by Maya Daniels
“It kills me with each moment, as well.” I don’t lie to him when I admit that it’s painful for me to see her like that, too.
“We found four humans around the building last night.” Changing the subject, Marcus straightens his shoulders. I’m grateful for it, the wariness pulling on my body like a stone tied to my feet.
“I’m assuming you took care of it.” Not a question. He knows better than to allow the Council to get any information on what’s going on here. “Did you keep any of them alive so we can question them?”
“I did.” Grimacing like he can smell the stench of something foul, he rubs the top of his head with his hand in frustration. “April got to him before I saw her coming.” Glancing at me through his lashes, he shakes his head, a small smile playing on his mouth. “She is glorious to watch when she is defending her nest, Sebastian. A vision to behold.”
He calls her a vision to behold, like I haven’t been fighting the urge to go to her every night. Luckily for all of us, she doesn’t seem to remember anything when the morning comes. As stubborn as she is, she will either stake us all while we rest or she’ll do something stupid, like harm herself.
“Keep that to yourself. I don’t need to remind you.” Power pushes from me through our connection, making sure he doesn’t dare utter a word to April. Marcus shivers and nods tightly at me.
“Keep what to himself?” April speaks from the hallway, glaring at me with her hands propped on her hips. “More treachery and schemes? How very much like you, Sebastian.”
Turning around, she storms back to my bedroom, slamming the door shut and making us both wince. We look at each other and sigh at the same time.
“What a fucking disaster.” Marcus mumbles.
“Disaster, indeed.” Leaning my head back on the chair, I close my eyes. “A clusterfuck as she likes to call it.”
He chuckles, and my lips twitch, but there is no humor in the situation at all.
April
They are hiding stuff from me again. My emotions are so heightened after that dreadful night when I saved that jerk Sebastian and died because of that stupidity that it’s hard to keep myself from breaking everything in the room. And that’s what I really want. To grab anything I can get my hands on and grind it into dust with my bare hands.
Panting like a feral animal, I pace a line in front of the bed, wearing the carpet thin under my feet. My body feels warm, the temperature rising with each breath to a point I feel tears prickle my eyes from the pain. Pain? Wait, what?
Startled by the voice in my head, I glance down, and a shriek echoes in the empty room when I see my feet looking an angry red with blisters popping out like in a cartoon. The door burst open, and the banging on the opposite wall is followed by a plume of smoke from a body that is blurry through my teary eyes. Whoever it is picks me up like a rag doll and bolts back out in the dark hallway with my hair flying around us from the speed, like a flag blowing in a windstorm.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” Sebastian’s blurry face looms an inch from my nose, and my eyes cross when I try to focus on it. “April, speak.” Shaking me by the shoulders, he sounds frantic.
“My feet…” my voice trails off.
I push with both hands on his chest to move him away from me. His scent fills my nostrils, that expensive cologne he wears and the natural smell of his skin making me fight the urge to wrap my arms and legs around him and start tearing the shirt and pants he is wearing to shreds. An embarrassing squeak comes from me when he dumps me on my butt and lifts my feet to his face to look at him.
“Stop manhandling me, asshole.” Shoving on his back, I push him down on his butt too, tangling his limbs with mine. “Damn it! I can’t even hurt in peace, away from you.”
“Why are your feet blistered?” Ignoring my comments as usual when it doesn’t suit him, he glares at me.
“If I knew I wouldn’t be shrieking, now would I?” Sitting up, I take one foot in my hands, lifting it closer to my face so I can look at it properly.
“She must’ve been pacing on the carpet barefooted.” Marcus chirps from the end of the hallway with his arms folded across his chest, looking too amused for his own good.
Sebastian and I both glare at him.
“I’ve seen her do it before, but I’ve usually been there to distract her enough so she stops.” Lifting his hands palms up, he shrugs unapologetically when Sebastian growls at him like a feral dog. Speaking of which…
“When will I see Mutt?” My best friend Denial has my back, again. She is great like that. If I don’t like the situation, I’ll just ignore it like it’s not happening. “You promised I’d have him back.”
