Page 4 of Branded in Love
“Don’t open your eyes,” I say under my breath. The bones crack when I crush the vampire’s neck. My claws break beneath my fingernails. One quick sweep severs the demon's head. The claws gradually retract, and my hand becomes human again.
Now to get rid of the body. I don't want her to see this mess.
I hold my hands open, palms facing head and corpse. “Evanescet,” I say under my breath, exhausted. Within seconds, the remains burst into myriad glowing embers that soon fade into the darkness, taking away any traces of blood and gore. I rarely resort to this type of incantation. But for her, I would do anything.
Finally, I look at her. She stands in front of me, shuddering while she hugs her arms, eyes closed as she bites her lower lip. I am on my knees, watching her in absolute awe. She doesn't even begin to suspect that I am at her mercy.
4
LUCIANA
Cold embraces me inside out. I can’t stop trembling. My heart is about to explode. Did I really just see Trent grow fangs? God, he tried to bite me. He tried tokillme! Dear God, and this man—he leapt out of the woods and saved my life. And when he touched me, he all but zapped me with an electric burst of energy. I think he tased Trent. Maybe that’s what set off some static between us?
This can’t be real, but it is. I saw these things with my own eyes. And Trent... Oh God! I bury my face in my hands.
“You can open your eyes now,” the stranger says. His voice is low and gentle, as if he fears I might break. Who am I kidding? I’m a mess. My mind is spinning like crazy.
I’m afraid to open my eyes, but I swallow hard and do as he says. The first thing I see is him standing in front of me. My head swings up to meet his dark brown eyes, enhanced by the shadow of his short boxed beard. The guy is tall and burly, a little over six feet. His chestnut hair is long, tied back into a low bun.
My gaze travels lower, to the damp white shirt sticking to his firm chest and chiseled abs. I flush and look down fast.
Stop staring at him, Luciana! What’s the matter with you? You almost died a minute ago, and this man saved you. And he killed Trent, who was a vampire! My breaths become short and rapid. Warm tears blur my vision, frantic, as I look behind the man. Where’s Trent’s body? Where is...?
The stranger holds me by the shoulders. My arms tingle at his touch. I can’t control it. “Look at me,” he says, and I jump at the sound of his voice. “Don’t look for him. Look at me.”
I do as he says, fear and confusion knotting inside me.
“You’re overwhelmed right now,” he continues in a low, soothing voice. “You shouldn’t have seen any of this. But you did. And I’m sorry. And it’s over now.” He stops to catch his quickened breath.
I take a hand to my lips. “Trent, he was…” I shudder. “He was… Where is he?” I’m afraid he might jump out of the trees again and get me this time.
“Gone,” he says, boring his serene eyes into my own. “There’s no coming back from where he is. You are safe.” He does not falter as he says these things.
I want to believe him, but I sweep the grounds with a glance, anyway. There’s not a trace of Trent. It’s as if he’d vanished altogether. But then, he was a vampire. Maybe that’s what happens when you kill a vampire? Oh God! I can’t believe this is happening!
“Let me take you home,” he says, leaning down until our stares level.
My brow creases with bemusement. A storm of emotions breaks inside me. “But he was…” I find myself speaking in the lowest of voices. I still feel like Trent might come back and kill me. “He was taking me home.” My lips quiver. I’m on the brink of tearing up. “And I don’t… I don’t even know you!”
“I willneverhurt you.” He speaks with stern determination, so fiercely, it echoes as a solemn vow.
“No,” I breathe, stepping back. “I can’t... I’ll be okay on my own…” If I’ve learned anything in the past few minutes is to be wary of the people who surround me.
As I walk to the gates, the man stands still in the middle of the road. His eyes follow me until I reach the sidewalk. I grab my phone out of my purse and speed-dial Marco. He doesn’t pick up, probably mad at me still.
My heart is racing, but I push my steps into a trot. I need to get home. I need to take a shower. And then, find a therapist.
5
GAVRIIL
Ilet her go. Against every fiber in my being, screaming I should grab her and make her mine, I let her leave.She’s human.I scream at myself.She’s a woman. Not a witch or a shifter.I should not feel such a powerful pull towards her. I’m a warlock and a bear shifter. Humans have no part in my world. Dallying with one is not only forbidden, but it goes against everything I stand for. And besides, the last time I belonged to someone, she died, and it almost got me killed. So no. No more dating for me... I can’t stop thinking about her, though.
I am the fucking King of the Ursa Clan, for crying out loud. I should be able to master my emotions.
I should have enchanted her, made her forget about this incident. But I did not. And I fear I skipped this vital step because removing the vampire’s recollection would have erased all memory of me as well. And Ido notwant her to forget about me. I want to stay engraved in her memory, even if that means being tied to hatred. Even if she resents me for annihilating her vampire date.
“Argh…” I growl. One deep breath and I start to walk to the park’s gates. I need to get away from her scent. I gave her enough of a head start. It shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll hit the gym and take a cold shower. Dammit, I feel bitter. So much for my first day in Rome… Perhaps I should not have meddled. But the truth is I do not regret it.
