You’ll know more soon enough.
I succumbed only because he'd didn’t seem to want to hurt me or he’d have already done it. And I didn't want to test my invincibility with falling two hundred feet to the ground. “Alright! It looks as though I haven’t a choice.”
For now.
I felt myself being lifted once again even higher and shivered at the cold air nipping my skin and filling my lungs as he flew me through the night over buildings and across the giant trees where I crossed into town with Calum just weeks ago. My mind went through a number of things as the air whizzed by swirling my hair into my eyes and feeling bound once again by his arms.
The realization of how our characters are defined by our daily lives overcame me in the events that moved farther and farther away with miles to separate me from familiarity. Yes, he saved me. But nowhere was safe.
Surveying the ones who’ve helped me so far was easier than I thought.
Calum was a natural protector. He moved with such grace for a man, yet he reeked power and skill.
Lee was a thinker; he plots everything out meticulously forgetting sometimes to look before he leaps.
Maze is the sporadic quick fix in any situation. She can wiggle out of her captor’s trap by the sheer fact that they underestimate her strength.
And me, the princess who once was lost, but now is found. My chameleon ways change with the tides. Vampire tides. Werewolf tides. Hunter tides. And most recently I caught a new scent, Elf! Now I know I was right.
Don’t underestimate the Elves just because they are unseen!
Ugh! STOP!
Can’t princess. I need you! And your mind is so intriguing to hear.
Need! Define your need? Don’t you get enough Vampire mind talk elsewhere? I resulted to just thinking since he can hear every word. I’m insane.
I watched you for a long time. I know you. And you’ll know me soon enough.
What the crap does that mean?
Lady like, are we?
I didn’t dignify with an answer.
We started slowing a little after going for miles the opposite direction of the Hunter court. I was turned around wondering the direction of my own court and where we are headed.
My home.
I wiggled my head to look down and he let up a little on his hold just enough for me to see.
I have no intention of hurting you.
That’s good news. I watched as I was being lowered over a large massed area of lights, multiple parking garages, and well, it looked like my home mostly. We tapped our feet down on an open door balcony. He stopped me there and held his arm around my shoulders. I should be repulsed but somehow, I only stood there not moving. I eyed my ring on his pinky and the leather pants that hugged his legs tightly.
He held a grim grin, still shadowed. I have yet to see him clearly. And I know he can read my thoughts right now. I’m just positive he is the same one from days ago. But maybe not.
He turned and walked into the room. I followed after peeking and seeing I’m at least two stories in the air with an uncomfortable drop. He walked by a sofa sitting area with large paintings surrounding the room like windows of colors making light to see with. The furniture was all black leather and the perfect contrast to the bright paintings.
“You can make yourself comfortable. I’ll show you to your room shortly,” a voice deep and lilting boomed at me for the second time in the night.
He spoke. Aloud.
“You aim to keep me here?” He never answered leaving my nerves spent.
Chapter Two
…that my love would be returned.
He didn’t turn so I could see him. At this point I knew he was a Vampire. He had dark as spades black hair that hung down a little into coal black eyes still shadowed and mysterious. He was tall, built, and walked with confidence. His body was a rock. What am I thinking? I shouldn’t be looking at his backside.
He stiffened to a stop and tilted his head so I could see his profile even in the dark room. Yep, he had a smirk on his face showing he heard me. Dang thoughts!
And yet I still didn’t know really what he looked like. Or do I care! Listen to THAT!
He continued staring at me unabashedly, “I’ll be back in ten minutes. Please, be comfortable.”
When he was gone I walked back onto the balcony to survey my escape options. How will Calum ever find me? My phone.
Patting my pockets, I found it gone. Since I know well it can't fall out easily from the skintight suit I wore, someone removed it. That chapped my hide.
Above the sofa on the wall was a beautiful painting of the sun. It glowed in the dark. Darkness! Where are the lights? I searched for any sign of a light switch, lamp, or candles. Candles. The room was covered with them. He wouldn't escape my sight now. I'd seen him before, so I ignored the reasons for wanting to confirm it.
I was almost finished lighting the last stick on the mantle when I felt a cool breeze hit my neck. I instinctually turned and was looking up at the most handsome face I’d ever seen in my life. Wow! He is gorgeous!
So are you, Kissa!
As soon as I’d seen him, his eyes were already clicked on my face. Everything kind of froze in time like a movie in freeze frame. The tiny span of time it took for me to see my future flash before my eyes, I registered what he’d just done.
He winked at me.
I backed up against the mantle feeling the heat from the candles a little too close to my face. I felt like...like...he knew me in some intimate way by the way he looked at me. You shouldn’t hear me. This isn’t right? And why do you keep calling me a dang cat? How do you know my native tongue or that I possibly speak it? Who are you really? Why am I here?
He reached his large hands up above me and I didn’t mean to but I cringed up and ducked my head with my eyes closed. He was still guarding his many secrets with his refusal to answer anything.
