Betrayal: The Unforgiven Read online

  She descended the stairs. Her demon eyes faded. Shadows impaled her eyes and a chill brushed over her skin. The room was cold—much colder than it should be.

  Heavy footsteps tapped on stone. She stopped. Her eye twitched and her hands trembled. She wasn’t alone.

  “Tristan?”

  Cold hands grabbed her arms. A scream formed on her lips, but nothing came out but a puff of air. She struggled to break free, but the hands held her still.

  "It’s okay, love. Don’t be afraid."

  She swallowed hard, trying to focus on the stranger, but darkness consumed him. "Who are you? What are you doing in my home?"

  “Forgive me." The man's tenor voice was soothing. "I didn’t mean to frighten you."

  He let her go. Her hand slid along the wall to the light switch. When she flipped it up, the florescent lights of the lab flickered on. A man, blond hair tied back in a ponytail, turned his back on her then stepped down into the room.

  “You shouldn’t be here.” Her heart thumped as the man inspected the vials of blood Tristan had left on the table. “Leave now.”

  He threw her a quick glance. His ashen face glowed. Deep blue swirled in his eyes. Something about him drew her in. It wasn't just his good looks. It was his scent, like sweet honeysuckle in summer. It was the way he stared as if she were the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She was helpless to the attraction.

  Maybe this was how vampire women felt for the men they met. Anna was lucky to not have attained that attribute, until she looked into the eyes of this gorgeous creature.

  "My lady." The man crossed his right arm over his torso and bowed. "My name is Elric Fitzgerald Mohler. I apologize for my intrusion, but I have come to witness your...laboratory for myself. It’s quite remarkable."

  Anna bit her lower lip as she descended the stairs. The ill sensation in her gut worsened as it dawned on her who this man was. Elric Mohler, the leader of all vampires, stood in her secret lab.

  Unsure of what to do, she glanced to the side. "I...I'm sorry. If I'd known who you were, I wouldn't have spoken to you in such a disrespectful tone."

  He rested his cold hand on the side of her neck. It didn’t take long for human tones to blend through his skin. The color of his eyes turned sky blue. Anna held her breath in hopes he wouldn’t notice the change, but how could he not? He breathed like a human. His touch became warm. Hair grew on his skin. Although she’d seen Tristan freak out over this, it didn’t seem to faze Elric at all.

  "Do not fear me. I have no desire to harm you or the child you carry in your womb."

  "Child?" She swallowed apprehension. This couldn't be real. It was a nightmare she had to wake up from. "You're mistaken. Vampires can't have children."

  The deep chuckle that rolled passed his parted lips sent a chill up her spine. She shuddered as his hand slid over her shoulder and down her arm. He grasped her hand then lifted. When he pressed his lips to her wrist, he grinned. "Do you think you're the first of our kind to conceive?"

  Of course. The head vampire had been around long enough to know of such things. "There were others?"

  "Indeed. They were angels, immortal women who healed the sick, body and spirit. They brought peace to the earth.” He cupped her face and gazed into her eyes. “Can you imagine the world then? No war. No disease. No death."

  Anna shook her head. "Tell me more."

  "Because of the angels’ good work, the rulers of Hell sent demons to kill them." He leaned close enough to steal a kiss. "But the angels cast a spell on them.” His whispering breath touched her lips and she shivered. "They turned the demons' hardened hearts into blood and muscle. They made them...love."

  “Love.” She could barely breathe as she waited in anticipation for his kiss, but he leaned back. He lowered his hands from her face. The ashen color crept back into his skin. His eyes—those beautiful blue eyes turned to shadow.

  With a shrug of his broad shoulders, he sighed. "Only a child of light may bear children. You are the descendant of an angel. And so now you’ll pass the gift on to your child."

  Anna remembered Tristan's words while she was under the demon's influence. She'd cast a spell on him, forced him to do her will. But it wasn’t something an angel would do to the one she loved.

