Rubbing the back of her neck, she returned the list to him. “Here. This is all I can remember.”
He tucked it away into his pocket and knelt in front of her. As if sensing her inner turmoil, he took her hands into his. His eyes were full of silent determination. “I’ll do what I can to find out what happened to your friends. I will need to get someone to stay here with you in the meantime.”
“I’ll be fine by myself. I don’t believe there is anyone else I’ve pissed off who is after my head.”
“The demon is still after us.”
Helena jerked her hands out of his grasp. She didn’t want to think about Lazarus. He showed up more often than a phone bill. Now that her life was returning to normal, he won’t be able to offer a tempting deal. Not unless he had planned something else for her, and she knew him well enough to know he would try again.
“How long will it take for someone to come?”
He glanced at the clock. “Just over an hour if I call Alexander now.”
She couldn’t imagine what she looked like. She touched her hair. It was a greasy mess. “I’m going to use the shower. I should be out in about fifteen minutes. Are you hungry?”
Lucious’ eyes flared blue. “Are you offering?”
It took her a few seconds to remember what he was.
He studied her blushing face and burst into laughter. With a genuine smile, he appeared younger.
She couldn’t help being fascinated by this new side of him. “I didn’t mean me! I’m…going to go this way.” She pointed at the door and rushed into the bathroom.
After scrubbing her body clean and making herself look somewhat presentable, Helena searched for Lucious.
He sat on a bar stool in the kitchen, wearing one of Andrew’s snug t-shirts and reading one of her mythology books, which he must have picked off the shelf in her room.
“Found something interesting?” she asked awkwardly.
Lucious closed the book, tossing it on the kitchen island. “Not exactly.”
Making a beeline for the kettle, she kept her eyes on anywhere but him. She started filling the kettle. “Tea or coffee?”
“Coffee.”
In silence, he watched her rushing about the kitchen. His intense stare kept her blushing.
Instead of standing around and waiting for the kettle to boil, she saw her answering machine was blinking. She glimpsed at the number of messages and cursed.
“I was at home almost twenty-four-seven and never got a single message. It’s when I am kidnapped by vampires and tortured by a demon do people suddenly want to talk to me.”
“That seems to be the grand scheme of telephones.”
Helena pressed the ‘play’ button with much reluctance, and her mother’s agitated voice came through the speaker. “Helena! Why haven’t you called me or Richard? We called your phone a dozen times by now. Pick up.” Helena noted she would need to call her mother once she resolved to listen to an endless lecture.
The second message kicked in. “This is Paul from the registration desk. Please contact me as soon as possible to arrange when you wish to retake your exams.”
She pressed ‘delete’. She would deal with college matters after she settled into her ordinary life again. The rest of the messages were from her mother, shouting into the phone while being oblivious to the fact that her daughter wasn’t even there to respond. When she finished listening to first ten messages, Helena chose to delete the rest. Knowing her mother, they would be of the same nature.
She glanced in Lucious’ direction to find him chuckling. Helena made their drinks and seated herself on the sofa, holding her steaming cup of coffee. A second later, he joined her, placing his cup on the coffee table, which was a new addition to her apartment.
Lucious took her cup out of her hands. He placed it next to his and tenderly brushed his knuckles against her cheek.
Confused, she watched them as they came away wet with tears. Helena wasn’t sure why she was crying. She was finally home and safe from danger. There was nothing to fear, nothing other than a demon that may or may not come knocking on her mental shields any day now. Things in her life had changed too much. Nothing was normal anymore. She was having coffee with a vampire for Christ’s sake!
Too much time had passed since she was around familiarity that she had forgotten what the word meant.
Lucious drew her into a loose hug. His hand massaged her back in a circular motion as if trying to soothe the confusion she felt inside.
Without a word, she buried her face in the soft material of his t-shirt and let her tears flow. The scent from it made her remember Andrew. She had missed her best friend. Not enough time had passed for him to control his thirst. She knew that. Deep down, she didn’t care. She wanted to catch a glimpse of him—anything to give her some reassurance that he didn’t hate her for becoming one of them.
The sun had set outside, and her tears were replaced with a permanent migraine. At least, she had calmed down.
For the whole hour, Lucious hadn’t moved. He was a perfect gentleman, letting her cry her heart out. Who would have thought she would cry on the same sofa and into the same vampire’s chest twice?
“Are you feeling better?”
She cleared her throat. “Yes.”
“Helena, there’s something I have to do.” He slid out of his wet t-shirt, and she waited for him to continue while trying not to look at his toned torso.
“I will have to leave for England tomorrow. There are things I need to take care of over there. For the time being, Alexander will keep you safe. Also, when people arrive from the Council, don’t trust them, and don’t run off seeking danger.”
Helena sighed. He was beginning to sound like Michael. “I promise I won’t go looking for trouble or trust the Council.”
He seemed doubtful. It didn’t surprise her. Her tendency to find danger everywhere amazed her, too.
He raked his hand through his hair. “Do you truly understand what I’m asking?”
“I do. Now go, you have other business to take care of, right?”
