“If nothing, you are observant. And yes, we do have blood flowing through our veins.”
“Can I ask you a question without you killing me?”
Julian’s brow lifts in amusement at Stacey’s forwardness.
“Please. This I have to hear,” he says jokingly, motioning for her to continue.
“Did another vampire bite you? Is that how you’re . . . well . . . a vampire?” She grinds her teeth.
“Not exactly,” Julian admits, which draws narrowed eyes from both Stacey and me.
“You weren’t bitten?” I question, shocked to hear this. If not bitten, then how?
“Some humans are born with DNA that, when exposed to certain viruses, can result in vampirism.”
“Wait. What?” Stacey says, perplexed.
“Our parents both carried the gene, but they were humans for most of their lives. My brothers and I were the first of our kind. We’re called Borns.”
“I don’t understand. Are you saying that there is a vampire gene that lives in humans?” Stacey asks for clarification.
“Some humans. Not all. We know very little about the start of our kind, but what we do know is that select humans have a gene in their DNA that makes them susceptible to the change, given the right circumstances.”
“You’ve had centuries to figure this out and you haven’t?” I’m flabbergasted. Why wouldn’t efforts be made to pinpoint the origins of the species? I’m no scientist, but it seems ridiculous that they don’t have this figured out. What if there is a cure?
“You’d be surprised how quickly a century goes by, Marina. It took my father nearly a century to cope with the change. He couldn’t stave off the hunger and he had three newborn vampires to care for—on his own. The origins weren’t first on the list.”
This is a touchy subject for Julian. I can tell in the way his eyes are narrowed and the way he grits his teeth. I imagine those days aren’t ones he wishes to remember, based on the tone of his voice. There’s an edge to his words. I won’t press that subject because it doesn’t matter, and I don’t want to shut him down.
“Go on,” I press.
His nose flares at my insistence that he continue. My guess is that Julian is not used to being ordered about. Regardless, he continues.
“My mother at the time was carrying triplets. It’s believed that when she went through the change, our fetuses did as well.”
“Oh my God. How in the hell did she survive that?”
“She didn’t. She died during childbirth.”
I bite my lower lip, feeling horrible for not remembering. I visited his mother’s memorial. He told me himself that she died during birth. How cold am I not to have remembered that? I want to ask how she was able to die given he said she had the gene, but I don’t. It feels insensitive to pry into such a clearly painful thing, and in the end it doesn’t matter. She’s dead.
“I’m sorry, Julian. My mind has been on so many things, but I should’ve remembered.”
A horrible sting rips through me. I feel like shit. For all the things he’s done for me, I continue to stomp all over him.
“I don’t expect you to remember the cause of her death, Marina. You’ve endured a lot.”
Worse. I feel worse because he continues to be so kind, when I don’t deserve it. When he doesn’t have to be. The bottom line is, he holds the power, yet he keeps giving it all to me. Why?
“Continue, Julian,” Stacey says, giving me the stink eye. I deserve it.
“A century later, dysentery swept through Sweden, and another family of vampires rose to power. To this day, only three families have been born, not bitten. The descendants of these three families were thought to be immortal. No blade, gun, poison, or arrow ever did the job.”
“Not even a stake through the heart?” Stacey asks.
Julian rolls his eyes. “Definitely not a stake through the heart.”
“Are those families the Council?” I ask, trying to piece everything together.
“Some of them. Over the years, other families have made alliances, and gained power and influence in the meantime.”
“So you’re a Born,” I say out loud, still trying to work everything out.
He nods.
“The new vampires are called . . .” Stacey waits for an answer.
“New bites.”
“Original,” she says sardonically.
Julian laughs for the first time since we started this conversation.
“We were not the most innovative, I suppose.”
“I’d say,” Stacey laughs, and we all join her.
She sits back, clucking her tongue several times. Julian and I watch her, looking to each other in question.
