A Wicked Hunger (Creatures of Darkness 1) (22 page)

Over the next hill of rubble, she discovered her father pinned to the hard cement floor by a barrage of heavy beams. His skin was a sickly gray, his mouth limp, his eyes ever staring through a cloud of haze.

Not far, thick strands of her mother’s blond hair was visible from pinched under a heap of broken concrete chunks, dripping red.

Cora could only thank the goddess her expression was hidden under the wreckage, not like her father’s.

No sign of her new baby brother.

She sat atop the heap, clutching her knees to her chest, and stared at her parents for a long while. She stared until her heaving sobs were exhausted and her eyes ran dry of tears. Till her silly child’s hope that they might actually be alive and she just didn’t realize it died along with them. Till she comprehended she’d never again see their smiles. Hear them laugh or fight with each other as they sometimes did. She’d never smell her mother’s sweet scent, or feel the warmth of her father’s bear-hugs.

Finally, as a heavy numbness flowed over her, killing the pain and dulling her senses, she stood and hobbled toward the fissure that allowed in the
hated light for her gruesome goodbye.

The vision shifted again, to exactly where she feared it would.

The coming months after her parent’s demise had been trying. She was tired, hungry, cold…alone. Her hair was knotted and matted to her head. Dust and dirt made a home on her skin and clothing, cracking uncomfortably with every gesture.

She found her way into a back alley that she hadn’t checked in a couple of days and picked through trash, seeking something edible. Tears threatened when she found nothing.

“Are you hungry?” a cooing male voice eased up behind her. “I’ll show you where there’s food.”

Cora turned to face the predatory gaze of her worst nightmare, only, at the
time, she hadn’t known to be afraid.

“Enough,” Cora cried, vaulting to her feet.

Saraphine jerked back as if stunned, her eyes stark. “Goddess, you’ve had it rough.”

“What happened?” Mace pushed to stand as well, scrutinizing both of their strained expressions.

Cora shook her head, her eyes burning.

As if he sensed her despair, he pulled her into a tender embrace.

She forced a steady voice. “We discovered who bound my magic.”

Mason paced outside the changing room of the small clothing shop, drowning in Cora’s melancholy. They’d stopped to buy her some new clothes before returning to the cottage. In the car, she’d explained a little about what had transpired. Her parents bound her, suppressed her memories, then up and died, leaving behind a small helpless child. No wonder she learned not to rely on others.

He stopped pacing to ask, “Do you need help in there?”

Cora sighed, the sound a bit muted by the door. “This isn’t necessary. I’m fine wearing the baggy clothes back at the cottage.”

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you? Shopping is supposed to cheer women up.”

“Then you’d b
etter pack up this entire store because that’s what it might take.”

“You want it?” he replied jauntily. “I’ll compel the owner to give it to you.”

Cora opened the door and stepped out. One corner of her mouth was curled in a crooked half-grin. It was better than the frown that threatened even now to take over.

“Very funny,” she grumbled. The outfit she donned was the colorful dress he’d selected to contrast her mood.

“No joke. Just say the word.”

“Oh, goddess, you’re serious!” She slapped his chest with the back of her hand, smiling fully now. “Don’t you
dare.” She glanced down at the flowery dress. “I feel ridiculous in this.”

“You look beautiful.”

She stilled and studied him for a moment.

“What?”

“You surprise me, is all. I never imagined there was such a thing as a kind vampire.”

“Don’t tell anyone. You’ll destroy centuries of hard-earned reputation.”

She gave a tiny snort. “I doubt a single word from me would send your rep crashing around you.”

“Not just me, the whole vampire nation. When you’re done, you’ll have everyone believing we’re a pack of ninnies, prancing around a field of pansies.”

Impishly, she replied, “Well, aren’t you?” Then she darted back into the changing room.

He laughed. “Why, you little witch.” He bit his tongue on the last word as a pang blasted at him from the direction of the changing room.

Damn
. For a moment, he was actually starting to take her mind off things.

“Cora—”

“Could you grab me a smaller size in this?” She flipped a pair of black jeans over the door.

“Uh, ’course.”
He perused the storefront for the correct rack. On his way back, he collected a few extra items, then handed them over the door.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Just something else for you to model for me.”

