Chapter 11: eleven

Cole

The meeting stretched on for hours, bleeding into the early morning. Kaden kept trying to wheedle information out of me about Olivia, but I remained steadfast. Only Brayden was privy to her existence, and even he didn’t know the full story.

I rose from my seat, stretching in the lounge area. Sleep wasn’t a necessity for me, or any vampire for that matter. It was more about maintaining a semblance of humanity, and sometimes, a moment of respite was needed.

Thanks to Olivia’s blood, my senses and powers were heightened, and I was brimming with energy.

That was another reason to keep her safe. If the others discovered what her blood could do, they’d imprison her, experiment on her, keep her alive just for her blood.

I’d die before I let that happen.

It was around seven in the morning, and I knew Brayden would be arriving soon. We usually worked in my office, but I needed him to stay in the suite so he could bring Olivia to me.

I trusted no one else, not even Kaden who was practically my brother. Especially not the Caines. I was certain Marcus was keeping tabs on me and, more importantly, my pet.

As I took a quick shower, I couldn’t suppress the smile that spread across my face at the sight of the small bottles of women's soaps and other products lined up in the shower.

I finally had her. She was finally here. My only task now was to ensure her safety.

My head rested against the cool tile of the shower, water cascading down my face and body when I heard the door open and close.

I knew it was Brayden, but my instincts kicked in and I used my vampire speed to dart out of the shower and to the door, clad only in a towel around my waist.

I was in full beast mode, but I quickly snapped back to reality when I realized it was just Brayden, right on schedule.

My eyes returned to their forest green hue, and I looked up at Brayden. Why was I looking up at him? Wasn’t I taller than him?

“Sire? It’s just me. Can you…um…release me now?” I heard him choke out.

That’s when I realized that I was holding him by the throat, suspended in the air. Blood was slowly trickling down his neck. I gently set him back on the ground and retracted my claws from his throat.

Thankfully, Brayden was a vampire and healed fairly quickly.

“I’m sorry, Brayden. I didn’t recognize you, and my instincts just kicked in.” I spoke softly, unsure if he even heard me.

He just nodded and began listing out my day—meetings and reports that needed to be completed.

I ran my hand through my black hair and walked into the walk-in closet. To the right were Olivia’s things.

I spared no expense when it came to her. She was probably one of the few pets that was allowed such clothing. But she wasn’t just any pet, she was mine.

I usually selected her clothing, but she had been through a lot lately, and everything that had happened was a lot to process. Besides, I was quite curious to see what she would choose to wear herself.

I emerged from the closet in my usual suit and tie. I rarely wore casual clothing, and with the meetings and work-related tasks lined up for the day, a suit was essential.

The humans were rioting more and more, vampires were attacking and flouting laws, and to top it all off, the blood banks were dwindling.

Lord Marcus seemed to dismiss all of this as insignificant, but if nothing was done, this city would burn to the ground—and soon.

Brayden, Kaden, and I were tasked with devising a viable solution. More like a business proposal. We needed to coexist with the humans.

As much as Lord Marcus hated to admit it, we needed them to survive, and they would have to comply in order to coexist with us.

You would think after decades, we would all be getting along or at least tolerating each other, but no. My father has been trying, but it’s not easy when you have old-fashioned radicals governing the different regions.

I was jolted out of my thoughts when I heard Brayden coughing, trying to get my attention.

“Something you’d like to say, Brayden? You may always speak freely.”

I noticed him glancing in the direction of Olivia’s bedroom—the room she was currently sleeping in.

“Have you told her yet? I know you haven’t told Kaden yet. He wouldn’t stop hounding me for information last night. Even after the meeting was over.” He sounded concerned but also annoyed.

“I can’t. Not yet. It’s not safe for her to know anything yet. Once we finish the work here, then we will go home—all of us—and she can know then.

“I know you disapprove, but she gets overwhelmed just being in a room full of vampires in the dining hall. Can you imagine how she’ll feel if she knows the truth?”

“I know you’re…scared. But it could be more dangerous if you don’t tell her. Plus, what if her memories start to come back?”

“Memories? She was a baby, an infant, Brayden. What memories could she possibly have? Plus, how am I supposed to explain what happened to her?” I let out a heavy sigh.

I knew he was right, but really, how could I explain everything? I hated keeping secrets from her, but it was truly for her own safety.

“Once I have more time with her and things start to settle down, I’ll tell her. But not right now, Brayden. For now, I need you to stay here while I head over to my office.

“Once she’s up and ready, bring her to me. I’ll have the servants bring us breakfast there. I need to prepare this proposal for the meetings later with Cain. Think you can handle that, Brayden?”

“Of course, Cole. It would be an honor to look after her.”

I grabbed my suit jacket and placed my hand on Brayden’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. I opened the door and was about to step out when I turned around and cast one last glance at her door.

The thought of leaving her was unbearable, not just the act itself, but the tumultuous emotions it stirred within me. Yet, here she was, in my presence once again.

I was midway to my office when the piercing sound reached my ears—the unmistakable sound of screams. I instinctively reached out, my hands finding solace on the nearest wall, preventing me from collapsing under the weight of my dread.

The screams echoed again, and a chilling realization washed over me. These weren’t just any screams.

They belonged to my pet, my Olivia.