“Julia, you can do it,” Nicholas said.
I paced around the cage, looking for a way in. Her fear enveloped me, making me want her more.
“This is torture!” I growled.
“I know, but you can do it.”
“I don’t want to do it. I want her!” I leaned in, trying to put my hands between the beams of light. The girl shied away, whimpering.
“Don’t hurt me,” she pleaded.
“See her humanity, Julia,” Nicholas said from the corner of the room. “She’s not food. She’s a human, a girl, and she’s afraid.”
“Shhh…” I whispered to her. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
The girl’s shoulders relaxed. She looked at me with big blue eyes, and something triggered inside me. I couldn’t look at her eyes, at her soul.
“Just sleep, young one,” I said while waving my hand. “It’ll all be over soon.”
And just like that, her eyes flittered shut and she slumped over.
I eased over where I could reach her and gently coaxed her arm through the beams. She woke up and gasped, yanking her arm back.
The beam singed my wrists. “You little witch!”
The girl began to cry.
Nicholas walked over, and reached through the bars, patting my meal on the head. “There, there. It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay! I want her!”
Nicholas steeled his hands against my shoulders. “Focus, Julia, or you’re just going to be banging your head against the wall for a good long time.”
I shrugged him off. “Go to hell.”
He laughed and opened the door, walking out. “Fine. Have at it.”
Determined to have my way, my drive over took my civility. With a growl, I pounded at the cage over and over. And each time, the pain from the burns intensified. Eventually, I lay on the floor exhausted, my entire body covered in new skin.
How did Nicholas have enough strength not to give in?
“Had enough?” Nicholas stepped into the room.
I wanted to cry, to feel human again. To care. I stared at the girl, at her tear stained cheeks, and the monster I saw in her eyes. I hated the animal she saw.
“Yes,” I croaked out.
A bag of blood dropped next to me. I tore into it without thinking. The girl shrieked.
“Come on,” Nicholas said, defeated. “Well try again tomorrow.”
“What?” I moaned.
He held out his hand and pulled me to my feet. “If I show restraint tomorrow, can I have her as a reward?”
The girl gasped.
“No, Julia,” Nicholas said while leading me out of the room. “You’re missing the point.”
“I told you so,” Katie said while entering the room. She clicked a button and the light beams vanished.
Growling, I lunged for the girl. Nicholas gripped onto my waist before I could get to her, and forced me out of the room.
“No!” He swiveled me around, then slapped me. “Get ahold of yourself.”
I held my cheek, stunned. “Why did you do that?”
“Because…” He sighed. “Let’s just… come on.”
I pulled against him, wanting him to let me go. “Does Katie get her? Is that what she’s doing in there?”
“No.” Nicholas stared into my eyes. “You just terrorized that little girl for the last three hours. Katie’s going to mind-wipe her and heal her wounds, before we let her go.”
“Let her go?” I scowled. “So that’s it. Katie’s the poster girl for control. Better than me, right?”
“That isn’t what this is about.” Nicholas took me by the hand. “Let’s work off this aggression.”
Once we cleared the fog of fear and Katie did whatever to make the girl forget, my head cleared. Then what I’d done to her and what she saw in my evil heart, crushed me. I was a killer, pure and simple, and no amount of training would ever take that desire away.
I was doomed.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
After a week of training, I finally was able to keep Nicholas from sweeping me off my feet and dumping me on my back. My blood lust problems, though, were a different story. No matter how hard I tried, they got the best of me, especially if the victim was vulnerable and bleeding.
“That’s pretty good,” he said.
“Pretty good?” I swiveled around, tripped him with my leg, and flipped him on his back. “High-ya!” I checked his throat with my flattened hand, Samurai style.
He winked before he flipped me and held me down.
“Hey!” I struggled under his weight, well, sort of.
He leaned in and kissed me. Butterflies zoomed in my stomach. Maybe this whole vigilante thing wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
“We’re going to try something new today,” he whispered before crawling off of me.
Though I wanted to coax him back, my curiosity peaked. “Are we going to go outside?”
“Actually,” he gave me a small smile, “I thought we’d visit your parents.”
My breath stilled. “Really?”
“I think, for now, working on curbing your appetite with people you care about is a better place to start.”
I sighed, shaking my head. I had no restraint. “I don’t want them to see me like this.”
“Why not? You look great.”
“Yeah, right. I’m sure when I’m in my fang glory, my parents will applaud, especially with all my thoughts attached.” I huffed. “I’m a monster and you know it.”
“If you’re not upset, you don’t project. Simple as that. You’re stronger than you think.”
I wanted to laugh. The new pink skin on my arms I’d regrown multiple times over the past few days shimmered in the light. He’d had to turn up the power as high as it would go. Any higher and I’d be toast, and yet the pain didn’t stop me from claiming my victim.
“They miss you, and I’m running out of excuses.”
I paced, unsure of myself. “Where are you keeping them?”
“In the basement, for now.”
The thought of them hiding down there made my skin crawl.
“Don’t worry. However this goes, we can erase a bad experience.”
I let out a snort. “That’s supposed to give me confidence?”
