Constricted: Beyond the Brothel Walls (26 page)

H
is heart thundered again. I held onto this thought as Petre found Tomas and well, food. Would he want to become a vampire again, or would he rather live a mortal life? What would I do if he chose the latter? It gave me more time with him, but in the end, he would still die. What about his brother? The cruel, menacing eyes filtered into my mind.

I sat up with that thought and found clothes. Panic set in as I stared at the disarray of the room and took a deep breath to ease the nerves fluttering my belly. Sex, the whole cabin reeked of sex. “What if …”

I couldn’t even say it.

The train shook, and I cursed the iron box. My hand fell on the handle, and I squealed as it opened. Tomas greeted me with a toothy smile, and I stepped aside as both men entered. Great, I thought, let’s bring your best friend into our stinky love nest. I waited for the Frenchman’s jab, but it never came.

Petre ate a roll pausing mid-chew to kiss my cheek. Tomas scratched his head and twirled around the room. “So we have a dilemma on our hands it seems.” My eyes drifted from those ridiculous goggles to his smiling mouth. “Ah not my wardrobe, but of course you knew that. No, it seems Nikolai is human again and doesn’t understand a lick of anything.”

Nikolai in life had been Petre’s twin brother. He’d murdered a slave after raping her, and the family forced them both to lie. The girl’s father was a warlock and cursed the brothers. It seemed I’d broken that curse by falling in love with Petre’s eternally damned soul.

“He wasn’t one for studies,” Petre said with his mouth full. “We’re going to divert in Montreal and cross over into Delphia to retrieve them.”

“No,” I said. Two sets of eyes fell on me, and I straightened my shoulders. My chin lifted as I swallowed hard. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

Petre as a human wouldn’t last a day if we were caught.

“Ma petite fee mon ami—“

“English,” I shouted and stomped my feet. Fists balled and cut into my palms. “No more fancy talk. Petre isn’t going into Delphia.”

A blush rose in his cheeks. “Quite beautiful when she’s angry, no?”

“Korri—“

My arms crossed over my chest. “What do they do to humans in Delphia?” I stepped closer. “What would they do to you if you got caught?” My finger jabbed into Petre’s chest. “I lived through that world, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”

I lied, and Tomas knew it as he covered his laughter in his palm. I’d love to tie Jules up and beat him within an inch of his life. If that made me evil, so be it. Petre had survived his slavery because he’d swam in guilt. “What do you suggest, ma … Korri?”

“We go; Petre returns to the ABDA.”

The argument continued for another half an hour, and we were still two days away from Montreal. The tracks iced heavily in the winter. We faced delays as we moved slower. Tomas left us to find a snack as he’d put it but I hadn’t fed since Veric.

“You can protect me.” Petre kissed my forehead as I leaned upon him. “Bad joke, forgive me Kor.”

I told him to rest, and he curled into bed. Soft snores reached my ears not long afterward. A knock sounded on the door, and Tomas let himself in with the key I’d given him. Silence, aside from Petre, surrounded us, and I hated it.

“He won’t stay human for long, but I do not blame his curiosity. What I wouldn’t give to taste my creations or experience a blush again.”

My hands twisted in my lap as I stared at the rise and fall of his chest. “This is what he always wanted.”

“He thought he wanted it until he met you.” The Duc patted my hand. “And if he were to change his mind or have an accident, I would take care of you.” My mouth opened to protest. “Not like that young one, although I know a certain demon who would beat me to it. You would suffer Petre’s loss, but we won’t allow Jules or Boric to touch you.”

“Because I know where the keys are.”

“No because you have a generous heart, and you loved my dear friend even when the odds were against you. I told him years ago to let you be and not to bother, but he hadn’t listened. Four years he stalked you and bartered with Jules.”

I blinked recalling Veric’s death on the timeline of my short life. A two-year gap wouldn’t have made much difference in the ways of abuse, and I shook my head. No, both men could not have saved me, and it was all in the past now. I’d rather die than have Jules or Boric place their filthy paws on me or anyone else.

“Why did he finally give in?”

Thomas rubbed his chin and shifted his weight. “I’m surprised Petre never told you.” I waited for him to say more and motioned for him to continue. He let out a long sigh and glanced to Petre. “Jules didn’t want money, because you were priceless. But there is one item in the entire world a man or woman values more than money and that my petite fee is his life.”

