Blood Bound Page 5

  Raising my hands, fire burst from me, rolling toward him. “You son-of-a-bitch! I ought to tear you apart!”

  The table exploded, sending bits of shrapnel through the air, and Portia screamed, raising her hands to cover herself.

  Jumping from the bed, I raced to where my dad laid on the ground, covered in gore from several large pieces of debris stabbed into him. I straddled him and grabbed him by the collar, yanking him closer. “Don't you ever touch my wife again!”

  Calling my demonic features forward, I sank my teeth into his throat, tearing a chunk from his, precisely as he'd done for me. Blood sprayed wildly, as he gurgled and finally, I saw fear in his eyes before The Awakening started repairing the wound. I hated that he healed so quickly.

  “I might not be able to kill you, but I can still give you pain.” I pushed one of the protruding chunks of wood farther into his chest, twisting as I went. I wished I could just permanently stake the bastard, but I had to settle for knowing this was causing him some extreme suffering. As long as the foreign material was in him, he couldn’t heal as quickly.

  Dropping him, I stepped back, watching as the magic inside him worked to right things. Slowly, the smaller pieces of wood began working their way out of him, falling to the floor.

  Damien rose to his feet, several of the larger pieces still stuck inside him. Carefully, he started grabbing some and pulling them out.

  “I suppose I had that coming,” he finally said, and his words irritated me. He had a lot more coming than this. I took another step toward him, only to halt when I felt Portia’s hand on my shoulder.

  “No more,” she whispered, and I glanced at her, seeing concern and sorrow in her eyes. I couldn’t believe she was protecting him after all he’d put her through. “You've made your point.”

  “I agree,” Damien said, seeming pleased with her request as he glanced between us. I wanted to punch his face until that smug look could never return. “If you'll excuse me for a bit, I'll be back shortly.”

  Making sure to stay between him and Portia, I watched as he awkwardly moved across the room to the stone wall. I wasn't taking my eyes off him this time, wanting to see where he went out. With a wave of his hand, an exit suddenly appeared. When he opened it, there was another demon on the opposite side, proving that we were also being guarded. The man closed the it after Damien moved through it.

  I couldn’t help my grin as I turned to Portia. “Behold, the door.” At least now we knew where the exit was.

  “Behold, the guard on the other side of the door,” Portia added, reminding me that we had many obstacles. Anger flooded her features. “What exactly did you think you would accomplish with that little display?”

  Annoyed, I flashed a glare at her. “Don't lecture me, Portia.” I moved past her. “I did what I had to do.”

  “Which was what? Enraging him to the point of killing you off again? Are you really that desperate to die? I think he's proven he's willing to go to any length to get what he wants. If you get in his way, then he'll just eliminate you! Don't be stupid!”

  Flipping around, my frustration at our situation boiled to the surface. “No! You quit being stupid.” She took a step backward, and I hated that I'd scared her, but I also wanted her to hear my side. “He tried to take something from me, that's mine and mine alone. He was taunting me with it, and if I didn't answer him, then there would've been nothing to stop him from doing it again. This is all part of the crazy little mind game he's playing with me. He's testing me to see how far he can push, and he's using you as a pawn to do it! Quite successfully, I might add!”

  She looked shocked by my outburst, and several emotions passed over her face, hurt, love, and sorrow. “I'm sorry.” She turned away, going across the cave to the altar before disappearing around the far side. I knew she was putting distance between us so we could both calm down but calm wasn't something I could do right now. I hadn't eaten this morning, and my lack of a fix was fueling the rage inside me. After a few moments, I followed after her, attempting to rein myself in and failing miserably.

  Rounding the altar, I found her sitting on the steps surrounding the base. “I don't like it when you walk away from me,” I said, my red eyes still blazing.

  “Well, I didn't want to argue with you.”

  I couldn’t fault her for that. I was a complete dickhead. “I need more blood.”

  She nodded and held her arm out. “I figured as much. Here.”

