Her cheek still lay against the charcoal material of his shirt. She veered back to survey him. His eyes were shut tight, sweat dotted his brow, and his face twisted with pain. She had never seen him like this. What was wrong?
“Tristan?” Her voice wavered with concern. He didn’t answer, but winced as he fell backward. He held her tight against him, taking the brunt of the fall. A moan left his lips when they hit, as did another when he shuffled to a sitting position. She shifted between his legs, eyes sweeping over him, to determine his condition. No blood marked his skin or his clothes. So he wasn’t hurt. Had that little flashing thing made him weak? “Are you okay? Talk to me.”
With a stubborn shake of his head, he said, “I just need a minute.” He gasped, and at last opened his eyes. “Please.”
“Is there anything I can do? How can I help?”
“You again.” They both turned to the sound of that voice.
She recognised the man from earlier, the one who told her about the vents. “Oh, Councillor. I see you’ve come to accompany your moitié on her tour.” A blush coloured the vampire’s cheeks when he took in the position they sat in. With both of them sweating, panting, and their tousled hair and clothes…no doubt looked as though they did more than just touring. “Sorry to disturb. I’ll leave you both to it.”
****
“Thank you,” Tristan called out, not believing what he’d just heard. He stared at his moitié—the first time he felt such resentment at the term. “A tour?”
Brianna bit her lower lip. Oh no, he wanted answers and he would have them. Gripping her shoulders, he shook her. “An escape tour perhaps?”
An evident tremble ran through her as she nodded. “I found out the vents lead to the outside world in just a few hours.”
Stupid, stupid woman. Pure fire must have replaced the blood in his veins, because it took everything in him to control the anger scorching inside. “A few hours, yes, if you have the speed of a vampire, which you don’t. For you, the climb would have taken days. Days!” He shook her again, harder this time. “Without water or food! You would have died before you reached the top.” The danger she put herself in…Dieu, he shouldn’t think about it, and instead concentrate on the fact he found her in time.
Small, soft hiccups gasped from those petite lips. Rage scorched through every cell in his body. Instinct told him to punish her for her imprudent behaviour. Yes. He should throw her back in the dark tunnel, lock up the vent and let her sleep inside overnight. Or, perhaps he shouldn’t feed her tonight, since she would have starved for days if he had not heard her screaming. But he refused to do those things for one simple reason…he loved her. And her cries disturbed him; each teardrop burned straight through his chest. Like lava, like acid, the very poison he endured when she once tried to kill him.
Merde. What must he do with this woman? Neither of them could go on like this.
He released her, lay one hand against the wall for support and propelled his debilitated body to his feet. He was draining…fast; using his strength to flash out of the vent left him weaker than ever. “Get up,” he told her. His fingers twitched by his side, itching to help, but kept still as she put her palms on the ground and rose to her feet.
With the back of her hands, she swept away the tears. A glassy wetness shone through her eyes and her chin trembled. He bet he hadn’t seen the last of her sobs tonight. He took her elbow, led her through the upward corridors, passing each one in silence. He turned down the long hall on his left, all the while forcing himself not to glance at Brianna.
“I’m pretty sure I came a different way.”
Her voice now calmer, not as shaky as it had been moments ago. Of course she’d found a different way down here. Many passages lead to the vents.
“How did you find me?” she asked.
“I heard you scream when I searched for you in my room.”
“All the way from there? The whole of Désuet must have heard me.”
He spun around, took two quick steps forward as she retreated and hustled her against the wall. “Vampires hear very well, but not this far down. I did because—as you so love to deny—we are mates. Anytime you’re in danger, screaming out for help, I will hear you, no matter the distance between us.”
“Oh,” she mumbled, grey eyes averting to the side. Her throat bounced as she swallowed. “I did not know that.”
He should say something, but didn’t know what, maybe because whatever he said wouldn’t change her mind. Waiting for her to admit the truth about their relationship was like expecting the sun to be his best friend. And what a relationship they had. She despised him, didn’t trust him, but still slept with him, rode him hard the way he liked, kissed him in a way that fulfilled…then what? Then decided to leave, run away, risking her own life in the process. This wasn’t a relationship. This was hell.
Tristan caught her wrist again and spun in the opposite direction, relieved his anger lingered inside, instead of erupting with maximum force and lashing out.
“What! Is that an elevator?” she asked when they stood in front of the old machine. How frustrated she must be right now after walking through hallways and down staircases when this shaft could have taken her to the bottom in seconds. Désuet had many elevators, but this one hadn’t been upgraded since the 1900s. He stepped inside, tugged her in with him, closed the gate and yanked the crank. The lift travelled at a slow ascent, giving him enough time to concentrate on steadying his breathing.
Once they halted on the top floor, he threw back the gate. An arched entry stood at the end of the hall. Vampires strolled past, off to their homes for the night. He passed through the opening and peered down at Brianna. Her eyes darted around the grand space of the cave, at the shopping stalls and small bars circling the main square. Absolute disbelief shone on her face, eyes widening when her gaze ran up the tall staircase ahead.
