I stagger my way down the dark hallway until I’m standing outside her door, hand pressed against the heavy wood, trying to talk myself out of crossing a line and invading her privacy. I know I shouldn’t, but the need to see that she is safe and asleep after the night with Marcellus is overwhelming. I don’t know how to deal with this pull. You have to find a way.
Cracking open the door, I’m almost disappointed to find it unlocked. Marina’s smarter than that. I might not know her yet, but I can tell that much. She’s strong. She’s a fighter. Then I remember what Katina had said. She was given the sleeping medicine.
My hand reaches out and runs down her soft, pale cheek. The whisky’s making me bold. Too bold. A strong rush of heat flows through my veins and I shiver a bit from the feeling. It’s something so much greater than I understand. Who are you, Marina?
She moves a bit and I step back into the darkened corner of the room. I can’t get caught in here. I’ve worked so hard to try to earn her trust and I have hardly made a dent in her armor. I know she feels something, but she’s determined to think of me as nothing more than a monster. Can you blame her?
I crack the door open and take a step when her cold, hard voice stops me in my tracks. “What the hell are you doing in here?”
So much for progress.
Chapter Twelve
“Help,” I screech, sitting up and pulling the covers up to my chin. “Help,” I call out again, but for whom, I have no idea. I’m alone here, surrounded by vampires.
“Marina, please. It’s only me.”
“Help!” I continue to yell, starting to shake.
The figure in the corner moves toward me at an alarming rate and I continue to scream hysterically. Two strong hands grasp my shoulders and attempt to hold me down. I kick and thrash with all my might, trying to get out of the monster’s hold. The cover that I had been using as a pathetic shield is ripped away and I slam my eyelids shut so as to not see my attacker.
Maggie always used to say that closing your eyes was a coward move. Whatever was to come was still going to hurt. You might as well look your attacker in the eyes and go out fighting. Right now, I think that’s a dumb idea. Better to not see what’s coming, in my opinion.
As all of those thoughts filter through my mind, my screaming gets even louder as the hysteria kicks up a notch. If this is the end, I’m not ready. I never will be. I said I wanted to sleep, but I never said anything about sleeping forever. I want to live. There is so much I haven’t done.
Whatever is above me moves off, and a second later the overhead lights flash on, blinding me in the process. I blink several times, trying to adjust to the light when I see who’s in my room.
Julian.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I yell, hoisting the covers back up to my chin to hide my body.
“I . . . Katina said . . . I came to check on you,” he finally manages to complete his sentence, not meeting my eyes.
“You thought it’d be a good idea to literally scare the hell out of me?”
“You were sleeping. I was only here for a moment. Calm down.”
His condescending voice and invasion of my privacy has the fear melting away and the anger returning. Who the hell does he think he is? The owner of this house and the king of vampires.
Voice of reason, go the hell away.
He chuckles, clearly having read my mind again. Or maybe I said it out loud? Either way, there is nothing funny about this. I tear out of bed, not giving a shit that I’m hardly dressed in a short black semi-sheer nightie.
“Get out,” I say, poking him in the chest with my finger. “Now.”
He crosses his arms over his chest, standing tall and looking down on me. “This is my house. I don’t answer to you or anyone else.”
He’s been cross, but never like this. I’ve officially pissed him off. Any other time, I’d be petrified by the look he’s giving me, but right now, my brain is foggy, I’m exhausted, and he continues to piss me off.
“You said you’d protect me. How is this protecting me?”
He takes a menacing step toward me. “I never said I’d protect you from me, Marina. If you insist on going head to head with me, be prepared to lose the battle.”
He’s a mere inch from me, and I can smell alcohol on his breath. “Are you drunk?” I accuse, narrowing my eyes. I don’t need him to answer. I’ve spent years tending to my mom and dad to know damn well when someone has had too much to drink. And when alcohol is involved, bad things happen.
