15. Young Love

CHAPTER 15

Young Love

T hunderstorms and bergamot.

At first, the scent was faint. Barely there. Brynleigh had caught a whiff of the unique fragrance on the note when the Matron delivered it. After that, she'd fallen asleep, holding the paper to her chest.

And when she woke?

The smell was everywhere. It had infiltrated the air, seeping into the particles themselves.

It was him.

Ryker had been here. His scent lingered even now, growing fainter but still present. She wanted to bathe in it. It was the best thing she'd ever smelled.

She'd looked around for him, but nothing was out of place.

He'd left.

What had he been doing here? Had he somehow discovered her secret and come to kill her, too?

Brynleigh ran her fingers over her pendant, mulling over the possibility that she'd been found out. It was unlikely that he knew who she was. After all, she'd taken on Jelisette's surname after the storm. Not only that, but the destruction of Chavin hadn't exactly been plastered all over the news.

Like everything else related to Brynleigh's family's demise, the untimely flood and the resulting deaths had been buried by the Waterborn's political influence. A fluke of nature, the few people who reported on it had said. Others speculated it was an act of Nontia, the goddess of the sea. No one cared. Not really.

A week after the flood, another event stole the spotlight, and the media forgot about Chavin.

Not Brynleigh, though.

She was the sole survivor from that night. Although, technically, she hadn't survived either. Vampires, in the truest sense of the word, had to die to become their immortal selves. Had she not been Made, she would not be here.

No, there was no way he knew. If he did, he would kill her on the spot.

Why had he come?

She unfolded his note and read it again. It was simple and to the point.

I missed talking to you today, sweetheart. I hope we can chat tomorrow.

Ryker's writing was atrocious, like that of a child. But… he'd written her a note. Even though it wasn't a declaration of love or a proposal, it had to mean she was making headway. Right?

Yes.

The note, combined with the fact that he'd broken the rules to see her, was a good sign. A fucking fantastic one, actually.

A luminous grin spread across Brynleigh's face. She knew how much the captain cared about rules from their countless conversations. It was evident in the way he spoke and carried himself. For him to throw them aside for her was… everything. This was the confirmation she needed that her efforts hadn't been in vain.

A month in the real world wasn't that long, but in the Choosing, every day was like a week.

The more she thought about it, the more Brynleigh was convinced she was right. This was good. Better than good, in fact. The rebels had done her a favor because now she had tangible proof of her mark's affections. He'd been here. For so long, she had hunted the reclusive captain. Now, he sought her .

Everything was on track.

She could still accomplish her mission despite all the complications she'd encountered. Wedding bells chimed in her head, declaring their union to the world. They sounded awfully similar to the music she imagined would play at Ryker's funeral after she got her revenge.

He had no idea he was courting the instrument of his impending death.

Maybe she should've felt bad about that, but she didn't. The people of Chavin hadn't had any warning when he called a deadly hurricane upon them, drowning them while they slept.

Brynleigh would be a silent assassin. She would play the role of doting bride until the life drained from the captain's eyes. She couldn't wait to see his face when he realized it was all a charade, that he'd been betrayed by the one person he thought he could trust.

Revenge would be sweet, indeed.

She focused on vengeance and nothing else. Those were the rules; this was her game, and she would be the victor.

Hours passed.

Brynleigh remained in bed with her thoughts as her only company. She had many of them. They were all of the deadly variety… or at least, that's what she told herself.

When a smile came to her lips, she convinced herself it was because she was excited by the thought of avenging her family, not from Ryker's lingering scent tickling her nose.

When her mind wandered to the dream and her core tightened, she shoved those feelings deep down. She was only happy because Ryker would be dead soon, not because of the way he had touched her and brought her comfort.

And when she wondered what it would be like to plunge her fangs into Ryker's neck and taste his blood, it was purely for the purpose of killing him and not for other more… pleasant activities.

Yes, all she thought about was revenge.

Nothing else.

Around seven, Doctor Carin's phone rang. The crisp sound shattered the silence. Brynleigh jolted.

Carin picked up the phone. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end of the line was too quiet for Brynleigh to hear.

"Yes, she looks much better." Carin's eyes swept over the vampire. "Mhmm." She paused, listening. "Understood."

After another minute, the doctor hung up and faced Brynleigh. "Are you ready to rejoin the Choosing?"

A flutter of delight ran through Brynleigh, and she grinned, displaying her sharp fangs. "Absolutely."

Chuckling, the doctor reached behind her desk and pulled out a spare pair of boots and clean socks. She handed them to Brynleigh with a smile. Carin's eye had a distinctive twinkle as she asked, "Looking forward to talking to your captain?"

