Blinding Light (The Bloodmarked Trilogy Book 2)

by Alicia Deters

  The salvage yard on the side of the highway came into view, and I limped forward, hoping to hide out there long enough to recover.

  No such luck.

  He caught up with me halfway and fisted the excess fabric of my coat, flinging me into a pile of rusted car parts. Keeping my eyes locked on his black ones, I rummaged through the cold metal underneath me to find my weapon of choice. His eyes zeroed in on the movement, and he launched himself at me. Not caring what I picked up, I began wildly chucking pieces of scrap to fend him off, giving my body time to mend.

  While he was distracted, I spotted an old pick up truck a few yards away and rushed toward it. Clutching the cool sheet of metal, I ripped the hood free and spun on my heel. His boots crunched rapidly through the snow, and I tossed the hood like a Frisbee.

  He ducked to the side, plucking the thin metal out of the air with ease. A menacing smile transformed his features. Damn.

  “Pathetic excuse for a vampire,” he spat. “You can’t even save one human being. How will you save the rest of the cattle?”

  His eyes flicked to the road and then back to me. The look he sent me chilled me more than the Canadian winter ever could. I listened for what I knew he was waiting for and heard the loud road noise of a semi tractor-trailer, as well as three other cars approaching from the opposite direction.

  He wound up for the throw, and I knew I wouldn’t have much time to intercept the path of the hood before it made contact. Without another thought, I took off in super speed, chasing behind it.

  I clasped my fingers around the edge just before it broke through the tree line. The semi barreled past me, blowing up my loose hair and the snow that dusted the road.

  I turned to face my assailant, but it was too late to stop what came next. A decrepit motorcycle came hurtling past me and into the line of traffic. It smashed directly into the third car like a wrecking ball, sending it straight into the ditch on the other side of the road. The other two cars ahead of it began slowing to help the victim.

  Shit. This asshole wanted me dead bad enough to go against all the rules of his kind. His mission went from homicidal to suicidal, making him twice the threat. I needed to get this maniac away from civilization.

  I faced him and positioned myself into a fighting stance. Circling, I taunted him, drawing his attention to only me.

  “Don’t toy with me. Fight me. Unless you’ve been out of the game too long. You got in a lucky shot back in St. Louis, but that actually worked out in my favor, didn’t it? The same spike meant for killing me ended up killing your… partner? Lover? I don’t really know the correct term you evil bitches use.”

  A rage I’m intimately familiar with lit his eyes. But I had just as much right to be pissed. Game on.

  The dance continued across the forest, no one able to gain the upper hand, until I got in a lucky shot of my own that knocked him to his ass.

  This time, when he charged, I was ready. I feinted left to force a change in his trajectory, but he recovered swiftly and adjusted his path. Reaching full speed, I jumped high to catch him from behind, but he dove into my attack, grabbing my legs. We both landed together in a thunderous touchdown.

  Switching tactics, I put him in a wrist lock, guiding his movements. He was helpless, and I took full advantage, laying into him with blow after blow. He grunted from the effort to break free but managed to strike my ribs with his knee. It sent me airborne, and I landed several feet away.

  He bore down on me. I reacted rapidly, sweeping my leg across his ankle. It was enough to trip him but not bring him down. When he ducked into the shadows, I straightened and scanned the perimeter.

  The sound of a branch snapping broke the silence. I spun and readied myself for his advancement. He swung the splintered wood toward my heart. I sidestepped it just in time, but it grazed my arm. It stung like a bitch, and when I flinched, it cost me.

  He kicked me in the stomach, sending me flying into a snowdrift. He approached, fury evident in those dark pits. Something about that look sparked awareness inside me. I had seen that look on all who came before him. All who wanted me dead. All who tried but failed to kill me. They all became ashes under my boots. My grin returned.

  A fire spread through my veins, returning after being dormant for far too long. Keeping the vampire in my sights, I reached beneath the rim of my boot and launched myself off the ground. I bit down on the cool metal of the blade as I clenched it between my teeth.

