Bound by Blood ch.4

FOUR

 

 

Evie shut Hatchet’s door and leaned against it. 

Her wrist stung, but she barely noticed. Not when she was too busy trying to get it together. Thankfully, Hatchet decided to take a nap after he was done eating so she didn’t have to worry about him hearing her racing heartbeat. Or hear her ragged breaths from wanting to cry from her stupidity. 

She released the solid gold handle and trudged down the hall back towards the stairs. 

Why did I think he was worried about me? Of course he just cared about my blood tasting bad. 

She grabbed the sides of her head and inwardly groaned at thinking about how happy she’d been.  

Feeling Humiliated and defeated. Feeling Stupid. So very stupid. 

She’d allowed herself to daydream her emotional state had mattered to Hatchet other than his need. And then he’d burst her little happy bubble wide open, crashing her back to reality. 

Evie was so glad the hall was void of both Nightrealm and their Companions. The sense of danger coming was still taunting her, but she was now more focused on the burning behind her eyelids.  She could only imagine the sight she must have seen right then: cinnamon brown curls disheveled from being pressed close to Hatchet and her heart beating a thousand miles per minute. Her face stamped with a look of utter defeat.

Then she remembered  no one cared about her existence despite Hatchet, anyway. And he only cared because of the contract that was between the two of them. 

The one she’d had no choice in signing.

Thinking about that terrifying day over a year ago when she’d been ushered into the hall by the human woman assigned to keep watch over her that week helped to edge the tightness in her chest. 

She’d only been nine-years-old then. Standing in front of all the other people at least ten years older than her. Everyone around her had bristled with hushed excitement that they would be the one to care for the young prince, an honor meaning unimaginable wealth and prestige after serving as his Companion for however long the contract stated.  

Evie hadn’t understood any of it then, too scared and young to know what they were talking about. She’d tried to ask the blonde woman with bouncy curls next to her what was going on but had been ignored. 

While she’d stood there frozen, her legs trembling, everyone else was doing their best to roll up their sleeves and rip down the collars of their shirts or dresses to expose their bruised and blotchy skin. Evie had been horrified by the sight- wanting to cry out and ask them what they were all doing and why. She’d still been new to the mansion-only there four days at the time- but nothing had rang a bell about what was expected of her. 

She’d tried to search her memory for any information before arriving at the Lamia mansion to answer her questions. . . but it was all a blur. She’d overheard Lord Jain telling Hatchet after he’d saved her from his brother’s attack she’d come from the eradicated Rose clan- the Lamia’s greatest enemy- with all the spoils. . . but she’d had no idea what any of that had meant. 

And the longer she’d attempted to figure it out the less shape her memories had taken. Like staring out at the ocean on a foggy day and seeing nothing but hazy silhouettes of the oil rigs miles and miles out. 

Evie hadn’t known what to do or expect. She hadn’t gasped or made sounds of awe like the others when the grand copper doors opened and Jain announced that everyone needed to be silent, coming slowly down the hall with his hands behind his back, his neck length silver-gold hair gleaming from the chandeliers way above their heads. She’d been listening to all the hushed murmurs of the humans when the sound of slow footsteps clicked on the white, speckled marble floor--and everyone fell quiet. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she’d found everyone bowing their heads and clasping their hands in front of their stomachs. Evie had done the opposite. She’d looked up straight into the gaze of Hatchet, the dark-haired boy who’d saved her. She’d been so relieved, remembering the kindness in his gaze and his gentle hands lifting her off the ground only two days earlier. But as he’d looked at her then Evie hadn’t found any kindness or warmth at all. Only cold charcoal eyes looking down on her. Stony and impassive. A black rose held out for her to take. 

Before she’d been able to react, he’d forced the stem into her hand and commanded sharply,  “I’ve chosen this girl. From now on she is my Companion. No one is allowed to touch her but me.” Evie had sucked in a painful breath at this declaration, her thoughts drowning in the fear something terrible was going to happen. 

He’d watched her indifferently as tears had slipped free from her hazel eyes and down her round cheeks, grabbing her arm and dragging her out of the hall lined with the murderous expressions from those who hadn’t been chosen by him. 

