Blinding Light (The Bloodmarked Trilogy Book 2) (29 page)

Gavin cleared his throat to get my attention and threaded his fingers through mine. My nerves sparked to life at the simple contact. “I think you scarred him for life,” he scolded.

“Hardly. He’ll forget all about it when he gets older. Adults have that annoying way of rationalizing what they can’t explain, so he’ll convince himself he imagined it,” I explained. “But for right now, yeah, he’ll think twice about being mean to a girl.”

I spied him in my peripheral vision shaking his head at me. He heard the remnants of a smile in my voice. “I pity any guy who’d dare to cross you.”

I squeezed his hand and rammed my shoulder into his. He staggered back but tugged me into him. His fingers grazed my jaw and wound through my hair. His thumb smoothed over my cheek, and he pressed me back against the car. I hadn’t even realized we were already there.

“We should get back. They’re going to want to discuss our next move,” he said halfheartedly.

“I know.” Determined not to ruin our perfect day just yet, I continued, “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Have I earned a second date?” he asked. My heart tripped over his use of the D word.

“Only if you promise to throw me against a wall after it,” I answered, biting my lip.

“I can guarantee it,” he growled.

One day, we would both learn to separate our different hungers and be able to manage the lust without it resulting in mass destruction and blood loss. When that day came, we would go on a second date.

He led me to the passenger side and helped me inside. The same struggles we faced on the drive here followed us on the way back to the mansion. Rolling down the windows, we stifled our desire. I replayed our date over and over in my mind, savoring the memory for as long as possible.

We pulled into the drive and sat in a brief bubble of peaceful silence before reluctantly heading inside. The wind rustled through my hair roughly. We made it back right before the predicted snowstorm hit. Walking through the door, the thick cloud of tension that permanently surrounded the house engulfed me.

Gavin sensed it too and nudged my shoulder. “You okay?”

“I’m good. Back to work,” I said cheerily.

†

The others watched me carefully. I stared at my reflection in the polished wood grain as the weight of their eyes bore down on me. We had all gathered around the massive table in the formal dining room. Every seat was occupied and people lined the walls. Even Helen remained silent, waiting for my plan.

“Where are the others?” I asked, not looking up. I took a mental headcount when I stepped through the doors and noticed a few house members were absent.

“Lee, Carly, and Carrie are securing the perimeter before the storm sets in. We need to be sure our motion detectors and outer spotlights can withstand the weather,” Helen supplied.

We had motion detectors?

My eyes lifted and scanned the crowd of somber faces. I decided to begin with the least controversial plan. My gaze landed on one particularly frightened set of eyes.

“Sophie. I think it’s time you shared your knowledge of the Sword of Michael with the rest of us. We can’t ignore its crucial role in a potential power play.”

Her cheeks flamed from the attention, but she cleared her throat and launched into teacher mode. She explained the power of the Sword, holding everyone’s rapt attention.

“One source placed its disappearance sometime in the fourth century, but most claim the First have it. I did some digging and found an older text that said a copy was made. I believe the First were tricked into stealing the copy from the relics of an old monastery in Italy. I think the real one could still be there.”

“What makes you think the First don’t have the real deal?” asked Nick.

“If you had a weapon that could kill any enemy and gave you the power of an archangel, would you still be hiding in the woods?” she quipped.

A grin crept over my face. Girl came out of her shell when she was in her element.

“So it’s still being held in this monastery?” I asked.

“I think so,” she confirmed. “I haven’t found anything that says otherwise.”

“Good enough for me. That’s where I’m going,” I replied.

A throat cleared behind me and I smiled wider. “Where
we’re
going,” I amended.

A choking sound came from Allison’s direction.

Gavin’s smooth voice sailed over me. “I’ll make arrangements to leave as soon as the storm clears.”

Now that the first issue was settled, I braced myself for the next. “I want all of you gone once the storm blows over.”

The expected uproar ended the silence as my decision was met with boisterous protests. I pushed my chair back to stand. My palms fell flat against the smooth surface as I leaned in.