  When I jumped, I made it about thirty feet in the air and grasped the closest limb. It shuttered under my weight and released mounds of snow. The assassin dodged the snow easily, but I dropped with it, landing exactly where I wanted to be.

  Holding the knife in hand, I drove it deep into his back and stretched my five-foot-five frame as tall as I could to whisper in his ear. “If you stab someone in the back, you should always make sure they’re fully dead. Because payback is one really pissed off bitch.”

  The fireworks show satisfied my vengeance, but the enjoyment was short lived when I heard Nick’s faltering heart. I was running out of time, but I was near and followed the sound until I spotted him. I crossed the snow-covered lake and hoisted his limp body into my arms.

  Sprinting at full speed while carrying someone proved difficult. Trying not to jostle him too much, I slowed to a steady pace, but when I finally made it to the mansion, people rushed out to help.

  I shooed them away since it would be easier for me to carry him to the medic. When I reached the second floor and burst through the door to the infirmary, two doctors waited and barked orders for me to place him on a prepared examination table. They went to work quickly, inspecting all bite marks and taking his temperature.

  When I stepped back, I realized I had never seen this room before. I always knew where it was, but never had a need to be in here. It was large with several beds lining one wall and a bank of drawers and cabinets stretching across the other wall. Various instruments lay scattered across the counter tops.

  It didn’t take long for the scents of disinfectant and iodine to burn through my nasal cavity. I tried for a stealthy exit, but the gathering crowd in the doorway made that a little tricky.

  However, when I neared, they parted for me. I glanced up and saw several serious expressions, but their eyes shone with gratitude as I passed. Some nodded their thanks and others patted my shoulder.

  I still wasn’t used to recognition and didn’t know how to take it. I hadn’t done anything to earn thanks. I saw it as doing my job. Backing away, I gave the group a tight smile before departing.

  As I came to the private wing I occupied, my breath shook. Gavin leaned against his doorframe waiting for me. His head was tilted forward and one arm crossed his chest while the other hand was brought to his lips to hide the grin that lit his eyes.

  “What?” I asked, instantly wary of his careful scrutiny of me.

  He shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just nice to have the old Lucy back.”

  I stepped up to him, only a foot away. “Oh yeah? Let me guess, you heard everything?”

  He nodded before leaning to whisper in my ear. “You were incredible. I knew you could do it.”

  I shivered from the near contact. Suddenly, pushing his buttons became imperative. High off my latest victory, I wanted to conquer another one of those bothersome inner demons. And currently, it was the biggest one wreaking havoc on my strength and coordination. I found it incredibly difficult putting one foot in front of the other, but I inched forward on a mission. The only thought in my head was to figure out what he felt for me.

  “Incredible, huh?” I leaned into him, grazing my cheek against his. “How incredible?”

  He stiffened, and I knew he would dodge the question. “Lucy, I think we need to discuss what actions to take with the Sword. If Shane really is looking for it and whoever it is he is working with plans to use it to become all-powerful, we need to form a plan to find it first. If you can get to it, you would have the upper hand against them.”
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  Rebuffed and cranky, I pulled away from him, crestfallen. “Yeah, well, I’m not trying to be all-powerful,” I explained.

  He observed me, his brows furrowing under that intense stare. Finally, he sighed and responded. “I’m not saying you have to be, but it’s better for you to have the advantage than them. They have the numbers. It would be nice to have a little more of an edge.”

  One demon at a time, please.

  Unwilling to hear more, I nodded in agreement. Turning to leave, I made it two steps before his hand clamped over my arm. “Lucy, wait.”

  I knew he wanted to apologize for dismissing my advances, but I hoped for more of an explanation. He wouldn’t give me that, so I saw no point in arguing. I was tired and just wanted time alone.

  “It’s okay, Gavin. Really. Don’t worry about it,” I assured him, my voice sounding dejected.

