Chapter 10

“You are not coming, Leone.” Victor’s voice carried into the bedroom before he reached it. Crissy sat on the floor with her notebook, even the silent company was better than looking at a window I couldn’t get up to look out.

“Victor.” Leone followed him into the room and grabbed his arm.

The surprise was very clear in the way his brother turned around slowly to look at him.

Leone stepped closer, so they were eye to eye. “What would you do if it were Crissy?”

Victor’s whole posture changed. He glanced to Crissy and then back to his brother. “I…

“Rampaged.” Crissy blurted out and then nodded. “Came back with blood on you all the time, showered a lot.” She looked at Leone and then smiled and turned her attention back to her notebook.

Victor’s jaw tensed, he slowly looked from her back to Leone.

“I’m going.” Leone said not allowing for any further argument.

Inclining his head, Victor held out his hand, “Cristy, heart, a moment.”

Getting up, she set her notebook down and then took his hand and followed him out.

“I’ll give you some space.” Alona got up and walked out.

Exhaling slowly, Leone came over and sat on the bed. “Alona and Crissy will stay here with you.”

“I’m fairly easy to keep an eye on right now.” I looked at my arm and down the bed to my legs.

His eyes moved over my face, concern plain. “Is it any better today?” He rubbed a hand over his short hair. “The pain, it feels so constant to me—through the bond.”

I still had trouble getting used to that. “It’s bearable.” I tilted my head as much as I could without screaming. “You do see the irony, right? You wanted me out of your head so much, now you’re voluntarily connected to me.”

His brown eyes didn’t look amused. “Fate has her own reasons.”

“Oh, did she have one for tossing me out a window?” Fate, I had learned was never on my side.

Leone shook his head, “to scare me half to death.” He leaned closer and brushed my hair back from my face. “Do you want me to dull it?”

I shook my head. “No, I’m trying to tough it out a bit more today. The foggy head gets to me after a while, but I may change my mind after a few more hours upright.”

He nodded. “Okay. I’m getting you a t.v. later, when I get back.”

“You know how to get to a woman’s heart.”

Leone chuckled and leaned closer. “Rest, eat more soup, I’ll give you more blood when I return.”

“Are my eyes red yet? I think I have as much of your blood as you do.”

He smiled. “No, they’re still smoky brown.” Brushing a kiss over my lips, he watched my eyes, his breath lingering. “Why can’t I stop doing that?”

“Because she’s your favorite flavor.” Crissy was back.

Leone sat up and looked at her.

She nodded. “I told you that you’d find your favorite flavor.” She rolled her eyes and then sat down with her notebook.

Alona came in. “Daxx is transporting the guys over.”

Leone gave her an abrupt nod then looked at me. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Be careful.” I said quietly.

He stood up and looked down at me briefly before walking out.

“I hate this part,” Alona sighed and sat down in the chair. “Last time we had to go rescue them.”

“The waiting is hard.” Crissy added, without looking up from her book.

“Can I get you anything, Bethany?” Alona stood up and looked around.

“A new leg would be great, so I can use the bathroom.”

Alona gave me a sympathetic look. “If I only I could. I’m going to make tea. Crissy? Would you like some?”

Crissy shook her head without looking up from her notebook. “I’m trying to find pieces.”

Alona smiled and walked out.

I looked at Crissy, trying to decide if I should ask, or even if I wanted to know. My thought process was a little clouded with the pain.

“It’s okay.” She looked up at me. “It’s not what you think. The prophecy book—” she nodded, “the one with the leaves, it explains it all.”

“Explains what, Crissy?” Alona came back in.

“That it’s not what Bethany thinks it is.” She put her head back down to her notebook.

I looked at Alona, who shrugged. “If you have any questions about this, other realm stuff, I’m fairly new at it myself, but I can try to answer your questions.”

I had so many questions, but only one I needed an answer for. “Does anyone ever get out of the cells once they’re put there?”

With a surprised look, Alona studied me for a moment. “Your friend?” She shook her head, “I don’t see them releasing her. She did try to kill them.” She waved her hand around, “as did my father, but he needs medical help, so it’s best he stays there.”

“Your father?”

