What Lies Inside (A Blood Bound Novel, Book 1) (40 page)

“No. Well, yes,” Kendrick stumbled over his words. “I mean I did pay her. But she was just meant to say the part about Ty bringing danger to your life. The rest was made up bull that she must have come up with on the spot. Although none of it did me any good. Because even after her cryptic fortune, you still went to him. Even with the real threat that being with him put you in. Then you wanted him to change, to be present while it happened.”

The vein along Kendrick’s neck pulsed with the bunching of his muscles. Yes, he had lied and tried to manipulate my decisions regarding Ty. But who could blame him? Since his arrival I’d put him through so much. Over and over I’d tested his friendship with lies when I should’ve trusted him. Even though I didn’t deserve it, I knew he was still my best friend. My heart clenched. “Kendrick, I’m sorry. I never meant to…”

Kendrick’s hand rose, silencing my words. “Let me finish. I need you to know everything.” When I nodded, he continued. “I was hurt, but I only told your mom to keep you out of harm’s way.”

Struggling to keep the defensiveness from my tone I spoke slowly. “Kendrick, I was never in any danger. I know you saw the scars, but that was an accident. Ty would
never
intentionally hurt me.”

“He didn’t tell you?” Kendrick’s pale face flared red and his jaw clenched. With a growl, his body trembled so violently he seemed almost on the verge of exploding. He brought a loaded fist down onto the antique coffee table, splintering it in two. For a second he frowned, almost looking surprised by his sudden outburst. With a long, controlled breath, he stretched out his long fingers. Then he curled them back into knuckle-whitening fists. “A single bite from a werewolf can kill a vampire.”

It felt like a spiked whip had just come down across my back. My entire body shuddered. Ty knew all along. That’s why he was so rattled after his claws cut my flesh, why he’d argued against transforming before me in the forest. He knew the danger, and he kept it from me. A storybook of events turned through my mind, all the deceptions, all the lies. Ty had kept so many things from me, secrets he only repented for when I discovered the truth myself. And he had planned to kill me all those months ago outside
Pulse
in Anchorage. I shook my head. So many lies… What was he still keeping from me? And how could I fight to stay with someone who didn’t trust me enough to tell me the truth?

I forced my lips to speak, even though my mouth felt bone dry. “I understand why you and Caius did what you did. I won’t excuse it, but I do understand.” I squeezed my best friend’s hand and bit my lip. “Kendrick, I forgive you, for everything. I just need some time, alone.”

Relief brought the ivory back to Kendrick’s face. He cupped my jaw with his hands, bringing his lips down to my cheek. His eyes squeezed shut. “Amelia, I promise I will do
anything
to make this up to you.”

“I got your request to see me,” I said to Uncle Caius as I entered his office.

The environment seemed less formal, with his leather-swathed desk clean and tidy for once. The folders and books that usually cluttered the space had been cleared for two goblets. One was empty and one was already filled. Yet somehow under the quiet observation of my uncle’s eyes, tension thickened the darkened, lamp-lit room.

The steady ticking of the grandfather clock was quickly overshadowed by my rising heartbeat. Nerves had my eyes dropping to my purple laces. The lethargy that seemed to build within me by the day grew.

Caius released his steepled fingers and motioned to the chair opposite him. His face appeared drawn with dark shadows. “Amelia, I have not requested your company for small talk.” His level tone was filled with the strong authority of a leader. “Please sit.”

I complied while Caius poured glass-bottled blood into the second goblet. “You look as tired as I feel.” He slid the blood-topped drink across the desk. “This should help.”

My mouth watered with expectation and the pendant warmed. I ignored its heat and raised the goblet to my lips, taking a slow sip. This time the feel of the ancient blood coating my mouth and absorbing through my flesh was almost enjoyable.

Caius placed his beverage down after a quick mouthful. Then his head tilted to look me square in the eye. “Have you and Kendrick made amends?”

A dizzy spell blurred my vision, catching me momentarily off guard. I shook off the exhaustion-fueled sensation and probed my brain. Why would Caius care about the state of my friendship with Kendrick?

