by Myers, J. L.
I vaulted past the occupied wait staff, through to the marble-clad foyer and up the stairs. Once on the landing, I continued in the direction my room and its closed door. A quiet noise, a sort of shuffling, caught my attention. I froze briefly before walking on. As I closed in on my bedroom door, muffled voices reached my ears. There were people inside my room. The clenching of my gut squeezed tighter as I reached out, pushing down the door handle. A hushed giggle erupted, ringing through my ears. The sound was so eerily familiar that it shot a pang of unexplainable fear through my body. My hand shot back lightning fast, and I peered through the crack of the door. The beat of my heart drummed wildly beneath my ribs, sending throbbing jolts down my frozen body.
Inside, the chandelier was extinguished and the purple drapes were pulled shut. All the darkness revealed were the dark outlines of shadows. After a few seconds my vision focused. Two figures were moving together within the darkness. Ty must have found my room occupied—yuck—and gone elsewhere to make the call to his father. So who the hell were these people? Wait staff or auction attendees?
Squinting into the darkness, I could see the silhouette of a couple. They were in an intimate position on my bed, the guy’s hair blending in against the darkness of my room. It stood in complete contrast against the woman’s long blond tresses. Their firm, caressing hands moved erratically. Over and over their lips connected with ragged breath. The guy’s shirt had been discarded, revealing a tight, muscular physique. A light-colored tie hung loose around his neck. His pants had also been abandoned, leaving scarcely a pair of boxer briefs concealing his manhood. The girl beneath him was only wearing lace panties and a bra. The black stood out against her oddly pale complexion. She gripped his tie and pulled him closer. Their breathing emerged louder and faster as the intensity increased. The guy trailed frenzied kisses from her pale lips down to her neck.
Sudden rage welled within me. The shock of finding two strangers in my bed subsided. I drove the door wide open, flicking on the chandelier. “What the hell are you two doing in here?”
In the lit room I could see everything. Crumpled clothes and discarded shoes littered the mink-white carpet. A strangely familiar blond woman was lying sheltered by the lilac sheets on my bed. Embracing her was…
All the blood leeched from my face. My breath caught in my throat. It felt like someone’s hands were clutched around my neck, squeezing with intent, strangling to kill. Tears muddied up my sight, turning the room and him to a distorted smudge.
Ty had torn his lips hold from the girl in his arms. Now he was blinking at me with a look of bewilderment, as if trying to clear the sudden light from his eyes. His face dropped suddenly. An expression of shock-horror contorted his features. “Amelia, how can you be—?” His voice caught and he physically gagged. His face drained of all color.
Disgusted, I tore my stinging eyes from his almost naked body. I glared at the girl who had buried her face beneath my sheets. Seething rage gripped me, flushing my cheeks with torrid blood. “How dare you!” I screamed. Sharp pain struck my chest. It felt like a knife was literally piercing my pounding heart. I choked back the tears. “You fucking asshole!”
Ty jumped from the bed as if to cross the room to me. My hands shot out in negation with blurred movement, bringing him to an abrupt halt. I hissed through gritted teeth. “Don’t you dare come anywhere near me.” Nausea rolled my stomach. I was going to be sick. “Not ever again!”
Icy tears streamed down my face and I spun on my heels, launching my body at the stairs. It felt like I couldn’t breathe, like noxious fumes suddenly tainted the air. I needed to get the hell outta here. But as I began my hasty decent, my body collided with a force that hit me like a brick wall. My eyes blinked rapidly, clearing my vision as a strong hand caught my arm.
“Amelia, what’s wrong?” It was Dorian, his voice panicked and eyes darting past me. “What happened?”
Kendrick loomed right behind him, stance as still as a lion preparing to attack a gazelle. “What’d he do?”
Fighting back the tears, I threw a backward glance at my room. I half-expected to find Ty coming after me. But no one was there. “Why don’t you ask Ty and the girl he was about to screw in my bed!”
I broke Dorian’s firm hold on my arm and vaulted down the stairs. Ty’s surprised voice stuttered, “w-wait, let me explain.” Then a sharp crack sounded as I made my escape through the front door. An uninvited pang of fear for Ty’s safety tugged at my aching heart. Still I didn’t turn back. I couldn’t. All I could do was run. So that’s exactly what I did.
