The Darkest Song (The Eternal Darkness Duet #1)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Y ou belong to me now .

The vampire’s words echoed in my mind as all other sounds faded away. The world around me began to spin, and I prayed I wouldn’t pass out. His dark eyes held mine, and I was trapped, unable to look away. Finally he turned away to address another, and I quickly looked back to Adam. He still lay unmoving on the floor, surrounded by the guards who had beaten him. Please be alive! I stared at him, willing him to open his eyes.

Two guards approached me and I became aware that the other vampire was looking at me again. Julian.

“What’s happening?” I cried, stepping away from the guards. My eyes darted from the guards, to Julian, to Adam. One guard grabbed my arm roughly. “Don’t touch me!” I shrieked, yanking free of him.

I scrambled backwards, frantically looking for an escape route. I saw the guard reach for the electric baton hanging at his side and my eyes widened. God no . He smiled at my obvious fear as he pulled the baton free. I blinked, and Julian was there, holding the man's heart in his fist. I watched in slow motion as the guard crumpled to the ground, his cruel smile still frozen on his lips.

“Let this be a reminder,” Julian said loudly, holding the bloody heart high for all to see. “You do not touch what is mine.” He opened his fist and let the heart fall. It hit the stone floor with a sickening splat. I watched as he pulled a pocket square from his suit jacket and casually wiped the blood from his hand.

He nodded at the remaining guard at my side. “Take her to my room.” He looked at me then, as if daring me to resist, but I knew there would be no fighting this man.

A short while later I stood alone in Julian’s room, too stunned by everything that had happened to acknowledge my luxurious surroundings. The guard that led me there hadn’t spoken at all, and had never moved to touch me. I assumed that after witnessing his coworkers gruesome death he was as frightened as I was. Or maybe he was angry. Maybe the other guard was his friend, and he blamed me for his death?

I shook my head. Why was I thinking about that? What did the guard’s feelings matter when Adam could be dead!

I sat down on the edge of the bed. Oh Adam . I sniffed, watching a red tear land on the back of my hand.

The door swung open, and I leapt to my feet as a middle-aged woman entered the room. She was a few inches shorter than me, with tanned skin and dark brown hair that was twisted up in a tight bun. She wore black slacks and a dark blue blouse that was buttoned all the way up. A small gold cross hung on a dainty chain around her neck. She stopped short when she saw me, her eyes widening.

“Goodness!” she exclaimed, looking me over from head to toe. “We’ve got to get you cleaned up!”

What?

I watched as she closed the bedroom door and walked briskly across the room, disappearing through another doorway.

“Come along then,” she called, from the other room.

Confused, I followed her into what turned out to be a bathroom. The woman was turning on the water in the large glass shower as I entered the room.

“Well, come on.” She stepped back from the shower and waved a hand towards me. “Get undressed. We haven’t got all night.”

“I don’t understand what's happening,” I mumbled, still in shock.

“I’m Maria. Julian has sent me to prepare you for your journey.”

“What journey?”

“Your journey home, to his estate.”

He was taking me to his house! I had to escape now!

“Please!” I begged her. “You have to help me!”

She rolled her eyes. “You can save your pleas for Julian. I’m just here to get you cleaned up.”

“But-”

“But nothing. Have you seen yourself?” She waved a hand towards the mirror over the double sinks.

I glanced over and flinched at the sight of myself. My face was caked with dried blood from my tears, and the front of my shirt was torn, revealing half of my bra.

“Now hop in,” she said over her shoulder as she exited the room. “I’ll go find you some clean clothes.”

It felt strange, doing something as ordinary as showering, after what I’d just endured. But I couldn’t bear the sight of my face covered in blood. I undressed quickly and jumped in the shower. I faced the door while I scrubbed at my skin, not wanting to be caught unawares.

Maria still hadn’t returned when I turned off the shower, so I dried off quickly and grabbed a fluffy white robe off a hook by the door. I shoved my arms into it and cinched it tightly around my waist before heading back into the bedroom.

The room was empty. I looked at the door and wondered if it was unlocked. Not that it mattered. I wasn’t about to wander around a house full of vampires wearing nothing but a bathrobe. I walked over to the large windows and looked out. I was on the second floor, overlooking a large circular driveway with endless manicured lawns stretching into the distance. A dozen guards stood in the driveway.

“I hope you're not thinking about jumping.”

