Cyrese Covelli - Witchlock 04 Read online

  Cadence swirled her pinky through the air, and I felt the back of my head dip back, coming too close to striking the ceramic cat my grandma had painted for me when I was seven. Realizing my magic resulted in sparkler-like fire falling to the ground and I made an involuntary squeak of terror. Someone was lifting me as swirls of smoke disappeared, my fire having poured out again when I fell backwards. The pointed toe of Linsey's shoe was pinning Cadence to the tile. He slammed her back, and the ceramic cat shattered, bisque dust making an unholy halo around the red blood soaking into her hair.

  “Do you see why you need me? She could have destroyed your form.” His eyes had bled fully black and the tips of his fangs dipped over his lip as he scanned me for damage. “I would've found a healer, but... ” he made a tsking sound. “I rather appreciate this physique of yours. Gritting my teeth until my jaw clicked, I breathed deeply to get enough oxygen in to say something snide, but my head was swirling.

  “I... can't,” I was hyperventilating.

  “Shhhh. I suppose it would be uncomfortable to feel the death pull. You need some fresh blood.” Death pull?

  “You're... dead,” I panted. He laughed, leaning forward to press his lips into my forehead. I hissed in anger, his mimicking of the way Elliot had kissed me perverting it.

  “Not quite.” Something hot and wet touched my fingertips as I searched for a weapon. I knew I really shouldn't look to my right — that I would see a growing lake of blood coming in like a deadly tide as the small blonde vampire lost more and more blood.

  “Perhaps we should adjourn to somewhere less... sticky?” Linsey cradled me, curling my face into the ridiculous lacey cravat that reminded me of powdered wigs and French aristocracy. I had become obsessed with the vampire Lestat after a babysitter let me watch Interview with the Vampire when I was five. I could tell from the incline of steps that Linsey was taking me upstairs which meant he was bringing me to one of the bedrooms or 2 of the bathrooms and I somehow felt he wouldn't leave me there alone. I screamed, trying to raise my nails to his face and heard Cyd speaking that weird language that the Bruer cousins always spoke during circles.

  The familiar squeak of my bedroom door made my heard pause and then beat double. My thoughts turned to the panties I had drying on the knobs of my dresser and I felt a moment of self-hate that I could even care at a time like this. I couldn't help it though. No boy had ever seen my panties on me or otherwise since preschool when a classmate had lifted my dress while I washed my hands. My bed, solid and comforting, fell beneath me. Linsey's arms let go and I elbowed myself into a sitting position for a whole two seconds before I fell back onto the bed.

  “Do not be frightened, Etoile. I will not claim you this night. I have... other details to tend to.”

  “You will not be claiming me any night, dingleberry, and I'm not your damn star!” Linsey's smirked, his fingers crept across my cheek like a spider, touching on my lips. I snapped at his fingers hoping to bite one, but my teeth clashed together, only meeting air.

  “She speaks francais! My, my, you a far more charming than I could have hoped for.” I knew it was a bad idea, but I used the last of my tapped strength to spit in his face. “Of course, there is the matter of manners that leaves quite a bit to be desired.”

  “I hate you.” Linsey's smile melted into his pore less face, replacing it with surprise. He stepped away from the bed, glancing at my bedroom and stopping for a moment to stare at the framed picture of my sister and I dressed as an angel and a devil for Halloween last year.

  “What would you require from me to go with me willingly?” His fingers played over the collection of vampire movies, books and memorabilia I had stockpiled before learning these creatures existed and they were about as romantic as a junior high dance.

  “I would never go with you by choice.”

  “Perhaps, you will tell me what you want from a love, then?” He was grasping my hand, in his, the tips of his nails pressing into my wrist. I winced, and he loosened his grip, his eyes flashing something very much like regret. “I can be a patient man, Ascher, but it wears thin. I am not one to wait forever even if that option remains open to me. I will give you exactly twenty-four hours to decide to come with me willingly or to accept the consequences of refusing to do so. You will sleep now.” His lips pressed into mine as I sunk into my dreams.