  I sat beside her, hating that I needed this. Biting into her wrist, she winced as I took several large gulps. With great restraint, I pulled away, determined to not take too much.

  “Why'd you stop?” she asked, surprised.

  “Because you need your blood too.” Sighing, I leaned my head against the stone. “I've been thinking about things. I'm going to ask Damien to bring me blood to drink from now on.”

  “What?” Portia’s mouth hung open as she gaped. I knew she wouldn’t like it. “You can't be serious. You have no idea where he could be getting it from. It could even be my dad's.”

  I hadn't considered that. It wasn't going to deter me, though. “All I know is I don't care whose it is, as long as it isn't yours.”

  Retracting her arm from me, irritation flashed over her features. “This is ridiculous! I'll not have you risking someone else when I'm right here. My blood is stronger and more powerful than any other you can drink, and you can't turn me either. Why would you even consider this?”

  “Because I'm trying to protect you. If you're depleted of blood, then you're completely unaware of what's happening around you. It makes you vulnerable, defenseless. This way, if something happened to me, you would at least stand a fighting chance. I need to know that mentally you're on your best game, able to think clearly, especially if he is going to require you to do something for him.”

  She was quiet as she pondered my words. “Oh. I've never looked at things that way before. I still don't like the idea of you taking it from someone else though. Damien is ruthless, Vance. He'll use this to his advantage.”

  “Then I intend to be ruthless right back.” Rising, I hated making her upset, but I wasn’t going to argue with her about this. “This discussion is closed, Portia.”

  A few hours later, my snake of a father returned with servants, or followers, in tow. They quickly cleaned up the splintered table from earlier and put a new one in its place. Soon it was set, with a variety of food trays placed in the center.

  Portia’s stomach growled. I was hungry too but wasn’t eager to accept anything from Damien. He looked completely fine now, and one would never guess he’d been injured. With a mere flick of his hand, the workers quickly left, except for two large men who stood at the door.

  This was a straight-up victory as far as I was concerned. If he felt the need for guards, then I'd gotten to him on some level. It was all I could do to keep from grinning.

  “Shall we try this again?” Taking a seat, he waved at the chairs obviously meant for Portia and me. “Or should I arm myself for battle?” A pointed glance was zeroed in on me.

  I shrugged and crossed my arms. “That depends on what you want.” I didn’t trust this bastard for one second.

  “I want to talk.” Taking a linen napkin, he spread it in his lap as if he were dining in a fine restaurant. “And I want to eat breakfast with my son and daughter-in-law like a civilized person if that's okay with you.”

  I was incapable of stopping my snort. “Cut the act. I'm not buying it.”

  Smiling, he suddenly seemed very self-assured. I didn't like that. “I'm calling in Portia's promise to me.” Once more, he gestured to the chairs. “Now will you sit down?”

  It didn’t seem like there was a way of getting out of this if we intended to eat. I needed to swallow my pride so Portia could get some food. I went to the table and sat, and Portia followed. “Let's hear it,” I said, once she was settled.

  “Not until we've enjoyed a nice breakfast together,” Damien said like we were dining on some incredible vacation or something. “Eat first, and then we will discuss business.”

  I didn’t care what he wanted. I was discussing business right now. “I'd prefer my blood from a different source.”

  He was clearly surprised by my request, glancing between Portia and me. “How do you feel about that, Portia?” Taking a bite, he flashed her a sympathetic look, as if he really cared. I didn’t want him talking to her.

  “She needs her strength for whatever it is you have planned,” I said. “I can't keep depleting her. It's too much.”

  He considered this for a moment. “That's a good point, but you won't find anyone with stronger blood than her, son.” Lifting the napkin, he wiped at his mouth.

  “I don't care.”

  “It'll be like taking a fine wine and watering it down. Can you handle that?”

  “I said I don't care. Just bring me blood from a different source.”

  “Fine.”

