Page 77 of Fangs and Family
‘I wouldn’t say they are scared, my love, but you achieved something that most here couldn’t accomplish without a significant increase in power. Love, you are friends with the Soul Shepherd, the Forest Lord and the Coven Mistress. All of that would make anyone wary of you, but you, a human, enchanted me, their Master, then killed the most powerful psychic vampire in Poland and became a vampire during a magical explosion that half of the Tricity area witnessed. Like it or not, you are a force to be reckoned with.’ Adam replied calmly. He looked me straight in the eye with pride burning in his gaze, then turned and walked away, leaving me speechless in the middle of the beautiful hallway.
It took me a moment to shake off my surprise at Adam’s speech, but as I rushed after my lover, I couldn’t help but wonder if the pride I’d seen in his eyes meant more than I realised.
We entered the basement together, and I couldn’t help the little moue of disappointment at the sight before me. My expectations of damp, dark cells filled with moaning, starving captives couldn’t have been further from the truth. Instead, I was confronted by a long, well-lit corridor with well-spaced doors along its length, most of which were open with comfortably appointed suites. At the end of the corridor was a large communal area filled with plush sofas and chairs, as well as a large flat-screen television, a stylish coffee maker and a large fridge.
When I turned to Adam, he couldn’t hold back his smirk as he directed me to one of the closed doors and knocked on the door.
A young-looking, petite woman opened the door and nodded to Adam, then to me, before stepping out and walking away. I looked inside and nearly bit my lip at the sight before me. A bedraggled, shivering male lay on a bed, surrounded by several empty blood bags.
‘Pawel?’ I asked quietly, and he turned to me.
His eyes were wild, but after several seconds, he seemed to focus, and recognition brightened their depths. After a few moments, he sat up and tried to straighten his unkempt hair.
‘Sis? Am I in jail?’ He asked, his voice hoarse as if he’d been screaming all night.
‘Kind of. Adam thinks it’s the best for the moment. Pawel, I’m so sorry, but you’re a vampire now.’ I said, and he nodded before his head hung low.
‘I thought so, the bags, and… I’m so hungry. I shouldn’t have raided that tomb, but they said it was safe, that the whole family was long dead. Then that man, that vampire, came after us. I saw him rip my friends apart. He didn’t even use a knife…’ Pawel’s voice trailed off before changing into an inhuman growl.
‘It’s all right, Pawel. Sapieha’s gone . You’re safe now, I promise.’
Pawel looked at me before his gaze moved toward Adam.
‘You killed me,’ he said. I could almost see the memories surface before his face transformed into a rictus of fury, and he leapt forward, clawed hands reaching for Adam’s throat. ‘You fucking killed me! Then I woke up here, surrounded by bags full of blood. I called, and no one, not a single soul, came. I didn’t know where I was, what time it was, and what was happening to me….’
‘Calm down.’ Adam didn’t raise his voice, but the command was unmistakable, and Pawel reacted instantly, his body relaxing, hands dropping to his sides.
‘Yes, I killed you. You asked me to, remember? You wanted to save Nina, sacrificing your life for hers, and for that, I let you live. I could have simply ended your existence, but I love your sister too much to see her suffer grief at your death,’ he said with a menacing undertone that affected me in ways I didn’t fully understand.
‘Yes, you were left alone. A newly raised vampire is a danger to everyone around them. Only their sire is able to control their feeding frenzy. You should be grateful that Brygid was willing to risk herself to replenish your supply and make sure you didn’t hurt yourself. Let me make one thing very clear to you, boy. This new life that you’ve been given? It belongs to me, and there will be some significant changes. You will stay in this cell until you learn to control your hunger. Then, we will find you a job, and you will apply yourself with due diligence. After you’ve proved yourself trustworthy, you will gain your freedom. However, if you do anything to cause Nina pain, I will make your life a living hell.’
I looked at Adam as if it were the first time I’d ever seen him. The Master of the Tricity Seethe had somehow replaced the carefree, annoying vampire, and this new, menacing, and commanding presence was incredibly alluring. Unfortunately, the overprotective threats ruined the moment.
‘Oh, right, Mr High and Mighty Vampire Lord, maybe you should try remembering I defended myself last time a vampire threatened me, so… May I talk to my brother now that you’ve finished measuring your manhoods? Preferably alone?’ I arched an eyebrow as I looked at Adam, half expecting him to object. To my surprise, the unyielding look on his face softened when he glanced at me and bent to kiss my forehead.
‘Don’t provoke his baser instincts if you can help it. At the first sign of trouble, run. That will keep both of you safe. Brygid will be outside; she has experience in these situations. Come out when you are done, I’ll be in my office.’ I touched his cheek, noticing the roughness of the stubble he must have forgotten to shave. Adam looked tired. He must have been working non-stop whilst I slept on the sofa.
‘I need to go to Sara’s later. Just go home and have a rest. I will take a taxi,’ I suggested, but he looked at me as though I’d grown horns.
‘We will go together. I wouldn’t mind a little of Leszek’s expensive whisky. I’m sure he won’t mind sharing while you two have a chat,’ he said before walking out, leaving me alone with my brother.
Two hours later, I emerged, my eyes puffy from the tears I’d shed, but my heart felt much lighter after I’d aired all the family’s dirty laundry. I asked the nearest vampire for the way to Adam’s office, and he pointed me to a room on the second floor.
I climbed the beautiful oak stairs with its ornamental copper balustrade and stumbled to a halt, noticing a significant queue of petitioners in front of thevampire boss’s lair. I squeezed through the annoyed crowd until I reached his door and knocked.
‘Adam, may I come in?’ I asked, intending to tell him I was going to Sara’s and he could join me when he finished. The door swung open, and I yelped in surprise when a strong masculine arm wrapped around my waist.
‘We are done here. Send the important requests to me via email. The rest can wait till tomorrow. Office hours will resume over the next few days, so expect some disruption. Just remember, I’m not your babysitter, and if you send me any more petty complaints, you’ll be paying for them in blood,’ Adam snapped, holding me tight to his side.
I noticed a few murmured remarks and sharp stares aimed in my direction. Adam must have sensed them, too, but his following statement baffled me completely.
‘Nina is a new vampire, and she is my At’kar. If any of you think of using her in your petty power plays, forget it. Any trouble you cause her, I will take personally. Very, very, personally, and you will beg for death when I catch you.’ Adam seemed to grow as he made his point, the threat clearing a wide space around us, especially when his wings tore through his shirt and he turned their vicious edges toward the crowd.
‘Well, that escalated quickly,’ I muttered before stepping forward and turning to the gathered vampires. ‘First, I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m not interested in taking anyone’s position, and I prefer to keep my life as it is. Second, if you have an issue with me, please talk to me directly because apparently, your boss skipped his conflict resolution training,’ I said, and a few covert giggles followed my statement.
I reached behind me and grabbed the tip of Adam’s wing, the feathers instantly softening under my touch.
‘Let’s call it a day for now. I’ll take him for a drink or two, and he will come back in a much better mood tomorrow. It’s a big ask, but could someone keep Pawel company? I will treat it as a personal favour,’ I offered, pulling Adam down the corridor, and he followed me with a bewildered expression.
