Page 28 of Embers of Fate
A laugh bursts from my chest, the sound surprising me. Even in the midst of my pain, she can still make me smile, can still bring light to my darkness. “Sounds like a solid plan,” I tell her, stepping back towards the threshold, my body heavy with exhaustion. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Good night,” she says, already pulling open the fridge, her appetite apparently unaffected by my ailment. I guess she wasn’t kidding when she said she was hungry.
I make my way to the bedroom, each step an effort, the pain throbbing in time with my heartbeat. As I collapse onto the bed, I send up a silent prayer to any god who might be listening.
Please, let this pass. Let me be whole and healthy again, so that I can be the man that Sam deserves, the man that I want to be.
But even as I drift off into a restless sleep, the pain chasing me into my dreams, I can’t shake the feeling that something is changing within me, that these headaches are more than just a physical ailment.
There’s a darkness lurking beneath the surface, a shadow that grows with each passing day. And I fear that one day, it will consume me entirely, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake—the nonsensical ramblings of a mind in the grip of a powerful stupor.
17
SAM
As Nik leaves the kitchen, I’m already rummaging through the fridge, my stomach churning with hunger. I don’t even wait for him to disappear from view before I’m pulling open drawers and cabinets, my eyes widening at the array of fresh, vibrant fruits and vegetables that greet me. It’s an impressive sight, one that speaks to Nik’s healthy lifestyle.
I open the freezer, hoping to find something quick and easy to satisfy my cravings. Instead, I’m met with a dozen healthy-looking smoothies, each one a different color and no doubt packed with nutrients. I wrinkle my nose, my appetite demanding something more substantial.
And then I see the meat. Venison, beef, lamb chops... It’s enough to make my mouth water, and I can’t help but wonder who would win in a contest between Gavriil’s freezer and Nik’s. It’s a close call, but I have a feeling Nik might just edge out my brother in terms of sheer variety.
“Maybe I should give the shakes a try...” I muse, tilting my head as I consider the options before me. But even as the words leave my mouth, I know it’s a lost cause. I’m not in the mood for green juice, no matter how healthy it might be.
With a sigh, I shut the drawer and pull out a block of cheese and what looks like a fancy roasted turkey breast. There’s some bread on the island, and I know instantly what I’m going to make.
“A regular sandwich it is,” I mumble to myself, my stomach grumbling in anticipation. “No green juice for me.”
But as I stare at the ingredients laid out before me, a sudden thought pierces through the haze of hunger. Mila’s words, spoken just hours before, echo in my mind, and I feel a chill run down my spine.
“Nikolaas Draken is a killer.”
I try to shake off the unease, but it clings to me like a second skin. It’s ridiculous, I tell myself. Nik is no killer, no matter what Mila or anyone else might say. He’s kind and gentle, with a heart as big as the ocean. He would never do something so heinous, so cruel.
And yet, as I reach for a knife to slice the bread, I find myself hesitating. A voice in my head, one that sounds suspiciously like my own, whispers its doubts.
You should make sure you’re safe. Just in case.
I feel a flicker of shame at the thought, at the idea that I could ever doubt Nik’s intentions. But I can’t help myself. Slowly, cautiously, I pull open the island’s drawer, my eyes scanning its contents.
Forks, spoons, and other silverware greet me, but no knives. Where are all the knives?
My heart begins to race, my palms growing damp with sweat. I open a cabinet, my movements jerky and uncoordinated, and finally glimpse the knife block tucked away in the back.
“Gods, Brenda! Stop it!” I stammer, my voice echoing in the empty kitchen. I feel like a fool, talking to my own conscience like some kind of madwoman.
But even as I berate myself, I can’t shake the nagging sense of unease. It’s not like Nik to be so secretive, to hide something as innocuous as a knife block. What could he be trying to conceal?
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Of course, Nik isn’t a killer. Those are Gavriil’s words, spoken in the heat of the moment, fueled by centuries of hatred and mistrust. The boy I know, the one I’ve come to care for so deeply, is sweet and harmless. He would never do something as heinous as taking a life.
My brother, on the other hand... He’s already killed his fair share of bears, starting with the one who took his beloved mate, Luciana. The thought of him keeping the poor creature’s fur draped over the library chair makes me shudder, revulsion and horror twisting in my gut.
I finish making my sandwich, wrapping it in a napkin with shaking hands. Now that Nik has gone to bed, I take my time wandering through the rooms, nibbling at my dinner as I go.
Maybe I’ll be able to glean some new insight into the man I’m falling for, some clue to the secrets he keeps locked away. But even as I search, I know it’s a futile effort. Nik has been straightforward from the start, his honesty and openness one of the things I love most about him. He wears no masks, hides behind no pretenses.
As I enter the parlor, my sandwich nothing more than a few stray crumbs, I spot a couple of picture frames on the mantelpiece. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I move closer, my eyes widening as I take in the sight before me.
As I study the photograph, my eyes are drawn to the two young boys standing in front of a gorgeous couple. Their faces are alight with joy and laughter, their grins wide and carefree. The man and woman behind them are clearly their parents, the resemblance unmistakable.
