Chapter 4

Chapter Four

FEELS LIKE FLYING

I ra raises one scarred eyebrow, then his expression relaxes into a grin. There's something else in his icy gaze, though, when it flicks briefly to me. ‘Of course. I mean no disrespect.'

Kyle laughs, clapping him on the shoulder. ‘None taken, old friend. I know we have nothing to worry about.'

Kyle can speak for himself. My brows draw together and I open my mouth.

But Ira is already gone, moving along to another customer. Kyle leans over the bar, reaching for the bottle of wine. ‘What?' He raises an eyebrow. ‘Seems a shame to open the bottle and not drink it all.'

I'm not that easily distracted. ‘What did Ira mean, about unrest?'

Kyle tops up my glass. ‘Do you really think your parents would send you anywhere dangerous?' His voice is heavy with scorn.

‘No, but?—'

‘And,' he leans in closer, a glint in his silver eyes, ‘don't you think I'd look after you? It's what I'm paid to do, after all.'

I narrow my eyes. ‘Stop.'

‘Stop what?'

‘Treating me like an idiot.'

‘Fine,' he says. ‘I'll stop treating you like one when you stop acting like one.'

‘ What? '

‘Look around,' he says, still close to me. ‘What do you see?'

I glance around the bar. People are dancing, blood dancers plying their trade. It's dark, and the air smells of violets and perfume. ‘I see people having a good time. And I don't know what your problem is.'

‘ People having a good time? Or just vampires?'

I look around again. A woman is pressed against one wall, a vampire drinking from her throat. Her eyes are wide, staring at the ceiling, even as she caresses his back. A young man, clad only in tight black trousers, is bent back over a table. Stella and several of her friends are feeding from him at the same time, along his outstretched arms, another girl bent over his stomach, giggling, her mouth red with blood. He's not laughing.

There are also a lot of Ravenna guards, stationed around the perimeter of the room.

‘Do you see?' Kyle's voice is close to my ear.

‘But they're?—'

‘They're what?' I swear his lips touch my ear, shivers running down my spine. Stella glances over and smirks, nudging her friend. I glare at her. I've heard about her exploits, what she does with her guards. She has no call to judge me.

‘No one would dare try anything while I'm here,' I say, sounding more confident than I feel. ‘The guards would take them out instantly. It's why there are so many here.' But I'm aware, all of a sudden, of the world beyond, a vast unknown darkness. My parents' realm. I long for the light.

‘Get over yourself. Nobody knows who you are, except for those pampered idiots over there. No, the guards are here because it's almost Halloween.'

Get over myself? I pull away, folding my arms. ‘Fine. Tell me what's so significant about Halloween.'

‘It's a sensitive time for humans.'

‘Because…?'

‘It's the anniversary of the Red Rising.'

Well, yeah. That's another reason we like to celebrate Halloween. I don't get the connection, though.

‘So, there's always the chance they might try something,' he says.

‘ Humans might?' He must be joking. I know how weak we are.

‘Yeah.' A line appears between his dark brows. ‘So there are extra guards, just in case.'

‘In case of a… human uprising.' I find this difficult to believe. ‘Are you messing with me?' He has to be, surely.

‘I swear on moon and darkness, I'm not.' He's still frowning, though. ‘Look around, Emelia. Why is it so hard to believe that humans might not be happy?'

‘But it's just?—'

‘How things are? Is that what you were about to say?' His voice is hard, his expression tight. I don't know why he's so angry. He's being completely ridiculous. I don't know what else to say, though, so I watch the room instead, the ebb and flow of the crowd.

After a few minutes, Kyle speaks again. ‘So, I guess we should dance again. Or something.' He sounds about as enthusiastic as I feel. All at once I'm tired of it, of him, of the evening, the way it's anything but a good time. I'm sick of feeling like a burden, somebody else's problem. It's exactly why I don't want to be Raven, and why I'm planning to run away. And I'm sick of Kyle's attitude.

I finish my wine, putting the glass down. ‘Why don't you like me?'

‘Why don't you like me?'

God and darkness, he is the most irritating person I have ever met. I hold back my temper, with an effort. ‘I asked you first. And you've been rude to me since we met.'

