Blood Twist (The Erris Coven Series)

by Bonnie Wheeler

  Liz bit her lower lip. Her head was spinning from the loud music and the champagne she sipped on. Riley had been nothing but generous with her. The attractive vampire didn’t look at any of the other women who tried catching his eye all night. If she didn’t know what Braden told her, she would have thought he was decent. He was such a contradiction.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Yes, I’ll turn you into a vampire,” he said, leisurely studying her face.

  “Seriously?” she sighed.

  “Of course,” he said, taking her glass and finishing the champagne.

  “Why did you ask Braden to come?”

  “Is it really a mystery?” he stared around the room.

  “He thinks you want him dead.”

  Riley huffed. “He would.”

  “Then why?”

  “I didn’t ask to lose everything. It wasn’t my fault that my father did nothing to keep me from giving in to the thirst. I had to face that alone. All I’ve ever wanted is my life back, but there is no place in Erris for me anymore because they would kill me.” Riley’s glare reflected so much frustration, Liz struggled not to turn away. “I thought if Braden was a man, no longer a child, he could see I’m not completely a monster. Maybe even join up together and form our own coven.”

  Liz sat back, taking in his words. The two brothers were definitely failing to communicate. It was possible that Riley was spinning a tale, but she didn’t think so. She highly doubted he was a Boy Scout, but maybe he wasn’t hell bent on ending Braden’s life either.

  “What happened to your father?” she asked quietly. Even though the music from the floor sized speakers boomed through the room, she knew the vampire could hear her.

  Riley looked up at her, obviously tortured. “I wish I knew.”

  18

  BRADEN

  Braden wrestled through half the night. Watching Liz and Riley on the dance floor wasn’t nearly as bad as witnessing the two of them head to head, whispering at the table. When it was almost one in the morning, he stood out by Riley’s Porsche, waiting for the two to stumble out.

  He didn’t want to know who the car really belonged to. What poor fool offered his brother a ride home, only to end up a bloody juice box and benefactor of a great set of wheels. Even the sweet scent left behind by the rain wasn’t pleasing. He wanted nothing but to have a moment alone with Liz, back home in Erris, where he could explain.

  He blamed Riley. Surely, his brother manufactured the whole thing with Maze to separate him from Liz. From the moment Riley laid his eyes on her, Braden could tell he wouldn’t leave her alone. Liz wasn’t some toy for the two of them to fight over, she had feelings and it burned him knowing he was tricked into hurting hers.

  The look on her face, the pain – he replayed it continuously over in his head. He hadn’t imagined her tears, although to look at her now, it was possible she already moved on.

  No, she felt something for him and he wasn’t about to let Riley and Maze screw it up. He wasn’t sure how he would convince her that what she saw was a set-up, but he would try like hell. Maybe stalking her outside of a nightclub wasn’t the best way to impress her, but he feared he would never see her again if he returned alone to Sunnydale. Riley would promise her the cure, only to lure her into a trap.

  Braden rubbed his eyes. He was so tired, so thirsty. All of the musky bodies damp with perspiration didn’t help. If he was newly changed, the smells would have damned him by now. Stronger than that, he thought of Eagle Lake, the way the forest sang to him at night and how the foliage was some of the most beautiful he had ever seen.

  If Liz could see him there, see who he truly was – not this stressed out, uptight dick he had been behaving as, maybe she would want to be with him too.

  If she can give me a chance to explain...

  Like he would ever want a woman like Maze. It surprised him that he didn’t notice as soon as she walked into the room. Lacking emotion or warmth, the creature existed only to feed and screw. The look in her eyes when she realized he didn’t want her was the most surprising. She was actually confused.

  What an existence. I pity her.

  After an hour of waiting, Braden smelled Liz before he even saw her. Her perfume carried on the breeze. Hoping she would at least hear him out, he went to the passenger side door of the car and waited. Glancing up, he watched as she and Riley walked over. Although his brother was smiling, Liz’s expression was a little more pensive.

