Chapter 29
MATHIAS
My hand grips the handle to the bedroom.
I turn it halfway, then stop and listen to her breathe on the other side.
I close my eyes, tempted to call her name.
Push past the barrier between us. She’s so close.
I fucking know it. I tasted her surrender earlier today when I declared to the world she was my mate.
Vampires only kiss their mates. No other can claim that from us. Seeing the crowd, watching them reach for her, I wanted to protect her. Make a statement. Instead, I found myself ensnared by her and the fire between us. My fists clench as I remember what she was thinking.
Taking her blood established a connection between us which seems to work only when we kiss. Twice I’ve heard her voice in my head. I knew this could happen with mates, but it’s rare. Honestly, I always thought it sounded intrusive. Instead, it’s damn addicting.
Years of anger dissipate the moment my lips touch hers. The years of yearning for my daughter are still there, a hollow reminder of what I’ve lost, but it’s muted. Phaedra makes me believe there’s a reason destiny sent me to this world.
Someone knocks on the door, and I move to open it. Frederick stands there, fury making his eyes bright red. I tense, sliding my hand to the sword at my back, and raise an eyebrow.
“Bennett’s escaped,” he spits out.
Phaedra walks up behind me, and I open the door wider.
“How?” she asks, a line appearing between her delicate brows.
Frederick steps inside and motions for me to close the door. “He had help. Sarah, Nolan’s daughter, slipped into his cell twenty minutes ago. That’s the last time we’re sure he was there. The guard went to bring him dinner a minute ago, and the cell was empty.”
“How did you find out?”
“Nolan didn’t want anyone to know what went on down there, but when I took over, I installed cameras,” he tells us. “I never told Sarah.” He lifts a shoulder. “I don’t know why she let him go. Maybe she has the panels and wants to sell them.”
“Or she’s been working with Bennett for a while,” Phaedra surmises. “She could have been the one who helped him kill Nolan. I heard her life with Nolan wasn’t the best.”
“That’s a bloody understatement,” Frederick growls. “Look, we have our best trackers chasing Bennett, but I doubt they’ll find him. He’s powerful and connected enough to evade them.” His phone buzzes, and he reads the text. “Damn. Sentencing is in ten minutes. I’ll send a guard to escort you.”
Phaedra gives him an incredulous look, but I subtly squeeze her side. With a huff, she turns back to the bedroom. “I’ll finish getting ready.”
“Keep me in the loop on Bennett. I want to know everything you know,” I order Frederick. When he snarls, I lean in and cut him off. “She’s my mate. And he escaped on your watch. You’re lucky I don’t call for the Code of Vamnbi.”
He stiffens but nods. “I’ll make sure you know what I know.”
After he leaves, Phaedra slips back into the living room. “What’s the Code of Vamm…whatever?”
I turn to face her. She looks stunning in the black pants and blue blouse; her eyes pop against the silky fabric.
With her hair in a low chignon, she’s a far cry from the bloody woman the audience saw earlier.
Not that I care what the crowd thinks, but it will be easier to control them if they’re not fixated on the blood around her neck.
“An old vampire tradition. Basically, it means an eye for an eye. Once it’s invoked, the responsible party has to give up something of equal value,” I explain, stripping off my shirt. “Let me grab a quick shower before they get here.”
She licks her lips as I leave, and I can’t help but smile. Maybe I should take my shirt off more often. I swear that was hunger in her eyes. I jump into the shower, and two minutes later, walk out of the room, dressed and ready to face the judges.
There’s a hard rap on the door. “It’s time.” I slip a phone into her hand. “Jamison’s number is programmed into it. If anything happens, call him. He’ll come get you.”
“Mathias…”
Three guards stand ready to escort us back to the court. When we walk in, the party is in full swing. Drunken faces leer and heckle us until Frederick calls everyone to order.
“Sarah had to step away,” Frederick announces to the crowd, waving his hand at her seat. “Paul is filling in for her.” He hesitates, then adds, “I’m sure you’ve already heard: Bennett escaped, which is why he isn’t here for sentencing. Our trackers are on it.”
Some cheer; others boo. One glance from Frederick silences them all. Paul hands him a slip of paper, and he motions to us.
“Mathias Blackwell and Phaedra Galanis, this court orders you to pay reparations for the lives of the three fallen vampires. A million pounds to each of their families,” Frederick reads.
“And time served will be Mathias’ participation in the upcoming death matches while Phaedra watches.
Bennett’s sentence will be passed when he is captured and returned to court. So be our will.”
The crowd erupts, cheering and laughing. I stare at Frederick, hands clenched, wondering what the hell he is doing. Why would he continue this farce? He knows I don’t really want to lead the vampires. That part of my life is over. My duty is to my family and, hopefully, Phaedra.