  Interlude

  The Diary of Elizabeth Farence, 1761

  After a week of living in my family's crypt, feeding off of the rats and small animals Linsey brought me, he decided it was time for me to learn how to hunt

  We went into the woods near the cemetery. I watched him bring down a deer with a speed and grace that only a predator can possess. I fed off of the deer, drinking its blood, feeling the small amount of guilt for its death

  As we rested in the shadows of the trees, Linsey told me about his family. His mother, father, older brother and two little sisters. He said that we'd be going to stay with them soon and that he knows I'll be happy there.

  I asked him how I could be happy living with a creature like him and he grabbed me by the arms, wrapping me tightly in a hug and kissing my cheek. He said I'd learn to love him, and tried to kiss my lips, but I pushed away from him and ran into the woods

  He found me- he always seems to know where I am, no matter how many times I try to escape. I miss my family so very much and want to call on them, but I fear bringing any more evil to my house. For now, I sleep on the hard stone floor of the crypt, wrapped in the arms of a demon.

  Elizabeth

  Chapter Eleven

  UP WITCH CREEK WITHOUT A WAND

  Consciousness lapped at my temples, pulling me closer and closer to waking with each rush of memory. I knew something bad was waiting for me to wake up, its shadow coming closer as I felt my hand strike something hard and cold and the press of warm lips against my palm. I was somewhere dark and soft, Lord Blackthorne was holding me on his lap, his fingers gently petting my hair. Jerking up, I pulled away from him, his eyes watching me with amusement and the knowledge that I wasn't going anywhere if he didn't allow it. The tips of his fangs appeared and disappeared as I fell back, recognizing that we were in a large backseat of a nice car that was grinding over gravel. His pupils grew wider and he leaned towards me.

  “Will you kiss me?” He smiled at his request, looking devilishly imp-like and making the primal part of my brain twist with want. Narrowing my eyes, I searched for the door's handle.

  “Why are you asking? Why don't you just steal one like you did at my house.” He settled back on the seat, making sucking noises on his teeth.”

  “No. I think it would be more fun if you took one from me? Don't you?” I felt my lip sneer at him and prepared a cutting remark when I heard Nicky meow. My eyes shot to the small dark cage resting against the middle console, gritting my teeth so hard, my jaw cracked.

  “Nicky?” I bent forward, reaching my fingers through the cage where he was panting, eyes wide and frightened like when he went to the vet. There was a drop of red on the white bib of fur dividing his black fur from his neck and shoulders.” Gaping at Linsey, I crouched to cover the cage with my body, feeling a rage begin to rekindle my spent magic.

  “I assumed you'd want something familiar to comfort you during the process.”

  “Process this. You touch either one of us... ”

  “I would have preferred a person, of course. They're much better to use in motivating ones guests, but witches are such a bother, the little vampire's skull is fractured and I understand Savian is keeping your sister otherwise occupied. Now, come you'll need a few more sips so you won't be uncomfortable. The death pull can cause some pain from what I've been told by those I've made.”

  “Then I'll be in pain until I find a way to get us out of here.” I stood, hunched over, making my way towards the front of the vehicle where a full crystal decanter was screaming for me to use it to smash Lord Blackthorne's face. Two feet away from the sparkly weapon, I doubled-over feeling a ripping,
vicious pain tear through me. The press of black heralding my going unconscious began at my eyes. “No.” I said to myself. Crawling towards the decanter, another excruciating split made me curl into myself, a soft noise coming from somewhere in the back.

  Heat soothed me, the silky touch of Linsey's jacket and pants like a balm to me as I reached for anything to pull me away from the pain. His teeth grazed over his wrist, tiny beads of darkness growing into a line on the skin.

  “You will drink this because it will not turn you in such a small draught. You will drink this because if you do not you will experience pain and this is not something I wish to see.”

