Blood Torn

by Karice Bolton

  Christy looked guilt stricken. “It’s a cherry gummy. It’s supposed to calm you down, kind of like chamomile tea.” She glanced at the saleswoman behind the register. “At least for pixies, that’s what happens.”

  I scowled at her, more because I had to leave Carter than anything, but she didn’t know that.

  “I. Am. So. Sorry.” Christy reached for my hands and smiled. “Forgive me. I had no idea it would have that effect on you.”

  I straightened up. “Well, now you do.”

  The saleswoman came over. “If it makes you feel better, I’ve never seen a reaction like that in all my hundred years of running this store.”

  My gaze flashed to hers. She didn’t look a day over forty. “It figures it would happen to me.”

  Christy nodded. “It does.”

  I smiled and shook my head. “No more gummies.”

  “You have my word. I had no idea that could even happen.” She grimaced. “What was even going on? One minute, it looked like you were riding a rollercoaster and the next, it looked like your body was floating.”

  “I think you about summed it up.” I grinned.

  “And then moaning for Carter?” she added.

  “I was not.” I smacked at her. “I really was not.”

  “It sounded like Carter to me,” the saleswoman confirmed.

  I spun on my heels. “Okay, time to show me more of the ward.”

  But the truth was that I couldn’t stop thinking about Carter Voss and was counting down the seconds until I could see him again.

  Chapter Twelve

  Carter

  I sat across from Ivy and Violet. Christy was perched next to me, pounding her second ale.

  “So, you just left a dead vampire in Grammy’s living room?” Violet’s eyes widened.

  Ivy shook her head. “No. The vampires cleaned up after themselves downstairs, but I think the one upstairs is probably still there.”

  I laughed. “No. I disposed of the evidence. Your house is as good as new.”

  Violet groaned and slumped in the booth. “I can’t believe I missed all the action.”

  I didn’t want to bring up that I was pretty certain she’d seen more than most.

  We’d stepped into the Butler’s Den, a local pub in the Juniper Ward. The place was small, but it was packed with pixies, witches, and fae. I never cared for Nightfall, but I did prefer the Juniper Ward on the rare occasions I found myself here.

  Bottles of booze lined the back wall, and the three bartenders could barely keep up with requests.

  “You should have seen Christy.” Ivy’s eyes lit up as she explained her best friend’s transformation into a pixie.

  Just watching Ivy’s features get so animated, her gestures so grand, her smile so wide made me wish I wasn’t the one thing on the earth she despised.

  Ivy’s gaze locked on mine, and it felt like the world stopped. Merely being in this woman’s presence made me wonder about another life, another way to exist.

  But I knew it wasn’t possible.

  This was my fate.

  I chose this life over death.

  Maybe it made me a coward all those years ago. Maybe it made me selfish.

  I never knew.

  “Isn’t that right, Carter?” Ivy’s eyes stayed on mine, and I nodded.

  I wasn’t about to disagree with a single thing this woman said even if I hadn’t heard.

  Her gaze turned coy, as did her smile.

  “Wow. Carter Voss finally admitted he needed a little help.” Christy nudged my shoulder, and I quickly shook my head, realizing I shouldn’t have just blindly agreed to anything Ivy uttered after all.

  “It’s true.” Ivy tore her gaze from mine and looked at her sister. “For a half-pixie, Christy managed to light up the house. Her gaze was so fierce. I really don’t think we would have made it out alive if it weren’t for her.”

  “Whoa, now.” My hand flew up in the air. “Not even close. I had everything under complete control.”

  Christy chuckled. “Maybe with the ones inside, but I knew what was outside.”

  “For your information, they were all juveniles. All under a hundred years old. I could have taken them down with my eyes closed.”

  Christy smiled at me and winked. “Whatever you say, Carter.”

  Violet perked right up. “Is it true that vampires get stronger as they age?”

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  She leaned her elbows on the table. “How much stronger?”

