Dark Heirloom (An Ema Marx Novel Book 1) (18 page)

“And now,” I continued. “Jesu…” I shook my head as my voice trailed off.

Maria grinned. “What about Jesu?”

Good question
. I didn’t know the answer. He had some interest in me, that much was certain, but I didn’t understand it. It clearly wasn’t sexual interest. I sighed.

“I don’t know.”

“Come now, darling, you can tell me.” She cupped my face in her hands and smiled warmly. The bloodlust clouded my thoughts, but I fought it and concentrated.

“Jesu’s very sweet, but I don’t understand him. Sometimes I think he likes me. I mean, sometimes he acts like he does, but other times he pushes me away.”

Maria pursed her lips in a puzzled expression. “What do you mean?”

“Well, he says stuff. Protective stuff, like what a boyfriend would say, so I know he cares. But when I try to get close to him, he always says no.”

Maria’s smile stretched from ear to ear, and she began to idly braid my hair. I didn’t mind. “Jesu is just shy. He doesn’t have much experience with young ladies.”

I glanced at my hands. “Are you implying he’s a virgin?”

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Maria laughed. “But he is very careful. He’s not one to flirt with loose women.”

I cringed and wondered if Jesu thought I was loose.
How many times have I thrown myself at him?

“He saw the things his parents went through, and he sees the stress between Jalmari and Leena. He’s just cautious with his heart, is all.” When I stayed silent, Maria continued. “Vampire pairing is quite different from the human way. Vampire bonds run much deeper. They have to, to last as long as our life spans do. To break a vampire’s heart is far worse an agony than you can imagine. It doesn’t happen often, like it does for humans, but there is still that fear, which looms over any lover’s heart.”

I couldn’t imagine a feeling worse than the one my heart bore when my ex had cheated. “So, are you saying Jesu’s afraid I will hurt him?”

Maria squeezed my hand. “I think we all fear that possibility.”

I nodded. “Yeah, that’s true, but I still don’t get it. Does Jesu like me, or what?”

“Do you like him?”

“I… I don’t know. I like him as a friend. I just… I don’t know what his intentions are. I don’t know if I
should
like him as anything more than a friend. And… and I still miss my ex.”

Maria patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry so much, darling. Fate has a way of putting people together, whether they want it or not. I know Jesu is fond of you, but what his intentions are, I cannot say, because he has not spoken of them to me. But I think a nice vampyre girl like you would be good for him.”

I pricked up in alarm. “Maria, did you just call me a
vampyre
?”

“Well sure. That’s what you are, right?”

“But, how did you know?”

Maria stood. “Honey, I’m over four thousand years old. I’ve known Jalmari and Jesu since they were wee things, and I’ve learned a thing or two about the world. Now if you will excuse me, it’s getting late, and I need to make sure Jalmari has finished his reports.” She winked, and then vanished.

A million questions filled my head. I wanted to talk to Jesu, but forced myself to stay in the kitchen for a moment longer to make sure the bloodlust was completely gone. Besides, it wouldn’t do any good to talk to Jesu if my own feelings weren’t in order. I didn’t want to lead him on if what I felt wasn’t real. After all, it could have just been the blood talking.

Chapter 18

A month passed since I woke as a vampyre. Everyone’s daytime routine stayed the same morning after morning. I spent most of my time reading books borrowed from Jalmari’s library. Raven spent increasing amounts of time lounging on my bed, falling asleep next to me while I scratched his belly.

Each night, Raven left to hunt mice, or do whatever it is cats do, and Jalmari, Jesu, and I met outside the castle grounds for further training. My powers got a little better each day. I could now keep up with Jalmari as we zipped across the island and back.

Things were increasingly awkward between Jesu and me. Still unsure of where we stood with each other, I never knew how to act around him. I think he struggled with the same dilemma, because we both blushed whenever our eyes accidentally met.

My training was the only part of the day that the three of us spent any time together. Tonight, I waited for them at our usual spot, to the side of the castle, under the stars, where the forest was thinnest. The two brothers appeared together, as different as night and day.

Jalmari glided over the earth with the grace of a sinister angel, dressed in Versace. His chin length bangs fell over his emerald eyes, gel holding every strand perfectly in place.

Jesu walked with an air of indifference and surefootedness, the earth his slave, as he paved a smooth path before himself. His scuffed denim pants were topped by a black T-shirt. Black leather adorned his wrists and neck as his long, jet black hair blew untamed in the wind. I could only assume Jesu liked the wind—he could turn it off with a flick of his finger if he wanted to.

