Wild Thing: A Vampire Paranormal Romance (Blueblood Vampires Book 2) Page 7

  Her glassy eyes become rounder as a genuine expression of shock sweeps over her face. “I’m not evil. I’m one of the good guys here. Can’t you see? The Belmonts are the ones who have done despicable things throughout the years. Only no one talks about them because they’re so powerful.”

  “The Montenegros are powerful too. If the Belmonts are so terrible, how come you’ve never done anything to smoke them out?”

  “They have the grimoire. As long as that relic is in their possession, no one stands a chance against them.”

  I shake my head, knowing she’s manipulating me. But it won’t work. As soon as I get out of here, I’m going straight to my mother. I don’t know what I should believe anymore. Based on my experience with Calvin, I don’t doubt Elena when she says the Belmonts aren’t innocent darlings. But I don’t think she’s so blameless either.

  “I can see you’re not convinced.” She stands up, leaning on her cane heavily. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

  Reluctantly, I follow the old lady, painfully aware of my surroundings as I expect a trap to spring up on me from behind a flowery vase or a corner. My sixth sense is urging me to get out of here, but for starters, I doubt she’ll let me, and also, my curiosity has been piqued.

  She leads me to a study room that looks like it belongs to a librarian. Stacks of books cover every single surface, even an old chair, and bookshelves are filled to the brim. In a corner stands an old mirror, framed by a dark gold baroque border. Swirls of leaves and flowers compound all around the spotted mirror.

  Elena stops in front of it and stares at her stooped and wrinkled reflection. “Do you know what this is, child?”

  “It’s an old mirror, but you’re going to tell me it’s more than just an antique, so get on with it.”

  She makes a disapproving clicking noise with her tongue. “Your lack of respect is appalling. I knew Isadora was slacking in your education.”

  I swallow the angry retort, not wanting to waste time discussing my mother.

  “How old is this?” I ask instead.

  “Very old. This is a relic from the golden era when the Nightingales walked among us.”

  My eyes become rounder. “Wait. Are you telling me this mirror is a Nightingale design?”

  She smiles smugly. “Yes, my dear. It has been in my family for generations. But I didn’t bring you here to boast about my priceless possession. I want you to look into the mirror and tell me what you see.”

  She steps away, allowing me to take her spot. I’m leery. If this object belonged to the Nightingales, who knows what it will do to me? But like a cat that can’t resist a laser pen, I move closer. At first, all I see is my reflection. I don’t sense any glimmer of magic coming from the mirror. My head begins to feel like cotton candy as my image dissolves in wisps of translucent fog. A vertiginous sensation takes a hold of me and then I’m falling forward into the mirror. I can’t feel my body anymore, only my mind is sharp. A reel of images begins to flash in front of me, like a movie. I can’t make sense of them until a familiar face appears. It’s Saxon, kneeling in front of a burned-down building, crying desperately as he clutches a broken sword in his hand. I can’t tell if that’s something that took place in the past or if it’s a glimpse of the future until King Raphael appears in the picture, covered in soot and blood, and holding in his hand the severed head of Manu, his own niece. His clothes look modern. So this is the future then.

  Saxon turns to him and asks why but there’s no sign of recognition in the king’s crimson eyes. He looks demented, terrifying. He tosses Manu’s head to the side, then raises his broadsword, ready to swing at Saxon. When the blade descends, cutting an arch in the air, I cry out and the gruesome vision fades to black.

  I’m freefalling, and then, I’m back in my body. I stagger back, still reeling from the vision I saw.

  “So, what did you see?” Elena asks too eagerly.

  “What the fuck is this mirror?”

  “It shows what was and what can be.”

  I’m shaking, and my heart is thrumming like a moth trapped inside a mason jar. “What can be? Like a possible future?”

  “Yes.”

  “So that means what I saw might not come to pass?”

  She narrows her shrewd eyes. “You saw your vampire lover’s demise, didn’t you?”

