Back to You (18 page)

“The territory of the cougars? But Scott lives in Cape Cod, on the East Coast!”

“I said you were requested not to go, it’s not a prohibition. The cougars safeguard stability. They are not the real threat.”

“The cougars?”

“One thing at a time, baby. Be patient, everything will be revealed. You already have problems of stability, I don’t want you to be too disorientated. As I said, it is more of a suggestion. Do you understand your conditions?” he adds with a more formal tone.

“Yes, I understand. But we’re talking about Jason, Vuk, and Tyler here.”

“Yes, more or less all three of them.” Donn’s smile reappears.

“What have they all got to do with it?” I ask breathlessly.

“They are the most important satellites that gravitate around you.”

“I thought that maybe my good conduct would allow me to have one of those satellites excluded.”

“No, I’m sorry, but you’d choose the most lethal one. This is not up for argument. Putting your life in danger and risking losing you in a day, by saying yes to you today, would be the most selfish thing I could do.”

Our eyes lock again for an interminable instant.

“Of course, I’m free to go wherever I want, except New Hampshire. Free to do whatever I want, except going to see Vuk in his territory.” I look daggers at Donn. “I not too happy about making such sacrifices for your deal. It’s not right, and I think my life would be more rewarding if I could do these things. There must be some half-measures.”

“These are the half-measures. I haven’t forbidden you from seeing anyone. On the contrary, anyone can come and see you in Boston or Medford in my territory, where I can keep a check on people without fear of breaking the truce.”

“Ok,” I sigh and see his face harden. “I agree. But only on the condition that I can see them without going into their territory.”

“I’ve only imposed a few restrictions,” replies Donn, his voice steadfast. “Now agree to the deal. Do you want to put other people at risk for this whole thing?”

He’s probably referring to Jason’s foolhardy, thoughtless behavior in the courtyard. Still by my side, his body stiff, I notice his eyes narrow.

“No.” My voice is a feeble whisper.

“Then accept.” Donn’s words ring heavy in my ears.

“I’d rather not. If these are the conditions … no thank you.”

“Stella, you have to trust me.”

“Of course I trust you, but you’re asking too much. If I really were free, I could go out with whomever I please, anytime I like. Do whatever I want, basically. This is an illusion of freedom!”

“I’m sorry if that’s what you think,” says Donn. “But it’s the only way I can guarantee your safety. I’ll do my best to safeguard you, even if it means vetoing your moves. I’d like to do things differently, more effortlessly.”

“Do what?”

“Stella, baby, do you accept the deal or shall we bring proceedings to a close?”

“I don’t…” I barely mumble.

“As I thought,” snaps Gideon behind me, smiling contentedly at Graham.

Graham takes a deep breath.

“What a shame.”

“What a waste,” retorts Gideon sarcastically.

The words come out of Jason’s mouth with a roar far more intense that I would have expected.

“The proposal is join us, accept the deal, or he will die, right?” he growls. “I realized that as soon as we got here. So much for your laws!”

His tone takes me aback. He seems infuriated, but there seems to be something calculating in his attack, as if he had chosen his words with care.

“Of course not,” replies Graham, looking at him confusedly.

“So we’re free to go?”

“No instruction was disobeyed in the courtyard,” Graham says, pointing upwards with a skeletal finger. “The law has nothing on you, Jason. But the girl knows too much. I’d feel more comfortable if she joined us by accepting the deal.”

“She won’t reveal your secrets. She’s been keeping Vuk Wolf’s hidden for a year. And I believe that there are other humans in your little clan.”

Kate immediately springs to my mind, the pretty receptionist I saw on the first floor of Brooks Financial Enterprise. But my mind leaps back to the present. Graham’s face reveals a new expression. And a smile.

“Yes,” he confirms. “But when they are no longer of use to us, they become a source of sustenance. I don’t think you’d do that to her. And neither would Donn.”

Jason and Donn both launch Graham a deadly stare.

“Just as I thought. If she were to reveal our secrets …”

“She won’t,” pleads Jason.

“But if she did, you would not be willing to destroy her. So she is the weak link. It is her loyalty I demand. You, Jason, can go, if you so desire.”

