My fingers made their way to the cleft in his chin and I rose on my tiptoes to kiss his lips.
“I didn’t get the chance to thank you for saving me from the lava,” I told him, my gaze frozen on his. He smiled, his perfect lips stretching over a white smile.
“Anytime,” he answered confidently. “Anytime, anyplace, moon princess.”
“Ugh,” I rolled my eyes. “Don’t you start.” Twisting out of his arms, I padded across the dirt floor to the bed. Brennan followed closely on my heels.
“What?” he raised a golden eyebrow. “You don’t enjoy adulation?”
I cringed even at the word. “I don’t deserve adulation,” I replied quietly. “Nothing about me is deserving of that kind of respect. My mother, yes. Me? I’ve never been given the chance to earn it. I’ve spent my entire life, my entire existence, running from my own curse.”
Brennan inhaled sharply, pulling my chin up with his index finger. “I don’t ever want to hear that you are not worthy or undeserving of something again,” he cautioned me. “Your curse is what it is. You didn’t ask for it and it isn’t your fault. We will search the earth from top to bottom to find a way to reverse it. If we can’t find an answer on the earth, we’ll search elsewhere. I promise you, by all that is holy, we’ll figure it out.”
I nodded tiredly. I knew he wanted to believe that.
“I believe that because it is true,” he told me firmly. “Now, hop into that bed. We’re going to rest.”
“Yes, sir,” I answered with a weak smile. Pulling the skins back, I did as he said. He climbed in beside me, pulling me into his arms. It was my favorite place to be.
“And when we wake, you will need to feed,” he told me. “I know that you’re weakened now from everything that happened in Death Valley.”
My heart raced at the thought. “I can’t feed from you,” I stammered. “We haven’t mastered our powers yet and your strength has grown. I don’t know if I could control it.” The thought, the simple thought, of drinking Brennan’s blood now terrified me enough that I started to see his aura. The colors blinded me and I closed my eyes against the light.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered softly into my hair. Cupping my face, he ran his thumb lightly along my cheekbone.
“You don’t need to drink from me. We’ll think of something else.”
I squeezed my eyes tightly closed. This part of my curse was truly a curse. But it was something I’d think about after I’d rested. Brennan was right. I was in a weakened state. A little rest would go a long way.
Chapter Two
When I awoke, Brennan was gone. Sniffing the air, the acrid scent of a dying fire filled my nose. Glancing sideways at the fireplace, I saw that its red embers were the only remainder of its once roaring flame. Sighing, I propped myself up on one elbow.
The crack of light that peeked from the buckskin covering the window was dim. It was late in the day. I glanced at the skin of my arm. Even here in the dark of this closed hut, I could see that I was deathly pale. Brennan had been correct. The scene in Death Valley had taken my energy and I desperately needed to eat. With a sigh, I swung my legs over the side of the heavy bed and sat up.
A wave of dizziness passed over me and I steadied myself with my hands before I stood. I really was weak. It was never good to allow my strength to become this replete. I couldn’t remember the last time it had been this bad.
“Son of a –“
“You’re up.” Brennan interrupted my curse as he ducked into the hut. He was followed closely by Branwyn and another girl. The girl trailing her had wide frightened eyes and milky white skin. My stomach dropped into my toes at the look on their faces.
“What’s going on?” I asked uncertainly, taking a step backward.
“You need to eat,” Brennan said firmly, crossing the room in three strides.
“And?” I raised an eyebrow. My gaze flew to the girl behind Branwyn. “No.”
“Why?” Brennan asked. “What difference is it from when you peruse high school parties on the beach? You’ll feed and then take her memories. No harm, no foul. If you don’t eat, you’re going to suffer. I can’t watch you suffer, Em.”
“Shayla is happy to help you,” Branwyn told me quietly. “She understands the situation. And like Brennan has pointed out, you will simply take her memories. She’ll never remember anyway. But know that you have her full permission. It is an honor to serve you.”
She ducked her head slightly and the girl, Shayla, dropped to her knees and extended her arm to me. “It’s an honor, princess,” she repeated after Branwyn, her eyes averted from mine.
“Are there no men?” I asked Branwyn with a sigh. I already knew the answer. Many pagan priestesses secluded themselves from the rest of society- away from men. They felt it purified their magic. They only mingled with the other sex during times of ritual and sacrifice. I sighed again when she shook her head.
“Crap,” I muttered. When I drank from a mortal’s blood, it was sexually pleasurable for them. I had long since learned that, and learned that it simplified things to simply drink from men. This girl would have erotic dreams about me for weeks to come after this.
“Very well,” I muttered. “Shayla, you may rise. And you might as well get comfortable.” Without meeting her gaze, I motioned to the bed. She leaped to her feet and practically bounded to the bed, eager to please me. I hated this.
Brennan laid a hand on my arm reassuringly. “You don’t have a choice, Emmie. You won’t drink from me and there are only these priestesses here. What other choice do you have?”
