Midnight Magic, page 17
“Kitten, by the time I’m done with you, you’ll be able to kill a vamp with your bare hands.”
“Is there a crash course option? I’d like to be able to kill this bloodsucker before he strikes again.” She leaned closer to Dallas, their hushed voices emitting heat in the closed space.
“I’ll pick you up tonight, say...nine?”
“You’re not going to be with Mal?” Ava’s eyes settled on his lips, and her heart started to race.
“I’m a big boy, Ava. I don’t need Mal to chaperone me everywhere I go.” The sparkle in his eye was mischievous but also alluring.
“It’s a date.” She smiled sweetly,
“They’re gone.” Mal’s voice broke the silence and Ava moved away from Dallas once more and settled her gaze on her brother.
“Damn assholes are harder to trap than I thought they would be.” Mal ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident.
“Mal! You’re in a church!” Ava poked him.
“Seriously, Ava?” Mal regarded her with an annoyed glare.
“Have some respect, Mal.” Dallas smirked as he ribbed him.
“Fuck the both of you,” Mal grumbled as he sauntered off toward the exit, leaving Ava and Dallas laughing in his dust.
CHAPTER 25
“Your idea of a training session is Russo’s Sports Bar?” Ava raised an eye at Dallas as she dismounted from the back of his bike.
Dallas ran his hand through his short brown hair, after setting his helmet on the handlebar, and kicking down the kickstand on the glistening curb on Chester’s main street.
“Well, for starters, I need to gauge your aim, and Russo’s has what we need. Darts, axe throwing—”
“You could have just taken me to your top-secret Bat Cave.” Ava shrugged as she sauntered toward the door.
Dallas was at her side rather quickly and opened the door for her. “Yes, I could have, but I thought just maybe you’d want some better food than take out Chinese.” He smirked at her.
Ava rolled her eyes. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to hit on me, Dallas,” she joked with him as they walked into the restaurant.
“Kitten, if I wanted to hit on you, trust me, you’d know. There’d be no question.” He smiled mischievously as he brushed past her to a high top table.
Ava shook her head and followed.
Russo’s wasn’t the only sports bar in Chester, but it was the only sports bar that boasted billiards, a dart wall, axe throwing, and an extensive beer menu.
Ave leaned languidly against the high top as she picked up the menu.
The waitress came over rather quickly. “What can I get you...two?” she asked sweetly.
Ava didn’t miss the look of judgement on her face.
“I’ll take whatever beer you have on special.” Dallas smiled, showcasing his perfect teeth, and his eyes lit up brightly.
The waitress seemed to ease up a bit. “That all, darlin’?” she drawled.
Ava rolled her eyes.
“A bucket of buffalo wings, with a side of ranch?” He raised an eyebrow at Ava, who shrugged.
“And what will you have to drink, sweetie?” The waitress did her best to sound nice, but Ava could tell she was judging her.
“I’ll have a water, thanks,” Ava grumbled. When the waitress finally left, she slammed down her menu. “Can I ask you an honest question, Dallas?” Ava spoke up.
“Kitten, you can ask me anything, you know that.” Dallas pulled out a few darts from the abandoned dartboards. The place wouldn’t even start coming alive until ten.
“How long have you been...you know. Doing the vamp thing?” She leaned against the tabletop, watching Dallas collect the darts. She didn’t miss the opportunity to let her gaze drift upon his ass. In his dark wash jeans, she couldn’t help but appreciate it. It’s not like he could see her looking, anyway.
“Since I was about your age.” He walked over to her with a handful of yellow and red darts.
“You ever train anyone?” She shifted her weight as he organized the darts by color.
“Yellow or Red?” He glanced up at her.
The waitress dropped off their drinks hurriedly.
“Red.” Ava took a sip of her water.
“I trained Vinny.” He shrugged.
“Vinny’s the one who looks like a lost member of The Cure, right?” Ava smirked.
Dallas let out a chuckle as he picked up a dart, and took his stance, his vision fixating on the dartboard.
“I’m surprised you even know who The Cure are.” He threw his dart, and it landed with a bulls eye.
“I know a lot of things, Dallas.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Right. Of course, you do, you’re a college girl.” He said the words with the utmost humor, but there was also an edge to his voice that was most...flirtatious?
“Fuck you.” She twisted her lips into an amused grin.
“Quite stalling. It’s your turn.”
