Tamed: A Huntress Spin-off Novel Page 18

  “Don’t lose it.”

  “Fine, fine.”

  The dagger felt strange as it pressed against my back, and I resisted the urge to take it out and hold it. I wasn’t up to explaining to Sean why I was carrying around a dagger, so I let it be.

  I took in a breath as I stepped outside and saw Sean’s siren red, Chevrolet Tahoe. The sound of the engine had already roared to life, igniting the anxiety within. It’s just a car, remember. Sean knows more than anyone how to prevent a crash. That thought had only sparked a question that I had yet to ask him. I didn’t know if he still raced or not.

  Sean quickly removed the open duffel bag filled with dirty clothes from the floor on the passenger side as I slid in the seat.

  “I spilled soda all over my shirt the other day and had to change it. Just forgot to close the bag.”

  I grinned as I carefully picked up a pair of his boxer briefs, and he quickly snatched them away and threw them in the back. He actually looked quite embarrassed.

  As we drove down the driveway, I couldn’t help but to shake my leg. My chest was beginning to tighten and my heart started to pound. My anxiety had snuck up on me. I rolled down the window, and was instantly relieved when the breeze hit my face. I shut my eyes and took deep breaths as I tried to keep calm. Maybe if I talked it would help. I just needed a distraction.

  “So, before we get to the whole stop your crap and straighten up talk, I wanted to ask if you still raced.”

  He frowned as he watched the road ahead. “Not since that night. I couldn’t even stand to look at a race car. What happened to Tessa pretty much killed the passion I had for the sport. All I could think about was her.”

  “I ruined you, too, didn’t I?”

  “Absolutely not. I put the thought in your head. I raced alongside you. If anything, I was the one who ruined me. What happened made me change me. I no longer think so carelessly and irrationally. In a way, it opened my eyes.”

  I gazed out of the window, watching the trees drift by as I listened to the radio.

  “So, you have two lovers. You’re crazy, you know that? It’s work keeping one person satisfied in a relationship, and you take on two.”

  I shrugged. “Complicated is my middle name.”

  “Is that why you drink a lot?”

  I looked down. I knew it was coming. “I only drink when it’s convenient. I’m not that bad.”

  “Why do you need it? What does it do for you besides kill you in a couple of years with the way you’re going?”

  “It helps me forget. It makes me numb for a while.”

  “You will never forget, Paige. You can’t force yourself to try to forget about it either, and the booze isn’t going to take what happened away. Don’t numb the pain; face it.”

  Tears spilled down my face as the pain cut my insides. I held my breath, trying to lessen the pain, because in that moment, I couldn’t feel the weight and I didn’t feel the sorrow.

  “You face it again and again until the pain lessens, and it will, because it did for me.”

  I wiped my tears away.

  “Take one day at a time.”

  “My therapist used to say that…maybe I should’ve listened to her.”

  “What made you stop seeing her?”

  “I didn’t want to talk about my feelings. I didn’t want to talk about the accident, or Tessa. It only seemed to bring more pain.”

  He turned in my driveway. “Do you have that one person in your life who you know you can tell anything to? Someone who is willing to listen.”

  Eli came to mind. “Eli.”

  He smiled. “Oh, one of the boy toys, huh?” He looked at me. “What is it that you like about Eli?”

  I smiled, my stomach filling with butterflies as so many thoughts came spilling in my head.

  “He has this thing about him that calms me. He’s like my comfort. I don’t really have that with anyone else. He’s not judgmental toward me when it comes to my drinking, and he looks at me with hope and warmth.” I sucked in a breath as the warm, fuzzy feeling that coated my insides overwhelmed me. “I love how he is always there and willing to help me. I love how he thinks that I’m a beautiful mess. I loved when we kissed the very first time…it felt magical and right. And I love…” I paused, my breath hitching as my eyes found Sean’s, who had a knowing smile on his face. I loved Eli. I didn’t realize it then, but now I knew. I loved him, even though I felt so completely hurt by him, and I would choose to forgive him because of that.

