Dark Sonata Read online

  Victoria heart was hammering. “No.”

  Perri put her hand over her mouth and laughed. “I don’t believe it.”

  “What?!” Victoria rasped.

  Perri paced, deep in her thoughts. “Finally it has happened! Ezra didn’t tell you because if you appear like your true self it would drive him mad if he is already attracted to you now. Finally he’s getting a piece of his own damn medicine! He can’t touch you because you are a pure Liorian, and has to keep the peace!”

  “Perri, you’re confusing me,” Victoria said seriously.

  “You’re a Liorian, not a human. When you eat food for extended period of time that is not made for you, you will be depleted of your power, your looks, everything. You need only to be re-energized. You look worse now than probably ever before because when you come in contact with another healthy Liorian, your body burns more power trying to mimic it.” Perri paused and held out her hand. “Promise to me, and I will restore you.”

  The news excited her, her spirits lifting for the first time since entering here. “What am I promising exactly?”

  “To make the Devil cry.”

  Chapter seven

  To make the Devil cry.

  Interesting notion.

  The man probably didn’t possess that delicate ability. It was becoming more apparent that he shared no remorse whatsoever for his actions. But, Victoria understood what Perri was getting at, to avenge her. It obviously meant a great deal to Perri; her hatred for Ezra could only spawn from some deep emotional scar. The powers of the heart could be as lethal as a pointed blade. Even these people, who were considered heartless demons, still felt something. The half-breeds did possess emotional ties.

  Victoria squeezed her eyes shut. It angered her that Perri had been imitate with Ezra. Perri was a beautiful woman who was tossed aside once he had gotten what he wanted. Tapping her anger down she knew the same thing would eventually happen to her. She looked up at Perri’s sad eyes and nodded. “I promise.”

  Perri nodded in return, her eyes assessing. “I hope I’m right about Ezra’s infatuation with you,” she paused as she looked out the window. “But you must be careful, as Cateria is not blind either. She knows something is different about you and is on edge, cursing at everyone she sees. Never eat or drink anything she gives you, understand? Especially after you’re restored.”

  Victoria frowned. “She’d poison me?”

  She laughed and glanced at her. “She would kill you in a heartbeat, and love it.”

  A shiver raced down her spine, feeling like a wind chime on a stormy day.

  “Sydonia is not much different to what you’re used to, so don’t be so shocked. In England you have aristocrats who can most likely get away with anything if the price is right. The same thing works here, we have our nobles as well, Cateria being one of them.”

  Victoria thought on that, realizing its truth.

  “The amount of power a Liorian possesses generally will be where one ranks. How you can tell if someone has great power is by their youth, beauty.” Perri said, sitting down on the bed, motioning Victoria to do the same.

  “Youth?”

  “Yes, for if one has enough power they can replenish themselves, immortal. So, someone who gradually ages reflects on their poor power level. Liorians live much longer than humans. A Liorian’s life span without replenishing can be three hundred years.”

  “So, I will live for three hundred years?” she asked in awe.

  Perri shrugged. “Depends on your power level. And from what you told me, I would assume you might be Liorian royalty. Who are your parents?” Perri asked, her brows knitting together.

  “All I know is that my mother’s name is Assiel,” she admitted softly, wishing she had met her.

  Perri’s eyes widened, but didn’t say anything. Victoria looked up and met her shocked expression and murmured, “You know of her?”

  Perri nodded, swallowing visibly. “I did not know you were the daughter of a Liorian Master. I was thinking possibly a Guardian, but a Master … That explains why you are still looking youthful even though you have not ingested the right substance on Earth.”

  Victoria had to give her head a mental shake. This was so much information to be thrown at her all at once. Feeling perplexed she asked, “What food do you eat in … er. Wait, where do Liorians live exactly?”

  Perri took a breath and shook her head too, the silver plaits of her hair flashing. “You really know nothing at all. Pay close attention, I will only do this once.” She continued, “Liorians with a soul live in Lior, under the rule of the High Council. Our kind, the Fallen, live in the Underrealm. The Underrealm is a broad term; there are six Kingdoms and half are ruled by Ezra’s father. The other half is ruled by Lord Krzan, the two bastards hate each other deeply. The Underrealm is always under constant attack by both combating forces.” Perri eyed Victoria, seeing if it sank in.

