“The what?” Elise asked. “I’ve never heard of it.”
“Well, you weren’t alive then,” Kara amended, “but Kallias and Erik remember it, I’m sure. The Cathedral of the Dead was once a vampire colony.”
“What happened to it?” Elise asked curiously.
“In the 1700s, thanks to a few careless vampires, humans became very paranoid about us. They tried to hunt us down and kill us,” Kara explained.
“Similar to the witch trials,” Rose added helpfully.
“Seriously, Rose, just pass out already,” Erik complained.
Kara continued, “Most of them were idiots. They couldn’t tell a rotten corpse from a vampire. But there was an order of monks called the Assassins of Light. They knew things about us. They knew how to find us and kill us…”
“Ah, yes,” Elise said, nodding. “Rose and I ran into two of them earlier.”
Kallias’s eyes widened. “Again?” he growled. He glanced down at Rose, his eyes narrowing at her. “How many times did you almost get killed tonight?”
“Only a few,” Rose mumbled drowsily.
“I can’t leave you alone for one minute,” Kallias complained.
“It was more than a minute,” Rose corrected.
Kara watched them with an amused smile before returning her icy blue gaze to Elise. “Well, these newer Assassins of Light seem to be a bit different than their ancient counterparts, but yes, it seems to be the same organization,” she explained. “Somehow, the Assassins discovered the location of a vampire colony under the guise of a Cathedral, and they set the Cathedral on fire.”
“Oh my,” Elise breathed. “Were there vampires inside?”
“All of them were inside,” Kara said. “It was the middle of the day.”
“Most vampires wanted war afterward,” Erik added.
Kara nodded. “But Aaron didn’t want that. So, he asked me to hunt them down, find out their names, their hideouts, their schedules. I did, and then, he killed every last one of them. He destroyed them before a war could begin.”
“So, if the Tomb of the Blood is destroyed,” Elise began worriedly.
“There will most certainly be war,” Kara finished, confirming her fear. “Aaron barely managed to stop it last time. This time, we won’t be as lucky.”
“Then, you’re right,” Kallias said suddenly. “We need to hurry.”
Elise nodded and walked over to Erik, her shoes clicking against the pavement. She knelt in front of him, her blue-gray gaze shifting toward the massive, jagged gash between his ribs. She grimaced. “Ugh. That looks terrible.”
“Kara did it,” Erik muttered indignantly.
“Well,” Elise said, smiling, “how do you feel about feeding from me?”
Erik swept his gaze up and down her thin, delicate figure, blatantly checking her out. “I feel like…I’ve died and gone to heaven,” he said flirtatiously.
Elise giggled, her yellow-blonde curls bouncing as she laughed. “You Vikings are all the same with your charming words and insatiable appetites,” she said, shaking her head. “Although…I didn’t think Vikings believed in heaven.”
Erik shrugged. “Valhalla,” he amended, “but it’s…similar.”
“But with more fighting and food,” Kara interjected.
“And beautiful women,” Erik added.
“The Valkyries,” Kara agreed.
Elise laughed at them. “Eh…sounds fun, I guess,” she said, frowning.
Kallias cleared his throat, bringing their attention back to the matter at hand. “I’ll take Rose somewhere private so that she can feed,” he said, cradling Rose’s body in his arms so that he could carry her. “We can meet back here.”
Kara nodded in agreement. “We just need to hurry.”
—
Rose opened her eyes as Kallias lay her on the cold, dusty floor of a dark room. “Where are we?” she asked hoarsely, too weak to look around at the room.
He stood above her as he removed his leather jacket and tossed it aside. “It looks like it used to be a dress shop,” he said as he noticed the old, yellowing dresses that still hung on the racks. “But I don’t think it’s been used in years.”
“This is a horrible feeling,” Rose admitted. “I feel so helpless.”
Kallias scowled. “That’s why you should never let anyone drain you.”
“You needed my blood in order to stop Erik,” she reminded him.
