Illusion: Volume 3 (2 page)

I
sat flipping through my father’s journal. Colin was watching me, but he hadn’t
spoken. It had been a few hours since my encounter with the marshal. He should
have been long gone by now.

Colin
cleared his throat like he was finally going to speak. “Drake said you let a
marshal go.”

“I
did,” I said absently as I focused on the journal.

“Do
you think that was a good idea?” he asked. He didn’t sound accusing. If
anything he sounded like he was just trying to understand.

“He
had no intention to attack unless provoked. I wasn’t going to kill him for no
reason,” I said trying not to sound annoyed.

“He
would have killed you for no reason if Drake hadn’t shown up when he did,” he
countered.

I
glanced up at him for a minute then looked back at the journal. “He wanted a
truce. He said the marshals are trying to over throw the council.” I didn’t
elaborate because I didn’t have anything to add. I was still a little confused
about the whole thing. I was hoping my father’s journal would offer some
guidance, but so far it hadn’t.

“How
do you know he wasn’t lying?” Colin asked as he sat up straighter.

I
shrugged. “He had the element of surprise. He could have hurt or killed me, but
he decided to talk instead. I don’t think he would have done that just to lie.”

“I
don’t understand why you didn’t just kill him,” he said quietly.

I
sighed impatiently at I stood and tossed the book onto the couch. “Just
randomly killing isn’t going to solve anything. I don’t know who to trust or
what to do.”

He
leaned back in his chair and watched me. “I suggest you do just what you are
doing. Trust your instincts. They haven’t been wrong so far.”

I
nodded and grabbed my coat. “I need some fresh air,” I said as I put my coat on
and walked out of the office. I didn’t feel like trying to come up with answers
that I didn’t have.

The
air was cool and I could smell the water. I wound my way through the warehouses
to the edge of the water. It was a huge river that went to the ocean. There
were a few ships here and there passing by.

“I
can’t seem to get out of this fucking town,” a familiar voice said.

I
spun around and was facing the same death marshal I had run into outside the
club. He was beat up and bleeding heavily. “Who attacked you?” I asked looking
around. If someone could do that much damage to a marshal I wanted to see him
coming.

“Another
marshal,” he said through gritted teeth as he collapsed to his knees.

“Where
is he?” I asked looking around. I was on guard now. I had a feeling there was
another marshal, but he hadn’t shown himself to me.

“Don’t
worry, he’s dead,” he said softly as he watched me.

I
looked at him. I didn’t know what to do. He was injured and vulnerable. No one
liked the death marshals. If I left him; then I was sure someone else would
find him and kill him. I wanted to be heartless and walk away, but I couldn’t.
“Do you need help?” I asked as I moved toward him.

He
smiled weakly. “It would be appreciated,” he said through gritted teeth.

I
helped him up and supported him as we walked back toward the warehouse. I was
guessing the other marshal had followed me. Maybe this guy had too. “What is your
name?” I asked deciding it was time I found out.

“Justin,”
he said quietly.

I
stopped a couple warehouses over from my car. I didn’t want to lead him
straight to the renegades. I was going to take him to Aubrey. Aubrey would know
what to do. Colin would freak out. “Stay here. I am going to get my car,” I
said quietly.

I
left him and hurried over to my car. It was close to dawn so everyone was
inside. I didn’t have to answer any questions which was a relief. I pulled up
to where I left Justin. I got out and helped him into the car.

I
drove toward the club. Justin was paler than normal, and he was still bleeding.
He was going to have to feed soon. I definitely wasn’t going to allow him to
feed on me. I picked up my phone and dialed Aubrey.

“This
is a surprise, what can I do for you Lillian,” he asked softly. He sounded a
little annoyed, and I knew I wasn’t going to make him any happier.

“I
need a favor,” I said as I tried to focus on the road and figure out what I was
going to say.

“What
would that be?” he asked dryly.

“I
found an injured vampire, well he found me. He is going to need blood and a
place to sleep,” I said quietly.

He
didn’t speak for a minute like he was trying to decide what to say. “Who is
he?” he asked.