After everything that had happened yesterday, we’d spent most of the day together. While watching a full season of
Being Human
and gorging on chocolate, Kendrick had regaled me with stories of the treacherous slopes he’d taken the other day. In no time at all the natural ease of our relationship had returned. I was so relieved. Being at odds with my best friend had hurt me, more than I had been willing to admit. And with my growing insecurities regarding Ty, I knew I needed Kendrick’s support.

Caius thinks I’ll stay here for Kendrick
. Remembering our embarrassing encounter in the bathroom brought heat to my cheeks. God, I could still feel Kendrick’s eyes scouring my naked flesh. “Yes we have,” was all I managed to croak out.

My uncle smiled and leaned forward in his chair. “I am glad to hear of it. I do hope his company will make your stay here more
tolerable
.” He took another draw from his beverage, which I mimicked as he relaxed back into his chair. “And the boy back home. Have you realized what you must do?”

It felt as though the earth had just opened up beneath me, ready to swallow me whole. I coughed, choking on the ancient blood. Since discovering Ty’s latest reluctance to divulge life-altering information, I had felt conflicted. Many calls and texts had come through to my iPhone today. I had ignored every single one of them. I couldn’t bring myself to talk to Ty. Not yet. Not when my feelings were still so muddled. There were just so many conflicting voices in my mind. I needed to step back and for once think with my head rather than my heart.

“Amelia,” Caius’s stern voice pulled me back to reality. “I am protecting you from The Council. All they know is that you are here to learn our histories. They would never accept such an indiscretion.”

The Council… I remembered the image of the vampire sentenced to death and being burned alive. Just for loving a werewolf. “But I’m not a royal. It’s not their place to intervene.”

Caius regarded me with saddened eyes. “You may not be my niece by blood, but I am your creator. You are my family. I have already gone against The Council in letting you and Dorian live all those years ago.”

My blood turned to ice. Letting us live? I looked to my uncle, wide-eyed. “You were going to kill us?”

“No.” Uncle Caius rose to stare vacantly out the tint-blackened window behind his desk. Beyond the glass, street lamps dimmed with the rising hue of dawn over the mountainous horizon. “You do not understand. When I saved you, Dorian, and your mother after the attack, I could not keep it from The Council. Though as you are well aware, my dear, turning children is forbidden. So once your existences were discovered, I was sent to take care of it. The order was to kill you and your brother.” He sighed turning back to me, his face a grimace as he shook his head. “Amelia, I could not do it. So I devised a plan to stave off the transformation. It was meant to stop the vampire blood within you and Dorian from taking over.”

I remembered Mom and Caius’s cryptic words before revealing the reason behind my sudden lust for blood. There had also been Kendrick’s reveal after bringing me home from
Pulse
. He’d said Caius had gone against The Council, that he’d defied their laws and his obligation as a royal. “Mom thought it would halt the process forever,” I whispered. Her words,
you said this wouldn’t happen,
and her desperation were so clear in my mind.

“Yes,” Caius said. He reached across the desk, covering my hand with his. “There were never any guarantees. Though you both resisted the change for long enough. You are no longer children, no longer an uncontrollable threat.” A smile thinned his lips. “You see, my dear, I risked my reputation and position to give you all life. Now everything you do reflects upon me. The Council considers you and Dorian my responsibility. My warnings are only meant to protect us all. Do you understand, Amelia?” His serious eyes held mine. “You will see, my dear. What you thought you had with that boy will soon enough become a distant memory.”

Shell-shocked, I sat there in complete silence as Caius released my hand. He had spoken out of love and concern for me, for all of us. I was risking more than my and Ty’s safety. And Caius was covering for me, lying to his counterparts. My heart squeezed with the pressure of a vice beneath my ribs. Uncertainty was in every beat. How could I stay with Ty? Nausea poisoned my insides. I felt like vomiting. “May I be excused? I need time to think.”

I forced my tearing eyes up to my uncle. Instantly I was taken aback. He sat watching me, now re-seated in his padded chair. Something was different. His skin gleamed under the desk’s poor lighting, his features radiant and youthful. It was a stark contrast to his disheveled appearance when I had first arrived. The ancient vampire blood worked as Caius had stated, rejuvenating and restoring. Still its effects hadn’t seemed to penetrate my body in the slightest. The mental and emotional strain I felt over Ty drained me to my core. No amount of blood could ever relieve that. Only change could.