He bares his teeth and crouches down into a position of attack. Gideon steps forward, almost tearing at the leash, his face joyful. A poker-faced Debra watches the scene unfurl, the group of guards in black cloaks stand still, but at the ready around Graham, like soldiers. Their duty must be to protect, not attack.

“Unless…” Donn breaks the tension, looking questioningly at me. The turn things have taken seem to satisfy him. “Unless you yourself agree to the deal.”

“So,” continues Graham. “As tradition dictates, I formally ask, Stella May Whitely, do you accept the deal and the conditions it imposes?”

I turn to search the liquid sapphire by my side and Graham immediately bursts into laughter.

“Wouldn’t Jason accept a bit of healthy competition?” His voice is dripping with irony as he turns to him.

“There’s no competition,” says Jason.

Graham looks at me, a smile spreading on his lips.

“Of course, I don’t know what I’m thinking sometimes!” he exclaims, then turns to me, his face now serious. “How dare you avoid Donn in this way? You risk hurting the black hole that took the place of his heart. I am sure that he would rather be your friend than not have you at all in his life.”

“Friendship is not enough for Donn, I’m sure of that.” The contrast between my words and my tone of voice breaks the tension again.

Jason looks at me anxiously. I can’t defy what he wants.

“I’d rather you ran the risk, rather than putting your life in danger. Or dying! The Council pact would discourage Jack and the attack by the rebels, unless they’re suicide runs! It’s the only possible solution, believe me. Try to find the right balance.”

I stand still as the thoughts in my mind run circles around one name. Jason. I know he said what he said to be certain I’d be safe. But at what price? But that doesn’t mean it’s not exactly what he really wants.

“So.” opens Donn, dragging out the word.

“So what?” I ask, my eyes purposely avoiding his.

“Nothing. I was wondering…” His face darkens. “I was just wondering what your plans are for next week.”

“Oh.”

“Well? Have we come to an agreement? I imagine that the possibility that you have changed your mind is remote. But I’m afraid I’m going to have to hold you to the promise. But I feel that you are somewhat more inclined now.”

The words burn in his mouth, his eyes dart to Jason, standing next to me. Feeling impotent, he is boiling with rage. I can feel his chest vibrate, a roar brewing. I can’t allow him to be reckless and risk getting hurt. I don’t want to see him hurt anymore because of me. I bite my lip, hesitating an instant before replying.

“What if I agree?”

“Finding the right balance!” exclaims Graham, smiling again.

“Ok, ok, I’ll give it a go,” I burst out, exasperated. “Balance. But I have a request to make, too.”

“Go ahead,” says Donn.

“It’s embarrassing not to be able to keep my thoughts secret when we’re together. So I want you to stay out of my head. It’s annoying that you’re always listening in, it makes me uncomfortable. It hate it that you read me all the time. That’s what I want, my condition.”

“Then I’ll respect it,” agrees Donn. “You know, baby, I’m a quick learner. Will you stick to my conditions?”

“Let’s get the balance right.”

Donn flashes that perfect smile of his, neither too gloomy, nor too friendly.

“I’m counting on you to behave yourself, baby.” He already knows that I’m not the most obedient type.

“Sure,” I sigh. “Will my time be divided up into precise segments?”

He smirks and shakes his head, laughing.

“Don’t make this any harder than it already is. Just remember the conditions. Especially mine, implicit in the deal.”

“Yours will make it
hard
to follow.”

“Come here,” he breaks in, calling me to him benevolently. His sweet murmur is as unbearable as it is seductive. I manage to resist it. I look at him in silence, he waits patiently.

“Promise,” he whispers in honeyed tones. “I beg of you. Is it such an awful thought? Are you willing to die rather than accept? I promised I’d behave, and I’ll keep to my word. Accept the deal with my conditions.”

Jason looks at me resignedly, nodding at me to comply. But his eyes seem to be thinking the very opposite, his face expresses irritation.

His eyes turn amber red, bright as Graham and Debra’s, as if a flame has suddenly flared up deep within. I feel I can read his thoughts, word for word. He appears to be in agreement with Donn, but in truth he never could be.

I step forward gingerly, Donn watching me all the while. I feel as though I have been punched in the stomach. But as soon as I am standing in front of him, I understand. He isn’t bothered about what I said or what I have done. No, what is troubling him is the anxiety he perceives inside me.

