“Are you hungry?” he asks politely. “There’s a breakfast buffet thing set up down stairs…”
“Yes, please.”
Luc leads me downstairs to the kitchen and hands me a plate, instructing me to help myself. I load my plate with bacon, scrambled eggs and fresh strawberries then take a seat on the barstool next to Luc who pushes a tall glass of orange juice my way. I dig in, famished. “You’re not hungry?” I ask between mouthfuls.
“I already ate. Besides,” Luc adds, wrinkling his nose in disgust, “you smell like my brother.”I lower my head at his comment, a fresh wave of embarrassment washing over me. Thankfully I am spared the humiliation of having to reply to his comment.
“Good morning,” a deep, pleasant voice bellows from behind us.
“Morning, Dad,” Luc says as he swivels around.
Eyes fixed on my plate, I reply with a meek, “Morning.”
“And who is this beautiful young lady Lucien?”
“This,” Luc replies with a grand gesture toward me, “is Adelin.”
“Sera’s Adelin?” he asks surprised, causing me to glance towards him. He looks to be in his late thirties, early fourties, and, of course, is extremely good looking—it’s no wonder where Vraiden and Luc get their good looks. He is dressed impeccably in a dark suit, crisp white shirt and a blue-violet colored tie that exactly matches the shade of his eyes, with short well-kept deep chocolate brown hair. I nod at him, too mesmerized to actually speak. “How do you like the island?” he questions, jolting me out of my stupor. Geesh! I seriously needed to get a grip. There was no way I could continue to drool all over myself every time I saw a cute guy…especially if they were all related! Plus, this was Vraiden’s dad and, he’s married!
“I love it!” I reply sincerely as I find my voice. “It’s very beautiful here.”
“Thank you. I trust Vraiden and Lucien have been nice?”
“Yes, sir,” I answer. A bit too nice, I think, biting my tongue to avoid speaking that last part out loud.
“Well, I’ll be honest, that’s a surprise,” he chuckles, completely ignoring the rude look Luc was directing at him.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Luc grumbles.
“Oh, I suppose so, although I was trying to hide from your mother.” He sighs melodramatically. He raises a hand to his mouth and whispers loudly at me, “She’s always trying to boss me around.” I laugh outright at his admittance.
“It was nice meeting you Mr. Woods,” I say genuinely.
“Please, call me Elrich, and the pleasure was all mine. You, my dear, are welcome here anytime you wish and feel free to come straight to me if either of my boys is mistreating you. I’ll be sure to sort them out. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind,” I say with a glance towards Luc as his dad walks out of the room.
“Well, he seemed to like you,” Luc says once his dad is gone.
“What’s not to like?” I quip playfully.
“I agree, although I do think I’d like you a bit more if you weren’t seeing my brother. Hm…” he ponders, “maybe I should’ve mentioned to Dad how I found the two of you this morning? Bet he wouldn’t fall for your ‘little miss innocent’ act then….”
“But, I am innocent,” I state as I bat my eyelashes at him for added effect.
“Well then, we’re going to have to see what we can’t do to change that,” he whispers darkly, leaning closer.
“Who says we need to do anything about that?” I tease back.
“I promise you’ll enjoy it….” He replies with a sexy grin, just as Vraiden comes strolling into the room.
Chapter Fifteen
Vraiden
September 20, 2 years ago
“S he was mine! I loved her!” Lucien sits on the floor, fresh blood coating the bottom half of his face, a limp body held delicately in his embrace. He glances up at me when I enter but his eyes look distant, as if he doesn’t even see me.
“She was weak, human,” I spit, disgusted by his behavior. “I did you a favor! Did you even stop to think about the future, about what your relationship with her would’ve been like in fifty years? She was going to die anyway! I saved you from getting more attached, you should be thanking me!”
Something must have clicked when I was speaking because Lucien’s eyes become hard, narrowing as he focuses in one me. Carefully he eases the body down to the floor, her long blonde hair spilling across her face and obscuring her features from my view. He pushes back onto his heels, the muscles in his arms and legs coiling tightly.
