Page 29 of The Powerless Witch
I didn’t reply right away. I wasn’t in the mood for a lecture on bonds, but I could tell her curiosity would only grow if I outright refused to talk about it. So I gave her the simplest answer.
“Their mate bond does not affect what Celeste and I have. As long as she and I share the same feelings, nothing can sever our connection. And unlike the wolf pup that is still wet between his ears, I have no reason to worry. I know her; I’ve known her for over two hundred years. He is no threat to me. If she wants to keep him, I’m fine with that.”
“You would share her?” Lily exclaimed, her eyes widening.
“I do notownher.” I turned, holding Lily’s gaze and waiting for the words to sink in. “Love is not about having a person all to yourself, limiting their interactions andtheir feelings so you can feel good and unthreatened. Love is generosity and care and wanting that person to be happy, even if it takes more than you for that. So, yes, I am comfortable with her seeking in others what I cannot give her.”
Lily nodded, her shoulders sinking low as she peeked at me under her lashes. “And you? Are you free to seek in others what she cannot give you?”
I held back a sigh, reminding myself she was just a young human with a limited and very twisted understanding of love and loyalty. A product of her time and a system that was never meant to work for long-living creatures like us.
“Yes, Lily, I’m free to seek what I’m lacking elsewhere, but for now, I’m content with what I have,” I said, turning the wheel so we could enter the industrial zone at the edge of the city. “Now be quiet and stay in the car. It’s made of reinforced steel, so even a vampire will have trouble getting through.” I took a few more turns, directing the vehicle down the path leading to the underground parking. “You should be fine here, but if someone approaches the car, do not talk to them or open the door. Just call me. Understand?”
“Got it.” Lily nodded, giving me a salute with two fingers. I glanced at the phone already in her hand, then stepped outside, leaving the keys with her and locking the car with the remote. Giving the dark parking lot one last glance, I headed toward the elevator.
I punched the button and waited, stepping inside when the doors opened with a ring. The cabin was still moving when the stench of blood and rotting flesh assaulted my nose, making my fangs dig into my lips. I definitely needed to feed once I got home, but I would not lower myself to drink from anything in here, dead or alive.
Another ring announced my arrival. There was no one waiting for me, which wasn’t surprising since Oscar hadn’t picked up and it was still daytime. I had a high pain tolerance and less fear of burning than most of them, so while I dared to venture outside during particular conditions, I doubted most vampires, especially among the younger ones, would even go near a window.
Closing my eyes, I tried to focus on the faint sounds in the place.
Feet running over the floor, barely audible thanks to their inhuman dexterity; bodies writhing together—having sex or feeding from the victims that they had dragged here; two hearts, beating quietly. Finally, a voice, telling the others to stay put. Oscar’s voice.
I opened my eyes and headed toward the assortment of chairs and couches gathered in the center of the foyer, away from the heavily tinted windows. There were stains of all kinds on the furniture, and the once pale gray floor was covered with a thick layer of blood, dirt, and garbage.
I picked the least disgusting chair and sat down, crossing my legs and glancing at my watch.
Then I waited.
Nobody came at first, even though in just a few minutes, I sensed eyes peeking at me from doors and cracks in the walls. A few of them ran away, probably frightened I was back to send them on more dangerous missions. Others stayed, filling the air with hostility and fear.
I kept waiting, occasionally glancing at my watch. I couldn’t leave Lily alone for too long, but she hadn’t called, so she was fine for now.
Finally, when my watch showed I had waited close to an hour, loud, confident steps echoed through the building. I raised my head, locking my attention on the door across the hall. A minute later, Oscar stepped through, meeting my eyes with a tense expression.
He wore a black dress shirt with the top three buttons undone, but the fabric was crumpled and stinking of fresh blood. He had replaced his torn jeans with black slacks, his rings mostly gone except for one. It was a very different look on him, in a good way, and I suspected what prompted it.
He was made a Master—or waiting for it—and he was trying to appear more dignified. It was almost sweet that he was trying to emulate me, but I was afraid he was a few centuries too young and a few million too short to do it justice.
“You seem very busy,” I said, pushing myself to my feet. He stopped on the other side of the couches as if he were afraid to go near me, so I dug my hands into my pockets to make myself look less threatening. “Or perhaps there is another reason?” He pursed his lips, hesitation passing through his face, but he kept perfectly still. I looked at the nearest door, where I could sense at least three people watching us. “Why don’t you all get some sleep while the adults talk? It’s good for your skin.”
There was some shifting as my eyes passed through the shadows, but most remained until Oscar gave them a sharp nod. He waited for their steps to fade into the other levels before he flopped onto the nearest couch, his previous hostility giving placeto wariness.
I sat back in my seat. He looked like he had something to say but didn’t want to—or couldn’t. Glancing around one more time, as if to make sure everyone was gone, he propped his arms on his knees.
“I’m sorry,” he said so quietly, a regular human had no chance of catching it. “A few days ago we had a visit from an Elder. They had the seal and the letters and everything. We were ordered to cease all contact with you and refuse any tasks you might give us.” His eyes flashed red, but it wasn’t anger that shadowed his face. It looked more like concern.
“An Elder?” I scoffed.
“That’s what her scroll said. It had the Elder’s seal, and she had the brand on her chest.” Oscar nodded, and I could swear I saw him shudder.
She? There were only two women on the Elder council, but both were so old that I wasn’t sure if they could stomach a journey between the continents. But ifshehad the brand and an Elder’s seal…
“Did she tell you her name?” I asked, knowing perfectly well he wasn’t allowed to tell me any of this. Even talking to me was a risk if his orders were to cut all contact.
“She wasn’t exactly the chatty type.” Oscar winced. “She gave the orders, killed one of my guys who demanded she told us her name, then called us idiots for letting ourselves be killed for your poor choices. Then she left.”
My poor choices? The Elders had no idea why I had done any of this; even Oscar didn’t know about Celeste’s involvement. Attacking hunters was a common practice because they would never expose our existence. Keeping the supernatural world a secret from the rest of humanity was much more important to them than saving their own lives. Also, attacking them was a good opportunity to train the young. The biggest threat for a vampire was a trained vampire hunter. They were the only ones foolish and brave enough to come after us.