Caylee's Confessions (Caylee's Confessions Series) (13 page)

I
took a deep breath and tried to process what was happening: panther was about
to strike me, and whatever was behind me killed her, before she even graced my
skin.  Who would do that?  Shad, possibly.  But there was no way any human
could have moved that fast.  Plus, I was pretty sure I had achieved a permanent
spot on his hit list.  I felt my breath quicken as I could feel whatever was
behind me slowly creep closer to where I sat.  I felt its solid hands rest on
my shoulders.  It was going to kill me, like it did to panther.  It had to be
an undead.  Maybe it was one that I hadn’t seen in the room earlier.  Maybe it
was unhappy that panther was chosen to kill me, because it had wanted to kill
me.  But why would it go to the length of decapitating her? 

“Calogero,”
the undeads all said together. 

“Yes…”
hissed the deep voice behind me.  It sounded really strong, and pissed off.  It
seemed to be trying to calm its breathing, to not explode, as its hands gripped
my shoulders tightly.

“What
are the means of this planned execution…and why was I not informed?” Calogero
sounded as if he was about to explode again…which I definitely didn’t want to
be around to see, since I had just witnessed what he did to panther.  There was
something about his voice that, weirdly enough, seemed to calm my body.  It was
almost familiar, but because of the aggression behind it, I couldn’t tell why.

“We
had some concerns…Calogero…We thought she was hunting you…and…”  Chuck was
trying to find words.

“She
was
not
hunting me,” Calogero interrupted.  They all looked scared, and
not just ‘boo’ scared, like scared
shitless
, like they were on death row
and it was their time.  
Last meals, anyone?
I wanted to say out loud,
but refrained myself.  I really knew how to put myself into the best
situations.  Here I was, surrounded by undeads, and a royal had its hands on my
shoulders and was close enough that I could hear it shaking in anger, its fingertips
trembling on my shoulders. 

“She
actually is no business of any of yours.  Leave now, and I will take care of
this myself, you fools,” he growled. 

“Calogero…may
I speak?” asked Rolan.

“If
you feel you must,” Calogero replied coldly.

“We
were only looking out for your best interest—honest.  If I would have known it
would be a problem to not inform you, you certainly must know I would have right
away.  It’s just, with things of this concern, royals tend to be pissed off
that you informed them, due to them being bothered.  In my experience, they
typically want you to deal with it on your own, which is all we were trying to
do.  Being under your father’s council for so long, I feel compelled to ask why
you have taken such interest in this one instance; I’ve never seen you bothered
by matters like this before—especially when it comes to dealing with an undead
hunter, who we have definite proof of her killing off almost a whole gang. 
Well, we
had
proof, but it seems you murdered the only one who witnessed
the instance.”  I felt Calogero’s fingers tighten their grip on my shoulders. 

“I
do not have to answer your questions or give an explanation of why I choose to
do anything,” Calogero said.

“I
really wish you would, so that the confusion and ill thoughts I’m having would
venture out of my head,” Rolan said.

“I
really wish that you wouldn’t speak of having ill thoughts or concerns, for
they are none of your business.  Now, leave me to take care of this on my own,”
Calogero said.

“As
you wish.  I do find it tempting, since this one was so spunky, and I am
thirsty from a long trip.  Would it be possible for me to stay for some of the
consumption?” Rolan asked.

“No,”
said Calogero.

“I
do have to wonder how a royal didn’t ever come across word of there being
undead hunters around.  Someone of your gifts surely could sense, just from the
absence of undead, that there had to be a hunter around.”  Rolan seemed to be
accusing.  “If you wish to make her your blood slave, then my head would be
clear; you know there is no shame in this for royals.”

“I
don’t feel the need to inform you of what my plan is,” Calogero said, and I
felt his hands lift from my shoulders.  Something was about to happen; I could
feel it.

“In
fact, I feel that, by now, you must know what it is—unless you are completely
stupid…which I know you are not—but if only you were smarter, you wouldn’t have
asked so many questions.  I’m sure you’re now at the right conclusion in your
head, and it even saddens me—slightly—to do this, since you have served so long
under my father’s counsel,” said Calogero.