“Thanking you? After what you did?! This is all your goddamn fault!
If it wasn’t for you Lissa would still be alive!!” His voice comes out level, forced and his eyes are blazing with fury. Despite his effort to keep calm a muscle twitches in his jaw and I know he is minutes away from losing his cool and exploding.
“She had no right to be with you in the first place. You’re Immortal and a Black. You’re like fucking royalty! She was mortal! Prey!!” I fume, fed up with his whiny bullshit. “That bitch deserved it just for thinking she was ever good enough for you!” Without warning Lucien bursts to his feet, nostrils flared. His hands clench tightly into fists at his sides, arms shaking with rage. “Don’t you fucking talk about her like that! You don’t even deserve to say her name you bastard!”
My lips curve up into a cruel half smile and I lift an eyebrow at him in a silent challenge. “She was nothing. Trash. A waste of space. She shouldn’t have been allowed to live as long as long as she did.”
“Watch your tongue,” he warns with what I’m guessing is supposed to be menace.
“Or you’ll what exactly? Kill me?” I laugh. “You can try dear brother…”
“I’ll do more than try, little brother” he threatens. Immediately his stance changes; his feet centering, shoulders lifting slightly, and muscles coiling in preparation of a fight. A mortal probably wouldn’t have noticed the shift but as I have grown up with him and sparred against him I can read his body almost as easily as I can my own. I purposely keep my body relaxed, silently taunting him with the knowledge that I doubt he could ever be a threat to me.
“I know what you’re capable of, Brother. When it comes down to it, you won’t be able to bring yourself to finish me off. Rest assured that I don’t have the same qualms as you so you better be damn sure you want to start this.”
His eyes harden, darkening with vehemence and he takes an involuntary step forward.
“See?” I say pointedly. “That’s where we differ and that is why I’ll win. You are unable to control your rage. You think blindly, you’re uncalculated, and incompetent when it comes to predicting your opponents next move. I am in complete control. This won’t end well for you. Are you ready to die beside your precious mortal?” As predicted his teeth clench and he launches himself across the room at me, striking out with all his strength. I sidestep easily, sending him crashing into the door behind me. The wood splinters upon impact, sending thick sharks of oak hailing down around Lucien as he crashes to the floor in a heap. He quickly regains his footing, blood seeping from a gash on his forehead, and barrels at me once more. I easily dance away from him, positioning myself just out of his path.
“Is that really the best you can do Brother? You haven’t even touched me yet,” I laugh.
He snarls at me in response, “You son of a bitch!” The wound on his forehead has already healed but his face is a grotesque mask of spit, wood fragments and blood; both his own, and his humans.
“Why don’t you quit before you hurt yourself?” I taunt. “Go put your mortal in the ground where she should’ve been years ago.” He lets out an animalistic growl and catapults himself at me, aiming for my torso. I stand my ground this time, allowing him to make contact, and absorb the brute force of the impact which only enrages him further. Desperate, he rams into me once more and sends the pair of us tumbling downward. before we can connect with the floor, I twist around, maneuvering myself i
nto the top position. Lucien hits the ground with a loud oomph as his lungs automatically expel the air they were holding.
Without waiting for him to regain his composure, I yank back my arm and send my fist into his jaw, taking pleasure in the spray of blood that shoots from his nose and mouth. Lucien coughs, choking on his own blood before turning his head to the side and spitting out the frothy red liquid.
“Had enough? That was only one hit dear brother,” I smirk.
“You’re dead you bastard,” he retaliates weakly as he feebly attempts to throw me off.
“You know, it might help convince me if you weren’t lying on the floor in a pile of your own blood…”
Lucien grabs me by the shoulders and pushes with all his might, effectively toppling me sideways off of his chest. I roll over onto my back, laughing deeply at Lucien who lies beside me panting heavily as he tries to climb to his feet. “Well, someone is out of shape. Your precious mortal made you weak,” I quip.
A new determination takes over Lucien and he pushes himself up off the floor to tower over me, blood dripping in torrents from his face.