She nodded slowly. “Yes, a torrid story really, let’s see—I met my father when I was ninety-eight, for the first time, after thinking he abandoned my mother on this side before I was born. He was working with Marcus and tried to decapitate Daxx.”

I know I had a shocked look on my face, but really what else could you feel? “Puts my problems into perspective.”

Alona nodded and took a sip of her tea. “Yes.”

“What about lesser crimes—where they didn’t try to kill anyone?”

“Mmm, I really don’t know. Chase has so much to monitor as a king, I suppose if you’re curious about the cells and penal system you could ask Arius, it’s his job.”

“Arius is the—warden?” The same Arius that having him touch or look at you was bad. That was news I didn’t need.

“Has it been long yet?” Alona sighed, “It feels like hours. At least Daxx is there to keep an eye on things.”

“Hope it’s not like the mud pit was—when we had to help her shower to see how bad the cut was so Troy wouldn’t lick it with the mud still on.” Crissy didn’t look up, just muttered as she wrote.

I looked at Alona, who had much the same expression on her face. Neither of us wanted that story clarified.

“What pieces are you working on, Criss?” Alona sat back and stared into her tea.

I suppose she was hoping Crissy talking would fill more time, or she was interested. I was trying not to think about Leone and what they may be facing right now. My situation couldn’t get more messed up than it was. How often does someone fall for their target? Target may not be the right word, but I had held his mind captive, that I did know. Now he was all I could think about. Could that be from the blood bond?

“I keep seeing Emil again, which is silly—he’s found.” She nodded and then looked up. “I’m so glad the flameless fire and daisy is solved.” Her face became animated. “And the cows too.” Her expression sobered as fast as it had become excited. “There’s nothing connected to Emil, so I’m missing pieces. Unless the girl is part of it, but I don’t see how.” She bit her lip, “herbs, I think it’s herbs—I don’t know why I’m seeing them though. Clocks, broken clocks…” She looked at me quickly and then to Alona, “can I go bounce the ball in the office?”

Alona nodded, “Yes if it helps you sort it, go ahead.”

“Okay.” She jumped up and reached into her pocket. “I’ll be right down the hall if you need me.”

After she ran out, I looked at Alona. “Leone told me about her visions.”

Sipping her tea, she raised her eyebrows. “I don’t know how she copes at all.” Standing, she smiled at me. “I was instructed to make you broth and to force you to eat it,” she smirked, “please don’t make me force you.”

I sighed, “What I wouldn’t do for a cheeseburger right now.”

“I’ll tell Mitz you need cheeseburger flavored broth—I have no idea if that’s possible, but with Mitz, I suspect nothing is unobtainable. I’ll be right back.”

I was starting to like these people. I paused, thinking they’re far more than people, despite fangs and all. Each one as uniquely weird as I was. I’d tried to make it up to them, but I didn’t know if it would be enough. I wondered if the women would come and visit me. Chances of queens and a princess stopping by the prison though—probably not.

Feeling overwhelmed, I just wanted to cry. What I’d done to Leone, to his family, was unforgiveable, I knew this. I wanted it to be different. I had to think of another location. I had to. Each lunatic I gave them helped my chances.

Completely forgetting about the restrictions, I dropped my head back against the pillow and cried out when the pain radiated down my neck all the way to my hand.

“Bethany…” Alona came running in.

I waved her away with my good hand. “I’m an idiot…forgot…and moved.” The tears started to fall; I had no control over them. “Such an idiot.” I babbled. “I’ve made such a mess of everything.” I looked up to see my feelings reflected in her face. “And now I’ve upset you because you’re an empath.” I cried even harder.

Alona sat on the bed and grasped my hand. “I’m really no help, am I?” Why ever did they leave me here?” She was crying too.

“It’s not your fault I’m a mess. If there’s a way to screw something up, I’ll find it.” I sobbed harder. “I held Leone captive, in his mind, in person and to complicate it even more I’ve fallen for a man that can’t be near me.” The tears were free falling now. Alona was balling as hard as I was.

“Oh no! No, no, no” Crissy came in. “No, let’s not cry. I’ll cry. Victor gets very upset when I’m upset.” A tear rolled down her face. She rushed over and fell to her knees and rested her head in Alona’s lap.

“What in the name of the gods is going on?” Chase stumbled into the room, out of breath, covered in blood.

