by K A Young
"Are you sure you are ready?" Locaine asks, questioning me as his voice is filled with concern.
Unfortunately, I don't think I ever will be, but I nod my response. I know it will be insulting to keep the leaders waiting and not showing up altogether will really piss them off. After all, they have all traveled from their respected countries to have me presented to them. Even if they might not approve it, they don't want to waste their time if we don't intend to show.
Rynn and Michael leave, Locaine taking my hand into his as he leads us from the bedroom, down the long hallway and to the marble staircase. I steady my heart, regulating my breathing as we descend the stairs. It is an interesting feeling, the ability to sense everyone and know pretty much exactly where they are. On that note, I can feel the very strong presence of the coven leaders coming directly from the ballroom. It's powerful and almost overwhelming the closer we draw to those open doors, my heart skipping a beat as I second guess one last time whether I intend to follow through with this.
It's too late though...as the doors to the ballroom stand wide open, beckoning us toward the magnificent room. Locaine holds me close to him, stepping into the grand room, Locaine's coven taking up most of the space. The coven leaders are waiting patiently in the center of the ballroom, members of their own covens line the walls.
I recognize some of the slaves that have been brought to this event from my first encounter with them...some do not have one with them any longer.
They must have either killed them or left them at home...
...I sincerely hope it's the latter.
I do see Faith, lingering near one of the outer walls while her eyes are glued to the ground. At least one of them is alive...
As Locaine comes to a halt in the center of the ballroom, wrapping an arm around my waist, Rynn and Darius linger no more than five feet behind us. Rynn has taken a personal liking to me, becoming my guardian whenever Locaine is not around. I appreciate her diligence, especially with the sudden loss of connection I have been feeling toward my blood magic.
I can't describe it accurately, but it's starting to flicker in and out. I take it as some sort of side effect from Locaine's bite, perhaps a vampire can't possess the hunter trait, and I'm slowly disconnecting. I haven't told him as I'm not one hundred percent sure exactly what it is.
Henri closes the doors, the room growing silent.
"I have found my beloved and my queen," Locaine's voice is authoritative, the coven leaders scanning their eyes over me. For them to believe I'm his true beloved is a joke, knowing only vampires can genuinely be a soulmate to another vampire. What he's done won't go over lightly, and I'm sure they'll have their own disagreements...
"You turned your slave?" Ronan asks, raising an eyebrow and then glowering at me before spitting out, "She's a fucking hunter...why the hell would you do that?!"
Blaise's voice is more amused than Ronan's as he states, "I'm more interested in the fact that she survived...that doesn't happen too often."
"Her own kind turned against her," Locaine speaks, answering their questions, "I had already started to fall for her when she chose me over her parents. Jared shot her out of resentment for her choice. She was inevitably going to die, so I took a chance to save her life. As you can see...she's quite well."
"There has never been a crossbreed like her," Micah nods in my direction. He pauses a moment, his eyes scanning over me critically before he states, "She's dangerous."
"She already threatened us the last time we were here," Ronan agrees with Micah, his eyes watching me cautiously. I feel Rynn step forward, standing directly on the other side of me. Her eyes spark, watching the coven leaders as they each decide to share their own opinions with Locaine about how unfit I am for him and that he should have just let me die. After all, I'm just a hunter and their sworn enemy...I shouldn't have been shown any kindness or mercy.
Locaine sees their perspective differently, saying, "It doesn't matter. What happened is in the past. Annika will be my queen, and I want you all to recognize that."
Ronan releases a sigh, his long white hair hiding half of his face as he says, "Fine. I can see we can't change your mind."
I don't trust him...
I shake slightly under Locaine's touch, his eyes glancing down at me before snapping back to the coven leaders, each one acknowledging me. My eyes cross momentarily, my vision going in and out as I feel myself losing control. I can see Locaine sensing this, an uneasiness passing over him before my heart begins to skip every other beat.
He connects with my mind a second later, understanding that something isn't right.
Rynn will take you upstairs. I still must speak to the leaders about another issue.
I'm so sorry, Locaine...I don't know what it is.
It's fine little hunter...go with Rynn.
The coven leaders are gazing at me with interest, wondering precisely what is going on. I just avert my attention to Rynn, Locaine releasing his hold of my hip while allowing her to take me away from the gathering.
Her eyes are full of concern, leading me up to the bedroom. It's strange...I suddenly don't feel the connection at all. The warm light that once provided me security has died. Fear creeps under my skin, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end as I don't believe this is happening...
"Annika!" Rynn calls as I quickly breakaway from her to run into the bathroom, gazing at my reflection in the mirror. Rynn stands behind me, watching me as I press the tip of my fangs against my thumb and drawing blood. She breathes out sharply, "Annika?"
The blood droplets collect in the sink, my eyes narrowing on it.
Nothing...there is something seriously wrong...
It isn't long before Locaine is rushing into the room as well yelling, "What's wrong?!" He is apparently concerned after smelling my blood that something had happened to me.
Rynn turns to him and shakes her head, the small wound on my thumb closing immediately...though it's not due to my blood magic.