~
When I finally returned home well after midnight, the house was dark and dead quiet. Only a dim glow emanated from my bedroom window.
Kendrick was sitting on the front steps in a band of porch light. “Damn you’re fast,” he said. “I couldn’t catch up to you.”
Letting the anger I still felt for Ty cloud my mood, I threw my arms over my chest. “Since when have you been a sexist pig?”
Unaffected by my insulting outburst, Kendrick laughed. “You know I didn’t mean it like that. I just…” He paused, brow creasing. “You’re a turned vamp, different yes, but still turned. Royals—and I say this without any malice—are faster and stronger. We hold greater abilities in comparison to turned vampires. Or at least we’re supposed to.”
Allowing the subject to distract me, I pursed my lips. Except my brain felt like it was packed with disgusting, green sludge, making comprehensive thought impossible. My legs began to tremble from the thrashing run I’d forced them to take through Mount Major. “What do you think it means?” I asked finally.
“I don’t know. It could be nothing.” Kendrick shrugged. “Or it could be a belated side-effect from what Caius did to prolong the transformation.”
“I guess so,” I breathed, mounting the front steps and taking his outstretched hand to pull him up.
“What he did was really shitty,” Kendrick said, his tone filled with unrestrained revulsion.
I tensed and my stomach turned, desperate to avoid any discussion on Ty and what I had seen.
Kendrick squeezed my hand. “Sorry, I won’t mention him again. But I want you to know.” He turned to meet my hazy, and I’m sure puffy, red eyes. “I will always be here for you.” His wrapped his arms around me and pressed his lips to my forehead. “You mean everything to me.”
I pushed the front door open and was about to trudge up the stairs when Kendrick swooped me up into his arms.
“What are you doing?” I squeaked, trying to keep my voice from waking Mom and Dorian.
“You look wrecked,” he said mounting the arching stairs.
“I’m fine, really,” I replied. “So you can put me down now.”
Kendrick looked at me, doubtful, still climbing the stairs. “We’re almost there.” He jumped the last few steps, carrying me down the dark hallway to my bedroom. A single crack of light shone from underneath the closed door.
After Kendrick lowered me to the ground, I felt awkward, unsure of what to say. “Um, thanks I guess. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Are you sure you want to be alone?”
Alone was the last thing I wanted. In the past Kendrick had spent many nights sleeping over in my bed after all-night movie marathons. Now the thought of having him in my bed just increased that awkward feeling. “I-I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. But if you change your mind…” He clutched my hand, drawing it up and pressing it to his heart. “…promise you’ll come to me.”
I nodded, already regretting making him leave as he turned away to disappear into the blackness of the hall. A sigh escaped my lips and I slumped back against my bedroom door. Entering my room and seeing the crumpled sheets of my bed, the bed it had happened in, would be torture. Sleeping in that same bed would be even worse. But I had to. I couldn’t hide from this. Avoidance, no matter how hard I wished, wouldn’t extinguish the pain that tugged at my heart. With closed eyes I began to turn, my fingers curling around the b
rass door handle. As I went to push down, a firm hand connected with my shoulder. The shock of unexpected touch caused my body to jerk. I spun on the spot. Paranoia had me expecting to find Ty, believing he’d forced his way inside just to inflict more emotional torture. But it wasn’t him.
“Dorian!” I couldn’t hide the relief in my voice. “You scared me half to death.”
“Sorry,” Dorian said looking sheepish. He held out his hand, offering a full bottle of blood. “I heard you come in, and I was pretty sure you’d need this.”
I snatched the bottle and turned the cap before chugging down the contents. After my run, my body felt like it had been hit by a Mac truck. Though with the instant boost the blood provided, some of the aching in my limbs began to subside. “Thanks,” I said, swiping the back of my hand across my mouth.
“So, are you going in?” Dorian asked, visibly chewing the inside of his cheek. “Or do you plan to stand out here all night?”
Determined not to let this break me, I drew my body to full height, feigning stability. “No time like the present.”
