“Are you serious?”
“That woman won’t stop until she gets what she wants. Or she gets bored of you.”
“I’m getting married in a month—if my fiancée forgives me. How can I tell her a vampire queen compelled me to sleep with her? She’ll think I’m the one that belongs in a mental institution.”
“Don’t tell her, Damian. That wasn’t you. You had no control over what happened. You really want my advice?”
I slowly nodded.
“Get the hell out of here and elope.”
I couldn’t do that. I had family and a career here. I wasn’t going to give all of that up because of some terrible night. I buried my head in my hands, and Bradley squeezed my shoulder. “I’m so screwed.”
“Just do it, Damian. Get the woman you love out of here and cut your losses.”
I turned to him. “How did you get into this supernatural stuff?”
His bright eyes sparkled. “Let’s just say it runs in the family.”
It seemed like Bradley didn’t want to talk about it so I didn’t pry any further. Everyone’s got their own secrets. I still couldn’t get Isa’s words out of my mind. “She said if I became a vampire I’d be stronger than any other supernatural creatures. What others are there—zombies, werewolves, gremlins?”
He chuckled, his big shoulders bouncing up and down. “No zombies or gremlins, but werewolves are very real.”
“You’re kidding me?”
He shook his head. “And not just wolves. There are many species of shifters. Then there are the fae, witches, warlocks, hunters—”
I put my hand up cutting him off. “I’m going to stop you there before I completely lose it.” I’d heard more than enough for one day. I stood up and dug my hands into my pockets. “Thanks for coming out to meet me again; I really appreciate it. I didn’t know who else to call.”
“Anytime, Damian. I hope I won’t hear from you again because you’ll be long gone. But if you ever need me, don’t hesitate.”
I gave him an appreciative smile and headed for the subway, my mind racing. How could an entire supernatural world exist without humans knowing? If there were as many as Bradley had said how could they go unnoticed? The craziest part was how well I was taking it all. Then again it was easier to focus on that than on what I had to do next. Sofia should’ve gotten home by now, and it was time to face her.
Chapter Seven
My heart rammed against my ribcage as I climbed the last step. I’d gone over my speech a million times on the twenty-minute subway ride. No matter what I said, it never sounded right. There was just no way to explain the unforgiveable.
I trudged to the door, my heart weighing me down. Every step was harder than the last. I fished my keys out of my pocket and inserted it into the lock. The door creaked open before I turned the key.
A chill crept up my spine, every single hair on my body standing on end. I pushed the door all the way open. “Sofia? Are you home?”
I reached for the light and flicked it on.
My heart lodged in my throat.
Deep red blood painted the walls. The sofa sleeper was pulled out and a figure was splayed across it. No. No. No. Darkness seeped into my vision as bile crawled up my throat. I moved toward the bed, my feet barely touching the ground. I felt like I was floating. Everything was hazy.
The pink Hello Kitty scrubs were unmistakable. They were Sofia’s favorite. I sank down next to her on the mattress. A bright red bow was wrapped across her torso. My stomach heaved, and I clapped my hand over my mouth. I took a breath, and the sharp metallic scent of blood filled my nostrils. I squeezed my eyes shut and battled through the stench.
I will not pass out. I will not pass out.
I brushed aside a lock of blonde hair and tucked it behind her ear. That was how Sofia always wore it. Tears blurred my vision as I stared into vacant green eyes. I passed my hand over her lids, closing them. My gaze traveled down to her neck. Two puncture wounds marred her perfect white skin. My breath hitched.
I pulled her into my lap and pressed her against my chest. What had I done? Tears flowed down my cheeks, mixing with the blood staining my shirt. The cop part of me said I shouldn’t have disturbed the crime scene, but the boy in love with this girl told him to shut up. I held onto her for hours, maybe even days. I really couldn’t be sure; it was all a terrible blur of pain.
