“You okay?” Lochlan said tightly the moment Everett turned his back on us.
Tears burned my eyes but I refused to cry. “Are you?” I choked out instead of answering.
“No,” he immediately said, and if the tremble in his arms was any indication, he wasn’t even a little bit okay.
I could still feel his fury, swirling in my chest like a fiery inferno. Dread filled me. Maybe I should be more afraid of Lochlan’s growing wrath than Everett’s threats. Because if he decided to unleash it, there would be no stopping the Lochness Monster that emerged.
* * *
Curiosity got the best of me when we hit Bangor, Maine less than an hour later.
“Are we going back to Rosewood?” I whispered to Lochlan as quietly as I could.
Troy snorted, and I cursed their heightened hearing. “Not a chance. You’re not far off though.” Everett shot him a warning look, but he only shrugged, drawling, “What, it’s not like she’s going to tell anyone. It’s just weird that her hometown ended up so close to ours.”
“That reminds me,” Everett said, glancing back at me. “Hand over the warlock’s phone.”
My stomach bottomed out. How did he—? Oh. Right. It’s how they found out where we were staying. I half expected Lochlan to intervene, but he’d grown eerily quiet after the earlier confrontation. Although I felt a fresh pang of ire coming from him, he remained silent as I fished Noah’s phone from my pocket and handed it over.
When Everett glanced expectantly at Lochlan next, he finally spoke in a dangerously low tone, “Don’t even think about it. You know I wouldn’t jeopardize our home.”
Everett’s lips thinned, but he turned around without a word, swiftly crushing Noah’s phone in his fist.
With the electronic’s loss went another piece of my hope that I’d be getting out of this mess alive. I was the proverbial lamb about to enter the lion’s den. A den of really hungry lions that wanted nothing more than to tear out my throat.
An hour later, when we’d reached the coast, butterflies were doing nauseating flips inside my stomach. Were we catching a boat or plane? The thought of an entire ocean between me and everything I knew sent my anxiety through the roof. I hadn’t realized I was brutally pinching my thigh until cold leather skated across my knuckles.
Jerking, I glanced down to see Lochlan’s gloved hand cupping mine. I shot him a panicked look, only to find his gaze fixed out the window. I peeked at the front seats, but no one was paying attention to where our hands were. Still, my heart beat faster when Lochlan slowly threaded his fingers through mine, hiding our linked hands in the space between us.
As his reassuring warmth seeped through the leather, some of my fear ebbed. Despite the unknown dangers ahead of me, I still had him. And although I was uncertain about many things, I didn’t doubt that he would do everything in his power to protect me.
Problem was, the closer we got to the coast, the more I could feel his fear. Maybe more than I’d ever sensed from him before. Because we were meeting his father? For not the first time, I wondered what kind of man he was. I mean, he’d ordered all Syphons be put to death, if that said anything about his glowing personality. But he wanted the century-long curse broken enough to keep me alive . . .
Right?
When the suspense became too much, I blurted, “Where are we going?”
Neither Troy nor Everett bothered to answer, but Lochlan quietly said, “Sanctum Isle. It’s a sanctuary for our kind. Humans don’t have jurisdiction there.”
I gulped, tightening my hold on his hand. “So we’re going to an island full of vampires?”
“Correct,” Everett decided to speak up. “The only way in or out is a heavily-guarded bridge, so I suggest you behave, witch. There’ll be no escaping.”
My pulse skyrocketed. Lochlan squeezed my hand, but there was no reassuring me this time. I was in freakout mode, especially when I caught sight of the bridge. It was long. Long enough that swimming to shore wouldn’t be an option. As the car hit the bridge, I felt the world close in around me, suffocating me.
No way to escape. None.
Once we crossed this bridge, I would be at the mercy of my supernatural enemy. There was no running from my fate this time, no decision other than to face a predestined future with an uncertain outcome. As bleak as my fate seemed, though, Noah’s was even bleaker. What would they do with him now that they had me exactly where they wanted me?
