11
As I paced back and forth, my heels made a steady rhythm tapping against the glossy, dark hardwood floors. The flickering light from the fireplace cast shadows across the room, mimicking my own movements. The steady ticking of the grandfather clock seemed to grow louder, each second feeling like a hammer hitting my chest, counting down the moments until Elias arrived. My mouth was dry as I nervously licked my lips, a metallic taste lingering.
My mind raced, thoughts of Nicholas clouding every other concern. I had made the decision to deceive Elias for Nicholas”s sake, but the weight of the task sat like a stone in my stomach. I was playing with fire, and Elias was not a man easily fooled.
Three sharp raps at the library door jolted me from my scattered thoughts. I steadied my breathing and smoothed the wrinkles from my dress before pulling open the door.
Elias stood before me, a wariness flickering across his usually arrogant features. His broad shoulders were rigid and his hands shoved stiffy in his pockets. This was not the commanding, brash man I had known. He almost appeared...vulnerable.
Our eyes met. I offered a weak smile, hoping my unease didn”t show through the cracks of my composure. I had to make him believe I still trusted him, for Nicholas”s sake.
”Hello, Elias.” My voice sounded steadier than I felt. ”Please, come in.”
I stepped aside and gestured for Elias to enter the library. He moved past me with a polite carefulness, lacking his usual air of entitlement.
”Thank you for agreeing to see me,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. ”I know things have been...difficult between us for some time now.”
I clasped my hands tightly in front of me to hide their trembling. ”We’ve put the past behind us, Elias. I’m glad you stopped by.” The lies flowed smoothly off my tongue, even as they left a bitter ache.
Elias”s shoulders relaxed slightly at my words. ”I have good news. I spoke with other members of the Council today.”
My heartbeat quickened. The Council of Keepers had been hounding my family relentlessly since Nicholas disappeared. Although Elias was the Primary Keeper of the Northwestern faction, he was only one leader of many factions who could be a threat to her family. Their continued interference was one of the main reasons I”d agreed to this charade with Elias.
”Oh?” I kept my tone light and disinterested.
”I told them Nicholas left for good. That he”s no longer a threat.” Elias searched my face, perhaps looking for a reaction. ”They”ve agreed to stop the surveillance against you and your family.”
Relief washed over me. This was no small feat - the Council was ruthless in pursuing their enemies, and Nicholas was well known as a rogue Blooded One of the highest order. ”Thank you, Elias. Truly. This means the world to me. We have nothing to hide, and we’re all on the same side, after all.”
My gratitude was genuine, even if my trust in him was not. I had to remind myself that Nicholas was relying on my performance.
Elias nodded, looking pleased. ”Of course. How have you been holding up since...well, since he left?”
He did not need to say his name for me to know who he was talking about. Elias was an ancient immortal, yet we had once been quite close. I knew him well. And in the fine lines of his face and the shadows of his dark eyes, I could read the cautious hope staring back at me. When I ended things between us, he did not take it well; in fact, he told my father that someday, I would come to my senses, and he would be there, waiting for me. As much as I feared it was a mistake, I barreled forward with the plan. Bile rose in my throat as I prepared to speak ill of the man I loved.
”I”m fine, honestly.” I waved a dismissive hand. ”It was never more than a foolish fling with Nicholas. I regret it completely.”
Lies, all lies. But I had to sell this act convincingly.
Elias raised his eyebrows. ”Do you really mean that?”
I met his gaze directly. ”Absolutely. He meant nothing to me.”
My heart fractured even as the false words left my lips. Forgive me, Nicholas.
I took a steadying breath as Elias studied me intently. It was critical he believe my fabricated indifference towards Nicholas.
”What about us, Sophia?” he asked gently. ”Do you ever think about what we once shared?”
I hesitated, pretending to mull over my response. In truth, I wanted nothing more than to end this conversation. But I had to keep up the ruse.
”We did share some happy times,” I admitted. ”I cared for you very much back then.”
A glimmer of hope lit up Elias”s face. He leaned towards me, vulnerability shining in his eyes.
