by Raven Steele
“Yes, Master.”
The line went dead. I threw my phone across the room, smashing it against the wall.
“I’m so sorry!” Briar’s face was flushed with guilt. “I feel terrible.”
“That is why you don’t answer my phone.”
“Samira,” Aris’ soft voice said behind me. I turned around. I don’t know when he had come in, but by his expression, he’d heard everything. “I will go with you. He cannot go against both of us.”
“No. I won’t risk it. You are too important here. If something happens to me, you can help everyone else. Korin doesn’t know about you yet. You’ll be our surprise weapon.” I turned away, looking for Teddy. I would have Aris compel him before we left.
“Actually, he does.”
I swiveled back around. “What?”
“I haven’t had the chance to talk to you since I arrived in Rouen. When I came to town, I wanted to see for myself what’s been going in the city. I was drawn to an area called Hell’s Peak. That’s where I ran into a friend of yours. Someone named Michael.”
I dug my nails into my palm. “What was he doing?”
“I caught him compelling a human to follow him. After a brief fight,” he touched his lip where it had probably once been swollen and bleeding, “Michael realized who he was fighting. He wanted to know what a member of the Ministry was doing in Rouen, so I told him I was here to see you, as you had once trained me. I wanted to see if you would also assist in the Principes Noctis’s training facility.”
“What happened then?”
“I stopped him from taking the human, but not without first agreeing to visit Korin. I think we can use my position to our advantage. Maybe I can get him to admit his plans to me. I am good at playing both sides, after all.”
I knew the danger was too much, but I recognized the truth in his words. The Kiss purred in approval. It liked the way I felt when I thought of Aris being injured, or worse, dying.
“Fine.” I turned and called for Teddy. Within a few seconds Teddy was by my side, a bag of Cheetos in his hand. I raised my eyebrow. “You’re still eating human food?”
He shrugged, putting one to his mouth. “I used to love these.”
“It’s time to return to Winter’s Cove.”
The Cheeto on his lips fell to the floor. “What if I don’t want to return?”
“Too bad. Korin just called and asked for you.”
His mouth turned downwards. “Damn.”
“But I have a gift for you, first.” I grinned, showing my teeth. “Aris is going to compel you.”
Teddy’s face paled. “What?”
“It’s not what you think. He can compel you to never come under Korin’s control ever again.”
He inhaled a hitched breath. “I’d like that.”
“Teddy, right?” Aris stepped forward as Teddy nodded. “Look me in the eyes.”
As Aris compelled Teddy, Briar gripped my hand. “Sam. I really am sorry. If I had thought it through, I never would’ve answered your phone. I’m an idiot.”
“An idiot who just saved your pack’s life.”
“How?”
I hesitated, then decided to give her the truth. “In exchange for me going to Winter’s Cove, he will not attack here.”
She swallowed hard. “But you risked your own life.”
“At least your pack will be safe, for now.”
“But at what cost?”
“I can take it.” I turned away, not wanting to see the guilt in her eyes any more.
“Can I give you a ride?” Aris asked me.
“No. It’s better if we arrive separately. I don’t want him knowing we know each other very well. Teddy and I will go first.” I pressed my finger into Aris’s chest. “Be careful and mind your temper. Korin has the ability to use fire in a way I’ve never seen before, thanks to the Phoenix. And your being on the Ministry won’t stop him.”
Aris nodded. “Noted.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
Briar said goodbye to Teddy while I grabbed my broken phone. I would switch it out with a spare in the car. Just before I stepped outside, Aris said, “You also be careful. Michael said he had a surprise for you, and by the gleam in his eye when he said it, it can’t be good.”
I didn’t want to find out Michael’s surprise. He had a dark and twisted mind and found joy in torturing others. When I had dated him shortly after being turned, I had been in a dark place and had mistaken pain for pleasure. It wasn’t until I met Mateo that I learned the difference.
