Guilt washed over me, but soon anger followed, pushing in and taking over. I didn't want to spend Christmas with someone crying and hurting. I'd already done that on my own. A part of that new Rachel surfaced, demanding to be taken seriously. The hotel had been my ideal place to spend Christmas, until Yuri had managed to sink my happy-boat with his lousy news. In truth, I wanted to go back, to be in that luxury, to be spoiled by Nix. I wanted to be free of worries and sad and anything to do with the past. I wanted to make a future and it wasn't going to be by living in Marion Butler's shadow.
That sounded harsh, but there it was, in the open. Rachel Owens wanted more and was tired of going without.
"Damn it all, I can't stay here." For a second I thought I heard a muffled laugh. Then I heard a voice in my head. Just whisper my name. There was something I had to do before I called him.
Marion was asleep and I wanted to go into Rein's room and have a look around.
As I entered his room, I was grateful Marion had taken the sleeping pill. I didn't want to wake her and have her find me snooping.
I'd left the light off and the door to the guest room closed. Should Marion wake, she'd think I'd gone to bed. I shut Rein's door, using the desk lamp instead of the ceiling light. His room wasn't what I'd expected. I'd expected order, and neatness, but what greeted me was the opposite. He was a total slob. Books were piled on the desk, his school bag had been left sitting beside the bed, and there was a can of unopened pop on the side table. Even the bed wasn't made properly, the covers pulled up, not quite covering the pillows.
Why hadn't Marion cleaned it up? But I knew why. She couldn't bear to change anything. This was the last of Rein and she was holding onto it.
"Rein Butler, if I'd only known what a true slob you were."
"Are you looking for something in particular?" His voice came from across the room and it was all I could do not to scream. He advanced toward me as I backed myself into a corner. "You said my name. The transformation is complete and I'm back."
Every memory, every little thing we'd shared came at me.
"I want you to remember how good it was between us. I want you to remember why we fell in love." His eyes were glowing, that sea-green jumping out at me, beckoning me. Several of my sketches were behind him, on the wall. He'd had them framed and seeing them brought back memories of our times together at the beach. But why hadn't he told me he'd framed them? Why was it I'd been kept away from the intimate parts of Rein's life—his home life, the one I ought to have been a part of? He was the guy I'd spent years with, and I was only seeing my art on his wall for the first time. My heart sank.
"You weren't honest with me. You chose to keep your decision a secret, Rein. Do you realize this is the first and only time I've ever been in your house?"
"You've got the ring back," he said, changing the direction of our conversation. "It will protect you."
"Yes, from you and the rest. You're a vampire now, it's a safe bet you'd like to feed on my blood and increase your power. Yuri told me everything, including some interesting family anecdotes concerning your Uncle Caspian." Was I crazy, baiting a vampire? Yes, but this was Rein and I didn't truly believe he'd hurt me, we shared too much history for that.
Suddenly, Rein was standing inches from me. I felt the side of the bed against the backs of my legs.
A smile came over his face as he gazed down at me. My heart was flipping about, all the old feelings stirring and making me uncertain.
"You made your choice." At any moment my heart would explode from my chest.
Amusement and lust filled his eyes.
"No, I'd say you made yours, but I'm willing to shut my eyes to what's been going on. I want to shred him, to peel the skin off his bones for touching you. Do you have any idea what it's been like for me, how I've suffered watching him move in on you? You're mine, Rachel and I'm not going to back down. I'm a vampire and a very powerful one. In time, I will be the most powerful one." Rein grabbed me, pulling me into his arms. He seemed even taller, and his arms felt like steel as they held me close.
"I've missed you, Rach, kiss me." Rein bent, not waiting for me to agree. His lips were gentle at first, but soon he took the kiss to another level, holding me as he took his fill. I pushed against his chest, but it was futile. "We belong together, we always have."
Finally I was able to get a shot in the side of his ribs.
"Hey, that hurt." Rein stumbled back, complete shock registering on his face.
"Don't push yourself on me. It's over between us, and that was your call. I've cried enough tears over you. You haven't bothered with an apology. How about, I'm sorry for keeping you in the dark about my decision to become a vampire. I'm sorry I left you hanging and after I was gone you suffered even more pain because of my mother. Is there anything I can do to make up for this?"
"Wow, you are pissed, aren't you?" Rein nodded, letting out a small laugh at the same time.
I kept silent, not hearing the apology I'd demanded, only Rein pointing out how angry I was. Not cool.
"You do realize you are wearing my ring. That ring is the only thing keeping you safe—from any of us."
His statement chilled me to the bone, any of us. It was true; he was one of them now. I was still on the outside looking in. This particular snow globe I seemed forever trapped inside was getting tiring. I wanted to be a part of, not stuck, staring through the glass. Rein knew me, so how couldn't he understand that?
"You lived well, certainly better than anything I've ever had." I swept my hand in a wide arc. "It must have been nice to have breakfast brought to the table every day." He'd nearly died, and had chosen to forgo his death to join Caspian's sect, had he not gleaned anything along the way?
