by Nikki Landis
Dmitri’s voice broke through my consciousness. “Cassandra, open your mouth.”
What?
Dmitri was kneeling next to my side, his breath ragged as he spoke in rushed tones. Did he destroy Vega and the other vampires? All of them? The entire chamber?
I was appalled and impressed at the same time. Why would he do that for me?
“Hold still,” he ordered, tilting my head back slightly.
Why would Dmitri care if I lived or died? Why would he try to save me?
Slicing open his wrist, he forced blood down my throat as I choked and sputtered, fighting him the entire time with the tiny bit of my energy that remained. It was useless. My struggles were in vain. Dmitri didn’t stop until I fell limp in his arms, dazed by the amount of vampire blood in my system.
“You’ll live,” he growled, leaning forward until our faces were only a few inches apart.
Stunned by the turn of events, my lips couldn’t form any words for a reply. My gaze swept the carnage all around us. Silence occupied the room filled with dozens of corpses – all his brethren. Coughing, my mind slowly returned from the foggy haze of minutes ago. A sharpness far beyond my own capacity caused my muscles to flex. Twitching a couple of times, I met his curious gaze.
“Your blood is powerful.”
“Yes.”
“Maybe even stronger than Damian’s.”
“Perhaps it is equal, only different.”
Tucking that information away for later, I focused on steadying my breathing. “Please help him,” I finally begged, tears filling my eyes. “I need my Damian.”
A strange look crossed his features for a brief moment before he snarled and shoved me away. “The only way to do so is to find the witch responsible and kill him.”
“Roman.” Seething, I jumped to my feet with surprisingly agile reflexes.
Dmitri’s blood was so potent that my recovery was swift. You’d never know I was nearly dead five minutes prior. I walked to the doorway and tried to yank the door open, but I was catapulted backward, landing on my feet with a shocking ease as a low rumble left my throat. What the hell was that? Was I turning into a vampire?
Holy shit. I remembered my quick reflexes after ingesting a significant amount of Damian’s blood right before we escaped the dungeons earlier in the night. Vampire essence definitely had its advantages. It was like a jolt of caffeine combined with supernatural powers and infused with extra energy.
“Don’t forget you are spelled into this room,” Dmitri remarked dryly. “Roman ensured no supernatural left without his knowledge. Neither of us are free to leave, despite our hunger for revenge.”
Right. Revenge. Did anything else rule the desires of either of the Rockcastle brothers? “The bodies in this room aren’t enough for you? Look what you’ve done to Damian. This is all your fault. You’re a pathetic and vile excuse for family.” Disgusted by the murderous expression on his face, I didn’t back down. “You’re nothing but a monster.”
Dmitri roared as he shoved me against the wall, snarling as his fangs lengthened.
“Your gratitude is lacking.”
Lowering his head, he pierced my neck without hesitation. Several large gulps could be heard before he lifted his head and hissed, my blood spilling over his lips and dripping from his chin. The look on his face was one I couldn’t discern. He seemed both furious and satisfied, disgusted and aroused.
Glaring his way, it occurred to me that I should have been in pain. The only vampire who didn’t cause agony with their bite was Damian. His feedings were intoxicating and instantly spiked the desire in my veins. Damian’s sucking on my vein was an aphrodisiac.
Dmitri’s bite was nothing less than confusing. I could swear he was angry and yet he was surprisingly gentle. I didn’t feel pain as I did that first time when he bit me down in the dungeon cell. Only a few hours later and the difference was shocking. I sensed he held back and didn’t have the same level of animosity as before. What changed?
My confusion must have been apparent because he nearly lowered his head for more but then stopped. “You’re different. Something changed. What is it?”
“I don’t know,” he hissed, shoving away from the wall and my body with a snarl.
He was lying. I could feel it. “You’re not telling me the truth. Why?”
“I owe you nothing,” he roared, his fangs retracting as he spun, a wild look in his haunted green eyes.