Sensing my discomfort, Teddy glanced away from the road briefly as he drove. “You don’t have to come with me.”
“I do. He requested I come, too.”
He frowned and returned his gaze to the road.
“Korin will want to know where you’ve been. He may even try to compel you. If he does, you have to pretend to still be compelled.”
He nodded thoughtfully, his face paler than usual in the glare of the moonlight.
We pulled up and parked in the shadow of Winter’s Cove. The great structure looked darker than usual, and a muggy wind whipped my hair around my face. I smoothed it back and steeled myself for my encounter with Korin. He must be furious we’d destroyed his drugs, and, in my experience with him, his anger made him crueler. At least he didn’t have Faithe to force me to do his bidding, but I was certain he would find something else. Or someone.
Mateo.
He’d commanded him to return here last night. What if Korin used him against me?
“Are you coming?” Teddy asked from the front door. He held it open, waiting expectantly.
I swallowed and jogged up the stone steps. Together we walked the halls of the great mansion. It was surprisingly quiet, even in the main living areas. Being back here made the hole in my heart widen.
I swore I could smell Faithe and hear her faint laughter around every corner. I gritted my teeth to keep my emotions in check, when all I really wanted to do was burn this place down. Again.
As we walked, I could sense vampires behind many of the closed doors. They were afraid. I hadn’t considered it before, but I realized how they must have suffered when Korin discovered we’d destroyed all of his supplies. I hope he managed to kill some of the vampires I hated; Michael would’ve done quite nicely.
“There you two are,” a voice said, startling us. Michael stepped out from the shadows and smiled at me. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Unfortunately, the feeling isn’t mutual. I’m not here for you.”
“Oh, but you are,” his voice sang, cocky as ever. “Korin gave me permission to play with you until he arrives. Since you’ve been so naughty.” He flashed his cold gaze to Teddy. “You’ll come, too. Korin has a few questions for you. This way.”
We followed behind him, sharing a worried glance. Michael stopped in front of the formal dining room and slid open a large wooden door. It was the same dining room where Korin had hung humans from the ceiling while their blood dripped into goblets below. Just being in this room again made me ill.
That sensation only lasted a few seconds before I smelled the coppery zing of blood. My eyes scanned across the room until I saw something else that made the nausea in my stomach twist into a raging tornado. I latched onto the doorframe for support.
Mateo sat in a chair at the table, his back straight. His right hand gripped a knife that was sunk deep into his left one, and he was slowly turning it. Blood pooled on the table around it and dripped onto the floor.
Stomach bile came up my throat as I realized what was happening. He had been compelled to stab his own hand, and to continue twisting the knife over and over. And probably all in silence, too, since he hadn’t said anything to me.
Fury tore through me. I appeared in front of Michael and gripped his throat, squeezing it tight. “What is Mateo doing here? And why is he being punished?”
Even though Michael could barely breathe, he sneered at me. “Why don’t you ask Korin when he arrives?
This is not my doing.” He slowly stretched his head to peer at Mateo. “Although I do love seeing him suffer.” He turned back to me, his eyes darkening. “Let me go, or this will be a cake walk compared to what Korin will do to him.”
I growled, tightening my hold further on his neck and leaning in. I loved to see the fear in his eyes—for it had been the opposite not so long ago. Michael used to love to torment me.
I let him go, shoving him backwards. He stumbled into the table, sucking in a large breath. Ignoring him, I moved closer to Mateo. At least he hadn’t been caught for his role at the college. I couldn’t imagine how Korin might’ve punished him.
Mateo faced forward, yet his eyes found mine. Was he truly compelled or faking it? Aris’s compulsion should’ve held, but what if it hadn’t? For now, there was no way of telling.
“Sit down, Samira.” Michael circled behind me and rested his hands on my shoulders. Mateo’s gaze followed the motion.
“Don’t touch me,” I said and jerked backwards.
Michael grabbed my shoulders and slammed me into the back of the chair. “You will sit here and you will listen. If you don’t, there will be … consequences.”
