A Shade of Vampire (A Shade of Vampire #1)(9)
Author: Bella Forrest

I stopped in my tracks and called to her. “Sofia.”

Everyone stopped our walk through the night the moment I spoke the words.

Her youth showed in the way she responded to me. “What?”

Without even looking back, I knew that she was about to suffer pain for her insolence in addressing me. I could practically see the guard behind us raising his hand to hit her.

“Don’t touch her,” I commanded. “Sofia, walk beside me.”

I held my breath at the momentary silence that followed. I could almost sense her thinking, weighing the pros and cons of what could happen should she dare defy me. I breathed a short sigh of relief when the shackles began clinking with her every step as she filled the empty spot on my side.

I didn’t dare look at her. Having her so close was already taking its toll on my self-control… I was certain that just the sight of the bright red blush on her cheeks would remind me of her blood and my longing to partake of it.

“Get rid of these restraints. She has nowhere to run to.”

“Brother…” Vivienne began to protest. “If she uses the freedom you’re giving her to raise a hand against you, you might not be able to control yourself from…”

“I won’t feed on her.” I said it with more conviction and self-assurance than I actually felt. “Do as I say and remove the chains.”

My command was heeded to immediately. It was yet another reminder of who I was before, of how much they all feared me. I waited until the restraints were removed before I took a first step forward, the group following my pace.

Lucas and Vivienne tried to make conversation as we trekked through the dark wood, but I was no longer paying attention. I was too distracted by Sofia, aware of every single one of her actions. She rubbed her wrists even as she observed her surroundings. She was taking in every detail of her surroundings, her eyes showing bright curiosity and mild fascination. Before I could keep myself from doing it, I grabbed her hand, my fingers intertwining with hers.

She flinched from my touch. I knew I had no right to take that sort of liberty with her, but I gave myself that indulgence, because I really just wanted to feel her warmth.

I could only guess what was going through her mind, because at some point, she squeezed my hand like she did to that other girl back in the Sanctuary. She couldn’t have known how much that meant the world to me.

CHAPTER 9: SOFIA

His hand was so cold. A chill climbed from the hand he was holding all the way up to my elbow. I couldn’t understand why he would do that – hold my hand. But the gesture strangely brought me comfort where I had none.

As we took the evening walk to wherever it was that would be considered the Prince’s quarters, I kept my eyes open for a means of escape. We’d just left the Vale and were now being ushered into another dark, murky wood, though I was sure that some other clearing would come to view, showing us another aspect of the Blood Shade that would astound my imagination.

At this point, however, there was nothing to be seen but trees and rocks and bushes. So, my thoughts roamed back to the people I saw back at the Vale. It was easy to tell the difference between the vampires and humans. Vampires wore a variety of outfits in what I was surprised to find were rather modern and stylish designs. The humans, however, all seemed to be wearing clothes made in similar fabric – what I assumed was coarse white cotton and gray wool. I noticed how all humans seemed busy with something. I was fairly certain that we humans were the workforce that was keeping the Blood Shade going. We were the Shade’s blood and sweat. Both literally and figuratively.

I remembered a particular scene I’d witnessed while we were being dragged past the Vale. From a distance, I saw a vampire hit a young man across the face, causing the boy to crash to the ground. I wanted to run there and do something about it. Even in high school, I made it clear to Ben and all of our friends that I would never stand for bullying.

Of course, there was no way for me to do anything about what I saw here. I was chained behind the vampires and guarded like a wild animal. I hated how helpless I felt and found myself squeezing Derek’s hand. It was mostly caused by instinct, like an impulse reaction to the memory, but when I realized what I’d done and looked at Derek for a reaction, I could swear I saw gratefulness in his blue eyes.

“We’re here.” Vivienne announced, stopping at a certain spot in the middle of the woods. “Welcome to the Pavilion, Derek.”

I frowned and looked around. I could only see the dark silhouettes of thick tree trunks.

Derek seemed just as confused as I was.

“I don’t understand…” he said tentatively.

Lucas smirked. “Was it not your bloody suggestion to build the Residences on top of trees?”

Before his comment could even register in my mind, Lucas leaped upwards. I looked up towards the sky. What I saw made my head spin. My mouth dropped open.

Networks of massive and luxurious tree houses were built atop the giant redwoods. How it was possible for them to build those things up there was beyond my comprehension, but there they were – what looked like modern, high-end villas built on trees connected by bridges that were now triggering my non-existent fear of heights.

My amazement was momentarily interrupted when I saw the reaction on Derek’s face. I could swear that his blue eyes were moistening with tears as he gazed up at “The Residences” with unveiled awe.

He then shifted his attention to his sister and with a practically broken voice, he said, “You remembered.”

Vivienne smiled. “How could I forget?”

I stood there, witnessing this trace of affection and humanity between them. For a moment, I actually felt jealous of what Derek and Vivienne had. I could see how much they doted on each other.

No words were uttered next, because no words were necessary. They understood, and in a strange way, so did I.

Vivienne leaped into the air just as Lucas did moments before. That’s when I realized that there were no stairs. Not even a ladder in sight. I opened my mouth, wondering how on earth I was going to get up there, but before words could come out, I saw a glint of amusement spark in the corners of Derek’s eyes.

He didn’t bother to ask my permission. He simply wrapped his strong arms around my waist and pulled me against him. Before I could get to grips with what was about to happen, he took a vertical leap that left my mind whirling as I gasped for breath, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck and clinging to him for support.

When I felt him pull away from me and settle my feet on what felt like hardwood flooring, I dared open my eyes.