All of it had happened so fast: being brought to a small study. Forced to sit down in a black chair in front of a piece of paper resting on a wooden desk. Ordered to pick up the pen and sign her name at the bottom of it. All the while she’d cried through it all. 

When the contents of the contract had been explained he’d said nothing. He’d merely stood next to her with his arms crossed, his eyes on the Nightrealm servant reading the clauses. It hadn’t been until the paper had been signed by her and handed over to him where he’d placed it in a dark wooden box and then left the two alone in the room that he finally broke the silence.  “You’re safe now...so please stop crying.” 

Evie hadn’t understood what he meant. Safe? Safe from what? 

She’d wanted to ask him but her voice had been choked by sobs, her attention on him taking a long silver needle and pricking his finger and hers, placing the same ones with droplets of blood in each other’s mouths, saying the contract was now completed. 

They were now bound by blood. 

A year later and Evie still had no idea what anything he’d said that day meant. And they never discussed it. 

All she’d been able to figure out was if either of them broke the agreements in the contract she’d be made into a feeder. And the bound by blood part was that both had each other’s blood now in their systems, connecting them. What Evie had yet to figure out were the two questions that had constantly resurfaced in her mind: 

Why did Hatchet choose her. . . and what had he saved her from? 

Maybe I’m not the only one with secrets-something that surprisingly bothered her. She got to the staircase when the prickling along her arms reminded her she had more to worry about than her curiosity and her disappointment. The warning signs were getting stronger, a signal whatever was coming might be just around the corner.  

That’s right. I don’t have time to worry about Hatchet and his reasons for picking me right now. 

She took the last step and headed down the long hall, her flats tapping softly on the lush carpet. 

Her stomach knotted while heading to her bedroom- the last door down the hall to the left- as she shook her head to clear her thoughts. 

She needed to be careful. After all the gifts Nightrealm possessed it wouldn’t surprise her if one of them had the ability to read minds. The last thing she needed was them to think she was questioning Hatchet’s motives. 

Hatchet had never mentioned to her of anyone at the mansion possessing the ability to read a person’s actual thoughts, but she did know they had other ways of figuring out the unspoken truth. 

Such as seeing the auras of people’s emotions, like Hatchet could. Or having visions of the future the way August sometimes did. 

If August did see something about her she doubted he would physically harm her for it.

September, however. . .was a very different story.

Evie pondered just how much they might already know when her attention was dragged away by a sudden sharp cry coming not too far down the hall. 

Swallowing, she searched nervously around her and continued to walk, hearing quiet whimpers growing louder.  

Her stomach tightened, warning her to do the opposite of what she was doing- heading towards the sound- knowing better than to involve herself in the business of others after she’d made the mistake trying to befriend September her first week at the mansion. She’d discovered his cruelty too late, and if it weren’t for Hatchet stepping in she might have had her wrist broken.  

The bone in her wrist ached where September had pressed down while she hastened towards a squeal falling off in a sob. She knew Hatchet would scold her for doing this if he ever found out. Yet his reproach and punishment weren’t enough to stop her from going towards it.  

From wanting to help the person in pain. 

The whimpering grew louder, followed by a high pitched wine. “Please..I..I won’t do it again!” 

Evie’s fast walk turned into a jog, falling to an abrupt stop when she found the source. 

A young man with dark brown hair was on his knees, nearly hidden by the alcove halfway down the hall. His pressed silk pants were wrinkled, stained with droplets of blood that fell from a cut in his right cheek. His left hand was being pushed back by a much younger and smaller boy who leaned against the wall in complete ease. 

The sight in front of her looked bizarre. Except Evie had been in the company with the young boy to realize the monumental mistake of underestimating him. Of letting his heart shaped face with large emerald eyes brushed by dark golden blond hair trick her into believing he wasn’t capable of ripping the man’s arm off if he so desired. 

And by the amused smile he wore Evie had no doubt that might be the outcome. Because September loved to hurt his pets. Loved to be sadistic. 

Evie’s heart slammed into her throat. The 10-year-old prince hadn’t noticed her, too busy tormenting the young man to pay her any mind.  He pressed his brown boot on the man’s leg and leaned forward, his layered dark blonde hair draping over pale eyebrows and brushing long golden lashes as he tilted his head. 

His musical voice rose over the young man’s whimpers, bored. “Remind me again what you won’t do. It seems I’ve already forgotten.”

