by Marian Tee
It was all it took to sober me up, and I jumped off the bed, increasing the volume. I managed to switch the loudspeaker on before the phone fell from my suddenly numb fingers.
A vampire had been caught last night. Before he was killed, the vampire was supposed to have bragged about their numbers growing and that they were soon going to overthrow the Brethren because a top-level Caro was among their numbers.
I switched to another channel, needing to hear more about Luka.
There is mass hysterics and paranoia and invitations for questioning being sent out as we speak.
I nearly threw the remote control, surfing through the channels until I heard Luka’s name being mentioned again.
The spokesperson for the Delicazzi clan has already issued a statement defending the honor of Luka Georgiades…
The scene switched to a nearby hospital, its front doors covered by a throng of reporters, both from human and Caro presses. It was a chaotic scene as everyone shouted questions at the doctor being interviewed.
There have been four casualties, three human, one Caro—
I dropped to my knees. No. Please, please, no. I scrambled for my phone and dialed Luka’s number with shaky fingers. His line was dea—no. I didn’t want to think about that. Grabbing my robe from the coat hanger, I pulled it on as I threw my bedroom door open. I wasn’t surprised when I saw Catherine and William already racing towards me, their faces bleak.
“I need to go see if—that Luka’s okay.”
“I’ve already informed your Brethren security and they’re sending the proper vehicle to take you.” By proper William meant one with bullet-proof exterior, non-skid tires, and a modified engine. Brethren vehicles were designed to protect Caros from human attacks. They weren’t so good for non-human attacks, but then that was what the Brethren guards were for.
The idea of having to stay at home for more than a moment while Luka could be fighting for his life was unbearable. “I can’t wait—”
Catherine made a slashing motion in the air, cutting off my protest. “Caylie Samantha, you listen to me. These are not safe times. If you don’t wait for the car then I’m grounding you here and now for the entire week.”
“Mom!”
Catherine’s lips tightened. “Just be happy I’m allowing you to visit Luka as it is.”
My heart lurched at the mention of Luka’s name. “H-have you heard any news?” Please. Please God of Caros, oh, please, any god who’s listening—please let him be fine.
Catherine glanced at William. “Have you heard from any of your contacts?”
My father shook his head. “None yet, but I’m sure he’s fine.” He turned to me with unreadable eyes. “You’ll feel it if he’s not.”
Dear God of Caros, I hoped so.
* * * *
“Yes, I’m his fiancée,” I confirmed without batting an eyelash. Maybe it was fate that I was betrothed for now to Luka. Security had been over the top and it was only by name dropping and basically claiming I was the future Mrs. Luka Georgiades I was able to get past all checkpoints.
The nurse made a call, mentioned my name, and after putting the phone down she gave me instructions on where to find Luka’s room.
Riyu Delicazzi and Stefan Mancetti were the first ones I saw when I stepped out of the elevator. They appeared stunned to see me—and strangely uneasy.
I whitened. “What’s wrong?”
Stefan and Riyu exchanged looks. The way they were gazing at each other made it seem as if they were silently arguing who would be the bearer of bad news. That was definitely not a good thing, and I had to take several deep breaths just to keep myself from going insane.
Luka had to be okay. He had to be okay.
Stefan was the one who finally spoke. “Luka’s fine.”
“Do you mean it?” I whispered.
“Yes. You have nothing to worry—”
“I want to see him,” I interrupted determinedly. The unease was still in Stefan’s gaze, making me doubt whether he was truly telling the truth.
“Ah…” He threw Riyu a seemingly helpless look, and it made me more suspicious…and anxious. Stefan was supposedly the most charming of all Caros, the playboys of all playboys, and yet here he was now, acting all tongue-tied.
“I think it’s better if you wait here,” Riyu suggested, finally coming to Stefan’s rescue.
“You might but I won’t.” I was pretty sure no one had ever dared to be this rude to Riyu, but I didn’t care. “I have to see for myself that Luka’s fine—”
Riyu’s cold mask cracked slightly as he suddenly smiled, leaving me in a state of sudden confusion. But his eyes were studying me intently, as if taking my measure. He stepped aside. “I understand. Luka’s resting, but he’s awake.”
“Riyu.” Stefan sounded like he was in agony, but Riyu and I both ignored him.
Stupid weird princes, I thought absently as I hurried towards Luka’s private quarters.
My heart started to gallop again as I opened the door. If I saw Luka bleeding and swathed in bandages, wounded all over with vampire bites—the image was enough to have me hyperventilate. Please God of Caros, please let him be all right.
“Luka?” I pushed the door open, a ready smile fixed on my lips.
But what I saw was nothing at all like what I expected and the smile on my lips died a quick death.
Emilia Moretti was in Luka’s arms, sitting on the side of his bed as Luka stroked her hair. She was dressed in a beautiful red gown, her long dark hair twisted in a loose chignon and a choker of pearls glowing around her neck.
