Chapter Seventeen: The Vampire's Covenant.
Day 10
Jacob smiled at Kaden, a dogged expression on his face as the sun tried desperately to reach him from the window. He was a stubborn old man, but it was obvious Jacob was aware of the question on Kaden’s lips: why was Jacob still ill?
“I’ve not long decided to take a nap, but stay. Stay.” Jacob flopped down onto the bed, the covers scrunched and used. “I’ll rest here while we talk.”
Jacob glanced at Mary. “Leave us for a little while, would you?”
But Mary ignored him and continued to neaten his sheets and blankets.
“Mary,” he said in a warning tone.
Both Kaden and Mary exchanged looks, but that was all they could do. In defeat, she left for the reception area.
“Jacob.” Kaden sat in the chair beside the bed. “You’ve been ailing more than a couple of days. I lied to Evie as to why you didn’t attend the wake. It looked awkward when you didn’t arrive to pay your respects.”
Jacob flinched. “You don’t think they suspect I might be sick?”
“No. I think they were too busy grieving, but I’m pretty sure Evie thought it was strange. She’s going to come and see you, she said.” Kaden sighed his frustration. “Why don’t you let Mary help you? You know she’s not only here as your doctor. You know that, don’t you?”
The old vampire snarled. “I know of no such thing. She’s being overly zealous. I’m fine. She’s my doctor, nothing else.” Jacob’s hand trembled as he wiped his nose. “Could not do that to my Sharon.”
Jacob wasn’t fine at all. The old vampire hadn’t finished grieving for his wife. There was no arguing. Jacob would never admit Mary had feelings for him.
“I have some news about Elijah.”
Jacob sat up, his gaze firmly fixed on Kaden now. “Yes.”
“I’m sure of it now. Elijah didn’t commit suicide willingly.”
“I knew it!” Jacob cried, trembling even more.
“I’m ninety-nine percent sure, but either Elijah was bullied into killing himself, or somehow he has succumbed to the demon’s manipulations. One thing is for sure, a culture of bullying has developed among the young vampires in the coven. I’m afraid the boy Konner is at a high risk of the same thing. I’ve heard reports he was attacked this morning.”
Jacob shifted in the bed and kneaded the pillow beneath him. “I thought that Konner was the bully.”
“There’s no evidence to suggest that.”
Jacob rolled over toward the wall, away from Kaden. “Do you think the demon is fueling the bullying? The ill-feeling among the younglings?”
“It’s a possibility.” He couldn’t hide the truth from Jacob.
The old vampire seemed to be lost, hesitating. “If that’s true, is Evie all right?”
“For the moment. The demon has been at her, I think, but the ward holds.” Kaden plastered his voice with as much certainty as he could.
“How has Evie been? Has she been coping?”
“She’s had a rough couple of days. Nothing will take away the questions running around in her head—why didn’t Elijah come to her for help? Hell, that’s the question on my mind too and yours as well, probably.” Kaden shut his eyes and visualized Evie after she’d released the barrage of electrical bursts. “She’s in a lot of pain, Jacob.”
And then it occurred to him: the chance of receiving Jacob’s blessing to court Evie was slim, but if he never asked, he’d never know for sure. Kaden opened his eyes. “I want to …”
Jacob rolled back over to face him. “Yes?”
“I want to—”
“Yes?”
The old vampire pursed his lips together, realization flooding his expression. “You’re hesitating.”
Kaden gathered himself. “I want to talk about Evie.”
“You’ve fallen for her. Haven’t you?”
Kaden didn’t know what to say, because in truth he had fallen for Evie a long time ago. But the way he felt about Evie was not proper, certainly nothing he could discuss with her father. And Jacob’s tone was clear. No blessing would be given.
“I see how you look at her. Half the coven can see it. Even Mary knows about it.” He pointed at the door, his hand trembling. “You think it’s news to me?”
The room suddenly seemed very small, but Kaden straightened, indignation swelling, a denial on his lips. “I have not acted improperly when it has come to Evie, Jacob. I can assure you of that. I have never looked a certain way at your daughter.”
The old vampire turned over again, cackling. “You’re a good friend but an awful liar, Kaden.”
A rebuttal was futile, so Kaden took a moment to compose himself again and changed the subject. “When we find out who did this to Elijah, I’ll be leaving the coven. I know what I said before, but it’s for the best. An associate might have found the final resting place of my parents. At the very least, I’d like to see their graves, and then, I don’t have plans after that, but it will be for the best if I go. For everyone.” Kaden got to his feet and started toward the door.
“Will it?” Jacob’s voice shook.
Kaden stopped, knowing that his leaving would cause him the most pain.
“Hear this, Kaden. I love both you and my daughter too much to see you destroy each other. Love is a wonderful thing, but you and Evie aren’t meant for each other. Too different. Your decision to leave is testament to that.”
Kaden swallowed and nodded, before he transported out of Jacob’s quarters, knowing the vampire he revered as his mentor spoke the truth.
A piece of Kaden had hoped Jacob would have given his blessing—tell him he thought Kaden would make a good match. Instead, Jacob had said the exact opposite. The old vampire was right.
Go to Chapter Eighteen.