My mind was cloudy, but the thoughts of what my uncle said haunted me. “Why don’t you ask your precious Aubrey what part he played in this whole thing? Do you really think Cornelius did his own bidding?”
What if Aubrey did play a part in my parents’ death? What if he was still playing a part even now? He hadn’t let me kill Cornelius; there had to be a reason. I couldn’t just lay there and pretend everything was okay. I needed to talk to Colin. Maybe Colin knew more than he was telling me.
I sat up and groaned. My body still ached, but it was slowly healing. I was still in my clothes. I was only missing my shoes and my coat. I got my shoes on, and found my coat. I looked battered and beat. My clothes were dirty and bloody, but I didn’t have anything else to wear. I walked slowly down the hall toward the main club entrance. I was hoping Aubrey and Justin wouldn’t be around. As soon as I walked through the door I spotted them sitting at the bar. Aubrey immediately spotted me, and his expression darkened.
I hurried toward the exit, but he blocked me. “You are in no condition to go out,” he said firmly.
“I’ve been in worse conditions,” I said softly as I attempted to push past him.
He caught my arm and forced me to remain still. I glared up at him, and his expression changed from annoyance to confusion. “When I looked at you earlier, I could see nothing but love for me; now I see nothing but hate. What has changed?” he asked softly.
I looked away quickly. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t have any facts. All I had was what everyone said. I had no real proof of anything. I was ten years old when it happened, and I couldn’t remember anything. “I don’t know what has changed. Please, just let me go,” I said quietly.
He released me and stepped back. “You always come back to me,” he said softly, then turned and walked away.
I was confused by his words, but I wasn’t going to question him. I walked out into the cool air. I hurried to my car and set off for the warehouse.
***
I walked into the warehouse. Colin was in his office like he always was. He looked up, a little startled when I walked in. “Lillian, are you okay?” he asked, sounding worried.
“I’m fine. I need to know what happened the night my parents died,” I said quietly.
He watched me for a second. “I wasn’t there. I don’t know. You were there, not me,” he said quietly.
“I know I was there, but I can’t remember anything. Everyone keeps saying Aubrey was involved somehow and I don’t know how. Then I find out that Cornelius is the vampire council, and he is Aubrey’s brother. What if he was involved? I trusted him. My own uncle was part of it. I don’t know what to do!” I said, as I paced back and forth.
Colin grasped my shoulders and forced me to look at him. “Lillian, calm down. Have you ever considered just asking Aubrey?”
“He said one time that their death was his fault, but I didn’t believe him. I don’t know what to believe anymore,” I said, as tears rolled down my cheeks.
He pulled me into a hug. “Just follow your instincts. You have done well so far. No one could have known your uncle was involved.”
I pulled away from him. I didn’t feel like being touched. “I should have known he was involved. He was always so quiet about my parents. I thought it was because he was upset that they were dead.” I paced back and forth, thinking about everything my uncle had said over the years.
“You can’t blame yourself for this, Lily. You need to focus on the task at hand. We cannot change the past,” he said softly.
I scowled. “What is the task? I don’t even know what it is. What are we going to do, just kill every vampire that is faithful to Cornelius? How does that solve anything?”
“It gives people freedom. People like Justin. Justin was a prisoner, but what you have done gave him strength to fight back,” he said quietly.
“I have done nothing but cause havoc and destroy my own family,” I said.
“Your family is not who you think they are. What kind of leader turns his own brother into the vampire council? You don’t want a family like that,” he said softly.
I looked at him, but I didn’t speak. I knew he was right. A real family didn’t do the things my uncle had done. He’d had Damon nearly kill me. I had a feeling he might have made sure I didn’t walk out of there alive. I shook my head. “I need a shower. I need to find a hotel,” I said quietly.
“Come stay with me. I have an extra room,” he said, as he put his arm around my shoulder and guided me out of the room.
I let him lead me to his car. I didn’t feel like driving, anyway. I just needed to get a shower and get some sleep. I would figure out what my next move would be when I was healed.
Colin’s house was in the middle of downtown. It was a small apartment that was right on the river. It was a really nice place. I didn’t take much time to admire it. I was too tired. He showed me to my room, and I started the shower. He was supposed to be finding some clothes that would fit me.
I felt a little better once the hot water hit my skin. I closed my eyes and attempted to clear my head. Everything happened so quickly, and it was all so overwhelming. Sometimes it felt like there were at least three sides, and I had to choose, but I couldn’t. There was my uncle and the hunters, who I grew up idolizing. Then there was Colin and the renegades, the ones who seemed like they just wanted freedom from the anarchy of the councils. Finally there was Aubrey; the master vampire of the city, and the man I was beginning to think I was in love with. It seemed like he wanted to distance himself from the others. He didn’t seem like he wanted any part of it. I shook my head in annoyance. Thinking about everything wasn’t getting me anywhere.
I turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. I wrapped the towel around me and stepped out into the room. I was a little startled to see Aubrey sitting on the bed. He was playing with the hem of the nighty Colin left me.
“Hey,” I said softly. I wasn’t really sure what else to say to him.
“I can help you remember,” he said, without looking at me. He continued to play with the delicate lace hem like he hadn’t even spoken.
