A Shade Of Vampire (The Mate)

by Bella Forrest

  I held my breath at the momentary silence that followed. I could almost sense her thinking, weighing the pros and cons of what could happen should she dare defy me. I breathed a short sigh of relief when the shackles began clinking with her every step as she filled the empty spot on my side.

  I didn’t dare look at her. Having her so close was already taking its toll on my self-control… I was certain that just the sight of the bright red blush on her cheeks would remind me of her blood and my longing to partake of it.

  “Get rid of these restraints. She has nowhere to run to.”

  “Brother…” Vivienne began to protest. “If she uses the freedom you’re giving her to raise a hand against you, you might not be able to control yourself from…”

  “I won’t feed on her.” I said it with more conviction and self-assurance than I actually felt. “Do as I say and remove the chains.”

  My command was heeded to immediately. It was yet another reminder of who I was before, of how much they all feared me. I waited until the restraints were removed before I took a first step forward, the group following my pace.

  Lucas and Vivienne tried to make conversation as we trekked through the dark wood, but I was no longer paying attention. I was too distracted by Sofia, aware of every single one of her actions. She rubbed her wrists even as she observed her surroundings. She was taking in every detail of her surroundings, her eyes showing bright curiosity and mild fascination. Before I could keep myself from doing it, I grabbed her hand, my fingers intertwining with hers.

  She flinched from my touch. I knew I had no right to take that sort of liberty with her, but I gave myself that indulgence, because I really just wanted to feel her warmth.

  I could only guess what was going through her mind, because at some point, she squeezed my hand like she did to that other girl back in the Sanctuary. She couldn’t have known how much that meant the world to me.

  CHAPTER 9: SOFIA

  His hand was so cold. A chill climbed from the hand he was holding all the way up to my elbow. I couldn’t understand why he would do that – hold my hand. But the gesture strangely brought me comfort where I had none.

  As we took the evening walk to wherever it was that would be considered the Prince’s quarters, I kept my eyes open for a means of escape. We’d just left the Vale and were now being ushered into another dark, murky wood, though I was sure that some other clearing would come to view, showing us another aspect of the Blood Shade that would astound my imagination.

  At this point, however, there was nothing to be seen but trees and rocks and bushes. So, my thoughts roamed back to the people I saw back at the Vale. It was easy to tell the difference between the vampires and humans. Vampires wore a variety of outfits in what I was surprised to find were rather modern and stylish designs. The humans, however, all seemed to be wearing clothes made in similar fabric – what I assumed was coarse white cotton and gray wool. I noticed how all humans seemed busy with something. I was fairly certain that we humans were the workforce that was keeping the Blood Shade going. We were the Shade’s blood and sweat. Both literally and figuratively.

  I remembered a particular scene I’d witnessed while we were being dragged past the Vale. From a distance, I saw a vampire hit a young man across the face, causing the boy to crash to the ground. I wanted to run there and do something about it. Even in high school, I made it clear to Ben and all of our friends that I would never stand for bullying.

  Of course, there was no way for me to do anything about what I saw here. I was chained behind the vampires and guarded like a wild animal. I hated how helpless I felt and found myself squeezing Derek’s hand. It was mostly caused by instinct, like an impulse reaction to the memory, but when I realized what I’d done and looked at Derek for a reaction, I could swear I saw gratefulness in his blue eyes.

  “We’re here.” Vivienne announced, stopping at a certain spot in the middle of the woods. “Welcome to the Pavilion, Derek.”

  I frowned and looked around. I could only see the dark silhouettes of thick tree trunks.

  Derek seemed just as confused as I was.

  “I don’t understand…” he said tentatively.

  Lucas smirked. “Was it not your bloody suggestion to build the Residences on top of trees?”

  Before his comment could even register in my mind, Lucas leaped upwards. I looked up towards the sky. What I saw made my head spin. My mouth dropped open.

  Networks of massive and luxurious tree houses were built atop the giant redwoods. How it was possible for them to build those things up there was beyond my comprehension, but there they were – what looked like modern, high-end villas built on trees connected by bridges that were now triggering my non-existent fear of heights.

  My amazement was momentarily interrupted when I saw the reaction on Derek’s face. I could swear that his blue eyes were moistening with tears as he gazed up at “The Residences” with unveiled awe.

  He then shifted his attention to his sister and with a practically broken voice, he said, “You remembered.”

  Vivienne smiled. “How could I forget?”

  I stood there, witnessing this trace of affection and humanity between them. For a moment, I actually felt jealous of what Derek and Vivienne had. I could see how much they doted on each other.

  No words were uttered next, because no words were necessary. They understood, and in a strange way, so did I.

  Vivienne leaped into the air just as Lucas did moments before. That’s when I realized that there were no stairs. Not even a ladder in sight. I opened my mouth, wondering how on earth I was going to get up there, but before words could come out, I saw a glint of amusement spark in the corners of Derek’s eyes.

  He didn’t bother to ask my permission. He simply wrapped his strong arms around my waist and pulled me against him. Before I could get to grips with what was about to happen, he took a vertical leap that left my mind whirling as I gasped for breath, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck and clinging to him for support.

