Chapter 16 ∣  Speak Directly and Clearly

-Eris

The danger was addicting and like a drug, Maverick was becoming harder and harder to stay away from. Each second alone I found myself wondering if he really did mean everything he said. He did love me, but I was trying to understand how to genuinely love him back.

At this moment in time, he was willing to die for me...was I ready to give my own life for him?

No.

That unseen force driving us together made it extremely difficult to think clearly. I didn't want to be drawn together out of sheer limerence...I wanted to develop my own trust and love for him. Though, his fangs were still the scariest factor when he touched me.

I really wanted him to bite me, even if it would help me remember everything and how we used to be like. That option though was out of the question. He'd more than likely kill me, even when he didn't mean to.

It was a few days after our date on the hill near the lake. I thought it might be best to try and find Maverick to finally take me clothes shopping. Arlynn had been correct, some of the clothes fit me, but I needed something a little more...me...I guess.

Where the hell did, he run off to? When I need him, he's never around? When I don't need him, he's breathing down my neck and won't leave me alone!

Grumbling slightly under my breath, I poked my head into the kitchen. Lucca's back had been to me, but the second he smelled me or heard my heartbeat he turned around. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, "What are you doing?"

"Oh, it's just you..." I sighed, readying myself to leave the kitchen doorway, "I thought you were someone important for a second."

"You really should learn some manners," Lucca's nostrils flared and I just shrugged my shoulders.

"I have manners, just none I'd like to demonstrate around you," I felt something behind me...

...but I nearly jumped when Locaine stated, "I believe manners are different from sarcasm."

Now there's two of them...

"Where's Maverick?" I ignored him, turning sideways to allow the icy blue-eyed pureblood to enter into the kitchen. He made eye contact with Lucca, not enjoying being excluded from the obvious conversation they were having. More than likely debating if they should tell me or not. I only came to that conclusion when Lucca leaned against the island counter, Locaine nearing the fridge door. They both stayed silent and that just made me more frustrated.

"You know, if you let me continue talking to myself, everyone's going to think I'm crazy," I sighed with irritation, the brief change in Lucca's demeanor had him stifling a laugh.

"Oh, believe me, that's not what makes you crazy," he returned my snarky comment with one of his own. Locaine had taken what appeared to be a bag filled with red liq-...oh my god that's blood. I forgot, these creatures are vampires and they need blood in order to live.

"People willingly bleed for you?" I couldn't stop my mouth from talking, pointing at the bag, and edging my way further into the kitchen. Lucca and Locaine glanced at one another and I thought I'd continue to go crazy with this silence.

It didn't last long, Locaine's eyes meeting mine as I stood across from the two of them, leaning against the island counter myself. He stated, "There was a time when humans were enslaved, and we could do anything and everything we wanted. Humans bled for regular vampires and purebloods alike, only we couldn't bite them or risk our supply running thin."

I made a disgusted face and he just chuckled, "We either get chilled blood or warm blood from another vampire. That's about it unless we want to kill a human for theirs."

Immediately at his words I covered my neck with both my hands and stated, "Don't even think about it..."

"Then she'd be silent at least," Lucca rolled his eyes and flashed me his fangs on purpose. How completely rude...

"Ass-hat," I mumbled lowly and decided it would be best to leave the hungry purebloods alone...for the meantime.

Locaine hastily called out before I exited through the open doorway of the kitchen, "Eris, you should probably just head to the library or the living room. Maverick will be done shortly, and I'll let him know where to find you."

"Done shortly?" I tiled my head to the side as I looked over my shoulder at Locaine. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Lucca whispered something just under his breath and I got angry fast at how they were treating me. Whirling around, I marched back into the kitchen, rounded the corner of the island and poked my finger against Lucca's chest growling, "Why can't you just tell me! Speak directly and clearly and maybe we can all just get along..."

"Er-" Locaine started but was quickly cut off.

"You know where he is, so just tell me!" I snapped my attention to Locaine. Leaving Lucca be, I moved behind him and stood just a foot away from Locaine, glaring up at him.

Why won't he tell me?!

"Because I don't want you to get upset as Annika did with me a long time ago," he stated firmly, looking over my head to Lucca.

Great, they're ganging up on me.

Why would I be upset? That makes absolutely no sense at all.

"Why can't you type of people just be honest and upfront?! I don't get...always weaving tales and lies, no wonder Maverick ended up being a rogue vampire," I glared at him and walked away, heading back to the kitchen entrance and about to start my search again.

"She's an annoying brat..." Lucca huffed under his breath.

"With a family like you, who needs enemies?" I retorted more to myself, but I knew they heard me. No doubt they were getting angry with me, the tension in the room becomes so thick you could cut it with a butter knife.

