Crimson Kiss

25 Rejected

I watched the city lights fly by in flashes as we headed toward Ezra's home. My head rested on his shoulder, my fingers intertwined with his. I was at peace now, knowing Ezra was safe and sound beside me. I was worried about what was waiting for me at his house, full of Vampires. Just the thought of entering that place and not knowing what I was really walking into was driving me crazy.

It was a quiet drive, with Amira and Marcus in the vehicle behind us. It had taken less than an hour for me to complete the Ritual. Ezra and Marcus had asked me what I had had to do, but I had been forbidden to speak of it. I had taken a vow of silence and was unable to repeat anything that had happened in that room. I had felt so out of place and my head was pounding. Ezra was still so quiet beside me and I was worried he was angry at me. I had asked him more than once if he was OK. He had insisted he was and returned to silence.
"Does it bother you that I agreed to Tate's terms?" I asked him.
Ezra sighed and looked down at me. "Not as much as it bothers me that you let my brother feed from you," he said in a cold tone. I leaned away from him, looking up at his green eyes.

"You understand why I did it, right?" I asked him.

Ezra sighed and looked back out the window. "Just because I understand, does not mean I have to like it," he told me and I sighed. This was bad enough, knowing he was angry with me, but we had been headed into a possible fight, not knowing if all of us would be leaving that house alive.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

Ezra shook his head. "Don't be," he insisted yet again. We had talked this over many times already, since we left the Witch House. "You were trying to help. How were you supposed to know?" he asked me.

I sighed. Ezra had told me what the importance was of letting a Vampire feed from a Human willingly. It was something personal, as Marcus had put it. And when Ezra told me why, I was horrified that Marcus had gone through with it and not said anything.