She snorted. “Dream on. I’m not modeling this for you.”

The door swung open. Cora had redressed in her original sweats and white button down. She snapped the red-laced thong at his face like a rubber band.

He caught it. “Oh, come one.
Just a quick peek?”

“You
sleezy old vamp.” Her lips curled upward as she tried to conceal her smile.

He flashed his canines.
“Later then.”

“Ha! You wish.”

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” he replied shamelessly, then gathered the pile of clothing she had set aside for purchase and placed the thong on top.

She rolled her eyes, flushing a lovely shade of pink.

For most of the ride back, a tense silence settled over her and it seemed as though she wanted to say something, but couldn’t verbalize her thoughts. He attempted to ferret out her emotions through the bond, but he wasn’t getting a clear read. About the seventh time she opened her mouth, only to close it and turn away, he gave up on trying to figure her out.

“What’s up, love?”

She cocked her head. “You were flirting with me earlier.”

“Caught that, did you?”

“But you were feeling so guilty this morning after we...”

“Yes.”

“Are your emotions so easily discarded?” She didn’t sound angry, merely curious.

“I compartmentalize. With all that’s happened, I figure now’s not the time to deal with what happened between us. I’m just glad you’re not under a spell.” Pause. “Well, the spell I thought you were under.”

“And what sort of spell did you think I was under?”

“Not sure exactly.
Something that stripped you of your will, your inhibitions. You were very…agreeable.” He smiled.

Another deep blush colored her cheeks.

“Vampire blood might make you more aggressive, spur a body’s need, but it wouldn’t force anyone to do something if they really didn’t want to.” He grin grew devilish.

“I can’t tell if your ego’s been inflated or if you’re just naturally arrogant.”

As he pulled up to the cottage, he replied, “You know, I believe there is something that’s inflated, but it’s not my ego. Care to assist me with it?”

She pursed her lips to fight a smile and exited the car. “You need a helping hand, huh?”

He followed her eagerly as she sauntered toward the cottage. “Indeed.”

“Shall I’ll check if Knox is available for you?”

“Oh, that’s cold.”

She laughed, opening the cottage door. Her laugh turned into a gurgled scream as a large hand gripped her by the throat and pulled her inside.

With alarming abruptness, Cora’s air supply was obstructed by a strong vice-like grip. Her feet left the ground, and her back slammed against the inner wall of the cottage.

Through her panic, she assessed her situation, quickly realizing she’d taken her last breath.
And though it was futile to fight, her body reacted on instinct. Her nails dug into Trent’s tightening hold, drawing blood. Her legs flailed desperately.

Trent growled at her, his face filled with the purest form of hate. 

Mace burst through the door, boiling over with fury. It flooded her like a crashing wave.

He lunged for Trent.

Without releasing her, Trent side-kicked Mace in the stomach. Mace flew backwards and crashed into the wall. Then Trent’s hostile gaze swung back to her, his fangs bared in a snarl.

She stared back at the face of her death. Pinpricks of light
began dotting her eyes as her brain was deprived of oxygen. It wouldn’t be long now. Her body relaxed, giving in.

That damn grain of sand dropped, landing gracefully among the pile.

Her time was up.

Click
.

Mace held his aim true, cocking the gun next to Trent’s head. “Let her go,” he ordered in a dangerously low voice.

“Don’t be a fool, Mace,” Trent hissed back.

Mace’s horror turned into terror as Cora ceased her struggles, her body going limp.

“Drop her now!” He tightened his finger on the trigger. “I’m not bluffing.”

“That’s the problem,” Trent said, not budging.

“Now!” Mace screamed.

Trent snatched his hands away from Cora’s throat. She crumbled to the floor, coughing and wheezing horribly. Her body curled into a protective ball.

Trent turned to Mace, ignoring the barrel trained on his forehead. “She’s controlling you, Mace. She’s been a part of this whole thing from the start.”

Mace shook his head. “That’s not true.”

“She could be the ringleader.”

“No.”

“Don’t you think it’s funny that not only is she the only suspect to survive, she’s turned out to be a witch? She was probably on her way to the hotel that day to take Winston out personally.”

Mace shook his head.

“And lo and behold, she’s bonded you to her. Can’t you see how she’s playing you? For the love of god, she’s turned you against your own maker.”

