Original Sin (The Order of Vampires 1)
Page 130
Warmth kindled in her chest. After tonight, she would always be a part of this. Her days of living without family would be forever gone, and she would now belong somewhere.
She smiled. She would belong to someone.
God help her, but the thought of belonging to Adam actually sparked something inside of her. A craving to take care of him and honor him, blindsided her.
“You’re a vision.”
She spun away from the window and sucked in a breath. “Cain.”
He raised a brow. “You’re learning to tell us apart.”
“I thought you left.”
He stepped into the bedroom and quietly shut the door. “I felt you. I was miles away and I felt you pulling me back.”
“So you came back?”
He nodded, stepping further into the room. “I can’t figure out if I’m a danger to you, or you're a danger to me.”
“Maybe both.” Her hands pressed behind her, into the sill of the window.
“Tell me why you wanted me here, Annalise. I was almost across state lines and...”
“Your sister will be back any second. If she finds you in here—”
“And there you go trying to protect me.” He cocked his head. “What a strange female you are.”
“I’m marrying Adam.”
“So I’ve noticed. Disappointing, after your convincing protest in the kitchen only hours ago. But I’m not surprised. He’s devastatingly handsome.” He smiled, looking exactly like his brother.
“He wouldn’t be happy if he finds you here.”
“He also won’t be able to do anything. He’s weak. Sentenced to his home after dawn, dependent on your blood, moody.”
“Don’t you have any symptoms?”
He raised a brow. “Today, I stood facing the horizon as the sun set. I wanted the pain. I wanted to feel anything aside from your rejection last night.”
“And?”
“And all I feel is misery. So, I’ll ask again. What do you want, Annalise?”
“I want to help you.”
He raised a brow and glanced to the bed. “Wonderful. Shall I strip you of your wedding clothes, or should I wait until after you’ve promised your life to my brother?”
“I’m not going to bond with you.”
“So just another cock-tease then.”
“You don’t scare me. And I believe you won’t hurt me.” She gasped as his hand closed around her neck, his fingers spanning her throat and squeezing ever so slightly.
“Then you’re a fool. I could snap your neck and not feel anything but justified, knowing he could never have you anymore than I could.”
She swallowed, the motion restricted by his hold. “Then do it.”
His eyes narrowed. “Foolish woman.”
He released her and paced across the room. His agile steps told her he had no symptoms of vertigo.
“I don’t want you to leave.”
He laughed without humor. “You’ll have to do something more than bat your pretty eyes to convince me to stay.” He glanced down her front. “Give me a few minutes and I might convince you to call the wedding off.”
“That’s not happening.”
“Then I’m not staying. He’ll have to do without me in the crowd.”
“He wants to help you.”
“Lies.”
“He gave me his word.”
Cain slowly twisted to face her. “Did he now? Why?”
She flushed.
Understanding dawned and his mouth opened in a smile. “You bargained with him.” He crossed the room before she saw him move. “And now you’re dressed in blue.” He leaned over her, causing her to arch into the deep windowsill. “Why, Anna? What redemption has my cruelty earned?”
“I don’t think you’re innately cruel. I think you’re desperate.”
His hand snaked around her back, pulling her closer. “Do you now?”
“And I don’t think you want to betray your brother more than you already have.”
“If you were my wife, I’d lock you up. You’re playing with fire, pet.”
She shifted her knee between his legs, daring him to come any closer. “Another reason why I’d never pick you.”
He shoved away from her, startling her with his strength. The door clicked and he flung a hand into the air, slamming it shut without ever coming within reach.
“Anna?” Grace called from the hall.
Cain looked at her and shook his head, warning her not to speak. Grace, get Adam. Cain’s in here.
She gasped and footsteps bounded down the hall as she ran.
“You think you’re clever?”
“I think you better leave.”
He caught her arm, his mouth firming and eyes narrowing. “Maybe I’ll take you with me.”
She shook her head. “You won’t do that to Adam.”
“Don’t tell me what I will and will not do!”
She flinched but didn’t back down. “He wants to help you.”
“Nothing can help me.”
“Then why are you here? Why did you come back?”
“Because you made me! I should have never listened!” His hands tightened around her upper arms, and he growled in her face. “Perhaps you’re a witch.”
Footsteps pounded, echoing her heart. “Leave. If they find you in—”
“Anna!” Adam’s voice yelled, his fists pounding on the door.
“Stop pretending you care,” Cain hissed.
“I do care! Go, now. The window!”
“Annalise!”
“Come with me.”
“I can’t. I love Adam.”
Her words sank through the air like a metal kite, and Cain staggered back. The door splintered open and Adam’s roar ripped through the room, reverberating every wall of the house.