He shrugs. ‘I never said I don't like you . I don't like what you stand for, though.'

‘Oh, and what's?—'

‘Here's a fresh one.' A hand grabs my arm, a voice harsh in my ear. Before I can protest I'm pulled into an iron embrace, cool breath on my neck. Then, just as suddenly, I'm free, spinning across the room. ‘Anti-feed! Hey, what sort of establishment is th?—'

There's a crash. Kyle's hand is around another vampire's throat, slamming him into a table. People are turning to look, and I realise I'm alone in the middle of the dance floor. My heart is pounding. Someone, probably Stella, laughs. Heat rises in my neck, my cheeks.

‘Keep your hands to yourself. She is not for feeding!' Kyle sounds furious. I'm furious too. How dare someone lay hands on me. I step forward but Kyle motions me back with his free arm.

‘Who says?' The other vampire sneers, pushing against Kyle, who slams him back again, muscles flexing under his leather jacket.

‘Raven says, that's who!' he snarls in the other vampire's face, shoving him one more time. His head hits the table with a cracking sound and I wince. ‘As do I.'

The vampire raises both hands, the skin of his neck cracked and reddened where Kyle is holding him.

‘So we're fine?' Kyle's face is close to the other vampire's.

‘Yes, fine. I want no trouble with Raven.' The vampire slants his gaze to me. I see the question in his eyes. I put my shoulders back, raising my chin. Kyle lets go of him and, with a whoosh, is in front of me, his shoulders curved forward, so close my nose almost touches the black fabric of his shirt. He sniffs.

‘You need to top up.'

I smell my wrist. The anti-feed is wearing off, the violet scent faint. I reach into my pocket for the little vial, but my hand is trembling too much to open it. The vampire who attacked me is being escorted out, two Ravenna guards helping him on his way. Stella is smirking, and one of her friends rolls her eyes at me.

‘C'mon.' Kyle takes my arm, his grip rough, heading for the hallway leading to the bathrooms. I let him, only because I'm shaking so much. I'm about to open the bathroom door when Kyle stops me, his arm coming up. His fangs are dropped, white points glimpsed in the half-dark. His hand is gentle, though, as it comes to my throat, brushing my hair aside. His fingers trace along my neck, and he exhales. ‘There are no marks. He didn't get you. You need to remember to top up.'

My face prickles with embarrassment. I'm not five. But I should have remembered. ‘Fine,' I mutter. ‘And, thanks.'

‘Just doing my job,' he says. His gaze moves over my shoulder. He frowns.

I don't want to turn around. I'm sure everyone is watching me. ‘I want to go home,' I say, the words falling from me like seeds, bitter with shame.

‘Stay here,' he says, moving around me. His back is against mine for a moment, then he's gone. I lean on the wall, my legs unsteady. And I wonder at his strength, the way he took on the other vampire so easily. What did Ira say? Something about the pits?

The pits are where vampires fight. But not just any vampires. Criminals, prisoners, those who fall foul of the Raven regime. All trotted out in the underground rings to meet their fates, either triumphing or being ripped apart by the gladiators. Kyle must be pretty strong to have been one of the champions, chosen to fight and trained from when he was changed, a life of blood and darkness. I blush, remembering how I'd thought he wouldn't be much protection. I suppose there's no way my parents would have sent me out here with someone who couldn't look after me. I still don't know why they haven't just had another child, though. Someone who isn't weak, who doesn't need constant protection, who isn't such a worry. I suppose when I leave they might consider it. They'll need another heir, after all.

I sigh, picking at a loose piece of paint with my fingernail, trying to ignore the ache in my chest. I wonder what Kyle is doing, and why it's taking so long.

‘My lady?'

I turn. It's Ira. His bulk almost fills the hallway, his hands twisting together.

‘Are you all right?' he asks. ‘I'm so sorry. He had no right to touch you. All our stock is clearly marked.' His dark brows lower over his icy eyes and I step back.

‘She's fine.' Kyle appears in a whoosh of speed. His arm slides around my waist, his body hard against mine.

I catch my breath. ‘I am fine,' I say. ‘I hope he'll be dealt with.' I try to sound like my mother, calm and cool. But it comes out half-strangled. I clear my throat, pushing on Kyle's arm until he lets me go. Why the hell is he holding on to me?