Just beyond the landing sat the giant doors. He turned from Brianna to see the groups of vampires that ambled in and out. Not just vampires, but humans also. A woman in a black gown standing beside her moitié, waved and blew kisses to two older people exiting the doors.
“What’s that?” Shock shuddered her words.
“The exit,” he said in a dry tone.
A bitter laugh met the small space around them, and he narrowed his eyes to observe her, but no humour crossed her features. No, her bright red cheeks were infused with mortification. “The exit,” she repeated with mock laughter. “Of course it is. And those people must be…?”
“Humans. Family. The humans in Désuet have their family visit any time of the year…that’s of course if they are still alive. Just outside these open doors is a small trek to the entrance of the cave. Most families are taken back into the main village where they arrange their flights, travels, or if night, they may be flashed home. Sometimes the humans leave their mates to visit their families.”
“The other vampires let their moitiés leave?”
“Of course, because unlike you, those humans will return.” He strode out of the main square, passed through several hallways until reaching his room. Once inside, he released his hold on her wrist and shut the door. For a moment he stood there as she paced in front of the bed.
She seemed ready for a fight, or perhaps to burst. Her fists clenched and unclenched as she stomped back and forth. Mud stained the tights and shirt she wore, palms dark with dirt that matched the smear across her brow. She swung around, eyes glazed, spilling the tears he’d counted on seeing again.
“You know this is not all my fault. You didn’t lock the door, and your stupid guards weren’t outside. So I took the opportunity to escape when I could.” Her chin rose, harsh breaths flaring her nostrils.
Pain lanced through his chest, into his heart with more precision than if she held a dagger in her hand. His face must have shown his emotions, for her features softened and her arms fell by her sides. Her teary eyes beheld him and she took one-step forward, then paused, bit her lip and stepped b
ack.
He realised now. She would always fight him. Fight her emotions and their bond. He drew in a deep breath before speaking. “I left the door unlocked and unguarded because after last night I believed things had changed between us.” Clearly, he was wrong.
Marching forward until he stood in front of her, he bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from dragging her into his embrace and never releasing her. He stared down, and she up at him, grey eyes lustrous with need, small mouth parting. She wanted him. He could lay her on the floor, rip off her clothes, sink deep inside and she wouldn’t protest. Physically, she was unable to resist him, and her current expression revealed as much, but if he just desired her body then he’d be inside her.
He’d rather none of her if he was only allowed this small part. “Don’t worry.” His voice hitched as he spoke. “You won’t be with me much longer.”
Her brows furrowed, grey eyes beheld a quizzical look. Before she had a chance to question him, he headed for the bathroom and slammed the door.
He must set her free. For days now he’d felt like a damn yoyo.
Make her stay. Make her leave. Make her stay. He experienced different emotions about the matter, but no longer refused to ignore what must be done. What should have been done from the start! This morning he arranged a meeting with the council to find out the status of the investigation. He wanted to find her sister’s killer, wanted to bring the vampire to justice. Even before he learned of Brianna’s relation to the dead witch, the council had a team working hard. If he had paid more interest to the matter, he would have discovered sooner that the dead witch was Rachel Johnson, realised her relation to his moitié. Regardless, there were no leads, and he had been heading to his room to tell her that when he discovered her gone. Moments later, her scream had sounded.
The other night he’d told her he didn’t kill her sister, had been on his knees pleading for her to believe him. Whether she did or not, no longer mattered. She hated his kind. The fact he drank blood reminded her of what she lost. He’d always resemble a killer in her eyes. So, yes, he must let her go. Without her he would die…already was dying. But, she refused to give him her heart, much less her blood. Being with her like this, seeing how much she didn’t want him, or need him—only killed him faster.
Chapter 12
Brianna fidgeted with the zipper on the back of her gown. How vampire women managed to wear such gowns every day was a complete mystery. Her arms stretched behind her back, pinching the little clasp, she guided it halfway. Bending forward, she reached over her shoulders and drove the zipper from the half point the rest of the way up.
“Ah,” an exasperated breath puffed from her lips and she straightened in front of the full-length baroque mirror. The thick, black organza straps sat over her shoulders. The sweetheart neckline enhanced her waist and hips as the full skirt flowed to the floor. She could not deny the beauty of the gown and how the soft material was like a wondrous caress against her skin. She withdrew a pair of flat shoes and slid into them.
Whether he wanted to see her or not, she didn’t care. She was done waiting and would find Tristan. Her gaze swept the room—the room she had paced non-stop—and she shook her head. She had no purse or cell phone to take. So familiar with grabbing her items before heading out, the habit proved hard to break.
All she wanted was to speak with him. How long had it been since he left? More than a day, for sure.
He had been angry the night they returned after he helped her out of the vent. No, angry seemed too light of a word to describe the fury that radiated from him. But, beyond his temper emitted sadness; a deep, soul-crushing sorrow which shot holes through her heart like bullets. He trusted her. And what did she do? Run away, like a coward.
He told her she wouldn’t be with him much longer. Well, he meant what he said because she hadn’t seen him since. She had paced for hours, waiting for him to exit the bathroom so he could explain. But pacing turned into sitting, sitting into lying down, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep. When she woke, he was gone.
