Chapter 4

Aeron

I swing the initiate around and slam him against the wall. I hear his spine break and his neck snaps. He sags forward, limp in my hand.

I make use of his temporary state to look over my shoulder at Isla. Her breathing is laboured, her pulse slow and weak. She’s literally knocking on death’s door.

I drop the initiate. “Stay,” I bark, and cross the floor to kneel next to Isla.

Samuel finally shows up. I’m aware that he’s here, blocking the exit, quietly watching me.

He has my back.

I lay my hand on Isla’s brow. It’s clammy to the touch, she’s a sickly grey-white pallor, and her skin is nearly as cold as mine.

Shit.

“Aeron,” Samuel says. “She is going to die.”

I ignore him. I bite into my wrist and bring my bleeding arm to her lips. I watch as my blood drips into her mouth and pools there. At first, she doesn’t move. Doesn’t swallow the only thing that will save her. “Isla,” I whisper. “You need to drink.”

Her mouth closes, and I hear her swallow. When she opens her lips again my blood is gone.

“More,” I say and bite into my wrist again, reopening the healed wound.

She’s already breathing easier, and her heart is beating stronger.

With a groan, she grabs my arm with both hands and brings my wrist to her mouth, firmly holding on to me as her warm lips fold around the two puncture wounds.

Isla writhes on the floor, her hips bucking up, and the scent of her arousal floods the room.

Our blood has that effect on humans.

I’m hyper-aware of the healing initiate and Samuel who are still watching us. This is not something I want them to see.

It’s an intensely intimate and private moment. The only thing vampires won’t willingly to do out in the open.

We’ll fuck everything with a hole in front of a stadium of people, but sharing our blood… that is how we make love.

I can feel the blood rushing out of me as he continues to suckle. My limbs grow heavier and a low buzzing hums in the back of my skull. “That’s enough,” I say and pull my arm away.

She tries to resist, but it’s like fighting a mouse. Easy and boring.

I slide my arms under her and lift her up from the floor. I lay her down on the bed and cover her with the blanket, then turn on the initiate. “You’re one of Nicolette’s new babies,” I declare.

“Yes,” he says and juts his chin out as if he thinks he’s special.

“No, kid, no,” Samuel warns. “Humble yourself.”

Instead of heeding my brother’s advice, the initiate hisses at me like he’s a snake and bares his fangs.

In a blink, I’m in front of him, my hand wrapped around his neck, sharp nails growing from my fingers, cutting through his flesh. “Retract your fangs.”

The initiate’s eyes flash red. He has zero control.

“You dare to touch my human?” I ask.

“She’s a virgin,” he replies, as if that’s some kind of defence.

“She is mine. You do not touch what is mine.”

“Nicolette told me you’d do that.”

“Do what?”

“She said you pretend that you’re in charge so you can claim all the good ones for yourself… but really no one is ruling this kingdom, and anyone can take what they want.”

I glance at Samuel who raises his eyebrows at me. Then he chuckles. A high-pitched, sarcastic little laugh. “Nicolette is a fucking toddler.”

“Take him outside,” I say. “I don’t want to get his filthy blood on Isla.”

For the first time, the baby vamp has the good sense to look afraid. “Whu- what are you going to do to me?”

“Rip off your head and feed it to the wolves,” I say plainly. “Vampire flesh is a rare delicacy they enjoy.”

“Nicolette will kill you.”

Samuel snorts.

I laugh.

I pick the initiate up and hurl him into the hallway. Samuel dodges him just in time, unfazed, as the boy hits the far wall with a dull thud, and crumbles to the floor. Debris sifts down on him, covering him in a thin layer of dust.

Then Nicolette shows up. Angry as always, stomping her foot like the child she is. “What are you doing to Justin?”

I look at my sister. She’s picture pretty with her long blonde hair tied in braids, and bright green eyes flashing at me. Her rosebud lips curls into a sardonic little smile, and she crosses her slender arms over her full breasts.

“I’m going to kill him. He fed from my human.”

“That’s hardly worth a death sentence. Throw him in the pits for a week.”

“For feeding on my bride? No. I don’t think so.”

A little frown of pure consternation creases her brows. “Oh. Don’t you have a bride already?”

“No,” Samuel and I say at once, completely exasperated by how oblivious she is.

All our parents’ children are beautiful. It’s why they chose us, but some days I think they should have a looked a little deeper than the obvious flaws on the surface.

“Well,” Nicolette says and almost jovially punches Justin on the shoulder. “It was great knowing you. I, Nicolette of the Stonehearts, break the bond that ties us. You are mine no longer. I hold mastery over you no longer. You are free to seek your own path.”

Justin howls in pain, but Nicolette only grunts.

“Does it get easier the more times you do it?” Samuel asks dryly. “Or do you just get used to being a cunt?”

“Eh. Gets easier. The bonds aren't that strong for me anymore. Tell you what though, it’s still like a cold kick in the cooch… but he still feels all of it. Right in the nuts.” She points to Justin who is doubled over and sobbing.

I’ve heard that severing the maker bond is the deepest, rawest pain a vampire can feel. I’ve never experienced it myself.

My sister shrugs and walks away.

“She is a piece of work,” Samuel says.

“Yeah,” I agree. “Nicolette,” I call her back. She turns to look at me. “Stop telling your gaggle of sex toys that I’m not in charge.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she says and turns away, waggling her fingers in the air. “Toodles.”

I am very fond of Nicolette, and our familial blood bond means I have to love her, but she does have a way of working my last fucking nerve.

Behind me, I can hear Isla stir, and then a deep, sharp intake of breath. Samuel peers past into her bedroom. “Better get in there, brother.”

I jerk my head at Justin. “Can you take care of him?”

“Sure,” Samuel says happily. “How do you wanna do it?”

“Do whatever makes your dark little heart sing.”

A cruel smile plays over my brother’s lips. “Now you’re talking.”

“Get off me,” Isla calls out. “No! Don't!”

Without another word, I spin around to tend to Isla.

She takes one look at me and screams in abject terror.