“Calogero…think
this over…you’re a royal.  You can’t believe in such waste!  They will find out,
you know, and for what?” Rolan pleaded, but was given no reaction, and I
watched as he lowered his head, as if ready to be hanged.  As he did this, I
saw something fly past me and collapse on top of the werewolf.  I saw it fight
for a second, but this royal seemed to have—with his fingers—slit the were’s
throat, before it could move its arm up to protect itself.  Of course, it was
too dark for me to really see anything. 

It
was then that I felt three bodies collapse on me and begin to tear at my body. 
The impact from the collapse busted my chair, and I tried to kick my legs free
as I felt the shape shifters grab for my neck and my limbs, trying to pull them
apart.  The last thing I remember was one of their paws—not sure from which
undead, for they transformed so fast and I was already numb from the first blow—slam
into my face and my world going black. 

I
awoke, feeling like a drunk college girl who had stayed the night at a frat
house.  I had a pounding headache, a sore body, and no idea where I was.  Walk
of shame, here I come.  A scream left my lips as some of the events of last
night flashed before my eyes, making my head throb even more.  I looked around
me and saw random limbs—well, undead body parts—and blood thrown around the
room.  It seemed as if I had missed one hell of a fight.  Hopefully, they had
taken each other out, and I could get away.  But, of course, I couldn’t be that
lucky.  I looked up to see—what had to be—Calogero, sitting in a dark corner. 
All I could see were his legs; the shadow of the corner was hiding his face. 
Why was I still alive if this thing was still here?  It seemed to notice,
probably by my scream, that I was awake, and it opened its eyes.  They were a
fierce, dark, ruby-red—almost black—color, which I could see through the dark
shadow he was sitting in.  The ruby-red color I’d see only once before, and,
until now, I thought the color was something I’d imagined as I was passing out
from a loss of blood, the night I’d almost died killing my first werewolf.  But
why was I seeing those eyes once again?  None of this made sense.  Why would he
have been there?  Why would he have left me alive—then, and now even? 

“I
know you’re awake, Caylee.  How are you feeling?” he asked.

“How
do you now my…” I asked, as I watched in horror as his face came into the
light.  Well, at least I didn’t have to worry about Braxton being killed by the
royal, because he was the fucking Calogero.  I did see a difference in Calogero,
from the Braxton I knew.  This guy had the dark-red, ruby eyes and two sharp
fangs coming from his upper lip.  It was definitely Braxton though—he had the
same beautiful body and face that I knew. 

“But…this
is not possible…”  My thoughts were spinning.  How could I not have noticed?  I
can almost always tell, without my bracelet, but even so, I always wore it and
it always warned me of every undead.  “You can’t be.  I have a—”  Shit—should I
really be telling him about my bracelet?

“You
have a bracelet…I know.  I figured, which was why I wore a disguising spell
every time I was with you, Caylee,” Braxton said.

“But
not even empyreal vampires wear those…and you’re a royal vampire.  This is not
making any sense…  And why were they calling you ‘Calogero,’ when your name is
Braxton?” I asked.

“To
answer your first question, being a royal is what gave me the ability to have a
spell that would work past your bracelet.  I had to go through a lot of trouble
to get it, actually.  It cost me six territories—to a royal witch—for the damn
thing, and another five for her to keep her mouth shut.” He grunted.  I stared
at him, still dumbfounded.  “To answer your second question, I didn’t lie to
you.  My first name is Braxton, but it is only proper to call a royal by his surname,
and mine happens to be Calogero, not Caloman.  I used something similar so that
I would respond to it, but that was why I wanted to get a first-name basis with
you so quickly.  I couldn’t stand the fact that you called me by my false
name.  I understand why you’re still confused…so maybe I should start at the
beginning… 

“You
see, I actually wasn’t wearing a spell the first time I had met you—the night
you had killed the gang that left Lyal’s place.  I was with them at the
beginning of the meeting.  They were actually my scouting gang who I was forced
to come with to this city.  We all had a meeting with Lyal, who was supposed to
inform us of any hunters or possible threats in the area.  Everything was fine,
but I could tell that something was off about Lyal, even though the others didn’t
seem to notice.  I knew he was related to the panther chick though, and
something was off about her since we had got into the city.  I sent the others
to go ahead of me and went back into Lyal’s place to get the real story.”

