“No,” she said and touched the scar on her face once more.
Max rested his hand over hers. “The vampire who bought me was named Katrina,” he said as he leaned against the rocks and stared at the wall across from him.
Memories he’d worked so hard to bury surged to the forefront of his mind as he recalled those early days in Katrina’s hold, when he’d still been certain he would be able to break free. Then the later days, when he’d been certain he would die. He’d pleaded for death many times, but his request was never granted. Instead, Jack had arrived one day and released him from his prison. He’d been set free, yet there were times he still felt imprisoned by his memories and the nightmares.
For the first time, he set all of those memories free and told someone what he’d endured at Katrina’s brutal hands. He didn’t hold any of it back; there was no reason to, Maeve understood. When he finished, her hand spread out to slip between the buttons of his wet shirt. His breath sucked in when she placed her palm flat against his chest, over where his heart beat faster for her.
“The vampire who bought me was named Byron,” she whispered, and he listened as she revealed the torture and torment she had withstood.
He drew her closer, holding her against him in an attempt to shelter her from the memories, but there was no sheltering her from what she’d suffered. “I wanted to hate them all for what happened to me,” she said at the end.
“So did I,” he admitted. “But humans had a hand in it too. Some of our own kind turned their backs on us long ago and allowed the vampires to become what they were.”
“I know, but in the beginning, I hated everyone.”
“Me too.”
She lifted her head from his chest. Her hand rested against his cheek as she rose up to kiss him once more.
CHAPTER 35
Braith
“Where are they?” Aria murmured while she paced from one end of the barn to the other.
“They’ll be back soon,” Braith said as he followed her restless movements. He’d finally gotten her to get some sleep, easing the shadows under her eyes, and she was already putting weight back on again from drinking his blood, but she was still on edge.
She spun and stalked back toward the other side with Keegan trotting beside her. Xavier stood with William and Tempest near the barn door, watching her. Aria stopped pacing and spun toward the door as a new scent floated on the air.
“They’re back,” William said and opened the door.
On the other side stood Daniel, Timber, Max, and Maeve. Their hair hung in straggles about their faces, their clothes were wrinkled and wet, but they were unharmed as they hurried into the barn and Max closed the door. Braith lifted an eyebrow when Max slid his hand into Maeve’s, drawing her closer against him. Aria’s head cocked to the side, and he realized she had no idea who the girl was.
Taking a few steps toward them, Aria held her hand out to the tiny woman standing by Max’s side. Braith studied the scar on Maeve’s face and the proud set of her shoulders. She was willful, but there was also a vulnerable air about her. His gaze slid to Max as he recognized the same air about him.
She was a blood slave, Braith realized as Maeve took hold of Aria’s hand. The sleeve of her shirt had been pinned, allowing no skin to be exposed. It was something Max had done often enough since he’d been taken from the palace.
“I’m Aria,” she said and shook the woman’s hand.
“Maeve.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Maeve,” she said before stepping forward to hug Max. “I’m glad you’re back.”
He patted her back before she turned away from him to embrace Daniel. “I was worried about you,” she said.
“We ran into some company in the woods, had to take shelter until we were sure they’d moved on,” Daniel told her.
“Did you make it to all of the safe houses?”
“We did. There are more fighters than we expected, close to three thousand, maybe more.”
“Good.” Braith walked forward to slide his arm around Aria’s waist and draw her against his side. “When will they be arriving?”
“They should all be here by nightfall,” Daniel answered and pulled his cloak off.
“That will be a good time to move,” Braith said. “They won’t expect a nighttime attack.”
Daniel sank onto a bale of straw. He dropped his head into his hand and rubbed tiredly at his temples. Aria pulled away from Braith and walked over to sit beside her brother. “Are you okay?” she inquired.
Daniel gave her a wan smile as he lowered his hand. “I’m tired, but okay.”
“You should go rest. We’ll get everything set up,” she told him.
“I think I’m going to take you up on that one, but I’ll be in the back of the barn. I’ve had enough of being underground for a bit.”