My eyes jolted open; the first rays of the sun seeped into the studio. I rolled my neck to release the tension. Sofia still lay in my arms, her expression peaceful. Even in death she was beautiful. I gently lowered her to the mattress. My hands came away sticky and stained in crimson. Nausea roiled in my gut. I needed to do something. But what could I do? Call the police and tell them the vampire queen had murdered my fiancée? They’d think I’d gone insane. A part of me thought I had.
I had to call the police. I was a cop for god’s sake. This had been a crime, and its perpetrator would have to be punished. I clenched my fists and got to my feet. I’d do this the legal way, just as soon as I took care of something first.
My feet moved without my brain guiding them. It was like they were on autopilot. They probably were, after Isa screwed with my mind so many times. The subway ride passed by in a blur. I was numb; a vague buzzing hummed in my head. I think it was the sound of my world collapsing.
The doorman recognized me and held the door open as soon as I approached.
“Mr. Spiros, hello again.”
I nodded and bit down the urge to snarl at him. None of this was his fault. He’d probably been compelled by her too.
I cracked my knuckles as the elevator whizzed up thirty floors. I patted the wooden stake in my back pocket. I hoped the sharpened chunk of wood I pulled out of the fireplace would do. That’s how you killed vampires in the movies, right? I should’ve called Bradley. He would’ve known how… but he would have tried to stop me. And I couldn’t let that happen.
The shiny elevator doors slid open, and I marched into the enormous living room. Isa sat on the couch, her long legs crossed, with a glass of champagne at her lips.
Heat surged through my body, fury consuming every inch of me. My skin prickled as if a live wire ran across it. “Celebrating something?” I growled.
Bottomless obsidian eyes drilled into mine. “A victory.” She lifted her flute in the air.
I clamped my jaw tight, holding back the string of expletives poised to explode from my mouth. A tornado twisted in my stomach, shredding my insides. I took a deep breath and pulled my shoulders back. I couldn’t let the pain in, not yet. I took a few deliberate steps toward her, every muscle in my body coiled in tension.
“Damian, do you realize this is the first time you’ve come to see me of your own accord?”
“No, I didn’t. I was kind of out of it the other times.” I was beyond gone this time.
“And what brings you here today?”
My lips twisted. I wasn’t sure if I was going to vomit, cry or scream. Everything was deathly still around us, except for the constant whirring in my head. I ran my hand down to my back pocket. My fingers grasped onto the solid wood. I yanked the stake out and drove it down toward Isa’s chest.
An arm shot out, completely stopping my forward momentum. Isa’s forearm was against mine, like an impenetrable wall. She looked up at me, her dark eyes wide and expressionless. Twin black holes of oblivion threatened to swallow me whole.
A high-pitched cackle burst from her scarlet lips. “That was very brave and yet very stupid of you, lover.” She jerked the stake out of my hand. It clattered to the floor and with it any shred of hope left in me.
I sunk to the couch, my legs heavier than lead. My mind was blank; a dense fog blanketed every corner.
“I take it you found my gift.” Isa sat beside me, still sipping that damn champagne.
My stomach heaved, and I puked all over her fancy oriental carpet. I spat, my head between my legs, wiping at the saliva dribbling down my chin. I turned, and I was nose to nose w
ith vomit splattered black stilettos. I hoped they were ruined along with her expensive rug.
A strong hand gripped me by the back of the collar and hauled me up. I blinked, and we were no longer in the living room. Towering bookshelves surrounded us as we sat in front of a massive stone fireplace. The room would’ve been quaint if only I’d had the brainpower to care.
Isa reached for my hand, and I wrenched it out of her grasp, moving to the far side of the leather couch. “Don’t ever touch me.” I tried to lace as much venom into my voice as my dulled emotions could manage.
“Oh Damian, when are you going to understand that I did this for your own good?”
My stomach roiled, and I was certain I was going to be sick again. I swallowed hard, pushing the bile back down. “For my own good?” I croaked.