I checked on him, startled when I found his right eye cracked open, watching me. Careful not to hurt him, I gently laid my hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry,” I mouthed, guilt tightening my throat. I never should have befriended him. Bad things always seemed to happen to those around me. Things that wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t known me.
I really was a leech, sucking the life out of everyone I cared about.
Noah shook his head and closed his eye again. Before I could worry that he hated my guts now, he pressed his leg against mine. At the reassuring weight, as if he was trying to comfort me, tears filled my eyes. I bit my lip to keep them from falling. Lochlan’s brothers would no doubt look down on me even more if they saw me cry.
The bridge ended at a security checkpoint of sorts, complete with a gate arm. All Troy had to do was roll down his tinted window and the guards let us pass. They looked human this time of day, but I knew better. Come a few hours, their true selves would emerge.
I’d never been to an island before, despite the dozens of moves I’d endured over the years. Maybe Aunt Tess had thought they were too small, too open with limited ways to escape should vampires finally catch up with us. But my idea of what an island should look like was dashed the moment we hit the first street. For one, it was paved. Cars and street lights, shops and houses dotted the thoroughfare, reminding me of a decent-sized town. A rich town, by the look and size of the colonial-style homes.
Vampires lined the sidewalks—or what I assumed were vampires—going about their daily lives like ordinary humans. I gawked at the unexpected sight, completely caught off guard. At the first mention of an island run by vampires, I’d expected to find something dark and sinister, not this. There was order here, not the lawless pirate lifestyle I assumed vampires would live.
The island was actually huge, and it took us another hour to arrive at our final destination. The last several miles had been all pine trees and snow and windy roads. The secluded stretch was well taken care of though, and Troy’s foreign-make car had no trouble keeping traction. The farther we got from the bustling town, the more nervous I became. Ironic that I’d rather be surrounded by hundreds of vampires than face their king in a remote stretch of woods.
Even the thought of him chilling in a tiny log cabin by the fire didn’t ease my nerves. So when I caught sight of the giant structure perched on top of the rocky coastline, I nearly had a heart attack.
It was a castle. A castle.
Like the kind you see in fairy tales.
The pale stone walls soared high into the sky, at least six stories, maybe more. Several turrets protruded from the steep roof, so high that I wondered how they didn’t topple over. The arched windows were tall and narrow, and I shivered at the thought of the king at one of them this very moment, watching our approach.
As we pulled into the circular drive, I couldn’t help but notice the roses. They were everywhere. Rose trees lined the drive, the flowers in full bloom, even in the middle of winter. Bushes surrounded the castle, full and well-manicured. Not a single white or pink rose graced the premises. They were all red, deep and rich as blood, the same hue as the ones Lochlan had given me.
I still didn’t know what the significance of the action was, but I was beginning to think that roses played a part in who Lochlan was. Maybe the entire royal family, actually.
As we rolled to a stop, Everett turned to me. “Welcome to our world, witch.” The beginnings of a smile curved his lips. It was cold and cruel, devoid of all warmth. “I suggest you make peace with whatever gods you
serve. Your life is ours now.”
24
KENNA
The air inside the castle was saturated with blood and opulence.
I’d never seen such a naked display of wealth before. Jewels and gold and crystal dripped from every surface. Marble, antique furniture, and priceless paintings adorned every hallway.
But what shocked me most was that every room we passed contained humans. If not for their smell, I might not have known, but my reaction to their scent was unmistakable. Other than Lochlan’s, I’d had no desire for vampire blood.
Striding close beside me down the wide hallway, he studied my troubled frown. Seeming to understand my confusion, he murmured, “The royal family has staffed humans for hundreds of years. Most were born into this way of life and know nothing else. They are well taken care of for their many services.”
Many services.
I swallowed hard, imagining all the ways they could service vampires. I had to bite my tongue so I wouldn’t say something inappropriate, like how slavery and human trafficking were despicable actions. But if the king was five hundred years old and as set in his ways as Lochlan suggested, then I doubted the chastisement of one girl was going to change the system.