“Staying would mean suicide.”

“We aren’t running!” someone shouted from the back of the room. Several others joined in the argument until they no longer paid attention to me. Instead, they clashed with each other, and I sat back down to wait out the pandemonium.

Some decided the conversation was over and got up to leave. I wiped my hands down my face in frustration. The chime of the doorbell cut through the chaos.

Who used the doorbell?

A piercing scream broke through the noise and silenced the entire room. Gavin and I flashed to the source, pivoting around Allison, who stood frozen in shock at the door.

I sucked in a breath and recoiled from what lay in front of me. On the welcome mat, a severed hand perched, holding a precariously placed note between the fingers.

“Oh my God,” Allison breathed. “What does it say?”

I didn’t have to bend down to read the one word scrawled elegantly across the paper.

Soon
.

When Keepers waded through the forming crowd to get a peek at the spectacle, shrieks of dread and shock sounded all around. Someone dropped to his knees beside me.

“No. Oh, God. No. Nononono.” I recognized Brody’s voice. “That’s the bracelet I gave Carly,” he cried.

When I glanced back, I saw the dainty chain around the delicate hand. My own hand moved to my charm bracelet out of instinct. My fingers traced over the Chi Ro coin.

I sprinted off the landing, hitting full speed once my shoes touched pavement. I heard Gavin flank me until we neared the end of the driveway. Neither of us needed to say a word. In perfect strategic harmony, we broke away to round the edge of the property in opposite directions.

A mantra drove me faster and faster.

She had to be alive.

She had to be alive.

Please be alive.

I watched Gavin approach me after making a full circle. We fanned out further into the forest, but even without the blustering snow, I knew we wouldn’t find anything. Message received.

They called the shots, and we weren’t going to Italy until this was finished. Knots coiled around a ball of dismay forming in my stomach. They found me. It was starting.

Brody waited by the door. He peered at me through desolate eyes. I shook my head in an answer to his silent plea. His head dropped in defeat, and I put a hand on his shoulder, knowing it couldn’t console the grieving and brokenhearted.

Someone had already removed the hand from sight, but everyone still stood in the foyer with their eyes trained on the floor where it once lay. Since when were the assassins into mutilation?

“Now what?” someone whispered.

“We fight the fuckers!” Nick shouted. A mask of rage I’d never seen fell over his face.

The crowd roared to life, chanting for vengeance. The decibel level grew, and I winced in pain. The shouting nearly burst my sensitive eardrums.

“Shut up,” Brody screamed, followed only by the sound of gusting wind. He turned to me. “Lucy,” he begged. “We aren’t going anywhere. This is our home. We’re all family and we’d all die for each other.”

As I searched their faces, I was touched be the stand they took together. Apparently, none of us were immune to the crushing weight of responsibility. We all knew the day would come when we’d have to fight. It always did.

It seemed my vow to Holly’s ghost was still intact. I have experienced more humanity as a vampire than I ever did in the blink of my semi-mortal life.

Meeting each of their gazes, apprehension cloaked me, clinging tight like wet clothes in a rainstorm. I gasped for air I didn’t need, asphyxiated by doubt. Fear crept in next, clamping down on my chest with a vice grip.

The more human I felt, the more imperative it became to succeed. I couldn’t fail this. I couldn’t fail the group or their trust in me, not after becoming so attached to them. I’ve only just begun to accept that I couldn’t take responsibility for the safety of the entire world, but this right here was my fight. These were my friends, and I wouldn’t fail them this time.

“Everyone out!” Gavin’s voice boomed through the entryway.

I watched, in awe, as bodies fled and scattered like ants in response to that voice. I crossed my arms and stared directly into his eyes in challenge.

“Why is it everyone is so eager to obey you?” I asked, unafraid of the backlash.

“Not everyone,” he replied drily.

“Is it that annoying, commanding tone of yours or just your overall domineering tendencies? You love to boss people around, don’t you?”

“You don’t get anywhere by being passive. You have to know what you want, then demand it.”

