by L. Danvers
She fired daggers at me with a look.
I held up my hands in mock surrender. “I’m kidding. Hang on, I’ll find a place for us to stay tonight.”
I pulled out my phone and searched for local hotels while Danielle marveled at the airplanes soaring overhead. After quickly scanning the reviews and features of various options, I decided on one that I knew would blow her away. She had been through so much, suffered so much. She deserved to have one night where she could put all of that aside and feel human again. Xander was handled, for now. So, we might as well make the most of this time together. “I’ve found the perfect place...”
Danielle
My body wash smelled like lavender with a hint of sage. I breathed in deeply, allowing the suds’ aroma to soothe me. It had been such a long day, and my muscles were screaming. I placed the palm of my hand against the marble shower wall and dipped my head as the steaming-hot water rained down on me, helping to release the knots forming in my shoulders.
I sighed happily. It was nice to feel pampered for a change. The adjoining suites Julian had booked for us were, in a word, lavish. Even the soap was fancy. By the insanely silky texture that spread across my skin before the lather of bubbles formed, I could tell this was the type of place that didn’t skimp on even the tiniest of details.
Don’t get me wrong. The castle in Crescent Cape was grand and beautiful. The perfect blend of gothic architecture and modern style. But this hotel, The Rosewood, was opulent beyond measure—thick, crimson curtains, golden chandeliers... There was even a guy whose entire job was to press the button on the elevator for us. I’d never seen anything like it.
After drying off and fixing my hair, I padded out of the bathroom, towel secured around my chest. I drew my fingers to my lips, smiling. Spread across the bed was a beautiful red dress with a sweetheart neckline. On top of it, there was a note: Picked this up for you from one of the shops downstairs. You deserve to feel special tonight. - Julian
My heart fluttered, and I eagerly dropped the towel and slipped the dress over my head. It was a tad tight, but it fit well enough.
I gave a quick spin, admiring the way the dress fanned out like a blossoming rose. I felt like a princess.
And yet... I couldn’t deny the sinking feeling in my chest.
This was a lovely gesture. But, deep down, I knew this was nothing more than a distraction. It was a sweet gesture from Julian. I was looking forward to our date. And I appreciated him spoiling me. But even this extraordinary evening he had in store for us couldn’t get the image of Xander’s hollow eyes out of my head...
A chill crept up my neck, and I startled at the knock at the door.
Julian gave a couple more knocks. “Are you ready, my dear?”
The muscles that had tightened in my throat released.
Subconsciously twisting my hand around my wrist, I headed for the door and opened it.
My lips parted, and it took everything I had to maintain eye contact with him. The suit he’d picked out for himself fit him perfectly, hugging his muscular frame and somehow making him even more handsome.
He placed his hand over his heart as he gave me a once-over. “You’re a vision in red.”
I couldn’t contain my smile. My cheeks turned as deep red as my dress. “Thank you.”
He held out his arm, and I linked mine around it. “So, where are you taking me tonight?” I asked. My mouth was still dry from the thought of what Xander might do to me if he found me, but I tried to push the thought away. Julian had promised to protect me, and he meant it. And, if worst came to worst... I was a hybrid. I didn’t want to hurt Xander. But I would protect myself if I had to. Even against him.
I kept the what-ifs to myself, though. I wasn’t sure how Julian would feel about the prospect of using my abilities against one of his siblings. Yes, he cared for me. Maybe even loved me. But he and Xander... they were brothers.
Julian’s shoulders squared back. “I was able to secure reservations at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Amber Falls. It’s called Seven.”
My nose crinkled. “Seven?”
He laughed. “It’s on Seventh Street.”
“Oh. Well, hopefully the menu is more creative than the name.”
“I assure you—you won’t be disappointed.”