I chewed my lip and contemplated the words. Petre had threatened Jules’ life, which meant the demon knew he was immortal. Unless he came close enough to hear the heart beating or witness the breathing, Jules would give him a wide berth. Was it worth the risk?

My eyes connected with Tomas’ blue ones as he studied me. The pressure in my brain told me he read my thoughts. I’d grown used to the invasion, and the suffocating energy he often emitted. No, I refused to risk Petre, even if the chances were slim. The life he had led before me proved to strengthen his spirit, but he had immortality to fall back on. As a human, they would tear him down even if it was just to hurt me.

“I can only imagine from your memories the horrors you have faced, but they made you stronger and wiser than any of us gave you credit for. Even Veric underestimated you, and you killed three demons. One a Nephilim of all hellish creatures.”

But it changed nothing and those I promised to protect were in the enemy’s hands. “Have you had more dreams?” I shook my head. The one time I slept was because Petre compelled me. There were no dreams last night, and I had no need for sleep.

A while later Tomas returned to his own compartment and left us alone. It seemed silly, but I undressed Petre and crawled beside him. Even in his sleep, he reached for me, and I smiled wondering if our first week was like this for him. Who would have thought I’d become a vampire and my vampire would become human again?

At least the dream hadn’t come true, and I’d do everything in my power to stop the outcome. Petre would not die, and Tomas was wrong. Living without Petre wasn’t an option. That’s how I knew, in my heart, there was no other.

Hours passed as we crept along the tracks, and my love slept. I’d wandered into my thoughts and cherished the memories we’d created in the short time we’ve known one another. The little things in life, as Tomas had said, I had understood.

The first time I tried the Frenchman’s soup or the bread. Warm laughter and love from my departed friends Mellissa and Jobe, or the first movie I watched with Petre. Telephones, writing, and reading were all firsts for me in this reborn life. The mastery would come with time, but I had cried when I formed my first written word.

I had shaken with fear on the first train ride and learned my vampire forced me to sleep with compulsion hours later. Afraid I’d run, Petre thought there were no other choice. But I didn’t think I would have fled. On the contrary, I would have been too terrified of the outside world. That fear resided still in my dead heart, but for the innocent I’d take the leap of faith. For Petre, I’d do anything.

The sweet sounds of free children and babbling women were worth the risk to my life, but not my Petre. The world would revolve and survive if I fell. Keys, gates, and levels of Hell held the responsibility of this broken world. Where women found blame, demons were guilty. My fists clenched in memory of the reports that came in before the final sundering. I hadn’t understood it then, and I wasn’t sure I did now. Why had Arcadia stayed silent if they were a free country? Why allow the likes of Boric and Jules to obtain power?

“Demons rule the world, and now a demon would tear them down.”

Laughter filled my insides, and it bubbled out as the sun peaked on the horizon. The sky turned from a darkened blue to a lazy shade of lavender grey. Petre stirred, and my eyes shot to him. Dark stubble crept over his face, and I found the rough growth striking against his pale features.

“What’s so funny?” He yawned the words and stretched. Petre sat up and shook his head. Black tendrils framed his face as he reached for me. A kiss fell on my cheek, and he rubbed his beard over my skin. It tickled, but I enjoyed the rough contrast.

“Hungry yet?” He reached out his wrist, and I said no. Oddly enough, I hadn’t found myself in the burning pit of hunger. Petre frowned and reminded me what the rage could do to me. I’d taken some of his blood, nothing more than a few drops though. “Let me feed you.”

My eyes drifted over the thrumming vein in his neck, and I recalled the first lesson he’d given me. The pleasure he’d feel and the idea of giving it made my head nod. Lips brushed against his palm and trailed kisses over his warm flesh. Inhalation brought spiced notes I had no name for and my fangs extracted.

Petre’s breath sucked in as my tongue swirled over his wrist. Large silver eyes watched and parted lips breathed rougher in anticipation of the bite. I lisped words, asking if he was ready, and a slow nod turned into a smile. Air blew over the damp skin, and my teeth eased through his tender skin.

A sound caught my attention as he gasped. “Don’t stop,” he said through heavy lidded eyes. My mouth drew and hot blood splashed over my tongue. Sweet like the jam and warm like coffee, it ran down my throat as he moaned. Another draw invigorated my muddled senses and welled heat at my center.

