by Ryans, Rae
I turned to question him when the voices filtered into the kitchen. “Just you five?”
“The others left.” The older boy spoke. He wasn’t much younger than I was, but we’d mustered guesses at most the ages. Slaves didn’t celebrate birthdays. There wasn’t much to celebrate except the nights or days we had reprieve.
“They left you all alone?”
Veric squeezed my hand. “Upstairs clear.”
“Basement’s clear.” I squeezed back.
A phone chirped, and he cursed under his breath as a text message came in. If my heart pounded, I didn’t hear it, but my insides churned. He moved my hand to the back of his jeans and turned us around. A split second later, he lifted me onto the counter. My fingers curled around the warmed grip, and I pulled the gun free.
“Shoot whoever walks through.” I crooked my brow at the knowing smile spreading over his thick lips. He knew damn well I’d never shot a weapon before. We’d talked about it, and the men promised to teach me. “Trigger, feel the cold curve, and pull it toward you,” he whispered into my ear.
Footsteps sounded, growing closer. My eyes searched his face, but he showed no signs of worry. On the contrary, the bastard smirked and pressed me harder against the counter.
“Now.” I closed my eyes and fired the trigger. One bang and a slew of curses spitted from someone’s mouth. Veric’s bulky body dwarfed mine like a shield. More boots pounded toward the kitchen. “Again, luv.” He shot a glance over his shoulder, and his lips spread wide into a smile. “Nice shot; stay here.”
He edged to the wall, and I dropped from my counter perch to shadow him. Stealth-like, his movements were deadly silent for such a large man.
“Come out Veric or I’ll kill them.” The demon cursed. “We know you have her.” Veric’s eyes flashed upward; his lips moved, but no sound came out. The air grew still; pounding hearts deafening my ears. “Boric said he’ll forgive you if you hand over the girl.” The air filled my nose with a sickly sweet scent. I shook my head. The intruder meant to bait us out into the open. There wasn’t any other way to tell him without giving myself away. “Or I start killing these kids.”
“Go,” he mouthed and retrieved the gun from my trembling hands. I shook my head and grasped his elbow. Where would I go? “I’ll find you again.” My eyes closed for a second at the last word. Again. How long had Veric searched for me? How different would my life have been if he’d found me before Petre? I opened my eyes as his gun slid into his holster, and he pulled out two odd metal weapons from his long sleeves. They looked like giant fork tines and shined like a mirror.
I stepped toward the living room, ignoring his command to flee. Over my dead body would that man harm the boys. Veric’s hand grasped my shoulder and pressed me back against the wall. The ache twisted his face, and I reached my hands up. My finger ran down the scar, and my lips followed the line. His head turned toward me as I reached his rough jaw, and his lips brushed against mine. Passion ignited deep within my belly. This feeling grew, scratching at the surface, and digging their claws into my flesh. My lips parted as if it were natural; Veric’s tongue pressed against mine. Light blinded my vision, and his hand grasped my hair.
A shot fired, and I clutched onto his shirt, dragging his hulky frame down to me. “Your last warning.”
“They want you alive,” the demon whispered against my parched lips. “You’re no use to them dead, luv.” My eyes fell to his chest. The pounding rhythm of his heart drew me in. My gut twisted, and my fingers touched the thrumming spans. We were more alike than I cared to admit, and our connection ran deeper than Elioud and Jules. How deep I didn’t know or understand.
“I’m coming out,” I said, nodding to Veric, and ran my finger over his scar again. If I distracted him long enough, we’d have a chance. I’d force the agent to come clean and spill his secrets. He’d have to if I saved his life.
Silence followed as he pulled me against him, and kissed me again. “Shooting won’t bring him down.” Veric shoved the odd weapon in my hand. “Drain his neck, luv once you hit him.”
His hand slid over my ass and squeezed. The grin told me how much he enjoyed copping a feel. “You owe me if we live through this,” I said and watched his brows rise. Answers, he owed me a lifetime of them, but he’d think whatever he wanted now.
“Don’t shoot; I’m stepping out.” The heartbeats registered, and I found one that didn’t match. It gave away his vicinity, but I wouldn’t risk hitting the children in case I was wrong. “I want to see the kids.”