TWO EXPRESSIONLESS doormen clothed in maroon polyester opened the double-doors to Seven. I eyed them suspiciously, wondering if they might be robots. I swear there wasn’t a single hair out of place. A single speck of lint on their uniforms. A single twitch of the cheek. They didn’t even look at us as we entered arm in arm. Which seemed rather unwelcoming to me, but what did I know about running a high-end restaurant?
Once inside, I had to blink a few times to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.
A fish tank was built into the floor, winding all the way up to the maître d’. The woman behind the reservation desk wore black from head to toe, save for the silk maroon tie, and sported a top-knot. She batted her false lashes, her bright red lips pursing as she studied the two of us. Her nose was stuck in a wrinkled position like she was sniffing stale cheese against her will.
Julian gave her his name, and her tight lips relaxed—sort of. She scooped up a couple of leather-bound menus and jerked her head, beckoning for us to follow. So, we did.
Round tables dripping in fine linens were situated around roaring double-fireplaces, and I immediately felt out of place. It wasn’t that long ago that I was a blood slave, and Grace was discreetly showing me which utensils to use in which order. Now, I was in Amber Falls, a hybrid on a date with an immortal werewolf. I laughed at the ridiculousness of it all.
Julian’s mouth curved up into a half-smile as the two of us were seated. He watched me for a moment or two before leaning forward. Under his breath, he asked, “What is it?”
I shook my head, my gaze sweeping the room. This was officially the craziest day ever. Well, second to the day I turned into a hybrid... “When Aiden told me to run, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
“Would you prefer that we camp out in the woods?”
I snorted. “No. This is lovely. But it’s all a bit... much.”
Reaching for my hand, he gave a sympathetic grin. “It’s a tragedy that you were robbed of so many years of your life. But I intend to spend eternity making sure your life is filled with more good memories than bad ones. Starting with tonight.”
I chewed my lower lip, nodding in appreciation.
“So, Danielle, now that you have an immortal lifetime ahead of you, what do you think you’d like to do with it? Once all of the chaos around us has settled, of course.”
I rested my chin on my hand, thinking. I hadn’t put, well, any thought into it. I hadn’t had a moment’s rest since I turned.
I sipped from my Coke, holding the drink in my mouth for a second before I swallowed. My mind jumped from one bucket list item to another. I’d love to see the pyramids in Egypt. Or visit the Colosseum. There was so much to explore in this beautiful world of ours. I wanted to experience it all.
But now that I had a moment to think, there was something that I wanted more than anything... something that had weighed on me for years. Something that was taken from me. Something that I could take back.
An education.
“I want to earn my GED.”
Julian spit out his drink. He covered his mouth with a napkin and swallowed, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “You have infinity ahead of you, and you want to go to school?”
I hardened my jaw. I knew it wasn’t the answer he’d expected, but it was the truth. “Julian, I’ve had everything taken from me. I want an education. I want to go to art school. And why shouldn’t I? I have all the time in the world.” I blinked, the weight of my own words setting in. “An education is something that no one can take away from me.”
He nodded with understanding, guilt clouding his eyes at his initial reaction. “I can respect that.”
A waitress came and refilled ou
r glasses, and Julian ordered hot lobster dip as an appetizer. Supposedly, it was what Seven was known for. So, when in Amber Falls...
Within minutes, the cheesy lobster dip was brought to our table along with a spread of crostinis. And it was immediately clear why this was their specialty. One taste, and I was transported to heaven.
I chewed, savoring the warmth of the dip that was melting into the crusty bread. Then, I swiftly finished the first piece and helped myself to two more. I didn’t even care how profoundly unladylike I looked while scarfing them down. They were that good.
“What are you waiting for?” I asked, blinking. “You’ve got to try these.”
A wide-eyed Julian shook his head in amusement and dug in, too.
I smiled inwardly. I was grateful for this moment together. Despite the world falling apart back home, we found our own little piece of joy. Sure, it was fleeting. And tomorrow, we’d have to face reality. But for tonight, it was only me and him—and the best lobster dip in Maine.
