by J. L. Weil
“You don’t like it?” he asked, shifting on the bed and looping an arm behind his head.
“I’m unsure. It depends on what it is, what it does.”
“It’s the mark of a mate—a symbol that you belong to another.”
“You marked me?”
“I didn’t do it alone.” He held up the inside of his arm, exposing an identical mark. “I am as much yours as you are mine. You’re my mate, Skylar.”
I lifted my head, resting my chin on his chest. “Excuse me? Did you say mate?”
“How much of vampires do you know? Not the vampires of now, but before the Rift?”
My expression hardened. “I don’t see why that matters. Can you back up a step?”
He tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear, affection in his eyes. “I’m trying. You want answers. I’m giving them to you. What happened between us wasn’t just a hot tumble in the sheets. For centuries, vampires have been known to have mates—human, witch, or vampire, there are no limitations between races. I knew you were meant to be mine from the moment I saw you during my training.”
My brain thought back. I had no recollection of him. “I was a teenager then.”
“You were. And I waited.”
I made a sound of impatience. “This is strange for me. I still don’t know if I can trust you, yet I have these feelings for you I can’t make sense of. And the only person I can blame is you.”
A small smile lifted at the corner of his lips. “I wasn’t ready for you either, if that makes you feel any better. Your emotions and feelings are so strong. Everything you do is with so much passion. It took me by surprise. Still takes me by surprise.”
“What is this between us? Why do I feel so different when I’m with you? It is more than because of who you are or this mark, but I’m not certain. How did this happen?” Without me even realizing, I added in my head.
“Your blood has a different meaning and effect on me—a potent one. Had your veins not filled with the essence of who you are—a witch—the bond would have only been one sided, but the second my fangs connected with your magical blood, the ancient tides awakened within us. There is no spell or curse that can sever the link we’ve created.”
I was pretty sure I stopped breathing.
He was talking about forever.
I was mated to a half-vampire.
Fuck balls. What have I done?
He had lied to me. Abused my trust. And yet…
I found I still loved him. I was in love with Zavier.
The answer brought an end to my internal dialogue, and my breathing became labored, panic clamping down on my chest. It was the reason his betrayal hurt so much, more than Colin’s. How had I let this happen? It couldn’t. I wasn’t ready to be in love with someone, much less mated.
His hands came to frame the sides of my face. “Skylar. It is going to be okay.”
“You can feel that, can’t you? What is going on inside me?” I asked softly.
He nodded. “I can.” Picking up my hand, he placed it over his heart. “And if you give yourself a moment, you’ll realize you can also sense mine.”
“What if I don’t want to?” I gritted. “I have enough going on inside me without tangling up with your emotions, too.”
He flashed a smile filled with dangerous intent. “It doesn’t work that way. You can learn to control it, weed through what’s mine and what’s yours, but the bond has already been solidified.”
Just like that.
One wild, incredible night, and our paths were intertwined—our future cemented.
It might have been our fates all along, neither of us with the power to stop it. Not that it mattered now. “So that’s it? There’s nothing we can do?”
He arched a brow. “Are you trying to get rid of me already?”
I shrugged. “Just want to know my options.”
“You have an eternity to explore them all.”
“An eternity, huh?” I turned on my side, laying my head on my hands and staring at him. “What the hell have I gotten myself into? This is all happening too fast.”
His eyes shimmered in the dark room as he followed my movements. “It isn’t exactly how I planned this to happen. Fate often takes things out of our control.”
My forehead wrinkled as I frowned. “I don’t believe in fate. I believe we make our own destiny.”
“Then it was your destiny to be mine.” He took the pad of his thumb and rubbed it over my bottom lip, causing it to tingle. “I know this isn’t what you dreamed about or even wanted, but know I wouldn’t take it back for a second. You’re mine, and I’m not letting you go.”