  When I felt him pull away from me and settle my feet on what felt like hardwood flooring, I dared open my eyes.

  I found myself standing on a wide terrace overlooking one of the most magnificent scenes I’d ever laid eyes on. It was more beautiful than a painting.

  I walked toward the edge of the terrace and gazed out. Thousands of glittering stars were peppered across the pitch-black canvas that was the sky. These stars and the full moon’s beams were the only light to grace the landscape.

  I dared not look directly downward. I preferred not to scare myself by discovering just how high up we were. But I could tell that this was one of the tallest trees on the whole island.

  A massive sea of black treetops sprawled out beneath me for miles. And looming far in the distance were mountains. Mountains so high that the tops were capped with white. Snow.

  I could only imagine what everything would look like at sunrise. I drew a breath just imagining how stunning it would be.

  A cool sea wind whipped across my face. I tasted the salt.

  What unsettled me was, despite how high up I was standing, I could not see any end to the forest. No sign of the shore. Not even the faintest clue in which direction I would run even if I managed to get free from Derek’s grasp. I gasped.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Derek thought I was gasping with pleasure. His voice was husky.

  I just nodded as I leaned my weight over the wooden banister that lined the terrace, trying to distract my mind from the writhing I now felt within my stomach.

  I began wondering about the other girls we’d left behind and figured that the guards would take care of them. I wasn’t sure whether the favor Derek was showing me was to my advantage or not. Somehow, I felt far more secure with the other girls around. Whatever had become of them, I really didn’t have a choice but to move on according to Derek’s pace, because he once again grabbed my hand and pulled me along as Vivienne and Lucas led him to his quarters.

>   “This is one of four penthouses that comprise The Pavilion, which was built specifically for our family,” Vivienne explained as she unlocked the oak door of the magnificent penthouse with large glass windows. “There’s one for each of us – you, father, Lucas and I.”

  Even as we moved toward the tree house, or penthouse as Vivienne called it, I couldn’t help but stare at the windows in wonder. If what I knew about vampires was correct, wouldn’t all the sunlight be streaming right through? I gave the vampires surrounding me wary glances; that I would stand amidst them like it was the most normal thing jolted me to attention. No matter how awed I was by the Blood Shade’s beauty, I had to remember that I was there against my will. I couldn’t trust any of them – not Lucas, not Vivienne, especially not Derek. Where there’s a way in, there simply must be a way out.

  I paid close attention to what the home looked like from the inside. Indoors, the penthouse looked even more massive than it looked outside. We were ushered into what I assumed was the living room based on the furniture it sported – a large flat screen TV, a fireplace, abstract art on the cream walls, plush black leather couches. It wasn’t at all how I pictured the home of a vampire would be. My eyes circled the room and noticed that there were three entry-ways surrounding it – aside from the one we entered from. At each entry way were glass doors that led to more glass-covered walkways leading to other rooms of the penthouse.

  “And the Elite live where?” Derek asked, seemingly satisfied by what he saw.

  I wondered who he meant by the Elite, and realized that even the vampires were classified into some sort of caste system. I made a mental note to find out more about this, although I wasn’t sure why. After all, I had every intention of escaping the first chance I got.

  “The other Elites live at the Penthouses – basically tree houses similar to the ones we have, but ours, of course,” Lucas smirked, “are far more luxurious, because let’s face it. A Novak deserves only the best.”

  When he said the best, he eyed me pointedly and I found myself backing up a step, but Derek’s firm grip on my hand kept me from going too far. It was almost as if he wanted me anchored to him – and I couldn’t understand why.

  I looked at him, wondering what he intended to do to me that night. The thoughts roaming around my head made me to shudder with dread.

  “The Pavilion’s penthouses have more rooms than I could keep track of,” Vivienne announced.

  “There’s this one, the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, a library, several baths, an indoor pool, an entertainment room, a theater, a master bedroom, several guestrooms and your harem’s quarters. There are several rooms that we left untouched, just in case you think of something you wish to do with them.”

  “A music room,” Derek immediately said without even batting an eyelash.

  My brows rose at this new piece of information. I never would have expected that he was musically inclined.

  Vivienne smiled. “Of course. I’ll see to it that the scouts get everything you need. Do you need me to show you to your bedroom?”

  Derek shook his head. “I’ll manage.”

  My heart sank. The thought of me being alone with him in that place was unnerving. I tried to pull my hand away from his grasp, but he held tight.

  Vivienne seemed to take notice of this, but paid it no heed. Instead, she walked toward her brother and gave him a hug. This time, he let go of my hand in order to reciprocate her gesture.

  I stepped backward. That’s when I noticed Lucas staring at the hand Derek just let go of. He looked like he wanted to crush it. I balled my fists and hid them behind the silky fabric of the exquisite dress they’d made me wear. I felt Lucas’ eyes on me, traveling along every curve of my body. I wanted to bolt away.

  “It’s only a few hours until morning. We’d best get going,” Vivienne said. “I’ll instruct the guards to have the girls brought to their quarters… unless you have other plans.”

  Derek shook his head. “Take them there. Except for Sofia. She stays in the bedroom nearest mine.”