Twice, in the last so many hours, Tristan’s brother, Dominic, had entered with a tray of food. “If you wish to see any part of Désuet, I’ll be outside your door to escort you.”
“Where is Tristan? Why hasn’t he come back yet?” Of course, the arrogant vampire hadn’t paid any heed to her questions and left the room with his chin held high, as though he were too superior to answer.
She guessed Tristan needed space and time to collect himself. She had fallen into a fitful sleep without seeing him that night, too.
Today, when she woke—if it even was daytime—she did the same thing; paced her way to insanity. “Tristan, I want to see you. Please come to me,” she called out. He said he could hear her, regardless of their distance…he also mentioned when in danger. She wasn’t in any trouble right now, but needed him. Could he hear her call out, or did it only work in threatening situations? Hell, for sure he ignored her.
Well, she wouldn’t wait around for him to enter through the door. She would go and find him. She took hold of the handle, twisted, and swung the door back.
A young vampire she recognised as Tristan’s brother, Julian, rested against the wall, hands tucked into the pockets of his black pants, eyes downcast. He represented a statue of complete boredom, with dark blonde hair similar to Tristan’s, falling past his ears in a shaggy style. Julian rolled his eyes when he gazed her way, without shifting from his reclined position against the wall. He didn’t need to. If she attempted to run past him, he would be on her in a flash.
“I see we’re back to this, guards at the door twenty-four seven.”
He shrugged. “Just taking orders. Besides, you’re allowed to leave the room.” His lips scrunched together as though he tasted something horrid. “But if you must, then I will accompany you.”
Oh, that explained the sour look on his face. He didn’t want to play babysitter. “How long have you stood out here?”
“Ever since Tristan left his room and ordered Dominic and myself to take turns at the door. That was two days ago now.”
Two days. She guessed a long time had passed since Tristan left, but the confirmation still shocked her numb. Where had he stayed in these last two days? “I want to find Tristan. I wish to speak with him.” Wish? Great! Her time down here made her sound ancient like the vampires.
“I think not.” Julian shook his head. “My brother has been staying elsewhere. He supposed it would be easier to convince Lord Sylvestre if you two no longer shared the same room.”
Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean convince Lord Sylvestre, convince him of what?” Her heart pumped loud in her ears.
Now Julian frowned. “Convince him to allow you to leave Désuet for good.”
Oh. Oh. Well, she hadn’t expected that; so much for giving him time to collect his thoughts or whatnot. The tension in her arms grew unbearable, and she fisted her sweaty hands by her side.
“You may as well wait inside, there’s nowhere for you to go. Besides, as if what you’ve done isn’t bad enough. Can’t you leave my brother alone? ”
She swallowed at the fierceness in his eyes. Not from fear, but guilt. She pushed and pushed and pushed; now Tristan didn’t want anything to do with her. “No. I still need to see him.”
“Well, he doesn’t want to see you.”
Julian made a good point. Why would Tristan want to see her?
He hadn’t even told me about this plan. She bit her bottom lip, forcing back the urge to scream.
Did he even intend on saying goodbye? Why did this make her want to breakdown and cry? How hypocritical of her. After all, she attempted to escape two days ago. Shouldn’t she be jumping for joy right now? She would be allowed to go home and be with her family. She could return to a normal routine...of waiting on tables, then heading home to mope in her little condo.
No. Stop. She should not be doing this, regarding her life in a negative way. Tristan’s world wasn’t for her, and
never would be. She bit her bottom lip. This place might be different from her world, but Tristan was the reason she feared leaving. The thought of never seeing him again almost made her wobbly knees sink to the floor.
Her heart belonged to him, whether she lived in Tennessee or this underground cave. Although the truth hurt, she couldn’t deny it. He killed her sister, but she still loved him. “I must see him. I will search this whole damn cave if you don’t help me.”
Again, he shrugged with nonchalance. “I’ll give you a hint. I know at this moment he isn’t climbing up a vent.”
The sarcasm in his tone was unnecessary. She glanced down the dim hall to the torches lighting the space between dark shadows. “I guess I’ll go for a walk, then. This will be good for you, too. Got to stretch those legs.” She hoped her smile appeared bright and mocking.
Fisting the hem of her dress, she strode past him. The shuffled steps right on her heels told her he kept pace. She proceeded through several long corridors and bends, at ease with the dim setting and dark shadows. For the first time since being here, she didn’t find this place eerie.
I must be adapting. She took in the beauty of how the torches painted green shades over the walls and the numerous shiny stalactites that hung from the rough ceiling. In many ways this place was dazzling. What a shame she only perceived its charm now.
A few vampires passed her in the hallways, adorned in their medieval attire. She gave each one a polite nod. Some smiled back, while others gaped. Maybe they were still a little shocked after how she acted at the Moitié Ball, or were surprised to see her out and about since she hadn’t been seen anywhere.
She bit the inside of her cheek, still feeling terrible for calling them demons. The vampires worked hard to make this majestic cave a home, and the few she met were friendly. She had no right insulting them.
A loud sigh sounded from behind. “Turn left,” Julian said in a low voice full of defeat. He must realise she hadn’t kidded around when threatening to search the whole damn cave.
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