Ava picked up a dart, feeling the weight of it in her hands. She turned it around, inspecting it, before settling it in her fingers properly. She focused on the dartboard, and her wrist flared with heat. The feeling was startling, and whereas it should have been distracting to her, it only fueled her focus more.
She fixated her gaze on the dartboard as her blood boiled beneath the surface. Memories pushed forth of tongues on flesh, of blood rushing to the surface. Of razor-sharp fangs piercing her skin, and they meshed with the sight of her father’s lifeless eyes, of Ross’s lifeless, blood drained body that seemed to have disappeared into the ether.
She didn’t think twice about throwing her dart. She didn’t even realize it had left her hand, until she heard Dallas whistle.
“Not a bad shot. I can definitely work with that.” He chuckled.
Ava looked to where her dart had landed. It wasn’t a bulls eye like Dallas had thrown, but it was much closer than she thought she’d land.
The waitress dropped off the bucket of wings, and sides of ranch as Dallas took a swig of his beer before picking up another dart.
“Do you like it? College, I mean,” he said as he threw the dart, before diving into a wing.
“I guess, it’s okay. It’s an experience, you know.” She shrugged as she picked up a dart.
“What’s your major?” Dallas popped another wing into his mouth.
“Major in Business Administration, Minor in History.” She threw her dart.
“You don’t really strike me as the office type.”
“Well, you don’t really strike me as the musician type,” she cracked.
“Your words wound me, Ava. Truly.” He chuckled as he took another drink, threw another dart. “I was offered scholarships you know. For Chester, Youngstown.”
Ava grabbed a wing herself and had to admit the taste was rather divine. Spicy, tangy, with just the right amount of kick, and accented by the cool taste of ranch. “Why didn’t you take it? The scholarship?” She licked her fingers clean before wiping them on a napkin and grabbing another dart, but Dallas’s words stopped her from throwing it.
“Because I learned the truth, the hard way. Like you.” His voice had lost its air of humor and teasing.
“I’m sorry...” Ava spoke softly.
“Sometimes the world has a crazy way of showing you who you really are.” Dallas picked up his glass and took a long pull of his beer.
Ava threw her dart, but this time it didn’t land as well as the others.
“Don’t be sorry. I know this life isn’t ideal, for anyone. But it’s who I am. It’s what I was meant to do. The rest of it...” Dallas threw his last dart, and it landed smack in the center, a bulls eye once more. His words hung in the air, as his gaze settled on the dartboard, his eyelashes standing out against the lights that illuminated him.
Ava sipped her water as she took in the sight of Dallas. Amidst the red and orange neon lights, she could almost see it.
A young, vibrant Dallas who had the world at his feet.
An attractive, charismatic boy next door who could have anything he wanted with that smile.
A life he never got to live, because somehow, he’d learned monsters were real. He’d left a safe and happy life, normalcy and traded it in for flannel shirts, a microphone, and a stake.
Or maybe he’s more of a knife guy like Vinny.
“Your turn, kitten.” His bright blue eyes flashed at her.
Ava stilled her breath as she focused on the dartboard. She thought of the ways her life had changed, since that night at the party. Since Ross had been killed. Since Cassius had saved her life. In a way she’d been given a second chance too, much like Dallas. A chance to see into the darkness that most people didn’t get to see.
She knew without a doubt, that like Dallas she’d never be able to look away.
The world around her, around them, even now left her with the question of who among them was a monster? Her wrist still flared with heat, her skin prickled like goosebumps; but there was no sign of Cassius, or Liam.
She knew within her heart, she’d never be able to look at the world, at people, the same now that she knew what kind of evil lurked in the shadows. In the daylight, even.
Ava focused on her breath, on the heated blood in her veins.
On the feeling of fangs against her soft skin.
On the memories that swam in her head of bloodied bodies, and the feeling of helplessness.
She closed her eyes, and she threw the dart.
When she opened her eyes, she was surprised, and by the tone in Dallas’s voice he was surprised too, but there was also another emotion in his voice. Pride.
Ava’s dart sat snug in the center, knocking Dallas’s out of its coveted bulls eye spot.
CHAPTER 26
Cassius ran his hand through his golden hair as he paced back and forth on the patio. He’d heard Liam and his cohorts, even though he hadn’t been intent on listening. A part of him was surprised to see them attend the funeral of the man they killed. Although, it was a very Boracelli thing to do, if he had to be honest.