  Before he could even say anything, Liz stepped into his arms. Hugging him tightly, her face burrowed into his chest. Braden anchored her in place with an arm around her waist. Tilting her chin up, he saw the moisture in her eyes – the relief. If she only knew how much it matched his. There was nothing about her he didn’t want – nothing at all. Maze could shift into Scarlett Johansson or a half a dozen other people and Braden would want only Liz. The feel of her against his skin was welcoming and desirable all at once.

  “I’m so sorry about earlier,” he whispered.

  “It’s okay,” she replied. “You don’t have any reason to apologize.”

  There was still a touch of hurt in her voice. It was there, beneath the surface. Liz sank against him; her body fit so perfectly against his. He needed her to hear it – the truth, how he felt.

  “I didn’t know she was a shifter. When she kissed me, I thought I was kissing you.”

  “She’s a shifter,” Liz repeated, the information sinking in. Suddenly, her head popped up and her eyes met his. “You thought we were kissing? In your bed?”

  Braden nodded guiltily, not sure how to explain. Still holding her to him, he hoped she wouldn’t pull away.

  A sheepish grin crossed her face as she snuggled closer. “Did you want us to be kissing in your bed?”

  Every cell in his body was in overdrive just because he was near her, and she had to ask that? Pressing his lips against the top of her head, he mumbled, “Hell yeah.”

  “Then what are you waiting for? Kiss me.” Beckoning him closer, she tilted her chin.

  He could feel her pulse under her skin. Racing and warm, it mimicked his own. Bending forward, his lips brushed her, tentatively at first, before his need took over, and he couldn’t hold back. With her body against his, he drank in the taste of her. Every cell sang with energy as his mouth moved against hers. The inside of her lips were sweet, sweeter than he could imagine.

  “I hate to break up your cuddle time, but we need to jam,” Riley said rolling his eyes. “As long as there is no more cutesy talk, you can ride with us.”

  Braden looked at his brother. For the first time since their arrival in Canada, he didn’t want to tear his throat out.

  “Speaking of talks, you and I still need to have one,” Braden said, setting the record.

  Tossing the keys in the air, and catching them again, Riley wagged his eyebrows. “Night’s young, brother. Wouldn’t miss it.”

  19

  LIZ

  Back at the rest home, the draugar were fully awake when the Porsche pulled into the parking area. As soon as they disembarked from the car, hoots and screeches from the doorway and rooftop signaled to those inside they returned.

  Despite a few of the demons sitting in the darkened corridor, like the night before, they mainly huddled in the former dining room. Tonight the floor plan was laid out different. The kerosene heaters were in full force, but rather in spots around the room, they were lit in a straight line and running down the length of the great room. Parallel to the heaters were rectangular folding tables with dozens of chairs. Someone had taken the assortment of clothes and gadgets that littered the floor, and swept them to one side.

  Shivering at the strange setting, Liz clung tight to Braden’s side. After seeing them so at ease the night before, the arrangement was weird and although she didn’t understand the draugar intentions, her brain warned for her to be on the alert. As Liz and Braden stepped further into the room – it was Riley’s signal to halt that first told Liz i
t wasn’t just her active imagination. Something was wrong.

  “Riley,” Garrick’s voice boomed from his usual spot in the alcove. “You did not inform me you were taking our guests out.”

  As Liz scanned the leader’s makeshift throne, she noticed something different. Maze wasn’t sitting on his lap, instead, she was laying on the floor, curled into a ball, unwilling to make eye contact.

  Braden’s brother stood perfectly still. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke, “It was agreed that Braden and his female were mine to do as I see fit. They are off limits to all others.”

  Garrick slid to the edge of the table and hopped down. Standing tall, any of the warmth he exhibited the night before was clearly missing. With three long strides, he reached them. “Are you challenging me?”

  “No, but I…”

  “Are you challenging me?” Garrick repeated. With his face only inches from Riley, the blackness of his eyes were terrifying. “Think wise before you answer boy. I haven’t ruled this nest for sixteen years being a push over.”