"Locaine...I can't control my blood magic," my gaze finds his, my heart dropping as an anxious feeling builds from within me.
Locaine nods, glancing at Rynn and saying, "Make sure no one finds out about this."
**
-Annika
The coven leaders have decided to stay the week...
...I believe it's to further expose why Locaine has made the biggest mistake of his life.
Me.
The last time they had come to visit, it was brief but vivid, and they didn't want to turn around and make an immediate trip back to their respected homes. Locaine thinks they are staying for other reasons.
Rynn has been taking care of me while Locaine continues to entertain his guests, trying to steer them away from me when possible. It isn't straightforward considering how many there are. Ronan has become very curious, stalking off to the room he is residing in with a few of the other leaders. I never hear what is said behind those closed doors, but any secrets can't be a good thing.
"We're going on a date?" I ask, unsure as I stand to my feet and walk closer to Rynn as she is rummaging through my wardrobe, trying to find something for me to wear.
"Yes, Locaine wants to spend time with just you tonight," her eyes sparkle as she whirls around, handing me a strapless black velvet dress that comes just above my knees. We haven't really spent any alone time since the killings, but I frankly can't picture Locaine taking me on a date.
Rynn eyes me curiously as I turn the fabric over in my hands.
"Are you feeling any better?" She asks while watching my movements.
"I guess so," I'm not too sure of myself. Just this evening I tested my connection, and I was able to control my blood magic. It isn't completely gone, but it does fade in and out. "Rynn?" I ask, my eyes brimming with tears suddenly.
"Hm?" She asks in return, finding me a pair of cute matching heels to go with the dress.
Her eyes meet mine, and I whisper quietly, "Do you think I'm losing my ability...because
I was turned?"
"I'm not sure," Rynn shrugs her shoulders, placing the heels down on the marble floor, "you're more than likely the first of your kind...I've never seen a hunter turned before, let alone one with blood magic. This is new territory for both species, so I highly doubt anyone would know...unfortunately."
"I figured as much," I finish adjusting my dress, admiring how it hugs my chest and then flows out and down to my knees.
"Your hair?" Rynn is trying to keep the smile from tugging at her lips.
"Oh?" I'm currently wearing it down and straight when I ask, "Something wrong?"
"Nope!" Rynn laughs and states, "I thought you might want to do something special."
"Why would I want to do that?" I ask with confusion, "It's just a date..."
Rynn shakes her head and asks, "Well then, are you ready?"
"I guess so," I'm not exactly sure what Locaine has planned for this evening, but apparently, Rynn knows everything.
"Rynn?" Darius' voice sounds from the other side of the closed bedroom door.
"Come in," she replies, gazing at him before turning to me, "Darius is going to take you, I'll be watching from a distance."
"Wait...what?" I ask with confusion, following Darius through the bedroom door and into the hallway.
"Locaine's orders," Rynn nods in the direction of the marble staircase, "I have to see that the coven leaders have everything they need before keeping a watch. As you may have noticed...some didn't bring slaves."
Right...again with that shit...
I just leave the conversation at that, wondering which lucky girls will fill in as their replacements.
Rynn branches off as we make our way down the marble staircase. She heads in the direction of the parlor, where Darius takes me down the side hallway near the kitchen. We bypass the corridor and make our way out to the glass doors leading to the back of the mansion. I have never been out here before.
It's beautiful. The grass is a dark forest green with a stone pathway leading to a gazebo style patio, drapes tied back at the posts. There are iridescent candles placed on raised stones, the lights hanging from the overhang illuminate the small and intimate space. In the very center, there is a table with two chairs and placings set up for a romantic dinner.
Wow...he really did mean date.
Locaine is standing near the back-left post, his eyes gazing deeply into mine as Darius leads me up the single step to the platform. He nods toward Darius, silently dismissing him. Once he has left, I can't help but glance around the enchanting place, whispering, "This is incredible..."
"Everything has been very fast paced...I wanted to slow it down and take some time for just the two of us," Locaine smiles sincerely, his eyes giving off a warm glow.
I can't help but return the smile with my own. Locaine steps up to one of the chairs and pulls it back just enough for me to sit down and then pushes me closer to the table.
"You really can be charming," my eyes meet his once again as he sits down next to me.
"For you...anything," he chuckles.
"Hey...I hadn't even bothered to ask," I begin to question, "can we eat normal food?"
Locaine laughs and replies, "Of course...why else would I have set out this dinner? We don't have to, but it won't kill us."
I'm entirely embarrassed, after all, I only had to feed off Locaine during our binding, and I haven't really needed to worry lately. He said I would feel the thirst...I haven't yet. Finally realizing precisely what he goes through to get blood is ridiculous. He feeds off his own willing coven members because he really doesn't want to kill humans unless he must. He had just taken his anger out on me that one time in the dungeon and snapped...
"I've been meaning to ask you," my voice is quiet, beginning to twirl the linguine with tiny shrimp onto my fork, "I know Rynn said she didn't know what was happening with my b-"
"No," Locaine replies flatly, his eyes glancing discreetly around the area.
I furrow my brows and glare at him.
How rude!
