Chapter 53
A scream pierced the dark. It took me a while to realise it was mine. Lights switched on, Mia and Lilith ran into my bedroom. With their arms around me, I struggled to let go of my panic. I caught a whiff of cinnamon and vanilla alongside candles and honey.
“Shhh, you’re alright,” Lilith’s voice soothed, rubbing my back.
I cried as they hugged me. “Why is this happening to me?” I sobbed.
I was exhausted. Unable to get a decent night’s sleep, every night was filled with red-eyed figures, their fangs dripping. And Matteo. Lots of blood.
“You almost died at the hands of a vampire,” Lilith said. “More than once. It’s normal that you react to such a trauma.
“Am I ever going to be free of this?” I wondered, irritated. “We have other things to deal with. I need to sleep. We have our photo shoot tomorrow. I’m going to look like shit.” I didn’t like the idea of photos with me showing shadows under my eyes.
“I can give you sleeping pills,” Lilith said. “It’s a natural remedy my Mum makes.”
I hesitated to take anything to help me sleep. “No, I’m going to try to sleep again. Just, stay with me?”
I lay back down, pulling the doona over me, and closed my eyes. I knew I wouldn’t sleep. After what felt like ages, I heard Mia and Lilith whispering. I kept my eyes closed, breathing deep.
“Richie and Dad found one, told it to get their message to Gabriela,” Lilith said. “We’re all going. After one taking three of my cousins out, another hunter family is lending us extra hands. They’re coming down from Sydney.”
“When?” Mia’s arms were around me as she spoke to Lilith.
“In two nights. If she accepts our meeting.” Her voice darkened. “It’s just a waiting game now. I have to admit, it makes me nervous.”
Mia’s warm breath skimmed across my forehead. “Please be careful, Lil. I’m really worried about both of you.”
There was movement, and I imagined Lilith tucking a hair back over Mia’s ear as she normally did in their tender moments. “I will be. If all goes well, we’ll be rid of him soon. I want her to have her life back, she’s worked so hard for us. We booked that tour because of her voice. I hate what they’re doing to her,” a sigh. “I want to kill the lot of them, but short of another war with them, we need to keep the peace.”
War? I frowned.
“Quinn, are you awake?” Mia asked in a normal voice. “Are you listening to us?”
I opened my eyes. “It’s hard to sleep with the two of you yammering on the way you are.” I cracked a smile. “I’m glad you’re here, though.”
“Go back to sleep. Sorry we woke you,” Lilith said.
I sat up. “I need to pee, anyway. What time is it?”
The light of a phone lit up Mia’s face. “Three am.”
“We can watch a movie?” I asked.
“Sure, I’ll go find one,” Mia said, heading towards my living room.
“No fucking vampire shit!” Lilith said, following her.
When I came out of the bathroom, I found Mia and Lilith facing the door to my balcony. Lilith had her weapon drawn, positioned in front of Mia in a protective stance.
“What’s going on?” I asked and froze.
Carlos was perched on the railing of my balcony, his hair and clothes plastered to him from the rain. As soon as I entered the lounge, he stepped off, reaching for the door.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” I said. “Why do you keep coming back? Can’t you leave me alone?” Carlos opened the door, allowing in the roar of the city below. “You’re soaked, please don’t be dripping rain all over my floor.” I pleaded.
To my surprise, Carlos remained at the door. “You do not have to fear me,” he said, eyes on me softening. “Did I not take you to the hospital?”
The intimidation from Matteo’s, and the restaurant was gone, with a gentler side shining through that I didn’t trust. His change in character confused me. What game was he playing?
“You also threatened them,” I snapped. I’d faced death too many times in such a short time and managed to push past my fear of Carlos.
“I will not hurt you. Your voice still echoes in my mind, I’m not quite sure what you did.” He stared at me in wonder. “You have a power in you. Gabriela has lost command of those of us who heard you, and she’s furious.”
“What do you want?” I demanded, ignoring his claims of me having power. I had no idea what he was talking about.
“You’re cranky. Maybe get more sleep.” he smiled, showing fangs. “This is not an hour humans are usually awake.”
“If you lot leave me the fuck alone and stop haunting my dreams, I will,” I grumbled. “I’m awake because of you. Because of her.” I glared at him. “It’s not an hour we’re usually awake, so, you’re just hanging out on my balcony for the fun of it?”
“That is not our doing. If you’re having nightmares, it’s your own doing.” He paused, watchful.
“I doubt you came here for chitchat,” Lilith said. “Why do you continue to torment her?”
“Actually, I’m here for you, Hunter.” He turned his attention to her. “Your family wanted to get a message to Gabriela. She accepts your invitation. Name the time and location. Neutral territory, of course.”
Lilith gave him the details, and he turned to me. “He has never known remorse, but he feels it now. You have changed him.” He glared at Lilith. “I hope what your Hunter friend has planned doesn’t come to fruition. I think even you would feel the effects of that.”
His eyes pulled me in .
“Please don’t.” I braced myself.
“Don’t what?” Lilith asked, her face swimming before me. “What are you doing to her, vampire? Have you not done enough to her?”
Consciousness was slipping away, so I didn’t hear his response. He stepped forward, and I fought against his compulsion. Trying to stay awake. “No, stop.” I pleaded.
I fell, aware that Carlos, wet and cold, caught me before darkness pulled me under.
Instead of unconsciousness, I found myself surrounded by nothing, Carlos standing in front of me.
“What are you doing now?” I asked with dread.
“Sleep,” he replied. “I will protect you from your nightmares.”
He reached a hand towards me, but I stepped out of his reach.
“Why?” I asked. “You have no obligation to me.”
He flashed me a smile. “I’ve had an obligation to Matteo for a long time. I know him well enough to know that his last thoughts will be of you. To know that you’re safe.”
A weight pressed against my chest. “Why are you talking as if he’s about to die?”
He lost his smile. “The Hunters have a dark fate planned for him. I saw it in your friend’s mind. If they’re successful, this is going to hurt the both of us. But you need to sleep. I’ll watch over you.”
My sleep after that was dreamless.