I
took a deep breath.  It was my plain ignorance that I hadn’t noticed him the night
I waited outside of Lyal’s.  I remembered checking my bracelet with each of
them, and there was one I didn’t get, because I had thought it was just Lyal
going back into his home…it must have been Braxton.  God, I was such an idiot. 
Why was he telling me all of this?  Why was I still alive?  My brain rattled on,
trying to make sense of what he was telling me.  Basically, he had kept me
alive all this time…

“Are
you okay?” he asked, probably noticing that I was thinking deeply about
something.

“Yeah,
I’m fine, but it still makes no sense…” I said honestly, hoping to wake up from
this nightmare at any time.  Please tell me I’m dreaming.  Please tell me I
didn’t screw a vampire.

“Well,
I should go on then.  When I went back into Lyal’s, I forced him to tell me
what was really going on.”  I wondered how he had done that…probably some crazy
mind-control shit.  “It took a while to get it out of him, because he had so
many mind-blocking wards up, but when I finally got it out of Lyal, I wiped his
mind clean, because I didn’t want him to warn the hunter or the witch that he
was working with. 

“That
was when the complications started.  Since I’d gotten there later than
expected, when I’d arrived, you were just starting the attack.  I watched as
you kicked the werewolf in the face with your boot—it was something I hadn’t
seen before.  Most hunters just go straight for the kill, but it seemed you had
known you had to get him unconscious first, because he would take the longest
to kill and you still had two other vamps to kill.  I should have stepped in,
right then and there, but it was so interesting to watch you fight—so much
different than other hunters I’ve watched.  It was like you knew they
underestimated you and you used this to your advantage.  The way you staked
both of the vamps at the same time had me sold.  I couldn’t step in then, because
you were almost completed in your task.  Even though it was wrong of me, I
wanted you to succeed.  I have to admit, I always root for the underdog, so I
watched as you continued. 

“The
only mistake I saw was that you had forgotten how quickly werewolves can come
out of unconsciousness.  It actually quite saddened me to see him jump atop you,
because I thought it was surely over, but you amazed me once again, with that
random knife-poke in the eye.  It was dirty, but it got the job done.  The
strength you had—even though you had lost so much blood—to be able to finally
grab your stake and then kill him off, was beautiful.  I was then confused as I
watched you scramble all around, looking for something, as the blood drained from
your body.  Surely, you were going to die soon, but a death with dignity, I had
thought, because you had completed your task.  You then finally found your vile
and slammed it back.  It made me chuckle, because you, again, surprised me with
one more trick in your sleeve.”  I’m glad my near-death made this guy chuckle. 

“I
had hoped that it would be enough, but as I saw your eyes begin to roll to the
back of your head, I knew you had lost too much blood.  I caught you just in
time, so you didn’t hit the ground, and was amazed at how your eyes were still
fighting so hard to remain open.  They looked at ease, like they knew and
accepted what was coming.  So many people are so frightened at the idea of
their own death that their eyes only display horror or regret, but yours were
so blue and calm, accepting.  That made me think: anyone who could fight like
that and was ready to accept death could be valuable.  The strength I smelt
coming from your blood was intoxicating.”  Valuable and strong blood.  Those
were the words I needed to finally realize what this monster’s plan was.  He
wanted me to be his blood slave.  That was the only conclusion I could come
to.  He was a royal, the most evil and powerful of the vampires, they must have
a specific appetite.  I’d heard stories of how they liked to only feed off the
purest and bitter, strong-tasting blood, I must fit this guy’s grocery list. 

“So
there you were, about to die, and I didn’t want that to happen.  I gave you
just enough of me so you could live.”  Awesome.  He gave me his own blood so
that I could live to be his blood slave—how nice of him.  “After that, I found
out where you worked and it was merely fate that my corporation was already
looking into your company.  I then pushed them into picking your proposal. 
That way I could get to know your habits and a bit more of what you were about.” 
In other words, so you could scout me to make sure I would make a great slave. 
“And then, after the other night, after I got a taste of you, I knew I had to
make you mine.” Well, at least now I knew why I had felt dizzy after I had left
his apartment…he had drank from me when we were, ugh…disgusting. 

