Wild Thing: A Vampire Paranormal Romance (Blueblood Vampires Book 2) Page 4

  In true Ronan style, he gives me a droll look. “Bitch, please. That was only the warm-up. I could take you after running a marathon.”

  I head to the tatami area. “Aren’t you overconfident? I remember I kicked your ass the last couple of times.”

  He rolls his eyes. “I had to let you win, or you would be an insufferable whining brat.”

  The corners of my lips twitch upward. “Oh, the lies you tell yourself.”

  We spar in silence for the next hour. I usually like to irritate Ronan with endless trash talk, but I know when not to mess around with him. He’s angry and out for blood. All my focus must be on keeping my head attached to my body. There’s no room for error when your opponent is a beast and you’re fighting at warp speed.

  Neither of us show any signs of winding down. Gerard already came and went with the warm blood bags. I’m hungry, but the physical activity has numbed it a bit. Maybe after I get rid of all my irritation, I’ll be able to drink from one of the humans he brought in.

  A bang coming from the door makes Ronan slow down. He lowers his katana when it’s safe and glances at the gym’s entrance. Manu is standing there, wearing a long deep red dress that, against her pale complexion and white hair, makes her look like blood spilled in snow. She’s a stunning female, even if she doesn’t believe so. She was also cursed by the Nightingale queen for interfering when the ruthless immortal was doling out Lucca’s punishment. Manu lost her natural coloring. She used to be a brunette like Lucca, a stunning beauty who broke hearts wherever she went. Now her formerly warm, golden skin is almost translucent, her hair is stark white, and her eyes are golden instead of rich brown.

  She doesn’t acknowledge me. Her stormy eyes are glued to Ronan’s face. “Why didn’t you tell me the High Witch was coming?”

  “I didn’t see you yesterday.”

  “You couldn’t text or call?”

  He lets out a heavy sigh. “I was sparing myself the pain of dealing with your tantrum.”

  “You’re an ass.” She crosses her arms. “Well, they’re here.”

  “They?” I ask.

  Manu cuts her stare to mine. “Yeah, the High Witch brought her stuck-up daughter along. Ugh, I really don’t like that girl.”

  I ignore Manu. She doesn’t like anyone. But by the way my heart has gone galloping at full speed, apparently, I do like Aurora. A lot. Fuck.

  6

  Aurora

  I should have known my mother wouldn’t leave me alone for much longer, especially after I kicked Calvin out. She doesn’t try calling, she simply shows up at my door, not bothering with manners or my privacy.

  I’m in the kitchen, staring at my fridge without any idea what I want to eat, when she invades my apartment as if she owns it. Forgetting the food, I bang the refrigerator door shut, turning to glower at her.

  “What are you doing here?”

  She fusses with the sleeve of her jacket. “Since you left our meeting in a hurry, and have been ignoring my calls, I had no choice but to show up unannounced.” Calmly, she lifts her gaze to mine.

  “No, what you should have done was take the hint.” I walk around her, heading toward the couch.

  Plopping on it like I don’t have a care in the world, I reach for the open magazine on the coffee table. I need to keep my hands occupied or I may “accidentally” hex her.

  She follows me, losing her peaceful composure. That was quick. “Aurora Yuki Leal, I won’t tolerate defiance from you.”

  “How did you expect I’d react when you told me I have to marry an asshole in ten months? Grateful? Over the moon?”

  “You knew it was coming. Don’t act like it was out of the blue. You’re the future High Witch. You must marry someone equally matched in magic and influence, like I married your father.”

  I snort. “That’s rich. You and Dad were high school sweethearts. Don’t stand there and pretend it was a huge sacrifice for you.”

  A flash of rare emotion shines in her eyes. For all her faults, I know she loved my father deeply, and when he died, it broke her heart. But this isn’t about her pain, it’s about my future and the bleakness of my existence if I marry Calvin.

  “That’s true. I was lucky,” she replies. “But even if I hadn’t fallen in love with your father, I’d still have married him.”

  “What if Dad wasn’t the man you had to marry? Would you have given him up then?”

