“But it was the first time,” Sean said.
“Well, not exactly the first kiss—that was like a half hour ago,” Alexis clarified.
I stepped out onto the balcony. Matthew was right behind me, but I closed the glass sliding door to keep him from following. My friends were now standing a few feet apart, giving each other an almost comical distance.
“I’m so sorry, Fee,” Alexis said. “I didn’t mean for it to happen; it just did. Everything’s been crazy and I was so upset and Sean was so nice and consoling—”
“Why are you apologizing?” I asked.
“Because he’s your ex,” she said meekly.
“I was just trying to help,” Sean said, sounding as anxious as Alexis. “I know how hard all this was to take in.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not upset. In fact, I’m happy for you guys. Whether this is an actual thing or not, there are no hard feelings.”
“Really?” Alexis asked in surprise.
“Really,” I said, walked over, and gave her a big hug. “I can’t think of a better guy.” I turned my head to glance at Sean and smiled.
“It won’t be weird?” Sean asked.
“I’m happy with Matthew,” I said. “I want you guys to be happy too. And come on, Sean; it’s no secret you had eyes for Alexis before you even noticed me.”
Alexis gave Sean an arched eyebrow and his cheeks flushed. She knew—I knew she knew, but it was different to hear it said aloud with the boy in question standing right there.
Once I stepped away from Alexis, Sean gave me a hug. “We won’t make it weird,” he promised, but his arms around me already inched things in that direction.
Candace opened the glass sliding door, and Matthew followed. “This is so weird,” she said with a frown, making the rest of us laugh.
34
Matthew
I awoke next to the most beautiful girl in the world. She was still fast asleep, and as I sat up and gazed down upon her, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. She faced opposite me, curled up into a little ball. I brushed a few errant strands of hair out of her face and ran a finger down the scar on her cheek. I’d never seen her as damaged, only strong.
I noticed a few drops of blood on her neck that I’d missed when cleaning her up. I couldn’t even describe the exquisite feeling of no longer denying my natural thirst. The self-control built up over the decades and my love for her easily allowed me to stop. This was what Jack and Ashley had been telling me for years. And with Fiona’s blood coursing through me, I felt more alive and stronger than anytime I could remember. I was now addicted to her.
I’d have to call Jezebel at some point and tell her I wasn’t returning to meetings—I’d fallen off the wagon for good and never felt better. However, I wasn’t going to worry about that now. There were plenty more pressing matters to attend to.
I was just about to slip out of bed and put on some clothes, when Fiona rolled over, her bright blue eyes taking me in.
“Good morning, sunshine,” I said.
She stretched and scooted closer, readjusting the covers as she moved to keep her nakedness concealed. I was tempted to rip those covers right off her and have my way with her again, but thought it best to feel out her mood first.
“Good morning,” she cooed sleepily, laying her head in my lap and stretching an arm around my waist. “I wish we could wake up like this every morning.” Fiona sat up, still clutching the sheets to her chest with one arm. “It feels like someone’s extra happy this morning.” She grinned deviously.
“Happy to see you,” I said, leaned over and planted a hungry kiss on her lips. Her mouth opened, giving me access to the sweet taste of her tongue. Then, unable to control myself any longer, I flung the blankets off her body and guided her back to the mattress, my lips never leaving hers as I positioned myself between her legs.
“Well, then… good morning indeed,” she said playfully, then gasped and dug her nails into my back.
I needed to bring more of my personal items to leave at Fiona’s condo. I didn’t know if she planned to make this her more permanent residence, but it was always good to be prepared.
I carried an extra dose of sun serum wherever I went, so I retrieved it from my pants and gave myself the injection. Like most people who needed that first cup of coffee in the morning, I needed my serum to face the day.
I didn’t have an aptitude for cooking besides some very basic meals. Before I’d become a vampire, I’d been a kid living on a space station where the Sector cafeteria supplied all the meals. Afterward, I had no real reason to learn to cook for myself.
Fiona joined me on the balcony in a white bathrobe. She’d fixed herself a bowl of some sugary cereal that seemed like more of a dessert than a meal, but I couldn’t fault her for her preference in breakfast foods.
I was seated on one of several couches, drinking a glass of animal blood that so paled in comparison to her own blood. But I wasn’t about to deplete her of all her strength. The sun was behind the building and we had a clear view of the Pacific, sparkling blue water reaching out to the horizon.
“Breakfast of champions?” I asked with a smirk.
“You’re one to talk,” she said between bites. “At least I can have some variety.”
“I get plenty of variety. Each animal has very distinctive blood. And yours is like the finest wine. I have no complaints.”
“I could get used to this.” Fiona smiled and put her bare feet up on the edge of the stone firepit.
From this height, it was easy to forget the turmoil the world was in far below. But we’d be thrown right back into the madness soon enough. Fiona had already confirmed our plans to return to Gillian’s house, from which we’d drive to the Nevada facility to see Roland. I knew the Assembly wouldn’t sanction such a visit, but I was willing to deal with them later.
