Chapter 14: fourteen

Olivia

The estate was humming with activity, all in preparation for the gala that Annabelle had mentioned. It was impossible to navigate the corridors without encountering a flurry of vampires or servants.

Days had passed since Cole had taken me outside, and I found myself yearning for the ability to rewind time back to that moment.

If I closed my eyes, I could still feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, the scent of blooming flowers, and the soft hum of bees.

I hadn’t seen much of Cole that day. Instead, Brayden had been my constant companion, teaching me to read and filling in the gaps in my knowledge that were the result of a childhood spent in captivity.

We began with children’s books. They were wordless, but Brayden would point to the different shapes and patiently explain what they were.

It wasn’t long before I was reading independently, although I found the books in Cole’s office rather dull. He must have noticed my lack of enthusiasm, because soon enough, I had my own small collection of books on his desk.

They were only a few in number, but I was grateful that I no longer had to wade through vampire history books.

Occasionally, I found myself wondering about Raven. Had Cole helped her? Was she still alive? What were their plans for her?

Sometimes, I envied her. Even though she was a disheveled rogue human, she had tasted freedom. She hadn’t spent years in a metal box, oblivious to the world outside.

I was mildly curious about this gala that everyone seemed so excited about—everyone except Cole.

I decided to ask Brayden about it. I had no desire to attend, but I was intrigued as to why it was considered so significant.

I knew Cole wouldn’t tell me, and I was slightly apprehensive about asking him. He might assume I wanted to go and insist I accompany him, or he might just get angry—and an irate vampire is never a good thing.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted.

“Deep in thought, are we?” I looked up to see Brayden, a wide grin on his face. I tilted my head, puzzled by his evident joy.

Vampires smiling could be disconcerting, their fangs peeking past their lips.

“Oh, sorry Olive!” he exclaimed, quickly retracting his fangs.

“Why are you so cheerful today, Brayden?” I asked, still confused. He couldn’t read my thoughts like Cole could.

“Ah, that. Well, Lord Cain has suspended all work until the gala preparations are complete. I won’t be attending, but it will be nice to have a little break.”

He flopped down on the sofa. I could understand his happiness then. He, Cole, and occasionally Kaden worked tirelessly, day and night.

“Um, Brayden, I was wondering, could you tell me about the gala? What is it? Why is it so important?” I asked him hesitantly.

He chuckled to himself before turning to me. “I wouldn’t say it’s important. It’s essentially a grand party where vampire benefactors can come and see what Lord Cain has accomplished.

“That’s the official line, anyway. In reality, it’s a massive birthday party for Annabelle. Most vampires don’t even celebrate their birthdays. I mean, once you reach 587, what’s the point?

“I suppose when your father is the Lord of the region, you can do whatever you please. Don’t worry your little head, Olive. Cole isn’t going, and that means you don’t have to either.” He smiled at me, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

“Come, Cole ordered breakfast for you in his office, and I believe there’s a new book waiting for you.”

My heart fluttered with excitement as I practically jumped off the windowsill. I barely noticed Brayden slipping the collar around my neck and attaching the leash.

As always, I walked behind Brayden, keeping my head down, but I couldn’t suppress my smile. I was eager for the book, but I was also looking forward to seeing Cole.

I hadn’t seen much of him since our day in the garden, and I found myself missing his company. My cheeks flushed at the realization. I was missing a vampire, and not just any vampire—one who ~owned~ me.

I felt like I was losing my mind. My heart was betraying me. Before I could even clear my head, the butterflies in my stomach were back.

I couldn’t deny the existence of these feelings, no matter how much I wanted to, no matter how hard I tried.

My dress swayed, not from my own movement, but from the vampires rushing past me in their haste to complete the gala preparations.

Soon, we reached his office. There was no knocking, no sound of the keypad that Brayden usually used.

“What’s goin—”

“Shhh. I’m listening. He’s yelling at someone. I want to make sure it’s safe first.”

