Anathema (Causal Enchantment #1)(36)
Author: K.A. Tucker

There was a moment of awkward silence. “I’m sure she deserved it,” Sofie finally said.

“She did! We couldn’t have her coming here. She’s a murderer.” And she was hampering my time with Caden, I added silently.

“No, you’re right. We don’t want an ancient blood–crazy vampire here,” she said, adding under her breath, “We already have two of them under this roof.”

A few more minutes of silence passed and then I asked what I had been dreading. “They can do it, can’t they? Not live off humans?”

Sofie’s hands dropped to her lap. It was a moment before she spoke. “Some of our kind fight the urge right from the beginning, isolating themselves from humans and feeding only off four–legged animals. They convince themselves that this makes them good and moral, not monsters. But all it does is make them that much more uncontrollable once they’ve tasted human blood. Somewhere along the way, every vampire will lose the battle. It’s inevitable. And when they do … Evangeline, you’ve only ever seen highly controlled vampires. Viggo … Mortimer … me. We’re experienced. But the new ones … they’re … something else. It’s a horrifying sight that will etch itself in your memory forever,” she warned quietly, her jaw tensing. “It may seem contradictory but the best way to control your urge for human blood is to, at first, succumb to it. Then, if the resolve is strong enough, you’ll learn to manage the craving. The downside is that the euphoria from feeding off fresh human blood has a funny way of diminishing that resolve. Like I said, it’s a vicious circle. That’s why there are few vampires like me out there. Human blood is addictive.”

My eyes widened with concern. Did they realize all this? “Well, what about my vampires?” I asked possessively.

Sofie shook her head slowly. “I don’t know, Evangeline. It’s hard to say. I think their age and previous experience will help, but,” she hesitated, “it would be safer if they submit to it at first. If their resolve is strong enough, maybe they’ll gain control quickly.”

“And if it’s not strong enough?” I asked, afraid of the answer.

Sofie smiled sadly. Very slowly, very hesitantly, her hand slid over to pat mine. It stayed like that, resting on top of mine, almost holding but not quite.

I didn’t pull away, finding the gesture oddly comforting. “So they should kill humans again, whether they want to or not, because it’ll be safer for everyone in the long run,” I said flatly. I breathed in deeply and exhaled, waiting for myself to truly comprehend this, to feel the revulsion and heartache.

It didn’t come. Something else was there. It felt like … acceptance? Was that it? Was I so quick to accept the idea of feeding off humans because I cared about these vampires, because I was in love with one of them?

I heard footsteps and looked over to see Viggo strolling down the path, arm–in–arm with Valentina. Sofie’s hand instantly slid away from mine.

“Lovely evening, isn’t it, ladies?” he called with his typical false charm. “I’m just showing dear Valentina here the grounds.”

Valentina giggled in response, unable to peel her eyes off of Viggo’s face long enough to acknowledge our presence. I couldn’t blame the silly girl for being completely enamored with him. I had been that stupid fawn and bought the Academy award–winning act not long ago.

“See you later! Well, maybe …” Viggo winked knowingly at Sofie before leading Valentina away.

Sofie muttered something under her breath before saying, “That is Valentina Forero. She’s—”

“Part of Viggo and Mortimer’s beard family. I know,” I finished.

My knowledge caught Sofie by surprise. “How do you—oh yes, of course,” she muttered, glancing at Max. “You have a tour guide.”

Max snorted. Hola!

“Yes, it’s nice not to be left in the dark sometimes,” I said sardonically.

“I didn’t think it was worth mentioning,” Sofie retorted. “But if you’re eager to know, Viggo and Mortimer imported Carlos and Camila from Columbia about twenty–five years ago. They come from old money—lots of it—so it wasn’t too difficult to convince people they could afford a square block in Manhattan. Mortimer has been using them as a cover, but they’ve outlived their purpose.”

I frowned. “So what happens with them now?”

Her eyes flashed toward me, the look revealing. “Dinner … or perhaps breakfast. Or several snacks. Whenever the mood strikes them next, I would suspect. Oh, don’t feel too sorry for them,” Sofie added when she saw the horror on my face. “Dear Mr. Forero comes from a long line of Columbian drug lords—what a stereotype, right?” She chuckled wryly. “He wouldn’t think twice about having you disposed of because you glanced at him disrespectfully.”

I pictured the arrogant man who had strolled past me earlier. Okay, but …”Well, what about his wife and his children?”

“They’re not much better. Camila has a stake in a diamond mining operation—a family inheritance—that employs children as young as eight. Viggo said the working conditions are atrocious, at best.”

“Maybe she doesn’t know?” I offered.

“Oh, Evangeline …” Sofie chuckled. “She visits the mines regularly.”

“Well, his kids can’t be that bad. They’re still young enough, right?”

“Julian is twenty–one and Valentina is your age,” she confirmed. “I suppose I wouldn’t call them evil yet. Julian hasn’t done anything too horrendous. They may have had a chance if they’d been separated from their parents, but look at their role models! As close–minded as it may sound, they’re doomed to go down the same path as their parents. It’s too bad, though. Julian is handsome.”

I had to agree, recalling the young man’s Latin good looks, his thick, dark hair and ebony eyes. He was ordinary next to Caden, but still definitely handsome by human standards.

“Well. Can’t they kill the parents and set the kids free? Give them that chance?” I wondered.

Sofie turned to stare at me in surprise. “They could—but they won’t.”

“Well, can’t you say something?”

A noncommittal shrug, then a contemplative expression flitted across Sofie’s face.

I glanced at my watch. Getting close … Excitement stirred in my stomach; I’d see Caden again soon! But that was followed by the sickly dread that my time with him—with all of them—could be drawing to an end.

