Chapter 8 #2
Loud music thumped through the stereo system as bodies gyrated on the dancefloor.
Some were dancing; some were participating in other carnal activities.
Other Beings were welcome, bound by a Witch's spell to leave their grievances at the door.
Killings were forbidden, and fights were encouraged.
Humans could not find the venue, but if one was invited, a spell or glamour was used to wipe their memory upon entry.
I stared down at the crowded dancefloor from Damon's office.
His two-way mirror allowed us to observe the club in private.
An orgy was happening in the middle of the dance floor, and two Witches were locked in a sixty-nine.
There was a time I would be down there as a willing participant, possibly fucking one of those Witches from behind as she took care of her friend.
It had been a long time since I had taken a bedmate or two.
A dull ache settled in my chest, and I rubbed at the spot. My heart sped in response.
"Tell us honestly." Remus leaned forward. "What does it feel like?" He nodded toward my chest, curiosity furrowing his brow. "Does it pain you?"
I was tempted to let out a bitter laugh at his innocuous question.
Does it pain me?
It used to soothe me, lending me comfort that my other half was out there, waiting to be found. It was like an anticipatory rhythm, counting down the beats when she would be mine.
But as the years drifted by, my visions of her decreased before they petered out altogether.
Coupled with the rise of the BloodKin, increasing their kills and numbers, I had no option but to release her.
The beat no longer calmed me. It only served to remind me that I would only ever be one-half of a whole.
I scrubbed a hand down my face. "Not physically," I concisely replied, leaving it at that.
Remus grunted in understanding while Damon sent me a conciliatory look. I averted my gaze. I did not need their pity.
"And King Artemis and Queen Sarai's records are definitely destroyed?
" Dionyis queried. They knew how desperate I had been to uncover any information pertaining to the only King and Queen fated mate pairing.
Something was missing, and I felt I was on the cusp of discovering it.
But without their records, it may forever be out of reach.
"My Elders have scoured the Territories for answers. But it appears they have all been destroyed."
"Fuck, that sucks, man," Damon swore. "I can make inquiries into it if you like. Can't trust any fucker these days."
Damon's father had been murdered by one of his trusted Elders who had switched allegiance to the BloodKin, feeding information to Vladimir.
Because this was the second time the Ameros Territory had been betrayed, once Damon took the throne, he ruthlessly cleaned his household by killing the remaining Elders and banishing his father's bond-servant.
To claim he had trust issues would be a gross understatement.
And even though Damon had two hundred years over me, he continued to act like a young playboy.
He indulged in every vice and was well-known for his sexual deviances, although I wished I had remained ignorant of that piece of information.
Even now, his eyes were locked on the orgy taking place on his floor.
I had no doubt he would be among them within the hour.
"Thank you, my friend. I will take all the help I can get." Despite deciding to call off the search for my mate, having their records may help to learn more about their mating and, in turn, help flush out more detractors.
"You have an indefinite invite to search my Territory," Remus offered. "For records and your mate."
"Mine, too," Dionyis agreed.
I inclined my head. "I thank you."
I felt guilty for deceiving them. The mere thought of giving up a bond-mate would horrify them, even more so that it was a King's.
But they did not understand the torment I had been through.
Thirty-three years, in the grand scheme of things, was a drop in the ocean compared to the centuries we had lived.
But even a year apart from her was unbearable.
The visions of her, the leads that led nowhere.
The hopes that rose, only to be dashed. And now, there was a more pressing danger in the form of Vladimir and his Kin.
I could not, in good conscience, bring such destruction to her doorstep.
She was also married—I could not forget that—possibly with children, and she was human.
There were so many obstacles against us, ones that I would have gladly destroyed to retrieve her.
But no more. I needed to let that dream die, just like I knew her human form would wither within the blink of an eye.
Two hours later, we left Remus to continue his drinking and Dionyis to a seductive Witch. The night was still and pitch-black, illuminated by the bright lights of restaurants and bars. The number of coats the humans were bundled in told me the air was chilly, but the cold would never touch us.
I mind-linked with Von.
Location?
Nearby, my King. Adon had much to discuss regarding a possible lead in King Artemis and Queen Sarai's records.
My hands clenched, and I forced my heart to slow.
Anything useful?
Perhaps. There is a supposition that the original documents were saved and that copies were burned in their stead.
My heart leaped again at his words.
It is hearsay, nothing finite.
I willed myself to calm. Hope was a terrible thing, and I did not wish to entertain it. Especially since I had given up any hope of—
A breeze blew on my skin, and a scent carried on it. My nostrils flared, and my eyes darkened in pleasure, my fangs tingling.
I often wondered what my mate's scent would smell like.
There were scents I found pleasant, such as apricots and Jasmine.
In my loneliest moments, I would ponder if her scent would be specific to aromas I found delicious or whether the perfumes would be unique to her and the scent would automatically please me.
Until you experienced the euphoria of your mate's distinctive scent, you realized that no fragrance in the world could ever compare.