“No, that was all
your
doing,” Mace accused, watching Cora from the corner of his eye. She’d dragged herself to the corner of the room, shaking and struggling to hold back her sobs. He ached to go to her. To take her from this place, this life that insisted on torturing her.

“Listen to him, Mace.” Knox appeared from within the kitchen.

“Stay out of this,” Mace snapped. “You know nothing about it.”

“I have a say in this, and I say she’s guilty.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Mace growled, his gun still on Trent.

“She’s bonded me, too.”

The room went silent. Even Cora’s muffled cries were subdued for a moment.

“What?”

“You deaf?  I said I’ve been blood bonded to her,” Knox hissed through clenched teeth.

Vicious jealousy raged through Mason’s brain. “Impossible.”

Trent turned and took a threatening step toward Cora. “Tell the truth, witch!”

She let out a frightened cry and hid her head behind shaking arms, her knees tucked into her chest.

“Get the fuck away from her!” Mace sounded off a warning shot that missed Trent’s skull by mere inches.

Trent rose to his full height. “It would be within my right to kill you for that.”

Cora’s eyes turned stark, almost void, as if she were escaping to a refuge inside her mind. Seconds later, Mace sensed her closing up as a mental door shut him out.

“Fuck!” Mace cursed. “Do you have any idea the damage you’ve done? I’d been making so much progress
with her!”

“I need to get you away from her. She’s warped you brain,” Trent insisted.

Mace raised his gun again. “I should shoot you where you stand.”

“She’s bonded you in order to control you. It’s what her kind does. I knew it the moment you accused me of trying to kill her.”

“The man you sent
did
try to kill her!”

“I sent a woman, Mace, not a man.”

“Bullshit. Cora was shot in the chest. Nearly died. She didn’t
pretend
that.”

“
That’s true,” Knox confirmed. “There was a man here who claimed to have been sent by you. She would have died if I hadn’t healed her with my blood the second after she was shot.”

Trent traded speculative glances between Mace and Knox. “The woman I sent hasn’t checked in yet.”

Silence reigned again as they all took that in.

“Million to one she’s dead,” Mace said, easing up on the trigger.

Trent turned to Knox “How did you come to be bonded?”

“I had a taste of her last night, just before she knocked me in the bollocks.”

Mace growled. “No wonder why she was out-of-her-mind frightened of you.”

Knox shrugged, uncaring. “It was miniscule.
A measly couple of drops. Hardly enough to broker a bond, or so I assumed,” he grumbled the last, then continued. “This morning, the witch nearly dies. Didn’t realize she was a witch till I caught her reading that book. Still, I wasn’t thinking, I guess. I gave her my blood to save her ’cause Mace was practically obsessing over the girl. Figured I’d do him a bloody favor.” He sliced a glare at Mace. “Found out I was bonded ‘bout an hour ago, when I tried to feed. Tasted like shit. Started feeling the bitch’s emotions soon after.”

Trent cursed. “Don’t you see, Mace? She’s too close to her goal. She’s too close to turning.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ve sired my share of vampires. I know how it’s done. She’s nearly figured it out!”

Though there was no change in Cora’s outward appearance—physically, she remained the embodiment of a statue—her pulse spiked rapidly.

“She’s not involved,” Mace said. “I can’t prove it to you. So you’ll just have to trust me on this.”

Trent shifted his gaze to Cora, debating. “And if I don’t?”

“I’ll kill for her.
Even you.”

“That only proves my point.”

“It’s not her!”

Trent locked eyes with Mace, the debate still waging war behind his eyes. Finally, he said, “I won’t kill her, for now, but she has some explaining to do.”

“You’ll leave her be. Any questions can go through me.” Mace realized too late that he’d overstepped, practically issuing orders to his sire.

Trent’s body seemed to grow in mass, his fangs descending to their full length. “I don’t think so!” His eyes flashed with the authority of a master. “Drop the weapon, Mason.”

With all his fortitude, Mace fought the compulsion, even knowing he would lose this battle. After only a few short moments, he lowered his arms.

Yet he held Trent’s gaze. “Leave her be for now, please. You’ve no idea what she been through in such a short amount of time. I sense she’s ready to break.”

Trent’s fierce expression wavered.