”Would you consider giving us another chance?” His voice was low and hoarse. ”I know I”ve made mistakes, but I still care about you, Sophia.”
My heart constricted. Despite everything, I believed Elias was making an attempt at sincerity. In his own twisted, arrogant way, he thought he cared for me. It was why he demanded I become immortal, like him. Perhaps it was due to living for a millennium, his archaic expectations of a woman giving up her autonomy, her own self, in order to be with him. Part of me longed to simply be truthful with him, to stop these endless lies. After all, we had once been close, and I did not like the duplicity between us.
But a larger part knew my future rested with Nicholas. No matter Elias”s feelings, Nicholas held my heart - wholly and completely. And Elias came back into our lives for a reason, which was to bring Nicholas to face justice before the Council of Keepers. He did not come for me, nor to salvage what we once had. He was standing before me due to opportunity; he blackmailed my father for his coin, he was holding it over all of our heads, and I was merely a shiny distraction in the midst of it all. I reminded myself that I was not the only one playing a game. Elias was no innocent.
”Elias...” I began gently.
He let out a sigh, crossing his arms over his chest. ”It”s still him, isn”t it? Despite all he’s done?”
I said nothing, my silence confirmation enough. After a heavy moment, Elias rose to leave, his usual confidence diminished. Watching him, guilt weighed heavily on my conscience. I had not wanted to hurt him. But my path was clear. I would walk through fire itself to get back the future we had worked so hard to secure.
After the difficult conversation with Elias, I needed an escape, a chance to clear my head and find some solace from the turmoil inside.
When Gen arrived, bubbly and excited for our night out, I felt my mood instantly lift. We raided my closet, giggling like schoolgirls as we picked outfits and did each other”s makeup. Gen looked radiant in a shimmering emerald mini dress that matched her eyes, while I chose a daring red number - a vibrant contrast to my usual conservative style.
”Tonight is about forgetting everything and having fun,” Gen declared, raising a glass in a toast. I clinked my glass to hers, a smile breaking through. She was right. I needed one night of release, a distraction from my lonely bed and aching heart.
The pulsing bass was already audible from outside as our cab pulled up to the city nightclub entrance. Neon lights splashed vivid colors through the dark night, and a line of people waited eagerly at the ropes. As soon as we stepped out, the energy enveloped me - infectious and electric.
The bouncer unclipped the ropes for us, and we headed inside, the music”s volume rising to a thundering crescendo. The space was a maze of gyrating bodies and strobing lights. Gen immediately jumped into the fray, losing herself in the heartbeat rhythm.
Joining the crowd, I raised my arms and closed my eyes, letting the music take me away. In this sea of strangers, their abandon was contagious. The outside world faded until nothing else existed except this moment.
For the first time in weeks, my mind quieted. The music coursing through me, I felt free.
I was so lost in the music that I didn”t notice the man approach Gen at first. His body language was predatory as he moved in close, shouting something in her ear. She shook her head and tried to step away, but he grabbed her wrist. Even over the deafening music, I could see she was frightened.
My protective instincts flared. I started muscling through the crowd toward them when suddenly Elias appeared, placing himself firmly between Gen and the pushy man. Though leaner in build, he had a commanding presence that brooked no argument. The man scowled but reluctantly released Gen”s wrist and backed off.
Gen flashed Elias a grateful smile before disappearing into the crowd. She pointed to the restroom, giving me the universal signal of I need to pee, and I pointed at Elias with a frown. She shrugged, both hands in the air, and I was immediately suspicious that she had something to do with his appearance. Elias scanned the room, his eyes finally landing on me. Even in the erratic lighting, I could read the concern etched on his face. Wordlessly, he tilted his head toward the exit. I nodded, suddenly feeling the toll of the long night.
We stepped out into the cool night air, the pulsing music now muffled behind closed doors.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
He raised his brows, a crooked grin at the corner of his mouth. “Didn’t Gen tell you? She invited me.”
I rolled my eyes. “She didn’t mention that little piece of info,” I replied.
