He searched Kayci’s face. Something was definitely off with her. She stared off, thoughtful, then returned her gaze to him.
"Hmm, maybe we should. I don't know how long Adrian and I will be away. Thorne and Vladimir will have to run things."
"They won't have much to run without you, Adrian, Liliana, and Alaric."
Liliana straightened Kayci's body, standing taller. "Where's Alaric?"
Alex's brow raised. "Cass didn't tell you?"
Liliana shook her head. "No. Tell me, where is he?"
Alex studied Kayci's body language. She seemed awfully tense about the subject.
"He died the night of the battle between the clans. He took a bite from the Louisiana alpha before I was able to kill him."
Alex watched as Kayci's eyes widened, darkening, anger clearly filling her.
"He's dead?"
Alex took a step back. "I thought Cass would've told you. He said he would break it to you easy when you healed."
He watched Kayci's eyes transition, her fangs extract. He took another step back, putting a few feet between them. She looked as though she was ready to kill something.
"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you. He was a good guy. It's a shame he died."
"A shame?" she seethed. "He was an incredible vampire! He was my best frie…" she stopped, lowering her shoulders, controlling her sudden outburst. Alex observed her reining in her emotions, her fangs retracting and her eyes gradually turning to their normal gray-blue. Were they even Kayci's eyes?
"I'm sorry. Cass should've told me. Alaric was an invaluable member. I hate to have lost him. We'll have to break the news to Liliana when she returns."
"Yeah, we will. I wonder where she went? She still hasn't returned."
She looked off thoughtfully. He observed her rubbing her thumb over her middle finger. He'd never seen Kayci do that. She always bit her lip when she was nervous or anxious.
"Kayci, do you remember what you told me when you got home?"
Her attention snapped to him, her eyes narrowed. "Home from where?"
"From Cass' house?"
She snickered. "Remind me. What stupid thing did I say? He had me so wrapped around his finger, I was delirious."
Alex studied her closely—her posture, her eyes, her facial expressions. Something wasn't quite right. More time and more questions is what he needed.
"You must've been. You seemed pretty smitten."
She clicked her tongue. "Like I said, I was foolish. I'd rather not talk about him anymore. I've decided not to meet with the Covenant either. Thorne can tell them what he needs to. I need to get back to Adrian. He needs me. He's still struggling after having been locked in another realm for two months."
Why was she in such a hurry to leave?
"Okay, that's fine. We'll meet with Thorne and then he and I can take care of everything while you're gone."
Her nostrils flared. "I forgot about Thorne. When is he arriving?"
"Now," an authoritative voice replied.
Liliana's head whipped to the side of Kayci's house. A knot developed in her new stomach. She needed to get out of here and quickly, before they got suspicious.
She put on a fake smile. "Thorne. It's so good to see you."
Thorne studied her closely. His blue, intelligent eyes seemed to be looking right through her. Her nerves bunched. His roaming eyes making her uncomfortable.
"Are you all right?" she asked him.
He smiled politely. "I'm well, Katerina. How are you?"
Liliana relaxed her shoulders, relief sweeping over her. "I'm better now that Adrian is back. I know this is odd and rushed, but I need to get away for a while. I need some time alone with Adrian. I've missed him terribly. I've been through a lot the last couple of months and could use the time away with him."
Thorne nodded, smiling. "Of course. I understand. You've been through enough lately. Time away together will be good for both of you. Vladimir, Alex, and I can handle any issues that arise while you're away. Anything specific you'd like us to attend to? New enlistments, perhaps?"
"Yes, absolutely. New enlistments are needed. Whoever you want. I trust your choices."
"Very well, Katerina. Why don't you finish packing? I have matters to discuss with Alex in regards to enlistments."
"Thank you, Thorne. You two are too good to me." Liliana stepped back inside, closing the door behind her.
Thorne looked at Alex, his expression stark. "That isn't my daughter."
"That's what I was beginning to think. Who is it, then?"
