Blood Delirium (Blood Trance Book 1) Read online

  I blinked, realizing that I had seen myself through Aleksander’s eyes. “He had you watching me?”

  Aleksander nodded. “And now, he wants you incorporated into our world for some reason.” He looked at me skeptically, “He must really be in love with you.”

  I laughed and gagged simultaneously, making me cough. “You don’t know,” I said, surprised. “You don’t understand why he wants me here. You have no idea how I managed to captivate both Marcus and Christopher.” I laughed again.

  “Either explain it, or shut up and show me my brother,” he said with a glare.

  “Fine,” I took his hand, stared into his eyes, and conjured up the memory of Filip. When I’d reached where I’d sent him back inside, I opened my eyes and dropped Aleksander’s hand. “Satisfied?” I demanded.

  He looked at me dumbfounded. “Who are you?” he demanded. When I didn’t reply, he grabbed my neck, transported us to a building I didn’t recognize, and slammed me into the concrete, putting his full weight on top of me to hold me down.

  Pain shot through me, sparking my anger. I lashed out with my mind, twisting what I found. He cried out, loosening his grip. I kicked him off me and took up a fighting stance. I ran towards him before colliding with Sebastian. “Stop,” he commanded us, gesturing with his hands. We were pinned against the wall next to each other. Wherever we were, it clearly fell under The Four’s purview.

  “Why?” Aleksander demanded.

  “Because she’s related to me through both my human and vampire lines. If you two ever fought, I’m not sure who would win, but the battle would be catastrophic.” He released us.

  Aleksander turned to look at me, dumbfounded. “How is that possible? Has that ever happened before?”

  “Once,” Sebastian replied. “It did not end well for anyone that opposed them.” He turned to Aleksander with a glare. “I will only say this once. She is under my protection. Even if she wasn’t related to me in every way possible, she experienced one of the most violent and traumatic deaths I’ve ever seen. Only one vampire I’ve ever met has had a worse death,” he said deliberately. “I’m not sure whether it will be two years from now or two hundred, but she will surpass even me someday.” He laughed and raised an eyebrow. “Trust me when I tell you that, when that happens, you will not want to be on her bad side.”

  My jaw dropped as I turned to look at Sebastian. “How do you know how I died?” I asked him, surprised and ashamed.

  “I saw it like I was there,” he replied, looking at me with a smile. “When you were reborn, I experienced your death.”

  I looked down at the ground, feeling ashamed. “I’m sorry you had to witness that. I…” I started but wasn’t sure how to finish.

  “You did better than could have been expected of you,” Sebastian replied, lifting my chin. “You showed unparalleled strength and determination.” His voice dropped, and he added, “I always saw what happened with Susan, the drunken accident on the boat and the fire that killed her. It wasn’t your fault.”

  “Thank you,” I said quietly, and the constant edge of guilt about her death eased some. I took a deep breath and said, “Now, I need some time to myself.” I leaned over and kissed Sebastian on the cheek. “I’ll come find you sometime tomorrow,” I said with a smile. Then, I disappeared.

  I transported myself to Hatteras, North Carolina. As a child, I’d come here every summer for a week, and it felt like home more than any place I’d ever visited. I looked out on the waves, and for the first time since Marcus had taken me, I felt truly at peace.

  I was now a creature from myths, cold and bloodthirsty. But even when I’d first turned, before I recovered my memories, I had a conscience. I could never be like Marcus and Christopher, killing and torturing for sport. I wasn’t sure what I would do with my life, but I had an eternity before me, and I was not afraid.