“Shh, Stella, come. Come,” he comforts me with a tender caress. But his words come out almost jumbled, I can barely understand. “Don’t fret, you’re worrying about the wrong things. Just believe me when I say that this is for the best right now, it’s safer this way. You’re already under so much pressure, don’t take on any more. Listen to me,” he soothes. “Hundreds of years have passed and I have now turned into ice. But the only thing I feel is the fear of losing you. You won’t regret having faith in me.”

Despite my resolve to cut Donn out of my life for good, it is only now that I realize just how deep he has to stick the knife in to succeed.

He looks me deep in the eyes, blissfully. He must have read my thoughts. My sense of terror ebbs away slowly as I sink into those onyx irises of his. Despite my newfound calm, I still know that I cannot trust my feelings where Donn is concerned.

“Give me your hand,” he says graciously, offering his to me, never taking his eyes off mine. The dark aquamarine of his hypnotic eyes convinces me to raise my arm with no further delay. Then he stretches out his to delicately take hold of my wrist.

Jason and Graham silently watch me, as do Gideon, Debra, and the entire troop of guards as Donn slides down my fingers to grip my hand, a light of satisfaction and impatience shining in his eyes.

“What is this deal?” I ask suspiciously. “I mean, is it written or what? I’m still skeptical and more than a little confused. I was expecting to sign a contract, but see no sheets of paper on Graham’s desk.

“Oh no, baby,” clarifies Donn. “This type of deal brings us together in the deepest bond that can never be broken.” His voice is calm and tender, the finest velvet to caress my ears.

“Ah,” is all I can manage to utter.

“The first step.” He extracts a small white flower from his jacket pocket––a four o’clock flower. He must have plucked it from one of the vases sitting the tables in the antechamber.

“A symbolic gift,” he adds. “The flower from your party.” It is an admission of guilt. He was the one who gave me the half dozen vases of flowers at the bar for my fourth anniversary party.

“Thank you,” I smile, touched, astonished. “It’s really beautiful.”

Donn looks at me and breaks into a smile.

“I’m glad you like it. It’s so that you don’t have trouble remembering my condition. The sacrifice that is the second step.”

He turns my hand over so my palm is facing upward. At this point, I realize the usefulness of the cufflinks that Donn is wearing on his shirt.

“Relax,” he whispers reassuringly. “I can’t stand waste.” His words pierce my mind slowly, one at a time, and take my breath away.

He lowers the cufflink from his free hand onto my wrist. My instinct is to snatch my hand away, but something seems to be stopping it. I am confused, overwhelmed. It is Donn gripping the back of my hand tightly. He brushes the tip of the cufflink against my skin, looking deep into my eyes penetratingly. Indecipherably.

I am petrified. I hear Jason’s teeth snap shut as the pointed tip of the cuff link pierces my wrist. The tiny hole, the shape of a triangle, oozes a drop of blood, which runs down my lower arm.

“Ah,” I sigh.

Donn closes his eyes for an instant and curls up his lip, revealing his teeth.

“A generous act of faith,” he says as he regains composure.

He bends his face over my wrist and kisses the wound. He licks up the blood as a tear rolls down my face. The seconds tick by. I feel cold as the warm liquid drips from below my hand without staining his pallid complexion. My anxiety returns in tidal waves.

Donn seems to be paralyzed, attached to my hand as he delicately but greedily feeds on the few drops of my blood. Nobody dares move. I wonder how much longer he will stay before standing upright.

At this point Donn’s face relaxes into an easy smile, and for a moment he looks 20 years younger. The dark circles under his eyes have disappeared and his eyes sparkle an even brighter turquoise.

“The bond,” he finally murmurs. “The fundamental step.”

He makes a slight incision on the palm of his hand with the other cuff link, then brings the hand to my mouth, dirtying my lips with his blood. His hypnotic eyes are urging me not to move, to let him stain me with his thick, metallic tasting blood.

He lowers his palm to stain the petals of the white flower in my other hand, to join us in the indissoluble blood tie.

Donn’s head is still bent forward. He kisses my forehead. His eyes still fully attentive, he glances at Jason before covering my wound with a plaster he pulls out of his jacket pocket.

He brushes his icy fingers across my cheeks to say farewell before letting go of my hand. His eyes, filled with gratification, never leave mine.