Chapter 18
Nudging open the door to the bedroom, Eamon stared at the scene in front of him. “Gally,” he whispered, “can you see?”
Standing behind his brother, Galen peered through the crack. “Yeah.”
“What’s happenin’ to our vampire?”
“Don’t know…Carsso said he needed blood.”
“Our blood?”
“No,” Galen whispered.
“Ohhh, vampire’s blood.”
“Nah-huh…human blood.”
“Like ours?” Eamon gasped.
“Shh…keep ya voice down. And we ain’t human…we’re warlocks.”
“But we look human…how does vampires know we ain’t human?”
“They just know.”
Eamon thought about it, before deciding there was more to it than Gally knew.
As far as he was concerned, if Gally couldn’t tell how vampires could tell the difference, then how would the man he stumbled over know if he was or wasn’t human?
Shifting his eyes to the other occupant in the room, he frowned, wondering if he was trying to hurt their vampire. “Gally, what’s he doing?”
Studying the man who had his hand on their vampire’s chest, Galen whispered, “I think he’s helpin’ him.”
Eamon glanced at his brother. “Are you sure he’s not hurtin’ him?”
“Eamon! Galan! I told you to stay downstairs,” Remy said as he saw his brothers peeking into the room where Kieran was ministering to Lucius.
Spinning around quickly at the sound of Remy’s voice, Eamon ended up knocking Galen off balance, causing him to fall to the floor. “We were just makin’ sure our vampire’s okay,” Eamon whispered, looking up at Remy, his face a perfect picture of innocence.
“Your vampire?” Remy asked.
“Yup…me and Gally found him, so he’s ours.”
“I thought you found a zombie,” Remy said.
Getting up from the floor, Galen said, “He was pretendin’ to be one so no one could hurt him.”
Nodding, Eamon said, “He was waitin’ for me and Gally to save him.”
“Oh, now I understand,” Remy replied, smiling.
“Can he sleep in our room tonight?” Galen asked.
“Yeah, can he?” asked Eamon.
“Not tonight,” Remy said, glancing through the doorway, catching Kieran’s eye. “Now, go and I don’t want to find you sneaking up here again.”
“Oh, maaan,” Galen drawled, taking hold of Eamon’s hand. “It’s not fair cuz he belongs to us.”
Shaking his head at their logic, Remy waited until his brothers were out of sight before entering the bedroom. “How’s he doing?”
“No change. As soon as I remove some of his pain, more takes its place. Whatever is blocking me is also responsible for that,” Kieran murmured, his eyes on the unconscious man.
“I know…it’s a spell…and whoever cast it used black magic. Until I know what spell it was, I don’t dare try to remove it.”
“The blood isn’t doing much more than barely keeping him alive,” Kieran murmured.
“Yes…the general consensus is the spell is interfering with his ability to absorb it,” Remy said, laying the back of his hand on the vampire’s forehead. Realizing the futility of what he was doing, he removed it; vampires didn’t develop fevers according to Carson’s brother, Colton.
“Have you ever seen Lucius before?” asked Kieran.
Shaking his head, Remy said, “No and as far as the records show, he never worked at the vineyard…I wonder where he’s from?”
“Is there a coven nearby?”
“Nope…there’s one in Paris but no one’s missing.
The Elder of the coven suggested we kill him quickly if we want to save him from a painful death, but just so you know, that’s not gonna happen.
” Brushing back a few strands of hair that had fallen over the young vampire’s eyes, Remy gazed at the innocent face, wondering what the story behind it was.
Seeing flashes of sorrow skittering across Remy’s face, Kieran murmured, “The one thing he wants more than anything is the thing he can never have.”
Puzzled by the statement, Remy asked, “What do you mean?”
“Lucius wants to be human again,” Kieran said, softly.
“How do you know?” asked Remy.
“It’s the only thing that’s kept him going since he was turned.”
“But that’s impossible.”
“I know,” Kieran murmured, sadly.
“Have you found out anything else? Like where he came from, who his family is?”
“I think the spell is also blocking that part of him because I can’t access it.”
“Are you usually able to do that?” asked Remy, curious about the Shaman’s powers.
“Yes, normally it’s not a problem.”
“Do you think it’s possible he lost those memories when he was turned?”
“Maybe…” Kieran murmured, “but even if he has, there’s always a residual memory deep in someone I can find. In this case, there’s nothing…his memory is totally missing.”