“Oh Chase. My carpet.” Alona sobbed.

“Scorch the carpet.” He dropped blood covered swords onto the white carpet and went to Alona, pulling her into his arms.

Crissy continued to hug Alona’s legs and cry.

“It’s all my fault.” I choked.

“What the hell happened?” Leone charged into the room, leaving bloody boot prints.

Alona started crying harder.

There was blood on his face, reminding me of the stupid things I’d done. “It’s all my fault. I’m to blame.”

He fell to his knees beside me, touching my face softly. “Calm down, breathe slowly. Your ribs…”

I pulled his head down, not caring about the blood and clutched it against my shoulder that didn’t hurt. I started crying harder.

“Chase?” Leone tried to turn to look at him. “What happened?”

Alona motioned to me, then Crissy, then her carpet and started crying uncontrollably.

Victor barged in. “My heart, what is it?” He scooped her up into his arms, holding her so tenderly.

The very sight of it made me mourn more for what I almost cost this family. I started gasping and crying, which set off both of the other women even more.

“What is going on?” Daxx stood in the door, pointing one of her long blades at everyone. Her hand was shaking. “Which one of you bastards made them cry? I will stick this in you…” Her eyes were tearing up.

Troy rushed in and carefully took the blade from her. “It’s the family bond, you’re still getting used to it...”

“Do something, Troy. Be a king and order this to stop.” She looked so distressed.

He pulled her into his arms. “Chase, maybe taking the empath out of the room of ramped up emotions would be a good start.” His tone was hushed and even.

Chase stood up and picked Alona up into his arms and walked out of the room.

“Victor,” Troy said in the same soothing tone.

“We’ll be at home if needed.” They both vanished.

“Okay, okay.” Daxx huffed out a breath. “That’s better.” She nodded, looking at Leone and motioned to me. “Is she all right?”

Leone gave her a lost look.

“Uh, Bethany are you okay? Pain?”

I shook my head. “I’m fine.” I hiccupped.

“Okay.” Daxx looked up at Troy. “You find out what that was and fix it. We can’t have that happening.”

He nodded and pulled her back into his arms. “Yes, dearest, I will. Let’s go home.”

I watched them both vanish.

Leone leaned back and looked at me. “What happened? I felt your pain and then… then—is it too much? I was afraid it would take its toll without something to dull it.” He wiped the dampness from my cheeks.

I looked at the blood on him, now worried I’d distracted him when he shouldn’t have been. “Are you hurt?” My bottom lip quivered, the tears still threatening to fall.

He shook his and looked down. “It’s not mine.” Sighing, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “Yeah.” Giving me a brief glance, he stood up beside the bed. “How many from Alterealm?’ His brows drew together. “Yeah they were trained.” He rubbed the back of his neck as he walked around the bed, pausing he looked down at Chase’s weapons on the floor. Glancing back to me, he shook his head. “I’ll grab a shower here and come over to get caught up when you or Raf can come here.” He nodded. “Yeah, I think she was just overwhelmed and it got to Alona… and Crissy.” He smirked, “let’s hope not.” Hanging up, he tossed the phone on the bed and looked down at his clothes. “I’m going to go wash this off, then I’ll give you more blood,” his eyes assessed me as he spoke, “and make you more comfortable.”

I bit my lip and nodded as slightly as I could without jarring anything. “I’ll be here.”

Standing there for a moment more, he gave me an abrupt nod and walked out.

Focusing on breathing slowly, to ease the ache from my ribs, I closed my eyes for a few minutes. Opening them, I looked at the weapons and blood on the carpet and felt guilt. One more thing because of me. The fact that the men had rushed here when they felt their women’s upset was not lost on me. I didn’t understand quite how Daxx knew what was happening, but that too was incredible. That kind of caring didn’t exist in this world. Every person was out for themselves, and didn’t give a crap who they hurt to get what they wanted.

The last thought brought me full circle, right back to where it started…

“You keep thinking that hard and you’ll give me a headache.

I looked up to see Leone standing there—in just his black pants. Weapons, shirt and boots gone. “Either my brain is slower or that was the fastest shower in history.”

He gave me a half smirk and tapped his head. “The vortex of emotions you were going through started to feel a little heavy.”

