The Darkest Song (The Eternal Darkness Duet #1)

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

M aria, Helen, and three male vampires flew with us. I’d seen the guys around the house a few times, but wasn’t sure who they were or what exactly they did for Julian.

Julian’s London home was the penthouse of a luxury high-rise building. The entire outer wall was glass, giving us an unparalleled view of the city. Maria and the three guys left as soon as we arrived, and Julian gave me a tour while Helen disappeared into the bedroom to unpack our things.

We climbed into bed just before sunrise. I was nervous about the lack of steel shutters over the windows, but Julian assured me that the drapes were one hundred percent blackout. I was still scared though. What if someone came in and opened the blinds when we were sleeping?

He’d laughed at that. “What, like vampire hunters? You’ve seen too many movies.”

Then he found a way to distract me from my fear.

T he next night Julian left to take care of his problem. I stayed home, watching Netflix all night. I watched four hours of Schitt’s Creek, then just for laughs, I decided to watch Dracula. Only I didn’t laugh. I made it halfway through before I shut off the tv and threw the remote on the floor. The violent scenes seemed too real now, and the romance too sad. I thought about putting Schitt’s Creek back on to cheer myself up, but decided against it. Instead, I curled up in a chair and stared out the window.

I realized something was wrong when the drapes automatically closed over the windows, blocking my view. It was almost sunrise and Julian wasn’t back. I stood up and started pacing. When I heard the door open, I spun around, relieved. But it was only Maria.

She paused when she saw me. “Julian has been detained.”

“With what?” I asked. “The sun is almost up!”

“I’m sure he’s told you he’s a daywalker.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, there you have it. He’ll be fine.”

“When will he be back?” I asked.

She slid her feet out of her high heels and bent to pick them up. “I don’t know.”

“Well, where did he go?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know or you won’t tell me?”

She sighed, sounding tired. “I work for Julian, Sarah. I can’t discuss his private matters with anyone. Not even you. Goodnight.” She walked away, down the hall towards the room she was staying in.

I went into my room, Julian’s room, and closed the door. I glanced nervously at the closed drapes, before changing into my pajamas and climbing into bed. I thought about slipping between the sheets naked, then decided Julian didn’t deserve to come home to that, after making me worry.

W hen I woke up the next evening Julian’s side of the bed was still empty. I got up and went out into the living area and saw Helen and Maria in the kitchen. They both stopped talking when I walked in.

“Good morning. I mean-” I shrugged and looked around the kitchen, suddenly wishing I could have a cup of coffee. “Julian already left again? Or did he never come home?”

“He’ll return as soon as he’s able,” Maria said.

“O-kaay.” I drew out the word. “So what’s the plan for tonight then? Do you guys want to go out? You could show me around?” I looked at them hopefully.

Maria shook her head. “I’m sorry. You’re to remain here until Julian returns.”

“And when will that be?”

She gave me a look. “I don’t know.”

I looked at Helen, hoping for support, but she quickly looked away. What the hell was going on? “Okay.” I said, with a shake of my head. I turned around and went back to the bedroom, where I started to pace.

Where was he? And why couldn’t I go out without him? Was he afraid I’d run away? Was that how it was going to be with us? I’d never get to go anywhere without him because I was his property? After our time on the island, I thought things would be different.

The more I paced, the more I thought, the more worked up I got. I was so mad when the bedroom door finally swung open that I bared my fangs. But it was only Helen.

“I’m sorry!” she said, quickly stepping backwards.

I covered my mouth with my hand. “I’m sorry! I thought you were Julian!” I tried to make my fangs retract, but they wouldn’t.

“It's okay.” She hesitantly stepped into the room. She held out the glass she was carrying. “I thought you might be hungry.”

I took the glass with one hand, still covering my mouth with the other. “I’m sorry, I don’t know how to make them go away.”

She smiled kindly. “You have to relax.” She stepped closer, looking more at ease. “Feeding will help.” She pointed at the glass I held.

Feeling foolish, I took a drink. When the glass was empty, she held out a hand, and I gave it to her. She was right, I did feel calmer. I felt my fangs retract, and I flopped down on the foot of the bed.

“I’m sorry,” I said again. “I don’t know why I’m so upset. I don’t know what's wrong with me.”

She smiled again. “When vampires fall in love, they can become… possessive over one another. It’s natural for you to be upset when you don’t know where he is or what he’s doing. Just like it's natural for him to want you to stay here, where it's safe, when he’s not around to protect you.”

I sighed. “Now I feel foolish.” Then her words caught up to me. “And who says we’re in love?”

Helen only smiled and walked out of the bedroom.

I spent the entire night in the bedroom, thinking over Helen’s words, and worrying about Julian. When dawn approached again and Julian still wasn’t back, I was terrified.

What if something happened to him? Something must have happened. He wouldn’t leave me here this long, without saying anything. I crawled into bed and buried my face in his pillow, inhaling his scent. When I finally fell asleep, I dreamed I was back at my trial, watching Julian rip the guard’s heart out.

When I woke the next night I felt troubled by my dream. I didn’t bother leaving the bedroom to talk to Maria. I knew I’d get no information from her. I was standing at the window when Helen came in with breakfast . I was angry and didn’t want to take it out on her, so I never turned around. She quietly set the glass down and left. I spent the entire night in my room.

When I woke on the fourth night, I knew I wasn’t alone. I opened my eyes and saw him sitting in a chair by the window, watching me. I sat up and pushed my hair out of my face. I’d been so angry, but seeing him now all I felt was relief that he was safe.

I looked him over, noticing his dirty clothes and rumpled appearance. “What happened?”

“I’m fine.”

Well, so much for relief, now I was pissed. “You're not going to tell me anything?” I let him know by my tone how I felt about that.

His eyes narrowed, ever so slightly. “My business doesn’t concern you.”

“Business. Right .” I flung the blankets off me and got out of bed on the opposite side, away from him. I put my hands on my hips as I faced him. “Business that kept you away for three nights and made it impossible for you to call? Business so secretive that apparently Maria isn’t allowed to tell me about it? And why the hell couldn’t I go out without you?” I was nearly shouting by that point.

Julian pushed himself out of his chair. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

“Of course not,” I sneered. “I’m just your property! You can keep me locked away forever if you want, can’t you?”

“Yes.” His voice was dangerously low. “You are my property. I’ll keep you where I want, for however long I want, because I own you.”

“I hate you!” I shouted, my body shaking with rage.

He laughed. “You keep telling yourself that.” He turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

I wanted to scream, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction, so I clenched my jaw until it hurt. I stayed in my room all night, fuming. Julian’s mood swings were seriously pissing me off. First, he treats me like a slave, parading me though the house on a leash. Then he's spoiling me with expensive clothes, and we spend a week making love on his island. And now he's acting like he wants nothing to do with me! Was this my life now? I was so mad I wanted to start throwing furniture again, but the lack of steel shutters made me reluctant to break a window.