I spun around at the sound of a voice behind me and saw Julian standing at the foot of the bed. I took a step back, bumping against the window.

My heart hammered as he crossed the room towards me. He came to a stop directly in front of me, and I pressed myself back against the window until I feared the glass would break. I stared straight ahead, my eyes level with his chest, until he took my chin in his hand and lifted my face. Our eyes met, and I quickly looked away, not wanting to be caught in his hypnotic stare again. Instead, I focused on his mouth as he spoke.

“You have piqued my curiosity,” he said softly. “For two hundred years Adam has safely hidden himself away. He knew discovery would lead to his death, and yet he took that risk for you.” His eyes narrowed a fraction. “Why? What’s so special about you ?”

I was too terrified to respond.

“ Sa-rah.” He drew my name out, rubbing his thumb across my lips as he spoke.

Without thinking I bit him, hard. I instantly regretted my foolishness, but he only laughed. I watched him raise his thumb to his lips and slowly lick the blood from it. Then he stepped away, and I let out a shaky breath. He crossed the room and sat down on a loveseat in front of the fireplace.

“Join me,” he said, motioning to the chair across from him.

I stared at him, his large frame sprawled so casually on that dainty little couch. It appeared almost comical, but I knew the danger that lurked there.

He sighed loudly. “It’s been a long night and my patience wears thin.”

I pushed myself away from the window and slowly walked towards him, the hem of my robe brushing the tops of my feet. I nervously perched on the edge of the chair, and my robe parted as I sat down, exposing my bare legs. He looked at my legs and I quickly yanked the robe closed.

“I have questions,” he began, “and as I said, it’s been a long night, so I’ll get right to it. How did you wind up with Adam?”

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. If I spoke the truth, would it help my case or hurt it?

His eyes narrowed. “Speak the truth. Lies will only anger me.”

I looked down at my hands in my lap and began nervously twisting the tie to my robe. “I met Adam a few nights ago. I’m not sure- how long I’ve been here.” I shook my head. “I was in the park, and I just killed a man.” I glanced at him to see his reaction but he simply watched me, waiting for me to continue.

“So, yeah, I killed a guy,” I continued, “and a woman saw it and she wouldn’t stop screaming. Then Adam appeared out of nowhere and grabbed me and flew us out of there.” I glanced at him nervously, then back at my lap. “He took me to his house and told me about vampires and their rules and how I was in danger for being illegally turned. He said I could stay with him a while, and he’d teach me how to survive. I was scared and alone, and he offered to help.” I looked at Julian then, desperate for him to believe me. “Adam offered to help me, a complete stranger, even though it put him at risk. He shouldn’t be punished for that! We have to help him!”

Julian stared at me. “You can’t truly be this naive.”

“I-” What?

He rubbed a hand over his face and sighed wearily. “Adam is the one who changed you. His meeting you in the park was a farce.”

I shook my head. “That’s not true. Adam-”

“Adam is a liar,” he said, cutting me off. “And a murder.”

“You’re lying,” I said angrily.

“I never lie, Sarah, know that about me.” His voice was sharp, causing me to hesitate and reel in my anger. I was so caught up in my emotions over Adam, I’d momentarily forgotten to be afraid of this man, who had just ripped the beating heart out of someone.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, looking down at my lap again. “But Adam-”

Julian cut me off again. “Adam killed his sire with a brutality that shook the entire vampire world. He’s been in hiding ever since, so you can see why I’m surprised to find him playing house with you.”

“I don’t believe you,” I said, without looking up.

“Look at me,” he snapped. I raised my head and our eyes met. “Adam took your life, without your consent. Then he left you to go through the transformation alone. Something that must have been terrifying for you. It’s his fault you killed that man, and it's his fault you're here now.”

He stood, and I shrank back in my chair. For a moment he just stood there, looking down at me. Then he turned and walked out of the room, closing the door firmly behind him.

I sat there, not knowing what to think. Why did everyone here think Adam changed me? Adam saved me. He cared for me. Didn’t he?

I pondered the question until fatigue overtook me. I tried to fight it, but my internal clock was telling me that sunrise was approaching. I moved to the bed and lay down on top of the covers. I fought to keep my eyes open, drifting in and out of sleep. At one point I opened my eyes and saw Julian standing beside the bed, looking down at me. But no, It must have been a dream. I let my eyes close once more.