“Oh, yeah? And where is it you want to go? What is it you want that makes you so bossy?”

His eyes darkened and he stepped closer. “My home,” he answered.

“Which one?” I stood my ground.

“Lucy, I have several houses around the world, but only one home,” he whispered softly, coming so close his shoes grazed mine. He cupped my face gently. “And I’m looking at it.”

I may have swooned a little just then.

His thumbs rubbed soothing circles across my cheeks as he continued. “I see the determination in your eyes, but I still sense your fear. You don’t have to do this. We can find another way. I can’t stand the thought of losing you, but I know you’re perfectly capable of saving yourself. If you’re scared or you don’t want to do this, I will support you.”

I laughed halfheartedly. “You mean you’re not going to tell me what to do?”

“I gave up on that a long time ago. You’ve proven to be immune to my domineering tendencies,” he claimed with a wry grin.

I observed the colorful landscape paintings on the wall behind him before meeting his eyes again. “I can’t. I can’t leave them stranded. I won’t walk away from anyone in trouble.”

His lips curved up further. “That’s what I thought.”

†

I perched on the roof for the remainder of the night, vigilantly scanning the forest for any sign of movement. No one was allowed out tonight. Gavin crouched along the roofline at the opposite end of the house. We were the only night guards on duty while the others rested.

When dawn washed away the inky horizon, Gavin approached from the steep gables behind my turret. His smooth voice was carried across the frosty air. “When was the last time you slept?”

What a legitimate question.

“What day is it?” I asked absently while trying to straighten out my time here.

“Sunday. Does that honestly help you figure it out?”

“No. Just curious. I have no idea when the last time was I got a full night’s sleep.”

“You’re going to need it. I can only assume they won’t draw this out much longer. They may have used last night’s… stunt to learn our defenses. They must know about the motion detectors because they evaded them, but they also would have used their time to plan their attack carefully. We need to be ready for anything.”

I looked directly at him, absorbing some of his apprehension into me. “Right. Rest. I’m on it,” I said, hopping up to shake out some of the stiffness in my legs. Maybe sleep would cure my overextended frustrations.

Gavin followed me down the stairs to my bedroom and left me to rest. I made a quick trip to the kitchen for dinner, or breakfast, and then headed back to my room on heavy feet. My body immediately responded to the idea of sleep with fervor. Fatigue settled into my limbs, and I made light work of changing into a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top before plopping into the heavenly, layered softness of my bed.

However sluggish my body was, my brain continued to race with different outcomes of the impending battle. I went through several meditative techniques to quiet my mind. Nothing worked. I thought music might ease my psyche. Just as I reached for my ear buds, a feminine laugh caught my attention.

I rushed to my door and cracked it open an inch in time to see Allison step out of Gavin’s room. What the f-

“Thank you for all your help,” she gushed.

Gavin followed behind her to lean against his doorframe casually, as if he wasn’t the biggest scumbag in the world. My hackles raised and I flung the door open, not caring about the loud bang against the wall.

“What the hell are you doing on this side of the house?” I demanded, looking directly at Allison. If I glanced at Gavin right now, my most potent ire would be unleashed.

She twisted her grin up a notch. “Gavin, here, was showing me a few of his moves.” She drew out the last word, insinuating something more than just tactical maneuvers.

“Lucy, she wanted to know the best striking attacks against the faster assassins. I merely showed her the best grip and thrust maneuvers,” he said, and then pinched his eyes closed at his poor word choices.

Mine practically bulged out of my skull. I crossed my arms. “Was it worth it?” I spat.

Allison’s expression turned lascivious. “Oh yeah,” she responded.

“Lucy, you know what I meant. Allison, I hope I helped, but you should go practice with the others.”

She shrugged innocently. “Sleep well, handsome.” When she spun to leave, she met my gaze with a wink and a smug smile plastered on her face.

I turned back to slam my door, but it stopped mid swing. Strong arms wound around me from behind as his breath tickled my ear.

