Illusion: Volume 3 (4 page)

Cornelius
started laughing as he climbed to his feet. “You saved me from your hunter
princess; isn’t that sweet,” he chimed like it amused him.

“No
more fighting Cornelius. By all accounts I have won. Let us walk out of here
and you won’t have any more problems,” Aubrey said softly.

I
wanted to protest, but I had a feeling it would be useless. Cornelius looked at
me and he didn’t look like he wanted to comply. “No. I don’t understand how it
is you are letting a hunter run your territory. You must have quite a weak spot
for her. The Aubrey I knew would have had his fun, then dropped her off a
bridge somewhere.”

“My
relationship with Lillian is none of your concern. Stay out of my territory.
Keep your marshals away, and we won’t have a problem,” Aubrey said softly then
walked toward me.

He
had to know I was angry. He didn’t speak he just took my hand and pulled me
against him. There was a sudden rush and the world started to spin. I was sure
I was going to pass out or be sick, maybe even both.

I
woke up slowly. I was lying on my stomach. I was a little disoriented. I went
to sit up quickly as the memories of the night came rushing back.

“Relax,”
Aubrey’s silky voice filled my ear as his hands gently pressed my lower back to
keep me in place. I was naked except for a sheet he had pulled up around my
waist.

“What
the hell happened? Where am I?” I asked trying to remember everything that
happened.

“You
are safe, in my bed. I am trying to clean your wound,” he said softly.

I
relaxed a little, but not much. He still kept me from killing his evil brother
even though Cornelius wouldn’t have had an issue killing him. “Why did you stop
me? I had him,” I said softly trying to keep the annoyance out of my tone.

“Cornelius
may be an ass, but he is still my brother. It would be like me attempting to
kill Luca. Even if it was self-defense you would step in because of your
relationship with him,” he said softly as he continued what he was doing.

“Have
you heard from Justin since?” I asked softly. I couldn’t help but hope he made
it out alive. I wasn’t really sure what his part was in this whole thing, but
he seemed like one of the good guys.

“I
gave him a room here. How is it you are so fond of him when he is a marshal?
Isn’t it the renegade’s motto to kill all marshals?” I could hear the hint of
jealousy in his voice, but he was trying to hide it.

I
smiled a little relieved that he was jealous. I wanted him to be jealous. That
meant he cared about me. I rolled to my side and looked up at him. “I am not
the standard renegade. Justin didn’t want to fight me, he wants to fight the
council.”

He
smiled and moved closer to me. “I think he wants to do whatever you want to
do.”

I
laughed. “Justin and I are acquaintances that is all. So was Cornelius telling
the truth about being the council?” I asked as I settled back on my stomach and
closed my eyes.

“You
mean that he is the council? Yes, he took over quite a few years ago. How is it
two other vampires have bitten you tonight, and I haven’t once?” he asked as he
brushed his lips along my shoulder blades.

I
smiled. “Well you haven’t attempted to kill me, and that is why I have one
bite. The other bite is because I was attempting to save myself.”

“Mmm,
what if I attempt to please you? Can I bite you then?” he asked as he continued
to lay gentle kisses over my back.

I
giggled and rolled onto my back as I looked up at him. He pressed his lips to
mine and kissed me gently. “You can bite me on one condition,” I whispered
against his lips.

He
smiled obviously enjoying the game. “Oh I love conditions, tell me.”

I
smiled and gently bit his lower lip before speaking. “You have to bite me where
no one else can.”

His
expression darkened with lust and he leaned into me. His mouth covered mine and
his kiss was aggressive and needy. “My love, there are several places to choose
from. That isn’t much of a condition,” he whispered as he brushed his lips
against mine.

I
giggled as his lips tickled my already sensitive skin. “Do I need to spell it
out for you or can you use your imagination?” I asked slightly amused.

He
grinned at me, and for the first time I realized I didn’t care that he was a
vampire. “I have a very good imagination,” he teased. “I could bite you here,”
he whispered then bit my breast gently, just enough to draw blood and make me
gasp. “Or here,” he whispered as he bit my other breast. He continued lower
biting me in various places on my belly. I felt his soft lips on the heated
skin between my thighs and I felt like I was going to explode with excitement.
His fingers gently started to massage my clit as he covered me in kisses. I was
trying to catch my breath as I gripped the bed sheets. He was driving me
insane. “My favorite spot would be here,” he whispered then slowly sank his
fangs into the crease of my thigh.

I
cried out in surprise as my body surged with pleasure. He was torturing me and
he knew it. I tangled my fingers in his hair as he fed. It felt so good. He was
the only vampire I let take me over completely when he bit me. He was all I
could think about, feel, smell, and even taste. I was his completely, and in a
way that scared me.