Ira lets out a sigh. ‘He will,' he says. ‘You won't see him again. I do hope this means you'll be staying for another drink?'

‘We have to go.' Kyle doesn't sound impressed. ‘Is there another way out?'

‘Of course. The door behind you leads outside. Please, allow me.' Ira pushes past with a rattle of keys, the door opening with a cracking sound, letting in cool air. I start forward. Kyle comes around me, fast. ‘I go first.' He shoots me a glare over his shoulder before stepping through the doorway. I follow, squeezing past our host. He's still frowning, his huge shoulders slumped forward. Something in his icy gaze touches me and I pause.

‘Thank you,' I say, ‘for the wine.'

Ira puts his hand on my shoulder. ‘You're welcome. Safe travels home, my lady. I hope to see you again.'

I nod, not sure what to say. I doubt I'll be back. The door closes, leaving Kyle and me alone in the darkness. It's quieter outside, which is a relief, the pounding bass reduced to a dull thud. The cold air hits me like a shock, and I'm tired and weepy, despite my best efforts. All my walls, all the barriers I put up, are down. Such a stupid night.

Kyle puts his hands in his pockets, his head slightly tilted. ‘You ready?'

‘Ready?' My mouth twists against the tears I'm holding back. God and darkness, I want this night to be over . ‘When is the car coming?'

‘It's not,' he says. ‘Not yet, anyway. So it's faster if I just take you.'

‘What?' My stomach lurches. ‘What, like, walking?'

‘I'm pretty fast. And you don't look like you weigh much. We could be home in fifteen minutes, tops.'

‘But what if we see any other?—'

‘We won't.' He grins. Damn those dimples. ‘I told you, I'm fast. Besides, if we do, I'll tell them you're a nice takeaway, and I won't be sharing.'

My mouth drops open. ‘Ass!' He can joke all he wants, but this is madness. ‘I'll just call my mother.' I fumble in my pocket for my phone, but before I can get it he scoops me up, one arm under my legs and the other around my shoulders. His palm rests on my cheek, holding me tight to the contours of his chest. ‘Hang on,' I hear him say. Then he starts to run.

‘Are you insane?' I shriek, as we speed into the darkness. ‘Put me down!'

‘Sorry, can't. And don't think about being carried on my back, either. I've seen humans torn from vampire backs before. Don't worry, we'll be home soon.'

‘What?' Fear thrums through me and I curl into him, my hand twisting in the leather of his jacket. Darkness is all around us and it's like flying, a dream of gliding above the earth, stars streaking into light overhead.

Both my parents have carried me, when I was younger, playing games on the long lawns and rolling fields of our estate. When my father ran with me it was part terrifying, part exhilarating, and I used to laugh and cry in turn, tears leaking from my closed eyes. When my mother ran with me I felt safe, held in a net of love strong and soft as her long hair, which wrapped around me like living tendrils.

And with Kyle, it's different again. The night is a blur of velvety dark, and it's as though we're the only two people on earth. All I hear is the wind rushing past, the pad of his feet on the road. I slip into a trance, feeling suspended in space and time, wrapped in his arms. When we finally come to a stop, I lift my head.

And blink.

‘Kyle?'

‘Emelia?'

‘Where are we?'

‘I wanted to show you something.' He tilts his head to one side, his silver eyes catching the moonlight. ‘Don't you trust me?'

Trust him? Fear is like a knife inside me.

I have no idea where we are.

There's no light, other than the moon, but we seem to be in a meadow. The grass is cool with frost, stars sprinkled above us like silver glitter. There are trees, a wall of shadow. I realise we're on the edge of a forest. The Great Forest. Fuck.

The Great Forest covers a large swathe of land, extending almost to the Safe Zone. A portion of it runs on our own land, and we keep it tamed. But this, this is the wild wood, home to darkness knows what. Kyle is waiting, hands in his pockets, moonlight catching the silver Raven crest on his badge. I remember that he's pledged to my family, that death would be swift if he ever put me in harm's way. Not that it would help me much, of course.

I swallow, my heart beating fast. Then I realise Kyle's gone, leaving me in the meadow.

Alone.