Eternal Bond : (The Cursed Series, Book 3)

by Kara Leigh Miller

  “Whatever you say, roomie.” He gave me a fake salute, then wandered back into the bathroom.

  Talk about a nightmare. When Jax returned to the room, it looked as though his skin had paled more, and the circles around his eyes had deepened.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  He flopped down on the bed and groaned. “They’ve been starving me.”

  “What?”

  “They’ve been giving me very small sips every day, just enough to keep me alive and functioning, but not enough to sate my thirst.”

  So, I wasn’t just stuck in a room with a vampire who I didn’t completely trust, I was stuck with a vampire who was starving and could turn on me any second.

  A disturbing thought crashed into my mind. The witches were starving Jax, and then they’d probably bring me to the brink of death before shoving me back in here with a very hungry vampire. It was the perfect set-up, guaranteed to work.

  “How long can you go without… feeding?” I asked.

  “Maybe another week or so.”

  Nausea coiled in my stomach, and I inhaled deeply through my noise. “Then what happens?” I whispered.

  Jax sat up and looked at me, the answer written all over his face. He didn’t need to spell it out. If we weren’t out of here by next week, he’d snap and feed on me. But would he kill me or change me?

  CHAPTER FOUR:

  A Warm Body

  I TOSSED AND TURNED, THE SHEET tangling around my body. I fought to get them off and grunted when I couldn’t. Sitting up, I tore the blankets off and dumped them on the floor. Sighing, I smoothed my hands over my face, brushing my hair from my sweaty forehead.

  “What did those poor blankets ever do to you?”

  I gasped, then leaned over the side of the bed, snatched the blankets, and covered myself. Though, I wasn’t sure why. I was in pajamas. Still, waking up in the middle of the night with Jax sitting a few feet away was unsettling.

  “Nothing,” I said after my heart stopped its erratic thumping. “I just can’t sleep.”

  Jax raised a brow as if waiting for me to say more. I didn’t.

  He swung his legs over the side of the bench and stood, stretching his arms over his head. He wore a pair of gray cotton pants that hung dangerously low on his hips and nothing else. Thank God it was mostly dark in the room so he couldn’t see me staring. But, ashamedly, I was.

  He looked so much like Trent, right down to the well-defined abs and muscular torso, which only made my loneliness intensify. I missed Trent so much it was a physical ache in the pit of my stomach, accompanied by a gaping hole in my chest.

  I had no idea how much longer I could last here. If I would just agree to break the curse, I could leave. I could go back to Trent.

  Jax moved toward the bed, his movements lithe and predatory. “If you’re not going to use all those blankets, can I have another one?”

  The moon shone through the tree branches outside, sending streaks of light through the window, just enough for me to see Jax clearly. He’d stopped a few steps from the bed and crossed his arms, making his muscles bulge.

  “Take ‘em,” I said, clutching my blankets a little tighter.

  He bent, scooped up the last blanket from the floor, then turned back to the window bench.

  I blew out a breath and lay back down. Between my constant nightmares and Jax’s presence, I was never going to be able to sleep. Jax now stood in front of the window, still and silent—until he stretched again, his shoulder muscles rippling with the movement. I groaned.

  “Did you say something?” he asked, glancing at me over his shoulder.

  He knew I hadn’t said anything, and based on the glint in his eye, he’d heard me loud and clear.

  “Yeah,” I said, rolling onto my side so I was facing him. “I have another rule. You need to be fully dressed at all times.”

  Jax laughed, the sound husky. Then, without argument, he put on a shirt.

  That was too easy.

  He settled on the window bench, arms resting on his bent knees. “You don’t have to be dressed at all times. I’m totally fine if you want to get naked and dance around the room.”

  “Uh, yeah, not gonna happen.” I adjusted my pillow, attempting to fluff it. The stupid thing was flatter than a pancake.

  “You’ve never been streaking?”

  “No.”

  “Skinny dipping?” he asked, amused.

