The Blood Trilogy

by K Loraine

  A chill broke out across my skin. He was right. I was flirting with danger. It had been so long since I’d had to cloak my scent. I actually missed the rose oil. “Go. Please.”

  Lips tight, he nodded and was gone before I could thank him. I had glimpsed Logan, the Logan I knew, but was that really him? I’d fallen for the act once before and nearly died because of it.

  Moments later, I was safely locked in Lucas’ rooms and soaking in hot water in the large tub. My sensory memory ran on overdrive as flashes of this exact thing flooded me. Only this time, Cashel wouldn’t be behind the door when I emerged.

  Instead I found Lucas sitting on the dark leather couch, one leg crossed, ankle resting on his knee, arms draped across the back of the cushions.

  “You certainly smell better,” he offered. “Less like a tasty but almost stale treat. More delectable.”

  My head throbbed and, if I were being honest, I thought I might pass out from weakness. I braced myself on the wingback chair to my left and forced myself to stay upright.

  “What was Anne thinking, selling time with a woman who can barely function without falling over?” His question was laced with disgust.

  “Glad to see you care.”

  “Oh, Olivia, I care more than you know.”

  I swayed and my vision blurred, but Lucas was there before I fell, ready to catch me. “Lucas, I don’t feel right.”

  His jaw ticked as he stared down at me. “You’ve lost too much blood. Your organs are suffering because you can’t replenish your supply fast enough.”

  My heartbeat grew erratic and strident breaths took the place of my normal pattern.

  “Bloody hell,” he muttered before scooping me into his arms.

  “What’s happening?” Everything was cold. My fingers numb.

  “You’ve been running on adrenaline. You’re going into shock.” He placed me on the couch and brushed my hair back from my face. “This might hurt. You’re not in a position for me to enter your mind.”

  Alarm shot through me, but everything was clouded with a cold gray mist. I couldn’t wade through it. Lucas leaned close and sank his teeth into my throat. I wouldn’t have felt it if it hadn’t been for the pressure. Then everything faded away until the taste of him filled my mouth. His blood. Dark, rich, and delicious. I needed it. Wanted it. Wanted him.

  He pulled away and used his thumb to wipe my bottom lip. My pulse was strong, the rush of my blood through my veins audible to my own ears. I pressed a palm to Lucas’ chest and felt his own heart pounding in time with mine. I could sense his need, the arousal rushing through him. It mimicked my own, and a terrible suspicion took hold.

  “Lucas, what did you do?” I asked, my voice thick with desire.

  “What my brother should have done the moment he found you. Made you mine. We are bonded now. You’re safe. You’re mine, and no one will harm you ever again.”

  My lower lip trembled as a myriad of emotions overwhelmed me. A combination of relief, terror, guilt, and desire all warred for the lead in my head. Sitting up, I forced myself to my feet and strode across the room until I was as far away from him as possible.

  “Olivia?”

  “I…need a minute.”

  “Take as long as you’d like. I have eternity.”

  I fought the wave of despair tightening my chest and swallowed back tears. “No one lives forever.”

  He sucked in a harsh breath, and I thought he was going to respond, but he didn’t. Instead, Lucas turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. The weird bond between us pulsed and begged for him to return. I couldn’t stay in this room that smelled like him. I didn’t want to desire him and knew it was the bond controlling my emotions. Striding to the door, I pulled it open, expecting to see Lucas waiting on the other side, or perhaps another vampire waiting to feed from me. All I found was an empty hallway, dimly lit, the dark wood walls glowing with golden light every few feet. I looked back into Lucas’ room and a wave of want hit me when my gaze fell to the couch where he’d given me his bond. A drop of crimson marred the pale carpet. Mine, or his? Either way, the hairs on the back of my neck lifted, and a shiver that had nothing to do with a chill raced through me.

  With a shake of my head to clear my thoughts, I stepped into the hall and closed the door behind me. I had to take myself out of the situation until I could wrap my brain around everything that had just changed. How could I reconcile what happened with Lucas when my grief for Cashel was so strong? It was frustrating, to say the least. I needed Cashel. But he was dead and Lucas had saved me, connected us, and my body knew it. I wasn’t sure I could allow my heart to catch up.