I tried not to be affected by the sheer possessiveness in his tone, but it was impossible. My heart cartwheeled, and since I was still processing the new status of my life, I turned the conversation to a less emotional topic. “Did my brother know we were mates?”
“I’d rather not talk about your brother while we’re in bed, but no, he doesn’t know.”
More secrets. How many more would I uncover?”
He shook his head. “It isn’t like that. I don’t want there to be anything between us—no liesno mysteries. I want to protect you, but I also understand your need for justice. I won’t stand in your way.”
“Are you sure you can’t read my mind?”
His lips twitched. “There are many times I wish I could.”
“I can’t decide if I still hate you.”
“You don’t,” he said with grinning arrogance. “You never hated me, but I am sorry I caused you grief.”
It was hard not to believe him when I could sense a piece of him inside me. The barrier that had prevented me from being aware of his essence was gone, and a part of me was afraid of what I would see, but I’d never been a coward. I wasn’t going to start today.
I let the flood of his emotions invade inside me, and I gasped. There was light and darkness within him, and I could feel the struggle between the two, but what stood out the most was the unwavering love he felt for me. It robbed me of air. I’d never known someone could feel that way about me, wasn’t sure I had wanted anyone to. But now that my soul had been wrapped in it, I never wanted the warmth to end.
His hand moved to my chest, directly over my thumping heart. “I want to hear you say what I feel in your heart.”
I hesitated. “What makes you think I love you?” He was asking for more than just words; he wanted forgiveness, acceptance. Could I give him everything he wanted?
His smile traveled up to his eyes. “You might not be ready to admit it, but I can wait. Because I love you.”
“You love me?” I whispered, even though I knew the answer.
He nodded. “I do. With all my heart.”
His confession was going to make what I had to harder.
The night was tainted with the promise of death, and the moon was clouded by fog. My cloak dragged on the ground as I fled from Silent Bend and into the woods. I ran with my heart soaring and the brisk wind slapping my flushed cheeks. A tickle of mist dampened the forest floor.
I had waited until Zavier was fast asleep, before I had slipped on my boots and cloak. The coven was waiting for me, and I couldn’t abandon them again, not when we needed each other more than ever. This battle with Lilith was going to end. Tonight, we acted.
He trusted me to stay in his arms, but no matter how I felt about the half-vampire warden, I had a promise to keep above all else. Zavier had understood that, just as I hoped he would understand when he awoke alone.
There was no denying my heart was heavy, but I pushed aside the clog of emotion and jutted out my chin. I concentrated on the solitude of the woods and what I had planned for Lilith. The run made me feel lighter and clearer in the mind, my purpose and destiny set out in front of me, a path illuminated by will and determination.
I was feeling more like myself as I moved soundlessly through the woods, invincible and reckless. The sense of freedom I hadn’t felt in years returned. Sadly, it was s
hort-lived.
Something hissed low and deadly behind me.
I wasn’t alone.
And this time, I was damn sure it wasn’t Zavier lurking in the woods, nor would he suddenly appear to save me.
“Shit,” I mumbled, stealing a glimpse over my shoulder. It was impossible to tell which direction it had come from. Vampires and full moons went together like potatoes and corn.
This was not how I’d imagined my night would go, but it was becoming abundantly clear I had to pull out some superior butt-whooping skills. What a kick in the gut, knowing I was out here alone, without backup. Go figure. The one time Zavier didn’t stalk me.
I quivered with power, knowing I’d never make it to the cottage tonight—never warn my sisters—never get the chance to weave a spell to end the vampire queen. If anything, I needed to keep my attacker’s focus on me. The little cottage might be cloaked in magic, but Lilith had already proven to be clever and deceitful. I had to lead the vampires as far from the coven as possible. I would protect Jenna, Bailey, and Raine with my life.
I spread out my arms in invitation. “What are you waiting for? You want me, come and get me.”