  He heard the sadness and gave me a knowing look. When he opened his mouth to try again, I stopped him. “Seriously, I’m fine.”

  When I shut the door to my room, I caught a glimpse of his worried expression. I thought I saw a bit of longing in those bright blue eyes as well, but my brain was too fried to process what that meant.

  I went to the roof and did my best to clear my mind of everything. I stayed there until the sun broke free of the horizon. I sat there until Helen came trudging through the snow in the courtyard, wearing an oversized parka and snow boots. She lifted a hand to her brow to block the sun, but her face was tilted up as she scanned the rooftop.

  “Lucille,” she called. “I know how you like to avoid all the attention, at least when it’s positive.”

  You got me.

  “Your mother never could take a compliment either. I figured I would find you alone somewhere, and I also know how you vampires like high places.” The last part sounded light, almost teasing.

  I didn’t respond.

  She sighed and tried again. “I thought we could go for a walk. Please, Lucy.”

  The pleading in her voice wore me down. It wasn’t contrived like her typical politeness.

  “Be right down,” I raised my voice so it would reach her from three stories up.

  I stood at the ledge of the turret and casually stepped off, like coming down stairs. Soaring through the air, the cold wind bit at my skin before the ground rushed toward me. I landed in a graceful crouch, feet away from where she stood, looking shocked by my stylish arrival.

  She indicated toward the front of the house, and as we circled it, I smelled the alcohol on her breath. It seemed a bit early for happy hour, but when I looked into her eyes, I saw the bags under them and the redness. She was hung over.

  “Everything all right?” I prompted.

  “What? Oh, yes. As right as it can be, I suppose. You did an amazing thing last night, rescuing Nick. I wanted to see how you were doing with your… situation.”

  We rounded the front of the house and headed down the recently plowed drive. The sun shone bright in the blue sky this morning, causing a riot among the local birds. They chirped and squawked like they were ready to party.

  “I guess I’m good. I mean, I’m better than good. I feel stronger now than I have in a long time.”

  “That’s wonderful. Lucy, I want to apologize if I’ve come off a bit harsh. I just want to put an end to this.”

  “It’s fine,” I replied. I honestly didn’t care how she reacted toward me. It wasn’t high on my list of worries. I had other issues to sort out.

  Sensing my unease, she asked, “Is everything else alright? You’ve seemed different ever since our friend arrived. Is that going to be a problem?”

  “No. I can handle it. Just a tad confused as to why I couldn’t be included on his solo mission.”

  “Lucille, he did it to protect you. He drew the assassin away from you, leaving a trail of dead, well-known vampires for him to follow like bread crumbs. If he had told you his plan, what would you have done?”

  I damn well would have followed him so I could find and kill the bastard myself. She saw the answer in my eyes and nodded. “He wanted you somewhere safe where you could adjust to your new life.”

  “So why the hell couldn’t he have picked up his phone every once in awhile to let me know what was going on?”

  “He thought it was best to report to me. Honestly, I think if he had heard your voice, he would have come running back to you in a heartbeat. You’re a weakness for him.”

  “You don’t approve of us being together, do you? You never have,” I accused, remembering several hushed phone conversations between the two of them. “What is it? Are you in love with him or something? You have known him a long time.”

  Wow, Lucy. Jealous much.

  “What’s not to love about him?” she asked.

  It felt like she slapped me. I saw red.

  “However, it’s not what you’re thinking. He’s a good man, but the two of you together would be dangerous. He loses sight around you, and your emotional state is unpredictable enough as it is without adding him to it.”

  The authoritative tone was back in her voice and made my skin itch with defiance. It sounded a lot like an order to stay away from Gavin.

  “I appreciate your opinion on the matter of my love life, but try to interfere and you’ll have worse things to deal with than psychotic vampires. Or maybe, you’ll just have one more to deal with.”