  My eyes burn and my throat tightens to the point I almost can’t breathe. “Yes.” I force the word out.

  “Was it the king who dealt the killing blow?”

  I nod, unable to form words.

  “I also saw the king’s downfall.”

  “How? He looked changed, almost possessed.”

  “I don’t know, child. The only thing I know with certainty is that if his nephew doesn’t return to the world of the living, that will be the future.”

  “How can you be so sure that if Lucca returns, the king won’t turn into a monster?”

  “I didn’t say he won’t turn into a monster. I’ve looked into the mirror countless times, and the outcome is always the same. The king goes mad. But if Lucca is back, there won’t be so much bloodshed.”

  “Are you certain what this mirror shows is true?”

  She shrugs. “All the visions it showed me throughout the years have come to pass. I have no reason to believe it isn’t the case this time. But you can stop it.”

  “Me? How?”

  “I have the spell that will bring Lucca back from hibernation.”

  “If you’re in possession of the spell, and you know the awful reality that awaits if he doesn’t return, why haven’t you given it to my mother yet?”

  She laughs, shaking her white head. “Oh, child. Why would I give away such a great bargaining chip like that? I couldn’t care less if King Raphael killed his entire family and all his friends.”

  “You’re awful.”

  “No. I’m practical. There’s no good reason why we witches should bend over backwards to please the bloodsuckers. Don’t stand there and tell me that you didn’t think the same before you fell in love with a vampire.”

  I press my lips together, knowing that I can’t refute her assessment. Similar thoughts have crossed my mind many times.

  “I have a proposal,” she continues. “I’ll give you the spell in exchange for the promise you will marry Calvin.”

  A violent clench of my stomach sends bile to my mouth. “So you can get your hands on the grimoire.”

  “Yes, it’s the end goal.”

  “How can I be sure the spell you have will work? My mother has been trying for years to bring him back without success.”

  Elena chuckles. “Well, I have a few more years of experience than your mother. This deal will obviously require a magical binding. Promises without it are only empty words.”

  A trickle of dread licks the back of my neck. The last thing I want is to be magically bound to her.

  “I’m not going to bind myself to you.”

  She shrugs. “No blood vow, no spell. Remember, child, your lover’s life is on the line. If Lucca doesn’t wake, the blond Blueblood dies.”

  A stabbing pain pierces my chest as vises of fear curl around my neck, cutting off my air supply. That scene I saw in the mirror is imprinted in my mind and the emotions it evoked in me have carved a hole in my chest. I haven’t figured out yet what I feel for Saxon, but I can’t be responsible for his demise. The idea of him dying such a cruel death crushes me. How could Elena Montenegro have known what those visions would do to me unless she saw my connection to Saxon herself? What else has she seen using the Nightingale relic?

  “I could tell my mother and the rest of the council what I saw, and what you’re withholding.”

  She snorts in derision. “Good luck with that. Who do you think they’ll believe? A living legend or a young, rebellious witch?”

  Fuck. Knowing how those fools operate, they’ll side with Elena for sure. Sadly, even my mother will have a hard time believing me. I also don’t know when the vision I saw w
ill take place. I could try to find another solution, but am I willing to gamble with Saxon’s life like that?

  I swallow the tightness in my throat and spit the words out bitterly. “Fine. You have a deal.”

  10

  Saxon

  I’m groggy as fuck when I finally wake up in my room. It takes me a moment to notice I’m not alone. There’s a dark figure sitting in the corner, and immediately, my survival instinct kicks in. I jump out of bed—or try. My coordination is shot, and I end up getting tangled in the sheets and falling on the floor.

  “Please try not to hurt yourself on my account, son,” King Raphael says.

  Ah, shit.

  I get up in a most ungraceful manner, only to stand awkwardly in front of the male. I’ve known him for a long time, but still, there’s a trace of deep discomfort and shame whenever I’m in his presence.

  “My king, what can I do for you?” I ask.

  “You can start by telling me what the hell happened back at the gala.”