“She
is
ready to break,” Knox agreed, but for the wrong reason. “I can feel it. Now’s the time to get answers.”

Mace crossed to place himself between Cora and the two other vampires, saying with his expression what he needn’t say with words; he would fight to the death to protect her in this moment.

Trent stood back, observing, while Knox advanced aggressively. “I’ll not be some witch’s play thing!” he growled. “Get out of my way.”

Mason’s muscles tensed for battle, his fangs prominent. He displayed them with a forced smile. “Come and get her
, if you can.”

“Stand down, both of you,” Trent ordered, taking a seat on the couch.

He now seemed as relaxed as though they were gearing up to discuss the weather. He always had a way with corralling his emotions—or concealing them, Mace wasn’t sure.

“She’s not going anywhere.” Trent stretched out his arm along the back of the sofa. “We have time to get to the bottom of this.”

Disdain raged over Knox’s features, but he turned away with a ripe curse, placing himself against the farthest wall in the room.

Mace let out a slow breath, facing Cora. She still hugged her legs to her chest, her eyes seeing nothing. He knelt before her and cooed her name softly.

She didn’t respond.

The yellow-green bruise forming around her neck had aggression slicing through him once more. She flinched, and he worked to tamp it down. “Cora? Look at me.”

She didn’t. Her gaze remained on nothing in particular, her body trembling. He pinched her chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting her head up. When she met his gaze, tears filled her eyes, spilling over.

“Let me die,” she
whispered, her voice like gravel. It probably pained to push that small phrase out. “Just let me die.”

He
glared at Trent, then Knox. Both would have heard her plea, but their expressions remained hard.

“I won’t let you give up now,” he said. “Not after all this.”

Her already low tone became the slightest whisper. “I can’t handle this. It’s too much.” She gasped on a sob, and her tears flowed without restraint.

He leaned in close so that the others couldn’t hear him. “I can’t let you go,
Coraline. You’re the only thing that matters to me now. I need you.”

She focused on him, her tone too loud for his liking. “It’s the bond. It’s all because of the bond. You wouldn’t feel that way otherwise. I don’t want to be someone who controls the thoughts or feelings of others. I don’t want you to care for me because you have to.”

“I don’t. You don’t control anything about me.”

“How can you be sure?”

Mace hesitated. “I’ve wanted you for months,” he confessed. “Since the moment I saw you. I thought you’d begun to realize that.”

She blinked up at him, her eyes beginning to clear. Then her gaze darted to Trent and back.

“He won’t hurt you now. He just wants to talk.”

Cora shook her head and rubbed her neck uncomfortably. She swallowed with difficulty.

Mace turned to Knox. “Could you get her some water?”

Knox sneered and then smiled cruelly. “Fetch it for her yourself. We’ll watch her.”

Cora trembled harder.

Mace sighed impatiently. “Trent?”

Trent remained quiet for a few beats, then looked at Knox and nodded.

Knox hissed and shoved away from the wall, heading for the kitchen. Moments later, the sound of shattering glass reverberated from the other room.

Trent called to him, “Try not to destroy everything while you’re at it.”

An inaudible string of grumbles bounced back at them.

Mace looked down at Cora. “I’m going to move you to the couch,” He informed her.

She gave a miniscule shake of her head, but he lifted her in his arms anyway. She stiffened, but made no other protest. After settling her on the couch, in the spot farthest away from Trent, he placed himself between the two.

“So, what has she got to say?” Trent started.

Cora just shook her head.

Knox returned and slammed a glass down on the coffee table in front of them. Then he straightened and glowered at Cora. She kept still. Her eyes were intently focused, again at nothing in particular, but a crack in her walls allowed her fear to seep into Mace.

“She’s frightened enough as it is,” Mace barked at Knox.

Knox cracked his knuckles. “A little terror works wonders on tight lips.”

Mace shot him a warning look. “She doesn’t need you terrorizing her right now.”

“Don’t give a shit what she needs.”

Mace bolted to his feet, getting in Knox’s face.

Knox smiled. “You want to dance again, sweetheart?”

“Both of you
stow it,” Trent said, growing impatient.

Mace waited till Knox backed up to his place against the wall before reclaiming his seat. Cora hadn’t moved a muscle. She’d
mentally returned to that place he couldn’t reach.