As much as I hated it, he was right. I climbed back onto the bed and sat next to the girl. She was shaking.
“Calm yourself,” I told her quietly. “It won’t hurt and I promise you that you won’t remember it.”
She nodded, the freckles standing out on her nose as the blood drained away from her face. I swallowed hard. I hated being the thing that invoked such fear. It made me feel like a monster.
“You’re not a monster,” Brennan replied to my unspoken thought as he moved around the bed to hold the girl’s arms. He looked uncertain, like he wanted to help but didn’t know what to do.
“You don’t need to restrain her,” I told him wearily. “She won’t try to get away. Trust me.”
Hovering above her quaking body, I looked into her blue eyes.
“Do you trust me?” I asked quietly.
It was a brazen question, I knew, because she had only just met me. But part of my curse was an ability to draw people to me. Men and women alike wanted to be near me. And it was no different with this girl. She nodded, her confidence in me absolute.
“Yes,” she whispered.
I paused for just one beat and then picked up her wrist. Without hesitation, I sank my teeth into it. She gasped once, quickly and loud. But then she relaxed as pheromones exploded within her veins. I could taste them as I drew her blood into my mouth and allowed it to slide down my throat. Female blood was sweet, sweeter than a man’s. I sucked it in, allowing it to run down my chin.
Shayla was moaning by this point, thrashing beneath me in pleasure. I knew she would be mortified if she was truly conscious, which by this point she was not. I knew her mind was fuzzy, clouded by my curse. She arched up against me, trying to draw nearer to me, trying to run her lips along my neck.
Brennan watched in amusement. He had never seen this before. I had drunk from him, but he had never watched as a by-stander. He lifted his hands helplessly. He didn’t know what to do.
“You can restrain her now,” I said quickly as I drew in a breath. “She wouldn’t want to behave in such a way. She doesn’t mean it.”
“She won’t remember it,” Branwyn reminded me firmly. “Go ahead and finish, Empusa.”
Nodding, I drank for a few minutes more, then wiped my mouth. My fingers and toes had regained their warmth and I could feel color returning to my face. As much as I hated feeding, I loved feeling strong again.
I glanc
ed at Shayla. The girl laid against the bed skins, her cheeks flushed with pleasure, her eyes glazed.
“Shayla,” I said quietly. “You will not remember this. If you remember anything at all, you will think it was a dream. Do you understand?”
She looked up at me, her eyes still unfocused. But she nodded.
“Good.” I looked to Branwyn. “Thank you. I’m quite finished here.”
She nodded and motioned to Shayla. “Come with me, child.”
Shayla got to her feet and trailed behind Branwyn as the exited the hut. Branwyn turned. “Dinner for the rest of us will be soon. Feel free to join us.”
She left and Brennan stared at me, an unreadable expression on his handsome face.
“That was… intense,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t sure what I’d think. But it was impressive. You were very gentle with her. You didn’t have to be. She never would’ve known the difference.”
“But I would know,” I replied. “Brennan, you have no idea what it has been like for me. For a thousand years- and think hard about how long that actually is- I have had to do this. I have had to drink from mortals. I literally steal their blood. That’s the very essence of who a person is. I have to look into their eyes and watch as their body reacts to my curse. It makes me…dislike myself. It’s something I struggle with every day of my life.”
His face clouded, the light that normally shone in his eyes dimmed. Turning, his voice cracked.
“Empusa,” he said softly, opening his arms. I shook my head.
“I’m fine,” I replied, stiffening my shoulders. I didn’t want pity. I didn’t want reassurance or comfort. I didn’t deserve it. Every word I said was true. I was, in essence, a thief of the worst kind.
“Empusa,” he repeated, this time more firmly. “Do not think like that. You are forced to do these things because your father is a pathetic creature. You are beautiful and kind and you do your very best to avoid hurting people. We will figure out a way to return your life to normal and you’ll never have to do these things again.”
“I do my very best to avoid hurting people,” I repeated, completely disregarding his last sentence. “Really? How did we meet, Brennan?”
His face clouded over again. I had struck a nerve. He and I had met in the hospital, right after I had taken his uncle Daniel’s soul which had killed him. Granted, Daniel had terminal cancer and he was going to die very soon anyway, but regardless, I had shortened his life. It was something I knew Brennan struggled with.
He clenched his jaw. “I’ve dealt with that,” he said firmly. “You couldn’t help it. Daniel was going to die anyway.”
“Yes, he was. But he wasn’t going to die that day,” I answered wearily. “I kill people Brennan. It is what it is. Whether they are sick and dying or not, it makes no difference. I’m a killer.”
At his impassive expression, I continued. “And what do you think is going to happen here? I don’t see a cancer ward here. I haven’t seen one sick person in this village. What will happen when it comes time for me to take a soul? Let me tell you what will happen. I will either have to kill a healthy, happy priestess or I will die myself. That is what it will come to. Do you still think I’m not accountable… that it’s not my fault?”
His face remained expressionless when he replied with slow concise words.
