by Jaye Wells
“What time is it?” I asked, knowing I wouldn’t like the answer.
“Seven a.m.,” he replied patiently. “Get up. You need to reset your internal clock.”
“Reset this,” I mumbled.
“Excuse me? I didn’t quite catch that,” he said.
“Never mind. Just give me the sunglasses,” I said, sticking one hand out from under the covers. I felt cool plastic hit my hand and pulled it back under. Sunglasses in place, I slowly lowered the sheets.
“Open your eyes,” he said, laughter in his voice.
“They are,” I lied.
“Bullshit. Open them.”
Slowly opening my left lid, I prepared for a blast of pain. Surprisingly, though, it wasn’t too bad. The glasses had super dark lenses, and the frames wrapped around my temples, preventing any errant rays from attacking my poor corneas. My right eye opened, and Callum came into view.
“See, what did I tell you? Not so bad, huh?”
“It’s almost bearable,” I said, squinting. The shades were drawn, but the room still seemed unnaturally bright, even with the aid of the sunglasses. He was right, though. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
“Now, if you’re done complaining, it’s time to get moving. Mother’s waiting for us in her study. You’ve been asleep for almost twenty-four hours as it is. It’s time to go over the details of your punishment.”
“Couldn’t this have waited until a more civilized hour? I’m exhausted.”
“That’s the sleeping pills talking,” he said, referring to meds I took yesterday morning at his insistence. “They’re quite strong because we wanted your body to adjust to the new schedule. Since you haven’t fed in more than a day, the fatigue is also to blame. A couple bags of blood and a shower and you’ll be good as new.”
His mention of blood made me aware of another pain besides the one lingering in my eyes. My stomach cramped, and my temples pounded. I doubted I had enough energy to even get out of bed.
“Here, drink this. It will help,” he said, placing a pint of blood in my hand. Even through the plastic, I could smell the rich iron scent. Greedily, I stabbed my fangs into the bag.
Gulping down the cold type B, I thought about how clever Callum was. Every time I had fed over the last few days, I was so starved I didn’t care that I was throwing out my principles in favor of nourishment. Like a person trapped in the dessert, I didn’t care where the liquid came from as long as I got enough of it down my throat to stop the pain.
After sucking down the last drop, I licked my lips, feeling stronger. I handed the bag back to Callum and mumbled my thanks. I caught him staring at me with an odd look on his face.
“What?” I asked, feeling embarrassed for some reason.
“You have a little bit next to your mouth,” he said, sounding amused.
I stuck my tongue out and tried to lick away the errant droplets.
“Better?”
“The right side,” he said, his voice no longer amused. His expression seemed very serious as he focused on my mouth. Intrigued, I slowly licked around my lips, making sure to take my time. His eyes flared for a second and then narrowed as if he had figured out my game.
“Did I get it all?” I asked innocently.
His jaw clenched. “Yeah. Get dressed and meet me downstairs. And be quick about it. We don’t have all day.”
He turned and stalked out the door. I watched him go, wondering if the light was playing tricks on me or if I had really just witnessed Callum Murdoch with a hard-on.
With a smile on my face, I got out of bed and went into the attached bathroom. When I saw myself in the mirror, a bark of laughter echoed in the tiled space.
A small red smear marred the pale skin to the right of my lips.
Having my clothes back added a little spring to my step an hour later as I descended the staircase. I took extra care with my appearance this morning. The knowledge I turned him on was a weapon I planned on using to my advantage. I had no choice about following his dictates about adopting a Brethren lifestyle, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t have a little fun driving him nuts.
Back to my clothes. Thanks to the trip back to my lair two nights earlier, I had my full wardrobe safely ensconced in the walk-in closet in my room. Today I chose a pair of buttery black leather pants and a tight black tank top. Simple yet sexy, the outfit showed off my curves and left little to the imagination.
