Chapter 31

We’re on the move to our next stop in Ohio before I ask the question that’s been burning in my mind since the concert. “Was that planned?” I ask no one in particular, looking pointedly at Chris, his brothers, and Todd. I’m sitting next to Chris on the same couch where, just earlier today, he completely unraveled me. Where I admitted my feelings for him were more than just friends. Our legs rest against each other’s as he slouches back into the couch, his arms crossed and face still bearing the pissed off expression he was wearing right before he declared war, and announced his very public claiming of me.

Scarlett is to my left, with Benji close by her side, while Bash, Cade, and Tyler sit on the couch across from us with solemn looks on each of their faces. They’re fidgeting uncomfortably as I stare at them. Todd is in his standard place, laptop open in front of him, clearly making every effort not to look at me.

“Sort of,” Bash finally responds with a shrug.

“Benji and Bash stopped by our hotel room after they fed to give us a rundown of what happened. Benji said Chris was pissed off, so we expected he would have something up his sleeve to retaliate,” Tyler admits.

“It was more of a whim.” I feel the couch shift beside me as Chris leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he speaks. “I told them to expect a speech. That they would know when I was ready to deliver it. Dani, I’m not sorry for what I’ve done.”

I snap my head around to stare at Chris, whose eyes are already on mine, piercing through me.

“I meant what I said. If it’s a war he wants, he’ll get one. I’m done with the back and forth. I’m going to kill Oliver and Amanda.” His mouth is pulled tight, his brown eyes chillingly cold.

“Okay.” Nodding, I lean back into the couch, settling into the plush leather. “So… what’s your plan?”

Shock flashes across Chris’ face, his brows raising as his eyes grow warm again and a gleeful smile, and his dimple, make an appearance. “You’re not mad at me then, little kitten?”

Everybody else in the room seems to vanish as Chris and I hold each other’s gaze. Despite the crowded room, it feels like we’re the only two people here, and unspoken conversation flows between us. He sees me now. And I see him. For all that we are. I catch the admiration in his eyes, and I know he sees the affection in mine. “No. I’m not mad at you, little puppy.” I lower my lashes and let out a soft giggle. Lifting my eyes to meet his stare once more with a purpose. “I want this to be over. I’m done being scared and living in fear. I want to live.”

Chris’ features soften as he realizes what I’m saying. That I’ll let him do what needs to be done. That I trust him to deal with Oliver. My heart rate spikes, but it doesn’t feel like it’s by my own doing. Beside me, I can see the pulse pounding hard in Chris’ throat. My heart rate is increasing to match his own—our hearts beating as one.

Chris inhales sharply, dropping his hand to rest on top of mine. “You will live. I promise.”

Flipping my hand under his, I interlock our fingers, bringing our palms together.

Aggressive throat-clearing sounds from across the other couch, focusing our attention back on the others in the room. Chris and I turn to face Bash and Tyler, who are still clearing their throats exaggeratedly. “I would also like to know what our course of action is,” Tyler says. “Oliver will retaliate after this. He was called out in front of the world, and there’s no way he hasn’t seen the video yet. I’m pretty sure everyone with internet access has heard Chris’ speech by now.”

“I should expect Oliver will bring back-up, other than Amanda, next time he strikes,” Todd adds. “And, since we know he can walk in the sun now, we’ve lost a key advantage. We’ll have to be watchful around the clock.”

“We’ll be ready for him this time, though. We stay together at all times. We can’t let him surprise us when we least expect it again.” Benji runs his palm along where Amanda clawed him, and Scarlett reaches over and holds his hand comfortingly.

“Protecting Dani is the main priority. Oliver and Amanda want her most,” Chris growls. “We can’t allow them to get close.”

I grip his hand a little tighter at the reminder that I’m not just a target but the target. Without question, he begins slowly stroking the back of my hand with his thumb. The simple touch alone comforts me, my shoulders loosening and the clenching in my stomach uncoiling.

Everyone in the room besides me nods. “She needs to learn how to protect herself, too. Just in case,” Todd remarks before standing up and walking towards the back room where the bunks are.

I bump Chris’ shoulder with my own. “How am I supposed to protect myself? I’m just a human. I can’t do anything against vampire strength,” I murmur to him.

From the other side of me, Scarlett nudges my arm with her elbow. I turn to look at her. “You’re right. You are just a human, and there isn’t much you can do.”