He gently put his hand on my shoulder and nudged me to move. I followed his hand to the sofa.
“Are you coercing me to do things?”
“No, you choose at all times,” his voice was deep set. But his face was younger than his voice. He looked my age, but elegant. Regal! Nicer looking than any man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“Thank you for the compliments, Koshka.”
“Can I have my ring back? And quit calling me a cat. Just because you can say it in a different language doesn’t impress me. I probably know more languages than you.”
Sadly, I checked the rest of him out and received a breathy laugh. His cheek lifted with his lips showing perfect white teeth.
“At least you can smile.”
He frowned at that. “You can have the ring back soon, Gato.”
That is comforting Perro boy.
So you don’t like the idea of me reading your thoughts? And I’m a dog now?
“NO!”
“No it is!” He smiled. I couldn’t read his smile like I could Calum’s. Calum was like Szar in so many ways, he just had me figured at each move. I hated that I felt safe with this guy, a Vampire. And oddly attracted to him.
I watched him sit on the flat-seated chair making his leather pants bunch up just right over the humungous black boots he wore. The chair didn’t have a back to it, so he leaned and patted the sofa across from him. The seconds passed like a decade before I decided that was fine. I have a few questions.
I helplessly kept my eyes on his perfect face, his large frame not going ignored. His hair fell over to one side and angled towards me as I sat.
“What is your name?” I asked, distracting myself. He watched me. His eyes were not completely black. There were little yellow flecks all spiraling out like sunbursts.
I’m called Thorn. But you can call me Cas.
I laughed. Couldn’t help it. “Thorn? And what about Cassius? Was your mother reeling with you in the womb?”
He wasn’t laughing back.
His deep voice saddened, “I never knew my mother.” His eyes went to his knees
where his hands now sat twisted together.
“I didn’t either. Know mine that is. She died having me.” My hands copied his. I felt horrible. The travesty of knowing it happened to him or anyone seemed worse than dealing with my own weaknesses.
“I know.”
He did? “How did yours die?” I choked on the last word even though I’d wanted to kill about a dozen creatures tonight that all had a mother of their own.
She died in childbirth.
His brilliant dark eyes were burning holes into mine. I got the same eerie feeling I felt when he lifted me off the ground the first time tonight. At least I think it’s eerie. A slow burn that numbs my neck and moves slowly to my heart and all the way up and down my body. What is that?
It’s a sense you have. It warns you when I’m near.
“Why do you speak sometimes and think inside other times?” I didn’t want to admit to myself that I was visibly intrigued by this man. And I was right about sensing him. He is the same Vamp. Man! He may be near my age, but he is DEFINITELY a man. I stiffened at my thoughts.
“Because no one else can speak to me like you,” he actually answered my question.
“What do you mean?”
I can hear everyone, but they can’t hear me. Only you!
“Why me?”
“We’ll get to that later. For now, let’s have dinner.” He stood.
“I’m not here for dinner. I want to go back. My friends will be worried about me. They will find me.”
“They will, rest assured. But for now, we wait.”
Okay. If he’s telling the truth, I’ll play along. Maybe I can get information out of him.
What do you want to know, Kissa?
“How to talk like civilized people.”
He nodded. That’s ALL he does! Nod! Nod! Nod!
“Civilized. Will Italian satisfy your appetite?”
You do know a lot about me, don’t you?
“Civilized.”
Chapter Three
What would be the use of immortality...
...to a person who cannot use well a half an hour.
We stood now in a large dining room much like mine at home. The walls were a dull gray, but not a sad gray. Each axial corner had the same design, a double delta shaped curve that aimed upward. Come to think of it, I'd seen it before. In the first room he brought me too.
^^
It wasn’t hard to fall back to the style of living I was accustomed to. It also didn’t phase me to have servants milling around. I found my seat at the side end of the long table and watched him sit at the end. I followed his lead and sadly, I enjoyed every bite. He had fettuccine Alfredo, lasagna, breadsticks, my favorite type of oil and vinegar dip, and since I’ve grown up with wine at my table, my favorite red wine.
How do you know what I like?
“I told you. I know you, Anastacia Anat Hathown.” He pronounced my name very slowly. I watched his mouth open and close at each syllable.
I wouldn’t give any emotion to him. “You know, that’s kind of creepy.” I shrugged it off and took a bite off my breadstick.
He didn’t eat much. I have the feeling this meal was specifically made for just me.
What do you want from me?
I just want your time for now. That is all.
“What do you like to eat?” I tried to make conversation. I needed information. He didn’t answer. I had my answer. “Why are you eating food?”
“I like lasagna.”
“So what is your favorite food like my kind of food?”
“Pizza! With pepperoni!”
I didn’t respond to his favored "edible" food. If he knew me so well, he didn’t need my commentary.
“Do you live alone?” I looked out the doorways I could see past.
“Yes!”
Whose manor is it? “Do you have protection?” I tore off a bite of bread and swallowed.
His face went blank with both questions.
