Page 17 of Elegy of Twilight
It was only then I was able to speak. “This only happens with you,” I sputtered. “And only when I hear the music. I heard you sing, and it was beautiful.”
“I didn’t know you were coming tonight,” Titus said, his eyes searching mine. “It’s dangerous.”
“You gave me your mark.”
“True, but you still shouldn’t have come without my knowledge.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “It’s not my fault the nights are dangerous.”
“Ah, there’s that fire within you. No, it’s not, but you of all people should act with wisdom.”
I sighed. “I was upset and. . .”
“And?” he prompted, placing a hand on his heart. “You were upset, and so you came to see me.”
I didn’t like the way that sounded, but it was true. I sought out Titus. Titus the vampire king. The enemy of the village. The one who’d written a demanding letter about me. Instead of staying in safety, I sought him out because I felt a tug, a yearning for him.
“Yes, I came for answers,” I whispered, facing the truth.
His impudent mouth crooked in a grin. “I am honored.”
A wave of exhaustion came over me, and I slid off the stone. But standing did not give me the confidence I’d hoped for. Crossing my arms, I attempted to explain. “In truth, I’ve figured out that you’re not from here. You have some kind of power that is embellished by your lute. It makes others fall asleep or forces the vampires to obey you. You rule the night, and yet, last week, when you played and wewere skin to skin, I felt a shift. You know something about my runes.”
“Go on,” he encouraged, his grin turning sly and sinister.
“I saw a letter in the garrison from the vampire king. You, I assume, demanding the priestess with silver runes. Was that you? Why do you want me?”
“Oh, Lucia, I don’t dare trust you with my secrets.”
I frowned and took a step away from him. “You’re making life difficult for me.”
“Sacrifice is never easy.”
“I’m not talking about sacrifice. I would willingly do this to save the village, but it’s more, isn’t it? My runes were quiet; they never flared to life until you and I think. . .I know you can explain this reaction.”
“Maybe you’re just attracted to me.”
I sighed and turned away from him, my words hard. “It was foolish of me to come to you, considering your words. You’re not taking this seriously. You’d rather turn this conversation into a joke.”
Turning around was a mistake because, in an instant, his hands were around my waist, and he pressed my back against his chest, holding me firmly as he whispered in my ear, “Stay. I’m flattered yousought me out. I, too, have the same questions, and I can’t explain it—yet. The combination of my music and your runes is potent. With you, my power over the vampires is complete, and I believe I’ve awoken something within you too. Magic that lay dormant until now. Waiting for the right moment. You’ve come to me for answers, but I’m just as lost as you are.”
I spun in his arms, my fingers squeezing his shoulders. “You believe I have magic?”
He nodded, a lock of black hair falling over his forehead.
“You have magic too, don’t you?” I asked, aware that he did, because whatever magic he had awoke my own. A thread of discomfort passed through me, disliking the way we were linked together.
“I can teach you how to control it.”
“In exchange for?”
He lifted his eyebrows. “In exchange for nothing, you’re already coming to me one night a week. I only beg of you to give me a signal so that I’m aware when you’re searching for me.”
A rawness haunted the angles of his handsome face, and I stared at him, a realization dawning. “You’re not the vampire king, are you? You’re not a vampire at all, but some kind of wizard, a sorcererwho can control them, and my unknown magic is helping you.”
His lips brushed mine before he pulled back to respond. “You’re too close to the truth, but I cannot speak plainly without a noose tightening around my neck.”
I pressed my hand against his cheek, the prickle of his unshaven stubble tickling my palm. I could have sobbed with relief. He wasn’t a demon, a devil of the night, but someone else unknown and equally as mysterious. He might be a wicked scoundrel indeed, but he was trying to help me, wasn’t he?
