by F. E. Heaton
She stared at him, struggling to compute what he'd just said, but seeing in his eyes that it was the truth. Her mother had never told him she was pregnant. She thought about it for a second and realised why. If her mother had told him, he would have tried to stop her, and her mother had accepted what her destiny was. He would only have made it harder for her to do what she had to.
"Did you know she was going to sacrifice herself?” Prophecy asked.
He shook his head. “She disappeared one night and was then reported as dead—turned as you would see it. I became a vampire hunter then. Shortly after that, I encountered Valentine for the first time and discovered there were really two vampire species. The pure bloodlines that you're a part of, and the weak ones."
"You mean, the ones you can kill and the ones who will kill you.” She smiled and then frowned, scrutinising him as she tried to see if she resembled him in any way. She didn't.
"Your mother was always a strong woman. We were already together when she first discovered her ability with magic. I didn't mind her learning it, but when she began to reveal things to me, things like the existence of vampires, and of demons who would sooner eat you than look at you ... well ... that changed my life forever. She tried to teach me things so I could protect myself, but magic has no patience with me. She did tell me about the spells she'd learnt and the things she'd read about."
"Spells?” she said and a flicker of hope danced inside of her.
"Yes. Spells, rites, and even prophecies. She told me about the one that you're a part of. I never realised at the time that it was her destiny to be a part of it too."
"Do you remember anything she told you about spells? Did she tell you about powerful ones?"
He nodded. “Of course. We spoke about everything ... well, except you. Why?"
She stared at him, trying to think how to put it and watching his expression become even more confused with each passing second.
Looking at the cemetery gate, she considered what she was about to say and then looked into his eyes, silently praying that he had the answer she needed so badly. What she was about to propose was dangerous for them both, but if there was a chance he could help, she had to risk it.
"I need to ask something of you, but I promise you, you will be safe."
Chapter 13
Prophecy took a deep breath as they neared the gates to the mansion. She glanced across at Caden to see he was walking with a confident step that would have easily hid the nerves he was feeling, but she could sense them. They called to her like all fear did, driving her into responding the only way she knew how—killing and feeding.
"You know we can see straight through the charade, don't you?” she whispered across at him.
He nodded. “Of course, but it makes me feel less like the mouse to your cat if I pretend you can't."
He rolled his shoulders. She'd healed his wound. Not out of any affection for him, but because it was the practical thing to do. Bringing a human into a mansion full of vampires was dangerous enough. Bringing an injured human that stank of fresh blood into a mansion full of vampires was like giving them a death sentence, one that would be fulfilled in a matter of seconds.
She turned towards the gate. The men there stood a little straighter, clicking their heels together and raising their head in a way that was almost a salute. Their faces darkened when they saw who was with her and she took another deep breath. She had to shut down the nerves inside of her. If her family could sense her fear, then they would probably see her as weak and attempt to kill the mortal she had dared to bring into their home.
The houses of the pure bloodlines were sacred. It was almost an act of desecration to bring anything resembling human into them unless they were someone's next meal. She'd been given access to other vampire's kills. Tiberius and Iona, even Arkalus, had seen to it that she'd had fresh blood while being held in the mansion all her life.
Holding the guards gaze, she silently dared them to say something to her. They all fixed their eyes straight ahead, not looking at Caden as he passed.
Heading into the house, she growled at the people who were milling around the entrance hall. They paused for a moment, sating their curiosity about why she was threatening them, and then dispersed.
She shook her hands, trying to dispel the tension in her body. The quicker she got Caden to the safety of her room, the better. Although the younger vampires and guards so far hadn't dared to mention the sin she was committing, she knew that it was only a matter of time before someone challenged her about it.
She growled again when two older guards passed her, their hands immediately moving to their swords. They stared at her, their eyes flashing blue to show her that they weren't hers to command. She had to be careful with the Aurorea. They were on edge as it was with Valentine being sick. One small push would undo all the progress they'd made at the ball and they'd fight her.
"I thought there would be more of a calamity. They all seem to do as you say.” Caden noted as they walked through the main reception room.
"That's because I'm the lady of this bloodline.” Her eyes darted to her left when a door opened and she frowned. “But there are some I can't control."
Venturi growled at Caden while he walked briskly towards them and she placed herself between the two men.
She flinched a little under the hard look that Venturi gave her and when he growled at her, she snarled back. He straightened up to his full height and looked down his nose at her, and then at Caden.
"Why have you brought a mortal into this house?” His voice was cold and demanding.
She didn't dare ignore his question. She could feel the anger inside of him, and the strength. If he chose to fight her, she wouldn't stand a chance. She'd never be able to protect Caden and herself at the same time, not without killing Venturi, and that was something she wasn't prepared to do. Besides, she knew that half of Venturi's anger was about the way she'd left him earlier. She should have answered him rather than shaking her head. He probably thought she'd not forgiven him. Her gaze dropped to his hand and she frowned at his knuckles. They were grazed and bloodied.