My eyes flickered to Mateo’s, whose right eye twitched. It looked like it was taking every ounce of his strength to keep still. Teddy moved closer, but I shot him a quick look to stay back. I didn’t need him to make this more complicated than it already was.
“Mateo tried to argue with Korin,” Michael explained. “It was a stupid mistake, one he’s been paying for for the last hour. And if he doesn’t show he’s sorry soon, he’ll remain seated long after the sun rises. Just in time for the staff to come in and clean this room, starting with opening the blinds and letting in some much needed light.”
I shifted my gaze past Mateo and to the window behind him. He would be in direct contact with sunlight if he didn’t move soon. “What do you want, Michael?”
He leaned down and moaned in my ear. “You know what I want.” His tongue snaked out and licked the flesh just beneath my ear.
I stared hard at Mateo, urging him to remain still with my eyes.
“Where’s Korin?” I asked.
“He’ll be here soon.” Michael’s hand slid off my shoulder and toward my breast.
“Leave her alone,” Teddy warned, but Michael ignored him.
Just before his hand could slip beneath my shirt, I snatched the butter knife on the table and appeared behind him, slamming his head onto the table and pressing the knife to his throat. “I said don’t touch me.”
He chuckled low. “Just like old times. Pleasure and pain.”
Angrily, I dug the knife harder into his skin, feeling power swell within my chest. I had Michael exactly where I wanted him, under my thumb, a knife to his throat. It didn’t matter that it was only a butter knife—I had enough power that it would only take a flick of my wrist to run the knife through his neck and cut his head from his body. I could carve his heart out next, pull out the pulsing, bleeding muscle and offer it to Korin.
My heart pounded and my breathing turned ragged. I wanted it, so badly. My hand itched to plunge into the soft part of his flesh. To see the dismay on Korin’s face when he stepped in here—how his soldier had died. Michael squirmed, trying to get away, and I grinned.
Sucking in a deep breath, I pulled my hand back, flicking my gaze in front of me. Mateo’s calm eyes boring into me. They bore into my heart, my bones, burning right in to my soul.
Was sawing Michael in half with a butter knife more important than the battle of wills with Korin right now?
Korin still had the power to light me on fire, if he so desired. And Mateo and Teddy.
My heart slowed and my breathing calmed. I pulled my hand back and Michael rotated to the side faster than I expected, stepping behind me. This time, it was my face being shoved into the table. He held me firm and pressed his hips into my ass and moaned. “Wasn’t this your favorite position?”
I strained my neck to stare into Mateo’s eyes - showing him with every feeling in them that I was submitting myself to Michael for him. To keep us alive, together.
Because that’s all that mattered anymore.
Chapter 22
Michael continued to touch me. The flames in Mateo’s eyes could’ve lit the room on fire.
Michael pushed further into my backside, thrusting a couple of times, then the doorbell chimed loudly.
Michael stopped moving. “Who could that be?”
“Why don’t you go check?” I growled.
He paused, then let me go, leaving the room without saying a word.
As soon as he was gone, Mateo was across the room to me. I sagged in relief that he’d been faking his compulsion.
He took me by the arms. “Let me kill him. Please. I can’t bear him touching you!”
“No. Korin must not know.” I shoved him away. “Get back and remain where you were. No matter what happens.”
His expression pained, and he tore at his shirt just over his heart, smearing blood over it. “My heart cannot take this!”
I drew him close to me, clinging to him. “You must do this. For us. Please.” I leaned my forehead to rest across his, cupping his cheeks with my hands. Trying to infuse my voice with every emotion of love I felt for him. “Please, Mateo. If something were to happen to you, I could not bear it.”
“Mi anima gemella, you know I will do anything for you.” He pulled back to stare into my eyes, and I could see the bottomless depths of his love in them. It was as if the stars and all the cosmos were in those dark orbs. It made my knees weak and my heart pound, and yet, my determination to kill Korin was made that much stronger.
