Rebellion (Risen Series Bk1)

Chapter 4: Resist

Una and Atanas sat across from each other at a mahogany desk with more drawers than I thought was necessary. I got the short end of the straw and was stuck leaning against a wall, looking completely uninterested when I was dying of curiosity inside.

"You've been freed by the council?" Una asked, hope clear in her expression.

I snorted and she glared at me, her voice stern, "You're lucky I let you in my bar, nevermind my office, all the trouble you cause. Stand quietly or I'll have your new master leash you outside."

Inside, I was a rolling mess of anger and want for retaliation but I kept my expression neutral, the corner of my lip twitching into a smirk that I knew would annoy her.

"Be nice to my pet, she's still learning." Atanas teased, giving Una another flirtatious smile that I could tell had her melting a little.

His comment was strike two of the evening. One more strike and he'd be out. I'd figure out a way to have my revenge.

"So? The council, they let you out?" Una repeated, giving her full attention to Atanas.

He looked uncomfortable, which was unusual considering all I'd seen from him was a cold exterior.

"I escaped." He answered, leaning against the table, keeping Una enraptured in his gaze.

I rolled my eyes. Una may seem to have a soft spot for him, but I knew she was smarter than to let her judgement be clouded by charm. All she had to do was lift a perfectly arched brow to show her disbelief.

"How did you manage that? Those caves and tombs are surrounded by magic, magic my people helped create. There's no way you got out on your own. Atanas, you already have enemies everywhere, now the council will be after you again. It's been one hundred years, loyalties have shifted, it won't be so easy to keep you hidden." Una informed him in a hasty whisper, her eyes darting around as if she was worried someone else was listening in.

If one of the most powerful witches I knew was scared, it meant Atanas may be more important than I thought. It also confirmed earlier suspicions, he must have done something bad if the council turned on him. I studied them both, trying to use the information I had to paint some picture of what happened that ended with Atanas being imprisoned.

Atanas sighed, looking weary, "I am aware. But these times are different, the younger generation will be easily swayed my way. There must still be people around who remember and believe in our cause."

That peeked my interest a little more, this was beginning to sound like a rebellion.

"You know I still believe in the cause." She said, "It's going to be harder this time, and we failed the last time. You're going to have to fly under the radar until we can revive old links."

Atanas grinned, his eyes lighting up.

"I knew you were still loyal. Thank you, Una." He said sincerely.

Una waved her hand, blushing before her eyes landed on me again.

"You need to start by getting rid of your shadow. The council watch her like hawks, she's one of the territory leaders...when she bothers to do her job." She accused, standing as if ready to pounce.

I pushed off the wall, baring fangs and hissing my warning as I crouched in defence.

"You're the ones talking of treason. I could turn you in and you'd be executed." I threatened.

Atanas had me against the wall by my throat before I could blink and I again wondered why I didn't think before I spoke. His fangs were dangerously close to my face but I was glaring at the woman who was smirking in my direction.

"Threaten her again and it will be the last thing you do. You're useful to me and I would like to keep you alive, but you are beginning to wear on the little patience that I have." He growled, tightening his hand around my throat until I nodded and he released me.

I coughed, gasping in a lungful of air, reminding myself that, although he may have the manners and charms of a gentleman, he was still vampire.

Una took her seat again, looking smug so I gave her another one of my smiles. It was a tactic I'd learned, I knew how much it used to nettle the men who used me when the only reaction they got was a smile. Attacker and superiors wanted to see you break, scream, fight, retaliate, I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

"Una and I have more to discuss. Wait in the bar, behave, do not wander, do not leave the premises, do you understand?" He demanded, his back to me as he retook his seat.

His dismissal felt like being punched, with not so much as a glance to make sure he hadn't hurt me. After the way he had looked at me this morning when he saw my scars, with concern and sympathy, he had done what he could not do with Una, clouded my judgement with his charm. I'd never let myself open to him again.

His head tipped slightly, "I said, do you understand? Answer when I talk to you."

"I understand," I gritted out, spitting all the contempt I had for him when I addressed him, "Master."

Only amusement met my cheek, a low chuckle leaving him. Una watched us both again, the same curiosity in her eyes. I'd let Atanas tell her whatever story he wanted about our relationship. I no longer cared.

I marched to the door, opening it with more force than necessary.