Evie took a shaky step back, her eyes not leaving September, the man begging, “I’m sorry...p-please forgive me.” he fell into loud sobs. September responded to his begging by pushing the man’s hand back farther. 

Evie watched in horror, silently urging the man to fight him and to stop him, knowing even if he tried it was no use. Humans couldn’t retaliate against Nightrealm. No matter how bad it got. 

September smiled when the man let out a gargled cry. “Are all humans this dumb and deaf? How difficult is it for you to do as I tell you the first time?” The man’s square jaw trembled violently, staring up helplessly as September said slowly, sighing.  “It seems I’ll just have to help spark your memory.”  

The man shook his head no, sobbing. Evie took another step back.

She wanted to help him but couldn’t. She was powerless- useless- and her skin crawled from it.  

Evie took another step back, her heart pounding and the ache in her stomach doubling, her eyes never leaving the merciless prince.

Hatchet. She needed to get Hatchet. He would stop his brother. He would save the man. 

“No please- I beg of you...don’t!”

“Yes, beg human filth. Not that it will save you.” 

The man wailed as Evie rushed backwards-

creaking the wood underneath the rug. 

It wasn’t loud. . . yet it was loud enough for September to trail his cruel gaze over, his cold amusement flashing into gleaming excitement as he locked onto her. 

“Well, look what we have here... my favorite little piggy has come to play with me.” he released the man’s hand and stepped over him, slowly striding to where she was now petrified under his menacing smile.

Evie stopped breathing. Oh no. 

He took a step closer as she began to shake her head and then remembered her place. Bowing low, she said, trembling. “F-forgive me, lord September. I.. I didn’t mean to interrupt you.” Straightening herself she saw his lips crook up in a slow smile. 

“Oh...you didn’t interrupt anything, little piggy. In fact, I was finding myself becoming quite bored. It’s a good thing you showed up now, isn’t it?” he asked quietly, placing his hands behind his back. Evie knew his boredom boded no good for her. For anyone. The last time he’d found her without Hatchet she’d been thrown over the third floor railing only to be saved by August in the nick of time.

When August had demanded his reasoning, September had explained that he’d wanted to test the theory that little piggy’s couldn’t fly. Not only could she not fly (Evie was almost positive no one could-even Nightrealm) she would have died if August hadn’t caught her. 

Seeing him wear the same look he’d worn then she stumbled back, not showing the proper manners in the presence of a superior. But Evie’s desire to live outweighed her fear of punishment, even if that meant another slap from Lord Jain.  Swallowing, she gave a quick curtsy. “Forgive me, my prince...but...but I have to get to Hatchet now.” 

He stopped walking with slow steps towards her. Then pouted. “You have to see my brother?” Evie flicked a terrified look at him and nodded hastily. He glanced over her shoulder with a thoughtful frown as she silently prayed- please let me go.

God answered her plea. After a pause he gave a long winded sigh and rolled his eyes. “Then what are you still standing here for? You should know better than to keep your master waiting. Looks like I’ll just have to return to my former playmate for now.” 

Evie didn’t hesitate escaping, giving a quick curtsy and spinning away as he said- what are you still standing here for?- feeling him turn his back towards her. Then he reprimanded about keeping her master waiting, and she muttered under her breath before she could stop herself-“I don’t have a master-” 

And regretted it immediately.

Nightrealm had impeccably heightened senses. Something she continued forgetting until it was too late. 

Evie’s lungs froze as he asked curiously,  “Did you just talk back to me, little piggy?”    

Chills raced up her back. Evie barely took in a staggered breath and looked over her shoulder when he flashed, slamming her into the wall. The air was knocked from her lungs, keeping her from opening her mouth to either apologize or call for help as September pinned his bony arm across her chest and looked up at her with a cruel smile.  

Before she could recover from the hit he clamped a hand over her mouth, silencing her. He leaned up on his toes, allowing her to look straight into his merciless, excited gaze.

He clicked his tongue and pouted. “I was going to be forgiving about you wandering around where you please. Then you had to open that dumb mouth of yours. If I didn’t know any better I’d say it’s because you want me to correct you, little piggy.” 

Evie’s heart beat hard in her chest. She hadn’t realized until he said it but she was on the wrong floor. Out of her designated areas. 