Fiona and I had our first real relaxing morning in weeks, just the two of us. We weren’t supposed to meet Gillian and Abigail until the afternoon, so we had nothing on the agenda until then. It felt amazing. So much so, that when it was time to leave, I tried coaxing her back into the bedroom.
“You’re not fighting fair!” Fiona whined as I trailed kissed along her neck.
“What’s one more hour,” I whispered as I worked upward and nibbled on her earlobe.
“Because I’m not gonna want to move afterward.”
“And I won’t force you to. We can lie in bed for as long as you want.”
“You’re despicable, Matthew Mercer!” Fiona laughed, then she pulled away from me. “It’s time to go.”
“Don’t blame me for trying to keep you all to myself,” I said, but I’d already lost.
We took my Land Rover to drive to Gillian’s house. Since the full onslaught of Southern California traffic still hadn’t returned, the drive was a breeze. The biggest benefit with Vampire Nation’s announcement had been the dramatic decrease in commuter traffic. I knew it wouldn’t always be like this, but I’d enjoy it while it lasted.
When we arrived at Gillian’s, she welcomed us inside—though I use the term welcomed loosely. Despite me saving her life and Fiona being her daughter’s half-sister, Gillian didn’t seem to like us a whole lot. I think the only reason she was tolerating us at all was Fiona’s promise to take them to Roland.
“Abby, they’re here! It’s time to go!” Gillian yelled up the stairs. Then she turned back to us. “We’re taking your car?”
“Yes,” Fiona said.
“It’s comfortable for the long trip,” I added.
“Great,” she said. “Wait here. Let me get my purse. Abby, let’s go!” Without waiting for an answer, she marched into the kitchen.
“I’m coming!” Abigail yelled from somewhere upstairs. Within seconds, the pre-teen was bounding down the stairs, radiating excitement. She offered me an exaggerated wave and gave Fiona a sisterly hug, then handed her a small device. “Remember I told you about this?”
Fiona examined the device, and I
leaned over to get a look at it myself, quickly discovering it was a small compass.
“Dad gave this to you?” Fiona asked.
Abigail nodded gleefully. “He said it would help keep me safe from monsters. He said it could point them out, though I don’t know exactly what he meant.”
“Matthew, look at this,” Fiona said, holding out the compass in her open palm. Her eyes went wide at seeing the needle move.
“No…” I said, gazing intently at the device. Just like a Society tattoo, the needle turned to point directly at me.
“Is it working?” Abigail asked. “You know what it’s supposed to do?”
“Have you ever seen one of these before?” Fiona asked me.
“No; but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it’s possible.”
Fiona handed the compass back to her sister and said, “This compass is very special. It doesn’t tell directions, but points to the nearest vampire.”
Abigail looked to the device in awe, then up at me. “You’re one of them, aren’t you?”
I brought my index finger to my lips, urging her not to say another word.
“What are you guys talking about out here?” Gillian asked as she stepped back into the entryway.
“Nothing,” Fiona said and grabbed the compass out of Abigail’s hand.
“What’s that?”
Fiona didn’t skip a beat; she held the compass up, and said, “It’s an old compass her father gave her. It’s broken.”
Gillian gave us all a questioning look, then shrugged. “Are we ready to go?”
An emphatic yes from everyone present filled the air, so Gillian ushered us out the front door, and we made our way to the Land Rover parked in the street.
However, there was a new SUV parked directly behind mine. Two large, intimidating men stood on the sidewalk in front of the vehicles; they must have been the occupants of the new SUV.
“Are these men accompanying us too?” Gillian asked, sounding frustrated that we were providing her with more surprises.
“No,” Fiona said, glancing at me.
“Let me take care of this,” I said. “Wait here.” I walked ahead of the group.
“You Matthew Mercer?” the closer man asked.
“Who’s asking?” I answered.
“The Order. Your attendance is required in Noctem City. The Los Angeles consul has repeatedly tried to get in touch with you. So now we’re here. And we’d appreciate your cooperation.”
“What do they want?” Fiona asked, grabbing my arm.
“Only to talk,” I said. The Order would not have been collecting me so amicably just to kill me. If that was their plan, then they’d have had me captured or killed me outright. I hadn’t yet heard from Jack if he’d talked with the Los Angeles consul—Gideon Brent—about the Order’s intentions with me. It seemed I was about to find out anyway. But my gut told me they didn’t want me dead. Syrithia had acted on behalf of someone else—or herself?
“How do I know you’re here on behalf of the Order?”
The man who’d done all the talking so far reached into his pocket, pulled out a golden coin, then tossed it to me.
I knew what it should look like before I even caught it. A profile of a royal face on the front with a curved Latin inscription along the bottom. Imperium in Imperio—An empire within an empire. On the back was a picture of a majestic castle in the clouds. It was the official coin to be granted passage to Noctem City.
“I suppose this can’t wait until tomorrow?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
“We’ve been instructed to take you in immediately.”
I turned to Fiona and handed her my keys. “Go on without me.”
“Are you in danger?” Fiona asked, her expression grave. “I don’t want to—”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve been there before. It’s just a formality. But it’s best to do as they say and not piss off the Vampire Order.”
Fiona wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. “Promise me you’re not in danger,” she whispered into my ear.
