“I’m not worried about that. You don’t have to go anywhere. I have been authorized to kill you on the spot,” the marshal said. I saw him move to attack, and I didn’t hesitate.
I drew the gun and emptied the clip into him. People screamed and ran. He turned to ash in front of me. I was relieved as soon as he turned to ash; the marshal was dead. I looked over at Aubrey and the others. They were watching me like I’d grown another head. Maybe I had, but I felt a lot better. I didn’t know what to say as they watched me.
“What did you do?” Aubrey yelled angrily, as he stormed over to me.
“What I had to,” I said defiantly.
“You killed a marshal! You signed your death warrant!” He was yelling, which surprised me. He never yelled. If anything, he was always too calm and collected.
I didn’t know why, but I smiled. I was now on the opposite side of the argument. It wasn’t but a couple days ago that I was saying the same thing to him.
“Why are you smiling?” he growled as he watched me.
I shrugged. “No reason.” I looked over at my uncle. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was furious. I had broken one of our most important laws. He would disown me for this, and I knew it. I looked back at Aubrey. “I should go,” I said softly. He didn’t speak; he looked like he didn’t know what to say. I turned and walked toward the exit. I needed to get away from the place before my uncle went off. I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to hear what he had to say.
***
Colin was waiting for me at the road. He straightened when he saw me. I was relieved that he hadn’t left. I needed a ride. I didn’t dare ask my uncle if I could stay. “I am assuming he is dead,” he said sounding hopeful.
“A pile of dust,” I said, quietly, as I climbed into the passenger seat.
He got in the car and immediately set off toward the warehouse. “Is everything okay?” he asked softly, like he sensed that something was wrong.
I shook my head. I didn’t speak. I wasn’t sure if I could without crying. The memory of my family’s expression made my chest hurt. In their minds I had betrayed them, and the thought hurt me.
He reached over and touched my hand. I froze and looked over at him. I wasn’t sure if I was comfortable with him touching me. I knew he was trying to comfort me. He obviously sensed my discomfort and immediately removed his hand from mine. “It will all work out,” he said softly, as he looked straight ahead.
I wished I could believe him, but I was beginning to think my trouble was just beginning.
The thought continued to haunt me as Colin parked the car in front of the warehouse. I immediately got out and walked to the office. I needed sleep. I didn’t want to talk to anyone or make any more decisions. Colin went off to speak with Drake, so I was alone. I laid down on the couch and placed my arm over my eyes. I knew I wasn’t going to sleep very easily, but I was going to try.
Chapter 13
The commotion just outside the office startled me awake. I rolled to my feet and gripped the handle of one of the guns. I could hear Colin and Drake’s voice. They were yelling at someone. I stepped out of the office and almost ran into Aubrey.
“We need to talk,” he growled, as he grabbed my arm and pushed me back into the office. He slammed the door in Colin’s face as Colin attempted to follow him in.
“How did you find me?” I asked, as I watched him pace in front of me. I was a little surprised a vampire could find the renegades. I had assumed the renegades were careful with the location of the warehouse.
“Let’s just say your little group is not as secretive or as hard to infiltrate as you think. What were you thinking when you killed that death marshal?” he asked. He glared at me, and the intensity of his gaze was hard to handle.
“I did what I had to. They have no right to push us around,” I said, standing my ground. I wasn’t going to waiver because of his hostile expression. He did the same thing I’d done by agreeing to the truce in the first place.
He scoffed. “I don’t think they care about right and wrong. You’re going to end up on a high-priority execution list for this. These people aren’t like the dumb, overzealous vampires you are used too hunting.”
“Everyone has to die. I may not survive the night. Isn’t that what you told me?” I asked, matching his tone.
He watched me with a look of disbelief. “Is it your mission to die, then?”
“Is it yours?” I countered. He was the one who’d started the whole thing by attempting to sacrifice himself. Then he had the nerve to drug me because he thought I would screw up his self-righteous plan.
“Damn it, Lillian, this isn’t about me! This is about you!” he growled, as he began to pace again. It was like he was trying to figure out a way to fix things. I knew there was no fixing this. I had come to terms with that when I decided to use the gun.
“You should go. I am sure Colin and the others are getting antsy with a master vampire in the building,” I said softly, as I walked toward the door.
He caught my wrist as I passed him. He pulled me into him, so my body was pressed against his. I felt my chest tighten as the breath left my body in surprise at his sudden closeness. He was so close to me, his lips were almost touching mine. I looked into his turquoise eyes, and I felt like I was falling into them. “This is not over, Lillian. I will not allow you to kill yourself because you are on some mission to rid the world of vampires,” he said softly.
“There is nothing you can do to stop this now. Just stay out of my way,” I said, trying to regain my composure.
He watched me for a minute longer, then pressed his lips to mine. His tongue touched mine, and I felt my body heat up. I tangled my fingers in his hair, returning his desperate kiss. There was something about him that made it impossible for me to pull away, even though the rational part of my brain was screaming at me and calling me an idiot.
