Chapter Nineteen
Brenden
L etting Audrey leave my room was harder than I thought it would be, which is probably why I ended up following her. I trailed her until she turned off onto the path that leads to Wraith’s house, hesitating for a moment before following her. It took all of my restraint not to throw myself at the hellhound when he picked my firecracker up in his arms as she sobbed, carrying her toward the house he and Wraith share.
I’d rushed ahead, hiding in the trees surrounding the house so I could make sure he brought her to the house and nowhere else. Once the door closed behind them, I knew there was nothing else I could do. Attempting to break into Wraith’s house is a death sentence—like true death. Or at least that’s how the rumors go. Who knows how true they are.
I drag myself toward my dorm, pausing where the paths meet. I don’t want to go back to my dorm that smells like Audrey and sex. All it’ll do is drive me even more crazy than I already am.
I’m beginning to think that maybe death has tempered some of my more psychotic tendencies. In my past life, there’s no way I would’ve let Audrey just walk away. No, I would’ve tied her up in my room and kept her there until she understood what she means to me.
Probably a good thing I didn’t do that. It’s hard to come back from something like that, and Audrey hasn’t really gotten a chance to meet my psychotic side. It might be best if she never does. I don’t want to scare away my mate, but can I really hide it from her?
A glance at my phone tells me the school store is still open, so I head that way. I need to get some blood. It’ll probably help me calm down somewhat.
Sex with Audrey had been amazing—something I intend to have more of with her in the future. Unfortunately, I’d almost lost control and bit her, which would’ve started the bonding process.
Not only would I have forced the bond on her—the bond she knows nothing about—but once I taste her blood, I know I’ll never be able to let her go. The not-so-sane part of my brain would never allow it. It’s one of the reasons I agreed to moving slowly with her. It’s so deeply ingrained into a vampire to share blood during sex that it’s hard for us to resist.
I knew the exact moment she saw the bloodlust in my eyes, and even though it only lasted for a second, I never want to see the fear in her eyes directed at me ever again. I’ll do anything to prevent her fearing me—even letting her run away from me tonight.
Having my mate run from me isn’t something I anticipated ever happening—or at least not that kind of running. A game of me hunting her while she runs? Now, that I can get behind. I don’t like that she ran because I told her how I feel. I know she isn’t aware that we’re mates, but damn. That doesn’t make it any easier.
Pushing into the store, I’m not surprised to see that it’s practically empty. Most people are probably in their dorms, getting ready for bed. Tossing the woman behind the counter a quick smile, I head for the refrigerated section. Browsing over the options, I’m happy to see they have a few canisters of AB negative. It’s the rarest blood type, so it’s not often they stock it.
Grabbing two of them, I head for the counter as I read the label. Oh, unicorn shifter blood. That might be able to help with my mood. I’ve always preferred the blood of supernaturals over humans because of the traces of magic, but it hasn’t always been an option. Here at Scythe, we end up with more supe blood than human.
“Did you find everything you were looking for?” the woman asks as she grabs the canisters from me and scans them, smiling when I nod. “Did you want a bag?”
“Yes, please.” I take out my card and slide it into the reader. Usually, I would just toss them into my backpack, but since this is an unplanned trip, I don’t have it with me.
“Have a good night,” she calls after me as I head for the door.
Lifting my hand over my head in a weird wave-acknowledgement, I keep walking to the door. As much as I’d love to just break one of them open and start drinking it, there’s nothing worse than cold blood. Which is why any vampire at the academy has a warmer in their room that’s specifically made for these canisters. It’s awesome that they thought of it, even if it’s not as good as feeding off someone else.
My mood continues to sour with each step toward my dorm. I should’ve left a window open so the room could air out. I’m sure the scent will be less noticeable than before, but a good sense of smell is another curse of being a vampire. Not that I think being a vampire is bad. In fact, I love it—usually.
Shaking my head, I attempt to shake off my morose mood as I swing the door to my room open. At this point, there isn’t much I can do to fix any of it, so why keep dwelling on it?
But I already know the answer to that—because it’s Audrey, my firecracker.
And the room still smells like her and sex. My cock perks up as soon as the scents hit my nose, causing a growl to fall from my lips. Being in here without her is torture of the highest kind, and I’m not a fan.
Dropping one of the canisters in the warmer, I force my mind to what she’d revealed to me post-coitus. I can understand her need for vengeance, as she was murdered by someone who is a part of her family. Someone she trusted—at least in some ways. Not to mention the fear she feels for her sister’s safety. I told her I’d help her in any way I can, and I will. I just don’t know what she expects to be able to do.
She agreed that she would have to make it through the school and become a reaper, but none of us know what the rules are once we become reapers. What if she seeks vengeance and her soul is just gone? I couldn’t deal with that. I’ll have to make sure that nothing like that happens. At least I’ll be a reaper before her, so I can find out all the ins and outs, plus the rules. That’ll make it easier to come up with a plan.
Though, her hanging out with Donovan and Wraith is worrisome. I don’t know why the two of them are showing interest in someone who is still in their first month of training. That’s not something either of them have done before, and it makes me wonder why.
A thought hits me, completely blowing my mind.
Surely the two of them aren’t her mates, too, right?
When the warmer dings, I grab the canister and pull the lid off, downing it before putting the second canister in the warmer. That one I’ll at least be able to savor instead of inhaling it.
Turning my thoughts back to Audrey, I realize it doesn’t matter if one or both of the other men are her mates because it won’t change the fact that she’s my mate. It will make a difference in her time here at Scythe Academy though—for the better. There’s no way Wraith will allow her to be sent for judgment if she’s his or Donovan’s mate. But it might also make her drive for vengeance harder.
I lift the second canister to my lips, humming as the blood hits my taste buds. The faint taste of the unicorn’s magic buzzes along my senses, making me smile.
Yes, this is exactly what I needed.
I take my time with this one before climbing into my bed. Reaching for my phone, I debate whether or not to text Audrey. She made it perfectly clear she didn’t want to talk to me, but I need to know she’s okay—or at least as okay as she can be after freaking out.
Fuck it.
Me
I know you don’t want to talk to me right now, but I just need to know you’re okay.
I stare at the screen until it goes black before sighing and tossing it onto the bed. Who knows if she’ll even message me back.
Reaching over, I flip off the lamp that had been lighting the room and pull my clothes off until I’m naked. It’s my preferred way to sleep, but with Audrey and I sleeping together for the last week, I haven’t been able to. I’d much prefer her being in my bed right now to being naked.
I’ve always been pretty talented at falling asleep, even when my mind is running in a million different directions, but tonight is different. Just like everything has been when it comes to my pretty mate.
Ugh.
I don’t know how long I lie there, trying to fall asleep, but when my phone goes off, I’m quick to grab it.
Audrey
I’m safe.
Me
Message me tomorrow?
At least to let me know you’re okay. Even if you’re not ready to talk to me.
Audrey
Okay.
I hate that she’s still not wanting to talk to me, but maybe tomorrow things will be better?
One can hope.
This time when I close my eyes, sleep comes easier.