That seemed to make him angrier. He practically ripped his black shirt off of himself, most likely tearing off a few buttons in the process. “Why do you give away your blood so freely?” he asked irritably. “Your blood is…valuable.”
“And valuable things aren’t supposed to be given?” Rose asked.
“Of course not,” he growled as he knelt down beside her.
“If you only give away the things that aren’t valuable to you, then you’re not generous,” Rose said. “You’re just a greedy person, trying to look generous.”
He stared at her for a moment, his brown eyes narrowed in frustration. “Sometimes I think your morals are more important to you than I am,” he said.
She blinked in shock. “That’s harsh.”
He raked his fingers through his hair. “Let’s just get this over with.”
“Oh. How romantic,” Rose muttered sarcastically.
Kallias froze and looked down at her, his brows creasing with worry. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant…because we have to hurry.”
“Right,” Rose said, smiling to hide the pain that flashed across her face.
He watched her for another moment, his brows knitted with concern. Then, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to raise up in her current state, he lifted her in his arms and placed her in his lap. She leaned heavily against his shoulder, her breath coming faster and shallower as she inhaled his powerful, sweet scent.
Rose felt a surge of energy rushing through her, despite the weakness that still plagued her body. Her instincts came rushing to the surface, and she tilted her face up, inhaling deeply as she pressed her face against his neck. He smelled like leather, aftershave, peppermint, and…blood. His blood called out to the blood bond she shared with him, pulling her closer, like a magnetic force.
Kallias groaned softly as she kissed his neck. Her kiss was so soft, so affectionate. Then, with no other warning, she sank her fangs into his neck. He exhaled shakily as she began to feed from him, her mouth warm against his neck. The blood felt warm as it poured over his skin, down his neck and over his shoulder. An intense, disorienting wave of euphoria washed over his mind, leaving his head spinning and his blood buzzing with lust and hunger. He clasped his hands around her soft hips, dragging her closer, pulling her body against his.
As the blood restored her strength, Rose began to move against him, her hands sliding up his neck, her fingers interlacing in his long, light brown hair. She moaned breathlessly at the taste of his blood—sweet, powerful, intoxicating.
Kallias moved his hands beneath the hem of her T-shirt, sliding his palms over her soft stomach, up to her softer breasts. She moaned as his hands found their way beneath her bra, her skin bare against his hands. She rocked forward, pressing her breasts more into his hands, her hips grinding against his.
Rose pulled her mouth away from his neck, seeking out his lips with her own. Her blood-soaked lips met his lips in a desperate, hungry kiss, his groans muffled by her lips, as they continued to move against each other. She slid her hands down his muscular, roughly scarred chest, down to the button of his jeans.
He grasped her wrists in one hand and leaned back, gazing into her wild, crimson-red eyes. “I hate myself for saying this, but…we don’t have time.”
Rose just stared at him, her brows furrowing. “Time?” she mumbled.
His lips quirked up in amusement. “Sex takes time, sweetheart.”
“Sex?” she repeated, her frown deepening. Then, she looked down at her hands, and her face flushed scarlet. “Oh! Oh,
wow, I didn’t mean to… I…”
“Relax,” he snorted, sliding her off of him. “I know how it feels.”
Rose dragged her hand through her disheveled, auburn hair and exhaled slowly, trying to regain her composure. She watched, her blush deepening, as Kallias stood and picked up his shirt from the floor. “I don’t know what happens to me when I feed. The emotions get so intense, and I just…” she trailed off.
“I know, Rose,” Kallias laughed. “It’s normal. It happens to all of us.”
She sighed. “How is it that we never have any actual time alone?”
“Because you’re always trying to save the world,” Kallias muttered.
Rose raised an eyebrow at him. “And you’re not?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “You are my world.”
Rose clasped her hand over her chest, her eyes widening dramatically. “Holy freaking cow!” she gasped. “Did you actually just say something sweet?”
He smiled. “Does it get me out of the doghouse for what I said earlier?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose so.”
