Bloody desires

Chapter 3

Adrienne

It’s been almost a week since my family found out about my newly appointed position. Six days to be exact. Six days during which they hadn’t stopped texting, calling or showing up in my shop to ‘chat’. My mother, bless her soul, tried to extract every last word that was said between me and the woman who gave me my first official invitation a month ago.

So as it happens, I wasn’t in the least surprised when I received another text from my aunt, once again asking me if I was certain the position was what I wanted.

Sighing, I started to reply that it wasn’t really a choice when a bell above the door rang, announcing a customer. It was Sunday, sure, but I decided it was better to work than sit upstairs counting the hours until eleven tonight. I needed to think of something else if I was going to stay sane.

I must have been a lot more distracted than I thought I was, because I haven’t sensed who came in right away. When I emerged from the back room, a sight of one familiar warlock greeted me. Knox LaVerna stood in my shop, casually raking his eyes over the rows of potions on my shelves.

I was a firm believer that long hair on a man was never a good thing, but looking at Knox’s tall, dark presence and the amount of confidence and self-awareness he possessed, I could safely say he was the exception.

There was just something captivating about him that made me observe him a few times now. Whenever he entered the room, the atmosphere shifted. It was like people couldn’t help but acknowledge the threat his silent calmness presented. I, for one, was always fascinated by the way he could pierce you with his alluringly indifferent gaze, and you instantly knew he read you like an open book. Fortunately, I’ve never been the one those captivating green eyes locked on. At least I wasn’t until quite recently.

Right now, his eyes lazily turned to look at me beneath a few strands of silky blond hair. Like last time, it was entwined in loose braid that fell down his back, revealing slightly pointed ears. To be totally honest with myself, Knox LaVerna was hot. Of course, I knew that was a fact from the first time I saw him when I was twelve. If my little heart had known then, that he would be standing in my shop right now watching me the way he did, it would’ve burst with excitement.

Luckily for me, that little, embarrassingly obvious crush was long gone. So instead of gawking at him like I would’ve done in the past, I raised my brows in surprise as a smug smile took over my face. “Why, what can I do for you, Mr. LaVerna?”

He tilted his head slightly to the right, seemingly unmoved by my obvious fake respectfulness. After a moment of silence, Knox shrugged. “ I was in the neighborhood. Rumors circulate, you know. I thought it couldn’t hurt to make sure they were wrong.”

“Oh? And what are the rumors saying Knox?” I knew what they were saying. They were circulating for years, and I was suspicious Knox was only hearing about them now.

Straightening once again, he oh so casually walked to the counter, stopping only a small distance from me. “I know they must’ve been false because, surely, you wouldn’t brew forbidden potions here. Am I right, Adrienne? You’re not that stupid, I hope?”

“Forbidden potions? Here? Of course not. I wouldn’t even imagine.” That, of course, couldn’t be said about other places. I wasn’t dumb enough to leave evidence. After all, I rarely agree to brew them, and if I do, it’s only if the person have something I specifically want. There are not many of those.

He hummed, once again watching around. “I hope not.” He added absently.

“So.” I cut his pointless murmuring. “Why don’t you tell me why you’re really here. I doubt it’s just to pointlessly observe my potions, even less to make sure I conduct my business legally.”

His eyes cut to me, entrancing me with intensity. Raising his perfectly angular brow, he said, “I heard your binding ritual is tonight.”

Ah. There it was. The mighty warlock went nosing around. I shouldn’t have been surprised after our previous meeting. If I already didn’t know most things about him, I would have done the same thing.

I know Knox is high on the power spectrum; some would say even amongst the most powerful. The fact he wasn’t on the High Council was purely because he didn’t want it. Last I heard, he was perfectly satisfied being what most called an interrogator. Not only did he gather information he was paid to get, but I heard he enjoyed the whole painful process that was sometimes needed. The man had some sadistic traits, for sure.

“It is.” I answered calmly. He may be powerful, but I wasn’t scared. Having a curse run through your veins meant you had the ultimate protection against any type of controlling magic. Mind magic included. I guess even the cursed ones had to have some kind of advantage. “Should I feel flattered you thought of me so much that you gathered that information?”