After a moment, Brayden’s eyes closed, and he nodded before typing in the passcode and opening the door. He had to tug on the leash before I snapped out of my daze and started walking.

Cole was leaning against his desk, and there was Annabelle, seated in the chair in front of him. He gestured towards the cage in the corner, and I could tell Brayden was clearly annoyed.

We walked over to the cage, and as he unclipped my leash so I could crawl in, he whispered, “I’m sorry, tiny Olive. Don’t worry, you’ll be out sooner than you think.”

I simply nodded and crawled to the back of the cage. The clank and click of the cage door closing and locking echoed in my ears.

Thankfully, the cage was nearly three times the size of the one from the pet store, lined with a soft blanket and a small pillow. I clutched it and sank down, trying to block out the scene unfolding in front of me.

***

Cole

“I’m not attending your damn birthday party, Annabelle. You can beg, plead, cry—it doesn’t matter. I’m not changing my mind.”

I was doing my best to maintain my composure in front of Olivia, but Annabelle was pushing my patience to its limits. Not to mention, I had to put Olivia in that godforsaken cage.

I tried to ignore the sight of her, huddled in the farthest corner, clutching a pillow as if her life depended on it.

“Please, Cole! It’s my birthday! What reason could you possibly have for not going? Daddy has put all the work and assignments on hold, so you don’t have to work.” Annabelle’s pleas were as desperate as a stray dog begging for scraps.

“Maybe I just don’t feel like it. Every year you beg, and every year I don’t go.” I pressed my finger to her forehead, “When will you get it through your thick skull that I’ll never attend?”

Normally, this would elicit tears, but Annabelle lacks a heart, a prerequisite for showing emotions.

She slumped back into her chair, her gaze sweeping the room. A triumphant grin spread across her face when her eyes landed on Olivia in the cage. I didn’t even need to mind-link Brayden to step in front of Olivia’s cage.

“You know, Cole, this is the first pet you’ve ever had.”

“Get to the fucking point, Annabelle.”

“The point, Cole, is that all vampires with pets are required to attend the gala,” she said, her grin never leaving her face as she stared at Olivia.

I seized her arm, my claws digging into her flesh, drawing blood. It didn’t hurt her, of course, and she could easily break free, but I wanted her undivided attention.

“Since when do we have to attend your birthday party if we have pets?” I growled at her.

“The benefactors enjoy observing the vampire and pet dynamic, so Daddy implemented the rule last year. You’d know that if you attended.”

Her smile faded as she tried to pry my claws from her arm, but she was no match for me.

I barely noticed her struggle, my mind racing, trying to figure out a way out of this predicament.

“Cole, let go of me!” she shrieked in panic.

I just laughed as I retracted my claws, and she crumpled to the floor. I wasn’t usually this sadistic, but she brought out the worst in me.

I could instantly hear Olivia’s thoughts; Brayden must have told her she wouldn’t have to go, and now it seemed she would have to.

I glanced down at Annabelle, who was nursing her arm with a slightly miffed expression.

“All right, princess,” I said mockingly as I hoisted her up by the waist, “get out.”

“But Col—”

“Get. The. Fuck. Out!” I snapped at her.

She scurried out quickly, and I let out a huge sigh. As soon as the door clicked shut, I looked at Brayden and mind-linked him to verify Annabelle’s story.

I had a sinking feeling she was telling the truth. I rushed over to the cage, slid the bar over to unlock it, and swung the door open.

I gave Olivia a few moments to emerge before I gently tugged on her arm. Once she was out, her thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and fear.

I reached behind her neck and unclipped her collar. It wasn’t until it clattered to the floor that she looked up at me. She wrapped her arms around my torso and pressed herself close.

“Please. Please don’t make me go.” Her tiny voice was choked with tears. It was tearing me apart.

All I could do was cradle her chin in my hand and force her to look up at me. “You’ll always be safe with me, little dove. I won’t let anything happen to you; I promise.”

A single tear escaped her large grey eyes, and I knew I would do anything and everything in my power to keep her out of that gala.