When a Vampire feeds from a Human he or she has feelings for, that Vampire becomes bonded to said person. They can feel everything that Human feels, but only if that Vampire already has an emotional connection to the Human he feeds from. So now, since my blood was in Marcus now, he would be able to sniff me out in no time. He would be able to feel every emotion, every feeling that Human feels. A connection was formed between the two and it was almost impossible to break. I sighed and leaned back into Ezra.
"Marcus is still a monster," I said. "He still tried to kill me and for what?"
Ezra laughed sarcastically. "Because of me. He went after you to get back at me!"
"For what?" I demanded.
Ezra shrugged. "I'm not sure," he admitted.
The limo was slowing down, pulling into a driveway. I sighed and looked down at my dress. It was still clean, thank goodness, but I felt dirty after being in that prison cell. "Before we go inside, there is something I have to tell you."
My hand froze on the door handle and I turned to look at him. "What is it?" I asked him. I would be lying if I said I was not dreadding his answer.
"Amira had a vision of you," he told me. "She saw you as one of us. A Vampire. But not a Vampire-"And how long have you known about this?" I asked him, feeling suddenly hollow. I was going to be a Vampire? How? When? Did I even want to change? "And why didn't you tell me?"
Ezra sighed and reached for my hand. I let him take it. "I have only known for a few weeks-"
"A few weeks?" I echoed. "And you didn't think that would have been worth a conversation?"
Ezra shook his head. "Amira said she saw me being the one to turn you, but I refuse to do it if you don't want it. And I know the problem with the Witches makes matters worse and only time will tell what they really want with you-"
"So you think that they have other intentions?" I asked him.
I had thought of that myself as well, but I had nothing to back it up with. "They are Witches, Ivy," he reminded me. "They kidnapped you and held you captive. They warned me that they would do anything to protect their own, They see you as one of them, instead of one of us-"
I cut him off. "I am me!" I reminded him. "I am no one's property!"
Ezra smiled a weak smile. "I know that, Love," he said. "I will keep you safe!" The limo had pulled to a stop now and the driver was around and opening the door for me. I sighed, knowing this conversation was not over, but there was something else on my mind now.
"What are we going to do about Freya?" I asked him as I looped my arm through his.
Ezra shook his head. "One problem at a time, Ok?" he said. "Justin stayed behind and filled Dragos in on what happened. So he is aware of what you are and he is aware that there are other Witches here in Manhattan. He has agreed to keep peace as long as they do not come near us or attack us."
I raised my eyebrow at him. "So he agreed to Delphine's terms?" I asked him, surprised.
Ezra made a face. "Delphine is no longer part of that Coven. She has not been part of that Coven for a long time. So whatever deal we made with her will not apply to what Tate has offered us! Delphine is the one who pointed us in the right direction to find you."
I nodded as Ezra led me up the stairs. I sighed when we reached the big double oak doors and Ezra turned to face me.
"Are you ready for this?" he asked me.
I sighed. "Not a single bit!" I answered and nodded toward the door. "But we have to. If it keeps my loved ones safe, I will do whatever it takes."
Ezra smiled and pulled me in and kissed me gently. I closed my eyes, enjoying this feeling, not knowing how long it would last after we went through those doors. I knew one thing for sure. I was not going to let anyone hurt any of my loved ones. Not Tate, not Marcus, not Dragos. I had power now. And I intended to put it to good use. I could only hope that I was making the right choice. I gripped Ezra's arm as he headed up the stairs, Before we could reach the big oak doors, they were thrown open and two hooded Vampires walked out to greet us. Or threaten us. 
One of them stopped as soon as they saw me. 
"What is she doing here?" he demanded, jabbing his long spear at me. 
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon, Soldier?" he said, taking a few steps closer. 
The guard cleared his throat. "It's just, there is a Council meeting in session. Your Father, King Dragos requests your presents!"
Ezra sighed. "Council meeting?" he muttered pulling out his phone. "About what?"
The guards looked at each other and Ezra lowered his phone. I turned when I herd Marcus and Amira pulling in behind us. When they say the guards outside with us, they were both across the parking lot in the blink of an eye, both beside me and Ezra. 
"She should not be here-"
Marcus rolled his eyes. "Her presents has been requested, you dumbass-"
Amira elbowed him. "How long had the Couple been in session?" she asked. 
The hooded guard shrugged. "They have been waiting for your return, Prince Ezra, and that of your siblings," the second guard said. "I did hear how someone was talking about recent events about the Witches. And how they have a new Priestess."
All the Vampires looked at me. "Get her out of here," Ezra said quickly turning to Amira. 
She nodded and jogged up the stepps. "I need to see Justin first-"
"Bring him with you," Ezra added. 
Marcus shook his head. "You are all fools if you think a sixteen year old baby witch will be able to fend off a Vampire King and a High Priest-"
I was offended. "Hey-"
Marcus turned to face me. "And don't forget your little witchy friend, Delphine! She sure is trustworthy!" And with that he jogged up the steps. "Ivy, if you really want to get yourself killed, be my guest! It would be a hell of a lot less trouble for all parties involved!"
Amira gasped. "Marcus!"
Ezra was beside his brother in the same time it took me to blink. Ezra was on Marcus and was pinning him to the ground. Marcus laughed at him and I watched as Ezra went flying across the  gavle covered parking lot. Amira's hand snaked around mine, keeping me in place.
"Don't!" she hissed at me as Ezra sprang to his feet. 
Marcus laughed at him and dusted his shirt off. "I have fresh Witches blood in me, brother," he sneered and wiped at a small cut on his cheek. "You are a fool for not using her blood when you had the chance, Ezra. You will never get to change her and she will die. She will grow old and die!" Ezra was back across the parking, but Marcus caught him around the neck and slammed him into the ground, flipping him over his back in pushing his face into the gravel. 
"Both of you stop!" I told them. 
It was the distraction Ezra needed to jump to his feet. He grabbed Marcus by the back of the neck but Marcus was incredibly fast. His arms came up, swing around Ezra's shoulders and pushing him back into the ground, Ezra's face smashing into the stone steps by the large fountain of the grounds. Once Ezra was down, Marcus gripped a fist full of hair and angled his jaw on the stone stepps, Ezra's fangs caught on the concrete. 
"Marcus, stop!" Amira warned and released me. "Don't!"
I glanced between them. "What?"
Marcus laughed. "I am about to remove his fangs-"
"You will kill him!" Amira warned him. 
I gasped. "What?"
Amira turned to face me. "If Marcus removes Ezra's fangs, he won't be able to feed. His first line of defence will be gone!" 
I turned back to the two struggling Vampires. "Marcus, please!" I begged him. 
Marcus scoffed at me. "Why should I?" he demanded. 'Why should I do you any favors?"
I felt a sib hitch in my chest. "Because," I told him. "I love him!"
Marcus hesitated, his face still filled with rage, but his eyes were sad, hurt even. With one last glance at me, Marcus released his brother and stalked away. I hurried over to Ezra who was already on his feet and wrapped my arms around him. 
"Are you OK?" I demanded, looking at the blood around his lips. 
Ezra sighed and nodded, glancing after Marcus. "Yes," he said and looked at Amira. "Will you stay with her? Until I am done with the meeting?"
I scowled at him. "I am not leaving-"
Before Ezra could answer, Amira spoke. "Ivy, trust me, now is not a good time to meet Dragos. Something must have happened for him to call a meeting of the Council!" she reminded me. 
I sighed. "Fine, I will wait right here!" I said stubbornly. 
Ezra ran a hand over his face. "Ivy-"
"I don't want to be alone!" I whispered. 
I watched his face go soft and he held me close. "I will have Amira stay with you-"
I sighed. "But I-"
Ezra turned away from me now, forcing me to drop my arms. "I will be there as soon as I can."
I reached and tugged at his shirt. "Promise?" I asked him. 
Ezra smiled and pressed his lips to the top of my head. "Promise!" he told me and then nodded to Amira. I watched as he jogged up the steps and into the building. Amira offered me her arms and I looped it through hers and then we set off down the street. 
"What do you think about a girls night?" she asked me and I gave her a healhearted smile, knowing I would not be up for a party. I needed to get home before Frank did. And it was late. 
"Next time, perhaps," I said and hoped that Ezra stay true to his word and come see me later.