  Not giving Riley a chance to answer, Garrick turned away, facing the draugar that stared up from their seats. “Why the somber looks? Tonight is for celebrating. Feed and fuck – do what we do best.” Striding to the end of the table, he grabbed a chair, yanking it back. Whipping his head around, he glared at Braden and Liz. His eyes were pure black now, not a shred of color remained. “Sit down!”

  Edging forward, her legs felt as heavy as cement. Liz clung to Braden. His body was her lifeline, anchoring her to reality.

  We should have left when we had a chance. Why did I insist we stay?

  Braden was like a stone beside her, ready to defend if anyone dared get aggressive. With his hand locked in hers, he gave a gentle squeeze.

  It’s okay. He’s okay. We’ll leave and never return.

  Riley stayed on their heels, unwilling to let them wander from his reach. His fingers remained on the back of her shoulder, letting her know he wouldn’t forsake them.

  She wanted to run, wanted to scream – anything at all to get the hell out of the room. After fumbling with the chair, she sat down next to Braden. Riley stayed standing, just at her back. Strix came through the kitchen’s double doors. Shaking his head apologetically, he set a box on the table before backing away.

  “Since my damphyr guest doesn’t feel man enough to drink from humans like the rest of us, I’ve arranged for something more accustomed to his palate,” Garrick hissed. Grabbing the box, he whipped it over to where Braden sat. Reaching in, the draugr pulled out a mewling cat. Skinny with short yellow hair, the creature hissed and twisted, trying to escape. Thrusting it in Braden’s face, Garrick glared down at him. “Eat,” he commanded. “Eat!”

  Braden refused to budge. Tilting his chin towards Liz, she could see the tension behind his expression.

  “No?” Garrick leaned down, his teeth fully extended into sharpened knives. “So maybe your tastes are a little more manly than that. Maybe you have balls after all?”

  “Let Liz leave and I’ll be happy to show you,” Braden said coolly. Refusing to submit, his tone was as sharp as Garrick’s – and just as lethal.

  Garrick straightened; a mean smile toyed at the edge of his lips. “Well, sweet Liz can’t go anywhere Braden. This is a wedding banquet, what would it be without my bride?”

  Braden lurched up in his chair, but Garrick anticipated the move and grabbed him from behind in a headlock.

  “You’re not going to touch her,” Braden said, gasping for air.

  “Why ever not? You had my woman in your bed, now I get to have yours in mine.” Garrick strained to hold him still. With a nod of his head, two other vampires clambered over. As they seized Braden’s arms behind his back, Garrick was able to let go. “Kind of a tit for tat if you ask me.”

  “Maze pretended to be Liz,” Braden countered. “I would never have allowed her in my room.” His eyes fell on Liz, still tortured about what happened.

  Panicked, she wanted to help but didn’t know how. “It’s true,” she said, struggling to find her voice. “I walked in on them. It’s not what you think.”

  Garrick whipped his head around at her, “Well aren’t you brazen. So, I’m wrong? I don’t know my own female? Or are you saying you don’t want to be my bride?”

  A muttered curse from Riley told Liz she wasn’t helping Braden’s cause. As Garrick’s cruel eyes burrowed into her, she bit back a curt refusal.

  “Well, if there is no rejection, then you better go get ready.” Turning back to Braden, Garrick spit in his face. “Throw him in the cell. I can’t have him leaving before the festivities begin.”

  As the vampires dragged Braden out of the room, Liz tried in vain to follow. Scrambling after him, she was blocked by one of the draugr guarding the door.

  Liz’s head was spinning. For the first time since the whole mess started, she feared they might die.

  Sinking to her knees on the cold, hard floor, she cried Braden’s name over and over until Riley scooped her in his arms and carried her up the back stairs.

  20

  BRADEN

  Braden opened his eyes. Pain lanced through his head and his mouth was as dry as parchment. Touching his left temple, the inky remains of blood stuck to his hair.