“Let’s play a game,” she says, and I groan in response.
The last time she suggested we play a game, I came face to face with a dead body.
“I’m intrigued,” Julian lies. I can tell by the way he cringed when she suggested a game.
“It’s simple. Never Have I Ever.”
It’s my turn to cringe at the memory of the last time I witnessed this game take place. It
only further shows how different Stacey and I were before we were taken. She’d definitely fit in with my old friends, but we’d be unlikely friends for sure.
“No way,” I say, wanting to run from the room.
“Why not?” Julian asks me. The way he says it doesn’t indicate he wants to play, but more that he’s trying to understand me. I don’t want to answer him.
“Tell us,” Stacey insists. “Why don’t you want to play?”
I groan. “For starters, it’s a college game that I’ve never been interested in.”
“You didn’t even go to college,” Stacey says, and I level her with a glare.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to sound rude,” she says, reticent.
“You’re right. I didn’t, and the constant reminders of all that I missed out on only hurt more,” I admit. “Games make me feel isolated from others my age. I never got to be a kid, and sometimes that reality stings.”
“I’m in,” Julian says, and I scowl in his direction.
Traitor.
Stacey claps her hands in excitement, while I mumble all the ways I’m going to kill her myself tonight.
“It’s just a game, Marina. Maybe by playing you’ll see you aren’t missing out on much,” Julian says with a smile.
Stacey harrumphs.
“How do you play?” Julian asks Stacey.
“One of us starts by saying something they’ve never done before. If you have done it, you put up a finger and take a drink of whatever your poison of the night is. If you haven’t, you don’t do anything. The last person to put up four fingers wins.”
“Marina doesn’t drink,” Julian points out, and I can’t help but smile at his thoughtfulness.
“She doesn’t have to,” Stacey says, grabbing her own glass full of red wine.
“Thank you,” I mouth to Julian, and he smiles.
“What are we betting?” Julian asks with a raised brow.
“Whoever wins . . . gets to leave the estate with you on a date.”
My eyes go wide in shock at her suggestion.
“What?” I screech. “A date?”
Stacey rolls her eyes. “A dinner date off the premises.”
My head snaps to Julian’s, eager to see his reaction. He’s stone-faced.
“Is that even safe?” I question, based on all the times Julian has alluded to my not being safe outside of these walls.
“With precautions, a quick trip into New Orleans would be fine,” he admits.
“Does that mean you’re game?” Stacey presses.
He’s silent for a moment.
“Can I trust that whichever of you wins, you won’t try to run off?”
Stacey and I exchange glances.
“Promise,” we say in unison.
“Then I can agree to that. But what if I win?” he says, quirking a brow.
�
�If you win, you have your choice of whatever it is you wish.” Stacey adds. “But no biting, draining blood, or any other form of torture . . . please.”
Julian grins. “Agree.”
Stacey smiles wide. “Okay, let’s start. Never have I ever drunk blood from a person’s neck.” Her cheek raises in a smirk and I return it with my own. Julian, however, groans, lifts a finger and takes a drink of his water.
“All right, ladies, my turn,” Julian calls. “Never have I ever sunbathed.”
Stacey and I grunt in turn, each lift a finger and take a drink from our glasses.
It’s my turn and I think long and hard. There are so many things I could say, but only one that I’m more than positive would take out both of my competitors. As much as I hate to admit it in front of Julian, I know it’s the right choice.
“Never have I ever had . . . sex.” I practically whisper the word and regardless, my entire body heats in embarrassment.
“Ugh. You would pull out the big guns,” Stacey whines. Julian averts his eyes. They both drink.
It’s not like everyone doesn’t know. I was called out at the auction, but it’s more mortifying in this intimate situation. My cheeks are aflame, and I want to crawl under the table, but I don’t. Instead, I push down the humiliation and forge onward.
“I believe it’s your turn again, Stacey,” I say without looking at either of them.
