I wanted to help him, but what was there to do? I actually missed the days when all it had taken was a cut on my wrist and a few uncomfortable moments feeling him drink my blood. Neither of us were fans of the whole thing, but at least it had healed him. Now, I’m helpless to do anything. I’ve ruined him. I’ve ruined Derek Novak.
The door swung open. Abby took a short intake of breath before burying her face against my arm. I looked up, squinting at the light that streamed inside the cell.
“We’re starving. Are you ever going to feed us?” I hadn’t even been conscious of how hungry I was until I said the words out loud. My stomach grumbled in agreement.
Kiev stepped inside the cell, his red eyes first falling on my face. He smirked at the sight of me. He then looked at Derek and his face fell. His brows met. “How is it possible…”
I looked down at my husband and was washed with complete relief. I had no idea how it had happened, but his face—which I’d barely recognised right after he was brought into the cell—was almost healed save for a few scrapes and scratches.
“What did you do?” Kiev glared at me.
I smiled before shrugging. I caressed my husband’s cheek with my fingers, hoping that he looked less disturbed and more at peace. “It’s not easy to break a man like Derek Novak.”
To my dismay, however, Kiev had already recovered from the shock. His chuckle grated at my nerves. “Maybe you’re right, but I always did love a challenge. I see surprise in your eyes, Mrs. Novak. That says a lot about what you know… or more appropriately, what you don’t know.”
Before I could respond, another figure appeared behind him. Clara.
“Really, Kiev? Chit-chatting with the redhead? I always knew you had the hots for her. Why don’t you just go ahead? Take her right here if you want. It’s not like her husband can stop you.”
I’d already experienced being prey to conscienceless predators like Lucas Novak and Borys Maslen. I was certain that they were no match for the red-eyed monster named Kiev. Still, I kept a brave face.
You can’t let them faze you, Sofia, much less break you. Derek needs you now more than ever.
“You disgust me, Clara.” Kiev said the words like she was the most despicable thing he’d ever laid eyes on.
She laughed—high-pitched and irritating to the ear. “Right. Please, Kiev, I see right through you. We both know the truth anyway. She’s just a pastime. What you really want is me.” She pressed her body against her brother’s back, her lips touching his jaw.
Kiev looked like he was about to throw up. I, on the other hand, was confused, not to mention disgusted. I sat up straight, hoping to cover Abby’s eyes.
Derek stirred on my lap. I was relieved that he didn’t wake. Should Kiev try to take me, Derek would put up a fight, and as miraculous as his healing was, Derek was still no match for the Elder’s children.
Clara looked at the little girl affectionately. “Hello, Abby. Did you miss me?”
To my surprise, Abby responded, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Very good. Come with me then. We have a lot to talk about.”
Kiev’s lip twitched when Abby inched away from me, stood up and obediently walked toward Clara.
“Abby?” I frowned. “What’s going on?”
Abby gave me an apologetic gaze—one that seemed to displease Clara, because she grabbed Abby’s jaw and made the child look her in the eye. “Whose side are you on, Abby? Mine or hers?”
Tears streamed down the little girl’s face. “Yours, ma’am.”
“Good girl.” Clara didn’t miss out on the opportunity to give me a smug grin.
My heart dropped. She’s going to make Abby tell her everything Derek and I talked about. I desperately tried to recall if Derek and I had discussed anything that could lead us or Abby into trouble, but my mind was blanked by panic and concern for a child I treasured deeply.
Clara held Abby’s hand and tugged at the little girl to follow her. They began to walk away, but not before Clara placed a peck on her brother’s lips.
Kiev’s nose wrinkled, his stance tensed and his fists balled, but he didn’t stop the vampire from doing as she pleased. He actually sighed with relief the moment Clara disappeared.
He caught me staring at him in question.
“You and her?” I asked, wondering if I had found his weak spot. “That’s repulsive.”
His jaw tightened. I saw a glimpse of humanity in him when he said, “My thoughts exactly.”
“Then why do you let her get away with it? Can you not take her down? Put her in her place? If you hate it so much, why let it happen? Maybe you like it. You actually like it when your sister comes on to you.”
“Shut your mouth before I shut it for you. Clara is not my sister. We’re the Elder’s children, but Clara… Emilia… all his spawns… none of them are my family.”
“Then who is?”
“Whoever I want”—red eyes traveled from the top of my head to the tips of my toes—“for the moment.”
I suppressed a shudder, fighting to maintain composure. You’ve been around all sorts of disgusting creatures before, Sofia. You can handle this. I stared at him, slightly mortified, but keeping my head held high, increasingly intrigued. I returned the favor and began to peruse him. Strong, muscled, virile…
My eyes met his and based on the way he was glaring at me, he didn’t seem to appreciate the way I was studying him. To retaliate, he began hitting me where it hurt.
He set his eyes on Derek.
“You should’ve heard him scream in pain when I ran the knife against his flesh. Oh, and when the beasts came at him…” Kiev chuckled, delight sparking in his eyes.
I didn’t even want to ask what beasts were.
Kiev’s voice took on an almost nostalgic tone. “I never thought I’d see it myself… the fall of a legend. I honestly thought that Emilia was going to be his downfall, but he survived even that. I’ve got to admit that I like this better.” He lightly kicked Derek’s leg. “I like being the hand that brings him to his knees.”
I’d gotten to him when I’d taunted him about Clara. His defenses had dropped. Now he was launching a counterattack. I managed to just smirk at him before nudging Derek. Why aren’t you waking up at all this commotion? You’re not normally a heavy sleeper. “Derek?” I muttered.
“He’s fine.”