  "I don’t understand. What is going on inside me? One minute, I want to kill for blood, and then the next, go to a restaurant buffet. This isn’t a gift I want to pass down to a child."

  “Anna Holden.” A grin crept across his face. "You weave quite a spell on everyone around you. And I admit. You have cast one on me. It is very powerful. I have waited centuries to find one with the power of light. And here you are warring darkness because of him.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “If you allow me to, I will help you. The only thing I ask is that you leave your maker and come with me. Together we will find what you have searched months for—a way to be rid of the demon.”

  She shook her head. “I could never leave Tristan. I love him.”

  “He makes you weak.”

  “I am not weak.”

  "Oh, but you are my love, but not by your choice. Your...maker has kept you trapped in a black bottle. Like a Jinn. With me, you’ll never be a prisoner. I will teach you to walk freely in the world and fear nothing. I will teach you and your child to be powerful."

  His fingers traced her heated skin as he removed her robe. She closed her eyes, desperate not to enjoy his touch, his breath on her ear. Her insides ached to take him between her legs, and make her cry his name. She pulled him close. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned against his firm body.

  "What do you desire, my love?" he whispered against her cheek.

  "You.” Black wings rolled from her back. Her stomach growled fiercely for his blood.

  “And you will have me.” He brushed his lips against hers. “But you must do what I ask of you first.”

  "What do you want me to do?"

  "If you won’t leave your maker, then go to the penitentiary. She will have the answers you seek."

  He turned her palm upward. With his sharp fingernail, he traced the inner part of her forearm. Blood red as wine beaded on her skin.

  The hue of his eyes deepened as he pressed his tongue into the wound. A low throaty growl worked past his stained lips. Would he lose his composure and take her here now?

  He stood upright and caught her gaze. His gentle grin returned as he licked the remaining blood from his lips. “Your child will become my heir. I will teach her to be strong. Then our world will change."

  He let go. Her demon wings disappeared. The desire for his touch dissipated. Though the hunger for blood subsided, her stomach churned with nausea.

  Oh God. She'd lost herself. If Elric hadn't pulled away, she'd have given him her body. She'd no longer be Tristan's, but would belong to the devil himself.

  Tristan. Pain worked through her abdomen. She fell to her hands and knees and vomited on the floor. A baby screamed. She held her hands against her ears to muffle the noise, but it only grew louder.

  Anna sat up in bed, eyes open wide. She drew in quick breaths as goosebumps spread over her sweat-covered skin.

  It was just a dream. A horrifying nightmare she never wanted to have again.

  Tristan was gone. The only noise she could hear was the crashing of the waves outside, her labored breath, and the gurgling of her empty stomach. The grumble could wake the entire city. If she didn't get food in her belly soon, she'd eat the wine scented candle on the nightstand.

  Nausea swept through her. She hurried to the bathroom and fell to her knees in front of the toilet. Nothing came up. There was nothing inside her to come up. No human food. No blood. She couldn't go on like this.

  Tears sprung to her eyes. If she’d just had the guts to tell Tristan before he left, would he have stayed? If she called him now, would he come home? He was going to eventually find out.

  She sat back on her heels and drew in a deep breath. Her wrist ache
d as if tiny claws crept across it. She glanced down at the long scratch across her skin. It wasn't a fresh wound, but a deep embedded scar that wasn’t there before.

  Elric had made this in her dream. He had drunk from it, tasted her blood and said she and her child would be his.

  She shuddered as she stood. She splashed her face with cool water then gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Elric had told her she was born of angel’s descent and that her child would carry on her gift. He wanted to be with her and take care of the baby inside her. There had to be a reason why?

  She wasn’t sure what to believe or how to feel about a dream that seemed way too real. Elric had told her to go to the penitentiary. The only person she knew there was Madeline. If anyone had the answers, it would be her.

  She didn’t trust her at all. But she wasn’t sure how much longer she could take Tristan’s mood swings. Not that she blamed him. She’d be hesitant to touch him if it meant the on again off again human reaction. That couldn’t be easy on him.