Still, I could see the appeal from a vampire’s perspective. No need to outsource or step foot off their island.
I glanced back to check on Noah for the umpteenth time. He was walking on his own, but barely. Troy had him by the arm, forcing him onward. Everett, of course, was leading the way at a fast clip, as if he couldn’t wait to present me to the king. My feet grew heavier with each step, but I continued to follow, knowing that running at this point would be stupid.
If only I could have privately warned Lochlan ahead of time that his father already knew about me. I had a gut feeling that any leverage-worthy information was greatly needed right now.
“Three things you should know before entering the throne room, McKenna,” he said quietly, his low voice echoing up the flight of marble stairs. “Do not approach my father’s throne unless summoned, and bow when you reach the dais.”
Oh fates, this was really happening. I was really going to meet the vampire king.
“A-and the third thing?” I stammered, my palms dampening with sweat.
“Do not look directly into his eyes. He will see it as a challenge.”
“And you might want to keep that feisty mouth shut, too,” Troy uttered. “The king has burned more than one witch at the stake for irritating him.”
My legs almost gave out.
Lochlan shot his younger brother a death glare, but didn’t correct him. Which meant that it must be true. Ah crap, I was so going to die.
When we reached the second floor, Everett led us down a long hallway lined with golden-framed mirrors. The effect was startling, making the space seem endless—not to mention the jarring feeling of being watched. I peeked at my reflection, only then realizing with horror that I hadn’t brushed my hair today.
I was meeting a king, for fate’s sake.
Even if the human world didn’t recognize him as a powerful entity, this castle alone proved that he was. Trying not to appear conspicuous, I gathered my hair to the side and combed my fingers through the thick mass.
“You look beautiful,” Lochlan’s voice rumbled in a low murmur, sliding across my skin like silk.
Up ahead, Everett snorted in disgust. A fierce blush rose to my cheeks, not because his brother had heard, but at the sincere statement. I could feel that he wholeheartedly believed the words, and it was enough to shorten my breath.
His booted steps drew nearer, and I half-hoped that he’d take my hand. But his brothers were definitely paying attention now, a fact he seemed to realize in the nick of time. Still, my heart sank when he pulled away again, enforcing a respectable distance between us.
I couldn’t tell if he was frustrated or relieved at this turn of events. Last night, there’d been a shift in his behavior toward me. He’d allowed himself to be vulnerable in a way he hadn’t before, and he’d openly communicated his deep desire for me.
But our interrupted conversation this morning was still bothering me. Despite the accusatory words I’d hurled at him, I didn’t think his goal was to simply use and then kill me. There was too much between us. Too many whispered confessions and intimate moments. Not just lust-filled ones, but ones wrapped in tentative hope and promise.
Then why had he held himself back? Why was he still keeping secrets?
If he wanted me to reject our soulmate bond, then he was doing a crap poor job of telling me.
My stewing over our relationship status came to an end when the ornate doors ahead swung open. As we neared, the two male guards stationed there audibly inhaled, then shot me twin looks of hunger.
Gah!
“Stand down,” Lochlan quietly growled at them, edging closer to me.
Even as they snapped straight and averted their eyes, Troy said, “Can’t blame them. I’d like to sink my fangs in her too. Among other things.”
Lochlan exploded. Whirling, he gripped his brother’s throat and threw him before I could finish gasping. Troy slid across the marble floor into the throne room, laughing like a maniac as he went. Lochlan charged after him, but Everett shoved him back with a sharp warning.
“Boys,” a deep voice thundered, raising the hair on my arms. They immediately stopped, jerking their heads toward the far side of the room.
Oh crap, oh crap. There he was in the flesh. Ambrose. The vampire king.