I
glanced at Justin trying to decide what to say. Justin looked at me amused. I
reached over and pulled his necklace off his neck. He glared at me like he was
going to protest, but I shot him a warning look. If they didn’t see it, they
wouldn’t know what he was. “He’s new in town. He’s nobody as far as I can
tell,” I said to Aubrey as I shoved the necklace in my coat pocket.

“Fine,
I will take him for a night or two,” he said simply then hung up. I hung the
phone up and shoved it back in my pocket.

“You
really think Aubrey is that stupid?” Justin asked amused.

I
shook my head. “I am hoping he is that trusting. If he refuses to help you then
you are on your own. I won’t bring you near my people.”

“Which
people are those the hunters or your new found friends the renegades?” He
sounded like he disapproved when he asked the question.

“I
don’t understand why it matters. You are a damn marshal. You can’t really claim
you know right from wrong,” I said dryly.

He
looked out the window, but didn’t speak. I pulled into the alley so no one
would see me get the beaten and bloody man out and call law enforcement. I
helped him toward the club entrance. He was getting weaker, so that meant he
was heavier.

I
walked into the club and the room quieted. “I am guessing you don’t save
vampires often,” Justin said amused.

I
smiled. “No, I don’t make a habit of it.” I spotted Aubrey. He signaled for two
male vampires to take over for me. They carried Justin off to the back. I was
hoping he wouldn’t start any problems. I would feel horrible if he started
something and I was the one that brought him here.

Aubrey
approached me slowly. After everything that happened between us I wasn’t sure
what to say to him. He stopped just in front of me. Suddenly he stepped forward
and pressed his lips to mine. “You have to quit hiding things from me. Tell me
who he is,” he pleaded.

I
looked at him, but I didn’t speak. He would probably deny Justin help, maybe
even kill him if I told. I didn’t want to take the chance. Having somewhat of
an ally in the marshals might be helpful. “I’m sorry, it is your turn to trust
me,” I said softly. I turned to walk away, but he caught my hand. I looked back
at him, and I could see the anger in his eyes.

“You
have to let me help you. You cannot fight this war on your own,” he said
quietly.

“It’s
not your war,” I said quietly and pulled away. I walked back toward the exit. I
couldn’t stay here with Aubrey even though I wanted to. I had too much to
figure out. I needed to go back to the warehouse and see if I could find
anything else in the journal.

I
woke up when the door to the office slammed. I was so startled I rolled off the
couch and landed on the floor with a hard thud. I looked up at Colin and Aubrey
glaring down at me. I was guessing someone had told them about Justin. Maybe
Justin ratted himself out.

“What
now,” I groaned. It felt like I had just fallen asleep, and they were already
bothering me.

“You
saved a death marshal? What the hell were you thinking?” Colin growled.

“Saving
him is beside the point. You brought him into my coven, and didn’t tell me!”
Aubrey growled.

I
sighed as I sat up. “He isn’t going to hurt anyone, unless you attempt to hurt
him. Where is he now?”

“The
same place he was before, in my coven. I told everyone not to confront him. I
don’t want their deaths on my hands,” Aubrey snapped.

“This
wasn’t a very good idea Lillian. You are making some pretty irrational
choices,” Colin said firmly.

I
stood and glared at them both. “He is a vampire, plain and simple. If you trust
him right off then you are fucking idiots; and you are the one who recruited me
Colin. If you don’t want to do things my way then I will walk away.”

“How
is it you kill one marshal and not another. What is so different about him?”
Colin asked sounding confused.

“He
wants a truce. He doesn’t want to kill us. He was hurt fighting the marshal
that hurt Nick. If he didn’t fight him I would have, so in a way he saved me a
lot of trouble. So just help him out until he is well enough to move on!” I was
yelling because I was tired of explaining myself. I was tired of everyone
looking at me like I was insane. I didn’t understand why they insisted on
following me if they thought I was insane. They all needed to just leave me
alone. I stormed out determined to get away from both of them. I was tired of
the accusing looks and the harsh tones. I barely understood why I was making
the decisions I was. I couldn’t explain it to them.