He wrapped his arms around me, forcing me to look at him. “Whatever happens, happens. I’ll be there.”
“I don’t trust myself.”
“Well, then,” he started slowly. “It may be best if you’re not in their life anymore.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“If things don’t work out, then we’ll fake your death.”
I frowned. “What?”
“Well, how else are you going to explain why you don’t age, and your current living situation?”
The thought of my name on an empty grave marker made me shudder. In all reality, I’d hoped to gain control, then tell them the truth. “Why can’t I live with them? I mean if I had a talisman, I could. We’ve only got a year left to finish high-school.”
Nicholas’ chin lifted. “You have a long way to go before that could happen. Besides, I like living under the same roof as you.”
My lips pulled into a small smile. “Well, yeah. It does have its perks.”
“And eventually,” he said while he ran his lips over my throat, “I’m hoping we’ll share the same bed, even.”
“We don’t sleep, silly.” I pushed against his chest as he took my cheeks in his palms and kissed me. The length of his body pressed against mine, and I imagined what it would feel like to be skin-to-skin.
“Whoa, girl. Settle down,” he said breathless, and untangled himself from me.
“What?”
“We don’t want Katie busting in here again.”
“Geez,” I said, lifting my hands. “I’m like the freakin’ porno pariah.”
“Just until we get things handled.”
I bit my lip, momentarily imagining how I’d like to handle him.
&n
bsp; “Down girl!”
I laughed, then quickly sobered up. Could I handle seeing my parents? “I guess if you think it’s a good idea. Let’s do it.”
Nicholas’ brows lifted. “We don’t have to.”
I shrugged. “Let’s get it over with. Maybe I do have more strength than I realize.”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
We left the training room and walked down the hall toward the elevator doors. The last time I’d been in the basement was when I was in Mr. Cruor AKA Cain’s special program. I’d allowed Rachel to draw my blood when I thought he was looking for the cure to cancer. The fact I hadn’t seen either of them made me wonder.
The doors opened with a soft hiss. New and tasty smells filled my nose. Nicholas led me in, and put a key into the panel. All the floors lit up. He pressed the button for the fourth floor.
“Not five?”
He smiled. “We keep the humans on four for now.”
The quick ride down tickled my tummy. Once the doors opened, I scanned the unfamiliar room, taking in the antiseptic smells. Whoever they kept here were pretty content for the most part.
“This way.” Nicholas led me down a white hallway. He produced a key and opened the last door. I could feel the strength of the venom infused inside, almost like an electrical current ran through it. Inside was another short hall. At the end was another door. Nicholas walked up and knocked.
Within seconds, the door clicked open.
“Julia!” Mom exclaimed and moved to wrap her arms around me. She never looked more beautiful. Untrusting of myself, I stepped backward.
She stopped advancing. “What’s wrong?”
I gave Nicholas a look. “I’m not feeling so great. Don’t want you to catch it.”
Nicholas smiled in approval, but I was confused. The last time I was with my parents, they’d argued with Cain over my mother’s cancer diagnosis, then all hell broke loose. Cain had basically kidnapped them with intensions to use them as leverage so I’d cooperate. She didn’t seem to have remembered that at all. Had she been mind-wiped?
Mom puckered her lips. “Well, I don’t care what you have. I’m going to hug my little girl.” She moved forward, and I collapsed into her embrace, relieved I didn’t have one inappropriate urge. “Katie said you’d be by. I know you’ve been busy with your work, it’s just I’ve missed you so much. Please come inside.”
Work?
“Oh, yes. For Horace’s cancer research.”
My brow furrowed. Nicholas gave a reassuring nod like I should go along with it as we stepped over the threshold into a small furnished apartment. Dad stumbled out of the lounger.
“Oh, hey, Jules,” he slurred. “There’s my girl.”
My gaze swung to Nicholas. Were they being drugged?
“Drugged?” Mom laughed. “We’ve just had a little wine, that’s all.”
Biting my lip, I cursed internally. Though my cravings were in check, my invisible thought-thrower was working overtime.
“You’re hilarious, Jules,” Dad said. “Come sit.”
The four of us took seats in the living area. Nicholas gripped my nervous hands.
“So, what have you been up to?” Mom asked.
I pressed my lips together, unsure what to say, trying to keep my mind blank.
“Just trying to save the world,” Nicholas interrupted with a chuckle. “Julia’s blood has been a lifesaver.”
I tried not to smirk, still worried about Mom’s health.
Dad perked up. “Don’t worry about your Mom. She’s doing great.”
I blinked in shock. “Really?” I asked.
“Yep. And I even got to keep my hair.” She bounced the ends of her curls in her hands. “Just hoping to get home soon. Luke’s been worried.”
My jaw hinged open and shut. I’d totally forgotten about my brother. “How is he?”
“Frustrated we left him in the dark.” Dad smirked. “But you know how things ended up and Horace just didn’t want anything to happen. Good thing they caught the guys who kidnapped you.”
“Oh, right.” I cracked a smile, my eyes flickering ever so often to Nicholas.
“So how was New York?” Mom asked.
