Page 16 of Chain Me
“Are you insinuating another possibility?” Dublin wondered, and a part of me chafed at the grit in his voice. He sounded too calm—and in my experience, that was when he had the most potential for cruelty. “Don’t be naïve, Yulia. There is only one logical conclusion.”
“Dublin, I was only—”
“And don’t insult my intelligence by pretending that you don’t know the rumors spreading concerning her, either. Concerning my interest in her. That I lust after the weak little mortal like a wolf would a lamb. Is that what you think as well? I know Raphael in particular rather enjoys that theory—”
“Of course not!”
“My interest in Eleanor Gray extends purely to her bloodline,” Dublin insisted. “Raphael attacked her for a reason. Her body reacted to him so violentlyfor a reason. I intend to discover why before he can use whatever information he knows against me. Nothing more.”
“Fine,” Yulia conceded. “So, did you find what you were looking for?”
“The question isn’t whether I did,” Dublin snapped. “It’s whether or not I believe the superstitious drivel in the first place. Don’t tell me you do? Is that the real reason you fought so hard to make me notice Eleanor in the first place? Not that it matters. It seems she hasn’t lacked for male company.”
“Dublin, I’m on your side,” Yulia insisted. “I’m simply trying to understand. This isn’t like you. Since when have you cared about what Raphael might think? And how would I know anything about the ‘rumors’ when you barely even talk about your past—”
“And I’m not willing to start now,” Dublin growled. “Once I finish cleaning up this mess, I will leave. Tonight.”
“On another wild goose chase?”
“No,” he replied, but his tone had hardened. “I intend to take a more direct route, this time. Even if it means going to a monster we both despise...”
“Ah, so that’s why you really asked me here?” Yulia’s tone turned cutting. Hostile. “You don’t give a damn about Eleanor now that she’s moved on. You only want my permission to talk tohim. The very monsteryousaved me from.”
A deliberate pause left her statement hanging in the air. Finally, Dublin admitted, “Your permission? No. Your understanding? Yes. You and I both know that Dmitri possesses more knowledge in his twisted skull than anyone.”
“Yes,” the woman agreed. “Knowledge that he would barter for your soul—or, worse. Whatever answers he could give you wouldn’t be worth the price you’d have to pay, trust me on that—”
“It’s not merely answers I’m after.”
Some internal part of me squirmed, alarmed by the emotion bared in his words. Concern? Or fear.
“You claim to be concerned for Eleanor? Well, the necklace should have preserved her life, but it hasn’t. I could smell the sickness in her. If her health remains in such a perilous state, this could kill her. By merely attempting to feed from her, I almost did.”
“I know,” the woman whispered. “But you weren’t yourself. We both know how hunger can affect you. I should have talked you out of ever giving up that stupid amulet in the first place—”
“So, she could die sooner?” Dublin countered.
“No, of course not! Although—”
“Although,if you had, we wouldn’t be in this dilemma.” Dublin paused before continuing. “Don’t look at me like that, Yulia, I know what you’re thinking. We both know it to be true.” An air of regret laced his words and it twisted my insides like a knife. “Alive or dead, Eleanor Gray seems destined to thwart all logic where safety is concerned.”
“That’s not what I mean! Look, I won’t pretend like I have any other options, but anyone is better than that son of a bitch. Just wait a few more days and I’ll try to find something myself. Even Saskia might—”
“Or Raphael?”
“No!” The woman choked out a tortured laugh. “I…I suppose going to him would be even worse than Dmitri. But just listen to me. If you can hold off for a few days, I will help you in any way I can, but I can’t… If you do decide to seek out Dmitri, then please don’t count on me to accompany you. Give me a week. I’m sure we can find the answers on our own. Please.”
“…A week,” Dublin conceded after a moment’s silence.
“Good,” Yulia agreed. “And as far as Eleanor is concerned, I’ll do what I can to help her. Let me know when she wakes up, and I’ll bring some things for her. God, I can’t imagine how scared she must be—”
“I’m not sure if she even knows.” Dublin sounded cold again. My tired brain tried desperately to piece together what he referred to. Something concerning me…
Something awful.
“W-What?” Yulia exclaimed. Seconds passed before she regained her composure enough to ask, “And, if she doesn’t you will tell hergently,won’t you? Without making her feel any worse? I mean, it—”
“I found her with someone last night. Perhaps I interrupted a congratulatory dinner?” A laugh undercut Dublin’s chilling baritone. “I think we have both learned by now that Eleanor Gray deserves anything but pity.”