  “Nope.” I punched the pillow, frustration fueling my actions, and then flopped down on it. “Now stop breaking the “no flirting” rule and go to sleep.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  There was way too much delight in his tone, though, and I doubted he’d be doing any sleeping tonight. I knew I wouldn’t.

  And that was how things went for the next four nights—I’d fall asleep only to wake up from a nightmare, sweating and heart racing, and Jax was there every night to assure me I was okay.

  Then he’d try to flirt with me, and I’d spend the remainder of the night tossing and turning and worrying what he might say or do next. I couldn’t keep doing this. I needed sleep. I needed to get out of this room and away from Jax.

  Keys jingled, and then Heaven Leigh entered with lunch for me and a shot glass of blood for Jax—exactly like every other day since we’d been locked up in here.

  She removed the lid from the tray, and steam billowed off a heaping plate of roasted vegetables and a single chicken breast. Garlic and rosemary hung heavy in the air.

  “Lunch is served,” Heaven Leigh said.

  “Thank you.” I smiled.

  She nodded, took the tiny glass of blood, and held it out to Jax.

  It was something she’d started doing, and I wasn’t sure why. Was she removing it from the tray before I ate so I wouldn’t have to look at it? Or was there something more sinister going on? Jax seemed to be fine after drinking it, so I doubted it was poisoned.

  “Enjoy.” Heaven Leigh smiled, then left the room.

  Jax downed the shot of blood, and I turned away, wishing I hadn’t seen him do that.

  “I’m starving,” he complained, setting the empty glass on the desk.

  That was another thing—the witches only fed me human food, never offering Jax any. And if I’d learned anything about him, it was that he loved food.

  “You can have mine. I’m not that hungry,” I said.

  “I’m not taking your food,” he said, his top lip curling in disgust. “Besides, these witches don’t know how to cook. I’m sure it probably tastes awful.”

  I shrugged. “Whatever.” I yawned so hard tears formed in my eyes.

  Zombie-like, I shuffled to the bed and flopped down, another yawn erupting. Exhaustion hung from every limb, making it impossible to do anything useful.

  “You should take a nap. You look exhausted.” Jax plucked a carrot from the plate, sniffed it, then took a bite. “Not too bad.” He grabbed another one. “Sure you don’t want any?”

  “No.” I yawned again.

  “Okay, that’s it.” He spun around to face me. “It’s been days, Chloe, and you’ve barely slept. What’s going on?” He sat beside me on the bed, a comfortable distance separating us.

  “Nightmares, mostly.”

  “About?”

  I grabbed the pillow and hugged it to my chest. Did I really want to tell him this? Did I have a choice? It wasn’t like I could tell him to leave or storm out. We were trapped here. And maybe if I talked about it, I could find a reprieve.

  “My mom. Isach. Hannah. The witches. You,” I whispered.

  He flinched as if I’d hit him. “Me?”

  I nodded. “I keep dreaming that you snap and kill me.”

  “Wow.” He stood and paced, repeatedly dragging his hand through his hair. “You know I won’t do that, right?” He stopped in front of me. “I’d never kill you.”

  “But you’d change me,” I said, anger sparking in my chest.

  “Only to save your life,” he said.

  I rolled
my eyes. “Same difference.”

  “We’re going to get out of here. Before it comes down to changing you, okay?” He sat on the bed again, his hand resting lightly on my arm. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

  Nodding, I buried my face against the pillow. Where was Trent? Why hadn’t he shown up yet? I needed him for so many reasons, least of all so I could get more than an hour’s worth of sleep.

  “Did this happen at the cabin, too? Were you not sleeping there?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “I can sleep just fine when Trent’s with me.”

  Jax removed his hand from my arm. “Right.” He stood. “Well, if you want a stand-in…” He held his arms out to his sides. “I’ve been told I’m a spitting image of my brother.”

  I laughed and glanced up at him. He did look exactly like Trent, and if I closed my eyes, I could pretend. But Jax wasn’t Trent, and asking him to lay in bed next to me so I could sleep was wrong on so many levels. First, it would be a betrayal to Trent, and I couldn’t do that to him. I wouldn’t.

  “My body is at your service.” Jax dropped his arms to his sides.