I frown. Not very helpful. And kind of rude.

Almost as if she can sense my irritation, Scarlett’s lips tilt into a smile. “If that’s what you believe. Vampires have an advantage against humans, it’s true. But a smart human who knows our disadvantages-” She purses her lips in a thoughtful expression. “That person may just stand a chance.”

Todd returns to the living room with an overly full duffel bag dangling from his hand. He drops it on the floor in front of me, kneeling beside it and unzipping it to reveal axes, maces, and more pointy sharp objects. He reaches into the depths of the bag to pull out a sharp wooden… stick?

I raise my eyebrows in shock as he hands me one of the pointy sticks. “What’s this?” I ask, giving him an incredulous look. Intellectually, I know what it is. Practically, though? Not a fucking clue.

“That—” Todd points to the stick in my hand. “Is what can mean life or death for you, if you’re ever in a situation where you have to use it.”

I lift the piece of wood in the air and dangle it in front of me by the not-pointy end. “A stick?”

It feels silly to be dangling this ridiculous piece of wood in a roomful of vampires, and it seems like everyone in the room knows it, when they burst out into laughter. Without any direction from me, my lips purse into a pout. I don’t really see what’s so funny.

“If you poke the pointy end into a vampire’s heart, then… poof,” Scarlett says, wiggling her fingers in my direction to accentuate the… poofing.

“How would I even get a chance to do that? You all are way too fast for me. I highly doubt Amanda or Oliver will just stand there and let me stab them with a stick.” I scoff. This is pointless. I’m doomed if they get close to me.

Chris tugs the stick out of my hand. “First of all, kitten, it’s called a stake. I thought you might recognize it from all those vampire movies you watch.” I shoot him a dirty look, and he smothers the smile trying to sneak over his face. “Second, place your hands over mine.” I hesitantly wrap my fingers over his hand that’s holding the stake. “You’re going to strike fast and true, right here in the center of the chest, just above and a little to the left of the breastbone. Don’t miss. Push it as deep as you can.” Chris brings our joined hands over his heart, the pointy end aimed directly at his heart. Panic surges through me at the sight of the stake in position over his heart, and I gasp and drop my hands. “Dani, it’s okay. I’m just showing you where the hit has to go. I wasn’t going to actually kill myself.” His laugh is warm, sliding reassuringly over my skin.

My cheeks heat. I knew that he wouldn’t let me kill him. It just felt so… wrong to even hold a weapon on him like I was going to kill him. “I just didn’t like that. I’m sorry. Is there any other way?” I turn to the others, avoiding Chris’ all-too-knowing gaze, that says he knows my issue wasn’t with the type of death.

“Anything wood that’s sharp and pointy will do the trick,” Tyler adds. “But if that’s not your style, there’s also decapitation, ripping out the heart, setting them on fire…” I can feel my face go pale, and he clears his throat. “Since you were curious about other ways.”

I stare at Tyler blankly. As if I could ever do any of that. I mean, fire, maybe. But… no. Never mind. God, this is useless. “I’m no fighter. The closest thing to a fight I’ve ever even been in was when I pulled a girl’s hair when I caught her sucking my ex’s dick.” I’m blushing, looking anywhere but their faces. “Anyways, what I’m saying is there’s no way any of this is going to work.”

Chris absorbs that bit of information. “There’s nothing wrong with pulling hair. It works because it’s annoying, and it can hurt if you pull hard enough. Use your nails, teeth, fists—anything. Do whatever you have to do to get out of the situation.” Chris calmly tosses the stake back into the murder bag, dusting his hands off.

“You’ll want to avoid eye contact, too, no matter what they say to you. They can compel you to do whatever they want, as soon as you meet their gaze. So looking into their eyes is a death sentence,” Cade adds, as if I haven’t said anything.

Todd reaches deep into the duffel bag and pulls out a black velvet box. It looks like a jewelry box. “There’s also this. Keep it on you at all times.” He hands the box to me.

“What is it?” I ask, taking the box from him with shaky hands.

He nods his head at the gift, gesturing for me to open it. “One thing that may work as a distraction, so you can get away.”

I open the box to reveal a simple, yet beautiful, stainless steel cross. “A necklace? How will this help me?” I lift the necklace from the box, holding the crucifix in my palm to examine it. It doesn’t look special.