“Remember what?” I asked softly. I had a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. I had a feeling I knew what he was talking about.
“The night your parents died,” he said, finally looking up at me.
I rushed over and sat next to him. “How can you do that?” I asked, hoping he wasn’t lying.
“Well, you can see what happened through my eyes. Maybe it will stir some memories for you,” he said softly.
“Please show me,” I begged, as I took his hand. I needed to know what part everyone played.
He tangled his fingers in my hair and pulled me closer to him. “I am so afraid you will walk away from me if I show you this,” he whispered desperately.
“Please, I have to know,” I pleaded, hoping he wouldn’t change his mind.
He closed his eyes and looked away from me for a moment. Then he nodded and leaned into me. “I am going to bite you. Try to relax. It is the easiest way to get you to see what I saw,” he said softly.
I nodded nervously. I didn’t know what he was going to do. I didn’t know what to expect. I was afraid of finding out some horrible truth about Aubrey. I wasn’t sure if I could handle him betraying me. He laid a gentle kiss on my neck before he gently sank his fangs into my neck. The room started to blur, but not like it did when he transported us. It was more like my vision was fading out…..
Chapter 20
When I opened my eyes, I was standing in a room. I hesitated when I saw Cornelius standing at a desk. He was looking through paperwork. Fear gripped me, and I stepped back.
Aubrey’s voice filled my head. “You are in a memory. He cannot see you or hurt you,” he said softly, and I immediately relaxed.
The door not far from me opened, and Aubrey came storming in. “End this war now, Cornelius!” Aubrey demanded.
His brother looked up at him and smi
led. “It has just started, Aubrey. You should start taking your responsibilities seriously.”
Aubrey scoffed. “This is below you, Cornelius. Going after Lyle is one thing, going after his family is another.”
Cornelius straightened. “Lyle started the war. He is going to feel the loss of war. Now, do what you were ordered, or get out of my sight.”
“I won’t do it. Find someone else. I am no longer your gullible little brother!” Aubrey hissed and walked away.
My vision clouded as Aubrey walked past. Suddenly, I was standing in my parent’s house. I felt my heart clench when I saw my mother carrying a bowl of popcorn into the living room. My father and the ten-year-old version of myself were already sitting on the couch.
My mother set the bowl down and walked over to the window. “Are you sure everything will be okay?” she asked my father. She sounded worried, like she knew something was going to happen.
“Of course. Carl said he would have hunters watching our house. Everything will be fine,” my father said, as he put his arm around her shoulders.
My ten-year-old self screamed, catching my attention. I turned, and Aubrey was standing in the doorway. My father pulled a stake out of his belt as my ten-year-old self ran to my mother. I felt my stomach twist. The thought that Aubrey had killed my parents had occurred to me, but I’d quickly pushed it away. Now I wasn’t so sure I could push it away anymore.
Aubrey suddenly raised his hands like he was there in peace. “I am not here to hurt you. I came here to warn you. The vampire council is sending a marshal to kill you and your family. You need to leave.”
My father scoffed. “There are hunters everywhere outside. The marshal will never get a chance.” My father sounded confident; he had no idea what was coming.
“Don’t be a fool. Your brother is the one that told them how to find you. He doesn’t have hunters out there. How do you think I got in?” Aubrey sounded like he was pleading with them.
My father looked a little unsure, but he didn’t let his guard down.
“What if he is telling the truth, Lyle?” my mother asked, sounding frantic.
“He isn’t. Leave now. We will be fine,” my father said softly.
The sound of screaming and shattering glass caught everyone’s attention. My mother barely had time to scream before the vampire pinning her ripped her throat out. The younger me was knocked to the side, unconscious. That was why I couldn’t remember anything.
My father yelled in anger and panic. He tackled the vampire, but it was too late for my mother. “Get my daughter out of here!” my father yelled at Aubrey.
Aubrey hesitated, then rushed over to me and picked me up. He was suddenly gone, and my vision faded again.
Suddenly I was standing near the woods of my house. Aubrey had the young me. He laid me on the ground, then attempted to wake me up. I had blood coming from my head, and I didn’t look like I was breathing. Aubrey bit his wrist and pressed it to my lips. A noise in the brush caught Aubrey’s attention. He ran, leaving me alone on the ground. Luca appeared out of the trees.
“Oh god, Lily,” he whispered, then picked me up and ran off into the woods with me. My vision started to blur again. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the memory fading or because I was crying.
I opened my eyes, and was back in my room. Aubrey released me and looked down at me, worried. My face was wet from the tears. I wasn’t sure if I was better or worse off seeing my parents die. I didn’t remember because I never saw it in the first place.
“I’m sorry, Lillian,” Aubrey said softly, as he kissed my cheek gently.
“You didn’t do it,” I said relieved. Not only did he not do it, but he’d saved my life when he’d given me his blood.
He smiled softly. “No, I didn’t; but I should have done more. Everything happened so fast. I should have warned your father when I first found out about Cornelius’s plan.”
I reached up and touched his face. He’d saved me. I would have died with my parents if he hadn’t been there. Luca found me because of Aubrey. I pressed my lips to his and kissed him gently. I was so relieved he wasn’t the one that killed my parents.