  My feet were nearly silent on the cold hardwood floor of the hallway. I’d walked these halls so many times, but this time I had such a feeling of loss weighing me down. I’d been given freedom from the magic in my blood, but in turn, my sense of self had been taken. I couldn’t be linked to Lucas Blackthorne—as much as I liked him. I wanted Cashel. I loved Cashel. I was supposed to be with Cashel.

  The door to my room was unlocked, and when I walked inside, I saw everything was still in place. My slippers sat next to the bed, waiting for me. The book I’d been reading rested on the end table by the window. It was like nothing had happened. Like I hadn’t been nearly murdered by a man I’d cared fiercely about. My heart lurched at the thought of Logan, a phantom ache throbbing in my throat where he’d savaged me. The echo of terror skittered across my mind but I pushed it back. I refused to remember Logan as the monster he’d become.

  Tears sprung to my eyes, burning and spilling over before I could stop them. I’d lost everything. Logan and Cashel both. Shuddering breaths escaped me without permission as I closed the door before throwing the deadbolt and locking myself inside. I knew a locked door wouldn’t keep any of them out, but it was all I had.

  On shaky legs, I made my way into the bathroom. Catching sight of my reflection, I had to fight a gasp. My hair shone, gleaming with health, and my skin practically glowed. But my lips and chin were covered in blood. Lucas’ blood. I needed a shower, a way to wash off the remnants of him. The bathtub sat like a tomb, staring at me, a reminder of my nightly ritual here in the manor. Conceal my scent with rose oil, keep myself from tempting the residents in order to stay alive. Reaching out, I ran my fingers over the glass bottle on the shelf.

  “Guess I don’t need you anymore,” I murmured, lifting the vial and inspecting the oil. I removed the cap, and the cloying scent infiltrated my senses almost immediately. A cold sweat broke out across my skin, nausea clutching at my belly. Tipping the vial, I poured every drop of oil down the sink, then ran hot water until any trace of it was gone. Except for the smell. I couldn’t get rid of that. I think it was burned into my nose.

  By the time I was done with my shower, I’d scrubbed myself until my skin stung from the friction. Hair still dripping, I padded into the bedroom with a towel around my naked body.

  The figure sitting on my bed made me let out a short little scream. Sorcha sat with her legs crossed as she filed her coffin shaped nails. “So, it’s true. You really don’t need the rose oil anymore.” She cocked a brow and looked at me with an expression that said she hadn’t believed it possible. “And Lucas is still alive. I thought for sure Anne would have staked him.”

  “She still could.”

  She nodded. “But she’s too smart. She knows what might happen if she does that. Her plans would go to hell and she’d be left with few allies. But you…you’ll ruin it all for yourself if you don’t accept what’s happened. No matter what you do, Cashel is still your weak point.”

  “No matter what I do? I didn’t choose this. I wanted Cashel to bind with me, not Lucas.”

  A low chuckle was her only answer. Then she unwound her legs and stood, dropping the file on my duvet. “Cashel is dead. You’re marrying the other brother. Deal with it.”

  “Why are you here, Sorcha?” I asked as I strode to the wardrobe.

  “It seems I’ve been sold
off. I’m leaving tonight for Edinburgh.”

  My stomach churned. Scotland. “What? She can’t do that, can she?”

  A flicker of sadness mixed with anger lit in her eyes. “She can. But what’s worse is it wasn’t even her who did it. My father had this arranged without telling me. I’m promised to Declan MacLeod, laird of the MacLeod vampire clan.” Relief raced through me. She wasn’t being sold to the vampire who’d planned to buy me.

  “You mean…like you have to—”

  “Marry the brute? Yes. I want nothing to do with a highland barbarian like him.”

  “I’m pretty sure Edinburgh isn’t in the highlands.”