I frowned, “How can you be tapped into me like that and I don’t feel it? And why don’t you drop from exhaustion because of it?”

Crossing his arms over his chest, his very ‘oh my’ muscular chest, he leaned against the doorframe.

“I don’t get tired because I’m not actively doing anything, just monitoring. If I were to block out the pain, or help you feel calm through those never-ending swirling emotions of yours,” he shrugged, “I’d tire or need to feed more often.”

“I’m jealous.” Staying in your mind almost turned me into a vegetable a few times.

“This isn’t magic, this is a connection through blood. If we take enough of each other’s, it’s stronger and goes both ways.”

“So, the guys rushing back here, was a blood bond?”

He cocked his head, “Mmm, yes plus mating bond.” He paused at my curious look, then motioned to his arm, “the tattoos. They’re mates.” His expressions grew serious. “It’s hard to explain, but they’re completely connected.”

“By tattoos?” I was having a hard time getting this and that alone annoyed me.

“They’re not normal tattoos. They didn’t go get them done—the mark appears, on its own.”

“Oh.” Really, what could I say to tattoos that appear by themselves? “How did Daxx know we were upset then?”

Moving from the door, he came over and sat on the corner of the bed. I found my eyes following each move he made. When he sat, there was no ‘relaxed’ stomach posture. The muscles were still tight.”

“Our family…”

I quickly looked back to his face.

“Well, my brothers and I—I don’t know if it goes back further. We have a mental link,” he frowned, “it’s so much harder to put into words.”

“You can talk to each other in your heads? Without magic or a spell…”

He shook his head. “More feelings. I don’t know how it works exactly, but we can sense what each other feels and know which one of us is feeling it. Not all feelings, we have to… project it. Sometimes we project it when we don’t intend to though. Chase and Troy have mastered nagging us through the family bond. It’s quite annoying at times.”

I heaved out a breath, feeling pieces were finally fitting together. “So, that’s why Herman and Davis warded the house. So your family couldn’t use it to find you.”

His jaw clenched briefly. “Yeah. I knew as soon as I tried to port out of there that they blocked everything.”

I leaned my head into the pillow, feeling tired and confused. “This is all so complex.” I smirked. “Who knew anything like all of this was possible.”

“It’s carefully guarded for a reason. What do you think would happen over here if people saw eyes changing colors and fangs?”

I snorted, “Mayhem. Then they’d do what they always do when someone is different. Kill them.”

He inclined his head. “Yes. We’re not new. Alterealm has been monitoring this side since time began. An irregularity that allowed those not for here to cross over has always been around. We’ve always monitored both sides—kept the balance.”

“Marcus, Davis—all of them, that’s what they’re trying to really do isn’t it? Trying to make it so all can come from your realm and be here.”

He nodded. “It is and there are so many that shouldn’t be over here, many that would take advantage of innocent humans in so many ways.”

A pained looked was on his face. I closed my eyes, unable to look at him right now. “And I was helping them…”

He touched my hand. “You were trying to get a friend out.”

Opening my eyes, I looked at him, guilt riding me hard.

“What would you have done if you’d gotten Erin back?”

I gave him a ‘duh’ look, “locked her up for the rest of her life so she wasn’t anywhere near any of them ever again.”

His eyes searched mine. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but it felt like it was an important moment. I hoped he saw some sort of redemption. The long silent made me tense and that just hurt.

“The blood bond…exchange, can both of us do it?”

He gave me a surprised look. “You do not want to be in my head right now. It’s a mess.”

I grinned. “Yeah and mine is complete serenity and balance.”

That made him smile. “We have a slight one from when I—” his eyes moved to my neck, “heal the punctures from my fangs.”

“I don’t feel anything.”

“You’re looking for something noticeable, it’s less obvious.”

“Not like some annoying chick whispering in your head day and night.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, his dark eyes moved over my face. “Exactly.”

I scowled, trying to focus, see if there was a small trace of this connection I could feel. I sighed. “I can’t feel it.”

Leone got up. “It’s probably drowned out by the pain you’re in. Why didn’t you say something about how bad it’s getting?”

“I was trying to distract myself from it by talking to you.” I moved my head like I was shrugging, without moving any other part of my body. “I like talking to you.”

