkway splits. The grounds are spectacular, but the manor in the distance is truly a sight to behold.
“It’s beautiful,” I say under my breath.
It is. It’s truly magnificent. It looks like something out of an old Hollywood movie. The closer we get, the more impressive it is. No detail was spared in the design. The entire front of the stately white house consists of two wraparound porches, one on the ground level and the other on the second story. The need to sip lemonade in a rocking chair on the porch grips me. There is so much to look at. Between the sweeping magnolia trees and the line of rose bushes set in front of the porch, the scenery is something out of a fairy tale.
Nothing about this place screams evil. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s bright and cheery; it looks like a home. I chance a glance in Julian’s direction. He’s wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and a pair of pressed black pants. Sweat drips from his brow.
“You a little warm?” I ask, gesturing to his clothes.
“Indeed. It is a bit warm today.”
“Should you even be in the sun?” I can’t help but put a little bite into my words.
He smirks. The bastard has the audacity to practically laugh at me.
“Not all folklore about vampires is true, Marina,” he scoffs. “I can be in the indirect sun, if I take precautions.”
“Sunscreen?” I ask, curious as to what he could possibly do to avoid spontaneously bursting into flames. On second thought, fire away!
“Something like that,” he chuckles. “I’ll experience a bit of displeasure later, but it’s worth it.”
“Good. You deserve displeasure,” I say, sounding more like a spoiled brat than a victim who has every right to wish ill on her captor.
“I do,” he agrees, and it only manages to piss me off. I want a fight. I don’t want this easygoing Julian. It’s a front and it only confuses me.
“Don’t do that,” I bark, turning toward him. “Don’t act repentant. I’m not buying it. I might be out here with you, but it’s only because I couldn’t bear those walls for another minute.”
He blows out a harsh breath. “I don’t expect you to forgive me, Marina. But I thought we could try for one day to be cordial.”
“Could you do it?” I ask, and his brow rises in confusion.
“Do what?”
“Play nice with the person single-handedly ruining your life?”
He flexes his fists at his side, appearing to be seconds away from losing his patience with me, but I stand tall and await his response. I won’t bow down. I won’t cower.
“I’ve allowed you to be angry.”
I bark out a laugh. “Allowed?”
“Let me finish,” he snaps. “I’ve allowed you to be angry because you have every right to be. I’ve taken the brunt of that anger, because I understand that you need to let it out on someone. But I’m the wrong person, Marina.”
I laugh, but it’s completely without humor. The actual gall of this creature is more than I can handle.
“So, who’s the right person, Julian? Huh? Tell me. If not you, who?”
“My father, and he’s dead. The Council, but you’d never survive that encounter. The truth is, I am saving you. Half of those girls you were with are probably already dead.” I inhale sharply at that, but he continues on. “I’m no damn saint, but I bid because I wanted to save you.”
“Why?”
His eyes hold mine for several painstaking moments. I search his face for something to explain this man in front of me, but even if I had a lifetime to uncover all that is Julian Bellamy, something tells me I’d still be left with too many questions.
When he doesn’t answer, I turn away, breaking the spell.
Chapter Thirteen
“Let’s get out of the sun for a little while,” I say, gesturing toward the shaded porch. I need a minute of quiet to think and some shade to stop the perspiration running down my cheeks.
He nods his approval. “Good idea.”
The rest of the way, I ponder what he said. He said he’d just come into his rule. When did his father die? And how? I vaguely remember him accusing Marcellus of having something to do with it. Was he murdered? So many questions.
Lost in thought, I hardly register anything else until we approach the front stoop. I relax, seeing two giant rocking chairs sitting off to the side, just as I had envisioned it from a distance. It’s unreal how normal this place feels. Surely, I couldn’t have been so far off with my vision of how vampires lived. Where are the dark dungeons and coffins?
“Sit, enjoy the nice weather. I’m going to change and grab us some refreshments.”
I nod my consent, not missing the fact that he’s trusting me not to run. In truth, I don’t know enough about where I am to even attempt it yet. There’s still so much to learn and preparations that need to happen. For now, I’ll bide my time and take in every bit of information I can.
Taking a seat on one of the rocking chairs, I close my eyes and enjoy the light breeze that flows through the covered porch. Sounds of birds chirping and branches rustling soothe my nerves and help me to forget for one minute all the bad in my life. It’s peaceful here. It’s the most normal I’ve felt in a very long time. If I could just keep my eyes closed, I could almost imagine I’m living a different life. One where Maggie is still alive and we’re happy. A fantasy.
I blow out a harsh breath, opening my eyes and looking around. I continue to ruminate on how off this scene feels. If you’d told me a month ago, I would be living with a vampire, this beautiful place is not what I’d have imagined. Nobody would. It’s completely opposite. It’s light and beauty. It’s full of life. Despite the darkness within.