  Mom flinches as if my question caused her physical pain. But in the next second, her shrewd eyes narrow. “What are you trying to tell me, Aurora? Were you foolish enough to fall in love with someone?”

  Saxon’s image pops in my head. Why is beyond me. I don’t love him; I barely like the male. Just because his dick is enormous and he made me climax more times than I can count on my fingers doesn’t mean I’m suddenly in love with him. Although, if I had to pick between Calvin and Saxon, hell, I’d pledge myself to the Blueblood.

  “There’s no one else. I’m just pointing out that you can’t possibly know how I feel about this. I didn’t ask to be the next High Witch. I’m not even sure I want the job.”

  “You’re talking gibberish. You’ve always desired to be the most important witch in the world. Don’t pretend the power this position brings doesn’t excite you.”

  She has me there. I want the power and the influence, but not to satisfy my ego. I want to make a difference. There’s too much unfairness in the supernatural community, too much suffering, and the witches and mages aren’t doing anything about it. If you don’t fall in line with their archaic agenda, you’re shunned, forced to become a rogue.

  When I don’t offer a retort, she continues. “Come on. Get dressed. You’re coming with me.”

  I’m on high alert in an instant. “Where?”

  If she says she’s dragging me to see Calvin, I’m going to lose my shit. I can’t face that perv again so soon.

  “Per the king’s request, I’m going to attempt to wake Lucca. I’d like you to be present. It will be a good learning opportunity for you.”

  Suddenly restless, I jump from the couch. Saxon lives in that same mansion. Shit. Am I ready to see him so soon after our hookup? Crazy radioactive butterflies flutter in my belly, and the warmth that spreads through my chest feels like giddy anticipation.

  Pull yourself together, woman.

  “Fine,” I snap, to keep up the pretense that her request pains me.

  The truth is, I’m far from annoyed. I’m excited beyond reason.

  Thirty minutes later, we’re pulling up in front of Lucca’s house. At nighttime, the gothic mansion with its pointy windows, dark brick tiles, and black rooftop is even spookier. Count Dracula would have been so proud. Bloodstone Institute has the same somber vibe. What’s up with vampires wanting to live as if they’re in a black-and-white horror movie?

  An imposing human in his fifties lets us in. He’s not a familiar, and I never understood why the king’s nephew and his inner circle don’t have familiars like most Blueblood vampires do. There are rumors that Manu, Lucca’s sister, has one, but he hasn’t been seen by her side in ages.

  On the ride here, I tried to get into a business frame of mind. I can’t let my mother suspect for a second that Saxon and I were fucking like rabbits last night. Technically, there isn’t a rule that says witches and vampires can’t hook up, but a relationship between species is frowned upon. For me, it’s entirely forbidden. I’m the future High Witch; I can’t be involved with anyone or anything that might jeopardize my position serving the king. If you ask me, that’s a load of crap. But until it’s my time to serve King Raphael, I have to keep my opinions to myself.

  The marble-floored entry foyer opens to a grand staircase that leads to the living quarters on the second floor. But that’s not where the stuffy human leads us. We veer to the right, and then down a set of stairs toward the basement. Lucca’s hibernation room is underground for safety reasons. Vampires are mortally allergic to sunlight. Once underground, we meet a set of steel doors that
require a password to unlock.

  The staff member angles his body over the security pad so we can’t see when he types in the code. I watch him with dispassionate curiosity. Does he think we’re a threat to Lucca? A low beep comes from the machine, and then the distinct sound of a deadbolt unlocking. Our guide holds the door open for us, waiting until we’re through to step ahead once again.

  The surprisingly cozy hallway tricks one into believing they’re still above ground. Light wallpaper covers the walls, which are peppered with oil paintings in dark frames. It seems no one cared to update the décor down here.

