A Castle of Sand (33 page)

“Maybe so, but you know that I value you enough to try.”

I stared at him with pure admiration, humbled by the value he was placing on me. After all we’d been through, I found myself still wondering how a man like Derek Novak could possibly love me in that way.

I shifted my gaze from Derek to my father, knowing without a doubt who mattered more to me. While I ached with the longing to get to know Aiden Claremont, to find answers to questions I’d been asking my whole life, my loyalty remained with Derek Novak.

Blood doesn’t always run thicker than water. Or perhaps it does…because Derek’s blood runs in me just as much as mine now runs in his.

I knew then that should Derek ever ask, I would willingly let him have my blood. The thought scared me, because it was a stunning realization of how much I was willing to give up for him.

I drifted off to sleep for the rest of the flight, leaning my head on Derek’s shoulder, hoping to escape everything through peaceful slumber. It was the sudden jolt caused by the wheels of the plane hitting the tarmac that woke me. My immediate instinct was to check out the window for the sun and I was relieved to find that it was dark. I knew we were in the US—that much I’d gathered from overhearing several conversations between the hunters, but where exactly in the States we were, I had no clue.

I checked on Derek and found him unbuckling his seatbelt. “Hey, beautiful,” he said before quickly looking away.

Something about him felt distant and cold. I looked toward my father and wondered what he would have to say if I went to him to ask for blood to feed Derek. The prospect seemed insane.

I grabbed Derek’s arm and was surprised when he flinched.

He gave me an apologetic look. “Sofia…” His lower lip twitched and it was enough for me to understand what he was struggling with, “If I black out…”

I nodded. “I understand.” I knew I’d be able to calm him and keep him from sucking me dry, but if the hunters ever saw him attack me, it would be the end of him, the end of us.

He didn’t respond but the look in his blue eyes was enough to let me know the anguish he felt over the idea of not being able to even touch me. I tried to push back the overwhelming sense of dread that I felt.

Aiden was the first to rise from his seat when the plane finally stopped. He gave me a quick look as he spoke through the intercom system. “We have two vampires from the Novak coven and one vampire from the Maslen coven. None of them are to be harmed. I want this made clear throughout headquarters—especially to those trigger-happy new recruits. The vampires are not to be harmed.”

My mind couldn’t help but add a “
for now”
to my father’s statement. I would be a fool to think that a vampire as notorious as Derek Novak would be in any way secure at Hawk Headquarters.

“You have to wait here for a while.” The girl with blue-streaked hair approached, sounding perky, but still not withholding any of her death glares from Derek. “I’m Zinnia Wolfe by the way. I was a good friend of Ben’s. We were partners.” She shook my hand but didn’t even bother to look at Derek.

“Sofia Claremont,” I introduced myself. “This is Derek Novak.”

“Yeah.” She gave me a curt nod. “I know. We’re still trying to figure out what to do with you all. If it were up to me, I’d just have you vamps killed, but the boss seems to have other things in mind...”

Derek glared back at her. I noticed his fist clench and I knew that he was trying to keep his temper in check.

“It’s the first time vampires have ever been treated as guests at Hawk Headquarters,” Zinnia continued. She then cocked her head to one side as if she were listening in on something through her earpiece. She nodded. “Unbelievable.” She drew a deep breath before giving both Derek and me pointed looks. “Follow me.”

Derek and I rose from our seats and trudged behind the petite young woman. It gave me some sense of comfort when Derek took hold of my hand as we walked forward. I needed his touch.

We remained silent as we got off the plane and walked across the runway. We were not oblivious to the curious stares being thrown my way and the disdainful glares being shot at Derek. I swallowed hard at the tension, wanting to get away from everyone else and get to somewhere where Derek and I could spend time by ourselves.

In the back of my mind, I knew that there were a lot of arrangements that needed to be done over Ben’s passing away, but I was too overwhelmed to dwell on it. I knew I needed to first catch my breath and gather my wits about me.

Once we reached the main building, glass doors swung open to allow us entrance. Zinnia, still leading the way, headed right in. We passed through several corridors and then an atrium filled with several men in black jumpsuits training in martial arts. We then reached an elevator with large glass windows—reminding me a lot of the central elevator at The Oasis. The mere remembrance of the Maslen coven sent chills down my spine. On the third floor, we stopped and went through another maze of walkways and corridors, before Zinnia finally stopped in front of a door with a brass number eight.

“This used to be Ben’s suite,” was all Zinnia said as she handed us a card key. “In my opinion, neither of you deserve to be in it.”

I doubt that either of us want to be. I think both Derek and I would rather be back at The Shade right now.
I hated that she was talking to me like Ben didn’t matter to me. He was my best friend and I was his.
Who was she to him?

“Reuben will be coming to have a talk, either later tonight or early tomorrow. We’ll need to figure out what’s to be done with the prince of The Shade here.”

After Zinnia left us, we stepped into the room and closed the door behind us. I switched the lights on and watched as Derek walked right toward the full length windows that covered one side of the room. It was the first time in a long time that I could remember ever feeling awkward around him.

“Nothing’s changed, has it, Derek?” I asked tentatively, afraid to hear his answer.

“Everything’s changed, Sofia. I’ve tasted your blood. I can’t even look at you without wanting to…” he paused and I could sense the inward battle he was fighting. “I’m so hungry.”

I approached him, wrapping my arms around his waist from behind and resting my head on his back, breathing in his scent. “We belong together. We’re going to get married. I am yours just as you are mine. My blood is yours to take whenever you want it.”

