Page 53 of Marked
There is something so sweet in Raina. Something maternal and protective.
I never got a chance to know my parents. Not in any way that I remember. But there is something about Raina, something that reminds me of that faded memory of long dark hair and pale skin. And her kindness floors me.
My eyes burn. “Yeah. I—” I stop myself. “I’m okay.”
She huffs and looks over at the male with her. “Love. Go ahead and turn in.”
He frowns. “Raina ...” Her name is a rolling lilt of syllables. The accent makes me think of high winds, kilts, and bagpipes on the Moors.
“It’s fine, Markus. Go warm the bed.”
Markus? As in the king?
I glance between them, heart beginning to pound.
Holy shit.
I try to smooth my hair and my disheveled clothes. “My lord ... I mean, her lord—” I stammer, and his strange eyes fix on me in mild amusement.
“Markus is fine, Ms. Marks.”
My body bends in half in what, I hope, is a decent bow. “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you ... For letting me stay here,” I amend. “I want to do anything I can to help catch Vlad. And if Vic can go down with him ... all the better, sir.”
He’s quiet long enough that I risk a glance upward.
“I will have to commend Ruin on his work.” My cheeks burn, and, for a moment, I think he means what happened in the alcove. “When I asked him to enlist your help, I expected more resistance.”
My head shakes. “No, sir. I will do anything I need to.”
He watches me. “Then it would me my honor to have you work with us.”
I bow again as my brain falters. “Work?”
He turns to peer at me. “Raina mentioned you were trying to find your feet again. A valiant task, lass. And we pride ourselves on strength here. Being on your own requires a fair bit, does it not?”
I stare at him. “Yes, sir.”
He nods. “Then allow us to give you a guiding hand. Underground, like the manor, is but a temporary situation, as I am sure you have aspirations in this lifetime. But for now ...” His head tilts. “I have been considering a piece of property on Lock Lake. It would need a bit of repair ... But I would like to make a second refuge. A safe haven for supernaturalsandhumans.”
My eyes widen. “I’ve never been out there, but I would be happy to help in any way I can,” I say. “Anything you need ...”
Markus appraises me, his expression mild. He turns to Raina and nods. It’s like an unspoken signal between them, and her body seems to sag. “Of course. Alas, we could remain awake and speak on things until the sun rose.” I smile slightly. The man’s accent is yummy. Old world. “Find her a bed, love. I will await you.” He starts to walk away then stops.
“And, Ms. Marks?” I peer at him. His topaz eyes are cunning, not quite cruel, but like he can be if you push him too far. “Do not disappoint me.”
His words make me shiver. He walks off, unnoticing or uncaring of my reaction, back the way I came. Raina watches him go for a minute before taking my arm and leading me back down the stairs and deeper into the fortified section of the manor.
“Why can’t I go back tomyroom?”
She chuckles. “The manor has certain security measures in play. Though most of the newer vamps can live in daylight as well as you, the older ones don’t like it so much. So the main doors seal until sunset, and the exterior of the house has steel shutters.”
I follow her slowly from the main room to a heavy door across the way. She keys in a code and the door swishes open to reveal a tunnel of stone.
The thick cement and steel walls are covered in tapestries and paintings that look older than even Markus. The rolling hills and valiant steeds are reminiscent of a time that no longer exists. Of chivalry, and men that strived to be warriors and protectors. Not only for their country or land. But for their families.
“Do all of these paintings belong to the colony?” I ask.
She peers at me before glancing around. “Most Markus brought when he crossed the sea many years ago,” she says. “They are family pieces, I believe, from the old Keep.”