“You
don’t get to just keep running away. Tell us your grand plan,” Aubrey yelled as
he followed me.

I
stopped and turned around. He stopped quickly. He almost ran into me because I
stopped so suddenly. “I don’t have a grand plan don’t you get it! It’s called
winging it and hoping it works out! I don’t know what else to do!”

He
looked at me a little startled. He acted like he thought I had it all put
together. I really had no clue. I was at a complete loss. I didn’t know who I
should trust, and who I shouldn’t. Like Colin said all I could do was trust my
instincts. “You are telling the truth aren’t you? You really have no plan,” he
said softly.

“I
don’t have a plan. All I have is hope that somehow this huge mess will work
itself out,” I said then turned and kept walking toward the exit. I needed to
see Luca. He was the only one I was positive I could trust.

I
pulled up to the entrance of my uncle’s gate. I was sure the gate codes had
been changed once I left. I hit the intercom button. “Who is it?” Damon said. I
inwardly groaned. He was watching the gate, and I would never get past him
without a fight. He was too much of a dick.

“You
know who it is Damon,” I said impatiently.

“Ah,
if it isn’t the traitorous bitch,” he said amused.

“I’m
not a traitor and if you knew anything about me you would know that. I need to
speak with Luca,” I said annoyed.

“You
know how it works. I will have to search you and escort you from the gate. Park
out of the way and wait for me,” he said then the intercom went off.

I
rolled my eyes. He was going to make things difficult. I parked and took all my
weapons off; then I stepped out of the car.

I
stood and leaned against my trunk as I watched Damon approach. He stepped out
of the gate and grinned at me. “Turn around and place your hands on the trunk.
I’ll search you then escort you inside,” he said amused.

I
wanted to argue, but I decided against it. I wanted to talk to Luca. I would
just have to put up with Damon. I sighed and did what he said. His hands
started on my lower back. He wasn’t really searching me. It was more like he
was feeling me up. “Is this necessary?” I asked annoyed.

He
laughed then nuzzled my ear. “For me it is,” he whispered as he cupped my ass.

I
had enough. I shoved my elbow backwards into his stomach. He doubled over and
stumbled backwards as I knocked the air out of him. I walked past him and
slipped in the gate.

“Damn
it Lillian, I will shoot you if you don’t stop,” he growled as he pulled a gun
out.

I
turned and looked at him. He had it pointed at my chest. My eyes went from the
gun to his face. “You are going to have to kill me,” I said softly then turned
and continued walking toward the house.

I
took the steps two at a time. Damon was close on my heels He hadn’t shot me yet
so I assumed he wasn’t going to. I walked into the house without knocking. Luca
and Kai were standing in the entrance way talking. Luca looked surprised to see
me.

“Luca
I need to talk to you in private,” I said quietly.

“She
barged in. I tried to search her,” Damon said sounding apologetic.

“You
tried to grope me,” I countered.

Luca
smiled and waved me toward him. “I trust Lillian with my life,” Luca said
amused.

“I
am not so sure that is a good idea anymore,” Kai warned.

I
wanted to argue, but Luca cut in. “She is a good person and a hunter. You two
would do well to learn that. Come on Lillian, we can talk in my room; where I
am sure we won’t be overheard.”

I
followed him up the stairs to his bedroom. Once we were inside he closed the
door behind us. “Your uncle will not be happy that you are here,” he said
softly as he took a seat on his bed.

“I
don’t care. I needed to talk to you. I am confused. I don’t know who to trust.
Every time I think something is one way something happens that changes that,” I
said as I paced in front of him.

“You
are smart Lillian you will figure it all out,” he said softly.

“What
if I don’t? What if I just get everyone killed?” I asked worried as I ran my
hands through my hair.

He
watched me for a minute before speaking. “It is part of being the leader. You
have to make the hard decisions. Sometimes those decisions are good one and
sometimes they aren’t. All you can do is rely on your instincts.”

I
sighed and sat down in a chair across from him. “Everyone keeps saying that.
The few times I did follow my instincts I managed to piss someone off.”