It was a mistake. A stupid and horrible mistake. 

The young man who’d been at the end of September’s wrath a few moments ago ran past them and Evie watched him helplessly as September dragged her towards a door. His door.

Her pulse spiked and she pushed her feet into the floor, jerking her mouth free from his hand. “I... I shouldn’t have said anything...it won’t happen again...!” 

He squeezed her arm until she fell into a breathless whimper.  “Don’t worry little piggy...after I’m done with you, you won’t be able to speak at all...”

Evie digested his words as he pushed the door open and threw her into his room, shutting it behind him with a finalized click.  Evie backed away slowly and shook her head at the delight brightening his features. The crawling along her skin started to burn. And bile coated her tongue. 

This had to be what her body was trying to warn her about. And like before it was too late to stop it from happening. 

Evie frantically glanced around her for an escape. September’s room looked the exact same as Hatchet’s except he’d moved his couch closer to the king sized poster bed then she’d expected. Her foot snagged on the leg of it and she fell back to the carpeted floor with a heavy thud. 

Before she could catch her breath- or think of her next move-  he flashed and grabbed her again. 

He pressed her against the wall next to the large window, his hand clamping around her throat. 

Evie found her voice and begged.“Please don’t do this.” 

September gave her a pretty pout. “Oh, but I have to, little piggy,” he said as if he had no choice. As if he didn’t revel in what he was about to do. “You’ll only learn your place once you’ve been punished.” 

She shook her head violently. I have to stop him. There has to be something that will make him rethink this. 

There had to be some promise -some threat- that would get her out of there. Hatchet appeared in her mind. 

She needed Hatchet. Even if it meant punishment from him after finding her in September. Whatever he’d do wouldn’t be worse than his cruel youngest brother. 

She opened her mouth to scream Hatchet’s name- but September caught on faster than she’d anticipated. Out of the corner of her eye she saw his small fist cocking and rushing forward at inhuman speed. Evie barely registered the hit until her ear rang painfully from the crash of his fist into the wood, small splintered pieces falling to the black rug. 

September dislodged his hand and pulled it back to his side, frowning.  “Aw...I missed.”

Evie sucked in a shuddering breath and watched him in horror. The burning in her skin jumped an octave to feel like millions of needles pricking into her simultaneously and the pain made her jump back to life, just as September smiled.  “Don’t worry. I won’t miss this time...” 

“Please,” Evie gasped, fighting to remove the hand around her neck, knowing it was futile, his small fist cocking back. An image of the young man came into her mind and she now understood why he was bleeding. September must have hit him, too. Repeatedly. Like he was about to do to her.

He whispered. “I’m going to enjoy this...” 

His narrow shoulder pushed forward and all she could do was slam her eyes shut before the hit came. Hatchet, please help me. 

Evie felt the brush of air from the force. Followed with surprise in September’s voice. “Brother! What are you doing here?” 

She sucked in a shuddering breath. Hatchet! He’d heard her cry. He’d come to stop in September. Opening her eyes she searched for her dark-haired prince and the familiar scowl.  She’d take his wrath over September’s any day.  

But as her gaze focused she didn’t find Hatchet. Instead, she found August, Hatchet’s 11-year-old-brother. August looked like he could be September’s twin except his features were sharper, like Hatchet. And his emerald eyes were darker. Colder. Those eyes were now locked onto September. 

“Are you stupid?” August demanded in disgust. Although August was only a few inches taller than September he towered over him, his hand gripping September’s wrist tightly and keeping it inches from her cheek. 

“The only stupid one is our dear brother,” sniffed September. “Allowing his pet to do and say what she pleases-it’s his fault I have to be the one to correct her,” he protested when August grabbed a handful of September’s hair and dragged him back. 

August snorted, ignoring his struggling. “He’d rip your head off before you even got a second hit in.” 

September growled. “He won’t know what doesn’t hurt him.” He was struggling against August, refusing to release the hand around her neck, and Evie winced when he squeezed. August ripped him back so he had to let go. 

“We’ll see if you’re right,” drawled August, finally turning that cold stare to Evie, his expression filled with disdain. A shudder ran through her, and her legs finally gave out and brought her to the ground. 