Thorne looked back toward the door. "I do not know, but it's not Katerina. I know my daughter's emotions. She loves Cass deeply, as well as you and me. The woman who just stood in front of me does not possess love for Cass or for me."
Alex rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe someone did a shifting spell to make themselves look like her, but why would they do that? And where is the real Kayci?"
"I wish I knew. The woman that is imitating Katerina, she may know magic. We need to tread lightly. When Cass arrives, he'll help. He'll be able to sense their bond. We'll know for sure if we have an imposter. I'll call Adrian."
Liliana opened Kayci's closet door after laying her suitcase on the bed.
The men in your life are too easy to fool. They're blindly devoted to you.
They're my family. They love me as much as I love them. You're destroying more than one life by stealing mine.
With a little time and absence, perhaps I can come back and step right into your life. I enjoy their devotion. I wouldn't mind having it for myself. Except for one problem, I don't have your memories. Their questions would always be an issue.
Liliana sighed as she sorted through the clothes hanging in Kayci's closet.
Oh well, I suppose I won't be able to come back after all.
Liliana pulled out two blouses and laid them in the suitcase.
You have some nice pieces, I'll give you that, but too many athletic clothes and jeans. I'll have to go shopping and buy some nicer items. With this body, I'm really going to enjoy shopping.
Liliana, what do you think will happen if the spell is reversed and I'm freed?
Liliana laughed. You think you're going to be freed? How adorable. You're not going to be freed. By the end of tonight, Adrian and I will be gone and you will slowly become a distant memory.
Liliana?
Liliana huffed. What, K?
My mate has arrived.
Chapter 25
"Where is she?" Cass jumped out of the rental and crossed the yard in seconds, his heart beating against his chest, thudding in his ears. He could feel her close, calling to him. His wolf instinct demanded he find her and soon.
Thorne put up his hand. "Calm wolf."
Cass stared him down. "Where is she?" he said between gritted teeth.
"We don't know," Alex told him. "There's a woman inside that we believe is pretending to be her. A shifting spell, possibly. We need you to find out for sure. Adrian is on his way."
Cass' jaw clenched. "Why?"
"He might know what happened during her absence. He can help."
"I'm going in to see her. My instinct can hear her calling to me. She's close by. That, I can tell."
Cass pushed past Thorne and Alex and opened the front door. He could feel her presence and smell her vanilla-honey mingled with something else, something foreign, something he didn't like. He took the steps three at a time. Her scent and presence were fading. He opened the door to her room. It was empty. A half-packed suitcase lay on the bed with windblown curtains drifting against the opened window.
He rushed downstairs, past Thorne and Alex to the edge of the woods. He sniffed the air, searching for her scent. Thorne and Alex joined him on each side.
"She's gone."
Liliana pounded on Adrian's door. He opened it, dressed and prepared to leave.
"Where are you going?" she asked frantically.
Adrian opened the door wider, gently pulling her inside.
"I was on my way to your house. Thorne called me. Said you weren't well and that he needed my help. Are you all right?" Adrian gave her a look-over as he gently caressed her cheek. "You seem upset."
"I am. Cass came back. I ran. I want him to stay away from me. If he comes after me, will you keep him away from me?"
Adrian's muscles tensed at the fear in her eyes. "Yes." He pulled her in close. "I'll make sure he never touches you again or breathes another breath."
"I want to get away from here. Take me away from here. I tried to pack my things, but Alex and Thorne tried to stop me. Said I needed to take care of my obligations here. They don't understand. I need to get away."
Adrian caressed her back and kissed her forehead before pulling her back so he could look at her. "I'll deal with Cass. After that, we'll speak with Thorne and Alex. I'm sure they're worried about the state of the Covenant and the shop with you gone."
"We shouldn't wait to speak with them. They can handle the Covenant and the store. They don't need me. They're fully capable. We should leave before they try to talk us into staying."
Adrian studied her eyes and face. He hadn't noticed it before, but now, her anxious behavior had him concerned. Something wasn't quite right. He caressed her cheek.