This is exactly what I’d choose for myself if money were no hindrance. The very care that has to go into maintaining the flowers and shrubs must cost a fortune. The paint on this house is pristine, as if it just got a fresh coat recently. Nothing is out of place. It would take a full staff to keep this up. Does he have humans to do that? Or is his entire staff vampires?
Several minutes later, the screen door shuts and there stands Julian, wearing a pair of navy shorts with a white polo shirt. He looks young and normal. Too normal. I could easily forget the danger that is Julian Bellamy, and that’s something I can’t afford to do again. In his hand is a tray with two tall water goblets filled to the brim with lemonade. Mind reader. A tray full of fruit is situated in the center of the tray.
“You did all that in the time I was out here?”
He smirks. “Uh, no. I have a housekeeper who stocks fresh fruits and vegetables out here.”
He sets the tray down and takes a seat. “Before your arrival, I only stayed in this house. I prefer it. My father’s place feels like a prison.”
“You don’t say,” sarcasm oozes from me. “Try actually being locked up.”
He grimaces.
“I don’t want to lock you in, Marina. But I’m not sure I can trust you not to run.”
“Can’t you let me go? If you don’t want to drain my blood, why keep me here?”
He looks out toward his father’s estate.
“I can’t. You’ve been marked,” he says the words as if I know what the hell they mean.
“Marked?” I press, because it didn’t seem like he planned to elaborate. Apparently, I�
�d be pulling information from him.
“Once you’re taken by the Council, you can never go home. Think of it as a tracking device of sorts. If you tried to leave, they’d track you down and kill you and anyone you got close to. There’s no leaving this world unless you’re dead.”
“Wouldn’t you have to give them reason to track me? If you didn’t tell them, how would they know I was gone?”
He huffed out a harsh breath. “The spell they placed on you not only monitors your whereabouts, but it dies when you do.”
“Spell?” I ask, grabbing my neck reflexively.
“When you were captured, they put you out during the transport. That’s when a black witch that works with the Council placed a tracking spell on you. It only ends when you die.”
“It doesn’t make sense. Why would they care if you let me go?”
He laughs, but it’s not humorous.
“You have information about a race of people that are things of fable. If you were to escape and tell anybody, it could shine a light on us. They’ll stop you at any cost.”
It’s my turn to laugh. If only he knew how long I’ve tried to convince humans that his kind exist.
“Your kind doesn’t understand humans then. If I tried to tell people that you exist, I’d be locked up in a mental hospital,” I huff. “Humans don’t want to know the truth about what lives out there under their noses. They’d prefer to be in the dark.”
I pull my lips to the side and bite my cheek, thinking about all the times I was almost institutionalized for talking about what I would see. All the times I would wake to glowing red eyes at the end of my bed.
“Do vampires stalk victims?”
He narrows his eyes.
“Some do, but not for long. Vampires tire of the chase very quickly.”
I blow out a breath, trying to make sense of my childhood. Monsters haunted Maggie and me for years. Could it be possible that it was something else?
“Are there other things, aside from vampires?”
He nods his head, chewing on his tongue.
“Yeah, sure. There are lots of creatures. Werewolves, pixies, fairies, goblins, demons, banshees—you name something from lore, and chances are it’s real.”
This should frighten me, but at this point, I’d be surprised to hear differently.
“Do any of them have red eyes, besides vampires?”
He seems to contemplate this for a moment. “I believe demons have red eyes. Vampires do, but only right after they’ve drunk from a human. Other than that, I don’t think so.”
The list has been narrowed down to vampire or demon. Neither one makes me feel any less creeped out.
“Do demons tend to hunt victims for years?”
“Why are you asking this, Marina?”
I contemplate lying, not knowing what information I should impart to him. I’ve yet to determine whether he’s going to kill me or keep his promise and protect me. At the end of the day, I have nothing to lose but a lot to gain in the information I can obtain from him.
“Growing up, my sister and I saw monsters. Creatures with elongated canines and red eyes. They were in our rooms at night and sometimes they followed us elsewhere. They never made a move to harm us; they just scared us with their presence.”
He frowns.
“That doesn’t sound like a demon. Their sole purpose is to possess and take. They don’t play with their meals. Once you’ve been chosen by a demon, you don’t get away.”
I sigh heavily, not being any closer to the answers I seek. “Do you think it could’ve been a vampire?”
“It’s very unlikely, given you still have a pulse, but maybe.” He looks deep in thought. “If you were allowed to live without being made a blood bank, they would’ve had to be after something.”
“What could they possibly want with a human other than blood?”
“That’s the part that doesn’t make sense.”
We stare at each other for a few minutes, each trying to decode the mystery of my past. Eventually, we both seem to give up, lowering our gazes.
“You’re the king, right? Can’t you override the Council?”
“I’m barely hanging on to that title, Marina. If I were to let you go, it would be the end of my rule and the beginning of a war on humanity. The Council would do everything to overthrow me, and if that happens, no human is safe.”
