“I can stop now. You do not need to hear this, Julia.” His voice was thick with suppressed emotion.
“Nay, Samuel. I’m all right,” I assured him gently. “I asked you to tell me. I want you to tell me, I want to understand you the way you seem to understand me.”
“Very well,” Samuel replied. “I was finally allowed to rest once we arrived. As I lay on a bed, they began to answer my unasked questions.”
“‘We watched your family for weeks,’ one said. ‘It was all carefully planned. But the only reason we picked your family was because it was so large.’
“‘We were going to kill everyone in the house but at the last second we thought of something else for you. It is amazing you survived the transformation. I thought I had done it too late,’ another said.
“I asked them why they decided to make me one of them. The one who made me curtly replied, ‘So you and this one here, Valentino, can rule together as brothers.’”
“I had no answer to that except for a string of profanity. After a while, they suggested I sleep which I did. I awoke the next night to find they all had left the house, apparently out on a hunt.”
Samuel looked up at me with pained eyes. “I didn’t stay around for them to get back, Juliana. I couldn’t. So with no training, no idea whatsoever on how to do anything as a vampire, still in my bloodstained clothes, even,” he laughed, “I fled. I was a little stronger than the night before and I resolved to get out of Rome as fast as I could.
“I stowed away on a boat headed for France. Due to bad weather we landed two weeks later in Monaco, right on the French border. I snuck off and made my way to Marseilles, a seaport town in France. Once I arrived in the town, my hunger was overwhelming. I hadn’t fed on human blood since I had been changed. I was afraid to, knowing I had no idea how much I could take without killing someone. I wandered around for at least another week without feeding. But I needed blood so I started feeding off the first person I saw that night, a young woman.”
Samuel smiled ruefully. “After feeding for a while, I was knocked right off my victim. I whirled around, expecting to see a human, even a specialized Hunter whom I had heard of as a human. I had not expected to see another vampire. She was the first female vampire I had seen and she was infuriated.”
“What did she look like?” I asked hiding a smile.
“She had long black hair and her eyes were a strange shade of blue-gray. And at that time she held a long wooden quarterstaff. This woman was also the first vampire I had met who had protected a human. In Latin I told her I really didn’t mean any harm. She answered, ‘You’re an intruder in my territory and you were a second away from killing that girl.’ She paused a second, then said, ‘I should kill you.’”
“Harsh words,” I muttered.
“I told her to go ahead and kill me, and closed my eyes, waiting for the blow. When it didn’t come I opened my eyes and saw her startled look. ‘You’re new, a fledgling. I should have realized it. Whose blood is dried all over your clothes? Who is your maker and where are they?’ she asked, lowering the staff slightly.
“The blood is mine,” I answered bitterly. ‘I was turned into a vampire by one of the anonymous monsters who killed almost my entire family, and whom I hope is still in Rome. The night after I was made I ran. That was a few weeks ago, and this is the first time I have fed on human blood since I was changed,’ I said, gesturing to the limp body of the girl beside us. The vampire before me looked stunned,” Samuel said and half smiled.
I smiled. “Why? What did she say?” I asked.
“She said, ‘You left without being taught a single thing?’ I told her they would have only taught me how to kill and I didn’t want to become like my family’s murderers. For the first time she smiled. ‘Crazy. But impressive. I’m sorry for such a harsh greeting. I’m Valerie. Come on, let’s get you back to my place and into some decent clothes.’
“Valerie took me in and treated me as her own. I cannot tell you how relieved I was when I finally fell asleep in a warm bed, clean, and with my thirst sated. Her coven of seven vampires were all kind and understanding.”
Samuel paused before continuing. “The Resistance, as an organized movement, did not exist then. There were some vampires, like Valerie, who had not followed the rules, and instead tried to co-exist with mortals without harming them, but they were few and scattered throughout the world. I have always considered Valerie to be my teacher, and my maker, as well. Valerie is the one who helped make me who I am. Without her, I would either be dead, a loner, or at Valentino’s side. I might have become one of the Goddamned fiends,” he said with his head bowed.