“You are not angry with me?” he asked, between my desperate kisses.
“No. I love you,” I said softly.
He hesitated and looked at me, like he wasn’t sure what to say. It felt like time stood still as he watched me. I wasn’t sure if I’d made a mistake telling him I loved him. The way he reacted made me think so. “You can’t love me. I am the reason they died. I should have stopped Cornelius before things got out of hand.”
“You did everything you knew how to. You warned my father, and you did what he asked by saving me,” I whispered, as I pressed my body to his.
He looked at me for a minute longer, then pressed his mouth to mine. His kiss was hungry and needy. I tangled my fingers in his hair and closed my eyes as he pinned me to the bed. I tore his shirt open and covered his chest with kisses. His mouth found mine again. My fingers went to the button of his jeans. I wanted him inside me. I was sure of how I felt now. I no longer doubted him. I was in love with him.
***
I laid on my side. Aubrey ran his fingers playfully down my arm. I loved the feeling of euphoria he gave me when we were together. The memories he showed me earlier were haunting me. Cornelius gave the order to murder my parents, but who was the vampire that actually did it?
“Who was the vampire that took your place and killed my parents?” I asked softly.
“His name was Ricardo. He died shortly after your parents. He was not able to give Cornelius proof that Lyle and your mother were dead. The hunters burned the house as soon as they could.”
When he said that I sat up and looked at him. “The hunters burned the house?” I asked, confused.
He nodded then looked away. “Why do you think Luca was there?”
I felt my stomach knot up. I didn’t want to believe Luca had any part in the whole thing. I was raised to believe Luca saved me. There were so many nights I spent crying in his arms. I felt like such an idiot, now.
“Don’t think about it anymore tonight. Let me help you forget,” he whispered, as he pulled me back down onto the bed and kissed me gently.
***
As much as I wanted to sleep, I couldn’t. I heard Aubrey leave not long after he thought I was asleep. I lay in bed, contemplating my next move. I wasn’t really sure what that move would be. I knew I wanted Cornelius dead; I just wasn’t sure how I was going to do it. Despite Cornelius trying to kill Aubrey, Aubrey refused to kill Cornelius. That was going to be a problem for me, because Aubrey wouldn’t disclose Cornelius’s location, but I knew someone who might.
I got out of bed and showered. Once I was dressed I walked out to the kitchen. Colin was already up, which was a relief. I needed a ride to my car.
“I saw Aubrey leave last night. I take it you two made up?” he asked.
I nodded. “I need a ride to my car,” I said softly. I didn’t really feel like explaining myself to him.
He nodded as he walked toward the door. I was just getting ready to leave. I followed him out to his car.
“What are your plans for the evening?” he asked as he drove toward the warehouses.
“I need to talk to Justin. Aubrey said he was staying with him,” I said absently.
“I take it this has to do with Cornelius in some way?” Colin asked softly.
I watched him for a minute, wondering how much I should tell him. “Maybe. What do you know?”
He shrugged as he continued to keep his eyes on the road. “I don’t know where he is, if that is what you mean, and despite Justin’s hate for Cornelius I doubt he will give you the directions to kill yourself.” Colin’s tone was clipped, like he knew what I was thinking and he disapproved.
“He took everything from me, Colin. I don’t expect you to understand,” I said softly.
He scoffed. “I know a lot more than you think. How do you think I ended
up a vampire? Not every vampire has the ability to turn a hunter.”
“Cornelius turned you?” I asked, startled. I remembered when Justin and I were trying to escape Cornelius’s dungeon; we heard a vampire say he planned to change me.
“Yes, he just didn’t realize I wouldn’t be as controllable as a standard human. I was able to walk away,” he said quietly.
“How did you meet him in the first place?” I asked, now very interested in what he had to say.
“You are not the only one that has family members Cornelius murdered. I went after him when my sister turned up dead. You were young then, so you probably don’t remember. When I went after him, I realized he was stronger than most vampires. He thought it would be funny to turn me instead of kill me. He will do the same thing to you if he gets the chance,” he said softly, as he parked the car in front of the warehouse.
“I will make sure he doesn’t get the chance, then,” I said, as I climbed out of the car. I would go after him like I did the death marshal. He couldn’t be that impossible to kill. I walked directly to my car and set off for Aubrey’s club. I needed to get Cornelius’s location.
***
It was starting to get late, so traffic on the street was picking up. I parked in my usual spot and walked down the alley toward the club. I was hoping I could speak with Justin without Aubrey interrupting. Aubrey would do nothing but try to stop me.
I walked into the club and all the regulars were there. I spotted Justin sitting at the bar drinking. Luckily, he was alone. I took a seat next to him and ordered a drink.
He looked me up and down, then looked back at his drink. “You look better than you did,” he said softly.
“I agree,” I said, slightly amused. He’d helped Aubrey when I got worked over by Damon. I still owed Damon for that. I didn’t know what I was going to do about the people I thought were my family. Once the lie came out, I felt pretty alone.
“I take it you want something. Why else would you come talk to me?” he said dryly.