Page 17 of The Coven’s Sacrifice

The ladder led to a small room. No windows and just one single door. Jacob opened the door and I finally saw where we were. The highest roof on the mansion. We were higher up than I’d realized, the wind cool against my skin. Thank the gods that Jacob had told me to wear more than just my boxers.

His cold hand grabbed mine and led me over to a flat surface. He laid down and I did the same, gasping when I saw the stars. “They’re so clear,” I whispered. I felt like I was back home again, hiding in the corn field after Mom had discussed my love life yet again. So many nights were spent looking at the stars and feeling small and insignificant. Weirdly enough, it was on those nights, where I’d felt like I was drowning, that feeling small had helped me. What did it matter that I had to have a happy family. One I didn’t want. When I was so small anyway?

“This is my favorite place to be,” Jacob whispered beside me, reminding me he was there. The stars were so familiar to me that I’d forgotten where I was for a second. “When we were at war, I would look at them and remind myself that my brothers were waiting for me up there.”

“Brothers?” I whispered back, feeling like this moment was too sacred to speak normally.

“Fellow soldiers. We lost so many. The stars were the place I believed they ended up. It was so long ago, and we knew little to nothing about the galaxies back then.”

“You were able to keep up with the knowledge from the mansion?”

“Yes. We learned of how the world around us was changing, even when we weren’t. A part of the curse, I am sure of that.”

“Did you ever wish you died in the war,” I began, realizing with horror what I was truly asking him, stopping myself before I continued.

He huffed out a laugh. “So I would have never become a monster?”

I nodded, looking at the stars. It was such an insensitive thing to ask about.

“Many times,” he whispered. I turned my head, finding him looking at the stars. He looked younger at that moment. Fragile. Human. “But these years have also been pleasant. Sometimes even happy. Harland was a surprise, one I never ever thought I would get.”

“You had no idea he was into men?” I asked, thinking that since he’d had to hide his feelings for Alexander, that also meant other soldiers had to do the same.

“And he had no idea Alexander and I were either,” he replied.

“How many of the vampires were into men?”

“Four.”

“We’re you with him as well? Before he was freed, or whatever happened?” I really hoped being freed didn’t mean killed, or my question would be extremely rude.

“No,” he chuckled. “He fell in love with the first male sacrifice, surprising even himself.”

My eyes widened at that. Did that mean the sacrifice and the vampire left together?

“I can sense your brain working,” he teased. “You are the second male sacrifice. I do not know why females were the common gender, but that is simply how things happened. Jaspar was the first male sacrifice and he was a handsome man, but even so, I felt nothing but friendship for the man.”

“Because you were with Harland and Alexander,” I finished.

“No,” he sighed. “Alexander fell in love with Jaspar. He fell hard. It ruined what he and I shared. Harland and I got closer during those years and we fell in love.”

“But Jaspar chose the other vampire…”

Jacob looked at me, his smile sad. “It broke Alexander’s heart. I should have been bitter and refused his touch after he had broken my heart, but how could I? We were all cursed and Alexander had a true chance of freedom. If I truly loved him, why should I not wish for his freedom?”

“Jacob?”

“Hmm.”

“Do the sacrifices have to fall in love to free a vampire?” I held my breath, fearing he couldn’t answer me. Every time I came close to figuring it out, he stopped talking or told me he couldn’t say.

Instead of those words, he stroked my cheek and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “You do not have to choose anyone, Colin. All I wish for you is happiness.”

“But you barely know me?”

He smiled softly at that. “And yet, just your presence is making me feel more alive than ever since I became a monster. I do not care what my lovers think. And if this was how Alexander felt for Jaspar, then I finally understand why he chose him over me.”

Chapter Twelve