  She shot me a look that would have turned me to stone if she’d had the power. “He’s been many things in many places, but he began his life in the highlands. Don’t presume to tell me you know more than I about vampire kind.”

  “Okay, so what do you want me to do about this? Why come tell me?”

  She clenched her teeth and took a long breath before striding toward me and selecting a green wrap dress. Her fingers played across the silky fabric before she sighed and looked at me, holding the dress out. “Wear this. It’ll make your eyes brighter and take away from the fact that you’re still recovering.”

  I took the dress and stared hard at her. “Sorcha?”

  “I just wanted to say goodbye. I don’t know what’s going to happen once I get there, but the last time I spent more than a moment in his presence, I didn’t find a lot to look forward to. Anyone who was friends with my father can’t be trusted.”

  “Is there anything you can do to stop this?”

  She shook her head. “Kill him while he sleeps?”

  My mouth dropped open. I didn’t know what to say.

  Then she smirked. “That would only get me sent to prison. I plan to marry the arse, then make him so miserable he puts me aside. Once he does that, I’ll be able to do what I wish.”

  Reaching in her pocket, she pulled out a necklace and handed it to me. “I found this on the ground where you were attacked. It’s…well, it seemed special to you.”

  I held up the charm Logan had given me. The chain was covered in my dried blood, but inside was a small ball that I knew held magic. “It looks…weird.”

  “I put something in it for you.”

  I held it out and inspected it. “What is it? Poison?”

  “Yes.”

  My heart lurched. “What?”

  “It’s liquid silver. You may find yourself needing a quick escape from Blackthorne Manor. This will help. Break it open and you’ll have quite the mess on your hands, but it won’t harm you.”

  Clutching the ball tightly, I stared at her with concern and thanks in my eyes. “Sorcha—”

  “No, no, don’t. I will not be made to cry over a silly human. Just…my brother deserved better than what he got. So do you. Avenge him.”

  I nodded. I would do exactly that. There had to be more than simple jealousy behind the attack on me that led to Cashel’s fight with Eliana. I would use my freedom in this house to find out who put her on that path and make them pay.

  4

  Olivia

  I slept alone that evening, not wanting to face the vampires. My body was confused by the new connection to Lucas and racing thoughts of how quickly this had all happened. I couldn’t be safe that easily. There had to be repercussions. Could Cashel really have done the same thing? Made me his and married me? Because if he could have, that meant he chose to let me go as surely as he came after me. Willingly.

  I tossed and turned in the large bed that smelled like my time with Cashel. It was so different from Lucas. Sensual and spicy. A slight knock on the door had me shifting under the blankets.

  “Olivia?” Lucas’ voice was gentle and little hesitant.

  “Come in.”

  He stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. “You left.” His tone held the smallest hint of accusation.

  Sitting up, I pulled the covers higher over my body in hopes of keeping my form hidden. “I needed some space. Everything is so…messed up.”

  “I know. Bloody hell, Olivia, I had to do something. I couldn’t let it drag on with you in danger any longer. There isn’t a cure for sun sickness and I doubt there ever was. Cashel brought you to us but failed to find a cure. You shouldn’t be in danger if I can fix it.”

  “But you took away my choice. You didn’t even ask me before you linked us.”

  His posture was careless and casual, an example of a man who felt no remorse for his actions. “I’ll never apologize for saving you. Don’t expect it.”

  The intensity in his stare sent a pulse of need through me that I couldn’t shake. “Why are you here?”

  “I could sense your restlessness. Thought perhaps you’d like some company.”

  “Did you tell Anne? About the bond?”

  He nodded. “She wasn’t pleased, but now she has no choice other than to allow us to marry. Her desire for a hybrid far outweighs her need for your blood supply to ally herself with the other clans.”

  “How?”

  “With Blackthornes able to walk in the sun, there’s no family who’ll be more powerful.”

  I swallowed past the unease tightening my throat. “I see.” My heart fluttered. Hybrids. That meant children. Children produced by me…and Lucas. “How do we know my blood’s magic will be passed on?”