“Good. Busy.” I bit my lip. Nicholas squeezed my hand reassuringly. Though I was projecting my thoughts, things were going smoothly.
“Well, that’s good,” she said.
“You like it here?”
“It’s stuffy,” Dad complained.
“Russ,” Mom chastised. “It’s been fine. He’s just a grump. I’m happy anywhere, as long as I’m cancer free.”
I sighed, feeling the stress release from my chest. “Me, too, Mom. Me, too.”
“Well, since there’s no threat anymore. I’m ready to get outta Dodge.” Dad stood, wobbly on his feet.
“All in good time, Russ.” Mom took his hand and tugged him downward. He returned to his seat. She smiled at me. “You’ll be coming home, right Sweetie? When it’s time?”
I forced a smile. “Yeah. If there’s no threat, sure.”
“Great.” Mom beamed. “Oh, and by the way, you look so radiant. I love your hair. And are you wearing colored contacts? You’re eyes are so blue.”
I nodded. “You like them?”
“They look fake,” Dad chimed in. “I’m sure Nicholas here loves you for you. You don’t need those things in your eyes to win his approval.”
“I love Julia’s natural beauty, yes,” Nicholas said quickly. “But whatever makes her happy, I’m all for.”
I gave him a sour look. He didn’t need to butter me up like this.
“He does make you happy,” Mom said in agreement.
I stared at the floor. Actually, being normal again and coming home would make me happy—and maybe a wedding.
“Wedding?” Mom asked quickly.
My guilty glance flew upward to meet her curious eyes, avoiding Nicholas’. “In the future…yeah.”
“You didn’t ask us, Son,” Dad bellowed.
“Oh,” Nicholas stammered.
“Dad. Stop.”
“It would do me the honor,” Nicholas finished.
“I couldn’t imagine another guy more perfect for our daughter.” Dad encased Mom’s hand.
My jaw dropped open. Was this conversation really happening? Then Nicholas swiveled to the floor, kneeling on one knee. “I don’t have a ring yet, but would you marry me?”
I stared at him, dumbfounded.
“Well, answer him.” Dad tapped his foot impatiently.
“Yes,” I blurted.
My mother gasped, then burst into tears. She tackled the both of us with a hug. “My baby is getting married!”
I didn’t know what to think or feel, other than being utterly happy and sad at the same time. All I knew was I couldn’t have a traditional wedding, not with my cravings, and sometime in the near future, I’d need to distance myself from my family.
I just decided to take things one day at a time.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“What was that?” I hit Nicholas in the arm.
He chuckled. “What?”
“You just proposed!”
His arm wove around my waist. “And you said yes.”
I rolled my eyes. “We were supposed to test out my cravings on people I know and love, remember? Not propose.”
“And… you broadcasted that you wanted to marry me.”
I pursed my lips. “So now what?”
He cracked a smile. “We plan a wedding.”
Great. Alora as my mother-in-law. I couldn’t wait.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nicholas’ eyes tightened.
“You know we have issues,” I barked as we entered the elevator. “Stop reading my mind!”
“I’m trying not to. That’s it. We’re going to work on that next—well, you and Katie will. I’m at a loss in that department”
I gritted my teeth. “Like that’s going to happen.”
Nicholas tsked. “Well, the
n we should just elope.” His arm around me tightened.
“What? Why?”
He put his lips to my ear. “I can just imagine what you’d be projecting during the wedding, let alone the honeymoon.”
“Stop it.” I bumped my hip against his side. “I can control my thoughts. I just need… time.”
He chuckled, which made my toes curl. Yeah, my thoughts wouldn’t be what I’d want everyone to hear, especially my parents.
“That’s what I thought,” Nicholas added.
I sighed, shaking my head at myself. Dumb powers.
The silver doors finally opened to the ground floor of Cain’s mansion, and I focused on control. Down the corridor, a girl screamed.
My bloodlust reared her ugly head at the terrified sound, bursting the little control I’d managed into flames. “What’s that?”
“Let’s go.” Nicholas led me down the opposite hall.
I pulled against him, halting us in our tracks.
“Julia!” the girl screamed.
The hair on my neck stood on end. “That’s Sam!”
I ripped my hand from his and ran around the corner just before they shoved her into the elevator. Without thinking, I took out Mr. Steroids, and two other vampire goons before pulling her from the car. I ripped off the ropes binding her wrists and focused on just getting her from the house.
“Julia?” she asked through broken gasps.
“Hold it!” Nicholas said sternly behind me. “Let her go!”
Ignoring Nicholas, I bolted with her down the hall to the front door. “Let’s get you out of here.”
“Stop!” Alora called out.
Slide and Green Eyes, the one who’d abducted me from school, stood before the front door.
“We mean her no harm,” Alora said behind me. I turned around, assaulted by her calming smile. “Just to talk.”
I backed up against the wall. Sam stayed close by my side, her heart pounding me right out of my control. Bloodlust washed over me, but I forced it down. Sam’s my friend—my best friend.
“What?” Sam breathed.
Blood Wars: Book 4 (The Talisman Series) Page 21