“Hmm…sounds like someone wanted total control over him,” Remy mused. “Without a memory, he’d be forced to rely on someone else to provide answers about who he was.”
“The vampire who turned him wanted Lucius to follow his orders without question…no matter what they were,” Kieran said.
“I agree…and that worries me,” Remy said.
“Since there isn’t a coven near us, why is he here?
To do harm to me because of my new position?
Or does Fionn have more enemies out there who want to kill him?
” Sighing, he picked up the next bag of blood, switching it out for the depleted one hanging on a hook over the vampire.
“I don’t know,” Kieran answered. “I can’t tell you what he did in the past, but I know Lucius has suffered pain that most of us will never know.”
Looking over his shoulder after hearing a soft knock on the door, Remy smiled at the man standing in the doorway. “Carsy, any news about Mystia?”
“Nope…Jackson called Jimmy but Mystia’s gone and didn’t tell him where she was going,” Carson murmured, walking over to his mate. “How’s Lucius?”
“Hanging on,” answered Remy.
“Maybe Oracle can help…she called and said she was on her way. According to Logan, she sounded worried,” Carson said.
“Worried? Do you mean worried for us or for the vampire?” asked Remy.
Frowning, Carson replied, “Don’t know…she hung up before Logan could ask her and when he called back, it went straight to voicemail. Babe, maybe we should send the boys over to the chateau with Mrs. Beasley after they’ve finished dinner. Hunter and Fionn have already agreed to go with them.”
Remy’s initial gut reaction was a resounding ‘no’ but after considering all the unknowns regarding the vampire, it would be better to sequester them from Lucius but still keep them inside the dome he’d created to protect the winery. “That’s a good idea…I’ll be down in a second to say goodbye.”
Sensing the turmoil in his mate, Carson wrapped him in a hug while dropping sweet kisses along Remy’s forehead. “Babe, they’ll be safe with Hunter and Fionn.”
Turning his face slightly, Remy inhaled his mate’s scent and the chaos in his mind quieted down. Pressing his lips against Carson’s stubbled jaw, he murmured, “Thanks, my love.”
“Always. See you downstairs.”
After Carson left, Kieran said quietly, “You make him so happy, Remy.”
“Not as happy as he makes me. I never expected to have a mate because of who I am, nor did I want one, but now I can’t imagine how I’d ever live without Carsy.
He understands my needs before I do, but more than that, he’s right there making sure to fulfill them before I can ask.
I feel safe, loved, and wanted by him and he makes sure my brothers feel the same way.
Carsy is the other half of my heart…and my soul mate. ”
“As you are to him,” Kieran said, smiling. “Cody and Colton are going to be surprised at how he’s changed when they see him. Hey…and stop worrying, they’re gonna love you.”
“I hope so…” Remy muttered more to himself than to Kieran.
“Trust me, they will.”
Hoping the Shaman was right, Remy nodded before saying, “I better go pack my brothers a bag in case they have to stay overnight.”
Kieran waited until Remy was gone before softly murmuring, “Lucius, how are you feeling?”
Panic filled the young vampire. How does he know I’m awake?
Mentally checking himself for movement, Lucius found none.
There wasn’t any part of him that would indicate he was awake, but somehow the man knew.
Maybe it was a lucky guess on his part, or a ruse to trick Lucius into opening his eyes, just as Valerian had done after he’d changed him.
Lucius had kept them closed in the beginning and sometimes it worked—his master would leave him alone.
Soon, though, those times grew fewer and fewer while his master’s cruelty grew by leaps and bounds.
One day, after being violently beaten for a minor mistake, he realized Valerian’s obsession was to wield absolute power over him.
From that day on, he never hid from his master, carrying out his orders immediately, hoping to avoid punishment.
But Valerian was dead now and no longer able to inflict his sadistic will on him anymore.
And while he was thankful that part of his life as a vampire was over, it gave him little comfort as he realized his master’s death also meant his.
His only hope of having a different outcome was to connect with the source of power that was pulling him in its direction.
“I’m Kieran and my spirit told me you’re awake.”
Spirit? Does he mean a ghost? Thinking quickly, Lucius tried to remember what Valerian told him about ghosts, but his mind drew a blank.
Frustrated, he lifted one eyelid a millimeter, his curiosity getting the better of him.
