“Let's go,” he commands, like this is all his idea, and I’m already bored with his cryptic façade of control.
I shoulder past him and storm through the portal, only to collide with an awaiting fist.
I falter, landing flat on my back as I catch my breath. My vision turns red, my vampire senses reacting as I launch to my feet.
My eyes are narrowed, my hands poised at my sides as my fangs elongate. Rage burns through me, ready to shred my attacker, who is revealed to be none other than my brother.
There’s a grin on his lips as the light dances in his eyes and he matches my stance.
We stare off, and this feels completely different from the confrontation I had moments earlier with Walker, who now stands on the sidelines, watching us with rapt attention.
Our senses are heightened, our vampire control at the forefront. This is just how my brother likesme. And if it's a show he wants, I’m going to give it to him.
I make the first move just as he desires. Charging toward him, I don't make it two steps before I'm halted. Vines coil around my ankles and wrists as I'm flung back. My spine slams against the wall with a thud as the vines settle, holding me in place.
Startled, the earthy scent is overwhelming, and it only makes my vampire burn through me even hotter. Despite the rage that consumes me, it’s still clear that this isn’t the work of my brother; this isn’t his magic.
My gaze snaps to Walker off to the right, and by the way he stands, his hands stuffed in his pockets as his gaze pings between the two of us, it becomes clear it’s not his either.
Clamping my eyelids shut, I focus on steadying my breathing. He’s already caught me off guard once. I need to be more aware of my actions.
My molars grind together as I pry my eyes open again, taking in the room I find myself in, and quickly understand where I am. His unused dining room. The dark wood floor travels up the walls, drenching the space in gothic melancholy, while the tall windows tower across the room, raindropssplattered across the glass as a storm brews in the distance.
Among the wooden cabinets that frame the left wall, I spy a shadow, nestled in the corner.
Bingo.
That’s who the magic belongs to.
“More,” Jude growls, and another vine wraps around my neck, lying heavy against my throat in warning.
“Why are you here?” my brother commands.
I splutter with the pressure at my throat, but manage to garble the words needed. “I told you.”
“Don't lie to me. I will end you right now,” he promises, his vow booming around the room like the impending thunder outside.
His eyes gleam brighter as his fangs plead to puncture my flesh, an experience I’m not unfamiliar with.
He can see right through me. Either that or he's got someone else here who has the ability to tell if I'm lying or not.
Warmth bleeds down my spine, a similar sensation to when the Veilstone took hold last night.
My lips part and I speak, despite being unsure of what's going to leave my mouth. “Because it's asetup,” I bite, and he cocks his head, curiosity retracting his fangs as his lips purse.
“Tell me more.”
“I’m here to encourage you to go to them,” I admit, and he nods.
“Is that so?” he muses, his posture changing to that of a businessman as he shakes out the lapels of his jacket before he taps at his chin.
Any visible evidence of his vampire is completely gone, but we all know he's brewing beneath the surface, ready to pounce at any time.
“And why might they want me to go there?” he asks, and I shrug, but the movement is mostly restricted by the vines.
“So they have the upper hand.”
His eyes latch on mine, narrowing as his lips pinch. “Why would you tell me all this without being forced to? Usually, you require a little bit more than just a threat against the wall, Brother.”