I drew away and tossed the covers off. Clad in underwear, Petre’s hardened cock greeted me. The garment peeled away as he took them off. Sculpted marble couldn’t have held more beauty as he stroked the growing length. “I won’t last.”

Eyes locked with mine as he stroked faster, and his breath grew harsher than before. Teeth sank into his kissable lips and heat flushed his body. I leaned between his legs and took a closer look. My lips kissed along his thigh until his hair tickled my nose. Petre stopped stroking as my tongue swirled over his sack. I sucked the sensitive flesh, and his words were unintelligible. The smile widened as I kissed and nibbled the base of his cock, teasing my way to the tip, and down the other side. My hands slid through the dusting of hair on his stomach and chest as I crept up for a kiss.

“You’ll be the death of me.” I blinked at his words even though he grinned. My eyes fell away, and he cupped my cheek. “What is it?” Since last night, his humanity ate and tore at my insides, but I hadn’t known what to say. A sigh caught in my chest, and I slipped from the bed. All heat within me cooled with trepidation. Ah there had been another first. That was the first word he taught me the meaning of and now I understood the meaning. “I’m starving.”

His tummy rumbled, and Tomas knocked on the door, but I stayed put in front of the window. Trees, snow, and more trees moved past the glass divider. Houses rested between and their chimneys smoked.

I had a feeling the Frenchman used his mind reading to determine his arrival. He bore gifts for his friend, and I smiled at the reflection as the scent of sweets and bitters wafted into the room.

“Sweet buns and coffee.” I turned my nose up at the sludgy substance. Vampires rarely drank anything other than blood and food, so they’d warned; demon food made us ill. “And if the lovely Korri doesn’t mind, I’d like to speak with my friend alone.”

“Find me when you’re done,” I said and added that I’d wait in his compartment. The idea of wandering off from the cache of weapons wasn’t the smartest plan, and I knew the Duc had his own stash. His compartment was also across the way, but there was enough padding and steel to muffle their voices.

Chapter Twenty

T
he ground shook with tremors as Petre took his last breath. I grasped ahold of his shoulders and shielded his body. After the bomb had detonated, they’d continued to shake the earth. Tomas investigated and discovered a large fissure to the south, right over the border into Delphia.

“How long?”

The freaky vampire hadn’t answered me and stared out the window. Since the accident, he’d changed and grown somber. I couldn’t blame him. He’d buried the bodies of those who died. Tomas had killed them to save Petre.

Our cars had slid from the track, and four of them dangled from a cliff. Vampire strength had limits and even two of us couldn’t have pulled the cars back up the mountainside. The screams haunted me now, and a shiver chased up my spine. There had been no choice. We’d cut them loose, but the quaking earth dislodged the glass from Petre’s car. By the time we’d returned, a shard jutted from his chest, and he wasn’t breathing. Cold silver eyes stared back at me, but his faint heartbeat struggled. Barely had he clung to life. Tomas flew into action, as I’d stood there frozen, as he gave Petre his blood. He’d removed the glass and snapped at me. When I hadn’t responded, Tomas slapped me across the face and shook my whole body. The shock left me, but a new sensation gripped my soul. Petre slept for days. Each day wrought tension and worry, as his fever and infection began, and now he slept even more.

“Tomas, please answer me?” His blue eyes blinked toward me and softened. I rose and brushed my hands over the ridiculous dress. Mine ruined when we derailed, and I grabbed the first item I’d found.

“Apologies Korri, how do you say it? Lost in your own thoughts?” By his side, I followed the former French Duc’s eyes over the cavernous valley.

Sophia, I assumed, occupied his thoughts and the others, who were either missing or in hiding. In the end, it hadn’t seemed to matter. Those I saved still suffered.

“How long will it take?”

Tomas’ hand patted mine. “Do not belittle your involvement. You did not lead them to capture. Their sins are their own and not yours to bear.” Perhaps he had a point, but the guilt still twisted within my gut. “And I do not have an answer. We must simply wait.”

He mumbled something about finding food and left me alone with Petre. Hunger would overthrow his senses if he awoke. When he awoke, I reminded myself. Night fell as the third day ended. The peace-filled times were few, but I rather enjoyed the excitement. At least, before it had endangered Petre’s life.