Despite the necessity of wearing the shades all day, I applied smoky makeup. My eyes were tearing up even with the sunglasses due to the light filtering in through the foyer windows. Thank goddess the house faced west. If it had faced east, I’d probably have been struck blind. Nevertheless, I was glad the large lenses disguised any signs of raccoon eyes. Plus they went really well with the Goth-chic look I was going for.
The best part of my ensemble was the shoes. The black leather boots with the hand-tooled red flames—which matched my lipstick perfectly—shooting across the toes and up the sides were my shit-kickingest pair of footwear. They even sounded cool as they thudded on the foyer’s marble floor.
I guess the sound announced my arrival because I had barely taken three steps off the stairs when Callum strode into the foyer looking like a thundercloud.
“An hour? What part of ‘hurry up’ didn’t you understand?”
“Why, Callum, I don’t know what you mean.” I motioned to my bare earlobes. “See? I didn’t even have time to properly accessorize.”
He crossed his arms and opened his mouth as if preparing for a lengthy lecture. His mother’s entrance saved me from dying of boredom.
“Raven, don’t you look . . . awake this morning,” she said, obviously trying to hide her shock at my fashion choices.
I nodded my thanks, keeping one eye on Callum. A vein had appeared over his right eyebrow. I didn’t take that as a good sign.
“I was just about to tell Gabriella that we have been waiting for her to make an appearance,” he said calmly.
Asshole. He knew I hated that name and was trying to bait me. So, I ignored him, knowing it would piss him off.
“Kira, I am so sorry to keep you waiting. I am afraid the sunlight is affecting my energy levels.”
“That’s to be expected. In a couple of days, you’ll be right as rain. Now, let’s adjourn to the study to discuss our plans for you. Shall we?” She motioned to the hall off the foyer.
I followed her down the hall, still ignoring Callum. He had no choice but to follow, and I could feel his eyes burning into my back.
I had just sat in one of the chairs facing the delicate antique table Kira used as a desk when the doorbell rang. Callum’s head snapped up, and he looked at Kira. She rushed to the window to look out at the driveway.
“Logan and Syd,” she said, quickly closing the drapes to look at Callum.
“What are we going to do?” Callum asked. “If he finds her here, he’ll freak.”
“Raven, please go upstairs. We’ll continue this discussion later,” Kira said calmly.
I nodded and rose. Callum looked at me sharply. “Whatever you do, don’t come down until one of us gets you.”
“Believe me, Logan Murdoch is the last man I want to see right now. Other than you, that is,” I said and walked out of the room.
The doorbell rang again as I entered the foyer. Hannah was almost at the door when she saw me.
“I think they want you to wait until I’m out of sight to get that.” She merely nodded and waited patiently as I climbed the stairs. Once I reached the landing, I walked a couple of feet down the hall and then stopped to listen in. I felt no guilt about eavesdropping. I wanted to know everything going on so there would be no surprises later.
The front door squeaked open after a third ring. Logan’s voice sounded excited as he asked Hannah where his mother was.
Kira and Callum had obviously decided to greet the lovebirds themselves because soon the foyer was filled with happy exclamations.
“Sydney, dear, we
are so happy to have you as part of our family,” Kira said. “How are you coping with the transformation?”
“I’m doing okay. Logan has been so great, explaining everything and helping me through the worst of it. I feel great now, though,” Sydney replied.
I almost gagged as she gushed some more about her soon-to-be husband.
“So when is the big day?” Callum asked.
“Well, I tried to convince Sydney to elope—a” Logan said but was cut off by protests from his mother.
“Nonsense. We haven’t had a wedding in this family in at least a century!”
“Mother, I know. Besides, Sydney already put her foot down.”
“I did not. I simply pointed out that every woman dreams of her wedding day, and I am no different.”
“You deserve to have the fairy tale,” Callum said. ”Even though my brother resembles Rumpelstiltskin more than Prince Charming.”
The group chuckled, eliciting an eye roll from me. These vampires were far too happy. Why, they were a disgrace to our species.
“Anyway, we decided to get married in March. Spring in Raleigh is so beautiful,” Sydney continued.