“Yes, I still think it isn’t your fault. We’ll figure something out. Perhaps, just maybe, we can get this issue fixed by then.”
I had to laugh. “Brennan, one of the things I love the most about you is your optimism. I probably have a couple weeks at most before I will be forced to make a decision. My life… or one of theirs.”
Turning my back and gulping down the lump that had formed in my throat, I pushed my way out of the hut into the dim evening light.
Women were standing around chatting outside of various huts and in the middle of common areas. Worn dirt paths criss-crossed throughout the little civilization, giving unspoken directions to the most traveled destinations in the village. I turned and headed down one path as I blinked back tears.
“Not that way,” one woman told me kindly. “Are you searching for the eating area?”
I nodded, unable to trust my voice.
“I’ll show you,” she said quietly, taking my elbow. I shrugged away from her touch. The last thing I needed was for her to become enamored with me, too. She looked at me in puzzlement, but didn’t say anything. I realized that I seemed rude.
“I’m sorry,” I offered.
She shook her head. “Think nothing of it. My name is Elin. I’m happy to assist you with anything that you require, princess.”
“Does everyone know who I am?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Great,” I sighed. Elin’s lips curved into a smile.
“Embrace it, princess,” she answered. “Each woman here would give you her home or her life if you asked it.”
“But why?”I asked in bewilderment. “I’ve never met a one of you. I never even knew that Branwyn was my sister until today. Why is there such deference to me? Trust me, you don’t know what I am or it wouldn’t be so.”
“We know who you are,” Elin said firmly. “And that is enough. You are important. Your role in this life is important both to you and to many people around you. The sooner you realize it and embrace it, the better off you’ll be.”
I practically snorted. “My role in this life? Elin, now I know you don’t understand. I’ve lived for a very, very long time. My role has been played out time and time again in the form of a horrible curse. Trust me, it hasn’t been helpful for people around me.”
“Empusa,” Elin leveled a gaze at me. “Your role in this life is only just now beginning. You and your soul mate have found each other and now your true purpose will begin.”
I sucked in my breath. “How did you know that?” I asked in amazement. “Do you prophesize? You couldn’t possibly have known that.”
“Yet it is true, is it not?” Elin raised an eyebrow.
“It is true that Brennan and I only recently found each other. But we have been warned. If we cannot control our powers around each other, we could literally end the world as we know it. We could cause an apocalypse. That is a great burden to bear. Is that what you speak of when you say that we have a purpose?”
Elin looked at me, her eyes solemn. “Princess, when you have a purpose, no matter what it is, there is no escaping it. Your purpose, whatever it is, will come to pass. You need to embrace that, as well.”
“Do you know my purpose?” I whispered. “Have you seen it?”
She stared at me for a moment longer, before shaking her head. “I have not personally seen it, no. But Branwyn has.”
“Can I just tell you how tiring it is when people see me in visions and I have not one inkling of what is going to happen in my own life?”
I sighed, allowing the air to expel slowly and loudly from my lips. “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault and I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“No offense taken, princess,” Elin nodded. “And here we are.”
I looked up to find that we had made our way to the area that the priestesses used for eating. There were women congregated into small groups, eating some sort of thick porridge from wooden bowls. It didn’t smell good and I tried not to wrinkle my nose.
“Elin!” one of the women called and Elin turned to me. “Will you be alright now?”
I nodded. “Of course. Thank you so much for showing me the way.”
She left to find her friend and I made my way to an empty wooden table. It was made from thick-hewn logs sawed in half and I had to make sure I didn’t get a splinter. Before I could sit or even blink, Brennan sidled up to me.
“Thought you could lose me, did you?” he asked with a grin.
“Of course not,” I assured him. “Nor would I want to. I just needed some air. My burden is sometimes difficult to bear.”
“So allow me to carry it for you,” he suggested.
“I thought of a way,” he explained quietly. “I can take your curse for you, Empusa. In the same way that your father passed it to you, you can pass it to me.”
Everything around me blurred together as my emotions exploded in a way that was too much to bear, too much to remain conscious for. I fainted, but before I hit the ground, I was pretty sure that I heard myself scream.
Chapter Three
I woke with ice cold water being poured on my face. I sputtered and sat up, fighting against the strong arms that held me down. Coughing, I twisted to find that Brennan was the one restraining me as we sat next to a rushing river.
“Don’t ever do that to me again!” Brennan said as he released his hold. I slid from his grasp and crouched next to the water. My throat burned from water running down the wrong pipe.
“Why were you trying to drown me?” I rasped as I continued to cough. “And do what to you?”
“Don’t ever scare me like that again,” he clarified firmly. “I mean it. Don’t.”
“I wasn’t trying to scare you,” I answered, looking around. I was surrounded by priestesses. Branwyn hovered nearby, along with Shayla, who was still staring adoringly at me. “Your offer caught me off guard. And it’s pure craziness,” I added. “You are not taking my curse from me. Absolutely not.”
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