by Lanie Jacobs
She thought about a vampire shifting into a monster, something out of a nightmare, possibly her own nightmares, and then her thoughts went back to her mother. She was still missing, and she hated not knowing what was going on with her.
Can that monster know where she is? Had he hurt her?
Clearing her throat, she forced her mouth to ask the hardest question she would have to ask right now, “Luke is my mom dead?”
Looking at her with incredibly deep blue eyes, she could tell he was thinking about how he was going to put into context what he was about to say next.
“To be honest, I don’t know,” he said, breaking eye contact, “we aren’t even sure how they took a vampire of her magnitude down.”
“What do you mean ‘down’?” Khalida’s voice was shaking now.
“I won’t sugar coat it, Khalida, and it will be hard take. Your house was a blood bath. Judging by the smell that coursed through the house, most of the smell was foreign, probably from whoever attacked her, but being in the house, my mother and I caught a slight hint of Fatin’s blood mixed in with the other scents. We did not find her body, so we are unsure at this time if she is alive or dead. My mother is pulling her contacts out of every corner trying to find out anything she can. If she is alive, we will find her.”
Khalida wasn’t sure if she should cry or not. She couldn’t make out whether this was good news or bad, but a small flicker of hope dwelled within her. She knew her mom, and she was a fighter. Khalida also knew Luke wouldn’t say things he didn’t mean. If he said we would find her, then she trusted him. Listening to her instincts, she knew her mother might be in bad shape, but for the moment, she was alive.
CHAPTER 12
Hours had passed since Luke informed Khalida about her mother. Khalida sat withdrawn from her surroundings, her knees curled up to her chest, sinking herself into the rustic, over stuffed couch lining the edge of the living room. She attempted to close her eyes as she placed her head on the pillow of the soft arm of the couch, coiling her body in an attempt to block out the world that had become her reality. Unable to keep them closed, her eyes rested on the bay window giving Khalida a view of the beautiful lake as dark grey clouds were rolling in with the hint of thunder echoing in the distance. Fog formed at the edges of the bank, creeping closer to the house, drizzle covering the ground and gently falling against the glass, sliding down like silent tears, leaving penetrating lines where the drops slithered down the glass doors.
Her mind reached out, searching for answers, wondering where her mother might be. Doubts of uncertainty flooded through to the edges of her mind while anger simmered deep within, starting a rage that burned her to the core. She knew at that moment any hope of finding her mother alive was non-existent. She would be bringing her body home dead or her mother to die in the comfort of her daughter’s arms. But if there was even the slightest chance she could bring her home alive, Khalida would have to do whatever she could to bring her back.
Josephine and Luke were whispering to each other in the next room. She could hear the faint sounds of their voices in their subtle attempt to keep their conversation away from Khalida’s ears. Khalida knew what she had to do, so she willed herself into relaxation, closing her eyes and allowing the evil that rested at the tip of her thoughts to show itself.
As evil cloaked her mind, she began to feel the intensity as the iniquitous surging around her dream state penetrated the darkness. She knew the moment the demon pierced his presence into her realm. His raspy voice swirled around her head, hissing and taunting Khalida as he neared, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up, sending a chill through her body.
“I have something you want?” he taunted, Braedon’s voice echoing through the pitch blackness that surrounded Khalida in her dream.
“I want my mother,” she murmured through the edge of her mouth, jerking her chin up, refusing to back down from this dead soul.
“I want you!” Braedon hissed, only now the voice was a whisper in her ear.
She heard the crunch of dead leaves and turned her head to see Braedon stepping closer towards her. A smile crept over his mouth showing the tips of his fangs as his soulless eyes glared straight at Khalida.
“A trade for a trade. You for your mother,” he said, stroking his tongue across the edges of his teeth. “Come to your house tomorrow night. Alone.”
“Prove to me she is alive,” Khalida said, paralyzed as her heart thudded deep within her chest.
With a wave of his hand, Khalida could hear her mother’s voice cutting through the cold air that cradled her.
“Don’t do it, Khalida!” she screamed with the shrilling intensity of pain.
Laughter cut through the air. He was enjoying the agony that pierced Khalida’s heart, breaking it further into small pieces.
“I’ll see you soon,” he sneered grimly as his image started to fade.
“You can bet on that,” she said through gritted teeth.
Pulling herself out of her dream, she opened her eyes only to meet the furious intensity of Luke’s soft but hardened topaz eyes staring deep into her soul. He was trying to pick through the blockade Khalida had instantly put up in her mind. Disappointment crept into his eyes knowing she was hiding something from him. She could hear his heartbeat race as he searched for any sign of what she was keeping from him.
“I already told you once, Cupcake, I’m not putting up with your shit, anymore,” Luke growled, unable to penetrate Khalida’s thoughts, rubbing his hands roughly through his short locks, giving him quite the bed head look.
Sheepishly, she stretched from her nap looking at Luke hazily and as innocent as she could pull off said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied.
“I know you’re lying to me, Khalida. I can smell it all over you. What do you have going through that pretty mind of yours?” he stiffened as he pulled one of her unruly locks, securing it behind her ear.