"Still upset over your life? Get over it, Rachel. Look, what I did was shitty, but necessary. Nix and Yuri tried to recruit me, but when Caspian came along...there was no question about joining him. Yes, he's my uncle. I found out about that during the transformation process when I was able to access some of my father's memories."
"Aren't you angry that he removed your father?" If my voice didn't relay the disgust and disbelief, certainly my expression would.
Rein's gaze narrowed for a moment. "No. I understand that Caspian was trying to keep our seat of power. He was protecting the family and the sect. Lennox broke a rule, Rachel. There are consequences for going against the sect. I'd say that Caspian was lenient, considering all that was at stake."
The room went silent as I tried to process this new Rein. His words stunned me into numb. What had happened to Rein? He was cold and ruthless and I wondered how much of it had been under the surface, waiting to come alive.
"Is this really you? Can't you hear yourself? Your father was removed because he fell in love with your mother. Your mother, Rein. You love Marion, so don't bullshit me about it being fine that your father was taken away."
"Shut it, Rachel. Lennox is gone and there isn't anything I can do to change that. I'll keep Marion safe, but I'm on another path. My destiny isn't here or school or that life we planned. My destiny is with the sect and in time, becoming the most powerful vampire to lead them."
This was like a bad horror film where the monster was power-drunk and delusional and he still wanted to be your boyfriend.
"Rein, stop and hear how you sound." I stepped back, wanting distance from him. There was no way I'd stay here, not now. I had to go, but where, my suite? I never wanted to step foot in the place again, but I would have to. I needed to get my belongings and leave. Yuri had warned me about Nix, but he didn't seem too bad at the moment. I had the ring, and that meant that none of them could harm me. Marion would be safe because Rein would take out anyone that threatened her. As long as I had the ring, I had the real power.
I looked up to find Rein staring at me.
"Yes, you've figured it out. I'm going to ask you nicely to come back with me. It can be like before, Rachel. You will be with me and I will feed off your blood, but we can be together."
"I can't do that, Rachel. We both know if I do, I can't feed off your blood and get stronger." He paced, his irritation coming off him in waves.
I glanced at the clock, it was after three in the morning and I was exhausted.
"You can't take the ring off me, can you?" After what he'd said, I was certain that if he could have taken it from me, he would have. This ring was preventing him from taking what he wanted.
"You need to come with me, Rachel. I live in Caspian's castle in the other dimension."
Instead I did something he wasn't prepared for.
"Nix, I need you." No sooner had I called when he came through the bedroom door. I'd backed myself up against the window, watching the two creatures eyeing each other.
"Rein, you're back. I see you've been chatting with Rachel." He didn't look afraid, or unnerved in the slightest.
"Nix, I've heard you've been moving in on my territory." Rein stood his ground.
"Territory, is that what you're calling Rachel these days?" Nix's eyes were burning bright, the silver sparking out.
"Nix, please take me with you, to your home." But was it too late? Would he forgive me for leaving him at the hotel?
Nix smiled and my heart melted.
"There is no need of forgiveness, Rachel. I would be happy to take you back to my home and spend Christmas and your birthday with you."
"What, you think I'm going to stand here while you take Rachel?" Rein took one step forward and suddenly Nix was between him and me.
"Don't even think it, or I'll take out your mommy. Don't push me, Rein. Go back to Caspian and ask a few more questions. He's really good at keeping the truth to himself. I know, see this scar? That was his gift for my failing to recruit someone. I'd initiated her transformation, but she changed her mind and it all went wrong. Caspian had to step in and I paid the price."
"Are you blaming my uncle for your incompetence?" Rein's eyes blazed. I expected something to happen at any second. Would any of us get out of here?
Nix didn't flinch. He stared at Rein with what I could only describe as pity.
"Rein, you've only just landed. I would suggest getting your feet underneath you before you start shooting off your mouth. Caspian is powerful, but he can't be there to protect you every single moment. You're young and have little experience. There are many out there that aren't happy about your recruitment. Some believe Caspian has favored you. I did some digging and I know all about Lennox and what happened to him. You'd do well to remember the ring can only be given, never taken or the consequence is darkness. You gave it to Rachel, before you had any idea of what it really was. Marion took it back from Rachel, and you can see the effect. She's had to atone for all that she did to Rachel. The ring's power wouldn't allow her any rest until she made amends. She gave the ring to Rachel, freely and willingly. As long as Rachel keeps the ring on, no one, including me, can ever harm her."
Rein glared at me. "What happened to our love?"
"You destroyed it." I spoke quietly, but from his reaction, my words had hit home.
"You were from a poor family, a broken family and then no family, but I stood beside you."
I wanted to hurl. This wasn't the Rein of the past year, the guy that had such an amazing heart. The creature that stood before me was changed and twisted and dark.
"What happened to you, you're not the same guy I used to know?"
"Get used to it, this is the new me. You'd better think carefully, Rachel. I want your blood and I'll have it, even if it means breaking every rule out there."
Nix waved his finger out. "Don't threaten her." He was by Rein in an instant, holding him up by the neck. "I don't care if Caspian is your uncle. You may have potential, but I'm more powerful than you and I can hurt you. Let's part company and not get into it. If you want a fight, I'll give you one, but not with Rachel around."