He seemed torn. “I’ll be leaving then.”
As he rose, she grabbed his hand. Their skin contact made her want to be closer to him. She ignored the urge. “Lucious?”
“What is it?”
“When can I see Andrew?” She needed to know if he was safe. Her guilt would drive her insane unless she could talk to him.
The link shook violently, and he reinforced his shields, hiding his emotions from her. “He doesn’t wish to see you. And, you mustn’t forget—” Lucious pulled her up and held her against him. “—you’re mine.”
His hands roamed her back, and he pressed his lips to hers, merging them in a frustrated kiss. The intensity of his hold drew her closer to him, and she accepted the strength and comfort he radiated. As the soul-bond between them danced with contentment, her fingers brushed the pink scar tissue on his back.
She withdrew from him, remembering his stinging words. “I need to see him, call him even. Please, Lucious, if I can explain to him why—”
The calm blue glow in his eyes became an angry flame. “I will look into the women you’ve listed and tell Alexander to keep an eye on you while I am gone. If your friend wishes to contact you, he will.”
Lucious stormed out with a single slam of the front door, replacing the warmth he gave her with a sudden chill that wrapped around her greedily.
Epilogue
“Aren’t you too hot in that?” her mother asked and took a long, satisfying sip of her cappuccino.
Helena feigned a shiver, hoping it would truly make her colder. It didn’t. Under her sweater, beads of sweat gathered and slid down her damp skin. “I find it a bit chilly after my cold, Mum.”
Sasha scowled at her. It was already the middle of May. Dublin had hit its early heatwave, which was as rare an occurrence in Ireland as white Christmas. Helena was unable to enjoy the sun because of the demon’s mark on her shoulder and, therefore, was forced
to wear long-sleeved clothes in the presence of her family.
Her mother drummed her brightly manicured nails on the café’s table. “So, what do you want for your twentieth birthday?”
Helena stirred her ice tea with her pink-and-white striped straw. The ice on top drifted along, clinking against the glass. “I don’t think I feel like celebrating it this year.”
“Don’t be silly. Since you have no plans, we’ll have a family meal tomorrow.” Sasha planted her elbows on the table and, inadvertently, closed the distance the small table provided. “Now, tell me how it’s going with you and Andrew? Are you still at odds with one another? I heard from his father that Andrew went to study abroad.”
Helena groaned inwardly. Her mother was stubborn, and she was, too. “I told you this a million times, it’s complicated.”
There was no way she could tell her mother the truth. Sasha would think she needed to make an appointment with a shrink again. And, slipping something like, “Hey, Mum, Andrew is one of the undead because of me. Don’t worry, he’s surviving on the blood of our fellow humans…exactly, he’s a vampire,” into their conversation wasn’t going to happen.
Diverting her full attention to the ice in her drink, she hoped her mother would drop the topic once and for all.
She didn’t.
“Come on, Helena, you two were so promising together.”
Helena took the straw out and gulped down her drink in a few large mouthfuls. Cringing from the brain freeze, she left her glass on the table, stood up, and grabbed her handbag. “I have to go. I have to meet with my friends.”
Her mother scowled at her. “Are you talking about those two who are always at your apartment? They’re a strange bunch. I don’t mind the girl, but her brother is…too pleasant.”
Helena rolled her eyes. Perri and Hans were the observers Vincent had sent to keep an eye on her. Hans had managed to ‘convince’ her mother to stop asking unnecessary questions that may reveal anything about the vampires or her involvement with them. Perri, being herself, jumped at the chance to get to know her mother. She managed to cook a feast for them out of the little food Helena and Laura had in the fridge. How did she do it? Until this day, it remained a mystery.
“Yes, they are. I’ll come visit you and Richard tomorrow.” She planted a light peck on her mother’s forehead and darted between the tables towards the exit.
Once she was outside of the café, a warm breeze stole the tension in her stiff shoulders. She loved her mother and was grateful to have her, but the constant reminders about Andrew were driving the dagger closer to home with each mention of his name. He hadn’t once called or sent her a message since she returned. So, she had come to the conclusion that what Lucious had said five months ago was the truth. Andrew must hate her for making him one of them and may never forgive her for her rash decision to turn him into a monster.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her bus drive past and sprinted in an attempt to catch it.
Helena and Perri sat on the sofa. Their interest in movies was too different. So, tonight was Perri’s choice of film which was the ‘Titanic’.
Helena wolfed down the popcorn to avoid crying rivers like her friend. She glanced over her shoulder to find Hans reading something at the kitchen island. Although he looked nothing like Lucious, it reminded her of the time they parted. Not once had Lucious appeared since. He sent messages via Alexander who came around once a week to “keep an eye on her”. The first message she received was stuck in her head, always there to haunt her.
Helena,
The women you mentioned were disposed of by the hounds. The ghoul who served Andreaz gave me their real names and addresses if you wish to know more about them.
Don’t blame yourself,
L
As if she could erase them from her mind. If she didn’t kill Andreaz, they would be alive and well. Helena pushed away the half-empty bowl and glanced at Perri who was already distracted from the movie and peeking over her shoulder at Hans. There was a strange ring on her wedding finger, but until Perri said something, Helena chose to ignore it. After all, it could be nothing, even though Hans seemed to be wearing a similar one.
