Ivy
The most prominent aspect of the tattoo was the large serpent that wended its way across his body, surrounded by a sprinkling of stars.
But surrounding that serpent was an array of other creatures and symbols—the most prominent being seven mice.
The more she looked, the more she saw, and she realised that there were hundreds of marks etched into his flesh.
“Do all of these tattoos mean something?”
“Yes.” His voice was soft, and it drew her gaze to his. He was propped up on his elbow, resting his head in his hand and watching her intently.
“Tell me about them,” she urged gently, continuing to trace the designs with her finger.
Killian hesitated, and he blew out a breath before speaking in a low voice.
“Each one represents a life I have Ended.” Shame coated his words, and Ivy’s hand stilled against his chest. When she didn’t respond, he asked, “Does that scare you?”
“It would have once. But not anymore.” She noticed Killian seemed relieved by her response. He didn’t reply, so she posed another question.
“Who is this one for?” Ivy continued to trace the serpent with a finger, starting at the tail that was positioned on his bicep, and tracing its path along his shoulder and chest to reach the head. Her eyes followed the movements of her finger.
“Maelani.”
“Who’s Maelani?”
“My first Broodmate.”
Ivy’s eyes snapped to Killian’s once again. “What happened?”
Killian held her gaze as he replied, “I Ended her to get back at Drachen for Creating me.”
Ivy’s mind returned to the conversation that they had earlier about the Living Death and her eyes widened.
“Is that what he punished you for?”
“Yes.”
“Our Sires have cruelty in common. Although I think Leseldh could learn a thing or two from Drachen.”
“It’s a good thing they hate each other.”
“Agreed.”
Ivy ran her fingers through Killian’s hair, and as she looked into his red eyes, she realised he had more to say. She waited for him to voice his thoughts. He looked down and traced the designs of the mice as he next spoke.
“When I came out of the Living Death, I wasn’t myself.
I was insane. I was hungrier than you could imagine, and even Drachen couldn’t stop me.
I ran into the streets of Clerlet and slaughtered innocent people.
I don’t even know how many I drained. But what I do know is that there were seven Humans that I didn’t drain, and they became Fledglings.
” Killian’s words were shaky as he delivered them, and Ivy slid closer to wrap her arms around him.
She felt his arms encircle her, and she nestled against him.
She ran his story through her mind, and a realisation clicked for her. “You violated the Mandate.”
“Yes. Both Drachen and I had to answer for the crime.”
“What was the punishment?”
“The standard Punition should’ve been the Ending of the Fledglings, me, and Drachen.
But Drachen bargained with the Council for clemency.
” Killian’s voice vibrated through Ivy as he spoke, and she felt his fingers combing through her hair in a way that seemed as comforting for him as it was for her.
“What bargain did he make?”
Killian was silent for another moment, and Ivy pulled back to examine his face. His features were lined with remorse. “I became the Hunter, and it started with my Fledglings.”
Seven mice for seven Fledglings.
Ivy squeezed him tighter, and nuzzled against his neck, before pressing a series of gentle kisses there. She remembered her conversation with Finare about this very subject. It felt so long ago.
“Do you resent being a Vampire?” she breathed against him. She felt him sigh heavily.
“I made my peace with what I am a long time ago.”
“I’m so sorry, Killian.”
“It’s not all bad. If I wasn’t the Hunter, I may not have met you.”
Ivy smiled before rolling over within Killian’s embrace so that her back was pressed against his chest. He tightened his grip around her and cupped one of her breasts with his hand. Within a few moments, she felt his hardness against her backside, and she grinned.
Silence fell between them, and Ivy’s mind began to drift through all that had transpired since she left Veldmoor with Finare.
She was overjoyed that she’d tracked Killian down and freed him from the Living Death. The tumult of the moment peaked when he burned his way out of the coffin and emerged with a madness like she’d never seen before. Dragging him back from the brink was both a relief and a reward.
It seemed only natural for her to return to Killian’s apartment with him, and she didn’t regret a single moment of the events that led to sharing this bed with him.
But a cold reality started to fall around her when she realised that it would only be a matter of time before Leseldh would wonder where she was.
Ivy’s panic rose, and her breathing quickened, which caused Killian to prop himself up on an elbow to look at her.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” The concern in his voice made her panic rise.
“How the fuck am I going to go back to Veldmoor?”
“Do you have to go back?”
“Leseldh thinks I’m his Resonant. He’ll stop at nothing to reclaim me,” Ivy uttered shakily, and Killian tensed against her at the mention of Leseldh. Killian lifted his hand from her side to run his fingers through her hair.
“Do you trust Finare to keep a secret?”
“Absolutely. But I want to get him out of there. He deserves to be free of them, too.” Ivy’s voice was firm, and her heart twinged as she thought of her Broodmate and what he’d already endured at the hands of Leseldh and Voresta.
“We’ll figure something out.” Killian spoke with certainty, and that combined with the tender way he stroked her hair worked to reassure her.
They settled back against the bed, and Ivy nestled her back against Killian’s chest once more. She eventually drifted off into the peaceful sleep that had evaded her for months.