Kallias found a pile of discarded scraps of fabric—most likely left over after the last dress was made, and he picked it up, using it to wipe the blood from his neck and shoulder. When he noticed Rose standing and straightening her clothes, he tossed a scrap of fabric at her. “Don’t forget the blood on your face.”
Rose grimaced and wiped the cloth across her mouth. “How do some vampires feed without making such a mess?” she sighed as she cleaned her face.
“Practice,” Kallias said simply. “Young vampires are always messier.”
Rose wrinkled her nose at him. “What about Emma?”
Kallias laughed at that. “Emma is just…unique.”
“Unique,” Rose repeated with a smile. “That’s a good word for her.”
Kallias returned the smile. “You miss her, don’t you?”
“Emma and Geoff,” Rose agreed. “I hope they’re doing okay.”
“I’m sure they’re doing great. Better than us anyway,” he muttered as he slid his arms into his leather jacket. “We’ll see them soon enough. Provided we survive the night, of course. As soon as this is over, we’ll head back to America.”
Rose’s smile faded. The thought of saying goodbye to Kara so soon felt like a dagger slicing through her chest. She didn’t understand why she felt so strongly about it. She hadn’t known Kara long, but saying goodbye felt wrong.
Kallias zipped up his jacket. “Okay,” he sighed. “Let’s go.”
“Kallias?” she said as he started to leave. “Can I ask you something?”
His light brown gaze shifted toward her. His lips twitched. “You know, a lot has changed about you in the last month or so, but there is one thing that hasn’t and probably never will. You’re always asking that question,” he chuckled.
Rose smiled weakly. “Insatiable curiosity is a pretty steady trait of mine.”
His smile faded as something about her tone or expression seemed to alarm him. He turned toward her, his brows creasing with concern. “What is it?”
She sighed heavily, “Alana said something to me tonight.”
“You can’t listen to anything Alana says,” Kallias reminded her.
“I know,” Rose said slowly, “but I can’t help it. I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since she said it. So, I’m just going to ask you.” She fidgeted nervously. “You wouldn’t happen to be hiding anything from me, would you?”
He scowled. “You’re the one who hides things from people, Rose.”
“I don’t…” she trailed off, her eyes narrowing. “You know what? I’m not even going to argue about this again…until you’re willing to actually talk.”
Kallias shrugged tiredly. “What could I possibly hide from you?”
“How to control my power,” Rose answered.
Kallias flinched. It was barely noticeable, but Rose still saw it. “You have so much power,” he said evasively. “You have too much to ever fully control.”
“It’s not a difficult question, Kallias,” Rose said sharply, her bright blue eyes narrowing at him. “Have you taught me everything you know? Yes or no?”
Kallias looked away. “I’m trying to protect you.”
“By manipulating me?” Rose asked incredulously.
Kallias glanced at her, frowning. “No. That’s not what I’m doing.”
Rose ran her hand through her long, red hair, grimacing as she found an entire section of hair matted with blood. “Kallias,” she sighed in frustration, “You’re making it harder and harder for me to argue with people when they say that all telepaths are controlling. I don’t believe that, obviously. I know that you’re different from Alana. But here lately, you’ve been doing a lot of Alana-like stuff.”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m nothing like Alana.”
“Then, stop doing this,” Rose said. “Communicate with me. We can work through our problems together. Don’t manipulate me. Don’t control me.”
“I watched you die, Rose,” Kallias growled in frustration.
“I know,” she said simply…calmly. “I’m sorry for your pain, and I’m sorry that I hid my decision from you. But I’m not sorry that I saved your life.”
“That’s the problem,” Kallias snarled. “You should be.”
“We’re never going to agree on this,” Rose informed him, “but that’s okay. We don’t have to agree on everything. We just have to love each other.”
“I do love you,” he said, his brows furrowing.
“And…we can’t manipulate each other or lie to each other,” she added.
“Well,” Kallias said, shrugging angrily, “we’ve both broken that rule.”
“I know,” Rose sighed. She lifted her shoulders sadly. “But I am trying.”