I sucked in a deep breath and pushed the door open, eyes scanning around the room. Everything appeared to be in its rightful place, but there was one distinct difference. Earlier the bed’s covers had been a mess of purple-crumpled swirls. Now they were turned down with crisp and untainted linens of indigo and ultramarine.
With my heart squeezing, I swiveled back to Dorian. “You did this?”
“I didn’t want you to be reminded about what happened.” He shrugged and forced a smile. “I know this is really hard for you. And Amelia,” he said. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, and I hate to bring it up. But you need to know.” I braced against the doorframe and nodded. Dorian took in a sharp breath and exhaled with his next words. “Earlier when I stormed your room, I only found Ty. There wasn’t anyone else in here.”
My gaze slid sideways to my bed. The gut-wrenching events replayed in my mind. I could see her blond hair, hear the eerily familiar giggle, and remember the unusual pallor of her complexion. I had no idea who the girl was. But I did know what she was. My wide eyes skittered across the room, settling on my arched window. The dark-purple drapes were half-drawn and the glass panel sat wide open. That’s why Dorian didn’t find her in here. I turned back to Dorian, my eyes pleading. “Dorian, please, I need to be alone.”
Dorian, his jaw set and clearly not wanting to leave, simply nodded. “I’ll come see you in the morning.”
I watched him walk away, left with my thoughts, memories, and a realization that shook me to my very core. Ty betrayed me for another vampire.
After standing in shell-shocked stillness for so long that I lost track of time, I shook myself back to consciousness. I closed the window and began to strip. First I kicked off my heel-snapped shoes. Mom was not going to be pleased. Then I peeled back the torn fabric of my chiffon dress, which clung to my body with sweat and melted snow. Then I stood before the full-length mirror backing my bathroom door. Patchy dirt marked my ivory skin. Snaking up my arms, legs, and even up my neck to cross my face were webbed, blackish-blue veins. It was a physical sign that my body was still greatly deprived of blood. Leaf litter tangled my hair like a nest. My face was a pasty shade of gray, with my irises surround by harsh bloodlines. Thinking of the many supernatural movies I’d watched over the years, I thought, this is what real monsters look like.
I sighed and my body tensed all over. The pain inside my chest still plagued me, like a tightening line of barbed wire with inch-long spikes. I sighed again and forced my body into the bathroom. The fluorescents were much too bright. Glare reflected off the white marbled tiles and floor, shooting pain into my eyes. I blinked away the discomfort. Then I turned on the hot tap inside the open-walled shower, and stepped onto the cobblestone tiles. If only the scalding water could burn away the image of Ty almost naked and rearing to enter that slut. Soap and hard scrubbing easily removed the debris from my skin, but nothing could rid me of the filthy aura that was draped over my mind and body. It weighed me down like a soggy, moldy towel. What made things even worse was that the burning water reminded me of Ty, of his heated touch, his smoldering lips pressed to mine, and the taste of his fiery-sweet blood.
In the end I gave up, and after a quick dry, slipped into satin shorts and a cotton tank top. If only I could fall asleep quickly. I hesitated in pulling back the vibrant covers and blinked, seeing the disgusting scene playing again. My stomach lurched with a twist. Then something caught my eye. In front of the glowing steel lamp on my side table was the jewelry box Uncle Caius had won at the auction. As I stared at the amethyst-encrusted box, my brow creased. Something about it was different. It was still as beautiful as I remembered. Except something was definitely missing. Then I knew. The magnetized draw I had experienced before the auction was gone. And the lid which had been jammed shut, now sat open with a flat card propped up inside. I gingerly retrieved the card, glimpsing the distinguishable scrawl of my uncle’s handwriting.
My Dearest Amelia,
I realize this gift does not make up for my recent absence, but after noting your admiration of this piece, I knew you would appreciate the sentiment. I do hope you will accept my gift as an apology, and a promise that soon we will have much time to share.
Love Always,
Uncle Caius.
P.S. The hinges were rather stiff, they will require oiling.
Feeling foolish over my earlier skepticism at Caius’s motives, I pressed the card to my heart. As I did, a gleam of light across metal flashed from inside the jewelry box. Within its mirrored lid and padded silk walls, was a small gold key. I plucked it out and twirled it between my fingers, eying the looped effect of its handle.