Teeth clenched tightly he draws back his leg to kick me. Before he can make contact I grab his foot and yank, sending him back down to the ground. He quickly climbs to his feet and gives his head a quick shake, sending red spraying left and right, before stalking towards me. I regain my footing and lock my eyes with his. “Round two?” I challenge.
We mimic each other’s movements, watching, calculating the others next move as we begin to circle in a macabre dance. I open my mouth to taunt him and, thinking me distracted, he lunges. My fist connects with his face, momentarily stunning him before he throws himself at me, once again opting to use the bulk of his weight against me.
We crash downward in a tangle of limbs and this time he is quick, striking out at me before we hit the floor and continuing to pummel me as we land. He gets in a few hits to my chest, face and side, choosing speed over accuracy. I grab him and throw him off, sending him careening halfway across the room. He comes skidding to a stop near the debris of the broken door.
I stride across the room to where he lies in a pile of blood and broken bones, his shirt ripped and coated in fresh blood. I wrench my leg back and let loose, connecting with his side with a satisfying crack as ribs snap and then repeating the action again and again. I laugh louder, throwing my head back with each snap and pop of his bones breaking. “Don’t worry, dear brother, I’m not going to kill you… Yet. Death would be too easy. I’m going to leave you just the way you are so you can spend the rest of your pathetic existence as an Immortal mourning the loss of your pitiful human.” I turn and pace across the room to where Lissa rests and kneel down, gently brushing the hair off of her face to reveal her delicate features. She appears rather peaceful, angelic even in death, her lips slightly parted and eyes closed as if in sleep. She really was the perfect match for Lucien with their fantastical ideals of a perfect world where Immortals and humans co-existed in harmony, ruling beside one another. I, however, know better. We are better than humans. We’re stronger, faster, we heal almost instantaneously.
Humans are nothing but cattle, prey. Weak and whiny, who turn against one another at every opportunity.
I look up at Lucien who is watching me wearily as he tries to push himself up, wanting to protect his human even now. He makes it halfway up before his legs falter and he tumbles down. Determined, he lets out a grunt and begins pulling himself slowly across the floor.
Grinning maliciously, I bend down and place a soft kiss on Lissa’s cold parted lips.
A strangled croak escapes Lucien’s lips, barely audible. “Please,” he begs desperately.
“What’s that brother? I didn’t quite hear you,” I say as I glance up, toying with him.
“Please!” he pleads. “Please!! Leave her alone, please!”
“You’re just as pathetic as she was. You’re not even worth the air you’re breathing.”
Lucien finally reaches us and frantically tries to wedge his body between the two of us. I lean down, tilting my head to the side, and breathe in the lingering scent of blood still coating her neck.
“Mmm,” I sigh wickedly.
He begins to claw feebly at me in an attempt to separate me from her. Catching and holding his gaze I open my mouth and slowly trail my tongue up her neck, tasting the now stale blood. “Delicious,” I breathe. “I should’ve tasted her years ago.” Frantic, Lucien begins pushing against me with the last bits of his remaining strength. Perturbed, I reach out and wrench his arm away, enjoying the sound of yet another bone snapping. He cries out loudly in pain but refuses to give up, still nudging against me weakly. Growing bored, I rock back onto my feet and stand, sneering down at him disgustedly as he drapes his body protectively over hers, shielding her from my view.
“You don’t deserve to be called an Immortal you pathetic sack of shit,” I spit before turning on my heel. Just as I reach the door I hear him raise his head and I pause briefly, curious at what he plans to say.
“This isn’t over, little brother,” he calls, voice strong. “I will hunt you down if I have to but, one way or another, you will pay for this.” I throw a malicious grin over my shoulder, “Looking forward to it.”
Chapter Sixteen
Present Day
"What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” Vraiden barks.
“Relax,” Luc says lightly. “We were just talking.”
“Get up!” Vraiden snaps, glaring at me. “I’m taking you home.” I quickly stand up but before I can take a step in Vraiden’s direction Luc cuts in front of me, blocking my path. “I said relax,” Luc repeats firmly.
