by K Loraine
“Like your humanity?”
Lucas chuckled and stepped out from the open library doorway. “Oh, darling, most of us never had any of that to begin with. Though you seem to spark it in us.”
“Lucas,” she said, ignoring me and walking toward him.
“I must say, Olivia, you wear that shirt much better than my dear brother. Either that, or your legs are doing it a great favor.”
I hated that he was looking at her, possibly imagining her with nothing on. “Hands to yourself, Lucas, or I’ll throw you in the well with Sorcha.”
He laughed. “Oh, believe me, I know better than to get between a vampire and his mate. It’s not a pretty sight.”
I stiffened at the word mate but let it go. No use compounding more revelations on Olivia tonight. She looked from him to me and wrapped her arms around her waist in a protective gesture. Fuck. She’d heard him.
“Little bird, you need to eat. I can sense your hunger.”
“Stop being so creepy,” Lucas said, taking Olivia’s arm. “Come along, darling, you’re spending too much time with the boring brother. I’ll make you something to eat, then we can have a little chat. Catch up and pretend you’re not here against your will.”
“She can leave whenever she wants. But, as we discussed, I’m not the only vampire who wants her. Not the only creature either.”
Olivia turned wide eyes on me. “Creature?”
“It’s not just the Blackthornes. You know this. If the hunters want you and the vampires want you, then the witches and shifters will as well. The blood of the sun means power.” I shrugged, working to control my possessive nature. “None of them will have you.”
“You mean, if you can’t have me, no one will?”
“Now, now, children, no fighting.” A chill rolled down my spine at the sound of Anne’s voice carrying from the entryway. “And, Olivia, that’s exactly what he means. You’re mine.”
11
Olivia
Cashel put himself in front of me without a second’s hesitation, and I didn’t protest. The woman at the end of the hall was a force of nature. Terrifying and beautiful. But there wasn’t a shred of humanity in her. Her pale skin glowed with an almost ethereal light, and stretched tight over razor-sharp cheekbones. Coupled with her dark, deep-set eyes and scarlet lips, she was the definition of a stereotypical vampire. And she looked at me like I was an expensive jewel she wanted to put in her crown.
“Oh, look, it’s the bastard. Lucas Blackthorne, are you going to give me trouble as well?” Anne, the new queen, glided down the polished wood floor toward us. It was eerie, and it made me wonder if the Blackthornes had done something to make themselves seem more human in front of me.
“Oh, I’m trouble, but I think the only kind I’ll offer is the kind you’ll enjoy.”
She laughed, the bell-like sound filling the space. “If you think I want the half-breed, watered-down version of my first husband, you’re an idiot. I’ve had the original. I don’t want to experience it again.”
The shocked bark of laughter that came from Lucas should have alleviated some of the tension in the house, but it only added to the problem. “I wasn’t propositioning you, wicked stepmother. It’s too close to incest for my liking.”
Lucas tugged at the cuffs of his shirt before bringing his gaze back to Anne. “I have something for you, my queen,” Lucas said. “A token of my loyalty, if you will.”
Her expression barely changed. “Go on, then.”
Lucas pulled out a beautiful necklace, glittering with diamonds and a deep red stone in the center. It must’ve been special, because Anne’s face went from bored to elated. “The Blackthorne crown jewels.”
She snatched the jewelry from his hand and stared at it, transfixed. My stomach churned. I didn’t want to be here. I backed away, hopeful I could slip out unnoticed while Lucas had her distracted, but Cashel took my hand and squeezed. It was a warning. Don’t move.
“Ah, my darling Olivia. Trying to run?” Her tone was light and sweet, but I knew there was nothing but malice underneath the sugar coating.
“I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but we both know that would be a lie.”
Cashel’s fingers tightened again.
“Come here, girl. Let me see what it is that’s so delectable I can smell you from here.”
My heart flipped in response to the mention of my scent. I hadn’t used rose oil. I hadn’t protected myself. I was so caught up in my fight with Cashel that I forgot. Oh, God, I fucking forgot—in a den of vampires. I was stupid. He couldn’t protect me from her.