The hairs on my arm rise in warning. I have to get out of here. He’s going to hurt you. I look over his shoulder to see the door is open. If I can only distract him for a moment, maybe I can make a run for it. I step into him, turning us so that my back is to the door and his knees are at the top of my mattress.
I will myself to stop reacting to his proximity. Aside from the liquor on his breath, he smells fantastic. I find myself leaning in even more and breathing him in. His breath hitches and my eyes pop up to meet his. Distraction is one thing, but being this close to him is too much for so many reasons.
“Marina,” he says my name like a prayer, eyes closing on a sigh. I know it’s now or never.
I push into his chest with all my might until the back of his knees hit the mattress and he falls backward onto the bed. Any other time, I know that would never have been a possibility. He’s too strong, but I caught him off guard. I don’t wait around to find out how long it takes for him to realize what I’ve done.
I run.
The hallway is dark, and I have no idea where to go. I begin to panic at the realization, but I’ve already gone this far. I have to see it through, even if this is the event that leads to my end.
“Marina,” his gravelly ominous voice bellows through the hall, and I look back only for a moment, startled.
I see his dark form stalking toward me, and I run faster. I make it to the grand staircase and do my best not to fall. I’m at the massive front doors when all hope is lost. A hand shoots out and grabs my arm roughly, swinging me around and into a hard-as-rock chest.
“Let me go. Let me go!” I yell, thrashing and writhing, trying to get loose.
A jarring smack to my cheek has my entire head jerking back. I go completely still, hand coming up to my smarting face. “Y-you . . .” It’s all I can get out before the adrenaline overload pulls me under and I crash, violent hiccups and a river of tears taking over.
Julian staggers backward, eyes wide. “Marina, I didn’t . . . I wouldn’t.”
“What the devil is going on out here?” Katina says, running out in a long crimson robe, hair askew and a look of confusion all over her naked face. When she sees me, she gasps, running to my side and cocooning me into her side protectively.
“I-I . . .” Julian stutters.
“Sir, I’ll take care of her,” she says in a gentle voice. “Why don’t you get some rest?” she suggests, grabbing me lightly by the elbow and pulling me toward the stairs.
Julian nods before stumbling out of the room without another word.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” she coos. “You poor thing. I told you not to push him.” She tsks and I don’t say a word. I’m too shocked. Too . . . disappointed. But that’s crazy. What did I expect from a vampire? Kindness? Better.
I allow Katina to get me back into bed. I never say a word through the whole thing. What is there to say? Despite the trauma from being smacked in the face by a vampire, I can’t help but notice how normal Katina looks without her typical over-the-top costume as she tucks me in tightly.
“Good night, Marina,” she calls into my dark room.
“Katina? Could you please lock it?”
I know it’s futile. If he wants to get in, he will, but I need to know I’ve done everything to attempt to keep him out. To keep him as far from me as possible.
I hear a click, and although I can’t be sure it’s anything more than the door latching shut, I close my eyes anyway. Sleep never comes.
&n
bsp; The sun begins to rise, as evidenced by the yellow and orange bursts of color shining through the windows, but I don’t move. I’m too broken. Recapping the events of the last twenty-four hours has me feeling hopeless and ready to give up.
I’ve known all along not to be fooled by Julian’s promise of protection, but I let my guard down. His easy smile and handsome face were enough to mask what’s hidden underneath the beautiful façade. A monster.
I rise from the false comfort of the bed and stomp to the wardrobe. Scanning the contents, I’m disappointed to find not a single pair of pants. The romper that I destroyed had been the closest thing to it. In fact, there isn’t anything left but dresses and skirts. And the longer I peruse the selection, the more I realize it’s as though I’ve stepped into some time warp and found myself transplanted to somewhere circa 1800. How did I miss that before? I groan in frustration.
Freaking Katina.
With no other options, I choose the lightest dress in weight I can find. I need the easiest outfit to attempt an escape in. Pulling the pale blue cotton over my head, I’m relieved to find it non-constricting. It’ll have to do. I’m pulling my long hair into a high ponytail when Katina comes strolling through the door.