  It surprised me that he agreed so quickly, but I was confident he'd want Portia at full strength. Her being healthy benefitted him. He didn't give a shit about her needs or my feelings, of this I was certain.

  “Eat up!” he added, glancing at Portia. “You heard him. You need your strength.”

  “I don't feel very hungry all of a sudden.” Portia glanced at me, and I could feel the displeasure emanating from her.

  “That's beside the point. You gave me your word you would help me, and that requires you to be at your best, so nourish yourself, or I'll consider our bargain null and void.”

  Portia looked at me as if expecting me to intercede, but I wasn't going to. Irritation flashed over her features, but she raised a fork and stabbed at a piece of sausage. I relaxed a bit once she took a bite, closing her eyes. It must taste pretty good.

  My dad chuckled. “See. That wasn't so bad now, was it?” He glanced in my direction. “Your turn.”

  I didn’t want to do anything he asked, but I was hungry. I took a bite, and it did taste pretty great.

  Damien looked over the moon. “See, this is wonderful!” He dropped his napkin in his lap, staring gleefully between us. “You know, I can only think of one thing that would make our little family breakfast even better.”

  “What's that?” I asked, even though I wished I could punch him in the mouth and shut him up forever. Just hearing his voice was like having to listen to nails on a chalkboard. He ignored my question though, flicking his finger at one of the guards at the door, and the man left the cave.

  What the hell was he doing now?

  “What are you up to?” Portia asked, almost mirroring my thoughts. Her fork clattered to her plate as she stared at him.

  Something didn’t feel right. Trepidation streaked through me.

  He laughed. “Why, nothing for you to worry about, my dear. I just thought this family breakfast would be better if we had, well, you know . . . the whole family.”

  The demon reappeared in the cave, dragging my mom behind him and my heart sank to the floor.

  7

  Rising so quickly my chair fell backward, I glowered at my father. “You have Mom?” Fire churned inside me. I wanted to melt that smug look off his face. I refocused my attention of the guard holding her, feeling my eyes flare as they changed color. “Take your hands off of her!”

  The guy ignored me, instead, looking at my father.

  “Let her go. You're dismissed,” Damien said before I could reach the asshole and rip him to shreds. He stepped away from my mom, resuming his position at the door.

  My mom stared at me, both fear and love present in her expression as I approached. I halted, realizing she was afraid of what I might do. I stuffed my anger down inside me and forced my red irises to disappear. She hadn’t seen me since I lost The Awakening and didn’t know if I could handle myself or not. I needed to show some semblance of control.

  “Are you okay, Mom?” I asked, lowering my voice as I approached. Gathering her in my arms, I hugged her tightly, hating that she’d been sucked into this drama my father kept creating. She hugged me back, and it felt wonderful. I loved this woman so much, and wanted her in my life, but not like this. This family had kept her prisoner for years, and now she was a prisoner again. I wanted to rip my father from limb to limb.

  “I'm fine,” she replied, leaning back and taking my face in her hands. There were tears in her eyes. “How are you?” She studied my face carefully as if looking for signs and clues to my current state.

  “I've been better.” Anger at my father filled me again, and I pulled away, turning to flash him an irritated stare. “Mom, why don't you come and eat breakfast with us?” I went over and pulled an extra chair for her. How I’d failed to notice there were four chairs before, I didn’t know. Mentally, I kicked myself. I needed to be more observant of things instead of letting my moods control everything. Important things were being missed.

  Mom went past me and hugged Portia first. “Hey, sweet girl. How you holding up?” she asked, so quiet I barely heard the words. Portia didn't reply, merely giving a slight shake of her head. Mom squeezed her shoulder sympathetically and sat down.

  Returning to my seat, I glared at my dad, who was grinning at all of us.

  “Well, isn't this delightful?” he said, plainly ignoring the dour faces staring at him. “All of my family, finally together, at last, just the way we were always meant to be.”

  The door opened again, and a maid rushed in, setting dishes and silverware in front of my mom. She was done in a few seconds and hurried out.