“Evangeline,” Sofie said, suddenly serious, “what if you can’t have everything you want, all at once?”

“What do you mean?”

She hesitated, her eyes darting to the balcony windows. When she spoke again, her voice was barely audible. “What if getting Caden and your friends here means you couldn’t see them for awhile because it’s not safe … for a long while. Would it still be worth it?”

“Of course. Yes. Absolutely. Without a doubt,” I answered with grim resolution, though the idea of being away from Caden for any length of time tore at my insides. But at least they’d be on the same planet and this curse would be over.

“You should think about that for a moment before you answer, Evangeline,” Sofie warned.

“No. I’m certain. Things can’t be much worse than they are right now. He’s living in another universe. If I can get him here, everything will work out. But you’re working on that talisman, right?”

Sofie nodded. She remained quiet for a moment, her eyes focused on the cobblestone path. “I’m going to tell you something but you absolutely must promise me, first, that you’ll do as I ask, okay?”

“Yeah, sure, I guess.”

“Promise. Pinky swear.” She held out her slender pinky finger.

I hesitated. The pinky swear was ironclad and uncompromising, an unbreakable pledge. It had been a tradition between my mother and me—one I wouldn’t tarnish frivolously. But my gut—as blind as it was—told me this wasn’t such a case. “Swear,” I agreed, hooking my finger around hers, a wave of warm and fuzzy running through me.

Sofie nodded, then said, “When you get to Ratheus tonight, take a closer look at the statue. At the woman’s hand. I have a feeling … Well, anyway, take a look.”

“Okay,” I said, frowning. “That’s what I had to pinky swear to?”

“No.” She shook her head. “You have to promise you won’t do anything yet.”

My eyes widened. Did she think that was the portal? “But—”

“No,” she quickly interrupted. “I’m not ready to release Veronique yet.”

I frowned. “I don’t get it. I thought that spell was already cast and you just had to complete it.”

“In theory, yes. However, there is one … complication that I’m still figuring out. Hocus–pocus stuff,” she said, waving her hand dismissively.

My frown deepened. “But what if I run out of time and I can’t come back or I die, like you said?”

“You’ve got some more time,” she answered, winking.

“But what if—”

“No! You promised,” Sofie reminded me sternly.

I nodded, grimacing. I looked around for Viggo and Mortimer again before whispering, “Sofie, they think I’m coming back with vampires next time. What happens when I don’t?”

“You let me worry about that.” She patted my knee gently.

That night, I wasn’t traveling to Ratheus with a giant bag of supplies strapped to my body. I wasn’t traveling there with fear of Rachel. I was traveling there for Caden, to see his smiling face, to cling to him tightly, and to tell him that I loved him.

Complete darkness met me. I waited quietly. Someone always came to meet me within seconds. Not this time, though.

“Caden?” I called out. Silence. “Caden? Amelie?” I called again, louder, my voice unsteady. Maybe they’re all out hunting. I took a few cautious steps forward, my hands groping the obscurity in search of a cave wall.

My fingertips grazed something solid. It wasn’t stone. I poked and prodded it. It had some give. Like hard, muscular flesh.

My hand recoiled. “Guys? This isn’t funny. Come on, please light a torch,” I called, my voice shaky. “Or bring me my flashlight.”

Soft laughter. Someone was trying hard and failing to contain glee. More snickers and titters joined the first.

“Caden?” I whispered, my eyes darting about the dark in vain. I heard flint striking rock and a flame erupting behind me. A wave of relief washed over me. I turned.

Rachel stood five feet away from me, Merth free, her sadistic, lemon–yellow eyes dancing with excitement.

23. The Council

I stared in horror as Rachel’s lips pulled back in a heinous smile, revealing perfectly symmetrical white fangs.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” she purred, casually taking a step forward.

Every muscle in my body went cold and rigid as terror gripped me. My mouth dropped open to scream but only a pathetic, strangled gasp escaped.

Cackling viciously, Rachel took another step to stop within arm’s reach. With wide eyes, I watched as her arm extended slowly and she gripped my chin in her hand, her thumb and forefinger clenching either side of my jaw. With no visible sign of exertion, she lifted me up off the ground. Her hold tightened, eventually bringing tears to my eyes. Still she squeezed, ready to crumble my bones to dust.

“Alright, that’s enough,” a male voice softly chided.

After a long pause and a low growl of displeasure, Rachel released her grip. I dropped to the vine–covered ground.

An army of torches lit the area around us then, the warm glow revealing a hollow, decaying room at least three stories high. There were gaping holes where windows and a ceiling likely once existed; the stone walls had crumbling heaps of stone at their bases. Thick roots heaved the concrete floor, and assorted vines and weeds had found homes within the fissures. At one end sat a large, rectangular stone on a raised dais. An altar, perhaps.

I barely noticed any of this, though, my attention riveted on the group of alluring onlookers surrounding me. Vampires.

Somehow feeling returned to my legs and my feet started sliding backward, trying in vain to get away from Rachel’s poisonous gaze, even though I knew it was pointless. I backed into something. Or someone. Holding my breath, I slowly turned.

Piercing white irises gazed back at me.

This time when my mouth opened, an earsplitting shriek escaped.

“Calm down,” the vampire mutant requested, cringing. It was too late for that, though. I was shaking uncontrollably. My eyes darted to his long, skeletal fingers as they reached for my shoulder. I flinched under the bone–chilling temperature of his skin, so unlike Caden’s warmth. He retracted it, instead raising both hands up in front of him, palms out, in a gesture of peace. “We won’t hurt you. Look! Over there—your friends are right over there.”