Those four words sent a strange feeling of dread to Kassian’s heart.
He paused and kept his back to Seth, his senses reaching out in an attempt to understand what had him suddenly on edge.
“I am sure she would want you to be here, though she’s a little out of it.”
His whole body tensed.
Alicia.
He turned on a pinpoint and glared at Seth. The elder vampire smiled and crooked a finger over his shoulder. Kassian growled when Seth stepped to the side to reveal Alicia. She was wearing the same clothes as she had been last night. Had they followed them home and snatched her after he’d left? There was a long gash down her neck, red raw and caked with smeared blood. Rage made his blood boil and his heart cried out for vengeance.
He wouldn’t allow Seth to take Alicia away from him. Alicia was his, just as Alice had been. History wouldn’t repeat itself tonight.
“Do come and play,” Seth said, tone low and menacing. He leaned towards Alicia and licked the blood on her neck. Alicia didn’t even flinch. She stared straight ahead into the distance, a zombie. Damn Seth. The bastard was going to pay for entering her mind and controlling her.
Kassian sniffed. He could smell her blood and the scent of it confirmed his worst fear. Not only was Seth holding her with his mind, but they had drugged her too. She didn’t stand a chance of fighting back herself. Seth had made sure of that.
A step towards them saw Seth take a step back. Kassian glanced at the vampires around him. Most of them didn’t seem to know what was happening. Ashton did. Kassian locked eyes with him and sent his mind like a pile-driver into the younger vampire’s head. Ashton’s smile twisted, his eyes glazing over and his body twitching. He wasn’t even strong enough to fight back. Kassian grinned to reveal his canines and lunged at Ashton, grabbing his jaw and snapping his head up to break his neck.
He stepped away, towards Seth, and listened to Ashton’s body hit the ground.
Kassian’s claws extended and his eyes made the switch to midnight blue as he called on his full strength and abilities. He would need them all. He had to protect Alicia, just as he’d promised her.
Seth grabbed Alicia and pushed her into the crowd. The vampires waiting there snatched her, dragging her down until Kassian could no longer see her. Seth grinned at him, triumphant and pleased with himself. Kassian was by him in an instant. A swipe of his claws and the smile was gone from Seth’s face, replaced with a bloodstained scowl.
He shoved the flat of his hand against Seth’s chest, sending him flying backwards. At the same time, he dove into Seth’s mind, forcing him to release his hold over Alicia in order to protect himself. It worked. Seth fought back, bringing up intricate barriers to defend his mind and trap Kassian’s. Kassian withdrew and sped towards the vampires who had Alicia.
“Alicia,” he shouted, trying to find her mind with his own. The frantic squabbling of the vampires was interfering, making it impossible to pick her mind out from amongst them. He barrelled into them, hurling them across the room one by one in an attempt to get to her. He stopped when he found her curled up on the floor with her hands over her head.
Stooping, he placed a hand over hers and reached into her mind. It was tangled by the drug. Nothing but fear reigned in it, a darkness that threatened to consume her completely and steal her away from him. He scooped her up into his arms and stood. Seth growled at him from across the room and began running towards him.
Kassian closed his eyes and when he opened them again, they were fixed on a balcony that lined all four walls of the club. He pressed down into the ground with his heels and then launched himself forwards, propelling himself and Alicia effortlessly through the air to safely land on the metal balcony. It shook under the impact of his feet. He placed Alicia down, checking her over to make sure that she hadn’t gained any more injuries. She tried to get away from him. He grabbed her and then loosened his grip, fearing upsetting her mind further. He needed time to undo whatever Seth had done to her. He had to get her away from here.
“Kassian,” Seth said in a sing-song voice from below. “Don’t spoil the fun now.”
Fun? Kassian growled. Seth would pay for what he’d done to Alicia. Tonight he would get the vengeance that had kept him going for two centuries. Now, he was strong enough to stand a chance against Seth.
He pressed a kiss to Alicia’s forehead and smoothed the tangled threads of her hair from her face.
“Stay here, sweet Alicia,” he whispered as he drew back and she looked up at him. The fear in her eyes made his heart ache and he caressed her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “I wish I could help you now, but I must go. Will you stay here and wait for me?”
He didn’t expect her to answer. She surprised him when she nodded, showing him that she understood what he was saying. Another reach into her head revealed that the effect of Seth’s mind was wearing off, leaving only the drug to contend with. He constructed barriers in her mind to protect her against another intrusion and then stood and turned to face the room below.
“Seth.” The anger in his voice seemed to shock the elder vampire. For a moment he looked stunned to hear it and then the sure smile returned to his lips. “I will have your blood for what you did to Alice, and for what you have done to Alicia. You will pay for hurting her. You will pay for murdering my sire.”