Evie covered her neck protectively as August released September, and she trembled that he was going to let September finish his “correction” when he headed to the door.  

“Where are you going?”  August didn’t answer September until he propped the door open and stood next to it, leaning against the wood paneling with his arms crossed. 

“I don’t feel like dying today.” 

September gave him a look of skepticism. “You’re bluffing.” 

August answered by pointing to his right cheek. “You drew blood, idiot.” 

September flicked a look back at Evie and bared his small white teeth. “I’ll draw even more,” he promised, striding back to her. 

Evie cowered as August warned, “you should have been more careful if you didn’t want him coming for you this soon.”

September went rigid and spun to face August. “His nose isn’t that sensitive to her!” 

August gave an indifferent shrug. “We’ll see if you’re right.” 

“I’m not falling for it.”

August lifted his wrist and glanced at his diamond encrusted watch. “-5...4...3...2-”

September locked murderous eyes on Evie. Then he flashed. And all she could do was yelp and cover her head with her arms. Knowing it wouldn’t protect her in the slightest from the strongest Lamia brother. Knowing the foreboding feeling she’d had all afternoon had come to this. 

A hand covered hers and she had to choke down her sob. If you cry they’ll make it worse. 

She waited for the hand to inflict pain. Yet it pressed softly, followed by a gentle command. “Evie...look at me.” 

The voice didn’t belong to August or September. She lifted her tear-filled eyes and found Hatchet, his face etched in concern. 

August interrupted. “I tried to warn him.” 

Red flecks swirled in Hatchet’s charcoal gaze. “He’s dead.” 

“Told him that, too.” Evie saw past her blurred vision August’s attention on Hatchet. “September has and always will be an impulsive idiot...but so are you.” 

Hatchet’s eyes flashed red as he looked at August. “What did you say to me?”

August continued, unbothered by Hatchet’s growing rage. “You come running for an insignificant human and protect her at all costs. But you have no idea who you are trusting so blindly....” 

Evie glanced up at August in trepidation as her stomach bunched in knots. What does he mean by that? She stole a look at Hatchet who was still glaring August down to see if he understood yet his expression was unreadable.  

August went to leave, but stopped in the open doorway. “Keep your pet on a tight leash from now on, dear brother,” he said cooly. Then he glanced over his shoulder, his features sharp. “Or you’ll see just what kind of fool you are.” 

Hatchet snarled as August left them alone. The feeling in her stomach intensified when he brought his focus back to her, his eyes now the color of blood. “Evie...what did you do?” 

Evie stared into his cold, unrelenting gaze, and she realized the attack she’d been waiting for hadn’t yet happened. And she couldn’t stop from wondering if the feeling she’d had all afternoon led her to this moment. That all this time it wouldn’t be Lord Jain or September that hurt her. It would be the Hatchet.

The notion made tears burn her eyes and spill down her cheeks. 

Hatchet’s hardened look didn’t waver, but his voice softened. “You idiot.” Evie clamped her eyes shut and waited for him to hurt her the same way the other Nightrealm did. When she felt his hand on the back of her head she tensed and expected the hit to come. But Hatchet didn’t hit her. He did what Hatchet always did. He protected her. 

Hatchet gently pressed the back of her head into his chest and held her tight. 

She bit her lower lip to stop the growing pressure in her chest from escaping until he murmured, “you’re safe now...I have you-” and the pressure broke free, her sobs echoing in the room.

Evie gripped the front of his shirt and held on for dear life. Relieved. Scared. 

“I’m sorry.... I’m so sorry-” 

for always getting into trouble. 

For always needing you to save me.

For thinking you’d hurt me like them. 

His chest rose and fell against her. “I know,” he sighed in a reassuring tone, and it was like he’d heard her unspoken thoughts. And it only served to make her cry harder. 

Hatchet pulled her closer to him, his other hand smoothing down hair on the top of her head. “You’re okay now. Everything is okay.” 

And as Hatchet held and reassured her, Evie allowed herself to forget the warning signs and feel safe, believing that the storm really was over. When it hadn’t even begun. 

August's words about Hatchet being the biggest fool weren't just said to make him mad...

Because soon the storm would hit. And Evie would prove him right: 

she would be the one to make Hatchet out to be the biggest fool of all.