It would never happen.
He refused to take advantage of her. She would be helpless, vulnerable, and delirious with need. And he would allow no other male to see to her needs. Jealously exploded within him at the thought. If he couldn’t have her, then no one could. For as long as she was under his protection, of course.
Mine, the demon within him roared. Eva was his. She belonged with him. Rage boiled his blood as he thought of another touching her.
“Gods,” he groaned, “what is wrong with me?”
Eva belonged to no one, least of all him.
Right now, he needed to wrap his mind around his discovery and somehow find a way to tell her. How was he to convince Eva she was part witch? Hell, she thought she was half human. And he needed to find out if she would transition.
Why had Eva’s mother not told her of her heritage? Also, why had Isabella not made arrangements for Eva to be sent to live amongst her family, the Shaw witch tribe, after her death? Had Isabella known Arsenio would take Eva? And why would he abduct her, with Eva being half witch, shifter law did not apply to her. She owed no loyalty to the pack.
Eva had hungered for freedom for nearly nine years never knowing she could walk away at any time. What reason could the alpha have for locking Eva away from the world? Did he and Isabella have some type of understanding? And, knowing that Eva was not the typical half-breed, why would he have sent her to live amongst the vampires?
There were too many questions, too many conflicting possible answers crowding his mind. The confusion was a welcome distraction from his madness and hunger.
Hadrian pushed himself up and came to his feet. Dusting off his clothing, he calmly ran his hands over his short hair. He would solve the puzzle that was Eva, but he must prioritize and formulate a plan.
First, he needed to know if she would transition. Judging by the scent of her blood, her magic was ripe and if she changed it would take place on the next full moon.
“Tomorrow.”
Chapter Fourteen
The prickling sense of awareness skittered across his nape.
Sun rise.
Closing his eyes, he imagined what it looked like. Brilliant shades of glittering gold, burnt orange and light pink would dance together as the sun peaked over the white-capped mountains. Centuries had passed since he had seen the magnificent sun. Much to his dismay, Hadrian had yet to develop the ability to walk in daylight like Dorian Vlakhos, king of Mylonas Clan had. Then again, the vampire was two thousand years older than he and also possessed the ability to read other’s thoughts, another trait Hadrian did not hold, thank the good lord above. He had enough troubles.
Exhaling a heavy sigh, Hadrian glanced to the bookshelf and saw the bright red spine of the journal that could possibly hold the answers he sought. Imbarsus had spent centuries studying the shifter tribes while taking detailed notes. He documented his findings, observations, and the results of the horrific experiments he performed on his subjects within that journal.
The tingling sensation spread down his spine. His senses grew sharp as he stilled.
He was not alone.
“Reveal yourself, witch,” he commanded.
“Now, there is no reason to snarl.”
The air sparked with electricity as a young woman took form. Her red, crush velvet robe swirled about her legs as her black, shoulder length hair whipped back from a nonexistent wind.
“I only wish to help,” she insisted, her broad smile touching her deep brown eyes. The darkness of her hair and eyes, a shocking contrast to her pale, porcelain face and ruby lips.
Hadrian recognized the witch immediately. She had been Queen Kerstyn’s maid of honor.
“Forgive me, priestess,” Hadrian said, giving a stiff bow. “I did not realize it was you.”
She shrugged, “No worries, and please, call me Silvie. I really hate being formal. It’s just so…odd. Then again, I’m still new with,” she waved a hand at her robe, “all of this. May I have leave to address you by your given name?” He nodded. “Wonderful. You’re looking well, insanity does suit you”
“Why have you come?”
“You need my help. Unless you do not want to know how to save your ward.”
“Save Eva from what?”
His question was a demand. Silvie’s smile grew brighter.
“She’s got you sprung.”
He frowned, obviously lost.
“You need to study more phrase books.”
“Later. Tell me, what or who threatens Eva.”
Silvie sat, her small frame swallowed by the high backed, oversized leather chair that stood just before Hadrian’s desk. She smoothed her robe over her lap then tucked her hair behind her ears. Her eyes drifted toward the bookshelf and the crimson journal. “His accounts will not help you.” Returning her gaze to Hadrian she continued, “Nor will his demon’s memories.”
Hadrian was not at all surprised the priestess knew of his dark secret, the reason for his insanity.
“Are you stalling, witch?” Hadrian snapped.
“Not at all,” Silvie insisted with a shake of her head.
“Who threatens Eva?”
“Your ward threatens herself.”
Hadrian’s frown darkened, casting shadows over his obsidian eyes. “Explain.”
“According to my uncle, the Shaman, there has been a total of three cases where shifters and witches have produced offspring.” Silvie leaned forward, her fingers gingerly wrapped about the hilt of the gold letter opener.
Hadrian cursed. Had he been holding his breath? Yes, his entire body tensed the instant Silvie’s eyes fell on the small, glittering dagger.
Silvie slowly turned the letter opener over in her hand.
“You got a good whiff of her blood, did you not? Tell me, what do you predict will happen to Eva come the full moon tonight?”
Hadrian forced his gaze from the gleaming metal. Though Falcon had washed away her blood, Eva’s scent lingered. His fingers twitched as he thought of snatching it from her.