Just like any good fairy tale, he was perched on a gold, velvet-cushioned throne. But that’s where the fairy tale ended and the nightmare began. I’d expected him to be old and crotchety, not arrestingly handsome and looking not a day over thirty. He was dressed in blacks and muted reds, managing to look casual yet elegant in perfectly pressed slacks. Even from here, I could see the family resemblance to his three sons. Medium olive skin and pitch black hair that was short on the sides and longer on top.
Even more alarming than his appearance, though, were the scantily clad women draped over the dais. There were five of them, all extremely attractive and wearing little more than silken negligees. The fabric was so sheer that I could see the dark outline of their nipples. Two were straddling the arm rests of the king’s throne, leaning into him with glazed expressions. It was then that I noticed where his hands were. Between their legs. Moving rhythmically under their thin dresses. My face burst into flames.
What the crap was this? An orgy?
He suddenly stood, bringing the two women with him. “Leave us, my darlings,” he purred, running his nose up both their necks. “We’ll continue this later. I’ve business with my sons to attend to.”
I gaped as the five women quietly left en masse, slipping down the dais steps and through a side door. Never in a million years did I expect to see something like that. My retinas were scarred for life.
Before I could collect myself, a sharp whoosh sounded. I yelped as fingers encircled my upper arms and whirled me around. I looked up and blanked. Every thought in my head vanished. Poof. Gone. Because there, inches from my face, was the king.
Wait, was I supposed to bow or something?
Oh, right. His eyes. I wasn’t supposed to stare into his eyes.
But that’s exactly what I was doing and couldn’t seem to stop. The burnished red depths of his irises sucked me in, leaving me wholly vulnerable in his grip. He abruptly inhaled, releasing me from his stare when his eyes slid shut. “Finally,” he breathed, reopening his eyes to scan my face. “It’s been too long since a Syphon’s cloying scent has graced these halls.”
He released me, only to step back and carefully assess the rest of me. I held perfectly still, even as I ached to pinch my thigh. Daring to peek at Lochlan, I found him ramrod straight, his expression unreadable as he watched his father. I tuned into his emotions, immediately feeling his panic and fear. Did he always hide such intense emotions behind a mask of indifference?
“You are lovely,
” the king finally said, flashing me a crooked half smile. On anyone else, the smile would be charming, but I’d just seen his hands up two skirts. I wasn’t exactly swooning over his attention. “Absolutely breathtaking, really, if not a little tired and malnourished. Nothing my staff can’t fix.”
Um . . .
“Tell me,” he continued after a moment, leaning forward slightly to capture my gaze again. “Is it true that my middle son has been keeping you a secret these past two months?”
Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no.
He was using thrall on me!
I could feel the pull to answer him, like something was reaching inside me and tugging on the unformed words. I pressed my trembling lips together, fighting against the unrelenting urge to respond.
His gaze sharpened. “Tricky witch, you’ve ingested vampire blood recently. Well, I have a little secret of my own to tell you. I’m a very old and powerful Venturi with centuries of practice breaking down mental shields. So,” he said, his voice sliding into a silken purr, one that Lochlan often used, “tell me what I want to know before I pry it from your pretty mouth by force.”
“Father,” Lochlan said softly, but with a hard edge.
Ambrose waved a dismissive hand, his penetrating gaze breaking me down bit by bit. “A simple yes or no is all I need.”
My throat convulsed as the red in his eyes deepened, demanding I answer. And I had no choice. No choice but to blurt, “Y-yes,” in a strangled voice.
His lips curved wickedly, reminding me so much of Everett that I full-body shivered. “Good girl. And why is it that he kept you a secret?”
“Father,” Lochlan said more sharply.
The king’s eyes reddened further, boring into mine so intensely that tears blurred my vision. “Answer me, girl.”
I choked, nearly biting my tongue off as my teeth chattered incessantly. “I-I’m—”
“Because of this,” Lochlan roared, suddenly beside me. He nudged me back a step, breaking my connection with the king. I inhaled a ragged breath and blinked the moisture from my eyes.
Curse Touched: A Paranormal Vampire Romance (A Touch of Vampire Book 2) Page 21