Daybreak, BK 4 of the Lightwalkers

XXXV - Sin

The darkness inside the coffin was all-consuming. I couldn't see anything. The pain from being close to the silver only added another notch in my growing hatred of Christina and this situation I'd found myself in. There was no way to tell how much time had passed or where the jostling coffin was heading. I had to force myself to stay claim.

I focused on remembering what I could of the house and my very unpleasant time in Christina's company. Looking over every aspect, inspecting the memories for any weaknesses in their system. There wasn't much to find.

What unsettled me most was Lex's relationship with her. There was something deeply wrong with that woman. I did not like how he seemed to care for her. She tortured him and yet he was quick to join in on her jokes?

If he had been taken by Christina's mother right when he disappeared a hundred plus years ago, that was a long time to endure the control, torture, starvation. Had he actually grown fond of Christina? Or was it, more likely, a form of Stockholm Syndrome?

I couldn't rest. The coffin shifted again, throwing me to the left side before the thud of it hitting the ground reverberated through my bones.

Everything went still. It was nearly impossible to hear outside of the coffin, but I tried, my ears straining for any sound. There was nothing. Lifting my hands, I pushed against the velvet interior above me. The lid was securely in place, and my hands itched with the proximity of the silver.

There was no give. The lid wouldn't budge.

I wasn't sure if that was a testament to the coffin's solid structure or how weak I had grown. Probably a combination of both. If I wasn't released soon, I would be useless to whatever Christina had planned for our destination. I couldn't be sure if that was a blessing or a curse.

Easing back, I forced my muscles to relax one by one. My body throbbed and, if my heart still beat, I would say it was to that rhythm. There was nothing in this darkness. Nothing but barely contained pain and anger. There was no way to know how long I'd been in the coffin or how much longer until I would be released.

The circumstances were beginning to feel hopeless. Even if a way out of this cursed situation presented itself, would Lex even want to leave? I got the impression that it might not be so simple of a decision for him.

What did Nickolas and Samera think of my disappearance? Had they even noticed? Had the Hewiet and that stupid Avian been able to meet up with them? My thoughts wandered, my body refusing to rest as the pain slowly grew to a nearly unbearable height.

A bright light pierced the darkness, stinging through my eyes. I cringed, but the movement was slow, my body refusing to cooperate. Christina's soft curse seemed to echo around me.

"He is not well, Madam," Lex said, his voice quiet but close. "The silver coffin, it's too much for him. He needs more blood."

It took a lot of effort to force my eyes open, to look up at them staring down at me.

"Alexander, go stand outside the door. Make sure we are not interrupted."

Worry creased Lex's brow. "But, Madam. He needs blood-"

Her switchblade appeared in her hand. "And he will have it. Go. Now. And shut the door behind you."

Lex glanced between us, then rose and left. The click of the door closing followed shortly after.

My captor spared me only but a glance before she set the blade to her wrist and drew it across the flesh. Without hesitation, she held her arm out so that the blood dripped upon my lips.

I sat up, cradling her wrist and nursing the wound. The taste was even more divine than I remembered. All I could focus on was the liquid that coated my tongue, my throat, with each draw on the vein.

There was a good chance that I'd fallen into a true hell on earth being at the end of this she devil's leash. But damn, if her blood wasn't that of an angel's.

Gradually, my senses came back to me. The feeling of her hand in mine as I suckled at her wrist, the pain of being too near the silver coffin. Fingers in my hair. I felt whole, safe. Warmed as if I had spent the afternoon in the sun like a human.

I glanced at her, my eyes finding hers. There was no pain in her features, only a reverence a lover would show their partner, or a mother would show a child.

It did not appeal to me.

"Enough," she said.

I released her, lapping at the wound to not waste a drop before she pulled her hand away. I tried to ignore the growing sense of unease at the feelings she'd awoken in me. Was this what Lex felt toward her? This . . . devotion?

Christina quickly pressed a bandage to her wrist and stood. She beamed at me. "Perhaps there's some hope for you yet, Sin."

Oh, no. I was very sure I was already damned.