Page 47 of This Blood That Breaks Us (This Blood That Binds Us, #3)

Thirty-Nine

Luke

Who was I? That was my first thought when She pulled away from me. Surely, I had a name, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Her as She walked away from me. My heart yearned for Her, but She was only feet away and wasn’t looking at me . . .

I’m yours, My Love.

Her voice was in my head.

How could I live like this? If She wasn’t touching me or looking at me, how could I function? What was my name again?

“Luke.” Ezra grabbed my arm, and the pressure brought enough blood to my brain again where I could focus. His eyes locked with mine, demanding attention.

He was looking for some kind of answer from me, but I looked to Her instead. Catching the tail end of Her dress as it dragged on the floor.

He shook me. “Look at me.”

I fought the irritation climbing its way up my throat and the urge to push him off, but he didn’t look willing to let me go until I complied.

“Are you okay?”

I steadied myself against him and used his voice to help me fight through the fog.

“Yeah,” I spoke in barely a whisper.

Where was She going? She wouldn’t—

“Focus on me. Get a hold of yourself.” He had my full attention now.

Zach was next to me now, shoulders down and more carefree than normal.

“I’ve got it.” I patted Ezra’s hand, and he relaxed. I wasn’t sure why he cared or why he’d be worried. There wasn’t anything else to worry about. We were home.

Zach didn’t skip a beat as he tore me away from Ezra. He laid his hand over my shoulder, and as we descended the stairs, I realized how long I’d been in my dazed state. The room was empty. All other members had funneled out of the cathedral and could be heard celebrating on the lawn outside.

“We’re going out to celebrate at the bar in town. Everyone’s going,” Zach said. My body buzzed from the feeling of Her blood. I looked behind me where Sirius was wrapping Her wrist, suddenly hit with the most powerful fit of worry.

“Sirius will be here with Her. You don’t need to worry,” Ezra said. He was too good at reading me.

I’ll be fine, My Love. Enjoy your time.

She looked over at me with a smile, but Her lips didn’t move. She was in my head this time. Loudly and without prayer. I followed Zach into the driveway where two new Scramble Ducati bikes were parked.

“No way,” Zach said.

“What is this?”

“A gift.” Ezra was smiling too.

“Holy shit,” Zach said.

I lifted a leg over to straddle the bike, then ran my fingers along the midnight-black finish.

“You’re both free to travel as you please over the island. Figured why not in style?”

“Thank you,” I said, running my hand over the handles. I couldn’t believe it. Motorcycles were strictly forbidden in the Calem household because Mom was a nurse who had seen way too much, but we weren’t human anymore, and now I felt like more than a vampire. We were The Guard.

I turned it on and listened to the roar of the engine. It shook me to my core, only adding to the buzzing jolting my veins from Her blood. I was a god.

Two black sports cars pulled up behind us, and Henderson rolled down the window. “Lead the way, sir!”

“You heard him.” Zach gave me a wicked smile and handed me a helmet.

I slammed down my visor and we were off, tearing through the hills. The bikes slid and swerved in the dirt, but we were invincible. Untouchable by anyone or anything. I gripped the handle harder, and my bike jolted forward. We were flying in the infinite darkness.

Zach followed me. When I turned to look, he removed his hands from the handlebars and pounded his chest.

We’d entered a new level. Complete euphoria. And it was better than I’d ever imagined it could be.

We reached the town quickly. I wanted to keep riding all night along the dark hills, but people had to sleep, and the bikes were loud.

“Let’s get so drunk we can’t see straight,” Zach said with a crooked smile.

Plus, Zach had a point. I was ready to celebrate this momentous occasion. It was without a doubt the hardest and biggest goal I’d ever achieved. Who needed to graduate college anyway?

We stepped into the little dive bar. It was packed full of bodies. As we entered, the whole bar seemed to notice. It was likely the only place to go on a night like tonight. Probably a Saturday. The whole thing was filled with the stench of old rotting wood, deep mahogany walls, and booths.

“I second that.” I chuckled.

I was positively floating. We headed over to the counter first.

“Two whiskeys, two shots, and two beers,” Zach said.

The bartender scoffed at us. “Got a card for that tab?”

Ezra stepped up behind us and pulled up the sleeve of his suit, revealing his tattoo. “It’s on the house.”

“I’m sorry, sir. My apologies. I’ll get that right away.”

The crowd surged around us, and the other members funneled in. Everyone one of them bowed their heads in acknowledgment. Connell was the only one brave enough to come and speak with us.

“I’m here for whatever you two need tonight. Or any night. Say my name and I’m there. Ascension was so amazing, wasn’t it? Wow, you must feel so good right now.”

“Are you a little jealous, Connell?” Zach said.

“Oh, of course, sir. But you were born set apart. I could never compare. It doesn’t bother me.”

“Go have fun. You don’t need to follow us around.”

“Why not? Let him serve.” Zach grabbed his drink and eyed Connell with a vacant expression.

“No. We’re okay.” I grabbed my beer and shooed him before my brother could protest. I wondered how long I’d need to stay. I wanted to go home to Her. We’d been separated before, but the wall was gone, and I felt that bond with Her pulling on me. I would go to Her as soon as we were home and wouldn’t leave Her side.

Zach scanned the room. No doubt looking for the prettiest girl in the bar. I spied the girl in his line of sight sitting on another man’s lap. She was surrounded by a group of men, who didn’t look friendly. They all presented scowls in our direction as if they knew exactly who we were.

“Dibs,” Zach said, crunching on the ice from his drink.

I chuckled. “That’s good with me.”

The ice shook in my glass, and I turned to set it on the bar. How he thought about anyone but the queen, I didn’t understand.

Until I saw her.

A girl with highlighted warm-brown hair and green eyes. Sarah. She looked like her. Same hair. Same height. Same smile. I forfeited the air in my lungs.

“Don’t even think about it,” Zach said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Bullshit. Leave her alone. This is supposed to be fun. A new chapter.”

“Just . . . how? Look at her.”

I’d tried not to imagine what she’d look like now. A little older. Bolder bone structure. I wondered if she would have grown into her feet. She thought they were too big, but she was perfect.

“Doesn’t matter. We’re letting go, remember? We’re supposed to be celebrating.”

He was right, but oddly enough, I wanted to keep staring at this girl. I forgot where I was and sipped my drink in silent admiration. She laughed, and my heart pounded harder. It was the way the girl’s eyes lit up and her dimpled cheeks flushed. I wanted to talk to her. I’d almost forgotten the sound of Sarah’s laugh. It was all coming back. All that I’d once wanted, and all the things about Sarah that made me happy.

A feeling fluttered through my chest like butterflies. It had been so long since I’d felt that feeling, and maybe I needed to trust my gut on this one. The pain in my chest was gone, and I was free to feel. Her cheeks sparkled in the dim lights of the bar, and she caught my eyeline and smiled a toothy grin.

Maybe I needed to follow the butterflies.