Undying Thirst (Crimson Coven #2)

25. Catalina

TWENTY-FIVE

catalina

Bastien sprawled on my bed, arms behind his head. His eyes were closed like he was sleeping. The other three were in the living room area. Ren’s shoulder rested on the wall near my bedroom door, and the twins sat on the couch, Jax’s legs sprawled out and Asher crossed one ankle on a knee.

It looked like I interrupted their conversation.

I wanted to lean back against Tobias to get a bit of strength, but I straightened my spine.

Swallowing down my nerves, I took a few steps forward and placed my back to the wall so I could see all of them.

Taking a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and dropped to my knees. Asher immediately stood.

“Please, leave Peter alone?—”

“Cat—” Tobias’s words were interrupted.

Jax was suddenly in front of me, lifting me from under my bicep with an aggressive yank.

I smacked into him from the momentum. My arms smushed between my breasts and his chest. I sputtered.

“Do not beg in such a way,” he said vehemently.

I blinked, floored. Why was he reacting so violently? Him especially. I would imagine he’d like to see me humbled . . . humiliated.

A palm pressed to my spine and the scent of orange candies ticked my senses, yanking me out of my daze. I shoved away from Jax before he had a fit.

Jax’s jaw worked, eyebrows pulled down over his blue, stormy gaze, and he crossed his arms.

“I . . .” I started, looking over my shoulder at Tobias. His expression stayed shuttered. If I’d known how angry they would react, then I would have never thought to ask for anything. “I’m sorry for asking for a favor.” I paused, swallowing hard. I fucked up, but I would pay for it, not Peter?—

“The only time you should be on your knees is when you’re begging for my cock, Cat.”

I whirled toward Ren so fast the room spun. I floundered for what to say, sputtering nonsensically.

“Do not ever do that again.” Jax’s voice rumbled with aggression. I was going to make myself throw up with how much I turned from one side of the room to the other.

“Love,” Tobias gripped the back of my neck and squeezed gently to get my attention. “We will not harm him, but he cannot leave.”

I gasped, struggling to swallow.

“P-please, guys. Please. I will do anything—” I choked out, halfway to the ground because my knees gave out. Tobias held me up and cradled the back of my head to meet his gaze. My chest heaved against his.

“It’s almost sunrise, Catalina.” He sighed, searching my face. “No harm will come to him. We can discuss it later.”

My heart slammed against my rib cage, and I struggled to keep it together because all I wanted to do was freak out.

Large arms wrapped around me from behind, lashing my arms to my sides. I wiggled. Without breaking his hold, he pulled me back, making my feet hang off the ground. He exhaled against my neck and the sweet scent that clung to them all enveloped me. My frantic breathing stuttered and I dropped against the barrel chest. Although they were all large, Bastien’s chest was the widest. Amazingly, my panic receded within the blanket of his cradle.

“Is he comforting her?” Ren said, stunned, no longer leaning against the wall.

I sighed and let my eyes slide closed to focus on breathing.

“He can tell you’re agitated,” Asher said, awed.

Why were they acting like this was big news? Bastien usually seemed pretty in tune with how I felt about things.

“Honestly, he seems the most responsive in my dreams.”

I’d thought it was silent before, but this took it to a new level.

“He’s been dream walking?” Tobias breathed. He took a small step toward me and stopped, tilting his head oh so slightly. Confusion flickered over his features.

“Yes?” I said hesitantly.

“That shouldn’t be possible.”

I gathered that based on their reaction.

“He hasn’t dream walked since he was infected.”

Oh, okay, it did sound serious. I lifted my head and wiggled in Bastien’s arms, but he didn’t let me go.

“What does this mean?”

“He started getting better a few years ago and then—” Tobias stopped and shook his head.

“What? You guys are scaring me.”

“It leveled out until you entered our life. He reacts to you, Pet.”

“Isn’t that good?”

Jax scoffed. “Good? We have to figure out why before that’s determined.”

“Will you ever not be suspicious of me?” I griped.

“Honestly, Jaxon, enough!” Asher spat.

“We will have to continue this conversation tomorrow,” Ren said and yanked up the bottom of his shirt and pulled it off. His hands hooked on his waistband but before I watched him fully disrobe, Bastien toted me into the bedroom and tossed me on the bed.

I grunted upon landing, the bed bouncing under my weight. I jostled on the mattress as he climbed next to me and pulled my back to his chest. Asher settled in next to me. He leaned over and pecked my forehead.

“Allowing you in the room with us is a trust. Do not betray it.” I glared at Jax over Asher’s shoulder, but he didn’t see my disapproval because he was already outside the bedroom.

“But my broth?—”

“Maddy will get him situated,” Asher murmured, yanking me back down.