Nix let go of Rein so suddenly, the other vampire fell back on his behind. I had to stop myself from laughing at Rein. Nix had put him in his place.
"This isn't over, Rachel." Rein's eyes were full of hatred. I'd never seen him behave like this before, ever. Yes, I'd seen Rein get angry, but this was different. He'd returned an entirely changed individual and I didn't like him.
"Leave me alone. What we had died when you did." I went to Nix's side, afraid Rein might try something stupid to ease his bruised ego.
"Don't leave Marion alone. You'd be wise to keep her protected, I'm not the only one taking a closer look at things." Nix took me by the hand, guiding me to the door. "Don't follow and don't interfere. You were dishonest with me during the recruiting process and I won't forget that. Now I know what family you're from, I know how to deal with you."
I stopped to collect my things and write a note for Marion. I hoped my explanation would be enough. She'd already had a feeling about things, even if she hadn't known the truth behind what was going on. I hoped she'd have a good Christmas, but that was up to her.
Chapter Four
Nix led me to his vehicle, holding the door.
"Don't worry, he won't come after us. He may be new to this game, but he can sense another vampire lurking about. He'll stay close to Marion to protect her." The door shut and I was prevented from asking until he got in the driver's side.
"Who is around?" I leaned back and into the plush, soft leather upholstery. If I wasn't careful, I'd fall asleep.
Nix gave me a side glance. "Alistair. He figured something was up when he found Yuri and you on the beach. Once he gets some meat in his teeth, there's no taking it away. He'll want the whole animal, so he can pick it clean to the bone."
"Lovely imagery, you may be fine without sleep, but I'm exhausted. Where can we go?"
"Back to the hotel, would you like that?" He delivered one of his too-sexy smiles and I had to avert my gaze. He was my undoing and I didn't want him using his charms to puppet me along. The thought of going back to that wonderful luxurious hotel was too enticing to pass on.
"Yes, but won't we be in danger there?"
"No. We won't be staying there, just passing through." He winked and I knew he meant going into another dimension. He read my thought. "Yes, we'll be going to my home. I'm excited; I've had the staff preparing everything, getting it ready. I haven't brought anyone there...for quite a spell."
"Staff?" I jolted as my seat began to recline. Had I hit a switch by accident?
"Sorry, that was me, I should have warned you. I thought you might like to have a sleep. I'll wake you when we get there." Nix reached, tracing his finger along my cheek. The car swerved as he pulled to the side of the street, stopping the vehicle.
"Please allow me to kiss you." The glow from his eyes was strong enough to light the area between us. The silver sparks danced, making his eyes into a beautiful storm. I nodded silently. He cupped my face, staring into my eyes. It was useless, his nearness was like a drug and I wanted more. He claimed my mouth, stroking his tongue in, letting me know what he really wanted.
I broke away; my body wanting more than my heart was ready to give.
Immediately, he settled back into his seat, but kept his hand over mine.
"I'll back off." His expression was open, his gaze tender and searching. "You have no idea how happy I was when you called my name. I love you, Rachel." Nix faced forward, starting the engine again. "Would you consider allowing me to put my marking on you? I know Yuri took it off, to prevent me from getting in on what he was discussing."
I whipped about, my neck kinking in the process.
"Shit." The stab of sharp went from my shoulder, up my neck and along the back of my ear. I massaged the area, wanting to let out a string of expletives. "When I wear your branding, you're able to hear what I say?" Incredible, was it like a listening device?
"Not word for word. It's not a microphone, but it does help me to...hear you mor
e clearly."
Oh, the count had slipped and I hadn't missed it.
"Nix, that isn't fair. You should have told me—like you should have told me the truth about the component my blood contains that increases a vampire's strength and power." I flung it, wanting to break that wall that kept him from being completely truthful. His fingers tapped on the steering wheel, his jaw muscles clenching. I was getting to him. "Did you save me from the house fire because of my blood? Was that the real reason you stayed in my life?"
"You would think I wanted you only for your blood, but that isn't true. Yes, when I feed, I become more powerful, but I didn't seek you out. Our paths crossed by destiny and I fell in love with you. I could have taken you by force before he gave you the ring. I could have taken you to my castle and kept you there, feeding off you and growing stronger, but I didn't." He slammed his hand down against the wheel and I cringed. "Damn it, Rachel, I love you, but you can't see it."
I swallowed, wishing I had water. Nix held a bottle of it out. Vampire, yes, of course.
"Thank you." I drank a few healthy sips, not daring to look at him. "I was enjoying our time at the hotel. I loved being with you and I want to spend Christmas together."
Nix studied me and my heart thundered at what I might be facing.
"I can't feed from you without your permission. The ring prevents that and I can't remove it from your finger, not even if you're asleep. Its power would encase me in darkness. The way it affected Marion was because she's human, for a vampire, it's different...a nightmare." His tight smile didn't instil any confidence.
"Does it harm you?" I wanted to know.
"It will encase a vampire in darkness that he or she will not be able to break out of. It's like being in a prison where you are lost in the night and there will never be anything again, no contact, no life, no light, nothing."
Abby's Road Part 1 Page 8