Lure (12 page)

It was starting. I’d be Tessa now—always. Even though it gave me a sense of relief, I couldn’t deny the fear associated with it. This was bigger than I could grasp and I was only just experiencing her true self breaking through her vampire. But what if what she ultimately became wasn’t what I wanted? What if she fell into Marko’s trap and I couldn’t stop her?

I wasn’t so sure of that as he snarled and looked down at her with too many emotions for me to take in. Disgust? Pain? Betrayal all over again? He slammed the door, leaving her curled on the floor. And with his absence, I prayed this was finally our beginning.

Chapter 17

Marko

A little over four months old and although Tessa still had episodes common for a newborn, she was pulling through with shocking stability. She wouldn’t talk to me or acknowledge my presence since I’d refused to accept her keeping the two of us. I was back to square one concerning her and I was too stubborn to give in. I loved her, that was fact, but I couldn’t let her keep both of us for her pleasure. Not for a relationship like Sayer wanted.

A slave to feed from, I could accept, but not a lover, too. That pushed the bounds of my vampire and I’d kill Hunter if I ever saw them together like that. It was best for all involved that I keep my distance—at least until she came around and saw how I’d changed. And she would, the more her vampire aged.

My eyes went to the end of the meeting table to face Marie. Hunter had only thought he killed her and Bufar when he pierced them with that damn dagger. It had taken a good three days for both to bounce back, but they’d done it, with more contempt toward the human than ever. Marie’s dreams were increasing, but nothing was for sure, as they changed paths every day. The only thing certain was Sayer. He’d be back soon. Not only could she see it, but I’d gotten a message from Margo, a member of Axis, saying she was going to accompany the Master on the trip. Her interest in Tessa was no doubt piqued, as was the rest of the elders’.

“Has the outcome changed on Sayer, Marie?” I leaned forward, resting my arms on the thick oak as I took in the nine members before me.

“No,” she said confidently. “Sayer won’t budge, but Margo will rule in your favor. The Princess will stay.”

I cringed, hating to hear her as that. But it was truth. With Sayer changing her and the title associated with him, she gained the nobility by her birth. She’d always have it, regardless of whether my blood took her over. It wasn’t like anyone would ever know…unless they tasted her blood and had either mine or Sayers to compare.

“It’s settled then.” I continued, watching the all-too-bored faces begin to fade out in front of me. I swallowed hard, cursing the surging I’d only hoped had stopped with me taking the leadership role. “If there’s nothing else, we’re excused.”

Marie shifted and her hand slowly rose. “There’s more to my dreams. Things I don’t like.”

“Go on,” I said, pulling at my tie.

“I’m not really sure how to put it into words, but I see lots of blood. I think something bad is going to happen. But my vision won’t allow me to see what it is.”

I blinked slowly. “But you said everything works out in our favor? The community will get to keep Tessa?”

“Well…yes. But, I can’t shake this feeling of something bad happening.”

I shrugged. “If we don’t know, there’s nothing we can do about it. We’re just going to have to keep our eyes peeled to see if anything happens.”

Silent nods had me standing and the others following. I waited until everyone was heading through the tunnel before I pulled the door closed behind me and stalked toward my room. It was Julius’s old room, bigger than the one I shared with Tessa. And it was adorned with everything she’d need for when the time came for her to be mine. I hated looking at it. Hating even having done it. As I swept in and took in the red silk sheets, it only reminded me of what I didn’t have. Darkness tinted my vision and I roared, grabbing a vase from the porcelain pedestal and smashing it against the wall.

I’d been so fucking close. Then Hunter had shown up, ruining everything. Even with as much as I couldn’t stand it, I couldn’t deny that I was softening toward him. I could have killed him at any moment, yet I hadn’t. I allowed him to stay with the woman I loved. And it was all for her.

What was I doing? I didn’t know anymore. I didn’t know anything.

Knocking had territorial sounds leaving me and I spun around, swinging the barrier open. Hunter standing before me had my fangs lowering. I’d seen him a few times since I’d left Tessa that night, but he didn’t look any happier than he did now.

