A Shade Of Blood(17)

“How on earth can you turn a blind eye to these things, Sofia? Since when did you become the kind of person who stood by, comfortably perched in some penthouse, sleeping with the enemy while people are being murdered all around you?”
“I never slept with Derek in the way you’re implying.”
He gave me a wry laugh. “Right, but that really isn’t the point, is it? If the vampire prince suddenly shows up - right here and right now - takes you in his arms and kisses you full on the mouth, would you resist?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but nothing came out.
“I thought so,” he smiled bitterly. “You’re too blinded by your infatuation with him to see him for what he really is.” He eyed the envelope I was still clutching with both my hands. “He’s a monster.”
He turned back to the bedroom, but continued to speak. “Home is in California with the family who supported you and raised you for the past eight years. You don’t need their witch’s ring to find your way there. We make the drive back home first thing tomorrow.”
That night, Ben made a call to his parents, informing them where we were. The only explanation he gave them was that we wanted a taste of independence and decided to run away.
I feared that we would have to make one lie after another in order to cover up that story, but I didn’t want to worry much about it. The only lie that was circling my mind was the one I kept telling myself. I wanted Ben to be wrong about Derek and about how I simply turned a blind eye to what he’d been doing, but I knew he was right.
I didn’t know if it was self-preservation or something more than that, but back at The Shade, I wrapped myself in this little bubble, secured by Derek’s protection and unfounded fondness of me. I’d seen how other human captives were treated by other vampires, and never bothered to help. I simply thanked the powers that be that it wasn’t me. I was selfish and blind. I was so wrapped up in my fear and my own survival, I failed to look at the bigger picture. I failed to look at the immensity of the darkness that permeated The Shade.
It was logical and natural to hate the island the way Ben did. I was threatened multiple times while I was there. I was held captive. I was almost raped and killed. A friend of mine was murdered. I had every reason to hate The Shade and want to destroy it.
But I didn’t. And I couldn’t understand why.

Chapter 11: Lucas
 
Breathless, Claudia and I rolled to our sides on her king-sized canopy bed. I pulled my arm from beneath her bare form, so I could sit over the edge of the bed and reach toward the table where I laid a pack of cigarettes. I propped myself up, leaning my back against the bed’s headboard before lighting up a cigarette.
I could feel Claudia’s eyes on me. She was often the girl I ran to whenever I needed a quick tumble in the bed. She served her purpose well. Of course, the entire time we were screwing each other, it wasn’t really Claudia on my mind. It was Sofia.
My brother’s slave managed to etch herself permanently on my subconscious from the very moment I first laid eyes on her and found myself wanting her – only to realize that she could never be mine. When I finally got a taste of her blood, I was a lost cause. I couldn’t get her out of my head. The fragile little twig.
“Word’s out that Derek has got Cameron out on a full-scale hunt for you. They’re hunting you as we speak.” Six-hundred-year-old Claudia rolled her seventeen-year-old body over the bed so that she was lying on her stomach. She grabbed the cigarette I just lit before I could start smoking it and took a good, long whiff.
I glared at her, noting the amusement in her eyes. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
She laughed. “You know I am. Can you blame me? You preying on Derek’s precious little pet… Derek hunting you down… You, prince of The Shade, the royal highness himself, hiding out with me, ready for my bed whenever I please.” She eyed me pointedly before saying with flair, “How the mighty have fallen.”
I scowled at her, but it wasn’t like I was in any position to dispute her delusions. Whether I liked it or not, I was at her mercy. I hated owing Claudia anything, but she was the only person among the Elite whose depravity and selfishness could equal – perhaps even exceed – mine. We’d had each other’s backs for centuries simply because we allowed each other to indulge our dark sides. Hell, I wasn’t even sure if Claudia had a side that wasn’t made of pure evil. What I was sure of was that she wouldn’t betray me by handing me over to Derek.
I lit another cigarette and pressed it to my lips.