“She taught you well,” I said in a low voice.
Samuel raised his head to look at me. A faint sad smile tugged at his lips. “I hope to do the same for you. Anyway, that’s the story. You wanted to know why I am the way I am; now you know. There’s plenty more, of course, but that is for other nights.”
I nodded. Despite the horror of the story I actually felt more relaxed, less alone. “It must have been awful,” I mumbled.
Samuel once more put his arm around my shoulders. “You had it worse Julia,” he said seriously. “I only had a few weeks of hell; you suffered a living hell for three years.”
“But no more,” I whispered drowsily.
“No more,” Samuel agreed. “I think it’s time to go to sleep.” His tone was gentle, and I needed that gentleness just then.
“All right.” I walked to the chair and put back the quilt. Samuel pulled back the covers and got into bed. I also climbed into bed, and Samuel blew out the candle that had dimly lit the room.
“Cannot have the house catch fire,” he said mildly.
I smiled. “Good night, Samuel.” I pulled up the covers, rolled over, and snuggled close to him, comforted by his body heat.
“I am glad you’re here, Julia.”
And I, too, was glad I was there.
Chapter 12
I heard some voices through the fog of sleep. They sounded like Richard’s and Matthew’s.
“Aw, don’t they look adorable together?” Matthew said sweetly. “Such sleepyheads. I wonder why.”
“She and Samuel were up half the night, talking. After he told us to go to bed,.” Richard replied in a teasing voice.
“As long as it was just talking.” This was a comment I wouldn’t ignore. I stirred slightly, trying to muster up enough energy to wake up fully.
Before I could, there were two dull thuds with matching cries of “Ow!”
“That hurt,” Richard grumbled.
“Good evening, boys,” Mary Anne said pleasantly. I felt her gaze on me and stirred again. “It’s all right, Julia. Sleep, I’ll keep these two children entertained.”
“Thanks, Mary Anne,” I mumbled. I snuggled back under the covers, rolled over, and rested my head on Samuel’s shoulder. He obviously wasn’t ready to wake up either. Sleep overtook me again.
Sometime later I felt Samuel stir. “Sunshine, we really should get up,” he mumbled.
“Do not call me that,” I replied and lifted my head. Mary Anne, Matthew, Richard, and Adam were all sitting at the table. They glanced over at us. I rolled over and sat up.
Adam looked at me neutrally. “Julia, why don’t we talk, while Samuel plans for things?”
I sighed and nodded. Samuel sat up and stared at the others. He smiled pleasantly. “Good evening, all,” he said with a pleasant smile.
“Did you have a good night, Samuel?” Matthew asked in a mischievous voice.
Adam glared at him. Mary Anne just smiled and kicked him in the shin. “Matthew, be quiet,” she said.
I got up and smiled at Samuel. “Thank you for letting me stay here,” I said gratefully, ignoring the others.
“You’re welcome, Julia.”
His hair was ruffled from sleep and it gave him an innocent, boyish look. It contrasted sharply from the story he told me last night.
I went to my room. Adam followed m
e. As I brushed my hair, I looked back at Adam. “You wanted to talk?”
“What is going on between you and Samuel?” he asked.
I paused to look at him, immediately on the defensive. “Nothing,” I said harshly. “Samuel made me. He saved me from a dangerous situation.” I was stammering. “I trust him.”
“You don’t trust me?”
I looked around the room, feeling cornered. “I’ve gone through a lot, Adam. I have not seen you in years. Please be patient with me.” I paused, trying to make sense of what I felt. “I wouldn’t have come back for you if I had a paramour, Adam. I love you dearly, and have for years. It’s just that I trust Samuel more about some things. I know this is difficult to understand and I’m sorry . . . but I cannot say any more.”
Adam sighed and walked to me. He lifted my chin to look into my eyes. “I wish I knew what is bothering you, Julia. I’m worried about you.”
I looked at him helplessly. “I’m sorry, Adam.” Tears welled up in my eyes at my own inability to tell him what had happened. He pulled me to him and hugged me.