“And I’m not?” Kallias asked.
“It doesn’t feel like you are,” Rose admitted.
“Well, I am,” he snarled, clearly offended by her doubt.
“Teach me to control my power,” she said, “like you said you would.”
“Rose,” he sighed, “your power is dark. I’ve seen it. We all have. And it’s practically unlimited. Power corrupts. Isn’t that how the saying goes? We all have to fight with that, to not let it change us. Can you imagine how much harder you will have to fight than the rest of us? I’m trying to protect you from that.”
“It feels like you’re trying to keep me dependent on you,” Rose stated.
His brows furrowed. “That’s not what I’m doing at all.”
“I don’t want you to protect me,” she said. “I can fight my own battles.”
Kallias looked away, his face contorting with pain. “I don’t think you understand. Protectiveness is as much part of me as kindness is part of you.”
Rose nodded. “I can accept that. I just can’t accept all of the dishonesty and manipulation. You don’t have to resort to that. You can just…talk to me.”
“What good would that do?” Kallias asked bitterly.
“A lot of good!” Rose said, exasperated with trying to explain something that seemed so simple to her. “Relationships can’t last without communication.”
“We’re immortal, Rose,” Kallias said in a tired voice. “Do you honestly think our relationship is going to last forever? It’ll end eventually anyway.”
Rose stared at him, her mind reeling, her emotions somewhere between angry and hurt, on the verge of either tears or murder. “You’re a jerk sometimes.”
“Wake up, sweetheart,” Kallias snarled. “I’m a jerk all of the time.”
A knock at the door interrupted their glaring contest.
“Yes?” Kallias called out, as if the knock hadn’t interrupted anything.
The door creaked open to reveal Elise. She leaned in the doorway, and she seemed to be giggling at something that Kara had said. She shifted toward them, her blue-gray eyes sparkling. “If you’re ready, we should probably leave.”
�
�We’re ready,” Kallias said in that cold, impassive tone.
Kara shifted to the side, so that she could see around Elise. As soon as she spotted Rose, her smile faded, almost as if she just knew what had happened.
Elise stepped aside so that Kallias could leave. Kara, on the other hand, didn’t move, purposely standing in his way as he tried to leave the small room.
“Is everything okay, Rose?” Kara asked, still standing in his way.
“Everything’s fine,” Kallias growled, narrowing his eyes at her.
Kara glared at him. “I didn’t ask you, did I? I asked Rose.”
“It is fine, Kara,” Rose said, frowning at Kara’s strange behavior. She waved her hand encouragingly, her eyebrows lifting. “You can let him leave.”
Kara immediately stepped aside, as if she had been specifically waiting for Rose’s permission. She bent at the waist, bowing, and swept out her arm—a kind of medieval, chauvinistic gesture that was clearly meant to taunt Kallias.
He rolled his eyes and brushed past her.
Rose sighed at Kara. “That was mature,” she said sarcastically.
Kara straightened, offering Rose a cocky smirk. “I thought it was fun.”
Rose rolled her eyes, suppressing a smile, as she walked toward the door.
Kara held the door open for her. Then, as Rose started to step past her, Kara reached out and touched Rose’s arm. “Are you all right? Truly?”
Rose frowned at her, surprised by her sincere concern. “I’m fine.”
Kara sighed, “I’m sorry if I offend you, but…I know that you’re lying.”
Rose nodded tiredly. “I will be fine. At the moment, I’m…frustrated.”
Kara raised an eyebrow. “I can kick his ass for you, if you want.”
Rose’s eyes widened. “I don’t want,” she assured her.
“I didn’t figure you would,” Kara laughed, “but the offer stands.”
Rose couldn’t help but laugh. “You are terrible!” she scolded.
Kara fell into step beside Rose as they rounded the building, heading toward the alley, where the others waited for them. She nudged Rose playfully with her shoulder, earning an amused smile from Rose. “Ah, there it is.”
The Tomb of Blood Page 60