I wouldn’t be able to sleep, so I would lay in the cradle of Asher and Bastien’s arms until they fell into their slumber.

Mechanically locking the metal door behind me, I stared at my feet as I trudged to the seat and plopped on my ass. I propped my elbows on the counter, digging my fingers into my hair.

“Are you okay?”

I followed the soft voice to a young girl who looked to be about thirteen. She lifted an eyebrow.

“Uh, yeah,” I answered hesitantly. She smiled and leaned forward to return to sipping her hot chocolate.

Her chin propped on her fists.

“Sorry,” Maddy said sheepishly. “This is Sidney, my spawn.” She glared at her daughter. “She knows to introduce herself.” She cleared her throat pointedly. She must have had her young, since Maddy seemed to be only a few years older than me.

I looked at her and then at Sidney who just rolled her eyes. Ah, she was hitting that moody stage. When Peter hit that age, he’d been insufferable.

“I asked Mr. Crimson if she could stay during sun-up and he said she was welcome to, so I keep her and then drop her off for bedtime at my mom’s.” Maddy’s lips thinned.

There seemed to be a lot more to the story, but I didn’t bother prying.

“No school?” I hesitantly asked Sidney.

“It’s summer.” She said it like it was obvious.

“Right,” I mumbled. It kind of didn’t feel that way since the weather remained gloomy. “Where’s Peter?”

“I took him to the spare bedroom upstairs right after you disappeared with the . . . others.” She peeked at her daughter and smiled.

“I was waiting for you to come back up.” Peter appeared from around the hallway.

Sidney inhaled slightly and when I looked at her, she tracked my brother with her mouth pursed.

“Who’s the kid?” he asked.

“Kid?” Sidney huffed with a little frown. She said it so low, I was sure Peter hadn’t heard her disgruntlement.

“Maddy’s daughter.”

“Where did those v?—”

I sliced my hand across my neck to cut him off. He got the clue and shut up. Sidney whirled to look at me as I brushed my hand through my hair as nonchalantly as possible. Based on her narrowing eyes, I wasn’t as successful as I thought.

“. . . very large guys go?”

“Nowhere you need to worry about.” My tone didn’t need to be as sharp as it was, but I didn’t want him to get any ideas. Peter sank into the seat beside Sidney, who hadn’t taken her gaze off him. If she were a cartoon, there’d be hearts for eyes.

Peter didn’t like the answer, but he looked at the company in the kitchen and obviously bit back his irritation.

“You had your daughter young?” I said the first thing that popped into my head.

“Not at all, I had her at thirty-two,” Maddy winked at me. That would mean she’s forty-five-ish. Her smooth skin didn’t show any age, but I was sure she was human. Sidney tapped her fingers on the granite, shooting furtive glances at Peter.

“And the kid is what? Fourteen, fifteen?” Peter scoffed, head turning from the mom to the girl. He went into a slew of questions and shock. I could understand it, she had some great genes. I wouldn’t have guessed her age.

“I’m not a kid,” Sidney repeated, too low to be heard over Peter’s shocked rambling.

“Peter, are you ready for me to take you to the airport?” I asked as soon as there was a lull in conversation.

“What? I’m not leaving,” he scowled.

I clenched my teeth, straightening to swivel my torso toward him.

“Yes, you are.” I feared my attempt to keep my tone level didn’t work.

“Sidney, let’s go see some, uh, thing over here.” Sidney rolled her eyes and trailed after her mom.

I waited a beat and scooted close to Peter.

“Take the money I left in my will,” I ordered. “Don’t tell anyone I’m alive.”

“I don’t want your money!” he exclaimed. A vine wrapped around my neck and tightened with his every word.

“Let’s put a pin in the conversation,” I said, trying to stifle the bite to my tone. He set his expression mulishly. He wouldn’t let this go and we’d argue in circles.

“We can’t talk about this later.”

“Sure we can, after you go back to school to finish off your year, we can discuss it.”

Peter scoffed, glaring.

“I’m eighteen, Catty, you can’t force me to leave.” I opened and closed my mouth, unable to spit any words out. “I have an assignment to finish.” He stormed off, leaving me staring after him.

I dropped my face in my hands; I wanted him away from all the uncertainty. It was best for him to get out of here before anything went wrong, and something was bound to go terribly wrong.

I had no chance of protecting him unless I was as strong as my opponents . . . If I were a vampire . . .

If you can’t beat them, join them.

Then I could protect Peter from anyone that tried to touch him.

It wasn’t completely selfless, though. Deep, deep in my gut, excitement bloomed. To no longer be helpless.

The thought of becoming a vampire intrigued me a little more than I wanted to admit.