  “But you’re banished from there right? What Kingdom did you live in and why did you get evicted?” she asked carefully, hoping she wasn’t overstepping boundaries.

  Perri looked away, pain crossed over her petite features. “I was under the rule of Lord Moray, Ezra’s father. I’m from Tirasea, the largest empire under Moray. Lord Krzan rules over Doloriath, both equally dangerous places. And as you know I am a half-breed. Half-breeds are detested there, treated like infected rats. That’s all you need to know.”

  “But, Ezra is a half-breed?”

  Perri stood and started to pace, her lavender gown shimmering as she walked. “Ezra is the son of Moray, with extreme amounts of power. Him being a half-breed was not an issue until … recently I hear. Half-breeds are a liability, they are not trusted in the Underrealm for good reason. ”

  Victoria nodded. “I see.” She gave a small laugh. “I can’t believe all of this is actually real. Humans have no idea—I had no idea.” Her tummy suddenly grumbled making her cheek heat.

  She glanced at Victoria. “Yes, and it has to stay that way. Enough talk about this, you’re starving.” Perri walked over to the vanity and plucked an apple from the marble bowl. “This is an apple.”

  Victoria raised a brow, a grin pulling at her mouth. “Yes … we have them on Earth.”

  Perri rolled her eyes, leaning on one trim hip. “Yes, I know. In Lior we have most of everything you do on Earth, but … it’s not made from the same substance. This is made from light, yours from dirt.”

  Perri tossed her the apple, making her almost drop it. Victoria held the apple high and studied the ruby colored apple with narrowed eyes. It looked so vibrant, the color vivid. “May I take a bite?” she asked looking up at Perri.

  “Please.”

  She sank her teeth into it and instantly her taste buds were dancing with such fevered pleasure. The juices were running down her cheek as she took another immense bite, her hunger consuming any rational thought. Each swirl of her tongue produced such bliss that she couldn’t help the groan that escaped out of her throat. And before she knew it the apple was gone, the sweetest taste lingering in her tongue. “That was delicious,” she uttered in amazement, licking her lips, wanting more.

  Perri eyed her coolly. “Of course it was. You’re used to human food. And if you eat like that in front of Ezra or any other male here you might warrant unwanted attention. This is the first time your body has actually ingested nutrients, I’m sure that apple was like pure rapture to you.”

  “It was,” she agreed breathlessly, closing her eyes. She felt a bolt of energy rush through her body; her heart was hammering with the new found force. Her skin tingled straight down to the tips of her toes and back up to her flushed cheeks. This was something she has never felt before; it was so stimulating. “Please, may I have more?” she asked and opened her eyes.

  A rapid knock came at the door.

  Perri jerked her head to the sound and cursed. “Who the hell,” she muttered and walked to the golden door, opening it. “Yes?”

  A familiar voice came through the
door. “You have spent plenty of time with Victoria, and I need a word with her.”

  Elm. A tinge of hurt coursed through her, wishing it were Ezra.

  “She is not ready,” she hissed. “Please, I need a little more time. I had to clue Victoria in. The girl had no idea what the pissing hell was going on here, she is not even dressed yet,” she said dangerously, lowering her voice. “What does Cateria care anyway? That bitch is with Ezra, so can you tell her to go f—”

  “Perri! Stop!” he harshly whispered. “You may have thirty minutes and I will be back. This has nothing to do Cateria.”

  “Thirty minutes then.” She whipped round, slamming the door, eyes intense. “We have to do this quickly.” Perri ran a nervous hand down her face. “Ezra would kill me if he knew what I was doing,” she breathed as she ran over to the vanity. She was franticly opening up every compartment. She ran both hands down her face again and hissed, “Son of a bitch!” Perri continued looking around the room like a mad woman, cursing and muttering.