“All right,” Adam murmured. He held me closer. “All right, Julia. I can tell this hurts you. I’ll drop it. Just tell me when you’re ready.”
“I will,” I whispered, knowing in my heart that I never would. I laid my head on his shoulder and cried softly. Adam tightened his hold on me protectively. I felt wonder at the touch, realizing that I had waited four years simply to have him hold me.
Startled, I opened my eyes again. Power swept through me like a tingling sensation. It was extremely potent. Adam felt it too, and we jumped apart. I could still feel the power coursing through me. The idea that I could use it entered my mind. I turned towards a glass on a shelf and focused on it. Adam did the same without a word. The glass trembled and shattered into a million pieces. We looked at each other wide-eyed.
“What was that?” Adam asked in a whisper, staring at the broken glass.
I shook my head. “I do not know,” I answered in awe. I turned and handed him a broom. “Please sweep this up while I get into fresh clothes. We do not want to get cut.”
“All right,” he said quietly. I pulled a plain dress out of the armoire and put it on. He looked at me and smiled. “Nice,” he said with admiration in his eyes.
I smiled shyly. “Thank you,” I replied. Then I glanced at the shelf where the glass used to stand. Puzzled, I frowned.
Adam also looked perplexed. “You have no idea what happened?”
I shrugged. “We did something. What that something was, I do not know.”
“Is there anyone who might know?”
“Samuel or one of the others may know.”
Adam paused thoughtfully. “Let’s go ask Samuel.”
I looked at him in surprise. He flashed a small smile. “Samuel?” I asked, not sure if I heard him correctly.
Adam shrugged. “You said Samuel would probably know. I’m curious. Are you not also? In any case, he and I will have to start learning to get along.”
I smiled. “Aye, I do want to know.” I hesitantly took his hand and started for the main room.
The others were there conversing. When we entered the talking stopped.
“Samuel?” I asked.
“Aye, Sunshine?”
“First of all, stop calling me that!” I scolded.
“As you wish . . . Sunshine.” Samuel replied, amused.
I threw up my hands in defeat. “Talking to you is like talking to a wall sometimes.” His smile only widened at my exasperation.
“Samuel, we have a question,” Adam said civilly.
Samuel looked at him for a minute, then at me. “All right,” he said.
“Well … something strange just happened.”
“Something very strange,” I added with a helpless shake of my head.
Samuel’s expression became startlingly blank. “Go on,” he said tonelessly. The other vampires were silent.
Adam and I looked at each other. “Well …we …uh…” I stopped mid-sentence and tried again. “We suddenly felt this surge of power. We both turned towards a glass and stared at it—”
“And it broke into pieces,” Adam finished for me.
Samuel and the others looked at each other for a long minute. “Like this?” Samuel asked as power suddenly flooded through the room. It was the same thing I had felt before, except it was twice as powerful. The other vampires, except Richard, turned to gaze at a fine vase on the cabinet. It shook slightly and shattered.
I jumped, Adam looked startled, and Richard just looked stunned. “You have a full ka-tet, don’t you?” he asked, sounding amazed.
“A ka-tet?” Adam and I echoed, looking at each other again. “What on earth is a ka-tet?”
Samuel leaned back and put his feet up. “It appears so. And a powerful one at that,” he answered Richard lazily. He looked back at us. “Sit down, Adam, Julia.”
Adam glanced at me with a puzzled expression. I shook my head and we sat down close by. “What is going on, Samuel?” I asked, bewildered. “What haven’t you told me?”
Samuel smiled, but there was no humor to it. “Lots.” He looked at Mary Anne and Matthew who nodded. He spoke again. “Ka-tets are like triumvirates,” he started.
“Or sort of like witch covens,” Matthew added helpfully.
Samuel nodded. “But there are differences. A triumvirate is made up of three people. Ka-tets are usually larger, but there is no set number of people in a ka-tet. A ka-tet consists of individual souls who unite for one purpose or life. It’s all determined by ka, fate, destiny— whichever you prefer to call it.”