  “A lot.” I sensed Ivy’s gaze on me.

  “Like you can take down an army?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “You heard Christy. I needed her help.”

  The truth was that as long as the vampires circling us had been younger, I would have had no problems. I wouldn’t have been physically fatigued by it, but there’s always that chance of a mistake.

  So, I did and always would appreciate Christy’s assistance.

  “How old are you?” Violet asked.

  I looked at Ivy, who stiffened and dropped her gaze.

  Did my age make her uncomfortable? I wasn’t exactly that old. Technically, I stopped aging at the time of my death, which would put me at thirty-five.

  I smiled. “Old enough to know not to answer that question.”

  “Oh, come on. This century? Last century?” Violet prodded.

  Ivy smacked the table. “It doesn’t matter, Violet. He doesn’t have to answer.”

  I cocked my head slightly and watched Ivy glare at her sister.

  Ivy knew roughly how old I was based on what I had said about my father.

  “Why’d you turn?” Violet’s eyes narrowed on me.

  Ivy turned her attention to me, and Christy put her ale down.

  When Ivy’s eyes locked on mine, it was like the rest of them didn’t exist. All that mattered was Ivy and me, and I had no idea why.

  All I could think about was pulling her closer and kissing her.

  The way she looked at me told me she wanted the answer too.

  For her, I’d give it.

  I glanced around the pub and brought my voice down.

  “My father had made some startling predictions that tended to come true. One was for a woman who’d possessed great power. My father told her that her husband had a mistress. It was true. But she didn’t like his answer. She poured boiling tar over him.”

  Ivy held her breath, and Violet only looked intrigued.

  My gaze fell to the table.

  “Unfortunately, the woman didn’t stop there. She wanted anyone killed who might share this knowledge. She sent her men after my entire family. I was working in a field upriver from the house.”

  I clenched my teeth, reliving the memories rushing through me. My sister’s screams. My mother running toward me, screaming for me to run.

  “I’m so sorry,” Ivy said softly. “You don’t have to keep going.”

  Our eyes locked, and I smiled, genuinely smiled.

  For the first time in my life, I wanted to share a part of me that I’d kept buried for centuries.

  “I did the exact opposite of what my mom wanted. I ran toward her and tried to save her. I killed several of the men, but I was overwhelmed. They grabbed my mother and rode off with her, but they weren’t done with me.”

  “Oh, Carter.” Ivy’s eyes stayed on mine.

  “They left me for dead. Sometime in the night, a vampire came to me and offered me a choice.” I pressed my lips together. “I chose life.”

  Ivy gulped back her horror, and her gaze softened as she looked at me.

  “I’m so sorry, Carter.” Her words were tender as if she’d forgotten what I was for a spilt second.

  “Everything happens for a reason.” I thought back to the havoc I’d wreaked once I’d turned. “I made sure those men paid for what they did to my family.”

  Ivy’s gaze stayed steady on mine. “I can understand that.”

  I nodded, clenching my fist. “It was a fury I had never f
elt before. It’s one I hope to never feel again.”

  “Whoa.” Violet shook her head. “That’s intense.”

  Ivy frowned and shook her head in disgust. “Intense?”

  Violet shrugged. “Sorry, but it is.”

  “That’s oversimplifying it a bit.” Christy glanced at me.

  “No, it’s fine. It’s true. It was . . . intense.” I smiled, glancing at Violet. “Like a lot of things in this world. Right, Violet?”

  Horror darted through her gaze, and she glanced at the clock on the wall. “I should probably get going.”

  “No way.” Christy shook her head. “We haven’t come up with a game plan yet.”

  I laughed. “I think the game plan is to try not to get killed.”

  Ivy giggled, and it was the most enchanting sound in the world.

  “What about the prophecy?” Ivy asked. “I still haven’t seen it.”

