Chapter 6

I tossed and turned throughout the night, the weight of the impending decisions and the ever-present threat of Maci haunting my dreams. Finally, giving up on sleep, I rose from my bed while the manor still lay cloaked in pre-dawn shadows.

A crisp chill laced the air, and I shivered as goosebumps burst along my arms. I wasn't sure whether it was the early morning or the fear that someone or something was watching me. After pulling on a sweater, I quietly opened my door, my movements as hushed as the silent halls.

As I headed to the kitchen in search of some solace in a warm cup of coffee or tea, the soft creak of a floorboard behind me made me pause. My heart quickened, and I held my breath, suddenly alert. I turned and saw Justice, his hair tousled from sleep, his eyes reflecting concern. His long hair flared over his broad shoulders, and he wore only a pair of sweatpants, revealing his sculpted abs.

I couldn't help but admire his physique, my pulse quickening at the sight. At that moment, the depth of my feelings for him became impossible to ignore, a warm flutter spreading through my chest.

However, I quickly averted my gaze, not wanting him to see the emotions written all over my face. I needed to keep my growing attraction hidden, at least for now, until I could better understand what these feelings meant for me and the challenges we faced, especially with my family.

Vampires weren't at the top of my brother's and father's list for me to choose as a mate, and for good reason. As supernatural hunters, my family had dedicated their lives to protecting humans from the dangers lurking in the shadows. The loss of my mother, killed by a vampire, had only deepened their hatred and mistrust of the species.

I knew my feelings for Justice would be met with fierce opposition and potentially drive a wedge between me and my family. Yet, as I looked at him, I couldn't deny the growing attraction and connection, even if it meant navigating a treacherous path.

He crossed his arms and leaned in the doorjamb as he cast an appreciative gaze over me. "Couldn't sleep either?" he asked, his voice low and soft in the quiet of the early morning.

"Yeah, too many shadows, both in my head and lurking outside." I managed a shy smile. He was a vampire, and I hoped he hadn't read my mind about my churning feelings for him.

Justice fell into step beside me, his presence both comforting and unnerving. My heart raced at his proximity, and I tried to calm my nerves, focusing on the promise of a warm drink. "Let's get that tea," he suggested, his voice gentle. "Seems like we could both use it."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. As we walked together toward the kitchen, I couldn't help but be acutely aware of his every move, the heat of his body near mine. I silently hoped the simple task of making tea would provide a distraction from the intense feelings swirling within me.

In the quiet kitchen, we waited for the kettle to whistle. The distance between the grand living room and the formalities of their planning session felt miles away. Here, in the early morning calm, I felt a different side of Justice. Not the leader or the vampire, but a man of passion. A man capable of stealing my heart.

"This waiting, the not knowing where and when Maci will strike, it gets to you." Justice poured steaming water into two mugs. "One thing's for sure, though. You look beautiful in the morning."

My cheeks heated, and my mouth ran dry at his husky tone.

I accepted the mug he offered, my fingers brushing over his. I tried to ignore the tingling sensations moving through me. The glint in his eyes made me wonder if he felt the same way.

He stepped closer, his proximity causing my breath to catch in my throat. I inhaled deeply, taking in his masculine scent, a tantalizing blend of spice and something uniquely him that set my blood on fire. His nearness was intoxicating, and I fought the urge to lean into his warmth, to close the remaining distance between us.

As I met his gaze, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes. A hunger, a longing that mirrored mine. The air between us crackled with tension, charged with the unspoken desires we both struggled to contain. At that moment, the world fell away. Only Justice remained, his presence consuming me, leaving me aching for a taste of what I knew I shouldn't crave.

I quickly moved away, desperately trying not to dip into temptation, and blurted, "I keep thinking about the choices we have to make."

Justice stopped, and I thought I glimpsed a flash of disappointment in his eyes. An uncomfortable silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken emotions and the weight of our almost-moment. We stood there, gazes locked, neither of us quite sure how to navigate the sudden shift in our dynamic.

I cleared my throat. "Between the Fae Queen and the Unseelie King, it's like choosing between the devil you know and the one you don't."

He sipped his tea. "We'll make the right choice. We have to. For now, let's take a moment to breathe."

I swallowed some tea and felt the warmth seep into my bones. Or maybe it was Justice's bold stare, easing the chill of fear that had settled during the night. With Justice there, the darkness seemed less oppressive, the path ahead less daunting.