I hesitated when he asked for the change. The duress, as Tomas had called it, fueled his emotions, but the vampire said it had to be me. Petre requested it prior to the crash. If I’d heard the words myself, I wouldn’t have dithered. Nothing in this life mattered. If I didn’t have Petre to share my life with then none of the slaves, laws, or demons concerned me. It wasn’t for a lack of caring. Smoke rose in the distance where the cars had smashed. I chewed on my nails as the snow whipped through the broken windowpane.

A week passed and Petre had not awoken. The air between Tomas and I grew thicker with each passing moment. Neither of said what we’d known as truth. My Petre had died. Despite my blood, he would not return. Dried eyes shed no outward tears for he’d lived a full life. On the seventh day, I buried him and promised to return in the future. When there was time and those I owed were safe, I’d take him home.

Tomas placed his hand on my shoulder. “Ami, you changed me in ways I never told you; may peace find your tortured soul and end your pain.” He turned to me and said, “Cousin, we will not allow his death to be in vain, but I cannot allow your vision to come true. I promised Petre, and until my death, I intend to honor our agreement.”

He’d made a promise to take care of me if anything ever happened to Petre. “Have you informed Veric?”

“I thought it best you called. He will want to make sure you—.” I shot him a look and snatched the phone from his outstretched hand. Without another word, I stuck the phone into my pocket, and marched toward the piled luggage. No thoughts formed as I shoved clothing into a bag.

We had two bags between the two of us and only capture stood in our way. At that point, I wasn’t certain I cared. Life and death both seemed pointless. Neither of us spoke as we trekked the distance between wherever Veric hid and our wreckage. No words were spoken or needed as the vampire had full access to my thoughts. I hadn’t blamed anyone for his death but myself. They all revolved around if.

If I hadn’t forced myself upon him Petre wouldn’t have become human. If he hadn’t become human then the glass wouldn’t have harmed him. If the glass hadn’t fallen, he’d not have had the infection. If, if, if, if, if … but everything started with me.

“
Enough,” Tomas yelled. “You cannot blame yourself.” My feet halted, and I bore my eyes into the back of his head. “We both lost someone we loved, but he would not want either of us to blame ourselves.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and blew out my breath. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” Tomas spun around and cocked his eyebrow. “Well you didn’t.”

“Not to Petre, no.” The sound of his name was a dagger through my heart. “But I hurt you. You were too young to remember it.”

“Call Veric,” I said and tossed him the phone. “I don’t know how to work the contraption.”

“It’s dead.” Like everything else in my life. “You will grieve a lifetime, but if you want to save Sophia and the children we must press on.” I nodded and swallowed the lump forming in my throat.

W
e’d walked for almost two weeks by the time we reached the ocean. The coastline spanned for miles on end, but somewhere around that area we’d find Veric and Nikolai. As it happened, they found us instead. I recalled it clearly, as if I’d watched a ghost or stepped into a dream. His black hair whipped in the wind as he stepped along the stony banks. My heart leapt into my throat and my legs itched to run, but Tomas’ hand halted the reunion.

“It is Nikolai not Petre. Merde, I had forgotten to warn you.” But where was Veric? My eyes scanned the shore and up in the air, but I saw no signs of my husband. Had Nikolai harmed him? We were a few feet from him when Tomas spoke, but my eyes hadn’t left the man, and his hadn’t left me. He recognized me, and sooner or later I would face his wrath.

Nikolai spoke back to Tomas using the same harsh tones when a rustling sound caught my attention. Veric’s grim smile matched mine as he stumbled toward us. “Where’s Petre, luv?”

“Dead.”

“Sorry.” Veric hugged me and kissed the top of my head. My fangs extended as I breathed in his acrid scent and he chuckled. “Have you eaten?” I shook my head, and he rolled up his sleeve. Without complaint, I bit into his wrist and drowned in the blood. Veric made no noise or notion of enjoyment either, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it or why I cared. “You’re being followed,” he whispered.

“I figured as much,” Tomas added and pressed his lips into a frown. “Nikolai is asking to speak with you, Korrigan.” I raised my brow and stole another draw. “He is trying to understand what happened.”