“Never have I ever kissed a vampire,” she offers.
Stacey and I watch as Julian inevitably raises another finger and takes yet another swig of his drink.
“Story you want to share?” Stacey probes, smirking.
“No. Thank you.”
I’m not surprised that Julian has kissed another vampire. In fact, I’d be surprised if he hadn’t. I might be the only one in this entire room who has never even kissed another human. Well, outside of my parents and sister.
“Never have I ever been to an amusement park,” Julian admits, and both Stacey and I fall.
It’s my turn, and it occurs to me that Julian and Stacey are both on the line. Julian has admitted to kissing another vampire; surely he’s kissed a human at some point. And I would be floored if Stacey hasn’t kissed a bevy of boys.
Whispering, because no matter what, it’s embarrassing, I admit to them both, “I’ve never been French kissed by a human.”
“Are you freaking serious?” Stacey screeches. “Being a virgin is one thing, but you’ve seriously never even kissed a boy?”
My hand comes to my forehead, shielding my face from Julian and Stacey. Mortification sets in and takes root. I’m done with this game and ready to bolt.
“There’s nothing wrong with that, Marina,” Julian offers, only serving to make me feel like a bigger loser.
I’m about to jump into some lame explanation when I realize I’ve won.
“Unless one of you two is about to confess to never being kissed, I believe some fingers need to rise and some drinks need to be consumed.” A smirk overtakes my face. I get to leave this place for a little while. I’ve never been to New Orleans, and the idea has me damn near dancing.
“When can we go?” I ask Julian, hoping it’s soon.
“Next week,” he laughs, catching on to my excitement. “We’ll go into New Orleans for dinner. I’m sorry you won’t be joining us, Stacey.” She crosses her arms over her chest, sitting down in a huff of jealousy.
“None of those kisses or”—she clears her throat—“nights in the sack were worth it.”
I chuckle, feeling sorry that Stacey has to sit home while I’m out roaming the town with one of the best-looking men I’ve ever seen. She’s been through so much, it hardly seems fair.
“You can go, Stacey. I’ll stay back.”
She scrunches her nose and shakes her head.
“Hell no, you won’t. I win fair and square, and I lose the same way.”
My shoulders lift in a whatever you say motion and I turn to catch Julian’s eyes on me. He’s looking at me like he’s seeing me for the first time. I shrink under his intense gaze. Not out of fear, but inferiority. He’s truly a work of art. His chiseled features twist my insides up in knots. The good kind. The kind that have the power to break you when they disappear.
The tension is broken when Julian’s lackey, Bash, comes flying through the door.
“Sir, we have an issue.”
Julian stands, walking quickly to the door to speak with Bash in private. Stacey and I exchange glances of concern. After a minute, Julian comes back to the table.
“Ladies, Bash will escort you to your rooms. You’ll lock yourselves in and not leave until either Katina or I come to get you. Do you understand?”
“What’s happening?” I ask, and Julian raises a hand.
“For once, please just do as I ask, Marina.”
His expression is grim, and I know better than to push at this point.
Nodding, I link arms with Stacey and we follow a quiet Bash.
“What do you think’s going on?” Stacey whispers.
“No clue, but Julian looked angry. Whatever it is, it can’t be good.”
We reach Stacey’s room first, she gives me a big hug, “Good night. Listen to Julian, Marina. Don’t leave your room.”
I squeeze her back. “I promise.”
She enters her room and closes the door, and a deadbolt sounds from inside the room.
“What am I supposed to do?” I ask Bash. “My room only locks from the outside.”
“Julian has ordered me to stand outside your room. You’ll be fine.”
Bash seems nonplussed despite his earlier manner, so I don’t worry.
After quickly undressing, I put on my nightgown, brush my teeth, and crawl into my warm, cozy bed. I reflect on the game and realize that Julian was right. I haven’t been missing anything. If that’s what college life consists of, it was never meant for me.