  “What do you want, Damien?” Mom asked as she began serving herself some food. I didn't know how she could play things so cool. My stomach was churning in knots. I could barely think of eating, fearing I may have to jump up to protect her or Portia at any moment. My dad could kill my mom easily since she had no way to defend herself. I couldn't risk allowing him to hurt her. I knew he was more than capable of doing so.

  My dad gave her a smile worthy of an award. To the casual observer, he looked like a man totally besotted with her. I knew better. “Why, to have breakfast with my family, of course. Is that too much to ask?” He took a bite, flashing her a closed-lipped grin as he chewed. It made me nauseated.

  “You know what I mean,” Mom continued. “You most certainly didn't bring us all here for a little reunion. Now, what do you want?”

  Man, my mom was amazing. She didn’t lose her shit and didn’t take his either. I needed lessons on her kind of self-control. The man made me go from normal straight to pissed every time I laid eyes on him.

  Damien stared at her if she was the only person in the room, lust apparent in his gaze. Gross. I mean, I knew they'd obviously been together at some point, or I wouldn't exist, but still.

  “I have a project underway right now,” Damien finally replied. “It's something I'm going to need some assistance with. Having Vance and Sean here allowed me to secure Portia's help in this task of mine. Having you and Portia will procure Vance's promise as well now. So, I guess you could say that you're . . . incentive.”

  “And what exactly am I promising to do?” I asked, trying hard to adopt the cool demeanor of my mom, but not entirely pulling it off.

  “You and Portia are going to help me obtain some artifacts I need—keys actually.”

  “Keys?” What the hell was he talking about? “What kind of keys?”

  He studied me for several seconds, and I wondered if he was even going to answer me. “I'm not ready to reveal that yet. All in due time, but for right now, just know I need your help in obtaining them.”

  “Why?” Portia asked, and his eyes slid to her. I wished she’d remained silent. I didn’t even want him looking at her.

  “Because these keys are all ancient artifacts that have been enchanted with different spells and curses.”

  “So, by enchanted you mean they have been protected by someone to keep them from falling into the hands of the wrong people, say, like you,” I said.

  “Pretty much.” He gave a slight laugh. “But it isn't going to stop me, now is it?”

  “What happens if we can't get them?” Portia asked, and his cheerful expression dimmed a bit.

  “Then I'll consider our promise null and void, and someone will have to die. Failure is not an option.”

  “Damien, let the kids go,” Mom said before I could jump in and berate him for threatening Portia. “You can put a stop to all of this madness right now. You've proven you're superior to everyone. Why do you need to continue this charade?”

  “This is no charade, Krista,” he said, his expression going even darker. “I'm fully intent on accomplishing my purpose, and nothing will dissuade me from it. So, don't bother trying. Besides, you'll all see how right I am when everything is said and done. I'd even wager you'll wonder why you ever doubted me.”

  The table fell silent. I couldn’t help but think that anything that made him feel so self-assured spelled disaster for the rest of us. The fact that he didn’t want to tell us anything about it didn’t sit well either. I knew how he operated. He lived only to strengthen his own powers and abilities, and he didn’t care who ended up being a casualty of his nefarious schemes.

  “So, when do we get to hear the plan?” I asked, knowing that until we could find a way to escape him, there was no point in fighting him on this. Plus, leaving this place would give me a substantial amount of information about where we were currently located. It might help me form a plan to get us all out of here, something I intended to do at the first opportunity.

  “As soon as you finish eating,” he replied, glancing around at all of us who weren't eating much. Nothing like being force-fed. Begrudgingly, I took another bite, determined to get on the rest of the discussion.

  As soon as everyone was finished, my dad reclined back into his chair, staring between Portia and me. “Vance, you, Portia, and I are all going to be taking a trip very soon. I need you to pack enough things for about three days. We'll be attending a large charity ball, so I will be sending you some evening clothes to choose from. We'll be leaving tomorrow morning.”