Perri shuffled closer and whispered in her ear, “Isn’t he dreamy?”
Helena rolled her eyes. Somehow, her new friend was able to draw her out even from her darkest thoughts. “Should we arrange for another party?” She winked.
Perri blushed and swatted her on the shoulder.
They both burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“I didn’t think you two were watching a comedy,” Hans said, stealing a peek at the screen.
Helena turned to find the main characters struggling not to drown amidst hundreds of other people who were in the same predicament. She tugged on Perri’s sleeve and pointed to the TV. “Let’s get back to it.”
There was a knock on the door, and Helena shot out of her seat. “Must be Laura, she was going to bring some ice cream with her.”
“Do you want my help?” Perri asked.
Helena shook her head and scrambled for the front door. Once she unlocked it, she found Lucious standing on the other side with his hands tucked away in his jeans pockets.
Her fingers played with the door handle and her words seemed to be stuck in her throat.
“Come with me,” he said and headed for the lift.
“Er…sure.” She stalked after him. “It’s been a while.” Especially since you left after kissing me like that… She glared at the back of his head.
They entered the lift, and he pressed the button for the roof. “I have waited a long time to see you again.”
The doors closed, and she still couldn’t say anything. He was gone for over five months. There were many questions she wanted answers to but none seemed important enough.
A faint ding informed her they had arrived.
He grabbed her wrist and almost dragged her out. “I don’t have much time, so I shall get down to business.”
Momentarily, Lucious’ skin reshaped. His hair grew longer and his blue-brown eyes were replaced with red ones. Horns appeared in the middle of the transformation. He grinned at her with a sharp-toothed smile that haunted her restless nights.
Seconds later, not Lucious but Lazarus stood beside her. She gasped and tried to tear away from him. Helena looked down to find her arm was tangled in the shadow-like tendrils that made up his clothing. They chilled her wrist as if it had an icepack wrapped around it.
He jerked her closer, making her stumble. “I had waited a long time to fight my way into this pitiful realm. So many souls had to be eaten for me to materialise. Today, I will take my payment, my flower.”
“Let me go!” she screamed and kicked him in the shin.
He didn’t seem to mind the pain if he felt it.
Her heartbeat thudded in her head, almost drowning out her panicked thoughts.
“I can’t do that. I have other plans for you,” he growled.
The shadow mounted her arm, and the cold sensation spread further, numbing the surface it covered.
“Stop this, please!” Her struggling was useless. The more she fought to pull away, the quicker the shadow engulfed her body. She glowered at him in defiance, which seemed to please him more.
Helena reached for the shadow that began tangling itself around her ankles, trapping her in place. Instead of being able to peel it off with her free hand, it clung to her fingers like oil, spreading to her other arm. No matter how hard she fought, her body grew immobile.
“I won’t accept any deals with you!” she said through her chattering teeth.
Lazarus couldn’t contain his laughter. “I don’t need a petty deal to take your soul, human. I can take it whenever I please.”
She shuddered, uncertain whether it was from the cold or fear that his words were the truth.
“This is my game, so I am going to change the rules.” He reached for her gut, and his clawed hand disappeared into the shadow covering it.
<
br /> Helena watched in horror as it passed through her skin with no resistance. Whatever he was doing to her was beginning to ignite a fire inside of her that scorched her insides. The cold of the darkness stung her skin and the heat from within burned mercilessly.
She screamed.
“It’ll be over soon, don’t you worry.” Lazarus licked his lips and plunged his hand in deeper, making her feel as if she was being torn to shreds.
Her white string emerged to the surface, and he grabbed hold of it. The second his clawed fingers clutched it, her whole body convulsed. The darkness from his hand seeped into it, painting it grey.
The rooftop door slammed against the wall. Helena heard a muffled curse escape the demon’s lips, and he melted into the night.
A strange woman with long dark curls rushed to her side.
The darkness had retreated, and Helena fell to the ground like a lifeless doll. She managed to roll onto her back, biting her lip from the pain surging through her. Eyeing her gut, she found a gaping hole where her skin and muscle was supposed to be. Blood pooled to the surface and burning acid raced up her throat.
“Lucious is going to owe me big time for saving his ass,” the stranger murmured. She knelt by Helena’s side and sliced open her wrist with her long perfectly painted nails. The blood dripped into the wound Lazarus had created.
“Thank you,” Helena whispered. Her vision clouded the longer she fought to remain awake.
“I’m not doing this for you,” the woman spat out in disgust.
“Helena, what’s going on?” Michael materialised behind the stranger. The vampire didn’t seem to notice him. He studied them briefly, and his nostrils flared.
“Lazarus,” Helena mouthed to him. Her injury was making it difficult for her to breathe without wincing in pain.
The stranger glanced over her shoulder and back at Helena. Without much of a warning, she lifted Helena into her arms.
Russian Roulette (Helena Hawthorn Series Book 1) Page 38
