Page 3 of Seared Fates

And yet…

“Fuck this,” I spit.

It's the thing that gives me the confidence to burn away the frost and lock my door like I’m sticking a middle finger up to my fears.

‘I’m fire,’ I think as I make my way towards Vampire Manor. ‘And fire doesn’t freeze.’

Chapter two

Kai

“You’re here,” Ramy says, grinning as he pushes the front door wider.

Ramy’s slim frame is perfectly proportioned, every angle a complement to his dark eyes set over golden-brown skin and hair like poured ink.

“Of course, mate,” I reply and hug him. “How's this house of madness?”

After a beat, Ramy returns the hug. It’s always like this with him. As if he’s expecting me to pull back and laugh in his face, and needs a second to brace himself for impact. Like I ever would. Even without everything we’ve been through, Ramy’s one of my people now.

I give him an extra squeeze, warmed when he finally relaxes, before letting go.

“Vampire Manor is doing well. Great, even. Come in. Golden’s excited to see you.” Ramy ushers me inside, and for the first time since we met, he’s completely at ease. Excited, even.

Only two weeks ago, this place was in ruins. Jace had attacked and kidnapped me, Golden, and Ramy. But not before he andhis blood mage lackeys tore through the mansion like wildfire. How Ramy got the windows and marbling in the kitchen fixed or replaced in such a short time is a mystery.

Or they’re just that rich.

“I think you could use some more paintings,” I muse, eyeing the empty walls while following him down a rosewood hallway lined with dark green carpet runners.

“Any recommendations?”

“Maybe something byRachel Jones. She’s this cool British artist, lotta big colours. She likes her teeth, too.”

“Very fitting,” Ramy replies playfully, flashing his fangs.

“So what’s got you in such a good mood? I know I’m great and all, but you're about to burst.”

Ramy glances my way, eyes sparkling. “Vidar is here.”

“Isn’t he…not well?” I say, trying to be empathetic when what I really mean isn’t he, from what Golden has described, a half-starved vampire.

“Vidar is doing much better,” Ramy explains, and I swear he starts skipping. “I can’t wait to introduce you. Oh! And he has tattoos—you’re going to love them!”

Ramy’s happiness is infectious, and I know he cares a lot about the vampire who made him, so I sling an arm around his shoulders. “Well, I can’t wait to meet him then.” And it isn’t even a lie, even if I’m a little bit apprehensive.

Hopefully Vidar won’t wanna snack on me.

We reach the end of the hallway, and Ramy pushes open a thick door, where the low hum of voices spills out along with flickering shadows, all blending with a warm, wood-burning scent.

When I cross the threshold, I come into a plush living room with soft jazz spilling from hidden speakers, a fire crackling in a walnut and stone fireplace. Golden is tucked in the crook of Lucero’s arm, where they lounge on a cream coloured C-shapedsofa taking up an entire wall. My friend spots me and bolts upright, flashing a smile that could light up a stadium.

‘HURTS! Oh God, it hurts. Can’t take it any more, I can’t! Kill me, Kai! Make it end!’

The memory of Golden’s transformation into a vampire hits me so hard I nearly double over. But I can’t let that show on my face, can’t let Golden see that his screams still slice into my mind and paralyse me most nights.

So I take hold of all the fear and helplessness and toss them away like a baseball, and grin so wide for him that my cheeks hurt. I’m about to go forward when something—no,someonecatches the entirety of my attention.

I inhale, and something inside my chest reaches out towards this man. Something with the weight of mountains, a connection that both shakes my core and steadies it. It’s instinct to take a step towards him, to be closer. Like breathing, a heart beating or…