  He stared around him. He was in a small room, completely free from outside light. A narrow counter ran around the perimeter with a sink on the back wall. The seat he was in reclined, but it was as hard as a rock. Bumping his elbow on the arm rest, he quickly understood. When Sunnydale Rest Home was operational, administration kept the space available for visiting dentists. From the sounds of the creatures behind the door, he understood its new purpose.

  It was a cell.

  Outside the door, he heard a familiar voice arguing with the two beings that threw him in there. From what he could hear, Strix wanted entrance but the others were telling him to go eat rats. Finally, after offering to dispose of the remains of their next kill, they unlocked the door, allowing him in.

  Braden stood as slowly as he could possibly get away with. His head was still dizzy, but even now, he could feel the flesh knitting itself together. The old vampire didn’t look as though he came to fight, but Braden didn’t expect Garrick to have a change in heart about his presence, either.

  Strix stood before him. Hunched over, the vampire must have been pushing sixty when sired. “I brought you food,” he said, clutching a bag in one hand.

  Braden’s jaw clenched. The thought of the cat from upstairs made him sick. He was a hunter, not a psychopath who killed people’s pets.

  “I eat animals, too,” Strix explained, holding the sack out in front of him like a box of pizza. “I’ve never fared well with humans. Like your brother, I’ve found ways to exist without killing the innocents.” Pushing the bag forward, he said, “Eat, eat. You need strength. You want to save your woman, right?”

  Braden reached over, and looked in. A large seagull with a thread thin pulse was unconscious inside. As his fangs descended, he knew it wasn’t the best option, but Strix was right. If he wanted to live, he needed blood, and he didn’t think anyone would be willing to fetch him an elk.

  As Braden fed, Strix continued talking. “Stay on guard. Don’t trust any of them. I’ve taught your brother how to survive and I can teach you, too.”

  Turning to the door, Strix grew silent. Braden could hear footsteps and then another voice.

  Riley….

  Opening the door, their gazes locked. Braden knew his was furious. For a moment, both brothers did nothing but stare.

  “Leave us, Strix,” Riley said.

  As the vampire hurried out, he smiled encouragingly at Braden. “Be watchful,” he whispered before closing the door.

  “Are you happy?” Braden said finally.

  “Happy? Why the hell would I be happy?” Riley spit back.

  “Isn’t this a part of the plan? Why you and Maze pulled that stunt to get me thrown down here?”

  “That had n
othing to do with me. Maze does what she wants. Yes, I heard her go in your room when I was talking to Liz, but that was all,” Riley wondered across the room, his mouth a tense line.

  “But you still told Garrick I was trying to screw his female? Is that how you and Maze have fun?”

  “Really brother?” Riley through his hands up, exasperated. “You think I’m that stupid? Well, I’m not and neither is Maze. We aren’t the ones who told him.”

  “And why should I believe you?”

  “Because, normally Garrick would have killed both you and Maze for doing it and then, when he was done, he’d torture me and Liz to for extra emphasis. That’s hardly why I asked you to come here.”

  “Why then? Why did you make me? If you didn’t want to see me dead, then why make me leave home and turn myself over to these demons?”

  Riley just stared at the wall. Braden wondered what the hell was so hard to admit that his brother had to try saying the words in his mind first.

  Finally, Riley cleared his throat. “I want us to be brothers again.”

  “We’ve always been brothers,” Braden answered uncomfortably.

  “No,” Riley said softly. “We’ve been linked to members of the same clan, but we haven’t been brothers in years.”

  “You gave into the thirst. You know the way we’re raised. It isn’t an option to be like them.”

  Riley slid down the wall, taking a spot on the floor. “I tried explaining to Liz. I’m not exactly the same as them. Maybe in the beginning, when I first changed. My blood craving was insatiable. It was hard not to kill when I drank. But, after a while, I discovered I needed less and less, that it could be pleasurable for my prey –” Glancing up, Riley shook his head, struggling to explain. “Women, anyway.”