Cursed Hearts (Hearts Duology Book 1) Page 8

I glance over at the Mohawk River and notice a few people strolling by the water’s edge. If they only knew the danger lurking around… I turn to Victor and say, “Absolutely nothing. I guess you could count hanging out with Lena.”

  “I don’t believe you. You’re too beautiful to just hang out with one person. Do you go anywhere for fun?”

  “The coffeehouse and Lena’s place. That’s it.”

  “A homebody.” A faint smile dances on his lips. “Something else we have in common.”

  I shake my head from side to side. “Be serious. I saw how popular you are at the club. You’re not a homebody.”

  “Those are employees and members of my Coven. That doesn’t make me popular. Just well known.”

  “Well, despite their negativity I did have a nice time with you tonight.”

  “I can’t wait to do it again,” he says.

  “Victor, I was serious when I said we can’t go out again.” I might as well tell him so that he can move on. So that we can both move on. “I’m promised to someone else.”

  His head rocks back. “Who?”

  “An incubus. I’m sure you don’t know him.”

  “Who?” he demands.

  “Colt—”

  “Son of the Najex? You’ve got to be kidding me. When did this happen?”

  “After our last date. I’m sorry. I should've told you sooner.”

  “Yeah, but you had no problem going out with me anyway.” I can’t tell if he’s disgusted or disappointed or both.

  “I wanted just one more night with you,” I plead. “I just wanted—”

  “Najex be damned,” he hisses.

  Victor moves too fast for me to stop him. He’s across the console in an instant, claiming my lips with his. My heart, along with the air around me, comes to a grinding halt. Time freezes, and I’m waiting for the familiar pull—the feeling that ignites my soul and nourishes me.

  It doesn’t come.

  Sweat trickles down my back. I try to break off the kiss, but Victor won’t stop. Panic grips me. There’s no increase in energy. His kiss gets stronger and deeper.

  Why hasn’t he faded?

  My mind locks on what’s not happening rather than focusing on what is going on. Something sharp pricks my lip. Victor moans and pulls away.

  Shock?

  Surprise?

  I don’t know what word to use as my hand moves toward my mouth. “What was that about?”

  “Don’t.” Victor grasps my wrist, stopping me from wiping the blood sneaking down my chin. Instead, he wipes my face with his thumb, licks the crimson drop from his finger, and exhales loudly. Radiance spreads across his lips, and his fangs are lowered. “You. Are. Magnificent. I’ve been wanting to do that ever since we met.”

  Anger clouds my thinking. How dare he put me in such a dangerous position? “What you did was wrong, Victor. What if something happened to me in there? Those monsters could have torn me apart!”

  “You’re exaggerating. Nothing would have happened with me there. I wouldn’t have allowed it.”

  I start to bite my lip, but it’s too sore. I run my tongue along the surface. The prick marks are still there. “Why did you bite me?”

  He leans his head against the seat. “Temptation, pure and simple. Like I said, I’ve been wanting to do that since I met you.”

  “It was dumb.”

  “True, but I couldn’t help myself. There’s something about you, Kelsie. Something that draws me to you. I know you feel it.”

  “Doesn’t matter what I feel.” I wish I didn’t feel it. If I didn’t, this wouldn’t be so difficult. “I told you I’m promised to Colt.”

  He shakes his head. “Now look who’s doing dumb things. Why did you agree to it?”

  “It was either him or this older incubus in England.”

  “You’re not answering my question.”

  “Because my mother wishes it,” I snap. “I don’t have control over my powers. Without control, I kill people. I’m putting my brother’s life in jeopardy. If Council knew he was cleaning up my messes, he’d be exiled.”

  “So, you’re in favor of this match?” His eyebrows lower. “You care about this incubus?”

  I swallow hard. “I don’t have a choice.”

  “Avoiding my questions again.”

  I stare down at my feet. “No to both questions.”

  Victor clears his throat. “I don’t care about Colt or my Coven’s reaction to you. We’ll find a way to be together.”