"Vampire hunter, actually."
She cringed when she heard Caden correct him. Either her father was suicidal or he didn't know who he was dealing with.
Venturi roared.
She stepped forwards and caught his attention by pressing her hands against his chest. His whole body was tense beneath her fingers. He was on the brink of attack and she had to move fast in order to stop him.
"Venturi?” she whispered his name.
His eyes dropped to meet hers. They were blacker than midnight but slowly receded to blue as he changed out of his vampire guise. His look softened only enough for her to notice.
"He may be able to help Valentine,” she said and his brows met in a frown.
He gave her a dark look and she removed her hands, starting to walk past him with Caden. She stopped when she realised that she couldn't leave Venturi without an explanation. She couldn't keep treating him like this, running away from him whenever she got too scared to deal with the feelings that they held for each other.
Going back, she touched his arm and smiled when he turned to face her. He looked stunned to see that she hadn't left. She led him a short distance away from Caden and moved around him so she could keep an eye on the vampire hunter. Just because he was her father, didn't mean she trusted him, not with her family, and certainly not with the people she loved.
Her fingers caressed Venturi's arm, feeling the curves of his bicep beneath his black shirt and then trailed slowly down to his hand. She lifted it a little, the fingertips of her other hand ghosting over his cut knuckles. Her brows furrowed at the sight of them. They were her fault. He'd hurt himself because she couldn't face her feelings. She should have told him she'd forgiven him.
She raised her eyes to his face. He was intently watching her hands. He closed his fingers around hers and frowned. It was amazing to see the difference her touch could make. He'd gone
from killer to a kitten with one simple sweep of her fingers. His eyes met hers and they darkened again, showing her that he'd not forgotten the vampire hunter standing behind him.
"Venturi ... please, I'll tell you all the details later. I promise.” She held his gaze, letting him see in her eyes that she was telling him the truth now and that she would keep her promise. “Can you do something for me?"
"Name it,” he whispered and inclined his head to one side. His expression turned to tenderness and she faltered under the affection in his eyes. She didn't shy away when he lightly cupped her cheek, running his fingers down her neck. She shivered at the way they tickled her, teasing her senses.
"Keep guard outside my door."
He was quiet for a moment, his hand dropping to his side at the same time as she let go of his.
"I will, once I've attended to my men.” He managed a smile that she saw straight through and then walked off.
He wasn't happy about what she'd asked him to do, but he was going to go through with it anyway, just because she'd been the one to ask him to do it. She watched him disappear around the corner and then went back to Caden. He was looking in the direction Venturi had gone.
"He has a charming personality,” he said.
She walked straight past him towards the door that led to the stairs. The clip of his boots on the hard floor told her that he was following. When he drew level with her, she sighed.
"He is different to different people,” she said and frowned when she could still feel the tingling sensation of Venturi's fingers against her neck. “He despises humans and weaklings."
"And you? What are his feelings towards you?"
"I wouldn't ask too many questions if I were you. There'll be answers you won't like.” She turned and went up the first flight of steps. This end of the house was quiet as usual, and she was thankful that she could walk unhindered with Caden.
"I'm only trying to form a picture of my daughter and her life."
She tensed on hearing him refer to her as his daughter. She supposed she was in a way, but at the same time, she wasn't. If her mother had still been alive, would he still see her as his wife? Why had he become a vampire hunter on hearing of her mother's turning? Had he intended to kill her if he'd found her?
She didn't want to ask that question. It was hard enough knowing that her mother had given her life twice in order to bring her into the world. She didn't want to hear someone else's pain when she could only just about deal with her own.
Walking along the hall towards her room, she moved in front of Caden as they neared the guards outside her room. Xavier swept his dark hair from his face and gave her a look that said he knew her company.
He blocked her path, drawing his sword.
She took a step back so she didn't spur him into reacting.
"Xavier. This man may be able to help your lord. Please, let us pass.” She thought about threatening him with her magic, but she knew the position he held within his family was a powerful one. With a single word, he could turn the Aurorea against her and maybe even against Valentine.
Xavier eyed the man behind her. She waited in silence, giving him time to decide whether he was going to do as she'd asked. Although they were in her house, she didn't have the right to command him. He reported only to Valentine.
The door opened and Serenity appeared. Cornelius was with her.
"Cornelius. This man with me may know how to help Valentine. I have to see him...” She cursed the tears that started to fill her eyes when she caught a glimpse of her bed through the door. She looked at Serenity, silently asking her if Valentine was all right. Serenity nodded.
"Let her pass. She would not allow any mortal to hurt our lord.” Cornelius stepped in front of Xavier.
Prophecy was surprised when Xavier sheathed his sword and moved to one side. He scowled at her, making sure that she knew how angry he was. She knew. She knew the dangerously thin line she was treading by bringing a vampire hunter to see a lord of the pure bloodlines.
If Caden moved a muscle to hurt Valentine, if she even thought he'd considered it, she'd kill him herself.