He suddenly broke the kiss, and I sagged in his arms. My eyes drifted from his soft lips to his brilliant turquoise eyes. His expression was hard to read, but it was caught somewhere between anger, confusion, and something else. It was something I couldn’t figure out. As quickly as I saw it, his expression went blank. He was back to being the cold hearted vampire. “You should go,” I said again, as I stepped away from him.
“You should quit pretending you feel nothing for me,” he said softly.
“Caring about people only gets me hurt,” I countered, as I turned to walk away. I didn’t like how intense the situation had gotten. I needed to escape, like I always did when things got too serious.
He caught my wrist again, and I hesitated, but didn’t turn to look back at him. “There are some things you cannot control, Lillian. Love is one of those things. It doesn’t matter how hard you try to fight, you will always love and you will always get hurt.”
“Love only causes pain,” I said softly. I pulled my hand free and walked out, leaving him there.
“What the hell is going on?” Colin asked, as I pushed past him and Drake.
“Nothing,” I muttered, as I continued on my way. I didn’t feel like explaining it to them. I wasn’t even sure there was anything to explain. I was lost and confused. My mother’s guidance would have come in handy at this point, but she was gone. It was so much simpler for me to pretend I didn’t feel.
***
I drove to my favorite beach. I parked in a public parking spot, then walked to a bench facing the water. I sat down and looked out over the ocean as the sun started to peek above the horizon. It was a beautiful view. I loved this place. It was the last place I had gone with my parents before their death. After they died, Luca always brought me here; he claimed it was my happy place. I wasn’t feeling very happy at the moment, but I did love this spot.
“How did I know you would be here?” Luca asked as he walked toward me.
I stiffened at first, but relaxed when I realized he was alone. I wasn’t ready to face my uncle. I couldn’t explain to him why I killed the marshal. I
wasn’t sure if he would really even understand. I wasn’t even sure I understood. “What are you doing here?” I asked quietly, as I looked back out over the water.
He took a seat next to me. “Looking for you, of course. I was worried about you after everything that happened.”
“I’m fine,” I muttered. “I am sure my uncle wouldn’t approve of you talking to me.”
“Well, it is a good thing I don’t care what your uncle thinks,” he said as he nudged me playfully.
I smiled slightly. “How mad is he?”
He shrugged as he picked up a small shell out of the sand. “I think he is more worried than anything. You are following in your parents footsteps, and it didn’t end well for them.”
I looked down at my hands. I wasn’t sure what to say. I decided to be honest with Luca in the hope he would offer some advice. “I couldn’t let him die,” I said softly.
“I’m assuming you are talking about Aubrey,” he said, sounding slightly annoyed. I could tell he was trying hard to mask his feelings. He just wasn’t very good at it.
“Yes. I can’t get him out of my head. It is infuriating, sometimes. I think about him dying, and it feels like a knife is being driven through my chest,” I said quietly. I shivered at just the thought of the feeling. I couldn’t imagine how it would feel if he really died.
“Do you love him?” he asked, as he watched me.
I thought about it for a minute. The truth was, I really didn’t know. I didn’t know him well enough to say I loved him. I couldn’t let myself get that close to him. “I can’t love him,” I said softly.
He nodded, understanding. “I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but I am going to say it anyway. I don’t like the guy; then again, I don’t like any guy that you date, but you are being unfair to Aubrey.”
I looked at him, a little startled. I never thought in a million years he would defend Aubrey. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged and looked back at the little shell he was playing with. “He didn’t kill your parents, so why are you treating him like he did?”
I scowled. “I know he didn’t kill my parents, but he is a vampire and…”
“And vampires are all murderers because one vampire killed your parents,” he said, cutting me off.
I looked at him for a minute, then looked away. He was right. My uncle had said something similar to me before. I was just too stubborn to listen. If I couldn’t blame every vampire I saw, I wouldn’t have anyone to blame. “How do I get past this? How do I even attempt to give him a chance?”
“I don’t know. That is between you and him, but he wouldn’t have done all he has if he didn’t have a reason, and as good-looking and cool as I am, I just don’t think I am his reason,” he teased as he nudged me again.
I laughed and shook my head. I knew he was right. Everything Aubrey had done was for me, and in a way, everything I had done was for him. The old me would have never thought twice about letting a vampire sacrifice himself for Tanner. I wasn’t too sure if I liked this new me. She was emotional and annoying. “What do I do now?” I asked, hoping he would have an answer.
“Whatever you have to, to survive,” he said, like it was simple.
“Colin thinks we can stand against the vampire council and the death marshals. What do you think?” I only asked because I hoped he would say something positive and comforting, like he always seemed to do.
“I think it is going to be difficult, but if anyone can do it, you can,” he said softly.
I smiled as I leaned into him. “Thank you.”
He laughed softly. “For what?”
I sighed. “For making me feel a little less like a monster.”
“You aren’t a monster. You’re just young, and maybe a little excitable,” he said, amused.
I shoved him. “I am good at what I do,” I countered.
He laughed as he stood. “You are right. If I ever become a vampire, I will not be sticking around.”
I grinned. “I wouldn’t hurt you.”
He looked at me like as though he didn’t believe me. “I think that would depend on your mood.”
I rolled my eyes and stood as well. “I should get back. I need to get some sleep. I feel like I haven’t slept in days.”