He
released me. His eyes were closed as blood ran down his chin. He opened his
eyes and looked at me. His eyes were almost glowing they were so brilliant. I
loved his eyes. I loved everything about him. I surged forward and pressed my
mouth to his. The metallic taste of my blood filled my mouth as I kissed him
hungrily. I pinned him to the bed and ripped his shirt open. He watched me and
smiled. He wasn’t going to protest, he was enjoying what I was doing. I kissed
his chest. The scent of his skin was driving me wild. Without thinking I bit
the soft flesh of his chest. He groaned in pain as his cool blood covered my
lips. His groans exited me more as I licked the blood from his wound. I looked
at him; his eyes were dark with pleasure.

I
fumbled with his pants button. I wanted him naked. I wanted to kiss him, and
taste him. He groaned as I freed his hard cock and covered him with my mouth. I
sucked on him enjoying how he felt in my mouth. I moved forward and pressed my
lips to his as I slid my body down onto him. I moaned in pleasure as he filled
me completely. I sat up and closed my eyes. I started to move my hips. The feel
of him sliding in and out of me was driving me insane. His hands went to my
hips and he encouraged my movement as he watched me with his beautiful eyes. I
dug my nails into his chest as pleasure crashed over me in waves.

He
moved so suddenly, and so fast he was a blur. He pinned me to the bed and
started thrusting aggressively. It hurt and felt so good all at the same time.
He buried his face in my neck, and I cried out as he bit me. I felt my hot
blood running down my neck like he caught an artery. He held me pinned. His
fingers were tangled in my hair pinning my head as he fed. Suddenly he broke
his hold and cried out in excitement and relief as he released.

I
was getting dizzy. Blood dripped from his face as he kept his eyes closed
savoring the taste. I took his wrist and pressed it to my mouth. I bit down
breaking his skin. I needed his blood to heal. He groaned, but didn’t protest.
The cool metallic taste filled my mouth and I closed my eyes and relaxed.

I
woke up slowly. I didn’t even realize I passed out. I sat up slowly. I was
alone in Aubrey’s bed. The sheets had been changed and I was cleaned up. All my
bites were healed. I sat up and pulled the sheet around me. The door opened and
Aubrey came in. He smiled. “You look so lovely when you just wake up,” he said
amused. He laid a set of clothes on the bed for me.

I
stood pulling the sheet tighter around me as I walked over to him. He smiled
down at me like he knew something I didn’t. The fact that he was so smug and
sure of himself irritated me. He knew I enjoyed him completely. He knew I was
taken with him for sure after last night. I smacked him across the face
startling him. His eyes were wide, but still amused. “You haven’t won yet,” I
whispered against his lips. I dropped the sheet and wrapped my arms around his
neck.

“I
am at least making strides,” he teased then pressed his lips to mine. I relaxed
in his arms and let him take over.

The
door opening startled me. Aubrey quickly retrieved the sheet and scowled at
Nick, the intruder. “You could knock,” Aubrey growled.

“You
could tell me what the hell is going on,” Nick said annoyed. It was obvious he
just woke up. He probably had no clue what was going on.

“You
were attacked outside the club. One of the vampires gave you blood to heal
you,” I said quietly.

He
looked from me to Aubrey like he didn’t know what to think. “You two are
together then?” he asked.

I
looked at Aubrey not sure what to say. I didn’t really know what we were. “We
have a causal relationship. I am not the enemy if that is what you are asking,”
Aubrey said when I didn’t speak.

“I
need to check in. I am sure they are looking for me. How long have I been out?”
he asked as he searched his pockets.

“A
day or two. I will retrieve your things while Lillian gets dressed. She can
take you from there,” Aubrey said and walked out past him.

Nick
looked at me, and I nodded to reassure him. He walked out closing the door
behind him.

As
I finished up dressing I was trying to come up with a plan. I needed to
confront my uncle. I still couldn’t believe he handed me over to Cornelius like
it was no big deal. The thought infuriated me. I shook the feeling; I would
have to worry about that later. I needed to focus on getting Nick home, then I
could worry about my uncle.

Nick
was waiting for me at the bar. I couldn’t find Aubrey so I walked straight to
where Nick was waiting. He was looking around nervously. His eyes landed on me.
“Get me out of here,” he muttered.

I
nodded and he followed me out of the club. “You would have died without their
help,” I said quietly.

“Ya
well that is part of life. Why are you all the sudden on their side? Aren’t you
supposed to be killing them or something?” he asked sounding slightly annoyed.
I could understand his feelings. It sucked feeling vulnerable. I knew that was
exactly how he felt. He probably didn’t have a chance to fight back.

“I
don’t just kill every vampire. There are rules, and codes that I follow,” I
said firmly as I got in my car.