I hesitated, and she was on me before I could see her movement. The fine bones of her hand wrapped around my throat and held me still as she ran her nose up my neck. Then a stinging sensation raced across my collarbone. I winced, and she released me, licking the blood she’d spilled with one razor-sharp nail from her finger.
“Cashel, I see why you want to claim her as yours. She’ll do nicely as our prize.”
“I’m actually not—”
“Oh, I’m sorry, you think you have a choice?” She leveled her gaze on me and smirked, the twist of her lips making fear coil in my belly. “Eliana, dear. Come over here.”
Eliana. Why did that name sound so familiar? A dark-haired beauty came out of the music room, her body cloaked in a tight, black velvet dress. It was scandalously low cut, but she didn’t seem to be shy. “Your Majesty,” she said, dipping into a curtsey.
“Such a loyal darling, isn’t she?” Anne motioned for Eliana to rise. “Olivia, I don’t think you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Cashel’s paramour. This is Eliana.”
Memories of past conversations with Cashel came flooding back. Eliana. The woman he loved and lost. “You’re dead…”
“Undead, technically,” Eliana said, slinking across the hall toward us. Her gaze landed on Cashel’s hand holding mine. “Didn’t Cash tell you?”
“Tell me? I don’t know what you’ve heard, but Cashel and I are not together. I’m here because he kidnapped me and, believe me, the first chance I get, I’ll kill you all in your sleep.”
Cashel sucked in a sharp breath, and Lucas shot me a surprised glare. But Anne just giggled. “You didn’t tell me your little pet had claws.”
“She’s been sharpening them of late,” Cashel said.
“I like a little fire.” Anne turned to look at Eliana. “Don’t be rude. Bring Olivia her welcome gift.”
Eliana smiled, a wicked light gleaming in her eyes. “My pleasure.”
She was gone in a blur of dark hair and fabric. Then she returned, but this time she strolled toward us with an evil grin and one of the hunters I’d trained with trailing behind her with his hands bound in front of him. Dark blood stained his shirt and throat. He was pale and looked weak and in pain.
“Liv,” he said on a harsh whisper.
“Oh, God. Knight.”
Cashel released his hold on me as though my touch burned him. “You brought a hunter into this house?”
“So did you,” Eliana spat.
“She’s not a hunter, she’s…”
“What? Yours? The blood of the sun? She killed two vampires. She’s a hunter.”
“What are you doing to him? Why is he here?” I asked the question even though I already knew the answer.
“Collateral. It’s really very simple, Olivia. You care for this man’s well being. I have him. If you want him to stay alive, you won’t make waves.” Anne’s voice was cool and calm. “Cashel has his plaything, now so does Eliana.”
“I’m…”
She held up a hand to stop me. “Don’t patronize. You’re the object of his darkest desire. I’ve seen it inside his head.” She tapped a finger on her chin and looked from me to Cashel and back. “Now, where to put you two?”
“Olivia will stay with me,” Cashel growled.
“Oh, no. That won’t do.” Anne’s words were colored with amusement. “Do you take me for a fool? I think the dungeon will suit both of th
em during the day. At night, you can parade her around all you like, but she must know her place.”
“I hope you like to watch,” Eliana said. “Because I fully intend to make use of this delicious man of yours.” She kissed Knight’s lips, but he barely responded. “Poor boy is so weak from my…vigorous feeding. Don’t worry, Liv, I made it feel good for him.” She winked at me, and bile rose in my throat. “Come on, lover, we’ve still got a few hours until sunrise. Let’s make use of them.”
I watched, helpless as she led Knight up the staircase. He didn’t even look back, just followed her like a zombie.
“Leave him out of this,” I demanded, staring hard at Anne. The vampire queen could easily kill me. I was unarmed and no more dangerous to her than a sparrow was to a lion, but I had to do something.
“No harm will come to him if you do what you’re told.”