Everything
was going fine, until I got called back to my council to resolve a stupid
issue.  When I came back from a two-day trip—”  He grunted and rolled his
eyes.  “—I foolishly didn’t check the surrounding cities, because I wanted to
get back to you quickly.  Because I didn’t scout, I didn’t know they were here,
and those fools found you leaving my place. 

“None
of this would have happened if it wasn’t for panther’s stupid ass getting
caught again.  I can’t believe she even threw you under the bus, after what you
had done for her.  Disgusting—that’s why I killed her first, before she could
try and give an explanation.  The others I actually felt slightly bad about
killing, because they were just doing their job.  But they had all become
liabilities and I cannot afford to have any of those at the moment.”  He was
worried about the liabilities of people knowing he wanted to make me a blood
slave?  Seriously…  How could I have been that stupid?  All the signs were
there, and now I would have to face the consequences of being naïve.  I couldn’t
be his blood slave; I needed to get out of here.  I tried ignoring the fact
that this would be impossible, since he was a royal.  There always was a
chance, a way out.  I could not live as a slave.  “Please tell me what you’re
thinking of all this.  Are you at all still confused?”  Not anymore, but maybe I
could play on that.

“I’m
still slightly confused.  It’s just that my hands and legs hurt bad from being
bound and that is all I’m concentrating on,” I said, trying to sound as sore
and in pain as possible.

He
seemed to take a moment to think it over. “Okay, well, I’ll unbind you, but,
Caylee, I am not stupid, and please do not try to fight me; I do not want to
kill you.”  Kill me, ha.  Of course he didn’t want to kill me, only make me his
blood slave so that I would die slowly and hate my life forever.  Fuck not
fighting—it was fight or die.  He had fooled me once; never again would I
listen to a word that came out of his mouth.  I had once said that there was
only one thing over which I would openly walk into my own suicide…   I knew
what I had to do.  He was the most vicious of vampires that existed and something
that I fought for a living.  They were incapable of moral thought or having a conscience. 
I was not going to willingly turn myself over to him, to feed off me for months
until he got sick of my blood and disposed of me.  Either I would get away from
this or I would die trying.  I looked around for my stake.  It was in a pile of
ashes.  This thing had to be a monster.  He killed his company, just for
holding a little event without him. 

Braxton
walked over to me and slowly unbound my hands and legs.  He did it with caution
though, like he was expecting me to immediately start fighting.  I was not
stupid.  I would at least wait until I could stand up.  I didn’t want him to have
the advantage of already being over me.  I carefully stood up and looked up at
Braxton.  His eyes really fit him better than the grey ones did.  It made sense
now why grey eyes had looked wrong on his face.  Nothing but these ruby-black
eyes could fit a face that beautiful.  Not that it mattered, because I would
more than likely be killed by those eyes in two seconds.  I acted like I was
stretching my legs and arms as I slowly inched myself closer to where my stake
lay.  A glimpse of hope flowed threw me as I became only a foot away from it. 
That was shattered in seconds though.

“Caylee,
I’m telling you, please do not do it.  I’ve tried trusting you, but I can’t
help but notice what you’re inching towards.”  Shit…I jumped for it and gasped
as my fingers gripped themselves around it.  Yes—I had it.  I waited for him to
strike me, but when I felt no impact, I stood back up, stake in hand.  He was
gone.  Had he left so I wouldn’t stake him?  I looked around and saw nothing.  Maybe
I had a chance.  See—there was always a…

“You
could never kill me as a human,” Braxton said, with his teeth at my throat,
ending any thought of hope I had, because he was now holding me from behind,
with one arm wrapped tightly around my body that I couldn’t move.  I felt him
open his mouth and dig his canines into my neck.  Huge gasps left my mouth, as
I felt him extracting the blood from my neck.  Where the hell had he even come from?
 I felt my body begin to numb and relax as he continued to drink from me.  I
had to get out of this.  I couldn’t let him control me like this.  Think, mind,
think…gain back control.  But my arms wouldn’t respond.  They still held the
stake, but it was pointless, because they couldn’t move.  I was going to be a
blood slave—the one thing I was afraid of.  Why was my body reacting like this?
 I should have more control, but my muscles continued to un-tense as I felt my
mind wander off.  I would love to say that it hurt like hell and I hated it,
but honestly, it was like a high.  A high that made your body feel amazing,
that a single touch could send you screaming out in orgasm.