During his time as a vampire, he’d seen witches, many different shifters, demons, and fae, but never a ghost. Peering out through the narrow slit, he searched the room finding only one person in it who definitely was not a ghost. Quickly shutting his eye, Lucius had his answer: the man was a liar.
“I’m not a liar,” Kieran said softly. “Only my mate and I can see my spirit, but he will show himself to you if you open your eyes for me.”
Surprise hit first before wariness followed when he realized the man could read his mind.
Valerian always claimed he could though Lucius never saw proof of it.
But either this man…no, what was his name?
Oh, yes, that’s right…Kieran…either Kieran could read his mind or he was very good at guessing.
And considering even Valerian couldn’t do it, he concluded Kieran might be able to.
Grinning, Kieran said, “Lucius, I can’t read your mind, but my spirit can.”
The laughter he heard in Kieran’s voice finally prompted him to open his eyes. “Where’s your ghost?” Lucius asked, his voice raspy and cracking from not being used.
“Here.”
Suddenly a small form filled with brilliant multicolor light hovered above him, enveloping him with warmth and finally chasing away the cold that had encased him after he was turned. Gasping in delight, Lucius tried to lift his arm to touch it, but his body wouldn’t respond.
Feeling his despair, Kieran reached for the vampire’s hand, interlocking their fingers. “Lucius, the reason you can’t lift your arm is that there isn’t enough blood in you. That’s why you have an IV in your arm.”
Glancing down at his arm, Lucius stared at the place where the blood was dripping into his body before closing his eyes, mumbling, “It won’t do any good.”
“Why not?” asked Kieran, sending extra love through his palm, hoping to ease the anguish in Lucius’ voice.
“It’s not the blood I need,” Lucius whispered.
“Colton suggested we use Type O since it’s compatible with everyone, but if you require a different type, that won’t be a problem because Remy can get it for you.”
Kieran’s response confused him. Why was he talking about blood types when it was Valerian’s blood Lucius needed.
Once again he wondered if he was being toyed with just as his master had done to him so many times.
Without Valerian’s blood, he’d die a painful death.
Maybe if he’d asked his master more questions about being a vampire, a solution to his current predicament would be easy to figure out.
But he hadn’t and Valerian had always kept Lucius in the dark—except for what he wanted him to know.
Deciding not to make the same mistake again, Lucius opened his eyes and, as his gaze found Kieran, asked, “Where am I?”
“Chateau des Flammes in France.”
France. That’s where he transported to after seeing Valerian and his henchmen killed.
It was also where he discovered his need for Valerian’s blood after his abilities disappeared.
It was the reason he set off on the journey, heading toward the source of power where Valerian’s blood would await him.
He recalled the little stone cottage waiting for him at the bottom of the last hill and his painful attempt to reach it.
Instead he ended up at a chateau. Hopelessness settled in him once again, but before it could seize control, Lucius felt another wave of love filling him, chasing it away, giving rise to his next question. “What are you?”
“I’m a Shaman.”
That meant nothing to him; Lucius never heard of it, but figured Kieran wouldn’t harm him. “Who was the other man?”
“Which one?”
“The one who touched me.”
“That’s Remy.”
Lucius’s eyes closed again as a wave of pain shot through his body.
It was getting worse even with the blood he was receiving, but he’d known it would.
Opening his eyes after the pain passed, he stared at Kieran, remembering what he’d heard Remy say about advice the Elder of the coven had given him. “Are you going to kill me?”
“No…no one will harm you, I promise,” Kieran said softly.
Relief was instantaneous but it was short lived when a new fear arose. “Are you giving me to another vampire?” he asked, with a shaky voice.
“No…not unless you want to go.”
“No!” Then Lucius fell silent as pain again spiked in his body and a small cry escaped his mouth before he bit down on his lower lip to try to quell a violent spasm, far worse than anything he’d experienced before.
Seeing the intense concentration on the Shaman’s face as he leaned over him, Lucius whispered, “What is happening to me?”
Kieran murmured, “I…we don’t know. According to Remy, someone used black magic to cast a spell on you which seems to be causing the pain and preventing you from eating. Until Remy can figure out which spell it was, he can’t remove it. Do you know who did this to you?”
Everything suddenly fell into place. Closing his eyes as tears filled them, Lucius cursed Valerian and his last “gift” to him. He had no doubt it was he who ordered the spell to make sure Lucius would never escape his control—even after his master was dead.