“Swear to me,” he said. “Swear to me you will be mine when this is over. It is the only way I can continue.”
I only had to wait a single beat of my heart before my lips crashed into his. The kiss was quick and passionate. Then I pushed him back. “I swear. Now go.”
His lips quivered into a smile. He returned to his seat and stabbed the knife back into his hand. It was as if he’d stuck the blade into my heart instead of his hand. I gasped and clutched my hand to my chest.
He smiled. “Do not worry. I am accustomed to such pain.”
“This is so messed up,” Teddy said. I dragged my eyes away from Mateo to look at him.
“It will get worse, so be ready. And remember what I said in the car.”
Just then I heard Aris’s polite laughter coming toward our room. The doors slid open. Aris was in the middle of patting Michael on the back as if they were long-lost friends. His smile disappeared when he took in the scene.
“Samira,” he said, his eyes flashing from Mateo to Teddy, “what are you doing here?”
“Do you remember? The Buio Sangre is my old coven. I came to visit them.”
Michael strolled over to me and traced a finger across the top of my shoulders as he walked behind me. He hooked his arm around me and stood so that our sides were touching. “Because her visits are so rare, we make sure to give her the best experience possible.”
Aris nodded his head toward Mateo, his eyes drifting to his hands. “And who’s this?” His expression was completely void of emotion or feeling. He’d gotten much better at schooling his emotions.
Michael snorted. “No one important. He’s currently being punished for disagreeing with Korin. Speaking of which, I’ll let him know you’ve come to visit. He’ll be especially excited to have your company for our special dinner.”
Michael left the room. As soon as we were sure he was out of earshot, Aris said to me, his voice low, “Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on here?”
“Welcome to associating with Korin.”
He frowned. “I see.”
“Mateo’s pretending to be compelled. Korin has planned something, but I don’t know what. It can’t be good.”
Teddy shifted his weight to his other foot. “I don’t like this.”
Aris’s mouth tightened and he took in th
e scene again, glancing back at the open door. “But we are together. We’ll get through this.”
“If it gets bad, I might have to … “
He grabbed my arm to keep me from finishing the sentence. “We will deal with it. You’re surrounded by friends who are on your side. You helped me once before, let me return the favor.” He tilted his head, listening to a far-off sound. “They’re coming.”
The familiar grating sound of Naburus’s IV pole squeaked along the tiled floor as they made their way into the dining room. He followed behind Korin, who swept his long dark robe across and looked from Mateo, to me, and finally to Aris. My heart thundered in my chest, and I resisted the urge to swallow. I hated how it felt like he could see right through me. At least Michael wasn’t with him.
“What a lovely surprise,” Korin said and approached Aris. “I haven’t had a visit from the Ministry in decades. A pity, really. We have so much in common.”
Aris held out his hand. “Then it’s time we rectify that. I’m Aris Crow.”
“I know who you are.” He took hold of his hand and pulled him close. He hissed in front of Aris’s face, “Bastian was an old friend of mine. You killed him.”
Aris mirrored Korin’s venom. “Bastian was weak and a fool.”
Korin’s eyes wondered over Aris’s, then Korin smiled and stepped back. “Yes, yes he was. He had an interesting view of the world.”
“Some might say an idealistic view, but men like you and I know otherwise. Only the powerful survive.”
“Very true.” Korin stepped aside to introduce Naburus. “This is my first born, Naburus.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“How do you know Samira?” Naburus asked him, ice in his voice.
“She trained me after I became a vampire.” His eyes flashed to mine. “I was lucky to get it.”
Naburus grabbed his pole and inched toward Aris. “What else did she teach you? Samira’s views don’t align with ours anymore. Some might say they are just as dangerous as Bastian’s were.”
I resisted the urge to laugh. Bastian had wanted a utopian society between vamps and humans where they lived with each other in a symbiotic relationship. Except in the end, it only made the humans more like slaves.