Jalmari cocked a brow at me. “You ready?”

“You know it.” I crouched low, ready to push off at the cue.

“On your mark…” Jalmari lowered into a similar position, foot back, ready to push forward at lightning speed. “Get set…”

“
Go
,” I shouted and sprinted into the air, levitating and phasing my body at the same time. I propelled myself forward as fast as I could, and became nothing more than a wisp.

After a few seconds, I searched the air for Jalmari’s energy. It took me a minute to locate him because he was behind me. I was ahead! I was beating him!
Woo-hoo!
I propelled myself harder, pushing my limits as much as possible. Ignoring the odd Jell-O sensation of the trees as I passed them, I easily zipped to the end of the island like a bullet, turning around just past the cliff. Heat rolled off Jalmari as I passed him on the way back to the castle. I laughed internally. I was actually, truly, beating him.

I felt the coldness of the castle walls drawing closer. I detected Jesu’s energy and unphased before him, crash landing on the frozen ground and tumbling to a halt at his feet. I sat up, shook my head, and then looked around for Jalmari. “Did I win?”

“I believe so.” Jesu nodded at something behind me. I turned as Jalmari appeared and landed a few feet behind us.

I leaped up and shrieked. “I beat you, I won, yes! I won, I won!” I did a little victory dance around them.

“Silence. You got lucky that time because you cheated. And you still have a lot to learn. Your landings are horrid.”

I scowled and crossed my arms. “Why can’t you ever be happy for me? Every time I fail at something, you get mad. When I succeed, you
still
get mad. Is there no pleasing you?”

“Speed means nothing if it hinders your ability to land properly,” Jalmari growled.

“What is this, a military camp?” I fought back. “It’s not like you’re preparing me for battle, are you?”

Jalmari’s jaw dropped. The little tinge of color left in his pallid face drained away. He snapped his mouth shut and glared at his brother. The two shared a meaningful glance. Jesu hesitated for a moment, then shrugged.

“Maybe I am.” Jalmari glowered at his brother a moment longer before flying toward the castle.

“What does he mean ‘maybe I am’?” I looked at Jesu as he watched his brother disappear into the castle walls. “Jesu, what does he mean?”

“Nothing.” Jesu began walking toward the door.

I scampered after him, feeling like I was being lied to. “Jesu, what did he mean? What battle is he talking about?”

“Nothing, forget about it. Training is over for the night.”

I muttered profanities under my breath.

God-damned lying no-good vampires!

Jalmari

“This is inexcusable!” I hollered at myself while pacing my office. “Unforgivable. Intolerable. I won’t be a part of it any longer.”

“You know you do not have a choice
,” said the voice.

“I don’t care! I won’t tea— I won’t te—” I stumbled over the words, not able to talk back to my demon. I clenched my fists, cleared my throat, and tried again. “I won’t help her le—”

The voice laughed as I struggled.
“Fool. You cannot disobey me. Quit embarrassing yourself.”

“No!” I might not have been able to sass him out loud, but I could think it.
I will not help you anymore. I will not teach her how to kill us. Every day, she grows stronger because of you making me show her how.

“Yes, is it not grand? She is quite talented, that girl. Quite powerful, indeed. Very strong spirit.”
The voice conjured up images of the girl’s body, the way she used to unphase half-naked before she knew how to hold her clothes.

Stop that.

“Suppose all the gypsies were as special. I should have created an army of gypsy vampyres a long time ago. Why did I not see it before?”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

“It is a pity we do not know what triggered the gene in her, otherwise we could turn them all into vampyres.”

I laughed out loud.
This isn’t Babylonia. It’s the twenty-first century; no one’s going to bow down to you anymore.

The voice growled.
“Sometimes I think you forget who I am, and what I am capable of, boy.”

No,
I shook my head.
I remember very well what you are capable of. But right now you are stuck in my head, with only me as your vessel. If she kills me, you die too. Remember that.

“I do not plan on dwelling inside your pathetic skull much longer. I have finally thought of a way out.”

I froze mid-stride. No… he couldn’t have… he must be bluffing.
How?

“It will take a few more commands out of you, I am sure, but you will thank me in the end.”

Just tell me how.

“The girl,”
he said.
“She would make a very fine queen, don’t you agree?”

I don’t understand. You want me to marry her? Why?