He looked surprised again. “We can still talk after some blood and we dull the pain a bit.”

I rolled my eyes, “Yeah I’m so intellectual on eufori.”

He chuckled. “It’s not meant to be performance enhancing or stimulating. It’s to keep your body relaxed so you can heal.”

I pouted. “I’m over it. This laying here and healing is boring.”

“Do you want to lay on your side for a while?”

“Oh can I? That wall is ten times more exciting to look at then the ceiling and window.”

Grinning, he crawled on the bed. “Blood, eufori—then if you eat the broth still sitting in the kitchen, I’ll get your t.v.”

I scowled at him. “Are you bribing me?”

He smirked. “Is it working?”

I closed my eyes and whispered, “Yes.”

“Okay, let’s get you on your side. Maybe tomorrow you can sit up completely.”

“I don’t even know if my body remembers how to bend.”

He shifted the pillows around so there was one to rest my leg on. “It’s only been a few days.”

“That’s not what you said when you were yelling about the doctor.”

He paused, “you heard that?”

I nodded.

He stopped and knelt there. “I just—I feel guilty that you’re not in a hospital with more care. I’m the one that wanted you here, so we could use blood to heal you faster.”

“I thank you for that. From the sounds of it, I’d be weeks in the hospital before I even came out of it.” I couldn’t help by stare at his chest and abdomen, not to mention his arms. I didn’t even know arms could be toned like that.

He cleared his throat.

My eyes shifted back to his like a guilty child caught doing something they shouldn’t be.

“I’d like to get in a few times tonight—with the blood. I really think you’ll feel better by tomorrow, at least enough to move around a bit.”

I nodded. “Let’s try it.”

“We’ll get you on your side first. It’s easier for both of us.” He lay down and reached a hand to my lower back. “The closer to the heart the blood is, the better.”

I gave him a small nod, bracing myself for the pain I knew was coming.

“Hey,” his breath brushed over my face, “look at me, we’ll do this slow and easy.”

I looked up at him. “That’s good, I don’t think I’m up to fast anything right now.”

His mouth quirked, like he wanted to smile, but didn’t. His eyes showed the strain he was feeling, just being close to me.

I felt the pressure on my hip as he started to pull me toward him. “Bet you never thought in a million years you’d be this close to a female human again.”

He glanced to me briefly, “maybe a thousand. I figured if I could resist that long, I’d be okay.”

“Sorry about that—for being human.” I grit my teeth as sore muscles started to shift.

His mouth was beside my ear, as he reached to shift my upper body. “Don’t be sorry for that. It’s what makes you who you are.” Sitting up, he leaned down to gently lift my leg to follow the rest of me. “I like who you are.” He said so quietly I wasn’t sure he’d actually said it.

“At least one of us does—” My breath left my body when he moved me completely onto my side as every injury and bruise settled into the new position at once.

“Breath through it, don’t tense. Shit,” He swore softly, “I should have given you the eufori first.” He sighed, “I was afraid…”

“To do that first and be tempted by staying close to me after?” I inhaled through my nose. “I’m good.” I huffed out, cringing.

“Liar.” He said in a flat tone.

As the pain subsided, I opened my eyes and looked at his concerned ones. “At least I’m alive. I hear that was questionable at first.”

“When I looked out that window and saw—your broken body on the ground below…” The muscles in his neck tightened visibly. “I lost it. I’ve never been so—enraged.” He let out a slow breath, “Victor had to pull me off Herman…”

“I think I heard that. It’s very fuzzy, but I could hear you when you reached me. I don’t know why, but it was what I needed to hang on…”

Dark eyes met mine. I could see the emotions flashing through them. He leaned down and kissed my mouth softly. Moving back, he shifted so he was up on the bed further. My eyes went wide when he reached and pulled a knife from his pocket. Tossing the case for it aside, he looked down at me. “I heal quickly, so I may have to cut it open again.”

It, I realized was his own chest. How had I not been coherent enough the past few days to know this.

He smirked at my expression, “did you think I had a tap I just turned on and off?”

“I—I am really out of it. I mean how else did I think blood healing would work?” I sighed, “I feel dumb now.”

“Don’t. Heads are not meant for high impact. The fact you are able to think is a miracle.”