He flashed me a mesmerizing smile. "Dawn is beautiful in Edinburg. Would you like to see the sunrise from the front porch?"

I wanted to say we should plan our day, but it was like he cast a spell over me as I looked over the rim of my tea cup at his dark eyes. Instead of no, I whispered, "Yes."

He led me from the warmth of the kitchen through the living room and onto the front porch. We settled into two white Adirondack chairs. The air was crisp, and my breath misted softly in the cool morning.

As the sky lightened, the first rays of sunrise crept over the Edinburgh skyline, painting the clouds in hues of pink and gold. The city's historic spires and rooftops glimmered under the awakening light, casting a spell of old-world charm mixed with the promise of a new day.

I glanced at him, his torso bare against the chill. "Aren't you cold?"

His lips curled into a mysterious smile. "Vampire," he whispered, his eyes twinkling with secrets as old as the city itself.

I took another sip of my tea, trying to keep my mind off how tempting Justice looked. To distract myself, I asked, "What are the Unseelie King and the Fae Queen like?"

He set his cup on his arm rest and scanned the horizon. "Garrick is a sly fellow. You have to be careful with him. He's damn handsome and can wrap any woman's heart around his finger. Steel yourself against his words. They're magical and can lead you to do things you wouldn't normally do."

His description painted this guy as untrustworthy and someone I needed to put my guard up with. "And he's an ally? Seriously?"

Justice glanced over at me, his eyes filled with caution and respect. "Like we said earlier, Maci's father had stolen Garrick's power, but the Unseelie King wasn't helpless. Without his help, we wouldn't have defeated her father." His words hinted at the complex history between Garrick and our group.

I nodded, absorbing the information. "And the queen?" I asked, curious about the other potential ally in our fight against Maci.

"She's a fierce warrior," Justice replied, a hint of admiration in his voice. "So is her mate, Jonas."

A question formed in my mind, and I couldn't help but voice it. "Is Jonas a dragon, too?"

Justice chuckled, the sound warm and rich in the cool morning air. "No, he's only a Fae." He paused, shaking his head with a grin. "I shouldn't have said that. It's like I'm saying I'm only a vampire. Jonas can be arrogant, but he's moved heaven and earth to protect his queen." The affection in his tone was evident despite his lighthearted jab at Jonas' character.

Damon walked outside, stretching his arms over his head. "What are you two doing out here?"

Justice raised his cup of tea. "Admiring the sunrise. You can't sleep either?"

Damon leaned against the doorframe, a slight grin playing on his lips. "Nah, just figured I'd enjoy some of that world-famous vampire insomnia. Seriously, you guys look like you're plotting to save the world or something. Everything cool?"

I glanced at him. "Not plotting anything yet, bro."

As my brother leaned over, his hands gripping the back of the chair, his gaze swept across the landscape. The early morning mist clung to the rolling green hills dotted with ancient stones and wildflowers. Shadows and light danced together as the sun rose higher, casting an ethereal glow that made the ordinary scene look enchanted. "This is magical. Keep waiting for Lucky Charms to pop out."

I looked up at him and grinned. "Leprechauns are from Ireland, not Scotland."

His gaze turned serious. "Yeah, whatever. You and I are about to face new supernaturals we've never encountered before. Creatures from different realms."

I frowned. "You're worried?"

That wasn't like my brother. He was more the guns-blazing type than Mr. Cautious.

Damon's eyes filled with a warning. "I've heard stories that you can get trapped in their world." His words hung heavy in the air, sending a shiver down my spine.

I furrowed my brow, giving Justice a questioning look. "Is that true?"

Justice took another sip of his tea, his eyes darting away from mine as if he were hesitant to reveal more. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken secrets.

Damon's voice cut through the tension, sharp and demanding. "Tell her, fang." His glare bore into Justice, a challenge in his eyes.

Justice winced at his crisp tone, then sighed. "Yes, it's true, though the Court of Blossoms won't hold you against your will." He met my gaze again, his expression somber.

Another chill crept down my spine, the implications of his words sinking in. "But the Unseelie—" I started, my voice trembling slightly.

Justice nodded, his jaw clenching. "That's why you have to be on your toes around Garrick. The Unseelie have been known to take humans and keep them as slaves."

The gravity of his warning settled in my gut.