Silence filled the foyer for a moment. I cocked my head and scooted closer to the landing, wondering what had caused the silence.
“Only three months from now? That’s not much time to plan a wedding,” Kira said hesitantly after a few moments.
“We don’t want to wait too long. Besides, it won’t be very large, we’ll just invite close family and friends,” Logan said.
“Why the rush? After all, you two will have an eternity together. Why not take six months?” Callum asked, sounding a little stressed.
The room fell silent again, and even I, up on the balcony, could feel tension floating in the air. Obviously, Kira and Callum wanted me out of their hair before they had to deal with the wedding too. But Logan and Sydney didn’t know that. I crept a little closer to the balcony overlooking the foyer, careful to keep back a bit.
“Is there a reason why you’re pushing us to take more time?” Logan demanded.
“Darling, no, of course not. It’s just everything has happened so fast. Poor Sydney just got turned. Why not take some time before you add the stress of planning a wedding on yourselves?” Kira sandbagged.
“Actually, I feel great. Besides, it shouldn’t be too much work for us. Jorge and Geraldine have decided to start a wedding planning company, and they’re going to handle all the details,” Sydney said.
I stifled an outraged gasp. Geraldine? As in my former minion? That turncoat! Forgetting that I was supposed to stay out of sight, I got even closer to the railing.
“Geraldine and Jorge?” Callum said, chuckling. “With those two in charge, you’re begging for drama.”
“I think they’ll do a lovely job,” Sydney said defensively. “Besides, Jorge knows all about you guys. I mean us.”
“You told Jorge?” Callum asked, sounding alarmed.
“Relax, bro. Jorge figured it out on his own. He’s fine with it,” Logan said.
Sydney laughed. “I couldn’t believe it when he asked me. But he said it explains a lot, especially why all of you guys are so hot.”
“Well, dear, I am sure they will do a fine job. But I still think this is all rather hasty,” Kira said.
“Mother, it’s already settled,” Logan said, his tone making it clear there would be no more discussion. “Now, tell me how things went with Raven.”
This was going to be good. I couldn’t resist peeking over the railing to catch Callum’s face and hear how he was going to handle this one.
Only I was so intent on Callum that I didn’t notice my sunglasses were slipping until it was too late.
Everything happened at once. My glasses fell straight into the foyer with a thunk. Right at Logan’s feet. I stood stunned for a moment. Then sunlight attacked my eyeballs like ice picks. I screamed and collapsed on the floor, clawing at my eyes. So much for inconspicuous.
Before I knew it, four pairs of feet flew up the staircase, and I was surrounded.
“Here, take the sunglasses, but for God’s sake stop that yelling!” Callum said, shoving the glasses back on my face.
My howls turned into whimpers as my eyes went from being on fire to merely throbbing. Fortunately, the pain receded quickly. Unfortunately, my ears were also working well. Someone was shouting.
“What the hell is she doing here?” Logan demanded.
“Dear, we can explain,” Kira said, holding her hand up.
“Logan, calm down and I’ll tell you,” Callum said at the same time.
“Someone better start talking,” Logan demanded. “I can’t believe this! Were you even going to tell me she was here?”
He resembled Mt. Vesuvius right before it erupted. His cheeks were flushed and his blue eyes flashed. He had Sydney pushed behind his back. Her expression was a combination of concern and annoyance at his behavior.
“Logan, calm down and let them explain,” she said, laying a hand on his arm.
He abruptly stopped yelling and took a deep breath. “Fine. Now, I want you to tell me why the bitch who kidnapped my future wife is in this house.” His voice was calm, but any idiot would recognize the menace underlying the words.
Callum cleared his throat. “We were going to tell you, but we wanted to wait until another time. Not right after you announced your engagement. See, Raven is the reason we were pushing you to hold off on the wedding. She’s going to be here for a while.”
Logan narrowed his eyes. “What? Why? And how long is ‘a while’?”
“Three months. Wait!” Callum said, trying to hold off a new outburst from his brother. “Before you freak again, let me explain. Orpheus decided that since we were the victims of her recent stunts, we should decide her punishment.”