  And that was the second reason I refused to ask Jax to sleep next to me—because whether I wanted to admit it or not, he had feelings for me. It was evident in the way he’d been talking to me, flirting with me, looking at me… I wouldn’t lead him on like that. It wasn’t fair.

  “Thanks, but eventually, I’ll get so tired I pass out,” I said.

  Jax frowned. “Yeah, that’s a brilliant solution.”

  “Whatever.” I was too tired to argue with him.

  Pulling back the blankets, I curled up beneath them and closed my eyes. Maybe I could sleep on and off throughout the day, or sleep whenever the mood struck rather than trying to sleep for hours straight every night.

  I kicked at Isach, but his hold was too strong. My heart beat too fast, pumping too much blood through my veins. I needed to stop it, make it so she couldn’t drink from me again, but how did I stop my blood from flowing?

  “Hello, Chloe.” Hannah’s gleefully evil face came into view.

  I twisted and thrashed against Isach. His hold tightened painfully, cutting off my air supply. My body slumped.

  Hannah tore into my neck.

  I screamed, my body jerking and convulsing.

  “Hey, Chloe, it’s okay. Hey.” A large hand brushed hair from my face, and then an arm wrapped around my shoulders. “It’s just a nightmare.”

  I blinked, my surroundings slowly coming into focus. Jax held me close, stroking my hair and whispering that everything was okay. His hold was firm but comforting.

  Lingering terror from my dream slipped away, leaving me even more exhausted than before. I slumped against Jax’s chest, tired of fighting, tired of the persistent nightmares, tired of being alone. A sob tore free. I couldn’t keep doing this. I wasn’t strong enough.

  “Shh. It’s okay. I’m here. It’s just you and me. You’re safe,” Jax whispered.

  “I-I…” I hiccupped. “Y-you don’t—” I attempted to sit up, but he held me cradled to his chest.

  “Stop being so stubborn,” he said, stroking his hand down my back, then up again. “Let me help you, Chloe. I’m just a warm body, okay? Close your eyes and pretend I’m Trent if you want. I don’t care. But you need to sleep.” Pain hung from his every word.

  Guilt clawed at me. I shouldn’t be here with him like this. I should get up. Or tell him to get up. But exhaustion kept me frozen in place.

  I hid my face against his chest, my tears coming harder, and I succumbed to his hold, letting sleep carry me away into oblivion.

  WHEN I FINALLY AWOKE the next day, bright sunlight streamed in through the window. I stretched, feeling so much better than I had over the past few days. My mind was clearer, and my limbs were lighter, free from the tiredness that had made them sluggish. I hadn’t slept so soundly in weeks, not since I’d been with Trent.

  My eyes widened.

  Jax had climbed into bed with me last night. He’d held me while I cried, comforted me after my nightmare. And then he’d held me while I slept. I blew out a breath and closed my eyes. I’d been stupid to allow that to happen. Slowly, I turned to look at him…

  But Jax was no longer in bed with me.

  My head whipped around, looking for him. He sat on the bench, staring out the window. His shoulders were hunched forward, and his entire body was slouched against the wall. He looked so… sad.

  His words from last night whispered through my mind… It’s just you and me. You’re safe. I’m just a warm body. Pretend I’m Trent if you want.

  I hadn’t pretended he was Trent, though, and I didn’t know if that was a good thing or the ultimate betrayal. My stomach sank, dragging my heart down with it. Groaning, I covered my face with my hands and leaned forward. What had I done?

  “Morning, sleeping beauty,” Jax said.

  I bolted upright at the sound of his voice. “Morning,” I muttered. “Sorry about last night.” I had no idea why I’d said that of all things. “And… thanks.”

  His face was beet red, but he didn’t show any physical signs of pain. Why would he intentionally sit in the sun like that? Was he trying to harm himself?

  He nodded, barely giving me a second glance. There was no snark, no teasing, no flirting. Clearly, last night had been as difficult for him as it had been for me; though I guessed his reasons were vastly different than mine.