“Well, it looks like I arrived just in time,” he said, slipping effortlessly into defender mode.
”Thank you for that,” I said, eyeing him as we walked to the curb. ”I don”t know what I would have done if you hadn”t been there.”
”Of course,” he replied. ”I”ll always be here for you, Sophia.”
His words hung heavily in the air between us. I averted my gaze, afraid he would read the turmoil in my eyes.
“Hey, thanks for your help. Care to give us girls a ride home?” Gen piped up, reaching my side. She wrapped an arm around mine, smiling at Elias.
“Of course,” Elias muttered. It appeared he was not the only one being manipulated, and I made a mental note to chastise Gen for it later. I was in no mood for a matchmaking attempt.
Sliding into the passenger seat of Elias’s car, I stared fixedly out the window as he pulled onto the road.
The drive passed in uneasy silence, the unresolved space between us palpable. I could feel Elias” sidelong glances, but kept my eyes trained on the darkened scenery rushing past.
Finally we arrived at the guest house on the east side of the property where Gen was staying. She thanked Elias again before disappearing inside, leaving just the two of us. The air in the car seemed to grow thicker as he continued on to the main house. I longed to be free of the stifling tension.
My breath escaped in an audible sigh of relief as the mansion came into view. The hum of the alcohol in my veins heightened my senses, just enough to intensify my mood. The charade was becoming unbearable. I was drowning, and I had no idea how to save myself.
The sleek, black car glided to a stop outside the towering, ornate entrance of the estate. I reached for the door handle, ready to escape within, but Elias” firm grip on my arm halted me.
”Sophia, wait,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. ”There”s something I need to say.”
I turned to face him. Elias had always seemed so self-assured, almost arrogant at times. But now uncertainty clouded his face.
”What is it?” I asked.
”I know things have been strained between us,” he began. ”But I need you to know...my feelings for you haven”t changed.”
My breath caught in my throat as he took my hand in his.
”Sophia, I miss you,” he confessed, a rawness in his voice. ”I”ve never stopped loving you, not for one moment.”
I sat frozen, stunned by his confession. My mind raced as I searched for a response. This was the last thing I expected. I couldn’t recall him ever saying he loved me, not in all the time we were together. He’d treated me like a forgone conclusion, never as something he needed to work to keep.
”Elias, I...” I faltered. Gently pulling my hand from his, I averted my gaze once more. ”I”m sorry,” I said finally. ”But I can”t do this.”
Murmuring an excuse, I hurried from the car before Elias could respond. My footsteps echoed hollowly as I rushed inside, away from his pleading gaze.
Alone in my room, I sank onto the bed. A longing for Nicholas threatened to overwhelm me. I had to abandon this charade soon, no matter the cost. The weight of my lies pressed down on me, guilt wracking my conscience.
I knew I should tell Elias the truth. But the risk was too great. I had to protect Nicholas and his brother—and the rest of our family. We were all at risk if the Council of Keepers decided we were enemies of our kind. Our very existence hinged on cooperation, collaboration, and an eternal understanding that we aligned with the same purpose. Eternity was a long time for immortal Blooded Ones; it served no purpose to be rivals.
Collapsing back on the pillows, I burrowed in the covers as silent sobs shook my body. I was tired, bone tired.
I lay there for a long while, tears dampening my pillow. Memories flooded through me – the crooked smile that made my heart flutter, the wise eyes that had seen centuries come and go, the warmth of his touch. I ached to have him here with me, to feel his strong arms around me and hear his voice soothing my worries away.
But I had no way of reaching him, no clue as to where or when he had gone. The not knowing was a constant torment, eating away at my sanity. I never imagined it would be so difficult.
Exhaustion finally overtook me as dawn approached. I drifted into fitful sleep, Nicholas”s face haunting my dreams. I prayed this nightmarish separation would not last much longer. My heart was fractured, missing its other half. I needed Nicholas here with me, to make me whole once more. For now, all I could do was endure an agonizing waiting game, trusting that somehow, we would find our way back to each other.