Seth laughed. Kassian leapt from the balcony, landing in a squat on the floor and springing forwards towards his enemy. He tackled him to the ground, fury controlling his actions. Every twist and turn Seth made, he countered, keeping him within arm’s reach. Claws scraped his upper arm but he felt no pain. The thrill of violence and the darkness inside him stole all feeling. Seth punched him, sending his head flying sideways and his mind reeling. He grinned and licked the blood from his lip before retaliating, hitting Seth hard across the jaw repeatedly until the elder vampire kneed him in the stomach. He spat blood at Seth and lunged for his throat. Seth knocked his hand away and rolled to his feet. Kassian launched himself at him and made another attempt at his throat. This time he grabbed it. His fingers tensed, forcing his claws into Seth’s throat and spilling blood in rivulets down it. They soaked into Seth’s shirt, mingling with the blood already drenching it. The scent of it filled the room. The smell of both of their blood. Vengeance would be his.
Kassian growled when Seth grabbed his arm and twisted it, forcing him to let go. He pushed forwards, trying to tip Seth off balance, but couldn’t. Seth grinned to reveal bloodied teeth and threw him across the room. The impact with the wall made every bone in his body ache and he dropped to the floor, lying in a crumpled heap. Pain made it through, seeping into his every pore and draining the energy from him. He gritted his teeth against it and pushed himself up onto his knees. He wouldn’t give up now. He’d waited too long for this night to come. He would avenge Alice’s murder.
“Kassian!” Alicia screamed from above. He looked up to see her leaning over the banister of the balcony, fear-widened eyes watching him.
“Alicia,” he whispered and dragged himself to his feet.
He wasn’t only fighting for Alice.
He was fighting for Alicia too. He had to protect her, just as he’d said he would, with his life if that’s what it took.
“You took Alice from me,” Kassian said, staring straight at Seth. The elder vampire wiped the blood from his jaw with the back of his hand and stood tall, as though he was proud of the fact he’d murdered Alice. “I will not let you take Alicia from me too!”
Seth’s eyes barely had time to widen before Kassian was on him, pummelling his fists into his stomach and growling with each hit. He pushed forwards, forcing Seth to retreat in order to remain standing. Fury fuelled him, rage over the things Seth had done, the lengths he’d gone to in order to spite him for having Alice. He wouldn’t let Seth take Alicia from him. His fist slammed into Seth’s face, knocking him to the floor. Before he could grab him, Seth had disappeared. Kassian’s eyes widened but he couldn’t move in time to
avoid the attack. Sharp claws scraped down his back, slicing through his black shirt and his flesh. He roared his pain at the dark ceiling and then turned, swiping at Seth with his own claws. They ripped down Seth’s neck and Seth leapt backwards, hand clutching his throat and his eyes dark. Blood spilled from between his fingers.
The darkness in Seth’s eyes became disbelief.
“You believe you can beat me, when I am four hundred years your senior?” he laughed the words. Kassian saw straight through his attempt to look unfazed and calm. Inside, Seth was panicked. Seth had underestimated him. It had been a long time since they’d seen each other. Seth should have known that Kassian would have used that time wisely, to train himself and raise his abilities and strength. “Impudent fool!”
Kassian roared to quiet him. The room hushed, the whole crowd stepping back in unison. They had better sense than Seth. It didn’t matter that Seth was four centuries older than him. Seth had become complacent, while he had fought hard to better himself. They were an equal match now, regardless of age.
The moment he stepped towards Seth, Seth disappeared again, using speed to his advantage. Kassian scanned the room for him and then his blood ran cold when he heard a muffled cry. His eyes shot to the balcony. Seth grinned down at him from behind Alicia, his hand around her throat. Her eyes widened as Seth squeezed, choking her.
“Leave her alone!” Kassian leapt towards the balcony.
It all moved in slow motion. The second he neared Seth, Seth pushed Alicia away and she stumbled along the balcony. The grin was still there, widening in satisfaction. Kassian vowed to wipe it from his face, to take his life as payment for Alice’s and the pain he’d caused Alicia. His foot hit the top of the banister. He pushed forwards, propelling himself towards Seth. He focused all of his strength, calling every last ounce of it. He roared with effort. The flat of his hand slammed into Seth’s face, ramming him into the solid wall behind him. Incredible strength surged through him and he pressed on, putting all of his weight and power into the attack. Seth’s skull shattered under the force of the impact, spraying blood outwards across the wall. Kassian breathed out hard and released him. Seth’s body slid to the floor, leaving a wake of crimson.
He stared at Seth a moment, blood dripping from his fingers and tickling his skin as it seeped from his wounds. Quiet emptiness filled him, a sense of completion that he hadn’t expected. It felt as though everything was over. Seth was gone. Alice was gone.
“Kassian,” Alicia whispered, her head killing her as she struggled to focus on him. Her heart pounded, fast and erratic, matching her breathing. She blinked and then squinted, trying to see him. Everything was blurry and she didn’t know whether she was standing or sitting, flying or falling. Her mind was a mess.