My body shudders at the thought of vampires running rampant. I want my freedom back, but at what cost? My life has been a series of unfortunate events. It hasn’t been a great life by any stretch. Without Maggie, it’s hardly a life at all.
“So I’m stuck here, is what you’re telling me,” I ask, needing to come to terms with my fate.
“Yes, Marina.” He frowns. “If, at some point, I can allow you to leave and you’ll be safe, I will.”
I’ve never considered myself a martyr, but it’s hard to think about myself when the lives of millions could be in jeopardy. Trying to escape Julian is one thing, but knowing I’d have more coming for me doesn’t make my earlier plan of getting out of here sound feasible. My parents might not be the best, but I love them, and I won’t bring monsters down on them because I’m selfish. They’ve lost so much already.
“You promise me that I have nothing to fear with you?”
His eyes bore into mine.
“You have my word.”
“Let’s negotiate a truce,” I suggest, hoping to make my situation a little less horrible, while also giving me a chance to find answers.
“A truce,” he says, as if testing the word out. “I thought we were already making one.”
“Not exactly.”
He clucks his tongue, seemingly annoyed by my antics.
“What would you suggest?” he finally asks.
My arms cross and I stand, walking in a circle, forming the words in my head before speaking. I want to be clear about my terms. Once I have it all laid out, I stop and look him in the eyes.
“I’ll agree to give you the benefit of the doubt, and in return you give me more liberties.”
“Such as?”
“I want to have free rein of the castle. No locked doors and no off-limits rooms.”
“That’s not possible. There are rooms in the house where we train new bites, and it isn’t safe for you. They are guarded heavily, and you aren’t at risk as long as you stay away, but I wouldn’t want any accidents.”
“New bites?” I could guess as to what that is, but I allow him to explain.
“Recently turned vampires. They need to be trained, so they don’t go on killing sprees. However, being exposed to humans so soon is dangerous.”
I shudder at the thought of coming face to face with a new vampire. I can agree that a situation like that isn’t in my best interest.
“Fine. You can set limits on where I can go, but please don’t lock me in my room. Allow me to come outside when I want.”
He blows out a puff of air.
“Will you try to run off?” he asks, eyes narrowing.
“Not if you don’t give me reason.”
It’s a lie. I can’t truly promise that. If I ever feel like my friends and family could be safe, I’ll run, but I’m desperate, so I do my best at being convincing, even if he can read me.
“All right. Deal,” he says. “You can roam free, but you’ll stay out of the dungeons and the east wing. The dungeon is where new bites are kept, and the east wing contains my father’s chambers. His belongings are still there, and I’d like to keep the area preserved until the cause of his death is determined.”
I nod in agreement.
Dark corridors and rooms tainted by death aren’t on the top of my list of places to frequent. I’ll mostly keep to my room, but having the ability to roam free makes it seem less like a cell.
“Thank you, Julian.”
He stands, and I jump to my feet, eager to see more. “Let’s walk.”
We take two steps and my shoe gets caught in the dirt. I pitch forward, l
osing my balance, but Julian is there to catch me. He grabs my hand and pulls me forward, helping me to steady myself. I attempt to jerk out of his grasp, but he only holds on tighter, interlacing his fingers with mine. I should stop this. I should demand he let me go, but something otherworldly holds me in place.
The feeling of my fingers interlaced with his is not unlike that first freefall on my favorite rollercoaster. My heart races, doing a steady gallop in my chest. My face flushes and every nerve in my body feels electrified. If his hand is cold to the touch, I don’t notice it. I’m warm all over. What the hell is going on?
I don’t want to analyze my reaction too closely. I’m afraid what I might find. Then again, maybe I’m experiencing Stockholm syndrome. It’s the only thing that makes sense. Or perhaps it is something supernatural. At the auction, upon his arrival, the air shifted, and the creatures were affected by it. Yes. This is some magic he’s weaving.
We stroll the grounds in silence for several minutes. It’s tranquil here. I wouldn’t have ever dreamed that I’d find peace in this prison, yet out here, the shackles from inside are gone and I feel a false sense of freedom.
“What state are we in?” I ask, finally breaking the silence. I’m curious how far away from home I am.
“Just west of New Orleans in Louisiana.”
My stomach drops. “Far from Ohio, then.” I kick at the dirt in frustration.
He stops and turns me to look at him.
“I really am sorry, Marina. If I had any choice . . .” His words trail off.
My eyes meet his. “I believe you.”
I don’t know why, but I do. He’s shown me nothing but kindness since I arrived here. I could’ve had it so much worse. The couple from the auction could be torturing me as we speak. Or worse, I could already be dead, as I fear some from the auction already are.
His head lolls back and a sigh escapes his lips.
“I’m relieved. There are so many reasons why you shouldn’t, but I promise you I’m not a bad guy. You’re mine to care for.” His voice is soft, soothing even. His eyes shine bright with the promise of protection. I know in my heart he believes what he says, and that confounds me more than anything.
Blood That Binds: A Vampire Romance (Blood Legends Duet) Page 13