For the first time in a long time, the pang of hurt caused from missing out and friendships changing is gone. I feel lighter, freer, and I have Julian to thank for that.
Exhaustion overwhelms me, and I swiftly fall asleep. Dreams of kissing golden-haired, brooding vampires keep me entertained all through the night.
Chapter Nineteen
I’m informed bright and early by Katina that Julian will be gone for the next week. Why he didn’t mention this last night is beyond me. He has a habit of disappearing. It makes me wonder what he’s up to. I don’t have long to think on this, because Katina’s second tidbit of information grabs my attention.
“Lawrence Bellamy will be coming to stay at the estate in Julian’s absence.”
“Why?” I ask, not understanding the need for a babysitter. Does Julian think we’re going to try to escape?
“There are valuable things on this estate and he doesn’t want to take the chance of anyone trying to come and claim them. When the Crown is traveling, the estate is most vulnerable. Lawrence is well trained in military tactics. He served in the Continental Army in 1775 under George Washington.”
I’ll never get used to hearing that these men are hundreds of years old. Mostly, I question the need for a soldier to protect the place. What is so valuable on this estate?
“Right. Well, Stacey and I will have lunch in my room.”
“No, that won’t do. Lawrence has decided to have a little soirée at his estate once Julian returns, and has requested your help in preparing,” Katina says, sounding exasperated.
“Stacey and me?”
I know nothing about throwing a party for vampires, and if I’m being honest, I want nothing to do with it.
“Lawrence is a bit of a playboy in New Orleans. He’s managed to compile a Rolodex full of high-rolling Louisianans who’d fall over themselves to attend one of his parties. You’ll be in good company.”
“Humans?” I ask incredulously.
“Stupid, arrogant, frivolous humans—but yes,” she says, picking at her fingernails.
“Don’t go getting any ideas, Marina
. They won’t help you escape.”
I huff a laugh that’s anything but humorous. “I gave up that idea when I heard the Council would come after me. Seems safer here for now. I’ll stay.”
“Good girl,” she praises, patting my head. “Now, go wake your friend. She’s sleeping like the dead.”
I throw a reproachful glare at Katina for her terrible choice of words. In a house of vampires, jokes about death are not funny. She rolls her eyes, which seems to be her signature look as far as our interactions go.
“You have the next three hours free. You’ll need to be in the dining room for lunch with Lawrence,” she says, preparing to exit. “Please put on some clothes,” she finishes before going out of sight.
Forty minutes later, Stacey and I are dressed and in the library, scouring shelves that line every wall, floor to ceiling, with leather-bound books.
“What exactly are we doing in here?” Stacey asks with a raised brow. “Unless they have an entire wall dedicated to romance, I’m not interested.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“We’re here to talk. I’m not sure if our rooms are safe,” I admit.
“Safe from?”
“From being overheard. This place might not be any better, but I’m hoping it is. We need to do some digging. Lawrence is here to protect the place and something valuable in Julian’s absence. We need to figure out what it is.”
“Their father’s dead body?” Stacey suggests.
I purse my lips. “Maybe, but I don’t think so.”
“What’s the plan?” she asks, sounding bored.
“Let’s start by searching for house plans, something that shows us every room. That could help us navigate where to start looking.”
“Is this going to get us killed?” Stacey asks with wide eyes.
“No. I won’t get you killed. Anywhere that’s off limits, I’ll search myself.”
“Great.” She throws up her hands. “So, you’ll just get yourself killed.”
“I’m not going to set out to, but I need to know what’s going on here.”
“Can’t you just be content, Marina? You’ve hit the vampire lottery here. Julian seems like a good guy, Katina is hysterical, you’re fed, clothed, not hurt or bitten . . . what more could you want? All things considered, I think you have it pretty damn good here. If we can’t be home, at least we have each other.”
Blood That Binds: A Vampire Romance (Blood Legends Duet) Page 17