A tinny sound filled her ears and she listened hard. Boots on metal. Kassian. He was coming for her. The closer he came, the clearer she could feel him in her mind, a soothing presence that took away some of the fear and pain. A hand was against her back and then strong arms lifted her, cradling her and holding her against his chest. She swallowed and looked up at him, frowning at the streaks of blood across his face.
“Hold on tight to me, Alicia,” he whispered, ice-blue eyes full of concern as they met hers a moment and then stared into the distance again.
She did. It took considerable effort to raise her arms but she managed it and looped them around his neck before locking her hands together. He held her tighter, crushing her against him but not hurting her. It was a tender hold, one that made her feel protected and safe.
She’d hold onto him, just as he’d hold onto her if she let him.
He jumped onto the balcony railings and she felt sick when she saw the drop to the floor and the vampires waiting there for them. She closed her eyes when he leapt out into the air and buried her face against his neck. Curled up in his embrace, she marvelled at his strength and abilities as he sped through the room, avoiding all the vampires. The man who’d kidnapped her hadn’t stood a chance against Kassian. She’d never met a vampire so powerful.
Cool night air broke over her skin like waves when they reached the outside world. She breathed deep and her mind began to clear. She could feel Kassian in there. This time it didn’t frighten her. Whatever he was doing, it was making her thoughts less tangled and more coherent.
She opened her eyes and looked at the world as it rushed towards her. He was moving incredibly fast. It made her dizzy so she closed her eyes again and focused on the rush of fresh air against her face and skin. She’d been so frightened when the man had grabbed her last night. Her strength had been no match for his, and her fighting had only served to anger him. His invasion into her mind had been brutal and painful, and he’d shown her horrible things in his memories. She’d never been so scared. She’d been convinced she was going to die.
When Kassian had appeared and forced the man out of her mind, she’d felt so warm and safe. She’d known he’d protect her and save her, just as he’d promised he would.
Kassian would never allow anyone to hurt her. It wasn’t because she reminded him of Alice. It was because he saw her as his own; he had feelings for her. She looked up at him, studying his pale face as the moonlight shone on it, making his eyes look white with only the dark ring around them defining them. There was such determination in them and the set of his jaw as he stared straight ahead, running with her.
How far would he run? Would he run forever with her if she let him?
If she admitted that she wanted him?
The cemetery loomed ahead and she realised he was taking her there. The last part of her mind became untangled and she smiled shyly when Kassian set her down on a low tomb. His fingers grazed her arms, caressing them softly and warming her. Shivers danced over her skin in time with his fingers, making her heart race for a different reason.
He leaned forwards and kissed her forehead, his lips resting there and telling her how frightened he’d been. He’d feared losing her. She closed her eyes when his arms wrapped around her, holding her and making tears well up. Her hands came to rest against his shoulders and then she slid them around his neck, tightening her grip on him until she was worried she’d hurt him. She needed to hold him, and needed the reassurance that being held by him gave her. It comforted her, calmed her and soothed her frayed nerves. Her heart slowed, falling back to a steady pace. She pressed her cheek against his and realised he was trembling. Her hands were wet. He was bleeding.
Drawing back, she looked at him, cursing the moonlight for making it difficult to see how injured he was. It was all her fault. He’d been hurt because he’d protected her.
“We have to get you patched up,” she said, her voice falling away to a whisper as her eyes met his. Her cheeks flushed under the intensity of his gaze. There was so much fire in his blue eyes, so much love and concern. How could he be worried about her when he was a mess? She touched his cheek when he didn’t look as though he was going to respond. “Kassian?”
“You need to leave town,” he said and her chest tightened, her heart aching. She took her hand away, cold stealing through her at the realisation of what he meant by those words. He wanted her to leave without him. “It is not safe here for you anymore. They will come after you now that they have the scent of your blood. Seth was a king to them, a leader they both admired and feared. They will want vengeance and I am afraid what I have done will send them after you.”
No. She wished she had the strength to voice that word. It echoed in her mind but refused to come out. She still feared what he was and her feelings for him. If she wasn’t strong enough to tell him to stay, how could she be strong enough to love him, a vampire?
He stepped away and his eyes filled with pain. She hated to see them like that normally, but now the hurt in them was about her, and it made her feel horrible inside. He didn’t want her to leave. He didn’t want to lose her.
Cool fingers stroked her cheek, forcing the tears into her eyes until they trembled on the brink of falling. Th
e finality of the touch frightened her, made her cold inside. The thought of never seeing him again hurt too much.
“Leave with me,” she whispered, afraid of her own voice and the things she was saying. She would just have to find out if she was strong enough to love a vampire. Leaving without him was impossible. He was in her blood now, in her heart, and she couldn’t deny her feelings any longer. She reached out and took hold of his hand. Her eyes met his. “Stay with me?”
A Promise of Passion Page 5