Chapter 9
Kara
The sunroom feels different at night, more intimate with its warm lamplight catching the crystal wind chimes Mom hung years ago.
I stand stiffly near the windows while the others settle into their usual spots – Rowan curled in the window seat beside Soren, Mia perched on the arm of a chair where Darick is seated, Mom and Dad standing by the fireplace.
The magic in the air is making the tiny hairs on my arms stand up.
Marina Tidecaller’s sea-blue eyes seem to shimmer as she takes a seat across from Gran’s empty chair. My chest tightens at the sight of it. Zephyra remains standing, her platinum hair stirring in a breeze that doesn’t exist.
“We’ve waited long enough,” I say, turning to face them. “The Conclave, the vampires – they’re doing it again. They’re all just talking while Gran is—” My voice catches.
“Kara’s right.” Mia’s voice carries that new edge it’s had since her rescue. Sorcery pulses around her like a heartbeat. I watch with concern as the edges darken slightly. “We have the power in this room to act. Marina’s healing abilities, Zephyra’s command of the winds, our family’s strength—”
“And what of the consequences?” Marina’s voice flows like water over stones. “Moving against Lucien without support—”
“Consequences?” I spin toward her. “He took Gran. He had Mia for a year. He attacked Zephyra’s coven. What more do you need?”
“She’s not suggesting we do nothing,” Mom says, but I catch the tremor in her voice. The crystal wind chimes tinkle ominously as it picks up on her nervous energy.
“Then what are we suggesting?” I demand. “Because I’m done waiting for permission to save our family.”
Zephyra steps forward, storms brewing in her gray eyes. “The Whispering Winds stand with the Blackwoods. Whatever you plan, we’ll add our strength to yours.”
Marina sighs but nods. “As do the Crystal Waters. But we must be smart about this.”
Dad moves to the center of the room, commanding attention like he always does. “I think it’s time we used any information we can source on Marlowe’s properties.” He aims a pointed look at Soren, who glances at Darick.
“We have a pretty comprehensive list,” says Darick. “We’ve been monitoring his activities for months. Selene will have details. And Marcus has been on it.”
At the mention of his name, I feel something tighten in the pit of my belly. I frown as I fight down the feeling.
“This meeting should include them,” Mia says, shooting a look at me as if expecting me to object. I don’t. This goes beyond my personal feelings about vampires right now. Some of them could help us. And we need all the help we can get.
“We’ll have to be prepared,” says Dad. “This is no ordinary vampire we’re up against. He has power.”
“Black magic,” Mia mutters. She knows better than anyone. He took hers.
“I may have a solution,” Marina adds softly. She pulls a small crystal vial from her oversized purse. “I’ve been working on this since the attacks began. It won’t stop black magic entirely, but it can slow its effects, give us time to counter—”
“Kara…”
Marcus’s thought cuts through my concentration. I dig my nails into my palms, trying to stay present.
“What about Seraphina?” Mom asks. “Where does the High Priestess stand?”
“She’s hesitant to move openly against Lucien,” Dad says. “The political ramifications—”
“Politics?” I snap. “While Gran is—”
“Kara, we need to talk.”
“Get out of my head!” I shout, making everyone jump.
Mia touches my arm. “Kara? What’s wrong?”
I shake my head, embarrassed. “Nothing. Just… Nothing. A headache.” I wave vaguely at my temple.
“Can I get you something, sweetheart?” Mom looks concerned.
“I’m fine. We don’t have time for this,” I insist. “We need to act now. Marina’s potion, Zephyra’s weather control, our family’s power combined—”
“Kara, listen to me, goddammit!”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “Not now!”
“This can’t wait.”
The sense of his agitation is so overwhelming that it feels like my own emotion.
“Kara, darling.” It’s Mom again. “Are you sure you’re alright? You really don’t look well.”
“I…” I huff out a breath. “I just…”
“I think you need a break, sweetheart. This has been a difficult time.” Mom is moving toward me.
I consider for a moment, then heave a sigh. “Maybe you’re right. I think I’ll get some air.” Turning to the door, I aim a tight smile at the others before heading out of the house.
The night air is cool against my heated face as I step onto the patio. But it’s not what gets my attention.
He’s here.
Where the hell did he come from?
Stupid question. Probably jumped through the shadows or used some of that damn vampire speed of his.
I cross my arms, glaring at Marcus as he paces beneath the old oak tree.