  Something heavy and dark began to build in the back of my mind as I stared, transfixed by the droplets of blood. I opened my mouth to speak, to tell Linsey the truth of why I felt alright- that I had already had the blood of a Master.

  “Ryland made me drink.”

  His compulsion slid over my skin and I told him what I remembered of the night before. The heavy push of Linsey's hand cradled me at his wrist, his grip immovable and the rush of hot blood so sudden, I swallowed convulsively. My pain evaporated even as I pushed at Linsey to try to pull backwards.

  “The blood of this person is not worthy of you nor as powerful as mine or you would not feel such pain. Stop that foolishness, Ascher. There is no cause or need for you to strain yourself, why is it that you cannot see that?”

  “I don't want to die. Please let me go.” Angry for the position I was in and even more that he'd forced me to beg for my life, my head swelled with the calming pool of magic filling the empty space left behind when Cadence's power had pulled on mine.

  “It is in my power to grant one of these requests, but not both.”

  “Let me go home, Linsey.” I was gathering as much va-va-voom in my voice as I could muster, imitating how I'd seen the bad girl talk on that show about rich kids from New York whose parents were never around. It came out whinier than I'd wanted.

  “If I were to grant this request, then you would die. I will not allow this.” His thumb played over my bottom lip, brushing back and forth while his eyes weighed on me. “It is not befitting my status to apologize for any actions I take are correct in and of the fact that I am Lord of the Blackthornes.”

  “Linsey, I don't need an apology. Just get me back to my house and we'll be even, okay?”

  “My only intent was to kiss my intended... ”

  “Kidnap victim?”

  “... bride.”

  “Oh, Lord!” A flame large enough to light a candle wick swayed over my index finger, then pulled back. Had he seen it? My best bet was to flex my magic until it built enough that I could try to book. “I don't know how much better I can put this. I don't like you... ” Linsey grabbed my wrist and it was too hard for me to continue with the lie.

  “I want you... it would be very exciting to go with you. It's the stuff of dreams, to have you want me. It's just scary. You're like, my great, great, great, great, great grandfather's age and undead. You're a vampire. You want to kill me. These are not the makings of a happy relationship!”

  “You've never had an objection to things that frighten you, Ascher. What is the true reason for your dismissal of me?”

  “It's just wrong; it's bad and... wicked. I can't do this. I won't. What would the Bruer Coven say? They already think I'm bad, that I can't be trusted with my powers.”

  “And why would you seek the approval of those who know so little of you? So little of everything you are?”

  “I don't want to leave my family.”

  “There would be a loss felt at your radiance not lighting there lives, but your absence would save them from jeopardy.” Linsey's eyes flashed in victory.

  “Threatening my family is not building your case, here.”

  “It is not, I nor the vampires, who pose a threat to your kin. Does it not strike you as strange that so many of the supernatural peoples have wanted a claim on you? It is impossible to please everyone, and this displeasure will breed contempt and this contempt will garner fear. There can only be two results of this fear, Ascher. They can run from that which pulls this reaction or to destroy it. Werewolves and warlocks are not known to be cowards.”

  “I can protect my family.”

  “And if the house is consumed by flames by your protection?”

  “Well, then, Gemma can protect her.”

  “Gemma has given herself over to Savian as his new servant.”

  “Bull... ” Linsey shushed the rest with the cool press of a sharp fingernail.

  “I've never been fond of ladies using words of curse unless in the middle of a spell.”

  “I've never been fond of dead guys kidnapping me, you asinine, bloodsucker.” My words made my heart thud hard, as adrenaline built while I watched Linsey's rage begin to percolate. If he was angry, then he would be distracted and my powers felt stronger.

  “Such language on such delicious lips.”

  Say that ten times fast

  “You'll never know.”

  “Lest we forget, mon etoile de nuit. I've already sampled you.”

  “Is there a point to this whole conversation, or are you just going for distance and levels of annoyance reached?” My breath caught as I found myself on his lap.