Danielle
It was nighttime in New York. The glow of the city lights seeped in through the window of the apartment, casting the room in shades of yellow and orange and red. A canvas sat in the middle of the room, drawing me in, calling me. My skin prickled as if my senses were warning me to run, but the call... it was hard to resist.
I reached for the paint—varying shades of maroon and ruby and Merlot. I dipped a fresh brush into the paint, swirling the tip around until it was saturated with color. The paint was thin, thinner than I was used to, and yet, the color was so rich. So full of life.
Cocking my head to the side, I gave a gentle stroke. The canvas drank the color in, and the otherwise blank slate pleaded to be filled with hues of red. Another stroke, and then another, and then the image of a woman took shape, her gown dripping in vibrant colors. Waves of red rippled from the skirt of the dress as if she were clutching it. Running.
I blinked, wiping the sweat from my brow. The morning sun was starting to rise. I’d been painting all night.
When I glanced down at my hands, they were stained red. Warily, my gaze lifted, and I stepped back, chest caving...
The room was filled with canvases of my own creation. Each one depicting a woman—running. To something or away from something, I couldn’t be sure. All I knew was that at the sight of my artwork, fear bubbled up inside me.
And it was then that I noticed the paint.
The wooden palette, now sitting on a black bar stool, was... dripping. Red splashed onto the once pristine white floor.
Fear spilled out of me, taking the form of a shrill scream.
Blood was all around me, its sweet scent overwhelming my senses.
I dug my fingernails into my dark hair, shaking my head violently. No. No.
My arms were covered in red. And so were my hands. I held them up, examining them in horror. My eyes flicked upward, and I caught a glimpse of myself in the window’s reflection. Fangs out. Blood on my hands. Monstrous.
No. No. No.
I AWOKE IN MY HOTEL room, clutching the covers with a death grip. Fear gnawed away at my insides, working its way through me until it settled in my throat. I cupped my hands over my eyes, head shaking.
Letting out a slow exhale, I got out of bed and marched straight for the bathroom sink. I had to see for myself that I was okay.
Relief washed over me when I saw my reflection. Still, I couldn’t get that image of myself dripping in blood out of my head.
After splashing my face with ice-cold water and patting myself dry, I made my way back into the bedroom to fetch the clothes Julian had picked up for me.
Last night had been a beautiful escape. My fingers drifted to my lips in reverie, the warmth of Julian’s touch still lingering there. And yet, the memory felt so far away. Because all I could think about was the nightmare that had kept me tossing and turning all night.
I flung the closet door open, and I caught a glimpse of the red dress I’d worn the night before. Anxiety snaked through me, visions of the paintings of the woman in red clawing to the forefront of my mind.
I swallowed the sand in my throat and reached for the day’s outfit: dark jeans, a white T-shirt and a leather jacket, along with a pair of black combat boots. I smirked. Totally Julian’s style.
Like it or not, it was time to face the day.
“IT WAS ONLY A DREAM,” Julian said, reaching across the table. It was morning, 6:30 a.m. to be exact, and we were grabbing a bite to eat before hitting the road. Julian had let me drink from him last night, so my need for blood was suppressed. But I couldn’t resist a buffet of bacon, eggs and waffles. And coffee. Especially after that torturous slumber.
I shook my head. “You don’t understand. It felt so real.”
He downed the last sip from his mug and sighed. “I don’t think you should put too much stock in it.”
“But what if it means something? What if it’s a warning? What if I’m becoming like him? I have his blood coursing through my veins,” I said weakly, referring to Aiden.
“And mine,” he said before the corner of his mouth tugged into a smirk. “Although, I doubt that makes you feel much better.”
We paused the conversation while the waiter came and refilled our coffee. The average person knew nothing about the supernaturals that inhabited this world. So, if he overheard our conversation, he’d either completely freak out or think we had lost our minds. Probably the latter. So, we kept quiet until he was gone.