“All right,” I said slowly.
“Ka-tets do not have to consist of just one kind of member; for example, members do not have to be all vampires or humans. There could be a mixed group.”
“There have been some strange ka-tets in the past,” Mary Anne said quietly. “Sometimes witches and vampires are a part of one, or vampires and humans.”
Richard laughed. “There’s been one odder one: a Hunter and three vampires.”
“That is unusual to say the least,” Samuel admitted. “But I almost think vampires and shape shifters sharing a ka-tet would be worse.”
Matthew laughed. “Shape shifters are almost worse than non-Resistance vampires.”
“That’s because they never want to share their hunting grounds with a completely different kind who are also blood drinkers. Can we get back to the subject please?” Christy said.
“Aye,” Samuel replied. “Anyway, ka-tet members are linked to each other by especially powerful telepathic links. An unfinished ka-tet, one without all its members, is great. But it does not have its full strength unless it is complete.”
“We’ve known for a while that we are ka-tet,” Jeffrey said quietly. “A ka-tet shares power among its members.”
Mary Anne finished the explanation. “But we were never at ‘full strength’. There was something missing— two members.”
I looked sideways at Adam. “Us,” I whispered. “But why did I not sense this months ago?”
Mary Anne shrugged. “Ka-tets can be unpredictable. Sometimes the connections between members form very fast. Sometimes it takes longer.”
Samuel had gone to the bookshelf and found a slim tome. Back at the table he began to toss it lightly into the air and catch it. “That’s right,” he said softly. “The last telepathic connections have finished forming.”
“We’re at full strength.” Christy said. She smiled. “For the first time ever.”
“And you, Julia and Adam, are quite a twosome. There’s something between you two. I can sense it,” Matthew said. “It’s why you were able to shatter the glass without the rest of us. You’re two halves of a whole.”
“Soul mates,” Christy supplied. She smiled at Matthew. “Only Matthew and I could do it until now. But it took us months of practice.”
Samuel opened the book and ignored their conversation. I glanced at him, wondering why. A
minute later, he spoke again. “I was told by someone that soul mates add a distinct advantage to a ka-tet. I guess both couples have proven it.” His voice was carefully pitched to hide the bitterness in it. I heard it anyway, though I wasn’t sure why it was there. I decided to ignore it. I’ve given up trying to figure out what went on in Samuel’s mind sometimes.
“So what does this all mean? That we can fight real well using it?”
Samuel laid aside the book. He seemed happy to get away from the subject of soul mates. “Julia, it means we train carefully, learn to use and amplify these powers, and then make our enemies wish they were never born,” he answered.
I smiled in response. “Fun.”
Samuel stood. “Let’s go outside so we don’t wreck the house.”
I rose to my feet and caught his arm. “Samuel, wait. I have another question.”
“Aye, Julia?”
“Could I go see my sister? Before anything happens I want to see her. I have been worried about her since I saw her last.”
Samuel looked down at me, concern in his eyes. “Do you think that’s wise, Julia?” he asked quietly.
“I do not have to tell her anything. Or I can make up something to tell her.”
Samuel glanced at me again, guardedly. “If you think you can pull it off, Sunshine, I won’t stop you. She is your sister, if you want to see her—” He shrugged.
“We’ll be fine.”
“We?”
“Adam and I.”I turned to Adam. “Adam, come here a minute,” I called. and looked back at Samuel.
Adam walked over. “Aye?”
“We’re going to see Crystal,” I said and whirled towards the closet. I grabbed my cloak and then started for the door. “Will you be able to act human enough around her?”
“I’ll be fine,” he assured me gently. I looked for a hint of his fangs as he spoke, but he revealed none.
“Good. Samuel, we’ll be back in about an hour,” I called. Adam followed me out. We walked very close together, alert for any trouble, and reached Crystal and Damien’s without incident. Adam and I looked at each other and then mounted the stairs. I knocked on the door.
Lost Soul (War of Destiny Book 1) Page 17