“Ah, glad to see you’re up and ready. The Crown would like you to join him for breakfast.”
“Never,” I snap, not bothering to look at her.
“Marina,” she admonishes. “You’re not going to ruin the day all because of last night, are you?”
My head snaps to hers, giving her a full view of my cheek that is undoubtedly bruised. “You mean this?” I say, motioning toward it, hoping that it looks as bad as it feels, so this whole thing has the effect it should.
“Hmm.” She frowns. “We’ll need to get some ice on that.” She busies herself arranging my sheets. “Very well. Today you can stay in.”
I huff in annoyance. “I wasn’t going anyway, Katina. You’d have to carry my dead body before I’d eat anything with him.”
Katina stops, turning toward me. “I’m on your side on this, Marina. Last night was too much.”
“You can say that again,” I snap, and she purses her lips.
“I’m not trying to make any excuses for the Crown, but he’s under a lot of stress, and that whisky did not help,” she says, sounding bitter.
“I will never allow alcohol to be an excuse for violence. I grew up in a house where both parents were addicts, and I’ll never willingly live like that again. You might as well drain me now.”
I wait for Katina’s retort, but none comes. When my eyes lift to hers, I see pity and I hate it.
“Don’t, Katina,” I warn, and she balks.
“What?”
“Don’t pity me. I’ve lived through worse than my parents,” I confess.
She sits down, propping her chin on her fist. “Tell me,” she begs, and I scrunch up my nose.
“You don’t want to hear my sob story.”
“What else do I have to do today? If you don’t eat with the Crown, I’ll be forced to shadow you all day.”
“You really don’t have to do that. I’ll be perfectly—”
“Bored,” she cuts me off.
“I was going to say fine. Considering where I am, bored isn’t the worst I could be.”
“Touché,” she nods. “Well at the very least, let’s have breakfast and maybe play a bit of cards? Oh, maybe I can roll in a TV and we can binge-watch something romantic.”
My brow quirks at how excited Katina seems. So strange.
“That all sounds . . . nice,” I offer, not wanting to hurt her feelings. And it actually does sound good.
She rushes out of the room and is gone for several minutes before returning, sporting a grim expression.
“What is it?” I ask, already knowing I won’t like the answer.
“The Crown won’t accept your refusal,” she says, avoiding my eyes. “He’s ordered me to bring you outside.”
“Outside?” I can’t keep the surprise from my voice.
“Yes,” Katina groans. “I’m sorry, I can’t disobey his orders.”
“What will happen if I refuse?”
She sighs. “Be prepared for him to storm this room and force you in ways you won’t like. I’d suggest you make it easy on yourself.”
“I really don’t care what he wants, Katina. He can kill me if he likes.”
“Wouldn’t you like to go outdoors?” she presses, and I can’t help but nod.
As much as I hate him, I’ll never escape this place if I don’t get to know my surroundings. I’ll endure a morning with him in order to start my plans.
“Fine. I’ll go,” I bite out.
She finishes straightening my bed as I brush my teeth with the toothbrush and toothpaste she brought in earlier. Some fresh air will do me some good. If only I could enjoy it alone. Instead, I’m going to have to stomach Julian being with me. I quiver at the thought for several reasons.
“Will you come with us?”
“No. I don’t like the outdoors,” Katina calls from inside my room.
I deflate. Katina’s a vampire, but she doesn’t scare me. She hasn’t so much as bared her teeth at me. She might be strange and yes, she has threatened my life, but only to keep me in line. Don’t be dumb, Marina.
“Please,” I try my hand at begging. After last night, I don’t want to be alone with him. Call me crazy, but I feel less vulnerable with Katina around.
“No. The Crown wishes to speak with you alone.”
My semi-good mood about getting outside evaporates. Having to deal with him tailing me is one thing, but forced conversation is entirely another.