“Thought you’d never ask.” Out of the darkness, a shadowy blur streaked around the trees, moving too fast for me to track. One second, I was standing under a canopy of leaves. The next, I was hauled backward, pinned against the trunk of a tree. A flare of annoyance lit up inside me before waning into stark terror as I stared into the vibrant eyes of Aeron.
Holy mother of God.
For a moment, I couldn’t move; my brain went kaput. Aeron was Lilith’s son, and one of the most feared vampires in the Bay. Just my luck.
“That was too easy,” Aeron sneered, his tongue flashing over his fangs.
“You keep forgetting the rules,” I reminded him.
He tilted his head to the side, eyes glued to the pulsing vein at my neck. “Times change.”
The bark from the tree dug through the material of my cloak, rubbing against my skin. Fear finally gave way to instinct. I remembered I wasn’t a helpless female; I was a witch. The power I let loose seared along my skin and swam in my blood, singing like raw nerves up my body.
It happened so fast. Good thing vampires liked speed.
The knife tucked into my boot flew to my hand and I struck, narrowly missing Aeron’s eye. It wouldn’t kill him, but it would leave one hell of a reminder. The vampire gave a furious cry of pain, and he released me just as I wanted…sort of.
With the blade still embedded in his cheek, Aeron tossed me like a Frisbee. I hit the cold ground with jarring impact, pain radiating through my spine. I lifted my head, knowing the vampire would recover a hell of a lot faster than me. Shoving off the forest floor with my palms, I sat up.
“That wasn’t very nice, little witch,” Aeron spat, dropping the blade in the grass beside me.
I shoved a handful of hair out of my face. “Where did you get the impression I was nice?”
He laughed, and the sound sparked a flame of rage.
Blood dripped down my arm as I got to my feet, stumbling slightly. “You think that’s funny? I’ll give you something to laugh about.” The bravado in my voice was an act, because inside I was quaking.
There was only two ways this night was going to end, and I was deathly afraid I knew what my fate would be.
Aeron wasn’t alone. Through the dark trees, brilliant blue eyes popped out in a chain reaction. I was surrounded, and dread seized me.
Now what, Sky?
Maybe this was a blessing in disguise. Maybe this was my chance to kill the vampire queen face to face. But I couldn’t fight them all and live. The Berkano vampires might have gotten what they wanted, but I vowed to stake Lilith the first chance I got, and I wasn’t going to walk into their den voluntarily.
There was a streak of movement to my right, followed by a slapping of metal like a bullet over the silent night. My brain was slow to process what had occurred, and then I glanced down. There was a pair of shackles cuffed around my ankles.
What the—?
I lifted one foot, testing the durability. Shit. It was one thing to be captured by the bloodsuckers, and another thing to be their prisoner. I tried to summon a bolt of magic. To my unpleasant surprise, nothing happened.
Not a drop of magic shimmered in my blood.
Assholes. How dare they neutralize my power?
Aeron laughed. “Those aren’t budging, sweetcakes. They have a magic of their own.”
With my powers diffused, I was defenseless and at the mercy of the Berkano vampires.
Shit.
Gauging the threat level and how much crap I’d managed to get myself into, I stepped forward. “I won’t go without a fight.”
A chorus of hisses rang out around me, but it was Aeron who answered. “Now what fun would it be if you didn’t? I’d be disappointed.”
The burn of adrenaline moved from my chest, rippling into my veins. Cocking my arm back, I threw a punch, shocking us both by connecting with his jaw. Pain spread across my knuckles. Damn, I missed my magic.
“Bitch.” His long fingers wrapped around my throat, nails digging into the skin, drawing blood. “Hitting isn’t nice.”
“Oh, and strangling me to death is?”
Aeron started to lift me off my feet. “You know you can’t beat me in a fight.”
My air supply was cut off. With a fierce effort, I strained against the power of the vampire and managed to wrench free. I tumbled to the ground and went down to my knees as my legs buckled, fingers digging into the grass. This was bad. Ultra-bad.
The vampire let out one long note of triumph.
