Eye of the Beholder Read online

  He was a vampire.

  And a good man.

  And my friend.

  I glanced at his face again, his expression still eerily open and fixed on me. I quickly lowered my gaze to his chest. Dain forgive me, but I wanted to know what it would feel like, just for a moment. I swallowed hard and moved closer. My heart pounded as I set my cheek on the cool metal plates on his chest. A second later his arm tightened around my waist, pulling me even closer. He slowed his steps even further until we were merely swaying to the song. I closed my eyes and felt… loved.

  Wanted.

  Despite the wig, I felt it when he kissed the top of my head. Jesus Christ. Was I leading this guy on? Was there anything to lead on?

  The song ended, the spell was broken, and I pulled away. He let me go, now frowning. Before I could think to say anything, the duchess got on the microphone again.

  “Anyone here like prizes?” she asked.

  The crowd roared.

  “Then prepare to work for them!”

  We clapped along with the rest of the patrons. For the rest of the night I pretended like nothing had happened. So did Cassius. I had the sneaking suspicion, however, that he acted that way because I did. Or was I delusional?

  Only Dain knew.

  Chapter Nine

  Once November hit I was bombarded with orders for holiday gifts that had me working round the clock until the end of December. Much to Cassius’s annoyance, none of my time was free, and I barely saw him. I thought it was a good thing to put the brakes on. I’d taken a stupid step Halloween night, and I needed to backtrack. I was able to admit to myself that I wanted his friendship but that was it. That’s all it could be. I hoped he got the hint. Though it still blew my little mind to seriously consider that he might want me.

  We never stopped texting each other, and he was the one to call at least once a week. Honestly, considering his own admission that he got bored easily, I half expected him to grow tired of my lack of attention and pull away.

  He didn’t.

  He never even made those passive-aggressive little pokes people often did when something bothered them. It was apparent, even to my stubborn, damaged mind, he liked spending time with me, whenever he could. He made sure to nag me to eat and sleep. His concern snuck into my heart and made me smile every time.

  Dain would often nag me to remember those things as well. Then I’d return the favor when a project took over his mind.

  On Christmas day Cassius sent a messenger to my house to drop off a gift. I got a bit choked up when I unwrapped the present. A small effigy of the roman god, Vulcan. Since the god was more closely related to the destructive force of fire than Hephaestus, effigies were probably only displayed in his temples. This one was made of metal, and despite the care and polish, the age was impossible to hide. This was something Cassius must have carried with him for centuries. I cuddled it to my chest as I texted a huge thank you to Cassius. I then set the effigy in a place of honor in my workshop.

  I kept gaining more clients due to word of mouth and Her Grace recommending me. It became normal to have overseas orders, and she helped me deliver the pieces. I had money coming out of my ears. I put it all back into the business by updating equipment and the security system around my home and property.

  January saw business slow down to a reasonable amount, but Cassius started to take on more coven responsibilities—which he never went into details about—and it took up much of his nights. We hung out sporadically but managed to text every night. I depended on hearing from him, one way or another. I feared there was no going back for me. He was a part of my life. An important part.

  February rolled around and so did my birthday. I made the mistake of informing Cassius what day it was, and he insisted on buying me a present and that we celebrate it. Nothing I said could dissuade him.

  “Pouting isn’t attractive,” he said over the phone.

  I scowled. “I’m not pouting. Besides, it’s my birthday so I can do whatever I want.”

  He chuckled. “Get your ass to La Rose, Vulcan, or I’m coming to get you myself.”

  I grunted. “Why is this so important to you?”

  “You deserve to be celebrated.”

  Butterflies erupted in my stomach, and I felt a little dizzy. “Yeah, okay.” I took a deep breath. “I’ll be there tomorrow night. Oh hey, did Her Grace ever catch all the Ashwoods? I haven’t heard anything about those slayers lately.”

  “Most of the Ashwoods have been taken care of. A couple managed to scamper off with their tails between their legs. It will be a while before we hear from them again.”

  “They’ll have recruited more to their side by then, though.”

  “And we will simply break them again. Her Grace has plans.”

  I chuckled. “Oh no. No one is safe when she has plans.”