“I promise.” I held her face in my hands as I pressed my lips to hers. Once we parted, I brushed her cheek with my thumb and smiled. “I’ll be back before you know it.” Then I turned and headed toward the two men still standing on the sidewalk. “Let’s get this over with,” I said and tossed back the golden coin as I passed.
35
Mallory
“I thought you’d forgotten about me,” Nathan said as I entered his room.
It was early afternoon and Kelsey was already cleaning, three rooms away. After the night I’d spent in Sisters of Mercy, I’d spent some time away and brought my focus back to training at the Society compound. It was the best place for me to clear my head. And with that clarity, came thoughts of Nathan. I was able to leave after my encounter, but he’d never be allowed to go. I knew that applied to all the other humans in the hospital, but my heart was drawn toward one boy in particular. If I wanted to keep seeing him, then I had to do something. And I decided that I did want to keep seeing him.
“Not a chance,” I said. “There were just some things I needed to take care of.”
“That’s a relief… because I thought I might have pushed you away—that you didn’t feel the same way.”
I placed my oversized purse next to him on the bed, the one I took to the pool or movies, which was nearly the size of an overnight bag. Then I took out a folded pair of jeans and a tee-shirt, then handed the clothes to him. I didn’t have enough room to fit shoes, so he’d have to stay in the hospital slippers for now.
“What’s this?” Nathan asked.
“I’m getting you out of here. Put them on,” I instructed. “They’re my brother’s. They’ll probably be a little big, but they should work.”
“Is that your subtle way of telling me that your brother’s bigger than me, so I should behave myself?”
I smiled. “I don’t need my brother to kick your ass, if needed.”
“I take it the director didn’t approve my release?”
“Do you want to ask questions, or do you want to get out of here?” I stepped away from the bed and turned around to give him some privacy.
Without another word, I heard him rushing to change clothes. And it was only seconds before he gave me the okay that he was decent. He was about the same height as Aaron, but Nathan was quite a bit thinner—probably a by-product of his time in captivity. His hospital uniform was now in a heap on the bed.
“I don’t know what’s causing you to do this, but thank you,” Nathan said. “I’ll owe you for the rest of my life.”
“You won’t owe me anything,” I said, stepped up to him, and initiated a kiss.
My body ached for his as he pulled me into him, our lips refusing to part and the kiss deepening. I felt more for him than I felt for any boy in my life. I’d been social in high school and had my fair share of dates and hookups, but I’d never let down my guard. I’d never committed myself to anyone. My teenage years had been too preoccupied with my training. I had too many secrets to open up to anyone. So I didn’t. However, with Nathan, things were different. I didn’t feel as insistent on upholding the walls surrounding me. And Nathan was diligent at chipping away at them one day at a time.
A shiver ran through my body as our lips parted. They felt so natural together. I couldn’t remember anything feeling so right.
“I hope that you breaking me out of here doesn’t mean I won’t get to see you again,” Nathan said, his voice barely above a whisper, his lips only hovering a few inches from mine. “Because if that’s the case, I’d almost prefer to stay here.”
“That’s not the case,” I said, wetting my lips and holding them close to his.
“In that case, I’m ready to go.” He crossed the last few inches of thick electricity and kissed me again.
Once he let me go, I grabbed my purse and guided him into the hallway.
There were cameras out here, with no possible way to avoi
d them all, but I was beyond trying to keep this a secret. I’d even come back to tell Jack what I’d done myself, once Nathan was safe; I’d deal with the consequences then. I didn’t expect anything to actually happen to me besides losing my privileges at the hospital. If I could keep Nathan out of their vampire hands, it would all be worth it. Just as we were about to turn a corner, a soft voice forced me to stop and turn around.
“Mallory, what are you doing?” Kelsey asked. She emerged from the patient room she was currently cleaning. She still had a sponge in one hand, dripping pink splotches onto the floor by her feet. She looked terribly heartbroken.
“I’m sorry,” I said with a sigh. “I have to do this.” I glanced over at Nathan before going to Kelsey and giving her a tight squeeze. “I’ll try to come back. And if I can, I’ll visit you. But if I can’t, promise to come find me when you’re let out of here?”
“You don’t mean that,” she said sadly.
I lifted her chin and forced her eyes to meet mine. “I consider you a friend and a sister, and I’ll help you however I can. I promise.” I was no good at sentimental and mushy goodbyes, so I gave her a nod, then continued on my way with Nathan in tow.
As we reached reception, with the doors leading to the outside world clearly visible, Nathan pulled me to a halt.
“I can’t go like this,” he said, his tone haunted and severe. “What about the others? We can’t just leave them. Together, we have the ability to save them all while most of the vampires are sleeping.”
“No,” I said. “I’m putting myself at significant risk to get you out. As much as I’d want to, we can’t save everyone. We need to go.”
“Now’s our chance. Don’t you see that?” Nathan pleaded.
“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. We need to go. Now.” I took his hand and urged him to come with me, out that front door and away from this place. “Please, Nathan.”
He refused to budge.
“If you do this, you’re doing it on your own,” I threatened. “Come with me. Be with me. This can be the start of a new life.”
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