I squeezed my eyes, waiting for the next blast and the next. Blood trickled over my face, but the blow never came. Instead, I was hauled roughly to my feet. Then I was flying through the woods, toward the caves in blinding speeds.
My flesh was battered, but as we entered the cave, a different kind of pain entered my body, the kind that left a scar on the soul. Desperation. Hopelessness. Terror. An intense maelstrom of emotions assaulted me. The caves were filled with lost souls, fraught for freedom.
The vampire holding me tossed me into a room, and I landed in a heap on the ground. Sudden and shocking pain, like a venomous and violent gash, flared within me. Even as I cried out, I saw the chambers—one after another, all witches. It was a flash, and when the vision was gone, so was the pain, but the ache inside me remained.
There was a terrible scream echoing off the rocky walls, like a thousand voices raised in fury.
Not a thousand.
Just one.
Mine.
Chapter 20
I woke to darkness instead of the thin morning sunlight, my cheeks damp and sticky, skin chilled. Inside, I was empty. I’d felt pain before, but the grief was so real, so fresh, like an open wound that couldn’t heal.
Rolling over, I curled into a ball and prayed for the pain in my chest to pass as the first thought that filtered into my mind was Zavier. Was he racked with guilt? Going ballistic, wondering where I was? Or cursing me for breaking my promise?
My breath caught as a deep, unforgiving pang hit me in the heart. Ironic. Just as I found love, Lilith ripped it all away. The bitch would pay. If she was going to imprison me in her lair, I was going to make sure she never saw the light of day, or I would die trying.
Scrubbing my palms over my eyes, I blinked, slowly letting out the breath I’d been holding. My eyes roamed over the room.
It wasn’t Caesars Palace.
No wonder my whole body ached. I was lying on a metal slab, my ankles shackled to the cement floor, and my view was atrocious. Instead of the ocean and green hill of Silent Bend, I was staring at a row of vertical metal bars and the wall of a cavern.
A new sense of fear tangled inside me as the memories of last night tumbled to the surface, and my lip trembled, but I refused to shed a single tear. Not here in Lilith’s domain. I would not show her an ounce of weakness, or a drop
of fright.
Some of the details were hazy, before it had all gone black and I’d woken up in this cage where it hurt to breathe. The hardest part was knowing Colin and Zavier would be tearing up the Bay searching for me, not knowing where I was or what happened to me. My overprotective brother must be going batshit crazy with worry. The prospect of never seeing their faces again caused a fissure in my heart.
And now I had to face my fate, a prisoner of the vampire queen. What a hot mess.
I couldn’t stay here. It was not part of the plan. This wasn’t how I was supposed to defeat the vampire queen. It was supposed to be on my terms—my way—with me in control.
Despite the raw skin around my ankles from fighting, I sat up, forcing myself to move. The bands capturing my feet had stripped me from the one thing I’d always counted on, the one thing that had been given to me from my mom.
My magic.
Lilith had taken it from me.
Rage erupted, burning the air in my lungs like icy acid. It was no doubt a waste of my energy, but I had to attempt to use my power. Not trying would be stupid.
I concentrated, attempting to summon my magic, but the damn shackles around my ankles delivered one hell of a hair-singeing shock. I shrieked, glaring at the metal around my feet. They didn’t just prevent my abilities, but also delivered a kind of torture. Glutton for punishment that I was, I didn’t give up. I tried again and again until I was blue in the face. It was hopeless. Until I got the cuffs off my ankles, my magic was useless, and that fueled my anger.
The next thing I knew, I was attacking the bars like a madwoman, doing more damage to my already-tender hands. “Son of a bitch,” I moaned, shaking the sting from my fingers.
My chest squeezed painfully. Defeated and spent, I sat on the bed, dropping my head into my hands. Time went by in a haze. An hour or a day, I had no way of knowing, but nothing would stop me from trying to get the hell out of Lilith’s vampire nest.