He nodded. “I should go to. Stay out of trouble and call me if you need me,” he said, then pulled me into a hug.
I closed my eyes as I relaxed against him. “I will, I promise,” I said softly. I hated that we had to go our separate ways. I liked having Luca around when I was having a bad day. Normally I would be sleeping in his bed tonight, but things weren’t normal anymore.
Chapter 14
I woke up to the sound of the office door opening. Colin came in the room and took his usual seat behind the desk. I glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was a little after ten at night. I sat up slowly and stretched.
“I didn’t mean to wake you. I just have some things to do,” Colin said, as he sorted through papers on the desk.
“It’s fine. I needed to get up anyway,” I said as I swung my feet over the couch. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I had no clothes and no way of taking a shower. I would have to get a hotel or something. I’d crashed at the warehouse because it was easier than finding a place.
“Rumors are already starting to fly. The death marshal didn’t return, so they’ll be looking for him. Keep the guns on you and keep your eyes open. If you go near Aubrey’s club, don’t trust anyone. There are vampires that are loyal to the council everywhere,” Colin said firmly.
I smiled. He was starting to sound like Luca. Luca always worried about me. For several years I would get a huge speech from him every night before I went out hunting. “Don’t worry, I’m a big girl,” I said.
“I know that, but don’t let your confidence blind you. Stay on guard and pay attention,” he said, watching me. He wasn’t playing around. He was serious, and it worried me a little.
I stood and put the guns on, then grabbed my jacket. “I’ll check in later. I am going to find a hotel or something.”
He nodded and I walked out, leaving him to do whatever it was he did for the renegades.
***
I parked downtown near the café and Aubrey’s club. There were a couple hotels in the area. I figured I would stay in one nearby. I hoped everyone would assume I would stay out of vampire territory. Being right in the middle of it would give me the upper hand if someone did arrive to kill me. I stepped out of my car and looked around cautiously. There wasn’t that much traffic on the street, but there was enough.
“Do you really think going into vampire territory is wise?” Aubrey asked from behind me.
I spun around and glared at him. “Do you always have to sneak up on me?” I growled.
He was standing only a few feet from me. He must have seen my car from wherever he was lurking. I wasn’t sure how else he could have known I was here. “I’m not sneaking. You just aren’t paying attention,” he said, smiling.
“I always pay attention,” I countered. His tone was slightly irritating. It was almost like he was teasing me.
His smile widened. “Then you must trust me, deep down.”
I scoffed then glanced around. Everything seemed quiet, almost too quiet. “I don’t trust anyone,” I said, then looked back at him.
He looked me over. “Why are you wearing the same clothes as last night?”
I shrugged. “I don’t have anything. Everything is at my uncle’s house. I am looking for a hotel so I can shower; then I am going to get some clothes.”
His expression darkened as he closed the gap between us. I didn’t pull away when he wrapped his arms around me. “You can bathe at my place. I am also sure I have something that will fit you.”
I was going to protest, but I didn’t have time. There was a sudden rush of cool air, and the world around me spun. We were suddenly standing in a bathroom, lit by candles. There was a huge bathtub full of bubbles. I looked at him, a lit
tle startled.
He leaned into me and pressed his lips to mine before I could speak. Part of me wanted to protest, but I remained quiet as he gently kissed me. He slid my coat off and tossed it aside. His mouth distracted me as he unclasped my holsters and set my guns aside. I could feel my cheeks burning as his mouth moved to my neck. He was right; I did trust him, even though I hated to admit it. His hands slid down my sides to my hips. He pulled me against him. His erection strained against his pants. I felt my pulse quicken at the confirmation that he wanted me. He watched me for a second; when I didn’t protest, he slid my shirt up over my head. He tossed it aside before his fingers went to the clasp on my bra. His mouth found mine again, and he kissed me aggressively as he removed my bra. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. I kissed him hungrily, pressing my body to his. He broke the kiss and smiled as he slowly sunk to his knees in front of me. I closed my eyes as he laid soft kisses over my belly. He unsnapped my jeans as he continued to kiss me. My body was hot; his touch was sending sensations through me that I never experienced before. He slid each off my shoes, then slid my jeans and panties down. His lips brushed my heated skin in different spots as he stood.
He smiled at me as he offered me his hand. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Being near him was so overwhelming. I took his hand, and he led me to the tub. I stepped in and sunk down into the bubbles. The water felt incredible on my already over-sensitive skin. I closed my eyes and let the feelings overwhelm me. I stiffened a little when I felt him slide in the tub next to me. I opened my eyes as he moved over me. His bare skin pressed against mine, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. His turquoise eyes were dancing with amusement. He pressed his lips to mine and teasingly kissed me. I deepened the kiss as I tangled my fingers in his silky blond hair. He suddenly broke the kiss, and I yelped in surprise when he moved forward quickly and sunk his fangs into my neck.
I gasped as the pleasure of his bite rolled over me. I closed my eyes, and a moan escaped my lips as he slowly encouraged the blood to flow. He suddenly released me and pressed his mouth to mine. The metallic taste of my blood filled my mouth, exciting me more.