I poured a touch of cream in my coffee—no sugar—and took a slow sip, savoring it. “I don’t want to become a monster.”
Julian set his mug down, looking me dead-on. “You, Danielle Parker, are not a monster. You’re a good person.”
“But—”
He held a hand to silence me. “No. I’m telling you, you’re good. It was a dream and nothing more. And anyway, you can’t even drink human blood. So, it couldn’t have been a premonition.”
I nodded. “I suppose you have a point.”
“You’ve gone through a lot of changes as of late. Your subconscious is trying to make sense of it all. That’s it.”
I scratched the back of my neck. “That makes sense.”
He offered a sympathetic grin.
I forced a smile, too, but inside, my mind was racing. I chewed a piece of crispy bacon before asking, “So, do you think we could go to Charleston?”
His brows lifted.
“To meet with the Book Slayers,” I added. “I want to ask them how to break the sire bond.” This was the first time I had broached the subject with him. We had agreed to put all of our supernatural worries aside last night. But today, we had to face reality. And the reality was that I couldn’t go back to the castle until Aiden willed it... or I freed myself from his control for good.
Julian stiffened. “And where do you think the first place Xander would look for you would be? We were talking about going to Charleston right before he... he... switched.”
“But your siblings would tell you if he escaped.”
“Still, I don’t think it’s prudent. Not right now, at least. I’m sorry.”
I crossed my arms, slumping back into my chair. Deep down, I knew he was right. Still, I didn’t like being connected to Aiden in this way. I wasn’t his pet. And the fact that he could order me to do whatever he wanted made my skin crawl.
“You’re upset,” Julian observed.
A laugh of frustration escaped me. “Of course I’m upset. How would you feel if someone could manipulate you at will?”
He frowned. “I shouldn’t have asked Aiden to do that to you.”
“No. You shouldn’t have,” I barked. But the shadows crossing his face reminded me that he was apologizing. And he meant it. Julian wasn’t the type to say he was sorry when he wasn’t. So, I relaxed my shoulders. “But I do get it. The two of you were trying to look after me.” I shook my head. “But it’s not even that. It’s the fact that he can do it at all. There has to be some way to break the bond. And I
want to find it. And I was hoping that...”
“That the Book Slayers would be able to point you in the right direction.” Julian finished my sentence, understanding my argument. He added a packet of sugar to his coffee, his metal spoon clanking against the ceramic mug as he stirred. “Look. I get it. And while I’ve never heard of a sire bond being broken, I had also never heard of hybrids existing until Princess Bianca brought them to the castle. I’ll do what I can to help you. But for right now, the most important thing we can do is keep you safe. And for the time being, that means keeping you far away from Xander—and anywhere Xander might think to look for you should he find a way out of the castle.”
I frowned.
“I’m not saying no, but I am saying that this isn’t the right time. Does that make sense?”
It did. I didn’t like the idea of waiting, of spending another second bound to his brother, but his argument had merit. Xander killing me was not the way I wanted to go about breaking the sire bond.
Aiden
Despite her best efforts, Evanna hadn’t come up with a solution. Even after working on it all night. For now, Xander was locked in the dungeon. Because we didn’t have any other options. His perpetually wide onyx eyes were a dead giveaway that he wasn’t in control of himself. And that was saying a lot. Xander was stronger than I was—emotionally, I mean. Sure, he could be immature at times. But his willpower was unrivaled. He didn’t hurt, didn’t hunt, didn’t kill unless he had to. Unless he needed to feed. Granted, he enjoyed the hunt... but still. Self-control was one of his strong points.
But the look in his eyes had nothing to do with hunger.
He’d hissed and called and shouted Danielle’s name all night as if his brain had been reprogrammed to play the same thought on repeat. We knew Reed Carlisle had something to do with it—just as he’d had something to do with Victoria’s awakening. But what we didn’t know was why.