His lip lifted in a small smirk. “You’re becoming one of the Five, sweetheart. There’s not many who don’t know about it.”

“On the contrary, only few knows.” I smiled, satisfied. “I mean, they know it’s the binding of the Fifth, but the information that it’s me personally is not well known at all.”

“It doesn’t matter. I guess I came here to wish you luck.” No, he wasn’t. He came to feel my levels of power more closely. I guess he didn’t manage to do that last time, or he simply didn’t bother. “You’ll need it if you’re planning to live beyond tonight.”

And wasn’t he right about that. “Thank you for the reminder, Knox. But I’m sure if something goes wrong, you wouldn’t be much bothered.”

“You’re right.” His deep voice was perfectly indifferent. “I won’t be. But nevertheless, I wish you luck.”

As if accomplishing what he needed, Knox turned and was gone without another word. The guy was as intense as he was infuriating. I didn’t know exactly what he planned to do with what he gathered from this little chat, but I’m certain I’ll find out at some point.

The clock on the wall was pointing nine. Only two more hours before I was supposed to show at the Tower of the Damned. After today’s encounter with Knox LaVerna, I unconsciously did what I set not to do. I obsessed over the upcoming ritual the whole day.

With Knox’s words playing in my head, I couldn’t stop thinking about the possible outcome. Then think about it again. And again. He wasn’t wrong when he said I might not get out of this alive. Linking myself, my blood and my magic to one of the oldest dark spells was no joke. And the binding ritual I had to perform tonight would be no doubt dark. After all, blood witches and warlocks themselves were considered wielders of the darkest, most dangerous kind of magic.

This exact reason was why the Circle waited for the witch or warlock to come to a certain age. To reach a certain amount of power and resistance. Picking me, with only twenty-four years of age, now looked like a much bigger mistake than it felt a month ago. But I knew myself and I knew the laws. There was no backing away, not just because I wouldn’t allow myself such a show of weakness, but because the Circle wouldn’t stand for it either.

Taking a slow, calming breath, I finally manage to peel myself away from the chair I sat on for a long time. It was time to get ready. I never witnessed one of the binding rituals, but I read about the things I’d need to do. It wouldn’t be fun at the f**k all.

An hour later I was ready, dressed in black high-waisted jeans and sheer, lace corset top along with blood-red pumps. The red lips I had were, however, my trademark. I never went out without them and if I was going to attend the first binding ritual in the last two hundred years, I certainly wouldn’t stop wearing them now.

Taking my favorite long, gray coat with me, I exited my apartment and locked the door behind me. The ride wasn’t long and in the blink of an eye, I was parking my car at the old cemetery just outside the city.

The night was surprisingly peaceful. One would think a night like this one deserved to be all cold and uneasy, to evoke the feeling of dread just like this ritual evoked in me. But as my footsteps crunched the frozen grass beneath my feet, all I felt was slow wind and calming sounds of crickets and other life that existed around me.

My eyes never strayed from the small, old crypt at the far right edge of the grounds. It was nothing special, nothing to catch the eye. Almost crumpled, enveloped in ivy and spider webs. But be as it were, every sorcerer knew what it really was. A gate to our world, our city.

Instead of entering, I round it and go down the stony stairs to what seemed like a bolted, wooden door. A wooden door that wasn’t moved in quite a long time. Leaning my hand on it, I whispered the enchantment and seconds later, a swirling, living portal appeared in front of me. Without a second of hesitation, I stepped into it and disappeared from sight of anyone who might happen to be watching.

“Good. You’re on time.” a familiar voice startled me as I exited the portal. My body whirled around on instinct, only to see my father in his formal clothes.

“And you thought standing there waiting would make me appear sooner?” despite my attitude, I smiled and leaned in to hug him.

“Well, no. But I thought you’d feel better having someone you trust by your side.” He kissed my forehead.

“Don’t pretend it’s for me. This is more about you than me, dad.” It was funny how even though aware that I was an adult, he still couldn’t let the little girl in his mind go.

“Well, excuse me for worrying about my own daughter. I may have never witnessed the binding ritual, but I know it’s dangerous.”

Although his words were casually spoken, I could sense something beneath. The uncertainty. The fear. Fear that I might not make it tonight. It made a lump in my throat grow bigger, thinking about how he felt. He, mom, Noel, and everyone else in the family.