  If they had any chance of finding the cure, then it was obvious what had to be done. She couldn’t do it alone. As much as she didn’t want to involve Jack in this mess, she needed his help.

  Chapter Nine

  “This is such a bad idea,” Jack said as he followed Anna down the stairs toward the lower part of the penitentiary. He puckered his nose from the dank, musty smell. “I thought they killed her.”

  “Gerard wouldn’t allow it. Even with all the terrible things she’d done, he still loves her. I understand.”

  “If he loves her, why keep her here in this awful place?” They stepped onto the bottom level. He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Doesn’t he have a basement in his house?”

  Anna quietly laughed. “He may be in love with her, but he’s not stupid enough to let her run free. Trust me. Madeline belongs here.”

  She shined the flashlight down the long walkway of empty prison cells. It was extremely dark. The bars were rusted. Creaking sounds echoed through the corridors. She wasn’t afraid, but Jack—he practically stood on top of her.

  “Tell me again why we came here,” he whispered near her ear.

  “Elric told me to speak to her.”

  "In your dream.”

  "The scar on my arm tells me it wasn't just a dream.”

  “Then what else was it?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Something clanged up ahead of them. Jack practically jumped out of his skin and into Anna’s arms. “Someone else is here.”

  “It’s okay, Jack. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Anna grasped his hand. “Elders come to the penitentiary, but they’re rarely in the cell area.” She shrugged. At least, that’s what Tristan had told her about the place. She hoped he was right. “They’re always upstairs.”

  “Elders?” Jack arched his brows. “Well that doesn't sound evil at all. Really, Anna. It doesn't."

  Anna snickered as she walked down the hall, stepping over pieces of ceiling tile that had fallen in the years of decay. "Stay close and you'll be fine."

  Jack stopped. His grip tightened around her hand. “What was that?”

  “What?” She peered forward. A flash of light passed in front of them.

  “There it goes again." Jack clutched her arms and pulled her back against his chest. “I think we should go.”

  “Don’t be afraid.”

  She turned to him and placed her hands on his chest. Instead of looking at her, his gaze turned upward. His mouth popped open and the whites of his eyes shined with an eerie blue.

  The hairs on her arms rose. Goosebumps spread over her skin as she turned to face a very tall, broadly built man. His skin blended in with the darkness behind him, making his pale blue eyes stand out.

  “Elder.” She bowed her head. She’d seen Tristan do this a few times before the council made him an Elder. It was the proper greeting, though she’d never officially greeted one before. “I am at your service.”

  “What is your purpose here?” His deep, burly tone sent another chill up her spine.

  Anna glanced at Jack and then returned her attention to the Elder. “I’m here to speak with Madeline.”

  “There’s no trespassing in the cells without permission. Who are you? And why have you brought a human here?” His growl was vicious, like a rabid dog about to attack its victim. “Do you know the suffering he would endure if he is discovered by the others?”

  “Yes.” Though she’d had no idea what the consequences would be, she met his gaze. Hopefully, he wasn’t a bad guy. And if Elric did send her here, maybe this guy might already know about it. “I will keep him with me.”

  “Where is your maker?”

  “He’s away on a trip. I only need to ask her a few questions, and then I promise I will leave.”

  He inspected her eyes. Her lips. Her hair. By the way he leaned toward her and breathed in her scent, it seemed he knew she was part human. But then he leaned back on his heels.

  “She's at the end of this hall on the right. Beware. She is a feisty one. Gerard needs to take her home or put the crazy witch out of her misery.”

  He walked away grumbling about how horrible his job was. That he didn’t get paid enough as a night watchman over the few prisoners they had here.

  Jack swallowed hard. “Can I go home and change my underwear now?”

  “Come on.” She pulled him by the arm. “Shouldn’t be much farther.”

  They ambled quietly down the hall. They held hands as they came up on Madeline's cell. The small room was dimly lit with candlelight. White sheets matched lace curtains that hung above an antique four posted bed. A small vanity lined a small portion of the steel wall, and she sat on a stool, brushing her long sleek black mane.