It seemed no matter if one was a born Boracelli or not, the disturbing trait of reveling in your kill seemed to be quite prevalent among the high covens.
That is what happens when you’ve truly lost your sense of humanity, I suppose.
With Halloween only two weeks away, and a crackdown at the University on Greek events, the rogue Liam and his friends were forced to draw their prey outside of their normal hunting grounds.
The fact that there had been no recent death reports was startling to Cassius. He knew better than anyone how maddening it was to starve yourself for weeks.
In the beginning, in his early days as a vampire, he’d done everything he could to resist the need to feed on human blood.
It wasn’t a pleasant experience, and most certainly always ended up putting him in the guiltiest predicament.
As if his body remembered just as much as his mind, his stomach flipped with nausea.
“It’s the perfect location, far enough away from the University that no one will think twice about connecting the dots but close enough for all interested parties to get to,” Liam had said.
“There’s a sense of drama to it, too,” Logan said.
“A Halloween Party in an abandoned church on the outskirts of town? Sounds positively perfect to me.” Liam smiled.
“And no one will notice a little blood, either. The girls will practically be begging for it. All keyed up on that vampire romance shit,” Brody chimed in.
They’d disappeared after that.
Cassius sat in the chaise, his head in his hands. In his heart he knew he should do something.
At the very least, I should tell Ava. Make certain she stays clear of that party, he thought as he watched the ripple of the water in the pool.
Taj opened the sliding glass door.
“Where’s Jasmine?” Cassius perked his head up.
“Some concert or something over in Willowcrest.” Taj took a seat on the rubber chaise, the one that always squeaked from years worth of rust buildup.
“Surprised you didn’t go with her, given your protective streak.” Cassius twisted his lips.
“I’m trying not to be a dick. Cut me some slack here, Cas.” Taj kicked his legs up as he leaned back on the lounge chair. “I’m sorry I went off on you the other day.” Taj’s voice was low, but genuine. The man was never very good at admitting his faults.
He was a damn loyal, good friend, though. Even if he didn’t have a filter.
“Apology accepted.” Cas smirked.
“It’s just—”
Cassius’s smile faltered.
“We’ve been friends, what thirty some years? I know you better than I knew my own brothers and sisters. I know you have this hero fixation and all, but damn it, Cassius, you can’t save them all. Some things are just beyond your control.” Taj breathed deeply.
“I know that, Taj. But I can’t just sit here in isolation either. I must live my life too. I can’t stay scared for the rest of eternity that Eden will find me.” His voice hung on her name.
Cassius wished life had been different. He wished so many times that Eden would see the light, but she never did. But he knew the darkness had poisoned her heart long ago.
When she’d lost the only man she ever truly loved, along with a life she never knew she wanted.
Marcellus Medici.
They’d grieved their losses together, gotten close even. Close enough that he’d let her in. That he’d shelved his fear of his Aurelian curse and made love to her anyway.
And then I’d found out the truth.
Cassius ran his hand through his hair. The memory of their last moments, the moment he knew she’d never truly love him, but she wouldn’t let anyone else have him either, forced its way through his brain.
“I am not some pawn in your games of dominance, Eden. I am more than some fucking stud for you to parade and commandeer.” He turned toward the door, giving his back to her.
“So help the gods, Cassius Aurelia, if you walk out that door...” Her voice was cold, devoid of any emotion she’d once held for him. She no longer cared for anyone, really. She’d lost too much, suffered too much, and the pain, the bloodlust had driven her insane. “I will not give you the choice next time. You will obey me.” She growled at him.
He turned to her, taking in the sight of her violet-rimmed eyes that glowed against her pale skin. She stood there in the tower, amidst the stone and tapestries, dressed in the most exquisite plum silk dress, her long, thin legs milky white against the darkness and shadows. With her dark raven hair running over her shoulders like a waterfall, Cassius had to admit that her beauty was only surface value.
Nothing beautiful was left inside of Eden Boracelli’s heart.
He’d deluded himself into thinking there was for too long.
She didn’t value life anymore. Not his, or anyone else’s but her own. She only valued what she could control. Her desire to be Queen was nothing more than a desire to control everything, and everyone around her. Including him.
He’d almost given her an heir, on more than one occasion.
But she did not love him. There was nothing anymore that she could give him, that he wanted, and even if there was...
She had blood on her hands.
His father’s blood, to be exact.