  I suspected Cassius’s coven duties involved helping to track and foil slayers. He’d been dodging them for centuries so who better to learn from?

  “Vulcan, are you quite safe where you live?” he asked.

  I frowned. “’Course I am. Dain implemented the security measures himself. His paranoia now works to my advantage. Don’t worry. No slayer is going to sneak up on me at my home.”

  “It isn’t just the slayers I worry about.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ghouls.”

  I winced. Nicole hadn’t reported anything to me lately, though we’d both been too busy to socialize.

  “I have systems in place to block paranormal invasions. What have you heard?”

  “Her Grace and the Red Moon pack have managed to keep certain things from making the news and away from the eyes of mortals not under our employment. But just two nights ago, ghouls abandoned their leftovers on Hollywood Boulevard. Barely a week ago, it was at the entrance to Universal Studios. The ignorant would term the deaths from animal attacks, but not even a bear or wolf would leave them in such a state.”

  “And we’re not exactly known for our wild animals outside a zoo.”

  “Yes.”

  “Does anyone know why they’re stirring up shit?” I asked.

  “It appears that the matriarch is losing support from her horde. Her daughter is making noise about changing the status quo between ghouls and the rest of us.”

  I slumped on the couch and stared at the ceiling. “Fuck.”

  “Yes,” he said emphatically.

  “The slayers should focus on those fuckers and leave you and the furries alone.”

  He let out a choked sound. “Furries?”

  I scowled. “Hell. Don’t tell them I said that. I’d lose half my business.”

  He laughed, and I smiled despite the dire news he imparted.

  The ghouls were dumbasses. Worst of all, I heard the worry in his voice despite his attempt to mask it. Maybe he needed my birthday celebration just to take his mind off things. Maybe I needed it for the same reason.

  “I have to let you go,” I said. “I have a commission sticking in my craw, and I’ll be damned if it will beat me.”

  He snorted. “Good luck to you then. I will see you tomorrow night.”

  He put emphasis on the last two words.

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes, you will. I’ll put it on my calendar and everything.”

  “Make sure you remember to eat something more than sugary treats.”

  “Yes, Dad.”

  He paused. “Good day, Vulcan.”

  I smiled. “Good day.”

  I nearly had it. I know I did. I held my breath as eerie music filled my forge. I narrowed my eyes and slid the wooden blocks together, each joint clicking into place. Jesus H. Christ, did I actually do it? I wasn’t lying to Cassius when I said the latest commission was driving me insane. Part of me wished I hadn’t agreed to it, and the other relished the challenge.

  Ricardo had recommended me to a fellow alpha of a pack in Wyoming, and I couldn’t fail. I was a perfectionist and wouldn’t admit defeat.

  Apparent
ly the alpha, Lawrence, was a huge fan of the films in the Hellraiser series as well as the books they were based off of. He was such a big fan that he wanted me to replicate all the boxes in the different movies. Of course he didn’t only want pretty little items gracing his shelves. He wanted fully functioning puzzle boxes. While he sent me pics and measurements, I had to watch the damn movies to see how the boxes opened and moved. The movies had scared the crap out of me as a kid, and they still sent a shiver up my spine.

  I’d had to search for online toymaker forums to get the needed info to even attempt such creations. I picked up the box and played with it, testing the different combinations, half expecting Pinhead or one of the cenobites to come out of the wall and want my pain or something. Shaking my head at myself, I realized I really needed to get more sleep. But a glance at the clock showed me that wasn’t happening anytime soon. If I didn’t leave now, I’d be late to visit Cassius for my birthday party.

  I sighed. “Shit.”

  I set the box down and managed a quick shower before grabbing my helmet and locking up the house. I hopped on my motorcycle and sped out of the hills and into the city, aiming for downtown.

  Stuck between cars, I was tempted to ignore traffic laws on my way to La Rose. The smog was thick, and I curled my lip at the pollution. Too many homeless people crowded the sidewalks, and I made a mental note to buy some food and pass it out, maybe tomorrow night. I would have been one of them without Dain.

  As I turned down an alley, a shortcut I knew well, the attack came. It was too fast to stop.

