Solaris

I paced the length of the cabin, every single nerve on edge. What was taking Kaige so long? I rubbed my sweaty palms against my new jeans. They were soft against my skin, so unlike the harsh denim we had in Imera. The thought of returning home set off a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I knew I’d promised Kaige I wouldn’t look into this blood thing, but how could I not? If Turstan was supplying human blood to nocturnes I had to stop him. He was putting all of us at risk.

I cursed myself for how hypocritical that sounded. Here I was in Draconis doing the very same thing. Putting us all at risk. But I hadn’t come here on purpose. I didn’t mean for Kaige to find and save me.

A flood of warmth filled my chest at the thought of the prince of darkness. It sent my heart racing. I could almost still feel his fingers wrapped around mine. My skin tingled where we had touched. I shook my head, pushing down the treacherous thoughts. The inappropriate things I’d been feeling for him were growing in intensity. It had to be the bond—nothing more.

Where was he?

I reached for the pot of valerian root tea on the stove and poured myself a cup. I needed it bad. I took a few sips and sat down on the bed, forcing my mind to calm down. I couldn’t stop thinking about the blood and what it meant. Not once in seventeen years had I been asked to donate blood. No one I knew had. So how did the Collective have so much of it?

My head whipped toward the door at the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Finally,” I muttered as Kaige’s dark head peered inside.

His navy eyes widened, silver surging through them as they settled on me. His nostrils flared, and he sniffed at the air.

“What?” I stood and crossed my arms tightly over my chest. I thought he was getting better at being around me.

“W-what are you?”

The hair on the back of my neck prickled. “Very funny, Kaige. Just get inside before someone sees you.”

The prince strode in, and every cell in my body bristled. Something was very wrong.

Silver irises blazed as they zoned in on my neck. He licked his lips and two sharp fangs protruded from his upper lip. “It can’t be,” he muttered as he inched closer. “I knew he was hiding something, but I never expected…”

“What are you talking about?” I tried to keep the panic out of my voice, but even I could hear the hysteria bubbling over.

He ran his hands through his hair, and my stomach dropped. It was pin straight. Kaige’s hair was like the waves of the ocean, rippling and unruly.

This wasn’t my prince.

He stalked closer, and I took a step back, hitting the corner of the bed. Crap, where was that broken broomstick?

“You’re a human, aren’t you?” He ran his tongue over his gleaming white fangs.

Behind the silver that surged were black, bottomless pupils. They held nothing of the warmth that exuded from Kaige’s eyes.

I shuddered.

“The alchemists were right. It’s like nothing I’ve ever smelled in my life. It’s sweet yet savory, pungent and powerful.” He moved closer, as if his legs were no longer under his control. His eyes glazed over.

From my periphery, I spotted the broomstick tossed on the floor. I slowly inched my way toward it.

His dark gaze followed my every move, like a lion stalking a gazelle. My heart pumped so hard I was sure he could hear it. It was probably the reason he was going nuts.

“Stop moving.” Power oozed from his deep voice. I immediately recognized it as compulsion and squeezed my eyes shut. “Open your eyes, human,” he growled.

I slid to the floor and splayed my fingers, reaching for the sharp pole. Kaige’s brother lunged, and I thrust my arm out with the pointy end up. The nocturne impaled himself on the wood, the force of his own weight propelling the stake right through his torso. Angry navy eyes peered down at me as a scream tore out of his throat. He fell back, clutching the pole and I scrambled to get away.

Behind me, a sickening squelch echoed in the quiet room. It was like a shoe wrenching free of thick mud. My stomach twisted. I raced to the door, wrapping my clammy fingers around the handle. The wooden stick clattered to the floor. Before I could yank the door open, two hands closed down on my shoulders and sent me flying through the air.

I hit the bed with a thunk, my head bouncing off the headboard. Son of a—! My head spun, stars dancing across my vision.

“You stupid human. Do you really think you can overpower me?”

I tried to focus on the freakishly familiar face hovering over me. “It was worth a shot,” I hissed, trying to infuse as much venom in my voice as I could.

He sat back on his heels, his dark eyes scrutinizing me. “What are you doing in Draconis with my brother?”

I clenched my teeth together. I wasn’t telling this guy anything.

His eyes began to swirl silver again, and I quickly shut mine.

A harsh laugh slithered from his lips. “I see you’re familiar with compulsion.” I could feel his gaze running over me once again, setting off an avalanche of goose bumps. “And yet, I don’t see a bite mark on you. If my brother hasn’t been feeding from you, what have you two been up to?”

I peeked through narrowed lids. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Perhaps I can make you remember.” His fangs burst out and fire blazed in his irises.

“Wait!”

He glared at me, a dribble of saliva hanging from his mouth.

“The prophecy—you can’t drink human blood. You’ll be killed.”

A wicked grin split his lips. “I’ve never really been one to follow the rules. Didn’t Kaige tell you? I’m the bad brother.” His eyes fixed on my neck.

My pulse quickened. I willed my heart to slow down to stop being so damn tempting.

“Besides, if the rumors are true, human blood will make me stronger. It will give me just the advantage I need to best my brother in the trials. You can’t tell me that’s not why he’s been keeping you.”

“It’s not! He’s never fed from me, and he would never hurt me.” I clapped my hand over my mouth. Stupid, stupid Solaris.

His head cocked to the side. “Do you actually care for my brother?” A maniacal chuckle burst from his lips, and his fangs retracted.

“Of course not.” I narrowed my eyes.

“Because speaking of the prophecy—what you two are doing together is far worse than me taking a little taste…” His eyes veered to my neck again.

I swallowed hard, chasing away the dryness creeping up my throat.

I blinked and he was on top of me, his muscular arms caging me in. I lurched back and hit the wrought iron backboard. There was nowhere to go.

His fangs lengthened, and his tongue ran over their pointy ends. “We’re twin brothers after all, human. We share everything.” He closed the distance between us.

A frantic scream tore out of my mouth.