“You really want that dog around you before you learn to control your hunger?” Daring me to fight him on this, Marcus grins like an asshole when I pout.
I know he is right, and the last thing I want to do is hurt the only one that accepted me for me without wanting me to change. My dog. Well, he is not mine, but he refused to leave my side and has stuck with me through thick and thin, so I claimed him. God help whoever tries to take him from me now. I’ll never admit to these monsters that they are right. A change of subject is needed.
“I need to rip that carpet off the floor.” Since I have no control over my body, I’ll do the next best thing. I’ll change my surroundings. See? Smart.
“It won’t fix the problem.” Sebastian, the killjoy, pushes off the floor and looms like an angry god above me. “You need to start learning to control your new body and emotions.”
“Let me guess?” Blinking innocently, I fold my hands at my chest, looking adoringly at him. “You’ll take pity on this poor girl and teach her, right? Oh, wonderful master, please say you will spare your precious time and take me under your wing.”
Marcus chokes, coughing to cover the laughter that he barked out before Sebastian turned his murderous glare at him.
“This is unacceptable!” Looking down his nose at me, Sebastian straightens his shirt sleeves, a quirk I’m not sure he is aware of having. “Whether you like it or not, I made you, and you will do as you are told until you are in control of your actions.” When my eyebrows hit my hairline at the audacity he has, his face darkness with rage, sending an excited shiver up my spine. “I will have you obey!”
“You’ll have me obey?” Tears run down my face from laughter. “How about you tell me this after sunset, huh?” Finally lifting myself off the floor, I square off with him, all humor leaving my face. “Instead of them hiding you like a little bitch, how about you face me then and tell me to obey.”
“I do not hide from you, little girl.” Getting in my personal space, he cages me between the wall and his chest, his nose touching mine when he bends his head. “And to prove to you that I have let you be for your sanity, as well as mine, I will meet you after sunset…today.” One side of his full lips lift slightly at the corner. “Let us see if you will or won’t obey me then.”
He storms off after those last words, leaving me with my shaking hands sliding down the wall until my butt hits the floor. My knees became too weak to hold me up, and I stare at the space where his broad shoulders disappeared a second ago.
“Damn, April.” Marcus shakes his head, chuckling. “You asked for this.” When I snarl at him, he laughs. “Hey, this is all on you. I’m going to enjoy the show tonight.” He follows Sebastian, leaving me alone in the dark hallway.
“You are an idiot, April.” Covering my face with my hands, I feel dread and excitement at the same time. Two deep voices chuckle from somewhere in the apartment at my muffled words. I groan, making them laugh out loud.
The jerks heard me, obviously.
Twirling my fingers, playing with the rays of sunshine between them, I press my cheek to my curled-up knees. The honking of cars and the hum of voices that I usually associate with this city is missing. After the night I saved Sebastian from the Council, we have barricaded in the hotel. Crushed cars are piled up, one on top of another, creating a wall of me
tal around us. Guardians dressed all in black patrol the perimeter, always vigilant in case someone sneaks in. Humans replace the vampires during the daylight hours, armed to their teeth with guns, swords, and wooden stakes. Seeing them now prowling the streets doesn’t help my brewing torment. The sun usually helps. However, not even its warmth can calm down the thunderstorm of emotions inside me today. With each passing moment, I can feel the day coming closer to an end. It’s not confronting Sebastian that bothers me. It’s the anticipation I think that is bringing me to dread the coming night. I have no control over the monster I turn into, and that’s a big problem.
She has set her sights on Sebastian, like a cat ready to pounce on a mouse.
