Cherry Blossom (Vampire Cherry Book 2) (13 page)

At first, I couldn’t wrap my mind around the meaning of Constantine’s words. Then it slowly sank in. “You think he’s been hunting and keeping it from us on purpose? No! You didn’t see him in the woods. I did.” And I’d seen him smile when he’d said I loved him. I hadn’t liked that smile.

“This does not mean there isn’t more you don’t know. Have you wondered why Willoughby bothered following us here, instead of making a move while we were all tucked away in the mansion?”

“I… No.”

“I have. And why did Alex insist to meet your folks, when he hasn’t spent one minute since we arrived trying to get to know them?”

“He talked to my mom. We’ve all been busy. What are you getting at?” I tapped my foot impatiently.

“Maybe he’s aware of his actions. I’m not suggesting he’s gone rogue. Perhaps Willoughby has gotten to him somehow. I don’t know… I just want you to be caref—”

“No!” I shook off his hold and narrowed my eyes. Fear sliced through me, at the thought he might be right. Alex might be hurting people consciously. Wanting to hurt me.

I don’t like being afraid. I hate the helpless feeling that comes with it. The unease in my stomach. The uncertainty. The despair. So I did what I do best with emotions that make me uncomfortable, and funneled it into anger. “I knew you weren’t as cool with Alex as you pretended to be, but this is really low. Pretending to worry about me? Saying maybe he’s working with Willoughby?”

“Not because he wants to. There have been stories in the past of vampires messing with other vampires’ minds. And you should be careful around him. It can’t be a coincidence that he targets women who look like you.” He reached for me again, but I pushed him back.

“Maybe he thinks he’s feeding on me when he attacks them,
because he always feeds on me
.” I refused to believe Alex would do these things consciously, or that he’d be a danger to me.

But he’d lied about the dream.

And he’d been weird.

“Or maybe there’s another reason,” Constantine said, and I was furious at him again, for making me doubt Alex’s sincerity. Alex’s love for me.

“Right,” I said. “He subconsciously wants to drain me, while you only want what’s best for me. Is that it?”

“Cherry, I’m only trying to protect you.”

“Weird, ’cause I remember feeling pretty fucking devastated, when I caught you screwing someone else. The same someone who had me killed. Maybe you could have tried to protect me then.”

Shock and hurt contorted his beautiful face, and a numbing cold spread inside my chest, but I didn’t stick around to hear what he said next.

Chapter Sixteen

Alex wasn’t in the woods. I know, because I spent five hours looking for him there. I flew over it and I hurtled through it, and I almost got shot when I scared one of San Luis’s finest, patrolling the area in the middle of the night. I didn’t have the time to play scared tourist lost, so I compelled him just enough to make him look the other way, while I fled toward the town center.

I revisited every place we’d checked for Willoughby, and even went by the hospital, where I was told my sort-of-lookalike had been released.

Asking about a patient whose name you don’t know has to be hard when you’re not a vampire. All I did was use my vampire gaze to get one of the nurses on shift to tell me about the redhead they’d found near the creek, before I deleted all signs of me from her memory.

A bit after six in the morning, I returned to the house, to see if Constantine had had any luck.

I ran into my mom at the door. Shit! Last she’d heard from me, I was joining her and dad for dessert.

“Mom! I’m so sorry about last night. We—”

“Don’t worry, hon. Constantine explained someone called about…that man”—she spat the words out—“and you went to investigate.”

She waved one hand dismissively, and I finally realized she really had no idea about the sort of monster Willoughby was. She might have seen her mother nearly killed by a vampire, but she expected Alex, Constantine, and me to defeat Willoughby. For her it was just a matter of time.

I also realized Constantine didn’t want to worry her with Alex’s disappearance. I’d follow his example.

“Did you find anything?” Mom asked.

I shook my head. “I was hoping Constantine may have heard something more, since…since Alex and I went looking.”

“He left shortly after you did. Said he would check out the local nightclubs.” She gave me a cheeky grin. “I’m not sure if he’s looking for Willoughby or a good time.”

So Constantine had stuck with his insane theory. While I’d been looking for a guilt-ridden Alex, my ex had been searching for a hunting one.

I forced my lips to mirror Mom’s expression, while inside I seethed with anger. If I were human, my temples would be throbbing. I wanted to bust Constantine’s stubborn head as much as I wanted to bust Alex’s inconsiderate one. Maybe I should smash them together. Then they’d both stop messing with my peace of mind.

“You may be right,” I said. “I’ll rest a little before going back out. What are you up to, so early in the morning?”