  “Him…you love him. What is that you like about Silas?”

  “He brings the fun. I can relax with him more because my time with him doesn’t turn into any serious talks. I think he sees how messed up I am, he just doesn’t push the issue. I like his mysteriousness. I like his mischievous grin when he is about to piss someone off on purpose. I love how he can charm the pants off me. I love how protective and self-sacrificing he is when it comes to me. I love his playfulness.”

  I smiled as the excitement I once felt for Eli, filled me once more. I noticed, though, that the feeling wasn’t as intense for Silas like it was for Eli. I didn’t get that warmth with him like I did with Eli. Silas didn’t feel like home. I adored him and loved having him around, but I didn’t love him. Eli was the one that truly captured my heart. Even though I didn’t love Silas, I still wanted him to remain in my life as a friend.

  “But do you love him?”

  I shook my head. “It’s a strong like. It could turn into something more, though I won’t let it now that I know I love Eli.”

  “You just chose Eli over Silas. See, it wasn’t that complicated at all.”

  “It’s still complicated. I have to tell Silas.”

  My stomach plummeted at the thought of me hurting him.

  “Everything will turn out just fine.”

  I hope. I threw my arms around him. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “Me, too, Paige. I’ll be back, though.”

  Tears burned my eyes. I wished he didn’t have to leave so soon, but it was for his own good.

  “Bye, Sean.” I started to get out of the car when he grabbed my arm.

  “Do me a favor, would you?”

  “Sure.”

  “Don’t let the guilt ruin you. You have that second chance Tessa wasn’t fortunate enough to get, so make something good come out of that. She wouldn’t want to see you like this. You and I both know what she would do to you if she knew you were an alcoholic.”

  I scowled and looked down. “She would kick my ass.”

  “That’s right. I’ll have to do it for her if you don’t stop your crap. No more booze. No more parties. Don’t kill yourself, Paige.”

  I nodded and wiped away my fallen tears as I sniffled. “Okay,” I choked out.

  I got out of the car and watched as he drove off, waving to him as he beeped his horn for a final farewell. I turned and started walking to the door when I found drops of blood on the step. My stomach dropped as I immediately thought of my dad. The swishing sound of my blood pulsated through my ears and head as fear took over. I grabbed my dagger from the back of my pants, hoping that it would protect me. There was a note taped to the door. I ripped it off the door and read it.

  Travel to the waterfall where no one will hear your screams…come alone or your father dies. - Andie

  I shut my eyes and crumpled the note. I felt sick to my stomach. My breathing grew heavier as panic began to take over. I held my chest, feeling it tighten as tears spilled from my eyes. Andie had my dad. It was my fault. She took him because she wanted my blood. Then it dawned on me: if she had my dad then she could have killed…No!

  I opened the door and ran inside. “Ms. Charlotte!”

  The house was a disaster. The furniture was overturned, and glass and blood covered the floor. There was a trail of blood leading to the living area. I followed it, hesitantly and with caution, fearful of what was to come. Ms. Charlotte was lying on the floor with a puddle of blood surrounding her body as the f
lat screen television laid on top of her head. All of the blood drained from my face from the sight of her. A life lost because of me. A mother lost. What would I tell her son? How could I even begin to explain to my father that he lost her to a blood-hungry immortal?”

  I moved toward her, and with shaky hands and weak knees, I lifted the television from her head, gasping at the sight of the gash in her throat. Her skin was pale white and her eyes wide open. I quickly turned my head as vomit spilled from my mouth. Running my hand through my hair, I gasped for breath as tears slid down my face.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen,” I cried.

  I shook my head and stood on my shaking legs, wiping my nose as I made my way upstairs. I couldn’t tell Taylor. I knew how he was. He would insist on going even if she advised that I come alone. This was my father, and I wasn’t going to ruin his chances of making it out of this alive because I didn’t follow orders. Her whole master plan was to drink me dry, and I hoped that, in the end, she would be satisfied with my blood and not go after my father when she claimed my life.