“What?” My harsh tone earned me a glare, but he couldn’t hide the fear pouring off him. It mixed sweetly with Tessa’s blood and perfumed the air so intoxicatingly, I felt the monster within flare to life for her.

“She’s gone. I woke up and Tessa’s not in the room. I’ve looked everywhere. In the shops…tunnels…I didn’t know who else to go to.”

My jaw clenched and I took a deep breath, trying to calm. If it wasn’t one thing within the community, it was something else. And that something usually revolved around her. I was getting frustrated. If she would have been with me, none of this would be happening.

“Didn’t you restrain her?”

“For what? Tessa hasn’t shown any signs of aggression in over a week. Even before, they were only mild. Growls, so forth. But she hasn’t attempted to harm me once. Quite the opposite, actually.”

I walked into the tunnel, slamming my door behind me. The illumination of the flashlight caused me to shake my head. I couldn’t do this right now. I couldn’t even control my own damn self. But I had to. I was the leader. This was my responsibility.
She
was my responsibility.

“Listen, I wouldn’t have come to you if I didn’t have to. Do you really think I like seeing your face?”

I spun, my hand going for his throat, only to jerk to a stop at the rosary resting on his neck. It made me hiss and forced me to take a step back. The flashlight rose and my eyes squinted at the light.

“Hunter, now is not the time to push my buttons.”

“Why, because you’re going through the same thing as her? Your eyes are black, Marko. More so than I’ve seen in a very long time. Can I expect some massive killing spree from you, too?”

A laugh left me as I continued walking. “Let’s hope not,” I mumbled under my breath. “The world would never be the same.”

The illumination from the heart of the city had me lowering my lids even more and I came to a stop, closing my eyes and feeling for Tessa. As I opened up our connection, thoughts invaded my mind. I’d done my best to leave her alone, but just feeling her again opened the wounds caused by her decision over Hunter. When she had told me she’d be my concubine, I’d never felt happier. Then, she’d tied up with him. It was like a slap in the face with a brick. The hate I harbored for him grew to heights I couldn’t ever remember feeling. I’d left, destroying everything in my path so I wouldn’t kill the fucking human. Even now, I knew I could, but the time apart had made things fade. I just felt tired. Exhausted.

Music filtered through and the base I heard vibrated my insides. My eyes snapped opened and I headed for the hall leading to The Craze, our underground vampire club.

“Well, did you find her?”

Footsteps pounded behind me and I glanced over my shoulder. “Yep.”

“Well? Where is she?”

I was too annoyed to answer. My head was starting to hurt and my throat burned for blood. Her blood. I wanted the next tie. I wanted to mark her twice.

A group of vampires wearing short, tight dresses stepped out of my way, cringing back at my aura. I let it pour from me with every ounce of aggression I held. Damn Tessa for interfering with my need for peace. Yet, she was my salvation. She’d make me feel better. If only I could get her under my control and back with me.

“Music. Is she at the club? The one Marie took her to a long time ago?”

“Yes,” I said lowly, moving faster.

The entrance rested ahead and I stopped, pounding my fist into the heavy metal. The male vampire who worked the door took one look at me and swung it wide, letting me and Hunter stroll past. Lights flickered, red and blue, beaming and spinning around the room. The strobe resting on the dance floor had the crowd appearing to move in slow motion. I scanned the space, grasping our connection and letting it pull me deeper within the large space.

“This place is huge.” Hunter moved in next to me, peering around the two-story room. I kept quiet as I eyed Boyd’s gang in the back. The way one of the vampires tensed, I knew where she was. It drew me faster and sent my rage to blistering heights. I hadn’t forgotten about Boyd’s manipulating ways. He’d already tried to get Tessa’s blood on more than one occasion and I didn’t put it past him to do it again.

Laughter died as I walked up the four steps and took a left. It bought me to a sitting area nestled in the back. Perched on a black leather chair, sipping on a drink, was none other than Tessa. Four vampires rested at her feet, kneeling. She glanced at Hunter and me and continued her story without missing a beat. They looked enamored, fixated on nothing but her. The vampires who had been watching the show were already gone at my presence.

“So, I walked around the corner and all of a sudden, I heard a woman whispering. Now, mind you, this wasn’t just any woman. I’d heard her whisper before.”