  I swallow the embarrassment and clear my throat. “Aurora is my mate.” It’s pointless to lie to him, and I shouldn’t anyway.

  My answer hangs in the air like a net of barbed wire while the king just stares at me without uttering a word.

  “And how did that happen exactly?” he finally asks.

  “We hooked up last week, and I drank from her. I didn’t mean for it to happen, nor do I want to be mated to her,” I’m quick to add.

  “It doesn’t matter whether you want this or not. It’s done.”

  Fuck.

  “So there’s no way to reverse the situation? Aurora doesn’t know. I believe the bond is one-sided.”

  “No. It’s not. She might not be aware of it yet because she’s not a vampire. I’d usually consult with the High Witch about these matters, but considering it involves her daughter, it’s better to leave her out of it for now.”

  “With all due respect, my king, how does that help me? Aurora is engaged, and I almost killed the guy tonight.”

  “I know. I was there,” he grumbles. “I brought you this.” He taps the table next to his chair, drawing my attention to a vial with a green liquid inside.

  “What’s that?”

  “A potion that will numb your mating bond instincts and keep you from committing murder. Mind you, it wasn’t designed for that purpose, so I’m not sure it will work well.”

  “What is it for then?”

  “Curing vampires who have fallen under the spell of sirens.”

  Fucking great.

  “It was the best I could find on short notice,” the king continues. “Aurora’s engagement must not be compromised by one of my own. I can’t afford to lose the support of the magical community.”

  He stands, fixing the front of his tux. Shit. He left the party early on my account. Way to royally fuck up, Saxon.

  “One vial should be good enough for a week,” he continues. “It’s a temporary fix, not a real solution.”

  “What if we can’t find a real solution?”

  He narrows his gaze while I sense a darkness crowding around him. “That would be unpleasant.”

  I don’t know what to make of his statement. Does that mean he would have to kill me? I’d like to believe I’ve proven myself to the king. I’m not my father’s son. But maybe the bad blood runs too deep, and I’m cursed to pay for his sins.

  “I’ll find a way,” I reply.

  “I’ve spoken to Solomon. I want you to re-enroll in the institute immediately.”

  My eyebrows shoot to the heavens. I didn’t expect that. “Why?”

  “Because being away from Aurora will only make matters worse, even with the potion. Also, he can help you find a solution.”

  The king walks to the large window in the room. Those would be a big no-no in a vampire’s lair, but the house is equipped with impenetrable shutters that close automatically ten minutes before sunrise. Even so, my bed is nowhere near the range of streaming light.

  The window opens on its own. That’s one of the super cool tricks the king has up his sleeve. In the next second, he turns into black smoke, vanishing in the dark. The male and his abilities never cease to amaze me, but tonight, there’s no room in my mind for admiration. The next time I see him might very well be when he comes to off me.

  With that depressing thought hanging over my head, I head over to the table and grab the vial. Now that the king is gone, the overwhelming compulsion to go after Aurora, the crazed need to kill her fiancé, is returning. My skin prickles all over as if I’m covered from head to toe in needles.

  I pull the cap off the vial and stare at the greenish liquid. “Here goes nothing.”

  Throwing my head back, I drink everything in one gulp. Bitterness fills my mouth, and a crazy burn goes down my throat. I cough, covering my lips with the back of my forearm.

  “Fuck!” I say when I’m sure I’ll be able to keep the liquid down. Why do witch potions have to taste so foul?

  I drop on the chair the king was occupying earlier, feeling lethargic all of a sudden. If this is what he meant by numbness, it sucks balls. I don’t think I can even walk back to my bed. How am I supposed to function at all?

  There’s a knock on my door. Since Manu rarely visits me in my quarters, I guess it must be Ronan.

  “Come in,” I say in a scratchy voice. He walks in, doing a quick search of the room first.

  “He’s gone.”

  “I thought as much. I sensed a huge drop in power coming from inside.”

  “Fuck off,” I grumble.