Apricot? It was as if the freshest, most exotic fruits were stripped and laid bare before me. Jasmine? The freshest florals were bathing my skin.
I turned sharply, my enhanced vision piercing into the night. About ten or so people were gathered outside a restaurant, but it did not matter. I could spot her in a stadium full of people. Her long dark hair shimmered in the night. Her bright eyes gleamed. Her red dress was like a flag to a bull.
My King?
With a desperate snarl, I rushed toward her.
Mine.
Mine.
Mine.
A hard body slammed against mine and shifted me at breakneck speed toward a dark alleyway. My body landed hard against a brick wall, debris flying around us.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Damon hissed. "Are you fucking stupid?"
Belatedly, I realized I had used my immortal speed to reach her.
It would appear as a blur in the night to the human eye, but if Damon had not stopped me, I would have cut through the crowd and lifted my beautiful mate away.
The speed alone would send her into shock, if not kill her.
I wanted to tear my own head off for almost hurting her.
But right now, I only cared that Damon kept me from her. How dare he?
"Get your fucking hands off me," I growled. I did not care how I sounded; all that consumed me was that I was being kept from my mate. Unfortunately, Damon and I were of equal strength. As much as I pushed, he shoved me straight back, causing more loose bricks to fall.
"There are humans about," he reminded me through gritted teeth. He fought to keep me pinned, and yet I struggled on. "You are being reckless.”
"Mate," I managed to grind out.
His expression cleared. "What?" His hands loosened in surprise, and I used it to attempt escape. Unfortunately, he wised up quickly and pulled me back and down. He landed on top of me, his grip tightening on my collar.
"Your mate? You have found her?"
"Release me!" I commanded.
With a frustrated growl, he rattled my head against the concrete. "Think, my friend! Exposing yourself will endanger us. Will endanger them."
"I will glamour them all!"
"Do not be so stupid! That is not how we do things, you fool."
"Get. Off. Me." Her scent was still in my head. She was still close, yet I was confident I could track her even if she disappeared.
"Then think of Vladimir and the BloodKin. You know they watch us, watch you." He rattled me again to emphasize his point. "What do you think would happen if they spotted her? You wish to endanger her further?"
That took the wind out of me. The photos we had pored over yesterday flashed through my mind, and a deep-rooted fear settled in my gut.
Damon felt me relax, yet he still kept his grip firm. "Is she still around?"
I blinked quickly, fighting to rid my mind of the grotesque images. "Yes. I-I can scent her still."
I could feel my eyes returning to their natural form, and a calm washed over me. Once Damon was satisfied that I would no longer pull any rash moves, he relieved me of my position. I dusted myself off, eager to sight her again.
We strolled calmly toward the open street as if we had not just come to blows. The sidewalk I had spotted her on was empty, but I did not panic. I could still scent her nearby.
My King?
I found her.
There was no need to elaborate. The brief pause in communication was the only indication that I had shocked him.
I am on my way.
"She's in the restaurant." My hand clenched, eager to retrieve her. "She must have just arrived by vehicle."
"She is human?" There was surprise in Damon's voice, yet I could not blame him. A mere mortal—Queen to a powerful Vampire King? The thought was unheard of.
"Allow me to go in. You are too hotheaded; I fear you will attempt to snatch her again."
My jaw clenched at his words, although I knew he was right. I could not control my emotions, nor could I guarantee the outcome would be any different.
"What does she look like?"
Perfect. Beautiful. Enchanting.
"Black hair, hazel eyes that look more green than any other color. She is wearing a red dress and black heels." I hesitated before adding, "She-she is also with a male. Blond. Brown eyes."
Damon's brow quizzed me, but he wisely kept silent. "I shall be back," he murmured. He strolled casually across the road and into the restaurant.
Von appeared at my side, watching the scene unfold.
"When she leaves, we follow."
Von bowed his head. "This is…wondrous, my King. Fate is surely smiling upon us."
Fate.
It was a concept I had given up on. Laughable, considering my mate was fated to me. Yet, how could this be anything but?
Damon's principal residence was a facility outside Vancouver, yet we just so happened to be in Vancouver this night at the same time as her. Did she live here? It was a city I rarely visited, so it was plausible that she had been residing here without my knowledge.
Damon exited the restaurant, and I almost wished he would just use his powers to blur beside me. The wait was unbearable.
"She's in there having dinner," Damon confirmed. He then hesitated before pinning me with a wary stare. "You know she is married?"
I turned away, refusing to answer him. I knew without asking that he would keep this between us. By the end of the night, I had my answers.
Alice Harper. Thirty-three. Currently residing in Carson City, Nevada. No children. An interior designer.
Married.
But not for long.
I thought back to my earlier conviction that I would allow her to live her life freely.
I almost laughed at the absurdity. As soon as I scented her, I knew I had been kidding myself.
There was no freedom from me. There was no let-her-be-happy-so-she-would-be-safe sacrifice.
I challenged anyone to name a safer place than within my arms. I would die to protect her. And I would live to love her.
Alice Harper, soon-to-be Angelou, was mine.