“I never said you did,” I replied calmly, folding my arms across my chest. “Come over here and close this wound before I lose too much blood. After all, you nearly killed me last time you fed, and I need my strength.” I was purposely messing with him and he knew it.
My words seemed to enrage him even more and Dmitri flung several of the mutilated bodies in the room against the walls. His supernatural temper tantrum was comical. A man so powerful should never behave like a spoiled child. He was ridiculous.
After a moment he quieted down, his chest heaving as he glanced my way. “You’re still bleeding.”
Yeah, I already pointed that out.
Moving forward slowly, stalking his way as if he enjoyed this little game, Dmitri approached with a combination of caution and sensual aggression. Maybe he expected me to blast him with my magic, but I simply lifted my hair and tilted my neck, exposing the vein and puncture wounds that steadily dripped my blood. “Done with your little tantrum now?”
He scowled but leaned down and ran his tongue over my flesh, moving with a deliberately slow and seductive swipe over my skin. I thought he would stop at the wound, but he trailed upward close to my ear as I resisted the urge to shiver in response. “You make me feel reckless.” The low timbre of his voice tickled the fine hairs on my neck.
“Really? I assumed that sort of behavior was normal for you. Vicious bully, careless mistakes, selfish and impulsive bouts of anger. I could go on,” I added, as he gripped my upper arms. This interaction was pointless. Damian needed our help, even if a part of me wanted to lash out at his brother.
Turning my head, our eyes met as he hissed, leaning closer. “Cease your games, little witch. I play to win and you’re desperately ill-equipped to join in.”
“Is that why you’re holding me now?”
“No,” he growled, slicing the distance between us with a quickness that stole my breath as I gasped.
“Why did you betray your brother?” I didn’t know why I asked but I felt compelled to understand this strange creature before me. He was such a contradiction that I couldn’t figure out what type of immortal would behave so recklessly and without remorse. He fascinated me in a bizarre way.
“You think I will spill all my secrets for a pretty face?” He laughed bitterly. “Your cunt must be extra special to have such a hold over my brother. No woman has ever owned him in such a way.”
Was he jealous? I nearly asked. “Not even Vega?” I ignored his insults in order to gain some portion of the truth.
Snorting, he shook his head as his warm breath fanned out over my face with a hint of cinnamon, just like his sibling. I expected a cool tinge to the air but remembered that he’d fed, and my blood was coursing through his veins right now. “Vega never owned Damian. He’s not that type of vampire. In fact, my brother is about as ruthless as I am, if not more so.”
“You’re a liar,” I spat, calling him out instantly. “I know him, Dmitri. You could never tell me anything but truth about Damian. We have a bond too strong for lies to tear it down.”
Something in his gaze hardened and he snarled as my back met the wall with a small thud. “I could crush and kill you with my bare hands. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful surprise when he awakens from Roman’s spell?”
Sighing, I shook my head in disappointment. “Your brother confessed a great secret to me, Dmitri.”
He laughed without humor, the sound desperately bitter. “Don’t you dare say he loves you.”
“I don’t have to,” I whispered, not breaking our connection. “Damian show
ed me his vampire heart and the blackened chamber it resides in.”
Shock was visible on Dmitri’s face for a few seconds before he recovered. “That’s impossible.”
“It’s not,” I argued, “and then he told me he loved me afterward.”
Dmitri backed away, his fangs visible again as he looked wildly about the room. “He would never say that. He’s never loved. We don’t love. Don’t you understand, human?”
“Before me, yes, I believe you’re correct. Somehow, with our bond everything has changed for Damian.”
I turned my head to look at the vampire chained to the wall, his face a blank mask of beauty as his cold empty eyes stared without comprehension. Tears filled my own as my gaze blurred and I knew I’d do anything to bring Damian back. I wouldn’t let Roman take him from me.
“With or without your help, I’m going to save Damian and destroy Roman.”
Dmitri didn’t say a word as I turned back in his direction, wiping tears from my cheeks.
“Help me or stay out of my way. If you don’t, I’ll take you down, too.”