“How stupid do you think I am?”
“Let her hear them, mate,” Veric yelled, catching on to my plan. Five voices later, the attacker didn’t realize his mistake. On the inside, I laughed; they hadn’t known I changed, but how’d they know I lived. I gave him a quick nod and closed my eyes. Please God, let this work. Don’t let him hurt the children. The air filled my lungs even though I didn’t need it, and I allowed it to cleanse me.
“I’m counting to five, and if you’re not out here, they’re all dead.” He counted aloud: one, two, three; I glanced to Veric, four; I lunged near the front door where I pinpointed his voice. My hand jabbed the weapon into his stomach, and my teeth sank into his neck. The children screamed as his hot blood poured down my throat. Limbs flailed, fighting and punching into my flesh. I winced with each connection and drew harder from his vein. His heartbeat slowed, and I dragged my mouth away.
“Finish him,” Veric whispered in my ear. I hadn’t felt him move, but his hands rubbed my shoulders.
My head leaned forward; the blood called my name as the man’s blue eyes blinked. His trembling hand lifted, pointing at Veric. “Your brother …” he gasped for air; blood spat from his mouth in a coughing fit. His eyes trailed to me. “Traitor.”
My protector snorted, but I failed to see the amusement. The man’s eyes rolled into his head, and I fanned them closed. His threats rang through me even if he was dead.
“Don’t be afraid. You’re safe now.” My voice held steady, but I trembled like a child on the inside. His words replayed, but one word shouted. Traitor. I strode into the kitchen and washed the blood from my face and hands. Traitor, he called me the traitor. The icy water bit at my skin, as I scrubbed under my nails. It almost felt human, but I was never human, was I.
“They’ll be fine,” Veric said, placing his hands on my shoulders. I did not reply and kept scrubbing. No matter how hard I scoured the pink flesh, my hands were unclean. How could a child come back from that sight? My eyes closed as his hands surrounded my waist. I was the monster who killed him. How could I come back from that? I was a traitor too, but that knowledge gave cause to smile. Veric’s lips brushed my temple. “Shush now, luv.”
“You can read my thoughts; why can you read my thoughts? Why were you in my dreams?”
He kissed my temple again. “Not now, Angel. Soon.”
Veric held my hand as we marched the five remaining children to the station. Traitor. I stole glances over my shoulder. Hairs stood up on my neck. Someone watched us; I grew surer with the echo of invisible steps trailing behind us.
We were late, but they held the train. I didn’t ask how. All I wanted was Petre and his comfort, but I wouldn’t have it anytime soon. Neither of us looked as we should’ve and seeing him as Veric just confused me more.
Tomas the sick bastard called it the enhanced version. Maybe that’s why the demon couldn’t keep those large paws to himself. My chest and back ached from the size of my boobs, and my jeans cut into my curvier hips and stomach. He’d changed my hair too from brown to green. How anyone was to blend in with green hair was beyond me.
My fist clenched around the watch. I picked up the smallest and slowest boy. “We’re moving too slow.”
“Luv, he owns the bloody train.” His hand ran through the reddish hair, pushed back by those silly goggles. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. I belonged to another. That man was sweet, kind, and gave me the world. I repaid him by making out with
a demon. The icy masses dropped from the sky and onto our heads, the bare trees whipped through the wind, or there were the crumbled remains of buildings. None of it mattered to me. Petre. Traitor. Veric. Those words troubled me as they battered around in my brain. Every second felt like fire rolling over my skin.
Veric rolled his eyes and grabbed two boys up in his arms. They both let out a little shrill. His face lit up when he smiled. “We’re going to race. Let’s see if we can beat Korri.”
I scooped another under my arm and ran toward the station. The boys jostled a bit, but we were all giggles and smiles. It was a pleasant change from the bloody scene and fright they had faced earlier. Such brave little men, all of them, and it warmed my heart to hear their laughter.
The oldest boy raced us on foot, and I reeled in the super speed. The three of us stayed neck and neck, but I think the demon agent held back too. Right before we reached the 30th street station steps, Veric and I slowed and let him win. After a round of high fives, we rushed into the station feigning breathlessness. My eyes found Petre even if he looked like the demon agent. His smiling grey eyes confirmed it. It took every ounce of my soul not to run into his arms.
