“He’s right,” Mia agrees. “Tomorrow, we can reach out to the others, figure things out from there.”
I keep listening as they finally settle on this course of action. It’s probably why I notice the faint glow on the horizon first – that telltale lightening that signals approaching dawn. My skin prickles with instinctive warning.
“Time to get below deck,” I announce, cutting off the ongoing debate. The others glance east, understanding dawning on their faces. Well, most of them. The Blackwood sisters have never had to worry about burning to ash in sunlight. And now, neither doesSoren or Darick. I, on the other hand, am still vulnerable to it, and I’d rather not die out here.
I lead them down the curved staircase into the ship’s interior. The corridor gleams with polished mahogany and brass fixtures – a remnant of Darick’s expensive tastes. Thick carpeting muffles our footsteps as we pass original artwork and antique navigation instruments mounted on the walls. Each piece probably costs more than most humans make in a year.
“The staterooms are this way.” I gesture, trying not to notice how Kara’s scent fills the enclosed space. “They’re well-appointed. You’ll be comfortable.”
I open doors as we pass, revealing luxurious cabins with plush furnishings. Everything speaks of vast wealth and refined taste – exactly what you’d expect from vampire nobility. Even the air feels rich down here, filtered and climate-controlled to perfection.
“This one’s yours,” I tell Kara, stopping at the largest suite. She peers inside, taking in the king-sized bed with its silk sheets, the sitting area with leather chairs, the private bathroom visible through an open door. Her expression stays carefully neutral, but I catch a flash of appreciation through.
“My quarters are directly below, in the protected lower deck,” I say, keeping my voice professional. “If you need anything—”
“I won’t,” she cuts me off, stepping into the room. The door closes with a decisive click.
I exhale slowly, sharing a look with Darick. He raises an eyebrow, and I catch his meaning clearly:Good luck with that one.
After showing the others to their rooms, I head down to my own sanctuary as the sun creeps higher. The windowless space below offers perfect protection from deadly daylight. But somehow, I doubt I’ll find much rest today.
15
Chapter 15
Kara
Iwatchhimclosethedoor behind him, glaring so hard that I’m surprised I don’t burn holes in the thick wooden panels. I’m still standing there as his footsteps fade into silence.
Asshat.
I don’t think I’ve ever met a man so completely full of himself. I definitely have to make a more concerted effort to guard my thoughts from him. I know that if I concentrate, I can build walls around my mind. It takes effort, but as I try it now, the constant buzz of his thoughts dies down to a dull hum. Soon, it’s almost completely silent.
Exhaling a deep breath, I turn to take in the room I’m standing in.
The place reeks of old money – and vampires truly have a handle on that concept; all of their money is old. The decor isa mixture of dark wood paneling and plush crimson velvet. A massive four-poster bed dominates one wall, its black silk sheets perfectly made beneath a tapestried quilt.
Heavy curtains block out any hint of natural light. There’s an ornate desk in one corner that’s probably a hundred years old and a sitting area with leather armchairs that look like they’ve never been used. Even the brass fixtures gleam like they’re polished daily.
I roll my eyes at the pretentiousness of it all. Of course Marcus would have a floating fortress as a backup plan. Typical vampire – when in doubt, go for maximum drama.
I rub the tight muscles of my shoulders and contemplate collapsing onto the massive bed. Exhaustion is hitting me in waves, but the tension in me says that I’m going to find it impossible to sleep.
I need a shower.
A door leading off the room takes me into a massive bathroom. Crystal sconces cast warm light across polished surfaces. A huge soaking tub dominates one corner, while an equally impressive glass-enclosed shower takes up another.
This will do.
My hands shake as I grip the edge of the floating vanity. The face in the mirror looks drawn, eyes too bright with exhaustion and lingering adrenaline. Blood stains my sleeve where someone’s spell caught me – just a graze, but it could have been worse.
“Stupid, reckless witch,” I mutter at my reflection. I’m supposed to be the responsible one, the level-headed Blackwood sister. Instead, I’ve been charging around like some impulsive first-year apprentice, putting everyone at risk.
Marcus was right.
I hate that he was right.
Steam begins to curl through the air as I turn on the shower, adjusting the multiple heads until the water pressure feels perfect. My dirty clothes hit the heated floor tiles one by one. The weight of the evening settles onto my shoulders as I strip away each layer – the attack, the betrayal, Gran still missing, and now this…whatever this thing is with Marcus.