“And what is that?”
“I’m glad you asked. In order to show our strength, we’ll be hosting a coronation ball. You will attend.”
“Escorted by me,” Cashel said, but Anne immediately shook her head.
“I don’t think that’s wise. The clans know your connection to Olivia is what caused your treason. Lucas, you’ll be on duty as Olivia’s guardian for the ball. But, as a gesture of goodwill, we will be serving a special blood cocktail. Each drink will contain one drop of your blood, given willingly. Understood?”
“You can’t spill her blood in front of the clans. They’ll go mad with want.” Cashel took my hand again and pulled me closer, as though that would stop her.
“Oh, we won’t. You’ll be taking her donation. I hear you’re quite skilled at that.” She narrowed her eyes. “I suppose I should let your sister out of the well. She’ll need a pet of her own. Perhaps we can collect her a human while searching for your companion for the ball as well, Cashel. You have a thing for brunettes, yes? I’m sure I can find another.”
“I’ll be glad to get a chance to woo our pet. She’s been untouchable since Cashel claimed her.” Lucas slid an arm around my waist. The rage coming from Cashel seemed to have its own pulse.
“Cashel, I need to speak with you. Let Lucas reacquaint your pet with her surroundings. It seems as though he’s not had a turn with her.”
“He doesn’t need a turn.”
Lucas chuckled. “You never liked to share.”
“That’s right. You touch her, I’ll rip your arm from the socket and beat you with it.”
Anne tutted. “Boys, boys, there’s enough to go around. Cashel, you’ll just have to remember she’s not yours. She’s ours, and if anyone is sharing her, it’s me.”
I hated being discussed like I wasn’t there, and even more being called a possession, but this was how vampires worked. They didn’t care about humans. They cared about power. And I was the ultimate show of that. The Blackthorne vampires had me in their grasp, and if I wanted Knight to survive, there was nothing I could do about it.
“You’re looking ravishing as always, darling,” Lucas said as he led me to the kitchen.
“Ravishing isn’t the word I’d use. I’m wearing the shirt of the man who kidnapped me because I have no clothes.”
“As I said, ravishing.” He turned away from me and grabbed a plate before opening the cupboard and pulling out a box of crackers.
“Hungry?” I asked.
“No, not me. I ate on my way here.”
A shudder rolled through me. Who did he eat? I watched him rummage through the huge stainless steel refrigerator and gather cheeses and meat before arranging everything artfully on the plate.
“Here. Protein, carbs, fat. All things humans need to survive.” He slid the plate toward me, and I took it without question. I was starved.
“Why did you come back?” I asked.
He cocked a brow. “It’s my family. I won’t abandon them, even though they might think it’s in my nature.”
I took a cracker and layered it with a thin slice of salami before topping the meat with coastal cheddar. I ate three before looking at him again. “Why is there food here? You don’t eat.”
“I’m sure my esteemed step-monster has her share of blood slaves. We just haven’t seen them yet. Have to keep them fed in order to keep them alive.”
Disgust rolled through me. I pushed the plate away and fought a shiver as my meager meal threatened to make a reappearance. “How many humans did you have here the first time Cashel took me?”
Lucas poured a glass of water and handed it to me. “None. We weren’t in the habit of keeping blood slaves. Such a dirty connotation. Our donors are always willing and we always make it good for them as payment.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Well, that is true. In my father’s defense—though, I’ll have you know I loathed that man and he deserved the death you two gave him—he was in the beginning of the end of his battle with sun sickness. I don’t know how he hid it from us as long as he did.”
“So, you’re telling me the Blackthorne vampires don’t take blood from whomever they choose? They don’t use their powers to compel humans into unwittingly donating their blood?”
“Until recently, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. Cashel doesn’t use glamor until the feeding begins. Why cause pain when we can make it good?”
I didn’t know if I could argue that I wanted to know it hurt. Why would I want that?
“The greatest gift a human can give us is their blood.”