Only we are not talking about a mouse here, are we? It’s a hungry predator gearing up to meet me head to head. No amount of hyping myself up or pep talk can calm my nerves. Just like with everything else in my life, I brought this one on my head out of sheer stubbornness. With a sigh, I unfold my body from the windowsill where I’ve been sitting for over an hour. The height doesn’t bother me anymore. Go figure. Maybe the fact that I can’t die now if I go splat on the asphalt from eleven stories high has something to do with it.
“Suck it up, April.” Closing the window, I search for my shoes.
The colors are more vibrant now, my eyesight clearly seeing the microscopic flecks of dust dancing in the air like tiny little fairies. Even the small dents and dips on the polished wooden furniture pieces are visible when I glance around the room. It was making me dizzy the first couple of days until I got used to it. Like a crazy person, my eyes were darting around, trying to catch every movement around me until a splitting headache forced me to close them, tears streaking my cheeks. But that was then, and this is now. Whatever this is supposed to be.
“Life of a monster,” I mumble while crawling on my hands and knees to look under the king-size, four-poster bed.
Laughing humorlessly, I snatch the flats from under the bed and stuff my feet in them none too gently. Irritation is making me irrational, so I need to get out of this place to clear my head. Everywhere I turn in this damn apartment, I’m reminded of him. I can even smell him in the air, no matter where I try to hide.
Lifting my chin up, I stride through the hallway and head straight for the front door. Passing through the living room makes my heart jump and beat frenetically in my throat like a frightened bird. It shouldn’t have bothered me because the room is silent and empty as a tomb. The chandelier reflects the light of the candles that have been lit and placed strategically on every flat surface.
An orange glow bathes the expensive furnishings, giving everything a dream-like appearance. My feet move reluctantly towards the middle of the room. The sofas, coffee table, and side tables have been pushed to the walls, leaving the center clear of everything. Red, thick pillar candles stand in four corners, reaching my knees, their flames dancing and crackling like they are straining to touch the high ceiling. The silver champagne cooler sits inconspicuously on the floor with two flute glasses next to it. My belly tightens at the implications of what this set up means.
I almost jump out of my skin when movement catches my attention. Leaning on the doorframe to the guest room he is using, Sebastian rakes his gaze over me. I can feel it like phantom fingers gliding over my skin, even through the clothes that cover me. When I get control over my reaction to him, I notice the slight rosy glow on his handsome face telling me he has fed recently.
Jealousy rears its ugly head inside me, causing my body to quake in rage. Whirling around, I bolt out of the penthouse like the devil himself is right on my heels. Passing the elevator doors, I yank the entrance to the stairs open and race down so fast I’m practically flying out of the ground floor into the lobby in a blink of an eye. Colliding with a body, both of us topple over, hitting a few tables and chairs on our way down. I’m vibrating in anger, more at myself than Sebastian, while I stare at the high-vaulted ceiling after I end up sprawled on my back. The painted pictures above me that I usually find beautiful piss me off right now.
“April?” Andrei’s musical voice is like nails in my brain at the moment. “Are you okay, bella? What’s the matter?” His concerned face pops up in my line of sight, hiding the pretty colors.
“Get away from me.” Lashing out, I push him away, sending him flying into the wall next to the stairs. “Don’t you ever touch me again.”
Plaster and wallpaper rains down on him when he lifts up on all fours, shaking his head to clear it. Very slowly, those blue eyes lift to mine, sending fear pinging in my chest. Usually calm, and always ready to smile, Andrei doesn’t look like himself when his muscles bunch around his broad shoulders, coiled up to pounce in a split second if needed. Snarling, his fangs lengthen before my eyes, and to my horror, mine match it.
“Who are you running away from?” Cocking his head in an animalistic way, he is unnaturally still. His long fingers are splayed wide, holding his weight when he leans slightly forward, sweeping the lobby with his gaze. “Who got in the building?”
“No one.” Embarrassment burns my cheeks when I realize he is worried more about my safety than my crappy attitude towards him. Pushing off the floor, I sit cross-legged on the tiles. “I needed to clear my head. That apartment is driving me insane.”