She walked into her room and smiled at Serenity when she ushered Cornelius out. The door closed, leaving her alone with Caden and Valentine. She went straight to Valentine, sitting beside him on the bed and running her fingers over his forehead. He wasn't freezing cold any more, and he wasn't hot either. She didn't know whether to take it as a good sign or a bad one.
"He looks fine. What's supposed to be wrong?” Caden said and she looked at him. He was standing on the opposite side of the bed to her. His eyes were fixed on Valentine.
"It's my magic holding him and it's taking a lot for me to keep him unconscious. Whenever he's awake, he's in so much pain that I can't bear it. I'm hoping that by keeping him unconscious, I'm slowing down the spell enough that I can find a cure.” She dropped her gaze back to Valentine and took a deep breath. “Motion."
He tensed immediately, his face contorting in pain. The mark over her heart ached and burned. The magic flowed through her, unleashed by the sight of Valentine in so much danger.
Gathering him into her arms, she helped him into a sitting position and smiled weakly when he opened his eyes and looked at her. They were blue. Whatever was happening to him, it was hurting him so much that he was losing control and instinct was keeping him in his vampire guise.
She drew her hair away from her neck and his gaze shifted there.
"Feed, Valentine,” she whispered and pressed her cheek against his. He didn't respond.
She extended her claws and ran one down her throat, cutting herself in the hope that the smell of blood would entice him.
He gave a quiet growl that told her how weak he was. She guided his mouth to her neck and held him there, supporting him so he didn't have to use any of his strength to do it himself.
His tongue lapped at the wound and she closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again when he slowly sunk his fangs into her. She inhaled sharply and then tightened her grip on him, holding him against her and fighting against the overwhelming feeling of despair that welled up inside of her.
She clung to him while he fed, begging her magic to help him, to give her a vision and show her the way to save him. She needed him. Without him, there was no reason to save this world. His fingers dug into her sides and he bit down harder. She smiled and then frowned when she realised that Caden was watching them.
It unnerved her to have someone staring at her while she was sharing what she'd grown to consider something beautifully intimate with the man she loved.
When Valentine sunk his fangs deeper into her neck, she gritted her teeth and flinched.
She let him drink for a few more seconds and then pushed him off her. He met her eyes for a split second and then went to turn his head. She placed her hand gently against his cheek, stopping him from looking around and seeing Caden. Even in his weakened condition, Valentine would still want to defend her and he would still be able to kill the vampire hunter.
She stared at Valentine's mouth, watching a droplet of blood trickle down from the corner of his lips. Moving towards him, she closed her eyes and licked the blood up, starting at his chin and ending up by running her tongue across his lips. She kissed him lightly, holding back the tears that wanted to come when he reciprocated, and then drew back enough for her to rest her forehead against his.
"Still,” she breathed the word and held him while he slipped into unconsciousness. Carefully laying him down on the bed, she wiped a stray drop of blood from his chin and stared at him.
They didn't have much time.
Whatever battle was being waged inside of him, he was starting to lose it.
Sniffing and wiping her eyes on the back of her hand, she composed herself and then looked at Caden. He was still staring at her with an incredulous expression.
"I never realised that vampires liked that ... being bitten.” He nodded towards her neck.
She placed
her hand over the fresh marks, feeling the prominent bumps of the puncture wounds. Pressing her amulet against them, she called her magic and healed herself.
"He needed blood to keep his strength up and I fed at the cemetery.” She stood and cast a glance at Valentine before walking around the bed to Caden.
"You did?” he said.
She nodded and smiled when he looked as though he didn't know quite what to say to that.
"If you don't mind?” She intimated Valentine and noticed Caden hesitate, a wary look entering his eyes. “He's unconscious for now. He can't hurt you."
Caden dithered a moment longer and then leaned over Valentine. He lifted Valentine's eyelids and she frowned when she saw that his eyes were still blue. It was a bad sign. Even she knew that. She'd seen vampires that had experienced so much pain that the only way they could deal with it was to totally shut down their human instincts and resort to becoming more like their true demonic self. The demon they were originally before the blending with humanity started could cope with pain beyond the boundaries of the human mind. It was this creature they became again when their trace of humanity left them.
It was this creature that Valentine was becoming.
Although he was still the man she loved, and he would still love her, his instincts would drive him to kill and defend himself against anyone who was in any way a threat to him. Caden, Serenity, Venturi, and even his own guards would fall into that category.
Was this what Elena wanted? Did she want Valentine to turn into the creature his ancestors had once been many thousands of years ago? Did she want him to kill all of her friends?
It didn't make sense. By taking Valentine away from her, Elena had already done more damage than she would by removing anyone else from her life. She had weakened her by stealing away the one person who made her magic stronger. Taking Venturi or Serenity wouldn't affect her power. It would only make her angrier.
She frowned. The last time she'd been angry the magic had taken control and had become more powerful than she'd ever felt it.
None of this made any sense.