He
climbed in next to me. I could feel his eyes on me as I pulled out into the
street. “You love him don’t you?” he asked.

I
scowled. “What? That is none of your business.” I wasn’t about to admit to him
something I couldn’t even admit to myself. I had to love him. There was no way
I would ever let a vampire do what I let Aubrey do.

“It
is my business if I have to worry about you falling under his vampire spell and
killing everyone,” he said sounding worried.

I
rolled my eyes. “First of all you are human. That means Victoria has more
control over you than Aubrey will ever have over me. So maybe it is you I
should worry about,” I countered.

I
could see a blush creep up his cheeks. Obviously I hit a nerve. “Victoria wants
no part in the war.”

I
smiled slightly amused. He knew what a vampire could do, it was obvious. “I
don’t really think Aubrey does either. His only link to the war is me,” I said
softly. I decided not to mention the brother he wouldn’t let me kill. I pulled
up to the café where I usually met Nick. I was pretty sure he had an apartment
or hotel nearby.

“Just
don’t trust him or any of them. I’ll catch up with you later,” he said gruffly
as he climbed out of the car.

I
sat there for a minute. Maybe he was right. Maybe I was being a little too
trusting. After all Aubrey’s brother was the vampire council and he failed to
mention that. There seemed to be bad blood between them, perhaps that was why
he decided it was best not to say anything. I cussed and pulled away from the
curve. I was so tired of the uncertainty.

I
parked about a half mile from my uncle’s house. My plan was to go in without
being seen. If I pulled up to the gate my uncle would probably have me killed
right then. The grounds were being heavily guarded, but I would easily be able
to get around them. I knew their procedures, and patrol schedules. I made it to
the house and went in via an open window. I made my way to my uncle’s office,
and too my surprise it was vacant. I went to the desk and started going through
the drawers. Stuck to the bottom of one of the drawers I found a file. I pulled
it out and opened it. I felt a lump form in my throat when I saw it was
pictures of my parents. I started reading the papers in the file. They were
communications between my uncle and the vampire council. He was the one that
gave my parents identities and location away. I sat staring at the papers. I
was frozen. I didn’t know what to do. I gathered the file and moved away from
the desk. I sat in a chair next to the door. I would wait for him to come into
his office, then I would get an explanation.

It
didn’t take long. My uncle was never out of his office for long. The door
opened and he hurried in. He went straight for the top drawer. When he couldn’t
find the file he started searching other drawers.

“Looking
for this?” I asked him.

He
straightened obviously startled by my presence. His expression darkened
momentarily then he forced a smile. “Lillian, I didn’t see you there,” he said
nervously.

I
could tell he was trying to hit the panic button under his desk. “Unfortunately
for you I am a hunter so I knew enough to disable that button,” I said coldly
as I stood and walked toward the desk.

He
paled a little as he sat down in his chair. “I can explain everything Lillian,”
he said softly.

I
laughed harshly. “What are you going to say? You wanted to save your own ass so
you ratted. Do you really think that explanation will make me happy?”

“I
am sure nothing but my death would make you happy now, but there were others
involved. How do you think Luca knew to be there to protect you? Our entire
clan wanted your parents eliminated for starting the renegades. They did
nothing but bring havoc to our people,” he said angrily.

I
watched him for a few minutes. I was careful to keep the emotions off my face.
I wondered if he was telling the truth about Luca. I didn’t want to believe
Luca could lie to me like that. Then again I didn’t think my uncle was capable
of such things either. “It takes a special kind of evil to do what you did,” I
said softly.

“I
did what I had to protect my family. I tried to protect you too, but you
refused to just follow the rules. Look at you. You think you have everything
figured out. Why don’t you ask your precious Aubrey what part he played in this
whole thing? Do you really think Cornelius did his own bidding?” He was talking
to me like I was a naïve young girl.

“It
doesn’t matter what he did! What matters is the fact that you, my uncle, had my
parents murdered; then when I didn’t go along with your agenda you tried to
have me murdered! You deserve to rot in hell!” I was so angry I could barely
think straight.

The
doors burst open and Kai and Luca came in. “Get her!” my uncle ordered.

I
ran toward the window, but Kai was quicker than me. He pinned me and shoved a
syringe in my neck. I managed to catch him across the face with a right hook
before I felt the effects of the drug.

“Please
don’t fight,” Luca pleaded as he approached me.

“You
betrayed me,” I growled through gritted teeth as I attempted to fight the
effects of the drug.

“I
did it to help you, I love you Lily,” he said sounding apologetic.

I
couldn’t come up with anything to say. His words made me sick. He didn’t love
me. He never would have let any of this happen if he did. I swayed and he
reached for me. I didn’t have any strength left. I spit in his face for lack of
something better to do. He looked completely startled. Everything went black as
I fell to the cool floor.