  When I pushed backwards, his grip kept me prone, making my knees go to either side of him and pressing me closer than I'd ever want to be with him. Shock held me still and when this wore off a moment later, it was the look in his eyes that had me too frightened to move. Thoughts of “if he does this or that” then I'll push away, I'll fight back twisted through me, but he didn't move, didn't breath, didn't blink. The soft chirping meow from Nicky snapped me awake, and I shoved hard, falling onto the seat across from Linsey who still had that same wondering look on his face.

  A whirring noise alerted me to the divider lowering behind me.

  “You will stop at the Crimson before returning to the hotel.”

  “Um, still not going anywhere with you.”

  “Am I mistaken, or are you not in my possession awaiting whatever whim I have to do with you what I please.” His fingers tickled over my cheek and I closed my eyes to seem complacent before grabbing his forearm with my fingers and letting my magic own him.

  “Try enjoying our time with first degree burns.”

  Chapter Twelve

  SIBLING RIVALRY

  * * * *

  Simple and predictable seem pretty darn tantalizing when you're a witch. Lately, I've wished for a lot of things to be the way they were. Gone are my lust for the macabre and the sweetly sinful fantasies of meeting a vampire. Something about unconscious people slumped against the dark leather of the booths at crimson made it less sexy.

  Distracted from picking at the bright red gem that I'd awoken, tearing through the air in Linsey's arms, wearing, I doubled-back to keep from tumbling over the prone form of Dax Harris, vampire servant and all around asshat. Somewhere too near Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville was testing the patience of some unlucky speakers, not to mention my gag reflex.

  Feeling Linsey's fingers curl around my waist in a hot press, I ground my teeth together and winced as another vampire floated by with a “Woo, mar-gar-ita night!” His face said he was 17 years old, the flash of predatory hunger in his eyes said he was much older and inhuman. His head snapped back as he reached towards me, blood pouring from his nose from out of nowhere.

  “How prosaic,” Linsey said, already tucking the white handkerchief he'd used to clean off the blood-spouting vampire's. “It's a... a... themed party of some sort.” Sneering, Linsey balked at the too-pale face of a server, whose hand shook as she extended a clear glass, filled with blood to him, complete with a pink cocktail umbrella.

  “You're Margarita, sir.” When he didn't respond she shrugged, planting the unused glad on her serving tray. “The master also procured some Scott, but we are out of Brandy.” I followed her gesture to the red-haired woman whose eyes stared at nothing and saw the same.
r />   “Savian.” Linsey said. The girl's eyes widened and I thought I caught the faintest pulse of her jugular two-step before shaking my head to clear the confusion. “I should have known he was the Master to whom you were referring. The little thorn.”

  Linsey's eyes flicked over me again, making me wish my entire wardrobe were made of thick, woolen cloaks. The touch of his thumb on the pulse of my wrist was the only warning I received before his aura and magic swirled around me to coat mine in a thick and suffocating jelly.

  “He has a penchant for catering to the masses this... type of atmosphere... he thinks it portrays the true form of the vampire while I prefer a more subtle ambiance and... Ascher!” He snapped his fingers in front of my face, making me jump and take a step backwards.

  Giving me a wary look, he bit the fat of his bottom lip reminding me of the blood we'd shared and making my stomach twist in pain. His hands found my hips and pulled me towards him, his smile widening at the look on my face.

  “I promised to show you the truth of my words, did I not?”

  We began to spin as the music swelled around us, my eyes heavy with the blood I'd taken.

  “Look above you at the balcony, Ascher.” I turned to see Gemma laughing as Savian nuzzled against her. There was a fleeting moment of surprise and then anger, and then the heavy velvet drapes caught fire and Gemma screamed. I reached towards the balcony, pulling the fire into me and felt Linsey laughing softly to himself a moment before his teeth sank into my neck and I was gone.

  Epilogue

  Diary of Elizabeth Farence, 1761

  Linsey tied a cloth over my eyes so I could not see where he was taking me. After a long time walking, I felt cobblestones under my feet. He picked me up in his arms and I felt the sting of air rushing past me before he set me down