“Yes.” She twirled a thick strand of raven hair. “You are meant for so much more in life. To live a mediocre life as a police officer and mere husband to a nurse is beneath you.”
My fists curled into tight little balls. “Don’t talk about her! And don’t pretend to know anything about me or my life.”
“I know this one wasn’t worth living. You’ll thank me when you’ve lived multiple far better lifetimes.”
“I’ll never forgive you,” I roared. “I hate you with every single cell in my being.”
She cocked her head and batted her lashes as if that would fix everything. I squeezed my eyes shut. The last thing I needed was her compelling me again. I buried my head in my hands and leaned forward. I rocked back and forth as I made up my mind.
Reaching down my leg, I stuck two fingers inside my pant leg. The cold metal against my fingertips brought a sense of calm. I knew what I was going to do. It was the only thing I could do. It was what I deserved after all the pain I’d caused.
I tucked the pocketknife in my sleeve and straightened. Isa’s onyx eyes danced over me as I squirmed under her penetrating gaze. I ticked my head toward the fireplace. “Can you turn it on? I’m freezing.” I rubbed my hands over my arms, teeth chattering and all. I wasn’t exactly lying; a chill had come over my body that I was powerless to overcome.
“Of course.” She stood and swaggered to the mantle. The moment her eyes were off me, I flicked the blade open and dragged it across both of my wrists.
Chapter Eight
I gasped, and my eyes snapped open. I jolted up, clenching the plush rug under me as I scanned the room. The library. A sharp metallic taste coated my tongue. Bleh. I swallowed, attempting to rid myself of the nasty flavor.
“Welcome back, lover,” a sultry voice carried from behind a bookshelf.
I must be in hell.
I stared at my wrists as images of what I’d done flashed through my mind like an old movie projector. I turned my hands around examining them. There wasn’t a mark on either one. How was it possible?
“How am I alive?” The voice that came out of my mouth sounded foreign to my own ears.
Isa sauntered over, her black top covered in dark splotches. “I saved you with my blood.”
My head spun. I should’ve asked Bradley more details about this vampire stuff. She must have noticed my blank expression because she continued to explain.
“Vampire blood heals humans from pretty much any life threatening injury.”
My jaw went slack. My mind raced as I thought about all the lives that I could’ve saved over the past two years as a cop. Not to mention the countless ones Sofia encountered in the hospital. My chest tightened, my lungs contracting. Sofia. She’d never save anyone again because I hadn’t been able to save her. I should have died.
Anger pulsed in my veins. “Why did you bring me back?”
“I already told you, Damian. You are destined for greater things. I wasn’t going to stand by and let you die.”
I got to my feet and glared at the monster who ruined my life. “I was destined for something, but you stole it away from me the moment you murdered my fiancée.”
She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh Damian, you need to get over that. One day you’ll see I did you a favor.”
I gritted my teeth together, sure my head was about to explode. “I will never get over it, Isa. I’ll hate you for the rest of my life. I will never become a vampire.”
She waggled her finger at me. “Never is a very long time when you’re immortal.”
This woman was insane. If I couldn’t kill her, maybe Bradley knew someone who could. I’d make it my life’s mission to put an end to her reign of terror. Trying to kill myself had been a coward’s move. It had been a moment of weakness that I’d never repeat. Ending her life would be much more satisfying.
“Can I leave now, or are you keeping me prisoner here?”
She turned to me, crimson flashing in her onyx eyes. “I don’t want to compel you, Damian. I want you to choose to stay with me of your own free will.”
“Well that’s never going to happen,” I spat.
The buzz of the intercom put an end to our standoff. Isa sped to the door. She moved so fast she was nothing but a black blur. It had been the first time she’d used her abilities in front of me. I rushed behind her, hoping whoever was at the door could provide enough of a distraction that I could get out of there.
By the time I reached the entrance, she’d already let the visitor up. She leaned on the wall lazily as the elevator zoomed up the thirty floors.
“Who’s here?”
“You’ll see in a moment.”