"Let's go to your house and talk with them. If we leave suddenly, it could cause many problems for us."
Her body tightened when he moved toward the door. "I don't want to go, Adrian. They believe Cass. He's convinced them I'm his mate."
Adrian stiffened. "He claims you're his mate?"
She nodded. "He's lying. I'm not his mate, but he's convinced everyone I am."
The words struck him hard, hitting his chest and settling deep within in it. Was it true? Was this why she was behaving so strangely?
He studied her anxious expression and troubled eyes. Something wasn't right and leaving didn't seem the right direction to go. He needed more answers, but he needed to protect her. He'd done a terrible job of it and he was determined not to make the same mistake again. He couldn't understand her frantic behavior, though. He'd never seen her like this before. He'd always known her to face problems head on, to accept any challenge. This wasn't like her to be scared and wanting to run. What had happened while he was gone? What changed her?
He put his arms around her waist. "We'll go, but I need to speak with Thorne and Alex myself. I have my own issues to work out. Stay here. I'll bring your things."
He leaned down and kissed her. Feeling her body melt into his gave him comfort. When she didn't flick her tongue across his fangs, disappointment tickled his gut. He missed hearing her excited moan and feeling the arousal sweep over her body.
He leaned back and studied her again. Her eyes, the way she looked at him… Something…something had happened during those two months that changed her. She didn't seem herself. Hopefully, after time away with him, she would return to the Kayci he was familiar with.
"Be careful," she told him.
He kissed her cheek. "I will."
The elevator dinged. Cass stepped out of the doors before they were completely opened. His feet pounded across the common room. Thorne and Alex kept pace behind him. He saw a figure walk through the shadow of the corridor. He came into view. Cass' muscles tensed.
"Where is she?" he demanded.
"Oh, shit," Alex blurted behind him.
Adrian stepped into the common room, his fangs extracting. "She doesn't want to see you. She wants you gone. Is there a reason you don't understand that?"
"She wants me gone? I don't think so, Spade. She's my mate. She's been calling to me for the last several hours. Now, I'll ask again and only one more time. Where is she?"
Adrian's eyes transitioned. His shoulders pulled back, squaring off to Cass.
Thorne stepped forward. "Enough," his authoritative voice commanded.
Behind them, the elevator dinged and three vampires stepped out. Adrian, Thorne, Cass, and Alex each turned, staring at them. The three vampires—Amber, Elayna and Angel—glanced at one another and then quickly stepped back into the elevator before it closed.
Thorne returned his attention to Cass and Adrian. "We believe Katerina's in danger. The woman you're helping isn't Katerina. Alex noticed something different about her when she arrived home this evening. He called me and asked me to determine it for myself. The woman that spoke to me isn't my daughter. Someone is imitating her, which means our Katerina is missing and in danger."
Adrian rubbed his hand along the thin facial hair on his jaw. His gut tightened. Guilt and fear filled him. She hadn't changed while he was away. The Kayci he'd seen when she brought him back to his body was the Kayci he knew. He'd been too blinded by his own desires and his own needs to see that the woman who'd returned to his apartment hadn't been Kayci at all.
"The signs were there, weren't they?" Cass asked, disdain dripping from his lips.
Adrian glanced at Cass, his fangs biting into his lip. "She's in my apartment."
Cass headed right toward it. Adrian stepped in front of him, putting his hand up. "She'll run if you enter first."
Cass looked down at the hand in front of him and then glared back at Adrian. "Lead the way, then."
Adrian opened the door to find Kayci, or the woman imitating her, standing over his desk, holding the photo of him and Kayci. She set it down and smiled up at him. Her smile instantly faded as Cass, Thorne, and Alex stepped in behind him.
"What are they doing here?" she asked nervously.
Cass looked over his mate. He could feel her presence, smell her scent, but the woman in front of him wasn't exactly her.
Cass…I'm here.
His instinct rumbled at her call. His eyes narrowed at the woman. "I can sense her. Katerina's still in there, but this woman, she's someone else too."