A peel of laughter on my right draws my attention, and when I look, I see her. Dark hair. Deep blue eyes. For a second, I freeze. She’s the one I’ve been searching for since I got here. The one I saw on Naxos. I’m sure of it.
Unwilling to leave Phaedra, I grab her hand. “Follow me. Don’t say a word.”
Her eyes dart from one person to the next as she tries to figure out what’s happening or if there’s an imminent attack.
Not wanting her to be afraid, I subtly point to the woman in front of us.
She lets out a small breath of relief and nods.
Weaving in and out of the revelers, I move quickly, trying to intercept the woman before she leaves the building. It’s her. I know it is.
Phaedra motions for me to hurry. Speeding up, I stretch and catch the vampire’s arm as she goes to leave the room.
The woman stops, and her head whips around, giving me a glimpse of her blue eyes. They’re the exact shade I remember. My breath hitches. But how?
“Calla?” I ask hoarsely, trying to superimpose the image of my little girl with the woman standing in front of me. It’s close. Almost perfect.
“Marjorie,” she corrects me.
What? I continue to stare at her. The upturned nose. Small smattering of freckles. Dark winged brows.
She looks around nervously. “Look. I don’t know who you’re looking for, but I promise, it’s not me.” She tugs on her arm, but there’s no way I’m releasing her.
“Were you in Naxos?” I ask, needing to know if it’s her.
Her eyes widen, and she pulls on her arm. “Let go of me.” When I continue to hold her, she looks around frantically. “Look. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know but not here. You’re going to get me killed.” An address rolls off her tongue. “Tomorrow. 7 a.m. Don’t be late.”
She’s not Calla? I was so sure this time. A massive weight settles on my chest. Maybe my memory is more faulty than I realize.
She arches a brow, and I realize I haven’t answered her. “Seven.”
The second I release her, she’s gone. I stumble, and Phaedra grabs my arm to steady me. “Can’t breathe.” Pain moves like lightning through my chest.
Phaedra pulls me into her arms, holding me tightly. “I overheard. I’m so, so sorry,” she whispers again and again while I bury my face in her neck and work to push through the pain. Her hand strokes the back of my head softly.
“I thought…”
She holds a finger to my lips, then motions to the door. “I know. Let’s go back to your room.” Arms around each other, we slowly leave the crowded court.
This time there are no guards waiting outside my door.
I scoff at the illusion of freedom and key in the code on the lock.
The one I installed. Can’t be too careful.
This place is full of thieves and murderers.
After relocking the door, I stumble over to the couch and sit, dropping my head into my hands.
“Drink?” Phaedra asks, and I wave a hand toward the small bar in the corner. “You thought she was your daughter, didn’t you?”
“I did,” I admit haltingly, raising my head. Damn. It’s so hard to let go of the hope that’s been fueling me for weeks. “When I saw her on Naxos, it was right after the beating they gave me. I thought I was hallucinating.”
I toss the liquor down my throat, hoping the burn of the scotch will wash away some of the pain. “It’s always her eyes. I used to think they were one of kind.” My short laugh is full of derision. “Turns out they’re a recessive gene, and more vampires than I thought have those same blue eyes.”
I blow out my breath. “I would have bet money it was her. But then again, I thought that of the first eleven too.” It’s hard to admit to her how many times over the years I thought I found my daughter.
“Eleven, huh?” she says, splashing more into my glass. I watch as she pours her own, then folds into the couch beside me. “I’m sorry. This is my fault. You two being separated.” She grabs my hand. “Nothing I say will make it right or better.”
The anguish she feels tugs at me, and I pull her into my arms. “Nobody has blamed themselves more than me. And believe me, it’s warranted.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because it’s true. As you’ve probably heard Frederick mention, I was the King’s Commander. His right hand. Leader of his armies,” I say, mocking myself. “I was proud. Arrogant. Ruthless.”
I tilt my head back and swallow the rest of my drink.
“Duty ruled my life. The extravagance of court held me in its thrall. What they asked of me, I delivered.” Bitterness makes my voice harsh.
“So stupid. The moment my daughter was born, I should have returned to my estate in the country and left it all behind.”
“Do you miss being in charge of the king’s army?” she asks, cupping my cheek with her free hand.
“No,” I tell her, relieved to know it’s true. “For a long time, I did. Thought I was nothing without my command post.”
She brushes my hair back. “Living a life of regret is something I know only too well. But I don’t want to live that way anymore.” She hesitates, then continues. “And I don’t think you do either.”
I shake my head, tired of the isolation and hopeless yearning for the life I left behind. Not anymore. My daughter, yes. The life, no.
Unfolding her body, she stretches and yawns. “I can’t keep my eyes open. Come to bed. Get some sleep. Maybe we’ll have more answers in the morning.”
“Sleep,” I confirm, aching to hold her in my arms all night.