A remembered clang rose to the forefront of my mind. It was the moment before the auction when I had picked up the item and distinctly heard the movement of something within.
So that’s what was hidden inside. For some reason I felt disappointed. I replaced the card and closed the lid in a stiff motion that creaked and groaned, locking it with the key. It was just the key.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
After gorging on half a block of chocolate from my bedside drawer, I forced my body under the soft, ultramarine quilt. An animated replay of every gut-wrenching detail plagued my mind. I saw their hands unrestrained and exploring, their lips connecting with labored breath. Worst was the way their bodies had screamed for one another. Each detail tightened the barbed wire around my heart and knotted my stomach.
Squeezing my eyes shut—so tight I that saw stars—I curled my body in on itself. I wished that alone could slow my mind and clear the sickening images. In actuality it did the opposite. Their sexual display brightened like a raunchy movie scene. Every muscle in my body tensed harder, aching to strip my mind clear. But I knew my efforts were futile. I couldn’t sleep here.
Pulling myself up from my bed, I rushed through my bedroom door and down the dark hallway. Nightlight filtered through the double-story windows of the foyer and past the marble balustrade. Sinister shadows slinked around me.
Ignoring the sliver of paranoia that was quickly creeping in, I stopped in front of the door to Kendrick’s room. My head dropped against the white-glossed wood. Inside, I felt disgusted with myself. How could I be so broken over someone I hardly even knew? But most of all, I hated that I needed Kendrick’s undying friendship, almost more than I needed air to breathe. My shoulders slumped with a sigh and I began to turn away.
“Amelia?” A crackled voice emerged through the closed door, causing my head to jerk up. The soft rustle of bedding reached my ears and a brighter glow of light shone from beneath the door. Quiet footsteps followed. The door opened and Kendrick stood rubbing his eyes. The glow of lamplight surrounded him like a full-bodied halo. “Hey, are you okay?”
Without meaning to, my eyes glided from the lean and toned muscles of his chest. Further down, cut lines dipped from his hips. I gulped. All he wore was a pair of black-cotton boxer shor
ts. Warmth radiated across my cheeks. I had never seen him so, well…naked, before.
“I’m sorry,” I croaked, shaking off the image of his bare chest, eyes darting away. “I didn’t mean to wake you. It’s just… I can’t sleep there.” I threw a glance back down the hall to my room. Tears were building in the corners of my eyes, and I hated it. I hated being so weak and so freaking vulnerable.
Kendrick’s hands found my shoulders and pulled me into his arms, hugging me tight. “Come on. You can sleep in my bed.”
Kendrick released me and I nodded with a sniffle. He took my hand and led the way. Past the white-leather couch draped with crumpled clothes, stood his oversized king bed. He shoved a snowboarding magazine out of the way and pulled back the covers. I clambered onto the mattress. Still holding tight to Kendrick’s hand I pulled him in behind me.
Kendrick resisted, freeing his hand from mine. “It’s okay,” he said, strained eyes shifting to the two-seater couch. “I’ll sleep there.”
Puzzled by his resistance, I frowned. Kendrick’s bed here was huge. While the couch would struggle to offer a comfortable sleep for me, let alone his over-inflated six-foot-two. Yet his comfort was not the only thing that encouraged my next words, or contorted my expression. “I’m afraid to be alone with my thoughts,” I confessed. “Please stay with me.”
Kendrick bit his lower lip. His face relaxed as he turned off his reading and bedside lights. “Amelia, I would do anything for you.” He lowered himself down into the bed, reclining sideways against the dark, satin pillows to face me. “Now get some sleep,” he ordered, leaning close to press his lips to my forehead.
“Thank you,” I breathed. With a forced a smile, I clasped his hand and pulled it over my shoulder, turning to face the other way. Kendrick’s arm tightened around me drawing me against his bare chest. His heart fluttered against my back. It felt strange to be this close to his almost naked body. It was new, I realized, this intimacy. We had always been close and unrestrained around each other. Yet somehow this was distinctly different. It was like our relationship had somehow graduated to a new level, a deeper level. And for everything in the world, I wouldn’t have changed this moment, or our friendship. Kendrick was a true friend, my best friend, and I loved him.