A Shade of Vampire 80 A Veil of Dark - Bella Forrest Page 0,91

a chain around Ansel’s ankles. The young Aeternae rolled his eyes. “Seriously?”

“What did I tell you?” Kalon snarled, and Ansel shut his mouth.

“What are you doing?” I asked, watching them like a hawk.

“This ungrateful little bastard does not deserve the comfort of riding back into the city,” Kalon said, and hoisted Ansel over his shoulder. He came down the stairs and walked over to Lightning, throwing his brother over the Vision’s back as if he were nothing more than a sack of potatoes. “Ansel is just cargo.”

The anger radiated from Kalon in a way that made me doubt everything I’d just processed. What was he so angry about, exactly? That Ansel had gone behind his back to join the Darklings? I needed to observe them more. I didn’t have all the facts, but I knew Kalon wouldn’t tell me anything now, not even if I asked.

I had to catch him in the act. Spying on him was the last thing I’d hoped I’d have to do. Unfortunately, it was my only option. I’d learned this a long time ago: cautiousness before rushing to judgment; ask questions first and shoot later; get all the facts before reaching a conclusion. Small but precious tidbits I’d collected from different civilizations.

Kalon reached me in a split second and kissed me, taking my breath and my mind away. I was paralyzed, unable to pull myself back, only sinking deeper into the feelings I’d developed for him. He tasted like a dangerously beautiful dream, and I’d fallen for him. Hook, line, and sinker. I couldn’t resist.

Closing my eyes, I abandoned myself for the price of a few moments. I enjoyed the kiss. His arms snaking around me and pulling me closer. His hunger seeping through my skin and into my soul, asking me for more.

What could I give him with a broken heart?

What sort of nonsense was all this?

“I’m sorry this is how you get to meet my family,” Kalon said, breaking the kiss.

I nearly collapsed, holding on to him while my knees regained their strength. “What… What do you mean?”

“Well, my younger brother is a Darkling. My mother is going to throw a fit. Not to mention my other siblings… and we’re headed to my place next. I would’ve preferred different, better circumstances for you to visit the Visentis manor,” Kalon replied, slightly but bitterly amused. He seemed genuine, and that bothered me.

What was I to make of it all? I had feelings for the man I’d just discovered had lied to me—and if he’d lied about his knowledge regarding the Darklings, what else had he been lying about? Had he always known about the raids, for example? The blood slave trade? I couldn’t hold myself back. My heart was a mess. My mind was a thickening blur. In the meantime, the Darklings continued to hurt innocent people and play with death magic—and Kalon knew them better than he’d initially let on.

“We can’t have everything we want, now, can we?” I muttered, my resolve slowly coming back to me. I had to keep up appearances. I had to make Kalon think I’d bought into this whole image of him. The less threatening he thought me, the better my odds of catching him in a corner. Of getting him to tell me the whole truth… and nothing but the truth.

I couldn’t tell anyone about this. Not until I saw it through to the end, at least. Tristan would flip. Tristan would tear his head off for lying to me, especially about the Darklings. Tristan can’t know, either, then.

Kalon had thrown me for a loop.

I just needed enough strength to move forward with my plan.

He stole another quick kiss and got on his horse. “Considering yesterday’s cleanup operation, I think we’ll have a smooth journey back,” he said.

Smiling, I settled in Midnight’s saddle, taking her reins and tugging gently. She pressed forward, leaving the cabin behind. “Last one to get to the imperial city is a rotten potato!” I shouted, nudging Midnight with my heels. It was enough to make her fly through the woods.

Lightning’s hooves thundered close behind me, Kalon’s laughter overlapping the sound. “It’s not fair, I’ve got extra baggage here!”

That you do, Kalon. That you most certainly do…

This was a lesson for me. The universe was teaching me something. Even with my careful approach, I’d still gotten burned. There was no way to avoid getting hurt. We all suffered, eventually—some worse than others.

All I could do now was learn from this injury and play