“Petre loved you in God’s eyes,” Nikolai spoke in accented English. Veric snorted, and I elbowed him. “We had a connection, and I felt what he felt for you. He would not want you sad yet you are.” He pointed at Veric. “This man spoke of nothing but you. He too loves you.” Nikolai pointed to Tomas. “He is your kin, and Petre saw him as brother.” I blinked and attempted to follow his meaning. “Bad and terrible things I did.” He shook his head. “I want to make him proud. I wish to help.”

He’d lied about understanding English, but then again, he’d dealt with Veric. I’d have lied too. “He’s still vulnerable.”

“I don’t think I can make vampires or maybe it’s because of their curse,” I whispered. “Tomas?” His gaze drifted toward the tree line and I followed. Hope filled me for a moment as thoughts of Petre flooded back. Blond hair ruffled in the sea breeze.

The three of us said his name at once, “Jules.” A wide smile beamed over the bastard’s face.

My breath held as he strolled down the rocks, almost skipping. One look into those eyes answered every question I’d had. “Bastard.” I lunged for him, and Veric grasped my arms.

“Well, well, sweetheart.” He smiled. “I told you so.” I lunged again. “Now, now don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’m here to make you a proposition.”

“The devil’s deal.”

“Oh she’d know all about the devil, now wouldn’t you Angelica?” My brow wrinkled at his question. Jules knew damn well he’d taught us nothing about religion. “Oh, that’s right, you can’t remember a thing. Tsk, tsk more’s the pity. Part of the deal is I need those keys you stole.”

Veric pushed me backward and into Tomas. He marched into Jules’ face. “You want a row? You prick, you dare even speak to my wife.”

Jules flicked invisible hairs from his coat. “You will watch your tone, or I’m likely to kill you all. I’d regret the decision, and you know how I hate murdering my family.”

Tomas and I shared a glance. “Father, she does not remember.”

I mouthed the word, and Tomas shook his head. Bile rose in my throat, and I hunched forward, heaving the vile substance up. Red splattered against grey stone … grey like his eyes had once been. Fire burned through my veins and the smoke rose from my nose. Like glass, the world around me shattered and the cracks broke through like a damn. All the pieces refilled and the gaps sealed anew. I remembered. “Luv, breathe.”

“Restrain him.” I roared and pointed at Jules. He laughed, and my fists seized into balls. I stomped to him, ignoring Tomas’ protest, and cocked him in the face. Blood poured from his nose for a second before it healed. “Did you ever think what would happen if I remembered?”

My hand thrust into his chest as a strangled cry left his lips. “Every nemesis has an Achilles’ heel. Guess what yours is?” My fist squeezed his heart, and his mouth dropped in speechless wonder. Slowly I allowed my slimed hand to strangle his life away. He deserved so much worse for the pain he’d caused, for the lives he’d ended. Jules dropped to his knees and choked on his blood. No one said a word and no one came to his rescue. “This is more than you deserve for stealing my life and hurting those I love. May you rot in eternal hell you sick bastard.”

His eyes rolled back into his head, and I didn’t let go until long after his final breath. Veric placed a hand on my shoulder, and I glanced up at my husband. “That’s enough, Angel.”

“Veric, I know where the keys are.” I spun around and smiled at Tomas who appeared a bit stunned. “Let’s get those kids out of Garland.”

Four of us set forth that day and although I’d somehow recalled my previous life, my heart and soul mourned Petre. They called to him, and I only hoped he had found the peace within the chaos. In the end, that was all there was … Petre’s memory to fuel my steps.

Peace wasn’t a place or object, but a state of mind. Sophia said those words to me when she’d taught me to withdraw. I prayed her words wrong, but in my heart, the truth murmured. Petre once told me not to lie. I heeded his advice and stopped lying to myself. Until time ceased and the world collapsed, I remained the Morning Star, the final beacon of hope for humanity and the demons who prayed for freedom from their oppressors. Hell on Earth reigned, but to obtain peace, the brothels must fall, and the people be freed.

“Angelica,” Veric whispered, clutching my tiny hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed each knuckle. Tears choked in my chest for all the pain he’d lived through, all he’d endured for me. But could we forget the last eighteen years and move on with our lives? I blinked my eyes at the red-eyed demon. Veric lied for me; he ran away for me. Most of all, he’d died and came back for me. “Always, luv, I’ll always come back for you.”