“For crying out loud, Sofia…” He spun around so quickly, I found myself stepping back in surprise. “Do you even understand what you’re saying? How can we go on this way? I…”

“Perhaps you
should
turn me…”

“If I do that here and now, they’ll kill us both, Sofia. Hunters are merciless against vampires. The only reason I’m alive is because of you.”

“And Claudia and Ingrid? Why are they alive?”

He began to swear under his breath. “I don’t know…the world has turned upside down. Nothing makes sense anymore.”

“Derek…I need you to be here with me. I need to know that we’re in this together. If we keep on being distant and awkward because you’ve had my blood, then I don’t know if I can handle it. I’m going to crumble.”

“What do you want to happen, Sofia?” he asked, his eyes betraying the confusion he was experiencing inside.

“They’re not going to feed you any blood while you’re here and it’s going to drive you crazy, so just satisfy your thirst, Derek.” I tilted my neck to the side, baring my neck to him. “Drink.”

I could sense his hesitation, his eyes hungrily staring at my neck. His hands crept over my waist and he drew me close. I reminded myself that this was Derek, the man that I loved, the man who would do everything to protect me. The reminders, I thought, would help keep me from trembling, but still I found myself shivering when I felt the pointed end of Derek’s fangs on my neck. I bit my lip to stifle a groan when his fangs dug in and he began drinking deep.

As it happened, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was about to lose more than what I’d already lost that night.

What have I done?

I stared at Sofia’s sleeping form lying on the living room couch. Motionless. Serene. Beautiful. I hated myself for what I had just done. My eyes kept returning to the bite marks on her neck—ones I myself had punctured.

I love her. I can’t keep doing this to her.

I ran both hands through my hair, not knowing what to do. I’d reached the point where I couldn’t live without her, but neither could I live with her without destroying her. It felt like I’d been sitting there for an eternity, just gazing at her and chastising myself for taking advantage of her by drinking her blood once again. Still, the taste of her lingered on my mouth—sweet and enticing… So enraptured was I by what just happened, by my own confusion and my own guilt that I practically jumped from my seat when someone began knocking on the door.

I grimaced at the idea of it being Zinnia. I then realized that while I was indulging myself making dinner out of Sofia, she hadn’t had a bite to eat since we arrived. I quickly opened the door, certain that it was somebody bringing her something to eat only to find myself disappointed to find Aiden Claremont standing on our doorstep.

“My daughter?” he asked. Straightforward and curt.

“Asleep.”

“Good. We need to have a talk, you and me.”

I nodded. He stepped in and I closed the door behind him. He spun around to face me. “Every single human in this building—me included—perhaps my daughter being the only exception—wants you dead.”

At that, I couldn’t help but chuckle wryly. “So I’ve gathered.”

“The great Derek Novak. One of the best hunters the order has ever known…now prince of the vampires.”

King actually…
I looked up at him…
but then you don’t really need to know that.

“This
thing
you have with my daughter stops now. You can’t keep using her for whatever reason you have for wanting her.”

“I’m in love with her,” I said through gritted teeth. “I fully intend to marry her.”

“Marry her? She’s mortal! If you loved her, you wouldn’t deprive her of the future she deserves. You wouldn’t deprive her of an education, a family, children of her own…”

At that, I couldn’t find a proper response. I’d been plagued by that thought ever since Sofia returned to The Shade. I knew I was being selfish with her.

“Be straight with me, Novak. Man to man. Have you had a drink of my daughter’s blood?”

I looked Aiden in the eye and nodded, guilt once again washing over me. His fists clenched and he stepped forward and I wouldn’t have blamed him if he socked me right in the jaw, but he held back.

“You are only safe from us until after Ben Hudson’s burial. It’s you she’s running to for comfort. It’s you she needs. After the burial is over, you will return to your cursed island—wherever it is—and you are never to see my daughter again. And you will leave without telling her.”

He knows about The Shade. He just doesn’t know where it is.
I knew the risk involved if I should ever travel back to The Shade directly from the hunters’ headquarters. A plan of action formed in my mind, and I realized that in my head, I’d already agreed to his terms. I simply couldn’t be around Sofia.
If I stay with her, I will ruin her. I can’t do that. Not to her.

I nodded at Aiden. “All right. But know, sir, that I love your daughter like I’ve never loved anyone before.”

“Empty words coming from a vampire.” He scoffed. “I’m not sure your kind is capable of love.”

I once again looked at the bite marks on Sofia’s neck and found myself thinking,
I’m not sure either.

Truth be told, I found it terrifying how much I’d allowed myself to need Derek. While going through the motions of Ben’s burial, having to look Lyle, Amelia and Abby in the eye and tell them what had happened, Derek was there for me, holding my hand, being strong when I was not.

Since the first night of our arrival at Hawk Headquarters, he’d not dared take a drink of my blood again. It was clear to see how guilt-ridden he was over the whole encounter. Aiden had been providing him with packets of animal blood to keep him from starving. Still, it didn’t escape my notice how he often swallowed hard whenever we touched.

I knew he was tormented about something, but he was in a world all on his own, and nothing I did   seemed to be able to penetrate through his walls—not the same way I was able to before.

It felt like he was slipping away from me…a sandcastle being washed away by cruel, violent waves.

But Derek wasn’t the only reason for the chaos in my heart and mind. The mysteries of my past were about to unravel full force and I was completely unprepared for it. Tossing and turning in my bed, dreams reminded me of memories I’d tucked away, deep in my subconscious.

I was listening to the pitter-patter of the rain over our roof, watching droplets form on my bedroom window. I was delighted to hear the familiar growl of a vehicle pulling up in our gravel driveway. I knew what that sound meant.
Mommy’s home.

I loved my babysitter, but there was nothing like cuddling against the familiar contours of my mother’s body. I always thought of her as the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.