"Oh, yes." Brynleigh sat up, swung her legs off the cot, and pulled on the socks and footwear. "I certainly am."

The events of the past few days confirmed that Brynleigh needed to concentrate. The dream was the perfect example. She'd momentarily lost sight of her goals and wandered down a path of simple pleasure.

That wouldn't happen again.

Killing the captain on their wedding night would be poetic justice, sure to inflict maximal pain on his family.

It was fitting.

Once Ryker was dead, Brynleigh would escape to the Rose Ocean and watch everything unfold from afar.

Jelisette promised to get Brynleigh to safety as soon as she accomplished her mission. The older vampire would protect her progeny from the long arm of the law.

The door swung open, and Matron Lilith entered. She stomped her boots and shook off the snow. Complaining about the cold, she frowned as she clapped her mittens together before turning to Brynleigh. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Brynleigh exclaimed, perhaps a bit too eagerly. "I mean… I am." She tried to tone down the excitement in her voice as she stood. "I missed talking to Ryker today."

That was it, right? She just wanted to talk to him to make sure he would fall in love with her so she could kill him. No other reason.

"Ah, young love," Matron Lilith chuckled as she led Brynleigh out the door. "It's a beautiful thing."

Brynleigh didn't bother correcting the older woman, but she knew the Matron was wrong. She didn't love Ryker. She hated him with every fiber of her being.

Right?

Thanking the doctor, Brynleigh nodded at the guards and went outside. Snowflakes fell leisurely from the night sky.

Matron Lilith led Brynleigh through the trees towards a beautiful, snow-covered mansion. As they walked, Lilith explained that the remainder of the Choosing would take place here until the Masked Ball, thanks to the rebel attack.

Brynleigh nodded her understanding. Relocating them made sense. So did their isolated northern location.

It wasn't until they'd climbed steps to enter through large double doors that looked like they belonged in an ancient castle that the Matron's words shocked the vampire.

"The timeline has been condensed."

"Condensed?" Brynleigh echoed. Her mind raced. What, exactly, did that mean? How would this affect her plans?

Matron Lilith placed her hand on Brynleigh's and squeezed. "The Masked Ball will take place two weeks from today."

Two weeks.

That was… not long. Not long at all.

Fuck.

All that earlier confidence fled.

Brynleigh was supposed to have two more months to make Ryker fall in love and propose. Two weeks?

That was… incredibly short .

Her heart boomed in her chest, and a headache started to form.

Isvana have mercy on her. Brynleigh couldn't catch a fucking break. First, the rebel attack, then her dream, and now this?

"I know it seems quick," Matron Lilith added compassionately. "But trust me, you'll be fine."

Fine? Brynleigh wasn't sure that was the case. She nibbled on her lip. "I?—"

"Someone was very worried about you yesterday." The Matron waggled her brows suggestively. "I can't say much more, but suffice it to say, I would be willing to bet a large sum of money that a certain captain will happily be on one knee in two weeks."

Brynleigh hoped Lilith was correct. She'd have to be even more compelling to ensure she received Ryker's proposal.

Fourteen days to make Ryker fall completely, irrevocably, mindlessly in love with her.

And then she'd destroy him.

Lilith gave Brynleigh a tour of the mansion, showing her the room where she would be sleeping before bringing her to a home theater on the first floor. The other women were gathering for a movie.

"This is where I leave you," the Matron said. "You ladies enjoy your evening."

"Thank you, Matron." Brynleigh pushed open the doors, stepping into the darkened room. A white screen stretched across one wall, and three rows of comfortable seating were spread in front of the screen. The mansion's owner must have been wealthy beyond measure because Brynleigh had never seen a private cinema before.

"Brynleigh!"

At the sound of her name, the vampire looked up. Hallie came barreling towards her, her translucent wings fluttering.

"Thank Kydona, you're alright!" the Fortune Elf exclaimed as she hugged Brynleigh tightly. "They wouldn't tell us where you were, and when I walked the silver planes to See you, I couldn't find your future."

A pit yawned in Brynleigh's stomach at the dire prediction. What did that mean? Probably nothing good. However, the more rational part of Brynleigh's mind reminded her that Fortune Elves had a flair for both the cryptic and the dramatic. Maybe Hallie just misinterpreted the future.

Hoping that was the case—because, to be honest, Brynleigh couldn't deal with any other problems right now—she shoved her worry aside and smiled at the elf. "You searched for me? That was so kind of you."

Hallie grinned. "Of course I did. You're my friend. I was worried about you."

An unfamiliar emotion sprung to life inside Brynleigh. It was nice—and a little strange, if she was honest—to know someone had been worrying about her. The vampire had never expected to make a friend, yet it seemed she had.