“Yes, marriage, but more importantly, mating. I admire that girl. I was blind before, to kill such beautiful creatures, but now I see the way. If a man could choose a queen for his people, and a mother for himself, I’d choose her. Her womb will give me a fresh new body, her powers, strength, and then I will be your heir.”

My fists clenched and I scrunched my nose in disgust.
That’s the most rotten plan you’ve come up with in over two-thousand years, old man, and I will not abide by it.

“You speak as if you have a choice, which you do not.”

My heart thumped hard against my ribs as the full weight of his words sank in. My breathing became shallow and my knees shook. I grabbed a hold of a chair to steady myself.

“What is the matter, boy?”
he snickered.
“I thought you would be thrilled to no longer live with me inside you
.
”

“Leena,” I whispered.

The voice tsked me.
“How many times have I told you not to get attached to that one? You knew she could never be queen. She was never anything more than a plaything to keep your bed warm.”

Fuck you!
I snarled.
I love Leena with all my heart, I won’t do that to her. She
is
my queen.

“She is a vampire. She is nothing.”

Just like I am nothing to you, isn’t that right?
I fell to my knees, tasting bile as it rose to my throat. I knew his mind was made up, and I dreaded what would soon follow. I hoped it would not involve hurting Leena, but now, my last shred of hope was ripped from my chest.

“Jalmari, you are a confounded idiot to think you could control me, but you are not nothing. After all, you are my first born son. And I have use for you.”

I winced and hugged myself as I curled on the floor like a helpless fetus, knowing how much more pathetic and powerless I was about to become.

“Jalmari ta Korento, as your father, I command you…”

Chapter 19

Not quite midnight yet, and I sat in the center of the library surrounded by a pile of books. At least in the dark I didn’t have to strain my eyes to read the tiny print.

Raven pawed at my shoes, demanding more belly rubs. I ignored him, but then he nudged my hand with his head, bumping the book and causing me to lose my place on the page. I sighed and plunked the book down. “Raven, your attitude is getting on my nerves. You have fleas, or something?”

My lap freed, he climbed in and curled up for a nap. His tiny pink tongue stuck out as he yawned.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re lucky you’re so cute, or I’d regret naming you.” I scratched the top of his head for a moment and then awkwardly balanced the spine of the book on my knee so I wouldn’t disturb the sleeping cat.

The hairs on the back of my neck pricked as the atmosphere in the room thickened with a predatory-like heat. Raven felt it too as he jolted upright, hissing. My brain automatically put a name to the energy, and I rolled my eyes.

Great, what does
he
want?

Jalmari floated into the room looking shockingly unlike himself. Swollen bags puffed from under his eyes. His hair was matted on one side, and stuck flat against his face on the other side. His clothes were wrinkled as though he’d slept in them, and he stumbled over his feet as he landed.

“There you are.” He walked toward me with a peculiar hitch in his gait, and kept one hand hidden behind his back. “I’ve been looking for you.”

I spoke callously as I glared at him. “Why?”

“I have come to apologize.” He knelt on one knee. I leaned as far away as I could without falling. Even Raven seemed to glare at Jalmari from his spot on my lap. “I am sorry for being harsh with you earlier. You did very well. I should have congratulated you. Forgive me, I was not myself.”

That’s odd, I thought he was much more himself earlier than he was right now. He was always angry and rude. The sudden kindness made me suspicious. “What do you want, Jalmari?”

“Just your forgiveness. Oh, and this is for you.” He pulled a freshly bloomed red rose from behind his back, smiling as he did so.

I cocked my brow. This had to be a trick. Or a joke. “Jalmari, are you drunk?”

He snickered. “No.”

“Are you sure? Are you high? Did you drink a lot of blood recently?”

He frowned and furrowed his brow. “I am perfectly fine. I was trying to be nice. Most women know how to accept an apology.”

I nodded. “See, there’s the Jalmari I know. Now if you don’t mind, I’m reading.” I pulled the book up level with my face to block his view. Raven hissed at Jalmari.

“I see you have company.” Jalmari hesitated, as though noticing the cat for the first time. “Perhaps we can talk later.”

“Uh-huh, whatever.”

After several minutes, I peeked over the pages. I sighed in relief, seeing that he was truly gone. Raven stood with his back arched. His pink nose flared, his green eyes bright and alert. I scratched under his velvet chin to soothe him.

“That guy gets more and more strange every night, doesn’t he? Come on.” I stood. “Let’s finish reading in my room so we won’t be interrupted again.”

But when I opened the library door, Raven dashed down the hall going farther into the second wing.