Luke’s tired worried eyes searched Khalida’s face for a trace of what she was trying to cover up, but Khalida gave nothing away. She met his stare and stood her ground, refusing to involve him. She didn’t give one inch but neither did Luke. With her mother’s life being on the line, she wasn’t about to budge.
With his infamous grin already in place, Luke stated matter of fact, “Don’t think for one second you’re going to get away with whatever plan you have in that head of yours.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I just had a bad dream, that’s all.” Khalida spoke softly, smoothly trying to play off her deceit.
“Bullshit,” Luke spat out, “If you’re not trying to hide anything, then why won’t you let me in your head?”
“Because I don’t like it when someone other than me is in my head!” she snapped.
Cocking his eyebrow, his glare bore into Khalida eyes making her squeamish. She was about to give in and tell Luke about Braedon coming to her in her dream but just as she was about to break, Luke broke eye contact. Clearing his throat, he bent down to kiss the top of her head.
“Okay, I believe you. I think I do, anyway. How’s your head feeling?” The look on his face told Khalida he didn’t believe her.
“Like it never happened,” Khalida sighed heavily, thankful for the change of subject.
“Your body is healing at a fast rate. Within a couple of more hours, you should be completely healed.”
“I feel fine, but I, well, I need to talk to you about something,” she nervously grabbed his arm as he tried to stand, “It’s private.”
“If it’s so private, let me in your head and we can talk about it?” he smirked.
“Luke, I’m not letting you in. I need some kind of privacy,” before Khalida could finish, her thoughts were interrupted by the growling of her stomach.
Surprised, Luke looked around to see his mother was already off in the kitchen. “You need t
o feed?” he asked as a shy smile washed over his almost innocent face.
“I think we have some unfinished business to attend to,” Khalida giggled as Luke swept her into his arms, carrying her up the stairs to his bedroom before they both fell on to his bed.
His mouth crashed down on hers hungrily as his tongue entered her mouth. Khalida kissed Luke back, her body pulsing with need to feel Luke around her. His hands conjured up her leg, grabbing her thigh and wrapping her leg around his. He placed one hand on her neck just below her ear, caressing her as they entered the stages of temptation.
Khalida could feel the desire pouring from Luke as every touch from him made her want him even more. Thoughts of Carey peeked into her mind as he threatened to take from her what she was saving for Luke. If he would have made it to his planned destination, he was going to rape her, unwillingly taking her virginity.
She pushed away the bad memories that were floating through her mind and just focused on the one person she loved. She ran her fingers down his back, gently scratching the surface of his skin under his shirt, causing him to moan while he was still kissing her. Reaching the bottom of his shirt she pulled up until she had taken the shirt off his back. Luke pulled back. Confusion was now mixed with desire as he looked down into Khalida’s eyes.
“I love you,” she spoke softly, trying to hide the nervousness that pulsated through her body, “I want to be with you, to give myself to you. I know you are the only one I can ever truly love. Without you I am lost.”
“Baby, I don’t want you to feel like I’m forcing you to do anything you don’t want to do. I will wait until you’re ready,” Luke said, trying to put some distance between himself and her.
Khalida quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. Pulling his lips to her, she kissed him hungrily. Letting all her desires go, she pulled her body as close as she could to his, making sure there was no room for any doubt. Luke resisted at first, but the determination climbing out of Khalida was something he couldn’t ignore. He kissed her back feverishly, stopping only for a second while he quickly pulled her tank top off, sliding her pajama pants past her feet, and pulling her closer to continue what they had already started.
He ran his fingers down her chest, to her stomach and then to her thighs as he gently spread them, placing himself exactly where they both wanted him to be. He took his time exploring her body, making Khalida tingle with every touch. Kissing her lips and making his way down to her neck, Khalida let a small moan escape, and that was all the motivation Luke needed to remove any doubt he had left. He knew that Khalida truly wanted to give herself to him. He was gentle with his actions, making sure not to hurt her. She scraped her nails down his back, showing him how badly she wanted him.
Luke’s fangs elongated as he found his way to the crease of her neck, gliding his tongue over her pulse, kissing her gently, grazing her skin with his tongue before sinking his teeth into her skin. As her warm sweet blood flowed into his mouth, he entered her body.
Khalida cried out through gritted teeth, the pain sharp and intense. Her legs tightened around Luke, and she dug her nails into his shoulders. He pulled his mouth away from her neck, licking his mark before he slowly began to kiss her, taking his time, not wanting to hurt her.
“Are you okay, Baby?” he asked as he pulled his lips away from her embrace.
“I’m okay. It just hurt for a moment,” she spoke quickly, trying to hide the pain in her voice so Luke wouldn’t pull away.
As the pain dissipated, she pulled him to her, crushing her lips to his, wanting him all. His movements were more intense as he moved inside her. She cried in pleasure, and Luke kissed her to hush her moans. The electric current that swept through her body was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. She felt the sharpness of her fangs gliding from her gums as she found her way to the pulse just below his skin. She scrapped her teeth across his skin, sending waves of shushed moans from her lover. At the same time they took each other with one swift bite.