Little hunter...there are things that you don't know. Don't speak about your blood magic out loud again, do I make myself clear?
I'm hurt, turning my gaze and locking it onto the plate.
Why?
I don't know exactly what, but something isn't right. The coven leaders are acting differently, and I'm not sure why. I don't want to give them a reason to think you're weak and that something is wrong with you.
But something is wrong with me...
I let out an exasperated sigh and blow a stray strand of hair from my face.
"This is lovely, thank you for going to all the trouble," I try to keep my mind off the questions that are going unanswered.
Locaine places a gentle finger under my chin and tilts it up to meet his gaze. It's in this moment that he declares, "I'll do anything for you. I promise I'll always keep you safe."
I involuntarily wince, but it's too late to keep the look off my face as Locaine narrows his eyes on me. My cheeks are suddenly flushed, but it isn't from embarrassment. I see two Locaines for a moment before my vision returns, and I place a hand on the side of my head.
Locaine removes his finger from under my chin and places the back of his hand to my forehead. It feels gentle and calm, soothing to the touch, but apparently, he isn't reassured. His eyes widen, and he states, "How are you sick?" When my brows furrow with confusion, he shifts his gaze and notes, "Vampires don't get sick...unless..."
The sound of the fork I'm holding clatters onto the plate, my eyes crossing once again as I feel myself fall sideways. Locaine immediately reaches out, catching me in his arms. Trying to steady me, the arm that is wrapped around my waist pulls gentle across my stomach, before instantly stopping. His hand lightly presses against my abdomen, feeling his heartbeat skip.
"Rynn!" Locaine calls out, and she seems to appear out of nowhere.
"Locaine?" She asks, searching his face and then glancing at me.
Locaine orders with an apprehensive edge to his voice, "Don't tell the coven leaders anything..."
Even I'm not exactly sure what he means, but Rynn nods her response and swiftly makes her way back inside the mansion.
You feel it, don't you?
Locaine asks me as he pulls me gently into his lap, holding me against his chest.
I-I don't know what you mean? Again...I believe this is all side effects of his bite. I'm entirely wrong.
Annika, you have two heartbeats. You need to feed now, or you're going to get very sick.
What about the leaders?
Hopefully, they will be gone before any of them find out.
Locaine lifts me up, resting my nose into the side of his neck. He groans slightly as the tips of my fangs pierce through his skin. Sighing, I drink his blood as it slowly begins to give me strength, pushing away the pain that began moments prior in my skull.
Releasing my fangs from his neck, he looks down at me and smiles.
"It was a nice date," I laugh, Locaine brushing the stray blood that lingers at the corners of my mouth. Though I make light of the moment, I still can't get over the fact that I'm pregnant...
Chapter 27
-Annika
"Killian?" I ask, my eyes narrowing at the stranger that Locaine had introduced to me just moments before.
I'm sitting down in one of the black leather chairs in the parlor, Rynn and I both entranced with the books we were reading when Locaine had broken the silence between us. The vampire that stands beside him has jet black hair with shimmering emerald eyes that match Rynn's.
I've never seen this vampire within Locaine's coven before.
Why is he here?
Who is he?
"Annika," Locaine begins, seeing the look of shock in my eyes as I thought I knew everyone here, "there is a reason you have never met Killian before."
"You know him, Rynn?" I ask, nodding at the new figure. I want to be sure that Locaine isn't pulling a fast one and hiring someone...how could I have not s
een Killian before?!
Rynn lifts her eyes from the book in her hands, regarding the new presence momentarily before returning her attention to the pages. With disinterest, she licks the pad of her thumb before turning the page of her book. "Yes," her voice sounds irritated and bitter.
"Rynn...don't act that way," Locaine sighs, glancing at Killian and then nodding in the direction of the fiery-haired vampire. Killian walks toward her, coming to stand just a few feet away. Her hands tighten on the book, tensing while he continues to near her.
"Come on, it's not my fault that I'm a better killer than you," Killian is poking the beast.
Uh-oh.
Rynn throws the book, but Killian quickly catches it and smirks, "Ah, there's your famous temper. It's been a while, now hasn't it?"
"Go back to the shadows, ass..." Rynn's voice is angry.
Locaine...what the hell did you just do?
Easy, I did something I shouldn't normally do, but considering the circumstances, I need you protected. Rynn isn't enough, I'm sorry.
What?!
Rynn is my commander, but Killian is one of two assassins within this coven. He stays in the shadows, his presence cloaked from almost everyone, save for purebloods. Rynn and he have a history of competing. No doubt, she's fumed to see him here...but I need someone who can disappear and hide, and he's the best.
What about the coven leaders?
They left early this evening. No one knows that Killian has come out of hiding, except for this coven.
Locaine...why would I have to hide?
"I had to look after you on Halloween...don't you think I have better things to do?" Killian retorts to a remark she makes. She glares back at him, her anger rising by the second.
Rynn snarls back, "Who's bright idea was that?" She turns to Locaine and points accusingly at him before finishing, "Oh, that's right...him! I didn't even want you to come!"
"Who got attacked by a hunter?" Killian arches a brow, "Oh, that's right...you did!"