"She's not like your usual women. She's also in too deep with the council to be deemed trustworthy." Una muttered.

That gave me some bit of satisfaction, I was glad I made her jealous enough to bother asking about me.

Atanas laughed again, the sound making me shiver. I hovered by the door, wanting to know what he would reply to her.

"I don't form attachments with my pets, you know that, especially ones as disobedient as her. But she'll not betray us, if you don't trust her then trust me." He reassured her.

I slammed the door, letting them both know I had heard. Breandan looked up from the bar, as did a few other patrons who seemed unconcerned once they realised it wasn't a fight starting. I picked my usual bar stool and rested my head on my hand, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

It was then I caught the unmistakable scent of Ailill blood and my whole body tensed and then called out for it.

Gritting my teeth, I grabbed a bottle of vodka from behind the bar and started drinking, deciding Una could pay for it after the comment she'd made.

I managed to find some semblance of peace before a shadow blocked the light from beside me.

"Hello, beautiful. It's been a while."

"Go away, Morfran. I'm not in the mood for you today." I warned, stiffening when he stepped closer.

I knew the proposition he was going to make and I was worried I wouldn't have the strength to deny him.

He sat on the stool beside me and sighed, "Don't be like that Shylah, I have the good stuff and for you it'll be the same price as always; Fuil airson fala."

Fuil airson fala, blood for blood.

"I said, go away. You know I don't do that anymore. If the council found out you were selling here, they would arrest you, so go find some other hole to pawn your drugs to desperate new vampires and I won't turn you in as your territory leader." I cautioned, trying to act relaxed even as my veins burned, nostrils flaring as I took in the scent of the sweet blood I knew he had in vials in the bag he carried.

"You wouldn't dare." He growled, grabbing my arm.

Gods, could I not find a moment of peace anywhere? I stood, slamming him against the bar, pinning his arm behind his back, smirking as he hissed and wriggled in my grip.

"Get out now, before you draw the wrong attention towards yourself." I snapped, releasing him.

Morfran shook himself off then stepped away, pausing and turning back to me. He took something from his jacket and slid it into the back pocket of my jeans.

"I'll see you again soon, sweetheart." He whispered by my ear before quickly disappearing from my sight.

My fingers fumbled around my pocket before I pulled out what he'd put there. A small red vial of my greatest weakness.

"What's that?" Atanas inquired from behind me.

I quickly slipped it back into my pocket, smiling.

"Nothing." I chirped.

He didn't believe me, but he didn't push.

"We're all done here. When we get home, you and I need to have a chat." He stated, grabbing my hand and tugging me out of the bar.

I managed to throw a small wave over my shoulder at Breandan who winked.

Even once we were out of the bar, he didn't release me. His grip was iron tight and unrelenting but I wouldn't let him know how much it hurt. He eventually slowed and released me but remained quiet as we wound our way through the streets back to my flat. It was unusual for him not to fill the silence with snide remarks and insults, I wondered what was on his mind.

My own thoughts were muddled, only able to focus on the vial of blood that was practically burning a hole in my back pocket. It offered a temporary escape from reality, a euphoric high that'd let me relax.

We entered my home, the air still tense with silence between us so I did what I always did when I got home, grabbed for a bottle of vodka.

"I smelt that blood on you straight away you know. Hand it over, I won't let you use it, I won't have my guard addicted to elven blood." He said sharply.

There was an accusation in his eyes and a disappointment that had me frowning. What did he care?

"I wasn't planning on starting back down that road again." I retorted, snatching the vial from my pocket and slamming it on the table.

He was quick to pick it up and pour it down the sink, his body only relaxing once it was gone. The smell was so much stronger now the vial had been opened and my mouth watered, my veins burning in reaction to its draw. I clenched my jaw, steeling myself.

I needed a cigarette. Raking around the drawers till I found a packet, I grabbed a lighter and went to stand on the small metal balcony to relieve the craving.

Inhaling, the burn of tobacco was just what I needed, leaving in a puff of smoke. Atanas stepped beside me, plucking a cigarette from the packet and lighting it.

"Smoking kills." I muttered, taking a draw of my own.

"I've been smoking since before you were even born, and I'm immortal, I think I'll be okay." He teased, giving me a small quirk of a smile.

I didn't bother replying. His mood swings were becoming annoying and I'd no longer react to either his happy side nor his growling and attacking me side.

