Page 20 of Crimson Elemental
What the fuck did I just agree to?
CHAPTER 8
Aurora
When I was forcibly turned as a vampire, I never imagined I’d be able to do much of anything beyond being a monster, let alone travel to Italy.
And as for the monster thing? Turns out, vampires are some of the nicest beings I’ve ever met. At least, most of them.
Icy chills scrape my skin with thoughts of Samuel. The way he’d torture and kill humans right in front of me, their cries starring in my nightmares. That’s what IthoughtI’d turn into. Depraved. Immoral. Inhuman.
I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong.
Sure, I crave blood, but I’llneverhurt anyone. That much has been proven with my refusal to bite a volunteer feeder. And I may have a slippery mind, but I haven’t lost my humanity.
The black town car takes another winding curve, drawing my attention to the vast hills to our right. The night sky is clear and there’s something about the air in Tuscany that makes my heart sing. It smells fresh and ancient at the same time.
“That’s…that’s where we’re going?” I ask as golden lights illuminate rows of lush vineyards, little roads separating the massive sections. Sprawling trees pepper the property, which, asthe driver navigates us up a long, graveled path, boasts a gray-stone castle dating back to the thirteen-hundreds.
“This is yours now,” Saint says from where he sits on the opposite side of the town car.
It’s the most he’s said in hours. He’s been grumbly at best, and for him, that’s something.
I shake my head as the driver slows the car before parking it in front of what is a clearly modernized addition connecting to the property’s original castle. Beige sandstone and decorative columns and wide double doors sit just beyond a glistening fountain with lion statues.
“This is…” I don’t have words for what this is. Not as Saint holds the massive front doors open for me, not as our driver settles our suitcases in the entryway before bidding us goodnight. Not as I stand in the grand foyer, my eyes darting from the polished marble flooring to the sparkling crystal chandeliers that hang high above us.
“Overwhelming?” Saint asks when I don’t continue.
“Yes.” I let out a long breath, eyes drawing up to where he’s come to stand next to me. “I’m used to the king’s residence, but this is entirely different.”
Saint nods, holding my gaze for a moment. Need pulls taut beneath my skin, a hunger that’s grown worse ever since I tasted him. I still haven’t worked out if that’s simply a vampire trait, the incessant pull I have toward him being solely linked to the blood he has that I crave, or if it means something deeper.
My instincts shout one thing. Saint’s behavior toward me screams another.
“I need to clear the home.” Saint breaks my gaze, hurrying toward the closest room, which looks like a study.
I follow him through the first floor, doing my best to keep up with him, before I quickly give up. He’s determined to check every room twice, and every concealed space three times. I leavehim to it, instead wandering through the main level that he’s already cleared. I head past grand kitchens and a lavish living space until I find a wall of French doors, their windows teasing a gorgeous exterior.
Opening the set of doors, I head onto a grand terrace, my lips parting at the stone steps leading down to a long, deep pool illuminated by more of the golden lights decorating the property. I can’t deny how luxurious everything looks, from the pool to the gardens surrounding it, to the vineyards beyond.
“The home is clear,” Saint says a few moments later. “I’ll check the castle in a moment, but there are only two entry points connecting it to this residence.”
I nod, suddenly feeling so tired I can feel it in my bones.
“This is not my life.” I swallow hard. “This is myfather’slife.” I shake my head. “He never let me see or learn about any of this. Not that he would, I guess. He never wanted to acknowledge I was his daughter. And sure, I buried the part of me that was him so much, I practically forgot the vampire blood that ran through my veins, but I never stopped being mildly curious. I tried to connect with him a couple times, but he refused. I wasn’t vampire enough for him to claim me.” I glance at Saint, whose eyes are on me. “Seems to be a theme,” I say more under my breath, but from the way his jaw clenches, I know he catches every word.
“What am I supposed to do?” I ask before he can respond. “Tend these vineyards? Keep up with the wine sales? Alek wants the Somerhaul vote with my new inherited position, but for what? Doesn’t he know I’m already on his side?” The questions roll from my tongue the second I start down that thought pattern.
“I don’t know,” Saint admits. “I always left political matters to my broth—” He cuts off abruptly, pain lining his features before he clears it.
I feel that hurt like my own. I can’t imagine living for centuries with your twin brother, collecting good memories only for them to be obliterated by the bad. I’ve seen the conflict he has on a nightly basis slowly eat away at him. I wish above anything that I could take it away.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, turning to face him.
“For what?” he tilts his head.
“For everything.” I shrug. “I’ve only ever known Samuel as the monster who tortured and turned me, but you’ve known him much longer as a brother you loved.”
