Page 26 of Deadly Alliances

No, stop it, Arya!

I couldn’t allow my thoughts to continue on this track. Because if there was any part of me that believed Hadrian was good, I knew I would never be able to come back from that.

Chapter 11

Julian

Rainbow leapt from my lap and landed gently on the ground. He stretched his furry limbs, straightened his back, and pointed his gray tail upward, all the while purring a middle C at perfect pitch

“Don’t leave,” I mumbled, my shackles rattling slightly as I moved my arms and extended my fingers. But I didn’t mean it. The cat had yet to be discovered by anybody within the black walls of Heritage Prep. Rainbow only left me when somebody else was approaching—usually Marguerite. It was the cat’s sixth sense.

“Be safe out there,” I whispered, watching Rainbow with blurry eyes. The copper injections not only weakened me physically and mentally, it even messed with my vision. Still, I saw the blurry fur ball leap onto the couch and slip behind a heavy curtain.

I had no recollection of how much time passed since I’d become Marguerite’s prisoner. However long ago Rainbow had torn off the metal plating that used to cover the window, there was now a triple-layered black sheet to replace it.

When Marguerite discovered the open window, I told her I needed to see the sunlight—that it was the only thing that had brought me comfort. Which wasn’t entirely a lie: Rainbowdidbring me comfort. And amazingly, Rainbow survived the sunlight, indicating that the cat had taken on my daywalking abilities.

Fortunately, the curtain made it easy for Rainbow to get in and out of Marguerite’s quarters. I watched as my little friendscurried out of sight.

In the loneliness the cat left behind, my muddled thoughts turned to Shea. She’d reached out to me several times—or at least I thought she had. But I couldn’t remember what she’d said, or what I’d said in response. The conversations seemed like dreams that were trying to disappear without a trace. I missed her so much. I only prayed I’d live long enough to see her beautiful face again.

Only a few moments went by, then a beep sounded at the door, and in walked Marguerite.

“Hi, Honey, I’m home!” She said the words in a sing-song voice, and I felt like hurtling myself out the window. If only I had the strength to do so.

Instead, I cast my hopeless gaze to the floor. “Hi, Marguerite,” I mumbled.

“Hey, cheer up, cheer up!” she said. “I brought a bloodmix for us to share!”

Bloodmix—a vampire cocktail that contained a variety of blood from different humans. Sure enough, I spotted the tall glass, filled to just a half-inch from the top with two bendy straws poking out, and I found myself licking my lips. I was so thirsty.

“You need to keep up your strength,” she said, kneeling in front of me while placing her free hand on my upper thigh, much too close for comfort. “I thought we’d enjoy a lovely date this evening.”

The idea of spending a romantic evening with Marguerite was so revolting, it almost dissolved my thirst. Almost.

Marguerite’s face fell at my lack of enthusiasm, and she put the bloodmix on the desk next to me. She lifted my chin with herhand, her brown eyes filling my view. “It’s the copper, isn’t it? It subdues you—alters your thinking.”

I nodded.

“It doesn’t have to be this way, you know,” she said softly, caressing my cheek. “I can remove these shackles. You and I can still leave Heritage Prep. But you know my demands.” She tapped my chest, then hers as she said, “You and I—forever.”

I didn’t blink, staring deeply into her eyes. Into her soul. At last, I said, “I will never meet your demands.”

Her jaw tightened, and I heard her teeth grinding.

“A date it is, then,” she said through clenched teeth.

“Let me go,” I begged. “Please, just let me go.”

“Your freedom will come when I have your heart,” she said with sickening sweetness. “It will happen sooner or later. And if it happens later... Well, I have eternity to wait. I guess I’ve gotten spoiled by quick results over the years.” She snatched the bloodmix and held it between us.

“No vampire date can start without a little drink,” she said, swirling the cup ever so slightly and causing a little vortex to spin in the center of the crimson liquid. It was hypnotizing, and I had a sudden urge to rip the cup out of her hands and consume the entire glass myself.

Taking a few deep breaths, I forced myself away from such animalistic behavior.

Marguerite eased the cup forward, and as my lips closed over one of the straws, I closed my eyes and began to drink.

A burst of flavor assaulted my taste buds, bringing much-needed pleasure to my entire being. The blood was still warm—freshly extracted.

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