Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series

Valeri

“What the hell just happened?” was the question we all wanted to know.

I honestly don’t know what came over me. It’s like another entity possessed my body when seeing Jillian on top of Cassius. A part of me disliked the idea of another woman with him. He was mine. Mine to pleasure. Mine to consume. Mine to burn, if I wanted. Cassius’ mark on my inner neck left a sensation of possessiveness in me. I wanted this feeling gone. He didn’t deserve a mate, let alone two.

This explains his disappearance from the Pod Selection ritual. I still would like to know if he is bonded to this pod or not. If not, that would be great. The sight of him makes me sick. And now he has the nerve to wallow in self-loathing.

Eros and Daxter finally arrive. Jillian still sobs quietly on the couch. Adeyemi stands in stony silence, his steel hued eyes brimming with fury. I boldly stare back at him while my body shivers from the bloodlust and adrenaline. I wasn’t the least bit ashamed of my actions. The nauseating pain I’ve felt all this time was because of a selfish werewolf. I wondered if I were to fuck another male, if Cassius would fall ill. I glance over at Daxter and an idea forms in my mind.

Strong hands grab ahold of my arm, jerking me around the couch. Adeyemi pulls me to his face, his stormy gray eyes are swirling with amber. They remind me of dark clouds swarming the bright sun. His canines slowly protrude from within his snarling mouth.

Adeyemi’s voice was deathly calm. “Do you know what you’ve done?”

“Yes,” I answered defiantly.

“Your little tantrum could lead to war, you imbecile. Just because you’ve had a sample of werewolf cock doesn’t mean a thing. You were simply a means to an end. A distraction. You’d do well to remember that. Give up this notion of love, your little life will be snuffed out when that so-called amnesia goes away.”

My breaths are short and uneven. Invisible knives pierce my heart at each verbal attack. This wasn’t what it was, was it? Love? I couldn’t bear the thought of loving someone like Cassius.

I give him a withering look. “Please, who could possibly love a beast like him? Look at him, rutting like the dog he is. He couldn’t keep it in his pants long enough until he went into the privacy of his room. The female is no better.”

A light gasp comes from nearby. “How dare you?!”Jillian screeched.

She jumps out from the couch and tries to launch at me. Cassius grabs her arm, pulling her close to calm her down. Jillian’s heavy breathing fills my ears while she cries again. Blood still drips from her body.

She’s taking a while to heal, I silently ruminate.

Vampire venom can be lethal to others, the voice says.

Will she die?

Depending on how fast she can seek help, we really did a number on her.

Jillian looks Cassius in the eyes. “Why are you protecting her? Look at what she’s done to my face!”

“It isn’t that bad, you’ll heal in no time.” Cassius says carelessly. His eyes never leave mine.

“Daxter, please take Jillian to the Medic Ward. Cassius, go with him” Adeyemi commanded.

Cassius helps Jillian find her clothes, and they all soon depart. Eros stands by silently, observing from a nearby chair. His eyes hold a playful look while he takes in the scene.

Eros was a mystery in itself. He was definitely a playboy. His interaction with Gisele gave me more of an insight than I needed. I also don’t know if him bringing me drinks is a friendly gesture or if he is seeking something from me. I feel a certain pull to him. This lure is different from what I felt for Cassius. The humming in my veins is like an instrument and I was playing to his tune.

Eros gracefully gets up from the chair. “Don’t be too hard on the female, Kamau. She doesn’t seem to understand our ways.”

Adeyemi growls. “That doesn’t justify her attacking Jillian unprovoked. No, she will be disciplined.”

“And just how will you go about that?”

Adeyemi faces Eros. “Do you have a pair of vitality cuffs on you?”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” asked Eros.

“Eros, hand me the cuffs.”

Eros walks past us and into a hallway. The hallway consists of five doors -two on each side, and the last one at the end of the hallway. He goes to the door on the left side. When Eros touches the doorknob, a light beep comes from within. So we do have our own privacy!

Eros returns within moments and holds two light silver colored bracelets. He hands the cursed waste of metal to Adeyemi before crossing his arms. The phantom rush of frigid pain through my veins almost made me whimper, but I refused to show any emotion in front of these two.

Eros

Valeri had an aura about her that made others weary, but I felt something akin to attraction. Her fiery and impulsive ways are a nuisance though. But like wildfire, she couldn’t be tamed. Kamau wanted her to control her. Little did he know that this mini firecracker will be freed from her confines soon.