  My eyes rock over to him. He doesn’t understand. “How many times must I say it? There can be no us.”

  “Explain it to me. Obviously, I don’t see it the way you do.”

  “Victor, we’re different species. There’s no way Council will allow us to have a relationship. Even our DNA is against us being together. But what’s most important, all that really matters, is the Najex won’t accept it.”

  “I don’t care about any of those things, especially the Najex. He’s just a demon like all of us. He can’t harm me.”

  “I think you’re wrong there. But even if he can’t harm us, he can make life miserable for all of us. I’m not worth the agony.”

  “Fine.” He holds his palms out. “I’ll drop the matter if you convince me.”

  “Of what?”

  “Tell me you didn’t enjoy the kiss. Tell me you don’t want me in your life. Tell me those things, and I’ll take you home right now.”

  Crap! Victor’s asking me to lie to him because I can’t tell him those things. Kissing him felt right. If I had stayed in the moment, it would have been perfect. I want to kiss him again. But if I tell him what he needs to hear, there won’t be another one. I can’t imagine my life without him in it. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt. There’s no way I can go back to how I was before him—ashamed of my emotions.

  “Kelsie? I’m waiting.”

  I twist my fingers together as if the answer can be found there. “If I tell you I enjoyed it… If I tell you I want you in my life, how does this work? How can we be together?”

  He moves closer. His cold finger traces my lower lip. “Let me worry about it.”

  “But—”

  “I’ll figure it out.” His hand snakes through my hair. He cups the back of my head and kisses me.

  I admit kissing Victor is a little strange. The first chill is a little off-putting. Gradually, his lips warm beneath mine. It becomes welcoming, something I don’t want to miss out on. Ever again.

  Furious pounding interrupts us. I look over Victor’s shoulder and see my brother standing beside the car.

  I lower my window and come face to face with an angry incubus. He takes one look at me, bares his teeth, and reaches into my car. His hands land on my collar.

  “Cash, don’t!” Kelsie screams.

  Quickly, I put two and two together. This must be her brother. Sibling or not, if he doesn’t remove his hands from my neck, blood will be spilled.

  The car door slams. Kelsie is suddenly at his side trying to pull him off me.

  His grip tightens.

  I’ve had enough. I wedge both of my hands between his and break the connection. As soon as I’m free, I grab his arm and jerk. A deafening snap fills the air. The incubus cries out and stumbles backward, cradling his broken limb.

  I exit my car.

  “Why did you break his arm?” Kelsie shouts.

  “If he apologizes, I’ll make sure it’s repaired,” I tell her.

  “No need,” says the silky, catlike female voice.

  What the hell is Edwina doing here? And why is she risking exposure for the incubus?

  She touches the incubus’s arm. A warm glow surrounds the surface. You can hear the bone knitting back together. The light fades.

  “Try using it now, Cash,” she tells him.

  The incubus flexes and moves his arm side to side. “Thanks.”

  Edwina looks at me. “I told ya the
succubus was trouble.”

  Members of the Coven pile out of the club. The last thing we need is a crowd of witnesses.

  “Show’s over,” I yell. “Either go back inside or get the hell out of here.”

  The crowd disperses, but the mysterious she-vamp is still in the parking lot.

  “That includes you, Edwina. We need a moment alone.” She locks eyes with me and stands her ground. “Fine. If you’re gonna stay out here, start explaining why you repaired his arm.”

  An unreadable emotion flickers in Edwina’s eyes. Her lips twitch, but she doesn’t have a reply. Instead, she tosses her mane of curls over her shoulder and pivots on her heel.

  Now that she’s disposed of, I turn back to Kelsie and her brother. Before I can speak, the incubus opens his mouth. “What are you doing with my sister, vamp?”

  “I believe that’s between your sister and me.”

  The incubus’s gaze settles on her. “Start talking.”

  “He’s my date. Victor meet Cash.”

  His head jerks back. “Are you serious? You’re dating one of them?”

