Chapter 11
Bond in Blood
LANIAS
When Lanias entered the Manor, she wasn’t expecting to find her way blocked by a miffed-looking Alek. He crossed his arms the minute they arrived. Lanias was distracted by the ponytail he wore.
Not that it took away from the man’s aura. If anything, she’d always found his long platinum locks hot. She’d even mused that them being plastered to his wet body would be a sight worth money.
That was something she hoped he’d never find out. She had enough problems.
“Hi there.”
“Why didn’t you allow Dmitri into your bedroom?” Alek demanded, his eyes full of suspicion.
“That’s a nice way of greeting someone who just escaped death for the hundredth time.” She half turned and neatly tossed her box into Dmitri’s arms.
Ignoring his surprised look, she crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “Plus, why would you want me to let him into my bedroom? Just what sort of woman do you take me for?”
She laughed as the anger in his eyes went up a notch. “Don’t worry there wasn’t anything going on aside from me getting my girly things packed.”
“If you were any other woman, I would believe that” he said closing the space between them.
“But you’re not someone who cares about things like that.
So, if you felt the need to enter the room alone you had a reason.
Which in turn leads me to point out if you had stayed with Dmitri those Cambions wouldn’t have had a chance to attack. ”
Lanias scoffed, “They would have attacked no matter what. I killed their boss and a few of their friends.” She shrugged, “Who knew demons could be loyal.”
“Lanias,” he warned.
“Tell your father he’s being worrisome.” Lanias instructed Dmitri who’d slowly began retreating as the two’s argument grew in intensity. “We made it back whole, viola,” she motioned to her body giving him a cheeky grin. Only to see Alek’s eyes harden.
“You don’t know how –.” He cut his words short and grabbed her suitcase. “Never mind. I would only be wasting my breath.” He was visibly flustered taking bold steps away.
Lanias watched him go. The fluttering in her stomach subsided.
She both enjoyed and hated arguing with the Vampire.
He was too intense for her full enjoyment, the feeling of having someone watching her and caring for her the way he did made her nervous.
She wasn’t used to it. She’d much rather have him treat her as a curios puzzle.
She glanced over her shoulder to find that Dmitri was gone as well. Sighing, she decided to go to the room she’d been in before. While no one had directed her, Lanias decided to assume that was to be her room during her temporary stay.
So much had just occurred that standing in the quiet hall allowed a moment to take in the décor.
And she couldn’t help letting out a small smile at the color choice, no blacks or dramatic splashes of red.
Everything was soft browns and beiges, it made her think a little bit of the farmhouses in France.
No grim paintings, stone paneling, or cobwebs in sight.
“What’s so amusing?”
She flinched, as Aleks voice came from behind her. She spun around and glared down at him from where she stood on the steps. Seeing his amused gaze, she bared her teeth at him. “Is this your form of petty revenge?”
He grabbed her by the hip and pulled her forward. She sucked in a quick breath looking into his heated gaze.
“My revenge is never petty.” His gaze searched hers, “I’ll ask you once more, are you sure you want to make this deal with me? Once done, there will be no turning back.”
“What is it you fear?” She demanded, placing her hands on his shoulders. “You are the one who offered. Don’t tell me you didn’t expect me to take it.”
“I didn’t,” He freely admitted. “I didn’t believe you were alive. And now you’ve cheekily returned like nothing happened.”
“You’ve got that wrong. It’s you who slipped back into my life.” She gently pulled herself out of his hold, “I am not one to regret what I do.” She gave a delicate shrug, “If I can accomplish what I need by agreeing to our deal then so be it.”
“You treat this bond as if it would be nothing but business,” he said with distaste.
Lanias squinted down at him. “Surely, you’re not asking about my heart. A monster like me?”
He leaned forward and placed a hand against her cheek. “You will learn soon, who between you and I may be the true monster.”
She grabbed his hand, pulling it back. Following the movement with her eyes as she lowered it to his side. “Alek, this is my final answer at this time. I must make the bond with you, and you don’t have to worry about my soul or anything cliché like that. That was damaged a long time ago.”
ALEK
Alek stared down into her midnight orbs and mentally sighed in relief.
Taking the hand she didn’t hold, he pressed his thumb to his teeth and dragged it across. The red blood oozed up and slid down the palm of his hand. He offered it up to her, “Take it, then the contract will be done.”
Her lips covered his thumb, her tongue flicking against the open wound.
Her lashes lowered; she didn’t see him release a shudder as he closed his eyes.
He wanted to whisper her name like a prayer, as she sucked on his thumb.
The sensation lingered between somewhat innocent and seductive.
She opened her mouth giving the wound one more lick before she drew back.
“Is that all,” she asked tracing her bottom lip with her tongue.
“No, there is more.” He said, pulling his hand from hers, he took a step up. “But that can wait. For now, go to your room.”