  Ronan changed clothes already, and now he’s back in his regular outfit of dark jeans and a generic T-shirt. He shoves his hands in his pockets and stares at me with a question in his eyes.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not about to rip Aurora’s fiancé’s throat out. The king gave me a potion.”

  “Is it going to remove the bond?”

  “No. I think only powerful magic can do that. He ordered me to enroll at Bloodstone Institute again.”

  “Whatever for?” His eyes widen.

  “I have to be near Aurora, even with the potion.” I pull my hair back, yanking at the strands. “This situation blows.”

  “We’ll come with you. You can’t face it alone.”

  “No. You have to stay here with Lucca. Protecting him is the main priority.”

  Ronan clenches his jaw so hard that I can hear his molars grinding together. “And who is going to protect you from yourself?”

  I look out the window, not in the mood to withstand Ronan’s knowing gaze. Being wild and reckless is in my nature, but with supernatural forces trying to control my body and mind, I’m now a ticking bomb, ready to explode.

  Will I finally live up to my father’s legacy and destroy everything the king has worked for?

  “When are you leaving?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “So soon? Shouldn’t you rest for a few days? Get things in order?”

  I turn to him. “No. I don’t want to stay too long away from her. That might jeopardize the potion’s effect.”

  If it works. The pessimistic thought pops in my head. It’s best if I don’t tell him what the main purpose of the potion is. He’d never let me go alone if he thinks it’s not safe.

  Ronan crosses his arms, emphasizing his huge pectorals and biceps. “What can Manu and I do?”

  A humorless laugh bursts from my mouth. “Do you know a rogue mage powerful enough to break a mating bond?”

  “Aurora could probably do it.”

  His logic is sound, but I don’t want her to know. The idea that she might not want to break the bond terrifies me. That would for sure cause a blood war between vampires and her kind. I can’t risk King Raphael’s crown like that.

  There isn’t a shred of doubt in my mind that if Aurora says yes to me, I’m going to let them all burn.

  11

  Aurora

  Committed to my deal with Elena Montenegro, I decide the best course of action is to bu
ry the hatchet and try to get along with Calvin. My decision goes against everything I believe in, especially after Elena’s insinuation that the Belmonts have assisted Boone in the past.

  I’ve been waiting in the lobby of the law firm his father owns for almost an hour, and the douche canoe hasn’t showed his face yet. This isn’t a surprise visit. I called in advance, but it seems he’s determined to make me grovel. Fucker.

  I’m about to leave when he walks into the lobby, laughing with a tall blonde latched to his arm. She’s wearing a business suit, but the skirt is so tight it could be mistaken for a tube top. And her white blouse is unbuttoned to the point I can see her lacy bra peeking out. So, that’s how he’s going to play the game, by parading in front of me with a random bimbo. I groan in my head, fighting the urge to roll my eyes.

  He kisses Blondie on the cheek before turning to me. “Hello, darling. Have you been waiting long?”

  “No, I just got here.” I put on a fake smile. If he was hoping for a fit of jealousy, he has no idea who he’s messing with.

  Blondie walks away, but I don’t break eye contact with him. I’m enjoying his disappointed face too much.

  “I have to say that I was surprised you called after you stormed out of the gala last night.”

  “I didn’t storm out. I had to use the ladies’ room, and then Elena Montenegro asked me to accompany her to her apartment. You know I can’t say no to her.”

  “Oh, did she say anything to you?” Calvin’s eyes gleam with sudden interest.

  Wouldn’t you like to know, buddy?

  “She just wanted to get to know the future High Witch better. It is the highest-ranking position in the magical community.” I smirk, knowing the remark will piss off Calvin.

  He can’t conceal his scowl, which doubles my pleasure. But then I remember the reason I’m here, so I try not to display too much glee.

  “I was wondering if you have time for lunch. I’m afraid we got off on the wrong foot.”

  The squint of his eyes tells me he’s not buying my change of attitude. “That’s true, but only because you were being a bitch.”