  One minute I was humming to myself as I roared down the alley, my headlights illuminating the black. Then the next minute something collided with me, wrenching me off my motorcycle and smashing me into the brick wall of the building to my left. My helmet prevented me from cracking my skull, but my brain still rattled. Despite wearing Nicole’s armored jacket, my body felt the impact of the hit and landing. It was meant to prevent bullets and claws, not slamming into walls. I lost my breath and crumpled to the ground, ears ringing, tongue stinging. I tasted blood. I must have bitten it.

  Then they were on me. I took one large whiff of foul, rotting air and knew my attackers were ghouls. I struggled and twisted my wrists, activating my cuff blades. I couldn’t see much; it was too dark, and my helmet limited my vision. No way in hell was I taking it off. I kicked my legs and flung out my arms widely, not knowing what else to do. Ghouls were pack hunters, at least three or four, and they were merciless, fast and sneaky, as I’d witnessed before. Ambush predators.

  This was not some Hollywood movie where the hero managed to defend himself despite his injuries. Real bodies didn’t simply get up and shake it off. Not something like this. Despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins, my body was in shock and my vision still spun. My movements were weak. One ghoul bit my arm, and I screamed. Teeth resembling a shark’s pierced through leather, armor, and cloth, right through skin and veins to the bone. Lightning pain raced through every nerve. I tried to stab the beast with my other blade when another ghoul clamped down on the opposite shoulder. I screamed again.

  Apparently not even Nicole’s armor could withstand the pressure of a ghoul’s jaw.

  I opened my eyes, unaware I’d closed them, and a third ghoul rose up in front of me. Vicious white teeth showed in the darkness as the beast snarled with a grin. I was fucking certain that asshole was smiling. He raised his hand, showing off black claws more than an inch long and deadly sharp. I kicked at him, knowing it was useless, but the will to survive wasn’t something they would ever take from me. I wasn’t going to make it easy for them to kill me.

  A strange grunting gurgle came from the third ghoul. A laugh. He was laughing at his stupid prey.

  “Bye-bye, blacksmith,” he said, his words barely decipherable over his hideous laughter.

  Fucking hell. It knew me. It knew who I was.

  He grabbed my leg—far easier than it should have been—and bit my calf. I screamed again as blood spurted all over his face, leaking my life onto the pavement.

  I wouldn’t survive this. Not without help.

  I had Her Grace’s protection, and I was known to all her coven. I had Cassius, and I wasn’t far from La Rose. Desperate, I only had one play left to me. Would they be fast enough?

  As the third ghoul, still clamping my leg in his mouth, raised his hand again to slice into the tender flesh of my belly, I opened my mind. I lowered every single barrier I possessed and bellowed one simple word.

  Help!

  Every vamp in the vicinity should get a full blast of my mental terror. They would see the location through my eyes, and they might even feel my pain, like a phantasm in their own bodies. I didn’t know. Didn’t matter. As long as one of them helped me. Rescued me. I didn’t want to die.

  I didn’t want to fucking die!

  And not like this—fucking dinner for filth-dwelling parasites.

  My body was nothing but one big pain receptor as the ghoul slashed at my stomach. I brought up my hand, the one not trapped in a ghoul’s mouth. I didn’t think, only reacted. His claws collided with my blade, and I put all the strength I had left into keeping him away from my stomach, knowing it wouldn’t be enough.

  The ghoul snarled something. I didn’t understand him this time. The ghoul biting my shoulder released me. He grabbed my arm and wrenched it away from the claws. I couldn’t resist. I gasped at the agony. Then the ghoul biting my other arm released me and yanked off my helmet. My naked head thunked against the pavement as my vision tunneled, grayed.

  Where were my protectors? My mind was still wide open.

  Cassius! I mentally screamed as loud as I could.

  The ghoul that had bitten my shoulder pulled my arm away from my body and sank his teeth into my side. I screamed shrilly as its sharp teeth scraped against my ribs and clamped tighter. It was going to rip out a literal pound of flesh, and I would be dead in seconds, my internal organs exposed, my blood gushing from the gaping hole. Then the ghouls would be on me like hyenas, ripping and tearing, and I would be nothing but a hollowed-out shell.