Locaine's own temper flared as he said, "Fine, you want to go see him? He's in the parlor-"

"Because that was just so hard to tell me," my right hand gripped the doorframe hard.

"-I'm not that cruel anymore, so I'm not going to just let you walk in there and have your feelings hurt for no reason," Locaine paused when he saw me completely stop dead in my tracks. "You'll find Maverick in the parlor, but unlike the majority of the purebloods that live in this coven, Maverick will not feed off of cold blood. Ever. It has to be fresh as he lived almost his whole life getting away killing others, that bloodlust stuck. We don't care, but I'm sure you'll end up in an argument or crying when you walk in there and see Arlynn sitting on Maverick's lap while he feeds from her."

Okay.

Ouch.

Fuck you too.

My skin grew hot with anger, trying to breathe calmly, but failing to do so.

Would I really be that angry? Maybe...

Jealous perhaps? Yes, very much so. It did hurt slightly knowing he'd never be able to bite me. I don't think he'd do it even if I wanted him to. Though, the thought of being a vampire was not all that appealing...

I'd rather spend the time I know I have with him right now than ever risk letting him attempt to turn me to be with him forever...just to die and have everything taken away again. Sadly, my options are extremely limited and so far, living within these walls was becoming harder and harder.

I'm not like them...I'm just a mortal.

They have an eternity to do everything they've always dreamed of.

If I'm lucky...maybe I have another forty or so years before my life ends. That's not including the risk of death by simply being around this coven...oh! And the war going on between them and the werewolves, let's not forget that.

So, really, I'll be lucky if I live each new day the sun comes up on the horizon. Small steps. Baby steps. Maybe I can just stop thinking about all this uncertainty running through my mind and stressing me out.

"You did something I didn't think possible," Lucca's voice was in awe as it drew me from my sudden thoughts.

"What's that?" Locaine appeared slightly confused.

"You got her to shut up," Lucca replied with relief.

"Fuck you both!" I stormed out of the kitchen, ignoring everything that came from their mouths as I went straight down the hallway to the front of the mansion. My feet echoed with my stomps, anger coursing through me as I couldn't stop thinking about what Locaine had said.

I'm not hurt.

I shook my head, nearing the double sliding doors to the parlor, my hands reaching out for them.

I'm not angry, this won't bother me.

I hesitated for a moment, my hands grasping the handle of the right door. I breathed in while I attempted to calm my nerves and my heart that thumped against the inside of my chest.

It won't bother me.

It won't bother me...

I quietly slid back the door, nervously stepping into the parlor room, and seeing a few vampire couples on couches and chairs. Some glanced up, blood staining their teeth while others didn't notice me. Quietly, I glanced around and finally saw the one I was looking for.

Okay, it's bothering me...

Maverick was seated in one of the dark leather chairs. Arlynn sat on her lap with her back flush against his chest. His hand held the strap of her red tank top to the side, his lips touching the exposed skin of her shoulder. Her own eyes were half-lidded, the flecks of red in her irises were just barely visible.

Tears came to my eyes and I quickly brushed them away, turning for the door and trying to leave quickly without being seen.

I'm jealous...

Just as I left the parlor and slid the door behind me, I jumped at his voice. Locaine had his arms crossed in front of his chest and said, "I told you this would hurt."

I pushed my ebony hair back behind my ears, trying to keep my eyes to the ground because I knew they were getting red. I'm not particularly good at listening, what made him think I would have avoided this?

"Why did it hurt Annika? You two are beloveds, yo-"

"No," Locaine abruptly cut me off. I couldn't avoid staring at the ground any longer. My eyes slowly raised up to meet his and I just stayed silent as I saw the guilt wash over his face. "Annika was not my beloved. She was not destined to me by fate. She was a hunter whose father I despised and wanted nothing more than to seek revenge in using her."

"Wait, what?" I breathed out. She wasn't a vampire hunter combo thingy? Not born that way anyway.

"I turned Annika when she was about to die," Locaine informed me, "I hoped to offer her a chance at immortality as opposed to death. Never had I thought about turning her for my own desire, but when I was about to lose her, I had no other choice. You see," he paused for a moment, glancing as someone passed behind him.

"I never found my beloved and I know she's alive otherwise I would have felt that connection fade with her death. I turned, marked, and claimed Annika as my beloved knowing all of this. Would I ever give her and what we have up for some person I don't even know just because fate tells me she's my match? Not a chance. I've learned love, and just because Maverick cannot mark you or truly claim you as his, he cares deeply for you and I'm sure you'll find your own way to love one another."

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To Seduce a Mortal by K. A. Young and Laisha C. Gardner

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