  He sat on the side of the bed and took off his shoes before unbuttoning the fitted black shirt he was wearing. “The magic just has to be activated. If you’d had a sibling, they would be just as precious to vampire kind as well.”

  “You mean there’s never been more than one of us? None of these women had more than one child?”

  His expression was deadly serious when he looked at me. “Never. It was something they fought to keep contained after they realized the blood spell became a benefit to us rather than a weapon against us.” He dragged a hand through his dark hair. “More than one meant too many risks of capture.”

  My chest tightened, and I swallowed back the bile threatening to rise. “Did Cashel know this?”

  Lucas turned away and shrugged out of his shirt, revealing a strong, toned back with jagged scars slashed across the base of his spine. On instinct, I reached for him and ran my fingers over his skin, He shuddered and let out a sharp gasp.

  “What happened to you?”

  “Got into a bit of a skirmish with a werewolf in Scotland a few years back.”

  I couldn’t stop touching the scars. They were deep, silver stripes. “It must’ve hurt.”

  His large palm covered mine, stopping me as he twisted to face me. “Yes, it did. Very much.” He placed my hand on my lap and stared hard at me. “Don’t touch me like that.”

  I frowned. “Like what?”

  “With tender pity. Now, go back to sleep. I believe you’ll find your body more able to relax if I’m close. The bond is strong, and being apart won’t come easy. Especially not the first few nights.”

  I laid my head on the pillow, but stared at the ceiling with a sinking feeling twisting cold and clear in my belly. Until his fingers found mine. He linked our hands, and I was calmer.

  “I know I’m not the one you wanted, but if you give me the chance, I’ll make certain you’re always safe.”

  Tears welled in my eyes. Even his voice reminded me of everything I’d lost. Cashel was in every stitch of this house. The walls bled with memories of him. He was everywhere. How could I bond with Lucas when Cashel was so alive in my heart?

  “We both lost him, you know. He was my brother.”

  That was the moment I broke. My walls crumbled, and the flood of grief I’d been holding at bay rushed out of me. Heaving sobs escaped with no hope for containment, and Lucas responded by pulling me close. He held me tight to him with no expectations. Together, we mourned.

  I stood at the macabre altar three nights later, my heart pounding as Anne stood between Lucas and me, a parody of a priest. She smiled seren
ely, her blood-red gown and black hair making her appear the perfect vampire queen.

  “Acknowledging the mate bond given by Lucas Blackthorne provides you with his protection for the rest of your days, Olivia. Do you understand?” she asked.

  I swallowed hard, my blood humming with anxiety as I glanced from Lucas to her. He was standing next to Logan and Knight, the two of them serving as guards. So, Logan hadn’t gotten out. He was still here trapped under her control. The council loomed in a line across the balcony, watching the events unfold. Waiting for us to falter. We had no other choice. If we didn’t make this official, recognized by the council, they’d kill me for what happened to Eliana, and there wasn’t a damn thing anyone could do about it. Anne certainly wouldn’t use her power as queen to keep me safe.

  “I do.”

  “Lucas, you’ll take this...human...as your mate for all eternity. She will be under your protection until her heart stops beating. You will do your duty and provide heirs of your mixed bloodlines. And most importantly, you will turn her.”

  Shock hit me full force in the gut. “What?”

  “Yes, pet, he will turn you before the next full moon. Your blood may have been special, but not anymore. The Blackthorne line will not be tarnished again by a human. You will be turned before the two of you make any children.”

  Lucas’ hands clenched into tight fists, the knuckles white from the force of his grip.

  Children. I’d forced that out of my mind even though I knew it had to happen. We were expected to...consummate this marriage. I didn’t know if I could bring myself to do that. Lucas deserved better than me. A woman who didn’t love him, who didn’t want him.

  “I will do my duty,” Lucas said.

  “Give me your hands,” she ordered, holding out a palm.

  My gaze flashed to him, but he was staring over me, jaw set, eyes vacant. Lucas’ voice whispered in my mind.

  Do as she says, Olivia. If you want to be allowed to live, you’ll give her no reason to end your life.