“Hey.” I shot him a warning look so he would know I was serious. “Nothing will happen to me tonight.” Dad’s eyes flickered with emotion I couldn’t quite put my finger on. But, nevertheless, I continued. “I know it would be hard, but we both know I can withstand it. You trust me, don’t you?”

His jaw ticked, but determination took over, and he nodded. “Always, kid.”

I nodded back and together, we walked towards the Tower of the Damned, otherwise known as the binding place to the ancient Krvorolik – the inescapable, impenetrable prison.

On this side of the portal everything was so much different and if I wasn’t heading to my possible death than maybe I would actually stop to appreciate the surroundings. All the magical plants and lights and little details, but let’s be real – If I successfully bind myself, I would have all the time in the world for observing.

“So, are you going to relocate the potion parlor here?” dad suddenly asked. It took me a moment to figure out what he meant, before I replied, “I didn’t think about that, to be honest. But if I have to move here because of my new duties, then probably. No point in running from one place to another all the time.”

Honestly, I didn’t care about the parlor right now, but I was trying to be positive. And positive meant thinking as if my life wasn’t in danger of ending tonight.

“Although, I would miss my apartment. I never thought I would have to share space with people again this soon.”

Dad chuckled, well aware of the sullenness in my voice. He knew how happy I was when I finally got my own place. He experienced the same happiness when he moved out of nana and grandpa’s place. Except, of course, those two made him crazy even now. “You know you don’t have to live with others in the Circle. You can have your own place, Adrienne, even if it’s here.”

“Really?” I perked. I honestly thought that wasn’t allowed. Furthermore, I always thought the life in Crimson Manor for the members of the Circle was non-negotiable.

“Well, now. You honestly just made my day. Although, the bar for it was already positioned very low.”

Dad arched a brow questioningly. “Really? Why? What happened?”

“Nothing special.” I waved my hand away. “The only time I wasn’t bored to death today was those few minutes when Knox came by the shop.”

“Knox LaVerna?” he frowned, obviously confused. “What did he want from you? I thought his specialty was mind sorcery, nothing to do with potions.”

I snorted. “First of all,” I looked at dad pointedly, “potions are used for various things no matter what kind of magic you prefer to use. And second,” I shrugged, “he just heard about the ritual and if I’m not mistaken, he wanted to feel my power levels for himself.”

“I don’t like it.” It was said so fast and so snippy that I had to bite back my laughter. Amused, I asked, “What don’t you like dad?”

“Him sniffing around you. I respect him, but I don’t like him.” He said firmly.

“Relax, I don’t think you need to worry about anything. Anyway,” I began when we were close to the Tower, “do you know who else is going to be in attendance?” I nodded ahead, indicating to what I was talking about.

“The other Four of the Circle, Council members – which means Darius, Rowan, Penelopa, Alejandro, Maddox, and Dante along with your uncle and grandfather. Our family would be allowed to attend whole because it’s your binding.” Dad tilted his head in thought. “Not sure who else is invited. This is what I concluded was a sure thing.”

I inhaled deeply and nodded. I suspected as much. But the Council members weren’t important right then because we arrived at the door, and it was exactly eleven o’clock. Not a moment later, a man in black robes with a crimson crest on the right side of his chest emerged. He must be one of the people working for the Circle.

Not sparing my father a glance, the man focused on me and nodded respectively. “Miss Roxana. You’re on time. Please, follow me.”

I squared my shoulders and followed, sending a small smile to dad before I left. As much as the Tower looked magnificent on the outside with its gothic style and details, the inside was maybe even better. The halls were filled with black marble flooring, lit with magic infused white flames that cast shadows in a way that made the halls more ominous and beautiful at the same time.

The hall soon transformed into staircases that ascended around the wall towards the chambers upstairs. I didn’t know where the real gates to Krvorolik were, but what I did know was that the Binding Ritual is performed at the top of the Damned Tower.

The man in front of me stopped halfway to the top and opened the doors to a single room. “Please wait inside for the ceremony to begin. You’ll find everything you need to prepare here.” He turned in my direction and gave me a long, assessing look. “Good luck.”