I lifted my chin slowly and looked up at him. “I think you are the miracle.”

The muscle in his jaw twitched, but he didn’t speak, just placed the blade against his pec and sliced it across it.

I gasped and watched the blood run down his chest.

With a gentle touch, he cupped the back of my head and adjusted his body, so my lips were a breath away from his skin.

With my tongue I licked the blood trail off and then placed my mouth over the incision. I expected that metallic taste blood usually had, but instead it was almost sweet, not at all what I’d figured it should taste like.

“Stop playing with your tongue, Beth, before it closes.” His voice was rough.

Closing my lips over it, I sucked gently, trying to take in as much as I could so he wouldn’t cut himself again.

When it sealed, he leaned back and cut into his skin again without comment. I didn’t waste time this round. I was completely lost as to why he wanted me to get better so desperately. After what I’d done to him.

“Stop thinking.” He said softly.

The cut healed closed again, I smiled against his chest. “I’m a thinker.”

Holding me gently, he slid down again so I didn’t have to look up. “You need to give the thinking a rest, for now. It seems to cause emotional waves.”

I sighed, “I don’t have much else to do right now.”

“I’ll remedy that shortly, with a t.v.” Shifting, he kissed my mouth softly. “Let’s dull the pain a bit.”

I wanted to reach and touch his face, but the arm I could move was trapped half under my body. “In case someone needs to point this out, you don’t have to have your brothers hold you now when you do that.”

I watched Leone’s eyes swirl as they started to go red. “It would be safer for you if they did.”

“Do you want to feed from me again?’

He gave me a blank look. “No—yes—no. You’re too weak.” His red eyes moved over my face. “I’m too weak.”

“What if I connect with your mind while you do, my way? Talk you through it?”

He shook his head. “No magic. Clairee is going to help you when you heal, but it takes too much out of you,” he shook his head, “and you don’t have much to give right now.”

I knew he was right, but I wanted to help him. He was helping me survive, since I fell—even after what I’d done. If I could help him beat his fear of his addiction—

“There’s that thinking again.”

I rested my forehead against his. “You’re helping me heal, with the pain—even getting me help with my magic. I just want to give something back, help you.” I opened my eyes and looked into somber red ones, “after what I did…”

“You saved my ass with Davis at the house.”

“No, I meant…”

He kissed me before I could finish. “Stop talking.” Inhaling slowly, he brushed his lips over mine again and then moved my hair from my neck.

Instead of biting me, he nuzzled my neck, taking his time.

“Is it hard to do this without feeding?” I felt his tongue brush over my pulse.

“Yes. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

“I think you’re the strongest person I know.”

His fangs pierced my skin and I closed my eyes. I knew what came next, knew the pain would fade, just enough to breathe easier and to relax. “Leone,” I inhaled slowly, “thank you.” I whispered.

Lifting his head, he fought to catch his breath for a moment, then licked over the wound he’d left. “You always say my name the same way as you did in my head. No one says it the way you do.”

I leaned my head against his, his breath still tickled my throat. “Am I saying it wrong?”

“You aren’t, it just sounds, different. It’s how I knew when you spoke my name out loud the first time, you’d been the woman haunting me.”

“I didn’t want to haunt you.” My whole body felt looser, the pain was there but not unbearable.

“You did.” He inhaled deeply again, “you do.” Lifting his head, his eyes still red held mine. Lowering his mouth to mine, he kissed me softly, lingering long enough to take my breath away.

When he lifted his head, I looked at his mouth. Those fangs that had scared me the first time, meant something entirely different now.

“You need to stop looking at me like that.”

My eyes went back to his. “Like what?”

“Like you want me to take a bite out of you. I need very little encouragement.”

I gave him a small smile. “I’m just curious. Your fangs, they scared me that first time, which I think you meant to do, but now,” I sighed, “they mean something else.” I rolled my eyes, “I want to run my finger over them, but I can’t move either hand currently. Kiss me again.”

He made a soft sound in the back of his throat, I thought he was going to say no, then he leaned down and took my mouth gently. Using my tongue, I did what I’d want to do with my finger, running it slowly over his fangs. He growled softly and pulled his head back, closing his eyes, a look of pain on his face. His breathing was uneven, mine wasn’t much better.

“Brother.”