“Of course,” Caius answered with a nod, his expression frozen and hard. “I trust you will make the right decision. But do not take too long. This issue
must
be put to rest, before it is too late.”

~

“What is this place?” I questioned Marcus, frowning at the red neon sign flashing
Bite.

On arriving to the library this morning, Marcus had opted for a different lesson, one he stated, “
books could not teach
.
”
Instead, he had toured me around the Armaya’s expansive grounds. Victorian street lamps lit the cobblestone streets. They curved in a labyrinth, fronting stone and mortar residential homes, followed by an entire commercial community. It was surprising to see how populated the streets were. People—all vampires—moved from one boutique store to another. Others kicked back at one of many cafes. It was all so…
human
.

Marcus chuckled, hoisting the strap of his leather messenger bag across his chest. “I figured you’d never have visited a club like this before.”

Marcus passed through the thick wooden doors. I followed after him, leaving the well-lit street and star-spangled night sky behind. Inside, I glanced around the darkened space. The club was almost vacant. Only a handful of patrons occupied booths just past the blackened dance floor. Being mid-morning in vampire time, it wasn’t surprising. Yet a scent wafting from their tables was clear. It hung thick in the air. Human blood.

Marcus laced his fingers through mine and smiled, distracting me from my thoughts. The movement sent a spark through my hand. It somehow felt alien and natural all at the same time. I didn’t pull away. Instead I allowed him to lead me past the velvet-draped lounges. We stopped at an impressive bar that was entirely made of glass. It was even tinted by the glow of red lights.

The bartender turned from a group of women who caught sight of Marcus. They smiled before wrinkling their noses at me in unmistakable distaste. Each held a cocktail glass tipped with thick blood.

“Marcus, we’re free for a date,” one of the vampire women toyed. She drew aside the collar of her blouse to expose the supple-looking flesh of her neck. “If you’re thirsty…”

I flinched in shock, banging my elbow on the glass bar top. Was that woman actually offering her blood, among other things?

Marcus smirked. “Sorry, ladies. I have less
sordid
companionship today.”

The woman who had spoken flicked her hair over her shoulders and twitched away. Her entourage scurried after her.

The waiter mumbled to himself and tipped his head. “Lord Marcus Vladimir, the usual?”

Marcus’s lips split to reveal sharpened fangs. “I do think you forget your manners, bar keep. This,” he said eying me, “is Miss Amelia Lamont.”

The bartender’s eyes widened and he looked me up and down. Suddenly I was the most interesting thing he had ever seen. He bowed his head and crossed a fist over his chest. “P-please accept my apologies, Lady Lamont. I…I did not realize.” He raised his eyes to Marcus. “What may I do to amend my insolence?”

“Penance is not necessary,” Marcus said waving his free hand, though the sharp look in his eyes said otherwise. “But we would appreciate some privacy, in The Pit.”

The bartender nodded then cast a glance at a bouncer manning a robed entryway. The mono-muscled man dipped his head. Then he disappeared into the darkness beyond the archway.

“Much appreciated,” Marcus directed to the bartender. He squeezed my hand and we walked over.

The entire interaction left me feeling confused, and totally out of place. The manner of respect-tinged fear the bartender had projected was unlike anything I had ever encountered. “He knew who I was?” I whispered. “How?”

We paused before the rope and Marcus turned to me. He brushed my loose hair behind my ears. “You and your brother,
Dorian
.” His voice almost prickled over my brother’s name. “You’re the only people who were turned as infants and allowed to remain alive. You’re an anomaly. An urban legend, most believe. Never meant to be, but now regarded with the status of royalty. You’re one of us.”

“Oh.” From the start, Caius had taken the risk of giving us life when we should have been put down. I shivered at the thought. He’d defied vampire law to save us. Yet my actions were still causing him grief. Here, no matter how ridiculous it seemed to me, I was considered one of them, royalty. And even though I remained attached to Ty, Caius continued to protect me.
Ty…
The thought of him made my heart ache. There were so many issues. He’d called again last night, but I couldn’t talk to him. Why? I knew the answer. It was because I wasn’t sure anymore, sure about him, sure about us.