He cleared his throat, “Her blood is thick with magic and I believe she will transform.”
“It’s possible, she may experience the change,” she shrugged, “but that is up to you.” Silvie set the letter opener back on the desk and Hadrian resisted the violent urge to grab for it. His demon snarled, how dare the witch touch what did not belong to her.
“Oh, yeah, you’ve got it bad.”
“If you are implying that I’m in love with my ward, you are mistaken,” he hissed.
Denial, Silvie thought, as she held up her hands in mock surrender. “I am implying nothing.” I’m stating a fact, she finished. She did not need to rile the king. She had plenty of other things to do and she did not need to add any more stress and drama to her life. Silvie had thought becoming a priestess of her tribe would simplify things. A life without complications: no men, no sex, no love and no children, nothing messy.
Silvie shook her head. Now was not the time for reflection. Selecting her words carefully, just as her uncle taught her, she continued, “Unlike a shifter-human hybrid, Eva’s magic is not diluted. As a matter of fact, she is pure magic. Human half-breeds cannot change, or use the powers of their animal spirit because they are too weak. So, what is Eva’s problem? She is too strong. Shifter. Witch. Both dominate, both fighting to subdue the other. The animal within her wants to transform and run through the trees, wild. But witches don’t take the forms of animals.”
A tick developed in Hadrian’s jaw as he intensely listened, absorbing and processing the information.
Eva was a threat to herself. Her own DNA was warring. His gut twisted as if he had been stabbed with a jagged dagger as the implications of Silvie’s words sank in.
“Tonight, when the full moon rises, Eva will begin the change, but she will die.”
Hadrian’s fists slammed on the desk as he stood. His chair flew back, colliding with the wall. Black rage consumed his eyes, as his demon howled.
The witch
did not cower, nor did she tremble or scream. Silvie gazed up at him, calm and perfectly serene.
“Death cannot have her,” Hadrian roared.
His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. His chest was deathly still as he took in no breath. His heart frozen in time, the blood in his veins paused as he grappled with his demon.
“Control, Your Majesty,” Silvie cautioned. “Please, sit.”
With a thought, Hadrian drew his chair back, but he did not reclaim his seat. His muscles were too stiff.
“First,” she leaned back, thrumming her fingers on the arms of her chair, “what are your feelings towards your ward?”
Blinking, Hadrian fell back in his seat. “What?”
Feelings? He had none besides rage and lust.
“Nevermind. My question was nothing but a distraction,” she said with a shaking of her head. “There is only one way to save Eva from the bony, icy grip of death.” She paused and Hadrian wondered if the witch were doing it for dramatic effect, to collect her thoughts, or to torture him. Gripping the desk, his claws cutting the wood.
Silvie smirked. Hadrian eagerly, desperately, leaned forward. His gaze was sharp and determined as he silently waited for her to continue.
Yep, poor vampire is in love, Silvie thought before her uncle’s voice invaded her mind. Everything is falling into place.
“What are you willing to sacrifice?”
“Name the price,” he demanded. Hadrian would gladly sell what remained of his shattered soul to save Eva.
“Very well,” Silvie stood, “Death.”
“Done.” Hadrian came to his feet, tearing his shirt from his chest. “Do you require a weapon? I have many.” He motioned to the array of glinting swords and knives, which hung amongst an assortment of ancient weapons that decorated the stone wall.
Silvie fought to not look at Hadrian’s sculpted abs and chiseled arms.
“You misunderstand.”
“Please, take my life. I offer it willingly.”
“If you are to save Eva, you must sacrifice death.”
Hadrian could not move, could not form a simple thought as Silvie’s words circled around and around in his mind until they became a part of him, piercing his heart and branding his soul.
Sacrifice death.
He wished for death to claim him daily. He longed to never hear the voices again, never feel the unquenchable, burning bloodlust. For centuries, his only solace was knowing death would come for him. The reaper would escort him to hell and he would drag his demon along with him.
He prayed for one moment of peace. No battles within himself. No overpowering desire to kill, to maim, to feel a mortal’s life fade beneath his lips, to claim Eva. Peace. Death was peace.
Eternity. His torment would last for eternity. Forever suffering. Forever haunted by the bloodcurdling screams of the innocents slain by the demon lurking within him. Forever enduring the smell of burning flesh and the pale, stricken faces of the corpses.
He had hoped by returning to his clan, he could help restore his people to glory and then the curse that befell all the rulers of darkness would claim him.
“What of the Death Curse?”
“You will be exempt, like King Dorian of the Mylonas Clan,” Silvie answered.
His claws grew even longer, digging into the desk.
Why could he not just exchange his life for Eva’s? Why could he not die?
You will never be rid of me, the demon whispered.
Despair welled within him as the demon laughed.
A roar ripped from his chest as his fists slammed down upon the desk.
“You know, most would gladly relinquish the possibility of death.”
“Most don’t know my torment,” he snarled, dragging his claws across his chest, slicing his flesh.
Silvie barely resisted the urge to cringe as the vampire’s skin tore and knitted back together. His eyes glowed with an evil light, his fangs lengthened to razor sharp points as his jaw snapped like a crocodile’s.