  Victoria tensed and went over to her, feeling helpless and baffled. Perri was acting very strange, panicky. “What are you looking for?! Can I help?” Victoria followed her around the room. “Perri?”

  Perri straightened, seeming out of breath, lost in her own thoughts. She peered out the window then turned around, face screwed up. “He took it,” she whispered. “That bastard took it.”

  “Took what?” she asked, eyes wide, pulse jumping.

  Perri stared at her. “He took the powder from the vanity.”

  Victoria gave her a blank look, wondering if she’d lost her mind.

  “I need to think …” she tailed of, and started to pace. “Unicorn dust, if placed in water, the mixture will replenish your outer body. It’s gone! It’s also the best natural healing agent, very rare and it’s gone!”

  “Wait, unicorns are real?” she asked, shaking her head in total disbelief.

  “Yes. I don’t have time to talk about this to you …” she fell off again and something particular crossed over her features. She looked like a cat that just trapped a mouse under her paw. She tilted her head at Victoria. “You need to eat at least, so your body functions.”

  “Alright, but what about the powder?” Victoria asked warily.

  “I will go and retrieve some,” she said levelly. Suddenly Perri was holding large maroon grapes in her hands. Victoria’s eyes brightened, the grapes looked so appetizing she nearly starting drooling. “Eat these and the rest of the fruit in the basket, I will be back shortly.” Perri gave her the grapes and sprinted from the room.

  Victoria couldn’t eat them fast enough. She popped the ripe grapes in her mouth and the taste was incredible, like small pieces of heaven. She finished them savoring the taste, licking her lips in silent pleasure. Her smile turned into a sudden frown when something unknown washed over her senses. A wave of dizziness maybe? She had to grab onto the bedpost as an anchor.

  Her stomach clenched violently making her expel a harsh breath. What was this?! Maybe she needed more fruit?! Yes, her body wasn’t used to having this type of food, wanting more. “Uh …” she gasped and reached for more fruit, eating like a starved animal. The taste was blissful and before she knew it she had eaten everything. The pain subsided in her stomach letting her slowly relax, unclenching her hand from the bedpost. Sagging to the ground in silent relief she smiled, loving the feeling of being sated.

  But, this was short lived.

  Her insides suddenly twisted making her cry out. Her face contorted, trying to fight past the agony that overtook her mind and body. She screamed again as another piercing pain ripped through her leaving her gasping for air. Her muscles contracted, making her rigid with an anguish she’d never known.

  She was writhing on the ground and felt sweat trickling down her forehead. Her gut retched again producing a loud shriek to erupt out of her throat. Victoria tried to grasp for something, anything, but nothing was near. Searing agony tore through her body yet again causing her to whimper, moaning with mindless hurt.

  “Victoria!” Perri’s terrified voice was above her. “Hang on! Just breathe through it.”

  She felt her body being rolled over onto her back. Perri’s horrified face appeared above hers.

  “Oh God!” Victoria bellowed again, seizing, lungs constricting.

  Perri got up and ran somewhere leaving her alone … with this pain. Flames coursed her insides once more, almost like a pool of lava in her stomach, eating through her body from the inside out. Her vision started to blur as another wave of torture moved over her flushed body. She was burning in a sea of combustion without a way out.

  “Perri! What’s happening?!” yelled a strong male voice. Suddenly large arms engulfed her and jerked her upwards.

  “Victoria!” shouted a distant male voice. “Damnit open your eyes!”

  Victoria forced her burning eyes open to stare into intense silver ones. His expression was one of fear, his skin pale and his hair tousled. Through all the pain, she was so relieved to see him. God, the man possessed the most alluring set of eyes … It was like everything would be better now; everything was going to be alright. She faintly noticed that Ezra’s loose black shirt was unbuttoned to his chest and his sleeves were rolled up exposing his inked forearms. His chest … she had never seen a man’s naked chest before. If she could only lift her arm she would give anything to touch him.

  Victoria gasped as her body violently contracted, forcing her to moan in misery.