  “True. Lucky for you, I stopped by my house on the way to pick up your sister. Grabbed it out of the safe, or you’d never believe the words coming from this lowlife vampire,” I teased, seeing a spark of something behind Ivy’s gaze.

  Violet’s brows rose. “Prophecy?”

  Christy nodded and quickly explained to her what we’d figured out so far.

  “And there have been more women who were attempting to turn, who died,” I added. “I saw it on the news at Violet’s house. They’re trying to pin those deaths on vampires too.”

  “That’s not good.” Christy shook her head.

  “Not, it’s not. Lux will do everything in his power to make sure anyone who knows anything about these women and their deaths will be eliminated.” I shook my head and pulled out the leather book. My father’s handwriting filled the pages with predictions, most of which had already come true. There were also some pages in the back that weren’t in a language I recognized.

  “Is that it?” Ivy asked, her eyes staying on the tiny booklet. “The book?”

  “My father managed to write most of his prophecies within these pages, but there are some that were verbal and passed down through the ages.” I turned to the passage I’d shown Lux so many years ago and slid it to Ivy. I had the passage memorized.

  After sixty years of harmony, the power will shift. Great immortals, seeking blood and health, will draw lines of mortals from around the lands. The mortals will beg for a cure. For the first time in history, the mortals will trust an immortal leader with their lives. Magic, not science, will be the healer. The mortals will never know their own ails would be caused by an immortal virus which shall destroy men and sweep them from the mortal world to the sky. They are blinded by evil. Mercy will bring power. Power will bring death. Only one can stop the destruction.

  Ivy let out a low hum as her eyes met mine. “And Lux knows the entire passage? Took it to mean that he was the leader?”

  I nodded. “Timing seems to point to him.”

  Violet scowled. “So, Lux is upset that with these murders, the humans won’t trust him when it comes time to try to heal them with his special powers. He wants to look like the hero.”

  I nodded.

  “Except that he’s also the one who will start the spread,” Christy added.

  Violet let out a low whistle. “That’s low.”

  I laughed at how absolutely simple Ivy’s sister could make things sound, and not in a good way.

  “And you’re telling me the plan is to outrun or outlast Lux and his crew until . . . what?” Violet asked.

  Ivy traded a look with Christy.

  “We can stop the prophecy,” Ivy answered. “We need to make sure Lux can’t infect anyone.”

  “And if he does?” Violet pressed.

  “We can’t let him have the power,” Christy replied.

  “You’re saying he’ll have the power simply by offering a cure for a disease he spread.” Violet shook her head. “It’s a no-win situation. If he spreads it and we don’t let him cure people, innocent people will die.”

  “And innocent people will die if we let him infect them,” I stated, knowing precisely what Lux’s plans were. “It is a no-win situation, but our best shot at helping to stop the prophecy is to stay alive.”

  Violet shook her head and rubbed her temples. “I should have studied with Grammy more. I feel absolutely useless.”

  Ivy shook her head and grabbed her sister’s hand. “I’m sure some of it will come back.”

  “Some of what?” Violet scowled. “I never had it, and if I did, I squandered it. I wouldn’t know what I have.”

  “If it makes you feel better, I don’t know what I should either.” Ivy looked defeated, and I wondered what all she thought she had.

  What was inside her?

  Violet stood from the booth. “I need some time.”

  We watched her walk away, and I looked at Ivy. “She’s headed to Raven Ward?”

  Ivy slowly nodded. “I think that’s a safe bet.”

  Christy yawned and stretched before sliding a key to Ivy. “I’m in apartment thirty-four, two floors up. Come up when you’re ready.”

  Ivy scrunched her nose. “You have an apartment in the realm?”

  Christy laughed. “Of course. My motto is to never get caught or at least have a solid escape plan.”

  Ivy rolled her eyes. “And I’m so glad you’re protecting our streets back home with that mentality. Which side are you on?”

  “The one that keeps us alive.” Christy chuckled. “You know, Ivy, this might be your home too. You never know.”