It would have been so easy to hurt her, so very easy to bring her castle crumbling to the ground. But that was a choice he had made. If he had given in to the need to hurt, the need to make her understand the depth of his disdain for her...he would be no better than her.
“There is always a choice. The fact you fail to understand that is why I will never be yours. You cannot control me, Eden.”
“You’ve got to let it go, Cas. You can’t fix everything. You’re only one person. Marking Ava...” Taj took a deep breath. “You made yourself and her a ticking timebomb. The Boracelli’s will certainly be waiting for you to make your move. You should just...enjoy her. Savor the blood, and anything else you might want from her.” Taj let out a dark laugh, and Cassius’s back straightened.
“I don’t want any such things from her, I assure you.” His voice was short.
“Right. And I’m the queen of fucking England.” Taj let out a laugh.
Cassius sighed.
“It’s okay you know. You’re allowed to want her blood. I mean, you did put a claim on it. You’re allowed to want to fuck her too. It’s normal to feel and want those things. It’s what we’re made for. It doesn’t make you the bad guy.” The way Taj said the words were solid, and Cassius knew they were true.
It was normal. Sex and blood were two sides of the same coin for monsters like himself. He could feel her in his blood, in his veins. A steady pulse of life.
That was all he wanted for her.
For himself, even.
To live.
Liam and his cohorts were planning a Halloween smorgasbord of blood, sex, and death, and in that moment, Cassius knew there was only one thing he truly wanted.
He’d tell Ava about the party.
He’d try to save as many as he could.
Even if it meant going against his own kind.
CHAPTER 27
The man in the shadows stared at her. His eyes followed her no matter where she moved.
“You let me die,” the shadow spoke.
“I was dying too!” she yelled at the darkness.
The shadows moved, forming into a shape, and then a body.
Ross.
“You look pretty alive to me.” His voice was thick with anger.
“I’m sorry...” Her legs felt like dead weight. She couldn’t move them.
Ross stalked closer to her, his blue and white checkered shirt stained with blood.
Why did the shirt look so familiar?
She remembered exactly what he wore. A red shirt and khakis.
“You didn’t even try...” He stood above her, and his eyes flickered from brown to green, then brown again.
“I did try!” she hollered back.
“Lies!” His eyes glowed green, and sharp, white fangs glistened as he opened his mouth.
“Is there a crash course option? I’d like to be able to kill this bloodsucker before he strikes again.” She leaned closer to Dallas, their hushed voices emitting heat in the closed space.
“I’ll pick you up tonight, say...nine?”
“You’re not going to be with Mal?” Ava’s eyes settled on his lips, and her heart started to race.
“I’m a big boy, Ava. I don’t need Mal to chaperone me everywhere I go.” The sparkle in his eye was mischievous but also alluring.
“It’s a date.” She smiled sweetly,
“They’re gone.” Mal’s voice broke the silence and Ava moved away from Dallas once more and settled her gaze on her brother.
“Damn assholes are harder to trap than I thought they would be.” Mal ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident.
“Mal! You’re in a church!” Ava poked him.
“Seriously, Ava?” Mal regarded her with an annoyed glare.
“Have some respect, Mal.” Dallas smirked as he ribbed him.
“Fuck the both of you,” Mal grumbled as he sauntered off toward the exit, leaving Ava and Dallas laughing in his dust.
CHAPTER 25
“Your idea of a training session is Russo’s Sports Bar?” Ava raised an eye at Dallas as she dismounted from the back of his bike.
Dallas ran his hand through his short brown hair, after setting his helmet on the handlebar, and kicking down the kickstand on the glistening curb on Chester’s main street.
“Well, for starters, I need to gauge your aim, and Russo’s has what we need. Darts, axe throwing—”
“You could have just taken me to your top-secret Bat Cave.” Ava shrugged as she sauntered toward the door.
Dallas was at her side rather quickly and opened the door for her. “Yes, I could have, but I thought just maybe you’d want some better food than take out Chinese.” He smirked at her.
Ava rolled her eyes. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to hit on me, Dallas,” she joked with him as they walked into the restaurant.
“Kitten, if I wanted to hit on you, trust me, you’d know. There’d be no question.” He smiled mischievously as he brushed past her to a high top table.
Ava shook her head and followed.
Russo’s wasn’t the only sports bar in Chester, but it was the only sports bar that boasted billiards, a dart wall, axe throwing, and an extensive beer menu.