  “Victoria. Focus for me love, you need to keep your eyes open and the pain will lessen.” Ezra ordered softly, his gaze severe. He looked up at Perri and hissed, “What the fuck did you give her?!”

  Perri’s voice dropped right away in a pathetic attempt to display innocence. “Oh, dear, she must have eaten bad bloodberries! I thought they were fine!”

  “You gave her bloodberries?!” Ezra yelled as his breathing escalated.

  “I’m sorry! I thought they would help her organs heal faster!” she cried back, guilt and fear now controlling her voice.

  Ezra looked like he wanted to strike her, his eyes flashing dangerously. “The fuck you did,” he spat darkly.

  Perri didn’t say anything for a second. “The only way … I think … to cure her of this poison is to bath her in the powder,” she whispered carefully. “The fruit has already started to attack her skin cells; you have only but minutes.”

  His pale eyes widened as he stared at Perri.

  After registering her words Ezra’s gaze narrowed cruelly, like he knew what she was about. “Leave … before I break your worthless neck,” he hissed, barely audible. “Do not let anyone in here. I will deal with you later,” Ezra threatened.

  She heard Perri run from the room, slamming the heavy door behind her.

  Victoria, in her fevered mind, knew what had happened. Perri had planned this, for this could be no coincidence.

  “Listen to me, we have very little time. I am going to hold you under the water until you drown,” he said hurriedly and kneeled before her.

  Victoria eyes widened, her heart pounding ever more, not sure if she heard him correctly.

  Drown?! Dear Lord she prayed her ears had failed her.

  His face held terror but she also could see a deep concern in there which worried her even more. He was breathing fast as if he could not catch his breath, like he had run for miles. He leaned into her touching her cheek with the back of his hand. “God’s breath I’ll kill her,” he hissed. “You’re burning up, too fast.”

  “Will … I die?” Victoria forced out though a rough voice that didn’t seem like her own. She sounded like an old woman who hadn’t spoken in years.

  He gave her a look but didn’t say anything, only bringing his hands to the ties of her rose-colored robe. Her vision was getting blurry as she followed his soft movements. Through the haze of her brain, she didn’t miss the tenderness she saw in his actions which seemed out of character for him. He quickly untied her robe and let the sil
k fabric slide down her shoulders, cooling her flushed skin.

  “I’m so hot,” she rasped.

  He looked at her then leaned in and blew cool air on her skin, relieving the burning sensation consuming her body. She faintly felt his lips blowing, touching, kissing her body, and telling her she had to be brave. But she couldn’t be sure, for her mind was filled with clouds, a mist that didn’t allow her to see anything straight. But one thought came through, forcing its way into her subconscious mind.

  Dear God he's going to drown me …

  She tried to get up and run but couldn’t move! Victoria desperately wanted to ask him if he was going to kill her … but she couldn’t! She was now incapable of expressing any emotion, like she was paralyzed. Her heart hammering was the only indication that she was still alive. No, this could not be happening …

  He grabbed her with one swift movement, throwing her lifeless body into his strong arms. Ezra gave her one fleeting look and cursed loudly, her condition seeming to reflect in his worried expression.

  Ezra turned and ran towards the oval pool, jumping into the cool water, both their bodies instantly submerged. Victoria felt weightless, the twinkling water surrounding her flushed body. Holding her breath, she opened her irritated eyes under the water; fully aware that Ezra’s arm was still wrapped around her waist. The water glittered around them, distorting her vision into lovely sparkles. Time seemed to stand still while she held her breath, feeling her skin sting intensely.

  As if possessed, her body jerked from left to right under the water, lightning bolts seeming to course through her blood stream. The burning was subsiding, her eyes instantly cooling as the clear water quenched them.

  Movement.

  She kicked her legs, able to move again! Victoria kicked against Ezra, wanting to reach the surface before she ran out of air.

  Ezra pulled her up, breaking the surface of the water. A rush of air filled her lungs when she broke to the top, her whole body prickling with immense sensation. Coughing, she opened her eyes, sputtering in the water. After her vision cleared she realized that Ezra had her pinned up against the pool wall, the water sloshing around them.