AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You weren’t supposed to be here, Marina. I never wanted you to see this.”
With those words I know I’ve entered the east wing, one of the forbidden areas of the estate. He said it was his father’s chambers. Realization hits, and I feel even more queasy.
Stepping back to look at him, I try my best to stop shaking.
“What happened to him?”
I’m staring at the body of Julian’s father, the former king of vampires. He’s been reduced to near ashes. If I so much as touched him, what’s left would undoubtedly crumble into a pile of dust.
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” He shakes his head. “We found him in here like this. It looked like he had been cooked from the inside out.”
“Who would do this?”
Julian drops his hands from my shoulders, walking closer to the bed and peering at the remains of his father.
“The list is extensive. My father was not a good man.”
My nose crinkles.
“The Council?” I offer.
“Some are at the top of my list,” he admits. “My father harbored secrets that the elders of the other families were trying desperately to uncover. I believe my father died protecting those secrets.”
My eyes narrow on Julian. “But you know them?”
The way his eyes shift tells me his father was not alone in keeping secrets from the Council. Julian’s guilt-ridden face shows the truth. He knows something.
“What are you hiding, Julian?”
He turns from me, probably trying to formulate his lie, and when he turns around, he appears tired.
“There are things that aren’t safe for you to know, Marina. If they assassinated my father to unearth the truth, they won’t hesitate in killing you.”
I huff. “They wouldn’t hesitate in killing me period. I might as well be caught up on what’s going on here. Maybe I can help.”
He eyes me wearily. “You’re very brave, Marina, but I wish you’d value your life more.”
My spine straightens.What does he know about my life?His eyes widen at my change in demeanor.
“I didn’t mean to offend you; I just don’t understand. What happened in your life that makes you so quick to throw yourself into the thick of danger?”
“I haven’t thrown myself into anything. Do I need to remind you thatyourCouncil did this to me?Youbrought me here. Any danger I’m in,you’vebrought to me.”
His sigh is long and harsh.
“You’re right, Julian. I don’t want to know. Keep me a prisoner and in the dark. You seem to have this all under control.” I shoulder past him, pissed and ready to get far away from Julian Bellamy.
I’m halfway down the hall when Stacey comes sauntering out of a dark room.
“Whoa. What’s wrong with you?”
I push past her, not wanting to stop.
“Marina,” Julian calls out, but I ignore him, wanting to put as much distance between us as possible. I’m angry because I thought we’d turned a corner. He asked me to trust him, and to me, trust is earned. Trust comes from being open.
“Please. Stop,” he commands. Coming to a halt, I whirl around and go toe to toe with the king of vampires.
“Why don’t you stop ordering me around?”