Ave leaned languidly against the high top as she picked up the menu.
The waitress came over rather quickly. “What can I get you...two?” she asked sweetly.
Ava didn’t miss the look of judgement on her face.
“I’ll take whatever beer you have on special.” Dallas smiled, showcasing his perfect teeth, and his eyes lit up brightly.
The waitress seemed to ease up a bit. “That all, darlin’?” she drawled.
Ava rolled her eyes.
“A bucket of buffalo wings, with a side of ranch?” He raised an eyebrow at Ava, who shrugged.
“And what will you have to drink, sweetie?” The waitress did her best to sound nice, but Ava could tell she was judging her.
“I’ll have a water, thanks,” Ava grumbled. When the waitress finally left, she slammed down her menu. “Can I ask you an honest question, Dallas?” Ava spoke up.
“Kitten, you can ask me anything, you know that.” Dallas pulled out a few darts from the abandoned dartboards. The place wouldn’t even start coming alive until ten.
“How long have you been...you know. Doing the vamp thing?” She leaned against the tabletop, watching Dallas collect the darts. She didn’t miss the opportunity to let her gaze drift upon his ass. In his dark wash jeans, she couldn’t help but appreciate it. It’s not like he could see her looking, anyway.
“Since I was about your age.” He walked over to her with a handful of yellow and red darts.
“You ever train anyone?” She shifted her weight as he organized the darts by color.
“Yellow or Red?” He glanced up at her.
The waitress dropped off their drinks hurriedly.
“Red.” Ava took a sip of her water.
“I trained Vinny.” He shrugged.
“Vinny’s the one who looks like a lost member of The Cure, right?” Ava smirked.
Dallas let out a chuckle as he picked up a dart, and took his stance, his vision fixating on the dartboard.
“I’m surprised you even know who The Cure are.” He threw his dart, and it landed with a bulls eye.
“I know a lot of things, Dallas.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Right. Of course, you do, you’re a college girl.” He said the words with the utmost humor, but there was also an edge to his voice that was most...flirtatious?
“Fuck you.” She twisted her lips into an amused grin.
“Quite stalling. It’s your turn.”
Ava picked up a dart, feeling the weight of it in her hands. She turned it around, inspecting it, before settling it in her fingers properly. She focused on the dartboard, and her wrist flared with heat. The feeling was startling, and whereas it should have been distracting to her, it only fueled her focus more.
She fixated her gaze on the dartboard as her blood boiled beneath the surface. Memories pushed forth of tongues on flesh, of blood rushing to the surface. Of razor-sharp fangs piercing her skin, and they meshed with the sight of her father’s lifeless eyes, of Ross’s lifeless, blood drained body that seemed to have disappeared into the ether.
She didn’t think twice about throwing her dart. She didn’t even realize it had left her hand, until she heard Dallas whistle.
“Not a bad shot. I can definitely work with that.” He chuckled.
Ava looked to where her dart had landed. It wasn’t a bulls eye like Dallas had thrown, but it was much closer than she thought she’d land.
The waitress dropped off the bucket of wings, and sides of ranch as Dallas took a swig of his beer before picking up another dart.
“Do you like it? College, I mean,” he said as he threw the dart, before diving into a wing.
“I guess, it’s okay. It’s an experience, you know.” She shrugged as she picked up a dart.
“What’s your major?” Dallas popped another wing into his mouth.
“Major in Business Administration, Minor in History.” She threw her dart.
“You don’t really strike me as the office type.”
“Well, you don’t really strike me as the musician type,” she cracked.
“Your words wound me, Ava. Truly.” He chuckled as he took another drink, threw another dart. “I was offered scholarships you know. For Chester, Youngstown.”
Ava grabbed a wing herself and had to admit the taste was rather divine. Spicy, tangy, with just the right amount of kick, and accented by the cool taste of ranch. “Why didn’t you take it? The scholarship?” She licked her fingers clean before wiping them on a napkin and grabbing another dart, but Dallas’s words stopped her from throwing it.
“Because I learned the truth, the hard way. Like you.” His voice had lost its air of humor and teasing.
“I’m sorry...” Ava spoke softly.
“Sometimes the world has a crazy way of showing you who you really are.” Dallas picked up his glass and took a long pull of his beer.
Ava threw her dart, but this time it didn’t land as well as the others.