Chris grabs the chain of the necklace and lifts the entire piece of jewelry into the air. “Like this.” With the cross dangling in the air, he grips the charm with his free hand; smoke immediately pours from his hand. I can hear his skin sizzling as I watch his flesh burn and melt away. Chris clenches his teeth with a grunt, before ripping his hand away and letting the necklace drop back into the velvet box. “It burns us, anything symbolic of the human Gods will effect us. We’re unholy creatures. If Oliver, or Amanda, comes close you can hold it out in front of you or burn them with it. Do whatever you gotta do to get free.”

I nod my head slowly as I stare at the cross. How can something so small and delicate cause that much damage? Looking up, I see him holding his burned hand to his chest. “Let me see your hand,” I demand, reaching for him. He tries to pull away, but I grab his arm before he can. “Let me see it.” With a grimace, he slowly opens his hand, showing me his badly burned palm. “You’re hurt!”

Chris smirks. “It will heal, little kitten. See?” His skin is already beginning to close around the burn. I trace my fingers over his palm; he winces at the touch. “You’re cute when you worry about me.”

I lift my lashes to look at him, my eyes dragging over his handsome face. “I don’t like seeing you get hurt either.”

Chris bites his lower lip and a shiver of desire slides down my spine. “Turn around and lift up your hair.” I turn slowly and raise my hair for him. He clasps the necklace around my neck, grazing his fingers along the sensitive skin under the chain. “Now you’re beautiful and deadly.”

I touch the cross gently, turning to him with a slow smile raising the corners of my lips.

“Let’s practice some basic moves. I’m tired of sitting down,” Scarlett interrupts. “Plus, it’s nice to not be the only girl on the bus anymore. I’ve been dying to get to know you. You game?”

I swivel to face her, meeting her wide grin head-on. “I’d like that.” I beam at her and let her tug me to my feet to teach me how to spar.

* * *

After a few hours of practice, I can proudly say that I could defend myself against a vampire if they were already incapacitated. Scarlett showed me some basic moves that will hopefully help me if a vampire ever gets too close to me or grabs me. I’m not sure if it will help all that much, because Scarlett showed me just how fast a vampire could grab me and immobilize me. I appreciate the gesture, though, especially because we made small talk, shared a few jokes, and got to know each other a little bit.

Scarlett never makes me feel insignificant or weak because of my human incapability. If I can’t block her fast enough or move out of the way, she hypes me up to try again. “Better. Push your head back harder next time—you’re not going to break me. Hit me hard enough to make me lose focus. That’s when you make your move,” Scarlett says, wrapping her arms around my torso.

“I’m more scared of hurting myself than you,” I snort.

“Try it, blondie,” Scarlett mocks.

I push back into her chest and throw my head back as hard as I can, smashing her nose. Her grip loosens just enough that I can force my arms up and grab the cross, aiming it at her.

She backs away, clapping her hands.

“How was that, red?” She gives me a confused look before we dissolve into laughter at my corny joke.

I feel the air behind me shift just before Chris moves in, his breath hot against my ear. He slides his palm onto my stomach and pulls me into him, his hard length pressing against my back. “That was so fucking hot, kitten.”

My cheeks heat at his rough murmur. Electric shocks flood my body at his touch, desire pooling low in my belly. It doesn’t matter that everyone is staring at us and smiling. All I know is my body is on fire, and I need to be closer to him. He nips at my ear, and I gasp and turn in his arms. “Don’t be a pervert,” I say playfully.

Chris chuckles as he leans in close and whispers, “I think you like it.”

I shake my head at him and flick him away, his laugh following me as I walk into the kitchen to grab something quick to eat. I’m picking out a cookie as a snack when Benji walks up to Scarlett and kisses her passionately, as she wraps her arms around his neck. “My sexy sanguise,” Benji says against her lips, just loudly enough for me to hear.

I turn to face them, the cookie forgotten in my hand. “What is that, Benji? That word. What does it mean? You mentioned it once before.”

Chris stills, his eyes widening as he turns to look at his friend. “When did you two talk about that?” Chris asks casually, but there’s something about his tone that tells me there’s nothing relaxed about the question.

“The day you left. Dani saw my wedding ring, and I told her about Scar.” Benji runs a palm across the back of his neck, his response meek.

“And then what?” Chris crosses his arms.

I flick my eyes between them, confused. What’s the big deal about a silly word? It doesn’t feel like it should cause Chris to get aggravated with Benji, who’s actively trying not to make eye contact with Chris.