  I don’t appreciate how he speaks to her, but I’ll keep my mouth shut for now. No need to cause a bigger scene.

  “This isn’t up for discussion,” Kelsie says.

  “Have you forgotten your promise to Colt? His father is going to be furious!”

  “I don’t care. I made a decision tonight.” She looks over at me. “I want to be with Victor, not some prized possession in the Najex’s stable.”

  The incubus paces back and forth, working his jaw but not saying a word. Finally, he stops in front of me. “This is your fault. Everything was set. What did you say to her?”

  I rub my chin. “Kelsie has a mind of her own. She makes her own decisions.”

  “No.” He shakes his head and points to her. “She does what she’s told to do. She’s a good little demon. What have you done?”

  “Excuse you?” she shouts. “I’m nobody’s puppet.”

  “I’m sorry,” Cash says. “You know what I mean. How am I supposed to tell this to Mom?”

  “You don’t. I’ll talk to her.” Kelsie touches my arm. “I better go home with him.”

  “Are you sure? I can go with you.”

  “That’s not a good idea. My mother is going to be very upset. You shouldn’t meet her under those circumstances.”

  “Call me later. Let me know how things go.”

  “I will.” She kisses my cheek and walks off with the incubus.

  I turn around and see Nathan standing behind me.

  “We need to talk, my friend.” He heads for my car.

  It’s a silent, brief ride to Crucifix Island across the Mohawk River, a popular place for rock climbers. I tap out a frenetic rhythm on the steering wheel. In all honesty, I don’t care to hear a lecture from the reaper, but I know it’s coming. I cut the motor and wait for the assault.

  “Do you realize the problem you’ve created, my friend?” the reaper asks calmly. “You and the succubus are breaking serious rules. You can’t do that without consequences.”

  “I don’t care about them.”

  He continues, “No one likes rules. Unfortunately, we all have to live by them. Even you.”

  I smack the dashboard. The resounding thud sounds like an explosion in the night. “Damn it, Nathan. Haven’t I suffered enough?”

  The reaper stares back at me.

  “I’ve existed for twenty years. Not once have I enjoyed a single moment as an immortal.”

  “I know, but Council—”

  “Let me finish. The rules in this damned town are for humans, not us. Council needs to realize that.”

  “You’re going start a war, my friend.”

  “No, I’m not. I want a chance for happiness, that’s all.”

  The seat creaks under Nathan’s large frame as he shifts his body. “That sounds like a relationship to me. If that’s the case, you have a predicament. I’ve heard the rumors of the match between the son of the Najex and the succubus. He’s a demon not to be toyed with.”

  “He’ll have to get over it. Kelsie belongs to me.”

  “What makes her so special that you’d risk so much? There’s a club of supernaturals who would die again to be with you.”

  “And I don’t want any of them.” My gaze darts over to Nathan. “I can’t explain it, but there’s something about Kelsie. Whatever it is draws me to her. She feels it, too.”

  The reaper mumbles words that sound like “soul mate” under his breath.

  “What?”

  “The succubus is your soul mate, the one you’re intended to be with forever.”

  I chuckle. “Not possible. Have you forgotten I lost my soul a long time ago?”

  “You’re undead, but you retain traces of your soul. It clings to you just like your humanity. Your aura isn’t the solid blue that it should be. Instead, there are pale green, crystal fibers within it. They aren’t easily seen by others. Only reapers can pick up on it.”

  The idea that I retain even traces of my soul is preposterous. I was certain every part of my human condition had vanished, including my spirit. What Nathan speaks of is impossible. The undead can’t have soul mates. Luc changed my life. He spilled my blood and took with it my mortality. It’s what makes all of us undead, being soulless.

  But what if he speaks the truth?

  When I was a man, I loved a woman named Abigail. I thought she was the one. Not once did I consider changing my life or my ways for her. I didn’t think of risking everything for Abby and didn’t feel the deep connection I feel with Kelsie.