  I entered my room, quickly taking off my skirt and bathing suit before going into my closet. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a band tee and quickly threw them on. I didn’t want to waste any more time. I didn’t know how long she had been waiting already. I hoped that she wouldn’t grow impatient and end his life. I slipped on my converse and threw my hair up in a ponytail. I may not have been a hunter or an immortal warrior, but I wouldn’t go down without a fight. Andie had pissed me off big time. You don’t hold my father captive and threaten his life. Oh no, not happening. My chances of survival were slim, but I would be sure to drive my dagger through that monstrous heart of hers before then.

  I pressed my finger against the point of the blade. “You’re mine,” I said through clenched teeth.

  I placed the dagger in the back of my pants and left the house, aware that I was walking to my death.

  Chapter Seventeen

  My nerves were shot and my legs wanted so much to give in, but I pushed forward as I walked through the woods. I was afraid of what was to come. Would I suffer a slow, painful death? I hoped not. Maybe I would hit my head on something and pass out, then I wouldn’t even realize I was dead until I floated farther away from my body. I hoped so.

  I shook my head and exhaled. I couldn’t help but to think that this was karma coming to get me. I killed my best friend, and now my other best friend was going to kill me…funny how things work out. Hearing yet another noise behind me, my breath hitched and my heart leapt into my gut as I spun around. My fingers were itching for the dagger that pressed against the small of my back. I looked around, finding no one in sight. It was probably just an animal. I moved forward and breathed in the woodsy air, smelling the rain that had yet to come as I took my time appreciating and admiring my surroundings, as it would be the last time I would ever see the beauty of nature that filled my sights. I then heard the rushing of water from the waterfall as I grew near my destination. I took deep breaths and tried not to panic as much.

  I saw them straight ahead. My father knelt in the dirt with his hands bound behind his back and his head bowed. With her hands fisted at her side, Andie paced back and forth, impatiently waiting for my arrival. Her clothes were soaked in blood…Ms. Charlotte’s blood. I could see the deep, nasty scars from Silas’ claws that covered her cheek. As her eyes shifted over to me approaching, a smile grew on her face, satisfied that her plan was working.

  I looked down at my dad, resisting the urge to run to him in fear that she would attack me way sooner than I would like. Blood dripped from his head and mouth and into the soil below.

  “I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up. Poor daddy would have paid for that.”

  “Let him go right now. I’m here alone, I followed your orders, now you follow mine and free my dad.”

  I placed my hand behind my back, gripping the dagger just in case she surprised me with any sudden moves toward me.

  She glared at me. “What do you have there? Is it your flask? Sorry, honey, but alcohol doesn’t burn these eyes.”

  “Paige…run,” my dad said, breathless and tired as he could barely get the words out.

  “Shut up!” Andie yelled.

  She kicked my dad in the head and he fell forward, knocked unconscious. I gasped, anger stirring within. I wanted to rip her head off her shoulders.

  “Don’t touch him!”

  She laughed. “And what are you going to do about it, bestie?”

  I took out the dagger. “I’m going to stab that pretty little heart of yours and fry it. Enjoy being electrocuted.”

  “The only thing I’m going to enjoy is feeling your blood slide down my throat.”

  She hissed and flew at me. My hand tightened around the dagger as I thrusted its sharp blade at her, feeling it slide into her stomach as she yelped. She quickly grabbed my neck and threw me back as I hit the ground hard, my head connecting with the earth’s hard surface as it momentarily blurred my vision and the back of my head began to ache.

  Andie gasped, letting out a growl as she carefully removed the dagger from her stomach. “Stupid, stupid, girl.”

  With her being preoccupied, I was able to get to my feet. She lunged at me and I brought my knee up, hitting her in her stomach, connecting with her bleeding wound, and she tensed up. It was sensitive; otherwise, I wouldn’t have hurt her. I took a step back, balling my fist, ready to drive it right into her stomach when she swung the dagger and I gasped as the point ripped my skin, slicing my chest open. I felt a firm hand grip my arm and I was jerked backward. With his bat like wings and sharp, long claws, Silas had come to my rescue once again.