“Do I have to?” I ask, strolling back into the room.
Katina turns toward me, rolling her eyes. “Would you really let your pride get in the way of a day in the sun?”
“It’s not pride. It’s survival.”
As much as I need sunlight, I value my safety, and so far, this room has provided that. I’m still breathing, and if I need to stay in the dark for that to continue, I’ll gladly skip the sun.
“Please,” she huffs. “He doesn’t wish to feast on your flesh today. He merely wants to apologize to you by allowing you some freedoms. Now hurry. I’m to have you downstairs in two minutes.”
“Gee, you do wonders at making a girl feel better,” I deadpan, but she doesn’t reply. She’s already on to her next task.
When we descend the stairs and round the corner, Julian is standing by the back door, looking tall and kingly.
“All set?” he asks, and I can’t help but grimace.
“So we’re going to play it that way? Pretend like last night never happened?” I should be petrified by him, but all I feel is rising anger.
“I’ve told you, I won’t harm you.”
“Too late for that,” I hiss, and he has the decency to look contrite.
“It’ll never happen again, Marina. You have my word.”
“Your word means shit to me,” I say through gritted teeth.
He stands up taller, holding out his hand. “Give me one more chance to prove it.”
I scoff at his outstretched hand. “You hit me, Julian. Another chance is the last thing you deserve.”
He lowers his arm to his side. “If you want to talk about last night, we will. All I ask is that you trust me enough to come outside. Having this conversation in the hallway for my staff to overhear isn’t in either of our best interests.”
I appraise him, looking for signs of deceit. “How do I know that I can trust you? I don’t know anything about you, other than you’re broody, you kidnapped me, and oh, yeah . . . you hit me.”
His face falls.
“I didn’t kidnap you, Marina. The Council’s men did. As for my moods, I’m under a lot of pressure these days. It’s no excuse, but I am. Ruling all vampires isn’t a small feat, and it just came to be my responsibility recently. It wasn’t something I thought I’d have to do for a very long time.” Julian looks lost in tho
ught. Is he thinking about his father’s death? Was he close with him? I don’t ask. You shouldn’t care.
I nod my head toward the door, signaling I’ll go with him. He walks through the door and I follow him out into the warm sunlight, sighing as it envelops me. I haven’t been in the sun in God knows how long. I’ve missed it. For a brief moment, I forget whom I have as company and just bask in the wonderful feeling a little fresh air and vitamin D can provide a person. As much as I’d love to forget about the events of last night, I won’t let it go. I can’t.
“The slap?”
Julian sighs. “The temper and overindulgence in whisky is not something I asked for. It’s a family trait. One I’m not proud of, Marina.”
“That’s the worst damn excuse I’ve ever heard.”
He stops, turning toward me. “You want the truth?”
“I deserve it,” I snap back.
“I was desperate. You were hysterical and trying to leave. I didn’t know what to do.” He grabs my shoulders, looking into my eyes. “I never intended to hurt you. Ever. You have to believe me.”
The intensity in his words has my breath catching. Not for the first time today, I try to find a hint that he’s playing me. All I see is regret and self-loathing. It doesn’t make sense. He doesn’t know me. I’m a simple human. Why does he seem to care about how he treats me? I don’t know what to do with this Julian.
I avert my eyes, refusing to succumb to whatever pull there is between us. He’s still my captor. “Perhaps you should lay off the alcohol if that’s how you act,” I say, peering out of the corner of my eye at him.
He compresses his lips. The dimples in his cheeks explode and my knees weaken at the sight. He’s so handsome, and I hate that I think so. Especially in this moment.
“You have my word, Marina. No more whisky.”
He continues walking past the gardens and toward the back of the property.
“Where are we going?” I ask, not really caring, as this is giving me a tour of the property and a better sense of how to get the hell off it.
Blood That Binds: A Vampire Romance (Blood Legends Duet) Page 12