Deep down, Hadrian knew he did not deserve the peace of death. The demon was more a part of him than his own soul. But in this, he could not—would not be selfish. Eva’s life was more important. She was young, only just beginning. Who was he to take her life from her? Beautiful, precious, Eva deserved to live and if it meant he would have to suffer, than so be it.
“Tell me what needs to be done,” he said, his voice deep and unnaturally rough. The demon was perilously close to the surface.
“You will bind Eva to you. Her life force will forever be intertwined with yours. As long as you live, she lives. So you see, to save her from death, you can never die.”
Hadrian knew nothing of the bonding act, except that Dorian, the king of Mylonas Clan of vampires, had somehow tied his mate, Victoria’s life to his own. She was not a vampire, but she was no longer human. Victoria did not crave blood, though she could consume the sweet, coppery wine and walk in the sunlight. She would never age and never fall ill.
“You will take her blood.” Hadrian’s black eyes jumped with evil excitement as his lips curled with a cold smile. Silvie suppress the instinct to recoil. “Drain her to the point of death, then share with her your own.”
“As if making a fledgling?”
“No, do not give her that much, just enough to mix your blood. Then, you both must consume your combined blood. I hear a kiss is the easiest way. Simply nip her…” Silvie ran her finger over her lower lip.
Hadrian’s eyes closed as the scorching heat of lust licked at him like flames. His blood pounded in his temples as his shaft grew hard.
He would take her blood. It would warm his soul. Then, to feel her mouth at his pulse, drawing gently on his vein…to kiss Eva, to feel her silken lips beneath his, to take her breath into his lungs as their combined blood sweetened their tongues—Heaven.
Oh, fuck. He shuddered.
“Remember, Hadrian, control. You must keep your demon in check. Eva will be teetering on the edge of death, her body fighting itself. You need to draw her back.”
Hadrian gave a stiff nod and sent a silent plea for help to the heavens.
“Once I…bind Eva to me, what then? Will she be able to take animal form?”
Silvie’s pupils dilated, constricted, dilated again, then returned to normal. “I don’t know. The future,” she paused, shaking her head to clear the smoky haze of her premonition, “is unclear. Though, I doubt she will completely transform. You know, become a large jungle cat. Her witch side is more dominant, after all. Her hearing, speed, and eyesight may improve. Or, she might be able to use the strengths of the jaguar at will, such as the cat’s agility. Eva could get all the perks of being a shifter, without the side affects. No fur, no tail, and no hairballs. If they cough up hair balls,” Silvie shrugged, “I don’t really know.”
Hadrian ran his hands over his head, his claws slowly retracting. Anything could happen. It was completely out of his control and beyond his knowledge and he hated that. Eva was one of nature’s great experiments.
“This is a lot to wrap your mind around, but it will be even worse for your ward. Have you thought of how you will break the news of her unusual parentage?”
Hadrian simply blinked at her. Damn, the witch was barely giving him time to think.
“Well, I think it would be best if you show her rather than tell her.”
Chapter Fifteen
Instinct and the sound of clicking glass lured Eva toward the solarium. The metal shutters retracted as she entered, signaling the setting of the sun. The only source of light was a small desk lamp burning brightly on the second floor, casting shadows about the massive room.
Eva dropped her packed bags and mounted the winding iron staircase that led to the loft study of the solarium. She was not surprised when she found Hadrian. She seemed to have a knack for stumbling upon him. He was busy riffling through a china cabinet filled with various dried flowers and foliage, which were kept in glass vials and beakers.
&nb
sp; “Welcome,” he said over his shoulder.
“Good evening, Your Majesty.”
Without even glancing her way, he said, “You have packed.”
The statement made Eva wince. “Falcon has made arrangements for me to stay at another of your properties.”
“Yes, he has shared his plans with me.”
Hadrian turned from the cabinet, a slender beaker in hand. Crossing to the cool steel table, he gently sat the jar beside a sheathed dagger, a beaker of clear solution, and a less than full tall glass of blood.
Had he been drinking it?
He is a vampire. Drinking blood is nothing out of the ordinary. She frowned as she realized she wanted to see him take a sip. She wanted to watch him put the rim to his perfect lips.
“Do you want to leave?”
Eva’s attention snapped back to the king. “After what happened…Falcon thinks I should go—”
“You did not answer my question.” Hadrian’s hand shot out, his cool fingers wrapped about her wrist and pulled her forward, making her lean over the table. “Do you want to leave, Eva?”
Wetting her suddenly dry lips, she answered with a quaking voice, “No.”
Hadrian brushed her palm with the pad of his thumb in rhythmic circles. “Your wound has healed nicely.”
“It was treated with a Shaw salve.”
He absently nodded as he turned her palm upward. Slowly raising her hand to his lips, he whispered, “You have beautiful skin.”
He kissed her palm and Eva sighed as her entire body began to tingle.
“I pray you can forgive me for my actions of last night.” His breath skipped along her wrist causing her pulse to flutter.
“Y–Your Majesty, I should be the one to apologize. If I had not followed you—”
Caressed by a Crimson Moon (Rulers of Darkness) Page 14