I rest my hand on Luc’s arm to reassure him but before I can do anything further Vraiden pulls his arm back and punches Luc in the jaw, sending him staggering to the side. “Get in the car, Adelin,” Vraiden spits.
“Don’t talk to her like that,” Luc growls, a dangerous spark in his eyes. He makes a move in my direction and I’m not sure if it’s to try to protect me or if he plans on returning the punch Vraiden bestowed upon him. Quickly I grab Vraiden’s arm and give him a gentle tug. “This isn’t over little brother,” Luc taunts as Vraiden reluctantly allows me to lead him from the room.
“What was that about?” I question once we’re in the car.
“None of your business,” Vraiden replies coldly as he pulls away from the house, stunning me into silence. The drive to my house is filled with an angry, uncomfortable quiet as I try to think of the reason for Vraiden’s outburst. It was obvious the two brothers didn’t get along but surely Luc didn’t deserve a punch for talking to me—and Vraiden had never really struck me as the jealous type.
“Your mother will be home later tonight,” Vraiden says tightly as we pull up in front of my house, ending the silence. I open my mouth to speak but he quickly cuts me off. “Don’t…..I can’t see you anymore,” he says flatly, staring out the windshield.
“What?! Why?” I ask in disbelief.
He shakes his head. “There are things you don’t understand.”
“Then explain them to me!” I exclaim angrily.
“I can’t. Adelin, I wish it didn’t have to be this way but it does and there’s nothing I can do to change it. I’m doing this for you. Trust me it’ll be better this way.” His eyes flick over to rest on me, emotionless.
“Trust you?! I don’t think so! I’m not going to make that mistake again!” I explode as I throw open the car door and jump out.
“Adelin, I’m sorry….” He trails off, voice pained, as I slam the door shut.
“Go to hell you bastard!” I yell as I storm off towards the house.
I lie in bed the next few hours staring at the ceiling as I try to figure out what had taken place between Vraiden and I, and why. I had thought that he had genuine feelings for me. The two of us had spent the last few weeks getting to know each other, and had fun doing it, and when we were alone there were serious sparks between us. Last nig
ht had been wonderful and when we had woken up this morning I had thought he seemed happy so whatever it was that caused us to reach this point must have transpired after he had left. That left me with two options: either something had been said at the ‘meeting’ or it was because he thought there was something going on between Luc and I, which was completely ridiculous because I barely knew Luc. I was jolted back to reality by the sound of the door banging shut downstairs.
“Adelin?” Sera calls anxiously.
“I’m in my room!” I shout back.
I hear her footsteps on the stairs and a moment later my door opens and Sera pops her head in. “Adelin, are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I sigh.
“There’s someone here who’d like to speak with you,” she replies uncertainly. I sit up in anticipation as she pushes the door open but instead of Vraiden, as I had been hoping for, Luc stands in his place in the hallway.
“What do you want?” I ask flatly.
“To talk…”
“I’ll just leave you two,” Sera says as she begins backing away.
“About what?” I reply stonily, fixing my gaze on the bookcase across the room.
“Look,” Luc says as he walks into my bedroom, “I’m sorry about what happened between you and my brother. I wanted you to know that it wasn’t your fault.” He pauses beside my bed, his hands shoved into his pockets.
“Yeah? And how do you know that?” I ask sarcastically.
“Because I know why he did it,” he says simply causing my eyes to flash towards him.
“Are you going to tell me why?”
“Did Vraiden ever mention Eris to you?”
“No.” Confused, I shake my head. “Who’s Eris?”
“Eris is the First Immortal, the original. She is where we came from, how we came to be. May I?” he asks as he gestures at my bed. I give a small nod. He sits down near the end of the bed, turning to face me, with one leg propped up on the mattress and the other dangling over the side of the bed. I sit back, relaxing against the headboard as he continues. “About eight thousand or so years ago there was a beautiful, yet selfish, young girl who became distraught when her small village was attacked by animals and contracted illness. The villagers began to die, slowly at first, and then more quickly as the disease spread.”
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