The Blood Boss by Davidson King

Chapter Seventeen

Jayce

Something happened when Cain fed from me. It was more than a calm that rushed through my entire body; it was connection. A closeness I’d never felt with another living soul. When I woke in the night, I was surprised to see Cain beside me. His eyes were closed and if he was sleeping, I didn’t want to disturb him. Moments later, I fell back into a deep slumber only to wake when the morning sun warmed my face. I was alone.

I saw a few staff members going about their duties with a new kind of light in their eyes, and I wondered if it was from the feeding the day before. I was desperate to ask, but it felt like such a private affair.

I wasn’t sure what exactly made me go at Sibell the way I had. Was it the residual feeling of unity I had with Cain after the feeding? Or hearing how he suffered, knowing what Sibell said about him killing his brothers over jealousy was false? Listening to her talking to him about such horrors made the happiness and serenity I felt vanish.

“Good morning, Jayce,” Natalie greeted me when I entered the kitchen in search of coffee. The longer I stayed here, the more freedoms I seemed to be given. Dinner was still in the dining hall but when I was thirsty, I could go to the kitchen, and if I wasn’t working on something for Cain, I could wander in the garden or read in the library.

“Morning.” I had just reached for a mug when a rush of awareness hit me, and I knew Cain had entered. Yeah…that was trippy.

“Jayce.”

“Is she gone?”

“She is.”

I completed my task of getting coffee into my body, because honestly, I shouldn’t have done anything before that happened. Cain followed me over to the breakfast nook.

“How are you feeling?” He sat across from me, concern marring his stonelike features.

“Fine. I assume you’re referring to last night?”

“Mostly. But you fiercely went at Sibell, and it’s not the first time. I know why I’m angry with her, and I know I’m within my rights. But you. She helped raise and protect you. She wronged me but not you. I will say that she did, in fact, do as your mother and father wished and whether it was the right decision or not doesn’t matter. At the time, it was the only one they had.”

“I thought a lot about that in the days you ignored me.” I quirked a brow, hoping to convey levity. “I think Sibell was given a difficult choice when it came to them and me. I was even ready to talk to her, forgive her, but then I heard what she did to you and…I’m allowed to be angry on your behalf.”

“But why would you be? I’m keeping you here, we fight, you hate me.”

“Not hate.”

“And I don’t hate you.”

We sat in a comfortable silence, a truce unspoken between us beginning to bloom.

“You’re more than you seem, Cain. And while you defend Black Veil and all the vampires here look to you to protect and defend them, maybe you can work on having someone stand up and protect you every now and again.”

He didn’t answer me, just looked out the window toward the yard where one of the gardeners was filling a birdfeeder. But he didn’t need to say anything; I knew he appreciated it. And how did I know that?

* * *

The days passed with very little fanfare, and while anyone would be glad to have no drama invade their lives, the quieter it was, the more on edge Cain became. There was no question Rogos was planning something, and Cain was on the defensive. Scouts came to the estate daily to report, but I was told there was nothing happening.

“Should we call the scouts back?” Natalie asked one evening when we were all in the sitting room, discussing next steps.

“That’s likely what he’s counting on.” Cain brushed a hand over his short beard, reading reports from a scout near the shore.

“Maybe by lessening our forces, opening up a field of entry, Rogos will make a move.” I wasn’t sure what Natalie was suggesting was safe, but I kept my mouth shut.

“Perhaps pull them out of view of Rogos.” Emil offered a compromise, and it seemed fair.

“Doesn’t that defeat the entire purpose?” Natalie’s snap reaction had us all looking at her in question. “Sorry, I’m a little on edge.”

“I meant, we’d still be able to see them and know where they are, but they’d be out of Rogos’s soldiers’ view. Maybe take a walk or something.” Emil rolled his eyes, unsympathetic to Natalie’s irritation.

I relaxed, sipping my tea, and watched the fireworks.

“Excuse me?” Natalie stood and Emil followed suit.

“You act like you can snap at anyone and say sorry like it’s okay. Who are you to speak pejoratively to anyone?”

“I wasn’t! I am stressed out; how aren’t you?”

“Who said I wasn’t?”

I looked over toward the fireplace where Cain sat and was surprised to see him looking at me, a small smile on his face. When he shrugged as if they were two siblings fighting, I burst out laughing, bringing the argument to a halt.

“What are you laughing at?” Natalie snarled.

“Nothing, please go on, this is very entertaining.”

“Entertaining?” She pivoted to face me. “All of this is your fault.”

“Whoa!” Cain stood and grasped Natalie’s shoulder and turned her until she was facing him. “None of this is Jayce’s fault, and you’d do well to remember that.”

She chuckled, disgust curling her lips. “You feed off him, so now you like him?”

“You’re stepping dangerously out of line, Natalie.” Cain narrowed his eyes.

“You told me you wouldn’t decide on whether or not you’d keep him here or set him free, you were waiting? Well, what exactly do you need to wait on? A soldier almost killed you, a human died on the steps of Abigail’s estate, scouts are working tirelessly to figure out where the dangers are, Reginald lost an eye. Tell me, Sir, what are you fucking waiting for?”

I had no idea Cain had said any of that, and while I wanted to be hurt that he ever did, Natalie made a valid point. But I never got to say anything because no sooner did she say her last word than Cain had her by the throat and off the ground.

“Cain!” I shot up, spilling my tea on the floor.

“Watch your tongue or lose it,” he growled at Natalie, whose eyes were wide with fear. He wasn’t cutting off any air since I knew vampires didn’t breathe, but Cain’s grip on her throat had to hurt.

“Cain, please put her down, she’s just scared.” I dared to go over to him and place my hand on his shoulder.

He held her there for another moment before unceremoniously letting her go. “I’ve seen enough of you today.” When he turned away from her, I saw the look of both relief and anger on Natalie’s face.

“Sir, I—”

“You’re dismissed.” Cain’s voice trembled menacingly.

The room was silent as Natalie stood and made a hasty retreat. I glanced over to Emil, whose gaze was fixed on the carpet. Petru was leaning against the column I had come to think of as “his spot.” He showed no sign of emotion regarding what just happened. Cain’s focus was on the fire. I guess it was up to me to break the ice.

“She’s not completely wrong.” All three men faced me. “When she lists those things, it’s kinda heavy.”

“This is not your fault,” Cain argued.

“No, I never asked to be born—blah, blah, blah. But Rogos wants me and none of you, and I think she feels if he got me, this would end, and the peace you’ve all grown accustomed to would resume.”

“You think there’d be peace if we handed you over to the merfolk?” Emil huffed. “It’s beyond that at this point.”

“How?”

“They retaliated; they tried to kill Cain. The reason as to why they did it no longer matters. Even if we handed you over, the war would continue.”

“Look.” I held my hands up in a calming gesture. “I’m not saying I want to go to him or die. I’m saying she’s not wrong to worry. Her loyalties don’t lie with me, and right now all fingers point to me being the catalyst for everything.”

“Can you two excuse Jayce and me?” Cain asked, though it was more like, Get the fuck out. Without hesitation, Emil and Petru left.

“Cain, I know—”

“I had a dream last night,” he interrupted me. “Strange, because I haven’t dreamt in ages. When I close my eyes it tends to be obsidian. I don’t totally mind as you know what happens when I feed. But last night was different.”

I didn’t want to interrupt, but when he didn’t elaborate I gave him a little push. “What was your dream about?”

His ruby eyes met mine, as the orange flickers from the fire danced along his skin, lighting him up in the most sensual way.

“You.”