  I turn the notion over in my mind once more. Nathan has never lied to me about anything. I don’t think he’d start now.

  “Are you certain that Kelsie is my mate?”

  “Those green fibers I mentioned? When the two of you were together in the club, I saw those fibers with her.”

  “How?” I cock my head. “She’s never been human.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Your soul sought out hers. They started intertwining.”

  Wow. This baffles me. But it’s confirmation that Kelsie belongs with me and not the son of a demon.

  “So, what should I do?” I ask him. “How do we make this work?”

  “It’s up to Council. I suggest you speak with Luc.”

  “He won’t be back—”

  “He’s back. Go home.” Nathan opens the door.

  “Wait,” I call out. It occurs to me he’s not in town just to hang out at the club. “Anyone I know?”

  Nathan’s greenish eyes darken, and he replies, “Unfortunately.”

  I rub the back of my neck and ask, “Who?”

  “Don’t concern yourself. You need to handle your business. Until you do, I’ll postpone completing my job. The succubus will require your support afterward.”

  “Will you at least tell me if your mark is human?”

  “Yes,” Nathan says over his shoulder and gets out of the car.

  Damn.

  I watch the reaper stalk into the night. There are times, like now, when I pity him. Nathan fell in love with a human. She wasn’t just any random human, though. She was his mark, a soul he was to collect. Nathan couldn’t do it. When it was all over, his superior assigned her soul to another reaper. That was a decade ago. He’s been alone ever since.

  Making matters worse, he lost his privilege to a permanent home. Now his marks are all over the world. He’s forced to hop endlessly from city to city. If he carried a passport, it would be worn thin.

  It isn’t how I plan on spending my eternity.

  Time to go home and face the music.

  Cash storms through the front door yelling for Mom. I’m hoping it’s too early for her to be home. After all, it’s a Friday night. No hard-working succubus would be caught dead at home. I’m shocked when she runs down the stairs dressed for an evening in instead of work—yoga pants, tank top, dark hair pu
lled into a messy bun, and bare feet.

  Siren save me! Can nothing go right in my life?

  “What’s wrong?” Mom exclaims, her eyes darting back and forth. “Who’s dying?”

  “No one…yet,” Cash announces.

  She leans against the bannister and raises an eyebrow. “One of you had better tell me what’s going on. You’re not too old for me to torture.”

  My brother and I exchange a glance. He’s challenging me to speak up for myself. I might as well get it over with. “I was out on a date, not at Lena’s.”

  “With what?”

  “A vampire.”

  Our mother’s eyes protrude, and her face reddens. She glares at me but speaks to Cash. “Did you know of this?”

  “No. I found out tonight.”

  Her tone darkens. “Where was this date?”

  Neither of us answer.

  “Somebody had better answer me.”

  I clear my throat. “The Temptation Club.”

  Mom’s eyes roll. “That feeding den,” she erupts, slamming her foot on the floor. “Why the hell did he take you there for a date? Is he dense enough to think he can feed off you?”

  A trail of sweat sneaks down my back. I suck my bottom lip in, trying to hide the evidence.

  She walks up to me and grasps my chin in her hand. “Open.”

  I shake my head, and she squeezes hard. Reluctantly, I open my mouth. Her eyes widen when she sees the fang marks.

  “Cash, call Colt. Tell him to come over right away.” She drops her hand. “Young lady, wait for me upstairs. We need to talk.”

  Mothers, both human and supernatural, don’t have to make physical contact with their offspring in order to torture us. All they have to do is make us wait. The unknown is a terror that can torment us much better than any demon ever could. Mom has kept me waiting for thirty minutes. I don’t dare call Victor. That phone call comes with a price that even an eternity in Hell can’t cover.

  When I’ve sweated all I can and paced my last step, the door swings open. Mom points to my desk chair, and I sit down.

  “Do you think that Council’s rules are simply a form of prejudice against vamps and succubi?”

  I start to open my mouth, and she raises her hand.