I almost spoke up to correct him, because we both knew he was glossing over a lot. But Callum must have sensed my thoughts because he shot me a deadly look that promised severe repercussions if I said anything. One look at Logan’s enraged face and my mouth clamped shut again. Totally against my nature, I continued to sit there on the floor, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself.
“We get to decide her punishment? Fine. Go tie her up, and I’ll get a whip,” Logan said.
I gasped, drawing his eyes to me. He wasn’t joking.
“Now, son, there’s no need for violence. Listen to your brother. There’s more.”
“Yes,” Callum said. “Orpheus wants us to rehabilitate Raven, to get her to understand the Brethren philosophy so she won’t be a threat to anyone any longer.”
Logan snorted. “That’s bullshit. What kind of idiot thinks that will work?”
Callum’s color rose. I stifled a grin since the rehabilitation plan had been Callum’s idea to begin with.
“Actually, I think the idea has some merit. She can pay her debts to us and learn that there’s a better way of life,” Callum said, indignation clear in his tone.
“So, she’s here for three months and has to do whatever we say?” Sydney asked. She sounded far more reasonable than Logan. I didn’t believe for a moment that she liked me or anything, but the fact I had done nothing to harm her when I kidnapped her probably had something to do with it. Logan was just being an overprotective asshole, in my humble opinion.
“Yes, she also has to live like us, meaning Sun Shield therapy and no more human meals. I thought we’d also get her started on Lifeblood as soon as possible,” Callum said.
“Over my dead body,” he said. “She doesn’t deserve it after everything she did.”
“But, son, don’t you see? It’s the perfect form of justice. She has to depend on Lifeblood for survival or she doesn’t eat.”
Logan seemed to think this over for a moment. I was starting to get bored, and my ass hurt from sitting on the floor. Plus, it pissed me off that they were talking about me like I wasn’t there. As I rose, Logan’s gaze shot to me.
“Look, I know you don’t wan
t me here, but guess what,” I said, cocking a hip. “I like it even less than you do. So quit your bitching and deal. I’ll be out of your hair in three months.”
He took a menacing step toward me, but I refused to back down. Logan Murdoch might have a few inches on me, but I wasn’t intimidated. No lab rat was going to make Raven Coracino back down.
Fortunately for Logan, his mother grabbed his arm before he could do anything stupid. “Son, there will be no fighting in my house. She’s right. We must accept the will of the council and make the best of this. Look on the bright side.”
Logan’s head swiveled to look at is mother in disbelief. “What the hell is the bright side of this?”
Callum smiled wickedly. “She has to do anything we tell her.”
After Callum’s not-so-subtle threat, I excused myself from the group. If I had to listen to one more second of their bullshit, I was going to scream.
Since I was already upstairs, I went straight to my room. Once there, I collapsed on my bed facedown.
Sometimes it was tough to maintain my tough-chick persona. Sure, I talked a good game and usually even believed my own bullshit. But the truth was sometimes being misunderstood sucked. If they weren’t talking about all the ways I needed to change, they were attacking my beliefs. It was frustrating as hell to constantly be put on the defensive, which was why I tried to attack first.
The result was that I had to keep everyone at arm’s length. That wasn’t so bad usually since most people pissed me off. Yet, every now and then I felt . . . I don’t know. Lonely, I guessed.
I know it’s silly since I had a group of minions who practically worshipped me. But in reality, I only really had one true friend in the world, Miranda. She and I had not spoken since the shit hit the fan, and I missed her.
Making a mental note to get in touch with her soon, I sat up. A tear splashed on my cheek. It shocked me since I wasn’t even aware I was crying until then. I swiped at my cheeks, telling myself it was anger—not self pity—making me cry.
Crying was for weaklings. Kick-ass vampire chicks didn’t boo-hoo just because people didn’t like them.
Yet, the tears still fell, and the feeling in my gut wasn’t white-hot fury. It was more of the misty grey fog of melancholy.