The sight knocked the breath out of me, shattering my heart and making me see black and red. My fangs threatened to burst as if I was suddenly under attack. I twisted the knob in my hands because if I didn’t I would be twisting someone else’s long slender neck instead.
The knob that I was about to crush with my fingers made enough noise to draw attention, and Emilia sprang away from Luka when she saw me, her face curiously flushed.
Luka was just as flushed and just the sight of it made me go cold.
For a fraction of a second, nothing in the world existed but my pain.
“Caylie?”
“Caylie?”
The shadows in my world receded, and I swayed a little on my feet.
“Caylie!” Luka started to get off his bed. A spasm of pain flashed over his face, forcing him to become still before he renewed his efforts to get up. It was enough to make me crash back to earth and I rushed past Emilia to push him back.
“What’s wrong?” Luka demanded, his violet eyes wild with worry as he scanned me from head to toe. His hands roamed around my body as if checking for wounds.
Even though I knew he wasn’t copping a feel, it was still more than enough to mess with my head—more than enough to make me yearn I could get in bed with him and burrow in his arms to pretend that there wasn’t another girl with us in the room.
I finally tried to pull back but Luka shook his head, his eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong, Caylie?”
I choked back a teary laugh. “Are you serious? You’re the one having a blood transfusion and you’re asking me what’s wrong?”
“I can’t stand the thought of you hurt,” he muttered as he reluctantly let me go.
I was about to answer when someone called my name softly.
Ah, shit.
I tried not to let my reluctance show as I turned around. Conscious of Luka’s gaze on us, I forced myself to make a low deep curtsy in respect of Emilia’s higher status. Although we were both technically princesses, she ranked higher being the younger sister of Domenico Moretti, who everyone now acknowledged as the leader of all Lyccan packs.
Emilia returned the curtsy as I straightened. When she got back to her feet, I realized just how petite she was, like an exquisitely exotic doll. Standing this close to her, I felt like such a gauche overgrown troll.
“I’m sorry for intruding,” Emilia said haltingly. Her voice was soft, husky, and incr
edibly soothing. Even I could listen to it forever and I hated that. Ah God of Caros, I really hated her.
I wanted to say something but I couldn’t think of any except for a litany of I-hate-yous. All I could do was nod and keep a smile on my face as Emilia gazed at Luka far longer than she should before leaving after a hasty curtsy.
I only waited for the door to close before asking tonelessly, “Am I the one intruding, Luka? Do you want me to call her back and I’ll return later?” It was painful to ask, and I didn’t think I would be able to survive it if he said yes. But I felt like I had to, the image of Luka with his arms around Emilia Moretti still stinging fresh in my mind.
“Come here.”
The command in his voice was near irresistible but I still tried to resist. “Luka—”
“If you don’t come here then I’ll come get you—”
Not wanting him to hurt himself more, I forced myself to walk towards him and pausing when I was a half-a-foot away from his bed. One surprisingly hard tug later, and I was falling against him. He tried to kiss me, but I turned my face away.
Luka stiffened.
“I just saw you with another girl in your arms, Luka.”
He cursed under his breath. “Caylie, it’s not what you think.”
“It doesn’t matter what you or I think. It’s what I saw.”
He tried to make me look at him, but I struggled, keeping my face turned because I didn’t want to cry. And I would if I looked at him. If I looked at him, I would remember the scene earlier and it would kill me.
Forgive me God of Caros, but I’m one of your most selfish children. I don’t want to share Luka even if he’s in love with another girl.
“How badly hurt are you?” I muttered.
“I think I’m dying.”
My head snapped back, a shocked tortured cry about to come out of my throat.
But it was only a ruse. I knew the moment I saw the hard glint in Luka’s eyes. I growled, but it was too late. Luka had captured me and this time he pulled me even closer and higher, still stronger than I was even in his injured state.
“Nothing happened between us, Caylie. I swear it. I swear it on the Brethren, all the stars in the world, on my life—”
My lips trembled. “Don’t lie. I’m not above begging. Please don’t lie about this.”
His eyes darkened. “I’m not. Caylie, whatever you want so I could prove it—I’ll do it. But I swear on our god we’re not.”
He was telling the truth. Oh God of Caros, I could see it in his eyes. He was telling the truth. Relief hit me like a tidal wave and I almost collapsed against Luka. My arms went around him and I wanted to crush him in my embrace.
And when Luka said “That’s a little too tight,” with laughter tingeing his voice, I guessed it was a little too tight and loosened my hold, just a little bit—enough for me to pull away and take a better look at him this time. I couldn’t earlier, not with my gaze totally turning black and red with anger and jealousy.