“Don’t be sorry. I know this life isn’t ideal, for anyone. But it’s who I am. It’s what I was meant to do. The rest of it...” Dallas threw his last dart, and it landed smack in the center, a bulls eye once more. His words hung in the air, as his gaze settled on the dartboard, his eyelashes standing out against the lights that illuminated him.
Ava sipped her water as she took in the sight of Dallas. Amidst the red and orange neon lights, she could almost see it.
A young, vibrant Dallas who had the world at his feet.
An attractive, charismatic boy next door who could have anything he wanted with that smile.
A life he never got to live, because somehow, he’d learned monsters were real. He’d left a safe and happy life, normalcy and traded it in for flannel shirts, a microphone, and a stake.
Or maybe he’s more of a knife guy like Vinny.
“Your turn, kitten.” His bright blue eyes flashed at her.
Ava stilled her breath as she focused on the dartboard. She thought of the ways her life had changed, since that night at the party. Since Ross had been killed. Since Cassius had saved her life. In a way she’d been given a second chance too, much like Dallas. A chance to see into the darkness that most people didn’t get to see.
She knew without a doubt, that like Dallas she’d never be able to look away.
The world around her, around them, even now left her with the question of who among them was a monster? Her wrist still flared with heat, her skin prickled like goosebumps; but there was no sign of Cassius, or Liam.
She knew within her heart, she’d never be able to look at the world, at people, the same now that she knew what kind of evil lurked in the shadows. In the daylight, even.
Ava focused on her breath, on the heated blood in her veins.
On the feeling of fangs against her soft skin.
On the memories that swam in her head of bloodied bodies, and the feeling of helplessness.
She closed her eyes, and she threw the dart.
When she opened her eyes, she was surprised, and by the tone in Dallas’s voice he was surprised too, but there was also another emotion in his voice. Pride.
Ava’s dart sat snug in the center, knocking Dallas’s out of its coveted bulls eye spot.
CHAPTER 26
Cassius ran his hand through his golden hair as he paced back and forth on the patio. He’d heard Liam and his cohorts, even though he hadn’t been intent on listening. A part of him was surprised to see them attend the funeral of the man they killed. Although, it was a very Boracelli thing to do, if he had to be honest.
It seemed no matter if one was a born Boracelli or not, the disturbing trait of reveling in your kill seemed to be quite prevalent among the high covens.
That is what happens when you’ve truly lost your sense of humanity, I suppose.
With Halloween only two weeks away, and a crackdown at the University on Greek events, the rogue Liam and his friends were forced to draw their prey outside of their normal hunting grounds.
The fact that there had been no recent death reports was startling to Cassius. He knew better than anyone how maddening it was to starve yourself for weeks.
In the beginning, in his early days as a vampire, he’d done everything he could to resist the need to feed on human blood.
It wasn’t a pleasant experience, and most certainly always ended up putting him in the guiltiest predicament.
As if his body remembered just as much as his mind, his stomach flipped with nausea.
“It’s the perfect location, far enough away from the University that no one will think twice about connecting the dots but close enough for all interested parties to get to,” Liam had said.
“There’s a sense of drama to it, too,” Logan said.
“A Halloween Party in an abandoned church on the outskirts of town? Sounds positively perfect to me.” Liam smiled.
“And no one will notice a little blood, either. The girls will practically be begging for it. All keyed up on that vampire romance shit,” Brody chimed in.
They’d disappeared after that.
Cassius sat in the chaise, his head in his hands. In his heart he knew he should do something.
At the very least, I should tell Ava. Make certain she stays clear of that party, he thought as he watched the ripple of the water in the pool.
Taj opened the sliding glass door.
“Where’s Jasmine?” Cassius perked his head up.
“Some concert or something over in Willowcrest.” Taj took a seat on the rubber chaise, the one that always squeaked from years worth of rust buildup.
“Surprised you didn’t go with her, given your protective streak.” Cassius twisted his lips.
“I’m trying not to be a dick. Cut me some slack here, Cas.” Taj kicked his legs up as he leaned back on the lounge chair. “I’m sorry I went off on you the other day.” Taj’s voice was low, but genuine. The man was never very good at admitting his faults.
He was a damn loyal, good friend, though. Even if he didn’t have a filter.
“Apology accepted.” Cas smirked.
“It’s just—”
Cassius’s smile faltered.
“We’ve been friends, what thirty some years? I know you better than I knew my own brothers and sisters. I know you have this hero fixation and all, but damn it, Cassius, you can’t save them all. Some things are just beyond your control.” Taj breathed deeply.