“You know me better than that. She just wanted a few pointers on how to handle an attack. Underneath it all, she’s as scared as everyone else. Was I supposed to refuse to help and let her fend for herself?”

Of course, I wouldn’t want him to deny anyone help, but I hated that she took advantage of the situation to flirt. In his bedroom. I twisted my head toward him, and our noses brushed. Every fiber of my being believed him, but jealousy still rippled through me, forcing my lips into a pout.

“Did you touch her?”

Before I knew what was happening, he picked me up and dashed into his room. He backed me against the wall.

“You mean like this?” he asked as he skimmed his fingertips up the sides of my thighs to my waist, where they curled around my ribs. My breathing sped up, but his question replenished my fury.

“You better not have touched her like this,” I rasped.

“What would you do if I had?” he asked, a grin teasing his lips.

I didn’t find any of this funny. “Think of the worst thing that could happen to your man bits. It would go way beyond whatever you’re picturing. Then, I’d kill you.”

He laughed but I saw him cringe a little. “That is exactly why I would never even consider touching another woman like this,” he admitted, bringing his hand up to knot in my hair.

His mouth hovered over mine, and my eyes drifted closed in anticipation. His lips brushed mine as he spoke. “You’re kind of cute when you’re jealous. You know that?”

My eyelids sprung open. “Cute? Are you serious?”

“Yeah, in a slightly psychotic, homicidal kind of way,” he teased.

“Shut up,” I replied, shoving him away playfully. He chuckled. “If I’m crazy, it’s because you make me crazy,” I countered.

The big boyish grin never left his face when he approached. He pinched my chin between his thumb and index finger to tilt my head up, and I met his gaze.

“Probably not nearly as crazy as you make me, but I wouldn’t want you any other way.”

We stared at each other too long for it to be considered anything other than intimate. Squashing any inappropriate thoughts, we both backed away to a safe distance. His features sobered when he looked back at me.

“You couldn’t sleep.” It wasn’t a question.

I shook my head.

“I heard you tossing and turning and some strange inhaling and exhaling.” His eyebrows pinched together in confusion as he recalled the sounds he must have heard.

I laughed, remembering the different breathing techniques I tried. “Yeah, I’m not the best at meditation.”

He smiled but didn’t comment. When the conversation died, my thoughts ran straight back to the battle.

“Could I… I mean, do you think I could…” I didn’t even know how to ask my question, but he understood what I needed.

He grabbed my hand and towed me toward his bed. He pulled back the comforter and guided me down, curling up behind me. He wrapped an arm around me and held me tightly against him, his chest to my back. Basking in the warm hardness of muscles, I snuggled into him. He kissed the top of my head.

“Just so you know, I have every intention of sleeping. No funny business.”

The rumbling of his laugh sent vibrations through my back. “Well, there goes my plan to take advantage of you.”

“Ha. Ha.”

“Go to sleep, Lucy,” he said, his breath on my neck.

“So bossy,” I whispered.

“Mmhmm. Goodnight.” He had to get the last word. Minutes later, Gavin grew still and I assumed he had fallen asleep.

When the stark quiet sank its hooks into the isolated space, my thoughts grew louder. Lately, the moments alone with myself were weighing heavier.

Cocking my head to the side, I peered over at Gavin’s relaxed features. Allison was right about one thing. The man was handsome, and then some.

“Gavin,” I whispered softly. I didn’t want to disturb him if he was sleeping.

The slightest movement at the corner of his mouth was my only indication he heard me. Then, he made the most masculine sound from deep in his chest before a contented breath escaped him.

“Yeah, gorgeous?” he asked. His hand snuck under the hem of my shirt and rested against my bare skin.

My heart stopped. The compliment slipped out of him so freely, there was no doubting its sincerity. It sounded so perfectly right the way he said it. I stuttered in an effort to get my next sentence out.

“Were you sleeping?”

“No. Your internal chaos is keeping me up. I can’t sleep when I know you’re stressed. What’s going on?” he pressed. His soothing voice repaired parts of my broken soul.