  It’s eerily quiet, that’s for sure, and I dare to hope we won’t cross paths with any of the current residents. But as soon as Mr. Stuffy opens the wooden double doors to Lucca’s chamber, I discover it was stupid of me to think I’d be able to avoid seeing Saxon. He’s sitting on a lavish red velvet chair, looking sexy as hell in his black sweater and faded jeans. There’s nothing special about his outfit, but he makes everything look good. He’d probably be hot wearing a potato sack. His blond hair is wet and sticks out at odd angles. He must have showered recently and immediately my dirty mind conjures up an image of him in all his naked glory. Crap. My stomach does a backflip, and my mouth becomes as dry as coal. I don’t know why I’m having such a visceral reaction to seeing him.

  He turns, burning me with an intense and heated stare. Warmth creeps up my cheeks as a swirling ball of desire concentrates in my core. One look. That’s all it took to get me all hot and bothered. This is insane. Maybe by giving him my vein, I got under his thrall.

  I force my eyes from his, taking in the rest of the room. Ronan and Manu are also present, standing at opposite sides. Manu is sitting on the edge of a desk that, by the ornate carvings on the wood and its sturdiness, must be an antique. She has her phone in her hand, forgotten now that we’re present. Her yellow eyes burn into me, smothering, almost as if she feels a deep loathing toward me. A quick search down memory lane shows me nothing out of the ordinary, no interaction between us that would warrant that scathing stare. Whatever, I’m not here to win a popularity contest.

  Ronan is leaning against a wall with his arms crossed. But his casual stance doesn’t fool me. He’s wound tight, ready to spring into action if necessary. I’m beginning to suspect my mother’s previous visits left a bad taste in his mouth. The high tension in the air is undeniable.

  “Good evening,” she greets everyone without making eye contact to any.

  That’s how she is. Cold and aloof when dealing with bloodsuckers—and in her personal life. She wants me to be like her, and I’ve been trying to project the back-the-fuck-off vibe at Bloodstone Institute, even if acting like that is not me. I’ve just perfected the art of pretending. But I don’t want to live like I’m made out of a block of ice twenty-four seven.

  “Has there been any change since the last time I was here?” She stops next to Lucca’s bed, keeping her stare focused on his ashen face.

  It’s the first time I see the infamous Dark Prince in person, but it looks like I’m staring at a corpse. He’s lying on his back, dressed in fancy silk pajamas with his hands clasped across his abdomen. His hair is long, reaching his shoulders, but his face is free of scruff.

  When vampires weaken, they fall asleep and don’t wake up. Witches must cast a spell on them to prevent their bodies from deteriorating. Bloodsuckers can’t die if they don’t drink blood, but they’ll shrivel to the point there’s no coming back to their normal appearance. They mummify. Yuck.

  My great-grandmother cast the spell on Lucca, and since then, our family has been monitoring the heir to the throne, trying to bring him back every few years. But King Raphael must be getting desperate for the return of his nephew. He wouldn’t have asked my mother to come here again only after a month otherwise.

  “No. Not even a stir,” Manu replies.

  “Hmm.” Mom retrieves four river stones from her bag and sets them around Lucca’s body. Each has a Wiccan symbol drawn on it, representing the four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. She then pulls a white crystal the size of an ostrich egg and sets it on his chest.

  Movement in my peripheral catches my attention. Saxon walks over to the bed, keeping his eyes glued to Lucca’s face. I can’t help but watch him while he’s distracted. His jaw is set in a hard line and his lips are nothing but a slash on his handsome face. It never occurred to me how difficult it must be for him and the others to wait decades for their friend to rise. Lucca’s curse must weigh heavily on his mind.

  “Do you think he will ever wake up?” Saxon asks in a tight voice.

  “I don’t know. I can’t predict the future,” my mother replies in her blunt way.

  Is she dense? Can’t she see how hard this situation is for Lucca’s inner circle? She has the empathy capacity of a teaspoon.

  He crosses his arms, still frowning at his friend. “What does that big-ass crystal do? You didn’t use it the last time.”

  “Sax, quit asking questions and let the High Witch do her thing,” Ronan, the towering vampire, says.

  Saxon crosses his arms, rewarding his friend with a displeased look. I’m still watching him, which I’m sure he can sense, but he doesn’t make eye contact with me. I swear he wasn’t indifferent to me when I came in the room, but now, it’s like I’m not even here. I should be glad that he’s not trying to get into my pants again, but a part of me feels dejected.