  Still, as much as I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t—Jax wasn’t just a warm body.

  CHAPTER FIVE:

  Still a Prisoner

  ANOTHER WEEK PASSED. STILL NO TRENT. Still no way to escape.

  Jax and I hadn’t shared the bed again, which meant I was back to having nightmares and very little sleep, but I refused to let him hold me again. I couldn’t.

  “I am so bored.” Jax groaned and flopped down on the bed.

  I glared at him. “And I’m tired of you constantly announcing you’re bored. You think I’m having fun?” I crossed my arms and stood at the foot of the bed. “Can’t you use your vampire mojo and get us out of here?”

  Jax propped himself up on his elbows and raised a brow. “Vampire mojo?” He laughed.

  “You know what I mean,” I said with exasperation. “You’ve got enhanced senses and abilities. You must be able to do something.”

  He hadn’t even tried once since he’d been thrown into this room with me. All he did was mope around and complain that he was bored.

  “Witch magic trumps my vampire mojo. Not to mention, I’m not exactly at full strength. Sorry.” He shrugged. “We’re stuck here until you give them what they want, or Trent rescues us.”

  “Ugh.” I spun around, putting my back to him, and rubbed my hands over my face. I had no idea how long we’d been prisoners of the Rose Coven, but it had to be almost a month by now. “Trent better hurry up,” I said.

  “Let’s play a game.” Jax was off the bed and by my side before his words registered in my brain. “They were nice enough to provide us with such fine entertainment.” He smirked.

  Ivy had given us a box full of board games. At first, I thought it was her showing some sympathy, but I quickly realized it was her way of telling us we’d be here for a long time.

  “We’ve played every game in that box at least a million times,” I said.

  “Then let’s make it interesting.” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

  He grabbed checkers from the box and began setting it up in the middle of the bed. Even though the room had a desk, there was only one chair, and apparently, we hadn’t been good enough to warrant earning a second chair.

  I watched him place the pieces on the board, my thoughts wandering to the one time I’d played checkers with Sean. That night, he told me how guilty he felt about what he’d done to Annmarie, how if he’d simply controlled his emotions, there would be no curse. All he wanted was to make things right, to give his sons the chance for a somewhat normal life.

  “Interesting
how?” I asked cautiously.

  Jax glanced up and grinned. Then he motioned for me to join him. “Sit, and I’ll tell you.”

  I hesitated. We’d been stuck in this room together for weeks, and while he’d kept his word and hadn’t tried to change me—or bite me—I still didn’t trust him completely, not in the way I trusted Trent. Of course, a big part of that was me not trusting myself near Jax. He was worming his way into my heart, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

  “Oh, c’mon,” Jax said. “It will be fun. I promise.”

  Finally, I climbed onto the bed, careful not to disrupt the game, and sat cross-legged across from Jax. “Okay, tell me how we’re going to make this interesting,” I said. My voice was devoid of any excitement.

  Jax laughed. “Your enthusiasm is overwhelming.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Fine,” he said, seemingly annoyed with my lack of excitement over a boring old game of checkers, a game we’d played—and I’d lost—a thousand times already. “Every time I take one of your pieces, you have to tell me something personal about yourself. And every time you take one of mine, I’ll tell you something personal. Deal?”

  This was a terrible idea, but what else was there to do? Besides, this was the first glimpse of the pre-cuddling, bed-sharing Jax I’d gotten since that night, and if I was being honest, I missed this Jax. A lot. And I needed this Jax to make it through however long Ivy planned to keep us locked up.

  “Yeah, deal,” I said.

  “You first.” He waved at me to move a piece.

  I slid my black checker piece diagonally. Jax did the same with his red piece. We went back and forth a couple of times until he jumped my piece and snatched it from the board with an evil laugh.

  “Okay, tell me something.” He was giddy with excitement, nearly bouncing on the bed with it.

  “I don’t know.” I shrugged, regretting my decision to play this stupid game.

  What did he expect me to tell him? He was crazy if he thought I was divulging my deepest secrets. Not even Trent knew everything about me.

  “What do you want to know?” I asked.