“You’re mine,” he growled, kissing her deeply before pulling back to look her in the eyes, “I love you,” he said before falling beside her, pulling her to his chest and holding her as closely as he could.
“Always,” Khalida replied without hesitation.
“I need to ask you something,” Luke spoke softly with reserve, “You gave me you, all of you, but I want more.”
“What is it, Luke? You’re making me nervous,” Khalida laughed, trying to fight the butterflies that were once again swarming in her stomach.
“When all this over, I want you as my wife.” He grabbed Khalida’s cheeks looking deep into her eyes, “Be mine. Forever.”
“Yes.” She croaked wrapping her arms around his neck, “I don’t want anyone else, ever.”
“Well, technically our kind doesn’t get married. We are mated together. So let me ask you this, Khalida will you do me the honor of being my beloved, my mate?”
She glared at Luke, not knowing if she could give him forever. Hell, she might not make it past her eighteenth birthday, but she knew as long as she was alive she would never want anyone the way she wanted him. “I promise that as long as I live, I will always be yours.”
CHAPTER 13
Luke
What does that little vixen have going through her head?
Luke wondered to himself as he held Khalida in her arms. The last few hours had been a surprising turn of events that even he didn’t see coming.
She is most certainly up to something.
Gently rubbing his hand up her arm, he tried searching one more time to get into her head, trying to find a small crack in her mind that would let him in.
Nothing. Why is she trying so hard to keep me out?
Frustration started to settle. The harder he tried, the more he was pushed out. Realizing she was asleep, he forgot his frustration and focused on the fact that she could keep him out. For someone of his power going up against his stubborn but not fully transcended girlfriend, she should not be able to keep him out. He laid in awe realizing her mind power was going to be one her greatest powers. He could tell by her ability to block all his attempts she would indeed be a force to be reckoned with.
Oh, I pity the poor soul that crosses her path when she is pissed off.
Laying his arm on her chest, he took in the sight of her. She looked almost at peace, so beautiful. He knew he would never love anyone like he did her, and he vowed then to protect her at all costs.
How can I protect you when you won’t let me in, Khalida? Do you even know how important this is? Do you think of the bigger picture?
With Khalida keeping him out, he knew that she was hiding something big. Texting Razi, he had to prepare in case things went down.
Razi… has Vega said anything to you about Khalida?
Like what?
She’s keeping something from me.
No. I’ll see what I can find out.
Did you ever look into that Lacey girl?
Yea… I couldn’t find anything out on her.
What do you think she is? A witch?
Idk. Followed her since the dance. Doesn’t seem to be a threat.
Alright
I’m keeping my eyes on her, though. No worries.
Flipping his phone shut, he replayed everything in his mind, trying to figure out what this beautiful, yet difficult girl was trying to pull. The more he tried the more his head hurt. It could be possible with everything happening so fast she is just stressed out and exhausted but he quickly dissolved those thoughts.
No, she is keeping something from me and for the life of me I can’t figure it out. Why won’t she tell me what is going on? I think I need to invest in a room with padded walls to lock her little ass up in until she comes clean.
Laughing at his passing thoughts his frustration subsided, deciding to just play it out and see what happens. T
rying to cover all of his bases he began to plot out plans for each scenario he could think of, falling asleep in the midst of his over-thinking mind.
CHAPTER 14
Josephine sat at the end of the table going over the course of action for returning Fatin back to safety. Everyone offered their opinions while working out a strategy, chiming in on what do to once she was located according to their talents and expertise. Luke focused on his mother’s careful words as she gave orders to kill the Ubil’s demonic leader Braedon. Sitting intently and listening to the plan, Khalida knew Josephine was desperate to get her mother away from the cruel intentions that were no doubt flooded by her captors.
Luke sat rigid and tense, listening to the details pouring forth, forgetting the run in from just hours before. Khalida contemplated telling him about the meeting that was set to take place tomorrow night, but however badly she wanted to tell him her secret, she knew she couldn’t. She may have just signed her death warrant, but there was no way she was taking him with her. She loved him too much. He spent all his time fighting, trying to protect her, and she knew without a doubt that if she told him, he would fight to his death trying to save her.
Figuring out a way to get her mother out alive was going to be hard enough, even if it meant she had to take her mother’s place. As long as she got out and Luke wasn’t in harm’s way, she would find a way to somehow defeat the Ubil’s. Her mind was a million miles away, and reality hit her like a hardened blow. She realized she was planning thoughts in her mind. Quickly sweeping any thought that lingered in her head, she glanced towards Luke. Khalida had gotten careless and was unsure if she had kept her thoughts from him, but thankfully he was still deep in conversation with the others, not paying attention to her demising thoughts. She knew she had to be more careful. Luke was still fully aware, already suspecting something was going on, and knew she wasn’t being completely honest with him. If he found out what was really going on, not only would Khalida lose her mother she could surely lose him in the process of it all. To hell with her; she no longer cared what happened to her. She was tired of everyone around her getting hurt.