What did I say? I don’t see any guards.
He softened, hearing me I guessed. “Yes, well guarded.”
“How old are you?”
He fidgeted in his seat, motions for our plates to be taken and we waited for what I presumed was dessert. “Eighteen.”
My knowledge of Vampires is a little more extensive being a well tutored Valkyrie princess. “Plus?”
“Just that.”
Hmm! “Who was your mother?”
You are more clever than I gave you credit.
My head snapped up. I can hear you only when you want me to I’m guessing!
“I am the son of a woman who fornicated with a… a man named Ra.”
“Okay. I’m following you mostly, I think. Is that why you have the sun hanging above the sofa?” Ah, the cat comments. Egyptian history anyone? Who says fornicated?
“You connect well.”
Yes, I needed to know why I was here, but something else called me here. Something related to...him.
“Are you married?” I didn’t look at him.
“No!” He smiled. I’m only eighteen.
“Ever married?”
“No!” His smile deepened.
“Not sure why I asked you that?” I moved nervously in my seat. I like Cas.
He cocked his head sideways.
“You’re name. I’ll call you Cas. Unless I’m mad at you. My father calls me my full name when I’m mad. And do you worship cats in your pastime or do you just torture me with them?”
“Let’s move back to the other room.” And I only worship one.
We stood and he held his hand out for me to lead. This was much like the picture I held in my head of how my father would have outlined events for who I would marry. Probably the factory shipyard man or his son who owned all the buildings so we would yet own even more and help the Val court to prosper.
We were back in the same room with the balcony. Needing to breathe I suddenly needed to breathe and walked out near the edge looking down to find only trees and little escape. My neck prickled as I sighed internally. I knew this time why and waited for him to crawl closer without so much as a sound. My normal waves of fear and anger were gone at the moment too. He didn’t have it waving at me. Yet I felt something. Joy. Not in my skill toolbox, but I’m sure that is what it was.
He was standing beside me holding the rail. “No more questions?” he didn’t look my way.
I have a ton. “Why am I here?”
“Another one for tomorrow,” Cas negated yet another question.
Okay! “What is your favorite color?” Childish, but I know he’ll answer it.
“Yellow.”
“Wow! That’s awfully bright for such a dark kind of guy.” I should be giving him a harder time being the kidnapped one, but I told myself if he thought me relaxed, he would release more information.
“I like yellow.” His eyes watched me, but not my face but all around my face. He motioned to sit on the sofa so I opted for the chaise lounge on the wall opposite the sofa. He scowled at first, then forced a small smile and sat far away on the sofa. One leg crossed over his huge black boots and propped on his knee. He leaned one hand on the arm of the sofa and the other in his lap.
He is tough to crack and unusually easy to talk to for such a guarded jailer. “Favorite book?” I felt like a game show host but he is never going to answer the questions I really wanted to know, so I’d try to trick him into it or at the very least, enjoy myself.
“Hamlet,” he said crisply. I could tell he wanted me to comment on his choice.
“Whole royal family dies. End of story.”
“No, Fortinbras continues on the royal court,” Cas added.
“True, but still the entire line was lost,” I shrugged.
He nodded. “And your favorite read?”
“Aha! He asks a question that surely you know the answer to already.”
“Humor me. Elizabeth would understand,” Cas said lifting one side of his lip.
Confirmation. Why the
heck did he know me so well? Keeping my composure I offered back, “You see. But then you already know that Elizabeth saw through Darcy’s arrogance and self-centered, “only me” attitude. Never did he once seem to give fancy to what the girl needed or cared about until it was sure he’d lost her. She was just supposed to marry the highest bidder.” I took a breath then added, “Favorite weapon?”
“You!” Cas didn’t bat an eye.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Only you are capable of anything. And I rather like that. You could take anyone, Kissa.”
Huff! “I’m not that versatile.”
“Knives.”
“What?” I asked.
“Your favorite.” Big surprise. “You once threw one of your knives at me.”
What?
Cas pulled his black t-shirt to the side exposing his shoulder blade.
The vamp at the warehouse. It was him! And I almost stripped him naked! “You were the goon. Well, not a goon. Why were you there?” I was blushing when I straightened my back against the chair. My brother was there. Were you going to torture him?
“I was there to escort for your father,” Cas said plainly easing my panic.
“My father?”
“Yes, he needed my services.”
And?
“I was there to make sure nothing happened to you.”
“What? Me? This is getting really crazy now. You better give me some answers.” Unfreaking real!
“A few. The rest, tomorrow.”
I growled to myself wanting to strangle him into submission.
He chuckled. Your mouth curls up when you’re mad. It’s nice.
I growled audibly. My mouth is going to say some not very nice things if you don’t talk.
“Fine.” He was beyond frustrating. Obstinate man. I was trying hard not to think at all but the same phrase from P and P kept going through my head and I had no idea why I would be thinking it, except I did know. "If a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavor to conceal it, he must find it out.” On his own.
Son of Ra Page 2