“When you were down here. When you went to your human. She is you.” I watched a dark haired vampire lean a little closer in his enthusiasm, never breaking his focus on her face.

“Correct, Dillon. You’re such a good listener. It was me. But when I heard her tonight, it was different. I had control of her. So, I walked around the corner and way off in the distance, at the end of the street, was none other than…” her head tilted, “who wants to guess?”

“Me.” Boyd rose higher on his knees, but his ass never left the heels of his shoes.

“Go ahead.” The French accent was almost gone and I couldn’t believe how good her English had gotten in such a small amount of time. I narrowed my eyes as I got closer. I knew this version of her was the true vampire resting within. It made me cautious to see what she’d done.

Tessa watched my movement, stealing glances at Hunter. Patiently, she waited as Boyd fiddled with his hands, seeming to think.

“Was it Marko? Marie? Nooo….Sayer!” he burst out.

“Wrong,” she smiled. “Anyone else want to make a guess?”

The men didn’t take their eyes off her and I couldn’t quite grasp what was going on.

“I’ll tell you.” She reached over and gripped a trash bag to her left, pulling it closer to the end of the small table resting beside her. “You see, my human, Hunter, he’s very important to me, as you all now know from my stories. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. Nothing I wouldn’t do for anyone who meant a great deal to me.” Anger started to work its way into her tone and her features tightened as she brought the bag to rest on her lap. It covered the simple black dress she wore, exposing her pale calves.

The bag opened at her pull and I jerked my face back at the smell of blood. Humans wouldn’t have detected it, but it was simple enough to pick up for a vampire. It was a few hours old and spoiled from the temperature of the surface above.

“Father Moretti, here,” she said, removing his head by his hair, “tried attacking me on the street. Threatening me, saying I’d hurt my human. Me, can you believe that? I’d never do anything to harm Hunter. As will none of you.”

Hunter’s hand latched to my jacket and I barely caught him as his knees gave out and he almost crashed to the ground.

“Tessa doesn’t know,” I said lowly. “She doesn’t understand.”

A ragged inhale racked his chest and I managed to help him stand.

“This is a clear warning to anyone who thinks about hurting him or accusing me of the same thing. I’ve heard your whispers during my outings. You’re not even safe from your own thoughts. Mess with what’s mine and the next head in this bag will belong to one of you. Or all of you. I don’t care if you’re a member, a slave, or a priest. I will kill you if you get near him. Now, leave me, my human and our leader has come to join me,” she said, flicking her wrist.

The men scattered to their feet and froze as they spun around, spotting me. “Go,” I snarled. They didn’t wait to obey as I passed them. Hunter tugged against my grip and I let him go, watching his actions cautiously.

“How could you? God, Tessa….how could you! He loved you. He…” His fingers raced through his lengthening hair and he stopped mid-stroke, pulling at it as he head lowered. “Jesus, I can’t believe what you’ve done. I…think I’m going to be sick.” Deep breaths left him as he came back up and paced back and forth. I shook my head, narrowing my eyes at Tessa. She was clearly confused. And hurt by his behavior.

“Are you allowed above ground?”

Her shrug as she stood had me snatching her by the arm and pulling her to me. “Love you or not, I will not hesitate to punish you for disobeying. I asked you a question. Answer.”

“No. I am not.” Her eyes left mine, moving to Hunter, and she dropped the bag to the floor. The action caused another sound to come from his lips. His hand slammed over his mouth as he raced to the side, becoming sick in a trashcan. Sadness mixed with anger on Tessa’s face. I could feel her conflict. The lack of her attention left me gripping her harder to bring her back to what we were talking about.

“You’re hurting me. Let go,” she said, pulling.

“No…I don’t think so. You are not to go above ground.
Ever.
Not until I can go with you and make sure you’re stable enough.”

My brain was getting fuzzier, but not to the point where I couldn’t control myself. I loosened my grip, letting her jerk free. Immediately, she went to him, trying to reach out to his arm. The flinch as he scrambled away from her had her lips parting. Slowly, she brought her hand to her mouth, only to extend it out to him again.