Vitality cuffs were designed to cut off the source to one’s power. Whether it be the animal to a shifter, the strength of a vampire, or the magic from a witch or fae, it renders a person useless or human.

Kamau yanks her hands towards him and slaps on the bracelets. She winces slightly, but doesn’t make any other outward facial expressions. The vitality cuffs glow with a frosty shine when Kamau releases her hands.

“Escort the prisoner to her room, and come back,” he commanded.

Valeri scoffs. “What about my classes? I can’t afford to miss anymore.”

“That is the least of your concerns, jailbird.”

I glare at Kamau. “You may not care, but the Chancellor will. She should attend them tomorrow morning.”

He glares back. “She will attend when I say she will attend.”

“And when will that be?” Valeri asks. His silence spoke volumes.

“If you are trying to break me, it will never happen. If you are trying to make me submit and make me your Omega, good luck. You are undeserving of the title Alpha, let alone Prince.”

Kamau slowly walks up to Valeri and pulls her close. “Let’s see how far that smart mouth of yours gets you. Vampires don’t fare too well without blood for too long. Eros, how long can a vampire live without blood?”

I place a finger to my chin. “Newly turned vampires wouldn’t last a week without a food source. Older vampires, however, can last months, sometimes a year. Since we aren’t sure of the female’s age, she may surprise us. But are you sure this is the route you are wanting to go, Kamau?” If looks could kill, Kamau would be the winner. “I’m just saying. Some people will wonder where she went. And don’t forget about Tanni, she is Valeri’s guide.”

“Tanni’s job is finished. Her pod will have great uses for her. The prisoner has enough resources and plenty of freedom.”

“Fine. Put me insolation. See if I care. But when Chancellor Barati wonders where I am, I hope you can come up with a logical excuse for my absence.” she spat.

Her faith in the Chancellor is astounding. Chancellor Barati is a severe man, but is very talented in the arts of war. He’s the one people rely upon if war ever happened. He assisted us in the Apocalyptic War. It was a dark time in 2015, long before I was born. A few fools thought to resurrect an old king and take over the world. They unleashed a power they couldn’t control. The Earth was already dying by human’s insatiable hunger for riches. Climate change became drastic and damaged the environment. Weather patterns were out of control. Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes,. And other natural disasters occurred more often and caused the continents to drift and become one again. The dead wouldn’t stay dead. The supernatural race was discovered. We assisted the humans and peace treaties were later formed.

“I think the vitality cuffs are punishment enough. She can’t gain access to her vampiric powers. She’s human at this point.” I suggested.

Kamau takes this into consideration. His eyes hide the warring emotions. I’m sure it’s hard for him to be back at this place, but hopefully he can gain a sense of closure.

He releases her. “Very well. Take her to the room and return at once.”

I led her to the long hallway. Cassius’ door stands beside mine on the left side and Daxter’s door is across from mine. Kamau’s door is at the center, leaving Valeri’s door on the last right, across from Cassius.

I turn to face her.“All of your belongings have been sent to your room when you were completing the pod ritual. Settle in, if you need anything I’ll be across the hall. As you’ve been told, the door will respond only to your touch.”

Her face held a hint of skepticism. “So, does this mean I have the day off from classes?”

“Yes.”

“Will you still bring me those delicious slushies?”

“Of course.”

Valeri touches the doorknob and it responds to her presence. She gasps in delight when walking into her room.

“Get some rest, Valeri. You’ll need it. Also, try to ease up on Kamau. I know he isn’t the greatest person to get along with, but he will warm up to you.”

“And when will that be? When hell freezes over?” she snorts.

I chuckle softly. “You’ll fit in just nicely.”

Valeri rolls her eyes. “Yea, sure. Thanks.” She closes her door softly.

I made my way to Kamau. He sits at the stone counter bar with a warm glass of Jack in his hand, deep in thought. I clear my throat once I approach him.

Kamau spins around to me. “You have to get me inside of Sinful Maestra.”

I wince. “They aren’t too fond of Hunters. Or Enforcers. Really anyone on the right side of the law.”

He growls. “We have a killer in our midst. If anyone was to know the goings ons in vampire affairs, it would be Lady Helena. The bodies of those Hunters were found on that island.”

“She hasn’t made an appearance in months, Kamau.”

Kamau slams his glass on the marble counter. “Do what you have to in order for us to get in.”