“Sebastian.” Dropping down on his butt, Andrei tousles his hair, sending dust and plaster over his shoulders, and his black t-shirt stretching over his chest. “I should’ve known you’ll only run like that from him.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Affronted, I glare at him.
The jerk grins.
“Nothing, bella.” When my eyes narrow at him, he chuckles. “No one but him can ruffle your feathers like this. I should’ve known.”
After searching his face for long moments, I puff out a breath. “He wants to teach me control tonight.” Looking everywhere but at him, I still watch him from the corner of my eye.
Whistling low, Andrei shakes his head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I’ll go talk to him about it. You need a bit more time.”
“Time for what? To be a better monster?” When he glowers at me, I lift my chin up, sneering. “I’ll never be like the rest of you. Not now, not in a thousand years.”
The silence stretches between us, and I do my best to ignore his acute stare. What feels like an eternity passes before his lips start pulling up at the corners knowingly. I want to grab the splinters from the broken chairs that are scattered around me and stab him in the eye with one of them. Like reading my mind, he throws his head back and laughs, a deep belly laugh that makes me want to scream and punch something.
“No, bella. You’ll never be like the rest of us.”
Lifting himself up, he dusts his shoulders and pants before walking to the elevator doors. I stare at his back until the doors open, and he steps inside, facing me. Our eyes lock, and the intent focus I see on his face makes me want to run again and hide. Before I can do precisely that, he speaks.
“You were never meant to be like the rest of us, April. As a matter of fact, we were all hoping you wouldn’t be.” He winks at me with a cocky smile before the doors slide closed, hiding him from my ire.
With a scream, I pound my fists on the tiled floor in outrage.
Sebastian
“April seemed upset.” Andrei’s words proceed him through the door.
“That’s an understatement if I’ve ever heard one.” Not looking away from my task, I continue moving things around the living room.
“I can see why…” drawling, he comes to stand next to me. “Is this really necessary?” After looking around the room, his gaze settles on my face.
“I wouldn’t waste my time if I thought otherwise.” Dismissing his meddling, I pick up one candle to move it further away from the cleared-out center.
“I keep telling him he needs to get his strength back before facing her on his own.” Marcus strides in, stopping next to us. “The woman is unpredictable.” At my glare, he shrug
s a shoulder, unconcerned that he is within striking distance. “I barely got out with my head intact last night, thanks to Andrei.” Nodding at Andrei in gratitude, he looks at me unflinching. “You do what you want, I simply think I needed to warn you.”
“What news do you have?” If I don’t change the subject, I might strangle them both. “Or are both of you here to share your opinion on my life choices?”
“The Guardians found three humans trying to infiltrate our nest.” With a frustrated sigh, Andrei walks up to one of the sofas, throwing himself on it. “The Council either thinks we are idiots or fledglings.”
“I doubt they think we are idiots or fledglings, as you say. It’s more along the line of the fact that we are too preoccupied with a certain new vampire that we won’t pay as close attention to a few mortals.” I point out the obvious. “The Council knows better than to underestimate us after they lost two of their own.”
“Let’s hope that’s the case.” Marcus sounds doubtful. “I sent two of my own humans in hopes to get a message across to our inside help. I haven’t heard from them yet, but I should be getting word any day now.”
Finally satisfied with everything being out of reach so April can’t use it against me, I walk up to the corner bar, pulling out the whiskey and three glasses. The tension in the room is palpable, setting my nerves on edge. Apart from the few inutile humans, the old bastards have been quiet. Too quiet for my liking.
“We cannot take action until April is ready.” Handing a glass to Marcus that has followed behind me, I fill up the second one. “With the rate we are going, she won’t be ready for a decade.”
“If we lose you, everything else is pointless, my friend.” Snatching the second glass from my fingers as soon as the two ice cubes dip in the liquor, he walks away, passing it to Andrei. “If April takes you out of the count and cuts off our head, the rest of us are debilitated.”