“How do you know Cashel doesn’t manipulate his victims? You might feel one way, but you’re not with him every second of the night.”
“It might not seem like it to you, but Cashel has always been my protector. He’s been the older brother I needed. He taught me how to be a vampire when I first started my transition.”
“Transition?”
“I’m a hybrid. You know this. It means so much more than having a human parent. It’s a crapshoot. We either turn or we don’t. I did. Thank God.”
My stomach twisted with unease. This was more than I ever thought I’d learn about Lucas. “He’d have killed you if you hadn’t turned, wouldn’t he?”
“Without a doubt. Cash promised if I didn’t start transitioning on my own, he’d turn me.”
Heart fluttering, I fought tears. “He did?”
“Yes. He’s hurting right now. When he’s injured, he’s like a lion. He lashes out and defends himself.”
“And you’re insinuating that I’m the one who did the injuring?”
Lucas shrugged before turning away and grabbing a decanter filled with wine from a separate refrigerator. He swirled it a few times and poured it into a glass. It only took a moment for me to realize it wasn’t wine. It was too thick, too vibrant. I swallowed hard and forced myself not to be afraid.
“You broke my brother’s heart when you left him for that hunter. The only reason your boyfriend was alive so long is because Cashel wouldn’t hurt you by taking his life.” He took a long swallow of the blood in his goblet. “I’m not as forgiving.”
“I don’t need you to be. Also, just for the record, I never betrayed your brother. I saved him. He’s the one who ruined everything by lying to me. All of it was a lie. Don’t let him play the victim, Lucas. He’s guilty of a lot more than treason.”
“I thought too much of you. Believe what you want, but you’re an idiot if you don’t see what’s right in front of you.” He shook his head and downed the contents of his glass before setting it on the counter and leaving the room without looking back at me.
I sat there, staring at the stripes of white in the dark marble countertop, listening to the tick, tick, tick of the clock on the wall to my right. “Cashel, why can’t I get you out of my heart?”
“I’m surprised I’m still there at all.” His voice made me flinch in surprise. “It seemed pretty clear you’d cut me out completely.”
I turned and found Cashel standing in the doorway, casually leaning against the frame, but pain radiating from his eyes. “Why do you care?
You’ve got me right where you want me.”
In the drawing of one breath, he was across the room and standing directly in front of me. His scent made my head spin and my body light with need. “No, now I do.”
He didn’t touch me. Just stood there brooding. “God, Cashel, if you want to do something, fucking do it.”
“No. You’re not here for me to rape. I’ll never take your body without your consent.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a vial filled with red liquid. “See this?”
I took it from him, my fingertips brushing his and sending sparks shooting up my arm. “Blood.”
“My blood. If you don’t trust me, trust that I wouldn’t lie to you, then take a drop of that every night when you wake. It’ll ensure no vampire can compel you. Not Anne, and certainly not me.”
I frowned. “Why would you give me this?”
“Because I gave this to you as often as I could the first time we were here together, but you didn’t know. Now I want everything to be transparent between us. I broke your trust by not telling you I was in your mind when I fed and when I sent you to sleep before bringing you here. I’ll never do that to you again. Your mind is off limits to all of us. If that’s what you want.”
Twirling the vial between my fingers, I examined the blood inside. Cashel’s blood. The most powerful thing a vampire had was this. It held all their secrets. And he was trusting me with it?
“I’m tired,” I said, unable to pull together a stronger response to his gesture. “Where’s my…cell?”
He shook his head. “You won’t be kept in our dank dungeon while I’m here. You’ll sleep in my bed.”
“I don’t want to be anywhere near you. I’ll take dark and dismal.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched as tension coiled his shoulders. “I’ll sleep elsewhere.”
“I’m going to need more clothes. I can’t wander around in your shirt forever.”
“It’s already taken care of. Martin transferred your belongings to my rooms. You’ll find you have everything you need.” He cocked a brow. “Though I have to admit, I quite like the look of you in my clothes, with my scent covering you.”