“Well, you see-” Benji stammers, glancing at Scarlett desperately.

Scarlett exhales an exaggerated sigh, removing herself from Benji’s arms and turning to me. “Sanguise is a type of fated bond that’s not super common between vampires. Benji is my sanguis, and I am his sanguise. You don’t get to choose who you are bonded to. It’s all up to fate.”

I furrow my brows, even more confused by her explanation. Why is Chris all pissy about Benji telling me this? “What does that mean? To be bonded to someone? And it’s only a vampire thing?”

Chris nervously bites his lower lip. I’m expecting him to answer, but he says nothing, his eyes heated on mine.

Scarlett continues, seeming oblivious to the staring contest Chris and I have going on. “I’ve only ever heard of it happening between two vampires and definitely never between a vampire and a human. But think of the bond as, like, one soul split into two, and when the pair comes together and accepts the bond, their souls forge to become one. Benji is linked to me, just like I am to him. It’s a deeper and more pure form of love and connection. We can sense each other no matter where we are. If I were in danger, Benji would know. Our hearts beat the same. It is a gift to find your other half, because it’s the person you’re fated by the Gods to be with.” She tangles her fingers through Benji’s without even looking back at him. “Some vampires go centuries without meeting their sanguis or sanguise. But when you do find them, you’re drawn to them like no one else, like the universe is pulling you towards one another. To join together. To bond. I’ve never known a love like this.” Benji leans in to kiss Scarlett tenderly, sweeping her hair behind her ear.

I can’t even pay attention to them, though, because it suddenly feels like I can’t breathe. That sounds a lot like my connection with Chris. How he can sense me. How he knew what I was feeling when he followed the tour bus I was on with Oliver. Tears prick the corners of my eyes. Our hearts, our breathing… oh god. I bring my hand to my mouth just as a strangled sob passes my lips.

Chris’ breathing is uneven as he watches me piece together everything in my head.

“Wait. What did I say?” Scarlett asks in a concerned tone, her gaze bouncing between the two of us. “What’s happening between you two right now?”

Her question is the final straw. I lose it. “As if none of you fucking knew!” I shout at them. All of them. They all must have known. Well, okay, maybe not Scarlett, but the rest of them had to have known. This whole time, Chris never once brought this up with me. Never even told me this was a possibility. There were so many times he could have just told me. I glare at Chris, a tear slipping down my cheek. Our breathing is sharp and uneven. “You!” I jab my finger at him. “You fucking liar. You knew this whole goddamn time!”

His face is tortured as he reaches for me.

I jerk back. “Don’t fucking touch me. You have no right to.” I shove my hands through my hair, bowing my head, as I try to calm my breathing. This is too much. He lied to me. All this time. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t. My thoughts are spinning, my heart pounding too fast.

“Dani, I suspected, but… It shouldn’t even be possible. You’re a human.” Chris’ voice cracks on his last words.

“You didn’t even talk to me about it!” My head shoots up. “You never told me! You lied to me, Chris. Fuck. You.” Enunciating every word, each one dripping with malice, I push past him and run for our bedroom.

I know he’s right behind me. I can feel him following me, but I don’t care. I tear into the room and slam the door in his face, pushing the lock so he can’t come in. Tears pour down my face as I lean back against the door.

Chris hits the door, and it creaks on the hinges from his strength. “Dani! Let me in. Don’t hide from me. Not now.”

I wrap my arms around my stomach, sobs wracking my body. “Go away. I don’t want anything to do with you right now.” I cry. “Sleep on the couch, and leave me the hell alone.” I grip the front of my shirt in my hands and slide down the door, sobbing as I drop to the floor. My heart is aching inside my chest. He lied to me. He promised me he would never lie to me, but he did. Everything was a goddamn lie.

“FUCK!” Chris shouts, thumping his fist against the closed door.

I jump at the sound of his raised voice, uncontrolled and filled with raw emotions.

He softens his tone. “I’m so sorry, baby. Please let me come in.”

“I hate you.” I snarl through tears. “Go. Away.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Never again. I will follow you for eternity, Danica Gray. Until there is nothing left of this world, I will still find my way to you.”

I ignore him and just sit in front of the door, my knees pulled to my chest while I sob for hours. I can’t bring myself to go into our bed and sleep in it alone. Not again.

I’m still on the floor when sleep finally finds me.