Chapter 10
“Bold words for a witch who almost died just a few minutes ago.”
“Shut up,” I retorted, looking away from his annoyingly amused expression. My gaze swept the room and noticed all of the vampire bodies were twitching. “How long before they’re able to attack me again?”
“Well, we could burn them and cease that possibility, but I thought you’d get a kick out of watching them come back.”
Not funny.
“That sounds morbid.”
He snorted, looking around the crypt. “Your life is nothing but immortal creatures, magic, and near-death experiences. You think this is morbid?”
I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a response.
Chuckling, Dmitri looked upward, watching the stars through the hole in the grating above. “The night is unnaturally long. I suppose that has something to do with you.”
“Maybe,” I shrugged. “I guess you’ll never know.”
Pursing his lips, he began to pace. He was bored now that nothing of a threat remained in this room. It didn’t take a lot of logic to figure it out. He was probably ordered to take Vega out if she didn’t succeed in killing me, which meant this whole interaction was nothing more than a diversion. How long before Roman showed up?
Sitting on the ground in one of the few places that wasn’t covered in blood, I finally remembered Vincent. “Where’s the necromancer?”
Until this moment, I’d completely forgotten him.
Dmitri chuckled, leaning against the wall. “Have a thing for dead bodies?”
Rolling my eyes, I zapped him with a lightning bolt and snickered when he jumped. “No, he was here to help Damian. He could raise the dead and help increase our odds of survival with greater numbers. There are dozens of rotting corpses in those dungeon cells. I doubt Roman would be expecting that.”
Of course, Ryder could do the same thing and I favored my ghoul over the necromancer, plus Ryder’s gifts were numerous. His ability to spirit walk was incredibly useful. I didn’t mention him on purpose. I had no idea how much Dmitri knew about my Cosan and preferred to keep him as ignorant as possible.
Dmitri seemed to perk up. “He’s not far. If we could get this door open, then I could retrieve him quickly.”
“We’re both spelled inside. Since Roman has disabled any witches from using their magic on the door, that leaves you.”
“I don’t do parlor tricks.”
Asshole. “Can’t you think of some way to help? Gabe and Ryder are on the other side of this door, too. We need all the help we can get. Roman won’t be easy to defeat.”
“Who are these men and what do they mean to you? Why keep Damian, Ryder, and Gabriel around? Are you that desperate for cock and company?”
“You’re such a jerk. Why would I tell you anything? Insulting me only pisses me off.”
“Exactly. It passes the time.” He was far too entertained. “Just answer my questions. I’m truly curious.”
At this point it hardly seemed to matter if I told him how they were attached to me, as long as their abilities remained a mystery. “They’re part of my Cosan.”
“Your what?”
“My protectors. We’re bonded by more than magic. It’s a witch thing.”
“Damian agreed to this?” He snorted in amusement. “Is this a joke?”
“No,” I replied calmly, resisting the urge to yell. “Stop being such a pain in the ass. Besides, you’ve been to my house. This shouldn’t be a surprise.”
“My brother doesn’t tell me everything, pet. Just as I don’t confide in him. It’s a mutual hatred.” He laughed without humor. “All I know is that I got to be the one to feel that wet, tight prize between your legs and I could have taken you, fucked you, and you would have loved it.”
The reminder pissed me off, exposing my vulnerability about that day and the deep hurt of the betrayal. “Shut up!” I blasted him with a force of magic that slammed him back into the nearest wall.
Dmitri’s eyes widened at my reaction. “Oh, you have a temper.” He laughed as the sound grated along my nerves. “I do like that violet spark to your eyes. Howe magic?”
Why would I tell him anything else?
“Humor me, pet,” he ordered softly, pushing away from the crumbling stone as our eyes met.
“According to Damian and the others, yes.”
“Interesting,” he observed, stroking the smooth skin of his chin. “Your eyes take on a mystical and alluring quality when that happens. I wonder if Roman ever noticed.”