  A chill worked through Anna. She hadn’t seen Madeline since the night she tossed her from the balcony. The memories were horrible. Vivid. But when she glanced at Jack’s crinkled face, his thoughts were much worse.

  “Am I not a beautiful maiden?” Madeline spoke, continuing to brush her hair. “All these months hidden away from the world—away from what I truly want has made my complexion much fairer.” She turned to face them with a smile, eyes planted on Jack. “Wouldn’t you say my skin glows, my love?”

  “Let’s get out of here.” Jack tightened his hold on Anna's hand and pulled, but she wouldn’t budge. Not until she had answers. Or at least, some incline to what was going on.

  “Why have you come to visit me?” Madeline asked curiously. "Don’t you hate me for what I've done to both of you?"

  “We should.” Anna released Jack’s hand. "But right now, I need answers."

  Madeline's dark eyes went straight through her. “I am full of answers, my dear sister. The question is—do you deserve them?"

  “I’m not your sister.”

  “You are reincarnated in her image.” She tittered. “You look just like her.”

  "I don't know why I bothered coming." Anna sighed. "You're still as crazy as the day they put you in here."

  Madeline set her brush down on the vanity then stood. Feet barely touching the floor, she glided toward them. Her condescending laugh sent chills over Anna's skin.

  “Fine.” Madeline slipped her fingers around the bars. “Ask me your questions.”

  Anna stared into Madeline’s steady gaze. “I have your journal,” she said, pulling the tattered book from her pocket. “I want to know if there’s more to the story then what’s in here.”

  Madeline glanced at the old leather bound book. Her eyes lit up as she wedged her arm between the bars, trying to grasp the journal, but Anna stepped back.

  Madeline retracted her arm then leaned against the bars. “Father told me lies. I know now there was never a cure. Your blood doesn’t hold anything but darkness now.”

  “You mean he told you there was a cure?”

  “Yes. After Gerard summoned the demon inside me, father no longer wanted me in his house.” She snorted a laugh. “Servants disappeared every night. Fat
her grew weary of hiring new help every Sunday. He wanted sister Anna to help me, but she wouldn't—couldn't.”

  "Why not?"

  "I was not special."

  Anna eyed Jack. He’d leaned against the back wall the entire time with his arms folded over his chest. By the way he shook his head he didn't believe a word that came from Madeline's mouth. He didn't want to be here.

  “I don't understand. He told you your sister held the cure. Did she have it or not?”

  "She did, but did not carry it for me." Madeline's brows arched. “My father kept another journal. He recorded everything about who Anna was. The Elders don’t know about it, so I kept it hidden. Gerard would disown me if he knew I had kept it. So please, don't tell him.”

  “Where is it?”

  Madeline cocked her head to the side. “Why are you so interested in these tales? Tristan is an Elder now. You are not permitted to be here without him. You are not allowed to speak to me. Is he here too?”

  “He’s not here,” Anna replied. “I need the other journal, Madeline. Tell me where it is.”

  Madeline grabbed the bars. “If I tell you,” she said in a whispering breath. “Then you have to take me with you. Get me out of this cell so I can go home where I belong.”

  “Don’t you remember why you’re here?” Anna narrowed her eyes. “You murdered me. If it wasn’t for Tristan, I wouldn’t be in this predicament now.”

  “Do you think this life is better than death?”

  “I don't know,” Anna said without thinking. Seeing Jack’s heated gaze, she returned her attention to Madeline. “What makes you think I would free you?”

  “See me for who I am now.” Madeline put her hands together and pleaded. “I don’t believe in a cure anymore. I can’t stay in this hell much longer being fed small, disgusting animals. I would rather die by the sun than spend another year in here alone.”

  “Gerard comes to visit you often.” Anna felt sorry for her. Even after all she’s done, maybe she deserved another chance. “It would break his heart if you left him.”