“I know that, Taj. But I can’t just sit here in isolation either. I must live my life too. I can’t stay scared for the rest of eternity that Eden will find me.” His voice hung on her name.
Cassius wished life had been different. He wished so many times that Eden would see the light, but she never did. But he knew the darkness had poisoned her heart long ago.
When she’d lost the only man she ever truly loved, along with a life she never knew she wanted.
Marcellus Medici.
They’d grieved their losses together, gotten close even. Close enough that he’d let her in. That he’d shelved his fear of his Aurelian curse and made love to her anyway.
And then I’d found out the truth.
Cassius ran his hand through his hair. The memory of their last moments, the moment he knew she’d never truly love him, but she wouldn’t let anyone else have him either, forced its way through his brain.
“I am not some pawn in your games of dominance, Eden. I am more than some fucking stud for you to parade and commandeer.” He turned toward the door, giving his back to her.
“So help the gods, Cassius Aurelia, if you walk out that door...” Her voice was cold, devoid of any emotion she’d once held for him. She no longer cared for anyone, really. She’d lost too much, suffered too much, and the pain, the bloodlust had driven her insane. “I will not give you the choice next time. You will obey me.” She growled at him.
He turned to her, taking in the sight of her violet-rimmed eyes that glowed against her pale skin. She stood there in the tower, amidst the stone and tapestries, dressed in the most exquisite plum silk dress, her long, thin legs milky white against the darkness and shadows. With her dark raven hair running over her shoulders like a waterfall, Cassius had to admit that her beauty was only surface value.
Nothing beautiful was left inside of Eden Boracelli’s heart.
He’d deluded himself into thinking there was for too long.
She didn’t value life anymore. Not his, or anyone else’s but her own. She only valued what she could control. Her desire to be Queen was nothing more than a desire to control everything, and everyone around her. Including him.
He’d almost given her an heir, on more than one occasion.
But she did not love him. There was nothing anymore that she could give him, that he wanted, and even if there was...
She had blood on her hands.
His father’s blood, to be exact.
It would have been so easy to hurt her, so very easy to bring her castle crumbling to the ground. But that was a choice he had made. If he had given in to the need to hurt, the need to make her understand the depth of his disdain for her...he would be no better than her.
“There is always a choice. The fact you fail to understand that is why I will never be yours. You cannot control me, Eden.”
“You’ve got to let it go, Cas. You can’t fix everything. You’re only one person. Marking Ava...” Taj took a deep breath. “You made yourself and her a ticking timebomb. The Boracelli’s will certainly be waiting for you to make your move. You should just...enjoy her. Savor the blood, and anything else you might want from her.” Taj let out a dark laugh, and Cassius’s back straightened.
“I don’t want any such things from her, I assure you.” His voice was short.
“Right. And I’m the queen of fucking England.” Taj let out a laugh.
Cassius sighed.
“It’s okay you know. You’re allowed to want her blood. I mean, you did put a claim on it. You’re allowed to want to fuck her too. It’s normal to feel and want those things. It’s what we’re made for. It doesn’t make you the bad guy.” The way Taj said the words were solid, and Cassius knew they were true.
It was normal. Sex and blood were two sides of the same coin for monsters like himself. He could feel her in his blood, in his veins. A steady pulse of life.
That was all he wanted for her.
For himself, even.
To live.
Liam and his cohorts were planning a Halloween smorgasbord of blood, sex, and death, and in that moment, Cassius knew there was only one thing he truly wanted.
He’d tell Ava about the party.
He’d try to save as many as he could.
Even if it meant going against his own kind.
CHAPTER 27
The man in the shadows stared at her. His eyes followed her no matter where she moved.
“You let me die,” the shadow spoke.
“I was dying too!” she yelled at the darkness.
The shadows moved, forming into a shape, and then a body.
Ross.
“You look pretty alive to me.” His voice was thick with anger.
“I’m sorry...” Her legs felt like dead weight. She couldn’t move them.
Ross stalked closer to her, his blue and white checkered shirt stained with blood.
Why did the shirt look so familiar?
She remembered exactly what he wore. A red shirt and khakis.
“You didn’t even try...” He stood above her, and his eyes flickered from brown to green, then brown again.
“I did try!” she hollered back.
“Lies!” His eyes glowed green, and sharp, white fangs glistened as he opened his mouth.