She reached for a woven bag she’d left at the doorstep, and held out a pair of pruning scissors. “I promised Ms. Wilkins to help her with her gardening. She was so kind, when you…when we thought you weren’t coming back, and I like helping her. If you need company, I can call her—”

“No.” I shook my head. “Go. I’ll probably sleep for an hour and then meet up with the guys.”

“If you’re sure.” She kissed my forehead.

“I am.” It’d be easier for me to scurry around, if I didn’t have to hide my panic. I watched her head out, wondering what she’d tell Ms. Wilkins about my return.

I’d find out soon enough. Now I needed to feed, and possibly sleep for an hour or so. No longer than that. I couldn’t let more time pass by than absolutely necessary.

Constantine returned alone too. He avoided my gaze. I didn’t speak to him. It was two hours after dawn, and I was wild with fear.

Alex could be anywhere!

With every minute that ticked by, I forgot I’d ever been upset with him. Worry gnawed at my unbeating heart. Last time I waited for him for hours, it was because he was dying.

No. This time was different. He was somewhere moping, but reason would overcome his horror of what he might have done, and he’d be back soon. When there was no sign of him by half past ten, I went looking again. I couldn’t fly this time, because my vision was blurry with tears. I wouldn’t be able to handle it, if something else happened to Alex only because he had the misfortune of knowing me.

I stayed out until the heat became near-unbearable. Only it wasn’t in an
oh-God-I’m-burning
way. More like I needed a cold drink and a thick layer of sunscreen. Even so, it was too much after I’d spent years in the night.

I went home for a shower and another hit of blood with Ruby’s brew, and was about to brave the bright outdoors again, when Alex sauntered into the living room.

“Isn’t the sun amazing?” he asked. “Hadn’t realized how much I’d missed it.” He wore his best boyish grin, but his eyes held a near-wolfish glint.

I threw myself in his arms. “You’re okay. God, you don’t know how worried I was!”

He pulled back. “Why?” He seemed genuinely confused.

I smacked his shoulder, possibly a tad harder than would be playful. “You left without a word and stayed out all night. And then this morning… You could have burned to ash!”

He circled my waist with one arm, and nipped at my throat. “I was careful. And I’m perfectly fine, as you can see.”

He raised his head and smiled as I looked up. He was more than fine. He was glowing with health, and looked better than ever. I sniffed the air around him, and had to cover a shocked gasp with my hand, when the familiar sweet and coppery scent hit my nostrils.

“You fed.” I tried to keep my voice emotionless. Really, I did.

He pinned me with his sharp gaze, his grey eyes holding none of their usual softness. “Is that a problem? I thought you wanted me to.”

I did, but in a controlled environment. Preferably controlled by me. “I did. I do. But you were completely against it. What changed your mind?”

He gave me a one-shouldered shrug, and grazed the top of my breasts with the fingertips of his free hand. “Not sure. I felt like trying something different. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should embrace my new lease on life, and not try to hang on to the human I used to be.”

I shivered. That didn’t sound half as cool as it had when I’d suggested it.

“Maybe I should become more like Cee,” Alex said, between kissing my neck and nuzzling my hair. “He seems to have a good grasp on things.”

“What did you do?” I tried to step back and look him in the eye, but he tightened his hold and swayed us from side to side. “He seems to still have a good grasp on you, too.” His words made a mockery of the lovers’ dance he was leading our feet on.

I pushed at his chest hard enough to get free. “What did you do?” I repeated.

“Went for a walk and had a bite. What’s gotten you all riled up?”

I searched his eyes, hoping to find them blurry. It’d all be better if he was in some kind of trance. They were clear, but shone feverishly.

“Who did you feed on?” I asked. “Were they on drugs?”

He smacked his lips. “I sincerely doubt it. She looked clean cut. A good girl, all in all.”

She
. My gut clenched. “Where is she now?”

“Left her where I found her.” He arched a dark eyebrow. “Breathing, before you ask.”

“Did you wipe her memory?”

“No, but she never saw my face, and I doubt anyone will believe her, if she starts talking about vampires.”

I winced, both at his callous indifference, and at the thought of what I should ask next. “Alex, was she a redhead?”

“Don’t remember. What if she was?” His expression, already distant, turned stony.

“Alex, look at me.”

He did, crossing his arms. “What am I supposed to see?”

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “Did you overhear my conversation with Constantine last night?”

“Why? Do you two have secrets?” He narrowed his eyes, his full lips a thin white line.

“No. Nothing like that. I was just telling him you haven’t been yourself lately. After you walked in the woods, I was thinking maybe…you might be doing things in your sleep that you don’t remember afterward.” I paused, extremely uncomfortable at what we needed to discuss. How do you tell the man you love you believe he’s turning into a monster in his sleep? “Perhaps you’re feeling some resentment toward me. Your subconscious could be blaming me for your death, and this is how your id is acting on it. Or whatever.”