“You tattling on me?”
My breath huffed out as I placed the kids down. He followed suit musing the boys’ hair, before grasping my hand. I wanted to pull away, but couldn’t. “Shut up,” I muttered, forced a smile, and dragged him toward the ticket people.
Thirty minutes later, we were loaded onto the train and in full motion. The train car shimmied and swayed from the winds. At least they stayed warm between the body heat and extra blankets the conductor had delivered. Food came shortly after; the boys devoured sandwiches, cans of bubbly drinks, and cookies. I asked where it came from, and Veric explained the agriculture and industry boom that occurred in Arcadia. Thanks to Petre’s trains, supplies trickled down into Delphia and Garland, but most families couldn’t afford the goods. Of course, I turned down the exotic fare, but my demon partner ate my share. With the amount of blood I’d drained, he needed it more anyway.
I leaned against his massive frame and stared out the window. “You never answered my question, ducky.”
He pulled a knife from his boot and pierced the silver tip through his finger. My throat ached as the smokiness hit my nose. The children were engrossed in their meals and paid us no mind. I parted my lips to respond when he slid the bloodied finger in my mouth. The warm trickle enticed my hunger as my fangs sprang forth, and nicked his skin. My eyes flickered to Veric’s face; his breath hissed out, and his cheeks reddened.
My feeding felt good, too good. He bent his mouth to my ear as if to whisper but nibbled on my earlobe instead. Fire boomed in my belly, and I dragged myself away before I did something silly. Veric followed me, inching closer, and snaked his arms my waist. He lifted me into his lap, and I smacked his arm in protest, but he refused to relent. His rough hands cupped my face, and I wondered if he’d ever thought we pretended. Had I believed I pretended?
My eyes fell away, sweeping over the dark carpet. There were answers I needed, but none of them was worth the confusion he caused inside of my head and heart. Besides, if he truly cared then why continue the lies and deceit? Why not come clean and tell the truth?
The children finished their meal and asked a plethora of questions. I took the distraction and slid from his lap. The watch on my wrist alerted the growing hour more than the sunlight. Petre arranged for me to meet in a sleeper car, although I hadn’t had a clue what he meant. Veric refused to let me leave his side, but I knew how to make him comply.
“If you have more questions, we’ll try to answer them.” The four little ones wouldn’t budge from the windows, but the oldest boy leaned forward. He looked about fourteen, but it was tough to tell.
“You’re like the others,” he said in a thick accent. His dark eyes glanced over to Veric. “In the South there’s tales of you. Her too.”
He nodded, but I shook my head. “I’m not him, mate.”
“You killed his men.” The boy shifted in his seat. I hadn’t caught his name, and with so many of them, I figured it’d take time to learn them all. This one stood out more with his vibrant red hair. It was shiny and matched the freckles sprinkled over his cheeks.
“I did,” he said, taking the credit. I bit the inside of my cheek and glanced toward the four young boys. Their ages were unknown; they were born to whores in the South. I glanced back between the two, but neither said another word on the subject. Veric’s hand reached for mine, and I shifted away. The train buckled, shaking the whole car. He asked him about hobbies and normal activities. I listened, taking mental notes, as he conversed with the little ones too.
The trip shattered my nerves. My fingers danced on my thigh, and I bit through my lip on more than one stop. Every platform brought the possibility of trouble. His train or not, he couldn’t control or know who bought tickets. Jules’ reach spanned a large area, and this King’s reach I bet was even larger than his.
Veric folded his hands over mine. I admitted that I knew little about the world, and what I did understand had proved to be wrong. Veric said the governments were combining and forming a stronger alliance. Arcadia remained the stronghold, and they’d die before they fell to the foul ways of Delphia and Garland. He opened up to the kids, revealing these secrets. My fingers dug into his rough palm. Heaven forbid he answered mine.
“Angels?” one of the little ones gasped.
“We’re the Watchers; we protect the innocent.” His eyes flickered to me. “And try to keep the bad guys locked up.”