  Surprise registered on Ivy’s face, and I wondered what Ivy knew of her past.

  If she had Christy by her side, then there was a lot more to Ivy’s story than she let on.

  Pixies didn’t get assigned to your average sorceress. Unless Ivy didn’t know that Christy had been assigned for protection.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ivy

  Carter sat across the table from me. The others had all left. I knew I should have gone with Christy, but I couldn’t pull myself away from the vampire sitting across from me.

  I wanted to believe there was something more keeping me here, but I was afraid that I’d finally fallen into the age-old trap of lust.

  Between his dark hair, nearly lavender eyes, and luscious lips, my body tingled with the unknown of being near him, and the hallucination I’d experienced earlier had only sharpened my desire to experience him.

  “Why is Lux considered in charge of all vampires?” I asked, trying to stay focused on the business of staying alive.

  “He’d the oldest.” Carter shifted in the seat and brought his gaze to me.

  The look in his eyes nearly took my breath away.

  “And he’s the most powerful because of it.” Carter licked his lips, and my chest tightened with something I shouldn’t want.

  “He’s sent me on a trip around the globe that finished the night I met you.”

  I tilted my head slightly. “What kind of trip?”

  Carter smiled. “A business trip of sorts.”

  “Care to elaborate?” I smiled.

  “In preparation for the prophecy, it was my job to ensure that all vampires swore their allegiance to Lux.”

  “Oof. What a bummer that move was.” I grimaced, and Carter laughed.

  “I had no way of knowing he’d turn against me.”

  I couldn’t help but frown. “So, you’re telling me that the only reason you’re willing to fight to save our lives is because you don’t want to die.”

  Carter scowled. “Not at all. I just didn’t expect him to turn on me.”

  “But had he not turned on you, it sounds like you would have continued with his plan. You would have allowed him to infect mortals.”

  Carter’s gaze dropped, and he slowly shook his head. “I don’t know. I want to believe that I would have stopped him.”

  A pit formed in my stomach. “I would too.”

  “Lux has been the closest thing to family I’ve had.”

  I tensed at th
e question I was about to ask. “What happened to your mom?”

  Carter’s gaze darkened. “She was killed. I tracked down where they took her, but I was too late.”

  My heart pounded with fear as my body relived the horror he’d experienced. I slid my hand across to his and took it in mine.

  “You think I’m a monster, don’t you?” Carter asked.

  My thoughts spun in a million different directions.

  I’d always been afraid of vampires.

  I detested them.

  Didn’t see a need for them.

  But as I looked in Carter’s eyes, I saw something inside him that I couldn’t explain.

  “I think the world you lived in created what you became.” My breath caught. “But I think you still want to be good.”

  His upper lip tugged at the corners. “You don’t believe I’m good?”

  I laughed, realizing the words just slid right out with Carter Voss. I had no chance of hiding how I truly felt about him or the situation he’d put us in.

  “I believe you’re a vampire.” I shrugged. “And I don’t believe I’ve met any good vampires.”

  “Fair enough.” He toyed with a napkin in front of him. “How many vampires have you met?”

  I gave him a dirty look. “You’re really annoying.”

  He laughed. “Because I point out the obvious?”

  “Okay, Carter Voss. Tell me what’s so obvious.” I crossed my arms over my chest and waited.

  “From what I can tell, the lifestyle you lead doesn’t provide for much in the way of vampire friendships. You really don’t have anything to base your vague judgments on, especially if you’re just going off what the press says about us.”

  I glared at Carter. “My judgment of vampires isn’t vague. My assessment is keenly astute. Your breed has the capability to wipe out the entire planet. You’ve chosen not to thus far.” I shook my head. “But it seems that’s about to end. I don’t need to personally know a lot of vampires to see the obvious.”

  Carter let out a deep sigh.

  “And don’t do that.” I wiggled my finger in front of him.

  “Don’t do what?”

  “Pretend to sigh. You don’t even breathe.”