  Vivienne gave me a pointed look from head to toe, as if she were wondering what was so special about me. That made two of us.

  She nodded. “Very well. See you tomorrow, Derek.”

  I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved by her goodbye. It meant that I would no longer be in the same room with Lucas, but it also meant that I would be completely under the mercy of Derek. Still, the inevitable happened. They left.

  The moment they closed the door behind them, I found myself wanting to back away from Derek, but found myself rooted to my spot. He turned around, studying his surroundings until his gaze fell on me.

  “You’re just standing there,” he retorted.

  I shrugged. “I have nowhere to go, do I?”

  “Why are you not afraid of me?” He began to draw closer.

  I wanted to run – the same way I should have when Lucas first approached me at the beach.

  “What on earth makes you think I’m not afraid of you?”

  “I thought maybe you’re one of those girls.”

  “What girls?”

  “Girls who are fascinated by our kind,” he stopped a few steps away from me, almost as if he were afraid to draw closer. “Girls who want to be like us.”

  “I can describe your kind in many words,” I practically spat out. “Fascinating isn’t one of them. Is that really what you think you are? Fascinating?”

  He took a step back. I could swear that he actually looked hurt. He shook his head, a bitter smile forming on his lips. “No. Far from it.”

  “Why am I here? What are you going to do with me?” The questions came out of my lips before I could stop them. The tone of desperation was evident in how the words were said.

  He stared as if he were battling with himself whether to answer my questions or not.

  “Go to sleep, Sofia. You need the rest.”

  My heart sank. “You’re never going to let me go, are you?”

  He shook his head. “No. I can’t let you go. You’ve seen too much.”

  I gritted my teeth. No way am I going to stay here forever. I had every intention of escaping and I figured the morning would be the best time to do it. As we both found our way to the other rooms and discovered where our bedrooms were, I had one thought circling my mind: I had to escape by daybreak.

  I guess I underestimated the Blood Shade when it came to its penchant for surprises. I drifted off to sleep in a round comfortable bed covered with furs, expecting to see sunlight breaking through the bedroom windows the next morning. To my horror, I woke up to a deep, dark night.

  CHAPTER 10: DEREK

  The moment I laid my back down on the furry covers of the four-post bed in the middle of the lavish bedroom I’d chosen for myself, the first thought that came to mind was: What on earth are you doing? I’d just woken up from four centuries of sleep. There really was no more sleeping to be done. Thus, I spent the night in the library, reading books – hoping to catch up with what I’d missed over the past years. I found a wealth of information there, but I knew that I’d only scratched the surface. I then realized what a great value Sofia would be to me in becoming acquainted with the world as it was now.

  I picked up the fourth glass of blood that was brought to me by one of the harem girls. A gift from Vivienne.

  When the girl, Gwen, tentatively came in with the first glass in hand, I didn’t even care to ask where the blood came from or whose blood it was. I just drank it all up. My hunger had to be satisfied if I were to keep myself from murdering the girls who were living inside my home. I thanked her for the blood and asked if she could fetch me more. The brunette nodded, her lips trembling even as she moved away from me. I looked at her and wondered why I wasn’t as drawn to her as I was to Sofia. It could be said that she was similarly pleasant to look at as the redhead sleeping in the chambers next to mine, and yet that simple gesture Sofia did back at the Sanctuary – grabbing Gwen’s hand to comfort her – some
how solidified Sofia, in my eyes, as more valuable than the other four girls combined.

  As I finished my fourth glass, I found myself longing to check on how my beautiful captive was doing. I stood up and made my way through the glass-covered walkways, displaying the starlit sky above it. I smiled. It was a nice touch by Cora – always keeping the sun out of the Blood Shade – the one place on earth where it was always night. I eventually ended up in her bedroom. I heaved a sigh. I couldn’t understand why I was so nervous. She was just a girl. I’ve had my fill of blood. There was really no reason to be so anxious. I knocked on the door and waited. Nothing. I knocked again. “Sofia?”

  I creased my brows. Something was wrong. I opened the door. It wasn’t locked. For some reason, that bothered me. Is she so foolish to trust a stranger like me – a vampire at that – that she wouldn’t even lock her door? I pushed the door open and surveyed the room. She was nowhere in sight.

  “Sofia?” I stepped in, the truth beginning to dawn on me.

  I was the fool to trust her. I didn’t even bother to station guards outside her bedroom. Of course she would attempt to escape. She’d be a fool if she didn’t.

  CHAPTER 11: SOFIA

  Run, Sofia. I kept telling myself to go on, to flee. I figured that at some point, I’d reach something – anything to give me a clue on how I could escape the Blood Shade. And so I continued, stumbling through the darkness of the forest.

  I knew I had no escape plan and the likelihood of actually leaving the island was practically non-existent. But I had to take my chance the moment I saw it. I couldn’t afford to hang around while Derek decided exactly what he wanted to keep me for.

  I thought of Ben and what he would do given my situation. Knowing how impulsive my best friend was, I figured to escape while he could was probably what he would’ve done. That really was all the encouragement that I needed. So when I woke up that morning – and found the sky to be as dark as it was the night before – I realized that waiting for daylight to escape was pointless.