"Thank you." Brynleigh smiled. "I'm here, and I'm safe."

A pointed cough came from behind them.

Brynleigh turned around.

"Well, if it isn't the vile bloodsucking creature that nearly killed us all." Valentina's horrible, grating voice was almost as unpleasant as the sneer carved onto her face.

The fire fae wore a skin-tight white sweater and jeans that looked like they cost thousands. Her blue-black hair was swept into a high ponytail, and a dusting of makeup decorated her features. Valentina looked perfectly put together, whereas Brynleigh knew the last few days had taken their toll on her appearance.

Still, she held her head up high. "I had it under control."

"Liar." A promise of violence flickered in Valentina's violet eyes, and she stepped towards the vampire. "You were going to tear everyone to shreds because of a bit of blood. You shouldn't be here. This competition isn't meant for people like you." She scowled. "Return to the cemetery where you came from."

"Fuck. You." Brynleigh balled her fists. Shadows flooded out of her, and her wings burst from her back. Her sweater shredded, leaving her in her violet t-shirt, which had slits for wings. She didn't care about the ruined clothes. It was time to teach this fae a lesson.

"Oh, the vampire bitch wants to play," Valentina snarled. A flame flickered to life above her outstretched hand. "Let's see how well you do around a little fire."

Despite the pounding of her heart, Brynleigh didn't move. She refused to give in to this bully. "You want to fight? Fine. I'll fucking fight you."

She could use the outlet for all the emotions she'd been shoving deep within her.

Valentina lifted a manicured brow and looked down on Brynleigh. "There is nothing I'd love more than to teach you a lesson, little leech."

The other women stepped back amid a flurry of gasps and rude remarks. The tension was so thick that the air practically crackled.

This wouldn't be the first fight Brynleigh had gotten into. At ten years old, she had tackled Diana Laurent on the playground after school when she'd learned the older girl was bullying Brynleigh's little sister Sarai.

Displeased with the situation, the principal had threatened to suspend both girls, but Brynleigh didn't care. She'd made her point. That day, Diana went home with two black eyes and never bothered Sarai again.

It was time Valentina learned precisely who she was dealing with.

Brynleigh was a heartbeat away from throwing her shadows at the fire fae when Hallie screamed at the top of her lungs, "Stop!"

The sound was so sudden that for a moment, it felt like time halted.

Then, both Brynleigh and Valentina turned to the Fortune Elf. "What the hell?" they said at the same time.

"You can't fight here." Hallie took Brynleigh's hand and yanked her towards the door. "They'll kick you out. Is that what you want?"

Brynleigh's eyes widened, and she glanced back at the fae.

Valentina stood there with fire flickering in her outstretched palm. "They could try to kick me out," she said haughtily, "but Mother would never stand for it. I can do whatever I want."

Lips curled, Brynleigh snarled. That was precisely why she was here. "You are a horrible, awful?—"

With a strength Brynleigh didn't know the other woman possessed, Hallie jerked her out of the room and slammed the door behind them.

Hallie's eyes flashed with silver, and she looked fierce. "Ryker was looking for you today," she hissed. "Therian told me he refused to stop asking about you. Think about him, not that rich fae bitch."

Brynleigh drew in breath to too-tight lungs. Wisps of shadows slipped from her hands. Her nostrils flared. She tried to do what Hallie suggested but couldn't get Valentina's sneer out of her mind. "She's awful."

"She is," Hallie agreed. "But she's also right."

"What?" That was the last thing Brynleigh expected to hear, and it caught her off guard.

The Fortune Elf's wings flared. "Valentina probably won't get kicked out, but you definitely will. You were Selected, just like me. You know we're not the same as them."

When the words sank in, they were like cement around Brynleigh's feet, holding her in place. Her friend was right. Brynleigh had to get her head on straight. She had to focus on Ryker and nothing else. She couldn't fight Valentina, no matter how horrible the woman was. She couldn't afford to leave after all she'd been through to get here.

Closing her eyes, Brynleigh inhaled deeply. She focused on the rhythmic throb of her heart, letting it ground her. Once she was certain she wouldn't bolt back into the cinema and rip out Valentina's throat, she exhaled.

Retracting her shadows and wings, she opened her eyes. "Thank you, Hallie."

Without a backward glance, needing to put as much space between her and the fire fae as possible, Brynleigh stepped into the Void.

The complete and utter darkness of the space in between consumed her, and for a moment, she was utterly at peace.

In her room, Brynleigh showered away any lingering desire to fight Valentina. She wasn't here for her.

Her vengeance was so close; she could taste it.