“Then
you are doing a good job,” he said amused.

I
looked up at him confused and he was smiling. “What do you mean?”

He
stood up and walked over to me. He knelt in front of me and took my hands. “Not
everyone is going to like your choices Lily. You have to just make the choice
and see it through. In the end they will see what you did was for the best. You
cannot worry about pleasing anyone. You just have to do what you have too.”

I
looked at him for a few minutes. Maybe he was right. I just had to make
decisions and see them through. “Maybe you’re right,” I muttered as I looked
away.

He
smiled and brushed my hair out of my face. “I’m always right,” he teased.

I
laughed and shook my head. Maybe he was always right. I knew he was the
rational one of the two of us. I looked at him and I suddenly realized how
close he was to me. He was too close to me, but I didn’t know what to do. I
remember the feelings I felt when I used to look at him, but they weren’t there
anymore. Not like they used to be. I loved him, but as a friend. My heart
belonged to someone else.

Before
I could speak he pressed his lips to mine. I felt my pulse quicken, but it
wasn’t in excitement; it was in fear. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I didn’t
care for him like that; at least not anymore.

I
pulled away from him breaking the kiss. I looked down unable to meet his gaze.
“It’s too late isn’t it?” he asked sadly.

I
looked at him unsure. His expression told me everything. It was too late for
us. He was with Kate, and I had feelings for Aubrey. “I’m sorry,” I said
softly.

He
smiled tightly and stood. He moved away from me. “Don’t be. I knew better. I
saw how you look at Aubrey. I never stood a chance.”

I
opened my mouth to protest what he was saying, but then I closed it almost
immediately. My protests would only make things worse. I stood nervously and
smiled. “I’ll go. If you ever need me I am around; just let me know,” I said
quietly.

He
nodded as he turned away from me and looked out the window. “Be careful out
there,” he said softly.

I
nodded then hurried out of his room. I hurried downstairs, then hesitated when
my uncle came through the front door. He looked as startled to see me as I was
to see him. He looked around quickly like he was either looking for backup or
looking to see if I brought anyone.

“Lillian,
what are you doing here?” he asked softly.

“I
needed to talk to Luca. Don’t worry, I am leaving,” I said as I continued down
the stairs.

“No
wait, perhaps we could talk,” he said quickly.

I
looked at him a little confused. “I guess so.”

He
nodded and walked toward his office. I followed him. I thought it was odd that
he wanted to talk to me. I thought he was angry. When my uncle casts someone
out, he doesn’t give them a second chance.

He
closed the door to his office then walked over and started making himself a
drink. “Do you want a drink?” he asked.

“Ya
sure,” I said softly. I could use one to calm my nerves. My uncle’s behavior
was a little odd, and it was making me nervous.

He
finished making the drinks then handed me one. I downed the drink and the
burning liquor calmed my nerves. He took a seat behind his desk and looked at
me. “There is word that there are marshals around town. Do you know anything
about it?”

“I
know there was at least one. He is dead now,” I said quietly.

My
uncle’s expression darkened. “Did you kill him?”

I
was a little confused by his anger. I didn’t understand why he cared whether
the death marshals lived or died. I shook my head. “He was killed by another
vampire. It had nothing to do with me.” It wasn’t exactly the truth, but it
wasn’t a lie either.

My
uncle sighed impatiently and stood. “You should have never gotten involved with
the renegades. They are dangerous. They have these insane ideals that…”

“That
my father had,” I finished for him as I watched him.

“Your
father started a war. Luckily it ended with his death because there could have
been so many more casualties,” he spat.

I
stood abruptly and the room started to spin. I stumbled backwards and looked at
my uncle confused. There was something wrong, but he didn’t seem surprised.
Then I remembered the drink. “You drugged me,” I said breathlessly.

“I’m
sorry, but I see you going down the same path as your father. I cannot let that
happen,” he said softly.

I
turned to run, but the room was spinning. I made it to the door, but I couldn’t
focus enough to find the handle. I fell to my knees and attempted to steady
myself, but the darkness quickly overtook me.