Original Sin (The Order of Vampires 1)

“Where have you been, Cain? The Council’s been seeking a word.” The air held still as Silus guzzled the drink in only five gulps. He pushed the empty glass in her direction. “Bring me more.”

“Off the farm.”

“Licking your wounds, I suppose.” The cherry red embers of Silus’s pipe glowed as his lips curled around the tip making grotesque sucking sounds.

“Something like that.”

Larissa could easily hear their conversation through the house with the windows open. She returned with another special drink for Silus.

“Put it on the railing.” He inspected his pipe. “Fetch my tobacco.” Dumping the pipe’s contents over the freshly swept porch, he stomped the ash, leaving a streak on the wooden steps.

If only smoking held the dangers to immortals that it held for the English. She’d gladly watch him smoke his lungs to ash.

“I assume the Council is salivating to mete out some degrading punishment for my crimes before hearing my side,” Cain said.

“Do you have a side?” Silus asked doubtfully. “Touching another male’s property is an inexcusable crime.”

Larissa handed her husband the small pouch of tobacco leaves. She loved her brother, but what he had done... She had to side with her husband on this. One did not tamper with another’s called mate, especially when it could put their other brother’s life in jeopardy. If it had been a joke, it failed to amuse anyone.

“There is always more than one side, but I’ll not bore you with that now.” He glanced in her direction, a wide smile masking his intentions. “Tell me what you’ve been doing with your days, sister. Have you finished the quilt for the Esch’s new grandchild?”

She smirked. This was the game they played. Whenever Cain wanted to speak to her privately, he asked about the most mundane things, knowing her husband had little tolerance for talk of woman’s work.

“It’s almost finished. I’m adding new details every day. The colors are simple, but the width of stitching makes it unique. Would you like to see it?”

“Indeed.”

She almost laughed at his feigned interest. Her brother didn’t give a fig about her mending.

“You’ll excuse me for a moment, Silus—unless you’d like to see her work as well. No doubt you admire her skills with a needle and thread.”

“I’ll pass. The animals need checking.”

Cain followed her inside and they watched from the window as Silus crossed the yard to the stables. As soon as she was certain he was out of hearing range, she turned on Cain.

“Tell me what’s happened. And what are you thinking coming here? You know Silus will tell the Council.” But she couldn’t hide her relief. “I’ve been so worried.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to continue the thrilling discussion of quilt making? Perhaps expand your insights on the various girths of thread. I was hanging on every fascinating word.”

She swatted his arm. “It made Silus disappear, didn’t it?”

“Your yarns do have a habit of emptying rooms.”

She tsked. “Be nice.”

Slinging an arm over her shoulder, he pulled her to his side. “I’m only teasing.”

For once, she didn’t flinch at a man’s touch. Her eyes briefly closed as the memory of being touched by a kind hand resurfaced. Of all her siblings, Cain remained the closest since her marriage to Silus.

She patted his fingers. “I feared you would run away, and I’d never see you again.”

“I don’t scare that easily, Larissa. And I’d never leave without saying goodbye.”

She looked up at him, weighing the tension around his eyes. Was that what this was, goodbye? “You came for a reason.”

Cain released her shoulders. “Has he said anything to you about the meetings?”

“No, but I visited mother and father’s house and things are not good, Cain. I fear you’ve gone too far, and Adam will never forgive your actions.”

His lips firmed. “What else?”

“I met Annalise. She’s a nice girl and she cares for Adam. Why would you behave so badly? Do you wish to hurt our brother?”

“Perhaps Adam is the one behaving badly.”

“You toyed with her like a barn cat torments a mouse, Cain. Adam is courting her. They’re to be mated. This is not a game.”

“Sounds like you’ve already taken a side.”

“Why must there be sides? Admit you were wrong and repent before the Council. Apologize to Adam and he will forgive you in time.”

“He attacked me.”

“You posed a threat. You’re lucky he didn’t leave you for dead. The Council would have viewed his actions as justified, considering the circumstances. You could at least pretend to be sorry.”

“I will not prostrate myself without first being heard. I’m not afraid of Adam.”

Her breath hitched. “Then you should at least have the common sense to fear the Council. Bishop King condemned your actions. You’ll be outcast if you don’t appeal for forgiveness.”

His shoulders rolled with tension as he gazed out the window. “Would that be so terrible? You could come with me. We could run away and start new lives, free of rules.” His stare met hers. “Free of pain.”