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. A hulking giant of a man lumbered out. He was in all black from the tip of his jet-black hair to the end of his black boots. He was what I’d imagined the grim reaper to look like. The only thing missing was a sickle.
Crimson-rimmed pupils locked onto mine. My mind swam. It was like I’d just gotten off the tilt-a-whirl at the carnival.
“Klaus…” Isa warned.
He lowered his gaze, and my world stopped spinning.
“This is the human?” he growled.
Isa moved toward me and ran a red-tipped fingernail over my arm. I was too dazed to object. I leaned against the wall, willing my legs not to crumble.
Klaus’s dark gaze ran over me sending goose bumps over every inch of my flesh. He towered over me, his lips curled. “How do you know he’s so special?”
“Call it a gut feeling, brother.”
Oh great. Isa had a brother? By the looks of him, he seemed just as psychotic as she was.
“I still think you should have Asher read him to be sure.”
“I would, but who knows when he’ll return from gallivanting across Europe.” She pouted her pretty red lips. “I want him now, Klaus.”
I ignored the fact that they were talking about me like I wasn’t even there. Their inane babble was giving me time to plan my next move. When Klaus tried to leave, I had to be the one on that elevator.
“Besides if I’m wrong,” continued Isa, “he’ll just be another play thing.”
Klaus grunted. “I think you have plenty of those.”
She shrugged and pinched my cheek. “But do you see how cute he is?”
My body recoiled at her touch. She pretended not to notice and continued speaking to her brother.
“I haven’t sired a new vampire in months. Tarq and Adir aren’t fun anymore. I want new progeny.”
Klaus shook his big melon head. “Fine. Do as you will, sister.”
“Thank you.” She clapped her hands together as a devious grin split her lips.
That wasn’t good. If only I’d asked Bradley how a vampire was created. I searched my brain for memories from old Dracula movies. I’d never really been into those.
He lumbered over to the elevator and adrenaline shot through my veins. I had to make my move now.
“I take it you won’t be joining me at the Inner Circle meeting?”
She gazed at me then back at her brother. “No.”
“I’ll report back when it’s over then.” He dipped his head to his sister and moved
toward the elevator.
“Thank you for seeing to that.”
He pressed the elevator call button, and I inched toward him. An expensive and heavy looking vase sat on a table next to the entryway. If I could just get close enough. The door slid open, and I lunged for it. I raised it over my head and smashed it down on top of Klaus. Shards of ceramic rained down all over the hardwood floor.
The burly vampire didn’t even flinch.
He turned to me glaring, his obsidian eyes blazing. His hand shot out, and his thick fingers curled around my throat. He lifted me into the air like a ragdoll. I gasped as my mouth opened and closed trying to suck in air.
“Klaus!” Isa’s high-pitched scream echoed across the open space.
He snarled, but the pressure around my neck relented. I thrashed my legs back and forth and eventually touched the floor. He released me, and my whole body went slack. I gulped in mouthfuls of oxygen, leaning against the wall.
Dark brows furrowed as they scanned over me. He turned to his sister, a sinister smile shadowed across his lips. “You’re right. He could be something.”
The elevator doors slid closed behind him, and my heart sank. I slunk down to the floor, my legs giving up the futile fight.
Isa strutted over to the couch and patted the spot next to her. “Come, Damian.”
I clenched my jaw, but my legs betrayed me. They carried me over to her side with a mind of their own.
She took hold of my chin and forced me to face her. “I’m going to ask you one more time. I’m giving you the opportunity of a lifetime—to sit at my side and rule over a powerful species, to have everything you’ve ever desired in life and more, and to live forever.”
She spoke forcefully, but my mind was clear. She wasn’t compelling me. She really wanted me to make this decision on my own. How deluded was she?
“Do you really think I would choose you? After everything you’ve done to me?”
Her lips pressed together, her nostrils flaring. A small blue vein pulsed in her forehead.
Moonlight Rising Page 21