  I couldn’t even move. I was dead.

  Happy fucking birthday.

  Vulcan.

  My eyes widened at the voice in my mind. I knew that voice well.

  Cassius.

  The third ghoul let go of my leg and raised his claws again, ready to slice through my belly. Then, just like that, he wasn’t there. He’d vanished.

  The two other ghouls froze, confused. A struggle sounded deeper in the alley. The ghoul at my side let go and raised his head. The other did as well. They made odd noises, speaking to each other. I struggled hard to stay conscious, to keep breathing.

  Something flew toward us. It was round and bounced off the wall above. Then it landed with a sickening splat next to one of the ghouls. It was the head of the third ghoul. My attackers hissed.

  A gleaming pair of red eyes stared at us from the darkness. One of the ghouls tried to run while the other hooked an arm around my neck and under one shoulder, stupidly trying to drag me off. Obviously he wasn’t ready to give up dinner. I had no control over my body anymore. I was dead weight. Keep breathing.

  A growl, deeper and far more vicious than a wolf’s, sounded from the darkness. I coughed, blood choking me. Jesus Christ, how did I still have blood to leak?

  My eyes fluttered even as the ghoul trying to drag me off was wrenched away. I collapsed, lying prone and broken on the ground, staring at nothing, wondering how much longer I had left. Couldn’t be long. I was growing numb. Sounds of ripping and tearing and a piercing howl came to my ears, muffled and far away.

  I felt like I was flying. A hazy face appeared before my eyes, but I couldn’t focus on it. I had no strength left.

  “Vulcan.”

  That was Cassius’s voice. I knew that much. He’d saved me, sort of. I was still going to die. At least not as food.

  “No, my friend,” he said softly. “You won’t die. I won’t let you.”


  Right. My mind was still open, and I had no strength to raise my barriers. What was the point?

  I coughed again. It sounded like a death rattle to my ears. My vision cleared for a moment to see flecks of blood on Cassius’s face. His eyes glowed red, his fangs fully descended, and his skin was stretched tightly against his bones, making his face deadly sharp and angled. I vaguely realized red blood mixed with the black of the ghouls. I’d just coughed blood in his face.

  “Hold on, my friend,” he whispered. “Hold on.” He held me tighter. The next few minutes were a blur.

  It was a struggle to open my eyes. Too much of one. I searched around, puzzled. I couldn’t move, I could barely breathe. I coughed again.

  “We’re at my condo,” Cassius said as he leaned down, his face growing slightly clearer as he moved closer. His eyes were blue again. “I have you hooked to IVs, but… Vulcan, you’re near death. I can’t let you die. Let me help you, please.”

  The IVs must have been the reason I didn’t feel any pain. I was groggy and numb.

  How? I managed to form the thought. I couldn’t speak; my lips wouldn’t move.

  Cassius set his hand on my head. “Vampire saliva has enzymes to coagulate blood. We can’t have our thralls bleed out on us. I would need to lick your wounds. Then you would have to take a little bit of my blood.”

  Somehow a whimper managed to escape me. My breath continued to rattle in and out.

  “It won’t change you, I swear.” He sounded frantic, almost panicked. I’d never heard him in such a state.

  “Of course I’m panicked,” he said, snapping his words. My mind was still wide open. “You’re dying, and I care for you. Please say yes. You don’t have much time. Let me save you. Please, Vulcan. I’m begging you, please.”

  I coughed again, knives slicing my throat, my body trembling. I closed my eyes, gulping air through my mouth. I didn’t want to die. Cassius had given me no reason not to trust him. I managed to open my eyes again and met his.

  Yes.

  He exhaled sharply before he lifted up my shirt and started on my side wound. His eyes glowed faintly as he lowered his head and slid his tongue along my ribs. It didn’t take him long to cover my entire wound with his saliva. Then he tore away what was left of my shirt and licked my shoulder. I still gulped in air, and it smelled like him. His body was warmer than mine now, and I pictured myself snuggling into him, absorbing his warmth, finding comfort in his embrace. I was safe with him.