Sirens drifted in from the distance, blue lights flashing past with the roar of engines that filled the air with sound.

"Earlier, you said you weren't planning on going back down that road, and before with the barman, he said he was worried because of what happened in your past." Atanas recounted, looking down at me.

I sighed, staring at the street far below. I should have known he'd have wanted to ask questions, to push his way further into my mind.

"We haven't all lived lives of luxury as high ranked council members that had their every whim and want pandered too." I seethed, taking an angry inhale of my cigarette.

The silence stretched a little more before he turned to face me properly.

"I was turned without my consent many centuries ago. My creator was a great man, a high ranked vampire even in those times. I've seen all the bad sides of this life and I've seen all the good sides, I'm aware of what happens in the darkest parts. Some of us can be cruel and embody only the bad parts, creating vampires without permission, torturing and abusing the bond between them and the ones they make, dope them up on elven blood to keep them compliant..."

He found his mark. I flinched.

"We are not an evil species of beings, Shylah. Right now, certain behaviours are expected of all of us and I apologise for playing the part. I'm sorry that your journey to our world was one forced upon you and that your maker abused his power over you. Times are changing-"

"I don't want to hear the join my rebel army speech." I interrupted, "I will do as you ask because you have threatened me otherwise. You're no better than the rest of them. Sing whatever song of justice you have to to make yourself feel better about it."

He inhaled as if to argue or defend himself then shook his head and simply walked back inside. I turned just as he disappeared into the bathroom.

I slumped, bracing myself against the railing of the balcony. I didn't care if he thought he was part of some movement for good, nothing I'd seen from him had been good. The council kept everyone in check, sorted disputes. They may not be completely uncorrupted but I didn't see anyone crying out for a coup either. All he was creating was trouble and unease in a world already always on the brink of erupting.

Dropping the cigarette butt, I went back inside myself only to freeze at the sight of the small amount of blood left in the vial by the sink. My fingers twitched to reach out for it...

There wasn't much, it wouldn't do any harm. Just one more time, just so I could get some sleep, that's what I told myself as I reached out for it. The scent was intoxicating and my body was already shaking with anticipation at the feeling I knew it would bring.

I brought the vial to my lip, moaning softly as the blood hit my tongue and taste exploded. The power rushed through me and I slid down the wall until I hit the floor, my head spinning, the vial falling from my hands. Gods I'd missed this, I smiled to myself. My body was trembling with feelings of ecstasy and I didn't care what the repercussions would be, nor the horrible come down I'd have to go through again. It was then the feeling of regret slipped through the drug haze, and all of a sudden I hated myself for doing this when I'd suffered through weaning myself off of it.

An arm slipped around me, lifting me to my feet. I swayed, my whole world tipping and making me feel sick, that was the one downside, once the blood was taken, it was best to be somehwhere you could lie down.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled, not sure whether I was speaking to the worried looking Atanas or myself.

"It's alright, Shylah." He comforted, slowly helping me to my bed.

But it wasn't alright. Not one little bit.

I stumbled and staggered the few steps it took to get to my room but he was patient with me, taking my weight. Collapsing on the bed, I slipped back into the feelings of euphoria, moaning softly in relief at not having to fight off the demons that haunted me.

I wasn't completely aware when Atanas moved further up the bed, removed my shoes and threw a blanket over me. My body convulsed as the feeling wore off, the tiny drop I'd managed to take not enough to last me through the night. I groaned, trying to cling onto the high but the pain in my veins began to outweigh the dwindling power of the blood.

I whimpered and Atanas hushed me gently, stroking my hair.

He sighed, sitting on the bed, making no move to leave me to my suffering like I thought he would.

"What am I going to do with you?" He whispered, "Now I'm going to have to stay to make sure you don't die."

I managed a weak laugh, "Don't worry. It wasn't worth it anyway."

"Tomorrow, we're going to have a long talk about this. I can't keep you safe from enemies if I have to protect you from yourself too."

I hummed, no energy to accuse him of being my enemy or telling him to shove his protection somehwhere unsavoury. He kept to his word though, as my body shook and tensed in pain, throwing me back into harsh reality. I didn't understand why I didn't demand he leave me while I was so vulnerable.

Sweat coated my skin, the blood finally loosening it's grasp of me.

I wasn't sure whether I fell asleep or passed out.