Did it matter?
“Why do you want to know?”
“Explains why he’s so intimidated by you.”
Humored by the ludicrousness of that statement, I shook my head. “That’s the most preposterous thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It’s true. That’s why he’ll go to any length to acquire you. Killing you is a last resort. He wants the power of the Salem witch families. Roman will do anything to bring you to his side.”
“That will never happen.”
“Never say never, little Raven.”
Hands on my hips, I was done indulging the whims of this sadistic vampire. “And you know all of this because?”
“I revealed it,” a familiar deep voice answered, the door to the crypt had opened behind him without a sound. “Hello again, Cassandra.”
“Roman,” I seethed, “release Damian. Now.”
He chuckled, glancing at the vampire in chains. “I prefer him where he is for now.”
“Don’t make me kill you,” I threatened.
Roman’s light chuckle was annoying. “I do enjoy having you around.” He flicked a wrist and Dmitri stepped forward like an obedient dog to his side. “You’ve proven quite useful this day.”
“Is that so? Why don’t you enlighten me?”
“You destroyed the witch bitch. I was tired of Vega’s games. Impressive, Cassandra.”
Dmitri and I locked eyes as he shook his head so slightly, I wasn’t sure if it happened or I imagined it until he mouthed ‘no’ out of Roman’s view.
“Glad I could oblige you,” I lied, frowning.
Dmitri grinned, pleased that I didn’t tell the truth about him destroying Vega instead of me. He would never tell me why that mattered. I was positive I’d just been manipulated for his gain.
“This isn’t about the vampires, though, dearest. This is about you, me, and the Salem bloodlines.”
Finally, he was getting to the point. “Why don’t you be more specific?”
“I need your blood, Cassandra dearest.”
The endearment rolled off his tongue with all the finesse of a freight train crashing into a mountainside. “Mine? Why?”
“Well, you see, as a damned man I can’t control the council or the Salem bloodlines, but you control them all. You’re the highest level of mastery, the purest bloodline, and of course your parents gifted you with a c
ombination of rather unique abilities. There’s no one else like you, Cassandra.”
Bored, I saw no point in continuing this discussion. Roman really loved to hear himself talk. “Listen, this is great and all, but I have no interest in helping you.”
He lifted his hands and pointed at Damian. The chains that surrounded his ankles and wrists glowed red but turned silver and white hot as my vampire began to growl and hiss, his cries of torment reaching my ears as they filled the dungeon crypt.
“Stop! What do you want?” I asked, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Please don’t hurt him any further.”
“This is only the beginning. Gypsy and your Aunt Gwen will soon endure a similar torment. Don’t force me to take drastic measures, Cassandra mine.”
He was truly psychotic. Calling me his? Like he owned me? Fuck that.
I caught the fierce and pissed off expression on Dmitri’s face and ignored him, focusing on the riskier of my two enemies.
“It’s too late for that, isn’t it?” I asked, wiping away my tears. “You’ve come to test me this day so do it. I dare you!”
Damian’s cries faded as Roman roared and bolted forward, both of us meeting in the middle of the domed chamber of horrors. It was time he went down, once and for all. I was going to destroy Roman or die trying, but before that I’d make sure he’d never touch anyone I loved again.
Chapter 11
Bright lights bounced off the walls as Roman and I blasted spells, called out incantations, and threw our arsenal of magic at one another. To my surprise, his own abilities seemed mediocre in comparison to mine. He repeatedly hit the ground and rolled, groaning in agony when I burned his side or hit him hard enough to break bones. Arrogant, I foolishly thought I was gaining the upper hand.
Lowering my shields, I allowed more energy to sink into my power so I could hit him harder, but I left myself vulnerable in the process. It was what Roman had been waiting for. The perfect second to strike. He chanted an old demonic spell from the Book of the Dead. One that rendered an enemy useless as it struck them down and siphoned their energy, twisting and hurling it back. Darker, deadlier, and more vicious – my own spells came back in a devastatingly painful way.