Alex inhaled a breath. "What did you do to her? What spell have you done?"
"Adrian, please. Don't let him fool you, too. He's lying. It's me, Kayci. You know me. You made love to me."
The rage exploded throughout Cass' body. He took the two steps and grabbed Adrian's shoulder, turning him toward him. "If you touched her, I will shred you down to your bones."
With their eyes locked on one another, Adrian's lip curled and his fangs extracted. Cass' eyes rolled off Adrian, returning to the woman inside his mate.
"If I'm lying, then answer a few questions for us. Prove to us that you're Kayci."
"Adrian, stop this, please. You said you would keep him away from me."
Adrian looked at the woman he loved, but he knew now that the woman speaking to them wasn't her.
"Answer the questions," he demanded.
"I'm not doing this. Cass is manipulating all of you." She stormed toward the door. Cass put his hand out, gently placing it on her stomach. She flicked his hand away.
"Don't touch me, you pig."
Cass could feel the pull of his mate just beneath the surface. He did the only thing he knew how to do—give her body what it wanted. He grabbed the woman and brought his lips down on hers. He kissed passionately, drawing his mate to the surface. When he felt the pull of her energy, he pulled back from his kiss.
"Cass." Her eyes filled with love and appreciation. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. "It's Liliana. She's used a body snatching spell to trap me and take my body."
He felt her fading as quickly as she'd come. Her arms pulled away from him. Her fangs extracted and she went for his neck. Adrian lunged forward, helping to restrain her before her fangs penetrated.
Alex moved quickly. His hands raised. "Somnum."
Kayci's body went limp in Cass and Adrian's arms.
Chapter 26
Alex rummaged through the bag Liliana had been carrying while Cass, Adrian, and Thorne hovered around her bed and sleeping body.
He tilted the bag upside down and dumped the contents onto the bed. He picked up the potion bottle, opened it, and waved it beneath his nose.
"Thorne, call Sofia. This potion,
this spell, it's strong magic. I'm going to need help reversing it."
Thorne left Kayci's bedside, calling Sofia as he left the room. Cass moved closer, taking his place on the bed, brushing his hand across Kayci's cheek.
Adrian stiffened at the sight of it. "Is she truly your mate?"
"Yes." Cass turned to Adrian. "I've marked her. She accepted me as her mate. That's how I knew. That's how I could sense she needed me."
Alex glanced back and forth between Cass and Adrian, awaiting a bloodbath.
Adrian's fangs extracted, his eyes transitioned. His chest tightened to the point that breathing became difficult. Vomit rose in his throat. He swallowed it and the lump back down. He looked away from them, focusing on the wall, controlling his temper.
"This isn't how she wanted you to find out, but you need to know the truth," Cass told him.
Adrian couldn't take seeing him touch her like that. He didn't want to accept she loved him and had chosen him. The thought of losing her sickened him. He turned toward the door. He needed air. He needed out. He needed her.
Thorne stopped him at the door. "Don't leave. She would want you here. She loves you."
Adrian stepped back, letting Thorne through the doorway. "I'll stay for her. Once I know she's safe, I no longer have a reason to stay."
Thorne nodded.
Adrian turned toward the bed. Cass had moved to the wall next to her, watching over her closely. Adrian wanted to go to her. He wanted to touch her, hold her in his arms, but it would only worsen the pain and surely incite Cass. Damn wolf. He'd taken her from him. Perhaps he should kill him, remove their bond. Would she forgive him? Love him still?
He glared at Cass as the thoughts filled his mind. His blade was attached to his shin. One slice and it would be over.
Cass' eyes locked on Adrian's. He could see the anger building, the thoughts forming. No doubt, the same thoughts he'd have if he was in his place.
"Should we step outside?" Cass asked, stepping away from the wall.
Thorne stepped forward. "That won't be necessary. If anything happened to either one of you, Katerina would be devastated. She loves both of you."
Dark and Beautiful Nights (The Vampire Covenant Series Book 3) Page 19