  “Aurora, please stand by Lucca’s head.”

  My mother’s stern voice snaps me out of my inner musings. I take a step forward, but Saxon is standing in my way. He glances at me for a fleeting moment, which is long enough for me to catch a myriad of different emotions swirling in his eyes. He seems conflicted, but about what?

  Without a word and still sporting his somber expression, he takes a step back to let me through. As much as I’d like to know what’s going on with him, I force my attention to the task at hand. This is a big deal for me. I’ve never participated in an awakening attempt before.

  “Place your right hand above his head and focus all your en—”

  “Wait,” Manu cuts in. “Does she know what she’s doing?”

  “My daughter is training to take my place one day. I’m showing her what has to be done.”

  “That’s unbelievable. You’re training her on Lucca?” Manu’s voice rises to a shrill.

  Ronan moves in front of the female when she takes a menacing step toward my mother. Pity. I’d like to see her go head-to-head with my mother. That’d be entertaining.

  “If you can’t act like a civilized person, you have no business being here,” Mom retorts.

  “Come on, Manu. I’m sure Aurora knows what she’s doing.”

  I’m surprised by his remark. I didn’t expect the brooding Blueblood to come to my defense. We’ve never spoken before. The idiotic schoolgirl living in my head immediately assumes Saxon talked about me to his friend. The idea is absolutely ludicrous, so I shove the dumb girl in the trunk of a car, gagged and bound. I don’t have time for high school nonsense. I’m a grown woman on the verge of getting hitched.

  God, I had to go and think about that jackass.

  “What are we doing? Creating a shield of energy around Lucca?” I ask to get myself back on track.

  “Precisely. I want his body covered from head to toe while I recite the spell.”

  Determined to prove to the bitchy vampire that I’m not an amateur, I eliminate all distractions from my mind and concentrate solely on the blessed power of Mother Earth that resides deep in my center. My skin becomes warmer, and my ears buzz with crackling electricity. A burst of scintillant power unfurls in my chest, like I just opened a jar filled with colorful butterflies and they’re now fluttering their wings inside the confines of my rib cage.

  It would be too easy to lose control and allow the energy to flow freely through my body. But I must divert everything toward the palm of my hand, hovering over Lucca’s head. When I’m sure I have plenty of juice to
create an energy field to cover his entire body, I unleash the strands of glowing light. Quickly, they form a mesh, and then, as the light becomes blinding, the mesh closes, turning into a shield.

  The world ceases to exist. My body has become a vessel, a conduit for the planet’s energy. My gift comes from everything surrounding me. Witches are born with the ability to harness the primal power from Earth.

  There’s a low humming in the background, but it’s not until it ceases, and I hear my mother’s voice in my head, that I know she finished casting the spell.

  I pull my powers into my body once more, dissolving the shield. When I open my eyes, I’m a little lightheaded, but I manage to stand straight without swaying on the spot. I can’t show weakness in front of anyone, especially Blueblood vampires.

  “Did it work?” Saxon asks, moving closer to me.

  Immediately, I feel a strange pull toward the male, almost as if he’s a magnet and I’m steel. My skin begins to tingle again, and it seems like little wisps of electricity are snaking from my hand toward him.

  “No. It didn’t work,” Mom replies. “I sense no change in his vitals.”

  Saxon makes a strangled sound in the back of his throat, reminding me of a wounded animal. Then he storms out of the room, almost pulling the door off its hinges in the process.

  Mom doesn’t even register the occurrence as she begins to collect the stones and the crystal. Ronan crosses the room, walking over to the vampire princess. Her face is twisted in an expression of agony when she locks gazes with her friend. I still sense tension between them, but whatever it is, it vanishes when she throws herself into his arms. He engulfs her in a bear hug while fixing his gaze on the sleeping prince.

  I should wait for my mother, but my body has other ideas. I head out, letting the pull guide me to Saxon. The corridor is empty and quiet, and yet, I know exactly where to go. The steel doors we came through are not locked from the inside, but they’re effing heavy. Security in this place is tight.