  I fell to my knees and took my shirt off, applying pressure to my stinging, bleeding wound.

  Andie let out a growl of frustration. “I’m getting really sick of you,” she said to Silas.

  Andie thrusted the dagger at him, and he jumped back, grasping her wrist and twisting her arm, forcing her to release the weapon. She then rammed her head into his. He stumbled back, both of them wincing, momentarily recovering from the ache of the hit. He came back for more, swinging his claws through the air, hoping to get a piece of her, but she blocked each attack that came her way, her agility matching his perfectly. As he was about to swing once more, she thrusted her foot in his stomach, and as he bent over, gasping and winded from the hit, she gripped his hair. With her fangs bared, she came down, ready to bite through his head.

  My heart just about stopped. “No!” I screamed, tears flooding my eyes instantly.

  She then gasped, her eyes widening as blood spilled from her mouth and she fell back on the ground. Silas turned with her heart in his hand, slowing down with every beat it took. He had ripped her heart out of her chest.

  With his razor sharp teeth bared and his face like stone, he set his wrath on me. My stomach knotted as trepidation rushed through my veins. He looked like an evil demon from hell, and he was pissed.

  His eyes heated with fury as he slammed the heart on the ground. “Why would you come here alone?” he screamed, his voice filled with rage.

  With wide, fearful eyes, I stared back at him. His anger did nothing but scare me, and seeing his temperament firsthand, it would be wise to not push him any further. I said nothing at all.

  He finally exhaled and shut his eyes, pushing back the rage. His jaw locked as a grunt rose from his throat. His horns, wings, claws, and teeth slowly slid inside of his body, hiding the demon within. When he opened his eyes, they showed no sign of the fiery red that once was, and I was relieved.

  “You do realize I can’t die that way, right?” He came toward me, holding his hand out for me to take. I hesitated. He could be pretty scary at times. “I won’t bite, I promise.”

  I took his hand and he pulled me to my feet. I quickly gripped his arms as my dizziness grew.

  “Am I gonna have to carry you out of here as well?”

  “I’m fine. I forgot you can�
�t die that way. I can’t stand seeing you get hurt.”

  His mouth raised into a smile and his face warmed.

  I cringed. I shouldn’t have said that, not now that I knew I was going to have to let him down. Hopefully, he could settle for friendship.

  “How did you know where I was?”

  “I’m bonded with you. I can feel when you’re in distress. For the last time, I’m not a stalker, woman.”

  “Bonded?”

  “When an incubus sets their sights on someone, they can bond themselves with that person through a kiss or sex. We kissed. You accepted me. We’re bonded.”

  I quickly looked away, feeling a weight settle in my heart. I was dreading telling him. “Oh...I still think you’re a stalker.”

  He went over to my father and picked him up. “And you’re an idiot. Looks like we both have problems.”

  “And how am I an idiot?”

  His brows rose, as if he couldn’t believe I was actually asking that question. “How are you not? You go off into the woods alone to save your father with just a dagger that she could have easily taken from you. Did you actually think she would have let him live after she fed off you? You should’ve told your brother. He would’ve set up a plan to trick her and save you both. He’s a hunter. He’s smart, and he knows what he’s doing when it comes to vampires. You certainly wouldn’t have that cut on your chest if you did.”

  “I didn’t want to risk his life. If she suspected that something was up, she would’ve kill him without hesitation. Besides, you showed up to save the day.”

  “Don’t I always, and where is Eli when you need him?”

  “Eli doesn’t follow me everywhere, stalker.”

  “Bonded!”

  I smirked. “Yeah, yeah.”

  He snickered.

  “Okay, you get on my back.”

  “What? Why?”

  “You’re bleeding, and he’s bleeding and passed out. I can get you home faster without you losing too much blood.”

  He turned around so that I could jump on.