The door squeaked open. “We’ve crossed into Arcadia,” Petre said, and my breath hissed out. His eyes fell to my clasped hand.
Petre pulled me to my feet, and Veric let me go. My hands snaked around his neck as I breathed him in and stared deep into those silvery eyes. “We did it?”
Petre forced a smile, but his eyes drifted toward Veric. I followed and caught the pain etching into his face. “Those little ones need the sleeper car; give me a hand.” We each grabbed a sleepy-eyed boy, and he led us to the car.
The door opened when he slid his foot against it. Inside the seats folded down into two beds. Petre said it would be a few more hours until we reached Halifax because of the weather. We could’ve taken the ferry, but he didn’t want the children outside in the bad weather.
“I’ll stay with them,” I said.
Nestled in the beds were Tomas’ kids and mine. The thought made me chuckle. Vampires couldn’t have children. I’d doubted my ability to raise a child when I hadn’t seemed able to care for myself. The thought of protecting such a fragile life sent chills down my spine. Veric and the older child returned to the car. My fingers curled into Petre’s hands.
“What happened?” He brushed my hair away. “There’s blood in your hair.” I opened my mouth to explain what held us up when he leaned in. Our lips touched, and he shot backwards. “You kissed him,” he whispered.
The door slammed, and my hand fell over my heart as my body curled into itself. I’d deserved the wrath. Yes, I couldn’t blame Veric alone for the kiss even if I’d wanted to. What did they say; it takes two to tango? We’d danced, and I’d enjoyed the fire he spread through my body. Different and exciting but I hadn’t wanted to hurt Petre.
Prayers whispered that he’d let me explain. Did he understand that not everything was black and white? All of this was new to me. Veric was the second person I’d ever kissed. I watched the kids sleep like tender angels. My head rested on my knees, and I let the gentle lull of their hearts and breaths take me away. The waves surrounded me and transported me back in time.
There, I was a child again and standing next to Jules, but there was another man. My eyes fell to his black leather boots and scanned upward. His face hid beneath a hat. “Keep her away from Boric, mate.” He knelt and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll send money for her upkeep.”
“She’s safe here.” Jules smiled and shook the dark-haired man�
�s hand.
“Be a good girl, luv, and mind Uncle Jules.” He’d mused my hair and turned to leave. My eyes followed his reflection. “I’ll return when she’s eighteen.” His boots squeaked, and he turned around. “She’s mine; don’t you forget that either.”
“What’s her name again?”
“Angel.”
“Angel, wake-up.” Snapping fingers pounded in my head. Warm hands shook my shoulders. I blinked as Veric’s glowing eyes came into focus. He grinned revealing a busted lip.
My head lifted from my knees, and I glanced around the sleeper car. The train jostled and tossed me into him. The beds lay empty; I rose and faced Veric. “Where’s the children?”
“They tried to wake you,” Petre called from the door. He didn’t look like the demon anymore. Long black hair fell around his pale face. His steely gaze shot to the demon. “They’re with Tomas.” My hand clutched my breast. For all the vampire’s faults, he appeared to have a soft spot for kids. “Can I speak with you?”
The Duc held a generous heart even if it didn’t beat. He didn’t realize the aura –as he called it- he gave off stifled my senses. The biting incident wasn’t the smartest move either. There was a budding list of annoyances when it came to the magic inclined vampire.
“Korri?” I spun around and ran into Petre’s chest. His cold hands cupped my face and kissed my forehead. “I’m sorry about earlier.” His words reached my ears, but my mind reeled from the dream. The train rattled again, and my hands clutched his t-shirt. He cleared his throat.
My body stiffened, and hairs stood on my neck. Metal screeched and sparked, and the train slowed. My eyes shot to the window, but it only reflected our image. Veric moved closer. “Something’s wrong.”
The demon’s hands touched the glass. His eyes fell to me, and a smirk played over his lips. The sparks ignited again, billowing black smoke. “They’re here; bloody hell they crossed the line.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and started screaming at whoever picked up. My eyes widened, and I stepped away. “What do you mean you lost us? You can’t lose a bleedin’ steam engine. Get off your arse now you daft cow.”