Pulling back, she took a step up, an unreadable look on her face. “Okay, then see you later.”
With that, she turned and made her way up the steps.
He watched her go, the way her body glided had him trailing his eyes down her long legs to her bare feet. He frowned, only to curse his own forgetfulness. She’d entered the study without shoes, so obviously she’d gone to the apartment the same way. Now there were scratches covering her feet.
His blood should increase her healing capability, but he wasn’t going to depend only on the healing ability of it.
He turned away, going in search of the med box that the servants kept somewhere since they were human.
Walking away from the steps he enjoyed the feeling of security he gained with them now being tied together through his blood.
He would be able to find her no matter where she went. For her safety, as well as for his sanity. When his son had telepathically given him the experience of what had happened, violence had nearly engulfed him.
Yet, if he went to handle the demons himself. He’d have lost control and even though Lanias seemed perfectly fine with him and the little bit of past she knew about. He wasn’t comfortable with her seeing his true face yet.
While Lanias was a Witch he was still hesitant to be open in fullness to her. Fearing the reaction once she discovered just how deep the rabbit hole was.
LANIAS
Entering her room Lanias made a beeline for her bed. She spun around and fell backwards, landing on the bed she closed her eyes and tasted the copper left in her mouth.
Safe.
The taste of blood on her tongue made her feel safe.
How long had it been since she’d last felt that way?
The worry of betrayal had always kept her from trusting those around her. The idea of safety was so foreign that it made her nervous to even think about depending on someone.
And that was what she was doing when she accepted Alek’s bond. She had accepted his help now, and with it, his protection. Lanias told herself it was for the greater good. Maybe that was true. Or maybe she was just tired of doing everything alone.
Her guilt, her secrets and her occasional pangs of resentment.
Why did she have to be the one who suffered all these things?
Just as her mind started turning to resentment, she remembered the face of her grandmother. There had been a look of acceptance and woe in her grandmother’s eyes as she slid from the spike thrust through her stomach.
Lifting her hand, she watched the tendrils of black light slip from her skin. If she’d had this power at that time she could have helped them. Letting the magic fade, she clenched her hand before bringing it down and rubbing her knuckles against her forehead.
She needed to brush her teeth, and shower but her eyes closed and before she knew it, she was asleep.
Her soft snores filling the room.
ALEK
And that’s how Alek found her. Asleep upon the still-made bed.
Lanias changed clothes or bothered to get under the covers.
She was curled up, her lips parted as she breathed evenly.
He placed the box on the side table near the bed, then he sat next to her and watched her sleep.
She looked so exhausted. Reaching out he moved some pieces of her hair from her face and leaning down he pressed his lips to her forehead.
Letting his forehead settle there, he braced himself holding his body up. He closed his eyes saying a small prayer before rising. As he reached out to touch her the mark on the back of his hand began to animate. It morphed into two parts, once divided one half traveled from his hand to her skin.
He watched silently as it coursed all over her body before it settled over her heart.
The process had begun.
The way a Noble Vampire chose their queen was simple in the regards that they knew who was meant for them upon meeting only once. The others would swear that it wasn’t so, but the time before and now had been the same.
He’d recognized the one for him on sight.
One minute he cared for nothing but revenge and supporting Tiller in his endeavors.
In the moment of their encounter he wanted or rather he needed to claim this woman who glared at them from the doorway of her club.
Only his age and knowledge had prevented him from instantly enveloping her in his mist and absconding with her on sight.
Drawing back, he stood and bent forward draping the other side of the blanket to cover her. He was sure this would be the last time she’d be so openly vulnerable in front of him.
He would lock this moment away in his memory and if there was another, he would take that too. He would fill his empty, cold heart with every single moment with her. Satisfying her could possibly keep the insanity at bay and the flames dimmed.
He finished arranging the blanket he left the room.
“You’ve found something?” he asked when he spotted Andrei, who leaned against the wall across from Lanias’ bedroom.
Andrei lifted a white envelope. “You’ve been invited by the elders. It looks like the Surrem are harming Beings.”
Taking it, Alek’s brow furrowed. “What’s happened?”
“A Surrem had a run in with a Being and killed them. The Council is doing everything to cover it up. While the Jackals have been digging around to find out just who may be the actual criminal. Though I’m sure your friend Tiller is already formulating an idea.”
“He might,” Alek said as he made his way down the hallway. “You may go.”
Noticing that Andrei didn’t leave right away he paused and half-turned, sending him a questioning look.
Andrei lowered his gaze. “What are your intentions toward the Witch?”
“To claim her,” Alek said simply. “I’ve already offered her my blood.”
Andrei sighed. “Well while I’m glad for you, I won’t be the one to tell Sorin.”
Alek chuckled at that, facing forward he continued on his way, throwing over his shoulder, “Leave your brother to me.”