His expression softened. “Cherry, I love you. I’m not blaming you for anything. Willoughby killed me. You just showed me another way to live.” He cupped my neck, and I raised my face to him. “As long as I know you love me, I’m happy,” he whispered against my lips, before claiming them for a kiss.

He used one hand to bring me flush against his body, and drove it downward, until he was kneading my ass.

“Want to go downstairs?” he asked between kisses.

I nodded and nuzzled his cheek. I was anything but horny, but needed the connection sex established between us. “I’ll just let Constantine know you’re back.”

“You’re telling him a lot lately. Have you also told him about my nightmares? About the time I got…confused? In bed?”

He meant when he’d attacked me in his sleep. When he’d hurt me. When he’d attacked me in his sleep. Unease sent ice gliding down my spine at the memory of being unable to fight back. The need to connect turned into the imperative to distance myself.

I gulped, but schooled my features to remain placid. “That’s between you and me, and it’s in the past. He’s just out looking for you, and I don’t want him accidentally walking in on us when he comes back.”

Moving behind me, Alex slid his palm to my throat, and then down to my breast. He tweaked my nipple, where it stretched the cotton of my top. “We could stay right here and try to be fast,” he whispered in my ear, pressing his erection in my back. His voice was sweet, but dark and sticky, and with a bitter undertone, like burnt caramel.

“You’re crazy. Mom or Constantine may show up any second now.”

“Then we better get to it.” He slid his hand inside my jeans and pressed at my clit over my panties, grinding his hips against me. “You’re already wet.”

I usually was, around him. My body reacted to his touch instinctively. I rocked against him for a moment, before gathering my wits and stilling his wrist. “Alex, no. Just let me make this phone call, and we can go where we’ll have some privacy.”

He managed to move my underwear aside and slip a finger inside me. “You mean where your precious Constantine won’t see and get jealous.”

His words stunned me long enough for him to add a second finger.

“Maybe he should watch.” He pumped the fingers inside me and palmed my breast. “Maybe he likes to watch. Maybe he’ll finally realize you’re mine.”

A moan reached my ears. My moan. I shouldn’t be doing this here. I shouldn’t be doing this at all. There was something wrong with Alex, and I wasn’t letting his sexiness distract me from it. I pulled his hand out, and squeezed my thighs together. “This is ridiculous. He and I have been over for years. He knows I’m with you. I haven’t exactly been subtle about it. You go downstairs, and I’ll be with you in a sec.” I tried to sound seductive, despite the unease making my stomach roil.

He shrugged and licked his fingers clean. “If you’re not down in two, I’m coming to get you.” His nonchalance would have pissed me off, if I weren’t already busy being worried sick.

I watched him swagger toward the basement entrance, and then typed a text to Constantine. I wasn’t going to risk Alex’s overhearing what I wanted to say.

Alex is back. You may be right. If you say I told you so, UR dead. Come home now. And plz interrupt.

“You coming?” Alex yelled.

“Be right there.” I infused my words with a throaty sultriness I didn’t feel.

The front door flew open, and Constantine entered. He gave off a vibe I wasn’t used to, but I couldn’t spot what was different about him.

Not knowing with the fuck was wrong with my guys was becoming a trend lately.

“You’re back,” I said for Alex to hear.

“I am. Is Alex well?” Constantine’s blue eyes asked if I was all right.

I shook my head. “He’s fine, thank God. He even fed.” I widened my eyes, hoping he understood the last bit of info didn’t make me as happy as I pretended to be.

Constantine frowned. “That’s good to hear. And everything went smoothly? How did he decide to take that step?”

“You can ask the man yourself,” Alex said from behind me.

I turned and watched him approach in long, slow strides. He only had his jeans on, their top button popped, letting them hang low on his hips.

“It was about time I lost my training wheels. And yes, everything went smoothly,” he said, stopping next to me. He wrapped an arm around my waist, and gathered me to his side a little more forcefully than necessary. “And now we know we’re all well, you’ll excuse us, Cee.” He pulled me backward, and I threw Constantine a glance I hoped conveyed how much I didn’t want to be alone with Alex right then.

If I had to, I was prepared to fight Alex off, but I preferred to avoid violence and get to the root of the problem.

Constantine didn’t miss a beat. “I’m afraid your little reunion will have to wait.” He might be a lot of things—conceited self-serving bastard topping that list more often than not—but he wasn’t stupid. “As a council member, I’m afraid I am required by law to debrief you after your first feeding. I need to know who she was.” He tilted his head and studied Alex’s face. “I assume she was a she?”