His usual composed demeanor is nowhere to be found – his hair is standing in messy spikes, as if he’s been running his hands through it.
Tension radiates through him like a visible field, the lean, muscled lines of his body bristling with it.
And still, he’s too gorgeous by far.
Seriously, Kara?
“This isn’t possible,” he says without preamble. “I can’t have the Bloodbane. I’m an elder, for God’s sake.”
“What are you talking about?” My patience is wearing thin. “You dragged me out here—”
“I didn’t drag you anywhere. You came because you feel it, too.” He stops pacing abruptly, fixing those unnerving eyes on me. The moonlight catches them, turning the blue flecks to violet. “The connection. The way your thoughts keep slipping into my head. How your power connects with mine.”
My stomach drops. “That’s not… I mean, it’s just because—”
“It’s not a blood match.” He spits the words like they taste bitter. “Not like Darick and your sister. Or Soren and Mia.”
“A blood match? No.” I shake my head hard. “That’s ridiculous. You don’t even have the Bloodbane, right?”
“Exactly! That’s what I just said.” He throws his hands up. “I’m strong. Ancient. I can’t be developing an allergy to human blood. I can’t be bound to a—” He cuts himself off.
“To a witch?” I snap. “Well, don’t worry. The feeling’s mutual.”
“That’s not what I—” He drags both hands down his face. “You don’t understand. This changes everything. The politics alone—”
“Politics? Not you, too!” I laugh harshly. “My grandmother is missing, probably being tortured by your psychotic friend Lucien, and you’re worried about vampire politics? What’s wrong with you people?”
“He’s not my friend,” Marcus growls. “And this could affect our ability to help her. If word gets out that I might have the Bloodbane—”
“Then what? You’ll lose your precious position? Your influence?” The wind picks up around us, responding to my rising anger. “I don’t care about your vampire hierarchy or your reputation.”
“You don’t understand anything about vampire politics,” Marcus snaps, stepping closer. “If I lose my position, I lose any chance of helping find your grandmother through official channels.”
“Official channels?” I move into his space, jabbing a finger at his chest. “Those ‘official channels’ of yours have done nothing but waste time while Lucien—”
His hand catches my wrist, and electricity shoots up my arm. Our power collides – ice and fire, darkness and light. I gasp at the sensation, my anger momentarily forgotten as energy courses between us.
“This isn’t possible,” he mutters, but he doesn’t let go. His thumb traces circles on my pulse point; I shiver.
“Stop that,” I whisper, but I’m not pulling away. The air around us sparks with energy, my magic reaching for him like it has a mind of its own.
His other hand comes up to cup my face, and I can’t remember why I’m supposed to hate him. His eyes are storm-dark, pupils blown wide. “Kara…”
I’m not sure who moves first. Maybe we both do. His lips meet mine, and the world explodes in color and sensation. His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer as the kiss deepens. Hard, powerful, his body is a wall of strength against me, and I lean into it, hungry for something I can’t comprehend.
My fingers thread through his hair as our magic spirals higher, weaving together in impossible patterns. The sensation is overwhelming – like flying and falling at the same time. Like touching lightning. Like coming home.
There’s a desperation to us now, as if we need more of whatever this sensation is. His hands span my waist, and I arch into him, lost in the feel of him, in the way our powers merge and dance around us.
His fingers tangle in my hair as the kiss deepens, and I can’t think straight anymore. All I know is the press of his body against mine, the way his touch sends sparks dancing across my skin. Our power swirls around us like a cocoon – two complete opposites merging into something new and wild.
“Oh…God,” I gasp as his lips trail down my neck, and his growl vibrates against my throat. The sound should frighten me, but instead, it sends heat pooling low in my belly. His fangs scrape lightly across my skin, and my magic surges in response…and so does my body.
“Kara,” he breathes against my neck, and the way he says my name makes me tremble.
His hands slide under my shirt, leaving trails of fire in their wake.
I meld myself into his touch, my own fingers exploring the hard planes of his chest through his shirt.
The need to feel his skin becomes almost unbearable.
“Yesss…” he hisses as I tug his snug black T-shirt free from the waistband of his pants. He’s not cold to the touch, which surprises me. I’d always thought that vampire skin would be icy. Clammy. But he’s like a living sculpture, honed and hard.
“God, Marcus…” I don’t know what I’m doing right now. All I know is that I feel powerless to stop myself.