My heart rammed against my ribcage as I climbed the last step. I’d gone over my speech a million times on the twenty-minute subway ride. No matter what I said, it never sounded right. There was just no way to explain the unforgiveable.
I trudged to the door, my heart weighing me down. Every step was harder than the last. I fished my keys out of my pocket and inserted it into the lock. The door creaked open before I turned the key.
A chill crept up my spine, every single hair on my body standing on end. I pushed the door all the way open. “Sofia? Are you home?”
I reached for the light and flicked it on.
My heart lodged in my throat.
Deep red blood painted the walls. The sofa sleeper was pulled out and a figure was splayed across it. No. No. No. Darkness seeped into my vision as bile crawled up my throat. I moved toward the bed, my feet barely touching the ground. I felt like I was floating. Everything was hazy.
The pink Hello Kitty scrubs were unmistakable. They were Sofia’s favorite. I sank down next to her on the mattress. A bright red bow was wrapped across her torso. My stomach heaved, and I clapped my hand over my mouth. I took a breath, and the sharp metallic scent of blood filled my nostrils. I squeezed my eyes shut and battled through the stench.
I will not pass out. I will not pass out.
I brushed aside a lock of blonde hair and tucked it behind her ear. That was how Sofia always wore it. Tears blurred my vision as I stared into vacant green eyes. I passed my hand over her lids, closing them. My gaze traveled down to her neck. Two puncture wounds marred her perfect white skin. My breath hitched.
I pulled her into my lap and pressed her against my chest. What had I done? Tears flowed down my cheeks, mixing with the blood staining my shirt. The cop part of me said I shouldn’t have disturbed the crime scene, but the boy in love with this girl told him to shut up. I held onto her for hours, maybe even days. I really couldn’t be sure; it was all a terrible blur of pain.
My eyes jolted open; the first rays of the sun seeped into the studio. I rolled my neck to release the tension. Sofia still lay in my arms, her expression peaceful. Even in death she was beautiful. I gently lowered her to the mattress. My hands came away sticky and stained in crimson. Nausea roiled in my gut. I needed to do something. But what could I do? Call the police and tell them the vampire queen had murdered my fiancée? They’d think I’d gone insane. A part of me thought I had.
I had to call the police. I was a cop for god’s sake. This had been a crime, and its perpetrator would have to be punished. I clenched my fists and got to my feet. I’d do this the legal way, just as soon as I took care of something first.
My feet moved without my brain guiding them. It was like they were on autopilot. They probably were, after Isa screwed with my mind so many times. The subway ride passed by in a blur. I was numb; a vague buzzing hummed in my head. I think it was the sound of my world collapsing.
The doorman recognized me and held the door open as soon as I approached.
“Mr. Spiros, hello again.”
I nodded and bit down the urge to snarl at him. None of this was his fault. He’d probably been compelled by her too.
I cracked my knuckles as the elevator whizzed up thirty floors. I patted the wooden stake in my back pocket. I hoped the sharpened chunk of wood I pulled out of the fireplace would do. That’s how you killed vampires in the movies, right? I should’ve called Bradley. He would’ve known how… but he would have tried to stop me. And I couldn’t let that happen.
The shiny elevator doors slid open, and I marched into the enormous living room. Isa sat on the couch, her long legs crossed, with a glass of champagne at her lips.
Heat surged through my body, fury consuming every inch of me. My skin prickled as if a live wire ran across it. “Celebrating something?” I growled.
Bottomless obsidian eyes drilled into mine. “A victory.” She lifted her flute in the air.
I clamped my jaw tight, holding back the string of expletives poised to explode from my mouth. A tornado twisted in my stomach, shredding my insides. I took a deep breath and pulled my shoulders back. I couldn’t let the pain in, not yet. I took a few deliberate steps toward her, every muscle in my body coiled in tension.
“Damian, do you realize this is the first time you’ve come to see me of your own accord?”
“No, I didn’t. I was kind of out of it the other times.” I was beyond gone this time.
“And what brings you here today?”
My lips twisted. I wasn’t sure if I was going to vomit, cry or scream. Everything was deathly still around us, except for the constant whirring in my head. I ran my hand down to my back pocket. My fingers grasped onto the solid wood. I yanked the stake out and drove it down toward Isa’s chest.
An arm shot out, completely stopping my forward momentum. Isa’s forearm was against mine, like an impenetrable wall. She looked up at me, her dark eyes wide and expressionless. Twin black holes of oblivion threatened to swallow me whole.
A high-pitched cackle burst from her scarlet lips. “That was very brave and yet very stupid of you, lover.” She jerked the stake out of my hand. It clattered to the floor and with it any shred of hope left in me.
I sunk to the couch, my legs heavier than lead. My mind was blank; a dense fog blanketed every corner.
“I take it you found my gift.” Isa sat beside me, still sipping that damn champagne.
My stomach heaved, and I puked all over her fancy oriental carpet. I spat, my head between my legs, wiping at the saliva dribbling down my chin. I turned, and I was nose to nose with vomit splattered black stilettos. I hoped they were ruined along with her expensive rug.
A strong hand gripped me by the back of the collar and hauled me up. I blinked, and we were no longer in the living room. Towering bookshelves surrounded us as we sat in front of a massive stone fireplace. The room would’ve been quaint if only I’d had the brainpower to care.
Isa reached for my hand, and I wrenched it out of her grasp, moving to the far side of the leather couch. “Don’t ever touch me.” I tried to lace as much venom into my voice as my dulled emotions could manage.
“Oh Damian, when are you going to understand that I did this for your own good?”
My stomach roiled, and I was certain I was going to be sick again. I swallowed hard, pushing the bile back down. “For my own good?” I croaked.
“Yes.” She twirled a thick strand of raven hair. “You are meant for so much more in life. To live a mediocre life as a police officer and mere husband to a nurse is beneath you.”
My fists curled into tight little balls. “Don’t talk about her! And don’t pretend to know anything about me or my life.”
“I know this one wasn’t worth living. You’ll thank me when you’ve lived multiple far better lifetimes.”
“I’ll never forgive you,” I roared. “I hate you with every single cell in my being.”
She cocked her head and batted her lashes as if that would fix everything. I squeezed my eyes shut. The last thing I needed was her compelling me again. I buried my head in my hands and leaned forward. I rocked back and forth as I made up my mind.
Reaching down my leg, I stuck two fingers inside my pant leg. The cold metal against my fingertips brought a sense of calm. I knew what I was going to do. It was the only thing I could do. It was what I deserved after all the pain I’d caused.
I tucked the pocketknife in my sleeve and straightened. Isa’s onyx eyes danced over me as I squirmed under her penetrating gaze. I ticked my head toward the fireplace. “Can you turn it on? I’m freezing.” I rubbed my hands over my arms, teeth chattering and all. I wasn’t exactly lying; a chill had come over my body that I was powerless to overcome.
“Of course.” She stood and swaggered to the mantle. The moment her eyes were off me, I flicked the blade open and dragged it across both of my wrists.