  She sighed in frustration. “Lucille, I don’t think it’s wise-”

  “-And I don’t think you’re hearing me. Stay out of my personal life. You and I are not close. You may have loved my mother, but I’m not her. I don’t even know who she was, but get it through your head. I will work with you to bring down the First. I’ll help track down the Sword. But that’s as far as our relationship goes. I am not your employee. I don’t answer to you. I’ll consider your professional advice, but I won’t be commanded by anyone.”

  Her expression hardened, and she sucked in a sharp breath. “Of course.”

  We had come to the end of the driveway, and she swiveled to go back. I took off through the woods. After coming to an understanding with Helen, I was even more confused about my relationship with Gavin. She said he was protecting me, but she made it sound like it had more to do with how he felt about me than his promise to my mother to keep me safe.

  His face came to mind, and suddenly, I grew warm from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Sophie’s question came back to me.

  Have you told him you loved him?

  It was time to settle this thing between us once and for all. I didn’t see how it could cause so many problems when it already did so much damage to my unpredictable emotional state by holding it in. I needed to find Gavin, corner him and make him talk before the elephant in the room trampled my heart and mangled it beyond the potential destruction of a blade.

  When I returned to the mansion, he was nowhere to be found. I tried calling his cell phone, which I secretively programmed into my new phone the other night.

  No answer.

  Really?! The avoidance game again? My irritation grew with each passing hour. He was going to be in so much trouble when I got my hands on him.

  15

  The evasive tactics continued later that night when I heard him return. He practically sprinted in the opposite direction of the training rooms, which was where I currently resided, pummeling the air with my rookie swordplay. I passed the day by practicing my techniques and checking in on Nick.

  He seemed much better and received several pints of blood before color replaced his pallor. He was in good spirits again as well. He hit on me before I left the room, and I knew we were almost back to normal. The only mention of his jealousy came with a quick apology and even quicker change of subject, but I had no doubt he’d get past his crush eventually. I had never been the easiest person to like. It was only a matter of time before he figured it out.

  After I finished practicing, I showered and headed to the kitchen for a daily dose of the essentials, plasma and pl
atelets. Deeeelicious.

  Chef whistled when he saw my appearance. “Who’s the lucky guy, Little Hunter? Or should I say, who’s the poor victim?”

  “Very funny. Just because I always dress for killing and fighting, doesn’t mean I don’t have a feminine side.”

  He snorted incredulously. “Who knew?” he teased. “But I understand why you normally go for the more… understated look. Those pants and that top are a lethal combination. You start dressing like that on a regular basis, and the guys here would lose their minds. Chaos would ensue.”

  “Har-har.”

  I happened to like what I wore. It was a pair of skinny jeans ripped around the knees and upper thighs, paired with a flowy black top with crisscrossed spaghetti straps. Simple black flats completed the look. Nothing fancy, but it made me feel a little more girly than my typical yoga pants and t-shirt.

  I loved comfort, but ever since I lost Holly, I had been trying to find my inner style like she would have wanted. Maybe it kept me connected to her in a way, or maybe it was because I was pro having a life now. Either way, I was embracing a new image. A change.

  “Hey, I never said I didn’t like the look. I like the hair too. I never see it down. You should wear it like that more often. How many guys do you think will break their noses tonight, either from running into doors while staring or from fighting over you?”

  “Please stop,” I begged. Draining the glass I poured myself, I placed it in the sink before turning to go.

  “Go break a few hearts,” he called after me.

  “I’m better at driving a stake through them,” I shot back.

  His faint chuckle was infectious and made me smile. The smile faded faster than the speed of light when I nearly collided with Allison on her way to the dining hall.

  “Watch where you’re going, bitch!” she snapped.

  Bitch? “Originality isn’t really your strong suit, huh?” I asked.

  She sneered, but before she responded, she scrutinized my new appearance and changed tactics. “Trying to bag the new guy, Lucille? You’re going to need more than a new wardrobe to get someone that hot.” A mocking smile graced her lips.