My eyes started to water when I took in how pale and exhausted he looked. There were scratches on his arms, too, and one on the side of his temple, as if it was meant to gouge his eye out. “Tell me honestly. How badly hurt are you? Is there something else I’m not seeing?” I had heard rumors about certain poisons that were fatal to our kind, but it wasn’t something I had concerned myself with until now.
When Luka started to speak, I instinctively held my breath, telling myself I had to be strong no matter what he said.
“Broken ribs, the scratches you’ve seen, and loss of blood, that’s all.”
I choked out an incredulous laugh. “That’s all?”
“I almost died, you know.”
“Luka.” If it was his intention to see me cry, he was very much close to succeeding.
“There was a point when I almost lost hope, but then…” He exhaled. “I thought of you and I just couldn’t let go.”
“Luka.” This time he succeeded, this time I cried, the tears that I swore would never fall for Luka trailing down my cheeks. Unable to bear even the smallest distance between us, I hugged him again, not as tightly as I wished but at least close enough I could feel his heartbeat and be assured of it.
Luka murmured my name against my hair.
“Mm…”
“What do you think about calling off the engagement?”
Please God of Caros, let me not break down in front of him. Curling my fist between us, wishing I could capture his heart with it and never let go, I said evenly, “What do you think about it?”
“That it’s not doing the job it should and keep you from danger.”
Bullshit, I thought. I had no doubt Emilia was the one who made him think twice about the validity of our betrothal.
“You should be the one to decide, Luka,” I said finally. “I’ve always thought this was a one-sided agreement.”
“I want to know what you want.”
I raised myself on my elbows. “Luka, I want what you want. So if you want to end this so you could be with Emilia Moretti…”
He didn’t answer.
The silence continued, and the hurt inside me festered. I pushed myself away from Luka and was about to get up from his bed when he caught my wrist.
“Don’t go,” he said harshly.
“How can I not when I can see that I’m not the one you want?” I asked brokenly.
His grip tightened around my wrist. “All I want is for you to be safe.”
Bullshit. This time I said it out loud, not even flinching when Luka scowled in response.
“You want Emilia Moretti,” I hissed, “but for some reason you can’t admit it, not to me or to yourself.” My fists clenched in impotent frustration. “I know you went to the monastery, Luka.” The words came out of nowhere, but the moment I said them I knew it was meant to be. The truth had to be said. Maybe then I could stop hating me and he could…he could stop hurting me, however unintentionally.
Luka jerked at my words.
“I know…I know you went there because you’ve realized you love Emilia and you didn’t want her hurt. I thought of this over and over and…” I closed my eyes because somehow not seeing helped soften the truth and blunt out the pain. “She made you cut me out of your life all those years ago, didn’t she? You didn’t want to, but because you love her and we Caros are notoriously foolishly powerless when we’re in love…you did it.”
Ah, God of Caros, I sounded so pathetic, didn’t I?
I wasn’t sure which of us moved first. I tried to go and Luka tried to stop me. I struggled, he conquered. In the end, I was doomed most by my weakness, the regret that made his face even more beautiful my undoing.
“Caylie, I’m sorry.” Luka whispered it over and over as he rained kisses all over my face, licking my tears dry.
I couldn’t answer, couldn’t speak, couldn’t move—if I made myself think just for one moment I knew I’d completely break down.
Luka hadn’t denied my worst fears, and we Caros had always been taught that silence meant assent.
He pulled me above him, and my body immediately fitted over his, his legs brushing against mine while my most intimate part cradled his erection. But still I tried to avoid his lips as they sought mine.
“Caylie, please,” Luka whispered rawly. “I can’t bear feeling your pain like this.”
Liar. Liar, liar, liar! You bore it fine enough for almost three years.
“How can you love her more than me?” I was without shame and pride once more, forced to beg by the terrible and indelible weakness inside me that only Luka could satiate.
Instead of answering with words, Luka gripped my hair, this time not taking no for an answer. His lips meshed with mine, and he sucked on my lower lip hard, hungrily, insistently until I surrendered with a sob, my lips parting to let him do what we both knew I wanted as well.
My arms wound back around his neck as his tongue mated with mine. His lower body mimicked the movements of his tongue, thrusting, withdrawing
then thrusting again, harder and more possessively.
Luka’s lips moved down and I moaned in anticipation when his lips drifted to my neck.
And then…
There it was.
A slight sting and then blood was flowing.
“Excuse me.”
I froze, realizing with shock that someone else was in the room with us. I let out a small moan of embarrassment and tried to pull away, but Luka’s steel-like hold didn’t allow me to move an inch. I felt his tongue touch my neck and I ceased my struggles, realizing that he just didn’t want anyone to see blood in my neck. The stupid part of me thrilled to it. For us Caros, the sight of one’s blood was as intimate as being naked, and I knew Luka would rather kill an entire army than let anyone see me bleeding from a bite.