A Shade of Vampire 80 A Veil of Dark - Bella Forrest Page 0,57

know,” I managed.

“You give me too much credit, Esme. While I appreciate your kind thoughts, you should be more careful,” Kalon replied, closing the distance between us. For the first time in days, I felt my heart beating so fast and so hard, I worried it might leap out of my chest.

He raised a hand, gently brushing his knuckles along the line of my jaw. His touch was downright electrifying, making my whole body quiver in response. I closed my eyes for a moment, relishing every second… praying that time might stand still so I could enjoy it properly.

But as soon as darkness settled before me, I found myself in the basement again. My leg throbbing from the scythe’s cut. My side burning from crippling pain. Dread coming over me, Zoltan about to kill me. It all came back in splinters, fleeting images and sounds. I remembered the ginger Darkling. Even though Kalon had already told me that she’d been killed that night, I could swear I’d left her breathing before he’d come in to save Trev and me.

This particular thought persisted almost angrily, making it difficult for me to concentrate, still wandering between fractured memories of that night. Unable to see or hear much that would make sense.

“Have mercy,” a woman had said. But there had been no mercy shown.

“Esme?” Kalon’s voice broke through like an echo.

I opened my eyes to find him standing in front of me, his lips so close that I could barely breathe. “Yes… I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I tuned out for a bit.”

“Are you remembering something, perhaps?” he asked, his brows drawn into a frown. I shook my head. “Don’t force yourself. Take it easy.”

“I trust you, Kalon,” I said, determined to make at least some of my feelings known. The near-death experience in the palace basement had taught me a little something about seizing the moment before it was too late. This felt like one such instance.

Kalon gave me a faint smile, his gaze wandering up and down my face. “I just want you to be careful, Esme. This world… it’s wonderful, but it’s also cruel and dangerous. You can’t trust anyone.”

“This is about your brother, isn’t it?” I asked, crossing my arms. It was the only thing I could do to retain my focus, and it was enough to make him take a couple of steps back, letting the air flow between us again. “Finding out he’s a Darkling has gotten you riled up.”

Kalon sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. The silver-white strands emerged, slipping through his fingers as he walked over to one of the lounge windows, which overlooked the lake. I joined him, finding myself mesmerized by moonlight and starlight dancing across the water.

“I admit, I’m rattled. I didn’t think they’d have such a reach,” Kalon said. “The Visentis are loyal Aeternae. My father actively sought to dismantle the Darklings. I think he would’ve succeeded, too, had the Black Fever not claimed him first.”

“What your brother did does not make you any less trustworthy,” I replied, resting a hand on his shoulder. “You’re you, and Ansel is Ansel. He made his choices. You’re not to blame. You know that, Kalon.”

He nodded once. “I could’ve been there for him. I don’t know. Maybe I could’ve done something to not give him the opportunity to join the Darklings. Something must’ve been missing from Ansel’s life for him to make such a choice.”

“Maybe your mother can share some insights. I imagine Petra spent more time with Ansel than you,” I suggested, wondering what the high priestess would say once she learned that one of her sons was a Darkling.

Kalon looked at me. “What, you think my mother knew something?”

“No. Not necessarily. But maybe she saw some signs. Just enough to point out that Ansel was perhaps lost or confused or angry… I don’t know. It’s worth talking to her, though,” I said. “For the time being, I want you to know that none of my people will tell anyone about Ansel. Neither will Valaine. Not until you make a decision about your brother.”

“Thank you, Esme. I cannot convey how much I appreciate your support on this.”

“So, don’t talk about yourself like you’re Ansel, telling me not to trust you, okay?” I replied. “You saved my life, and that counts for something. For as long as I’m here, you and me… we’re a team. We stick together. Okay?”

Amusement glimmered in his eyes as he cocked his head to the side. “How strange